Text: Genesis 26:17-25

Isaac is a good type of a Christian going through valleys in this life.  Isaac moves into the valley of Gerar and begins looking for the wells his father, Abraham, dug.  Those wells had been stopped up by the Philistines.

Valley isn’t a place you’re supposed to live (vs 17)

Isaac isn’t building a permanent residence there, he is passing through.

Valleys, for God’s people, saved people, are temporary.

Ministry of tears as Dewitt Talmage called it; it’s meant to keep this world from becoming too comfortable for you.

God’s provision in the valley isn’t new (vs 18)

Grief is a private, individual, lonely thing.  But you find that God’s provision in that time isn’t a brand new grace.  It’s been used before.

Jesus Christ a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief.

2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Needs are met in the valley (vs 19)

True treasure is found buried.

God’s grace is found in the valley.  Paul said, when I am weak, then I am strong.  Thy strength is made perfect in weakness.

People on the mountaintop don’t have needs.  Life is good. What do I need God for?

Valley dwellers (vss 20-21)

These are the herdman of Gerar.  They live in the valley. They are the perpetual victims claiming every part of the valley for themselves.

Notice they don’t know how to get their needs met in the valley, so they just try to steal from others.  These valley dwellers don’t dig wells, they wait for wells to be dug, then steal the provision.

Fruitfulness is the result of God’s blessing in the valley (vs 22)

Isaac says fruitfulness will be the result of finding what was needed in the valley.

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes it was better to go to the house of mourning than mirth.

There are no needs in the house of mirth.

There is no improvement in the house of mirth.

God’s grace is not in the house of mirth.

Realities in life are faced in the house of morning, not in the house of mirth.

Valley experience would bring a renewed relationship with God (vss 23-24)

The blessing is based on Abraham.  Christian blessings based on Jesus Christ.  It is passed on to Isaac because of his relationship to Abraham, just like a Christian because of his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Remember the valley (vs 25)

Isaac builds an altar.  Notice he calls on the name of the Lord, same words Paul uses in Romans.

He doesn’t build the altar in the valley.  You don’t have to go back in the valley to remember the valley.

Every so often go back and visit our daughter Sarah’s grave in Corpus.  And that marker represents a few things. #1) the sorrow of a dead baby. #2) the reality that neither we nor Sarah are in that valley anymore. #3) It was a valley we all passed through and every soul was made better because of it.  Sarah is with the Lord and Mom and Dad were able to have the grace of God through that time.

Some here are in the valley, all here are getting ready to go through a valley, many have altars around valleys that have helped you.  In Jesus Christ, valleys can be farmed instead of feared. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Farm the valleys.  Then share the fruit.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Text: Phlipppians 1:9-11

Paul’s prayer is for abundant life for the Philippians.  The request is that the Philippian Christians would be able to harvest much fruit of the Spirit and enjoy eating that fruit as any gardner would.  And the fruit is the reward of their labor in righteousness. Not just labor, but their labor in righteousness. The world defines abundant life as prosperity, opportunity, and financial success.  And you can get that through hard work. But lost people can work hard and make a good living for themselves.

Paul is specifically asking for an abundance of SPIRITUAL fruit in their lives.  The Philippians were actively preaching, ministering, accepting persecution, and serving God.  Just like the Lord Jesus Christ said it in John 10:10 …I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  Paul likewise says being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ.  So this abundant life is not a life that can be purchased with money.  It is the reward for labor in righteousness.

Paul makes a prayer request about the Philippians abounding in the fruit of the Spirit and that is what we’ll look at tonight.

Prayer for abundant life

This is how love grows: in knowledge and judgment.  Knowledge and love work together because the things you care about you know about.  And as you become more familiar with the Lord you will be more endeared to him, more willing to give of yourself for him, and judge those things that hinder that love.

That your love may abound… in knowledge

That your love may abound… in judgment

Proof of abundant life

* Here is how abundant life, particularly the fruit of love, will grow in you

* Increased ability to discern Godly things of value

* That ye may approve things that are excellent…

* Esther 1:4 – Excellent has to do with the riches of the King and valuable things in the kingdom.  Now, apply that to God’s kingdom. A Christian growing in love, the fruit of the Spirit, is constantly making judgments on things that are valuable in the kingdom of God versus things that have value in this world that are temporary.  And a Christian abundant in life is approving the excellent things versus clinging to the things headed to the fire.

