Victory Church Podcast

Focal Text:

Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John to be baptized by him.

14 But John forbad Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by Thee, and comest Thou to me?”

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, “Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John suffered Him.

16 And Jesus, when He had been baptized, went up straightway out of the water. And lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Him.

17 And lo, a voice came from Heaven, saying, “This Is My Beloved Son, In Whom I Am Well Pleased.”

I. The Demands of Obedience (Matthew 3:15)

A. The Reality of a True Confession (Matthew 3:13)

B. The Resoluteness of a True Submission (Matthew 3:15)

C. The Responsiveness of a True Devotion (Matthew 3:17)

II. The Delights of Obedience (Matthew 3:16-17)

A. The Blessing of the Throne of God (Matthew 3:16)

B. The Blessing of the Spirit of God (Matthew 3:16)

C. The Blessing of the Word of God (Matthew 3:17)

Conclusion:

Romans 6:10-11

10 For in that He died, He died unto sin once; but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

FOCAL TEXT:

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. - 1 Peter 2:21-25

I. The Cross is God's Standard for Men (1 Peter 2:21)

A. Absolute Sinlessness (Isaiah 53, 1 Peter 2:22)

B. Absolute Submissiveness (Isaiah 53:7, Romans 3:23, 1 Peter 2:23)

1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. - Isaiah 53:1-12

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; - Romans 3:23

II. The Cross is God's Salvation for Men (1 Peter 2:24)

A. Deliverance from the Penalty of Sin (1 Peter 2:24)

B. Deliverance from the Power of Sin (1 Peter 2:24)

C. Deliverance from the Poison of Sin (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24)

III. The Cross is God's Satisfaction for Men (1 Peter 2:25)

A. The Shepherd Restores the Soul (Psalm 23:1-3, Philippians 4:7, 1 Peter 1:8, 2:25, Hebrew 6:19)

B. The Shepherd Preserves the Soul (John 10:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Timothy 1:12)

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. - Psalm 23:1-3

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:7

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: - 1 Peter 1:8

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; - Hebrews 6:19

28 And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. - John 10:28

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. - 2 Timothy 1:12

Main Text: Exodus 12:1-13

There is a doctrinal curse being taught today that everyone is going to ultimately make it to heaven. There is a universal truth about everyone's destiny but it is not salvation.

1. Universal Condemnation

This creates a huge problem for all of us. We are all under the curse of death.

2. Elective salvation

A. God's will. II Peter 3:9

B. Man's prerogative. Romans 10:13 and 10:9-10

C. God's plan. Exodus 12:1-13

3. Selective Salvation

Conclusion: "It is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment."

BIG IDEA: BECAUSE OF JESUS WE’VE ALL BEEN GIVEN A SEAT AT THE TABLE. ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE YOURS?

2 Samuel 9:1-8

David asked, “Is there anyone remaining from the family of Saul I can show kindness to for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 There was a servant of Saul’s family named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “I am your servant,” he replied. 3 So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show the kindness of God to?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still Jonathan’s son who was injured in both feet.” 4 The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba answered the king, “You’ll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.” 5 So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar. 6 Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, fell facedown, and paid homage. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied. 7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.” 8 Mephibosheth paid homage and said, “What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me?”

HE COMPARED HIMSELF TO THE MOST REPULSIVE THING HE COULD THINK OF

MEPHIBOSHETH COULDN’T EVEN HEAR WHAT DAVID WAS SAYING TO HIM BECAUSE HE WAS SO CONSUMED IN HIS OWN SHAME

HE COULDN’T ACCEPT THE LOVE, COMPASSION, AND PROMISES THAT DAVID WANTED TO GIVE HIM BECAUSE HE COULDN’T ACCEPT HIMSELF

2 Samuel 9:9-13

Then the king summoned Saul’s attendant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You, your sons, and your servants are to work the ground for him, and you are to bring in the crops so your master’s grandson will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table just like one of the king’s sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. All those living in Ziba’s house were Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 However, Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he always ate at the king’s table. His feet had been injured.

