Free audio sermons: Get free audio sermons through this free Christan sermon podcast!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Seek and Ye Shall Find

"Many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 Jno. 4:1,2. One should not be blinded to the existence of error, but should seek TRUTH. Jesus promised that "the truth will make you free." Jno. 8:32. Truth is the only antidote for error. This truth is accessible to all men alike. Yet there are certain basic considerations which are essential for the sincere truth seeker. Let us notice some of them.

1. THE INITIAL BATTLE IS WITH YOUR OWN WILL. If you really want the truth, you can find it. Jno. 7:17. The desire of the Holy Spirit is that you "be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Eph. 5:17. But you must first make up your mind that your DESIRE is to know. Then you will be ready to begin the search. A "good and honest heart" is first.

2. YOU MUST HAVE A WHOLESOME, RESPECTFUL ATTITUDE TOWARD THE TRUTH. To search for it will be a waste of your time if you do not plan to accept the truth -- whatever it may be. One must LOVE and BELIEVE the truth to avoid God's condemnation. (Be sure to read 2 Thes. 2:10-12).

3. BE SURE THAT YOUR SOURCE OF INFORMATION IS RELIABLE. God's revealed Word is the only infallible source of religious truth. The Bible writers were inspired of God. They could not err, therefore, in what they spoke by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are God-breathed, perfect, and all-sufficient as a guide for man in his search for forgiveness and the hope of eternal life. 2 Tim. 3:16,17.

4. RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS NOT YOUR PEROGATIVE TO CHANGE THAT WHICH THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES. Be content with what you find in the BIBLE. It is possible for parents to be wrong. Remember, too, that even men who are called "preachers" and "rabbis" have NO AUTHORITY at all to bind upon you any tradition or commandment of men. They are just men--and nothing more. BUT, the Author of the Bible is GOD. The Holy Spirit simply revealed to humanity what was in the mind of God. The Bible alone makes know the will of God for you. Steer clear, then, of any disposition to prevent this divine revelation. It is perfect; you are not.

5. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO HINDER YOUR OBEDIENCE TO THE TRUTH. A soul (yours) is too valuable. The gospel of Christ is God's power to save. Rom. 1:16,17. Your concern must be, "What does CHRIST teach me to do to have remission of sins?" Read carefully these passages: Mk. 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:10; Acts 22:;16; Rom. 6:3,4. The simple requirements of Jesus are FAITH, REPENTANCE, CONFESSION and IMMERSION for the remission of sins.

BELIEVE the truth, OBEY it to have your soul purified. 1 Pet. 1:22. Let no one dissuade you from obeying the Author of eternal salvation. Heb. 5:8,9. All who seek salvation in this way WILL find it. THE TRUTH WILL MAKE YOU FREE.

- by Barney Keith

 

Monday, March 19, 2018

www.foxnews.com

Love is Kind

 

There is a man who is a regular customer at the Waffle House in La Marque, Texas. This same man recently underwent surgery and has to use a portable oxygen tank. When he went to the restaurant to eat on March 3, he told the waitress, Evoni Williams, age 18, that his hands “don’t work too good.” So Williams stood on the other side of the counter, took a fork and a knife, and cut the ham on his plate for him.

 

This simple act of kindness was photographed by Laura Wolf who was also eating breakfast at the Waffle House. She posted the photo on Facebook with this caption:

 

“I don't know her name but I heard this elderly man tell her his hands don't work too good. He was also on oxygen and struggling to breathe. Without hesitation, she took his plate and began cutting up his ham. This may seem small but to him, I'm sure it was huge. I'm thankful to have seen this act of kindness and caring at the start of my day while everything in this world seems so negative. If we could all be like this waitress & take time to offer a helping hand...”

 

Currently, this post has been shared on Facebook over 73,000 times and “liked” or “loved” over 145,000 times. Because of this post, several have sought to honor Williams for her kindness. La Marque Mayor Bobby Hocking recently declared one day, “Evoni Williams Day.” As a thank-you gesture in recognition of her kindness, Texas Southern University presented her with a $16,000 scholarship.

 

The young employee told ABC 13 she didn’t expect any of the recognition she’s received. She saw a man who could use some assistance, and she helped him. "It just came from the heart," she said.*

 

What a simple but wonderful act of kindness! This writer is also thankful for the favorable attention that this kind act has received. It is quite refreshing when, as Laura stated, “everything in this world seems so negative.”

 

May this act point to the greatest act of kindness this dark world has ever experienced:

 

“3For we ourselves [that includes you and me] were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:3-5).

 

When we were lost in sin and couldn’t help ourselves, “the kindness and the love of God our Savior” appeared in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins and to give us eternal life. He did this, not because of our “works of righteousness,” but because of His love, His mercy, and His kindness toward us. He saves us through “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” This washing and renewing refers to what happens when a person places His faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turns from his sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confesses Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and is baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then, as one continues to walk in the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse him from sin (1 John 1:7).

 

Because YOU and I were lost in sin and destined for destruction, the kindness of God sent Jesus to save us. Won’t YOU receive the gift of His kindness through your trusting obedience?

 

-- David A. Sargent

 

* Information gleaned from “Waffle House employee's act of kindness toward elderly customer lands her $16G scholarship” by Michelle Gant of Fox News. www.foxnews.com.

 

Saturday, March 10, 2018

A Cross-Shaped Marriage

A Cross-Shaped Marriage

Tomorrow, my wife and I will give our second daughter away in marriage to a great Christian young
man. Yes, our hearts are full with a myriad of thoughts and emotions, but we are very happy for
them. My prayer for Lacey and Will - and for all marriages - is that they will have a
"Cross-Shaped" Marriage.

