“ Great Sermon! ” Thank you, Dr.Rugh,
The development of holiness, or the revulsion of our own indwelling sin, is a war we were enlisted when we were saved. Setting aside the bible as our guide, no longer praying always in the spirit has developed an creature that shrugs their shoulders and accepts their sin as who God made is an anathema.
Good bless
“ Outstanding Sermon! ” This Doctrine of Sovereignty is one that is difficult to understand, but Brother Gil does a great job explaining it and making it a part of our salvation. As he mentions, we will look upon our God and be bewildered and blessed that He choose us as one of His own -- we as undeserved yet greatly thankful.
“ Great Sermon! ” Even without a sermon, these verses are self-explanatory. So, I decided why not just put them up and you can look at them while listening to the sermon ? ¶ 1 Corinthians 5:6-13 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. Purge the evil person from among you.---ESV
“ What Is Fair Provision? ” I never knew what Dr. Rugh, made for a salary all the decades I went to IHCC. I never saw it published in the church newsletter. Of course I should have asked one of the elders looking back at the time I was a member, and see what the response would have been. It's no concern of mine anymore and but just for the members of Dr. Rugh's church. But, this sermon should bring to mind --is my pastor being paid too little or too much? ¶"When I began my ministry as pastor at Bethlehem, it had never entered my mind that I would produce a lot of income by writing. I received modest honorariums of one or two hundred dollars for weddings and funerals. I accepted these with thanks. I did suspect that, if I was faithful, income would rise, and sooner or later I would make more than I needed. Therefore, I believed from the beginning that plans should be in place to put a governor on laying up treasures on earth. Otherwise, little by little I might assume that my wants were my needs, and the expenses would expand, as they always do, to fill the income. So Noël and I put in place a “graduated tithe” from the beginning. That is, we tried to give a greater percentage with each salary increase, not just a greater amount."---Pastor John Piper http://tinyurl.com/z5uva32
“ Who to honor? Good Elders for One Thing! Listen! ” This is a sermon that should have been pointed out years ago. Elders who are nothing but, ¶ 2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.---ESV ¶ Elders that are to be honored are those who work to the point of exhaustion. It is a right of an elder to be paid, though a right that Paul didn't demand in every situation. ¶ 1 Timothy 5:18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."---ESV ¶ The membership should know what your pastor/elder is getting in pay, to make sure he's getting proper compensation. A church can't proceed against a member of a church, which includes elders, without 2 or 3 witnesses. ¶ 1 Timothy 5:20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear---ESV ¶ The refusal to stop sinning means a rebuke before all. Some leaders go through all sorts of contortions so a person doesn't come before the congregation to be shamed. The thrill of sin is removed by being exposed to the Church. Sentimentalism and partiality have no place here. This is a very good sermon to listen to!
“ Where is a Timothy? ” I read the PDF file that was associated with this sermon. Particularly, I looked at the church constitution. I have not seen any protection of the laity from elders who are behaving un-Godly! I heard nothing in this sermon that addressed this problem. ¶ I heard, the verses before the ones I give. This is okay, but no answer to the following verses. ¡ ¶ 1 Timothy 5:19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.---ESV ¶ ! So, the sermon is mostly okay in my opinion. However, there are those who might be curious where is a Timothy to correct a leadership of a church. Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Churches have no mechanism to correct faulty leadership. So, there is no alternative, one has to leave a church if a leadership goes bad. So, this is an interesting sermon, I agree with Dr. Rugh, don't go to a church that doesn't follow Scripture!
“ Never too many sermons on Elders! ” I have not listened to a sermon of Dr. Rugh for a while, and since elders have always been a hot topic on SermonAudio, I thought I would give this sermon a listen, since the number of verses isn't that many, so I put up them here: ¶ 1 Peter 5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. --- ESV. The Jamieson, Fausset, and Browns' commentary also related this verse to 1 Peter 5:2, ¶ Titus 1:7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,---ESV ¶ You should have these verses before you as you listen to the sermon. ¶ Dr. Rugh, didn't directly get into some of the topics on elders such as a leadership that treats a church as a cash cow for them, but yet in a way he did, he looked at Ezekiel 34:1-10+ these verses are applicable to church leadership as Dr. Rugh pointed out. So, give the sermon a listen. It's educational.
“ Online Bible Verses for the Sermon ” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+2%2CDaniel+7%2CDaniel+9%2CMatthew+24%3A15-25&version=NASB ¶ This is the URL for the Bible verses used in the sermon. This way, while listening to the sermon you can just paste (Oh, and often have to fix by removing extra line-feeds that may or may not be there! :-( ) these into your browser. This is from the Biblegateway site which already have these books and verses in one place. Hopefully this will make it much easier for you, especially if you don't have the NASB version, which all of the sermon is based upon.
