Bakersfield First Assembly

Call on the Name of the LORD

Romans 10:9-15 (NIV) - [9] That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. [11] As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, [13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [14] How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? [15] And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

1. When we call on the Name of the LORD, we must confess.

“Self-Talk [is] the way we talk to ourselves [and it] sets the tone for how we’ll engage with the world and the types of interactions we’ll come to expect with others… I’ll be the first to admit that positive thoughts are powerful, and I’ve written at length about healthy self-talk in this book and elsewhere. In fact, studies continue to document the power of our thoughts and our beliefs to shape our experiences and choices.” (“The Anxiety Reset” by Gregory L. Jantz)

“Anyone can say he or she believes something, but God knows each person’s heart. In this confession, it is not enough to merely utter the words; they must be declared, professed, proclaimed from the heart, expressing our full conviction.” (Life Application NT Commentary)

1 Corinthians 2:16 (NIV) – [16] “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) – [8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Psalms 119:66 (NIV) – [66] Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. [67] Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. [68] You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

John 8:44 (NIV) – [44] You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

“In the early church, the phrase ‘Jesus is Lord’ was one of the most common and simple expressions by which believers confessed their faith in Christ. It is a confession parallel and very similar to Israel’s basic confession of faith in Yahweh: ‘Yahweh our God is one Lord’ (Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema). In the Roman world, faithful citizens were increasingly being expected to acknowledge that Caesar was Lord (divine). So the original recipients of this epistle, especially, had to face the issue of who really is divine, Jesus or Caesar.” (Thomas Constable’s Notes)

“When we confess that Jesus is Lord, we are acknowledging his rank or supreme place. We are pledging our obedience and worship; we are placing our life under his protection for safekeeping. We are pledging ourselves and our resources to his control for direction and service.” (Life Application NT Commentary)

2. When we call on the Name of the LORD, we must believe.

“In Biblical terms the heart is not merely the seat of the emotions and affections, but also of the intellect and will… Christians believe not only that Jesus lived but also that he still lives… Salvation involves inward belief (‘with your heart’) as well as outward confession (‘with your mouth’).” (NIV Study Bible)

1 Corinthians 15:13-20 (NIV) – [13] If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. [15] More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. [17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. [19] If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. [20] But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Romans 10:10 (NLT) – [10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

Stand Firm in Your Freedom

The Fruit of the Spirit of FAITHFULNESS

1. The Meaning of Faithfulness

a. Faithfulness (pistis) means fidelity, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability, loyalty, and stability.

b. Faithfulness comes from the word for faith, which means a belief or conviction of the truth or in the reliability of someone.

2. The Source of Faithfulness

a. Faithfulness is an attribute of God.

b. God is faithful to keep His promises.

c. His faithfulness never ends.

d. He is faithful to forgive confessed sin.

e. God is faithful even in our temptations.

f. The Lord is faithful to strengthen and protect us.

g. Even if we are faithless, God remains faithful because He cannot deny His own nature. (2 Timothy 2:13)

2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV) – [13] …if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

2 Timothy 2:13 (AMP) – [13] If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.

2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT) – [13] If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

h. However, to the faithful, God shows Himself faithful. (2 Samuel 22:26; Psalm 25:10)

2 Samuel 22:26 (NIV) – [26] “To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless…

Psalms 25:10 (NIV) – [10] All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

3. The Practice of Faithfulness

a. We are to be faithful in serving the Lord only. (Joshua 24:14-15)

Joshua 24:14-15 (NIV) – [14] “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. [15] But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

b. Heaven is for those servants who exhibit goodness and faithfulness. (Matthew 25:21)

Matthew 25:21 (NIV) – [21] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’”

c. The Lord rewards faithfulness. (1 Samuel 26:23; Proverbs 28:20)

1 Samuel 26:23 (NIV) – [23] The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed.

Proverbs 28:20 (NIV) – [20] A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

d. He protects those who are faithful. (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 2:8)

Psalms 97:10 (NIV) – [10] Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 2:8 (NLT) – [8] He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

e. We are to be faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Romans 12:12 (NIV) – [12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

f. We must prove ourselves faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) – [2] Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

g. We are to be faithful even to the point of death. (Revelation 2:10; 13:9-10)

Revelation 2:10 (NIV) – [10] Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 13:9-10 (NIV) – [9] He who has an ear, let him hear. [10] If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

