Sermon Notes
31 December 2006
Morning Worship
THE DEMANDS OF A WILL IN FORCE
15
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of
death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal
inheritance.
16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the
testator.
17
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no
strength at all while the testator liveth.
INTRODUCTION:
a. the "He" of our text is Jesus Christ. He is the mediator of the New
Testament. In this passage, mediator means one who guarantees a thing, in
this case the NT.
b. What happpens to the OT if the Testament Christ guarantees is a New
Testament? Where there is a new will, the old will is no longer in effect.
We have scriptural evidence that the Old Testament is no longer invoke -
II
Corinthians 3:6-18
6
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the
letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth
life.
7
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was
glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the
face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done
away:
8
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the
ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by
reason of the glory that excelleth.
11
For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth
is glorious.
12
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13
And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of
Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail
untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in
Christ.
15
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty.
18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,
are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit
of the Lord.
c. The veil (OT) is being lifted, taken away by Christ. Israel will not want
to give up the OT, but to turn to the Lord they will have no choice if they
wanted to be saved
6
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is
the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better
promises.
7
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have
been sought for the second.
8
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the
Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the
house of Judah:
Jer
31:31
9
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when
I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they
continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Jer
31:32
10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after
those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write
them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a
people:
Jer
31:33
Heb
10:16
11
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,
saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the
greatest.
Jer
31:34
12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their
iniquities will I remember no more.
Jer
31:34
Heb
10:17
8
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering
for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered
by the law;
Psa
40:6
9
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first,
that he may establish the second.
Psa
40:7
14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
I. CONDITIONS EXISTING BEFORE CHRIST'S DEATH:
a. The thief on the cross -
Luke 23:39-43
- A promise of paradise, that very
day
39
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou
be Christ, save thyself and us.
40
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing
thou art in the same condemnation?
41
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this
man hath done nothing amiss.
42
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with
me in paradise.
b. Man of Palsy -
Matthew 9:1-8 - Sins forgiven and healed by the word of
Jesus
1
And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
2
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed:
and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of
good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man
blasphemeth.
4
And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your
hearts?
5
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise,
and walk?
6
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive
sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and
go unto thine house.
7
And he arose, and departed to his house.
8
But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had
given such power unto men.
c. Sinful woman –
Luke 7:37-50 - Saved by her faith, confirmed by the word
of Jesus
37
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that
Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of
ointment,
38
And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with
tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet,
and anointed them with the ointment.
39
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself,
saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner
of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40
And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.
And he saith, Master, say on.
41
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five
hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me
therefore, which of them will love him most?
43
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he
said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I
entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath
washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not
ceased to kiss my feet.
46
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet
with ointment.
47
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she
loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48
And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is
this that forgiveth sins also?
50
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
d. Zaccheus -
Luke 19:2-10
- Salvation brought to the house
living under the Old Law
2
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the
publicans, and he was rich.
3
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because
he was little of stature.
4
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he
was to pass that way.
5
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto
him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy
house.
6
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be
guest with a man that is a sinner.
8
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my
goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by
false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Exod
22:1
9
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch
as he also is a son of Abraham.
10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
h. Before a man dies he may distribute his possessions in any manner he sees
fit. He may even change his will - BEFORE he dies. AFTER death the will must
be executed to distribute the property. And so it is with the will of Christ
ii. A WILL IN FORCE DEMANDS:
a. A Testator -Hebrews 9:15- Christ
15
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of
death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal
inheritance.
b. Something to Will -Hebrews 5:8,9 - Salvation
8
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered;
9
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all
them that obey him;
c. The Testator's Death
15
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of
death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal
inheritance.
16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the
testator.
17
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no
strength at all while the testator liveth.
46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands
I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
d. An Executor-
II Corinthians 5:20 -The Apostles
20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:
we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
e. Heirs
16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children
of God:
17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if
so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Believers, such as:
1. Jews on Pentecost
2. Eunuch
35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached
unto him Jesus.
36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the
eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he
answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into
the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught
away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way
rejoicing.
3. Saul
6
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be
told thee what thou must do.
16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.
NOTE:
- Before His death Jesus had different conditions for salvation, as we have
seen in THE examples. We do not see many today advocating the method
suggested to the Rich Young Ruler!
Under His will (NT) the conditions are set and cannot be changed
f. CONDITIONS FOR salvation are:
1. Matthew 28:18
18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth.
We must receive teaching or the hearing of the word of God
17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. Hebrews 11:6 -We must have faith
6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him.
3. Luke 24:45-47
-We must repent
45
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the
scriptures,
46
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to
suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name
among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
4. Romans 10:9,10 - We must confess the Christ
9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
5. Acts 2:38 -We must be baptized
38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
CONCLUSION
a. Claim your inheritance today
b. Do you meet the conditions of His will?
c. You will be cut off if you do not continue to meet the additional
condition of following in His footsteps
35
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of
reward.
36
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye
might receive the promise.
37
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not
tarry.
Hab
2:3
38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall
have no pleasure in him.
Hab
2:4
39
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that
believe to the saving of the soul.
Almost
Persuaded
Acts 26:28
28
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
A. When Philip Bliss
(1838-1876, Lyricist and Composer) heard this end to a sermon, "...to be
almost saved is to be entirely lost," he penned "Almost Persuaded," one of
the most effective of all invitation songs
B. TO FIND OUT HOW HE DIED PLEASE BE WITH US AT BROAD STREET ON THE EVENING
OF DEC. 31, 2006 AT 5:00 PM EASTERN TIME
I. Verse 1-Read:
“Almost persuaded” now to believe;
“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,
“Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call.”
A. Now To Believe
“Almost persuaded” now to believe;
9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
How do we come to believe?
1. With the heart
17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. By hearing Romans
14
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how
shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they
hear without a preacher?
3. The result should be belief in God which results in obedience and
ultimately eternal life
16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith
among all nations, for his name:
B. Christ to receive
“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;
6
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the
apostles.
44
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every
man had need.
46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread
from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of
heart,
47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to
the church daily such as should be saved.
12
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and
glory.
13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received
the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men,
but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in
you that believe.
1. When we receive Jesus, we are baptized
2. We are added to the church
3. Walk in him
C. Remainder of verse 1
"Seems now some soul to say,
“Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call.”
7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall
be opened unto you:
8
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened.
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Ps 118:22,23 Mark 12:10 Luke 20:17 Acts 4:11 Eph 2:20 1 Pet 2:7
48
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:
the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven.
33
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my
Father which is in heaven.
II. Verse 2-read:
“Almost persuaded,” come, come today;
“Almost persuaded,” turn not away;
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are lingering near
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wanderer, come!
A. "Jesus invites you here"
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.
B. "Angels are lingering near"
10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner that repenteth.
C. "Prayers rise from hearts so dear, O wand'rer come."
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.
14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Iii. Verse 3-read:
“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!
“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last!
“Almost” cannot avail;
“Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail—
“Almost,” but lost!
A. "Harvest is past"
37
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the
labourers are few;
39
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world;
and the reapers are the angels.
B. "Sad, sad that bitter wail"
28
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you
yourselves thrust out.
Conclusion:
a. Final thought-ALMOST-very nearly but not succeeding
b. PERSUADED-to induce to believe. To be very nearly induced to believe is
not good enough with the Lord
c. We must believe, act and commit our very all to the Lord because that is
what Jesus Christ did--the supreme sacrifice, his crucifixion, demands this
of us
