God is Faithful!
Dennis L. Scroggins

“…but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  1 Corinthians 10:13

The very concept of God is hard for men to understand, but it is not an impossible thing to comprehend. “For those that would come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6   

Due to the number of misconceptions concerning the goodness and severity of God, people tend to create in their own minds a picture that is flawed and without Biblical standard. God the Father takes on human traits in their minds, and they would create God in their own image! Instead of praying for help, many blame the Lord for their troubles.

These misconceptions of the Almighty will lead them to draw conclusions that are misleading at best, and at the worst will cost them their souls and the souls of those that listen to their human reasoning's.  2 Peter 3:16-17

When people no longer see God in His might and glory and they recast Him in their own image, then do they begin to show disrespect for His will and a disregard for His word.  Romans 8:7

The Bible no longer relates to their lives and they search to see if they can’t find scriptures that will validate their human concepts and traditions concerning the deity of Christ and God. This process of deception does not happen over night but is a gradual process in which they are lulled to sleep by the world and the things in it. They can no longer see themselves as the problem, but rather blame God’s word.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the might hand of God, the He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 God is faithful and cares for us all, but we must remain faithful to Him by living out “His will” for our lives and obeying His word. 

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Integrity
Wayne S. Walker

“But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me” (Psalm 26:11). Our English word “integrity” comes from a Latin word for “untouched, whole” and is related to the term “integer” which is defined as “necessary for completeness; essential; whole or complete.” When speaking of the integrity of a structure, we are talking about its “being complete, wholeness; unimpaired condition; soundness.” However, referring to human beings who are made in the image of God and thus have responsibilities laid upon them by their Creator, we most commonly use “integrity” in the sense of “uprightness, honesty, and sincerity.”

First, we need to walk in integrity towards ourselves. I believe it was Polonius who told Laertes in Shakespeare’­s Hamlet, “To thine own self be true.” This principle is taught in the scriptures which encourage us to have “faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18). When we do not remain true to what we know to be right, we violate our conscience and give up our self-integrity. God’s word warns us against deceiving ourselves in this way (James 1:22). The person who walks in integrity toward self will not pretend to be something that he is not.

Second, we need to walk in integrity towards others. In order for society to operate the way that God intended, each person needs to demonstrate uprightness, honesty, and sincerity in his relationships with his fellowmen. We want others to treat us honestly, so the “golden rule” means that we should do so to them likewise (Luke 6:31). It is especially important for Christians, who are to be lights in the world, to “walk properly toward those who are outside” (2 Thessalonians 4:12). Nothing will cause others to blaspheme the gospel any quicker than one who calls himself a Christian but does not show integrity to others.

Third, and most importantly, we need to walk in integrity towards God. This means accepting the evidence of His existence so that we believe that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). It also means that having acknowledged Him as the Creator and loving Him as our heavenly Father we must keep His commandments in all things (1 John 5:3, Revelation 22:14). Indeed, the person who has as his primary objective to walk in integrity towards God will most certainly walk in integrity towards others and himself as well.

–The Defender, May 27, 2007

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

One Hope of Your Calling

1. The joy of hope is set in contrast to despair and sorrow (1 Ths. 4:13; Rom. 12:12).
2. Christ brought hope to a hopeless world.
3. Are you living in hope? What is hope?

I. WHAT IS HOPE?

  A. Hope is Desire Coupled with Expectation, Rom. 8:23-25; Phil. 1:20, 23; 1 Jno. 3:2-3.
  B. Hope is Supported by Faith, Heb. 11:1; Rom. 15:4 (Col. 1:4-5); 1 Pet. 3:15.
  C. The Hope of the Gospel, Col. 1:5, 23; Eph. 1:18 (Matt. 11:28-30; Acts 4:12); Rom. 15:8-13.
  D. Sinners are Saved in Hope, Eph. 2:12; Rom. 8:23-24 (5:2); 15:13; Gal. 5:5.

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE.

  A. Our Hope in Christ is of Eternal Life & Glory, Col. 1:23; 3:4; Titus 1:2-3; 1 Tim. 1:1; 1 Cor. 15:19-20; 1 Ths. 4:13-14 (2 Cor. 4:14).
  B. Our Hope is Sure & Steadfast, Heb. 6:13-20.
  C. Our Hope is Confident & Rejoicing, Heb. 3:6 (3:14) (Rom. 5:5; 12:12).
  D. Our Hope is Living, 1 Pet. 1:3. (“lively”); 1 Ths. 1:3 (Rom. 8:25); 5:8.
  E. Our Hope is Unseen, yet Eagerly Waited for, Rom. 8:25; Heb. 10:23 (4:14); 2 Ths. 2:16-17.

III. THE WORLD HAS NO HOPE, Eph. 2:12    (1 Jno. 2:17).

  A. Where there is no Hope, there is Emotional Fear, Spiritual Pain & Eternal Sorrow in Death, Heb. 2:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:54-57; 1 Ths. 4:13 (cf. Psa. 16:9-10).
  B. Where there is no Hope there is only the Prospect of Eternal Death, Rom. 6:23.

Conclusion

1. The Christian lives & dies in hope, 2 Tim. 4:7-8 (1 Cor. 13:13).
2. The world lives & dies in hopelessness.
3. Choose to have a living hope!  Rom. 5:1-2

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

The King, His Kingdom and You

1. Prophets PROMISED a king (2 Sam. 7:12-13). God would ANOINT His king (Psa. 2:6-7). This king would RULE over eternal kingdom (Dan. 7:13-14).
2. Jesus fulfilled prophecies, Acts 3:24-26.
3. Why do people look for a future fulfillment of what has already happened?

I. THE KING IS ON HIS THRONE.

  A. The Kingdom Exists Today, Mk. 1:15; 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4 (Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:6, 9).
    1. His church, Matt. 16:18-19.
    2. Jesus was not a false prophet (Mk. 9:1).
  B. The King is on His Throne, Acts 2:29-36 (Lk. 1:31-33). Exalted & Reigning (Psa. 110:1-2).
  C. The King Now has All Authority, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:21-23 (Psa. 2:8-12).
  D. The King Will Continue to Rule until the Last Enemy (Death) is Abolished, 1 Cor. 15:24-28.

II. THE NATURE OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM, Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45.

  A. A Spiritual Kingdom, Jno. 18:36; Lk. 17:20-21; Zech. 9:10; Isa. 2:3-4.
  B. A Kingdom in Which Mercy is Found & Obtained, Isa. 55:3-5; Acts 13:32-34.
The King gives mercy for the soul (13:38-39) to the people (Jews, Isa. 55:4) & the nations (Gentiles, Isa. 55:5).
  C. A Kingdom Where Peace and Safety Reigns, Isa. 9:6; Isa. 11:6-10; Rom. 15:12; 5:1; Eph. 2:14-18.
  D. A Kingdom that is Everlasting, Dan. 2:44 (Lk. 1:33); Heb. 12:28 (22-23).

Conclusion

1. Christ’s kingdom; His church (Matt. 16:18-19)
2. Christ reigns on His throne with all authority.
3. When Jesus returns & abolishes death, He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father as it passes into the eternal realm of existence.
4. You can have the blessings of His kingdom:  Mercy (salvation), peace, safety & eternal life by obeying the King now.  Matt. 13:44-46

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