A&D Biker Ministries "Growing the Kingdom of God . . . one Biker at a time"

 

 

July 12, 2025

Pastor Ken Jones

Sanctification

 

Definition of Sanctification: It is the work of the Holy Spirit, whereby He makes the Christian more like Jesus Christ- in every way- in thought, word, action and attitude.

This work of the Holy Spirit is progressive, not instantaneous. That is to say that the new believer in Christ does not immediately become like Christ in every way. It takes time, it is process. It requires yielding, submitting to the Holy Spirit, putting off the old things (sin) and putting on the new (righteousness). (II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:9-10)

I. Our Goal: Christlikeness

A. Paul’s prayer for Thessalonian believers- I Thessalonians 5:23- “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

B. To the Corinthian believers at the Church of Corinth, Paul listed many of the sins that they had previously engaged in (I Corinthians 6:9-10) and then goes on to say, “And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

C. In Sanctification, it is God that does the work, but we have a cooperating part

II. Our Cooperation in the Work of Sanctification

A. Submission to God’s word and the Holy Spirit, which leads to obedience. I Peter 2:21- “For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps. Read also vvs. 22-24.

B. Sanctification requires humility- James 4:6- God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

C. It involves resisting our sinful flesh and our foe- the devil, Satan- James 4:7. “Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you I Peter 5:8- “Be sober, be vigilant (watchful), because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour.”

D. We are to walk in the Spirit- Galatians 5:16- “…walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

E. We also need the Holy Spirit’s filling- Ephesians 5:18- “And be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit.”

III. Our Consecration- Romans 12:1,2

A. Present our bodies as a living sacrifice (daily).

B. Crucify the flesh (daily) – This is a daily battle- Galatians 5:24- “And they that be Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (desires) and lusts.”

C. Keep your body in subjection- I Corinthians 9:27- The example- Apostle Paul The flesh wants to rise up and rule.

 

July 5, 2025

Jeff MacDougall

Unity

 

Paul used a metaphor to describe the individuals who make up the church as body parts, each with different purposes, but all coming together to create a body with a unified purpose. Different parts with different functions, all guided by a common mission. It’s a good metaphor. Only when the individual parts of the body work together can the body perform a task. Imagine if your stomach wants a meal, but your legs are unwilling to get your body up. They simply won’t carry you to the kitchen. Or if your hands aren’t willing to hold the fork to lift the food up. Your mouth unwilling to chew. We would call this a dysfunction. The same is true when the church body is not working together, when we are divided and disunified. We still get around, we still exist, but we are not able to effectively accomplish our mission when parts of the body are operating outside of the unity of the whole.    

Jesus gave His church a mission: to go and make disciples of the nations, baptizing them and teaching them. And He prayed for this for us. Did you know that Jesus actually prayed to the Father for you, during his earthly ministry? John’s gospel portrays the event, and gives us Jesus’ words. John gives us 5 chapters of detail of what we call the Last Supper, which concludes with a prayer. Jesus prayed first for himself, then for his disciples, and then for all of his believers, saying “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” He was praying for us.

Let’s read a part of this prayer together. John chapter 17, verses 20 to 23.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

In one of his final acts before being arrested and crucified, Jesus prays for our unity, because he knows we are a people who are disposed to division. To distrust. To look at people different from ourselves and see an enemy rather than the image of God. To listen to people who think differently than us and shut them out of our social circles. And what has the church done over the past two millennia? Divided. Fractured. Arguing over things that are not the core of Jesus’ ministry.

Twice in my life I’ve had to resort to the phone book, or the internet, to find a church after a move. Can you guess what I found? Dozens of options. Methodist. Presbyterian. Catholic. Baptist. Lutheran. Evangelical. The list goes on. We divide. And the culture sees people who can’t even agree on what they believe. With every new cultural wave of change, we find reasons to fracture even more. So tonight, this is what we’re here to talk about. Unity. Specifically, the unity of the church. The Bible has things to say about other aspects of unity, such as between spouses, but I don’t want you to take something I am saying tonight and read in a situation in beyond the scope of our discussion. We’re talking about the unity of believers within the body of Christ.

