Category: Judgment
Subject: Judgment
Sermon: God Shut the Door
Note: Audio distorted, but understandable.
Genesis 7:5-16 a number of truths are revealed about God’s judgment of the world at the flood, and his treatment of righteous Noah.
The Patternists: God’s Authority Over Nations
Articles on The Patternists Facebook page constantly emphasize the authority of God, and His word. Most articles are concerned with worship, doctrine and the church established by Jesus Christ.
We also note that God’s authority extends to the nations of men. This will be so until Jesus comes again. Paul spoke of this in his sermon to the Athenians in Acts 17:
“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (vs. 26-27).
God determines the rise and fall of nations, and the extent of their rule. The nations of the world exist to facilitate a search for God and His will for men. When nations impede that search, God’s patience is tested. If repentance does not occur, that patience runs out, bringing God’s judgement on that nation.
God is both aware of and concerned about the state of our nation. How long will he forbear judgment upon us? No one knows, but each day of rebellion is one day nearer to God’s wrath. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
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Sermon: Have a Blessed Day
In the last day, the only way to have a good day is if you are an obedient believer of Jesus Christ.
In the News: A Lonely Death
This past week I read an interesting, but depressing article about the 2014 death of a man in New York City. The article was titled, The Lonely Death of George Bell, was published in the New York Times last October, and was written by N.R. Kleinfield.
George Bell was a hoarder. He was found in his cluttered apartment about a week after his death. The article described the events that followed that death, as government agencies sought to identify his remains, locate any family or heirs, and settle what turned out to be a fairly large estate (approximately $500,000).
From the Preacher’s Pen: Just After Death, What Then?
This life will end some future day,
Another life will then begin;
Are you prepared for that event,
Just after death, — What then?
Just after death, — O! Answer me,
Where will you spend eternity?
When time on earth shall cease to be,
Just after death, — What then?
E.M. Bartlett (1928)
The writer of Hebrews informs us, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28).
While many are unsure of what will happen at death, the Christian is confident in his hope! As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
Where will you spend eternity? In the blessed presence of the God of heaven? Or eternally separated from Him, in torment? This life is preparatory. It is God’s intent that you live so as to secure a more permanent and exceeding glory!
“God Isn’t Fixing This” ???
Another mass shooting took place on Wednesday morning, in San Bernardino, CA. Two shooters killed 14 and injured 17 others. At this writing, authorities are looking into the motivation and circumstances behind the killing.
We are living in fractious times. Each scary situation foments partisan rhetoric, and America is deeply divided as to how to deal with mass shootings and terrorist activity in our nation. It seems that ideologues are breathlessly waiting for that moment when they can triumphantly proclaim each incident as “domestic” or “Islamic” terrorism. It is as if the motivations of violent and often deranged criminals serve to validate their narrative. This is sad.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Fairness Goes Both Ways
God is eminently fair. He is both merciful and just. As we acknowledge our salvation is dependent upon His grace, extended in His Son Jesus, we must also note that He rightly requires obedience on our part. That is His right, and it is fair of Him to demand our allegiance.
When rebellious Israel proclaimed God to be unfair in His dealing with them, He replied clearly:
“‘Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,’ says the Lord God. ‘Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God. ‘Therefore turn and live!’” (Ezekiel 18:30-32).
While God does not enjoy condemning men, He is fair! Those who do not turn from their iniquity (repent) will be condemned for their sins. We must get a “new heart and a new spirit.” For us, that means being born again! (cf. John 3:3-5).
Fairness goes both ways. God is fair in rewarding those who practice righteousness. He is pleased to grant the godly eternal life. And yet, though it saddens Him, it is fair of Him to condemn the ungodly to eternal death.
Invitation: Be Prepared for Judgment
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
Josh uses the Lord’s parable of the Wheat and the Tares, recorded in Matthew 13:24-30, to establish the importance of preparation for the day of judgment.
Invitation: Burdens and Loads
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Galatians 6:1-5 is examined, discussing the burdens and loads a Christian is called upon to bear.
Invitation: The Judgment
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
Romans 2:1-11 clearly indicates that God, who is righteous, will render to each what is due.
Invitation: The Judgment Seat
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In numerous places in scripture, there are references to a Judgment Seat. Pilate sat on one (John 19), as did Gallio (Acts 18). Paul reveals that one day Jesus will sit on the Judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:9-11), so we should aim to please Him!
Sermon: Wood of the Vine
In Ezekiel 15, the prophet uses the metaphor of wood cut from a vine to describe the unfaithfulness of Judah, which would be met by God’s judgment. The lesson has direct applications for us today.
The Boasts of the Wicked
When discussing the existence of God, a question is inevitably asked, “If God exists, why does he allow evil to prosper?” The answer to the question is a simple one. God has given us the wonderful gift of free will. The unfortunate byproduct of that gift is that some will choose to do evil. The very fact that the ungodly do not “play fair” makes it sometimes seem that they hold the upper hand.
It is unfair, and we desire God’s intervention. When we do not see His hand in what we deem a timely manner, we sometimes ask as the Psalmist, “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” (10:1).
Psalm 10 is actually a wonderful passage to read for answers to this conundrum. Consider the following:
Sermon: Explaining Matthew 24
An exegetical examination of the rather difficult chapter of Matthew 24. Deals with the destruction of Jerusalem and the final judgment of Jesus Christ.
Sermon: The Final Judgment
A discussion of Matthew 25:31-46 which deals with the final judgment of the world by the Lord.
