Author: Jim
Company: Home

Table of Contents For The Yes We Can Series

     Title											Page No.

1.   Meet Our Budget					`				2-4

2.   Have Godly Homes									4-7

3.   Be Christ Disciples									7-10

4.   Minister to Others									10-12

5.   Have Answered Prayer								12-15

6.   Have God’s Power									15-17

7.   Have God’s Power 2									18-20

8.   Make Christ Lord									20-22

9.   Have Spiritual Fruit									22-24

10.  Go First … Then Come   								24-27

11.  Have Revival 2									27-30

MEET OUR BUDGET

TEXT: II Cor. 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. 

II Cor. 8:7  
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 

INTRO:  A. Philippians 4:13 declares "I can do all things through Christ..."  Thus we have adopted this motto: "YES WE CAN!"  Today I want to apply this to our giving.  Our twin texts state that Christ became poor so that we thru His poverty might be rich. So too we need to "abound in this grace also..." - the grace of giving!

                B. Speaking as our Financial Advisor, Jesus said in Mt.
         
Matt. 6:19-20 
19 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:
                      
Here is an investment free of Income Tax, estate and inheritance tax, and completely protected from falling interest rates, bank closures, etc.  The investor who secured such an investment would consider himself fortunate indeed.  YOU can be that investor!

ILLUS:  Every believer has the right and the responsibility to make such an investment.  Often we consider giving to God's work a loss financially, when in reality it is probably the single most important (and safe) investment we can make in life.

TRANS:  The liberal giver is in reality the smart investor.  Every dime and dollar given to the Lord's work is an investment which we will meet again in glory...with dividends we never dreamed possible...

      I.  SATANIC SUGGESTIONS FOR GIVING:

          A. Postpone Your Giving...

l. The devil whispers: "Wait till you are in a better financial position, then you can give more."
2. If you don't tithe the dollar you have in your pocket it is unlikely you will tithe the dollars you will make later.

ILLUS:  "Later..." is one of Satan's most effective wiles, whether dealing with salvation or giving. John D. Rockfeller, Sr. said he had to go to work a small boy to support his ailing mother.  His first job brot $1.50 and when he handed it to her, she said she would be happy if he would give 10% or $.15 to the Lord.  He did.  In his words: "I did and from that day I have tithed every dollar...if I had not tithed the first dollar I made I would not have tithed the first million dollars I made.  ...Train the children to tithe, and they will grow up to be faithful stewards of the Lord."

          B. Freeze Your Assets...

l. The devil says: "Invest your money to get the best interest and though it is tied up now you will have more to give later."
2. The Lord's work often goes begging while believes make more and more money on investments, certificates, stocks, etc.

      ILLUS:  "Ten thousand for my brand new car;
                Twenty thousand for a piece of sod.
                Fifty thousand I paid to begin a house;
                A dollar I give to God.

                A tidy sum to entertain my friends in pointless chatter.
                And when the world goes crazy mad.
                I ask, Lord, what's the matter?
                A dollar I gave to God.

                Yet there is one big question :
                For the answer I still search:
                With things so bad in this old world,
                What's holding back the church?"

          C. Raise Your Standard of Living:

l. Satan neutralizes believers and the church by suggesting: "You make more now, you can live better now."
             	2. Instead of raising your standard of living, raise your standard of giving!

ILLUS:  Chas. Wesley did. Wesley said he lived comfortable on his meager income, so when it doubled, he continued to live at that level, but increased his giving by 16 times.

          D. Put Off Giving Till Death:

             	l. Satan says: "Use your money now, leave a nice chunk to God in your will."
             	2. The Bible only promises rewards for deeds done "in the body."

QUOTE: "Do your giving while you're living, then you're knowing where it's going."  There is nothing wrong with including the Lord's work in you will, thus "he being dead, yet speaketh." But, if you postpone it, it may be too late. Ex. Ernie Degand!

      II. DIVINE DIRECTIONS FOR GIVING:

          A. Equality:  v.13-14

             	l. "Not equal giving, but equal sacrifice."
             	2. Few Christians know the meaning of sacrifice today.

ILLUS:  Temple Baptist Church, Temple University and Temple Hospital began with such a sacrifice.  A little girl named Hattie Wiatt came to S.S. but was told there was no room for her.  She became very sick and beneath her pillow at her death was found a torn purse and 57 pennies witha note that read "To build the Temple bigger so more little children can go to Sun. Schl."  The Pastor told the congregation and the news media picked up on it and within 5 yrs. Those 57 pennies grew to $250,000!  For two yrs. little Hattie saved her pennies sacrificially and God multiplied them.  What sacrifice have YOU made?

          B. Bountifully:  9:6

NOTE: The size of the harvest is dependent on the scope of the sowing.  The farmer may enjoy all of his harvest now by eating it, but he would be better off if he saved some to sow later.

            	l. You will only get what you give Luke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good
measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
             	2. If you are content with small blessings, give small offerings.
             	3. If you prefer large blessings, give liberal gifts.

          C. Joyfully: 9:7

             	l. God prizes not the size of the gift but the attitude of the giver!
2. When you give joyfully the Lord is pleased and if He is pleased He responds accordingly with blessings to you.

          D. Expectantly:  9:8-11

l. The believer's liberality is translated into God's generosity.  "all grace...all sufficiency...all things..."

ILLUS:  I don't have as much to give as others, but I have the same God and I have seen this principle of God's generosity responding to my liberality many, many times!  He never fails!

2. One of the reasons God responds so bountifully to our liberality is so that we will have more to be thankful about.

CONCL:  "YES WE CAN!" (MAKE OUR BUDGET)!  But God's plan includes our liberality in giving.  We cannot on our own give enough to take care of the need.  But "(we) can do all things THROUGH CHRIST
         ..."   God's plan for sustaining His work begins with the tithe and goes beyond to bountiful sowing.  If you want blessings here and treasure hereafter, you had better start cooperating with God NOW in tithing and giving!

 HAVE GODLY HOMES

TEXT: Psalm 101:1-4

THESIS: To show David's resolve to live a righteous life, beginning in his home and extending to his Kingdom and encourage all heads of homes to do likewise.

INTRO: A. We need to learn from our mistakes.  David had become King and wanted to make Jerusalem the capital city and the center of worship. He wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.  He tried to do so and tragically failed to follow God's plan for transporting it by having the Levites, specifically the family of Kohath, carry it on their shoulders.  Instead he used an ox cart and it nearly fell and one man, Uzzah, tried to steady it and when he touched it, God struck him dead! "Doing a right thing a wrong way brings down God's displeasure, not His blessing." -John Phillips

              B. He was ready to try again.  This time he would do it God's way.  Before making this move, he decided to rededicate himself, his home and his Kingdom to the Lord.  This Psalm enshrines his resolves. It begins with David telling God what his objectives are. This Psalm becomes the Psalm of royal resolve.  In just 8 verses David uses the word "will" nine times and the word "shall" 6 times...

       "I WILL walk within my house with a perfect heart." v.2b

    I.  DAVID'S DELIGHT: v.l

        A. Fellowship with God:

l. Nothing this side of heaven can make a person happier than knowing he is in fellowship with God.
           2. David had learned from his mistake, repented, and now resolved  to do things God's way.

               a. This restored his fellowship.
               b. This in turn set his heart singing.

    NOTE:  The spiritual saint is a singing saint!

        B. Faith in God:

           	l. David was trusting in God's mercy and His righteous judgment.
2. When our soul is in harmony with God we rest in his impartial justice and are content that He will "do right"!

