The Process of Spiritual Adultery

This is a sermon that was based on the OT prophecy of Hosea 13:6 in which God tells the prophet the factors that led to Israel's unfaithfulness and process of spiritual adultery, leading them to forsake the commandments of God and turn to the worship of pagan deities. A video recording of the Sunday morning worship service in which this sermon was given may be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Hosea 13:6 ^(NKJV) When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me.

(NIV) When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.

Introduction:

Earlier I read the first chapter of Hosea. It is an unusual story. I’ve often wondered how God spoke to those OT prophets. Was it an audible voice? When you read about some of the things they said and even the things they did, it makes one wonder if they did hear an audible voice from heaven. I know that before I would have done some of the things the prophets did, I’d not only need an audible voice, but I think I would have needed a physical body to go with the audible voice in order to obey some of those commands.

Hosea is a good example of what I’m talking about. I am intrigued over the fact that we don’t read about Hosea arguing with God over this directive to go marry a prostitute. All I can say is that Hosea must have been absolutely and positively certain that God had spoken!

The title I have chosen for the message today may seem a little unusual to you.

I know there are many Christian theologians and teachers who promote the doctrine that it is impossible for a believer to turn away from Christ and ultimately be lost for eternity. Whenever it appears as though someone has done that very thing, we often hear the argument that they were never really born again or saved. I am certainly willing to agree that many people who have professed to be born again, never really were. And, therefore, it wasn’t a matter of giving up their faith or trust in Christ, but never truly and fully trusting in Christ in the first place.

However, I firmly believe the Bible teaches us that should a believer turn away from God and give up their faith, they run the risk of being eternally lost. This is certainly illustrated in the history of God’s dealing with Israel and Judah, as well as repeated warnings to believers in the New Testament, which make no sense if there is no possibility of being separated from Christ and eternally lost. So today, I want to use this passage in Hosea and take what God says about Israel to illustrate the necessity for Christians stay true to the Lord and not become like those who forgot God in Hosea’s day.

The Scripture that was read earlier this morning tells us that the prophet Hosea lived and preached during the reins of four different kings in Judah and one king of Israel. By the time Hosea comes on the scene, both Israel and Judah have repeatedly abandoned the true worship of God and obedience to His covenant. They have repeatedly forsaken the Lord to worship and give offerings and sacrifices to pagan deities. According to verse 4 in chapter 1, it will not be long before the Lord brings an end to the northern kingdom – the nation of Israel.

Hosea 1:4 ^(NKJV) Then the LORD said to him: "Call his name Jezreel, For in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, And bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.

Without taking the time to attempt an in-depth analysis of Hosea’s marriage, children, etc. we do need to point out that God clearly makes a comparison between Hosea’s relationship with his wife and the relationship between Israel and the Lord. While giving the description of Israel’s spiritual failings, God describes how it happened in Hosea 13:6 that I read a few moments ago. It is a description of how Israel ended up turning away from the Lord. It serves as a vivid reminder of the similar process that can happen spiritually to God’s children even today, so we need to be alert and on guard against the enemy of our souls.

I.          They experienced the wonderful blessings of God.

When I fed them, they were satisfied…

In the verses leading up to verse 6, it is clear that God is referring to the care that he gave to the people as they were delivered from Egypt and were traveling toward the promised land. Moses gave a very similar description in Deuteronomy where he is addressing the people prior to his death.

Deut. 32:10-15a (NKJV) ¹⁰  "He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. ¹¹  As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings, ¹²  So the LORD alone led him, And there was no foreign god with him. ¹³  "He made him ride in the heights of the earth, That he might eat the produce of the fields; He made him draw honey from the rock, And oil from the flinty rock; ¹⁴  Curds from the cattle, and milk of the flock, With fat of lambs; And rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, With the choicest wheat; And you drank wine, the blood of the grapes. ¹⁵  "But Jeshurun [upright one, i.e., Israel] grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese!...

Think about all that God had done for Israel. Miraculous deliverance on Passover night. Miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea. Miraculous provisions of food and water.

As you read through the story of the exodus and the journey to Canaan, if you’re like me, you wonder how could the people ever forget about the ways God provided all their needs? How could they ever doubt God’s ongoing care? I don’t know that I can prove it directly in Scripture, but I am convinced that they became ungrateful and began to take all God’s blessings and provisions for granted.

Still spiritually applies to people today. We have such great opportunities for godly music, preaching, teaching, etc. that we just begin to take it for granted and begin to be ungrateful for all that God has provided. We fail to truly appreciate our privileges because we’ve learned that we can get it anytime we want it or feel the desire.