Unity as a Spiritual Discipline

That prayer that John recorded for us gives some insight into Jesus’s understanding of where we would need help. Jesus prayed for unity because he knew his followers would be least effective when disunified. Just like Paul’s illustration of the body. If the legs don’t work, the feet can’t go out. If the arms don’t work, the hands can’t lift up. If the voice doesn’t work, the mouth can’t proclaim. Let’s be clear: unity does NOT mean uniformity. We see almost immediately this is not the case. God’s people were always meant to represent the nations. All tribes and tongues. Unity also does NOT mean absence of conflict. Just read the book of Acts, or Paul’s letters. We can see numerous examples of an appropriate response to conflict, that resolves conflict while putting a high emphasis on unity.

Unity is not easy. Unity hurts sometimes. This is a spiritual discipline. Something we do because we are called to do it, not because it is easy or fun. Think about other spiritual disciplines. Reading scripture, prayer, fasting, giving. Are any of these “convenient”? Are any of them easy? But you’re probably already doing at least some of them. We show our love for God by loving our neighbor, even when it’s inconvenient. Even when it burdens us. We give up ourself, our own desires, to build the body of believers and to draw non-believers to the Lord. Here’s the big difference between unity and other disciplines. Other things cost us time, resources; unity costs us pride. When we put ourselves in a position that elevates another person at our own expense, we are practicing a spiritual discipline. Lowering ourself in order to elevate others. Sometimes even sacrificing being right, because unity is more important. “And the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” The Lord sees you. He sees your sacrifice.

Humans created for Unity with God

We are going to look at three ways unity is shown in scripture to be something that God’s people are to pursue. A created purpose for unity with God. A called purpose to draw the nations into unity with God. And a cultivated purpose to practice unity within the body of believers (the church).

The storyline of Genesis establishes a purpose for humanity on page 1.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” – Gen 1:28

From the very beginning we see that the creator of the universe desires to share His authority. And not with the Elohim. Not with our predecessors in the creation narrative, plants or animals, birds or fish. No, with the lastborn of creation: mankind. He creates an equal partner for the man, one who rescues his from his inability to fulfill his purpose. Man and woman made for unity. One became two, in order to become one again, so that they may multiply. He creates humanity to rule over creation: to subdue and have dominion. With God as our King, our mentor, the one who will give us wisdom to recognize what is good and what is not good. But we reach out, and take that upon ourselves. Choosing to decide for ourselves what is good and not good, and severing the unity we could have had with God. And now a plot conflict is established. How can we repair this schism? How can we restore this unity? God has a plan.

God’s people called to bring the nations into unity with God

In Genesis 12 we see God choose a family who will represent Him to the nations, making them a distinct people who will shine like a light in darkness, drawing people to Him.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” – Gen 12:1-3

Have you ever noticed that clause in verse 2 before? “…so that you will be a blessing”. A blessing to who? Verse 3 answers it. God has called Abram to be a blessing to the nations. We see in the story of the Old Testament and in the interpretation Jesus gives us in the gospels, that the whole point of a chosen people was to bring the nations back into unity with God. God’s people were never meant to be one ethnicity. One bloodline. One language. God created mankind in His image. All of mankind. The Levitical law was to be a distinguishing characteristic that made God’s people separate, distinct, from the surrounding nations, in order to draw them back to Him. It was their holiness that was to repair the relationship, so that non-Israelites could be a part of the family of believers, and turn from the worship of the Elohim to the worship of Yahweh.

When we reach the time of Jesus’s ministry, we see the plan unfolding. Jesus is coming first to the family of Abraham, in order to send them out into the families of the earth to fold them into the family of God’s people.