    II. DAVID'S DECISION: v.2a

        A. A Comprehensive Resolve:  "I will..."

           l. Deals with behavior: "I will behave myself..."

 NOTE: Those who attempt to divorce belief from behavior are mistaken. Your belief alone will not make you a good Christian...your behavior must match your belief and be backed up by a godly lifestyle.

           2. Deals with wisdom: "wisely..."

NOTE: The wise path is the biblical path and always the best path. As the King David could have followed the example of others and lived in riotous excess, but wisdom begins with God.

           3. Deals with maturity: "a perfect way..."

    NOTE: David was not just a King over the people dealing with politics, etc., but as King of Israel was ruling not under a mere monarchy, but under a Theocracy and thus was responsible for the spiritual life in the Kingdom and for his people.

    III. DAVID'S DESIRE: v.2b,
        A. Anticipation:  v.2b   "O when wilt Thou come unto me?"

           1. Of course David was speaking of the Lord's presence symbolized by the Ark.
           2. But it was no less genuine anticipation than we have waiting for the coming of our Savior.

QUOTE: "There is no greater desire that can possess a human heart than the desire to have God as a Guest." - Phillips    Thank God we have Him as a permanent Guest, not just in our neighborhood, but in our hearts!

    IV. DAVID'S DWELLING: v.2c (v.3-4)

        "I WILL WALK WITHIN MY HOUSE WITH A PERFECT HEART."

        A. The Home:  "my house..."

           l. Here is David's absolute dedication!
           2. Here is David's absolute determination!

              a. He is saying as did Joshua: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
              b. To amplify that determination he adds, (v.3) "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes..."

                 l) The term "wicked thing" literally is "thing of Belial".
                 2) Some things have their origin in the very soul of Satan.

ILLUS: David declares that the TV in his home will be carefully regulated; that the magazines, papers, books, etc. will all be screened.  And this is BEFORE the Holy Spirit indwelt believers!

              c. As the head of his Kingdom, he knows that sanctification must begin in his home.

ILLUS: Someone has aptly said: "The man is what he is at home."  We can have a respectable appearance at church or work, but what about at home?  How do we treat our wives, children...?  Some men think that the "head of the home" means that all others are to be his slaves.

        B. The Heart: "a perfect heart..."

l. David hated what God hated.  cf. v.3b  I hate the work of those that turn aside, it shall not cleave to me."
           2. "Those that turn aside" literally is "Those who practice depravities..."

ILLUS: David declares that Rock Music, Country Rock, etc. will not be played on his stereo.  He will have nothing to do with perverts, pimps, pushers or pornographers.  His house will be free from the depravities of society.  No believer should host both Deity and de- pravity!  Faith and filth cannot coexist!

           3. David was not only sanctified, but separated.  v.4

l. The word "wicked" has a Greek equivalent: "porneia" from which we get our word "pornography".

ILLUS: We are drowning in filth.  One report stated that it would take 5 Empire State Bldgs. filled to overflowing to accomodate all the porn literature sold in l yr. in the U.S.!  Believers today have to deal with open filth to a greater degree that David. We need determination not to "know a wicked person."

       2. David declared "I WILL WALK WITHIN MY HOUSE WITH A PERFECT HEART."

ILLUS: George Fox the Quaker preacher uttered these stirring words on his deathbed: "I am clear, I am clear, I am clear! "Dads, are you CLEAR about your home, wife, children...as to their training, upbringing, treatment?  Mothers, are you CLEAR about your home, husband, devotional life?  Children, are you CLEAR about your parents, friends? Church member, are you CLEAR about your tithe, your soul-winning, commitment, gifts, talents, relationships?

CONCL:  YES WE CAN - HAVE GODLY HOMES!  There must be DELIGHT in the Lord, a DECISION as to behavior, a DESIRE for fellowship with the Savior, and a determination as to your DWELLING, your home!  What has the Lord told YOU to do today?

BE CHRIST'S DISCIPLES
  
TEXT: LK. 14:24-27,33

THESIS: To show the requirements set forth by our Savior to become one of His disciples.

INTRO:  A. The word "disciple" means learner or follower, but it also carries the connotation of being willing to translate what you learn into activity.  It is one thing to be saved and another to be a disciple.  It is one thing to know Christ as Savior and another to know Him as Lord.  Salvation comes thru childlike belief, discipleship comes thru a commitment of life and lifestyle.

                 B. "Great multitudes" started to gather around the Savior, but instead of trying to win this crowd over as His disciples by scaling down His demands, He purposefully made following Him desparately difficult and deliberately thinned out the crowd of would-be disciples. He knew that not all who came to Him for salvation would be willing to come after Him in sacrificial service. Though they ought to be, the terms "disciple" and "believer" are not synonomous.  While it is true that He is "not willing that any should perish" (quantity), He is concerned more with quality and committment.

TRANS:  In our text, Jesus makes 3 demands, without which He declares a person "CANNOT be My disciple..."  It is only as you meet these 3 demands that you CAN be His disciple...

  I.  UNRIVALED LOVE: (Affections)  v.26

      A. A Comparison:

         l. This statement deals with the priority of love.
         2. One's love and loyalty to Jesus must transcend his loyalty to family.

NOTE: The person who refuses to leave family for service to Christ is not a true disciple.  He may be a believer, but not a disciple. Ex: One man said he would follow Christ if he could first go and bury his recently deceased father.  Jesus' reply was startling: "Let the dead bury the dead."  It is a simple matter of priority.

      B. A Commitment:

         l. The contrasting claims of kin and Christ are inevitable.
         2. The word "hate" here is used in a relative, not an absolute sense.
         3. There is no conflict between this demand and the command to honor father and mother.

            	a. While there is no conflict, there may be a choice.
            	b. The ultimate test is whether natural affection or spiritual commitment will prevail?

4. Jesus further demands that our love for Him exceed our love for self. "yea, and his own life also..."

a. This condition passes from the family circle to the central citadel of our instincitve love for ourself and the natural desire for self-preservation.

Job 2:4  
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 
     
Satan's suggestion is that we love ourselves so much that we will do anything to preserve our flesh (life).  By contrast Paul said "Neither count I my life dear unto myself:

b. If there is no such unrivalved love in our hearts for Christ He says "ye CANNOT be My `disciple..."

  II. UNCEASING CROSS-BEARING: (Conduct)   v.27

NOTE: Previously Christ used the phrase "come to me..." (v.26), speaking of a personal love and intimate relationship to Him, now He uses the phrase "come after Me..." speaking of sharing in His suffering.

      A. Symbolism:

         l. The cross stands for shame, suffering and death.
         2. The cross is a symbol of rejection by the world.

            a. There is no such thing as a "worldly disciple".
            b. The true disciple renounces the world.

NOTE: This renunciation is a voluntary action.  It will not be thrust upon us as was Jesus' cross on Simon the Cyrene.  It means we willingly accept the scorn and hatred and ostracism of the world because of our relationship with our Savior.

I Cor. 4:12-13 
12:  ... being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

      B. Suffering:

l. Here we are invited to share His unpopularity, not His popularity. "...godly shall suffer persecution."
         2. This kind of teaching soon thinned the crowds.
         3. This kind of teaching sifts out the superficial.

ILLUS: Vance Havner said: "As long as the church wore scars, they made headway.  When they began to wear medals, the cause languished.  It was a greater day for the church when Christians were fed to the lions   than when they bought season tickets and sat in the grandstand."