We have no comprehension of the conditions Christians in other parts of the world contend with. The spiritual poverty in their countries requires many of them to travel long distances on foot, risk getting beaten or maybe even killed just so they can hear the Word of God and receive encouragement from their brothers and sisters. But in places like here where our spiritual privileges are so rich, we know nothing about taking such risk to hear the Word. We are constantly “fed and have become well-satisfied.”

II.        They developed an attitude of self-sufficiency.

when they were satisfied, they became proud

As God is describing the condition of His people, He says that once they were satisfied, they became proud. The description provided here by the Lord through the prophet is given in physical or natural terms. They were satisfied because they had all they needed. They had plenty to eat, plenty to wear, plenty of everything. Eventually they became proud and evidently began to boast about who they were and how special they were to Yahweh/Jehovah.

The pride caused them to focus on themselves rather than focusing on the extraordinary grace of God. Pride causes people to forget that God has done so much, and they begin to be amazed at all they have accomplished. There are few things more repulsive than people who have become proud of their spiritual status and accomplishments. You’ve no doubt met people who give the impression that they are so special to God, He is surely fortunate to have them “on His team!”

James 4:6 “… God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

III.       They forgot God and became corrupt.

Then they forgot me.

When the people of Israel forgot the Lord…

A. They abandoned Him just like an unfaithful spouse.

We all understand the tragedy of marital infidelity and the consequences it brings into the lives of two people who at one time pledged to love each other until death. The abandonment and infidelity did not just happen in a day or overnight. It was a much longer process of “forgetting” to treat one another with the kind of respect and tender love that was at the beginning of the relationship.

How sad it is to watch marriages slowly deteriorate and their affections turn toward someone else. We sometimes become shocked at the level of disrespect, bitterness and even violence that develops between two individuals that were “madly in love” at one point.

The prophets of God frequently used the analogy of marital infidelity and unfaithfulness to describe how the people of Israel treated God. Their worship of pagan gods was often portrayed or described as “playing the harlot” or “prostituting themselves.”

Just as it is in human relationships, the abandonment toward God doesn’t usually just “overnight.” It often is a much longer process of gradual unfaithfulness to Him and failure to take appropriate steps to keep the affection and devotion warm and fresh.

When they abandoned Him…

B. They began to make choices that appealed to their own proud, lustful hearts.

Hosea 13:1-2 (NKJV) ¹  When Ephraim [another name often used to represent Israel] spoke, trembling, He exalted himself in Israel; But when he offended through Baal worship, he died. ²  Now they sin more and more, And have made for themselves molded images, Idols of their silver, according to their skill; All of it is the work of craftsmen. They say of them, "Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!"

Depending on the proper translation of this verse, it could have a reference to the performance of human sacrifices.

(Hosea 13:2b NIV, … It is said of these people, “They offer human sacrifices! They kiss calf-idols!”)

It is astounding how depraved a nation or an individual can become when they have turned away from the Lord and have begun to live according to the dictates of their spiritually dead hearts. How does such corruption and depravity happen to a nation? How does it happen to a married couple? How does it happen to an individual? How do they become so corrupt and unfaithful to the God (spouse) they onetime loved and worshiped?

Well, I can tell you this: it didn’t just happen suddenly. It is a long process of carelessness with regard to maintaining a loving relationship, open communication, and stubborn faithfulness to promises and vows regardless of all the allurements that might seek to draw us away. You can be sure that the Holy Spirit was faithful. There were many times the Spirit prompted them to come back and revive the devotion and strengthen the relationship. But, each time a person overrides the prompting of the Holy Spirit, it becomes easier to do it the next time.

Conclusion:

If you’ve read your Bible, you know how this all turned out for Israel. After they persisted so long in their abandonment of God and their worship of pagan gods, the Lord allowed them to suffer the consequences of their own choices. War, defeat, captivity, death.

If an individual, a church, or a nation insists on turning away from God and appeasing our own depraved desires, then one day God will allow us to experience the consequences. But, it doesn’t have to end that way. As I said earlier, the Holy Spirit is faithful to keep calling us back to a renewed spiritual vitality and relationship if we will respond.

Closing song: Holy Spirit, Light Divine 

Who Is the Lord?

This is a sermon that uses various Scripture texts to emphasize why it is so important to know God in a personal relationship and to correct some of the common misconceptions some people have concerning God. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was presented can be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Exodus 5:2 ^(NKJV) And Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go."

