Grosey's Messages

"No Corrugated Iron"

My grandpa said that to me one day!  "No Corrugated Iron"

I was frowning and he was reproving me. The frowns on my forehead formed the shape of Corrugated Iron, and to an  old surly builder, he could not tolerate the thought that the furrows on my forehead reminded him of corrugated iron.

 

Frowns are unhelpful things in life and in theology, and in childhood they are just plain perplexing.

 

I wonder why the grass is green

And why the sky is blue,

I wonder why the Painter should

Have chosen just these two

Instead of all the other ones,

I wonder why-don't you?

I wonder why the stars are there

And why they don't fall down,

And why the moon some night will make

Queer faces like a clown,

And when I ask my Nurse these things

Why ever does she frown?

 

I do not understand the world,

For I am very new;

I only wish the People saw

Things from my point of view;

They must have had their nursery days

When they were babies too;

I wonder why they have forgot,

I wonder why-don't you?

 

They are difficult in life, and put up barriers between neighbours and friends.

And I went homeward to our quaint old farm,

And he went on his way;

And he has never crossed that field again

From that time to this day.

I wonder if he ever gives a thought

To what he left behind

As I start sometimes, dreaming that I hear

A footstep in the wind.

If he had said but one regretful word,

Or I had shed a tear,

He would not go alone about the world,

Nor I sit lonely here.

Alas! our hearts were full of angry pride,

And love was choked in strife;

And so the stile beyond the yellow grass

Stands straight across our life.

Sometimes they come through the unpleasantnesses of life. But that need not be.

 

You're beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?

Come up with a smiling face;

It's nothing against you to fall down flat,

But to lie there, that's disgrace.

Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's ;

Or a trouble's what you make it,

And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that count

But only how did you take it?

 

My Theological friends : "No Corrugated Iron!"

2 Timothy 1 8-12

 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to  a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,  10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound4  words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

Thanksgiving is about God.

The whole Christian life is one big thank you. The living expression of our gratitude to God for His goodness. But we take him for  granted and what we take for granted we never take seriously.

Col 1: 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks4  to the Father, who has qualified you5  to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Col 2:7 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Col 4: 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving broadens our perspective on God's sovereign work on our lives.  Telephoto lens versus wide angle lens for perspective.  .. realestate.com… rooms seem bigger.. dads backyard was positively huge… but really not much more room than you could swing a cat.. and my brother and I did that a few times.  Telephoto lives are self-centred..

Luke 1717 Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"

 Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened

2 Chronicles 20 Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.  5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6 and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.  And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever."

 1 Thess 5: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.

 

Thanksgiving is about God  And you and I!!

Not what but Whom I have believed

And when Dr. Alexander, of Princeton, was dying, a friend endeavoured to fortify his faith by reciting some of the most familiar passages and promises. Presently he ventured upon the words:

'I know in whom I have believed, and — '

But the sick man raised his hand.

'No, no,' exclaimed the dying Principal, 'it is not "I know in whom" but "I know whom"; I cannot have even  the little word "in" between me and Christ. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to  keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!'

John Oxenham has expressed the same thought with an accent and emphasis well worthy of the theme:  Not What, but Whom, I do believe. That, in my darkest hour of need. Hath comfort that no mortal creed To  mortal man may give.  Not What but Whom. For Christ is more than all the creeds. And His full life of gentle deeds Shall all the  creeds outlive.  Not What I do believe, but Whom. Who walks beside me in the gloom? Who shares the burden wearisome?  Who all the dim way doth illume. And bids me look beyond the tomb The larger life to live?  Not what I do believe. But Whom Not What, But Whom

It was a Person, a Living and Divine Person, of whom Faraday was so certain and on whom he rested so  securely at the last.   I know whom I have believed. '

Pascal had the words engraved upon his seal; Canon Ainger left instructions that they should be inscribed on  his tomb at Darley Abbey; b, Michael Faraday wove them into the very warp and woof, the fibre and fabric of his daily life.