Jesus’s prayer grounds our unity within the church in the nature of the trinity. It does not erase the distinctiveness of where we have all come from, but harmonizes our diversity in perfect love. Look at verse 21: “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” This is the Abrahamic covenant made new. Israelite and Roman society were both highly stratified. Based on a social caste system in which layers did not mingle. Jews and Gentiles did not mingle, did not share food, eat together, study together. Men and women did not learn together. Slaves certainly did not eat at the same table as free people! Yet Jesus called us to unity in Himself. In Acts and the epistles, we see examples of the breakdown of social barriers, of unity in Christ. And this had an effect. It’s weirdness in that culture, its distinctiveness, was noticed. “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” God’s people were being a blessing to the nations.

Jesus’s followers cultivated for unity within the body

As the church grew, and non-Israelites were folded into the body of followers of Jesus, conflicts arose. Greek widows being overlooked. Jews teaching that Gentiles need to be circumcised. The “strong and weak” of the Roman church. What foods can be eaten? Sexual immorality. Lawsuits among believers. The rich eating the communion meal before the poor even arrive. Many examples of disunity arising from conflict. And we have some amazing teachings because of it.

Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus:

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to you all— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:1-6

Do you see all of the unity language in this passage? Paul has a theological mindset that sees unity as a major theme in his scriptures, which inform his writings to the churches he established and mentored. Go back and read 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Romans with an eye toward unity and see how close this is to Paul’s heart. This doesn’t mean there are no Biblical reasons to divide, the New Testament shows numerous examples of good reasons for division. Affirming Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, the Son of God. Affirming the inerrancy of scripture. If a person within the church cannot do these things, we have steps to take to correct the error, and to divide if the individual refuses. But never do we see the apostles dividing over how we do baptism, or how we do communion, or what kind of music we play during our weekly meeting time, and certainly not about where our ancestors came from, or what color our skin is, what kind of food we grew up eating, or even what political party we believe has the best solutions to our culture’s issues. They come together, discuss their differences, and are willing to accept rebuke. See Acts 15 for an example of this.

The teaching of Jesus and of his followers place a high value on the unity of the body of believers. Our unity was important to them. They understood that unity makes us effective, and conversely: disunity destroys our ministry. This is why Jesus prayed for this for us. Satan attacks us here. He targets our unity. He seeks ways to divide us. We are ineffective in spreading the gospel when all the world sees is our division, our disagreement, our infighting.

Application

Unity is a discipline, something I do because our scriptures tell us God desires this of us. So I practice this discipline, to the benefit of others, and at the expense of my own time and my own thoughts. You will find yourself in situations where you are in the right, where you have the moral high ground, the legal backing, sometimes the right thing to do is to lay aside your claim and seek unity. To prioritize the relationship, to prioritize peace, to prioritize mercy, to practice the hard spiritual discipline of unity in order to restore relationship between believers, or to draw non-believers into fellowship.

We are to prioritize our identity in Christ above all other affiliations. You are not a republican, or a democrat. You are not white, or black, Hispanic, Asian. You are not poor or rich, blue collar or white collar, a Harley rider or a Suzuki rider. You are a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, the holy Anointed One of God. Humility is critical to our unity. Paul teaches us that we are to consider others better than ourselves and bear with one another in love. Do you provide for the needs of our brothers and sisters in the community and around the globe who don’t have what we have? Do you reconcile fractured relationships? Or do you harden your heart? If non-believers look at your life and your relationships, will they be drawn to Christ because of you? Or do they turn away, and see only hypocrisy? Do you recognize that other Christians who hold different political beliefs are faithful servants of the same God that you serve? People who use a different Bible translation than you, and make different interpretations about some passages, who listen to different music and eat different food, whose skin looks different and who speak different languages… Do you know that these are your brothers and sisters? Do you know that “there is one Lord, one faith, one Baptism”?

