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Great Workers for a Great Work
2 Chronicles 28:1-10
know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart
Part 1- Introduce the text.
Ask who has ever worn a yellow LIVESTRONG bracelet
In 1996, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with potentially fatal, stage 3, cancer. By the time he visited a doctor, the
cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, lungs, brain, and
abdomen.
His doctor was asked in a later interview what he thought
Armstrong's chances of survival were, he said, "Almost none. We told Lance initially 20 to 50% chance, mainly to give him hope. But with the kind of cancer he had, with the x-rays, the blood tests, almost no hope.”
However, Lance overcame these incredible setbacks, and from 1999 to 2005, won 7 tour de France titles in a row.
We should hold this man in incredible esteem and admiration, and while some do, most do not.
As you know, he has admitted to illegally using steroids and other PEDs for all of his Tour De France wins.
In spite of the setbacks, unfair hands he was dealt, and challenges he had to overcome, many, including the rules of the sport, and the record books, cannot overlook these severe transgressions.
What this illustrates for us, so potently, is that your character will always be more important than your success, ambitions, and accomplishments.
In other words, who the worker is matters more than the work he/she does.
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• Think of Jonah. He preached the biggest revival in history, but because of his stubborn, and possibly racist character, who wants to be like him?
• In this passage, David is giving Israel, and Solomon, a charge as they prepare to finish building the temple.
• Building the temple would be a great work, both for Israel and all the other nations.
• But before giving instruction on the temple, David gives instruction on how the workers are to be.
• A great work requires greater workers.
• We have a great work to do for the Lord Jesus, and we need
to live up to that calling in our personal lives and hearts. • Let’s pray, and look at how we can do that.
Part 2-Explain the text.
•Cause- What is the work?
• To build the temple
• Magnifying work
For years and years, Israel wandered, carrying a mobile tabernacle. It would be set up and broken down as they moved. God even specified who would carry what part, even down to the silverware
Finally, we will get to see a true temple. One that is stationary, and a center point for the worship of God.
Now, we know that no building could ever contain God,
2 Cr 6:18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! but this would be a central point of worship for man to see.
• 2 Chron 7:1–3. Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and
consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the Vision Baptist Church- Dec 15, 2022
1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father: 2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. 3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. 4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 5 Wherefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. 6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. 7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king’s son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king. 8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria. 9 But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. 10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God?
1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the
ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Thousands and thousands (likely more) sacrifices and burnt offerings would be given here at the temple.
This is where the Ark of the Covenant was, the shewbread, the golden candlesticks. It was a very significant place for Jewish worship.
• Missional work
• Israel would be a light on a hill to other nations. As they were obedient and blessed, God would prosper them, which would draw other nations, and spread God’s name and fame.
• Even before the temple, we see this with Rahab-
Joshua 2:9-11 And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the
land faint because of you. 10 For we have heard how
the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly
destroyed. 11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain
any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven
above, and in earth beneath. Página 2 de 8
• It has been at least 40 years since they crossed the red sea, but God’s work is still getting talked about.
• After the temple we see the Queen of Sheeba 1 Kings 10:1-6-10 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions...6 And she said to the king, It was a true
•
report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. 7 Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. 8 Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. 9 Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
While we don’t exactly know what country she was from Jesus says that Matthew 12:42- The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
• Some believe African- Ethiopia, others say Yemen, but the point is, she was very far away, and still heard.
• Also 1 Kings 10:24 And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
• While this work would allow the Jews to have a central place of worship, it also served as a towering invitation to all nations to come and know God.
Vision Baptist Church- Dec 15, 2022
9 And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 3 And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, 5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. 6 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
24 And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
• This would have obviously even included gentiles!
• Multi-generational work
David was not allowed to build the temple, even though he desired to do so. Instead, God picked Solomon
• 1 Chron 28:2-3, 6 I had in mine heart to build an
houseofrestforthearkofthecovenantoftheLord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: 3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood... 6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my houseandmycourts:
However, David still gathered everything he could to helpSolomonbuildthetemple.
• 1 Chron 28:11-12 Then David gave to Solomon his
son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, 12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the Lord, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
• He passed the work onto the next generation, specifically his children. Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the more important work.
Questions to ask:
Howismyworship?Morethanjustsingingasong,and getting emotional. Do I worship God at all moments of my life?
AmItellingothersaboutGod?Livingalifeofworshipis great, but we need to do more than simply exist near
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unbelievers. We need to be intentional and proactive in our witness to them. Hand out tracts, invite them to church, go after them!
• A life of worship isn’t complete unless it involves you personally evangelizing!
• People who only do bench press and arms at the gym.
• AmIpreparingmylifeandfamilytocarrytheworkonafter
me? The most important disciples we have are our children. Children are not a distraction from more important work, they are the more important work. Too many preachers and Christians have won the world to Christ, and lost their families. I pray that is never the case with me or you.