* Voice of wisdom is excellent – Proverbs 8:1, 6-7, 10-11

* Diligent in kingdom matters is of an excellent spirit – Daniel 6:2-3

* Charity is the way of excellence – 1 Corinthians 12:31

* Jesus Christ is the most excellent name – Hebrews 1:4

* Jesus Christ’s more excellent ministry as mediator – Hebrews 8:6 (you will not improve on what Jesus Christ has done)

* Excellent sacrifice – Hebrews 11:4; offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain…

* Excellent glory – 2 Peter 1:17, so there is glory and then there is excellent glory that pertains to God’s kingdom.  How do I make God happy?

* Increased service to God alone

* That ye may be sincere and without offence

* Sincerity means putting away idols – Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

* Sincerity means more than lip service – 2 Corinthians 8:8-9 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 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.

* Until the day of Christ.  Finishing well.

Possessing abundant life

* Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ..

Text: Luke 23:39-43

Here is a deathbed confession.  Literally within a couple of hours of this man’s death he puts his trust in Jesus Christ.  

Overcame the voice of his companion (vss 39-40)

For a while both criminals are jeering and taunting Jesus Christ.  

Some of you don’t know what to do with Jesus Christ and don’t even know how can help you because you’re too influenced by your friends.

Overcame the vileness of his own condition (vss 40-41)

Overcame the vulnerability of Christ (vss 41-42)

How could this be the son of God if he’s dying on a cross?

Text: Amos 4:1-3

God, through Amos, turns his sights on the upper crust women.  He calls these women cows; the kine of Bashan are the females contrasted with the bulls of Bashan.  They are consumers, drunks, busybodies, gossips, greedy, demanding of a certain lifestyle, and void of honor.  They live to eat, drink, sleep, and be in control. Amos, the shepherd turned preacher, doesn’t mince any words, he calls them heifers.  Now, you might say Amos is over the top, and most would say that. But do YOU believe this book is God’s words? So Amos is simply the voice of God here.  Amos didn’t call them heifers, God called them heifers. So you’d have to say God is over the top. Or you could say, God is too plain.

So Amos is trying really hard to build a congregation.  That’s sarcasm.

Bullying cows (vs 1)

The women are “liberated”, country club, feminists, whose lives revolve around power.  They are obsessed with empowerment.

Wrong or right leadership is not the point, just power and control.

Going in the right direction is secondary to whether a male or female is making the decision.

And truly, going in the right direction is secondary to whether THEY are making the decision.

Dictators …which oppress the poor… (vs 1)

These women abuse their position.  Oppression is the unjust exercise of authority.

They burden people with unreasonable financial burdens because they can.

They use their money to keep people without money away from office.  Not because they know what their doing, but because THEY want the title.

Demanding …which crush the needy… (vs 1)

Trample whoever gets in their way.

They destroy people who can’t defend themselves.

They are gossips and busybodies.

Drunkards …which say to their masters, Bring, let us drink. (vs 1)

These women lay around sloshed while they make demands and manipulate their husbands

(Master is the master of the house as Jesus Christ used the word almost 10 times in the gospels.)

Isaiah 3:12-13 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. 13 The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.

…Bring, let us drink.. Let’s have another round here!

According to the Bible, Proverbs 31, a strong woman is a virtuous woman.

You don’t get honor by demanding to be honored.  It is earned.

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies… Strength and honour are her clothing… Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

She is accomplished, not bossy.  She has taken care of her responsibilities, not contracted them out to someone else.  Her children say she’s a blessing.

Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Country Club beef (vs 2)

They will be hauled out on hooks.  (They are HOOKED!)

Have you ever seen a cow hanging from hooks?  What circumstance would a cow be hanging from hooks?  In a slaughterhouse. The cow is meat at that point.

The irony is they wanted honor, power, control, but became helpless pieces of meat.

