From Mark Copeland... Mt 19:16-26

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                 The Difficulty With Riches (19:16-26)

INTRODUCTION

1. A well known story in the life of Jesus involves His interview with
   a rich young ruler - Mt 19:16-26; Lk 18:18-27

2. In this story we find a man who was so right, yet wrong...
   a. He came to the right person - Mt 19:16
      1) He came to Jesus
      2) Who could tell Him the way to eternal life
   b. He asked the right questions - Mt 19:16b,20
      1) "What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
      2) "What do I still lack?"
   c. He certainly received the right answers - Mt 19:17-19,21
      1) "...if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments"
         (suitable for one living under the OT covenant)
      2) "If you want to be perfect, go, sell...give to the poor...and
         come, follow Me" (fitting for one who would become a disciple
         and follow Jesus during His ministry)
   d. But in the end, he made the wrong decision - Mt 19:22
      1) He went away sorrowful
      2) For he had great possessions

3. As rich young ruler went away sadly, Jesus told His disciples about
   the difficulty of riches...
   a. That it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God - Mt 19:23
   b. That it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
      - Mt 19:24

4. What is it about being rich that makes salvation so difficult?
   a. Are we aware of the dangers of riches?
   b. Do we understand the proper attitudes toward wealth, whether we
      are rich or poor?

[Let's first consider...]

I. THE DIFFICULTY WITH RICHES

   A. THE ABSORBING INTEREST OF RICHES...
      1. Riches do not satisfy, and we foolishly think that simply more
         riches will bring satisfaction - cf. Ec 1:8; 5:10
      2. With riches comes the preoccupation with them:  how to use,
         maintain, store, etc.
      -- Like a black hole, the accumulation of riches can absorb what
         time and energy we have so that we have little for anything
         else (such as family, church, the Lord)

   B. THE DECEITFUL PROMISE OF RICHES...
      1. Jesus warned about the deceitfulness of riches - Mt 13:22
      2. Riches promise much, but really offer little in return
         a. They can easily disappear, rust, or be stolen - Pr 23:5;
            Mt 6:19
         b. They cannot buy one's salvation - Ps 49:6-9,16-20
         c. Neither can they protect one from God's wrath - Zeph 1:18
      -- Riches can deceive one into thinking they are in need of
         nothing; the parable of the rich fool illustrates the folly of
         such thinking - Lk 12:16-21

   C. THE FOOLISH PRIDE OF RICHES...
      1. Wealth tends to promote a sense of arrogance and pride - cf.
         Deut 8:11-17
      2. It was such pride that was the downfall of Sodom and Israel
         - Ezek 16:49-50; Hos 13:4-6
      -- Blinded by such pride, one will not seek God - Ps 10:4

   D. THE HARDENING SELFISHNESS OF RICHES...
      1. The wealthy, while in a position to help others, often close
         up their hearts to the cry of the poor
      2. This was one of Israel's sins - Am 2:6; 5:11-12; 8:4-6
      -- Abusing the poor to make money, failing to respond to their
         cries for justice, interested more in money than the welfare
         of the poor...such are problems that often afflict the rich

[Certainly not all who are rich are guilty of such things.  Some of the
most godly people in the Bible were rich (Job, Abraham, Joseph, David,
Solomon, Barnabas, Philemon, Lydia).  But these are reasons why it is
so hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. If they let mammon
become their god, they will not be willing to serve the true God! (cf.
Mt 6:24)

From what we have seen about the danger of wealth, let's now draw
some...]

II. LESSONS GLEANED FROM THE DIFFICULTY OF RICHES

   A. THE FOLLY OF COVETOUSNESS...
      1. Why be so anxious to be rich, when riches might prove to be a
         curse for us?
      2. Besides, covetousness is viewed by God as a form of idolatry
         - Ep 5:5; Col 3:5
      3. It not a sin to be rich, but the desire to be rich is wrong
         a. Those who desire to be rich will fall into temptation, and
            not go unpunished - 1Ti 6:9; Pr 28:20
         b. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil - 1Ti 6:
            10
            1) For which some have strayed from the faith
            2) And suffered many sorrows