Introduction:

The title of my message today is a phrase that appears in Ex. 5:2. Moses and Aaron had gone to Pharaoh as directed by the Lord and requested he let the Israelites travel “into the desert” to worship the Lord. Pharaoh responds to the request that he views as absolutely ridiculous by asking, “Who is the Lord…?” As the ruler over a land in which multiple pagan deities were acknowledged and worshiped, Pharaoh wonders, “Who is this god that requires his subjects to travel out into the wilderness to perform sacrifice? He then replies, “I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.”

My message today is not specifically about the miraculous story of deliverance that this text is leading up to, but I want to use this phrase to introduce a message about the identity of the Lord who had sent Moses to Pharaoh.

The question, “Who is the Lord?” is a question that many people have asked in their own hearts and minds. There are other people who should be asking this question because they seriously need to re-examine their own concepts of God and bring them into agreement with the Scriptures.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I would like to speak to you, first of all, about why it is so important to know God as He really is, then I want to illustrate some misconceptions people have about God by using biblical stories/examples. These examples are not out of date or irrelevant, because they truly represent the kinds of attitudes people still demonstrate these days.

I.          Why should I know who God really is?

If you were attending this church about 11 years ago and have a good memory, then some of these things will sound familiar to you, because I shared some of these thoughts at the beginning of a sermon series I preached on “Proper Concepts of God.”

Who is the Lord anyway? Obviously, we cannot address this question as it should be without repeating the entire series I shared before, and then some. But the sad fact of the matter is many people professing to know God and have trusted in Christ for salvation, still do not have a working biblical knowledge of God as revealed in Scripture.

Is that so bad? Why is it so important to know who God really is? Here are some answers that others have offered:

A. The knowledge of God is at once humbling, stretching, and consoling to my heart, my spirit, and my life.

Charles Spurgeon wrote a rather lengthy introduction to one of his sermons that was quoted in the book, Knowing God by J. I. Packer.

Listen closely to this quote from Spurgeon.

…“There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity…. No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God…

“But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it. He, who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe… The most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and Him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnifies the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity.

“And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a [comfort] for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a [salve] for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the [the knowledge of God]; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout [seeker] musing upon the subject of the Godhead. It is to that subject that I invite you this morning….”

Avoiding any deep study and meditation about God guarantees that I will remain an intellectual and spiritual “midget.” But more than that, knowing God and seeking to know Him better will have an immense effect in every sphere of my life.

B. The knowledge of God will help me avoid errors of faith and practice.

A former Christian Missionary Alliance theologian, A. W. Tozer, stated, “There is scarcely an error in doctrine or… ethics that cannot be traced finally to imperfect and [dishonorable] thoughts about God.” He also said this, “No people has ever risen above its religion, and… no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God.”

Pagan cultures were filled with detestable practices, which could be traced to the kinds of deities they worship who were virtually no higher or better than they. In many cases, the deities were even more vile and more sensual and more violent. Here in our nation, our morals and ethical behaviors have consistently eroded and decayed in direct proportion to our national acceptance of a flawed and debased concept of God. Our society has become a people who flaunt some of the most immoral lifestyles and believe that God approves and condones anything and everything that we have decided is right.

There was a time when people knew and understood the differences between vice and virtue. Even those who were not living virtuously knew they weren’t and when confronted, readily admitted their behavior was wrong. But today, by mere human edict, we have turned vices into virtues, claiming the approval of God, all the while condemning those who insist on biblical distinctions between right and wrong.

C. A God I do not know cannot be trusted, served, nor worshiped.

A theologian from many decades ago by the name of Arthur Pink made the statement I just shared. If I could apply his assertion to modern human relations, I could compare it to this:

Let’s say I introduce you to a complete stranger and then immediately ask you to cash in all of your retirement savings and let him invest it for you a better return. Would you want to do that? Or what if I introduce you to a total stranger and then immediately ask you to commit the next 5 years of your life working for that person. OK? Or maybe I describe the most magnificent musician you will ever hear and then I ask you to write a detailed report extolling the praises of the performer you have never met or heard.

In all of these hypothetical situations you immediately detect the absurdity of it all. How could any person ever trust, serve or worship someone they have just casually met? Yet, in the spiritual realm, people making their way to church buildings and worship services everywhere attempting to worship a God they barely know. Is it any wonder that so many other pursuits are far more appealing than gathering for worship?

II.        What are some misconceptions about God we see in Scripture?

A. Some have thought that God was no different than humans.

This goes along with what I mentioned earlier – social ethics and morals in pagan cultures were so morally depraved because that was their perception of their gods. A verse I have shared numerous times in the past specifically points out this truth. After giving a whole list of sins that were described in the preceding verses, God says,

Psalm 50:21 (NASB) These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.