• ReadtheBibleandpraywithchildren. • Let them help and serve
• TalkaboutthethingsofGodwiththem. • Pray with them for them to get saved.
•Character- Who will do the
work?
God puts certain requirements on His children’s character. There are certainly requirements for a pastor or deacon, but every requirement they have is also required of other Christians.
2 Chron 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the
behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. • It is as much willingness as it is character and a perfect
heart that God looks for in who to use.
Congregation- verse 8 Now therefore in the sight of all
Israel the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the
Lord your God: that ye may possess this good land, and Vision Baptist Church- Dec 15, 2022
2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: 3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.
6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, 12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the Lord, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever...
• Keep the commandments
Mere knowledge of the Bible, while necessary is not all that is required.
• Adam and Eve KNEW every commandment there
was, and still failed.
Obedience is the Key
• James 1:22-24 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
We are practitioners, not theorists, or scholars.
We live out the commandments.
Good preaching, good Bible reading, Good teaching, good discipleship all do more than impart facts to us. They teach us how to live.
Good preaching tells us whats right, what’s wrong, how to get right, how to do right, and how to stay right.
• Seek the commandments
• Prov 2:1-5 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thine heart to
understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding;4 If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as
for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.
• 1 lb of silver is worth over 300 dollars today. If I told
you that there were a 10 lb brick of silver hidden here today, how hard would you be looking? Even if you’re very wealthy, i’m sure you’d give it the old once over
on your way out. But the Bible is worth more than
that, and we need to seek it as such.
• Story of Isaiah losing our keys on vacation.
• James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to
you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
• We find God after we look for Him.
• Ezra 7:9-10 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the
good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord,
and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Why was God’s hand on Ezra? Because Ezra
prepared his hear to SEEK and obey God’s Word.
This is not a coincidence!
If you want God’s hand in and on your life, preparing
your heart to seek and Do His Word is a great place to start.
• Chief
• Know God
• More than just a head knowledge...”In knowing God... He did not mean head knowledge, for Solomon possessed that already, but that experimental acquaintance with God which is only to be obtained by loving and serving Him.”
• Even devils know and believe God exists- James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
• A mere factual, or textual, knowledge of God may even be dangerous for you, because knowledge can often lead to arrogance.
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Vision Baptist Church- Dec 15, 2022
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
1 Cor 8:1-2 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. cKnowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth
nothing yet as he ought to know.
Knowledge by itself is insufficient. It needs love.
Undiluted knowledge can be very deadly if not mixed
with love.
Bleach to clean coffee pots when I worked at the
Jefferson Market.
Lost people can memorize facts about the Bible
or God, but that is not enough.
• Knowing God here means to experience. To know by
having an ongoing relationship with Him, day by day. • Phil 3:7-10 But what things were gain to me, those I
counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
• The knowledge of Christ was so valuable to Paul, he would give up everything else in his life for it. Phil 3. This, seemingly, would include ministerial, vocational, or any type of other worldly metric used to measure success. Knowing Jesus, even for the man who planted churches all around the world, wrote half of the new testament, and preformed many miracles, was the most important part of his life.
• After nearly 30 years as a Christian, Paul was STILL striving to know Jesus more and more.
• “We have largely lost the biblical dimensions of the word ‘knowledge’ in our customary use of it. We confine it almost to ‘the contents of the brain.’ The Bible would not resist this meaning, but neither would it accept it as a complete definition. First, it would add a practical dimension. Nothing is truly known unless it is being practiced in daily life, or in some way (according to its nature) allowed to control the conduct of the person concerned—‘to depart from evil is understanding’ (Job 28:28). Secondly, in knowledge between persons, to ‘know’ is to enter into the deepest personal intimacy and contact..”
• Now my heart's desire is to know You more, To be found in You and known as Yours, To possess by faith what I could not earn, All-surpassing gift of righteousness, Knowing You, Jesus, Knowing You, There is no greater thing, You’re my all, You're the king, You’re my joy, my everything, And I love You, Lord.
• To know him personally, intimately, and experientially is the first and greatest goal of the believer’s life...
• Serve God
• Serving God is not a bad thing. sometimes volunteering for service seems like something we’d rather avoid, but remember, we will serve Jesus in heaven Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
• We are servants. We all want to hear “well done good and faithful servant” not “well done good and faithful teacher, or pastor”
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Vision Baptist Church- Dec 15, 2022
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
• Perfect heart
• 2 Chron 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in
the behalf of them whose heart is perfect
toward him.
• Reading through the books of Kings and Chronicles,
the one characteristic that gets mentioned with every kings is his heart. Was it right with God, or was is not right with God.
• Matthew 23:27-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
we get very good at taking care of the outside, which is important. But is is not the most important.
