“A Doctrine of Grace” – Ronald L. Dart

This is a gem of a sermon!

“A Doctrine of Grace” – 10/19/97 (Ronald L. Dart 1934-2016)

 

 

“The History of Sports Idolatry” – Jason Cooley

This brand of preaching might step on some toes, but hopefully it encourages our hearts toward Jesus and toward a serious mindset. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand….”

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” –Matthew 6:24

This passage was alluded to in the message, not sure if it was alluding to Paul being forced to fight animals at Ephesus or not. But regardless, Paul did not do what he did for glory or for other’s entertainment. Sports is not wrong, but like anything else, it can be an idol, and can be used to draw us away from God.

“Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead? why also do we stand in peril every hour? Every day do I die, by the glorying of you that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord: if after the manner of a man with wild beasts I fought in Ephesus, what the advantage to me if the dead do not rise? let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die! Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners; awake up, as is right, and sin not; for certain have an ignorance of God; for shame to you I say [it].” –I Corinthians 15:29-34

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Bricks of Babylon, Stones of God

Is God looking for his followers to be living stones created and fashioned by Him, or cutout figures of the same shape, size and substance? Here is some food for thought.

Nimrod was the first king who popped up in Bible history, and he sought to become the first king of the whole world. He wanted not only to rule, but to dominate the lives and spiritual realm of his kingdom. This topic is worth taking time to study.

This rebellion of Nimrod, came only about 150 years after the flood. Nimrod’s name itself means rebellion.

And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. –Genesis 10:8-10

Nimrod and Babylon are the most clear example of early idolatry.

 

The Babylonian system was based on pride and total domination of society. Nimrod’s system threatened the faithful line of God which would come through Abraham.

What about ancient Egypt? Was it also based of the Babylonian system of bricks and toil? Technical engineers agree that the Great Pyramid – the oldest pyramid – was made of extreme precision and with a design that we could not execute today. Was this a tribute to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Or was it the opposite?

Was even CHRISTMAS a nod to Nimrod? Honest scholars agree that Christ was not born in the winter.

Putting this all together, what does the Bible say? Is God seeking stones or bricks?

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. –Psalm 118:22

The BUILDERS rejected the chief corner stone — who are the BUILDERS?

“Build the altar to the LORD your God with uncut stones, then offer a burnt offering to him.” –Deuteronomy 27:6 (NIV)

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

–I Peter 2:4-8

This final message really ties the whole of this together for me. Let’s let God’s word speak to us.

Let’s look for a minute at the Hebrews 11 “Chapter of Faith”

Here we have Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ parents, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets, and all the martrys mentions. Did these seem like cut-out figures to you? Where they a sea of sameness, mere cogs in a system of domination? Or were they very unique individuals, just as natural stones are unique and shaped and placed by God?

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. –Ephesians 4:16

Here is the temple God Himself is building:

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. –Ephesians 2:19-22

 

 

 

 

 

What Did Jesus Mean, “I Will Build My Church”?

http://www.ucg.org/sermons/what-did-jesus-mean-i-will-build-my-church

 

The Zero Christian – Pastor Steven Anderson

The Bible gives many analogies through parables of God being our Lord, master and employer who wants a return on His investment in us. Are we profitable servants for Him?

 

God’s Forgiveness & its lack of it in the Church of God