Download... November 22, 2009. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: Acts 20:16,25-31
16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
It is not speaking here about a building, or necessarily a "particular local body" of worshippers, but that congregation that the bible defines/calls,.. the Church of God. Paul is reminding the ministry that it is their duty to feed the Church of God. The "feeding and the washing of the word" is that, that makes us pure, in spiritually devotional need, and all needs.
Last week we studied,..What is the Church? The answers we have in God's word are sufficient, but it is up to God's people to show God's word, and the life within. The way shown or revealed, will leave out "fleshliness," carnality, greed of men, hypocrisy, double-mindedness. Thank God He has an Inclusive way, for all men to be saved. Exclusive also, for those only that will live through Him,.. without sin.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. This verse is an illustration of why any of us are here or included in The Church of God, because of it being an evangelical entity. God's Church is the "Good Spell," meant to be shared with other receptive souls, the "revelation" of Jesus to all others. If the Church cannot reveal holiness, ...why would a sinner want to be part of it? If we do know if that is so, and it Is, we have a responsibility to reveal that which the Church is meant to reveal. We will attract to the Church of God, what we ourselves are. "Some," because of their "family traditions," go to church. Others because they have always been of a "certain teaching" of church. But,..those things are Not of itself, the Church of God. "Divorce" your thinking from a physical place/building, with a "name on the outside." Rather The Church of God are people called to be saints through the redemption from sin. Church of God is also those not necessarily worshiping with that group, but any living to the best of their knowledge of God's word,..redeemed out of sin. Yet God desires the stand out Church of God, And those scattered around but living to best of their knowledge,... to be gathered/worshiping together. In effect God desires all to be redeemed in their direction, and changed to His Word and Ways.
What..am I revealing? We know what God expects of us, to reveal Him to others, which is why it is important to reveal God to this generation.
Young people also should and might ask why is it important. We need to give them an adequate answer or reason to be a member of The Church of God. It means to be Saved from all sin, by Christ' blood. A practice that equals the name.
Why are some defensive of why not? Instead, defend why so are you living for God? Don't go through the motions, just to keep people "off your back." Additionally we need to allow young people to make "mistakes," although this long-suffering is not a spiritual inclusion for a "free-reign" of the flesh. The mentality of long-suffering is so they can be brought along to why it is important to be part of something (a spiritual church), as opposed to a "local" address of The Church, but a part.
In these current times that we live, more and more people are "re-defining" Church and God's way,..as their own way. God has Already defined His way of Holiness. It is attractive, succulent, "juicy," as beautiful fruit. Sometimes fruit can be "flat," and we need to examine,.. why? Are you spiritually tasty? "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalms 34:8 O TASTE AND SEE that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. God wants us to be like Him, "tasty." Another thought of good self examination,...Do you want in Church,..what you are? If you tend to deflect the example to someone else,...Taste and see that the Lord Is Good!! Can others "taste" my experience as from God and His word ? People too often deflect to some "unapproachable" level. What does the Church of God actually instruct?
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
I Corinthians 1:2, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: . Here we see Paul persecuted the Church in ignorance. & I Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. We see here more clearly that all the Church are all sanctified in Christ, and not the building, as you cannot persecute a..a building.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. God adds,..you cannot join the Church of God! No man can facilitate membership, only God's salvation from sin,.. validates our Inclusion in His body! There is No public recognition, or studies that saves you, only "added" as God sees fit, those who turn from their sins. This is what makes it important to be a part of the Church of God!
Matthew 18:33 But whosoever shall DENY me before men, him will I also DENY before my Father which is in heaven. If we deny Jesus Christ before men, He will deny us! How do we deny Christ? How have you lived ? Do you desire the local body to really know you? It is not "living" 2 lives! It is one life in your dress, adornment, speech, company you keep, should be as you would desire the world even far away to see you. No... "secret" sins. Live One life! Why is it important to be a part of The Church of God? Is there a meeting to be a part of ? If their teaching is not All that The Word is,...don't be a part! There's True Doctrine,..and False doctrine. It is vital spiritually to be found a part of The Church of God's True Doctrine. Without it you will not be a part of the True Church of God!