1 Kings 18:20-24 (NIV) – [20] So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. [21] Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. [22] Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the LORD’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. [23] Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. [24] Then you call on the name of your god, and I will CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

1. As the End draws near, call on the Name of the LORD.

2. When you are wavering, call on the Name of the LORD.

3. When your heart is divided, call on the Name of the LORD.

4. When you feel alone, call on the Name of the LORD.

1 Kings 19:14-15, 18 (NIV) – [14] Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” [15] The LORD said to him… [18] “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Romans 11:2-5 (NIV) – [2] God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah — how he appealed to God against Israel: [3] “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? [4] And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” [5] So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

1 Kings 18:36-39 (NIV) – [36] At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. [37] Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” [38] Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. [39] When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!”

“Everything that Elijah did was according to the Word of the Lord (v. 36), including confronting the king and inviting him and the priests of Baal to a meeting on Mount Carmel. Ahab called Elijah ‘the troublemaker in Israel,’ but it was really Ahab whose sins had caused the problems in the land. Surely Ahab knew the terms of the covenant and understood that the blessings of the Lord depended on the obedience of the king and his people.” (Wiersbe Bible Commentary)

5. We must obey when we call on the Name of the LORD.

James 5:17-18 (AMP) – [17] Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. [18] And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].

6. We must pray earnestly when we call on the Name of the LORD.

“The clause he prayed fervently is literally ‘in prayer he prayed.’ This usage reflects the influence of the Hebrew idiom, and its function is to intensify the force of the statement… the force of the clause may be rendered ‘He prayed earnestly’, ‘He prayed and prayed’, ‘he prayed constantly,’ or ‘he prayed again and again.’” (UBS New Testament Handbook)

James 5:17-18 (MSG) – [17] Elijah, for instance, human just like us, PRAYED HARD that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t — not a drop for three and a half years. [18] Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

7. The fire will fall when we call on the Name of the LORD.

Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) – [1] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Stand Firm in Your Freedom

The Fruit of the Spirit of FAITHFULNESS

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) – [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) – [22] But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness…

Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG) – [22] But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments…

1. The Meaning of Faithfulness

a. Faithfulness (pistis) means fidelity, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability, loyalty, and stability.

1) It is that character quality whereby one is punctual in performing one’s promises, conscientious in fulfilling one’s commitments, and careful in preserving what is entrusted to one’s care.

2) It denotes the firmness, constancy, and unchangeableness of God in His relations with men, especially with His people.

b. Faithfulness comes from the word for faith, which means a belief or conviction of the truth or in the reliability of someone.

1) We have faith in God because He is the truth, and He is trustworthy and reliable.

2) In other words, we have faith in God because God is faithful, or full of faith.

2. The Source of Faithfulness

a. Faithfulness is an attribute of God. (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 33:4; 86:15; 1 Corinthians 1:9)

Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV) – [4] He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Psalms 33:4 (NIV) – [4] For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

Psalms 86:15 (NIV) – [15] But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV) – [9] God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

b. God is faithful to keep His promises. (Deuteronomy 7:9; Hebrews 10:23)

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV) – [9] Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) – [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

c. His faithfulness never ends. (Psalm 100:5; 117:2)

Psalms 100:5 (NIV) – [5] For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalms 117:2 (NIV) – [2] For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

d. He is faithful to forgive confessed sin. (1 John 1:9)

1 John 1:9 (NIV) – [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

e. God is faithful even in our temptations. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) – [13] No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

f. The Lord is faithful to strengthen and protect us. (Psalm 91:4; 2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Psalms 91:4 (NIV) – [4] He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV) – [3] But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

g. Even if we are faithless, God remains faithful because He cannot deny His own nature. (2 Timothy 2:13)

2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV) – [13] …if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

2 Timothy 2:13 (AMP) – [13] If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.

2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT) – [13] If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

h. However, to the faithful, God shows Himself faithful. (2 Samuel 22:26; Psalm 25:10)

2 Samuel 22:26 (NIV) – [26] “To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless…

Psalms 25:10 (NIV) – [10] All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

3. The Practice of Faithfulness

a. We are to be faithful in serving the Lord only. (Joshua 24:14-15)

Joshua 24:14-15 (NIV) – [14] “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. [15] But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

b. Heaven is for those servants who exhibit goodness and faithfulness. (Matthew 25:21)

Matthew 25:21 (NIV) – [21] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’”

c. The Lord rewards faithfulness. (1 Samuel 26:23; Proverbs 28:20)