   B. THE DUTY OF CONTENTMENT...
      1. Contentment along with godliness is true wealth - 1Ti 6:6-7
         a. "He is richest who is content with the least." - Socrates
            (470-399 B.C.)
         b. "Contentment comes not so much from great wealth as from
            few wants" - Croft M. Pentz (The Complete Book of Zingers)
      2. Contentment is a virtue that is learned - e.g., Php 4:11-12
         a. By having a proper perspective on life - 1Ti 6:7
            1) "You can't take it with you"
            2) Ever see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer?
         b. By understanding what is truly essential in life - 1Ti 6:8
            1) Food and clothing...anything more is a luxury
            2) Realizing this, we will appreciate how blessed we are!
      3. Therefore Christians are to be content with what things we
         have - He 13:5

   C. THE NEED FOR SYMPATHY FOR THE RICH...
      1. Jesus loved the rich young ruler - Mk 10:21
         a. We should certainly love those who are rich
         b. We should not be envious, nor despise them
      2. If the rich are overcome by their riches, we should bear in
         mind...
         a. That the desire to be rich affects both the rich and those
            who want to be rich
         b. That the rich face many temptations that the poor do not
      3. The rich are in need of salvation as much as the poorest
         beggar - Ro 3:23; 6:23

   D. FAITH IN THE POWER OF GOD...
      1. Though it is hard for a rich person to be saved, it is not
         impossible - Mt 19:23-26
         a. No one can save themselves, whether rich or poor
         b. But God can save the rich by His own power, through the
            gospel - Ro 1:16-17
      2. There were many rich people who became Jesus' disciples
         a. Those that supported Him during His earthly ministry - Lk 8:1-3
         b. Others such as Zaccheus, Matthew, Barnabas, Lydia, Aquila
            and Priscilla, Gaius, Philemon
         c. Such people used their riches in service to God and others
            - cf. 1Ti 6:17-19
      3. Therefore...
         a. The rich should have the gospel preached to them
         b. We should pray for the rich
         c. We should rejoice greatly that there are rich men and women
            in the kingdom of God

CONCLUSION

1. The issue of wealth and riches is often one of contention...
   a. The poor are often envious of the rich
   b. The rich often despise the poor

2. But riches and poverty both have their difficulties...
   a. Wealth can one make one arrogant, less receptive to the gospel
      and the kingdom
   b. Poverty can make one bitter, filled with envy of others

3. Whether rich or poor, we should all be aware...
   a. Of our need for salvation that comes only by the grace of God
   b. That we can share together in the riches of salvation

Have you become an heir to the "unsearchable riches of Christ"?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Grandkids always welcome; Children by appointment only

I have been thinking a lot about my daughters and their children today.  It started in the restaurant this morning when I saw a new sign some one had placed on the wall: "Grandchildren always welcome; parents by appointment only".  But when young grandkids come over- WOW! Can they make a mess or what? And talk...

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGC4JnXzn1o

 

(paste the above link into your browser)

Now, I have a confession to make - they get it from me!!! If I am quiet, I am either sick or upset, so I can't really complain.  On the contrary, I am very happy with my life, as God has forgiven me and I am loved by not only HIM but by a great many others as well.  For God has made me his child and likewise all who obey him.  Check out this passage from Paul's letter to the Romans...

Romans, Chapter 8

 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.  3 For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;  4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be.  8 Those who are in the flesh can’t please God.  9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.  10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.  11 But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.  12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  13 For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.  15 For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba!Father!” 

I was once a child, so I can understand my children and my grandchildren.  Only thing is... my family says I never grew up!!!  Confession time here - they are right!!!  And I have no problem with it, because in my heart I can cry "Abba! Father!"  Can you?

From G,V. Womack...

"...AND THEIR WORKS FOLLOW THEM"

Rev. 14:12-13 TEXT What we do will follow us to the grave.

DORCAS REMEMBERED AT HER DEATH FOR HER GOOD WORKS

Acts 9:36-39 Dorcas - full of good works & charitable deeds (acts of love)

WHAT WILL WE BE REMEMBERED FOR?

WE MAY NOT BE REMEMBERED FOR GREAT THINGS, BUT WE WILL

BE REMEMBERED FOR GOOD THINGS.

MARY (MARTHA'S SISTER) ANOINTS JESUS. SHE IS REMEMBERED FOR IT.

She is be remembered "throughout the whole world...wherever this gospel is preached."

Mk. 14;3-9 What others viewed as a wasteful act, Jesus called a good work.

"She has done what she could" WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Mt. 10:42 "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water

in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no

means lose his reward."

WE ARE IDENTIFIED BY OUR FRUIT (Like a fruit tree is recognized by its kind of fruit.)