There are plenty of examples we could give from our society how many people assume that God is okay with our sins because they don’t really bother us anymore. We have gotten so accustomed to immorality around us that we have collectively begun to think that God approves of it all too. As a result, it is very common now days for people to talk as if everyone goes to heaven when they die. It doesn’t seem to matter if they have been living in regular drunkenness, fornication, adultery, sodomy… you fill in the blanks.

B. Some thought God was confined to certain spaces.

Read 1 Kings 20:23-28.

2 Kings 18 - Sennacherib king of Assyria boasts about how he will destroy the Jews, and claims that the gods of other nations (or lands) were not able to deliver their people from his army, so neither will Israel’s God. His boast implies a belief that each country or nation had gods that were primarily responsible for protecting that region.

Sometimes people today talk and act as if God is only present in some places and not in other places. I have heard people who seem to indicate there are things they wouldn’t say in God’s house or in the presence of a preacher, but they don’t have a problem saying it elsewhere. I’m not implying we should bring our standards for God’s house down to match the rest of our lives. No, we should bring the standards in our everyday lives up to match what’s appropriate for the house of God!

III. What kind of God do we want?

If we look at the history of Israel and Judah, we find that they repeatedly abandoned the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They would serve the Lord for a period of time, usually when there was a strong godly leader in power, then they would start setting up idols and sacrificing to the pagan gods of the nations around them. Why? Maybe they never completely got away from what they learned in Egypt. Maybe there was something appealing about the idea that the gods could be controlled. (Oswalt) Gods were part of the cosmos, so if you needed certain benefits, you manipulated (by appeasement) the god that was connected to that part of your world.

Far too often, the problem in the American church and society today is this: We want a God we can control and manipulate. (Pray the right prayer, give a big enough offering, attend enough church services, etc., then God is obligated to provide what we want/need.) We want a God who will respond to our cries for help and rescue us from the consequences of our bad/sinful choices (Thank God, sometimes He does do that, but often He doesn’t.) We want a God who will deliver us from the pain of abuse, the grief of losing a loved one, or some other trauma we have experienced. (And He often does ease our pain, but many times He gradually heals us as we learn to trust Him.)

But God created us to love Him and trust Him and worship Him with no strings attached – just because He is worthy. He made us for a relationship built on love, trust, and loyalty.

Conclusion:

Knowing God requires an honest, diligent search in the Scriptures for they reveal His nature. But study alone will not bring about a true knowledge of God. Yes, there will be a greater intellectual understanding and knowledge about God, but you still won’t really know Him. To really know God requires a genuine relationship with Him and that can only be found through Jesus Christ.

When we confess and abandon our past and present sins, seek His forgiveness and grace, then love Him with all our heart, it will start us in a relationship that has the potential to grow and expand for the rest of our lives. It truly is possible to love Jesus more than we may think. He makes the difference!

Closing song: Oh, How I Love Jesus        

The Cleansing Blood

This sermon was preached on August 8, 2021 for a worship service in which the sacrament of communion was shared at the close of the service. The sermon uses a number of Scriptures to emphasize the cleansing from sin that is provided through the blood of Jesus Christ. The message speaks about the corruption of sin, the cleansing of the blood, and the ways in which the sacrament of communion is a reminder of this biblical fact. 

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

One of the speakers that Kris and I heard last fall in KY was Daryl McCarthy. He spoke to us on the topic of Critical Race Theory. Daryl and his wife, Teri, are both professors/lecturers who have extensive experience teaching in other countries around the world. 

Teri writes a blog online in which she recounts some of her experiences in these teaching assignments, even before she and Daryl were married. One such story is about God leading her to teach in Moscow in 1991, prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union. The events leading up to her going to Moscow are nothing short of miraculous, which she has described in other articles. When she arrived for her initial interview with the university officials, she was housed in a small apartment that was deplorably filthy.

Here is the description in her own words: The bathroom was filthy. The walls were stained with human waste and the water ran rusty from the faucet. Tiles had fallen into the bathtub covered in dirt and rusty stains. … The sheets were clean, but everything else was filthy. The floor was dirty. The chair was dirty. The curtains were dirty. I was afraid to touch anything. How was I going to survive four days in this place?

Even before giving this brief description of the apartment, Teri had related how she was awakened on her very first morning there: Cockroaches crawling on me woke me up. I felt little tickles on my arms and face. I shot out of bed slapping myself all over. I started gasping. I hate cockroaches. I HATE THEM! I turned on the light and there were dozens of them scampering out of sight.