         4. There are no lines waiting in the aisle marked "Discipleship".

  III. UNQUALIFIED RENUNCIATION: (Possessions)  v.33

      A. Fooled By Satan:

         	l. Satan always shows the best and hides the worst; he always presents only half the picture.
2. Satan reveals the comfort and enjoyment of possessions, never the slavery that goes with them.

ILLUS: Jesus uses two illustrations in v.28-32 to show that those who would be His disciples must CONSIDER THE COST (tower) and CONSIDER THE DANGER (warfare).  The cost of material possessions is that often we don't own them, they own us!  The danger is not realizing the power possessions have to keep us from serving Christ wholeheartedly.

      B. Freed By The Savior:

l. A deliberate renunciation of ALL our possessions will free us forever from coveteousness and selfishness.
         2. Discipleship does not necessarily a demand a literal selling of all we have, but it may!

            a. The Apostles said: "We have left ALL and followed Thee."
            b. Paul said: "I suffer the loss of ALL things."
c. Of the early believers it was said: "Neither said any of them that AUGHT of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had ALL things common."

ILLUS: The symbol of discipleship is the upturned open hand, not the tightly clenched fist.  Our attitude must be: "Lord, help Yourself to whatever You wish of mine."  Otherwise you CANNOT be His disciple.

CONCL: A powerful motive is necessary for obedience to these unequivocal demands.  It is found in Christ's own example.  He asks nothing of us He was unwilling to do Himself:

l. He "hated" His Father and left His heavenly home and entered a completely hostile environment because He loved us.
          2. He bore His cross (literal) and yielded His life a ransom for us all.
          3. He renounced the riches of the universe to dwell here and had no place to lay His head.
             
II Cor. 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. 

          He provided the example and He issues the invitation.  He says you CANNOT be His disciple unless you meet His demands.  But since we CAN do all things thru Christ...YES WE CAN (BE HIS DISCIPLES).  The question is: Will YOU!

 MINISTER TO OTHERS

TEXT: Ezekiel 34:16

THESIS: To set forth the 4-fold ministry every church and Pastor should be engaged in.

INTRO: A. The setting of this passage is God's righteous indignation over the "shepherds" of Israel (v.2) and their lack of pastoral care for the people (v.4).  Israel had only recently been scattered and Jerusalem destroyed.  The Lord wants to know why the "shepherds" (Pastors) did not do their job.  He reminds them that their neglect contributed to the destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering of the nation. (v.5)

                B. "As goes the church, so goes the nation."  The churches fail, the nation becomes corrupt.  We complain much about the state of our nation, but we must share in the blame.  We have become lukewarm toward sin and have tolerated wickedness.  Preachers have become soft on sin.  The people have condoned sin "in the camp" and in the home.

TRANS: Our text gives us a solution.  In the form of an ancient parable we have a 4-fold ministry which every Pastor and person in the church needs to be engaged in...

  I.  SEEKING:  "seek that which was lost..."

NOTE: The context speaks of those scattered because of the destruction of Jerusalem and the nation and their restoration.  Jesus used the term lost with a deeper meaning.  Not lost physically, but spiritually.

A.	Jesus' Ministry:  

Lk. 19:10  
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
                                     
         l. First He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel.
         2. Then He came to lost Gentiles.

NOTE: "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring...and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd."

      B. Our Ministry: 

John 20:21 
"...as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you..."

         l. Our ministry is to parallel His.
         2. The marching orders of the church are: "be witnesses unto Me"

ILLUS: God's Word is an offensive weapon, not a museum curiosity.  We are not to just "gather around the Word" but unsheath our sword.  But most churches are "gathering around the Word" to study its uniqueness instead of using the powerful weapon to defeat the devil and snatch souls from the burning...
          Deacon's wife hears a noise during the night.  Wakes husband.  He tells her to check it out.  Returns and reports a burglar (or rapist). Husband gets his gun and gathers the family "around the gun".  He tells how THE BARREL speaks of the straight and narrow way, the PEARL HANDLE is a type of the gates of heaven, the BULLETS a pix of the power of God, etc.  Wife thinks he is crazy.  He is!  But no more so than the non-evangelistic, non-aggessive, non-soul-winning church that "gathers around the Word" to defeat the enemy!  (Jack Hyles illus.)

         3. YES WE CAN minister to others...what better ministry than to seek the lost and win them to the Savior?

II. BRINGING: "Bring again that which was driven away..."

NOTE: The context speaks of those "driven away" because of a lack of caring or concern on the part of the shepherds of Israel.

      A. The Offended:  "driven away"

         l. Our hearts need to be broken over those we offend and drive away.
         2. This is an inditement against us for coldness, indifference or a casual attitude.

ILLUS:  This does not militate against proper church discipline nor high standards.  It doesn't mean compromise.  It does indite us for not following up on converts ("dip em and drop em attitude); when we don't show friendship and fellowship with new folks; when we don't care who we hurt or what we say.

         3. Note we are to "bring again" those "driven away" ones.

ILLUS: I am always broken-hearted over those who leave us for any reason! I will go to any lengths (without compromising doctrine) to restore folks (unless they become members of another church or I do not know they have a problem).

      B. The Restoration:

         l. We are to "bring again" the backslidden.
         2. We are to "bring again" the indifferent.
         3. We are to "bring again" the straying sheep.

ILLUS: Sheep are geographical ignoramuses. The get lost if they lose sight of the shepherd.  Take a dog or cat away from home and drop it and it will probably be home before you get there.  If a sheep gets off the path it is lost.  But its tendency is to stray.  There are all kinds of dangers away from the fold.  The sheep need to be brought back, if possible.  Sheep are not only dumb, they are stubborn.

  III. BINDING: "bind up that which was broken..."

      A. Sharing Burdens:

         l. Paul said "rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep"
         2. We are to "bear one another's burdens".
         3. We are to share with the Lord in this ministry.
Psalm 34:18  
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart...

ILLUS: Sheep are vulnerable and get injured easily.  The shepherd binds up the wounds of the sheep.

      B. Soothing Breaks:

Psalm 147:3  
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 

         l. Perhaps this ministry goes beyond broken hearts and spirits.
         2. At times we need to "bind up their wounds" physically and financially, etc.

ILLUS: We are to help mend the "broken things around us. (Is. 6l:l "He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted...")  Broken hearts are bound up with God's Word.  Broken spirits are bound up with" a merry heart". Broken lives are bound up with a forgiving spirit.  Broken dreams are re- stored or bound up with prayer. Broken homes are bound up with rededication. Broken bodies or pocketbooks are bound up with physical or financial help.

NOTE:  We are not to throw away broken things.  We are to mend them and restore them if possible.  View backsliders as "broken" and they do not look nearly so bad.  View those with grudges, or bitter spirits as "broken" and you will more likely be able to help them.

IV. STRENGTHENING: "strengthen that which was sick..."

      A. Prayer Plus:

         l. Much of our time and energy should be spent praying for and ministering to the sick.

NOTE: That includes visits, cards, calls, prayer, help, housecleaning, providing meals, etc.

2. Most of the flock has some problem, either physical or spiritual which needs our attention, at any given time.

CONCL: Here then is the 4-fold ministry we as a church should and can have.  Are you involved?  Are you SEEKING, RESTORING, BINDING and STRENGTHENING?
          If YOU are lost, we are seeking you now.
          If YOU are backslidden we want to see you restored now.
          If YOU are broken in some way we want to bind up your wounds now.
          If YOU are sick in body, mind or spirit we want to help strengthen you now. COME!

