Podcast: BaptistBasics.org

The Renewing of Your Mind 

Romans 12:1-2 

Last June, I preached from this passage, focusing on the first verse – A Living Sacrifice 

Today I want to focus on the second verse. 

My reason for choosing this text is that phrase: the renewing of your mind. 

I’ll be honest with you for a second. 

The last weeks I just haven’t felt right. 

Its not a physical thing, but a mental one. 

I am open and honest about it, but it is part of my nature and personality to struggle with depression. 

I am not complaining at all, I just want you to understand. 

I look around at the church, everything that is going on in our church family and its ministries. 

It is exciting to see things happening. 

Folks, without a doubt, God is moving in our church. 

The hearts and minds of our people are being stirred. 

God is working through our missions and the radio station. 

Satan does not like that. 

I am pretty much convinced now that he’s been after me. 

Not just me, but Ryan too. 

I think my dad also. 

Perhaps your name could be added. 

Its frustrating to feel down when you know things are going so well. 

But that is what Satan does! 

He attacks at the weakest points. 

He plays dirty. 

Now, I am not superstitious but I hate to say this out loud.  

I would rather me be the target of attacks rather than anyone else in our church family. 

But it just goes with the territory when you try to serve God. 

I do not think that it is a coincidence that yesterday I talked with Ryan and dad and both of them said they see their attitudes improving. 

I feel like it too. 

I hope its because somebody’s been praying. 

Listen you can make things like mental health an excuse to do anything. 

They even let you off for murder today because of it. 

We need to realize that our mind and our reasoning are just as broken by sin as our mortal bodies are. 

Remember how Satan attacked Job’s wealth, family, and then finally his body? 

The rest of the book is Job trying to figure out in his own understanding what happened. 

He does not get it right either. 

God has to intervene. 

That pattern is important. 

We need to know that our minds are not perfect. 

We need to know that God offers the help we need. 

Look at our text: 

I beseech you therefore, 

Remember to ask yourself that therefore is there for. 

It is because of the place we have with Christ, as discussed in this book leading up to this point 

brethren, 

This is addressed to believers. 

The hope of the lost is salvation through Christ, but after that we still need Him! 

by the mercies of God,  

Not of our works or goodness 

It is all from God. 

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, 

Christ died for our sins. 

Death is the penalty of sin. 

God wants us to surrender our lives and hearts and minds to Him. 

 holy, acceptable unto God,  

That is the nature of our actions. 

which is your reasonable service. 

That is a difficult phrase to grasp. 

It is reasonable in that it only makes sense. 

But it also speaks to the fact that the change we need starts with the will. 

We must make up our minds to follow God. 

And be not conformed to this world: 

Conformed is to take the shape of. 

It is like using clay our plaster to fill void. 

It is letting outside forces change you, not internal or supernatural. 

Note also it is THIS WORLD. 

Literally that is this age. 

Now that Christ is died, those that believe on Him should be different. 

Salvation should make a change in us. 

but be ye transformed 

That is literally a metamorphosis. 

Think of a tadpole becomes a frog or a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. 

We to be new creatures in Christ. 

How does this happen? 

by the renewing of your mind,  

The mind is not transformed. 

It is restored or remodeled. 

It is the sanctification of our intellect, reason, and passions. 

It is vital. 

We need to understand who we are in Christ. 

We need to understand how that changes us. 

We need to understand how He helps us. 

Note that it is not changing your body or the outside appearance. 

It is not saying that we should act like a Christian. 

No, it says we need as believers to strive to make our mind more Christ-like. 

It is also good to remember that the Spirit is working to that end in our lives. 

that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

That is the end result. 

It is an experiment showing the goodness, greatness, and graciousness of God. 

He is working in us and through us to overcome ourselves and our fallen nature. 

We could continue on. 

The rest of the book develops this theme and tells us how a believer with a renewed mind should behave themselves. 

HOW DO WE RENEW OUR MINDS? 

I. PRAYER 

Psa 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 

Willpower is important but is not enough. 

I have heard so many preachers preach sermons on holy living and the Christian life that were really about basic character. 

You can will yourself to be a better person, but not the point of transformation. 

That needs supernatural help. 

You need God’s help. 

You need His power to do this. 

You need His guidance to know where to apply it. 

Start by calling out to God. 

Give your mind to Him. 

II.  IDENTITY 

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

We need to know who we are in Christ. 

We are sinners, yes, but we are redeemed sinners! 

