Treasured Truth

Sixteen times in the book of Matthew, he uses the phrase, ‘This was to fulfill what the Lord had said by the mouth of the prophet.’  And we find that the genealogy of Jesus that Matthew provides validates the prophecy and is proof that we can trust the Word of God.

As we continue to consider the profound nature of the incarnation of Christ, we see that there’s no way we could have done for ourselves what He did for us.  We couldn’t save ourselves and so God set it up with the purpose of saving us in mind.  Do you realize that if you were the only person in this world, God would have still sent Jesus to die for you?  Isn’t that amazing to consider?

Since the beginning of time, God has had a plan for our salvation.  And when we look at the timeline related to the incarnation of Christ, everything that God said would happen did happen.  And so that means we can trust that everything God wants for each of our lives, will happen too.

Understanding that we need to remember God and seek Him now is the focus of our study today in Ecclesiastes 12. Pastor Ford will remind us that everyone will have to give an account to God eventually, so He advises that it’s best for us to remember Him now.

Scripture encourages us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth. Why?  Because life is a privilege and not an obligation. Pastor Ford reminds us that tomorrow is never guaranteed and that it is so important to remember God now, while we have the opportunity to do so.

When dealing with temptation, anything about which you have to ask, “Is it sin?” then it’s a good indication that whatever you’re considering is a sin to you.  The Bible says, “Whatever is not of faith is sin.” So if you can’t do whatever you’re doing in faith, then you shouldn’t do it, because it becomes sin.

No one is exempt from temptation.  The Bible says, “…let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Your Bible knowledge is not going to exempt you.  Your service, your singing in the choir, your giving is not going to exempt you.  So, this is a warning to the super saints—the people who say, “It won’t happen to me.” None of us should ever say that, since we can’t know in advance what we will or will not do.

Whenever we overcome temptation, it purifies us.  It makes us stronger and better; it builds us up.  Our roots grow deeper into our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we become more like Him.

Sometimes we can be criticized unfairly by others who don’t really have our best interests at heart.  But Pastor Ford reminds us that we shouldn’t let that stop us from doing what we know is good and right.  Just keep doing what God has placed before us.  Because the Bible says, “Don’t be weary in well doing for you shall reap if you faint not.” In other words, don’t give up!

Pastor and author James Ford, Jr. says we all need to understand that Jesus gives us His person to live with, His purpose to live for, His priorities to live by, His provision to live on and His power to live through.