The Weekly Sermon

TITHES and OFFERINGS that Support the Church

Pastor David Miklas — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:27:25 +0000

Sunday September 5, 2010	Phone: 570.829.5216
Pastor David Miklas	e-mail pdmikBBM@aol.com
Message: Power & Glory in the Church # 14	Text: Mal 3:7-13; I Corinthians 16:1-2

“The TITHES and OFFERINGS that

Support the Church”

Introduction: At the outset of this message let me call your attention to several passages.

In Leviticus 27:30-32 we read, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD. (31) And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. (32) And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.” Please notice again in verse 30, "the tithe…it is holy unto the Lord."

In Malachi 3:8-11 we read, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. Please notice again verse 8, "In tithes and offerings." and verse 10, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse…"

In I Corinthians 16:1-2 we read, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. (2) Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

In churches today, one of the most sensitive subjects by far, is that of money. Someone said, “It seems every time I go to church all they talk about is money.” Although it is a subject we feel awkward discussing, God's Word places a great deal of emphasis on the matter of money and possessions.

In the Bible there are more than 500 references to PRAYER and almost 500 references to FAITH, but there are more than 2000 references to MONEY and POSSESSIONS.

Of 38 PARABLES found in the Gospels that Jesus told, 16 deal with how we handle our money.

Folks, let's be realistic. It does take money to keep the CHURCH ALIVE, and the GOSPEL going forth. If we are going to fulfill the great commission and provide a place where the saints are FED the Word of God, and TRAINED to become servants of God, it will cost us in terms of our TIME, TALENT and TITHE.

It takes money to send forth missionaries.

It takes money to make people disciples.

It takes money to purchase church literature.

It takes money to erect buildings and pay the cost of their upkeep.

It takes money to support pastors and workers.

Biblically, the church is not to be supported by suppers, bazaars, raffles, bingo or any other means or schemes man has devised. Biblically, God's work has always been supported by the TITHES and OFFERINGS of its members. Tithing is a universal principle. All that we have comes from the gracious hand of God and good stewardship demands that we give a tenth, the TITHE, back to God.

It is not a matter of our church needing the money.

It is not a matter of you needing a blessing.

However, it is a matter of our being OBEDIENT to God's command.

It is a matter of you and I doing that which is RIGHT, and HOLY.

There is no excuse for not giving. But giving must be in keeping with Biblical principles. What might those principles be? Look again with me at the phrase in Malachi 3:8 "TITHES and OFFERINGS."

First: There are the TITHES which God DEMANDS. In verse 10 we are instructed to "bring ye all the tithes." To do any less is to rob God. Tithing is a scriptural way of saying "THANK YOU" to God for all that He has done for us.

Most Christians think God limited TITHING to the required 10%. This is a gross misconception, since God actually required several TITHES from Israel. Every year they were required to give 20% and every third year they were to give 30%.

FIRST, there was a tithe called "the Lord's tithe" found in Leviticus 27:30 which funded the priesthood for the needs of God’s house.

SECOND, there was a tithe called "the festival tithe" found in Deuteronomy 12:10, 11 which financed the needs of the government.

THIRD, for Israel there was the "poor tithe" that was required every third year as found in Deuteronomy 14:28, 29 that aided the poor, and provided social security for those who had need.

The first tithe of 10^%is to be given to God before any of our income is spent. In Proverbs 3:9-10 we read, “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: (10) So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

Someone said, "God never leaves us to guess, when it comes to matters of faith and practice, so why should he abandon us to our own decisions and devices when it concerns one of the most important areas in the whole human existence? Outside of eating, drinking, sleeping and playing we spend the greater part of our lives earning money. The inescapable issue which follows this observation concerns the management of our money, once we acquire it. It is at this point that God breaks in with those words of prior claim: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse."

The tithe is the first 10% of one’s income. It is not just 10%, but rather the first 10%. One who pays all bills and then presents to the Lord 10% of that which is left over would not actually be tithing.

It is amazing that people who gripe about giving God 10%, will go to a restaurant and receive poor service from some waiter they don't know, and still leave a 15% tip. Even though they might complain the whole time about the poor service, they will still leave a tip. If they tip 12%, 15%, and even 20% to someone they don't even know, they certainly should be able to tithe for the Lord they do know.

Again turning to I Corinthians 16:1-2 we read, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. (2) Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Please notice the TIME of the giving, "Upon the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK." This teaches us that upon the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day, we are to bring to Him our tithes and offerings.

Please notice the PLACE of our giving, "lay in STORE" The word “store” in the Greek is the same as the Hebrew word found in Malachi 3:10 for “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…"

Now the storehouse in the Old Testament was the TEMPLE. It was the place where the TITHES and OFFERINGS were given. It was the place of WORSHIP. It was the HOUSE OF GOD.

In the New Testament the HOUSE of GOD is the CHURCH where we come to worship, and to where we bring our TITHES and OFFERINGS for His glory in order to carry out His work.

TITHING is God's way of providing for the work of His Church. For us at the Green Street Baptist Chapel that translates into approximately $1,725.00 a week. Please listen carefully, because I sincerely believe:

If every Christian was honest in their giving, there would be no need to plead for funds, nor would there be any lack of funds to take care of the house of God.

God gives to the church what it needs and what it deserves. At times, the lack of funds are due to the lack of honest tithing on the part of believers, and sometimes due to the church wasting its resources.

I sincerely believe God gives the church increased funding in direct proportion to the increase in its giving to missions. As we increase our giving to missions, there will be a sufficient increase to the general fund.

Here at Green Street Baptist Chapel we take the time in our Sunday Morning and Evening services to provide you an opportunity to worship God through the faithful giving of Grace.

Second: There are the OFFERINGS which God DESERVES. In Malachi 3 the Lord had to rebuke His people, Israel, for withholding their OFFERINGS as well as their TITHES. Notice again verse 8, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” The OFFERINGS were gifts that were brought to God over and above the TITHES. An Israelite, who loved God, voluntarily gave the FIRSTFRUITS of his crop to God. FIRSTFRUIT giving was giving the best to God and trusting Him to bring in the harvest. It was giving by faith.

In rendering our TITHES, we look up to the Throne of Divine Government and say: “O God, we acknowledge Thee to be the Ruler of the universe and, therefore entitled to our tithes. We are grateful that in Thee, and in Thee alone, we live and move and have our being. Amen!"

In bringing our OFFERINGS, we kneel in worship before the Throne of Divine Grace and pray: "Our Father, in response to Thy redeeming mercy, revealed in Jesus Christ, we bring the offerings of our sacrificial love and surrendered lives. Amen!"

God's work has always been supported by TITHES and OFFERINGS. As such, we need to challenge each other concerning our responsibility to be OBEDIENT to God's command. So, what then is the pattern for giving?

Number 1: Give to God Faithfully! Returning to I Corinthians 16:2 we again read “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Here the point is: Grace giving is an exercise of wise stewardship! A steward is someone who owns nothing, but is responsible for everything entrusted in his care. God is glorified when we carefully manage all He has entrusted in our care.

Notice that the verse does not say give IF God prospers, but AS God prospers. God does prosper us! He prospers us faithfully and regularly! Did you notice the verse tells us, “let everyone of you.” God wants giving to be done proportionately!

However, in America today the very rich and their businesses are being taxed at a higher rate than others. This is not fair. The government shouldn't penalize a man because he has worked hard and received something for his labor. Neither should we penalize a business owner because he worked hard to get something.

If a pattern of proportionate giving were to be realized in every church in America, preachers could stop begging for more money. There would be an abundance of money in the church bank account to meet all the needs of the church.

Number 2: Give to God Generously! In II Corinthians 8:2 we read, “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”

In II Corinthians chapter 8, Paul was writing to the Corinthians about the churches in Macedonia. Paul noted that although the Macedonian Christians were very poor, they gave with liberality. The root word of liberality means "freely or generously." God said that they gave liberally.

In Exodus 36, the Bible gives a wonderful example of how offerings ought to be collected. Moses was getting ready to build the tabernacle. He stood before the children of Israel and announced that they were going to take an offering and that offering was to come from their hearts.

The people responded so liberally, that Moses had to ask them to stop giving. In Exodus 36:5 we read, “And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which they made; And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.”

I personally have never been to a church where the preacher had to stand up and say, "Folks, quit bringing money; our bank account is full and running over. There has been too much money given to this church, and we just can't handle it all." As unbelievable as that scenario may be, it is the pattern that God has designed for His work.

Christians should be liberal or generous in their giving to local churches not only with their money, but also with their time.

We need to have church members who give some time to God, maybe by sweeping sidewalks, trimming bushes or painting walls.

Every church in America would be helped if all of its members somehow got involved in the weekly cleanup and upkeep. I don't understand why more people don't do this. God wants us to give liberally.

Why don't we have people lined up on Saturdays to give their mornings or afternoons to visit their neighbors? The response of so many church members across this nation is, "I don't have any time for that. I would, but I don't have time."

How many times have we sung the song, "Have You Any Room for Jesus?" The second verse reads:

Room for pleasure, room for business,

But for Christ the Crucified,

Not a place that He can enter,

In the heart for which He died

Christians must make time for Christian service. We must give liberally, not only of our treasure and our time, but also of our talent. God pity the church member who has talent, but hasn’t used it for God.

We have mechanics, computer experts, telephone experts, electricians, and plumbers sitting in churches all over the nation who won't use their talents for God and His work.

We have ladies who could be working in nurseries, or singing in the choir; but they refuse to give their talents to the Lord. If God has given you hands, then use them for His glory. They are not your hands anyway, they belong to the Lord. If God has given you a brilliant mind, then give it back to Him. It is not your mind in the first place; He gave it to you. God has given us feet; we should be taking them where God wants them to go.

Why is it that we are so stingy when it comes to giving to God? The answer from so many people is, "It is my life, and I'll do what I want when I want to!"

In II Corinthians 9:6 we read, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” The point to focus upon is: Grace giving is an exercise of gratitude! In response to His great love and His generous gift, we ought to respond generously out of a heart of gratitude.

Number 3: Give to God Zealously! Christians are instructed to give with zeal. The word zeal means "enthusiastic devotion."

When Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple, He said to His disciples in John 2:17 "…remember that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." In II Corinthians 9:1-2 Paul commended the church at Corinth for their zeal, or devotion, to giving to others. “For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.” He wrote that he had bragged about them to the churches in Macedonia. This church at Corinth may have had its share of problems, but problems are easily remedied where hearts are full of enthusiasm for giving to those in need.

We should follow their example and give from a heart that is bubbling over with warmth and love. We should realize that, when we give God's money to God's children, we are “laying up” according to Matthew 6:20, "treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

Paul stated that this church's zeal "provoked very many." This passage also tells us that others are watching. How a church gives to others determines the reputation of the church. Paul let the Corinthian church know that other churches were watching what they did, and their actions were encouraging others to do the same.

Number 4: Give to God Cheerfully! In II Corinthians 9:7 we read, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” The point to focus upon here is: Grace giving is an exercise of joy! God is able to discern the sincerity of our gifts. He expects us to give, but He does not want us to feel resentment, or pressure.

Number 5: Give to God for Eternity! In Matthew 6:19-21 we read, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The point to focus upon here is: Grace giving is an exercise of spiritual vision! God is eternal. His relationship with us is eternal, and His blessings are eternal!