She describes how this horrible place made her immediately resolve to just get through the interviews and get back on the plane and never return. In order to sooth her conscience (she had believed God called and led her to go to Moscow), she decided to make unrealistic demands so they would turn her down and she could claim that it was their fault she didn’t return, rather than feel guilty for personally deciding not to return. Well, the end result was that they accepted every demand, and she had no option but to return a couple of months later to do the teaching she has always claimed God called her to do.

Before returning to Moscow, along with assistance from her sister and brother-in-law, she prepared all types of cleaning and sanitizing products to take with her so she could transform that little apartment into a place suitable for her to live.

As I was thinking about the message for today, I remembered these descriptions Teri McCarthy had included in her most recent blog. We might have been mentally repulsed by imagining the filth she described, just as she had been literally repulsed by experiencing it. A normal response to such filth, we would say, is to immediately find a way to cleanse it away and make it sanitary, clean, and wholesome.

The Bible describes another kind of filth that is in desperate need of cleansing. With the help of God’s Spirit, I want to speak to you today about the dirt and filth of sin from which God has provided adequate cleansing.

I.          Humans are corrupted with sin.

I think most of us have repeatedly heard the truth that we are all sinners in need of God’s salvation and redemption. There are a number of Scripture texts which we’ve heard over and over that emphasize this truth. For example:

Romans 3:10-11 (NKJV) As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; ¹¹ There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

Romans 3:23 (NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

However, today I want to share some passages in which God describes the human condition in terms of corruption, defilement, and filth. These are terms that emphasize the pollution of our hearts before we come to Christ and the need to be cleansed.

Genesis 6:12 (NKJV) So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

This seems to portray the idea that the sinfulness of all humanity was viewed by God as moral dirt, filth, and corruption.

Psalm 53:3 (NKJV) Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.

Mark 7:20 (NKJV) And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.

Mark 7:23 (NKJV) All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

Galatians 5:19 (NKJV) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Ephesians 4:22 (NKJV) that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NKJV) For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

Probably the classic passage in the OT regarding the filthiness and corruption of sin can be found in Isaiah.

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV) But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

Here the prophet emphasizes the “uncleanness” of the people to the point that even the righteous deeds they might do are like filthy rags.

We’ve mentioned a great many passages that all describe our spiritual condition before coming to Christ in terms like filth, corruption, defilement, etc. The whole point is that we cannot clean ourselves up. We can’t remove our own filthiness. In fact, as Isaiah proclaimed, even the good things – the righteous acts – that we might try to do still looks like soiled rags in the sight of a holy God.

II.        There is only one option for cleansing.

There are dozens of passages in the Bible that speak of God’s promises to cleanse His people from their sinful filth and defilement. Listen to these examples in both the OT & NT.

Ezekiel 36:25 (NKJV) Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

Ezekiel 37:23 (NKJV) They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel is writing during the captivity. The people of Judah and Israel had been defeated and taken away as slaves because of their sin, corruption, and defilement. But now God is promising to solve their problem of filthiness by cleansing them.

Zechariah 13:1 (NKJV) “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.

Hebrews 9:14 (NKJV)  how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 10:19-22 (NKJV) Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰  by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹  and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²²  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

The language the author uses here clearly draws a parallel between physical cleansing/washing and the spiritual washing through the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 13:12 (NKJV) Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

The author of Hebrews is making a comparison between the sacrifice of animals in OT laws and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The comparison is not exact, but it was meant to demonstrate that the shedding of Christ's blood replaced the need for animal sacrifices, and therefore, the Jewish believers needed to “go outside the camp” (v.13) of Judaism and wholeheartedly trust Christ. (Tyndale NT Comm.)

1 John 1:7 (NKJV) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The corruption was extensive and deep. The filthiness and uncleanness were repulsive. But God wasn’t caught off guard, nor baffled about what needed to be done for an adequate remedy. The blood of His own Son was shed for every sinner! The blood of Jesus Christ is the only option for cleaning us up from our moral and spiritual defilement.

III.       The sacrament of communion reminds us we are clean.

When Jesus instituted the practice of sharing the “Lord’s Supper” He instructed His disciples to keep on sharing it with one another as a reminder of what He had done for them. When we participate in the sacrament of communion we not only continue to follow and obey the command of the Lord, but we are reminded of what it means for us as well.

Paul stressed in 1 Corinthians 10 that the emblems we eat and drink enable us to “commune” with the body and blood or our Lord. We have talked about this word commune in the past, but it essentially means that we join in or participate in the accomplishment of His sacrifice. The purpose for which He sacrificed Himself is the effect that we receive.

