The four must hear sermons for the week of 3/20/11 are now up at www.baptist-city.com.
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Who's Stealing from You?
Matthew 24:43
"But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up."
One of the most invasive things that can happen to you is to be burglarized. To know that someone broke in and invaded your property without your knowledge is very disturbing to say the least. Years ago when I was a teenager, I had my car stereo stolen from me. It was a summer morning, and when I went out to my car to go to work I noticed that my window was broken and that someone had ripped my stereo out of the dash. It is amazing after you have been burglarized how you come up with all kinds off ideas on how to punish a thief if they attempt it again.
That is exactly what Jesus was saying in the verse above. Jesus said, "...if the goodman of the house had known what watch the thief would come, he would have watched..." The goodman is talking about the leader of the home. It was sad that it was only after the goodman had his house burglarized that he became aware of the thief. The goodman should have been aware that there were thieves that would steal from him before he was burglarized. Instead, it wasn't until it his house was broken up that he became concerned about the thief.
This story of the goodman could be told over and over again in today's society. What many people don't understand is that their are thieves that are breaking up their homes on a daily basis. The sad part is, it isn't until after the home is broken that people become concerned about who's stealing from their family. You may think that your family is safe, but you better be careful about those things that could be stealing from your family. Don't wait until your family is broken to become concerned about the thief.
Let me caution married couples to watch out for the thieves that would break their marriages. Some of the thieves that break up marriages are: no time for each other; lack of communication; not meeting the physical needs of your spouse; dishonesty between each other; manipulation to get your way; getting involved with other people; wrong websites, etc. Watch your marriage so that you don't allow a thief to steal the relationship that you have with your spouse.
Likewise, there are thieves that would break your home. The family relationship is very important, and you must not let your home be broken before you become concerned about the thieves. Some of the thieves that break up a home are: television; wrong friends; never spending time with the family; video games; social networking; unfaithfulness to church; worldly activities, etc. I'm trying to get you to see that you must constantly be on the alert to watch out for thieves that would break up your home. Don't wait until your home is destroyed before you start becoming concerned with those thieves.
There is no way in this short devotional that I can deal with marriage and home thieves in a proper way. What I want you to do is stop, look at each area, and identify the thieves that are trying to break up your home and marriage. Don't let the destruction of your home and marriage be the thing that it takes to get you to be aware of the thieves that would steal from you. Secure your home and marriage from those thieves before they are broken up.
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Spiritual Earplugs
Matthew 21:33
"Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:"
Your hearing is one of the most important senses that God gave you. Though every sense is important, no doubt hearing is at the top. When you can't hear, you will miss many important sounds that you need to hear.
In the verse above, Jesus made the statement, "Hear another parable..." He made this statement as though He tried to get them to hear and understand other parables before, but for some reason they never really heard what He was trying to say. Because they didn't hear before, Jesus had to teach "another parable" to these people.
I find in churches today there are many people who for several reasons do not hear what the preacher is teaching and preaching. Because they don't hear, the preacher has to preach "another parable" to try and get the same truth across because they didn't get the truth in a previous sermon. Let me show you several reasons why people don't hear.
First, people don't hear because they are not there. It is hard to hear the truth God wants you to hear when you are not in church. This is why it is important to be faithful to every service. It might be that one service you miss causes the preacher to have to preach "another parable."
Second, some don't hear because they don't pay attention. This type of person is there, but their mind is not there. They hear a noise, but they are not really listening to what is being said. They are thinking about what is going to happen after the services or later on that week and miss the truth God wanted them to hear. You must be sure that you pay attention to the preaching, so you don't miss the truth God wants you to hear.
Third, some don't hear because they are not listening. This crowd just isn't listening to the preaching. Instead, they are texting or writing notes during the preaching time. They are messing with people around them and missing a truth that could change their life. When you are in church, you must not allow yourself to do other things while the preacher is preaching. When he preaches, you need to listen.
Fourth, some don't hear because of sin. Sin will deafen your ears to the truth. You can sit there and actually pay attention, but because sin is in your life you will not get the truth God wants you to hear. Christian, you must take care of your sin. I know I sound like a broken record, but sin will become like spiritual earplugs that will cause you not to hear the truths of God.
Last, some don't hear because they are unteachable. This crowd already has their mind made up and it doesn't matter how the truth is presented, they will not hear and change. When you go to church, stay teachable. If you think you know everything, then the preacher cannot help you. If you already have your mind made up on the subject before the preacher can present the truth, then you will not hear what God wants you to hear.
Are you not hearing the truth the first time it is presented to you? Is God telling your preacher to preach "another parable" because you didn't get it the first time for one of the reasons mentioned above? Take the spiritual earplugs out that are deafening your ears so you can hear the truths of God the first time they are preached.