Mt. 7:15-20 "You will know them by their fruits" (vs. 16)

WE CONTROL HOW WE WILL BE REMEMBERED:

...IN REARING OUR CHILDREN "IN THE LORD"

HOW WILL THEY REMEMBER US? WHAT EXAMPLE DID WE SET?

Eph. 6:4 "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring

them up in the raining and admonition of the Lord."

HOW WILL WE BE REMEMBERED BY OTHERS THROUGH OUR

CHILDREN?

2 Tim. 1:5 "when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which

dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am

persuaded is in you also."

A GOOD NAME CAN BE CARRIED ON FOR GENERATIONS

Eccl. 7:1 "A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death

than the day of one's birth."

Prov. 22:1 "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor

rather than silver and gold."

...BY OUR CO-WORKERS

HOW WILL THEY REMEMBER US? WHAT EXAMPLE DID WE SET?

Eph. 6:5-9 What kind of employee were you? What kind of coworker were you?

Eccl. 9:10 "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no

work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are

going." (NOW IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOOD)

...BY OUR NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, BRETHREN

HOW WILL THEY REMEMBER US? WHAT EXAMPLE DID WE SET?

Will we be remembered like Dorcas?

Gal. 6:9-10 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we

shall reap if we do not lose heart. [10] Therefore, as we have

opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the

household of faith."

WILL WE BE REMEMBERED IN THE EXAMPLE OF THOSE WHOM

WE INFLUENCED?

2 Cor. 3:1-3 No need for letters of commendation from others.

"You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all

men."

...IN THE JUDGMENT

HOW WILL GOD REMEMBER US?

WILL HE CONFESS US TO THE FATHER, OR DENY KNOWING US?

Mt. 10:32-33 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will

confess before My Father who is in heaven. [33] But whoever

denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father

who is in heaven."

Rev. 20:11-ff The final judgment scene. Books opened - the record of our

deeds for all to see. WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THAT BOOK?

From Jim McGuiggan...

Apollyon and Forgetful Green

I believe that God through the tinker, John Bunyan, has given a gift to all who are weary with the brawl against the world-spirit. The battle has been going on so long and they feel they can stand no longer and are sorely tempted to lay down their arms and drift with the current to places they do not love and don't want to love. You might think his gift is something some poor soul you know could use right now; if so perhaps you could pass this on.

It's from Pilgrim's Progress of course and I've adapted it only a very little. Nobody tells this piece of the Story better than this. Christian is on his way to Zion and meets one of Satan's right-hand men. So Christian went on, and Apollyon met him. Now the monster was hideous to behold: he was clothed with scales like a fish, and they are his pride; he had wings like a dragon, and feet like a bear, and out of his belly came fire and smoke; and his mouth was as the mouth of a lion. When he was come up to Christian, he glared at him with a disdainful look and began to question him.

APOLLYON: Where did you come from and where are you going?

CHRISTIAN: I am come from the city of Destruction, which is the place of all evil, and I am going to the city of Zion.

APOLLYON: Ah, that means you are one of my subjects; for all that country is mine;

I am the prince and god of it. How is it, then, that you have run away from thy king? If I were not sure that you did it so that you could do me more service I would strike you to the ground now with just one blow.

CHRISTIAN: I was, indeed, born in your dominions but your service was hard, and our wages such as a man could not live on; for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). So when I was come to years, I did, as other wise thinking persons do, I took stock to see how I could do better for myself.

APOLLYON: There is no prince that will so easily lose his subjects and neither will I as yet lose you; but since thou complain of your service and wages, be content to go back, and what my country will afford I do here promise to give you.

CHRISTIAN: But I have let myself to another, even to the King of princes; and how can I with fairness go back to you?

APOLLYON: Hah, in doing this you have fulfilled the proverb, you exchanged a bad for a worse; but it is ordinary for those that have professed themselves his servants, after a while to give him the slip, and return again to me. You do the same thing and all will be well.

CHRISTIAN: I have given him my faith, and sworn my allegiance to him; how then can I go back from this, and not be hanged as a traitor.

APOLLYON: Thou did the same by me, and yet I am willing to pass by all, if now you will yet turn again and go back.

CHRISTIAN: What I promised you was in the days when I wasn't old enough to have sense; and besides, I count that the Prince, under whose banner I now stand, is able to absolve me, yes, and to pardon also what I did while I served you. And besides, O destroying Apollyon, to tell the truth, I like his service, his wages, his servants, his government, his company, and country, better than yours so you can stop trying to persuade me: I am his servant, and I will follow him.

