Sermons

The prevalent idea about acquiring salvation is that you just need to repeat a few words. I recently read a small salvation message which ended by asking its reader to say a particular prayer. In this written out prayer the one who was to repeat it was to thank Jesus for dying on the cross for their sins and then to ask Him into their heart. The problem with this approach to evangelism is that salvation does not rest in a set of repeated words written out by someone else. Salvation is personal matter of the heart. There are no certain words that you must say to cause salvation to come to you, and neither is there any certain work that you can perform to make Christ come into your heart. Salvation comes by grace, which is the undeserved kindness of God. If then you repeated a few words, that, by the way, amount to saying a magic formula, then salvation is no more by grace, its by works, you said the magic words and presto you are saved.

In our passage today Christ tells us that many come to Him calling

Him Lord, but they are not going to enter into the kingdom of heaven. The reason why is that instead of doing the will of the

Father, they have fulfilled the will of man in repeating words or doing some certain work that a man prescribed for them to follow.

However, what the Lord requires is a repentant heart and a God given faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour. These things are not acquired by saying magic words or performing some magical religious act. Unless you, from the heart, have truly repented of your sins and believed in Christ, no amount of words or acts will get you into heaven.

The greatest detriment to lost souls entering into Heaven is this practice of easy believism. For it is those who teach that salvation comes through words and works that are giving people a false sense of security, just as Christ said to the Pharisees of His day,

"...for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." (Matt. 23:15)

Let us beware of those who would take God given repentance and faith out of salvation and replace it with magical words and works.

Man has a very high opinion of himself. Not only do we believe that all we possess came of our own power, but we also think that the power of our own intellect has made us invincible.

Since the days of the writing to the Bible, the life expectancy for man has increased many fold, and because of this mankind has become complacent concerning his demise. We think that because of good eating habits and a good exercise routine that the health we enjoy will always be ours to possess. We have fooled ourselves into believing that we will continue forever in this mortal flesh. To us today, death is like the stars, it seems so far away we spend no time considering it. We live our lives everyday seemingly oblivious to the fact that we are one heart beat away from death, one breath away from the end of our physical life. We consider not how frail we are as human beings.

But, no matter how good we feel, no matter how good the report we get from our doctor, the Bible tells us in James 4:14, "...For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Even if we live to be 110 years old what is that compared to the thousands of years that have gone before?

The fact of the matter is that our life on earth will soon be past and we would do well to consider our end and be prepared to face our God and Creator.

Many believe that being ready to meet God is like being ready to retire. If you have stored up enough good in your life, then when you meet God He will open the gates of Heaven and gladly let you in. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. In John 14:6,

Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."

My friend, your life is just for a moment, so rush to the One who can make you ready for the end. Rush to Jesus for He has said, "All that the Father giveth to me shall come to me; and him thatcometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

The preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has an effect upon everyone that hears it. To some it is a light that shines to salvation. To others the preaching of the Gospel is a nuisance that must be endured in our society. Some view the Gospel as the very strength of their souls, whilst others view it as a foolish waste of time. The Apostle Paul wrote of this differing view of the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

According to the Apostle Paul, there are two distinct groups of people that hear the Gospel. The first group considers the preaching of God’s word to be foolish. They would not bother to come to a worship service because in their view it would be a waste of time to hear someone preach about the risen Saviour. Paul also mentions this group as ones who are going to perish. This means that those who feel as though preaching God’s word is a foolish enterprise are also those who refuse to believe in the Saviour whom God’s word proclaims. Therefore their failure to listen and believe means that they will perish in their own sins, never receiving the forgiveness that is offered to those who believe.

The second group Paul mentions are those who are saved. These are they which not only listened to the preaching of God’s word, but also believed it, understanding that His word has the power to transform a wasted life. We can also say that this group are the ones who would find great enjoyment out of the worship services of their church, finding that their lives are now full and complete in Him who saved them.

As our text today says, those who consider God’s word to be foolish, it’s preaching is a spiritual nail in their spiritual coffin, confirming their resistance to the truth and sealing the doom that awaits them. But for those that are saved, this word is a source of nourishment for their life. Just as food is a source of nourishment for the life of the physical man, even so God’s word is a source of nourishment for the life of the spiritual man.

Let me ask you, what is the Word of God to you? Is it a blessing, ordo you consider it foolish?

This passage of scripture gives us an indictment of man and a solution to his problem.. Mankind is guilty before God whether he admits it or not, sinners are accountable to God and will spend eternity somewhere, where will you spend yours?

