September 24, 2017

Sunday School
The Seventh Dispensation: Fullness of Times

• The Seventh Dispensation comes after the Tribulation, which is a period of seven years. Tribulation is where the man of sin is revealed.  1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 - Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should not surprise you like a thief.  You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
• Isaiah 9:6-7 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. 
• Revelation 20:4-6 - And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his images, neither had received his mark upon this foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.  This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and hold is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
• Revelation 21:22-27 - And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.  And the city had no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light there of.  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.  And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Sermon
Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
Topic: Jesus Is Knocking

• Behold/ Look/Here I am - are all saying pay attention to what I'm saying!
• The city of Laodicea was rich. The church of Laodicea was "lukewarm," neither hot nor cold, God said that He would spew them out of His mouth.
• They were counseled to buy of Him gold tried by the fire, that they may be rich.
• Jesus the Christ is the gateway to eternal life.
• Satan strives to dilute or cause us to doubt our faith.
• Faith, hope, love and peace are what God gives us when we yield our lives to His will.
• Jesus speaks to anyone who would listen.
• We Christians often do not tap into the abundant life God has promised us.
• We must have a right and personal relationship with God through Jesus.
• Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things unseen. Hebrews 11:1
•  Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6
• Faith is above and beyond reason.
• The power of the Holy Spirit is more powerful than Satan.
• Selfishness is rooted in sin, along with pride and greed.

 

September 10, 2017

Sunday School
Grace - The Sixth Dispensation - also known as the Church Age

• Grace is the unmerited favor of God. It is the loving disposition of God from which all of His kindness toward us, flows.
• By grace we are saved.  Ephesians 2:8
• Grace began at Pentecost (Acts 2) and it will end when all who are born again by the baptism of the Holy Ghost and those who will be caught up (raptured) out of this world to be with Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us.  Ephesians 1:7-8
• And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:6-7
• God's grace allows allows one to repent and come to God through Jesus. We cannot turn to God without turning from what God is against.....sin.

Sermon
Mark 4:35-41 - And the same day, when the even was come, he said unto them, "Let us pass over unto the other side." And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship.  And there were also with him other little ships.  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was not full.  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they away him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, "Peace, be still." And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto the, "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said on to another, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Subject: When The Storms of Life Are Raging

• Jesus is an ever present help.
• Jesus had already assured them in verse 35 that they would make it to the other side when he said, "Let us pass over unto the other side."
• There was a crisis but there was also a crisis manager - Jesus.
• We, as Christians, when a crisis arises, tend to cry or whine.
• We need to cry out in prayer.
• No matter the situation, God is there to hear our cries.
• The command - calm
• What God commands, it is done.

 

August 27, 2017

Sunday School
The Law - The Fifth Dispensation
The Law extends from Sinai to Calvary - from Exodus to the Cross
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.
The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. Galatians 3:19
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
There were 613 Laws that the Jews were to follow.
These laws covered philosophy, psychology, biology, physics, economics, ecology, culture, politics, domestics, family, church life, just to name a few.
Examples of the Law:

• To know that God is One, a complete Unity. Deuteronomy 6:4
• To fear Him reverently. Deuteronomy 6:13
• To imitate His good and upright ways. Deuteronomy 28:9
• To honor the old and the wise.  Leviticus 19:32
• To cleave to those who know Him. Deuteronomy 10:20
• To put fringes on the corners of clothing. Numbers 15:38
• To bind God's Word on the head. Deuteronomy 6:8
• To recite grace after meals. Deuteronomy 8:10
• To love all human beings who are of the covenant. Leviticus 19:18
• Do not take revenge or bear a grudge.  Leviticus 19:18
• Do not leave a beast, that has fallen down beneath its burden, unaided. Deuteronomy 22:4
• Do not reap the entire field. Leviticus 19:9
• Give charity according to one's means. Deuteronomy 15:11
• Do not wrong a stranger in your speech. Exodus 22:20
• Do not curse your father or mother. Exodus 21:17
• There are many more Laws but the point to this lesson is that all these 613 Laws could not be upheld by the Jewish people.
• Moses went up on the Mount where God gave him the Ten Commandments and the Jews could not hold to them. That is why the "Grace" period is so much more important now.