 HAVE ANSWERED PRAYER

TEXT: Eph. 3:20-21  
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according
to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

THESIS: To set forth the scriptural warnings and admonitions to incorrect  and correct praying.
INTRO: A. J.Oswald Sanders said: "Prayer is an amazing paradox.  It is a blending of simplicity and profundity.  It can be an agony or an ecstasy.  It can focus on a single objective, or it can roam the world." E.M. Bounds said: "...the crying evil of these times, maybe of all times - little or no praying.  Of these 2 evils, perhaps little praying is worse than no praying.  Little praying is a kind of make-believe, a salve for the conscience, a farce and a delusion."

                B. Every Christian has experienced answered prayer on some occasion; absolute, indisputable, Divine intervention as a result of petitioning heaven.  Every Christian has also experienced times when the heavens were as brass; not only no answer to the petition, but not even the assurance that it rose beyond the ceiling of the prayer closet.  Our text assures us that the problem does not lie with God.  He is able to do "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask..."  But the problem is the phrase "according to the power that worketh is us"!  No power...no answered prayer.

TRANS: Let's examine the principles which result in no answers or abundant answers...

I.  NO REPLIES TO WRONG REQUESTS:  James 4:2b,3

NOTE: A delayed answer is not necessarily a denied answer.  It is not always only YES or NO, sometimes it is WAIT. There are times when it is in our Father's best interests and ours for Him to say NO! We often want to pluck unripe fruit, but He will not be pressured into premature action.

      A. No Prayer:  "Ye have not because ye ask not..."

ILLUS: Suppose God were to issue an edict that we could no longer pray! Yet though He has not decreed such a thing, we often fail to take advantage of the opportunity to pray.
          It is a pathetic thing to see a mute excited about something he cannot express.  He may grunt and groan, but not intelligible sounds emerge.  How pathetic we must appear to God when we are full of needs but seemingly cannot or do not express them to Him in prayer.

         l. Some don't pray because they reason God knows our needs anyhow.

a.	Of course He does, but it is only when we express our needs to Him that we admit or 
see our needs.
b. God longs for our dependence upon Him and desires to give us many more things than we ever dare ask for.

         2. Some don't pray because they want to show their independence of
            God.

ILLUS: We are like the bratty child who refuses to hold the parents hand when crossing the street, or who refuses the parents help with a task impossible for the child. "I'd rather do it myself!"

      B. Wrong Prayer:  v.3  "...ye ask amiss..."

l. God does not undertake to answer every self-centered petition, but He does promise to answer every prayer that is according to his good and perfect will.
         2. Lustful prayers are losing prayers:

            a. When we pray to "consume it upon our lusts".
            b. The word "lusts" here is "hedonais" meaning self-pleasuring.

  II. RIGHT REPLIES TO RIGHT REQUESTS:  Luke 11:9-13

      A. Pray Authoritatively: v.9

ILLUS: Samuel Chadwick contended that Satan fears nothing from prayerless studies, teaching, and preaching.  "He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray."

l. We are engaged in relentless spiritual warfare and the fulcrum on which defeat or victory turns is our ability to pray aright and make intelligent use of our weapons.
2. Jesus asserted that one cannot enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods unless he first bind the strong man; that's what authoritative prayer does to Satan.

            	a. "Ask" speaks of what only God can do. Ex. Make it rain.
            	b. "Seek" speaks of what God and I can do together. Ex. Preach.
c. "Knock" speaks of what God and I can do together, but someone else must respond. Ex. Soul-winning.

      B. Pray Audaciously: v.10-13

         l. We must believe that God hears, and desires to give us the "desires of our heart."
         2. We must believe that He will give us what we ask for within the sphere of His will.

ILLUS: Jesus uses a homely illus. here.  He asserts that no good father will substitute a counterfeit stone for bread, snake for a fish or a scorpion for an egg.  Then He drives home His point in v.l3.

a. If you ask for salvation in faith, you can rest assured you will receive it, not some counterfeit; true seekers will not be put off with false faith.
            b. If you ask for the Holy Spirit you will not be given some counterfeit or substitute.

l) We need not ask for the Holy Spirit in the sense of indwelling, that is automatic at salvation.
                 	2) But we need to ask for His power and presence in all we do.

ILLUS: Spurgeon: "O you that have the Spirit, you are the very men to pray that you may experience more of His matchless operations and gracious influences...There is no attribute of the Spirit of God which shall not be put forth for us if we ask it.  He will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him."

3. We must believe that God delights in answering daring prayers: those based on His promises.  Cf. Mt. l7:20 "...If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

      C. Pray Acceptably: I John 5:14

         	l. This verse simply means that we need to know His will and pray within its sphere.
2. This is often used as a cop out, i.e. we pray with doubt because we fear praying outside of His will and not receiving an answer.

QUOTE: Spurgeon: "Prayers filled with doubt are requests for refusals." Suppose you wrote to a friend and said: "I need $10.00 badly and you are my friend but I don't expect you to send me the money and indeed would be surprised and shocked if you did."

         	3. We need to pray acceptably, within His will, and heaven will respond.

ILLUS: Note the wonderful picture in Rev. 8. "When he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour."  Silence in heaven; no anthems, no praise, no hallelujahs, no fluttering of cherubims wings.  Seven angels stand by with7 trumpets but no one makes a sound.  Action is suspended in heaven, the center of all activity.  What can possibly get things stirred to action again?  "And there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it WITH THE PRAYERS OF ALL SIANTS..." Suddenly "there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake..." And THEN the 7 angels blew their trumpets and THEN activity resumed. God waits for the prayers of the saints to stir heaven in our behalf.

  CONCL: 	God will send rain on Israel, but Elijah must pray.
          		God will prosper the chosen nation, but Samuel must pray.
          		God will deliver the Jews, but Daniel must pray.
          		God will set Peter free, but the church must pray.
          		God will bless Paul and convert heathen, but Paul must pray.
          		God will bless you, but you must pray.
      
YES WE CAN...HAVE ANSWERED PRAYER...but we must pray and we must pray anutoritatively, audaciously and acceptably!

HAVE GOD'S POWER

TEXT: Zech. 4:6

THESIS: To show that in spite of discouragements and the fraility of the flesh, power for God's people is possible thru the Holy Spirit.

INTRO: A. Those loyal Jews carried away into Babylon had now returned to Jerusalem with a decree from Cyrus the King of Persia to rebuild the Temple.  They began to rebuild enthusiastically.  Their enemies had secured a "cease and desist" order from the new King, Artaxerxes,
     "and made them to cease by force and power..." Ezra 4:23

               B. They became quickly discouraged and quit. "Then ceased the work on the house of God..." Ezra 4:24

QUOTE: Someone said that the measure of a man's character is what it takes to make him quit.  Are you a quitter?

               C. The patriots had returned, the Temple foundation had been laid, rejoicing had begun, Israel looked forward to becoming a nation again and having their sacrifices restored.  But now everything is at a standstill...

  I.  THE HOPLESSNESS OF THE SITUATION:

      A. The Discouragements From Others:

         l. Infiltration: "Let us build with you..."  Ezra 4:2

            a. This would destroy the principle of separation.
            b. Unequal yokes are never sanctioned by God.

         2. Intimidation: "weakened...and troubled them..." Ezra 4:4
         3. Frustration: "hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose..."  Ezra 4:5

      B. The Deficit of Resources:

l. The decree of Artaxerxes canceled out the financial assistance Cyrus had so generously ordered.
2. The people became discouraged and forgot that God was the One Who wanted the Temple rebuilt.

