Sermons

In the last installment of this sermon series, we will discover more undisputable proofs in the life of David, showing that human fighting and killing in war is wrong in God’s eyes. Some have tried to argue that David did not sin when he fought in war, as he only allegedly sinned in the “matter of Uriah.” This interpretation is blatantly wrong. David admitted on numerous occasions that he had sinned in many different ways. He was not permitted to build the temple, as he had been a man of war who had shed blood. He also sinned when he numbered the army, in preparation of war. David learned, at the end of his life, that human warfare is wrong. He will be teaching man, in the Millennium, the way to peace — and man will not learn, under his rule, to fight in war anymore. We must learn the same today.

This Part 5 of the series of sermons covering the Book of Genesis will complete our present review of this most important book of the Old Testament. In this sermon we observe Jacob’s shock and joy when he comes to the realization that his son, Joseph, whom he thought dead for so many years, was in fact alive and prospering as the ruler over the nation of Egypt, directly under Pharaoh.

What we can see and what we can touch seem the most real to us. Warnings and promises may seem less tangible, and only the few have believed God or His prophets in these matters. Setting an example for us, Jesus Christ looked forward in faith to the future Kingdom of God.

Due to God’s intervention, by sending Abigail, David had spared Nabal’s life and refused to avenge himself. Subsequently, David was tested to show whether he would spare King Saul, without God’s direct intervention, although circumstances seemed to be compelling, humanly speaking, to kill his enemy. When David acted peacefully, Saul ceased to pursue David any further. However, David had not learned yet that fighting in war is wrong. Through his deceitful conduct, while staying with Achish, king of Gath, he was almost forced to fight King Saul, and his own household was captured by the enemy. In addition, David engaged in polygamy, which was not according to God’s will and intent.

In this fourth part in the series of sermons covering the Book of Genesis, Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob becomes the central figure in the story of God’s blessings promised to Abraham which were determined by the Almighty. This story is filled with intrigue and with hope!

This life is a gift from God, and we are accountable to God for it. This life–this physical existence will end, but we have been given the promise of eternal life. Many servants of God struggled with discouragement in their own lifetimes. Their record and the unbreakable promises of God can help us to successfully face our own trials.

David grew up in a society, which was used to fighting in war. He never questioned whether war, in general, was right or wrong, until much later in his life. God showed him, through experience, why war is wrong. He showed him that the wars of men only produce suffering and pain, without bringing lasting solutions. Whenever David practiced the way of peace, God delivered him and even influenced his enemies to become friendly toward him. When David refused to kill Saul, God helped David. When David was about to kill Nabal, God prevented that by sending Nabal’s wife, Abigail, to him. David relented, and God took care of the situation. We, too, have to learn to become peacemakers and to live peaceably with all men, as much as depends on us. If we do, the God of peace will be with us.

In this sermon we continue to examine the lives of men and women God first began dealing with on an intimate basis. It picks up with God’s dealings with Isaac and continues as God chooses Jacob through whom He would pass the blessings of Abraham and as He reveals even more of Himself and His Way to Jacob.

Jesus Christ was utterly unique in that He never sinned! Though He never disobeyed, He did learn obedience.

We, as Christians, are to grow through learning to choose to obey God and Jesus Christ and to resist the temptation to disobey in times of testing.

David was a human being, like you and me. David made mistakes. He sinned — not only in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah. But David was a man after God’s own heart — he repented, once he came to the realization of his sins. Sometimes, though, it took him a while to understand. When studying David’s life, which was written down for our admonition, learning, and example, we will see a cause and effect relationship. When David did right, he reaped blessings, but when he did wrong, bad consequences were the result.

We are to read the life of David with New Testament eyes and in light of other Old Testament Scripture, explaining how God looked at David’s actions. David is not to be followed in every respect — the only human who has never sinned, and who is to be followed by all of us, is Jesus Christ.

Psalm 23 is one of the most beautiful, encouraging, and inspiring in all the Bible, especially during trials, and often in history at imminent death. This message covers: overview, background, and each of the 6-verses: amplified, expounded, and interpreted, with emphasis on real shepherds perspectives–“A shepherd looks at Psalm 23.” Includes fascinating sheep’s perspective. Scripturally shows Jesus as our shepherd and we being sheep. The Conclusion: “23rd Psalm Made Simple!” includes what may be one of the greatest interpretations of Psalm 23 ever heard.

We noted in Part 1 of this series, that once a person is called of God, there is a special relationship established between that person and God. As we examine the lives of men God established such relationships with, as inspired to be written in His Holy Word, we can learn much from the information recorded relative to those relationships. This second part of this series is a continuation of this examination.

We have set before us the incomparable goal of eternal life in God’s Kingdom, but sometimes we don’t consider what we will have to deal with in the interim. Three keys for staying the course in our calling are: Expect problems on the road ahead, and deal with them; Walk with God as you travel the road ahead; Travel the road ahead–don’t quit until you are finished.

As followers of Christ, we are to have a sound and balanced mind. We must avoid extremes. We are warned not to behave overly righteous, nor to be become wicked. I would like to discuss today several areas of life, including the consumption of alcohol, smoking, drugs, premarital sex, marriage and divorce, as well as music, television, movies and the internet. While we are never to smoke, engage in premarital sex, or divorce for wrong reasons, parents must still have a right, balanced approach to teach their children how to make right decisions. In other areas, parents must avoid to establish too rigorous and restrictive rules.

God is interested in your life! Once He decides to call a person to His Way – that person becomes of special interest to Him. That’s the reason, as we see God calling Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to His Way we find a considerable amount of detail concerning their lives in His inspired Word! No doubt, that is the reason God inspired Mr. Herbert Armstrong to write the Autobiography of his life. These recorded summaries are important for us to understand, as we look to these men as examples in our pursuit of obedience in God’s Way!

Modern day disciples of Jesus Christ are to do the work of God. Jesus specifically commissioned His followers to continue working after His death and resurrection. That assignment continues to our day, and it will succeed us. The work of God involves preaching about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the fact that He will return to this earth. This good news must be proclaimed in confident boldness–just as the original apostles, elders and brethren did.

There are many days noted in Scripture which one could refer to as great. But this day – God refers to as the Last Great Day! Why?

This day pictures a time – yet in the future – when all of mankind who never understood the Plan of God – will receive Understanding and an opportunity to become future Children of God!

God has a purpose in mind for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do in the future. Beyond the immediate horizon of God’s Holy Days’ plan lies the far future in which tens of billions of human beings will have been made immortal and who will be like Jesus Christ! Biblical evidence reveals a future creation that will be composed of spirit and one that will continue to increase into an unending future-forever and ever!

An outline of the problems facing the world today and an evaluation of the crisis facing humanity in the near future contrasted against what will be our part in the government in the world tomorrow ruling with and under Christ.

Overcoming takes great diligence and constant vigilance, and it is a lifelong process for Christians.
We must make a choice to follow either good or evil. The most important key to our being able to overcome to make our stand before we sin–not after! This is the way in which Jesus Christ, though tempted in all points as we are, overcame sin to become our Savior.