If you keep thinking about yourself as just a sinner you will keep acting like a sinner. 

If you think about yourself as a child of God, it will change the way you act. 

III.  Clean House 

Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

The old saying is true: Garbage in, garbage out. 

If you eat junk, you will feel like it! 

If you surround yourself with sin, its going to affect you. 

If you constantly feed your mind with darkness and evil, its going to affect you. 

The music you listen to affects you. 

The movies you watch affect you. 

The books you read affect you. 

Get rid of the junk. 

IV.  BIBLE 

Psa_1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

It is not just enough to read the Word or to hear it preached. 

You need to get it into your mind and let it marinate. 

Dwell on the truths. 

Find ways to apply them. 

Look for connections to other doctrines. 

Think of examples. 

It will have a good effect on you. 

V.  BEAUTY AND GOODNESS 

Php_4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

There is so much beauty and wonder in this world. 

We don’t have to live in a depressing and oppressing world. 

Get out into God’s Creation – it makes a difference! 

I think the closer we get to the pasture and the plow the better we are. 

Good art, good books. Good music – it does not even necessarily need to be “Christian” – it affect you in a positive way. 

CONCLUSION. 

1. Don’t trust yourself. 

1. You are not the standard. 

2. God’s truth is the standard. 

2. Be careful what you are feeding your mind. 

1. The greatest danger today is probably the mindless scrolling that fills our mind with vain things. 

3. You need Christ to truly transform you mind. 

Perfect Peace
Isaiah 26:1-6

The Bible you hold this morning is a powerful weapon.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Paul wrote about it as part of the Spiritual armor of a believer:
Eph 6:17 … and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Now you know as well as I do that weapons are tools.
A gun can be used to murder someone, but it also may be used to provide food for your family through hunting or protecting you from a wild animal or evil doer.
Same tool, different purposes.
The Bible is given to us to as a Spiritual weapon.
It is to be used to attack the Devil.
It is to be used to defend against his attacks.
It is to be used to defend the faith against error.
Far too often it is used in the hands of a Christian to attack their fellow believers.
Now, I am not talking about healthy theological debate.
I am not talking about exposing error through the light of God’s Word.
What I am saying is believers sometimes hurl Scripture like throwing knives at one another.
Sadly, they think they are being spiritual when they do so.
In all honesty, I am not sure many of them realize the danger of their actions.
 
Our text today contains one that I have seen a lot of lately.
I saw it this morning on facebook.
We heard someone use it camp this summer.
I want to address it today.
It is vs. 3 –
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Sometimes vs. 4 is included:
Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
The thought continues into vs. 5, which is rarely acknowledged
Isa 26:5 For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.

Usually vs. 3 is present as a placebo that will cure all your worry, all your cares, all your anxiety, and all your depression.
If you would just trust in God fully, fully rest your mind in Him, then He will provide perfect peace to your heart and mind.
I do love the way that perfect peace is described in Hebrew.
Hebrew intensifies a subject by doubling it.
Literally, it says “peace peace”.
It is like peace pile up.
Everywhere you look is peace.
 
Is this a promise that you will have a settled and secure mind based on your faith?
I want to examine that this morning.
First, let us see the context.
I am big on context if you haven’t realized it.
If you want to understand the word, read the verse.
If you want to understand the verse, read the chapter.
If you want to understand the chapter, read the book.
If you want to understand the book, read the Bible.
Where is this promise of peace found?
Well, what is the chapter?
Look at verse, because it tells us there:
Isa 26:1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah;…
It is a song of celebration because of what happened in “that day”.
That begs the question: “what happened in ‘that day’?”
For that, we need to examine the section of Scripture this chapter occurs in.
To do that, we need to go back to Chapter 24.
Here we see global judgment:
Isa 24:1 Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
I won’t go into all the details, but this is a prophecy about the Tribulation period.
 