NOTE: Our failures are exactly proportionate to our dependence on our own resources and our reluctance to yield to the Source of our spiritual strength.  When we count our money, add up our resources and realize just how bankrupt we are, then and only then will we seek His power.

      C. The Disqualification of Leadership:

         	l. Zerubbabel the Governor/Bldr., crumbled under the opposition and stopped building.
2. Joshua the High Priest, the spir. leader of the nation, is seen in 3:3 standing before God "clothed with filthy garments" thus disqualified to lead the people.

ILLUS: When the leadership is not Spirit-led or Spirit-filled, nothing of spiritual significance will happen.  Now the leaders as well as the people are discouraged, without hope.

  II. THE HOPE OF THE SYMBOL:  v. 1-6

      A. The Candlestick of Gold:

         	l. God's answer to their hopelessness is the hope of the vision of the Golden Candlestick.
2. Israel would have known the application...their nation was to have been that of a lightbearer to the world..."a light to lighten the Gentiles..."
3. Israel had failed so in Revelation God shows that this ministry has been transferred to the     church by using the 7-branched Golden Candlestick to portray the church in our age.

      B. The Golden Oil: cf. v.12

         	l. The Candlestick or Lampstand possessed no inherent light-giving power.
2. The Lampstand could only illuminate by the "golden oil", clearly indicated by "My Spirit..." v.6

ILLUS: The church or the believer attempting to give light apart from the ministry of the indwelling Spirit will be a complete failure.  The text "coincidentally" uses the same terms as the passage in Ezra 4:23 "and made them to cease by force (might) and power". Here God declares: "not by might nor by power, BUT BY MY SPIRIT...!"

  III. THE HELP OF THE SPIRIT:

      A. The Lamps:

l. Lamps are only useful if they produce light; they may be beautiful, decorative, etc., but if no light - useless!
         2. Believers are only useful to God if they produce light! Jesus said "Ye are the light of the world."

NOTE: Neither by collective power ("might") nor by individual force ("power") will God's people, the church, succeed.  It must absolutely and only depend on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

      B. The Pipes:

         l. The pipes are the channels thru which the "golden oil" must flow.
         2. Any obstruction here will surely extinguish the light.

ILLUS: Has your "light" gone out due to some sin stopping the flow of the Holy Spirit thru you?  Is your "light" under a "bushel" of dead works, religious activity, or simply hidden due to failure to witness?

Lk. 11:33  
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

          Beware lest your candlestick (light) is extinguished due to a failure to repent of your lost "first love."

Rev. 2:5 
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

      C. The Wick:

         	l. The wick is indispensable to light-bearing.
2. There can be no light without the wick; it provides the contact between the oil and the flame.

            	a. The wick exists only to be consumed!
            	b. As long as the wick saves itself there will be no light.
c. As the bel. gives light his life is gradually consumed, but "though our outward man perish, our inward man is renewed day by day."
d. By itself the wick only emits acrid smoke and black smudge, but when submerged in the "golden oil" it produces light!
e. The wick is always on the verge of bankruptcy; it is constantly dependent on the oil; withdrawn from the oil and its light becomes darkness.

ILLUS: In the OLD TESTAMENT the priests took golden snuffers and trimmed the blackened wicks, otherwise the light was diminished.  Sometimes our High Priest must perform some "trimming" to keep our light clear and bright.

CONCL: All is hopeless without the power and light of the blessed Holy Spirit.  Our impact will be minimal, but with the "golden oil" we too can have God's assurance that we will have the victory. "the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it: and thou shalt know that the Lord of Hosts hath sent me unto you."  YES WE CAN...HAVE GOD'S POWER!

HAVE GOD'S POWER II

TEXT: Eph. 5:18-6:10

THESIS: To set forth the folly of Charasmatic confusion and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit's filling ministry.

INTRO:  A. The Charasmatics are not the only ones confused about the filling of the Holy Spirit.  God's people who are not careful about their study of the Scriptures and simply read what others write on the subject are likewise confused.

                 B. Charasmatics confuse the terms "filling" and "baptized". (To baptize a person IN water and fill a person WITH water are two entirely different things!  I may fill the pool with Mike Barber, but if I fill Mike Barber with the pool - there is a difference!) I Cor.12:13 "For by one Spirit ARE we all baptized INTO one Body..."  Eph.5:l8 "Be filled WITH the Spirit."  I Cor. 12 tells us what we ARE, Eph. tells us what we SHOULD BE.

TRANS: Paul is not implying that the Eph. Christians were never before filled with the Spirit but that they should continue to BE filled. cf.
     
Eph. 4:23 
"And BE ye kind one to another" i.e., they should continue to be kind.

  I.  WHAT BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS NOT:

      A. It is NOT the Baptism of the Spirit:

         l. That is a once-for-all event simultaneous with salvation.
         2. There are 7 NEW TESTAMENT refs for Spirit Baptism in the N.T:

            	a. They are all in the indicative mood which expresses an act\or state.
            	b. They are not imperative (command) in nature.

NOTE: The Scripts are full of commands, exhortations and imperatives as to how a Christian is to live after he is saved.  In Eph. 4:1 he is told to walk worthy and in 5:18 how to achieve this worthy walk...by the filling of the Spirit.

      B. It is NOT an Uncontrolled "Experience" Like Drunkenness:  5:l8b

         l. Tho a person "drunk with wine" is controlled by that wine, his actions are uncontrolled ("wherein is excess").

ILLUS: Paul made his point clearly.  There is no place for drunkenness of any kind in a believes life.  Nothing which produces uncontrolled responses!  Getting "high" on anything is wrong.  Wild, uncontrolled passions and emotions and ecstatic reactions, incl. modern tongues-speaking, is to be avoided.  A Christian must be in control at all times, or rather, the Holy Spirit must be in control.

         2. Tho being drunk is an "experience" Spirit filling is not... at least not in the same sense!

  II. WHAT BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS:
      A. It Is A Response To A Command: Obedience!

         l. It is not an option or a suggestion.
         2. It is an imperative demanded of every Christian.

NOTE: The Bible never commands to be "baptized in the Spirit."  Believers have already experienced that.  Being "filled" with the Spirit is a daily challenge.  "One baptism, many fillings" is good theology.  As the Israelites gathered Manna daily, the Christian must rely on the Holy Spirit daily.

          3. We are not to be filled "up" but "through">

NOTE:  Don't picture a glass or box, but rather food sprinkled with salt.  The salt permeates the fool.  We possess the Divine "salt shaker".  All we have to do is ALLOW Him to flavor our lives.
         
Ex: Jn. l6:6...the disciples were "filled" with sorrow.
       Lk. 5:26...the people were "filled" with fear.
       Lk. 6:11...the Pharisees were "filled" with madness.

