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Showing posts with label The Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Gospel. Show all posts

Monday, October 13, 2025

How to Obtain and Keep a God Name

 Wisdom's Instructions to Obtain and Keep a Good Name

 Book of Proverbs Chapter 22

 

 We should ask ourselves, how will people perceive us, or how will they remember us after we're gone?

 Do we have a "good name", a good reputation, a good testimony?

 Are we a person of integrity?

 Are we friends to the world, or is our name written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

 If people see us a friend to the world, then we are God's enemy!

 Jas 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

 Do we compromise on the Word of God just to remain friends with the world?

 Luk 6:26  Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. 

 Are we seen as a child of God?

 2Co 8:18  And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 

 Act 10:22  And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 

 3Jn 1:12  Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 

 We need to understand that a good name, a good reputation, is not the same as being popular.

 We can be popular without being a child of God, but with what sort of people!

 These are people who are concerned for their own honor and not the honor of God.

 This is a people pleaser, and we have far too many of those behind many pulpits today.

 One of the first things we need to have a good reputation is the fact that people recognize us as Christians, being like Jesus Christ, and not a hypocrite.

 *****Pro 22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 

Pro 22:2  The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

 God will never show partiality to His children!

 The Lord Jesus died upon that cross for every single living person from the time of Adam till the end of time.

 We may put a high value on earthly things that have no value in Heaven, but to our Heavenly Father, our soul is the most valuable part of being a human.

 We should ask ourselves, would we sell our good name for a million dollars?

 Would we compromise our character for a million dollars?

 We cannot put a price on honor, integrity, and righteousness!

 Ecc 7:1  A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 

 Why is our death more important than our birth?

 We are born into a life that will not be very lengthy.

 At our death, we will have eternal life, either in the torments of Hell or in the glory of Heaven.

 We must make this choice while we are alive!

 We must understand that we are one of God's creations and love Him as our Creator, our Maker.

 God is unmoved by the possessions we gain while we are living, but He offers the glories and the wealth of Heaven if we turn to Him for our salvation.

 God will never discriminate among people because of their wealth, success, gender, race, or social status!

 Gal 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Gal 3:29  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

 Why are there so many suicides in America? They are plagued with low self-esteem and see no future for themselves.

 They use the wrong things to judge themselves!

They focus on appearance, abilities, or position.

They focus on popularity, wealth, or success.

 These things have nothing to do with our real value if we look through the eyes of God.

 God cares for us so much that He keeps up with every detail of our lives.

God loves us so much that He will go with us everywhere we go, in good times and bad times.

God has a wonderful plan and purpose for our lives.

God is always thinking about us.

God loves us enough that He sacrificed His Son for us despite our sins and our rebellious nature.

 Rom 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 

Rom 5:7  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

 Almost every religion in the world is looking for some messiah, but my Messiah came and died for me, and He will return to take me home.

 We will never be able to fulfill the purpose God has for us if we do not have a good name after our salvation.

 We were all dirty, rotten sinners before our salvation.

 Act 6:3  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 

 *****Pro 22:3  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 

Pro 22:4  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. 

Pro 22:5  Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. 

Pro 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

Pro 22:7  The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 

Pro 22:8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. 

Pro 22:9  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. 

Pro 22:10  Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. 

Pro 22:11  He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. 

 As Christians under the leadership of our faith, we understand that there will be a day of wrath from the Almighty Living God, and there is only one way to avoid it.

 We know to look to Jesus Christ and hide ourselves in His loving arms.

 Jas 2:5  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? 

 Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

 Isa_25:4  For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

 As Christians, we are paying attention to what is going on in this world, and we know the results at the end of the Church Age and the seven years of tribulation.

 Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 

Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 

 Mat 24:29  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 

Mat 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 

 Only the Church will be saved from this day of wrath!

 Those whom God says are simple-minded reject the truth of God, and they will be punished for it; most of them, if not all, will spend eternity in Hell.

 They refuse to recognize the dangers of a sinful lifestyle!

 Pro 27:12  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. 

 They refuse to recognize the truth of a Righteous God!

 We already know the foundation of wisdom is the "Fear of the Lord".

 This fear is not only a reverent fear of the Lord but also includes an actual fear of a God who would rather not show His wrath.

 Isa 28:22  Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth. 

Isa 28:23  Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

 Only those who have submitted to God before they come to their own death will miss out on this consumption upon the whole earth.

 This consumption is the disease of sin that God will eradicate.

 We know there are painful hazards as we travel life's journeys.

 That journey is far worse for those who reject the Word of God.

 They cannot know the comfort of knowing we do not have to go through these pains alone.

 Pro 15:19  The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

 Those who have received the pleasures of this world become slaves to those things, and God's people know there is no real pleasure in anything this world has to offer.

 We who travelled that sinful life for far too long and have turned to Jesus Christ know that we are to train our children while they are children, so they can avoid most of life's pitfalls.

 The children God has given to us are our responsibility and not the governments to raise and teach.

 If there is one thing we have realized in the last several years is that our government has steered our children down the path to the destruction of our entire nation and the way of freedom.

 As parents and grandparents, and great-grandparents, we only get the opportunity to guide our children in the right direction.

 They will choose a path for themselves sooner than we realize.

 We hope that as they get older, they will remember those things in their heart and their minds.

 Eph 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

 Eph 6:3  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

 We must understand that there are consequences to borrowing money, and credit cards have destroyed many families.

 There is nothing disgraceful about being poor!

 The rich have far too much power in dictating the lifestyle of the poor, and certain politicians want to keep the poor from gaining in life by giving incentives to them incentives not to work. All for their vote to keep them poor.

 It is ridiculous that people have fallen into this trap and want to remain there.

 Those who have caused this problem and keep doing these things will reap what they sow.

 God is sending His warnings to these lenders from the Holy Spirit.

 As Christians, we are taught to share.

