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"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early." Sermon originally preached by Mr. Popham at the Centenary services at Salem Baptist Chapel on Wednesday afternoon 27th August 1913. There are two main points in this sermon and it seems likely that Mr. Popham continued with a third point in the evening service, but there is no record of that evening service nor of Mr. Popham's preaching on that occasion. Read by Mr. C. G. Parsons

Colossians 3:12-17

The sermon contrasts the Old Testament prophet Samuel with Jesus Christ, establishing Samuel as a type pointing to the ultimate Prophet. It highlights Samuel's humility and his role in revealing God's will through external visions and temporal promises. The preacher argues that while Samuel spoke the word of God, Christ embodies the eternal Word and reveals the inner thoughts of the heart directly. This comparison underscores the superiority of Christ's prophetic office, which offers eternal salvation rather than temporary assurances. The message calls believers to honor the Word of God as faithfully as Samuel did, recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of all prophetic hope.

The sermon explores the specifics of true holiness by examining Colossians 3, contrasting genuine sanctification with legalistic asceticism. It emphasizes that true holiness is oriented toward serving others and occurs within the ordinary rhythms of daily life rather than through showy religious acts. The preacher outlines how believers must live out their faith in specific relationships, including marriage, parenting, and employment, by dedicating every action to the Lord Jesus. Each duty is framed as an opportunity to honor Christ, with wives submitting, husbands loving without harshness, children obeying, and workers laboring with sincerity. Ultimately, the message asserts that believers are empowered to fulfill these duties not by rule-keeping but by the grace and motivation found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The sermon emphasizes that the King James Bible's exclusive use of the word 'charity' in 1 Corinthians 13 denotes the highest form of self-sacrificial love for fellow believers, distinct from modern philanthropy. It critiques the misinterpretation of spiritual gifts, particularly tongues, by Pentecostal movements and clarifies that the body of Christ refers to the local visible assembly rather than a universal invisible church. The speaker emphasizes that while doctrinal truth is essential, it must always be expressed with charity to avoid becoming empty noise or causing division. True Christian maturity is defined not by miraculous gifts but by the enduring virtue of love, which surpasses faith and hope as the greatest attribute of the believer.

The sermon explores Paul's prayer in Ephesians, emphasizing that God desires to strengthen believers' inner beings rather than merely remove external difficulties. It outlines four key aspects of this spiritual growth: being strengthened by the Holy Spirit, rooted in Christ's unconditional love, filled with His fullness, and connected to His unlimited power. The preacher argues that true maturity comes from yielding complete ownership of one's heart to Christ and continuously drawing on divine resources. This process transforms Christians from relying on self to experiencing an overflowing capacity for God's grace and presence. Ultimately, the message invites listeners to embrace this profound spiritual reality and live in constant dependence on God's boundless ability.

The holiness of the Lord Jesus is such that He cannot and will not fellowship with Christians who are living in unrepentant sin. As with any sinner, Jesus calls the disobedient Christian to repent and allow the Lord to work in his life. THE BIBLE Baptist Church of DeLand, Florida Pastor James W. Knox Pastor David A. Brown https://biblebaptistdeland.com For more sermons and Bible study materials, please visit our web store at https://store.jameswknox.org/ DeLand School of THE BIBLE: https://dsbkjv.com

Anchored in the Word Morning Reflection: Season 5 Episode 163 Embracing God's Design to Shape the Next Generation: Fathers Ephesians 6:1-4 #morningreflections #strength #wisdom #mentoring #family