      B. It Produces the Fruit, Not the Gifts of the Spirit!

NOTE: The Chrarasmatics equate "baptism" and "filling" and falsely further that this "experience" will produce the "gifts" of tongues, healing and miracles.  The premise, terminology and theology are wrong thus the conclusion is wrong.
        It is possible to quench, grieve and lie to the Holy Ghost.  It is also possible to yield to Him, respect Him and surrender our lives to His control...to be filled by Him.  Our text lists specific results of Spirit filling...

         	l. A Spirit-filled person sings: v.l9 (Joy, peace).
         	2. A Spirit-filled person gives thanks: v.20 (joy).
         	3. A Spirit-filled person submits to authority: v.21 (longsuf.)
         	4. A Spirit-filled wife submits to her husband: v.22 (love, gen- tleness, goodness).
         	5. A Spirit-filled husband loves his wife: v.25 (love, goodness)
         	6. A Spirit-filled child honors and boeys his parents: 6:1 (love, faith).
7. A Spirit-filled father doesn't provoke his children to wrath: 6:4 (love, longsuffering, temperance).
         	8. A Spirit-filled employee obeys his employer: 6:5 (longsuffering, joy, temperance, meekness).
9. A Spirit-filled employer treats his employees fairly and with respect: 6:9) (love, gentleness, goodness, temperance).
        	l0. A Spirit-filled believer is a power-full believer: 6:10-l9 (faith, temperance).

NOTE: The result of Spirit-filling is POWER.  Power with God and power withmen. It is power to exhibit Christlikeness even in great pressure circum- stances.  It is power to effectually witness.

CONCL: We do not need more of the Holy Spirit, He needs more of us.  It isn't more doctrine we need, it is more filling!  (The doctrine will come when we are filled withthe Spirit.) YES WE CAN! HAVE GOD'S POWER.  The price is yieldedness.

          We need right relationships in the home, in the heart, on the job, in the church!  That is Spirit fullness!  It produces Spirit-power!

          Unsaved, you don't need to be filled with the Spirit, you need to be indwelt by the Spirit.  You need to be saved.

MAKE CHRIST LORD

TEXT: Matt. 7:21-23

THESIS: To show that having Christ as Savior and having Him as Lord are two different, but related things.

INTRO: A. Everything hinges on authority.  The breakdown in authority has created chaos in our society.  In the home children no longer respect the authority of parents.  In school teachers have lost their authority.  On the street the police have no authority. In the church many have lost respect for the authority of the man-of-God (due to so many going bad).

ILLUS: That is why the version issue is so crucial.  We must have an absolutely authoritative Bible.

               B. Every ship must have a captain, every kingdom a King, every home a head and every believer a Lord!  The issue in the spiritual realm boils down to who will have authority over our lives, us or the one we call "Lord"?

  I.  LORDSHIP SALVATION:  Mt. 7:21:23

      A. Lipservice Lordship:

l. The term "Lordship Salvation" means that an unsaved person must both accept Christ as Savior and make Him Lord to be saved.
2. Most fundamentalists see this as a perversion of the Gospel citing Jn.3:16, etc. as proof that simple belief is sufficient for salvation.

ILLUS: Both positions cannot be right.  However, both positions contain some truth.  To suggest a person can exercise saving faith in Christ while KNOWINGLY rejecting His right to Lordship seems inconsistent. Usually those who receive Christ know little of His total demands on their heart, mind and life.  Those who are truly saved would not KNOWINGLY reject His Lordship.

      B. Counterfeit Commitment:

l. The text suggests that many may pretend to be His disciples and even preach in His Name or perform miracles in His Name, but be lost.
2. The subjects of this severe denunciation were the religious frauds or false prophets" (v.l5) who were 'religious but lost.'

Matt. 25:11-12  
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 

a. This "I know you not" will be repeated to all who make a mockery out of Christ's Lordship and Saviorhood by their religious rituals and false doctrine.
             b. If Lordship is a prerequisite to salvation however, none of us will make it to heaven.

ILLUS: Surely all of us have followed Peter who on Pentecost preached powerfully about Christ being Israel's Messiah and Lord and then shortly thereafter in Acts 10:13,14 he protests to the Savior "Not so, Lord..." a negation of His Lordship over Peter in this area.  Did he lose his salvation?  Of course not!

             c. But salvation needs to lead every believer to making Christ Lord of his/her life.

ILLUS: Jesus will not settle for anything less of us.  Mahatma Ghandi once said "I cannot accord to Christ a solitary throne, for I believe that God has been incarnated again and again."  He was willing to concede to Him equality with Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius, etc. but not a unique and solitary throne.  But that is exactly what He demands.  The text definightly applies to Ghandi!

d. Ideally Christ's coronation should take place at conversion, as with Paul "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

  II. LORDSHIP SUBSTITUTION:  Luke 6:46

      A. Words Without Works:

         l. How many call themselves "Christians" yet live like heathen?
         2. How many call themselves "Bible-believers" yet refuse its authority over their lives?
         3. How many call themselves "fundamentalists" and know little or nothing of basic Bible doctrine?
         4. How many call themselves "disciples" and refuse to follow Him?
         5. How many call themselves "servants" and refuse to serve Him?
         6. How many call Him "Lord" but refuse to do what He says?

      B. Speech Without Service:

         l. Jesus' illustration shows the shallowness of an empty profession in vv.47-49.
         2. The man who hears and does is firmly established in the faith.
         3. The man who says and doesn't serve is like the house built on sand.

 ILLUS: How many are like this?  They attend church, but never tithe. They "believe" in soul-winning, but never attempt it.  They sing His praises, but never praise Him with their life.  They believe in His Word, but rarely read it. They speak of loyalty to the local     church, but run to other places whenever convenient.  They 'love' their Pastor, but pay no heed to his preaching/teaching.  They 'love' their fellow believers but gossip about them a the drop of a hat.

  III. LORDSHIP and SUBMISSION: John 13:13

      A. Surrender:

         l. Surrender means an unconditional laying down of all our rebellion.

ILLUS: In the Napoleonic wars, Lord Nelson defeated the French Navy. The defeated Admiral brot his flagship alongside Nelson's vessel and went aboard to surrender.  He extended his hand to the victor. Nelson did not respond to the gesture, but said "Your sword first, sir."  Laying down the sword was a visible token of surrender.

         2. Surrender means the absolute denial of our 'rights.'

QUOTE: Make me a captive, Lord, And then I shall be free,  Force me to render up my sword And I shall conqueror be.
                                                                -Mathieson

      B. Subserviance:

         l. We are His by creation, by purchase and then by surrender.
         2. Our subserviance acknowldeges His ownership.

            a. Where Christ is not Lord in practice, life is a battle-ground of conflicting interests.
b. Satan can say "He may be your child by the new birth, but he is still mine as to lifestyle.  He may be a Christian worker, but I still control part of his life.

CONCL:  The village organist was practicing on the church organ, attempting a piece by that master of music, Mendelssohn.  HE was not doing well and was unaware of a stranger listening to his imperfections. The stranger asked "Sir, would you allow me to play for a little?" "Certainly not!" came the stern reply, "I never anybody to touch my organ but myself." "Please..." begged the stranger.  After the 3^rd request, the organist said reluctantly, "You may."
            The stranger began to play the same piece, but what a wonderful difference!
            The organist asked, "Who are you?"  The stranger replied "My name is Mendelssohn."  The organist, embarrassed, exclaimed "And I refused YOU, the Master, permission to play on my instrument!"
             Why not turn over every part of your life to the Master and Lord?  YES WE CAN! MAKE CHRIST LORD!  Do it NOW!

HAVE SPIRITUAL FRUIT
"HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?"

TEXT: Gal. 5:22,26 (5:13-21)

THESIS: To encourage believers to search their lives to determine if the fruit of the Spirit is present.

INTRO:  A. How does your garden grow?  In neat, orderly rows of vegetables or fruit?  Or, in disorganized, helter-skelter fashion, choked with weeds, uncultivated and unkept?

