Experience Front St. Church of Christ - Your Spiritual Guide

Charles L. Taylor

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“PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD”

Amos 4:12

1. God is. 

a. The fact that you cannot see him does not prove that he does not exist. 

b. Cannot see pain, electricity, hope, sorrow. 

c. The only way to account for things is to begin with a self-existent being (Gen. 1:1). 

d. Evolutions accounts for nothing. 

2. The atheist reminds me of the story of a dog on an express car. 

a. Someone asked the expressman: “Where does this dog go?” He replied, “I don’t know; he doesn’t know; nobody doesn’t know; because he has gone and chawed up his tag.” 

b. According to atheism, nobody knows where we came from, why we are here, or where we are going. 

3. Nature testifies to God (Psa. 19:1). 

a. This world could not have just happened. 

b. It has been calculated that if the 26 letters of the alphabet were tossed into the air by chance force, they might fall together in the present order — A, B, C, etc. — once in 500 million, million, million times. 

c. But there is more order than this in the universe. 

d. To argue that the world is the work of blind chance is as unreasonable as to argue that the telephone directory is the result of an explosion in a printing factory. (Cellphone) 

4. The Bible testifies to God. Gen. 1:1; Eccl. 12:1,7; Acts 17:24.

a. An atheist does not know there is no God unless he knows everything. 

b. If there is one thing he does not know, it might be the fact there is a God. 

c. And if man knows everything, then he is a god himself.

5. Man must meet God — judgment. 

a. Justice demands the judgment. 

b. It would be unjust for the good and the evil to be awarded alike. 

c. Man has courts because he sees the need of judgment. 

6. Our meeting God will be universal — no exceptions.

a. Everyone (Rom. 14:12). 

b. All persons (Rom. 14:10), all nations (Matt. 25:32), and all the world (Acts 17:30,31) will be there. 

c. The Bible will be the standard of judgment (Jo. 12:48; Rev. 20:12). 

7. Each must meet God on his own record (Rom. 14:12; II Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7).

a. The meeting will be at an hour when we think not (Matt. 24:36; II Pet. 3:10; Matt. 24:42-44).

b. Should prepare for the occasion. 

8. Too much is involved not to prepare for it (Mk. 8:36,37; Matt. 10:28). 

a. Life is too uncertain not to prepare now (Jas. 4:13,14; Heb. 3:8,15; 4:7).

b. How prepare? 

9. Search Scriptures (Jo. 5:39). 

a. Be doers of word and not hearers only (Jas. 1:22).

b. Obey gospel (Rom. 1:16). 

c. Add Christian graces (II Pet. 1:5-10). 

d. Persevere (Matt. 10:22).

COCLUSION:

1. The greatest tragedy is to fail to make preparation. 

a. This was the tragedy of the foolish virgins and the one-talent man (Matt. 25:1-13,14-30).

b. The outcome of the meeting (Matt. 25:31-46).

2. This is the day for which man lives (Eccl. 12:13).

3. If man fails here, he fails in his whole duty (Eccl. 12:13).

1 Tim. 6:17: "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. (Cf. James 1:17)

God has always been a giving God. Some things He has given:

I.   GOD HAS GIVEN US OUR LIVES:

A. Acts 17:21-25: "God that hath made the world and all things therein... . Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath and all things..." (Cf. 14: 17)

B. Cf. Gen. 2:7 "And the Lord Cod formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."

II. GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS SON:

A. John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

B. 1 John 4:9: "In this was manifested the love of God

toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (Cf. v. 10 and Rom. 5:8)

III. GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS GRACE:

A. Eph. 3:2: "If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you ward..."(Cf. v. 7-8)

B. Paul frequently referred to the grace God had given him: Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 3:10; Rom. 1:5;1 Tim. 1:12-16; Titus 2:12.

IV. GOD GIVES US WISDOM

A. James 1:5: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,"

B. Daniel 2:20-21: "Daniel said. Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: he giveth wisdom unto the wise...” (Cf. 1 Cor. 2:1-8)

V. GOD GIVES US OUR SEVERAL ABILITIES:

A. Cf. the parable of the talents, and the ones

to whom God gave different responsibilities, etc. Matt. 25:1 tiff

B. Rom. 12:5-8: "So we, being many, are one body

in Christ, and every one member one of another....

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us..."