“ God tabernacles with His people ” http://scrolls4all.org/feasts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/03/81_2_001.jpg Material that the foundations stones were made of, for the New Jerusalem http://www.bible-architecture.info/Jerusalem.htm Jerusalem and its temples¶ http://www.biblenews1.com/peace/pictures/hjerusalemdimen.gif The size of the New Jerusalem ¶ This is an unofficial brief ¶ Note this sermon had slides which the pictures aren't available. I have included the URL for pictures that are not from the IHCC site but still help you visualize some of the things that were talked about in the sermon. Also note that URLs in comments to sermons may have to be reformatted to work! ¶ God tells us many exciting things about the future and one of the most exciting things is what God says about our future. We will be received in glory. You have to know the beginning and the ending of the Bible to understand both the beginning and end. Pain suffering, hardship and death ends are told about the Book of Revelation. What was marred and broken of earth is restored. God will be among his people. ¶ A verbal description is given of the New Jerusalem. The glorified saints will live in the New Jerusalem. This city is a 1500 mile cube. There is no temple in the city because God is present there.
“ Abraham, then Isaac, then... ” Genesis 17:18 Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But my covenant I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year.” ¶ I would suggest, Liberty, you look at at the above verses, should be an answer to your question. ¶ Like everyone Abram or as he was called later Abraham had Noah as his father like everyone on earth has him as his father. ¶ Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary for Genesis 10:5---" the isles of the Gentiles—a phrase by which the Hebrews described all countries which were accessible by sea (Isa 11:11,20:6,Jer 25:22). Such in relation to them were the countries of Europe, the peninsula of Lesser Asia, and the region lying on the east of the Euxine. Accordingly, it was in these quarters the early descendants of Japheth had their settlements."
“ Abraham, then Isaac, then... ” Genesis 17:18 Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But my covenant I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year.” ¶ I would suggest, Liberty, you look at those verses, should be an answer to your question.
“ Great Sermon! ” Can anyone explain Genesis 10:5 - "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, and their nations.?"
We see that Enoch walked with God and Noah was righteous. So when was the nation of Jews, or Israelites, formed? Where were they before Genesis 10:5. Where is their root?
It seems that there was only one nation in the beginning until God divided man.
“ Imprisonment--part of God's plan ” Unofficial brief ¶ Read about the Herods, to see what Christians were up against. They reigned for 100 years from the birth of Christ through Paul's arrest. We need to see the hand of God through all those "normal" events. Paul was in one form of imprisonment for five years, which afterwards he is released. This imprisonment is reported through the chapter 25 through the end of the Book of Acts. ¶ Ac 25:1 The Jews accuse Paul before Festus. Ac 25:8 He answers for himself, Ac 25:11 and appeals unto Caesar. Ac 25:14 Afterwards Festus opens his matter to king Agrippa; Ac 25:23 and he is brought forth. Ac 25:25 Festus clears him of having done any thing worthy of death. ¶ There's a spiritual war going on, The devil, a liar, the father of lies, is slandering Paul. God uses the acts of the followers of the devil, when they get Paul imprisoned, this is part of God's plan. ¶ Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“ Overcome being indifferent to Christ! ” Unofficial brief ¶ Dr. Rugh pulls things together on prophecy not by overview but looking at what the focal point of prophecy in the Bible. Some of the future things may be even unfolding in our day. The first three chapters of Genesis are crucial in understanding the rest of the Bible. The first chapter tells about the Creation, chapter 2, explains in detail the creation of man as male and female, and chapter 3, explains the disaster of the rebellion of man. Death and suffering came into the world. ¶ There's a pattern down through the Bible--death and sin vs. grace and salvation that comes from God. They continue for mankind until we move into eternity. From Noah down through history shows that God has preserved a remnant, even a tiny one, because of their faith. ¶ Covenants are high points to take notice of, like the Noahic Covenant. The world is ripening for judgment. Earlier localized judgments should be viewed as warnings against sinning against the Lord. ¶Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. ¶ The wages of sin is eternal death and wages of righteousness is eternal life.
“ Paul utters words of sober truth! ” Unofficial Brief ¶ As told in Chap. 26, Paul makes an extended defense of the Gospel to some of the elite. Paul pointed out he was good Pharisee most of his life and Jews could testify to that. He believed, ¶ Daniel 12:2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. ¶ Paul realized his persecution of Christians was completely wrong after his experience with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus. ¶ Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen, 23 how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles." 28 Agrippa said to Paul, "With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?" 29 Paul said, "I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds." ¶ Paul makes a clear defense (apologetics) for Christianity in Chap. 26, stressing the resurrection of Christ. Paul wanted to see genuine repentance. Your life is changed after becoming a Christian.