1 Samuel 26:23 (NIV) – [23] The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed.

Proverbs 28:20 (NIV) – [20] A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

d. He protects those who are faithful. (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 2:8)

Psalms 97:10 (NIV) – [10] Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 2:8 (NLT) – [8] He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

e. We are to be faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Romans 12:12 (NIV) – [12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

f. We must prove ourselves faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) – [2] Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

g. We are to be faithful even to the point of death. (Revelation 2:10; 13:9-10)

Revelation 2:10 (NIV) – [10] Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 13:9-10 (NIV) – [9] He who has an ear, let him hear. [10] If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

“Call on the Name of the LORD”

1 Kings 18:20-24 (NIV) - [20] So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. [21] Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. [22] Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. [23] Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. [24] Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

Picture - Mount Carmen and the Valley of Armageddon

Revelation 16:12-16 (NIV) - [12] The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. [13] Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. [14] They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. [15] “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” [16] Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

“The name Armageddon (or Harmagedon) is probably derived from har (‘mountain,’ ‘hill’) plus Megiddo, which was one of the three cities fortified by Solomon along with Gezer in the south and Hazor in the north (1Ki 9:15). The fortress of Megiddo stood on a hill in the largest pass through the Carmel range, strategically guarding the Jezreel Valley. The city was situated on the Via Maris, the main highway between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Many armies used this route, and the site became known as a bloody battlefield. It was here, for instance, that Pharaoh Neco, on his way to fight the Assyrians, killed Josiah (2Ki 23:29). Armaggedon thus became a symbolic term epitomizing the final conflict between God and the forces of evil. (NLT Study Bible)

1. As the End draws near, call on the Name of the LORD.

2. When you are wavering, call on the Name of the LORD.

“The Hebrew word translated waver means ‘to be lame’ or ‘to limp.’ Elijah compared the people's hobbling between the worship of the LORD and of Baal to a person who limps awkwardly from one foot to the other. Elijah may have also been referring to the ritual dance performed by Baal's prophets as they attempted to gain the storm god's attention. (NLT Study Bible)

1 Kings 18:26 (NLT) - [26] So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made.

“Elijah placed a clear choice before the people. He drew a sharp contrast between the worship of the Lord and that of Baal to eliminate the apostate idea that people could worship both deities.” (NIV Study Bible)

3. When your heart is divided, call on the Name of the LORD.

Psalms 86:11 (NIV) - [11] Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Ezekiel 11:17-19 (NIV) - [17] “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.' [18] “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. [19] I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

James 1:5-8 (NIV) - [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. [6] But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [7] That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

4. When you feel alone, call on the Name of the LORD.

1 Kings 19:14-15, 18 (NIV) - [14] He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” [15] The LORD said to him… [18] “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”

1 Kings 18:36-39 (NIV) - [36] At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. [37] Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” [38] Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. [39] When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!”

5. For the fire to fall, call on the Name of the LORD.

Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) - [1] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Stand Firm in Your Freedom

The Fruit of the Spirit of GOODNESS, Part 2

2) Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) – [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…

3) Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) – [22] But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence)…

4) Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG) – [22] But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people…

1. The Meaning of Goodness

a. Goodness means “an uprightness of heart and life, a moral excellence.”

b. It is a purity in heart and a righteousness in conduct.

2. The Source of Goodness

a. Goodness is an attribute of God.

b. All that God is, and all that God does, is good.

c. Absolutely every good thing comes from God.

d. God’s goodness is manifested to us through His love and faithfulness.

e. Affliction and suffering can produce goodness in us.

3. The Expression of Goodness

a. No one is good except God. (Mark 10:17-18)

Mark 10:17-18 (NIV) – [17] As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “GOOD teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [18] “Why do you call me GOOD?” Jesus answered. “No one is GOOD—except God alone.”

b. God gives His goodness to those who fear Him. (Psalm 31:19)

Psalms 31:19 (NIV) – [19] How great is your GOODNESS, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

c. Those who are in the light will manifest the fruit of goodness. (Ephesians 5:8-9)

Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV) – [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all GOODNESS, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord.

d. Goodness begins in the heart. (Matthew 12:33-35; Luke 6:43-45)

Matthew 12:33-35 (NIV) – [33] “Make a tree GOOD and its fruit will be GOOD, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything GOOD? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The GOOD man brings GOOD things out of the GOOD stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”