Returning once again to Malachi 3:10 we read, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of host, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Notice again the promise of God.

I believe God is saying “You give as I have told you to give, and I will guarantee you every need will be met,” CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?

God is saying you give to me, and I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

I don't believe we can expect to see God send revival to this nation, apart from a spirit of sacrifice, and a willingness to defy the god of materialism in our age by giving God everything. When I speak of sacrificial giving, I mean giving that is measured and motivated by the CROSS OF CHRIST. It is nothing less than GIVING AT IT'S BEST!

II Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye, through His poverty, might be rich.”

Our song and prayer must ever be:

When I survey the wondrous cross,

On which the prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And poor contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

DEMANDS my SOUL, my LIFE, my ALL.

My prayer is that God will motivate you and me to be givers, giving extravagantly of our TIME, our ENERGY, our FINANCES, and our very LIVES, so that others may be brought to Christ and made spiritually rich in Him.

I close with a statement written long ago,

"If Christian people would tithe, the Church in all of its varied activities could be the mightiest power for the world. Yet professing Christians, instead of giving one tenth of their incomes, actually give an average of less than one half of one percent to Christian causes! Do Christians believe God? If the injunction concerning tithes is followed by God's promise to pour out blessings beyond their capacity to receive, what might be experienced by Christians willing to give as God prospered them?"

Can we doubt that such desire to please God would mean revival?

****************************************************

If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon “The TITHES and OFFERINGS that Support the Church” then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.

Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in

Acts 16:31, “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”

Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: “I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation.”

If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior let me know? Please send an e-mail to, pdmikBBM@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life.

The “Weekly SERMON” was sent as a ministry of Bible Baptist Ministry, 48 Alexie Rd., Hanover Township, PA 18706. Privacy policy: your e-mail address will not be sold, or shared with any third party.

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In His Amazing Grace,

PS: In order to access the Weekly SERMON, please click the link to Weekly Sermon Library, where you will be able to choose: Plain Text (TXT), Microsoft Word document (DOC), Microsoft Word 2007 document (DOCX), Rich Text (RTF), Web Page (HTML) or PDF (Portable Document Format), any of the format(s) you desire. After you decide on the appropriate format(s) you may then print a copy of the Weekly SERMON, save it to a file on your computer, or download it and save it to a disk for future use. Your use of this material is meant to be flexible.

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/…/MMX36/

Marvelous Grace

Pastor David Miklas — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:49:20 +0000

Volume No. 2010 Issue No. 30 Date: August 29, 2010

Publication of the BIBLE BAPTIST MINISTRY, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706

Phone: 570.829.5216 pdmikBBM@aol.com pastormiklas@aol.com

The English Reformer John Bradford is reported to have said while imprisoned in the Tower of London, watching a prisoner being led away to his execution, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” Can the grace of God help you and me regardless of the size or impact of our sin? Gratefully and biblically, the answer is a resounding, YES!

If anyone was aware of how the grace of God impacts our past, it was John Newton, the infamous slave trader who was gloriously converted to Christ. We know the words to the hymn he wrote, ''Amazing Grace." The title says it all, doesn't it? But you may not be familiar with these words he also wrote, echoing the apostle Paul's theme in I Corinthians 15:10, "I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be; but I thank God I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, 'By the grace of God I am what I am."

Paul had written to the church at Corinth, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Paul meant that the grace of God completely changed Saul of Tarsus from a murderous, religious militant to a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace forgave Paul for being the self-professed chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), a murderer of Christians, and gave him new opportunities as momentous as his offenses had been monstrous.

It is no wonder that Paul eventually wrote to the Roman church in Romans 5:20b-21, “…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” In other words, it is impossible to commit sins that are greater than God's grace. It was obviously this verse from Romans that inspired Julia H. Johnston when she wrote her hymn, "Grace Greater than All Our Sin." Some of the words are,

"Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt.
Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!"

The problem with moving forward in life is that the past can't be changed. Even if we know we are forgiven by God and by others, it's hard to forget when we have failed. And that's where the God of grace makes moving forward possible. In fact, the harder we try to forget our sins, the more ingrained in our memory they become. But did you know that God forgets about our sins and failures? That's why it's possible for us to move forward – to move beyond the past, because God treats us as if we had never sinned at all.

I want to list some ways that God's grace is manifested when it comes to the mistakes of our past. Please note the kind of language the writers of the Bible used. It was anthropomorphic language. That means they used words that implied human attributes and behavior by God. They pictured God using human characteristics to do with our sin what we are unable to do with it ourselves:

He removes sin far, far away from us (Psalm 103:11-12).

He blots out our sins; He covers them as with a cloud (Isaiah 44:22).
He casts our sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7: 19).

He throws our sins behind His back so they are invisible to Him (Isaiah 38:17).

He forgets our sin; He no longer remembers it (Jeremiah 31:34).

You see the "anthropomorphic" part now, I'm sure. God doesn't have a back, but we do. The depths of the sea are immediately present to God, but it's a long way away from us. I don't know if God can put things out of His memory, but I know I wish I could – and I'm glad God treats my sin as if it is totally forgotten. The words and images of the writers make it abundantly clear: The past is over when it comes to God's grace and forgiveness of our sin. Grace is when God gives us something we don't deserve – forgiveness, a fresh start, a clean slate, and renewed hope. But forgiveness also involves mercy – not giving us what we do deserve which would be judgment, wrath, and no more opportunity. God’s grace and mercy are indeed greater than all our sin. Remember God’s grace buries your past and opens the door to a future of hope and blessing – if you will receive His grace in your life today.

In His Amazing Grace,

PS: We do not, nor will we charge for the Weekly SERMON, however if these have been a blessing to you and you can help with the COST of this endeavor for the Lord, we appreciate and thank you for your prayers and FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Yes, at times I need to extend my hand in order to give you an opportunity to extend your hand financially to enable this ministry to continue to extend the Word of God to others. For financial accountability we are handling all ministry funds under the Green Street Baptist Chapel of Edwardsville, PA. (Mailing address: Bible Baptist Ministry, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706) Checks made out to them and memo to Bible Baptist Ministry will be tax deductible for you and placed in the account for this ministry.

PPS: In order to access the Weekly SERMON, please click the link to Weekly Sermon Library, where you will be able to choose: Plain Text (TXT), Microsoft Word document (DOC), Rich Text (RTF), Web Page (HTML) or PDF (Portable Document Format), any of the format(s) you desire. After you decide on the appropriate format(s) you may then print a copy of the Weekly SERMON, save it to a file on your computer, or download it and save it to a disk for future use. Your use of this material is meant to be flexible.

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/../MMX35/

The Stewardship of the Church

Pastor David Miklas — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:09:19 +0000

Sunday August 29, 2010	Phone: 570.829.5216
Pastor David Miklas	e-mail pdmikBBM@aol.com
Message: Power & Glory in the Church #13	Text: I Peter 4:10

"The Stewardship of the Church”

I believe there is nothing so important to Christian GROWTH as the proper understanding and practice of STEWARDSHIP. I firmly believe that if good habits of STEWARDSHIP are formed early in the Christian life, this will serve as a deterrent to CARELESSNESS and WORLDLINESS.

Let’s face it. Money is an intricate part of life including how we get it, where we keep it, and how we use it. Jesus spoke more about money than He did about Heaven or Hell, yet the average Christian is misinformed about the real purpose of money. Too many wrongly think that money is the solution to financial problems. These messages will not only present you with a plan of stewardship, but will also point out the pitfalls on the path to financial freedom.

In I Peter 4:10 we read, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” By definition, a steward means one who ADMINISTERS, MANAGES or KEEPS ACCOUNTS.

Now in understanding the concept of STEWARDSHIP, there are three basic principles.

First: Biblical stewardship recognizes God as the DIVINE OWNER of all things.

Deuteronomy 10:14, “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.”

Psalms 24:1, "The earth is the Lord's"

Haggai 2:8, "The silver and the gold is mine."

Ezekiel 18:4, "Behold all souls are mine."

Everything you and I possess even our life, talent, treasure and time, all belongs God. We have been given a sacred trust to manage it on His behalf.

Second: Biblical stewardship recognizes all we possess as a SACRED TREASURE. All that we have:

our LIFE, our SALVATION, our CHURCH,

our JOB, our FAMILY, our CHILDREN,

our TIME, our TALENTS, and our MONEY,

comes from the hand of God. It is a sacred treasure He has placed in our hands.

In Deuteronomy 8:18 we find, "But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth."

In James 1:17 we read, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the father of Lights…"

In I Timothy 7:17 we read, "God giveth us richly all things to enjoy."

Third: Biblical stewardship recognizes our ACCOUNTABILITY.

In Luke 16:2 Jesus said, "… give an account of thy stewardship …"

In Romans 14:12 we are told, "So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God."

In 2 Corinthians 5:10 we read, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

There is coming a day when, as believers, we will face the Lord Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ. There God will call YOU to give an account of how you managed your LIFE, TALENT, TREASURE, and TIME he has given to you.

The idea of STEWARDSHIP is very prominent among the thirty-eight parables found in the Gospels of our Lord. More than a dozen parables have to do with STEWARDSHIP. Let me explain just two of them.

Number 1: Matthew 25:14-30:

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. (17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. (18) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (19) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (20) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. (21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: (25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. (26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: (27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Here we have the PARABLE OF THE TALENTS. Now in our Lord's day, a talent was a piece of money. It was that amount of money a Hebrew was equal to carrying on his person. A talent today has come to mean ABILITIES that you and I have been given by the Lord.

As I read this parable I want you to notice the underlying theme is FAITHFULNESS to the TASK. Even though the ABILITIES or TALENTS are different, the same reward is given. Not all of us have,

the same gifts, the same abilities,

the same capabilities the same talents.

BUT ALL OF US CAN BE FAITHFUL.

Number 2: Luke 12:42-48.

“And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? (43) Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. (44) Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. (45) But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; (46) The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. (47) And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. (48) But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

I want you to especially notice verse 42, and the phrase, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward?" Please don't sit back and say, “Well, the Pastor isn't talking to me.” God calls every man, every woman and every child of God in this room to be good stewards.

I Corinthians 4:1-2 “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (2) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

In a very real sense, these verses apply to all of us. I believe God is not so much looking for TALENTED people as He is for FAITHFUL people. I have often said that God is not bankrupt of BEAUTY, BRAINS, TALENT, INTELLIGENCE, or STRENGTH. When I look for someone to serve the Lord, I am looking for FAITHFULNESS and LOYALTY.

Again in I Peter 4:10 we read, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Everyone in this audience has some sort of gift. The question is “DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT IS?” If you do not know what it is, you would be wise to pray, and ask God to show you what your spiritual gift is. No matter how young or old you are, EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS A GIFT TO BE USED IN SERVICE for the Lord.

This verse says, "As every man." That means every man and woman is a steward. When talking about the STEWARDSHIP OF THE CHURCH, I am not speaking to just a handful of preachers or a handful of church leaders, but to every born-again child of God. You have a spiritual gift to use, even if it is only to pray for the mighty power of God to touch this ministry.

Please allow me to take the rest of our time together in this service to point out to you FOUR different areas God has given us to manage. They should be easy to remember since each begins with the letter "T". Here they are: TIME, TALENT, TREASURE, and TALK.