'Speculations!' he cried in dismay, 'speculations! I have none! I am resting on certainties! For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!'

I know Whom I have believed.   I know God!  Can you say that with me?  I know God!!

I know not just about God. I know not just about Jesus  But I know God I know Jesus Christ.  Experimental religion!  It is about God and it is about you and I!!

I know God chose me

The Lord "who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,"

Ephesians 1:4 he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,

I heard the gospel.. I understood the gospel. I trusted Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11: 25"I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.7  27  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast."
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.

I know God saved me

This is all about the Lord Jesus Christ coming into our world to die for our sins.  I have been made to trust in Christ alone.

My brother," said the devout and simple-minded man whose counsel he had sought, "I must ask you one or two questions: Do you know Jesus Christ?" "I know," replied Wesley, after an awkward pause, "I know that he is the Savior of the world." "True," answered the Moravian, "but do you know that He has saved you?" "I hope He has died to save me," Wesley responded. The Moravian was evidently dissatisfied with these vague replies, but he asked one more question. "Do you know yourself!"

"I said that I did," Wesley tells us in his journal, "but I fear they were vain words!" He saw others happy, fearless in the presence of death, rejoicing in a faith that seemed to transfigure their lives. What was it that was theirs and yet not his?" Are they read in philosophy?" he asks. "So was I. In ancient or modern tongues? So was I also. Are they versed in the science of divinity? I, too, have studied it many years. Can they talk fluently upon spiritual things? I could do the same. Are they plenteous in alms? Behold, I give all my goods to feed the poor! I have labored more abundantly than they all. Are they willing to suffer for their brethren? I have thrown up my friends, reputation, ease, country; I have put my life in my hand, wandering into strange lands; I have given my body to be devoured by the deep, parched up with heat, consumed by toil and weariness. But does all this make me acceptable to God! Does all this make me a Christian? By no means! I have sinned and come short of the glory of God. I am alienated from the life of God. I am a child of wrath. I have no hope." It is a great thing, I say, for a man who has been brought within sight of the kingdom to recognize, frankly that he is, nevertheless, still outside it.

 "I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation," says Wesley, in his historic record, "and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine!"

Luther's commentary was being read aloud at Aldersgate Street that night. Forty-five years afterwards Mr. Wesley was taken very ill at Bristol and expected to die. Calling Mr. Bradford to his bedside, he observed: "I have been reflecting on my past life. I have been wandering up and down, these many years, endeavoring, in my poor way, to do a little good to my fellow creatures; and now it is probable that there is but a step between me and death; and what have I to trust to for salvation? I can see nothing which I have done or suffered that will bear looking at. I have no other plea than this: 'I, the chief of sinners am, But Jesus died for me.'"

"Dost thou believe," asked Staupitz, the wise old monk, "dost thou believe in the forgiveness of sins?"

"I believe," replied Luther, reciting a clause from his familiar credo, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins!"

"Ah," exclaimed the elder monk, "but you must not only believe in the forgiveness of David's sins and Peter's sins, for this even the devils believe. It is God's command that we believe our own sins are forgiven us!" "From that moment," says D'Aubigne, "light sprung up in the heart of the young monk at Erfurt." "I believed," says Luther, "that my sins, even mine, were forgiven me!" "My sins, even mine!" says Luther.
"My sins, even mine!" says Wesley.

I know God called me

 

I know God changed me

How do you know you are converted? I was there at the time.

John 9  24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner." 25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."

I know God defeated death for me

Job 19:  25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.  26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,  27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

I know God shall keep me

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,8  for those who are called according to his purpose. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

He is able to keep!' That was the sublime confidence that won the heart of John Newton. It came to him in the form of a dream on his voyage home from Venice. 'It  made,' he says, 'a very great impression upon me!' 'He is able to keep'— as a shepherd keeps his sheep.  'He is able to keep'— as a sentry keeps the gate. 'He is able to keep'— as the pilgrims kept the golden vessels on  their journey to Jerusalem, both counting and weighing them before they set out from Babylon and again on their arrival at the Holy City. 'He is able to keep'— as a banker keeps the treasure confided to his custody.