“ God is the only fair Haven! Part 2 ” Unofficial Brief ¶ Paul, Luke, Aristarchus, and the centurion Julius (All of whom Dr. Rugh looked at in some detail.) had a very difficult sea journey described in Chapter 27 of Acts. Sometimes life has smooth sailing but Paul didn't have that this time. Paul had been a prisoner for years and his life was put in extreme danger during this sea journey. This journey carried on God's plan for Paul. The sovereign hand of God is seen in this journey. The Alexandrian ship which they were on was completely destroyed, but all the people on the ship were saved. ¶ Paul had warned them of the forthcoming disaster, but they sailed on. A northeast wind took control of the ship. People on the storm-tossed ship started to jettison cargo. On the third day of the storm everyone threw off all the ship's tackle. Sun and stars didn't appear for many days, they didn't know where they were. All hope of being saved was abandoned. ¶ Paul encouraged them to eat, to keep up their courage and no lives were going to be lost. Paul tells them he belongs to God, who he believes, whose providence controls everything. Believers should never doubt God. Always believe God! ¶ Acts 27:25 Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me.
“ God is the Fair Haven ” Unofficial Brief ¶ There are difficulties in life even for the believer, not only everyday problems but problems compounded by our testimony to our Savior who has been rejected by the fallen world. ¶ Job 5:6 For affliction doesn’t come forth from the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground; 7 but man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward. 8 “But as for me, I would seek God. I would commit my cause to God, ¶ Job certainly immune to trials, pains, and difficulty. ¶ James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ¶ Paul was an innocent man, ¶ Acts 26:30 The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them. 31 When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.” 32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” ¶ The providence of God works through the injustices of men, Paul was foreordained to go to Rome. God used the weather to give Paul more time to proclaim the Gospel. The Centurion Julius is noted for his kindness. ¶ Continued...
“ God gave sinners an opportunity to become saints ” Unofficial Brief ¶ Nothing compares to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and only Christ's return will match it! We have to understand the importance of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection which are inseparably linked together. We would be permanently lost if Christ had returned to heaven without dying on the cross. We would be hopelessly lost if he wasn't raised from the dead. There is salvation for man because Christ is alive today. ¶ We are justified through Christ's actions so Christians are guiltless before God. We are redeemed because Christ has paid the penalty for our sin. Christ's propitiation turned away the wrath of God from us. We are sanctified. We are set apart for God. We are being confirmed more and more to God's character. ¶ We were alienated from God, we were reconciled to God, by Christ's death and resurrection. We can now have friendship with God. ¶ Romans 5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life. ¶ We are in family relationship with God, eternally, when we repent
“ A wife works to please only her husband ” Unofficial brief ¶ The first three chapters of Genesis are foundational to everything that follows in the Bible, e.g., God created man as male and female -- both in the image of God. While the man is the leader and center of the home, in a married status. In God's plan men and women need each other. ¶ Proverbs 1:7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.8 My son, listen to your father's instruction, and don't forsake your mother's teaching: ¶ Wise man and woman submit to God's Wisdom. One whom his wise submits to God, your life style shows if you are wise. It's a tragedy if a person doesn't live a life pleasing to God. Unfaithfulness to one's spouse is foolishness. ¶ Proverbs 2:16 To deliver you from the strange woman, even from the foreigner who flatters with her words; 17 who forsakes the friend of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God: 18 for her house leads down to death, her paths to the dead. ¶ A wise woman will not want to fit any descriptions in these three verses. A wise woman gives herself without reservation to her husband, sexually. A wise woman will see in the Book of Proverbs, how foolish women behave and have opposite behavior. Build the Word of God into your lives!-- be you husband, wife, child.
“ The unique, important role of women ” Unofficial Brief ¶ The Biblical role of women in the family is also based on the opening chapters of Genesis, The woman is to be submissive to the man. The solid middle is crumbling, more women are having children out of wedlock, because they don't want to give up their financial and personal independence. Unfortunately, too many Christians want to follow worldly ways. We raise to be more like men, and be independent, otherwise not being a Biblical wife. ¶ Evangelicals can be complementarian but not egalitarian when considering the Biblical roles of men and women. ¶ 1 Peter 3:7 You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Cor. 11:3 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. ¶ There is not an inequality between husband-wife but there's an order. The man and woman are dependent on each other. This is good in God's eyes. Women are not being put down when they follow the role given to them by God, any more than man is exalted by doing the same. ¶ Eph. 5:15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise;
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