First: We are to be stewards over our TIME: As there is no way to show you all that the Bible says concerning time, let me share just a few references.

Psalm 39:4-5 "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know how frail I am. Behold thou hast made my days as an hand breath; mine age is as nothing before thee …"

Psalm 89:47 "Remember how short my time is…"

Psalm 103:15-16, "As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he florisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone …"

A day consists of 24 hours. A day has 1,440 minutes. A day has 86,400 seconds. The last 24 hours are gone. You can neither redo nor undo anything in the past 86,400 seconds. God gives us time and makes us managers of it.

Someone said, "Live for today. Yesterday is a cashed check and cannot be renegotiated. Tomorrow is a promissory note and cannot be utilized today. Today in time is like cash on hand, spend it wisely."

In Psalms 118:24 we read, "This is the day which the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it."

I have only just a minute.

Just 60 seconds in it.

Forced upon me, can't refuse it,

Didn't seek it, didn't choose it.

Yet, I must suffer if I abuse it.

Just a tiny little minute, But eternity is in it."

Our prayer ought to be from Psalm 90:12, "Lord teach me how to number my days and recognize how few they are, help me to spend them as I should."

The brevity of life should cause us to REFOCUS our perspective and remind us this world is not our home.

The brevity of life should cause us to REORDER our priorities.

The brevity of life should cause us to RE-EVALUATE our personal lives.

In Colossians 4:5 we read, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” We are to walk in wisdom toward them who are without Christ, those who are unsaved. Notice we are to do so by "redeeming the time." That means we are to seize upon every opportunity or make the most of every opportunity we have with the unsaved to witness to them, win them, and get them saved.

Think about this for a few minutes. We must realize that the unsaved do not judge our Christianity by our Bible, or who Jesus is, or from our preaching, but they do judge our Christianity by how we as Christians live! The unsaved world forms its opinion of Christianity from us, the Christians! God said, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."

The unsaved do not understand our doctrine. But the unsaved do understand when a Christian is a GOOD CHRISTIAN. The unsaved do know when a CHRISTIAN is INCONSISTENT. The unsaved do recognize when a CHRISTIAN IS A HYPOCRITE, which means he says one thing and does another.

In fact, an unsaved person in the world puts a higher value on Christian living than on Christian doctrine.

He does not concern himself about what those people at the GSBC BELIEVE.

But he does think a lot about how those people of GSBC LIVE.

God has made us managers of TIME.

We need to make TIME for our families.

We need to make TIME for God in devotions.

We need to make TIME for fellowship.

If we are too busy for Christian fellowship in the house of God, we are too busy. Please hear me, we must redeem the time for fellowship with God and with the people of God.

Second: We are to be stewards over our TALENTS. Here is our second "T" word. God has made us stewards over what the Bible refers to as "Talents." Now a talent in the Bible is a coin, a piece of money. The word talent as we use it refers to a special ability. In the Bible, special abilities are called "GIFTS." Every man has a gift from God. In I Corinthians 7:7 we read, "But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that."

Some Christians draw up like a snail into their shell and say, "Poor little me. I have no talent God can use." HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! God says that you DO have a gift, for in I Corinthians 12:7 we read, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."

You may ask, “Preacher, what do you think my gift is?” Unfortunately, I do not know what yours gift is. I found mine. It is preaching.

You can find yours.

Let God show it to you.

Ask Him to reveal it to you.

Recognize that not everyone has the gift of teaching, preaching or music. There are many other gifts: helping, administering, giving, encouraging, praying or comforting. Read through the passages in I Corinthians 12, Romans 12 and Ephesians 4:7-16 and seek insight from the Lord as to what your gift is. Do not worry about your age, just accept that gift and use it for the glory of the Lord.

Here is a tragic thing. Did you know you can lose your gift and become useless to God and then lose the blessings from God? Yes, as Christians we are blessed by the Word of God and we are blessed by our fellowship with God and God's people. But I contend that we can receive greater blessings when, in the will of God, we are exercising our spiritual gift for the glory of God.

The parable that I read at the beginning of this sermon, from Matthew 25:14-30,talked about two men who took what the Lord had given them and doubled it.

The first man received FIVE Talents and when Jesus returned he had doubled it to TEN.

The other fellow received TWO talents and then doubled that to FOUR.

The third man was afraid and DID NOTHING WITH HIS TALENT. He just wrapped it in a napkin and hid it in the earth. Remember what the Lord said, "TAKE IT WAY FROM HIM."

I sincerely believe there is many a fine Christian man or Christian woman, even in this church, who has lost their talent or gift from God because they did not use what God had given to you.

We are STEWARDS over our TIME, and

We are STEWARDS over our TALENTS.

Third: We are to be stewards over our TREASURE. There is no question, in the STEWARDSHIP OF THE CHURCH, that God teaches us to be stewards of material things. Briefly, let me say several things about money.

In the first place, our wealth comes from God. In Deuteronomy 8:18 God said to the children of Israel, "But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth …" Who helps us to get money in our pocket? GOD DOES!. Whether it is LITTLE or MUCH, God gives the power to accumulate wealth.

In the second place, money cannot satisfy. You may say, “Preacher, I've heard that so many times, it sounds like a broken record.” Yes, but there are not many people including Christians who believe that. They think, "The more money I get, the happier I'll be!" Turn in your Bible to I Timothy 6:6-10,

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Remember money may buy you a steak, but it can't buy you an appetite.

Money may buy you a king size bed, but it will not buy you rest.

You can accumulate; but only God can give you peace.

In the third place, money cannot take the place of God. In Matthew 6:24 we read, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon." Mammon means an IDOL that stands for riches people worship. You cannot idolize money and serve God.

In the fourth place, we are to give our Tithes and Offerings to God. In Old Testament times, they were to bring all their tithes and offerings into the Temple. In Malachi 3:8-12 we read,

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.”

According to I Corinthians 16:2, in New Testament times, the church is the place to which believers are to bring their tithes and offerings using a systemic approach. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

If God blesses you with, say, $500.00 a week in earnings, His part is one 10th or $50.00. God made us stewards of our TREASURE. Be sure to teach your children to tithe. It is important to stress being obedient to the Lord.

We do not give just to receive a blessing. We give because it is the RIGHT thing to do. We give because it is required, and in return for our obedience, God will give a blessing.

In Proverbs 39-10 we read "Honour the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."God will bless when there is "cheerful giving on our part."

Fourth: We are to be stewards over our TALK. We are to be stewards of information. In II Timothy 2:2 we read, "And the things that thou hast HEARD from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also."

If the Bible was made clear to you, share it.

If the Gospel was made clear to you, share it.

If training has been given to you, share it.

Take what came to you from the last generation, and share it with the next. It is as simple as that. Our church is a place in which we can fully exercise our faith and praise God for His blessings. Stewardship of our TIME, TALENT, TREASURE, and TALK is unequivocally for the Glory of God.

**********************************************

If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon, "The Stewardship of the Church” then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.

Acts 16:31, “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”

Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, would you please let me know? Please send me an e-mail to pdmikBBM@aol.com and in return I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life.

In His Amazing Grace,

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/…/MMX35/

It’s Time

Pastor David Miklas — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:48:55 +0000

Volume No. 2010 Issue No. 29 Date: August 22, 2010

Publication of the BIBLE BAPTIST MINISTRY, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706

Phone: 570.829.5216 pdmikBBM@aol.com pastormiklas@aol.com

Our Lord is eternal, forever, from everlasting to everlasting. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. He moves with us through all the seasons of life, and according to Psalm 31:15, our time is in His hands.

The Lord is with us in our time of trouble. Psalm 9:9 says that God is "a refuge in time of trouble." Psalm 27:5 adds "For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion." And the writer of Psalm 37:39 calls God our "strength in the time of trouble." If you're facing any kind of trouble right now, those verses were written for you.

The Lord is with us in our time of temptation. When Jesus explained His parable of the sower in Luke 8, He described some who spring up without any roots, “…which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” (Luke 8:13). But for those who are truly rooted and grounded in God's salvation, He has promised to be with us in times of temptation, to guard us and keep us, to forgive us and provide a way of escape. When we're battling the terrible tug of a tempting habit, it's helpful to remember we're aided by the same God who delivered His people from the Red Sea, His prophet from the lion's den, His apostles from the Judean jail, and His Son from the sealed tomb.

The Lord is with us in our time of old age. Psalm 71:9 says: “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” I confess that I'm increasingly thankful for those promises in the Bible that specifically address the issue of aging. They are promises of God to sustain us through the sunset years, to give us additional strength to be useful and bear fruit. Even as our outer man wears down, our inner man is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).

The Lord is with us in our time of need. One of the most precious promises of God is the invitation extended by Him in Hebrews 4:16 for us to “…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

The Lord is with us in our time of refreshing. The phrase "times of refreshing" is a great definition of "revival." In Acts 3:19, Peter said, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Be refreshed today! Let the very presence of Jesus Christ invigorate you.

The Lord will be with us at the time of our death. The Apostle Paul was eager to get on to heaven, and he talked about it in II Timothy 4:6-8, but he didn't use the word "death." He used the term "departure," saying, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

The Lord will be with us at the time of the end. After a series of visions and prophecies describing the signs of the times and the end of the age, the Lord said to Daniel: “Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:9). We should study the Book of Daniel and all the prophecies in Scripture relating to our Lord's return; and then we'll go our way, confident that history is under His control, that His decrees have been sealed up until their appointed time, and that He will be with us every moment during the events of the Second Coming.

I have been told that the word "time" occurs 771 times in the Bible. The words "eternal, "eternity," "everlasting" and "forever" occur 548 times. God is aware of the limitations we face with time, but He wants us to know that He transcends the clock and the calendar. He travels with us through all the trials of time and through all the days of our lives. From everlasting to everlasting, He is God, forever and ever, Amen!

This week the Lord bless you as you prayerfully read and meditate on the attached Weekly SERMON, “The Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.”

In His Amazing Grace,

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/../MMX34/

The Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper

Pastor David Miklas — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:47:40 +0000

Sunday August 22, 2010	Phone: 570.829.5216
Pastor David Miklas	e-mail pdmikBBM@aol.com
Message: Power & Glory in the Church #12	Text: mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">I Corinthians 11:17-34

By instruction and by example, Christ instituted TWO ORDINANCES for the church. Those who believe in Him are to faithfully follow BAPTISM and COMMUNION.

COMMUNION symbolizes our fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Communion is a continued reminder of what Christ did for us on the cross.

BAPTISM symbolizes our identification with Christ after salvation. Baptism by immersion is a one time occurrence for the believer following salvation.

Various terms are used in Scripture to describe the ORDINANCE of the Communion.

In I Corinthians 10:21 it is called THE LORD'S TABLE.

In I Corinthians 14:16 it is called the EUCHARIST from the Greek word meaning to "GIVE THANKS."

In I Corinthians 11:20 it is called THE LORD'S SUPPER.

In I Corinthians 10:16 it is called COMMUNION.

In Acts 20:7 it is called the BREAKING OF BREAD.

Now when it comes to this ordnance in this message let us consider three passages of scripture. We will consider the first two very briefly and the third one more extensively.