APOLLYON: Consider again, when thou are in cool blood, what thou are likely to meet with in the way that you choose to go. Thou know that for the most part his servants come to an ill end, because they are transgressors against me and my ways. How many of them have been put to shameful deaths! And besides, thou count his service better than mine and yet he has never yet come from where he is to deliver any that served him out of their enemies hands. But as for me, how many times, as all the world very well knows, have I delivered from him and his servants, either by power or fraud, those that have faithfully served me; I delivered them right out of his hands! And so will I deliver you too.

CHRISTIAN: The reason He doesn't deliver them at present has a purpose: to test and enrich their love, whether they will cleave to him to the end; and as for the bad end you say they come to, they think and call it glory! They don't much expect present deliverance and they are happy and content to wait for their glory; and then they shall have it, when their Prince comes in his and the glory of the angels.

APOLLYON: You have already been unfaithful in your service to him so what makes you think you will receive wages of him?

CHRISTIAN: In what way, O Apollyon, have I been unfaithful to him?

APOLLYON: You fainted at first setting out, when you were almost choked in the gulf of  Despond. You attempted wrong ways to be rid of your burden when you should have waited patiently till thy Prince had taken it off. You sinfully slept and lost your choice things and you were almost persuaded to go back at the sight of the lions. And when thou talk of your journey and of what you have seen and heard you inwardly desire vainglory in all you say or do.

CHRISTIAN: All this is true, and much more which you have left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honour is merciful and ready to forgive. But besides, these infirmities possessed me in your country for there I greedily sucked them in but I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, and have obtained pardon of my Prince.

APOLLYON: Then Apollyon broke out into a grievous rage, saying, I am an enemy to this Prince; I hate his person, his laws, and people: I have come here with only one purpose: to stand against you!

CHRISTIAN: Apollyon, beware what you do, for I am in the King's highway, the way of holiness so take heed to yourself.

APOLLYON: Then Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and said, I am void of fear in this matter. Prepare yourself to die; for I swear by my infernal den, that you will go no farther: here will I spill your soul. And with that he threw a flaming dart at his breast but Christian had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so prevented the danger of that. Then did Christian focus his mind for he saw it was time to bestir him and Apollyon, just as determined, made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail, by which, in spite of all that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded  him in his head, his hand, and foot. This drove Christian back little back so Apollyon pressed after him even more strongly but Christian again took courage and resisted as manfully as he could. This sore combat lasted for above half a day and by this time Christian was almost quite spent for you must know, that Christian, by reason of his wounds, was bound to grow weaker and weaker. 

Then Apollyon, seeing his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him slammed him down in a dreadful fall and Christian's sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, "I am sure of you now!" and with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that Christian began to despair of life. But, as God would have it, while Apollyon was just about to deliver the killing blow, to make a full end of this good man, Christian reached out his hand for his sword, and caught it, saying, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise," (Micah 7:8) and with that he gave him a deadly thrust, which made him recoil as one that had indeed received his mortal wound. Seeing that, Christian made at him again, saying, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us." (Romans 8:37) Hearing that, Apollyon spread his dragon wings and flapped away and Christian saw him no more. (James 4:7). In this combat no man can imagine, unless he had seen and heard, as I did, what yelling and hideous roaring Apollyon made all through the fight; he spoke like a dragon while and on the other side, what sighs and groans burst from Christian's heart.

During that whole time I never saw him give so much as one pleasant look until he saw he had wounded Apollyon with his two-edged sword; and then he really did smile, and look upward! But it was the most dreadful sight that ever I saw. So when the battle was over, Christian said, "I will here give thanks to him thathas delivered me out of the mouth of the lion, to him that did sustain me against Apollyon." And so he did!

Then there came to him a hand with some of the leaves of the tree of life, which Christian took and applied to the wounds he had received in the battle and was healed immediately. He also sat down in that place to eat bread, and to drink of the bottle that was given him to him earlier so, being refreshed, he got ready to journey on with his sword drawn in his hand; for he said, "I know not but some other enemy may be at hand." But he met with no other affront from Apollyon all the through this valley.

Later Samuel, Christian's son and his mother Christiana are travelling in that area with Greatheart and the young man asked if this was the area where his father had had the combat with Apollyon. His guide confirmed that it was. "Your father had the battle with Apollyon at a place yonder before us, in a narrow passage, just beyond Forgetful Green. Listen, that place is the most dangerous place in all these parts." "The most dangerous place in all these parts." Hmmm.