A little note here.  The things that you’re looking for are results.

You don’t create joy, it’s the fruit of planting, watering, and harvesting.

There are no shortcuts.  These women were in love with power and they lost whatever of it they thought t...

Text: Matthew 2:16-18

The events are these.  Herod realizes the wise men aren’t going to bring him the information he wants about the Lord Jesus Christ so he is irate!  His solution? Genocide. Based on the timing of things he figures if he kills all the children 2 and under he will eliminate the Lord Jesus Christ.  In Herod’s fury he kills all the children in and around Bethlehem, boys and girls, 2 and under. In our town, that would be about 400 children. Undoubtedly he kills some parents who stood their guard over their children while this insane lunatic had his mass murder carried out for the sole purpose of getting rid of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Now, this is obviously a part of history that doesn’t make it into the Christmas story.

Matthew notes the fulfillment of prophecy as usual.  He says Jeremy, which is Jeremiah, described this event.  Look in Jeremiah 31:15. But the event is tied to something even further in the past.  Go back to Genesis 35:16-19. Rachel dies in Bethlehem giving birth to Benjamin.

Now, back to Matthew.  There are three notable lessons in these violent verses.  First, Herod’s goal never changes, but his tactics do. His goal is to kill Jesus Christ.  Second, the death of these children is a result of Herod’s hatred for Jesus Christ, not his hatred for the children.  Third, nothing is sacred to Herod when it comes to getting rid of Jesus Christ.

Stratagems of the wicked

GOAL doesn’t change, but the tactics to.  Another way of saying this is the ends justify the means.

Herod’s first approach is deception, particularly, religious deception.  Herod tells the wise men he’s just like they are. He wants to worship too.  We’re all on the same road. But the goal is to get close to Jesus Christ to destroy him.

Herod’s second approach is genocide.  When he finds out he’s not going to be able to locate the Lord Jesus Christ specifically, he resorts to mass murder.  The goal remains to destroy the Lord Jesus Christ.

Deceive or Destroy

Infiltrate or Intimidate

Deception first.  Notice John 8:32.

Sometimes Christians don’t seem like they believe in a devil.  

Satanic hatred for Jesus Christ

Herod is so set on destroying Jesus Christ he will kill anyone that looks like Christ.

John 15:18-25

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

This devil’s world is threatened by Jesus Christ, but it really doesn’t know why it’s threatened.  If Jesus Christ is running things then things would be a whole lot better. But Herod doesn’t care HOW things are run, Herod just doesn’t want to give up the throne.  And now you’ve hit on the threat Jesus Christ poses.

Now I bet you know that if Jesus Christ was truly running your life, things would be a whole lot better all around.  Your problem and my problem is we don’t care HOW things are run as much as we care about WHO is running them. You don’t care that Jesus Christ makes a better master than you, but you don’t want to give up that throne.

Slaughter of innocents

Herod sets out to slaughter all the children 2 and under in order to get rid of Jesus Christ.  Some commentators say it was only the boys, but you don’t read that in the Bible. All children were included in this slaughter.

Nothing is sacred when the enemies of Jesus Christ go to work.  There are no rules of engagement. There is no gentlemen’s understanding.  There is ruthless violence toward Jesus Christ.

As Herod slaughtered an entire generation to get rid of Jesus Christ, so here are some ways the next generation is being slaughtered.

Slaughtered by worldly counsel

Grown adults helping children to obsess over their sex are perverts that ought to be in prison.

Text: Philippians 1:1-8

Philippians is a thank you letter written from prison by Paul.  You wouldn’t know Paul is in prison unless he said so because the spirit of the letter is joyful and grateful.  Philippians also deals with Christian psychology. Having the right thoughts and right perspective and right mindset leads to joy, the fruit of the Spirit, regardless of circumstances.  The Philippians were very helpful when it came to the ministry of the gospel. They were helpful in tangible ways which endeared Paul to them and them to Paul, in Christ.

There are a number of ways to have fellowship with people.  Societies to get involved in. groups to join. Clubs to be a member of.  And some of those things you would have to remember the warning, Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers.  But this is the gospel fellowship.  

