True Gospel Notes

            I want to begin this morning with a statement to some of our newer converts. You are chosen of God. If you want to go through the Bible, you can start at the beginning of the book in Genesis and read the story of Abraham. In chapter 12, Abraham arrives in Israel and God makes him a promise. As long as Abraham walked before God and was upright in his ways in keeping God's covenant, Abraham would be blessed. The sermon this morning is going to be a start point for some of you all fresh and new in your walk. Being chosen of God is not justification for all your actions. You can have the anointing to a position in life or in the church, and not live anointed.          David was marked by God while Saul was anointed. A thing I want to stress this morning is what the enemy cannot destroy he can distract. Imagine if you will being with a familiar spirit for decades in your life. You're fine to the point...

          This morning, we will be turning to the book of Isaiah chapter 53. We will also be in Romans chapter 8 for a period, so have that ready. In the book of Isaiah we will start with verse 1. The entirety of Isaiah chapter 53 is speaking on the coming of Jesus. It is a  prophecy which will be fulfilled.         Who hath believed out report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?          2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.         Isaiah begins with a question, Who has believed our report? There are many times where belief was called into question in the Old Testament and in the new testament, that's all about belief. That question is asked of each and everyone of us this morning. Ask yourself, who ...

          This morning we will be turning to the book of Joshua. We will be in chapter 3 and start with the first verse. Now, to give you a brief setting. The Israelites have come to the promised land after 40 years in the wilderness. Joshua is getting the people prepared to cross over into Canaan.          And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed the Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.          2 And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;          3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.          4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by me...

          This morning, we will be going to the book of Hebrews. We will turn to the 12th chapter and start reading at verse 1. We will stay reading in Hebrews for this sermon with maybe a couple of brief reads elsewhere.          Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.          2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.          3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.         Chapter 12 of Hebrews is an exhortation of faith, coming behind t...

          This morning's scripture text is going to be from the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 12. We will start reading at verse 6.         6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forebear, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that he hears of me.          7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of  revelations, there was given to me a thorn in my flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.          8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.          9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  ...

          This morning, we are going to turn to the book of 2 Kings. It will be the 13th chapter, starting at verse 14. In this selection we are going to read about the prophet Elisha as he is nearing the end of his life.         14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.          15 And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took bow and arrows.          16 And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon thy bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.          17 And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the Lord's deliverance from Syria: for thou ...

         This morning we will be reading from a couple of books in the scripture. If you will, turn to the book of Matthew, the 18th chapter. We will start at the 1st verse. This message is going to speak at length about unbelief, hardening of one's heart, and of faith. In this walk, there are some believers who will not be patient with what God is doing in their life, and will try to grow their faith too quickly.         At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?          2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,          3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.          4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kin...

          We will be in a few different places this morning for scripture reading. The first place I would like you to turn to is the book of Proverbs chapter 6. We will read one verse, verse 23. This is  important to read first, as it is the framework which we will build our message from this morning.         23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.         Now, if you move up a few verses to verse 16, you will read the things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him. In this one verse we just read, the lamp, the light, and the law are things which Jesus would reference in his time on earth. We will get to that momentarily. When we talk about a lamp, we need to establish that a lamp is not a light. It is a tool to house light. The reproofs and instruction at the last part of verse 23 is a fact of life. You get instruction ...

          This morning I ask that you turn your bibles to the book of John. We will be in the 10th chapter of John, and will begin to read at verse 7.          7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.          8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not  hear them.          9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.          10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.          11 I am the good  shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.          12 But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, who own the sheep are ...

          This morning our scripture is going to be coming from the book of Proverbs. Turn to chapter 26, and we will start reading at verse 13 to 16. The proverbs are a collection of wise sayings and thoughts from kings. The primary author of these was King  Solomon.          13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.          14 As the door turns upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.          15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth,          16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.          This morning's message is going to be about laziness and discipline. If you look at the entire story of the apostle Paul, before his conversion and name change, there is a su...