So all of these verses we read minutes ago about being cleansed by the blood of Jesus applies to us. When we join together and share communion it is a testimony of cleansing from sin and spiritual defilement through the blood of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

When Teri McCarthy returned to Moscow that following fall term to teach, I’m confident that her little apartment looked and smelled a lot better shortly after her arrival, as she made good use of all the cleansing supplies she took in her luggage. But I'm confident the intense cleaning that apartment received is nothing in comparison to the cleansing our hearts and lives receive after we’ve been to the cross!

Closing Song: It Cleanseth Me  

The Serenity of Trust

This sermon was preached on July 25, 2021 based on Psalms 125. It emphasizes the kind of peace and serenity characteristic of those who trust in the Lord. This is a message of encouragement and comfort in times of upheaval, conflict and disturbance. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was delivered can be viewed by clicking here. 

Written Excerpts:

I suppose I am speaking to people who have experienced some level of anxiety and concern in recent months and even years over the moral and spiritual conditions in our nation and the world. In addition to those things, we have continued to experience tragic natural disasters in various places around the world. It seems like every newscast brings stories of a new location that is devastated by floods, fires, storms, etc. These conditions often cause us to feel as though it has never been this bad before. Perhaps it is true and maybe it just seems that way.

People have always struggled with these thoughts and feelings. I first preached from Psalm 125 at the church in Ohio where I had pastored many years ago. The date was almost exactly 37 years ago (July 29, 1984). Listen to a portion of the introduction I gave back in 1984. “Our day seems to be characterized by much unrest, turmoil and fear. There is a just cause for all of this, i.e., murders, terrorism, etc. are running rampant.” I didn’t need to change a word to become an accurate description for 2021.

Where do we go when we need uplifted? Where can we receive relief from the anxiety and fears? Sadly, far too many people seek peace, relief and encouragement from all the wrong places. I don’t know about you, but I find that I need to be reminded from time to time regarding the source of hope and encouragement we have in God’s Word. God has provided many passages of Scripture in which we can discover relief and peace.

Psalm 125 is one such place – a source of peace, hope and encouragement. “There is a person who doesn’t seem to be affected by the fear and turmoil of the day. You will notice him rather readily if you are paying attention. He is the one who is described in our Scripture lesson in Ps. 125 – He is the person who trusts in God.”

Let’s look in these verses to notice three observations concerning those who trust in the Lord.

I.          Notice the characteristics of their trust. (v. 1)

Psalm 125:1 ^(NKJV) Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

A. Their trust was in the LORD.

The Lord was the object of their trust. They weren’t trusting in themselves. They weren’t trusting in their armies. Etc.

Who is the Lord? What does this name LORD mean?

YaHWeH – (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) …the Bible's own explanation in Exodus 3:14 is that it represents the simple (Qal) imperfect of hāwâ "to be," I am [is] what I am. …

Some have gone on to suggest that the Qal meaning of Yahweh must be God's unchangeableness toward his people (Exodus 3:15; G. Vos, Biblical Theology, p. 134). …[and changelessness] (… in the NT Jesus did use Exodus 3:14 to introduce the thought of his eternal divine existence, John 8:58). God's immediately preceding promise to Moses had been, "Certainly I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12). So his assertion in Exodus 3:14 would seem to be saying, "I am present is what I am." Indeed, the fundamental promise of his testament is, "I will be their God, and they will be my people" (Exodus 6:7, etc.; contrast Hosea 1:9); thus "Yahweh," "faithful presence," is God's testamentary nature, or name (Exodus 6:2, 4; Deut. 7:9; Isaiah 26:4).

Exodus 3:14 (NKJV)  And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

Exodus 3:15 (NKJV)  Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'

Exodus 3:12 (NKJV)  So He said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."

John 8:58 (NKJV)  Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

Exodus 6:7 (NKJV)  I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Summarize: the name emphasizes the concept that the LORD is the One who is eternally, faithfully and unchangeably present. If the people referenced in Psalm 125 are trusting in the God who is eternally present and faithfully present and unchangeably present, then they have a solid reason to be confident and unshaken.

B. It was a continuous trust.

“Those who trust…”

(J. Weingreen, Hebrew Grammar) The verb trust in the original Hebrew is in a verb form that denotes continuous activity. This implies that they do not decide to run to the Lord and put their trust in Him only in the bad times, but they are continually trusting in Him. Not only is the Lord continually present, but the people are continually trusting. (Their continual trust is certainly not in the same degree as God’s continual presence.)

Have you noticed the number of people in our world and even local area who do not seem to exhibit much of a desire to “trust” in the Lord and follow Him when everything is going well? Many of those same people run to the Lord when things start going badly. And often they wonder why God has allowed such bad things to happen to them.