It closes with the Return of Christ, the battle of Armageddon, and the establishment of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.
Isa 24:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
Isa 24:22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
Isa 24:23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Chapter 25 follows with an outpouring of praise for the blessings of the Millennial Kingdom.
Through all of this are themes of glorious blessings for the people of God and judgment for the enemies of God.
So, in Chapter 26, what is “that day”?
It is that Great and Terrible Day of the Lord that the prophets saw.
It is a day of vengeance against those that reject God.
It is just as Psalm 2 said:
Psa 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psa 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Psa 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psa 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
 
It is a day of blessing for Israel and those whose hope is in the Lord:
Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Psa 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
Psa 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Psa 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Christ is now seated on the throne of David.
The world is reset to an Eden-like state.
It will be a wonderful time!
Israel will be delivered from the Tribulation.
They will be established in the land with Christ ruling from Jerusalem.
It is the fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies and promises made to the Jews.
That is when the song of Isaiah 26 is sung!
Isa 26:1 …We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
Isa 26:2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
That’s God’s deliverance of Jerusalem

This setting reveals to us the primary meaning of our subject.
Israel has been brought through the Tribulation.
They were persecuted during that time as never before.
Satan tried to wipe them off the face of the earth.
But God intervened.
Christ returned.
All is made right.
What is the message for the Jews during that troubled time?
Trust in God!
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Isa 26:5 For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
That is the primary application of this verse.
Now, is there something greater here?
Is there a general application?
I think there is.
Vs. 3 is stated as a general principle.
I think it can be seen as a general principle of salvation:
We have peace with God through our faith in Him.
That even plays out in the primary application.
I think it can also be seen as daily promise.
We have peace from God because we trust in Him.
No matter the storms of life, no matter the dark valleys, no matter the towering waves we face – God is leading us through them and working them all to our good and His glory!
So, what about the anxiety and fear we sometimes have?
Does this verse say we should never have those?
That is utter foolishness.
For this, we need to look beyond this verse and its context and see the theme of peace throughout Scripture.
No verse, no chapter, no book can be detached from the rest of the Bible.
It all must fit together as a work by one Divine Author with one Divine theme.
If you want the fullest promises of peace, you need look no further than the words of Christ Himself, after all, He is the Prince of Peace!
Jhn 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Only through Him can we find true peace.
Israel finds it in the End Times when they turn to Him for salvation.
We find it with God when we turn to Christ for salvation.
In every situation, we can find peace in Him.
 
Remember, He is the one that said we should not be anxious for the cares of this life.
Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Paul wrote:
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So what is my point this morning?
If you make Isaiah 26:3 mean that YOUR faith is the factor that brings peace, you have it all wrong.
The subject of the verb is God, not you.
Thou (God) wilt keep him (the believer) in perfect peace,
God is the source of peace, not our faith.
Faith is only as good as its object.
By the way, your faith is not strong enough to overcome your depravity.
Your faith cannot save you – it is WHO you put your faith in.
You faith cannot provide peace – it is WHO you put your faith in.
Are you going to be anxious sometimes?
Yes because we are imperfect.
Are you going to be fearful sometimes?
Yes, because we are human.
That is why the Bible is full of the promises and commands to continually seek peace with God in Christ:

1Pe_5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

God’s Justice
Ezekiel 18

When I started the Daily Bible Guide emails, I had many purposes in mind.
My primary reason was to help people read through their Bibles and understand what they were reading.
Another reason was that it would force me to study through every book of the Bible in a way I had not done before.
You might say that it was a personal challenge.
I knew there were books that I never had the opportunity to study as much as I would like.
Take Isaiah.
I have wanted to teach through Isaiah for literally YEARS.
I have studied portions of it in depth, but not the whole.
There is a HUGE difference between simply reading Scripture to read it and digging into it to understand it and apply it.
Now, had you asked me a few weeks ago which ago which of the major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel) I was most excited to dig into, I would have said Isaiah.
Isaiah turned out to be one of the toughest studies I have done.
I enjoyed it, but I was ready to move on.
Then I hit Jeremiah.
I am going to be honest, that book gave me the most trouble.
The main reason is because it is arranged thematically and not chronologically.
That is a very Jewish thing to do, but our modern, western minds struggle with it.
 