Jesus knew we would find every reason to divide, and his final act before he went to the garden to pray and be arrested was to pray for our unity. Do you think this was important to him? It was. If we are fractured, we are ineffective. Only in unity can we do the mission of going out to make disciples of all the nations. And we have one who stands opposed to us in this. One who seeks our disunity. One who is powerless over us, but seeks to weaken our effectiveness. One who has spent centuries convincing the world that he doesn’t even exist, so we will ignore him and see our fellow man as our enemy. No man is our enemy. Your spouse, your employer, your coworker, that driver that cut you off, the politician or voter you disagree with… all bear the image of God. All deserve our mercy, our compassion, our longing to draw them into fellowship. We are to be perfectly one, so that the world may know Jesus and his love. Just like God called Abram, one people, not to build up a single people at the expense of everyone else, but to build them up to draw in everyone else. To draw them back to the Father. Now Jesus calls us to be that very thing. One people, distinct, unified, different from the culture. A light in darkness drawing people back to Him.

Read the full prayer in John 17 this week. Look for all of the unity language in this chapter. Consider this: When conflicts arise in your life, do you harden yourself to others because you are right? Do you prioritizing rightness over relationship? Or am you a peacemaker, merciful, a unifier, a son or daughter of God?

 

June 28, 2025

Staying Young All Your Life

Introduction:  There are some products out there on the market that we see advertised that promise age-defying results; miracle moisturizing creams and anti-aging products with Retinol; But the reality is that our bodies are going to age, and usually our strength and physical capabilities will diminish (Eccl. 12:1-5), but there are some attitudes that we can adopt and choices that we can make to stay young and strong in heart.

Bible examples of those that lived long lives and did amazing things with prolonged strength/stamina:

Many of the early patriarchs lived to be hundreds of years old.  Methuselah, the oldest man to live on the earth, lived 969 years (Gen.5:27)  Noah lived 950 years (Gen.9:29); He was 480 years old when he began building the Ark; He worked at building the ark for 120 years; he was 500 years old when he begat Ham, Shem and Japheth; he was 600 years old when he and his family entered the Ark, and the great fountains of the deep were broken up and the windows of heaven were opened- Gen. 7:11.   

Abram was seventy-five when he departed out of Haran (Gen. 12:4); He was four-score and six years old when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram. Abram was ninety-nine years old when God appeared to him and consecrated him, and established his covenant with him, and he was circumcised.  He was ninety-nine years old when Sarah conceived, and one hundred years old when Isaac was born- Gen. 21:5. 

Caleb was eighty-five (four-score and five) years old when he made the statement that he “was as strong this day as when Moses sent me; as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out and to come in” (Joshua 14:10-12).

Yes, these are probably extraordinary cases, and exceptional people, but they are great examples nonetheless.

There are a few ways that we can still be “fat and flourishing” (productive) and young at heart:

  1. We can still be young in our appetite for learning  (referred to as “life-long learning)
  1. Have a healthy appetite for God’s word.
  1. Being nourished by both the milk and the meat of God’s word- Isaiah 28:9; II Tim3:16,17
  1. The milk of the word (i.e. some “bible basics” basic foundational truths) I Peter 2:2
  2. The Meat of the Word (i.e. some of the harder things to understand, that you have to “chew on” for a while- meditate on) Hebrews 5:12-14.
  1. Psalm 1 describes the blessed one that delights in the law of the Lord, meditates in it day and night.  The Word of God becomes his delight and his passion.
  2.  Gaining knowledge of Scripture should be our first priority, because gaining God’s perspective reduces our anxiety, and prepares us to do His will and fulfill His plan.
  1. We are not to be like those described in II Timothy 3:7 that are “ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
  1.  We can still keep on laboring (serving ) the Lord
  1.  Our text says, “those that are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God”.   We are to be firmly planted in the church- That is where we will be most fruitful in our service for the Lord.  Psalm 1 describes the “blessed” one that delights in the Law of the Lord, and walks in righteousness, is  like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that

brings forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he does   shall  prosper.”

