From the Elementary to Maturity
From the Elementary to Maturity
Ezr 7:10 & 25 1/20/08 a.m.
If you are told you have cancer do you choose to think it isn’t so because you can’t see it, say the doctor doesn’t know what he is talking about, deny the results of the tests (the findings), choose to ignore it and go on as though you have never been told, do you ignore the symptoms?
Or do you believe what the doctor tells you even though you can’t see it, do you trust him, do believe the tests results, do make adjustments in your life according to this new information, do the symptoms become more clear and distinct?
If you find that something or some one is dangerous to you or others do you overlook it and keep it from others or do you take it to heart and warn others?
If you learn of something that will improve your life and the life of others do you lay it aside or do use that knowledge to improve your life and tell others as well?
Do you share the things you have learned in order to save those you care for from harm?
If someone has knowledge that will better your life and that of your friends and loved ones do you want them to share that knowledge with you or keep it to themselves?
I think the answers are obvious; we want to know about the things that make for a better life and we want those that know these things to share them with us.
That is the subject of today’s’ message; learning for ourselves and teaching others what we’ve learned.
Teaching others the laws of God was part of Ezra’s job.
Ezr 7:10& 25
10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek (study) 1the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
25 And you, Ezra, according to your God-given wisdom, set magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are in the region beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach those who do not know them.
The Lord has given us instructions to learn & know the laws of God.
1 Pe 2:2
as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow 1thereby,
Ro 16:19
I want you to be wise in what is good, and 5simple concerning evil.
We must also mature by feeding on the meat of the word as well as the milk of the word.
1 Co 14:20
20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
Php 1:9-11
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
We must strive to be complete in the knowledge of God by learning more than just the basics of the Christian faith.
Heb 5:12-14
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the 2oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are 3of full age, that is, those who by reason of 4use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Heb 6:1-2
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to 1perfection (maturity), not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
As we mature we are to teach others what we have been taught.
Mt 28:18-2018 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
2 Ti 2:24-26
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Tit 2:1-10 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 18 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
We teach others for their preservation.
Col 1:28
28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Some things that need to be taught
We suffer due to our lack of knowledge of the things of God.
The knowledge of God is being rejected therefore God will reject us.
When we forget God our children will suffer the consequences.
Ho 4:66 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
It needs to be taught that the reason the world hates Christ and His word is because it exposes their sin.
Jn 7:6-76 Then Jesus said to them, The world … hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
It needs to be taught that we will be persecuted if we stand for God’s truth.
Jn 15:2020 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.
2 Ti 3:1212 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
It needs to be taught that these are times of great deception that will get worse.
2 Ti 3:13-15
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Mk 13:22-23 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the 7elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
When a land sins against God by persistent unfaithfulness, He is against it;
Eze. 14:12
The U.S. no longer recognizes God as God.
The U.S. no longer uses God’s Word for its foundation.
The U.S. has removed the Ten Commandments from the public.
The U.S. has made it illegal to pray in school.
The U.S. has legalized murder.
The U.S. protects and promotes immorality.
The U.S. is instrumental in the dividing of Israel’s land.
It needs to be taught that the end of all things is near.
1 Pe 4:77 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
2Thess. 2
The return of Christ follows the great falling away.
The church promotes and practices abominations.
The church is denying the inspiration & infallibility of scripture.
The church is denying the sinlessness of Christ.
The church is denying Christ as the only way of salvation.
The church is denying salvation by grace.
The church is denying the truths of God’s Word.
The church is embracing other religions as equal with the gospel.
The church seeks to please man rather than God.
Eze.38-39
Persia is Iran
The land of the north –Magog- Meshech- Tubal is Russia
They will come against Israel
Iran has vowed the destruction of Israel
Russia is helping Iran monetarily, militarily, politically.
Dan. 9
Israel will be trouble for all nations.
There will be a man that will sign a peace treaty will Israel
He will come from the revived Roman Empire.
Besides the U.S. Israel stands alone.
Someone will have to do something for Israel & the Arabs to live in peace.
The old Roman Empire is the E.U.
Rev.
There is coming a One World ruler;He will demand everyone’s total allegiance.
There is coming a One World government.
There is coming a One World religion.
By the middle of this year everyone is required to have a national I.D. Card
We already have the E.U., The North American Union is in the works.
We are in the “Transatlantic Economic Integration” with the E.U.
The document acknowledges “the transatlantic economy remains at the forefront
of globalization.”
“The Law of the Sea Treaty”, gives control of the seas to the U.N.
The promotion of religious unity and tolerance is a daily occurrence.
By the way we won’t be here.
2Thess. 2; Rev.
It needs to be taught that a third Temple will be built.
It needs to be taught that the Antichrist will defile it.
The defilement takes place during the tribulation.
The garments, utensils, the dyes, perfumes, oils, incense, and furniture are ready.
The Sanhedrin Counsel has been reestablished.
The Sanhedrin has begun plans for rebuilding the Third Temple.
Ezr 7:10 Have you done as Ezra did?
Ezra prepared his heart to seek (Study) the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
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1 Study
1 NU adds up to salvation
5 innocent
2 sayings, Scriptures
3 mature
4 practice
1 maturity
1 NU omits incorruptibility
7 chosen ones