Blog Archives

"FORGIVE AND FORGET"

8/30/2020

Matthew 18:21-35

If you have asked God to forgive you, then you must forgive others.

“aphiemi” - to take away from

Two levels of forgiveness
1. Judicial forgiveness
2. Relational forgiveness

Components of forgiveness
1. There must be repentance or there can be no forgiveness.
a. acknowledgment of a debt and accountability for that debt
b. change of behavior

2. The burden of responsibility is on the
offended party, not the offending party.

3. Forgiving means being willing and prepared to lose
something.

Even if relational forgiveness has not occurred, there can still be healing that takes place.

“forgiving from the heart” (vs. 35) An inner forgiveness can take place even if the relationship is not or
cannot be restored.

Forgiveness often takes time, but it has to be your goal.

"LOOK TO THE CROSS"

8/23/2020

John 12:27-36

The chief tactic of our enemy is to deceive or mislead people into diminishing the significance of the cross.

The centrality of the cross to the Bible is seen in that the cross was predicted, proclaimed, and fulfilled. (Rev. 13:8; I Peter 1:19-20)

All the doctrines of salvation are dependent on the cross for their explanation.

1. The cross was the voluntary choice of our Savior. (John 10:17)

2. The cross, in itself was a triumph.
a. triumph over sin (Hebrews 9:26)
b. triumph over death (Hebrews 2:14-15)
c. triumph over the law (Colossians 2:14)

3. The cross is our power and glory. (Philippians 3:18; I Corinthians 1:24)
a. to the world, the cross is foolishness
b. to religious people, the cross is a stumbling block.

4. The cross forces us to place our trust in God's way.

5. The cross forces us to accept the concept of grace.

John Stott- the cross enforces three truths
about ourselves- our sin must be extremely horrible.
about God- His love must be wonderful beyond comprehension.
about Jesus- His salvation must be a free gift.

"PLAYING GAMES WITH GOD"

8/16/2020

Judges 16:4-17

1. Samson's plan to marry a Philistine woman was all part of a crafty strategy. However, he took it too far.

2. The riddle that backfired on Samson marked the beginning of a grudge match between him and the Philistines.
God used Samson to accomplish His task, but all Samson cared about was his games.

3. Chapter 16- Samson trivialized the most sacred of things. His game showed his spiritual condition and lack of any kind of morality.

4. Delilah- Samson was not just toying with Delilah, but was starting to play games with God.
What we do in these few short years affects all eternity.
Many people think they can put God to the test, and see how long they can get away with their sin.
Sometimes Christians play around, thinking God won't discipline us.
Samson got his strength back because he uttered the first sincere prayer of his life.

"A NAZARITE TO GOD"

8/9/2020

Judges 13:1-7

The vow of the Nazarite (Numbers 6)
1. not to drink wine
2. not to cut his hair
3. not to go near any dead body
4. not to eat anything that was unkosher

Samson was separated to God from his conception to his death.
reason: to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines

The source of Samson's strength was his separation unto God.

Separation unto God
1. something that must be acknowledged and respected
2. Every Christian is a Nazarite, in a way.
“hagios” (saint) = separated one
3. Dependence on natural abilities leads to negligence of spiritual discipline, which in turn, removes the source of spiritual power.

If you are a Christian, God has separated you.

"ROADBLOCKS TO SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT"

8/2/2020

Judges 11:30-40

1. Jephthah was motivated by his ambition.
He wanted to overcome the rejection he had experienced before.

Improper motives in the Church
a. to prove themselves as persons of worth and value.
b. to take control in an area of life where they are permitted to do so.
c. to feel good about themselves

2. Lack of knowledge of God's Word and His ways
Jephthah didn't realize that human sacrifice was strictly forbidden and absolutely detested by God.

Lack of knowledge in the Church
The answer to this dilemma is to get the knowledge and get to work.

3. Misguided loyalty
In Jephthah's eyes, he had to carry out his vow.

In the Church
You condone things that otherwise you never would.

4. Angry reaction to opposition
For Jephthah, this ended up in a civil war.
In the Church
When people get angry just because they disagree, then sensible judgment goes out the door.