'I know whom I have believed,' says the margin of the Revised Version, 'and I am persuaded that He is able to  guard my deposit against that day.'

'I know in whom my trust reposes,' says Dr. Weymouth's translation, 'and I am confident that He has it in His  power to keep what I have entrusted to Him safe until that day.'

'I know whom I have trusted^ says Dr. Moffatt's version, 'and I am certain that He is able to keep what I have  put into His hands till the Great Day.'

He will guard my treasure!

 

NO OTHER WAY TO HEAVEN EXCEPT THROUGH JESUS

 (Romans 1:16-22)   Is God fair to send people who have never heard of Jesus to Hell?

Is there another way to Heaven apart from Jesus? God is just, and God is righteous.

There is no other way to Heaven apart from Jesus Christ. John 14:6 Acts 4:12

1.        THE REVELATION FACTOR: ALL MEN HAVE SOME LIGHT.  (Romans 1:19-20)

There are two witnesses that will testify against men's ignorance.

Creation        Creation is the outward, objective witness.

Romans 1:19-20 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.
20 From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky  proclaims the work of His hands.

Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "God does not exist."They are corrupt; their actions are revolting. There is no one who does good.

Conscience     Conscience is the inward, subjective witness.

Romans 1:19 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.

Romans 2:14-15 14 So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law.  15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences testify in support of this, and their competing thoughts either accuse or excuse them

Romans 1:22 From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.  21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened.  22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools

These witnesses testify to the fact that God exists.      John 1:9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.[7]

2.        THE REFUSAL FACTOR: LIGHT REFUSED INCREASES DARKNESS.  (Romans 1:21)

Truth cannot just be placed on ice.          The opposite of truth is not error, it is sin.      Romans 1:18  2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The coming [of the lawless one]is based on Satan's working, with all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders,  10 and with every unrighteous deception among those who are perishing. [They perish]because they did not accept the love of the truth in order to be saved.  11 For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe what is false,  12 so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness.

The baggage that comes with sin is delusion, a lie and damnation.       Mark 4:25 For to the one who has, it will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away

3.        THE RECEPTION FACTOR: LIGHT OBEYED INCREASES LIGHT. (Romans 1:16-17)

If a man is not interested in the fact of God, then God is under no obligation to show that man the way to God.

God gives us truth. When we believe that truth, God gives us more truth. When a man is ready to receive the gospel, God will get the gospel to that man. Acts 8:26-38        Acts 10    John 17:16-17  They are not of the world, as I am not of the world.  17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

4.        THE RECKONING FACTOR: GOD WILL JUDGE US BY THE LIGHT WE'VE REJECTED. (Romans 2:5, 11-12)

God will hold those who have heard of Jesus more accountable than those who have not heard.       Luke 12:48 47 And that slave who knew his master's will and didn't prepare himself or do it will be severely beaten.  48 But the one who did not know and did things deserving of blows will be beaten lightly. Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.

The burning question is not what God is going to do with the heathen who has never heard, but what is God going to do with those who have heard?  Matthew 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.

Matthew 11:23 20 Then He proceeded to denounce the towns where most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent:  21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago!  22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.  23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to • Hades.For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today.  24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Prepare For Persecution Matthew 5:10-14
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.  ¹¹ "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.  ¹² Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  ¹³ "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.  ¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

One of the signs that we are living in the last days is the persecution of the church.  Luke 21:12But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of My name.      2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

The only way to escape persecution is to fail to be salt and light; in other words, compromise and be conformed to this world.