 The Holy Spirit says to those who share, they will also reap what they sow.

 Pro 19:17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

 The Church has become stagnant because the Church has allowed the world into the Church.

 God has one answer if you want to stop the arguments: throw out those who reject the Word of God or those who try to compromise the Word of God with the world's ways.

 Pro 21:24  Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

 These are the ones causing the contention and strife in the Church, and it can be settled by simply forcing them to leave unless they repent.

 Ask them how they get saved to hear their answer.

 Rom 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 

Rom 16:18  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 

 If we can speak to others with the same grace that our Heavenly Father has shown to us, we will get along, and we cannot move to the left or to the right from the truth of God.

 A troublemaker does not have a pure heart; they are troublemakers. This is what they live for.

 *****Pro 22:12  The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. 

Pro 22:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. 

Pro 22:14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. 

Pro 22:15  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 

Pro 22:16  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. 

 God is so moving and loving for us that he sent His only Son to die in our place just so we could live with Him forever.

 God is also holy and righteous and will not put up with foolishness and unrighteousness.

 We should ask ourselves, "What is the providence of God"?

 The providence of God is the fact that it is God's wisdom and God's power that preserves and governs this world for the ends which He purposes to accomplish.

 Since God created everything, it should be reasonable to infer that He upholds and governs all things!

 All things are known to Him!

All things are possible for Him!

 It is our Heavenly Father's plan for us, and nothing in this world can change God's plan for us!

 As our Creator, He is self-existent, and it is His Will, so all His creations depend on Him!

 He only deserves our worship!

 He is the great guardian of the truth of this world we live in!

 It is a fact that lazy people will come up with all sorts of excuses not to work.

 Some things they come up with are laughable.

 It is highly unlikely that any Jew was mauled by a lion because they were not found in towns or cities.

 It is in our best interest as Christians to be the best workers on the job site.

 This is diligent.

 It is true to say that those who can work but refuse to do so should not eat.

 When they are hungry enough, they will find some work to do to provide that meal.

 We have to wonder if Solomon wrote this proverb early in life or later in life because he admits that the seductive words of harlots and adulteresses will entice a man to his own destruction of his body and his soul.

 Solomon also wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes, and we can see more profound words by the Holy Spirit.

 Ecc 7:26  And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 

 Foolishness is actually self-will.

 Children must be rescued from this and it can be accomplished through discipline.

 Foolishness is not a learned behavior it is in that child from birth.

 It can be removed while they are still young to keep them from harming themselves or others.

 Parents who love their children will correct them!

 Pro 29:15  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. 

 God says we will reap what we sow.

 So those who oppress the poor will themselves suffer similarly by giving their riches to someone who is already rich and does not need it.

 Mat 18:24  And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 

Mat 18:25  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 

Mat 18:26  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 

Mat 18:27  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 

Mat 18:28  But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 

Mat 18:29  And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 

Mat 18:30  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 

Mat 18:31  So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 

Mat 18:32  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 

Mat 18:33  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 

Mat 18:34  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

 We can see where we fail in this life if we reject the wisdom of God.

 When we reject the Word of God, we live in open opposition to Him.

 True success in life comes through trusting and fearing the Lord.

 Who are the foolish, all those who do not want the Lord to be on their side!

 The Bible did not come to us by accident!

 It is a Holy God who has preserved His Word for us to know and respect.

 *****Pro 22:17  Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 

Pro 22:18  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 

Pro 22:19  That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 

Pro 22:20  Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 

Pro 22:21  That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? 

 Wisdom does not just come upon us. We must ask for wisdom and then study what other wise men have said.

 If we understand that the Holy Spirit has directed the thoughts of God to men to write down so they can be understood.

 The Word of God is useless if it remains in the Book. These wise words must be read and studied and brought into our hearts and our consciences.

 That word hear is the Hebrew word "shama," which means to hear intelligently and to heed and obey.

 We must keep this wisdom in our hearts.

 Rom_6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

 God wants His word to be active in our lives.

 The Bible is the most powerful Book that has ever existed!

 It is nourishment for the soul!

 It is the seed that brings forth much fruit.

 It is the truth that applies to this life we live now.

 It is the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, that teaches us to trust Jehovah, Yahweh, Elohim, the Almighty God.

 It is our Heavenly Father who is the source of all wisdom, no matter whose lips it comes from.

 God wants us to know the truth of this world.

 God expects us to know the truth of this world.

 God wants us to have confidence in His Word of Truth!

 Jehovah can be trusted, the Lord Jesus Christ can be trusted, and the Holy Spirit can be trusted because the Bible is designed and written by the Holy Trinity, so we can know the truth.

 God gives us His truth so we can live more successful and meaningful lives.

 It is the Word of God that gives us this powerful message we can share with those who do not know Him.

 God did not have to tell us anything, and we would have gone through life confused, but He would have still held us accountable for our sin.

 Rom_1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 God gave us His Word so that we can have hope that this life we live now is not just meaningless, and there is a better life ahead. That hope is in our Savior, God Himself!

 Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

Rom 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 

Rom 15:6  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 *****Pro 22:22  Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 

Pro 22:23  For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

 There are many poor people in this world, many of them have happy lives and know that riches cannot make them happier than they already are.

 Some are poor, and they do not like to be reminded of that fact, and we should help them if we are able.

 We must understand that God is always on the side of the poor!

 The instruction "not to rob the poor" does not speak of robbery because they have nothing worth stealing.

 We are not to rob the poor of their dignity.

 Many of the poor are taken advantage of because they cannot hire a lawyer.

 God is reminding us that He will defend them in the end.

 To understand what the Holy Spirit is talking about here, let's look at the Apostle Paul.

 2Co 6:4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 

2Co 6:5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

 There are probably far more Christian Saints who were poor until they met the Lord Jesus than rich.

 Just as it is today, many of the poor are wrongly afflicted by unjust judges and society.