Sermon
Ecclesiastes 3:1 and Matthew 4:18-20
3:1 - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
4:18-20 - As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed Him.
Subject: "The Reason for the Seasons"

• Man's happiness lies with the right relationship with God, not in these external times.
• Seasons is defined as four divisions of the year.
• There is a predetermined season or time for everything.
• Just as your planet revolves around the sun, our Christian lives revolve around the SON (Jesus).
• God remains the same yesterday, today and forever.
• We know that Peter was a fisherman, a bragger, carried a knife, a liar and was called into ministry.

Three Points that Peter discovered and we go through today:
1. We encounter new changes all the time. Change is inevitable.
We should remember that it is God who made us and not ourselves.
Do not be fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
2. We enter into new challenges as Peter did.
Peter's faith was challenged when he stepped out of the boat to go to Jesus; when Jesus washed Peter's feet; when Peter denied Jesus three times.
We are challenged today. Do we struggle or stumble or do we look to God?
We have grace and mercy.
3. We need to remember that we are champions. We are transformed.

 

July 23, 2017

Sunday School
The Seven Dispensations
Promise

After a quick review  of Innocence, Conscience and Government, Promise is the fourth of the Dispensations.
God calls Abram and gives him promises. 

• Genesis 12:1-7 The Lord had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all people on earth will be blessed through you."  So Abram went, as the Lord told him; and Lot went with him.  Abram was seventy-five years old.....
• Genesis 13:14-17  The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west.  All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.  I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.  Go, walk.......
• The sign of the covenant is circumcision.  Genesis 17:9-14  Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.  This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep:  Every male among you shall be circumcised.  You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you........
• Hebrews 6:13  When God made His promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for Him to swear by, He swore by Himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."
• God's Abrahamic Covenant was an unconditional covenant; a literal covenant about the promise of land on earth and; an everlasting covenant.
• Israel as a nation that will possess the totality of the land in the future because Israel will be forgiven and restored.  Romans 11:25-27  I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited:  Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.  As it is written:  "The deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob.  And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins." 

Sermon
Psalm 51:10 -  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Topic: "A Right Spirit"

There is power in the Holy Spirit
There is presence of the Holy Spirit
There is prompting of the Holy Spirit

• David was a man after God's heart.
• David's cry for forgiveness to create in him a clean heart was heard.
• David did a self examination.
• Do we, like David, go astray?
• God will bless us if we have the "right spirit."
• God look at the heart.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 -  If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
• We all will be tried in the fire!!

A Right Spirit

1. Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 -  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
2. Exercise your faith - Hebrews 10:38 -  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.  Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them those diligently (earnestly) seek Him.
3. Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--thing about such things.

Psalm 51:1-13 -  Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou might be justified when thou speaks, and be clear when thou judge.  Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.  Behold, thou desires truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shall make me to know wisdom.  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow........

June 25, 2017

Sunday School

The Seven Dispensations

• Innocence -Genesis 2:25 - Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
• The end of Innocence reference - Romans 5:12 - Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.
• Conscience - Genesis 3:22 - And the Lord God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."
• The end of Conscience reference - Romans 2:15 - They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
• Government - Genesis 9:5 - And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand and accounting for the life of another human being.

Sermon
Romans 8:35-36 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Subject: "The Love of God"

• We wrestler not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Ephesians 6:12
• Nothing shall separate us from the love of God.  Romans 8:31
• God is love in all.
• We have blessed assurance that God's love will last forever.
• That which has been is what will be. That which is done is what will be done. And there is nothing new under the sun.  Ecclesiastes 1:9
• Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His might power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
• If God is for us, who can be against us"  No, in all these we things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  Romans 8:31-39