However hard it has been, however painful, however many losses you have sustained, however many times your sins have cut you and bruised to till you cried out in your pain, "I am leaving, I am leaving" and yet here you are. Reading such things and vowing to get back up.

Remember the losses every now and then but never forget that here you are!

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Matt 20:20-28

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

           Served By Greatness, Serve To Be Great (20:20-28)

INTRODUCTION

1. What good mother does not desire the best for her children?
   a. The mother of James and John was no different
   b. She desired great things for her two sons - Mt 20:20-21

2. Yet she was not aware of the significance of what she was asking 
   Jesus...
   a. Serving in His kingdom would require great sacrifice and 
      suffering - Mt 20:22-23
   b. Her request could only be granted by the Father - Mt 20:23

3. This request in behalf of James and John displeased the other 
   apostles - Mt 20:24
   a. Upon which Jesus used this opportunity to teach an important
      lesson - Mt 20:25-28
   b. I.e., to be great in the kingdom one must serve, even as the Son
      of Man came to serve

[This is a lesson that every Christian needs to remember, yet it goes
against what the world would have us believe.  To encourage us in being
willing to serve, perhaps it would help to recall that we have been...]

I. WE HAVE BEEN SERVED BY GREATNESS

   A. SERVED BY JESUS...
      1. He came to serve, not to be served - Mt 20:28
      2. He served by giving His life a ransom, dying on the cross for
         our sins
      3. He serves even now, as our High Priest who intercedes for us
         - He 7:24-25

   B. SERVED BY THE PROPHETS...
      1. The prophets spent their lives in service for our benefit 
         - 1Pe 1:10-12
      2. Thus we have been served by men like Moses, Samuel, David,
         Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and many other "heroes of faith"!

   C. SERVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT...
      1. It was the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets - 1Pe 1:11
      2. He also inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel - 1Pe 1:
         12; Jn 16:13

   D. SERVED BY THE APOSTLES...
      1. They are the ones who preached the gospel to us - 1Pe 1:12
      2. Through them, we have come to believe in Jesus - cf. Jn 17:20
      3. Thus we have been served by men like Peter, James, John, and
         Paul, who suffered greatly in their ministry to us! - 

         cf. 1Co 4:9-13; 2Co 11:24-29

   E. SERVED BY ANGELS...
      1. They had a keen interest in the things being revealed - 1 Pe 1:12
      2. For they had a part in the process of revelation - cf. Dan 8,
         9; Lk 1:11-19,26-38
      3. Thus they too have ministered to us - cf. He 1:13-14

   F. SERVED BY OTHER CHRISTIANS...
      1. Someone taught us the gospel, others continue to teach us and
         our children
      2. Some have made it possible for us to assemble, and each week
         clean up what we leave behind
      3. In times of sickness, many have prayed and rendered various
         forms of service

[With so many rendering so much service, it is easy to feel pampered.
Indeed, we have been "served by greatness"!  Do we take it for granted?
I hope not.  We can show our appreciation by emulating those who served
us.  So let me offer just a few ways that we can serve others...]

II. LET US SERVE TO BE GREAT

   A. SERVE OTHERS IN EVANGELISM...
      1. Someone led you to Christ, can you not lead another to Him?
         - cf. Jn 1:35-42
      2. Begin by being hospitable, offering acts of kindness and
         service
      3. At the very least, invite to services, offer a Bible 
         correspondence course
      4. Hone your skills in personal evangelism, seek to improve your
         ability to teach the gospel to others

   B. SERVE OTHERS IN EDIFICATION...
      1. Many have contributed to your spiritual growth, can you help
         others? - cf. Ep 4:16
      2. Begin by being present at every service, greeting every one
         present
      3. Take a special interest in those who are new, encourage them
      4. Offer to help teach our children, even if it only means to
         assist another teacher
      5. Volunteer whatever service you can render in the work and
         worship of the church

   C. SERVE OTHERS IN BENEVOLENCE...
      1. Has anyone ever showed you kindness?  "Be kind to one another"
         - cf. Ep 4:32
      2. Visit the sick or elderly in hospitals, and at home
      3. Render service such as cleaning, transportation, errands, etc.
      4. Minister to the poor, hungry, or those otherwise in need

CONCLUSION

1. The important thing is that we be people of service...
   a. People who serve others, not just benefiting from the efforts of
      others
   b. People who are producers, not just consumers

2. Serving others is not just the path to greatness in the kingdom, it
   is also the path to happiness  in life:

   "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you
   must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
   that He said, `It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
                                                        (Ac 20:35)

Shall we not follow both the example and teaching of the Son of Man,
and live to serve others?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary...