 Cruel and greedy people choose the poor as their targets because they are unable to defend themselves.

 Praise the Lord, we have an advocate in Heaven.

 1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 

 Psa 35:10  All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

 When the Lord says He will spoil the souls of those who oppress the poor, He is saying He will take away their lives.

 *****Pro 22:24  Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 

Pro 22:25  Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. 

 There are a lot of bad examples in our world, and we must not spend time around them.

 Yes, we are to witness if we get the opportunity and flee as soon as we can.

 Those who are short-tempered can influence us in a bad way.

 All of us are prone to losing our temper from time to time, but this angry man from the Scripture is full of anger at all times, and the wise do not need to be around them.

 Wise people understand the power of influence and avoid such people.

 Bad behavior can rub off on people and infect others.

 Uncontrolled anger is a trap that is easy to get caught in and hard to escape.

 Scripture never tells us to associate with the ungodly for the purpose of trying to change their behavior.

 In fact, Scripture tells us to be an example to them of the wisdom to avoid anger as best we can.

 1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

 *****Pro 22:26  Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 

Pro 22:27  If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 

 In the old days, all it took was a handshake to seal a deal.

 We all want to help our children and maybe close friends, but God says do not secure debts for them.

 I do not know how many of us have been burned by our own children, but it happens.

 If that debtor is not creditworthy, then why should we be taken advantage of?

 We end up taking up a debt that we are not prepared for, and we could lose our own possessions and our own creditworthiness be ruined.

 Our testimony can also be affected if we are known to be someone who does not pay our debts.

 We must not make foolish deals. Nothing is untouchable if you put yourself up for someone else's debts.

 *****Pro 22:28  Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. 

 The ownership of property is important in today's world, but it was extremely important in ancient Israel.

 Most land is worth far more than its monetary value.

 It was Jehovah who gave Abraham and the descendants of Sarah the land that belonged to Israel.

 Deu 19:14  Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it. 

 Gen_17:21  But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

 Heb 11:9  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 

God had forbidden the children of Israel to sell their land He had given to them.

Moving a boundary stone was an act of theft and a violation of the eighth commandment.

Deu 19:14  Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it. 

Deu 27:17  Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*****Pro 22:29  Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. 

It is a rare occasion for a diligent worker to be fired, even in today's world.

To have a good work ethic is to be obedient to our Heavenly Father.

Christians should be the best workers on any job site.

As believers, we are called to set the example of being diligent workers.

We are never to be seen as being lazy.

We do not labor only for our employers; we labor also for our Lord!

Ecc 9:10  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. 

And the words that every Saint of God hopes to receive.

Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

Amen

Monday, August 18, 2025

The Resurrection of the Church

 The Gospel and the Resurrection

Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 15

 The word "Gospel" means "Good News". There is only one Gospel!

 The Gospel is described in many ways:

 Mar 1:14  Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 

Mar 1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 

 The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

 Act 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 

 The Gospel of the Grace of God.

 Mar 1:1  The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 

 Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

 The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, "lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them". 

 The glorious Gospel.

 Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

 The Everlasting Gospel.

 This church at Corinth, like many churches today, is confused about the resurrection of believers.

 This resurrection concerns our bodies, no matter if they are in the grave, have been burnt to ashes, thrown into the ocean, or eaten by some wild animal.

 Some were denying the resurrection of the body.

Some were following false teaching, claiming that it occurred at the time of our death.

Some just said God couldn't resurrect our old bodies when God made us from the dust of the ground to begin with.

 There is nothing too hard for God!

 Paul said this was a simple thing for God when He showed the power of resurrection by raising His own Son from the dead.

 We do not need any other proof!

 *****1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 

1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

 No matter where the Apostle Paul preached, he included the resurrection as part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 We cannot take our stand on the Gospel of Jesus Christ without standing on the fact of His resurrection and our resurrection.

 Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

 Paul had said earlier that he was not able to preach the meat of the Gospel to these Corinthians, but he did preach the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is a major doctrine and principle of our salvation and our resurrection.

 We, as the Church, need to pay particular attention to this chapter.

 Eph 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 

Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 

 We should understand that we will see our Heavenly Father face-to-face, and we will be in a glorified body, and that body will be a version of the body we had when we were upon this earth.

 1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 Paul is declaring these things again to these Corinthians as if they had never heard them because they had not remained with them.

 We must live by faith in the Word of God.

 We already know that without faith, we cannot even please God.

 Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

 We are being saved by the same Gospel that was presented to these Corinthians!

 We must hold fast to the Gospel.

 When we take a stand as a Christian, we are standing upon the truth of the Gospel!

 Jas 1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 

 *****1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

 The first act of the Gospel was that Jesus Christ died for our sins, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.

 Isa 53:5-8, Daniel 9:26, Psalms 22, Zec 12:10, Gen 22.

 All these Scriptures teach us the death and resurrection of our Savior, God's Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the first thing that should be preached because with His death, He paid for our sins.

 Paul is saying that these are the first words that he received from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 1Co 11:23  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 

 Gal 1:11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 

Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

 The death of Jesus Christ was the substitute that Our Heavenly Father allowed for payment of our sins.

 Jesus died as our sacrifice.

Jesus died as our ransom.

Jesus died as our propitiation.

Jesus died according to the Scriptures.

 Luk 24:25  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 

Luk 24:26  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 

 Joh 1:45  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 

 He was wounded for our transgressions.

He was despised and rejected by men.

 *****1Co 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 

 The second fact of the Gospel is that the Lord Jesus died and was buried, and He rose again on the third day, just as the Old Testament had testified.

 We should understand that there were many witnesses to these events; they were not done in the dark or hidden from sight.

 There are still those today who say there was no resurrection because there was no actual death.

 We need to just pay attention to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the truth, and it is our faith that saves us and our faith that pleases our Heavenly Father.