In the Christian life, joy is the thermostat:  we can set the thermostat and decide to live with joy because joy in internal and does not depend upon circumstances. But if joy is the thermostat, then the thermometer is persecution: it shows how we are living for the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are three things we should know about persecution as we draw nearer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

WE SHOULD EXPECT PERSECUTION  (Matthew 5:10-11)

The word "righteousness" comes from a Greek word which means "to divide", "to be different".

The word "persecute" literally means "to pursue".  The idea is a pursuit to find something wrong that you're doing.

Why should we expect persecution?

The lifestyle we show.  (Matthew 5:10) 

John 3:19 "This, then, is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.    We are twice-born people living in a world of once-born people. What we have starts at a different source, it follows a different course, and it arrives at a different conclusion. The difference between punishment and persecution:

Punishment comes from good people when we do bad. Persecution comes from bad people when we do good.

If we are being persecuted:       The accusation or charge has to be false.       It has to be for his name's sake. 1 peter 4:14-15 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a meddler.

The lies that we suffer.  (Matthew 5:11) Jesus was crucified at the hands of false witnesses. According to history, when Nero burned Rome, he blamed the Christians.

The Lord we serve.  (Matthew 5:11) The world hates the lord Jesus for coming to destroy the works of the devil. John 15:19-21 If you were of the world, the world would love [you as]its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.  Remember the word I spoke to you: 'A slave is not greater than his master.'If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours.   But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don't know the One who sent Me.

Philippians 1:29 For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,

WE MUST ENDURE PERSECUTION  (Matthew 5:11)       Persecution may come in different ways:

Personal insults  (Matthew 5:11)

Physical intimidation  (Matthew 5:11)

Social injustice  (Matthew 5:11)

Mark 13:9-13 "But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to sanhedrins, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of Me, as a witness to them.  And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. So when they arrest you and hand you over, don't worry beforehand what you will say. On the contrary, whatever is given to you in that hour—say it. For it isn't you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.  Then brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and put them to death.  And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.

Persecution will come from different sources:

It may come from the religious world.  Mark 13:9

It may come from the government. Mark 13:9

It may come from the home. Mark 13:12

WE CAN ENLIST PERSECUTION  (Matthew 5:12) We can use persecution for the glory of God. How do we take what the enemy means for evil and turn it into good?

Reign in life.  (Matthew 5:10)    There are three levels of life:

The hellish level – returning evil for good.

The human level – returning good for good and evil for evil.

The heavenly level – returning good for evil.

Matthew 5:43-45"You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.   But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Rejoice in the lord.  (Matthew 5:12) Acts 5:41  Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the name.

Release love.  The words "martyr" and "witness" are the same words in the Greek language. The example of Stephen  Acts 7:55-60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Family Of God Phillipians 1:1-6

THE SUPERNATURAL FORMATION OF THE CHURCH (Philippians 1:1-6) Matthew 16:18

The restraint of the Spirit       Acts 16:6-7          Psalm 37:23

The Release of the Spirit        Acts 16:9-10

The Result of the Spirit           Acts 16:13-15       Acts 16:16-18  James 4:7   Acts 16:25-34    Matthew 16:18

THE SWEET FELLOWSHIP OF THE FAMILY (Philippians 1:4-5)

The fellowship of service          Philippians 1:5

The fellowship of the Spirit         Philippians 2:1

The fellowship of the suffering     Philippians 3:10

THE SURE FUTURE OF THE FAMILY (Philippians 1:6)

 

 

WHEN WE ASK, DESIRE IS EXPRESSED. (Matthew 7:7-11)

"Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

James 4:1-2  What is the source of the wars and the fights among you? Don't they come from the cravings that are at war within you?
2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask

Luke 18:1 He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged:

Mark 14:38  37 Then He came and found them sleeping. "Simon, are you sleeping?" He asked Peter. "Couldn't you stay awake one hour?
38 Stay awake and pray so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Matthew 6:7-8  When you pray, don't babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they'll be heard for their many words.  8 Don't be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.

Why do we pray?