If you had asked me which major prophet I was least looking forward to studying, I would have said Ezekiel.
Ezekiel has a reputation for being strange – and he does certainly do some strange things!
Many of his prophecies are acted out, I call them object lessons.
The reason for this is because he was trying to reach a difficult crowd.
He was among the earliest captives taken to Babylon.
Jerusalem had not fallen yet, and that judgment is one of his primary messages.
The book opens with a vision of the cherubim that surround God’s throne – and they are strange!
In chapter 3 he eats a scroll – a strange thing to do – representing the message God had given him to proclaim.
Also, in that chapter he is tied up and confined to his house and only allowed to speak his prophecies – a strange thing to do.
In chapter 4 he makes a model of Jerusalem being besieged and lays next to it for over a year – a strange thing to do.
Also, in that chapter 4 he eats starvation rations – a strange thing to do – to show the starvation of the besieged people in Jerusalem.
In chapter 5, he shaves his head – a strange thing to do – and uses it to illustrate the fate of the people of Judah in judgment.
In chapter 12, he knocks a hole in the wall of his home, packs everything up, blindfolds himself, and moves to a new house – a strange thing to do – to illustrate the fate of king Zedekiah.
Odd behavior? Certainly.
Memorable? Well, we are still talking about it today!
Effective? Sadly, the hearts of the people were too far gone and only the coming judgment would work as Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jews captive.
That coming judgment upon the children of Israel in the kingdom of Judah is the primary theme of the first 24 chapters of the book.
Lying prophets said all would be well, but the faithful witnesses like Ezekiel and Jeremiah bravely proclaim the sobering truth – terrible judgment was coming
We have in chapter 18 a remarkable explanation of God’s actions in judgment.
I want to work through the flow of these verses because I believe they are extremely important.
We not only see why God acted the way He did with ancient Israel, but also how He interacts with every man, woman, and child.

I. The Presumption of Innocence – vs. 1-2
The Jews had a little saying – “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”
The meaning is that the innocent children were being judged for the actions of their parents and forefathers.
In essence, it was denying their guilt before God.
If you read the history of Judah at this time and the messages of the prophets God sent to her, it is abundantly clear that they were guilty!
There would be no hung jury or mistrial here!
This is the biggest hurdle we have in evangelism – people must be convinced they are guilty sinners before God.
I’ll take that a step further – it is one of the biggest problems we have in Christianity – convincing believers that they are faultless just because they are saved.
Friends, step one in seeing God move to our rescue is to admit we need help and that we cannot save ourselves.

 
II. The Pronouncement of God – vs. 3-4
God declares three things here.
First, that we are all responsible to our great Creator – “Behold, all souls are mine”
I think this is why atheists are so scared to be wrong.
If there is an omnipotent Creator then we must be accountable to Him.
Second, that all are guilty before God – “as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine”
God has the same rules for father and son – If one deserved judgment for their sin, so did the other.
Third, that there is a price for our guilt – “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
Paul put it this way: “The wages of sin is death.”
Also, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
It has been so since before the foundation of the universe.
From Adam and Eve to the ancient Israelites to you and me – we all stand guilty before God and the price of our guilt must be paid.
 
III. The Paths of Men – vs. 5-13
I know I keep doing this, but this point is yet another reiteration of Psalm 1.
There are two ways before us that we may choose.
There is the path of righteous wherein we are blessed by God.
There is the path of wickedness wherein we are cursed by God.
Now these sections are not about our works saving us or gaining merit with God.
The actions displayed are the evidence of who is on the path.
Just because an animal barks and wags its tail does not mean that it is dog.
Seals do, too!
But if it is a dog, it will bark and wag its tail.
If a man is righteous, he will behave in a manner that pleases God.
If a man is wicked, he will behave in a manner that displeases God.
It is because those actions are born of two types of hearts.
One that is transformed and born again through God’s grace.
The other that is dead in sins and trespasses.

 
IV. The Personalization of Justice – vs. 14-20
This section is a refutation of the claim in vs. 2 that the children are being punished for the sins of their fathers.
The case is laid out of a wicked father having a righteous son – exactly what they were claiming was happening.
God declares individual responsibility is in effect – we are judged on our own case, not that of another.
In vs. 17 – the righteous son is exempted from judgment and death.
In vs. 18 – the wicked father is doomed to judgment.
It says that a son doesn’t have to be like their father.
This is summed up in vs. 20 –
Ezk 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

 
V. The Possibility of Salvation – vs. 21-32
Here is the good part.
We may be guilty sinners and doomed to judgment and an eternity in hell, but there is a way out!
Ezk 18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Ezk 18:22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
The message to the Jews in Ezekiel’s day was to repent from their idolatry and sin and turn to God for forgiveness.
The message for us today is that we need to repent of our sin and turn to God for forgiveness.
We are not bound to follow the path of the wicked into judgment.
There is exit off the path of wickedness that is bound for judgment.
There is an entrance onto the path or righteousness that is bound for glory.
The exit sign simply says “REPENT”.
We turn our backs on self-righteousness and vain faith in things that cannot deliver or transform us.
We turn to God, embracing His grace in faith, and we find newness of life.
Friends, that is what God desires from all men:
Ezk 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Peter said it this way:
2Pe_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 
I want to press this on you this morning.
If you are listening to me in this church today, or on the radio or online sometime in the future, you have a choice to make.
Will you continue down a path doomed for hell?
Right now there is an exit sign – EXIT NOW!
I am like that annoying GPS voice on your phone – EXIT NOW!
Turn to God, confess your guilt and your sins, embrace the grace He offers.
Christ died in your place, He bought your salvation, all you need do is take hold of it.
Do not delay!
Do not miss this exit!
You are not guaranteed there will be another.