Being justified freely means without a cause in us and demonstrates the meaning of Grace and shows us man is hopeless and helpless without Christ and can be saved from this helpless condition through God’s wonderful provision made for us in Christ and his atoning blood. Redemption is in Christ and has been provided by God himself, we are completely dead (Eph 2:1) in trespasses and sins and must be made alive by the spirit of God (Jn 6:44). This may be hard to understand but it is Bible truth.

Men do not see the kingdom of God by natural instinct (Jn 3:3) and must be born spiritually t0 be prepared for eternity, Christ is the channel or means for our justification through his blood

Christ is the propitiation, this means the one offered to stand in our place, the intercessor, or advocate. Sinful man must be made acceptable before God by the means of God’s free gift or he will never be prepared for eternity and can not ever see the kingdom of God. There in no propitiation in the work of men, the church, ordinances, or anything man can do, he is totally without ability concerning spiritual things until he knows Christ.

The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings. (Jer.. 17:9-10)

Where do you stand today in view of eternity? The preparation time is now.

This article done by visiting Pastor Jerry Asberry, Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Paducah, KY, USA

I am not a prophet. God does not speak to me directly from heaven. However, God does speak today through His word. He has no need to tell us anything new, everything we need to know to please God and live a life that is acceptable to Him, is found in His word. Likewise, everything we can expect from our disobedience to His word can be found in the Bible as well.

In our passage today, Israel was warned of the consequences of failing to make God a priority in their lives. It is important to note that God claims the ablility to give and withhold rain. In our day the weather forecasters always give credit to this mysterious, fictional lady they call “Mother Nature.” I have always been amazed that when we get good weather everyone says how good “Mother Nature” has been to us. But when bad weather comes and floods arise or dangerous weather conditions cause distruction and death, people say it is an act of God. What we should learn from the passage before us today is that God is in control of the weather. He makes it rain and He can stop the rain.

Israel was promised rain, grass for thier cattle, and that they would be full, if they loved the Lord and served Him alone. I believe that we will be blessed with this same blessing today if we love the Lord and serve Him with all our heart, but I also beleive that if we turn aside and serve other gods, such as pleasure and money, we will recieve the curse that God promised Israel as well.

As we look around us, what conclusion could we draw about our standing with God as a society. Are we being blessed, or are we being cursed for our neglect of the Almighty.

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”(John 17:17)

Are you seeking the truth about God? Are you seeking the truth about Jesus Christ? Are you seeking the truth about salvation? If you are there is only one place you can find the answers to your questions and that is the Word of God. God’s Word is the only truth that is left in the world. You will not find truth by going to politicians. You will not find truth by searching the stars or getting your palm read. Truth does not lay under a rock or over a mountain.. Absolute truth is found only in the Word of God. Nothing else or no one else will tell you the truth like God’s Word.

God’s Word is the only thing that will tell you that you are a sinner. Go to a psychiatrist and he will tell you that you do wrong because of the way your parents treated you, but God’s Word will tell you the truth. It will tell you that you sin by nature and by choice.

God’s Word is the only thing that will tell you that, “there are none good no not one.” Whereas if you go to the book store and find the self-help section, those books will tell you that you are alright just as you are. However they fail to tell you that no one ever got to heaven on the basis of their goodness.

God’s Word is also the only thing that will tell you about a compassionate Saviour who came and died for all that believe. And that through Him all your sins can be forgiven.

We have the truth today and it can be found in the Word of God. At Faith Missionary Baptist Church we preach this unaltered truth. We will not water it down or sweeten it to make it more acceptable, rather we preach the Word of God as it is to men as they are. Come and visit us this Sunday and see what a difference the right kind of church will make in your life.

"Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him." (Psa. 49:16,17)

What a day that we are living in. We have the best of everything.

We have nice comfortable homes, reliable vehicles, and a wardrobe full of cloths to choose from. The reason we have all these things is because of the lifestyle we choose. Jobs are abundant in our area and many of them pay a person a nice wage and so we have become accustom to having the money we need to go out and buy all the necessities of life.

However, there is a difference between necessity and luxury.

Instead of most of us working to provide the necessities of life, we work long hours seven days a week to have luxuries.

In the United States they have a moving company called U-Haul. If you are moving and want to do it your self, you can rent a U-Haul truck or trailer and do the job your self. I heard an old saying from over there that says, “I have never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul." Of course the meaning is obvious, no matter how hard you work and how many luxurious items you obtain you will not be taking them to the grave with you. I understand that all of us want to live more comfortably and to a certain extent that is not unscriptural, but when our desire for the ease and comfort of riches surpasses our desire for any thing else, this is when it becomes sinful. In the book of 1 Timothy we are told in chapter 6:10, "For the love of money is the root of all evil...." Today we see this verse fulfilled on a daily basis because we see that people will do almost anything for the love of money. Just turn on your television and shows with people willing to do anything for money. Money is only a tool that God gives us the ability to earn so that we can provide for our families.

