On the Way to Blessing Romans 5: 3-5

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(By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.)

v.3 1. We rejoice in the knowledge God is greater than our problems.

(And not only so but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;)

v.3 2. We are able to see God’s higher purpose involved in our life.

(And not only so but we glory in tribulations also:)

v.3 3. We see God is using circumstances to reveal His character to us and 

produce it in our heart.

(knowing that tribulation worketh patience;)

v.3 4. We realize we have much to learn of Christ.

(And not only so but we glory in tribulations also;)

v.4 5. We understand God is preparing our life in ministry to minister to others.

(And patience, experience; and experience, hope:)

v.4 6. The experience of our faith increases our hope in Christ.

(and experience, hope:)

v.5 7. Our hope in Christ guards our heart from being ashamed.

(and hope maketh not ashamed: because)

Not About Bread Mark 8: 14-24

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1) Often God’s servants get mixed up on the issues when things don’t go as they thought they should.                                                               14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

2)  Jesus is enough as provider, as source, as fulfiller, as generous, as good, as more than enough.

17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

3)  Jesus must give clarity to one seeing.

24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

Pictured is the real need all men have- to clearly see Jesus.

4)  Jesus alone is the miracle worker. All takes place Jesus’ way. Jesus will show forth.   

                                      

5)  The blind man’s part was to receive, not to do.  Often this is the case with God’s servants.

                                

6)  Jesus is to be made known among men, lost and saved.

27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

7)  The constant need man has is for Jesus, first in salvation and then in the course of life itself, for God to lead and guide life..

Help Certain Psalms 60: 11

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(Give us help from trouble:  for vain is the help of man.)

1. Man lacks true and accurate perception.

2. Man lacks understanding of the real need.

3. Man lacks sensitivity as to material consequences.

4. Man is greatly lacking in foresight.

5. Man will put off a decision.

6. Man lacks the sensitivity to God's spirit; he relies upon natural ability.

7. Man exposes those in need to hurt and error by his faithless debates and

delays.

The Heart of Forgiveness Luke 15: 12-32

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22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

1)  Love is really understood through Christ’s forgiveness.

2)  Forgiveness does not lose respect for the consequences of sin.

3)  Forgiveness relies on God to do the judging. 

God balances grace and justice. 

In justice, the focus is on authority.    Typically man abuses his delegated authority.

In forgiveness, the focus is on surrender.

The heart of Christ is humility.  Typically man’s focus on authority is not humble, but his 

focus on surrender is.  

If the believer overfocuses on justice he loses compassion for the lost.

If the believer overfocuses on grace and mercy he misrepresents God’s nature and belittles 

the cross.  The believer needs God’s balance.

Thus, forgiveness aligns the heart with that of Christ.

4)  Forgiveness understands the greatest loss is to remain unforgiven.

5)  Forgiveness looks to eternity for equity.

6)  Forgiveness is a welcome message to the unprotected (lost man) as well as to the protected (believer in Christ) heart..

7)  Forgiveness always wins..

Victory in the Hand of the Lord Numbers 21: 1-3

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vs.l 1) The enemy is not a willing opponent, does not want to yield up 

claimed territory. 

(king Arad ... fought against Israel) 

vs.2 2) God's people must be committed to victory through the Lord. 

(and Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord) 

vs.2 3) God's people must believe God will establish victory. 

(if thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand,) 

vs.2 4) God is interested in spoiling the enemy's goods. 

(then I will utterly destroy their cities.) 

vs.3 5) God hears a voice of faith uniting against the enemy's work. 

(and the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel,) 

vs.3 6) God demonstrates victory lies in His hand alone. 

(and delivered up the Caananites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities:) 

vs.3 7) God leaves a reminder in the hearts of men of His victories. 

(and He called the name of the place Hormah-meaning destruction.) 

Genuine Confession Nehemiah 1: 3-10

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v.3 1. Sees consequences of sin.

(Great affliction and reproach)

v.4 2. Has Godly sorrow over sin.

(wept, mourned, fasted, prayed)

v.5 3. Recognizes God’s uncompromising standard of righteousness.

(…the great and awe inspiring God, who keeepeth covenant and mercy for them 

who love Him and observe His commandments:)

v.6 4. Recognizes the need for God’s mercy.

(let thine ear now be attentive…)

v.6 5. Cries out to God in total repentance.

(which  I pray before thee, day and night, …)

v.6 6. Does not exclude any transgression and identifies with the transgression.

(Confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee;)

v.7- 7. Identifies every transgression as against God and claims by faith the victory of

forgiveness.

   10 (We have dealt very corruptly against thee, … Remember, I beseech thee, , now

these are thy servants and thy people, …)

The Heart That Has Experienced the Lord Luke 1: 46-56

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v.46 1. It is just full of Jesus.