FIRST: In Mark 14:12-25 we find the background to the Lord's Supper where we read,

“And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? (13) And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. (14) And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? (15) And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. (16) And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. (17) And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. (18) And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. (19) And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? (20) And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. (21) The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. (22) And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. (23) And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. (24) And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. (25) Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

It was during the PASSOVER MEAL that our Lord initiated the ordinance of COMMUNION. God had instituted the PASSOVER when He delivered His people from their 400 years of bondage in Egypt. The meal celebrated death's angels PASSING OVER the houses of those whose doorposts and lintels were smeared with Lamb's blood. In Exodus 12:14 we read, "And this day shall be unto you for a MEMORIAL; and ye shall keep it a FEAST to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance FOREVER." It was during this meal that the Lord initiated the LORD'S SUPPER.

The PASSOVER was but a FORESHADOW of the infinitely greater deliverance that Christ was to bring at the CROSS.

The PASSOVER reminded them of their deliverance from Egyptian slavery by the blood of the lamb.

The LORD’S TABLE reminds us of the CROSS and the blood that was shed by Christ for our ETERNAL deliverance from sin.

Now from Mark's Gospel, the Lord’s Table was introduced as a part of this PASSOVER meal. In the context of this meal, the participants not only sang praises to God but they fellowshipped around the table where they had their main meal of the day.Notice verse 22, "And as they did eat…" THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S TABLE WAS NOT SOMETHING TACKED ON TO THE END OF THIS FEAST, IT WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE FEAST.

SECOND: In Acts 2:41-47 we find the early church practicing both BAPTISM and the LORD'S SUPPER.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

In these verses I call your attention to two things:

Number 1: It says here that Communion is only for the saved individual. If one has not been “Born Again” by faith in the Lord Jesus, they have no business partaking of communion.

Number 2: There is an important sequence in this passage. Baptism comes before the Lord’s Supper. Since God has a purpose for everything He does, we must accept that sequence and not try to reverse it. One should first, in obedience to Christ’s command after salvation, be baptized before taking communion.

THIRD: In the context of I Corinthians 11:17-34, Paul complained about the MANNER in which this church was caring on the Lord's Table.

“Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. (18) For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. (19) For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (20) When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. (21) For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. (22) What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. (23) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: (24) And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (25) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. (27) Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (31) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (32) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (33) Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. (34) And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.”

Again in verses 11:20-21 we read, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. (21) For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.” In the Greek the LORD'S SUPPER is referred to as the "DEIPON." This word refers to the main meal of the day. During the Lord's DEIPON they not only had the bread and the cup, but they enjoyed a fellowship meal together.

In the first century, the church practiced not only the Lord's Table as a memorial of Jesus’ death, but they believed in doing it in the context of a "LOVE FEAST."

They not only practiced VERTICAL FELLOWSHIP between man and God. They also participated in HORIZONTAL FELLOWSHIP between believers.

We now come to the context of I Corinthians 11. You will notice in verse 2 Paul PRAISES them. However, in verse 17 Paul PRAISES them NOT. Paul was disturbed over the abuse and disorder at the LORD’S TABLE.

In verses 17-22 the Apostle Paul explains the abuses and disorders. Let me remind you that the LORD'S TABLE is not to be a brief ritual tacked on to the end of a Sunday sermon. It involves our fellowship with Christ, and it also involves our fellowship with each other in Christ. Now let me try to summarize for you the problem here in I Corinthians 11.

You will notice in these verses and particularly in verse 18 there were DIVISIONS. There were various "cliques in the church." Each was fellowshipping with their crowd. The issue was a spirit of SELFISHNESS. Their hearts were not right with each other. They were divisive in spirit.

They were practicing the VERTICAL aspect of the LORD'S SUPPER in remembering His death but they were abusing one another in the HORIZONTAL FELLOWSHIP. Let me say this now and later I will restate it.

"You may be spiritually right with the Lord, but unless you are right with fellow believers in the church, you are not worthy to partake of the Lord's Supper."

In the early church, they had what was called an AGAPE-FEAST or LOVE-FEAST. This would be what some call a pot-luck meal. I prefer to call them a pot-trust meal! The rich and the poor would both bring something to eat and share with others. It was a way in which all of the members could be taken care of as far as their food needs were concerned.

The poor people could eat the rich man's steaks and not feel intimidated.

The rich people could eat the poor people's hot dogs and beans and still enjoy a meal.

As the early Christians were partaking of their LOVE-FEASTS, they would also share in the LORD'S SUPPER. This would remind them of their relationship to Christ while uniting them in fellowship with their church.

Now it appears that at times the poor people did not arrive at the start of the meal. So some of the rich people became impatient and went ahead and ate the LOVE-FEAST before the poor arrived.

By the time the poor people arrived, there was nothing to eat except the food of poverty that they had brought. So instead of that meal enhancing the unity of the group and supplementing the nutritional needs of the poor, it spotlighted their differences as the poor people had to eat their poverty food by themselves.

After everyone ate their own food, they would partake of the Lord's Supper as a meal DEPICTING their UNITY. But this was a farce as you again notice:

Verse 22: “What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.”

Verses 33, 34: “Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. (34) And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.”

You see, it is not enough just to have the BREAD and the CUP.

"WE NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE WHENEVER WE SHARE." If the LORD'S SUPPER is a meal of UNITY, it is not the LORD'S SUPPER if we partake of it in DISUNITY.

As someone said, "We are kidding ourselves when we think that we can have differences and hatreds and jealousies and bitterness with other members in the body of Christ and then partake of the Lord's Supper as some sort of tradition that makes everything okay."

It was Christ's death that not only provided eternal salvation for the human soul, but it also brought believers together into ONE BODY. This spotlights for us:

UNITY not FACTIONS,

PEACE not HOSTILITY, and

RECONCILIATION with one another, not ALIENATION.

Any time Christians continue to harbor HATRED, UNFORGIVENESS, HOSTILITIES, SEPARATIONS, or any other attitude that fails to bridge barriers between us, we are abusing the Lord's Table. Paul deals with this at the end of this passage. However, by continuing our examination of this passage, we see:

The PURPOSE of the Lord's Table: Again in verses 23-26 we read, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: (24) And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (25) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” In this section, the Lord offers INSTRUCTION on this MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE. Here is one of the most beautiful passages in all of Scripture given in the middle of a strong REBUKE of WORLDLY, CARNAL, SELFISH and INSENSITIVE attitudes and behavior. They are like diamonds dropped in a muddy road.

Jesus said in verses 24 and 25, "This do in remembrance of ME." Literally he is saying, "Keep on doing this in remembrance of Me." Do it frequently. In verse 26 we read, “For as OFTEN as ye eat this bread and drink this cup…” How frequently, it does not say.

It appears that the New Testament Church practiced communion every Sunday. Some churches still do that to this day.

Other Churches practice communion quarterly.

Others do so on the first Sunday of every month.

Jesus wants us to REMEMBER HOW He DIED. Why? Because everything we have as Christians centers on HIS DEATH.

We must remember THAT He died, because this is a part of the gospel message: "Christ died … and was buried" It’s not the life of our Lord that saves sinners, but His BLOOD THAT WAS SHED AT HIS DEATH.

We must remember WHY He died. Christ died for our sins. He was our substitute, paying the debt that we could not pay.

We must remember HOW He died, meekly and willingly. He gave His body into the hands of wicked men, and He bore on His body the SINS of the world.

Notice that communion is a symbolic observance. The elements of the TABLE of the Lord are SYMBOLS of what was involved in His sacrifice as the Lamb of God in providing our salvation.

The BREAD represents the BODY of Christ.

The CUP symbolizes the BLOOD of the Lord Jesus.

In verse 24 we read, "…This is my body, which is broken for you." It's true that He did break the bread, which symbolized death, but as a fulfillment of prophecy, NOT A BONE of His BODY was broken.

In reference to the CUP of verse 25, there were always four cups used during the meal. This was the fourth CUP used during the Passover meal. When Jesus held up the fourth CUP, He said, "THIS cup is the New Testament in my blood." It was the fourth CUP that prophetically looked forward to the coming Messiah.

Notice in verse 24, Jesus said, "This is my body." and in verse 25, He said, "In my blood." What is meant by this? There are three views generally held concerning their meaning.

First: There are religions which teach TRANSUBSTANTIATION, like the Roman Catholic Church. They believe that the elements of the bread and the contents of the cup ACTUALLY become the BODY and BLOOD of CHRIST even though the elements still look and taste like bread and grape juice. From this incorrect thinking, comes the notion that when they partake of the elements they are receiving Christ. That's why it is confusing when you ask someone brought up in the Roman Catholic Church, "Have you received Christ as your Saviour?" They will always say yes because they have taken communion, when in fact they have not accepted Christ.

Roman Catholics also take the view that the Lord Jesus Christ is crucified again and again, each time they take communion. However the Bible makes it abundantly clear that the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was a ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL payment for Sin.

Romans 6:10, says "For in this He died, He died unto sin ONCE."

Hebrews 9:18 we read, "So Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many…" and

Hebrews 10:12, 14 says, "But this man, after He had offered ONE sacrifice of sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. For by one offering He hath perfected forever …"

Christ died only ONCE.

He rose from the grave only ONCE.

He ascended into heaven only ONCE.

Second: There are those which teach CONSUBSTANTIATION. This position believes the elements still are the bread and the juice, but the real presence of Jesus is with them. Again this is not a correct view.

Third: There are those who believe that the elements are symbolic. Remember on a number of occasions, the Lord did use symbolic or figurative language. He said "I am the vine." "I am the door." "I am the bread." Certainly He is not a door or a vine or bread. He is a symbol of these. So these elements are not the real body or blood of Jesus; they are symbolic representations of them.

In verse 26 please notice the words "you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." Each time you or I partake of the Lord's Supper we are visually PREACHING a sermon, about our faith in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ. By this MEMORIAL, we are preachingour FAITH in Christto the unsaved world.

The Lord's Supper ought to be a time when we give sincere thanks and praise for the great mercies of God. This is not a time to just sit silently while the pastor or one of the deacons prays. It ought to be a time when believers pray in thanksgiving for the CROSS and also stand up and offer TESTIMONY and PRAISE unto our God for the CROSS OF CHRIST and what it means to them.

The PREPARATION of the Lord's Table: again in verses 27-34 we read, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (31) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (32) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (33) Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. (34) And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.” In this section the Apostle offers a WARNING. Notice the phrase in verse 27 and 29, "unworthily." It does not mean that the person himself is WORTHY or UNWORTHY. This warning describes an ATTITUDE.

Now in proper context, the unworthy manner refers to one thing and one thing only: "THE FACTION AND DIVISION AND ALIENATION THAT WAS GOING ON AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH."

The real root of the problem is found in verses 18-20, “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. (19) For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (20) When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's Supper.” They didn't eat together because they didn't have the stomach to do so. Since they had not settled their differences between themselves, they were DESTROYING THE TESTIMONY OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

How are we to examine ourselves at the Lord's Supper? I believe from the context, that we are to determine if we have a right relationship to all others in the body of Christ. We ought to be aware of the people sitting in FRONT of us, of the people sitting ON EITHER SIDE ofus, and of the people sitting BEHIND us.

During the Lord's Supper, we ought to thank God for other believers, even bringing their needs and hurts before God.

During the Lord's Supper, we ought to cleanse our minds and hearts of any DIVISION, ALIENATION, or UNFORGIVENESS that separates us for one another.