  1. The priests in the Old Testament entered into their priestly office at age 30, and served in their priestly duties until they were 50 years old.  These were their most effective years of service.  After that they were in more supportive roles.
  1.  We can continue Loving as we have been instructed to do
  1.  Loving God and His word- Duet. 6:5; Matthew 22:37
  2.  Love others- “love thy neighbor as thyself”  Matthew 22:39
  3.  Love enemies- Matthew 5:44
  4.  Love the fellowship of the saints- i.e. other believers-II Corinthians 8:4; Love the brotherhood- I Peter 2:17
  1.  We can still continue using our gifts, talents and abilities to influence, encourage and strengthen others.   “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age…” Ps. 92:14
  1.  As we continue to grow older, it may be more challenging to keep up with changing technological advances, but we can still remain productive as we continue to use what God has taught us, as well as using our gifts, and talents that God has given use to bring forth fruit.
  2. Just as certain fruit improves as trees age, years of walking with God should yield greater fruit.  John 15:5.
  3. Whatever your age, look for service opportunities through your church and other ministries. If God blesses you with many years, bless Him with your service.  He wants to use you all the days of your life.

 

 

June 21, 2025

BREAKING FREE FROM SIN​

John 8:36 – “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”

Romans 6:14- “For sin shall not have dominion over you…”

I John 4:4 – “Ye are of God little children and have overcome them: because greater is he          that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

 

Breaking free from the bondage of sin (addictions = i.e. addictive sin) is not easy, or simple, but it is possible for the Christian through the finished work of Jesus Christ which he accomplished on the cross, obedience to the word of God, and submission to the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.  

I.  Realize Christ is Your Sufficiency.   We cannot do it on our own. II Corinthians 3:15 Many people get involved in addictive behaviors in the first place because they think, “I can do this and control it” “I can quit anytime I want”, “It won’t affect me that much…” They think they can handle it.  The addictive activities begin because they believe they need something more than God can give them.  That is how sin entered the world in the beginning, with a desire (lust) for more, and a deceptive self-reliance (The belief that I can make my own choices and live independently from God’s plan and purpose for my life)  Genesis 3.  The lie that Satan wants us to believe is that God is somehow withholding some good things from me that I deserve, or that I need.  Another lie from the devil is that I can be self-sufficient and live independently from God without His help.  Colossians 2:9-10 informs us that “In Him (Christ) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and YOU ARE COMPLETE in Him”.  No matter what may come your way, Christ is able to” keep you from falling” (Jude 24) into that sinful behavior.

II. Reckon (consider as true) yourself dead to sin, but alive to God (Romans 6:11) Because Christ has set you free, because you are complete in Him, you are also dead to the power and rule of sin over your life.  Give God control of your life since you have died to sin. A dead man cannot be tempted, a dead man cannot sin, right?  As a believer in Jesus Christ you are not just dead to sin, but alive to God and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

III. Renew your mind (Romans 12:1-2)   Because you are a new creature in Christ                     II Corinthians 5:17) you need to look at your life and your sinful activities that are enslaving you the same way God views your sin.  Renewing the mind is the process of allowing God’s Word and the application of its principles to mold your thinking so that you can recognize when you are enticed to act contrary to the character and revealed will of God (temptation).  When you see yourself the way God sees you, you will begin to act the way God wants you to act.  This can only begin to take place as your mind is renewed (Romans 12:1, 2).

IV. Remain accountable to other Godly Christians.  (Iron sharpens Iron)  God created us with the need for fellowship, first, with God Himself, secondly, with other Christians. He ordained the church to be a fellowship of believers to nurture and grow as each member does his part (Ephesians 4:16).  A local church support group can help as you seek to break free from your life-dominating sin.

 