 Jesus Christ did die a human death. No one buries a man who is alive except a murderer.

 If Jesus had not been buried, then there could be no resurrection.

 The empty tomb is still evidence that the Lord Jesus arose from the dead!

 It is the resurrection of Christ Jesus that proves that our bodies will also one day rise from the grave, and our tombs will be empty no matter how our bodies were buried, scattered, or remain in some urn, or thrown in the ocean.

 The resurrection proves that the Lord Jesus Christ is exactly who He says He is, the Living God!

 There is no other power anywhere upon this earth that can raise people from their death!

 Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 

 The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is our Savior.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is the Spirit of Life.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is no liar.

 Mat 12:40  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

 Psa 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

 The resurrection proves that Christianity is real!

The resurrection proves that our Heavenly Father accepted the work that His Son Jesus did for our reconciliation, our salvation.

 When the Lord Jesus prayed at Gethsemane, it was a prayer that His death would bring life through His resurrection.

 His Heavenly Father heard His prayer!

 Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 

Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 

 His resurrection was essential in the plan of God for us to receive the Holy Spirit.

 Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

Joh 16:9  Of sin, because they believe not on me; 

 There was an empty tomb.

There was the shape of the linen wrappings. Those wrappings still retained the shape of the body. The Lord Jesus had passed right through those wrappings.

 Remember Lazarus: Joh 11:44  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

 The graveclothes of Jesus had remained in that empty tomb with the napkin folded and laid aside, which meant He would return.

 Then some witnessed seeing Him after He arose.

 *****1Co 15:5  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 

1Co 15:6  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 

1Co 15:7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 

 Peter, who had denied the Lord, now became one of the greatest witnesses for the Lord.

 The Lord appeared to the remaining Apostles. Judas at that time was already dead having committed suicide. There were twelve Apostles after his death.

 Then there were five hundred witnesses at one time who could testify to seeing the resurrected Christ.

 Then the Lord appeared to James, His stepbrother, who would be the Pastor of the Church at Jerusalem.

 It is then that the family of the Lord Jesus Christ found out that their stepbrother was telling the truth all along.

 He later met Paul on the Damascus Road. Paul became the twelfth apostle hand-chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ.

 And Paul preached:

 *****1Co 15:12  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 

 Still today, some unbelievers deny the resurrection of the human body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 We know that the Lord was one hundred percent God, but He was also one hundred percent human. That human body did die, but God cannot die. He has always existed!

 Psa 90:2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 

 Isa 44:6  Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 

 There may be many things I do not understand and cannot explain, but the resurrection of my Savior has enough witnesses to make me a believer, and I have enough faith to accept all the Word of God as the truth.

 BUT:

 *****1Co 15:13  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 

1Co 15:14  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 

1Co 15:15  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 

 If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead, then there is nothing to Christianity.

 Most of this world believes in some supernatural being, and that being would not be much if it could not bring a human body back to life.

 The message of the Gospel is the "good news" of our resurrected Savior, who is the God of the Bible and the God of all truth.

 Since the God of the Bible raised the Lord Jesus Christ back to life, He will have no problem raising all the bodies in the future that He wants to raise.

 Jesus said to his disciples after He had risen Luk 24:38  And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 

Luk 24:39  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 

Luk 24:40  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 

 I will live forever in the presence of the Lord!

I will have a personal face-to-face relationship with the Lord!

I will be made perfect and serve the Lord face-to-face in a New Heaven and a New Earth!

I do know that I know all these things are true!

 The Lord Jesus died to free me from death and all other believers, and His Father raised Him, so He will raise all those who have been freed from death!

 1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 

1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 *****1Co 15:16  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 

1Co 15:17  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 

1Co 15:18  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 

1Co 15:19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 

1Co 15:20  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 

 Christians whose bodies are in the sleep of death is a principle that we must reject as impossible!

 The goodness, the faith, the love, the tenderness of that Saint of God cannot be dissolved into nothing.

 God simply will not allow it!

 Since Jesus Christ rose from His death, then that old body of that saint of God that is asleep in Jesus will also rise from that grave!

 That old body will not only rise from the dead, but it will be glorified just as the body of Christ is glorified.

 The Lord Jesus did not have to take His earthly body back to Heaven with Him, but He did.

 He could just as easily have gone back in His Spirit, but He chose to take that earthly body with Him.

 If the Lord Jesus Christ did not arise from that grave, then neither will we. It is just that simple.

 Why do we question God so much when He expects us to have faith?

 The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ goes hand in hand with our own resurrection!

 If all we have is hope in this life, then certainly we will be miserable as we grow older in years.

 If we have served the Lord as He commanded and suffered for it, then we have endured something false.

 But now Jesus Christ is risen!

 1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 

1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

 The fact is, we will live in the New Heaven with our Redeemer in our glorified bodies throughout eternity.

 Since we are in our old body that is now glorified, we will be known by sight, just as we will recognize those who have gone before us by sight.

 Where is our faith? 

 We should be very clear if it is possible to live in the presence of God, and it is, then the human body must first undergo a radical change. Th

 1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 

1Pe 5:11  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

 *****1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 

1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 

1Co 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

 If we are not settled on this issue of our bodies, then listen as Paul tells us how these things will take place.

 The human body is flesh and blood. It is a physical body and not a spiritual body that will be needed in the New Heaven.

 This body is made of earthly materials and substances, not spiritual materials and substances.

 This body must be completely remade!

 The bodies we have today are made to live in this physical world and dimension.

 This physical body is made for the kingdoms of this world and not to inherit the Kingdom of God.

 We cannot inherit eternity as we are; a change is necessary!

This means those who have gone on to meet the Lord and their old flesh was left behind and, includes any who are alive when the Trumpet sounds, and we will all meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds.

1Th 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 

1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

When we meet the Lord Jesus in the clouds, it will not be for salvation, but the Lord will take this time to issue rewards for the work that was done on earth.