I believe far too many go through the motions of communion and do it in an UNWORTHY manner. They have not yet made things right with each other in the Church.

Folks, if you are at odds with another believer in Jesus Christ, and you know it, I challenge you not to partake of this Lord’s Table until you make things right with that brother or sister in Christ. Do not hold on to that grudge, be the first to forgive and ask forgiveness.

In the early church, there were those who were sick and some had even died because of an unforgiving spirit. That's why Paul suggested that we judge ourselves, and clear up the problems so the church would be physically and spiritually healthy.

If you are saved and know it, then let’s remember what Christ did for you at Calvary, as you gather around the Lord’s Table.

If you are at odds with another believer in the body of Christ, then I would encourage you to make things right, immediately.

If at this very moment, you have not by faith believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, I would encourage you to do so right now!

******************************************************

If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon “The Lord’s Supper” then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.

Acts 16:31, “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”

Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior let me know. Please send an e-mail to pdmikBBM@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life.

Copy write permission: Because the “Weekly SERMON” will be reproduced into other formats, PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING: The “Weekly SERMON” in it’s original form, without any changes, may be copied and re-transmitted by electronic mail, and copies may be printed for individual or ministry purposes, provided that such copying, re-transmission, printing, or other use is not for profit or other commercial purpose. Any copying, re-transmission, distribution, printing, or other use of the “Weekly SERMON” must set forth in full the heading that is given before each “Weekly SERMON.” Any other request for use, please contact Bible Baptist Ministries at pdmikBBM@aol.com or by phone at 570.829.5216.

In His Amazing Grace,

David Miklas" src="http://theweeklysermon.com/images/Pastor_David_Miklas.gif" />
PS: In order to access the Weekly SERMON, please click the link to Weekly Sermon Library, where you will be able to choose: Plain Text (TXT), Microsoft Word document (DOC), Microsoft Word 2007 document (DOCX), Rich Text (RTF), Web Page (HTML) or PDF (Portable Document Format), any of the format(s) you desire. After you decide on the appropriate format(s) you may then print a copy of the Weekly SERMON, save it to a file on your computer, or download it and save it to a disk for future use. Your use of this material is meant to be flexible.

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/…/MMX34/

Victory Over Death

Pastor David Miklas — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:47:12 +0000

Volume No. 2010 Issue No. 28 Date: August 15, 2010

Publication of the BIBLE BAPTIST MINISTRY, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706

Phone: 570.829.5216 pdmikBBM@aol.com pastormiklas@aol.com

Let's face it, no matter what our thoughts may be on the subject of death, you and I need to face reality. God, who breathed life into us at conception, will one day take the breath of life away, and we will face eternity.

In Psalm 23:4 we read, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil (literally I believe the writer is referring here to death, meaning I will fear no death), for thou (the Lord our Shepherd) art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” At death a believer leaves this earth and is immediately in the presence of the Lord, where he will, “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” When death comes to a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, the funeral service ought to be a day of triumphant rejoicing.

WHY, because of Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

WHY, because the believer knows the reality of the statement, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

WHY, because of some of the great promises of God.

The promise of victory over death is found in I Corinthians 15:54-57: “Death is swallowed up in VICTORY. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy VICTORY? …But thanks be unto God, which giveth us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The promise of Jesus to prepare a place for those who have placed their faith in Him is found in John 14:2-3: Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.”

The promise of Jesus to come again is a promise of resurrection and reunion found in I Thessalonians 4:16-17.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

The promise of a new body is found in II Corinthians 5:1-2.

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.”

As glorious as every facet of the pomp and precision of the procession, and the services given our President, the death of a believer in Christ is just as glorious. Here are the words to the Hymn, “What a Day that will Be.”

There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come,

No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eyes;

All is peace for evermore on that happy golden shore.

WHAT A DAY, GLORIOUS DAY, THAT WILL BE.

There'll be no Sorrow there, No more burdens to bear.

No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there; And forevermore

I WILL BE WITH THE ONE WHO DIED FOR ME.

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see.

And I look upon His Face, the One who saved me by His grace;

When he takes me by the hand, and leads me through the promised land,

WHAT A DAY, GLORIOUS DAY, THAT WILL BE.

The Lord bless you this week as you prayerfully read and meditate on the attached Weekly SERMON, “The Ordinance of Baptism.”

In His Amazing Grace,

PS: We do not, nor will we charge for the Weekly SERMON, however if these have been a blessing to you and you can help with the COST of this endeavor for the Lord, we appreciate and thank you for your prayers and FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Yes, at times I need to extend my hand in order to give you an opportunity to extend your hand financially to enable this ministry to continue to extend the Word of God to others. For financial accountability we are handling all ministry funds under the Green Street Baptist Chapel of Edwardsville, PA. (Mailing address: Bible Baptist Ministry, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706) Checks made out to them and memo to Bible Baptist Ministry will be tax deductible for you and placed in the account for this ministry.

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/../MMX33/

Believers Baptism

Pastor David Miklas — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:07:46 +0000

Sunday August 15, 2010	Phone: 570.829.5216
Pastor David Miklas	e-mail pdmikBBM@aol.com
Message: Power & Glory in the Church #11	Text: Acts 2:41-42; Romans 6:3-4

“Believers Baptism”

Introduction: For at least eight messages we have spoken on the subject of the CHURCH. In theological terms this is the study of the Doctrine of Ecclesiology.

By instruction and by example, Christ instituted two ordinancesfor the New Testament church, BAPTISM and COMMUNION.

BAPTISM symbolizes our identification in Christ after salvation. Baptism occurs only once following our salvation.

COMMUNION symbolizes our fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Communion is continued as a reminder of what Christ did for us on the cross.

Now while BAPTISM speaks of UNION, the LORD'S SUPPER speaks of COMMUNION. Though our union is eternally secure, communion is constantly renewed and repeated. Communion has to do with our continuing fellowship. In I Corinthians 11: 26, we read "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."

From the Word of God we recognize that there is a divine order of operation: SALVATION, THEN BAPTISM.

First: In Matthew 28:19-20 we see this order as salvation, baptism and then teaching. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:”

Second: From Acts 2:41-42, we should recognize and accept the divine order as SALVATION, BAPTISM, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP, and then the LORD'S SUPPER. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” If you take this divine order out of order, you have theological disorder! For example:

To place baptism before salvation means you have gone from SALVATION by GRACE through FAITH, to BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. This would be salvation by works which we know is not Biblical.

If this order is correct, then you cannot participate in the Lord's Supper until after baptism and church membership. Is not the divine order SALVATION, BAPTISM, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP and then the LORD'S SUPPER? Or, do we, for the sake of convenience allow them to take place out of order? I SHOULD SAY NOT! I believe it is against God’s divine ordinance to allow the sequence to be salvation, Lord's Supper, church membership, and then, maybe baptism. There is an order given that I believe has a divine purpose. The order is: SALVATION, BAPTISM, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP, and then the LORD'S SUPPER.

Now I realize that I am preaching a very controversial message. Yes, even on the subject of baptism.

There are those who do not believe in baptism.

There are those who believe in infant baptism.

There are those who believe in Baptismal Regeneration which means you are saved by the act of baptism.

There are those who believe in baptism by immersion.

There are those who believe in baptism by sprinkling.

Therefore, in order to include as much as possible in this message on Baptism, let me ask a series of questions and then proceed to give the scriptural answer.

NUMBER 1: WHAT DOES THE WORD BAPTISM MEAN? The best place to begin our study of BAPTISM is by a careful consideration of the Greek word BAPTIZO, the intensive form of the verb BAPTO. By definition, you will ALWAYS find that the word BAPTIZO means "TO DIP" or "TO IMMERSE."

There is a Greek word RHANTIZO which means "TO SPRINKLE," but you will never find it used in connection with the ordinance of baptism.

The early church fathers referred to baptism as immersion.

Philip Schaf, the great church historian, who himself was a member of a denomination that practiced sprinkling of infants, said, "Finally, so far as it respects the mode and manner of outward baptizing, there can be no doubt that immersion, and not sprinkling, was the original normal form."

Luther, Calvin, and many of the great reformers agreed that the early Church practiced immersion, though they themselves felt it unimportant.

Moreover, archaeologists who have examined the ruins of the earliest church buildings tell that they were equipped with baptisteries designed for the immersion of those who were converted to the Christian faith.

NUMBER 2: DOES WATER BAPTISM SAVE? Another way of asking this question is, “Does water baptism wash away sin?” “Does it contribute in any way to the new birth?” There are those who believe in what is called BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. Those who hold to "baptismal regeneration" find support for their position in a number of passages.

First: In John 3:5 we read, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Notice the phrase, "Except a man be born of water…" This by some is understood to mean water baptism. This is theologically incorrect because the very next verse interprets what water and Spirit birth are. Notice verse 6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Now, water to the Greeks is connected with the source of life and child bearing. They understand that all babies are incased in a water sack. The expression born of the water has reference not to baptism, but rather to a physical birth. The phrase born of the spirit has reference to a SECOND BIRTH, a Birth from above, the NEW BIRTH. Nicodemus needed a new birth.

In verse 7 notice the last phase "Ye must be born again." The phase born again is the word for regeneration meaning new birth, a birth from above. This is the birth that God brings about in our lives the moment we receive Christ as our Saviour.

Second: In Acts 2:38 we read, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” When it says, "Repent and be baptized … for the remission of sins," what does it mean? Now the Greek word "EIS," translated “FOR” in the English, is used more than 1700 times in the Greek New Testament. It may also be translated "WITH A VIEW TO" or "BECAUSE". In other words, we could read it "Repent and be baptized…because of the remission of sins." Acts 2:38 does not teach that one gets baptized in order to be saved, but "BECAUSE" of the remission of sins. THE BAPTISM WAS PERFORMED BEAUSE SINS HAD ALREADY BEEN FORGIVEN, NOT TO GET THEM TO BE FORGIVEN.

Third: In I Peter 3:20-21 we read, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a- preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” Here Peter says baptism is an ANTITYPE of Noah's deliverance by water. The word "FIGURE" literally means "ANTITYPE."

The ark in Noah's day was a type of Christ. Because Noah was in the Ark, he was saved. The water didn't save him. The ark did. The water simply testified that Naoh was saved by the ark. The resurrected Christ in Peter's day was the ark. When the believer passed through the waters of baptism he was identifying himself with the resurrected Christ. The believer demonstrated to the scoffers he was in the ark of safety, Jesus Christ.

Just as the flood clearly showed who were saved and unsaved in Noah's day, the baptismal waters show who is saved and unsaved today. In others words, baptism is a picture of your testimony to the outside world that you are safe in your ark–the Lord Jesus Christ.

NUMBER 3: WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED? The Bible makes it very clear that baptism is to follow our salvation as a testimony of the saving work of Christ. In the book of Acts there is no instance where believers were not baptized. There is not one instance in the whole book of Acts where a believer ever got saved who did not follow the Lord in baptism, THAT FACT IMPLIES THAT ALL BELIEVES ARE TO BE BAPTIZED.

In Acts 2:41 three thousand were saved and baptized in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.

In Acts 8:12 Philip was very earnest about baptism in his evangelistic endeavors.

In Acts 8:36 the Ethiopian eunuch whom Philip lead to Christ was immediately baptized.