The fellowship factor          2 Corinthians 6:1

The development factor        John 15:7

The dependence factor

WHEN WE SEEK, DIRECTION IS EXPLORED.        What is it we seek when we pray?

The purpose of God        James 4:3

The presence of God       James 4:8-11

You ask and don't receive because you ask wrongly, so that you may spend it on your desires for pleasure.  4 Adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world's friend becomes God's enemy.  5 Or do you think it's without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit He has caused to live in us yearns jealously? 6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.  8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!  9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow.  10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.  11 Don't criticize one another, brothers. He who criticizes a brother or judges his brother criticizes the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

The power of God          James 5:16

 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.  17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours; yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.

WHEN WE KNOCK, DETERMINATION IS EXERTED.        Luke 11:5-9          Luke 18:1-7         1 Kings 18:41-44

When do you stop asking?         When you have what you asked for.       When you have the answer in your heart.

When God says no.      Matthew 7:9-11

The assurance of answered prayer       God is good         God is wise. Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.        God is able. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Tim 4:16   Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."

What you are speaks so loud I can't hear a word you are saying.  Some won't go to heaven because they don't know a Christian; some because they do. 

Dr. specialist..clients "some good catholic priests.." discussion about the damage the sex abuse situation has caused the RC church.

All in all he was glad that it had been exposed. Pedophiles targeting the churches as easy marks. Matthew 18:1-9

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."

ONE SUNDAY MORNING  in Ephesus… What Problems did Timothy face?

Paul warned the Ephesian elders at Miletus that the church would one day be plagued by false teachings from men within their midst (Acts 20:29-30).

After Paul's release from his 1^st Roman imprisonment, he and Timothy made their way to Macedonia.

They stopped over in Ephesus on the way. There Paul found false teachings were in the process of undermining the church.

Paul excommunicated the 2 ring-leaders, Hymenaeus and Alexander (1:19-20).

Left Timothy to represent him at Ephesus as his "apostolic delegate" to stop the influence of the false teachers (1:3).

At Macedonia he wrote to authorize Timothy for the task.

Artemis Temple of Artemis

What was in Ephesus got in to the church.  Or it never really left. Some were unconverted. Seemed Christians but not.  Led someone to Christ from that sort of thinking yesterday.  Another had a coupl of wives at the same time. Do you see anything wrong with that? "No its my culture!" it might be your culture but God commands 1 wife for 1 man and 1 man for 1 wife… 1 Tim 3:2, 5:9comp. 14,15)

THEME of 1TIMOTHY  Order in the church  "…I am writing you these instructions so that…you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's

Outline

Chapter 1: Dealing with False Teachers         The false teachers     Paul and the gospel   Charge to Timothy

Chapter 2: Public Worship       Universal concern in public worship      Gender roles in public worship

Chapter 3: Leadership     Qualifications of Overseers and Deacons

Chapter 4: Instructions to Timothy       Warning against false teachers    Watch your life and doctrine closely

Chapter 5: Treatment of various groups     Widows     –  Elders     – Slaves (6:1-2)

Chapter 6: Material Possessions Corruption: Godliness for financial gain Contrasting attitude : Godliness with contentment

Charge to Timothy: Pursue spiritual goals    Command for the rich: Put hope in God not wealth

Charge to Timothy: Guard what has been entrusted

 

1Timothy 5     How To Save yourself and your hearers. (1Tim 4:16)

1.        The Language You Use

2.        The Values You Hold       

3.        The Responsibilities You Maintain

a.        Care For the Widows

b.        Care for the Church Workers

Put The Lord Jesus in Your

        Your Relational Life  James 3:1-12.

        Your Social Life 1-7

        Your Sexual Life  11-15

        Your Home Life 8-10,16

        Your Church Life 17-21

How Much is That Preacher in the Window? Princeton 467 Olympia 222 IBM 400 Empathy 41C

How Do We Pick Leaders for the Local Church?

Popularity  Past  Politics  Pocketbook Profession

Episcopal Church Structure

Lower Presbyterian Structure

Baptist church structure

The biblical pattern is church leadership by elders.