There were three nails that held Jesus' body to the cross for our salvation. Actually it was His
love that held him there. By dying on the cross for our sins, Jesus demonstrated the greatest love
for you and for me. "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the
world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and
sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10 NIV).

The three nails of Jesus' cross can stand for three principles that are included in a "Cross-Shaped"
marriage.

The first nail stands for "Selflessness." Jesus' death on the cross was done out of complete
selflessness. He willingly gave His life for us (John 10:17-18). Selfishness is the greatest enemy
of a happy marriage. Jesus' death on the cross demonstrates complete selflessness, which is crucial
to a strong, happy marriage. Read Philippians 2:3-4.

The second nail stands for "Sacrifice." Jesus gave His life for us on the cross. The Apostle Paul
said, "[Jesus] loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice
that atoned for our sins. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, wrote: "Husbands, love your wives,
just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (5:25). This nail in Jesus' cross
should remind us of the sacrificial love that we are to have for one another.

The third nail stands for "Surrender." Jesus surrendered His will to that of His heavenly Father.
He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). It was the Father's will that Jesus
die on the cross for the sins of the world; there was no other way to save mankind. May this nail
in Jesus' cross always remind us that the greatest thing that a husband and wife can do for their
marriage is for each of them to surrender his/her life to Christ. Then, as each one draws closer to
Christ, the two will draw closer to one another.

When these principles that are reflected in the nails of Jesus' cross are applied to a marriage,
that marriage will be strong - exactly what God has intended for marriage.

Yet, these same principles are applicable to each one of us - whether we are married or not. The
greatest life we can live - the abundant, God-blessed life - is a Cross-Shaped life filled with
selflessness, sacrificial love, and surrender to the will of God.

God will save and give eternal life to those who surrender to His will: place your faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men
(Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
Then, continue to live surrendered lives, daily submitting to the will of God as revealed in His
Word. As we walk in the light of His Word, the blood that Jesus shed on the cross will continue to
cleanse your soul (1 John 1:7).

If you get married, may it be a Cross-Shaped Marriage. Whether you are married or not, may you live
a Cross-Shaped Life. It will make an eternal difference.

-- David A. Sargent

Monday, March 5, 2018

How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things

How Beautiful Are His Feet

He had beautiful feet.

I don't ever remember seeing his bare feet. He probably had larger feet than most. He had to. He
stood tall at about 6 foot 5 inches. He stood tall in many ways.

And he had beautiful feet. How do I know? Because of this Scripture:

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good
things!" (Romans 10:15).

He had beautiful feet because he brought good news to all that he met. He brought the Good News,
the Gospel - the greatest news of all: that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1
Corinthians 15:3-4). That Good News, when it is received in good and honest hearts and placed as
the foundation of our lives, will save our souls (1 Corinthians 15:1-2). Many souls have been and
are saved because this preacher brought the Good News to them, and they believed it and obeyed it.

His name was W.T. Allison and he was a great Gospel preacher. That's why he had beautiful feet.

And he backed his message with his life. In the words of his daughter, Pam, "this sweet man of God
truly talked the talk and walked the walk." Marla Moorer Eddins summarized well the sentiments of
many when she wrote of him: "What a constant blessing he was to the entire Moorer family. We've
loved and adored this Christian man his whole life. He loved greatly, preached earnestly, and
laughed heartily. He was the real deal when it comes to faithful follower of God. He just loved
God! Thank you, Mr. Allison, for blessing every single person who knew you, all the couples you
married, all the funerals you performed, all the many Gospel sermons you preached, all the children
and babies you held, all the laughs and good jokes you shared. You will always always be in our
hearts."

Now, don't you think his feet were beautiful, too?

And even though he passed from this life earlier this week, W.T. is still preaching. His life is
still pointing us to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins. Many of us can
still hear his booming voice as he proclaimed throughout his life and even in his death:

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31).
"Now [God] commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will
judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to
all by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31). "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus
and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name
of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). "Be faithful until death, and [Christ] will give you the crown of life"
(Revelation 2:10).

I think W.T. would also say, "Love one another; as [Christ has] loved you" (John 13:34). That's how
W.T. loved people. He loved people so much that he would open up his heart and his life to them,
and he would always make sure they would have an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus.

My, how his feet were beautiful.

Won't YOU listen to W.T. as he continues to proclaim the Good News? Nothing would make him happier
than for you to believe and obey the Gospel and see him in heaven one day.

You will be one among many that will be in heaven because of the preaching and influence of this
great man of God who gave all the glory to God and to His Son, Jesus Christ.

-- David A. Sargent

* In loving memory of and extreme gratitude for the life of W.T. Allison, a great Gospel preacher
and dear friend. Until we meet again.
.

How to be saved

Are you wondering how to be saved? Are you searching for information on how to be saved? Do you want to know what God requires you to do to be saved from your sins? Learn how to be saved from sin and have heaven you home by visiting http://www.abiblecommentary.com/newtestamentchristianity today! There is also a good discussion on how to be saved at http://www.commentaryonthebible.com/howtobesaved

Bible commentary search engine

On line Bible commentary

My Bible commentary books are now listed on openlibrary.org, a VERY useful web site! Check out this neat web site and my profile there at this link: http://openlibrary.org/people/abible

Commentary on the Bible listing

Yelp.com has helped me promote the "Bible commentary" products from www.abiblecommentary.com - my "yelp listing" is here: http://abiblecommentary.yelp.com

Flickr.com Bible commentary profile

I added my "Bible commentary" profile to flickr and it was EASY! Check it out at http://www.flickr.com/people/abiblecommentary/

Blogs from www.livejournal.com

Are you interested in blogging? If you are looking for a "free blog" that is EASY to use, check out www.livejournal.com. You can be up in running in just minutes - here is my first "Bible commentary" blog post: http://abible.livejournal.com/

Blog Archive