In Acts 15:18 Ananias baptized Paul upon his conversion.

In Acts 10:47-48 Cornelious’ household were baptized immediately upon their conversion.

In Acts 16:14-15 Lydia and her household were baptized immediately upon their conversion.

In Acts16:31-33 the Philippian jailer and his household were baptized upon their conversion. In fact it was done the very night they were saved.

In Acts 18:8 Crispus and his household were baptized upon conversion.

In Acts 19:5 the disciples of John were baptized upon their conversion.

In I Corinthians 1:14-17 the Apostle Paul lists folks he had baptized.

Now, in view of the command of Jesus to baptize, and in view of the overwhelming evidence of baptism immediately upon conversion, we can only conclude that the ordinance was regarded with a great deal of importance by the New Testament Church. Notice two of these conversion-baptism experiences.

In Acts 8:26-40 we have the story of the conversion of the Ethiopian treasure. This man was reading from Isaiah 53, when Philip came by. It was here that this deacon preached unto this man Jesus. In verses 35-38 we read, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (36) And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (37) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (38) And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”As a result of his faith in verse 38 he was baptized. So the order is – Salvation then Baptism.

In Acts 16:29-33 we have the conversion and the baptism of the Philippian Jailer and his household. “Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, (30) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (32) And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. (33) And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” Again, the order was: Salvation came first, then came Baptism. ONLY BELIEVERS HAVE THE RIGHT AND PRIVILEDGE TO BE BAPTISED.

NUMBER 4: WHY SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED. I believe this is answered for us in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:” The word "GO" is in the Greek imperative tense, a tense of command, DO IT!

He commands us to go and disciple people, that is reach them with the gospel. Baptism is the very next step and is a part of that command. Jesus did not leave it up to us. Now, that we are saved and going to Heaven, we will be baptized.He presents it squarely as a commandment, so that a person has to disobey God if he refuses to be baptized.

Again, I ask if we are concerned about the first part of the command, and we are so concerned about the third part, that of teaching which is part of the command, then why not the second part which is also part of the command?

NUMBER 5: WHEN SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED? Nowhere does scripture teach INFANT baptism, but I do believe scripture teaches INSTANT baptism. There is no probationary period set forth in the Bible.

If you read all the passages I have mentioned in the book of Acts, you will find baptism was performed on the "Same day" or the "Same hour of the night" as salvation came.

I am all for instructing those in the matter of Bible Baptism. Once you know that you have been born again through faith in the finished work of Christ, then what hinders you from being baptized right away? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

NUMBER 6: WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BELIEVERS BAPTISM? Let me point out two great passages of Scripture in answer to this question.

First: In Romans 6:3-4 we read,“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” The baptism of Romans 6 is not WATER baptism but Spirit Baptism. When we are saved, we are identified with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ by the baptizing work of the Spirit.

Now WATER BAPTISM by IMMERSION is a good picture of the Holy Spirit's baptism. A good illustration would be that of taking a cloth and dipping it or immersing it into a dye. The cloth would now have a NEW IDENTITY.

Second: In I Corinthians 10:1-4 we read,“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” This passage makes it clear concerning baptism as an identification. This figure of Israel's passage through the sea teaches us three things involved in submitting to Baptism. Israel declares that they were through with the slavery of Egypt forever, and were now to follow the Lord all the way. Paul compares this to Baptism.

Baptism testifies to an experience: When a believer goes under the waters of baptism and comes up again, he thereby testifies that he by faith in Jesus Christ has been saved, through the death and burial and resurrection of the Savior. OUR BAPTISM IS OUR PUBLIC DECLARATION THAT WE ARE THROUGH WITH THE OLD LIFE FOREVER.

Baptism is our sincere confession that we are unable to save ourselves. We are dependent upon the grace of God.

Baptism announces a new walk. We announce our separation from the world. When Israel passed through the sea, they turned their backs forever upon Egypt and set their face toward the Canaan land.

In the early days of the church, this act of declaration really meant something. Christianity was unpopular in those days, and uniting with believers meant PERSECUTION and SUFFERING. Believers were despised and hated. Baptism was the one act which definitely identified one as a Christian. As long as a person only gathered with believers, he was tolerated. But once he had declared his faith in Christ by being baptized and declared, “I too belong to this despised company," he burned his bridges behind him, and was, as a result, persecuted and hated. IT IS STILL SO IN HEATHEN LANDS.

Let me bring this study to a conclusion. Even though Baptism has no power to save us from our sins, it is important in the life of the believer. The Lord Jesus Christ gave His disciples the clear command in Matthew 28:19-20. "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations…” Do we not obey the command here in the matter of soul winning and missions? Then, let us also obey the second part of the command which is, “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Again, let’s return to Acts 2:41-42 where we read of the results of the Day of Pentecost. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” The 3,000 people converted on the Day of Pentecost should serve as models for us.

They BELIEVED.

They were BAPTIZED.

They gathered for instruction.

They broke bread with one another, and

They prayed together.

Baptism is important. It's a testimony to the believer's IDENTIFICATION with Christ. If you know Him as Saviour, the Lord commands you to be baptized and to identify with a local assembly of believers who meet for the preaching of the Word, the administration of the ordnances and the fellowship of God's people. If you are born again, but have not been baptized, or have not united with a local church, especially here at Green Street Baptist Chapel, I urge you to do so. Yes, just as baptism is important, so is church membership.

Perhaps you have never accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. If that is true, I would remind you that salvation through a personal belief in Christ is first and foremost. Admit your spiritual need. Acknowledge that the Lord Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for your sins. Agree that He arose from the dead as proof that the death penalty was paid in full. Then receive Him. In other words, by an act of FAITH, place your trust in Him. The Bible says in I Corinthians 10:9 and 13, "… if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… and "…whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon "Believers Baptism” then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.

Acts 16:31, “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”

Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

In His Amazing Grace,

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/…/MMX33/

Praise Ye The LORD

Pastor David Miklas — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:38:48 +0000

Volume No. 2010 Issue No. 27 Date: August 8, 2010

Publication of the BIBLE BAPTIST MINISTRY, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706

Phone: 570.829.5216 pdmikBBM@aol.com pastormiklas@aol.com

In Psalm 145:1-10 we read, “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. (2) Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. (3) Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. (4) One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. (5) I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. (6) And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. (7) They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. (8) The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. (9) The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (10) All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.” PRAISE is our highest spiritual exercise. There is more in the Scriptures about our PRAISE life, than even our times of PRAYER. In PRAYER it is possible to approach God out of selfish motives; in PRIASE, we worship Him for what He is.

Psalm 147:1, “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”

Psalm 148:1, “Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.”

Psalm 149:1, “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.”

Psalm 150:1, 6, “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. (6) Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”

The goal of every believer should be the overflowing of praise, regardless of the circumstances. Each day is a new opportunity for offering a praise sacrifice to God. Scriptures clearly teach that we are to offer sacrifices of praise to God continually, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (16) But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:15-16. Our daily sacrifice of praise should include joyful songs for Christ, “our blessed redeemer.” Then we need to praise God for all of His daily blessings, which are beyond number. We should offer praise for the trials of life for they are often blessings in disguise. Finally, our sacrifice should include praise for His leading in ways yet to be experienced. Instead of dwelling on the negatives of our lives, we should seek fresh reasons daily for praising our Lord.

Fanny Crosby’s hymn, “Praise Him! Praise Him!” first appeared in a Sunday school hymnal published in 1869. And still today, these words evoke praise from each believing heart.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O earth, His wonderful love proclaim!

Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory; strength and honor give to His holy name!

Like a shepherd Jesus will guard His children. In His arms He carries them all day long.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins He suffered, and bled and died!

He, our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified. Sound His praises!

Jesus who bore our sorrows, love unbounded, wonderful deep and strong.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heavenly portals loud with hosanna ring.

Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King!

Christ is coming again! Over the world victorious, power and glory unto the Lord belong:

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness; Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!

This week the Lord bless you as you prayerfully read and meditate on the attached Weekly SERMON, "The Divine Mission of the Church."

In His Amazing Grace,

PS: In order to access the Weekly SERMON, please click the link to Weekly Sermon Library, where you will be able to choose: Plain Text (TXT), Microsoft Word document (DOC), Rich Text (RTF), Web Page (HTML) or PDF (Portable Document Format), any of the format(s) you desire. After you decide on the appropriate format(s) you may then print a copy of the Weekly SERMON, save it to a file on your computer, or download it and save it to a disk for future use. Your use of this material is meant to be flexible.

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/../MMX32/

The Divine Mission of the Church

Pastor David Miklas — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:31:14 +0000

Sunday August 8, 2010	Phone: 570.829.5216
Pastor David Miklas	e-mail pdmikBBM@aol.com
Message: Power & Glory in the Church #10	Text: Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8

“The Divine Mission of the Church”

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “Upon this rock (Jesus was speaking of himself) I will build my church.” Again this morning we come to the doctrine of the church. In theological terms we call the doctrine of the church ECCLESIOLOGY.

Now, before we examine what the DIVINE MISSION of the church is, I want to point out to you what the mission of the church is not.

FIRST: The mission of the church is not POLITICAL. It is true that the Bible says in Romans 13, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers." I believe the Bible teaches that the Christian is to obey the government. We cannot deny that Jesus paid taxes, or that Paul subjected himself to the government.

However the purpose of the church is not POLITICAL. There has never been, nor will there ever be, such as thing as a Christian government until the prince of peace comes and sits on His throne and rules and reigns for 1000 years.

We need to vote. Personally, if I have a clear choice to vote for a man who is a Christian or one who is not, I will vote for the Christian every time.

We need to hold our elected officials responsible for doing that which we know to be consistent with the Word of God.

We need to pay our taxes.

We need to pray for those in authority as instructed in I Timothy 2:1-3

But it is not necessary to spend time running from one political rally to another or to make the church a political action institution.

SECOND: The mission of the church is not EDUCATIONAL. I don't think the sole mission of the church is to have an institution of education. Now, I do believe in the value of Christian schools since I have been involved in them for 25 of my 43 years in the ministry. But that is not the mission of the church. Some believe it is a desirable component of the church.

However, no church has ever been built by a Christian school. Instead, there have been a lot of churches hurt by the addition of a Christian school.

Now the Apostle Paul was an educated man. In II Timothy 2:2 he said, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to TEACH others also.” But education was not the mission of the Apostle Paul nor was it the mission of the early church.

I believe the church ought to have a Christian Education Ministry. Sunday School ought to be encouraged and promoted and every member ought to be in Sunday School each and every Sunday.

I have no problem with a church operating a Christian Bible College or Bible Institute. Nor do I find fault with a church operating a Christian Day School.

But again, education was not the primary mission of the early church.

THIRD: The mission of the church is not to FEED the SHEEP. Again I exhort you to believe in the teaching of the Word of God. The church ought to be a place where the whole counsel of God's Word is taught. It is appropriate for the pastor to feed you the Word of God. Even Jesus said "feed my lambs, and feed my sheep." But as important as this is, it is not the main mission of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ.

FOURTH: The mission of the church is not to PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE. There are a lot of churches turning into social ministries. They believe their mission is to take care of the poor, the homeless, and the various outcasts of society. To be sure, we are to care for the needs of the poor, because that is scriptural. But this is not the main mission of the church.

