Weekly Sermon

James 2:5 reads, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

James 2:5 indicate that those from the poor class in relation to this world who place their trust in Christ as Savior are chosen by God to be rich in relation to His kingdom.  Regardless of their poor status in the realm of this world, they possess an abundantly rich status in the realm of faith.  Indeed, every one of us who are the children of God through faith in Christ are spiritually rich in the realm of faith.  These spiritual riches may be considered from two perspectives.  First, we may consider our spiritual riches in the realm of faith in relation to our eternal salvation.  Second, we may consider our spiritual riches in the realm of faith in relation to our daily walk.  So then, in this first part of the message, let us consider the first of these truths.

Weekly Sermon

James 1:25 reads, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

In James 1:22 God’s Word delivers an instruction and an admonition concerning our right relationship toward God’s Word, saying, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”  The positive instruction is that we are ever to pursue being doers of God’s Word.  The negative admonition is that we are never to be hearers only of God’s Word, deceiving our own selves thereby.  In order to emphasize and explain this admonition, James 1:23-24 presents an illustration concerning those who are hearers only of God’s Word, and not doers also, saying, “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: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” 

Then in direct contrast to the hearers only of God’s Word, James 1:25 describes those who are doers also of God’s Word and pronounces a promise of the Lord’s blessing upon them, saying, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”  Grammatically, James 1:25 can be divided into four parts.  First, there is the description of daily study – “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty.”  Second, there is the description of diligent submission – “And continueth therein.”  Third, there is the description of dedicated obedience – “He being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work.”  Finally, there is the declaration of divine blessing – “This man shall be blessed in his deed.”

Weekly Sermon

(For those who have been consistently following this blog, you will find that the following message does not quite follow in the flow of my James 1 study.  This is true because it was prepared and preached years before that verse-by-verse study through James 1 began.  Nevertheless, I believe that it is of value to present in this place.) 

James 1:21-25 reads, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  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: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect Law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

In James 1:21 we who are the children of God are instructed to receive with meekness the truth and teaching of God’s holy Word.  Rather than reject that truth and teaching, we are to receive that truth and teaching.  Yea, we are to receive it with all readiness of mind.  However, simply receiving the truth and teaching of God’s holy Word is not enough.  Having received that truth and teaching with meekness and with all readiness of mind, we must then take another step with it.  Thus the instruction of verse 22 is given to us, “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only.”  In fact, concerning this matter James 1:22-25 presents us with a pointed command, a powerful warning, and a precious promise.  

Weekly Sermon

James 1:12 reads, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

As we have previously noted, the third paragraph of the epistle begins in verse 12 by pronouncing a sure blessing upon those who endure the trials of life aright.  Grammatically, this verse is a compound sentence.  The first independent clause of this compound sentence presents an expression of a blessed position -- “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.”  Then the second independent clause of this compound sentence provides an explanation of this blessed position -- “For when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”  Furthermore, the second independent clause itself can be divided grammatically into three parts.  First, there is the conditional prospect of the adverb clause -- “When he is tried.”  Second, there is the certain provision of the main clause -- “He shall receive the crown of life.”  Finally, there is the confident promise of the adjective clause -- “Which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:12 reads, “Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”

Throughout Psalm 119 we encounter four primary themes.  First, we encounter the theme concerning God’s Word as the perfect guide for life.  Second, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his right relationship with God’s Word.  Third, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his desire to walk with the Lord through God’s truth.  Finally, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his suffering for the Lord’s sake.  Thus the theme of Psalm 119 as a whole might be viewed as – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His Holy Word.

Yet why did the Lord’s suffering servant have such a driving desire to seek the Lord through His Word?  Why did he exclaim in verse 5, “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”  Why did he make searching request in the opening portion of verse 9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?”  Why did he express the burden of his heart in the opening portion of verse 10, saying, “With my whole heart have I sought thee”?  The answer is to be found in the opening portion of verse 12, wherein this young servant of the Lord proclaimed, “Blessed art thou, O LORD.”  This young servant of the Lord was motivated to seek the Lord with all his heart through God’s Word because he was convinced with full assurance of faith that the Lord was abundantly worthy of his love, trust, submission, and service.  

In fact, throughout this psalm the psalmist gives notice to seven characteristics by which he was convinced that the Lord was so abundantly worthy, and by which he was moved to proclaim, “Blessed art thou, O LORD.”

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to two previous sermons:  Blessed Be the Most High God - Genesis 14:19-20    
                                                                                       The Most High Ruleth - Daniel 4:32    

2 Samuel 22:14 reads, “The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.”  The Lord our God as the most high God does indeed utter His voice in this world.  He does indeed involve Himself in the affairs of this world.  Yea, the Lord our God as the most high God does indeed move and work in the midst of our lives.  Even so, through a study within the book of the Psalms, let us consider seven characteristics of the Lord our God, the most high God, specifically in His relationship to His people and to this world.

Outlines in Psalms

A Psalm of David.

   I.  The Praise of the Lord for His Enablement (Psalm 144:1-2)
  II.  The Place of Man in Himself (Psalm 144:3-4)
 III.  The Prayer to the Lord for His Deliverance (Psalm 144:5-8)
IV.  The Praise of the Lord for His Deliverance (Psalm 144:9-10)
 V.  The Prayer to the Lord for His Blessing (Psalm 144:11-14)
VI.  The Peace of Those with the Lord (Psalm 144:15)

Outlines in Psalms

To Whom Is the Lord Nigh?

