Text:
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word,
and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves.
Introduction: The scribes
and Pharisees were diligent in their study
of the Scriptures but they refused to DO
them. For this they were severely rebuked.
We seldom study the prophecies with our text
in mind. This we shall now attempt to do.
I. The study of past
history or future prophecies is a waste of
time if the lessons are not applied to the
present.
A. "Those who do not learn
from the mistakes of the past are sure to
repeat them,"
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were
written aforetime were written for our
learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1 Cor 10:6 Now these things were our
examples, to the intent we should not lust
after evil things, as they also lusted.
B. 1 John 3:3 And every
man that hath this hope in him purifieth
himself, even as he is pure. This
follows after the assurance of
glorification.
II. Some specific
prophecies and their present implications.
A. The return of Christ and
our glorification.
1. Should prompt us to
exhortation. Remind us of our obligation to
each other.
1 Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another
with these words.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together, as the manner of some
is; but exhorting one another: and so much
the more, as ye see the day approaching.
[Exhorting - To call to ones side. If
you called someone to your side, would that
one be moving closer to the Lord?
1 Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves
together, and edify one another, even as
also ye do.
2. The impending arrival of
the 'man of sin' and our peace of mind.
2 Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren,
by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
by our gathering together unto him,
2 Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in
mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor
by word, nor by letter as from us, as that
the day of Christ is at hand.
2 Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any
means: for that day shall not come, except
there come a falling away first, and that
man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition;
2 Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself
above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the
temple of God, showing himself that he is
God.
2 Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was
yet with you, I told you these things?
3.These things should place
us on guard to maintain the doctrinal purity
and spiritual strength of the Church.
2 Th 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand
fast, and hold the traditions which ye have
been taught, whether by word, or our
epistle.
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy;
having their conscience seared with a hot
iron;
1 Tim 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from meats, which God
hath created to be received with
thanksgiving of them which believe and know
the truth.
1 Tim 4:4 For every creature of God is good,
and nothing to be refused, if it be received
with thanksgiving:
1 Tim 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word
of God and prayer.
1 Tim 4:6 If thou put the brethren in
remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a
good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up
in the words of faith and of good doctrine,
whereunto thou hast attained.
III. This is faith at work.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not
works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast
faith, and I have works: show me thy faith
without thy works, and I will show thee my
faith by my works.
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one
God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man,
that faith without works is dead?
Imagine the following;
1.The Nutritionist whose
family subsists on junk food.
2.The collector of Gourmet
Cook books whose husband lives on cornflakes
and canned beans.
3. The trained mechanic
whose car won't start.
4. The 'religious' mother
who screamed a steady stream of passages
from her books to her children as they
fended for themselves.
5. The student of the Word
who gets excited about fulfilled prophecy
but does nothing about preparing for coming
events.
6. The church members who
didn't want to get involved in any project
because the 'Lord might come before we
finish'. |
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