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The Voices of Fear or Faith
Matthew 14:32
"And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased."
One of the greatest stories that I enjoy reading in the Scriptures is about Peter walking on water to go to Jesus. Jesus commanded the disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side. Yes, Jesus knew that a storm would come and nearly take their lives, but He had a great miracle in store for them if they would listen to His voice. While they were in the middle of the sea, a fierce storm came, and it was so fierce that it nearly sunk their boat. While they were rowing as hard as they could to get to land, they saw a figure walking on the water. Peter, being afraid, cried out only to have a voice come back. This voice was the voice of Jesus. Peter asked if it were Jesus to bid him to come unto Him. To his surprise, Jesus bid him come. Peter listened and came. Yes, he failed while walking on the water, but he had the opportunity to walk on water because he didn't listen to the voice of fear.
There are many Christians who miss the walking on water experience because they listen to the voice of fear. The other eleven disciples heard the same bidding that Peter heard, but they stayed in the boat while he got out and walked on the water. Though he heard the voice of fear, he listened to the voice of Jesus and acted on faith which allowed him this great opportunity. You will never accomplish much in life if you always listen to the voice of fear.
Christian, whenever faith says to come, you will always hear the voice of fear as well. The voice of fear is trying to stop you from listening to the voice of faith, but you must listen to faith because it has something great in store for you. You must always remember that God will never ask you to step out on faith without His presence being near you. Moreover, when you step out by faith, God expects that you will probably fail. Yet, that is why He is there to help you out of your failure.
What is the voice of fear keeping you from doing for God? What voice are you listening to in your life? God's will is never going to be easy. Whenever God's will calls, you can count on the voice of fear sounding off and telling you how foolish you are. If you listen to it, you will be like the eleven disciples who stayed in the boat and you will never experience the walking on water experience of your life. When God called me to go into full-time evangelism, I heard the voice of fear, but I stepped out on the voice of faith and trusted God, and I can say that I have had the walking on water experience. It is great, but you must listen to God's bidding and obey.
Music from the services of 320 and 3/27 is now up at www.baptist-city.com.
Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.
Prayer's Instruction Manual
Matthew 6:6
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Whenever I want to know how to do or use something, I always go to the instruction manual. The instruction manual is usually put together by the one who made the product. Likewise, the instruction manual is put together by the one who is in charge of showing the followers how they expect them to conduct themselves. You will never enjoy a product to its fullest if you don't learn to follow the instruction manual.
In the verse above, God gives us an instruction manual on prayer. God wants His people to pray and get things from Him, but they must follow the instruction manual on prayer to get the greatest benefits from prayer. Without following the manual, you may get some prayers answered, but by following the manual you will get more prayers answered. Let me show you several instructions on how to pray.
First, pray at a set time. God says in verse 5, "And when thou prayest..." You will notice that God used the word "when." That means there must have been a set time to pray. I have found in the Christian life that you will do what God tells you to do more regularly if you have a set time. If you want your prayer life to be successful, then you would be wise to have a set time every day to pray.
Second, pray privately. God says in the verse above, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet..." God wants you to have a private time of prayer when you take your requests to Him. Yes, there are times when you should have public prayer, but you should daily have a private time that you spend with God in prayer.
Third, pray like you have a relationship with God. Notice in the verse above God says, "...pray to thy Father..." There is a personal relationship when you are making God your Father. If you're saved, then God is your Father. That means you should talk to God the same way you would talk to your earthly father. Be personal, and never be afraid to tell Him your needs and requests.
Fourth, pray with your heart. God says in verse 7, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions..." God doesn't like it when we are simply repeating something every day, He wants your prayer to come from your heart. When your prayer comes from your heart, then you have a better chance of getting something from God.
Fifth, pray precisely. Notice in verse 7, God talks about the Pharisees praying with "much speaking." God is not as interested in you giving a speech in your prayer as He is about you being precise with your request. Don't try to impress God with your prayer, but rather be as precise as you can be with God.
Last, pray believing. Don't pray with doubt, but pray with faith that God will answer your prayer. Too many times we pray with doubt only to get the answer for which we prayed, doubt. Realize that God can answer your prayer, and believe that He will answer it as He promised.
The greatest weapon that the Christian has, other than the Word of God, is their prayer life. Follow God's instructions on prayer and you will find that He will answer more of your requests.
Listen to this great and needed message by Dr. Clarence Sexton, "Who Cast Jonah Into The Sea?"
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Take Heed to Your Spirit
Malachi 2:16
"For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously."
In Malachi 2, God warns us two times to "take heed to your spirit..." The word "heed" means, "to take notice of; to attend to; to observe; to watch for danger." In other words, God was cautioning us to watch our spirit. Your spirit is your disposition or outlook on life. God knew that if your spirit were destroyed then you would be destroyed as a Christian.