1Co 3:14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 

1Co 3:15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

 The workman is saved the work itself is burned with fire.

Both the living and the dead will receive newly created bodies.

These things will happen quicker than can be seen clearly and will be invisible to those who will remain on earth during the tribulation period.

We should not worry, as the Lord Jesus said, the Lord's children will hear that trumpet!

These things are absolutely certain!

The trumpet will sound.

The Lord's saints will hear it.

The dead shall be raised incorruptible.

We shall be changed.

These things will take place in the twinkling of an eye.

Joh 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 

Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 

Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

The resurrection of the damned will take place over a thousand years later than the Rapture of the Church.

*****1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

The nature of our old bodies is corruptible, but the nature of our new bodies will be uncorruptible!

You do not have to tell a senior citizen about how his body is deteriorating, and his days are getting shorter, and a day of death awaits us all unless the Lord Jesus returns soon.

We are all waiting for our heavenly body that will live throughout eternity.

We know that if we are going to live with God, then these old bodies must change!

*****1Co 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 

1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 

1Co 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 

This change of our bodies will swallow up death, as it will not exist in our new bodies.

The grave will no longer be in our future.

This is the victory that was promised by Jehovah long ago.

Isa 25:8  He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. 

It is sin that gave death its power, and the New Heaven is a place where there is no sin and there will never be any sin.

Rom 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 

Sin will now be erased from the picture.

It is laws and standards that show us our shortcomings.

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 

Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 

Yes, Lord, I believe you.

When we have been perfected by the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be no law hanging over our heads.

With no law, there will be no condemnation!

Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

*****1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1Co 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. 

It was the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ that proved He had the power over death.

It is through Him and Him alone that we can be resurrected from our death!

His perfect righteousness overcomes sin and sin's penalty; it condemns sin!

Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Those who are afraid of the Holy Ghost will find that He is our greatest gift after salvation.

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

These things should encourage us all as we live for Jesus Christ.

These promises are to all those who believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! These are promises!

We must stand on the truth of our Lord, unmovable!

Unyielding.

Unshaken.

Undisturbed by what goes on in this world around us.

We must work harder for those we love and those we meet.

Our labor will not be in vain!

1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

Amen

Monday, July 21, 2025

True Godly Worship

 Instructions for Godly Worship

 1 Corinthians Chapter 11: Verses 17-34

 What is the greatest problem of the modern church today? The modern church gathers together not for the betterment of the church, but for the worse.

 We are to come together to hear the message God has for us on that particular day and apply that message to our lives when we step back into the world.

 We know that if we love the Lord, then He knows it.

 We had better know that the reason we attend church is also known to the Lord!

 Do we come to receive the instructions from Jehovah so that we can grow in the Lord?

Do we come out of curiosity?

Do we come to observe worldly interest?

Do we come without any preparation of heart?

 Are we soon wearying of the services we attend?

 Eze 14:2  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 

Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? 

 Do we love the Word of God or not?

Are we just partially convinced of the truth of God?

Do we stifle the Holy Spirit?

 If we do not come together for the betterment of the Church and our lives, then we will come together for the worse!

 This is highly displeasing to Jehovah!

 Php 3:18  (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: 

Php 3:19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 

Php 3:20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 

 There are only two ordinances assigned to the Church.

 One is Baptism.

The other is the Lord's Supper.

 Our lesson today is concentrated on the Lord's Supper.

 Here in the South, when the word supper is mentioned, it used to mean that the last meal of the day, when the whole family would come together to prepare for the end of the day and maybe plan a little for the next day.

 For the Jews, that evening supper was the principal meal of the day.

 The Lord's Supper is something that is, for the most part, entirely different.

 In our church, we say communion, and communion is fellowship with the Lord.

Communion is between the Lord Jesus Christ and His people.

 Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

Joh 14:24  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 

Joh 14:25  These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 

 The Lord's Supper is called the cup of blessing because in it there is fellowship with Jesus Christ and His disciples, and among the disciples with one another.

 1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 

1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 

 Every child of God belongs to Jesus Christ, and we can enjoy our relationship with Him!

 Only those who belong to Jesus Christ should take part in Communion.

 As the Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon, communion means the good things in us that come by Jesus Christ.

 Phm 1:4  I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 

Phm 1:5  Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 

Phm 1:6  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 

 *****1Co 11:17  Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

 Paul begins his rebuke of the way this Corinthian Church was celebrating the Lord's Supper.

 As Independent Baptists, we only recognize two ordinances, which are baptism and the Lord's Supper.

 An ordinance is an outward rite prescribed by Jesus Christ to be performed by His Church.

 Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord's Supper on the night of His crucifixion.

 Luk 22:14  And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 

Luk 22:15  And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 

Luk 22:16  For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 

Luk 22:17  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 

Luk 22:18  For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 

Luk 22:19  And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 

Luk 22:20  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

 This was the New Covenant in contrast with the old Mosaic Covenant.

 Only through His death could this New Covenant be applied to the Church because it was the death of Christ that provided forgiveness of sins, which is discussed later in this lesson.

 The Lord's Supper is a memorial to the death of our Savior!

 As we celebrate the memorial of our Savior, we must emphasize that we have faith that He died so that we could be forgiven.

 This church in Corinth was even divided in this celebration, that is to remind us of what the Lord Jesus has already done for us.

 1Pe 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

1Pe 2:25  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 

 ***** 1Co 11:18  For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 

1Co 11:20  When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 

 These Corinthians were tragically abusing the Lord's Supper!

 When divisions are in any church, the Spirit of the Church is in disorder!

 Minds and hearts are not upon the Lord but on the causes of this division.

 Paul knew how these matters would grow and become rumors and exaggerations.

 Paul understood there was great truth in the letter he had received from this church.

 This church needed to work on its problems before it could be a true House of God.

 None of these things could catch the Lord off guard or by surprise.