CONCLUSION
• I have spoken primarily to the lost this morning, but I don’t want to let believers off the hook.
• What can you take from an old fashioned, simple Gospel message?
• It ought to stir joy in your heart and put in a song on your lips.
o “I am redeemed, by loved divine, glory, glory, Christ is mine!”
o “He’s a wonderful Savior to me, I was lost in sin, but Jesus took me in, He’s a wonderful Savior to me!”
• Worship and praise the mighty God who loved us enough to save us.
• If not, better get a checkup and see what sins are clouding your heart.

City on a Hill (2) 

Matthew 5:13-16 

I try very hard to not preach the same message twice. 

I do it occasionally, maybe once a year or less. 

Today, I am going to revisit a message I preached on September 30, 2018. 

I had not quite finished my first full year as pastor here at Faith Baptist. 

I doubt anyone remembers that particular sermon besides me. 

It is one of my favorites I have preached here. 

When you are coming down 380 from Decatur, our church sort of sneaks up on you. 

Over the past few days, I have just tried to look for the radio tower, but sometimes it is hard to see. 

But coming from Bridgeport, about the time you get around Seven Wires, there is a great view of the church. 

We are not on the highest ground in our vicinity, but we are on a hill. 

I love seeing that view because it reminds me of our text. 

“A city on a hill” 

I have seen Decatur referred to as “a city on a hill” at times. 

Honestly, I do not know why it is not used more often. 

It fits. 

Just about anywhere you go in the county you can look up and see the courthouse on the horizon. 

Ronald Reagan famously used this theme in his farewell address to the nation in 1989. 

He laid out his hope that the American would be a beacon of hope and freedom. 

Reagan did not acknowledge the phrase is from the Bible, but rather that it was used by John Winthrop. 

Winthrop from our text on March 21, 1630, to the congregation that would soon migrate to the new world and become known as the Pilgrims. 

He laid out a vision that the new community would be watched by the world around them. 

They had a great responsibility to serve God and live exemplary lives because so many eyes were upon them. 

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, around 3:30 in the afternoon, I received a phone call from Oliver Araiza. 

I met him as a teenager when he was an evangelist working with a youth camp in West Virginia. 

We reconnected shortly before this after he stumbled across my website. 

He told me then I needed to get into the radio ministry, that there was a huge need for the type of material I was putting on my website. 

That day in October, he called to tell me about an opportunity to possibly get a radio station for our church. 

He told me about a program that could help us apply and get started. 

It also would shoulder much of the upfront cost. 

I swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. 

I had some funny looks as I was telling people about it right after that call. 

We moved ahead cautiously optimistic. 

A couple of months later, I put something on my Facebook page about the opportunity. 

In that post, which I think was the first real public mention of what we were trying to do, I said I was thinking about calling the station “The Voice of Wise County”. 

I am so glad I decided to go in a different direction. 

Somewhere along the way I remember that sermon I preached about the city on a hill and it just all seemed to fall into place. 

Why City on a Hill Radio exists today, especially with that name, is because of a desire for our church to be a city on a hill. 

Our text is part of the Sermon on the Mount. 

I like to think of these chapters as Christ the King declaring the Law of His Kingdom. 

He sets the tone with the Beatitudes as an introduction. 

Then Christ looks out at the multitudes and declared His desire for the community of those that would trust and serve Him. 

The first thing illustration He uses is salt, which preserves food and enhances flavor. 

We are to be the preserving factor in a world that is rotting quickly. 

We are to be the savor that helps people taste and see that the Lord is good. 

The second illustration will be our focus. 

A city on a hill. 

In ancient times cities were often built on or around a hill. 

It provided natural protection and defense against invaders. 

It also proclaimed to all around that it was there. 

You could not escape notice of the territory you were in. 

It provided direction, just like around here you can see the courthouse and know where the center of the county is. 

For a few minutes, I want to examine a few elements in Christ’s use of the city on a hill. 

I want these to be a challenge to us and help us chart a course forward. 

