If I asked you what the first commandment that comes with a promise, would you remember what it is? That phrase comes from Pauls letter to the Ephesian Christians: Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. (Ephesians 6:23, ESV) This is the only one of the Ten Commandments with a promise. From Exodus 20:12 (ESV) we read, Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. The land of Palestine was supremely important to Israel. If they remained faithful to God, they would experience all His blessings in the land. For God to remove Israel from the land indicated punishment and cursing. To be taken from the land meant to be taken from the Temple the presence of God. In New Covenant terms the idea of the land is similar. It means the presence of God and His blessing in our lives. So, to live an obedient life to the Biblical teaching of your parents comes with a promise of Gods presence and blessing. Thats the point of todays message.

Elk Point Baptist Church

Proverbs - The Path to Wisdom

The design and structure of the Book of Proverbs points to 10 speeches given by a father to a son. We should be reminded that although its the fathers voice speaking, he is speaking on behalf of his wife. This is consistent within this literature. The fathers voice is complimented at the end of Proverbs by the voice of Lemuels mother (Proverbs 31). You might wonder, Are all daughters excluded from the conversation? The answer is no. You will recall that the Proverbs are intended for simple ones (1:4). That is not intended to be derogatory. The purpose of Proverbs is for the children and the untaught. In fact, the word that Solomon uses my son in Hebrew includes all youths regardless of gender. But the author is portraying is a conversation between himself, the father, and his son. The father is collaborating with his wife; and his son is representing all children. The Apostles, in fact, never resisted applying Proverbial literature to the whole Church. So, in this series I will apply this as parents to children. This is the first speech.

Are you teachable?  Do you intentionally stretch yourself in studies of Gods Word and topics that challenge you? Or are you a minimalist. Do you do enough to get by. Do you ask questions, dig deeper? Do you openly ask for evaluation and critique? How willing are you to seek help? Do you find that in conversations you do all the talking? Is it hard for you to listen and probe questions of someone else? How concerned are you to read, listen, research viewpoints that are different than yours? Todays message is all about humility and teachability. Theres good reason to think that they go together. You cant have one without the other.

PROVERBS – THE PATH TO WISDOM

Do you hate it when your neighbour wakes you up too early in the morning? What do you think when youre in a room where someone is talking too much? Do you answer a foolish person, or do you not answer a foolish person? Have you ever lived with someone that reminds you of a dripping tap? Have you ever had company that over-stayed their welcome? The Old Testament Book: Proverbs is full of such wisdom. This morning I want to introduce you to this unique piece of Biblical literature. How intend to go through what might be called a W5 approach sort of a what, who, where, etc. At each heading I want to give you a practical application.

Hebrews

Biblical Justice is then treating others, in all areas of life, in such a way as to uphold Gods revealed standards of righteousness and holiness. It means to each of us, as you have opportunity, do good. It means for our nation to uphold the same standard and punish wrongdoers and reward the injured accordingly.

BIBLICAL JUSTICE vs SOCIAL JUSTICE

Thus ends the Gospel of John. Jesus of Nazareth is affirmed by John as the Christ. He is like none other. He is the Father personified as the Word, the Second Person of the Trinity. Because He is God His work, and His words are true. Because He is God His salvation is certain. The verdict that Johns evidence demands is, Do you believe that Jesus is Lord? If you believe that faith will change your life and secure your destiny. If you choose not to believe you will perish.

We Have Seen His Glory

Elders are to care for the church of God (Acts 20:28). This is a legacy passed down to Elders from Christs apostles. As the early Church developed there was a gradual shift from Apostles to Elders. The Biblical term Elder is synonymous with pastor and bishop. Paul wrote to Titus, This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you (Titus 1:5, ESV). The responsibility of the Elders to replicate themselves. As Paul said to Timothy, You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:12, ESV). Even Peter who plays a major role in our message today experienced this transition from Apostle to Elder. He writes, So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you. So, the message this morning is going to particularly apply to Elders. But if youre not an Elder, please dont close you ears because you will see that you also have a significant importance in the message.

Preachers are taught to be able to summarize the message in one sentence. Heres my attempt here: THE WAY v1 THAT JESUS REVEALSv1,14 THAT HE IS THE RISEN LORD ISBY DOING A MIRACLE SIMILAR TO HIS PRE-RESURRECTION MINISTRY. John has just gathered a mountain of evidence to show His readers that Jesus is the Christ. What is his final word to them: Trust the evidence! Christianity is an evidence-based faith. You will hear people use words like a blind leap of faith. The Christian faith is not wishful thinking, not hoping, not positive thinking, not faith in faith. The Christian faith is based on solid, historical, evidence. Think of the title to Josh McDowells successful book, Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Thats the final word to Johns readers: Theres the evidence now you are required to decide on it.

Spiritual Maturity

It is important that we do not see the New Covenant as just one of many biblical covenants that stands alone and apart from the rest. The New Covenant is the ultimate fulfillment of ALL the Old Testament covenants.

The New Covenant

John wrote his Gospel with a prologue (Chapter 1); 11 Chapters of Christs life and teaching; 8 Chapters of Christs final days ending 20:29 and then the remainder of Chapter 21 is the Epilogue. We are currently reading about the appearances of Jesus. In chronological order the appearances can be understood as: a. First to Mary Magdalene. Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni! (which means Teacher). (John 20:16, ESV)b. Secondly to the other women. And behold, Jesus met them and said, Greetings! And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. (Matthew 28:9, ESV)c. Thirdly, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (One is unnamed; the other is named Cleopas1). And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. (Luke 24:31, ESV)d. Fourthly to Peter alone. The two disciples that met Jesus on the road to Emmaus reported that Jesus had appeared to Peter saying, The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon! (Luke 24:34, ESV). This is confirmed by 1 Corinthians 15:5 (ESV), and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.e. The Apostle John records the Fifth and Sixth appearance of Jesus in our sermon passage. No Video available due to technical difficulties.

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus body, early Sunday morning, only to find it empty. When angels at the tomb tell them that Jesus has been raised from the dead, the women react with both fear and joy. At this point I become somewhat confused. It uncertain to me why the angelic message didnt register with Mary Magdalene, but it appears that she runs ahead of the other women to find Peter and John, who, upon being told of the bodys disappearance, rushes with Mary to the empty tomb. Peter and John examine the tomb and John at least goes away convinced that Jesus has risen as He said. Then John records: Then the disciples went back to their homes. (John 20:10, ESV). Jesus himself appears to Mary Magdalene there by the tomb, and then to the other women who are still on their way back from the tomb to tell of the resurrection.

There have been many theories floating around about the resurrection of our Lord. One was the swoon theory that Jesus just fainted on the Cross and was mistakenly placed in the tomb, then revived and was snuck away. The most common theory at the time of the crucifixion was the conspiracy theory. The Jews spread the rumor that Christs disciples stole his body and made up the story of the resurrection. e read of that in Matthew 28:1115 (ESV), 11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, Tell people, His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep. 14 And if this comes to the governors ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. Johns Gospel seems to be seeking to refute the impossibility of that. Our Scripture text is

This morning I want to talk about The New Covenant. I intend to teach: 1. What is the New Covenant? 2. Does the New Covenant apply to Christians? 3. What encouragement can we gain from the New Covenant?

The call of God has less to do with cultural engagement and more to do with the Church, being the Church. Introduction to 1 Corinthians

hubhopper

Elk Point Baptist Church

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