C. 1 Peter 4: 11: "...if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth..." (cf. v. 10)

VI. GOD GIVES US THE INCREASE FOR FRUITS OF OUR

LABORS:

A. 1 Cor. 3:6-7: "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God giveth the increase."

B. God gives results as He works through the ministry of Christians: Acts 14:27; 15:4,12; 21:19 Cf. Phil. 2:12-16

VII. GOD GIVES THE FAITHFUL ONES VICTORY

A. 1 Cor. 15:57: "But thanks be to God, which giveth

us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

B. 1 John 5:4: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

Acts 20:28-38

Introduction:

1. Paul’s condition at the introduction of this lesson — a very emotional time.

a. Sadness over leaving them. He had been very close to the Ephesian church. No time to go and tell them good-by. Sent for the elders to relay the message.

b. His own future was foreboding. Acts 20:22-27.

c. The picture was dark! Yet he felt that good could be done.

2. What would he say as a parting message to such men on such an occasion at such a time?

3. He warned them to "take heed.” (Gr. prosecho. Hold to, to apply the mind to, give heed to, attend to, etc.)

a. To self. Elders must watch themselves. They can go wrong, too. (In fact, the darkness of this picture was that some in their group would stray.)

b. To all the flock.

(1) Individuals and group. An elder must take heed to individual members and needs, and to group needs.

(2) And dangers from without. What diligence such a condition would demand.

c. The church was to be left in the hands of these elders. Note the instructions carefully.

4. With such a setting as this, what would Paul say? Discussion:

I. FEED THE CHURCH.

A. God wants the church fed.

1. The great commission is self-perpetuating. Matt. 28:18-20. Teach them to observe "all thi

whatsoever I have commanded you” and that would include "go . . . teach.” Hence, the teaching was to be done "even unto the end of the world.”

2. 2 Tim. 2:2. Four generations included in this one verse; but not to end there!

3. Babes are to be fed. 1 Pet. 2:2.

4. And so are the mature. Heb. 5:12-14.

B. Overseers to tend to the feeding.

1. "Feed” in Acts 20:28 is "poimaino” which means to "act as a shepherd” and "to tend would have been a consistent rendering” (Vine.) It includes more than feeding.

2. To thus tend, elders are to see that the flock is fed even though they do not personally do all the teaching.

a. They must have proper conception of a good teaching program.

b. Not to be hobbyist nor extremist — but such as will feed a well-rounded diet to the sheep.

c. Must have a deep appreciation of the great Bible themes — love, blood, salvation, grace, resurrection, etc.

d. A shallow program or weak diet will leave the flock undernourished. Some may even starve. 1 Cor. 11:30.

3. Even though they do not do all the teaching, they must be able.

a. "Apt to teach” 1 Tim. 3:2.

b. "Hold fast the faithful word ... be able by sound doctrine . . . convince the gainsayers.” Tit. 1:9.

c. "Admonish” 1 Thes. 5:12.

d. "Who have spoken to you the word of God” Heb. 13:7.

28 —

e. Whether done personally or otherwise, elders have the oversight of all the teaching in the church.

C. This is a perpetual need — for all generations.

1. Many "go back and follow him no more.” And many of these are untaught.

2. Many are "weak and sickly.” Again, the lack of teaching.

3. All need to grow. 2 Pet. 3:18.

At Front St. Church of Christ, our mission is to spread the GOSPEL BY love and kindness through BIBLE teachings. We believe that everyone deserves to feel the love of God and our goal is to make that possible for as many people as we can.

A LION IS IN THE STREETS #1

Prov. 26:13

INTRO: 

A. The lion is one of the most ferocious beasts known to man. 

B. He is very dangerous. 

C. Man is afraid for this animal, and that he should. 1 Pet. 5:8.

D. Solomon says that the slothful sees a lion in the streets. 

E. The slothful person is lazy, sluggish, and inactive. 

F. A person can be alert physically and lazy spiritually. 

G. Some in Corinth were sick spiritually. 1 Cor. 11:30.

I. SLUGGARD SEES THE NON-EXISTING.

There is no lion in the streets. It is just his imagination. He makes so many excuses for doing nothing, and these excuses become real to him. Prov. 22:13.

II. SOME LIONS IN THE STREETS.

Remember there really are no lions; it is just the imagination of a lazy man. 

Yet, they become real to him. Note some of the lions.