Nor is the church a place to start a crusade to clean up everything. Believe me, if I had the power:

I would close every movie house in Luzerne County.

I would burn down every bar.

I would ban all pornographic material and put out of business all adult-themed stores.

I would also like to clean up every hog pen, so that the prodigal would have no place to go.

You and I are called by God to tell the prodigal, "Get out of that hog pen, and go home to the Father's house, and get forgiveness from God Almighty, and put your feet under thy Father's table to enjoy all the blessings God has for you." But again the primary mission of the church is not to promote social justice.

FIFTH: The mission of the church is not to CHANGE the LIFESTYLE of other PEOPLE. You know, there are some folks who seen to have the idea that being a Christian just requires fitting Christianity into your lifestyle. That is not true conversion to Christianity.

When you become a Christian, you will develop a life style you never had before. You will become a new creature in Christ. Let the Holy Spirit change you and leave the lives of other people alone. You can teach and live by example of what you think a Christian should be, but only the Holy Spirit will change the hearts of other people.

SIXTH: The mission of the church is not to PROVIDE A FORUM for the joining together of ALL DENOMINATIONS, or the joining together of ALL RELIGIOUS GROUPS no matter what their DOCTRINAL CONVICTIONS are. During my 43 years in the ministry, I have witnessed a lot of changes. Organizations that once stood firm for the Faith, are now slipping into a movement of compromise that has done untold damage to the cause of Christ.

I have watched the birth and development of what is now named the pseudo-fundamentalist movement. The men in this movement, who once stood firm on old-fashioned Fundamental Separation, are now encouraging churches to build bridges back into the main-stream denominational camps where there are serious matters of religious compromise. If you ask what keeps the church pure, gives sound Biblical convictions, and builds Christian character it is the wall of Bible doctrine. That doctrine separates God's people from compromise and false teaching.

God's message to believers is not to AMALGAMATE or ACCOMMODATE false doctrine, but to SEPARATE from it. To surrender one's doctrinal convictions and set aside the precious teachings of the Word of God for the sake of what is false unity and brotherly love is to be guilty of very serious compromise.

Romans 16:17, "Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE which you have LEARNED AND AVOID THEM."

II John 1, "The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I LOVE IN THE TRUTH, and not I only, but also all they that have the truth.”

True love for the brethren is based on the truth found in the word of God. The church is called upon to separate from religious apostasy. Our cry ought to be Lord, help me to be true to thee and Thy precious word.

So what is the DIVINE MISSION of the church? The mission of the church is to win souls. The divine mission of the church is the “Great Commission.” This commission is found five times in the first five books of the New Testament. In each of these five places found in Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46-47; Jon 20:19-21; and Acts 1:8 the Lord makes a separate and distinct promise to the Christian who will win souls.

First: Those who win souls have the PROMISE OF HIS PRESENCE found in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Notice in the last part of verse 20 we are told, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." There are three parts to the Great Commission.

First, there is the soul wining, which means going into the world and reaching souls.

Second, there is the matter of identifying with Christ through Baptism. Believer’s baptism is a church ordnance that requires our absolute OBEDIENCE after salvation. This is not an option to consider, ‘should I do it or should I not do it?’ It is part of the Great Commission, a COMMAND or ORDER from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Third: Those won to Christ are to be trained in the Word of God.

And while we are doing this there is the promise of His presence in a special way.

Second: Those who win souls have the PROMISE OF HIS PROTECTION, found in Mark 16:15-18, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Notice the five things that Jesus promises His disciples.

Now it is not my intention in this message to preach on the difficulties of this passage. These were signs Jesus used at the beginning of the new age of grace. The Apostles had these signs in their ministry. For example, on the island of Malta, Paul was bitten by a venomous serpent, which did no harm because God was with him to protect him.

There is no doubt the passage is designed to teach God's special protection as the angels of the Lord encamp around about those who seek to do His will and send His Word to the ends of the earth. Listen, I HAVE THE ASSURANCE IN MY HEART THAT NO EVIL COULD POSSIBLY BEFALL ME AS I SEEK TO WIN THE LOST, EXCEPT IT COME FROM THE HAND OF GOD AS A PART OF HIS DIRECTIVE WILL FOR MY LIFE AND MINISTRY.

Oh, believe me, I know that many of God's chosen saints

have laid down their lives for the Gospel's sake,

have been torn asunder, thrown to the wild beasts and burned.

Even in our life time missionaries have been martyred for the faith.

But I believe that by the cruel persecution and death of these saints of God THEY HAVE WON MORE PEOPLE AND SENT THE GOSPEL FURTHER INTO THE REGIONS OF THE WORLD THAN THEY EVER COULD HAVE BY LIVING.

God does protect His soul winners. Thank God for this. Yes, I have been in places myself, where I do believe He was protecting me.

Third: Those who win souls have the PROMISE OF HIS PROGRAM, outlined by Jesus in Luke 24:46-47, “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. The Gospel must go to the ends of the earth. But where is it to begin? It is to begin at Jerusalem.

Jesus is teaching that before you send the Gospel to Africa, to India, to Asia, to South America, to the island of the Sea, you must evangelize at home. That is the program for this church, for any New Testament Church. “It is wrong to send a DOLLAR to the foreign field and not KNOCK ON THE DOORS IN OUR JERUSALEM.”

Don't get me wrong, I support foreign missions. But the scripture means:

Start with yourself; be sure you know Christ as your own personal Saviour.

Start in our Jerusalem in Edwardsville, in Luzerne County and our surrounding area. That is where you are to start winning souls.

In Acts 5:42 we read, "Daily and in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." The program of our church is to make Christ known by PREACHING, by HOUSE TO HOUSE VISITATION, by WORD OF MOUTH in EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.

I believe that every member of any ministry of the church ought to be an active soul winner.

If there is no interest in soul winning I DO NOT QUESTION YOUR SALVATION. But I do question your genuine love of Christ and your love for lost men and women on their way to a Christ-less eternity.

Isn't it strange that the Cults and false “isms” openly promote false religions, and Islamic people sound off their false religion, and even choose to die for it? Yet, that which was the closest to the heart of Jesus, is often the furthest from the heart of the average Christian?

Let me ask what is being done with our faith today? A man was heard on the radio to say, “Islamic people see America as a failed Christian nation, citing the high rates of crime, immorality and failed marriages. They would have more respect for America if we did not separate our government from our God.” I guess that comment might be classified as a rebuke on our nation!

Fourth: Those who win souls have the PROMISE OF HIS PEACE, given in John 20:21 where we read, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” The greatest peace that can ever come into the heart of a human being is the peace of knowing you HAVE DONE YOUR BEST, AS A CHRISTIAN, TO SEE PEOPLE SAVED.

Death and disaster strikes everywhere; it could happen in your family today. If it did, could you lift your voice to heaven and say, "God I did my best; I put you first in my life, my heart, my home, my business. I tried to make YOU known to my family and friends.”

Fifth: Those who win souls have the PROMISE OF HIS POWER found in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” You may say that you are not strong enough to win souls to Jesus. Well, welcome to the crowd! Neither am I. But Jesus guarantees His power. The Captain of our Salvation has given His orders to the church. Here are the orders for each and every one of us. OUR MISSION IS TO BE A SOUL WINNER.

On September 11 2001, some unthinkable things took place. Over 3,000 people were thrust out into eternity by a violent act of hatred. Life is uncertain! I believe we’ve received a wakeup call in this country. Let me ask you this morning, “Who’s to blame for the 9-11 tragedy and disaster?”

Did the sins of our nation bring the judging hand of God?

Can we lay the blame on the wickedness of America?

We do know that God does not delight in judgment, or in the death of the wicked. God delights in blessing. In Ezekiel 33:11 we read, “ Say unto them, As I live, said the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways…”

I make no compromise with the wickedness of our nation. Yet, I do not place the blame of God removing his protective hand from America for a few minutes on the unsaved and the wicked. I place that blame on the PREACHERS, CHURCHES and CHRISTIANS:

Who have compromised their stand against sin.

Who have changed their sacred music to the wicked styles of rock and rap found in the world.

Who have played with the versions of the Bible until the average man on the street doesn’t know “which is the Word of God.”

Who have dropped standards of separation from the world.

Who in our churches have made an issue over a lot of nothing as we bite and devour one another with our squabbles.

Who just like America has been lax in who it allows to cross our borders and compromise our freedoms, the church has been lax by allowing the worldliness of this nation to come into the church and weaken it! The church has become ineffective through worldliness and compromise.

The honest truth is that America has become a weak nation because the LIGHT has dimmed and the SALT has lost its savour. God’s people are to be the Light and the Salt of the earth. Rather than reach our cities for Christ, we have become involved in everything else but the work God has called us to do.

America needs revival. If America sees revival it will come through old fashioned Bible preaching and the work of winning souls to Christ! If God saves America, it will be because of the revival of God’s people!

When the prophets of old came to proclaim judgment on a land, because of its present evil sins, these prophets always addressed the righteous. THE HOPE OF ANY NATION RESTS NOT THE ABSENCE OF SIN IN THAT NATION, BUT ON A RETURN OF GOD’S PEOPLE TO DOING RIGHT!

This generation has had more of an opportunity than any other to reach the world for Christ. We have knowledge, ability, travel opportunities, and technology. Yet, we have become a watered down and weak generation of Christianity more concerned with the economy of America than its spiritual condition. It is not the wickedness of the ungodly, it’s the apathy and the prayerlessness of Christians. We are to blame.

Today, I have brought all of this to mind in order to remind us of our commitment to the DIVINE MISSION OF THE CHURCH which is to win souls! What then are we to do next?

First of all, on our part we need to HAVE A PROPER ATTITUDE. We must decide to view our church as a body of believers ordained by God for a purpose – to win souls to Christ.

The next step is to BE INVOLVED AS A CHURCH MEMBER. Church membership allows a commitment to an area of ministry. Don’t be a bystander or content to sit on the sidelines. Official membership is Biblical.

Third, we need to DEVELOP LOYALTY to the ministry. Please do not sow seeds of discontent, nor above all, don't run when trouble and difficulties develop. They always do, so determine now to be a part of the solution.

Finally, we need to PROJECT MAGNETISM. I believe God wants to draw people to Himself through us, and the Holy Spirit wants to use us as living magnets to attract people through the open doors of our churches.

In the heart of historic Edinburgh, Scotland, sits Charlotte Baptist Chapel, which has a history going back 200 years. It was established in 1808 by a contemporary of missionary William Carey; but after several decades, the church fell on hard times. Attendance dwindled to about 30 people. An offer was made for the property by a commercial developer, and some in the church were ready to accept it.

But the church secretary, Andrew Urquhart, had no hesitation in rejecting the offer. He said: "I, for one, am not going to believe that the light which has burned so long in this place is going to be put out; that the people who so long labored for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause are to retire from the work in despair; that the door of this dear old Chapel, hallowed by many blessed and holy memories, is to be closed, and the building itself turned into a music hall or a grocery store. No, brethren, I don't believe it, and in your hearts neither do you. I believe the crisis is of God, and He will bring us through it."

Andrew was a man of unusual faith. As he walked to church, he would sometimes turn and say to his young son, "Look at the crowds waiting to get in!" The street would be empty, and the church nearly so. But in his mind's eye, he could see the people and he believed God still had a work for His church to do.