BECAUSE OF DAVID MEPHIBOSHETH WAS LOVED AND CARED FOR AS A SON

HOW CAN YOU SHOW KINDNESS TO OTHER PEOPLE LIKE DAVID DID?

EVEN WHEN THEY DON’T DESERVE IT

WE’RE ALL LIKE MEPHIBOSHETH

BECAUSE OF JESUS WE’VE BEEN GIVEN AN INVITATION

BECAUSE OF JESUS WE’VE ALL BEEN GIVEN A SEAT AT THE TABLE

ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE YOURS?

Big Idea: God’s mission is seen through His covenants

2 Samuel 7:1-3

When the king had settled into his palace and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Look, I am living in a cedar house while the ark of God sits inside tent curtains.” 3 So Nathan told the king, “Go and do all that is on your mind, for the Lord is with you.”

GOD REJECTED DAVID’S OFFER!

BUT WHY?

2 Samuel 7:4-7

But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5 “Go to my servant David and say, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you to build me a house to dwell in? 6 From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not dwelt in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as my dwelling. 7 In all my journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever spoken a word to one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, asking: Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?’

GOD WANTS TO BE WITH THIS PEOPLE

God isn’t about the bling He’s about the people

2 Samuel 7:8-9

“So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make a great name for you like that of the greatest on the earth.

In two verses God uses the words “I” and “MY” a total of 6 times

GOD DOESN’T NEED YOUR PITY

God already owns everything

2 Samuel 7:10-16

I will designate a place for my people Israel and plant them, so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not continue to oppress them as they have done 11 ever since the day I ordered judges to be over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. “‘The Lord declares to you: The Lord himself will make a house for you. 12 When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and blows from mortals. 15 But my faithful love will never leave him as it did when I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and kingdom will endure before me forever, and your throne will be established forever.’”

GOD’S ABOUT TO FLIP THE SCRIPT ON DAVID

God’s plan of redemption can be seen through His covenants!

Through the covenants, God re-establishes a relationship with His people

GOD DOESN’T WANT RELIGION HE WANTS RELATIONSHIP

Big Idea: God’s mission is seen through His covenants

So what’s God’s mission?

You are!

BIG IDEA: WE ALL HAVE A MORAL COMPASS. WHO’S IN CONTROL OF YOURS?

1 Samuel 24:1-5

When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness near En-gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand of Israel’s fit young men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3 When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave, 4 so they said to him, “Look, this is the day the Lord told you about: ‘I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.’” Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. 5 Afterward, David’s CONSCIENCE bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

CONSCIOUS MEANS AWARENESS

YOUR CONSCIENCE IS YOUR MORAL AWARENESS

THE MORAL COMPASS IN US ALL

YOUR CONSCIENCE IS FROM GOD

WE ARE ALL MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD SO WE ARE ALL MORAL PEOPLE!

Romans 2:14-16

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. (NIV)

1 Timothy 4:1-2

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.

1 Corinthians 8:12

Now when you sin like this against brothers and sisters and wound their weak conscience, you are sinning against Christ.

1 Timothy 1:19

having faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and have shipwrecked their faith.

1 Samuel 24:6-7

He said to his men, “I swear before the Lord: I would never do such a thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.”7 With these words David persuaded his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul.

DAVID UNDERSTOOD THAT HIS CONSCIENCE BELONGED TO GOD

DAVID WAS WILLING TO SURRENDER HIS MORAL COMPASS TO GOD AND LET HIM NAVIGATE THE DIRECTION OF HIS LIFE

BECAUSE DAVID KNEW GOD HE KNEW WHAT GOD WANTED HIM TO DO

1 Samuel 24:6-7

“May the Lord judge between me and you, and may the Lord take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you. 13 As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness comes from wicked people.’ My hand will never be against you.

Hebrews 9:14

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?

WHO’S IN CONTROL OF YOUR MORAL COMPASS?

WHO’S NAVIGATING THE DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE?

Big Idea: God never abandons His own.

1 Samuel 22:1-4

So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. 2 In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. 3 From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God will do for me.” 4 So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.

1 Samuel 22:5

Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Don’t stay in the stronghold. Leave and return to the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.