Luke 6:43-45 (NIV) – [43] “No GOOD tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. [45] The GOOD man brings GOOD things out of the GOOD stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

e. If we are good, we will act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8)

Micah 6:8 (NIV) – [8] He has showed you, O man, what is GOOD. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

f. If we persist in doing good, we will reap a harvest. (Galatians 6:9)

Galatians 6:9 (NIV) – [9] Let us not become weary in doing GOOD, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

g. Those who do good are from God; those who do evil are not. (3 John 11)

3 John 11 (NIV) – [11] Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is GOOD. Anyone who does what is GOOD is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

h. We are to do good to everyone, especially other Christians. (Galatians 6:10)

Galatians 6:10 (NIV) – [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do GOOD to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

i. We overcome evil by doing what is good. (Romans 12:21)

Romans 12:21 (NIV) – [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with GOOD.

Call on the Name of the LORD

Genesis 4:25-26 (NIV) – [25] Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” [26] Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD.

“Seth was 105 years old when his son Enosh was born. ‘Enosh’ means ‘man’ and comes from a Hebrew word that means ‘frail, weak.’ It’s the word for man that emphasizes how fragile and weak we really are in ourselves.” (The Bible Exposition Commentary)

1. There is an appointed time.

Isaiah 55:6 (NIV) – [6] Seek the LORD while he may be found; CALL ON HIM while he is near.

“Here is a gracious offer of pardon, and peace, and of all happiness. It shall not be in vain to seek God, now his word is calling to us, and his Spirit is striving with us. But there is a day coming when he will not be found. There may come such a time in this life; it is certain that at death and judgment the door will be shut. There must be not only a change of the way, but a change of the mind.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)

“Unfortunately, when left to themselves, people tend to get worse instead of better… Violence was on the rise. Two distinct groups were emerging: (1) those who showed indifference to sin and evil, and (2) those who worshiped the Lord. (Life Application Bible Notes)

2. We are distinct from the world.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NIV) – [14] Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? [15] What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? [16] What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” [17] “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” [18] “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

3. The world is getting worse.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT) – [1] You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. [2] For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. [3] They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. [4] They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. [5] They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

“Call” (qara) means “to call, to declare, to summon, to invite, to read, to be called, to be invoked, to be named. (Complete Word Study Dictionary)

“A remarkable thing is recorded in connection with the birth of this boy [Enosh]: at that time, people began to gather together to worship God, proclaim His name, and pray… The Hebrew word translated “call upon,” carries the meaning of praying in God’s name and also proclaiming his name in worship… There was a revival of public worship and believing prayer as the descendants of Seth met together in the name of the Lord.” (Wiersbe Commentary)

4. A practice of worship, proclamation, and prayer will bring revival.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) – [14] If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

The Reset 12.26.2021

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Ephesians 6: 1-3

1. Honor Your Parents.

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:4 NIV

“As for parents, don’t provoke your children to anger, but raise them with discipline and instruction about the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:4 CEB

2. Parents: Don’t Be Too Harsh

3. Have plenty of Fruit in the home.

But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness,

Faithfulness, Self-Control. Galatians 5:22

You are loved: Roman 5:8

You are Chosen: 1 Peter 2:9

You are redeemed: Ephesians 1:7

You are favored: Palms 5:12

You are blessed: Psalm 146:5

You are healed: 1 Peter 2:24

You have a purpose and amazing destiny: Jeremiah 29:11

You are sons and daughters of the highest. Galatians 4:4-7

It’s Time for a RESET.

God with Us

Matthew 1:23 (NIV) – [23] “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

Isaiah 7:1-14 (NIV) – [1] When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it. [2] Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind. [3] Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman’s Field. [4] Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. [5] Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, [6] “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” [7] Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘It will not take place, it will not happen, [8] for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. [9] The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’” [10] Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, [11] “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” [12] But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.” [13] Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? [14] Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

1. Our hearts will not be shaken.

Hebrews 12:26-29 (NIV) – [26] At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” [27] The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. [28] Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, [29] for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) – [10] Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

2. We must be careful.

Genesis 2:15 (AMP) – [15] And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it.

3. We have to keep calm.

Isaiah 32:17-18 (NIV) – [17] The fruit of righteousness will be peace, the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. [18] My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

4. We don’t have to be afraid.

5. We can’t lose heart.

Deuteronomy 20:1 (NIV) – [1] When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. [2] When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. [3] He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. [4] For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

6. We must stand firm in our faith.

7. We should accept the sign.

A Root Out of Dry Ground