 In fact, the Lord will allow these things to persist so the true believers can stand out in the turmoil.

 These people who cause this division in any church will cause the love and truth of genuine believers to shine brightly, which is what verse 19 tells us.

 No Spiritual unity can exist where there is no supreme affection for Jesus Christ.

 We are all to unite with Jesus Christ because He is the Head of the Church.

 It seems so many places of worship have forgotten this today.

 The Lord's Supper is our way of showing our faith in the Lord but here in Corinth it was perverted into a means of gluttony and drunkenness.

 Today, we see churches that are perverted, Bibles that are perverted, and Christian ministries that are perverted.

 The one good thing for the pastor of any church was that he could tell who were genuine Christians and those who were not.

 *****1Co 11:21  For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 

1Co 11:22  What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 

 This gathering of this church was meaningless to the Lord, and He would never be a part of such a gathering!

 It is impossible to have a divided church and honor the Lord Jesus!

 Jas 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

 When the early church observed the Lord's Supper, they would incorporate it with what was called a "love feast".

 Everyone brought all the food they could in order that there would be plenty for everyone, including the poor and the slaves who could not bring very much.

 The idea was to have a common meal where everyone shared, and everyone would have enough to eat.

 This church at Corinth began to abuse the Supper. Instead of sharing, everyone sat off in their little group of friends and shared the food they brought only with that group.

 Some were neglected and had very little to eat, if anything.

Some were indulging as gluttons, trying to make sure that group had nothing to eat.

Some treated the whole thing as a social gathering, bringing alcohol to drink off to the side and becoming drunk.

 This was no longer a Christian fellowship, and there was no love shown to the brethren.

 This was no celebration of the Lord's Supper!

 This celebration was meaningless and useless in furthering the Gospel and strengthening the Church.

 This celebration ruined the testimony of this church.

 Some outside the church who believed would talk about how Satan had accomplished so much in the church in such a short period of time.

 Satan is working hard in many churches today!

 Paul said you must despise the House of God to do such things.

 Paul said Do you not have homes to do such things and not bring this inside the church.

 They abused the sanctity of the Church.

They shamed the poor and the slaves who had little food.

They corrupted the Lord's Supper.

They slapped the face of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They were proud of themselves.

 A divided church is a sin against the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Paul said, "How can I praise such a gathering in the House, the Lord Jesus has built"?

 1Ti 3:5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 

 1Ti 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

 Paul tells this church the truth of the Lord's Supper.

 *****1Co 11:23  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 

1Co 11:24  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 

1Co 11:25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 

1Co 11:26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come

 What is the real meaning of the Lord's Supper?

 The Lord's Supper involves our looking back to the historical event of the cross and anticipating His return, which could happen any day now.

 The Lord's Supper is a communion of believers with each other.

 1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 

 At the Lord's Supper, we will all eat and drink the same symbolic elements of the body of our Lord as we become the Body of Christ in common faith!

 **What is the meaning of the bread? Jesus said: "Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me". 

 We must remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Glory of God!

 Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

 Joh 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 

 The Lord Jesus took part in His final meal Himself. He was standing there with His disciples, who would become the Apostles.

 That bread symbolized the Lord's body.

 **In passing the cup, Jesus said: "This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me".

 Jesus did not say this was His blood, but it symbolized His blood, just as it was a symbol of the New Covenant God has made with mankind.

 His body had to be broken for this New Covenant to take place, and it was broken for all mankind, but especially for those who love Him.

 The Lord Jesus substituted His body for my body on that cross and the body of every sinner who has ever lived and will live in the future, though that future may now be short.

 Heb 2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 

 **The Lord did these things for us, and of the bread He said: "This do in remembrance of me"

 Of the cup He said: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me".

 This means we are to stir up our minds to meditate upon the person of Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of God.

 The Old Covenant, the Old Testament, is set aside, and this New Covenant is the blood of Jesus Christ and not the blood of bulls and goats.

 Heb 9:13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 

 Every church is to set time aside to observe the Lord's Supper, which is to concentrate our minds upon our Savior.

 His death.

His return.

 Jesus Christ died for us that we might live for Him!

 We must understand that there can be severe consequences for taking part in the Lord's Supper unworthily!

 *****1Co 11:27  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 

1Co 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 

1Co 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 

1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 

 We know that Paul has sent this letter by Timothy to preach to the Corinthian church, but this letter would be preached to every Christian church of that day, and we have a copy of it today.

 We know that if we have sin in our hearts, God will not answer our prayers.

 Psa 66:18  If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 

 In partaking of the Lord's Supper, we must understand its purpose.

 Psa_116:13  I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Psa 116:14  I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. 

 The same night of the Lord's Supper, we know that He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

 If we partake of the Lord's Supper with sin in our lives, then we are not saved by the "grace" of God, we have not accepted the New Covenant of God, and we have partaken of the Lord's Supper unworthily.

 The Lord Jesus died for our sins; He had no sin.

 The Lord's Supper shows forth His death until He returns!

 This event commemorates the death of our Savior.

 1) Not His life, for He lived in holiness without sin.

2) Not His teaching, though He spoke in Divine Truth.

3) Not His miracles, though He walks in mercy.

4) But His death, not glorious, but broken. His blood, not flowing through His veins, but shed for all mankind.

The Lord's Supper is when we see our own sins laid upon Him

The Lord's Supper is when we see our souls washed by Him.

The Lord's Supper is when we see our doom reversed by Him.

The Lord's Supper is when we see our lives secured by Him.

So, we must show forth His death till He comes.

The eleven disciples who remained became more faithful witnesses after the Lord's Supper, and we should also, if we can see how great our salvation is.

Those who partake of the Lord's Supper unworthily put the Lord in open shame.

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 

Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 

Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 

Those who have no concept of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His death in payment for our sin, and partake of the Lord's Supper show irreverence of the body and the blood of the Son of God, will stir the judgment of God the Father.

