Receive one sermon text a week by email, or a daily WiseWord by text or by twitter.

Weekly sermons and daily WiseWords are archived here.

Saturday, January 28, 2017

What to Ask for When in Despair Psalms 69: 14-21, 29, 30


click to Read the passage: Psalms 69  (a new browser window will open)



v.14, 1. Deliverance from overcoming obstacles.
   15 (Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them
                that hate me, and out of the deep waters.)
(Let not the waterflood over flow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and
                let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.)

v.16 2. For God’s ear.
(Hear me, O Lord; for thy loving kindness is good: turn unto me according to
                the multitude of thy tender mercies.

v.16, 3. For God’s favor.
   17 (turn unto me)  (And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble:
                 hear me speedily.)

v.17 4. For God’s assurance.
(hear me speedily.)

v.18 5. For God’s claim.
(Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.)

v.19 6. For God’s defense.
(Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: mine
                adversaries are all before thee.

v.20 7. For God’s comfort.
(Reproach hath broken my heart: and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for
                some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.)

v.21 8. For God’s sustenance.
(They gave me also gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to 
                drink.)

v.29 9. For God’s uplifting.
(But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.)

v.30 10. For God’s mighty  work.
(I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with 
                thanksgiving.)




Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Holding on to Wrong Understanding Mark 8: 31-33


click to Read the passage: Mark 8  (a new browser window will open)


1) The ways of Christ are much higher than the ways of  man, than the understanding of a 
believer. 
( ... the Son of man must suffer many things, ... ) '
O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10: 23; Proverb 16: 9 man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
We must get beyond our ways to know God’s ways.
Jesus goes through so much to reconcile a believer to God’s will.
The desires of Christ for His children so far exceed the knowledge of  the believer.
How much does our pathway to repentance take Jesus through?

V 32 2) Christ reveals His ways to His children to expand their understanding and to draw them to His plan. 
(and He spoke that saying openly) 
God wants His children to know His ways. God wants to prepare us for the pathway of the cross. v. 34, 38
Are we a storehouse treasure or an expendable resource for Christ?
Continually  Christ is revealing Himself to us and His plan to us though life circumstances. 

V 32 3) The afflictions of Christ are difficult for Christ's followers to accept. 
(and Peter took Him,) 
We don’t like afflictions. Give me the good times and the bounteous gifts, but I’ll pass on the affliction.
Psalms 34: 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous …
Ps. 119 67,71; 119: 75 ;   2 Timothy 3: 11, 12 (to be lowered, humbled);  2 Corin. 8: 2;
Psalms 140: 12; Psalms 66: 10

V 32 4) The mercies of Christ are to Christ's followers sometimes seen as  unreasonable and unfair.
(and began to rebuke Him) 
How could Christ be merciful to such rejection. Matt. 5:7 Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
It seems that wrong doers get by with their wrong. Never, but the pure faithful testimony of love, patience and mercy is given to the wrongdoer.
Can we love the wrongdoer-the one who hurts us and rejects us?

V 32 5) Followers of Christ are tempted to give favor to their own desires and understanding. 
(and began to rebuke Him) 
Believers many times refuse to accept humility and meekness- think it is weak.
Humility always strengthens authority, never weakens. Pride weakens the exercise of spiritual authority.
We are tempted to display human strength,
There was/is no greater honor on  earth than the honor of the cross..
We are to take it up . v. 34

 v33 6) Christ gives greater preference to His calling than to His followers ideals. 
(but when He had turned about and looked on his disciples) 
Jesus loves His followers v. 35 His followers follow Him.
If His followers do not follow, Jesus is faithful to His calling. 2 Tim. 2: 13, If we believe not yet He abideth faithful; he cannot deny Himself.
Disciples may be idealistic, but Jesus' standard is perfection.
Disciples may be fair but Jesus’ standard is justness.
Disciples may be convinced, but Jesus’ standard is unchangeableness.
Disciples may be sincere, but Jesus’ standard is Holiness and reverence.

V 33 7) Christ does not yield ground to incomplete understanding.
(He rebuked Peter
Peter’s understanding was manly; Christ’s was divine.
Christ cannot yield to our incomplete understanding.
That is why we must mature in understanding.
We only frustrate ourselves while we hold onto wrong understanding.
Christ will not yield.

v.33 8) Christ refuses to yield to any temptation.
(…Get thee behind me, satan;)
O if we could have such forthrightness, to reject the enemy’s lies.
Any idea or influence contrary to the will of God will be rejected by Christ.
A man may be tempted by the devil and yield to his lie or confusion, but Jesus never will.
Jesus recognizes the deceit of the devil for what it is.

v33 9) Christ is committed to the will of the Father. 
(for thou savorest not the things that be of God,) 
By this instruction we should sow these things.
Jesus taught us the will of the Father. He is the father’s will.
Oh, Christian friend savor the things of God, ponder the path of your feet, be slow to speak and quick to hear, be quiet in spirit. Meditate on God’s word.

10) Christ rejects all things that would hinder HIS work, His obedience to His Father. 
Again we are not to savor the things that be of man, but the things that be of God.
The things of men do not conform to truth.
They do not contribute to a righteous walk. They are not of faith.
They do not gain heaven’s blessing. Thus, Jesus must reject all such things.
We are to labor for the food that endureth unto everlasting life. (John 6: 27) , which the Son of Man shall give unto you, not that which perisheth. 