                  B. Our text portrays both kinds of gardens in the spiritual realm. In v.13-21 we have a disorganized, jangled, tangled mess.  In v.22-26 the Holy Spirit reveals a beautiful, neat, organized garden bearing fruit for the Savior.  "HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?"

I.  THE SECRET IS NOT IN THE PLANTING ALONE:

    A. All The Saved Have Liberty:  v.13

    B. All The Saved Have Potential to "Walk in the Spirit": v.16

    C. All The Saved Have Potential to "Fulfill the Lusts of the Flesh": v.l6

    D. All The Saved Experience Internal Warfare:  v.l7

    E. All The Saved Are Led of the Spirit and Not Under Bondage: v.l8

    F. All The Saved Must Not Be Characterized by The Works of the Flesh:19-21

ILLUS: What a sordid, sorry listing of sins!  What a picture of the world's "garden".  These things are the manifestation of the fleshly man.  He may be saved, but fleshly.

TRANS: Every spring I begin well with my garden.  By August the weeds and bugs have taken over.    "HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW"?  You started well.  What does your "fruit" look like NOW?  The secret is not in the planting alone.

II. THE SECRET IS IN THE CARE and CULTIVATION:

    A. Note The Contrast:  "works...fruit"

       l. Works speak of activity...something we do.
       2. Fruit speaks of passivity...something we are.

ILLUS: You don't practice fruit, you bear it!

    B. Note The Harmony:

l. The works of the flesh are without unity, confused and conflicting and make us hateful and hurtful.
         2. The fruit of the Spirit is consistent, complimentary and makes us
          agreeable.

ILLUS: A rainbow is multi-hued, but one.  All the colors are beautifully blended together. These virtues are not like separate flowers in a bouquet, but like the petals of one beautiful flower.
        Not "fruits" but "fruit"!  (Square Circle here...grapes)

    C. Note The Qualities: (not works)

       l. The Christian life is not a weary list of prohibitions but positive attainments thru yieldedness.
       2. We should never measure the value of fruit by quantity, but by quality.

ILLUS: Wiersbe: "We must remember that this fruit is produced to be eaten, not to be admired and put on display.  People around us are starving for love, joy, peace, etc.  We do not bear fruit for our own consumption, (but) that others might be fed and helped and that Christ might be glorified.  The flesh may manufacture 'results' that bring praise to us, but the flesh cannot bear fruit that brings glory to God."  "Be Free", p.136

    D. Note The Nature of the Fruit:

       l. Fruit Toward God:  Upward  (Jewelry)

a. Love...heads the list, not eros, storge or phile, but agape... love with understanding, not mere affection.

ILLUS: Jesus loved the Pharisees with agape...love which understood their hate-fullness and sought to remedy it.

          b. Joy...internal cheerfulness and delight in God, unaffected by external circumstances.
          c. Peace...soul quietness due to proper rel. bet. God and the bel.

ILLUS: Not a painting picturing a beautiful landscape with a quiet lake, but a storm-tossed sea withthe disciples fretfully bailing water from their boat and Jesus sleeping thru the storm.  That's peace!

       2. Fruit Toward Man: Outward (silks)

          a. Longsuffering...self-restraint in the face of provocation.

ILLUS: Christian: "Sin sickens me; how does God put up with it?"  Sin is forever offensive to God, but His patience with the sinner holds back His wrath.  Longsuffering is one of the perfections of God.

          	b. Gentleness...kindness toward others...temper under control toward those who wrong us.
c. Goodness...doing good to others, but not always with gentle means, e.g., Christ driving money-changers from the Temple.

       3. Fruit Toward Self: Inward (fruit)

          	a. Faith...taking God at His Word and resting there.
b. Meekness...neither depressed by rejection, nor elated over acceptance (like Jesus); choosing to serve when having a "right" to demand to be served (like Jesus).
          	c. Temperance...self-control.

ILLUS:  We can give in, give up and go along (compromise); we can fuss, fume and fight (rebellion); or we can surrender our will to do His will (self-control).

CONCL: Here is a veritable garden of paradise attainable for every Christian who will follow the instructions in v.24-26. "HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?"

ILLUS: Weeds in the garden will choke out the flowers and vegetables and soon take over.  That's what the "works of the flesh" do to the "fruit of the Spirit".  The secret is not in the planting alone;  The secret is in the care and cultivation!

"GO...FIRST...THEN COME"

  TEXT: Matt. 5:23-24

THESIS: To show the primary prerequisite to fellowship with the Savior and/or revival; i.e. restoration of fellowship with others.

INTRO: A. One preacher who had prayed and preached to his people for years came in desparation to them and said: "I have done all I possibly could; now it is for you to consider your attitude toward God." A respected gray-haired deacon stood up and said "Pastor, I do not wonder that there is no revival in this church; there never will be as long as Bro. Jones and I don't speak to one another"; then he went down the aisle to where his brother sat, and said, "Bro.Jones, forgive me; for 10 yrs. We have not spoken.  Let us bury the hatchet."  The stunned church sat in silence till another mean stood and said "Pastor, I do not think there is going to be revival in this church as long as I say fair things to your face and mean things about you behind your back.  Forgive me!"  The Pastor forgave him and for the next 20 min. men went to men and women to women begging forgiveness and settling old accounts.  Then the Spirit of God began to move with power and they had revival.

          B. I have been giving you principles to move you to revival, but no principle is more necessary than the one in our text I have just illustrated.  The book of I John repeats the theme again and again:

I Jn. 3:14  
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 

I Jn.3:15  
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer..."

I Jn. 3:16  
(Jesus) laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

I Jn. 4:11  
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

I Jn. 4:20  
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

TRANS:  The scene is striking.  Apparently Jesus had seen someone in the Temple bringing some gift or offering to the altar for the High Priest to sacrifice.  He immed. translates this scene into an illus. of the bel. attempting to come to Him, as the H.P., without first making things right with another believer...

  I. RECONCILIATION IMPLIES REPENTANCE:   "Go...first...then come"

     A. Remembrance:  "rememberest...thy brother..."

l. My resp. as Pastor is to help you to "remember" those who may have offended you that you now have a problem with.
        	2. The Holy Spirit uses the preacher and preaching of His Word to bring conviction.

ILLUS:  Chances are you came here today oblivious to the fact that some- one "hath aught against thee" - but now the Script. pricks your memory and convicts you.  You have pushed into the background that one who has offended you or whom you have offended, but you will not leave here today without remembering.

      B. Repentance: "leave there thy gift..."

l. You came sincerely to worship God today, but now the Holy Spirit has reminded you of your obligation.
         	2. Now you know you can't worship God till the offense is deal with.

ILLUS: The festering sore of an offended brother demands attention before any true worship may be accomplished.  Does your friend have "aught against thee"?  Your husband/wife?  Your children?  Your fellow worker? Employer?  Employee?

            a. The text doesn't say that what someone has against you is legitimate or not.
b. That isn't the issue: repentance is!  Whether the offense is real or imagined, it must be dealt with.

      C. Restitution: "first be reconciled to thy brother..."

         l. Is there a letter of apology you need to write?
         2. Is there a phone call you need to make?
         3. Is there a check you need to mail...with interest?

 ILLUS:  Did you divide your parents estate unfairly?  Did you take advantage of your creditor?  Did you pretend or promise more love than you plan on delivering to that boy or girl friend?  Did you take unfair advantage of a friendship?  Is your marriage a lopsided affair with more take than give?