It sounds serious because it is serious!

1Jn 5:16  If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 

*****1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 

1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 

1Co 11:33  Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 

1Co 11:34  And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. 

If we know we have unconfessed sin, we should not take part in the two ordinances of the Church, and certainly not the Lord's Supper.

If we take that word "judgment" to mean "discern," we need to examine ourselves to make sure we are not living in sin or carrying some unconfessed sin in our hearts; we must certainly not take part in the Lord's Supper.

We must confess our sin and repent of that sin, knowing that God will chasten us, but He chastens us out of His love for us. If we continue in sin, we may be running the risk of being judged with the unbelievers.

We must share and demonstrate our love by putting others first, serving one another.

We must not bring condemnation upon ourselves. We must repent of our old life. We must change what we have been doing.

We can eat our meals at home, but the Lord's Supper is for those who truly trust in the salvation plan of God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jonah realized His sin, he cried unto the Lord with these words: Jon 2:2  And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. 

Amen

Monday, July 14, 2025

Who or What Do You Worship

 Admonitions from Israel's History

 Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 10

 Idolatry is the practice of paying divine honor to any object that is created.

 There are three forms of idolatry:

 1) Fetishism: the worship of trees, rivers, hills, stones, etc.

2) Nature worship: the worship of the sun, the moon, and the stars as the supposed powers of nature.

3) Hero worship, the worship of deceased ancestors or heroes.

 During their long residence in Egypt, the Hebrews fell into idolatry.

 Eze 20:7  Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 

 The world before the flood was a wicked and idolatrous world:

 Jos 24:14  Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 

Jos 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

 What is the first commandment given to Israel after Jehovah freed them from Egypt? Deu 6:4  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 

Deu 6:5  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deu 6:13  Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 

 Today, throughout the world, people worship everything but Jehovah God!

Those who worship themselves have made themselves to be God.

 *****1Co 10:1  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 

1Co 10:2  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 

1Co 10:3  And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 

1Co 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 

1Co 10:5  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 

 As Paul gets further into this epistle, he will eventually get to the security of the believer.

 The security of the believer is one of the great doctrines of Scripture, but unfortunately, it is taught without much understanding and without the warnings that come from the Word of God.

 We know that when the time of judgment comes, God will first judge the Church.

 There are multitudes in the Church who are not truly converted to Jesus Christ, but they have a false security and are overconfident.

 They say they are saved, but their lifestyle says different.

 Saying and knowing are two different things.

 Being baptized and belonging to a church does not mean we are saved.

 Taking part in the Lord's Supper does not mean we are saved.

 Being greatly gifted and very active in the Church does not make a person safe and secure in Jesus Christ.

 These things were problems in the Church in Corinth.

 As Christians, we are in a race for an incorruptible Crown, but this crown is not given on a silver platter.

 We must actually be in the race!

 The nation of Israel was a prime example of a people who had been greatly privileged by Jehovah, and it led to a people who felt safe and secure, yet many of them perished in the wilderness after Jehovah had saved them from Egypt.

 All of them shared the many blessings of God, but none of that group but a few entered into the Promised Land.

 The Israelites were as much a people of God as we are today, yet most of them fell in the wilderness of sin.

 In truth, the possession of great privileges does not secure us from the danger of falling from the "Grace" of God.

 The worst sins of Israel were a direct result of idolatry!

 Idolatry is not a light matter to Jehovah God!

 Today, many in the Church are willing to be delivered from Hell but shy away from living life like Jesus Christ, which is the standard for being a Christian, and which is the standard for repentance.

 What did Jesus teach the Jews?

 Mrk_1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

 What has Jesus taught the Church?

 Rev_2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

 The Israelites accepted the position as God's people, but failed in the duties of being God's people.

 Is the Church doing the same thing today?

 We love to say we are the children of God, but is the Church fulfilling the duties of the Church?

 Many who say they are Christians were never truly converted and have never really repented of their sins before God!

 Israel passed through the Red Sea as if on dry land.

 Archaeologists have found the place of the crossing of Israel, even finding the chariot of that Pharaoh, but now Egypt will not allow any more research because it changes the narrative that they want remembered.

 Many more like them do not want the Bible to prove itself to be the truth, but it is.

 Israel had the presence of Jesus Christ with them.

 God gave His Son the Leader to lead them to the Promised Land. That Rock was Christ!

 God took care of their day-to-day needs.

 Jesus Christ was the source, the Energy and the Power, and the Person who caused water from the Rock, caused the Red Sea to part, who caused the cloud to guide Israel, and rained down the manna, and who gave Moses the promises of God.

 Jesus Christ is the Jehovah of the Old Testament!

 We should remember there were over six hundred thousand men alone who broke away from the bondage of Egypt.

 This means we do not know the actual number of the children of Israel.

 We know that only two families, the family of Caleb and the family of Joshua, stayed true to the Lord; the rest died and were replaced before they entered into the Promised Land.

 So, we have proof that God will save people from one tragedy, but still not allow them into His Heaven.

 We must know that we know we are saved according to the Word of God, or we could still end up in Hell.

 These things are a warning to the Church!

 *****1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

 These things were examples for the Church to learn from!

 God has given us a Jewish history lesson for the Church to learn because we know that God never changes.

 The things that happened to the Hebrews (Jews) are valuable lessons to Christians, and we must not ever forget this!

 Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 

Eph 5:7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 

 Then God gives us some of these examples.

 *****1Co 10:7  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 

1Co 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 

1Co 10:9  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 

1Co 10:10  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

 **Warning number one: While Moses was upon the Mountain with God, the children of Israel began lusting after the things of the flesh.

Many of them turned to idolatry. Aaron made that golden calf, and the people began dancing around it.

 In typology, we know our Lord Jesus is now on Heaven's Mountain, and the Church is lusting after the flesh and worshipping idols.

