(1) The Lord is the only true God. (2) The Lord is sovereign over every event in the universe. The question of "Why?" America's national sins (3) The Lord warns those who reject His sovereign rule. (4) The Lord sovereignly provides hope. Application 1. Note: God often uses very wicked people to punish others 2. Avoid hypocrisy 3. Repentance trumps patriotism

Theme: Paul exhorts the believers to win the prize. I. Expectation A. An incorruptible prize 1. The athletes competed for a perishable crown—a wreath of leaves 2. But, Christians are after a crown of glory B. "not as uncertainly" II. Exhortation A. "run in such a way in order that you may win" 1. It's not enough merely to enter the race 2. Rather, you must put forth the effort necessary for victory 3. Hebrews 10:39 4. Strive to enter in the gate that leads to life 5. David and his men were warriors B. "and everyone . . . exercises self-control in all things" 1. We're in a struggle 2. The exercise of self-control a. The athletes have special training rules b. Don't let anything hinder your going for the prize (1) Paul was not calling for some sort of asceticism (2) Rather, moderation or temperance (3) The proper attitude is the opposite of hedonism (4) Self-control in terms of organization/management (a) Chaos is not a good sign (b) God is a God of order Application A. Are you running the Christian race as if you want to win? 1. Not to win the glory for yourself 2. But to win the incorruptible crown B. When you struggle with temperance, cry out to Jesus for help 1. He is the one who died for you 2. He went through great agony in resisting temptation

Theme: Paul exhorts the believers to win the prize. I. Expectation A. An incorruptible prize 1. The athletes competed for a perishable crown 2. But, Christians are after a crown of glory B. "not as uncertainly" 1. We can be certain of the rules 2. We can be certain of the obtaining Overview A. If Olympic (or Isthmian) athletes took so much pain to be the best and win a prize of fading glory, why should we not strive for mastery in the race of life? B. How foolish indeed for us not to compete with all we have! C. This expectation cannot be achieved apart from perseverance and self-control Application A. Run the race with a view to the prize 1. It is an incorruptible crown 2. It is therefore an eternal crown 3. Do not get distracted from the finish line B. Run the race by looking to Jesus 1. He is the author and finisher of our faith 2. He gives us the power and ability to run the race of life 3. He does so because He ran the race to which He was called a. He did not shrink back from the necessary exertion b. He never lost sight of the goal and the victory (1) John 17 (2) Hebrews 12:2

Jesus instructs us in balancing wisdom and tenderness. I. Reality of Conflict A. Sheep—smelly; dumb; vulnerable; innocent B. Wolves—ferocious/vicious; hungry; threat to the sheep II. Serpents A. Snakes—often venomous; crafty and cunning B. Why this figure? 1. Because of the danger: "therefore" 2. Because of the wisdom that is necessary C. Children of this world are wiser than the children of light D. In practical terms 1. Be aware of the people with whom you are dealing 2. Be aware of the situation 3. Figure out how to navigate a matter 4. Be willing to take a hard stance if necessary III. Doves A. Gentle; soft; quiet; symbol of peace B. Qualities—gentleness; humility; meekness; respectful Observations A. Jesus' words come in a gospel context B. Craftiness coupled with meekness is to promote the gospel C. It also is to portray the gospel Application A. Don't be fooled by false ideas of love, grace, and kindness B. Rely upon Christ alone by faith alone to be humble and gentle

Theme: The Lord's Servant gently establishes justice. I. The Lord's Servant A. The Servant—"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold!" B. The Chosen One 1. "My chosen one"—i.e., "elect" 2. "in whom My soul delights" C. The Spiritual One—"I have put My Spirit upon Him" II. His Establishing Justice A. The Justice 1. The righteousness of God/Christ 2. Referring to the gospel, as founded on justice a. God's justice was satisfied at the cross b. Jesus had fulfilled all righteousness for us 3. Pronouncement of "not guilty" (or the opposite) C. Its Extent—universal: "in the earth"; "to the nations" D. Its Certainty of Establishment—He will bring it forth III. His Meekness/Humility/Quiet Strength A. Silence (v. 2) B. Kindness (v. 3a, b)—a bruised reed and smoking flax Summary and Application A. Jesus will certainly establish justice in the earth B. He will do it in a humble, gentle manner 1. Violence and oppression are not the means He will use 2. And the truth that conquers is that of the gospel 3. We His servants must have this same spirit