         4. Is there a personal apology you need to deliver here today?

  II. RECONCILIATION PRECEDES REVIVAL:  "Go...first...then come."

      A. Conviction:  "rememberest..."

ILLUS: A brook near Milford, Conn., is called NAROMIYOCKNOWUSUNKALAN KSHUNK, Indian for "you fish your end of the stream; I'll fish mine." Updated we would say "You tend to your business, I'll tend to mine."
     This attitude may avoid open conflict, but it doesn't deal with the problem addressed in our text.  It is not enough to remember our differences with someone, we need to confront those differences and make them right.

l. You may have someone in mind right now you need to be reconciled to, but unless you make the move nothing will happen.
         2. It is not enough not to harm someone, God demands we love them!

      B. Confrontation:  "go...first..."

l. Many Christians are trying to live by the Indian motto "You fish your end of the stream, I'll fish mine" instead of by the Scriptures admonition to "go...first...then come".
2. It is easier to believe that if the other party is offended, he/she ought to be the one to make the first move.

a.	The offended party is unlikely to make the first move, so you, the more spiritual one, must.
b.	Whether you are the offended or the offend thee, you must move when the Holy Spirit convicts YOU!
c.	Note that reconciliation is the result when you make the first move to confront the
                  problem...there is no guarantee that the other party will respond positively.
            d.   Ideally reconciliation will be a 2-way street, but not necessarily, but the resp. is YOURS!

NOTE: You say, "I don't FEEL like it!"  That isn't the issue, you are to WILL it and DO it.  You are to OBEY.  I don't have to FEEL like doing right, but I must do it anyhow!  Do it warmly or coldly, but do it nonetheless!

ILLUS:  Christ our High Priest, stands by the altar awaiting our gifts. But He sees our heart and will turn away and refuse our gifts of worship, service, etc. until we are reconciled to our brothers.

      C. Compliance:

         l. There will be no revival till there is reconciliation.
         2. There will be no acceptable service till there is reconciliation.
         3. There will be no fellowship with the Father till there is reconciliation with our brothers.

QUOTE: "Believers at war with their brothers cannot be at peace with their Father."  "GO ...FIRST...THEN COME...!"

CONCL:  We want a cheap substitute for revival.  Of such there is none. It is always costly...but it pays!  It is not an expense, it is an investment.
           We want revival without paying the price.  We don't get revival. We get a cheap substitute, a shallow and surface pretense of revival that has no substance and produces no lasting results.

HAVE REVIVAL II

TEXT: I Sam. 7:1-14

THESIS: To reveal more principles for revival from the text.

INTRO: A. Israel was in bondage to two enemies.  The Philistines held them in physical bondage.  Idolatry held them in spiritual bondage.
     They had recovered the Ark of the Covenant 20 yrs. earlier, but they continued to worship Baalim (male gods) and Ashtaroth (female gods), the gods and godesses of the Philistines.  (We must be careful that we do not place ourselves into bondage to anyone or anything but the Lord.)

               B. During these 20 yrs. Samuel the prophet/priest prayed and preached calling Israel to repentance and revival.  It was like a battering ram against a wall that didn't seem to tremble but at last the inert mass began to crack.  As constant dripping of water wears away a solid rock, the unceasing warnings and appeals wore down Israel's resistance and v. 2 records "and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord..."

ILLUS: For nearly 20 yrs. I have been preaching, praying and hammering away at your hearts for revival and repentance.  I will do so today and in the days ahead until "all the church of Fairless Hills laments after the Lord..."

TRANS: In the text we will find the steps to revival for Israel and those same concepts will bring us to revival here.

  I.  AWARENESS: v.l-2

      A. Frustration:

l. When the Philistines had the Ark in their possession the Israelites said "Let us fetch the Ark...out of Shiloh unto us that, when it cometh among us, it may save us..."  4:3
2. They had been lamenting after the symbol of their deliverance instead of the One behind that symbol.

ILLUS: Today's idolaters pray to crucifixes, statues, etc. instead of to the One they supposedly represent and no answer is possible. Or, in our circles we trust in services, service, activity, etc. for revival instead of the Savior and the Holy Spirit.

a. It is only when we come to the end of ourselves and our resources that we can find revival in Him.
b. When we finally weary of our bondage and "lament after the Lord" then there is hope for revival.

  ILLUS: The word "lamented" means to sorrow and sigh, to moan and cry after.

      B. Futility:

l. Israel had finally wearied of their bondage and false hopes in deliverance thru their false gods and symbols.
         2. In utter frustration and futility they finally turn to God's man.

  II. CLEANSING: v.3-4

      A. Repenting:  v.3

l. There could be no true revival until they cleansed their hearts and their homes of the idols they were serving.
2. The man of God sounds the alarm and sets forth the conditions to renewed fellowship with the Lord.

Ex. 34:14  
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: 
  
          We have no idea how long during those 20 yrs. they "lamented after the Lord" before they finally met God's conditions and "put away the strange gods..."

      B. Consenting:  v.4

         l. First they lamented, then they repented, then they consented!
         2. This is a good order for any today looking for revival.

     Quote: What is the strange god you need to put away today?

CONFESSION: v.5-8

      A. Conviction: v.5

         	l. Samuel calls the people together and promises to pray for them.
         	2. Here God's man is finally respected and elevated to the office God called him to.
3. Their hearts surely smote them for their former disrespect and the Holy Spirit brought deep conviciton - without which there is no deep revival.

      B. Admission: v.6

        	 l. Here finally is their confession "we have sinned against the Lord."
         	2. Only now could Samuel begin his work toward them.

      C. Opposition: v.7

         	l. Whenever the winds of revival begin the opposition starts.
2. When your heart is revived Satan and his cohorts will do everything in their power to discourage and defeat you.

ILLUS: Satan never bothers the backslider.  He has been neutralized. Neutralized saints are no threat to his kingdom. Only the spiritual saint receives Satan's attention.  Beware if all men speak well of you, or if things are going too smoothly...better check your heart. Satan declares war on the saint the day he makes a commitment to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, but "greater is He that is in you..."

      D. Submission: v.8-9

ILLUS: Sudenly the preacher they despised becomes a friend.

         l. They believed Samuel's (God's) word and submitted to his judgment.
         2. They trusted in Samuel's prayers in their behalf. v.8
         3. They had faith in Samuel's sacrifice. v.9

  IV. VICTORY: v.10-13

      A. Intervention: v.10

         	l. When God is on your side prayers get answered, miracles happen and He gets the glory.
2. God doesn't work miracles every day, but the Israelites needed to be encouraged, so the Lord spoke out of the awesome thunder.

Psalm 104:7  
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 

      B. Courage: v.11

         	l. The formerly cowardly Iraelites now have great boldness.
         	2. They know God is on their side and God and one make a majority.

ILLUS: Spirit fullness and boldness comes with revival.  You can pray effectively again, give courageously again, witness powerfully again.

      C. Testimony: v.12

l. These who had previously been ashamed had their testimony restored and erected a monument to their God and His power.
         2. "Ebenezer" means "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."

      D. Peace: v.13

      E. Restoration: v.l4

ILLUS: They were once again able to possess their possessions.  God has so much more for us than we are generally able to receive.  But when we get revived, He is able to open the windows of heaven and share with us those blessings.
          John Wesley said: "Give me l00 men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world."

CONCL:  YES WE CAN! HAVE REVIVAL!  But we need deep conviciton of sin and a genuine lamenting after God before we can expect to hear from heaven.  Are you ready?  Are there some idols that need to be destroyed?  Are you frustrated enough with your sin?  Will you confess your need, cry out to Him and seek His blessing?