 **Warning number two: Immorality took over the children of Israel.

 And the Lord Jesus says to the Church, Rev 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 

 **Warning number three: Neither let us tempt Jesus Christ. They tried the Lord's patience.

 You want to get to Hell! Go ahead and see how far you can go to test the patience of the Lord Jesus Christ. These children of Israel always felt that God expected too much from them. Many in the Church still feel this way today!

 Many of them even longed for things they left behind in Egypt. Even onions. Who can believe that? Many people love onions, but I doubt they would choose slavery to get them.

 Many Christians think they will be forgiven even if they take that second look.

If they just get a taste, or if they could just touch, or if they slip just a little, or if they hold back just a little, which is the sin of covetousness.

 Heb 10:28  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 

Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 

Heb 10:30  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 

 **Warning number four: These people could not go a day without murmuring, complaining, and grumbling.

 It is the same for the Church of today. So many today are not satisfied with the truth and seek to make their own truth. Much of the Church has moved away from the truth of solid preaching and seeks a church and a Bible that goes along with their own thoughts of Christianity, forgetting what being a Christian is all about.

 Jud 1:14  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 

Jud 1:15  To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 

Jud 1:16  These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 

 All these things are examples for the Church not to get caught up in!

 Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

Rom 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 

Rom 15:6  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 We must be sure of our salvation, and we must know what it is to be Christian!

 To be Christian is to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 This name was given to the followers of Jesus Christ by unbelievers.

 Act 11:26  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 

 This name was given to the followers of Christ in sarcasm.

 How many in the Church today would the world call Christian when the word I hear the most is hypocrites?

 All these things that Paul has mentioned today should cause us to look at ourselves and just see what our standing is with God.

 *****1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 

1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

We must understand that was impossible for any Christian in Corinth to avoid coming in contact with idolatrous practices in its many forms.

We can also say this about America today!

We must understand this warning from the Holy Spirit.

Most every church acknowledges that we are in the last days of the Church Age.

The Church Age is the Age of Grace. There will be no other Age of Grace as Jehovah moves forward with His plans!

Grace is the way God deals with people today. We are a foolish church if we do not heed the warning Jehovah is showing us in the examples of how He dealt with Israel.

Rom 11:20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 

Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 

Any person can fall, especially when we get to thinking we cannot fall.

As long as we are still in the Church Age, there is no way to escape temptation!

We can be encouraged that there will be no temptation that is not common to everyone else.

This means we can prepare for those temptations.

No temptation will be superhuman.

No temptation will be unique to the Church.

No temptation will be beyond our capacity to handle.

No temptation will be terrifying in any sense of the word.

Every temptation that attacks the believer is common to all humans!

Most every Christian has already overcome most of these temptations, and yes, some of us have fallen and caved in, but we have repented and asked for forgiveness, and we can still be overcome if we are not prepared for them.

We should also understand that the Lord limits every single temptation within our limits to overcome it.

We must have enough faith to believe this. God will provide a way out of that temptation!

2Pe 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 

We of the Church have a greater responsibility to overcome temptation than the Jews because we can read of the mistakes they made and see how Jehovah dealt with them.

The modern Church has no excuse for sinking into sin!

*****1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 

1Co 10:22  Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 

1Co 10:23  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

1Co 10:24  Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 

1Co 10:25  Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 

1Co 10:26  For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 

1Co 10:27  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 

1Co 10:28  But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 

We must know that Satan is out to cut the heart of Jehovah and to destroy God's purpose in saving mankind.

Satan smiles every time he turns a person away from the Lord Jesus Christ by enticing us to give our lives to the things and the false gods of this world.

When we become consumed by the things of this world, then we have fulfilled the will of Satan, the Devil.

We had better understand that God will not allow us to be a guest at His table and be a guest at the table of idolatrous devils.

This is being a hypocrite, and we will provoke the Lord's wrath, and there will be no hypocrites in Heaven!

Even if we know that a certain thing is legal for us to do without it being a sin, should we do it?

There are limits to Christian freedom!

Should Christians attend social functions with our neighbors and fellow employees who are not saved?

We should ask ourselves:

1) Is it beneficial to me as a Christian?

2) Will it violate my conscience; will it grieve the Holy Spirit?

3) Will our actions affect our relationship with another Christian?

4) Are we just being courteous and kind to that unbeliever, who may just be seeing how far we are willing to go against his thoughts of God?

5) Does it hurt the conscience of another believer? 

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then we should not attend.

Even if our own conscience is not bothered, we are to act for the sake of others!

We are not to do anything that might offend another brother or sister in Christ!

Rom 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 

Rom 15:2  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 

Rom 15:3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 

*****1Co 10:29  Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 

1Co 10:30  For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 

No man has a right to interfere with the liberty that is enjoyed by another if his own conscious, his own conduct, and his own convictions are not affected.

If I am doing no harm according to the Word of God, then why should I be judged by another Christian after I have asked God to bless my meal?

In fact, I do not have the right if it causes harm to another brother or sister who may think that I am worshipping idols when I should know better!

Bearing the criticism of another brother or sister in Christ will not be worth my attending such a social event.

We must keep in mind that everything we do outside the Church is to be for the glory of God!

Rom 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 

We are not to be so concerned about our own rights that we have forgotten that all things we do are to be for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Lord tells us: Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

We cannot allow our light to grow dim!

We are never to be stumbling blocks to the Jews, to unbelievers, nor believers!

We are to do absolutely nothing that will offend another person or cause them to stumble because this goes against the Lord's rule of love!

We are God's children, and again Jesus says: Mar 9:42  And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 

We are not to seek our own profit because we are left upon this earth to seek the profit of our Savior!

Again, our Lord Jesus says: Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 

The world might ignore our Savior, but our life outside the Church is to bring Him glory every day that God the Father gives us!

Amen