Put on a heart of...
Joe R. Price

Paul told Timothy to join with others who “call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). A pure heart is necessary in order to follow the Lord and appeal to him for the blessings of salvation. James wrote, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (Jas. 4:8). A total devotion to God is necessary in order to purify your heart.

In Colossians 3:12-15, the inspired apostle Paul wrote that Christians are to put on a heart that is different from the world; one that identifies them as the people of God. Consider how you can purify your heart with these qualities:

1. Compassion. A heart that cannot show pity toward others in their time of distress is not the heart of Christ (Matt. 25:34-40).

2. Kindness. The courtesy and thoughtfulness of kindness expresses a heart that is truly interested in others (Eph. 4:32).

3. Humility. Without a humble heart one will never approach God nor be blessed by him (see Jas. 4:6-10).

4. Meekness. A heart that is strong in its convictions and at the same time controlled in its expressions of that conviction can accomplish great things. Meekness is not weakness. It combines strength of faith and self-control to do the will of God instead of the will of man.

5. Longsuffering. A heart that does not act on an impulse, that is not quick to retaliate, is like the heart of God (2 Pet. 3:9).

6. Forbearing and forgiving. To harbor no malice against another when wronged is the essence of forbearance. It does not overlook sin, but it seeks to overcome it through the forgiveness of Christ (Eph. 4:31-32).

7. Love. The purpose of God’s commandments is “love from a pure heart” (1 Tim. 1:5). Loving God with all our heart requires a heart that is completely pure (Matt. 22:37). In like manner, we are to sincerely “love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Pet. 1:22).

8. Peace of God rules. We have been called by the gospel of Christ to be at peace with God and to be at peace with one another (Eph. 2:14-18). A pure heart is at peace with God, with others and with itself.

-From Building Bible Character, pp. 39-40

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Things Every Husband Needs to Know
Joe R. Price

Husbands must learn how to be good husbands; it does not “just happen.” The godly husband wants to dwell with his wife in an understanding way, and that requires effort to understand what will help her be the wife God wants her to be – and the wife she wants to be (1 Pet. 3:7). Here are some things every husband who wants to strengthen his marriage needs to know.

*   Your wife needs you to be the spiritual leader of your home.
     This is part of the role God has given you; to lead in all things spiritual (Eph. 5:23). Those who think it is not manly to put God first have a worldly view of life and of marriage. Lead by serving the spiritual needs of your family.

*   Your wife needs you to be her partner in raising the kids and caring for the home.
     Husbands are to nurture their children, not relinquish that responsibility to the mother. You are partners working together to raise your children in the way of the Lord. Yes, the wife’s role is to be a helper and homemaker (Gen. 2:18; Titus 2:5). Your wife is not a “home slave” whose mission is to clean up after you and your messes. Help her and you will reap the blessings.

*   Your wife needs you to treat her like a queen.
     Your response to her role as homemaker is to praise and honor her (1 Pet. 3:7; Prov. 31:27-29). A husband who does not praise his wife for who she is and what she does for him and their family is shortsighted and foolish.

*   Your wife needs you to communicate with her.
     Communication strengthens any relationship (Eph. 4:31-32). Your wife needs you to listen to her and express your interest in her (Jas. 1:19). She doesn’t always want you to fix a problem – she may just want you to listen to her so she will know that you are supportive of her and that you will be there for her when she does need you to fix something.

*   Your wife needs you to be an encourager by giving her appreciation, affirmation and admiration.
     The husband who constantly finds faults in his wife and refuses to compliment her and let her know he is thankful that she is in his life is preparing the soil for a crop of contention, resentment and turmoil (Prov. 21:9, 19). You can prevent such trouble by being an encourager, not a discourager.

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord” (Prov. 18:22). Show your wife she is good in your eyes; she needs that from you.

Adapted from Growthtrac Marriage Minute
June 27, 2006

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

Have You Counted the Cost?

1. Jesus was not a crowd-pleaser, Lk. 14:25-27, 33 (Jno. 6:60-62, 66).
2. Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? Will you pay the price?

I. COUNTING THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST, Lk. 14:28-32.

  A. The Cost: Prefer Christ Above All, 14:26-27; Matt. 10:37 (Gen. 29:30-31).
  B. The Price: Self-Denial, Sacrifice and Obedient Service, 14:33; 9:23; Matt. 26:38-44 (Heb. 3:6, 14; 10:36-39).

II. HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?

  A. The Cost of Becoming a Christian.
    1. How to be saved (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38)
    2. Renounce past sins, Acts 19:18-20.
    3. A new way of life, Rom. 12:1-2; Phil. 3:7-11; 1 Jno. 2:15.
  B. The Cost of being Married Includes:
    1. Permanency, Matt. 19:6 (Rom. 7:2).
    2. Leaving and cleaving, Matt. 19:4-5.
    3. Forsaking all others (fidelity), Heb. 13:4.
    4. Serve, not “be served”, Eph. 5:22-25.
  C. The Cost of having Children.
    1. Financial responsibility (1 Tim. 5:8).
    2. Time (Eph. 5:16).
    3. Training, Eph. 6:4 (Titus 2:4).
    4. Selfish people should not have children!
  D. Cost of Standing for Truth, 1 Co 16:13.
    1. Loss of friends / brethren, 2 Tim. 4:16.
    2. Loss of reputation, 3 Jno. 9-12.
    3. Cost Jesus his life! Cost apostles (1 Cor. 4:9-13). Does it cost us anything? (2 Tim. 3:12)
  E. The Cost of being Faithful, Rev. 2:10.
    1. Be faithful even to the point of death.
    2. Conquer fear of men, Matt. 10:28; He 13:6
    3. Be watchful (1 Pe 5:8-9; He. 5:12; 6:9-12)

Conclusion

1. A far higher price will be paid for not being a faithful Christian, Matt. 25:30; 2 Ths. 1:8-9. 
2. Mk. 10:28-31: Blessed now and eternally.

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

Matthew 2: Recognizing the King

1. Matthew 2: Recognition of the Messiah is the backdrop of this record of Jesus’ birth and subsequent events.
2. Matthew uses fulfilled prophecy and historical narrative to build the case that Jesus is the Messiah.

I. RECOGNIZING THE KING: FULFILLED PRO­PHECY.

  A. The Place of His Birth, Matt. 2:1-6; Micah 5:2 (735-700 BC): Bethlehem Ephrathah (Judea, Lk. 2:4).
  B. Called out of Egypt, Matt. 2:13-15, 19-21 (Exo. 4:22-23); Hosea 11:1.
  C. Called a Nazarene, Matt. 2:21-23; Psa. 22:6; 69:4; Isa. 53:2; Jno. 1:45-46 (Acts 24:5); Jno. 7:41-42, 52.

II. RECOGNIZING THE KING: CONTRAST WITH HEROD.

  A. Herod: Neither Truly “King” nor “Jew.” (Herod the Great), Matt. 2:1-4, 16.
  B.    Contrast Jesus with Herod the Great.
  C. Wise Men Worship the Child, 2:2, 11.

III. SUMMARY: RECOGNIZING THE KING TODAY.

  A. Those who are Wise Still Seek Him, Psa. 2:10-12 (Matt. 11:28-30; Col. 3:17); Matt. 6:33; 7:24.
  B. The Wicked Despise and Reject Jesus as King.

Conclusion

1. Matthew has presented how we can recog­nize the King (fulfillment of OT prophecies and historical narrative).
2. It is up to us to acknowledge Him and serve Him (Jno. 8:23-24; Rom. 10:9-10).

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Unemployment Rises
Joe R. Price

On Friday the US government reported an increase in the unemployment rate in May to 5.5% from 5% in April. There are many economic and employment factors that go into analyzing these figures, but the bare numbers mean 8.5 million Americans were reportedly unemployed last month. One year ago that figure was 4.5% and 6.9 million, respectively. (USNews.com, “The Inside Job,” Liz Wolgemuth).

I wonder what the figure would be if spiritual unemployment in the Lord’s church could be calculated? Be assured, the Lord knows the number (2 Tim. 2:19).

The spiritual unemployment figure among God’s people ought to be 0%. There is work for every Christian to do, even if it giving a cup of water to refresh another worker (Matt. 10:42). Every Christian can pray; every Christian can worship; every Christian can be a good influence; every Christian can talk to someone about their salvation, or ask another Christian to help them do it. Not only can we do these things, we must do them. Why? Because…

*   There is much to do (Jno. 4:34-35). The fields are ready to be harvested. Souls are lost and the only thing that will save them is the gospel of Jesus (Rom. 1:16-17).

*   Laborers are few (Matt. 9:37-38). Many are working but the Lord will not accept their work because they are not doing the Father’s will (Matt. 7:21-23). We who know the Father’s will must do it and try to save some.

*   Work for the night is coming (Jno. 9:4). Jesus did the Father’s work with urgency. The only time we have to work is today; right now. We plan for a future that may never come and fret over a past that we cannot change. To be productive in our labors for Christ we must seize the moment, now, to exhort, to encourage, to warn, to teach and to live (Heb. 3:12-13; 2 Cor. 6:2).

There is work for us all to do. The faithful and wise servant of Christ is never unemployed (Matt. 24:45-47).

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