Perhaps God allowed it to drive them back to Him – just like He did to the people of Israel. They often forgot God until adversity came and enemies defeated them, then they would seek the Lord. The people in this Psalm who experience the kind of results they experienced were constantly trusting in the Lord!

II.        Notice the reason for their trust. (v. 2)

Psalm 125:2 (NKJV) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.

The reason for their trust is simple. Because God surrounds His people like the mountains surround Jerusalem.

(Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised) – Mount Zion is not the highest peak in the mountain range around Jerusalem. To its east lies the Mount of Olives, to its north Mount Scopus, and to the west and south other hills, all of which are higher than Mount Zion. Surrounded by mountains, Mount Zion was secure because of its natural defensibility. So the psalmist compares the Lord to the hills around Jerusalem and the people to Mount Zion. The hills connote endurance (cf. v.1) and a sense of assurance and protection. God is “around” and present with his people (cf. 34:7; Zec 2:5) “both now and forevermore” ….

Psalm 34:7 (NKJV) The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

Zechariah 2:5 (NKJV) For I,' says the LORD, 'will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.' "

If you are one who is consistently trusting in God and not in government or people, doesn’t it give you a sense of hope and peace to realize that the Lord surrounds you just like the mountains surround Jerusalem?

III.       Notice the effects of their trust. (v. 1, 3-5)

A. They are immovable. (v. 1)

These trusting ones are compared to Mount Zion which “cannot be moved.”

(Keil and Delitzsch Commentary) Older expositors are of opinion that the heavenly Zion must be understood on account of the Chaldaean and the Roman catastrophes; but these, in fact, only came upon the buildings on the mountain, not upon the mountain itself, which in itself … remained unshaken.

Have you seen people who are immovable? It seems like nothing shakes them or changes them. They have a trust and a confidence in God that gives them a completely different perspective on life than everyone around them.

B. They have deliverance. (v. 3, 5a)

Psalm 125:3 (NKJV) For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.

Scepter of wickedness (KJV, rod of the wicked) denotes authorities who rule wickedly. If left unchecked, they would inspire iniquity in the righteous, but God will intervene and prevent that from happening.

Psalm 125:5a (NKJV) As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD shall lead them away With the workers of iniquity.

C. They have tranquility. (v. 5b)

“Peace be upon Israel!”

(Keil and Delitzsch Commentary) Finally, the poet, stretching out his hand over Israel as if pronouncing the benediction of the priest, gathers up all his hopes, prayers, and wishes into the one prayer: "Peace be upon Israel." … Upon this Israel he calls down peace from above. Peace is the end of tyranny, hostility, dismemberment, unrest, and terror; peace is freedom and harmony and unity and security and blessedness.

This sense of tranquility is also actually implied in the Hebrew word for “trust” that is used in verse 1.

(Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) …in Hebrew, baṭaḥa expresses that sense of well-being and security which results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence. It is significant that the LXX [Septuagint] never translates this word with πιοτευω "believe in" but with ελπιξω "to hope,"

… This would seem to indicate that bāṭaḥ does not connote that full-orbed intellectual and [willful] response to revelation which is involved in "faith," [but] rather stress[es] the feeling of being safe or secure.

Conclusion:

Who, what, or where is your source of serenity today?

I certainly get the impression that many people are looking to government entities to provide security and serenity. It would be impossible to list all of the inadequate sources people look to for encouragement, peace and relief from anxiety. The Psalmist clearly and vividly tells us that it can only be found by trusting in the Lord.

I want to close with the hymn, “Under His Wings.” This song is a good reminder of the care and faithfulness of God.

God's Favorite Word

This is a sermon that was given on July 18, 2021 and it discusses many references in the Bible in which God invites human beings to come to Him for various reasons. The sermon is based on many different texts from Scripture and emphasizes God's desire for us to seek Him. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was delivered may be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Introduction:

I’ve been reading through a daily devotional book that contains excerpts from different books written by Max Lucado. The name of the devotional book is: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. The title of my message today is the same as the title for one of the devotionals in his book.

I want to read part of it. “God is an inviting God. he invited Mary to birth his Son, the disciples to fish for men, the adulterous woman to start over, and Thomas to touch his wounds. God is the King who prepares the palace, sets the table, and invites his subjects to come in….

“In fact, it seems his favorite word is come…. God is a God who invites. God is a God who calls.”

After I read these comments and some Scriptures he included, I began to think of and look for other verses in the Bible that used the word “come.” I felt the Lord leading me to use them as the basis of the message for today.

Our Scripture reading today included many of the verses I found which contained the word “come.” I will use them to help us recall the kinds of situations in which people have heard God say, “Come.” We will not necessarily discuss them in the order in which we read them earlier.

