Matthew 25:1-11

 [Jesus said that waiting for the coming of the bridegroom is a painstaking experience because it:  involves pure pursuit of the Bridegroom, invokes the working power of grace, and impels fitness to see the glorious groom.]

Involves Pure Pursuit of the Bridegroom

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.—Matt. 25:1

“Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6“But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7“Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.—Matt. 25:5-7

Invokes the Working Power of Grace

“Five of them were wise and five were foolish.” —Matt. 25:2

“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.—Matt. 25:3, 4

“The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9“But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’—Matt. 25:8, 9

Impels Fitness to See the Glorious Groom 

“And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11“Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12“But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’—Matt. 25:1012

February 16, 2020

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

[The Bible teaches that those who share the price of receiving the envoy of God, shared reward reserve to the envoy of God.]

Shared Price for Receiving the Envoy of God

• “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. —Matthew 10:40

[Those who share the price for receiving the envoy of God display undeniable courage going against the Flow.]

Shared Reward Reserve to the Envoy of God

• The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”—Matthew 10:41-42

[Those who share the reward reserve to the envoy of God demonstrates unquestionable love beyond the norm]

• Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.—Phil. 2:9-10

Philippians 3:3

[Paul argued that everyone who experienced the regenerating power of the resurrected Christ is a true child of God because of the nature of worship, the object of esteem, and the impulse of judgment.]

The Nature of the Believer’s Worship

            who worship by the Spirit of God—Phil. 3:3

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.—John 4:23

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.—Romans 8:26, 27

[A true child of God is qualified to render acceptable service through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.]

The Object of the Believer’s Esteem

glory in Christ Jesus—Philippians 3:3

[A true child of God’s pride and joy in living comes not from personal accomplishment but through a deep sense of privilege and thankfulness in Jesus Christ.]

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,—1 Peter 1:8

The Impulse of the Believer’s Judgment 

put no confidence in the flesh—Philippians 3:3

[A true child of God makes decisions based not on self-impulses but through the inner working of God.]

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”—Ephesians 5:31

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.—John 1:14

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.—Galatians 2:20

02Jan2020

Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”—Isaiah 43:7 NASB

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.—Eph 2:10 ESV

Every benefactor of spiritual birth by the grace of God has been wired with purpose to share: the life-giving gospel to unbelievers and the ever-transformed life with fellow believers.

Believers are Wired to Share the Life-Giving Gospel to Unbelievers

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” —Acts 1:8

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,—Matt 28:19

When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,—Acts 14:21

You are the salt of the earth. . . You are the light of the world. . . —Matt 5:13, 14

By sharing the gospel, believers are proclaiming their identity, reminding them of salvation, and protecting them against temptation.

Believers are Wired to Share the Ever-Transformed Life with Fellow Believers

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. —Acts 2:42

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. —Acts 12:12

not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but  encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.—Hebrews 10:25

In fellowship we, share together one heart of praise and worship to God, shield each other against the danger and damage of warfare,  and support and encourage each other until the end.

The Main Thing

1 Cor. 1:10-18

19Jan2020

The Main Thing in Life is the Cross of Christ

 

“the Cross of Christ.”

 

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. —1 Cor. 1:17

 

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”—1 Cor. 1:18, 19

The cross of Christ is the sole hope for our justification, sanctification, and glorification.

The Main Thing to Avoid in Church is to make the Cross of Christ Be Emptied of Its Power

 

. . . lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. —1 Cor. 1:17

 

But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. —2 Cor. 9:3

The church is the testimony of the cross.  Her power, transformation, her life and accomplishments are dependent upon the cross.