Let’s go over these first eight verses and summarize what’s going on here.  Salutation in verses 1-2. Then Paul expresses his immense joy and gratitude for the Philippians in verses 3-5.  Verse 6 is Paul’s confidence that the Lord is certainly working in the Philippians’ lives. Then verse 7 lists the reasons Paul is confident God was working in the lives of the Philippians.  This is where we’ll start tonight.

Who is in the gospel fellowship (vss 1-2)

You see saints, servants, bishops, and deacons.  This isn’t just one church, it’s multiple churches in a big city apparently.

Notice the people involved in the fellowship of the gospel are not just leadership, it’s everyone.

Gratitude for the gospel fellowship (vss 3-5)

Certainly the Philippians were in his heart as much as they were a part of the ministry of the gospel and particularly Paul’s ministry.

Paul said, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you (vs 3).  When Paul thinks of the Philippians, he is grateful to God for them

When Paul prays for them, he prays with joy for them.  He said, In every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy (vs 4).  Joy, Paul says he makes request with joy for the Philippians.  The specific aspect of joy is gratitude.

Fellowship in the gospel first meant that they were knit together in the work Christ.

Not always the case that missionaries, pastors, or church planters like Paul remember folks with joy.

Sometimes missionaries feel neglected when trouble hits.  And sometimes they are neglected.

Sometimes pastors feel like the congregation just wants someone to fill the pulpit, but isn’t interested in going in God’s direction.

Serving God is lonely by design and by the nature of the task at hand.  And when a servant of God finds a fellow servant of God, there is great joy, by design, in the fellowship of the gospel.

Confidence of God’s work in the gospel fellowship (vs 6)

Confident of the Lord’s work as Paul says, Being confident of this very thing…

This is a great verse on eternal security for people who are active participants in the gospel.  This is NOT a great verse on eternal security for people in pews who call themselves Christians.

When Paul writes this it’s been 10-15 years since the Philippian church was started.  They’ve had a history of participating in the gospel ministry. That history was what gave Paul confidence that God was working in them.

Notice in verse 7 he says it’s meet for me to think this of you BECAUSE, and he lists the reasons why.

What is the gospel fellowship? (vs 7)

In his heart – The Philippians sent him money to continue the work.  Philippians 4:10, 14-17. Which led to spiritual fruit to their account – they shared the joy of the ministry having given to it.

In his bonds

Then Paul says as much as you’re in my heart, you’re also in my bonds.  You were with me in prison.

You didn’t cut and run.  You didn’t abandon me when the pressure was put on.

Text: Psalm 24

Note the questions in verses 3, 8, and 10, Who is the King of glory?  The first most important question is a “Who” question.

Salvation is a ‘who’ question.

Your daily decisions are ‘who’ questions.  Bondage versus liberty is a ‘who’ question.  Jesus Christ said take my yoke upon you.  My yoke is easy, my burden light.  Pharoah’s burden in the world is rigorous slavery.

Paul says as a Christian employee you do your work as unto the Lord, as unto Christ, as to the Lord.  Who’s your highest authority is more important than what you do.

Whether you’re a recipient of God’s grace is a who question.

Peace with God is a who question.

Forgiveness of sins is a who question.

Glorified body is a who question.

The identity of the King was a mystery to the Jews because they would not believe God. David prophesied the coming King was also the LORD, the God of gods.  Look at verse 10; the LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.  But throughout the psalm the LORD, capital L-O-R-D, looks for the man who will be King who will inherit His creation.

Who shall ascend?

Jesus says, I am the way.

The devil SAID he would ascend, but Jesus Christ DID ascend; Acts 1:10, Ephesians 4:8.

Who shall stand?

* Hebrews 8:1 We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man.

Whose generation?

Generation of Jesus Christ

Entire generation taking after Jesus Christ

Standing before God is the same as Jesus Christ’s standing

Daily life of the believer

24:6 This is the generation…

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 2:9

Who is the King of glory? (vss 7-9)

Look up!

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Colossians 3:1-4

The question is posed by some angel or some heavenly host or someone.