God takes this truth further by cautioning to be sure that your spirit is not being dealt with treacherously. The word "treacherously" means, "violating allegiance." In other words, you must watch your spirit that its allegiance to your faith is not destroyed. What is interesting is that God tells us that two different people can "deal treacherously" with your spirit. In verse 15 God says, "...let none dealt treacherously..." Notice this is showing us that others can destroy your spirit. Then in the verse above God says, "...that ye deal not treacherously." The second person who can destroy your spirit is yourself. God is simply warning you to guard your spirit from others and yourself. Don't let others destroy your spirit, nor should you do anything that would destroy your spirit. As I look at this warning, I see that God shows us two things that will destroy our spirit.
First, you must stay pure in your marriage if you want to keep your spirit from being destroyed. A person may get away with being unfaithful in their marriage, but the one thing that unfaithfulness will do is it will destroy your spirit. You can't be unfaithful in your marriage and it not affect your spirit. You can't look at wrong pictures and it not affect your spirit. You can't entertain wrong thoughts and it not affect your spirit. Staying pure in your marriage will help you to keep your spirit right.
Furthermore, those who are not married should stay pure until they are married if they don't want their spirit destroyed. A single person who is committing fornication will destroy their spirit. Yes, you may have your few minutes of pleasure, but you will destroy your spirit in the mean time. Staying morally pure, whether you are married or single, will keep your spirit from being destroyed.
Second, living a pure life will help you to keep your spirit from being destroyed. Christian, you can't live in sin and it not affect your spirit. One of the reasons that the spirit of churches seem so dead is because they are filled with Christians who are living in sin. When you are living right, you will have a good spirit. When you are doing what you know you should do, then your spirit will be free and protected. On the other hand, when you know you are doing wrong, your spirit will be defeated. When you know that you are living in direct contradiction to the Word of God, it will affect your spirit. Sin always affects a person's spirit before it destroys their life. You may think you can hide your sin, but your spirit will tell on you.
Christian, take heed to your spirit. Watch it and guard it with your life. When you have a defeated spirit then you will live a defeated life in Christ. If there is ever a reason for you to stay morally pure in your marriage and life, it is because you want to guard your spirit. Guard yourself from others destroying your spirit, but also guard your spirit from yourself. Don't do anything that would destroy that victorious spirit that God wants you to have.
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First Glory
Haggai 2:3
"Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?"
The temple had been rebuilt, but the new temple was of no comparison to the old. Sin caused Israel to see the first temple destroyed, but a new temple had been rebuilt in its place. In the verse above, God came to those who had seen the previous temple and said to them, "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?" Those who had seen the temple in its first glory saw this rebuilt temple as nothing. The glory of the rebuilt temple was of no comparison to the first. Sin caused the first glory to be destroyed, and now the glory that would come would be nothing compared to the first.
Let me ask you, do you run scared of losing the first glory of God's presence in your life? There is nothing that I am more afraid of than losing the glory of God on my life. Yes, God can always rebuild and bring His glory back, but the first glory is without stain. The first glory is where you will find the greatest blessings of God. The first glory is where the fresh excitement is present. If you are not scared of losing the first glory of God's presence on your life, then you should be.
I have been around Christianity my whole life and have seen many men in their first glory. I would not give their names, but there are many people whom God used in a great way who allowed sin to mess up their first glory. Yes, many of these people allowed God to rebuild them, but they never quite reached the pinnacle of glory that they once obtained.
Sin is the quickest way to lose that first glory. If anything should move you to get rid of sin in your life it is the fact that it will take the glory of God from you. All that God has blessed you with can be taken in a moments notice because of sin. Sin is no respecter of persons when it comes to what it will destroy. Sin cares not how prominent you may be in your church. Sin cares not what God has done through you. Sin cares not how long you have been serving God. Sin will destroy all that you have built and cause you to lose your first glory. Christian, don't let sin take the first glory away from you. Get rid of your sin before it takes your first glory away.
Furthermore, God can rebuild your life, but the glory on your life will be no comparison to what it used to be. One thing you do not want to live with is the memory of what it used to be. Though God may rebuild a life destroyed by sin, they will have to live with the regrets of what could have been if they would not have allowed sin in their life.
Moreover, if you have lost your first glory, you can thank God that He can rebuild your life and bring His glory back. Though it will not be in comparison to what it used to be, God can still use you in a great way. Don't wallow in your self pity and what you could have had. Instead, get up and let God rebuild your life. Though the glory won't compare to the first glory, it is still the glory of God.
I challenge you to be careful about allowing sin to take your first glory from you. Get rid of sin so that you will never have to live your life comparing what you have now to what you used to have. Keep the first glory until the day you die!