(And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,)

v.46 2. It is overflowing with spiritual fellowship.

v.47 3. It has abundant joy.

(And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.)

v.47 4. It tastes personally the gift of salvation.

(God my Savior)

v.48 5. It realizes the honor in Christ.

(For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden:)

v.49 6. It is clearly focused on the might of God.

(For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and Holy is His name.)

v.56 7. It is fully at rest in Christ.

(And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own 

house.)

True contentment comes from believing what Christ reveals and resting

securely in Him.

God must fulfill that which He has promised; why should a believer

wrestle?

Clinging Guilt Genesis 50: 5-17

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Three kinds of guilt.

1. never been saved and freed from guilt.

2. Unbelief of a believer and sinful practice will cause guilt.

3. Believer’s  failure to receive forgiveness.

vs.15 1) Its presence leads to false conclusions in relationships with others.

(Joseph will perhaps hate us,)

Guilt comes when a sinner attempts to clear himself of wrong doing or denies (suppresses) the conscience of wrongdoing.

Guilt comes from an unclear conscience. 

Guilt continues because conflicts have not been made right with God.

Confession of sin and the resultant cleansing (1 John 1: 9) allows truth again to rule in a heart. The lack of such confession means the life is out of fellowship. It thus does not line up with expressions of truth (doesn’t fit) thus, is unable to respond properly to those 

walking in truth.

vs.15 2) Its presence hinders the fellowship of love                                                     

(Joseph will perhaps hate us,)

Guilt, not cleansed, will cause a believer to question even God’s love.

A guilty heart tempers or questions the expression of true love.

A guilty heart looks for motives.

God desires a believer enjoy fully God's gift of love.

vs.1S 3) Its presence excludes mercy and grace. 

(and will certainly require us all the evil which we did unto him.) 

There is no reason for guilt to continue. 

God has provided for its ending.

The cross says I’m not guilty when I have trusted Jesus as my Savior.

The ongoing work of the cross continues to bring to my life the message of not guilty.

The works of the flesh, however, have no liberty. To the extent a believer walks in the flesh, he will not feel free.

Joseph’s brothers didn’t understand mercy and grace.

Where mercy and grace are rejected, guilt remains.

Hell will be full of guilty, condemned sinners; having no hope of being forgiven.

Forever shall they bear their guilt and shame.

vs.16,17 4) Its presence motivates false claims of reconciliation. (Thy father did command before he died, saying, … ) 

Guilt cannot be reasoned away or covered up. Sin must be washed away, in the Savior’s blood.

To try to cover it up or explain it away will only serve to reveal its very presence. (as here in Joseph’s brothers)

When a believer compromises the truth in his life and sins against truth, guilt will revisit.

5) Its presence can only be cleared away by God's forgiveness. 

When God extends the invitation to a sinner to be set free, that is the pathway of deliverance from guilt.

Sin’s condemnation is gone. Romans 8: 1

Joseph had forgiven his brothers.

6) Its presence requires an acknowledgment before God as sin.

Joseph’s brothers had not acknowledged their sin before God.

1 John 1: 9  We confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse. 

So many times a believer (like Joseph’s brethren) just goes on.

But the guilt of sin will return.

7) Its presence is cleared away when forgiveness is received. 

Joseph had forgiven them. 

Gen 45:5 

A believer need understand , then, the fullness of forgiveness.

It is essential to receive Christ’s forgiveness.

Having been forgiven, a believer is free to then so walk.

There is no reason to continue in sin.

If you as a believer have confessed your sin (with Godly sincerity), God’s response is scripturally indicated. You are set free from guilt.

Forsake it clearly.

Rejoice in the liberty of Christ through His generous matchless grace.  1 Thes. 5: 16.

Jesus gives a clear conscience at new birth.

Jesus will restore a clear conscience subsequent to new birth.

Patient Resting Ruth 2: 12; 3: 18; 4: 1-13

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1) Resting comes from having trusted God. 2:12

2) Resting with contentment, comes when an obedient heart and faithful spirit have been presented to God. 

Ruth obeyed all and presented a faithful testimony. (we have done what God expects) 

3) Resting is ceasing from labor (of the flesh) 3:18

(Heb. 4:10) 

(sit still) 

4) Resting realizes it is time for God to do His work. 3:18

5) Resting has an end in sight. 3:18

 (until •.. ) 

6) Resting continues while God works. 4: 1-12

vs .18 (the man will not be in rest) 

7) Resting ends when God ends it. 3: 18

 (finished) 

As God does, Boaz prepared the way - she merely waited, having presented an obedient heart and faithful spirit. 

(4:13) She received her position given by God.