1)  The gospel reinforced:  vs. 9,10: / Rev 21:12-14: Built towers

( watch) Gates - ( protect / examine) “Jesus said, take heed and watch” /   Luke 12:37 Blessed! “ Sound doctrine” 2Tim 4:1-4  

 

2) The gospel restored : 2chron 25:21-24. The folly of Amaziah. 

Private/ worship indicative of public rebellion: 2chron 25;14 / 27:2 /

The methodology of the enemy, is always to (diminish) Christ glory

Mark 3:22-30  -  2chron 24:7 / 25:24 / 28:22-25 / 29:7-9

 

3) The gospel ( was ) plundered: 2chron 25:16/ 20-24:

Paul warned! Col 2:8/4-7 /Politics / Constantine  4th century -

Rationalism / Reformation - 17,th 18th   /                             

Neo/paganism- evangelical church: 20,21st /  Rev 13:10

 

4) The folly of losing sight of the exclusive supremacy of Christ:

Vs 16:  “ (1) A rejection of the mediation of Christ: John 13:31,32

.  (2) A denial of the explicit ministry of the Holy Spirit: Eph 2:28

(3) A delusional experience: -

 

 5) The anti-Christ model, foreshadowed: 2Thess 2:3-12

( His approach / ordained restraint / men’s delusion)

    Isa 14:13,14     2thess 2: 6-8            10-12                      

 

6) The true King, invisible immortal God only wise: Ps 80:1/

 Ex 15:18 / Deut 33:5 / Ps 24:10 / 48:2 ( Great King)  1Tim 6:16 /  

 

7)  A lepers condition/ a public witness

   Prov 29;3 / Hosea 4;14 / rev17;5/ Jer 3:3 /  Ezekiel 16:12

                                   Rev 14:9/ 17: 5

Application:

Lesson : Union with Christ, alone, is the right way to God:

John 17:23 / 1peter 3:18. / John 14:6

 

 

  As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,

so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. Prov 25:12

 

Pastor Jesse,

I was so encouraged to hear you say this Sunday a phrase that we rarely hear spoken today - that our greatest antagonist is not the world nor the devil but rather our own sinful souls.  ( Ezek 18:4)

 

"Whoever says to the wicked, 'You are in the right,' will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips."  (Prov 24:26)

 

Unfortunately, it's even worse today during which they accumulate for themselves teachers according to their own lusts wishing to have their ears tickled. (1Tim4:1-3)

 

I still listen to messages from the church we left hoping and praying that the light of the Gospel would return there. Sadly, it has not. More than ever, they continue to coddle the conscience and rarely warn the unbeliever of the nature of the flesh nor do they admonish the believer to not lose sight of the spiritual battle within. My wife and I both are blessed to have been led by Him to a church where Christ is exalted and man is humbled. 1cor 1:26-30

We did not get a chance to meet to discuss membership. We're still interested but do have some questions and would like to hear your vision of the ministry as it pertains to the building up of the body. With the conference coming up, you're probably  tied up. There's no rush but we would like to meet when it is convenient for you.

 

Thank you,

 I know that it is necessary to speak to our hearts, in season, about the danger of becoming complacent and deceived by this wicked nature. All believers benefit from the warning. I trust that God goes before me, and speaks personally to all the saints, His gracious reproofs, and confirm their son ship by it. Ezek 3:8-11 / 2Tim 4:1,2 / Heb 12:1-8

 

As for the building up of our body, I am trusting, that just as our children are growing by the providence of God, with our feeble assistance,  ----------

 God is also growing us up, so that the day will come when we are manifesting a more mature group of men and women for the ministry of the Church. God is preparing someone to help build up his Church, in various areas, for which right now we are simply taking it to prayer on Tuesday nights. James 5:16

 

We do not want to fall pray to the warning of the Sardis Church.

 

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Rev 3:1-3

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Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

 

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Jer 3,14,15

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I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.

 

I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

Ezekiel 34:15,16

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Christ himself, does this , by His Spirit, through the ministry of the gospel. His voice is heard, by His sheep, through the word of truth, the gospel of His redeeming grace. They are called, captured and carried all the way to glory, by Him, through his Church!  Rev 22:17.

 

 

            PASTOR’S  COMMENTARY AND OUTLINE

 

 (  The Absence of Repentance is a glaring testimony

      of God’s judgment  on a people and nation!   )

 

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Rev 9:20-21

 

The history of nations, their rise and their fall is amply recorded for our learning. God never blesses arbitrarily. He always has a covenant view in mind. Jer 18:6-10. He makes himself clear to it’s leadership and He reminds them of their responsibility to serve the people as His arm. Rom 13:1

Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Rome, England, and America, all have been instructed by the prophets that promotion comes only from God.

Dan 4:32-37.

And when God begins to judge, it is at such a pace, that time and space, to repent is more than sufficiently given. But to our startling  amazement, men go on in the hardness and impenitency of  their hearts, and repeat the same calamities of forgone societies. We as a  nation have been in this process for a hundred years. Slowly departing from every good thing. The prophets are coming to pass. Few true prophets of  God speak today. Because most do not want to listen to the report.  “out of season”

 

John in the Revelation foretells of the great fall of Babylon, both the religious system and the political system. Rev 17,18. He uses the term burned up to describe the calamity of both.

 

John Bunyun said,     “ Escape for your life!”