Elders led from the time of Moses         Who Led the Synagogue?

God has advocated group leadership through the ages

Places Mentioning Elders   Three Types of Elders

Therefore, the New Testament presents an elder whose functions are to teach, pastor and administer.

Appoint Elders

Approve Elders 

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."

Assess Elders.

19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

How to save yourself and others?

Remember: "24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

1 TIMOTHY 5 How to save Yourself and Others  1 Tim 4:16

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."

What you are speaks so loud I can't hear a word you are saying.  Some won't go to heaven because they don't know a Christian; some because they do. 

Dr. specialist..clients "some good catholic priests.." discussion about the damage the sex abuse situation has caused the RC church.

All in all he was glad that it had been exposed. Pedophiles targeting the churches as easy marks. Matthew 18:1-9

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."

ONE SUNDAY MORNING  in Ephesus… What Problems did Timothy face?

Paul warned the Ephesian elders at Miletus that the church would one day be plagued by false teachings from men within their midst (Acts 20:29-30).

After Paul's release from his 1^st Roman imprisonment, he and Timothy made their way to Macedonia.

They stopped over in Ephesus on the way. There Paul found false teachings were in the process of undermining the church.

Paul excommunicated the 2 ring-leaders, Hymenaeus and Alexander (1:19-20).

Left Timothy to represent him at Ephesus as his "apostolic delegate" to stop the influence of the false teachers (1:3).

At Macedonia he wrote to authorize Timothy for the task.

Artemis Temple of Artemis

What was in Ephesus got in to the church.  Or it never really left. Some were unconverted. Seemed Christians but not.  Led someone to Christ from that sort of thinking yesterday.  Another had a coupl of wives at the same time. Do you see anything wrong with that? "No its my culture!" it might be your culture but God commands 1 wife for 1 man and 1 man for 1 wife… 1 Tim 3:2, 5:9comp. 14,15)

THEME of 1TIMOTHY  Order in the church  "…I am writing you these instructions so that…you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's

Outline

Chapter 1: Dealing with False Teachers         The false teachers     Paul and the gospel   Charge to Timothy

Chapter 2: Public Worship       Universal concern in public worship      Gender roles in public worship

Chapter 3: Leadership     Qualifications of Overseers and Deacons

Chapter 4: Instructions to Timothy       Warning against false teachers    Watch your life and doctrine closely

Chapter 5: Treatment of various groups     Widows     –  Elders     – Slaves (6:1-2)

Chapter 6: Material Possessions Corruption: Godliness for financial gain Contrasting attitude : Godliness with contentment

Charge to Timothy: Pursue spiritual goals    Command for the rich: Put hope in God not wealth

Charge to Timothy: Guard what has been entrusted

 

1Timothy 5     How To Save yourself and your hearers. (1Tim 4:16)

1.        The Language You Use

2.        The Values You Hold       

3.        The Responsibilities You Maintain

a.        Care For the Widows

b.        Care for the Church Workers

Put The Lord Jesus in Your

        Your Relational Life  James 3:1-12.

        Your Social Life 1-7

        Your Sexual Life  11-15

        Your Home Life 8-10,16

        Your Church Life 17-21

How Much is That Preacher in the Window? Princeton 467 Olympia 222 IBM 400 Empathy 41C

How Do We Pick Leaders for the Local Church?

Popularity  Past  Politics  Pocketbook Profession

Episcopal Church Structure

Lower Presbyterian Structure

Baptist church structure

The biblical pattern is church leadership by elders.

Elders led from the time of Moses         Who Led the Synagogue?

God has advocated group leadership through the ages

Places Mentioning Elders   Three Types of Elders

Therefore, the New Testament presents an elder whose functions are to teach, pastor and administer.

Appoint Elders

Approve Elders  17,18 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."

Assess Elders. 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

How to save yourself and others?

Remember: "24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.