May 31, 2025

Five Ways Believers Differ From Unbelievers
Text Verses: II Corinthians 6:14-18
I. Believers Differ in Fellowship- v. 14
A. Believers desire and find their fellowship with God and with other believers.
1. I John 1:3- “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that
you may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the
Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
2. This does not mean that we do not have friends that are unbelievers, for
we need to be friendly toward those that are unsaved. But to have
“fellowship", we must be in the same ship.
3. Just as Jesus was a friend of sinners, we must be friendly toward those
that are unsaved. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost; we
too should be seeking to win others to the Lord Jesus Christ. We can do
this by being friendly toward them as we seek to witness to them.
4. Our closest fellowship is with other Christians who have trusted the Lord
Jesus as their Savior, and are seeking to follow Him. We as Christians are
not to participate in ungodly activities, “what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness.” We should not be seeking our
fellowship in a bar, but in church or Bible study, small group meetings.
II. Believers Differ in Communion- v.14
A. “What communion has light with darkness? We have a contrast between
light and darkness.
B. We as Christians have been translated from the Kingdom of darkness into the
Kingdom of light. We are no longer to walk in the darkness of this world but in
the light of God's love and in God's word.
C. Therefore, our communion should be with other believers of like faith. When
we celebrate the communion of the Lord's supper, we are demonstrating the
fact that we are children of God and of like faith. I Corinthians 10:16,17, 21
III. Believers Differ in Attachment (i.e. concord)- v.15
A. As Christians our affections and our attachments differ from those of the
world. This is not to say we will not have some of the same interests, but the
things that really hold value and meaning and importance are different from
those that the world seeks.
B. I John 2: 15- 16- “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
“For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life- is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

C. “Therefore take no thought, saying what shall we eat? Or, what shall we
drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the
gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these
things.” But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33
D. The old things of our past life before we came to faith in Christ do not hold
the same attraction for us. In fact, we have been delivered from them.
(Following a long list of the former things that the Corinthian Christians had
been involved in prior to coming to faith in Christ), the apostle Paul writes,
“And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified,
but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God.” I Corinthians 6:9-11
IV. Believers Differ in Partnership- v. 15
A. “What part has a believer with an unbeliever?”
B. Going back to verse 14, we are instructed to not be unequally yoked together
with unbelievers. That is to say that we should not be in partnership with
unbelievers. A Christian and an unbeliever are going different directions.
C. Regarding this, I don't believe a Christian should marry an unbeliever. Why?
Because this is an unequal yoke. The Christian partner would have a spiritual
mindset while the unbeliever has a worldly mindset. The Christian partner
would have spiritual goals of following Christ and seeking to serve him while
the unbeliever is seeking to serve the pleasures and things of the world.
V. Believers Differ in Agreement- v. 16
A. “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of
the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I
will be their God, and they shall be my people.” v.16
B. “What? Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is
in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own. For you are bought
with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are
God’s.” I Corinthians 6:19-20
C. We have been purchased, and we have a purpose. We have been bought by
the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and our purpose is to live to serve Him.
D. “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we
live to the Lord: and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live
or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again,
that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:7-9
E. Therefore, let us live with the right kind of fellowship, communion,
attachments, partnerships and agreement.

 

May 24, 2025

Got Guilt?

I once watched a movie in which a prideful and opinionated lady used open prayer time in church as her soap box to publicly bash people she didn't like and to say that sinners should not be allowed in church.  Her hatred was lovingly corrected in the end.  Somehow this got me thinking about guilt.  Maybe I’m weird.

I have felt guilty since I was a child.  I believe a lot of Christians also carry around guilt with them.  In fact, I believe that society sees Christianity as a religion of guilt.  My life's journey has been one big guilt trip. 

Do you feel guilty or ashamed:

  • about sins of the past for which you have been forgiven?
  • because you are still sinning?
  • about Jesus dying for your sins?

Does it make you feel worthless or inferior? 

Then PAY ATTENTION!

When I became a man, I began to put away childish ways of thinking, just like in First Corinthians 13:11.

I Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)

 

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

I thought to justify my own feelings of guilt and shame by believing that it was the Holy Spirit convicting me.  That is a LIE. 

The LIE

Feelings of guilt and shame are the result of conviction from the Holy Spirit.

I used a bold font on this slide because it is such a bold-faced lie.  Let's define our terms.

Conviction is convincing you that you did wrong.  It produces an awareness and understanding of one's sinfulness.

Guilt is feeling that you deserve punishment for real or imagined wrongdoing.

Shame is a strong feeling of humiliation or disgrace arising from guilt.

Which of these three can have a positive result?  Thank about it.