1.  To Those Who Trust Him

     Psalm 145:18 – “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”

2.  To Those Who Fear Him

     Psalm 145:19a – “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him.”

3.  To Those Who Love Him

     Psalm 145:20a – “The LORD preserveth all them that love him.”

In What Manner Is the Lord Nigh?

1.  In His Fellowship

     Psalm 145:18a – “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him.”

2.  In His Favor

     Psalm 145:19a – “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him.”

3.  In His Deliverance

     Psalm 145:19b – “He also will hear their cry, and will save them.”

4.  In His Preservation

     Psalm 145:20a – “The LORD preserveth all them that love him.”

Posted in Outlines in Psalms, Trust in God, Fear of the Lord, Godly Love, Fellowship with the Lord, Blessing of the Lord, Deliverance of Our Lord, Refuge of the Lord

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Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to two previous sermons:  Consider Your Priorities - Haggai 1:5    
                                                                                       Consider the Lord's Pleasure - Haggai 1:8      

Haggai 2:10-19 reads, “In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy?  And the priests answered and said, No.  Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean?  And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.  Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.  And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD: since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.  I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.  Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD’S temple was laid, consider it.  Is the seed yet in the barn?  Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.”

In the opening portion of Haggai 2:15, the Lord our God instructed His people in that time, saying, “And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward.”  Again in the opening portion of Haggai 2:18, the Lord instructed them, saying, “Consider now from this day and upward.”  Finally, at the end of Haggai 2:18, the Lord instructed them, saying, “Consider it.”  Yet what specifically were they to consider?  In Haggai 2:15-17 the Lord focused their attention upon His hand of chastening in their lives, saying, “And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD: since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.  I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.”  This is what they were to consider – the Lord’s chastening upon them and the Lord’s purpose in that chastening.  In like manner, we ourselves today must consider our Lord’s purpose in His hand of chastening upon our lives.

Outlines in Psalms

“Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”

1.  Because the Lord is gracious. (Psalm 147:2-3)
2.  Because the Lord is great. (Psalm 147:4-5)
3.  Because the Lord is good. (Psalm 147:6)

“Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.”

4.  Because the Lord provides. (Psalm 147:8-9)
5.  Because the Lord shows favor. (Psalm 147:10-11)

“Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.”

6.  Because the Lord blesses His people. (Psalm 147:13-14)
7.  Because the Lord reveals His Word. (Psalm 147:15-20)

“Praise ye the LORD.”

Proverbs for Life

The foundational principle for the entire book of the Proverbs and for the spiritual wisdom that this book teaches is found in Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  So then, what does the book of the Proverbs directly indicate concerning the fear of the Lord?

Outlines in Psalms

“Praise ye the LORD.”

 I.  Praise the LORD from the heavens. (Psalm 148:1-6)
II.  Praise the LORD from the earth. (Psalm 148:7-14)

“Praise ye the LORD.”

Meditations in Jeremiah

This meditation is a companion to a previous meditation:  A Provocation of Mine Anger - Jeremiah 32:26-35    

Jeremiah 32:42-44 – “For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.  And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans. Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.”

Outlines in Psalms

“Praise ye the LORD.”

 I.  Let the Saints Praise the Lord for His gracious salvation. (Psalm 149:1-4)
II.  Let the Saints Praise the Lord for His victorious empowerment. (Psalm 149:5-9)

“Praise ye the LORD.”

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:1-3 reads, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”

Psalm 119 is the longest of the psalms, containing 176 verses.  By the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, these 176 verses are divided into twenty-two sections of eight verses each.  Under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, the psalmist employed the poetic device of an acrostic.  In the Hebrew the first word of each verse of each section begins with the same letter.  This pattern continues throughout the psalm from section to section for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet consecutively. 

Often it has been said that the theme of Psalm 119 is the Word of God, and the Word of God is certainly a significant part of the subject matter throughout the entire psalm.  However, there are a number of other significant subjects that also run throughout the psalm.  First, throughout the psalm the psalmist presents himself as a servant of the Lord who is suffering for the Lord’s sake.  Furthermore, throughout the psalm the psalmist expresses his own right relationship with the truth of God’s Word.  Finally, throughout the psalm the psalmist indicates his desire to walk in fellowship with the Lord Himself through the truth of God’s Word.  Thus the theme of Psalm 119 might be better viewed as – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His holy Word.

Psalm 119 begins with a pronouncement of the Lord’s blessing.  This pronouncement establishes a foundation for the entire psalm, as the psalmist expresses his desire for the Lord’s blessing upon his life, whether it be the blessing of fellowship, the blessing of guidance, the blessing of deliverance, or the blessing of provision.  Even so, Psalm 119:1-3 pronounces the blessing of the Lord, saying, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.” 

The opening line of verse 1 reveals that our Lord’s blessing will be poured out upon those who are “undefiled in the way” of their daily walk.  Brethren, we can only expect our Lord’s blessing upon our lives when we walk in spiritual uprightness and blamelessness.  We can only expect our Lord’s blessing upon our lives when we remain spiritually undefiled in our daily walk.  Yet what is required for us to remain spiritually undefiled in our daily walk?  Psalm 119:1-3 answers the question by revealing five ingredients to a spiritually undefiled walk.  All five of these ingredients are necessary in order for us to maintain an undefiled character and conduct in the way of our daily walk.