In October, 1901, the church called a new pastor named Joseph Kemp. On his first Sunday in the pulpit, only 35 people came. But prayer meetings sprang up, open-air meetings were conducted, the building was renovated, the Gospel was proclaimed, and revival fell on the church and on the city, the effects of which endure to this day.

This week, when you drive up to your church, say to yourself: "Look at the crowds waiting to get in!" Believe that God can send a revival of mission, of mercy, and of magnetism. Open the doors and see all the people!

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If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon “The Divine Mission of the Church” then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.

Acts 16:31, “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”

Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior would you let me know? Please send an e-mail to, pdmikBBM@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life.

In His Amazing Grace,

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/…/MMX32/

Copy write permission: Because the “Weekly SERMON” will be reproduced into other formats, PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING: The “Weekly SERMON” in its original form, without any changes, may be copied and re-transmitted by electronic mail, and copies may be printed for individual or ministry purposes, provided that such copying, re-transmission, printing, or other use is not for profit or other commercial purpose. Any copying, re-transmission, distribution, printing, or other use of the “Weekly SERMON” must set forth in full the heading that is given before each “Weekly SERMON.” Any other request for use, please contact Bible Baptist Ministries at pdmikBBM@aol.com or by phone at 570.829.5216.

The Power of Choice

Pastor David Miklas — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:23:35 +0000

Sunday August 1, 2010	Phone: 570.829.5216
Pastor David Miklas	e-mail pdmikBBM@aol.com
Message: Revival # 3	Text: Joshua 24:14-15

The Power of Choice

In this article I would like to address our young people and discuss the fact that “CHOICES DETERMINE CONSEQUENCES.” In the last chapter of the Old Testament book of Joshua, he was giving the nation his final message. Joshua ends his address with what has become known as one of the most powerful and courageous testimonies in all of scripture. In his old and perhaps quavering voice, he shouted in verses 14-15, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. (15) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” He knew these people had the POWER OF CHOICE.

They could choose to serve the false gods, and the idols their ancestors worshipped.

They could choose to serve the gods of the Amorites, whom God had overthrown from the land.

They could choose to worship and serve the God of heaven who had given them their life and this great land.

FIRST: This was an INDIVIDUAL choice. The verse says: "Choose you …" Each and every one of you have made or will make thousands of choices. You have or will be making choices whether to:

Obey or to disobey your parents.

Obey or disobey your pastor.

Obey God or not to obey God’s Word,

Go to school every day, or not to go to school and face the consequences.

Commit to keep yourself pure until marriage, or not to keep yourself pure and pay the consequences that will scar you the rest of your life.

Lie or tell the truth about a situation.

Commit to being in the house of God each and every Sunday, or to come only when you feel like it.

Live in harmony with your family, or to live in utter disharmony and anger all the time.

Finish school and go onto college, or quit school and then go from job to job wondering why things are so hard for you.

Accept God’s gift of eternal life though faith in Jesus Christ to one day spend all eternity in Heaven, or to reject God’s gift of eternal life and one day die and go to Hell.

It’s up to you; you have the POWER OF CHOICE.

Second: This is an IMMEDIATE choice, "Choose you THIS DAY…" This is a choice you must make TODAY, not tomorrow or when you grow older. The decisions you make in your life TODAY will impact you in the days and the years to come. Remember this:

Life has Choices…

Choices have Consequences…

Make the RIGHT Choices.

You have to decide whether or not you believe that this book, the Bible, is the absolute and final authority, the very Word of God. Your decision will have a decided impact on the direction of your life. Let this thought sink into your mind:

"There is no such thing as a small decision. Every decision is vital for this reason–decisions determine other decisions. Little decisions affect big decisions later. And each decision affects destiny.

Third: This is an INTENT TO SERVE choice. The reason for this decision is to choose whom you will serve. No man is without service to someone. You will either serve God or Satan. You can make the choice to practice righteousness or iniquity. The choice is actually in your hands. God did a wonderful thing when He placed within our hands the power of choice. We are free moral agents, who have the ability to make vital choices and exercise our intellect in matters that affect our immediate and eternal future. Remember this:

Life has Choices…

Choices have Consequences…

Make the RIGHT Choices.

But also realize this: when God gave us the ABILITY to choose, He also gave us the RESPONSIBILITY to make the right choice. Every privilege carried with it a responsibility. God has clearly laid out for us in the Bible right and wrong, life and death, Heaven and Hell.

God said, "Here is right and here is wrong. You choose what you are going to do."

God said, "Here is Heaven and here is Hell. You choose where you are going to go."

God said, "Here is peace and here is turmoil. You choose which you want in your life."

Now although you can make choices, you cannot determine the outcome of those choices. You cannot choose what takes place as a result of your decision. The consequences are already fixed. Galatians 6:7 tells us, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." You can make the wrong choices, but you can't decide the outcome. The outcome is already fixed. You CAN decide to do your own thing, but you WILL reap what you have sown.

When the Law was given to the children of Israel, Moses said in Deuteronomy 11:26-28 these words: "I set God's Word before you, and it is both a BLESSING and a CURSE. It is a BLESSING if you make the right choice and choose to obey. This same Law is going to become a curse to you if you choose to disobey." As your Pastor, I can't make the right choices for you, nor can your best friend make the right choices for you.

We can tell you the TRUTH. We can point you into the RIGHT DIRECTION. We can protest when we see you making the wrong decisions, but if you decide to do it anyway, we really can't stop you.

All we can say is, "Go ahead, but you'll be sorry." The consequences of the wrong decision are fixed, AND WHAT YOU WANT IS NOT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET.

You have the awesome POWER OF CHOICE, and YOU are responsible. You hold your destiny in your hands.

The choices people make today are going to decide whether they go to Heaven or Hell.

The choices you make today will decide what your life will be like five, ten, or even twenty years from now.

The choices you make today will determine whether you will reap the BLESSINGS from God or the CURSES of the world.

GOOD CHOICES are paid for in advance. Before Daniel ever got to Babylon and was ever tempted by sin, he had already determined he was going to do right. In Daniel 1:8 we read, "But Daniel PURPOSED in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank…"

It takes Character to make the right choices when the wrong choices are more convenient.

It takes Character to make the right choices when the wrong choices are more popular.

It takes Character to make the right choices when the wrong choices are more prosperous.

It takes Character to make the right choices when the wrong choices are more enjoyable.

RIGHT CHOICES must always be paid for in advance, before you enjoy the results of your right decision. Victory in the Christian life and the power of God are paid for in advance by making the right choices when the wrong choices are available.

BAD CHOICES are paid for AFTER they are experienced. This is like the use of CREDIT CARDS. You whip those things out like there is no tomorrow. You buy and you spend. You enjoy all the freedom, until one day in the mail there arrives this itemized list and with it a bill. Not only is there a bill for all you owe, also there is this 14% interest tacked on to the final balance. Now you must pay the price for all that enjoyment. That’s a very clear picture of making wrong choices.

Wrong choices are always paid for after they are experienced.

Many people who make wrong choices are deceived by the devil into thinking that there is no price at all, until the decision has already been made and experienced, and it is too late to change.

Remember there is a time of sowing, and there is always a time of reaping. Someone said,

1. You always reap exactly what you sow; you cannot expect to sow one thing and reap a crop of something entirely different.

2. You always reap later than you sow; the sowing may seem to be innocent and innocuous, but those seeds sown will come up after a while.

3. You always reap more than you sow; one tiny seed may multiply itself may times over in the future.

There is always a day of reckoning where the wrong choices will be paid for with interest. Please listen, "NO MATTER WHAT STAGE OF LIFE YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN, TODAY YOU ARE LAYING THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH YOU MUST LATER LIVE.

David made the wrong choice, and it cost him trouble in his family.

Jonah had his own way, but he paid for it in the belly of the whale.

Lot had the convenience of "Easy Street" in Sodom, but he lost everything that he had a little later.

The prodigal son had worldly pleasure for a short season, but he paid for it in the hog pen.

God has placed in your hands the POWER OF CHOICE.

It costs something to make the right choice, whereas it costs more to make the wrong choice.

Right choices are paid for in advance.

Wrong choices are paid for after they are experienced.

It will cost you a little now to obey, but it will cost you a whole lot later to disobey. The choice is yours. You can pay now, or you can pay later. You hold your destiny in your hands.

Over the years I have watched many teenagers make choices, some made the right choices and they reaped blessings. On the other hand there were others who made the wrong choices and reaped curses and destruction in their lives.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:1 these words, “Remember now thy CREATOR in the days of thy YOUTH, while the evil day come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." Then King Solomon draws all this to a conclusion in 12:13-14 when he says, "Fear God" (that implies faith); "Keep His commandments" (that implies obedience to God's commandments which are found in the Word of God). Now notice the verse concludes with: "This is the whole duty of man." The whole duty of man is to believe God and obey His Word.

As we consider our lives and the ministry which the Lord has entrusted to
us, it is wise, I believe, that we consider the seeds we are sowing. If we want a blessed, fruitful
tomorrow, we are well advised to sow wisely today. Every choice we make has a consequence.

Instead of dealing with consequences when the harvest comes in, we would do well to deal with
our choices in the season of sowing. The day of reckoning is always preceded by the day of reasoning. If we will yield ourselves to scriptural authority in the time of reasoning, we will be well served in the time of reckoning.

Choices! Choices! Choices! They are unending! There are decisions to be made every day. Take thought in these choices. Use godly wisdom rather than the rules of expediency. The consequences will be forthcoming based on how the choices are handled. Make
the right choices today in anticipation of happy consequences tomorrow! THE CHOICES OF TODAY DETERMINE YOUR CONSEQUENCES, either BLESSINGS or CURSES.

Next week we will resume sending the Weekly SERMON. Next week’s Weekly SERMON will be on the “Divine Mission of the Church.” All Weekly SERMONS on the topic of the church are being developed into two volumes entitled “The Power and the Glory of the Church.” These 27 messages will have 4 features – the sermon, two types of outlines, one for preaching and the other for teaching and power point suggestions.

In His Amazing Grace,

PS: We are into our 10^th month of our 6^th year of sending out the Weekly SERMON. We do not, nor will we charge for the Weekly SERMON. However if these have been a blessing to you, and you can help with the COST of this endeavor for the Lord, we appreciate and thank you for your prayers and FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Yes, at times I need to have my hand out to give you an opportunity to extend a hand financially to this ministry which extends the Word of God to others. For financial accountability we are handling all ministry funds under the Green Street Baptist Chapel of Edwardsville, PA. (Mailing address: Bible Baptist Ministry, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706) Checks made out to them and memo to Bible Baptist Ministry will be tax deductible for you and placed to our account for this ministry.

PPS: In order to access the Weekly SERMON, please click the link to Weekly Sermon Library, where you will be able to choose: Plain Text (TXT), Microsoft Word document (DOC), Microsoft Word 2007 document (DOCX), Rich Text (RTF), Web Page (HTML) or PDF (Portable Document Format), any of the format(s) you desire. After you decide on the appropriate format(s) you may then print a copy of the Weekly SERMON, save it to a file on your computer, or download it and save it to a disk for future use. Your use of this material is meant to be flexible.

http://BibleBaptistMinistry.org/…/MMX/