July 16th - Joshua 23; Acts 3; Jeremiah 12; Matthew 26

sermonindex Jul 16, 2003

"It was the Lord your God who fought for you." - Joshua 23:3Man, I think I really needed to see this scripture. Sometimes I struggle so hard and really get down on myself but its so true that in all my struggles in life as a Christian it was the Lord who fought for me and helped me to overcome things. And I am facing a few giants in my life right now and some days I am letting in to discouragement and fear but I have to realize its the Lord that is going to be fighting for me. This reminds me of an old song I used to listen to:"The Battle Belongs To The Lord"In heavenly armor we'll enter the landThe battle belongs to the Lord No weapon that's fashioned against us shall stand The battle belongs to the Lord We sing glory and honor Power and strength to the Lord (repeat) The power of darkness comes in like a flood The battle belongs to the Lord He's raised up a standard, the power of His blood The battle belongs to the Lord When your enemy presses in hard do not fear The battle belongs to the Lord Take courage my friend, your redemption is near The battle belongs to the Lord

sermonindex Jul 16, 2003

"One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God" - Joshua 23:10-11Is this refering to the authority and spiritual stature of the believer in Christ?"Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.'" - Acts 3:6"I give you" - 'With this he accomplished far more than if Christ had assigned to him the revenue of a kingdom' - Gossner"Silver or gold I do not have" - 'The great works of the gospel cannot be done by silver or gold. They (silver and gold) cannot give peace, or comfort, healing of body or soul, forgivenss of sins, the love of God, salvation, character, or any of the best things. The men who have done the most for the world have not been known for their riches. Jesus was poor, and Paul, and Luther, and the Wesleys, and Milton, and Luther, Homer, Socrates, Dante.'ILLUSTRATION: Many commentaries repeate the story that Cornelius a Lapide beautifully relates how Thomas Aquinas once came to Pope Innocent IV. at Rome and was shown through all the sumptuosly furnished rooms of the Papal Palace. He became alsmost as much fatigued and dazed as was the Queen of Sheba when she had been dazzled with the riches of Solomon's Kingdom. "See, Thomas," said Innocent, "see, the Church can no more say, as it did in those first days, 'Silver and gold have I none.'" "True, holy father." replied Thomas Aquinas, "but neither can she say to a lam man, 'Arise and walk.'"Taken from Publeots Select Notes 1897

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laholmes Jul 16, 2003

Acts 3:3-6When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, "Look at us!" And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene -- walk!" True, we might be turning our eyes toward Jesus, but what do we expect to receive? Is it simply alms, as this man, or is it more? Do I look to Jesus to satisfy my temporal needs of hunger, pain, pleasure, and all the ideas of the world? Or do I look to Jesus expecting him to simply give to me himself, knowing full well that He is simply all I need. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mineOh what a foretast of glory divineHeir of Salvation, purchased of GodBorn of His Spirit, Washed in His blood

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Maria Jul 21, 2003

"Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard, They have trampled down My field; They have made My pleasant field A desolate wilderness. It has been made a desolation, Desolate, it mourns before Me; The whole land has been made desolate, BEAUSE NO MAN LAYS IT TO HEART.Many are told to "mind their own" and not fret about the deceptions steadily arising in these last days. But God says that His field has been made a desolation BECAUSE no man lays it to heart."They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns, They have strained themselves to no profit. But be ashamed of your harvest Because of the fierce anger of the LORD." Jeremiah 12:10-13 The professing "people of God" might have a harvest - but God says that they should be ashamed of it. Also, "they have strained themselves to no profit." They have prayed, they have sought the Lord - but not with hearts open to His way and His time. Thus, their strain was to no profit. "Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them! Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; But they do not pay attention to the deeds of the LORD, Nor do they consider the work of His hands. Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; And their honorable men are famished, And their multitude is parched with thirst." Isaiah 5:11-13