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Without Christ no hope. They possessing Christ, are the only people God will take to heaven. God defines His people, as All washed and made wholly Holy. I must be found,.. where God wants me to be found!
Often ,..people confuse satisfaction,..and confidence,..with a spiritual hope. There are those not professing God or Christianity that project a satisfaction and confidence,..and that is not in substance,..hope!
Romans 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Against hope Abraham believed in hope. Particular to Godly hope! A vital reason to be a part of The Church of God,..is hope outside of it, is hopeless! God desires our life to reveal Him and His purity. It is His nature to reveal Himself to His Church, and His desire for us to emulate Him. What are you revealing? This is simply a peaceful plan for God to meet with the congregation, for someone who needs to be saved, might be.
Do we have "holes" in our "vessel?" If so,..why would anyone be spiritually attracted? We are accountable for how we live! If we are a deceitful ship/vessel, as an example of living "2" lives,...what you are, is what you will attract, to where you spiritually reside. This applies if you attend The Church of God, or any other religious institution. Each of us is accountable for what God in mercy has shown to us. A "vanquished" ship/vessel "towed" by the enemy cannot rescue souls for the safety of the Church of God. God's balance? Holiness and you,..No falseness,.. No ,"mix" of a false message with The Truth,.... for it Will Not equate!
Holiness only is acceptable to God, as born out through His Word! Not an ungrateful spirit, what we reveal, is what we will be attracting, in regards to the Church of God. A message of woe,..attracts woeful people.
Br D Goble recounted how in his younger years before salvation there was exposure and inclusion in the spirit of hypocrisy, and inability to "take a stand" before his deliverance from sin. His inability stemmed from "wanting to please everyone (the flesh)... all around." Many people want to escape this detrimental spirit all around, yet people all around are stuck in the spirit of hypocrisy instead of deliverance from sin. Realistically, a person looking for the escape from sin, is going to look for where sin is not admissable in teaching and example. Another exhortation for those desiring to nuture the "young" of the spiritual body is "don't throw out the baby with the dirty bath water." This past catch phrase illustrates the need to remember, in our eagerness to eradicate the negative examples of the flesh, to forget not the soul that could become established within the pure truth, with a little patience and prayer! Keep the baby,(compassion)! But,..still throw out the dirty bath water! Hypocritical practices need to go from religion! A divisive ship needs to go!! Destructive vessels often never make it to port! The "old ship of Zion," Will make it to port with No divisions! We will attact to the Church of God, what we ourselves are! That is what will come if of the flesh,..that is what those now part of the Church of God can become,...and lose their inheritance! If one sayes, "call me later when I am ready,..that vehicle is not running on All cylinders.
If you are professing Church of God, you must be able to reveal a life depicting God's holiness within you. If we allow gossip or hurtful conversation,.. we allow a hypocrisy spirit if we do not correct the error, but accept it. What we are,..is what we will attract, whether it be destruction, carelessness, un-worshipful behavior (dirty bath water)! Yet...we cannot rightfully throw the baby out too! Longsuffer the "needy", ..keep your testimony! What you reveal,..is what you attract, whether discerment, or little compassion.
Luke 19:1-10 1: And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2: And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3: And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4: And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5: And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6: And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7: And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8: And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9: And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus visited with an unappealing man, showing his impartiality. Zacchaeus was attracted to Jesus' Holy life. And...Jesus was a "risk taker." God saw in Zacchaeus, a little kernal of faith, through repentance. Jesus longsuffered,.. and won Zacchaeus to Salvation!
The Church of God reveals God to humanity. Be Saved! Why would you not? What is holding you back? God has so many blessings, full deliverance from all heartache and sin. There is no deliverance in merely a local corporate body,...but there Is a deliverance in the Blood of Jesus Christ! What are you revealing of Christ, and His Church?
