24 August 2008

Broadstreet Church of Christ

1213 Broad Street Phenix City, Alabama

Sermon Notes 24 August 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

The Broad Street Church of Christ needs volunteer translators in all languages to help spread the Gospel .

If you are fluent in languages other than English and wish to translate

Important Facts about the Church

God's Plan for your Salvation

Email us

Sermon Notes

24 August 2008

Morning Worship

A GOOD HEART

Evening Worship

THE WORD OF PROMISE

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

A GOOD HEART

Luke 8:11-15

11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12
Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Introduction:

a. It is common to hear someone say of another, “But he/she has such a good heart.”

b. Now, one may be saying this of a person who IS IN a situation morally or spiritually where that PERSON SHOULD not be.

c. Sometimes in accenting the positive, we fail to see the negative, in those with “good hearts”.

I. CORNELIUS - A MAN WITH A “GOOD HEART”

a. Acts 10:1,2,19-22 - The general assessment? A GOOD HEARTED man:

1
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2
A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

19
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20
Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21
Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

1. It is interesting that even the Jews considered him a good person

2. He was religious; he was benevolent; he was without reproach

3. If ever there was a man with a “good heart”, it was he

B. But something was amiss in his spiritual life:

Acts 11:12-14

12
And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

13
And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14
Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

1. He was religious, good hearted ... but unsaved!

2. It is the assessment; the definition God gives which really counts

3. We really must begin to see things from God’s point of view

II. HEART ISSUES?

a. Our hearts must be guarded carefully

Proverbs 4:23

23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Our hearts must be guarded carefully

1. Why? Because from our heart comes the person we really are

2. The heart is the seat of our true self.

3. Heart and life are inseparable linked - We cannot have a bad heart and a good life

b. Matthew 15:18-20 Whence come the defiling things:

18
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20
These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

1. Sin begins in the heart - then, it becomes the action that is recognized

2. Matthew 5:27,28 - We cannot separate what goes on in the heart from the actions, activities of life

27
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

3. Character, moral and spiritual, begin in the heart and issue in life action

B. In Mark’s account his “list” of evil things is more extensive

Mark 7:20-23:

20
And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

21
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23
All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

1. So, what we could correctly conclude is that neither list is exhaustive

2. What is contrary to God’s revealed will, morally or spiritually, must be considered that which “defiles” a person

3. Matthew12:35

35

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Still, a good heart produces “good things” - remember, we are thinking of a good heart as God views it - not as you and I might judge

III. SO, WHAT IS A “GOOD” HEART?

A. Carnal mind versus spiritual mind

Romans 8:5-7

5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

1. Carnal mind is enmity against God”

2. Scripture uses “mind” and “heart” as synonyms - so, one whose heart is dominated by things of the flesh is the enemy of God

3. Notice why - “for it is not subject to the law of God” - a spiritual mind, a good heart, is submissive to God’s law

b. A heart guided by God’s word

Psalm 119:11

11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

1. Such a heart (mind) is spiritual - led by the Spirit of God

2. Such a heart (mind) accepts the direction, instruction of God’s word

Romans 8:1

1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

3. I Peter 4:1,2 - one armed with the mind of Christ lives to “the will of God”

1
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

B. Luke 8:15 - The “honest and good heart”?

1. That heart (mind) which has heard the word of God ... and keeps it

2. Further, it is that heart (mind) which continues in His word with patience

3. From that heart (mind) comes “fruit” - demonstrating the domination of the will of God over/in the heart

C. There are many, many “good” people - as Cornelius:

1. All around us are people who are kind, caring, morally upright

2. And for that we should be grateful.

3. But in order for these people to be “good hearted” by God’s definition (the definition which ultimately counts for eternity) they must hear the word of God and do it (from the heart)

Matthew 7:24,25

24
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Conclusion:
a. Emotional attachments to people whom I love are certainly strong and prejudicial

b. Therefore, it is difficult, at times, for os to see past emotions to accept God’s judgments and definitions

c. Emotional relationships are done no favors by trying to make that “good” which God has not made good.

d. Lost people need our concern!

Evening Worship

printable pdf file

THE WORD OF PROMISE

Romans 9:6-9

6
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

7
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

8
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

9
For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

Introduction:

a. The apostle is discussing God’s promise to Abraham through Isaac. The “children of promise” (v. 8)

b. Is a reference to the spiritual descendants of Abraham. At v. 9 the apostle calls God’s promise of a son by Sarah “the word of promise”.

c. This is a marvelous way to think of the word of God. The apostle Peter refers to “exceeding great and precious promises” - II Peter 1:4 - which are made known to us “through the knowledge of God” - II Peter 1:2

d. “he is faithful that promised” - Hebrews 10:23

e. To refer, then, to the word of God as “the word of promise” is a truly appropriate appellation.

I. THE HISTORY?

A. Psalm 105:8-10;42-45 - So much of the Bible’s history is encapsulated here

8
He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

9
Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

10
And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

42
For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.

43
And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

44
And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;

45
That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

1. Genesis 12:1-3 - where the promise began

1
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:

2
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

2. Genesis 17:19 - the promise in greater detail

19
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

3. Genesis 22:15-18 - the promise confirmed ... because!!!!

15
And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

16
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

17
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

18
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice

B. The “nation” promise remembered Exodus 2:23-25

23
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

24
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

25
And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

1. Four hundred plus years had passed since the promise was first made

2. Four hundred years is plenty of time for humanity to forget!

3. Isaiah 46:10,11

10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

11
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

4. God promises ... and God keeps His promises.

C. The “all nations” promise remembered in Christ

Galatians 3:8,16

8
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

16
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

1. Through 100's of years God was “working out” His promise -

when all was ready, the “all nations” promise was fulfilled

Galatians 4:4,5

4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

2. In a broad sense, then, the word of promise is really all about God’s promise to Abraham so many years ago

3. And this is such a great assurance that He is the God of promises

II. SOME SPECIFIC PROMISES IN WHICH WE CAN REJOICE:

A. That in Christ we are new creatures :

1. II Corinthians 5:17

17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2. Galatians 3:26-29

26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

B. That He hears and answers our prayers:

1. I John 5:14,15

14
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

2. Philippians 4:6,7

6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

C. That the Lord is with us in our lives:

1. Hebrews 13:5,6

5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

2. II Timothy 4:17

17
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

3. Romans 8:31

31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

D. That God will give us a crown of life:

1. James 1:12

12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

2. I Peter 1:3,4

3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

3. Revelation 2:10

be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life

Conclusion:

a. Need of patience

Hebrews 10:35,36

35
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

36
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

b. Inspiration is telling me that the promises can be lost. So, we just keep on doing “the will of God” with confident expectation. The promises are too good to trade for anything else!