To do more than that with it is to quit using it as a tool and start worshipping it as a god. When all time and thoughts are consumed with making more money, then we are in essence worshipping money and that is a sin. The Bible tells us that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments, (Eccles. 12:13) but so often we make it our duty to earn more money and forget God and His commands.

Knowing God and following the commands of His word are more important than all the money this world has to offer and what you obtain by obeying Scripture is the only thing that you will take with you to the grave. Obey God, repent and believe the Gospel of

Jesus Christ and the riches of heaven is yours and will never fade or be taken away, but live for this world and its riches and you will lose it all the day you close your eyes in death.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." (Eccles. 12:13)

Why am I on the earth? This is a question that comes to many people’s mind as they contemplate their existence. For many they spend a lifetime in pursuit of the answer, seeking far and wide for a rational explanation. However, the answer to this common question is before us today, simply, "fear God".

To fear God means to have reverence for Him, or respect. This is a concept that is not in most of the population’s mind. The idea prevalent about God today is that he is a gray-haired old gentlemen, with a long, white beard, sitting on a throne smiling lovingly at all those on the earth no matter how wicked they may be. This impression of God has led to the continual decline in godliness in our society. It leads to the idea that there is no need to fear God because He is so loving and forgiving that He would never punish anyone.

However, what most fail to realize is that although God is a God of love and forgiveness, He is also a God of Holiness and Righteousness, and He can never compromise His attribute of Holiness, for His attribute of Love. Which means God cannot look over a persons sinfulness because of His love for them, to do so would compromise His attributes of Holiness and Righteousness.

What we must understand is that because we are creatures of His creation, we are accountable to Him. And He has said in His word, "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4). God’s penalty for sin is death, but because of His love, God sent Christ to endure the penalty of sin for all that believe. So I say to you today, that if you ignore God, and reject His Son, then your lack of fear toward Him and His Word will be to the detriment of your own soul.

“And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, that I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And then the LORD’s wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. (Deut. 11:13-17)

As we look around us, what conclusion could we draw about our standing with God as a society. Are we being blessed, or are we being cursed for our neglect of the Almighty.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” (Matt. 7:13)

There are only two directions which a person can go in life. They can go the way the Lord or the way of the world. In the passage before us today, Christ speaks of the two directions of life and He mentions them as a narrow way and a broad way. Which path are you on? Hopefully by the time we finish our discussion you will know.

The two path Christ mentions are in complete contrast to one another. One path is very broad and easily travelled. I suppose this is the reason that so many are on this path, it has no hills, no obstacles to overcome, it is a path of carefreeness and unconcern. At the end of the broad path lies a gate and this gate is not shut, it is wide open. Not only is it open but it is a very broad gate, you will have no trouble getting in it.This path and gate are a picture of the way of the world. It is an easy way, you are not required to do anything to walk this path or go through this gate, but this way leads to destruction.

On the narrow path we see a much different road to follow. In the next verse after our text Christ says, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Notice that Christ says the way that leads to life is a narrow way. I’m often accused of being very narrow.

I don’t believe that anyone gets to heaven except for those who repent with godly sorrow and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t believe goodness, kindness, thoughtfulness or any other good things entitles one to enter the gates of heaven. I find that the view I take is the exact same one found in the Bible and here Christ tells us that the way to heaven is just as I have said it was, it is a narrow way. But He goes even further, notice that He says the gate is strait. Now that does not mean that it is right in front of you and all you have to do is go strait in. No, the word strait in the original Greek, meant hard and full of obstacles. Most people don’t know this, but to get to heaven you must overcome some obstacles to get through that gate.

The greatest thing we must overcome is the obstacle of sin. We learn in Revelation 21:27 concerning heaven, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie...” The only way any human being can overcome this obstacle is to be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.

It is through Him and Him alone that a person can have all there sin forgiven. Christ came and died on the cross of Calvary for all those who believe in Him and His sacrificial death is the only way to have one’s sin removed. No baptism can remove your sin, no church can remove your sin, and no priest can remover your sin, only Christ, by the shedding of His blood, is able to make one clean of sin.

Let me ask you now, what path are you following? Are you on the broad way where you have to do nothing and have to believe nothing, or have you overcome the obstacle of sin by the blood of Jesus Christ and are entering the strait gate?

Pastor Jeff Lawrence