For the time we have today, let us consider the various reasons God invites us to come.

1.         God invites all people to be saved.

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

We all have heard many sermons and read many passages in the Bible that emphasize the need to be saved from sin, because we are all sinners in need of redemption and salvation. A thorough explanation of salvation could include a multitude of Scriptures, but these are two specific verses that demonstrate God’s invitation to be saved.

The passage in Isaiah speaks more specifically about the problem of sin and God’s promise to wash it away if the people will follow the “cleansing ordinances” God has ordered for His people, and if they will obey ethical/moral directives included in the Law. (See vv. 16-17).

Rev. 22:17 is a general invitation to “whosoever will.” The Isaiah text is written specifically to the nation of Judah, but Revelation is written to believers in general.

Both texts can be applied to every time period and every person because they both illustrate the heart of a loving God who “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” If you are not saved today, God invites you to come to Him and take Him at His word to be forgiven and saved from sin.

2.         God invites backsliders to return.

Hosea 6:1 Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

There are a couple of references in the Bible that on the surface seem to teach that it is impossible for people who have known the Lord and turned away from Him to be restored later. But this verse in Hosea and many others in Jeremiah, as well as references in the NT certainly indicate that God loves those who have willfully turned away from Him. He invites every backslider to return to faith in Him through repentance and faith.

Deuteronomy 4:29 ^(NKJV)  But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

A promise given to a nation who would deliberately disobey the Lord and suffer judgment (captivity) because of it. God offers an invitation, “Come,” to everyone who has strayed away from Him.

3.         God invites all disciples to follow him.

God doesn’t offer salvation merely so that we can avoid going to hell. He desires to have intimate fellowship with us. That was the whole point in creating us in His image, so we could have a relationship with Him. This relationship involves following Him and being a disciple, a learner, or one who imitates and obeys.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Jesus invites us to be His disciple – to learn from Him, follow Him and become like Him.

4.         God invites us to emulate his nature.

God saves us and invites us to follow Him for the purpose of making us like Him – to conform us to the image of His Son. As we follow Him, we are invited to be holy/separated from the world.

2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."

Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

1 Peter 1:15-16 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

Holy – means pure/cleansed and set apart for sacred purpose.

5.         God invites everyone to receive whatever they need.

Isaiah 55:1 Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Mark 6:31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

The language in these verses is figurative implying all kinds of needs. The need for something to satisfy hunger, thirst, rest, etc.

6.         God invites us to pray for our needs and requests.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The word “boldly” means openly, freely, confidently and with assurance. How often are we prone to think our problem is something that God isn’t really interested in? God invites us to come with all our requests and experience His infinite, marvelous grace.

7.         God invites the dead to experience new life.

John 11:43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"

This verse reveals the Lord’s invitation for a man who is literally dead to come out and experience new life. Figuratively, He invites anyone who is dead spiritually or emotionally to come to Him and experience life more abundantly.

8.         God invites some people to attempt big things.

Exodus 3:10 Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."

You are probably familiar with the conversation that took place between Moses and God in the desert at the burning bush. Moses has been hiding out in the desert, taking care of flocks, and God arrests him and invites him to join Him in a massive rescue.

Matthew 14:29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Peter saw Jesus walking on water, so he wants to do it. Jesus doesn’t rebuke him and tell him to “leave it to the experts,” but He invites Peter to come.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not usually a risk-taker! I normally prefer to “play it safe.” But Jesus invites us to partner with Him in a task/job that is way too big or too hard for our own strength.

9.         God invites everyone, he doesn’t leave anyone out.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."

These two verses are just a couple of examples of Jesus intentionally reaching out to those who would normally be / feel ignored.

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, on Mt. 19:14) – Jesus reverses conventional values, and accepts as important those whom society (and even his own followers) despised.

“of such” – (TNTC) all others, sick, outcast, Gentiles, women and children.

Zacchaeus – chief tax collector.

(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) …just as the publican Zaccheus was regarded by the rest of the Jews as a sinner and renegade who was unworthy to be numbered among the sons of Abraham, and was yet chosen by our Lord to be His host, so the social outcast of modern life is still [invited to be] a son of God, within whose heart the spirit of Christ is longing to make its abode.

Conclusion:

I have shared a number of examples from Scriptures that actually use the word “come,” to show how God reaches out to all who will respond to His invitations. We have talked about many different situations and scenarios that people experience and from which God calls them to “come.” His invitations are still valid today. No matter what circumstances or conditions you may be in, God invites you to come and receive the exact relief and remedy that He provides.

Our closing song is based on the verse we looked at in Isaiah 55:1.

Come, Every One Who Is Thirsty