Do you want to know the Truth?  I’ll tell you the truth.  The Truth is that:

Conviction makes us aware of sin
so that
we will confess it and repent of it.

I used a bolder font here because the light of Truth overcomes the darkness of lies. 

Why is this difference important?  In John chapter 8, we read...

John 8:32-36 (NIV)

 

32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"  34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

The LIE enslaves; the TRUTH saves.

This section of scripture shows us that the LIE enslaves; the TRUTH saves.

Let’s take a truth break.  I’ll just quickly read through some verses.

Psalm 103:12 (NIV): as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 

Isaiah 43:25 (NIV): "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

 

Psalm 32:5 (NIV): ...I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord " - and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

 

Romans 8:1 (NIV): Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

 

Once we have been forgiven, the Lord separates us from our sins is far as the East is from the West and remembers them no more.  For those who are believers, there is no longer any condemnation.  There is no longer any conviction for what we have already been forgiven of.  There is likewise no need for lingering guilt or shame.  It is guilt that enslaves us.  It is God’s grace of forgiveness that liberates us; it sets us free from the guilt of sin.  As I read the Bible, I see that God is not the source of guilt and shame.  These things are lies coming from the author of lies and we must not call God a liar by attributing these lies to Him.  Satan is the accuser.  When he lies, he speaks his native language.  Satan wants to destroy you with his lies.  Look at these scriptures:

John 8:44 (NIV): ...He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

I Peter 5:8 (NIV): Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 

John 10:10 (NIV): The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

Hate takes life / Love gives life

We saw from Romans 8:1 that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!  But doesn't the church preach guilt?  YES!  Imperfect men with imperfect motives and imperfect understanding will sometimes say things in a way that makes you feel blamed and guilty.  But the true source of the guilt lie is Satan, the deceiver.  He will do anything to try and keep us away from God's love, but he cannot do it.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ!  Let’s read this from Romans chapter 8.

Romans 8:31-39 (NIV)

 

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?  32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 
36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen?  Amen!  Let all God’s people say Amen.

Satan likes to tell us that we are not good enough to be loved by this perfect and holy God.  Satan wants us to feel unworthy and unable to be loved by God.  While it is true that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, he made A WAY to take our sin AWAY; for us to be saved by his grace. 

God made A WAY to take our sin AWAY

 

Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

 

22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by

Christ Jesus.

Did you catch the emphasis?

Grace is unmerited favor.  None of us sinners deserves to be saved or forgiven.  But God does love us all and Romans 5:8 says that He demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 Romans 5:8 (NIV)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

In doing so, this man Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law; The perfect Son of God was sacrificed for imperfect and unworthy sinners; He redeemed us by paying the price for our sin with his own blood. 

Let’s summarize what we have learned by looking at John 14:6.

John 14:6 (NIV)

 

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

                                    The WAY:  God made A WAY to take our sin AWAY

                                    The TRUTH:  The LIE enslaves; the TRUTH saves

                                    The LIFE:  Hate takes life; Love gives life

We can see clearly now that: Jesus is the WAY to take our sin away; Jesus is the TRUTH that saves; Jesus is LOVE that gives us life.  If you believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved and there is no longer any reason to remain a victim of Satan's lies.  When you trust Jesus Christ, you don’t have to feel guilty or ashamed.

 

To God alone be the glory!

 

May 17, 2025

                 GREAT  FAITH

Matthew 15:22-28 – the woman of Canaan’s daughter

Luke 7:1-10 (cf. Mt. 8:5-10) The Centurion’s servant

Luke 8:22-25 – The disciples with Jesus in the ship in the    

                         midst of a storm (cf. Matt. 8:18, 23-27)

Here we have the three accounts from scripture, the first two are example of two individuals who had “great faith.”

The last account (i.e. disciples) is an example of some who should of had great faith, but didn’t.

Jesus asked them in Luke 8:25, “where is your faith?”

Matthew 6:30- Jesus says, “…O ye of little faith” after warning about trying to serve two masters (God & money), and worrying over what we eat, or drink, or what we will wear for clothing.  He explains how God, our heavenly Father feeds the fowls of the air, and clothes the lilies, and grass of the field.