You must be born again. 1. Do Not Marvel That You Must Be Born Again. a. Since you are spiritually dead in sin. b. Since the Old Testament teaches it. c. Since nature illustrates it. d. Since you want to live, and not die. 2. But Do Marvel, If You Are Born Again. a. God has done it miraculously by Himself. b. You could not do it by or for yourself. c. The evidence is apparent. 3. Do Wonder Whether You Are Born Again, and Marvel If You Are Still Not. a. Go today as Nicodemus did then: still considering Jesus by the Word b. Go today as Nicodemus did then: decidedly taking Jesus to himself

Theme: Jesus calls us to faithfulness. I. The Call to Faithfulness A. Context of Jesus' word to the church of Ephesus B. Idea of loyalty—idea of first place C. Notion of endurance II. The Cost of Faithfulness A. Hard labor B. Hard circumstances C. Sacrifice D. Suffering E. Death III. The Crown of Faithfulness A. Notion of a crown B. All those who love His appearing Observations A. God Himself is totally faithful B. Jesus is the one who demonstrated faithfulness for us Application A. Make sure that your priorities are straight B. Make sure that the foundation is sure

Theme: Paul informs Christians that they must exhibit faithfulness. I. The Weed: Unfaithfulness A. Slothfulness—being a sluggard B. Irresponsibility C. Disobedience II. The Artificial Fruit: Mere Outward Conformity III. The Genuine Fruit A. Its nature: genuineness, honesty, steadfastness B. Its necessity—faith and faithfulness go together C. Its motivation 1. Our attitude toward God 2. Our witness 3. Our sense of Christ's coming: Matt. 24:45ff; 25:14ff Application A. Follow God's example 1. God is a rock 2. His steadfastness is the antithesis of all that's fickle 3. The great passage on God's faithfulness is Psalm 89 B. Follow Christ's example 1. He is the Faithful One (Revelation 19:11) 2. He the faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17) 3. He is the faithful Apostle (Hebrews 3:1-2) 4. He is the faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5; 3:14) C. Do your duty—through faith in Jesus

Theme: We proclaim liberty because of the Jubilee. I. Political Liberty—political and economic liberty go together II. Economic Liberty A. Consider the Jubilee 1. Rest for the land: 25:11-12, 21 2. Return of hereditary land/property to the original families 3. Freedom of Israelites who sold themselves into slavery B. The Jubilee is not socialism; it is free enterprise capitalism III. Religious Liberty A. Inhabiting the land so they could worship God B. Observations 1. "No bishop, no king" 2. "The World Turn'd Upside Down" IV. Spiritual Liberty A. Relevance—this passage points to spiritual realities B. Relevance to you 1. Think of your needs and how Christ can set you free 2. This spiritual liberty is the best liberty of all 3. This liberty comes via Christ and His atonement 4. This liberty is received by faith alone Summary and Conclusion A. At least four kinds of liberty 1. Political, economic, religious, and spiritual 2. Each one serving as a foundation for the one before B. It is the proclamation of liberty that is to be heard C. I announce to you today that you can be free!

Theme: We proclaim liberty because of the Jubilee. I. Political Liberty II. Economic Liberty A. Consider the Jubilee 1. Rest for the land: 25:11-12, 21 2. Return of hereditary land and property to families 3. Freedom of Israelites who sold themselves into slavery B. Not socialism; rather, free enterprise capitalism III. Religious Liberty A. Relevance 1. Emphasis on the Exodus—so the people could worship 2. Political and religious liberty go together 3. Political liberty depends upon religious liberty B. Observations 1. Presbyterians supported the American because the threat of the imposition of episcopacy/bishops 2. Threats to our religious liberty today, including the attempt by the State to interfere in the government of the Church 3. The Family is also under assault in this regard 4. Individuals are also suffering harm 5. Properly speaking, religious liberty is for the true religion Application A. Be wary of false teaching B. Give thanks for the religious liberty we do enjoy C. Pray for those believers who suffer under tyranny D. Remember: truth spreads via persuasion, not physical force