True sanctification and holiness starts in the heart. Nothing wrong with displaying what is in your heart, and holiness is required of Christians. But holiness on the inside, in the heart, is the real battle.
Friend who wouldn’t run because he couldn’t find a watch that would display his vO2max, which is essentially useless to running at a non-elite level.
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, oh take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above.
• Willing mind
• 2 Cor 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
• The emphasis is on HOW we give, not HOW MUCH
we give.
•
• This is true of every aspect of ministry, not just giving.
• 2 Cor 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
Willing- desirous. Wanting to. Not being forced to.
Even for pastoral ministry, a desire is the first thing
Paul mentions 1 Tim 3:1-2 This is a true saying, If a
man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a
good work. 2 A bishop then...
While we may not always feel like doing certain
things, our Christian life should be predominantly characterized by a desire to know Jesus and do right.
• Neh 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the
people had a mind to work.
• How is your mind? To work or to look for a way out? Searched
God searches our heart
God sees our mind
Every aspect of our lives is plain before the Lord.
Nothing is hidden from Him.
• He sees when we have hidden issues of the heart.
Bitterness, jealousy, begrudging attitude, etc. God
sees all of that.
You can’t hide who you are from God
• Maybe you could even fool yourself (like sucking your gut up in the mirror) but you can’t ever fool God.
Please note that all the qualities God mentions, and seeks, are internal things. That is where His focus really is.
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Vision Baptist Church- Dec 15, 2022
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Questions to ask:
How is my character? Am I the kind of worker God wants me to be?
Do I seek God’s word in my life, or is an afterthought at best? Do I read my Bible every day?
• Get a devotional partner, start with your spouse. Someone.
Get in your Bible every day.
• Get at church faithfully- Sunday School, AM, PM, Midweek,
so you can hear Bible preaching as much as possible.
Do I obey God’s word in my life? I know all about how to lose
weight, but somehow, I keep having more weight to lose. I understand a lot of theories, but that doesn’t mean I’m doing it. What areas of your life need more obedience to Christ? Internal or external?
Do I serve God with a willing heart, or does someone have to twist my arm to get me to do even the most basic act of service. We should be willing, wanting, desirous, wanting, to volunteer and serve in the work! This is fun! It’s the only thing we know that isn’t in vain 1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Covenant- What does God
promise about the work?
• Seek and find
• James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to
you.
• We take the first step. Don’t wait.
• WeareasclosetoGodaswewanttobe.
Ezra 8:21-23 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. 22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath
is against all them that forsake him. 23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated
of us.
• You will find God if you look for Him.
He wants us to find Him. If you look you’ll find. God never
let anyone down.
• Forget and get wrecked
Godwantstodoaworkmorethanwewanttodoawork, but we must do it on His terms.
Saul went to the witch of Endor when God didn’t speak to him. Maybe it was Samuel who came and spoke to him, maybe it wasn’t. However, the important thing to know is that Saul never should have been there in the first place. If doing things God’s way didn’t get you what you wanted, do you think the world’s way will be any better?
• If exercise and dieting isn’t helping you lose weight as fast as you want, I promise you Twinkies, Taco Bell, Bojangles, and Netflix marathons aren’t going to help you either.
The Church at Ephesus left their first love, which was the problem Christ had with them. Without Him, we may be busy, occupied, and full to the brim with activity, but according to John 15:5, without Him, we can do nothing!
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Vision Baptist Church- Dec 15, 2022
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. 22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. 23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Part 3- Apply the text.
Applications-What do I do now?
• Live right so you can serve right- Line your character up with your calling
• Live worthy
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.
Col 1:9-10 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, vbeing fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
This doesn’t mean that we work so God will love us, or thing more highly of us. Our position with Him is already settled. This means we have a very important job, so we need to live up to it.
In Christianity, character is much more important than ability. Who you are is much more important than what we do.
• Show God to yourself and others
• Worship Him personally. You’re always worshiping. You’re never not worshipping.
• Yes, we may “feel” the worship a little more during an
emotional song, or a teary eyed altar call, but that is just as much worship as serving Him at any other moment of your life, no matter how much you feel it or don’t.
• Teach Him to the next generation (especially your kids)
• David made Solomon the man he was. David prepared everything for Solomon. David made the pass, but Solomon scored the goal, per se.
• Train your children, and others, now, so they can accomplish all they can for the Lord Jesus.
• We all stand on the shoulders of previous generations. • Be involved in world evangelism and missions
Witness to others. The temple was for everyone, not just Jews.
Jesus is for everyone not just you!
• Make some cookies or caramel popcorn and take it to
your neighbors with a tract and card.
• Pray for opportunities Col 4:3-4 Withal praying also for
us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
• You will meet people if you determine to do so.
Share Christ with your neighborhood and the nations!
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Vision Baptist Church- Dec 15, 2022
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.