ABORTION

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Subject of today message is  

   ABORTION.

C. Simply the most debated topic of our 

   time.

D. Subject of importance to Christians!

II. BODY

A. ABORTION: THE REALITY OF IT!

1. This is a difficult 

   problem..questions of life,death,   

   morality!

2. This is happening on a routine basis

   in this country!

3. This is a problem for Christians   

   too!

B. ABORTION: THE CONCEPT OF IT!

1. Worldly answer: It's my body and

   I'll do what I want!

2. World of Christianity is our 

   immediate concern 1 cor. 5:9-13; 

   6:19-20

3. What is the nature of life

   a. Man is made in the image of God  

      Gen 1:20-28

   b. Man is known to God before birth 

      and is therefore alive before  

      birth Psalm 139:1-24 (esp 13-17)

4. What does this mean?

   a. God is involved in conception (to 

      deny his control in this matter

      is wrong)

      2 Cor. 6:18; Exo 4:22; Isa 64:8;    

      Jn 1:14; Jn 8:41; Job 33:4; Rom 

      5:17-21 Dt 28:1-4; 28:15-18; Eccl   

      11:5; Isa 44:2,24, Jer 1:5

   b. If God sets something in motion, 

      who are we to fight against God?

      Acts 5:11-42

   c. If what God creates is good, and 

      what God destroys is bad, why  

      would we call bad what he has   

      called good?(definition of 

      Satanism, as per HBO special)

C. ABORTION: THE REASON FOR IT!

1. Convience: to allow sinful behavior.

2. Consequence: to avoid the penalty 

   for fornication,adultery.

3. Concern for the unborn's perfectness  

   really means "playing God"

4. Casual respect for others - the "I" 

   syndrome.

5. Confusion of right and wrong: "what 

   ever happened to sin"?

D. ABORTION: THE ACT OF IT!

1. Cruel and unusal punishment: salene, 

   suction, d & c.

2. Consider the fate of the "fetus" who 

   lives through an abortion.

3. Conscience of the woman over the 

   years.... HURTS!

4. Consider the Christian who has an 

   abortion.

E. ABORTION: THE POWER OF IT!

1. Replaces God with self

2. Removes life from the earth, and the 

   possibilities of the least likely to  

   succeed.

3. Relegates God's creation to  

   nothingness.

4. Really is man playing God.

F. ABORTION: THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT!

1. Murder on a vast scale exo 20:13

2. Monumental judgement against the 

   nation

3. Morality declines rapidly.

4. Monitions for us... we must fight 

   against it!!!

III. CONCLUSION

A. GOD WANTS US TO USE WHATEVER HE  

   GIVES US TO GLORIFY HIM.

B. GLORIFY GOD WITH YOUR BODY:  

   REPRODUCE, DO NOT ABORT.

C. GIVE EVERY FAUCET OF YOUR LIFE TO 

   GOD, INCLUDING REPRODUCTION!

From Gary... Picture this...

I am not what you think I am, I am more...

I break through the misconceptions people have of me and look for something better...

News flash!!!

I know the world does not revolve around me...

and I look at higher things than you can imagine....

And see the beauty of life in all its myriad colors...

Because I am like this on the inside...

Because of the blood price that was paid for me...

Someday, I shall walk golden streets that lead to the presence of God the Father...

And will see His pure nature with my own eyes...

And I will be loved forever!!!!

Each picture meant something to me personally. Every one of them conveyed a feeling, an emotion and this  translates into a story.  Paul puts it this way....

1 Corinthians, Chapter 13

  1 If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.  2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.  3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing. 

  4  Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,  5 doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;  6 doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;  10 but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with.  11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.  12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.  13 But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love. 

A Christian's life is like this series of pictures- the world may see you as a skunk, but God loves you!!!! Picture this; believe it, because it is TRUE!!!!

Addendum... I am corrected by my granddaughter Elizabeth- the picture at the top is a badger, not a skunk!!!

You know, a badger is fits the sentence even better because it is one nasty little animal!!!