Revelation 4 shows God the Father on the throne.  Revelation 5:1, 6, 13, shows Jesus Christ as the Lamb, not yet the King.  Notice that the Lamb is worthy. Revelation 6:16, 7:9-10. Then Revelation 19:11 he is King!

Now David was anointed king, but it was a while before he became king.  There were several years between David’s anointing and his actual reign.  David understands the waiting period and he’s a great picture of Jesus Christ who will be King, but is not right now.

Who is the King of glory?  He’s the LORD from verse one who owns the earth by creation.

Text: Matthew 2:11-15

First, to dispel some myths.  The wise men enter a house, not a stable; when they were come into the house.  Worship is directed toward the Lord Jesus Christ, not Mary; and worshipped him.  Jesus is not a baby anymore.  He is a young child.  Herod will hunt down the boys 2 and under, so Herod believes Jesus could be as old as 2 years old.  The wise men are not kings and you aren’t told how many there are.

Matthew is showing the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of the Jews, though at this point he is the Prince.  Everything Matthew records, of all the things he could’ve recorded, he points out details where Jesus Christ fulfills prophecy in relation to him being the King of Jews.

Now to our text.  Verses 11-15 in Matthew 2 deal with Jesus Christ being called out of Egypt and the circumstances surrounding that fulfillment.

Matthew is the only one who talks about the wise men bringing gifts.

And he’s the only one who talks about Jesus Christ being called out of Egypt as a child.

My question when reading this was what does one have to do with the other?  Why does Matthew insert the gifts right alongside Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt?

In two years of Jesus’ life what Matthew chose to highlight was the wise men, their gifts, and the family fleeing to Egypt then coming back to Israel.

Let’s begin in verse 11 to see what the wise men and their gifts have to do with the fulfillment of the prophecy that God’s Son would be called out of Egypt.

Role worship played

Look at verse 11.  Notice these wise men worshipped Jesus Christ by giving him very valuable items.

Now many folks have set out to describe the significance of the wise men’s gifts in symbolic terms. The gold represented this, the frankincense represented that, and the myrrh represents this.  But the value of these gifts is not in their symbolism, the value of these gifts is in their actual cost.

Joseph and Mary were not wealthy people.  Look over in Luke 2:21-24. The sacrifice brought by Mary is the sacrifice new mothers bring if they can’t afford the prescribed sacrifice in Leviticus 12.  Joseph and Mary are not wealthy people. Traveling is expensive. It’s usually something you plan for. It’s not something you decide to do in a matter of hours.

Worship is valuable when it has a price

The verse says and when they had opened their treasures.

The value of their worship was what it cost them.

2 Samuel 24:24

Matthew 6:19-21 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: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Their act of worship was used to move God’s work forward.

God used the worship of the wise men to continue his work and protect Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

Joseph and Mary leave for Egypt in a hurry, but they are not rich people.  And as we said, long trips are usually planned out. God made provision through the costly gifts the wise men brought.

Some Christians are spiritual welfare recipients where they get, but never give.  They enjoy the work being done, but aren’t part of moving the work forward at all.  And if they treated their job like they treat their walk with Jesus Christ, they wouldn’t hold a job for longer than a week.  No dependability. No responsibility. No availability. I show up when I want to. I do things on my terms. I don’t take direction.  And I have no idea how I fit into the bigger picture.

Don’t know if the wise men choose to give these expensive gifts because they know Joseph and Mary are not going to have money to get to Egypt or not.

Wise men worship contrasted with worship in word only by Hero...

Text: Amos 3:9-15

Let’s look at verse 12 to begin.  This is where we get the title of the message: People Who Are Eat Up.  You’ve probably heard that phrase before or even used it to say someone was “eat up” with something.  It means that thing had consumed their entire life. Notice about this verse that the people are eat up, completely consumed.  And notice that the people are living in pleasure and comfort. The people who are consumed are not in prison or stricken with poverty or in bad health.  The people who are eat up are on couches and laying around in beds.