Saturday, January 21, 2017

The Truth That Sets Men Free Acts 8: 32-35


click to Read the passage: Acts 8  (a new browser window will open)


v.32     1. It speaks of Christ atoning for man’s sin.
(…He was led as a sheep to the slaughter)

v.32     2. It speaks of Christ’s perfect yieldedness.
(and like a lamb dumb before his shearer)

v.32     3. It speaks of truth’s amazing integrity.
(so opened he not his mouth)

v.33     4. It speaks of unparalleled humility.
(In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his 
generation? For his life is taken from the earth.)

v.33     5. It speaks of priceless sacrifice.
(his judgment was taken away…for his life is taken from the earth.)

v.34-35 6. It speaks clearly of the Son of God.
(And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the
prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man?)  (Then Philip…preached unto
him Jesus.)

v.35-37 7. It speaks clearly of the only way to be free and of the certainty of
that freedom.
(preached unto him Jesus.)



Wednesday, January 18, 2017

God's Commitment Kept Joshua 6: 22-25


click to Read the passage: Joshua 6  (a new browser window will open)



v.22 1. God remembers the exercising of faith, that is those who have believed
in Him.
(But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go
into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she 
hath, as ye swore unto her.)

v.22 2. God protects those of faith.

v.22, 3. God is willing to extend privilege to the one believing in Him.
   23 (and all that she hath,)
(And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and
her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and thy
brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.)

v.22 4. God spares those of faith from judgment.
(And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: …)

v.25 5. Truly God is the ruler over life.
(And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and
all that she had; and she)

v.25 6. The life God preserves and gives is without end.
(and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because)
God give eternal life.

v.25 7. To discover one’s place in the divine plan of God is most rewarded and
blessed.
(because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.)





Saturday, January 14, 2017

Why The Heart Must be Given Over to God Jeremiah 17: 9


click to Read the passage: Jeremiah 17  (a new browser window will open)


(The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can 
know it?)

1. The heart without God's change is wicked.

2. The heart without God's control will follow its own course, even for a
believer.

3. The heart out from under God's control will lie about its ways.

4. The heart is not understood by its owner.

5. The report given by a spiritually uncontrolled heart will be unreliable and 
dishonest, even before God.

6. A believer greatly errors in thinking he doesn't need a yielded heart.

7. God knows perfectly and completely the heart of every man at all times.







Wednesday, January 11, 2017

I Saw a Man John 4: 17-29


click to Read the passage: John 4  (a new browser window will open)



v.29 1. He knows all about me.
(Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did.)

v.14 2. He cares about my needs.
  (But whosoever drinketh of this water that I shall give him shall never  thirst, …)
Our lack of generosity tends to limit our understanding.

v.17 3. He cares about how I live.
(Jesus said unto her, thou hast well said, I have no husband.)
v,18- Jesus cares about my life message, that it be clean.
(For thou hast had five husbands; and he  whom thou now hast is not thy
                husband: in that saidst thou truly.)

v.21 4. He cares about my eternal security.
   (Woman, believe me, the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain,
                nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.)

v.23 5. He cares about me.
(…for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.)

v.25 6. He cares about my understanding.
(The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias cometh, which  is called Christ,
                when He is come, He will tell us all things.)
Jesus wants me to know Him.

v.28 7. He cares what I am and do.
(The woman then left her  water pot,  and went her way  into the city, and saith
                to the men.)























Saturday, January 7, 2017

Leadership You Can Count On Exodus 13: 21, 22


click to Read the passage: Exodus 13  (a new browser window will open)


( In: a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night;) ... 

1) God is never uncertain. 

2) God is never unavailable 

3) God is never inconsistent.
No variableness nor shadow of tuning.   James 1:  17

4) God is never late.

5) God is never too complicated.

6) God is never absent. 

7) God is never at fault.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

The Ordering of My Steps Psalms 119: 133


click to Read the passage: Psalms 119  (a new browser window will open)

(Order my steps in thy word:  and let not any iniquity have dominion over
me.)
involves:

1. A desire to please God.
(v.80- Let my heart be sound in thy statutes)

2. A desire to know truth.
(v. 97-O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.)

3. An acceptance of God's word as the source of truth.
(v. 105- Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.)

4. A genuine seeking of God and His word.
(v. 114-  Thou art my hiding place and my shield:  I hope in thy word.)

5. A cleansing of heart.
(v.124-  Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy,  ...)

6. A petition for understanding and openness to God's truth.
(v.125- I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy 
testimonies.)

7. A willingness for God's expression- whatever God desires to say.
(v,128-Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right;
and I hate every false way.)
8. A seeking to know God first.
(v. 127- Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine 
gold.)

9. A relating of need to God's word.
(v. 126-It is time for thee, Lord, to work:  for they have made void thy law.)

10. An asking of God to reveal Himself in His word.
(v.125, 133-  ...give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.)

11. A seeking of clear understanding.
(v.130- The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto
the simple.)

12. An attributing of rightness to God.
(v. 137-Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.)

13. A doing as God directs.
(v. 138-140-Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and
very faithful. ...)

14. A continuing by the word.
(v.144- The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting:  give me 
understanding and I shall live.)