25 May 2008

Broadstreet Church of Christ

1213 Broad Street Phenix City, Alabama

Sermon Notes 25 May 2008

Minister: H. Allen Croley

Email: Minister@andonthisrock.com

Office 334-298-0657

Home 334-298-2996

Broadstreet Church of Christ

1213 Broad Street Phenix City, Alabama

36867

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Sermon Notes

25 May 2008

Morning Worship

Renewing Our Spiritual Passion

Evening Worship

Approaching God

Broadstreet Church of Christ

1213 Broad Street Phenix City, Alabama

Schedule of Services
Sunday:

Bible Study
10:00 A.M.

Morning Worship
11:00 A.M.

Evening Worship
5:00 P.M.

Wednesday:
Bible Study
7:30 P.M.

All times
Eastern

Morning Worship

Printable pdf File

Renewing Our Spiritual Passion

Introduction:

a. Life as it was meant to be

Ecclesiastes 12:12-14

12
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

b. headlines show us life as it was not meant to be

c. why do people continue to life their lives without obeying God

Isaiah 57:10

10
Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.

I. Why is the World Afraid to turn to God?

A. Some get used to the way life is they hardly take notice that life isn’t what it was meant to be

Isaiah 57:11-13

11
And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

12
I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.

13
When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;

b. God asked Israel, “Who do you dread more than me?”

c. How many seek the world’s approval of their lives because they dread the worldly consequences of not doing so?

d. Israel was standing where many sinners stand today..

e. Changing direction in life seems frightful, even when we know it is absolutely essential.

f. James tells us that we can choose our enemies as well as our friends

James 4:4

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.

g. Who would you rather have as your friend, God or the world? Some may think that God doesn’t want to be their friend because of their sinfulness. However, Isaiah pleads with Israel as we would plead with a child to return to doing right

Isaiah 1:1-6

1
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

2
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

3
The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

4
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

5
Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

6
From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

II. God asks Israel, “Why should you be beaten any more? Why do you persist in rebellion?”

Isaiah 1:18-20

18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

20
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

a. Israel could simply return to God--God would erase all her sins. To refuse would mean disaster. Israel was free to make her choice. She didn’t have to live in fear of her enemies. However, she continued in her sins.

b. God’s call was not solely to the nation of Israel, it was also a personal call for each Jew to return to God. Regardless of what the nation did each person in Israel needed to heed God’s call.

III. It is Never too late to Return to God:

a. God’s vision for Israel was also his personal goal for every Jew. It was a vision that every Jew had a stake in, but it also placed the responsibility on every Jew to discover God’s will for their personal lives.

B. God’s vision is Christ reigning in every heart –

Ephesians 1:15-23

15
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

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:

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,

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

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,

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:

22
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 3:20,21

20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen

c. Can you imagine trying to map a plan for the survival of God’s people without the power of God? Yet that is exactly what Israel sought. Yet, history repeats itself when we refuse Christ rule in our hearts. We are telling ourselves we have enough strength to do it our way.

d. It matters little how much you have sinned or how much you are suffering for your sin--God stands ready to rescue you. Manasseh was a king who reigned during the last days of Isaiah. The Jews say that Manasseh was probably the person responsible for Isaiah’s death. He filled Jerusalem with blood from one end to the other. He refused to listen to Isaiah. According to the Jews Isaiah’s blood flowed through the streets of Jerusalem also.

II Kings 21:8,9

8
Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

9
But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

II Kings 21:16

16
Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

II Chronicles 33:9-13

9
So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

10
And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

11
Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

12
And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

13
And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

e. This is the most moving powerful story of conversion in the entire Bible -

1. II Chronicles 33:15-17

15
And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

16
And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.

17
Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only

2. Manasseh led Israel to repentance.

Conclusion:

a. This same possibility is extended to all through Christ.

b. It looks as impossible for some as it did for Nicodemus when he asks, “How shall an old man be born again?”

c. It is obvious a new birth is death to the way we now live

Romans 6:4

4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Evening Worship

Printable pdf File

Approaching God

Introduction:

a. One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

Luke 11:1-4

1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

2
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

3
Give us day by day our daily bread.

4
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

b. Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never stop praying

Luke 18:1-8

1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

c. Come to the lord

Matthew 11:28-30

28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I. come to God in repentance or to be converted:

a. the prodigal son

Luke 15:15-24

15
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

b. Paul d. Murphy as he went to be baptized

c. Manasseh king of Judah gives us all hope today. It was only in Manasseh's distress that he sought the favor of the Lord and humbled himself before God.

II Chronicles 33:1-13

1
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:

2
But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

3
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

4
Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

5
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

6
And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

7
And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

8
Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

9
So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

10
And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

11
Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

12
And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

13
And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

II Kings 21:16 says that Manasseh filled Jerusalem with innocent blood from end to end. What a horrible person, yet, God heard his prayer. He was forgiven and restored to his position.

II. SOME other examples of those who Approached god:

a. Moses came to God in his anger and disappointment.

Numbers 11:11-15

11
And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?

12
Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?

13
Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

14
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

15
And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

b. Elisha retaliating against the children who jeered him, calling him a baldhead.

II Kings 2:23-25

23
And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.

24
And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

25
And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

c. Mosses approached God on behalf ot the people

Exodus 32:31-35

31
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

32
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

33
And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

34
Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

35
And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

Deuteronomy 9:18,19

18
And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

19
For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.

Conclusion:

a. let us approach god in being converted

b. approach god in repentance

c. approach god in prayer as his faithful –

James 5:16-20

16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

18
And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

19
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

20
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Hebrews 4:14-16

14
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.