Come see the carcass

* Publish in the palaces of Ashdod…

* The Lord calls the heathen to come behold the turmoil in his own people.  Instead of seeing peace and joy in a people who had everything, the people were consumed with greed and covetousness.  God’s people had become like the devil: violent without cause, envious, covetous, greedy, oppressive, hateful, and selfish.  The people did not own their wealth, their wealth owned them. They didn’t possess belongings, the belongings possessed them.

* The record is a warning of what will happen if people follow the same course.

* The only evidence left of the carcass are the stumps and tufts of hair and cartilage that were once ears.  God the Father looks out from Heaven as the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour, stands over the remains of God’s people.  What are the remains? Come see them.

* The remains of great tumults.  Tumults – confusion, strife, riots, turbulence, turmoil, unrest.  James 3:14-16 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

* The remains of oppression.  Micah 2:1-2 Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. 2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

* The remains of unrighteousness.  They know not do right.  Not that they don’t know how to do right.  It’s that their lives are not conducive to doing right.  Their habits and lifestyles are tailored to disobedience.  James 4:1-4, 7-10, 13-17 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. … 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. … 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

* The remains of violence

* The remains of theft

* Satan,

Text: Hebrews 13:8-25

Let’s start with verse 15 and 16, then we’ll look at the rest of this chapter piece by piece.  Jesus Christ is the sacrifice for sins. And it is his blood that God was able to make a new testament in (13:20).  So what are the sacrifices God is looking for now. Three are named: praise, good works, and giving.

Grace is God’s provision

* Paul is talking about the ministry of the altar and the temple.  The priests and ministers in the temple were occupied with the sacrifices of the animals, but did not see them as God’s provision.

* Grace was found in the law in this way.  God allowed an atonement to be made for the sin of a soul.  God said, I will accept the body and blood of this animal for this soul.  And therefore God would make provision so the soul that sinneth wouldn’t die.

* However, some would come to the altar to congratulate themselves for their sacrifice like the Pharisees did.  They became occupied with the meats. It wasn’t long after that that the sacrifices became simply a business transaction.

* So God making provision at the altar under the old testament could be approached two ways: a self righteous way that said I’m righteous because I’m bringing a sacrifice.  Or in a grateful way, thanking God for the opportunity to make atonement for their own soul through the life of this beast.

* Paul will describe the old priesthood as not understanding the significance of the altar.

* …they have no right… burned without the camp

* Are not allowed to partake of the heavenly altar and the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  John 6

* The bodies of the sacrificed animals are likened to the body of Christ.  This is the provision of God.

Sacrifice of praise

By him… So Jesus Christ has secured somethings that I need

Sacrifice is to bear his reproach with my mouth.

Publicly praising Jesus Christ can be a sacrifice

Look in verse 23.  Paul is telling people to praise God while his companions are in and out of jail for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Publicly give thanks to Jesus Christ like Paul and Silas in prison

Giving thanks for and everlasting covenant that came at the cost of the blood of Christ.

…same yesterday, today, and forever…

On the other hand there is so much comfort to draw from the truth that Jesus Christ’s character does not change with the world, or the fashions, or with whatever way the wind blows.  He’s the Rock of my salvation.

Home in the Rock – And when I’ve strayed and need to repent back to the haven of rest the Lord is there just like the prodigal son’s father.

Rock doesn’t weaken over time

Rock doesn’t change positions – His ideas don’t change like science falsely so called that change with the political winds.  Jesus Christ said he created everything after its kind and never changed that position because there is no need to change the position of truth.

Treasure is found in the Rock – men are mining to find treasure.

Water is found in rock – drill down or flowing from the mountain.

Oil is found in the rock – Job 29:6 …and the rock poured me out rivers of oil.

Rock is a foundation to build on.

A rock will kill you if it falls on you.

A rock will break you if you fall on it.

Also means the reproach of Christ hasn’t changed either. …bearing his reproach… without the camp…

We’re not talking about saying thank you.  That’s great to have that attitude of gratitude, but that isn’t a sacrifice to say Thank you in a padded pew, in air conditioning, knowing you’ll go home turn on the TV and get right back to the routine of working hard to try to pay for our covetousness.

What praise sacrifices are on your altar?  When do you give thanks to God in a way that is valuable?