LET ME ASK YOU- HOW BIG IS YOUR FAITH?

Sometimes we lack faith concerning little things, but usually we lack faith when it comes to big things.

 

WHAT CAUSED THE CANAANITE WOMAN AND CENTURION TO HAVE “GREAT FAITH?”

 

  1.  They looked beyond their circumstances to see God
  1.  Great faith says, “I can’t, but God can!”
  2.  Great faith says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”  Phil. 4:13
  3.  If we are going to see great and mighty things done we are going to have to exercise faith.
  4.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us, without faith it is   impossible to please Him (God).
  5.  The Bible is filled with examples of those who saw impossible things done through faith.
  1.  Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. Passing through the Red Sea as the walls of water stood up on both sides, and they walked through on dry ground.
  2. Abraham and Sarah having a child in their old age as they trusted God to fulfill His promises. Romans 4:18- “…who against hope, believed in hope.”  4:19- “…and being not weak in faith…”
  1. Sometimes when our faith is wavering we should pray as the disciples did, “Lord, increase our faith” Luke 17:5.
  2.  Jesus said on one occasion, “according to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29).
  3.  We must remember when our faith is a little shaky, that God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20).
  4. Matthew 13:58 states that “he did not many miracles there because of their unbelief.”
  1.  They believed God’s word & trusted His promises
  1.  Romans 10:17- “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
  2.  The Centurion sent for Jesus after he heard of Jesus, and what he could do.
  3.  He asked “in faith” – James 1:6
  1. They realized their own unworthiness Luke 7:6,7
  1.  The centurion said, “I am not worthy.” (twice)
  2.  The woman of Canaan said, “yea Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from the master’s table.  (humility)
  3.  II Chron. 7:14- “humble themselves and pray.”
  4.  James 4:7- “…God resists the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.”
  1. They recognized God’s Sovereignty- Luke 7:7,8
  1.  The Centurion said, “say the word and my servant shall be healed.”  (He is able, He is able, I know He)
  2.  He was saying, “You’re able!” “You’re powerful!”
  3.  He recognized and understood authority & power.
  1. They Never stopped believing- Don’t Quit Mt. 15:22,23
  1. The Canaanite woman would not give up or quit. She had a persistent faith.  A persevering faith.
  2.  Notice the disciples tried to send her away, but she would not be deterred. V. 23
  3.  Jesus said, “it is not meat to take the children’s bread, and cast it to the dogs” but she didn’t quit.
  4. She kept on asking and requesting.  Keep praying!

Quotes by Corrie Ten Boom:

“The wonderful thing about prayer is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible.  Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love.”

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.”

Are you a humble person of faith in a Great God? Pray to God in faith and you will see Great things done. Ask in faith, believing.  Jesus taught that if you have a little faith (as a mustard seed) you can see Great things done (Comparatively speaking) e.g. mountains moved.

There is a concerning passage of scripture in Luke 18:8 which poses the question, “…Nevertheless when the Son of man comes will He find faith on the earth?

May we ask God to give us a greater faith in Him.  As the Apostles said, “Lord, increase our faith.” Lk. 17:5

“for we walk by faith, not by sight” II Corinthians 5:17

 

May 10, 2025

The Forge of Our Faith- (The Refining Fire of Trials and Tests)
Main scripture verses: Romans 5:3; I Thessalonians 1:3-5; I Peter 1:7; I Peter 4:12-14;
“The Trial of your Faith, being much more precious that gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire.”
This verse tells us that our faith must be tested or tried if it is going to be purified or refined, and also if it is
going to be tempered, toughened up and strengthened. We all go through trials, afflictions and tests.
I. The Testing of our Faith is Necessary- It is Needful I Peter 1:7
A. It should be precious to us- Why? Because God is at work and using it to:
1. To purify us and our faith- like gold is refined. An interesting fact: The purer the gold (24k)
the softer the metal. The more durable go

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