A. We Can’t Do It! The job is too big. 

a. Ten spies saw this lion. 

b. The lion was in the form of giants. We are not able. Num. 13:30-33. Lack of faith. 

c. The church sees this lion. Cannot do it: missions, build, teach, personal work, etc. 

d. There is no lion; they are lazy.

B. It Cost Too Much. It is just our imagination. Nothing costs too much for God. 

a. If He is for us, who can be against us? Rom. 8:31. Matt. 16:26.

C. I Don’t Have Time. No lion; just an excuse. 

a. We have time for what we want to do. Matt. 6:33. 

b. Felix never had time. Acts 24:25.

D. Some Object. My husband or wife wants me to spend time with them.

a. My family does not approve of the church. 

b. Your marriage, your friends, where you go, etc. 

c. They would rather you go to church than a drunken party. 

d. This is an excuse. Could it be that you are lazy? Remember Luke 14:26.

III. SLUGGARDS HINDER THE LORD’S WORK. 

a. Because of being lazy and lacking faith, they fail to carry out their part.

b. Fail to carry out their part in attendance. Heb. 10:25.

c. Fail to give. Cause the church to miss the budget. 1 Cor. 16:1-2.

d. Fail to work. Do not visit, teach, or bring souls to services. Fail to

e. grow. They know: 1 Cor. 15:58; John 9:4.

f. Sluggards discourage others. This causes faithful brethren to be discouraged.

IV. SLUGGARDS MUST FACE REALITY.

a. There are no lions.

b. There is nothing we cannot do.

CONCL: 

A. Sluggards must quit daydreaming, seeing things, and making excuses. Eph. 5:14. 

B. We must wake up. Rom 13:11. 

C. Have you been seeing lions?? 

A LION IS IN THE STREETS #2

Prov. 26:13

INTRO:  In our text, a man is pictured who shrinks from the difficult—shrinks from taking difficult tasks in hand because he is too lazy. 

A. It is often easy to conclude that a duty is too hazardous or beyond our personal abilities.

B. There is no lion in the streets; this is just the imagination of the slothful man. 

C. Because he is lazy, he pictures great obstacles.

D. Many fail to follow Christ in service and sacrifice because they build up great obstacles. They say we cannot live the Christian life. The truth is they are just too lazy and slothful to try. 

E. This man is a coward. He is afraid to face the dangers and difficulties of life. 

F. But, if there is a lion in the streets, we must be brave and remove him.  We must be brave and overcome difficulties.  

G. If a lion is in the streets and the coward bars his doors and stays inside, the helpless ones are left unprotected; they are sure prey for the lion. 

H. To shrink from expelling the lion is shameful negligence. Because of hindrances and the difficulties of doing Christ’s work, cowardly and idle people allow the souls of fellow men and babes in Christ to be destroyed.

I. LION OF CIRCUMSTANCE.

1. Nehemiah wanted something done for Jerusalem, which was in ruins. Neh. 1:3-4.

2. Nehemiah was a slave in a foreign land. Neh. 2:1-8.

3. Though in difficult circumstance, Nehemiah met and slew this lion of circumstance.

II. THE LION OF HANDICAP. 

A. IT WAS SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR NEHEMIAH TO SAVE THE HOLY CITY, BUT HE DID. NEH. 2:19.

A. Peter and John.

1. Called “Ignorant and unlearned men.”

2. But, “They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13.

B. Paul.

1. Handicapped; in a Roman prison.

2. But, converted some of Caesar’s household. Phil. 4:22.

3. Wrote some of the greatest books of the New Testament.

C. Other examples.

1. Edison was stone deaf yet contributed our lights.

2. Milton was blind yet wrote “Paradise Lost.”

3. God will always see us through.

III. LION OF OPPOSITION.

A. Nehemiah had much opposition. Neh. 4:1-3.

1. There was a division of the people. He had to inspire them to cooperate. Neh. 4:13-15; 5:1-5.

2. There was opposition from without. Neh. 6:1-3. (Jesus was opposed from among His own and others.   

    Matt. 16:21:23.)

B. Peter and John. Acts 3; Acts 4:1-4, 16-19.

C. Satan continues to oppose. Resist the devil. James 4:7-8.

CONCL:  

A. Opposition strengthens. 

B. Those who overcome will be more useful, and the church will be stronger.