I. The Darkness 

The darkness is the need and the cause for the city on a hill. 

I was always amazed while growing up to look from our house to the southeast to see the glow of the cities on the horizon. 

I have always assumed it was Denton and the Metroplex, but it was obvious there were a lot of people in that direction. 

If I turned in the opposite direction, there was no evidence that Forestburg was out there, somewhere. 

How did I know which direction the cities were? 

They could be seen in the dark. 

Not in the daylight, only in the dark. 

I really try to be optimistic about things and search for the positive in our nation. 

However, you would have to be a fool to not see the growing darkness. 

Just look at the headlines: 

Political scandals. 

Economic distress. 

A mother that murdered her three children in cold blood. 

And people are supporting her!!! 

This old world is a mess. 

People are blindly searching for peace and purpose. 

We have an opportunity – no, a responsibility – as individuals and as a church to do something about that darkness. 

We can do something! 

We can save someone! 

We can make a difference! 

II. The Light 

What is it that we need to shine into the darkness? 

A neon sign for a church is not as effective as it once was. 

Too many people have been hurt by churches or discouraged by their misconduct. 

Too many Christians today, I am afraid, think they are shining a light that is actually a spotlight on themselves. 

What this world needs first and foremost is the light of the Gospel. 

From our own backyard to the furthest corners of the globe, people need to know about Christ. 

They need to know they are sinners condemned by God. 

They need to know of His great love for them and the price paid by Christ. 

They need to know it is nothing we do that merits salvation, but simple trust in the Christ who died and rose again. 

They need to know that all that come to Him, He will in no wise cast out! 

I have said this for years: 

I do not necessarily care if I shake your hand in our church. 

I would love to, but that is not the point. 

What I want to do is be able to shake your hand in heaven someday. 

That is what matters. 

The Kingdom of Christ is greater than an individual local church. 

We need to be a part of shining the light into the darkness. 

Pray!  Give!  Go!  Pass out a tract!  Invite someone to church! 

Do something! 

As long as it is Scriptural, moral, legal, and effective. 

Make a difference not only in this world but also in eternity! 

III.  The City 

In vs. 15 and 16, the individual witness of a believer is compared to single source – a candle or lamp. 

This highlights the personal responsibility we have to shine our lights for Christ. 

But what I find most interesting in this passage, and I rarely hear this mentioned, is that vs. 13 and 14 speak about a community of individuals sharing their light. 

In vs. 13 we have salt. 

Now, how many of you get a saltshaker and carefully get one grain of salt out to season your food. 

No, you pour out hundreds, thousands, millions, maybe billions of grains of salt. 

It is the multitude of individual pieces of salt that flavor your food, not just one grain. 

In vs. 14, we see the city. 

What is a city? 

There are a bunch of people living together in close proximity. 

I spoke earlier about seeing the lights of a city at night. 

When you see that glow it is not one big light. 

No, it is hundreds and thousands of individual lights. 

What I am trying to press on you this morning is that, yes we should be witnesses as individuals, but look how much greater that light shines when we gather our lights! 

I can cover up one light, but I could not cover all the lights of a city! 

We have strength in numbers when believers are united in their mission and passion to reach the lost. 

How are we going to make a difference? 

The best chance we have is to work together as a local church. 

God knew we needed a church to belong to. 

It gives us community and direction. 

The Gospel proclaimed by a local church is the most effective method of evangelism in God’s design. 

CONCLUSION 

1. What are we doing to shine the light? 

1. We cannot allow our lights to be contained within these four walls. 

2. Who are we working together with in God’s service? 

1. Christians were never meant to be “lone wolfs”. 

3. Have you seen the light? 

1. You cannot share it unless you have it! 

Wait, There’s More 

Isaiah 41:21-29 

I want to highlight a thought this morning that is repeated a few times in this section of Isaiah. 

The overall theme here is the restoration of Israel, primarily from the Babylonian Captivity. 

There are also many elements where it sees beyond that to the End Times, when Christ returns and the Jews turn to trust in Him. 

Our text this morning is one of my favorite things to read about in the Bible. 

That is when God starts taunting the worthless, powerless, lifeless idols that men so vainly trusted in. 

This chapter deals with the rise of Cyrus the Great of the Medo-Persian empire. 

This is well over a century before he was even born! 

The brutal Assyrians had disrupted that part of the world. 

The mighty Babylonians had defeated them and upset everything again. 

Oh, but those were nothing compared to what the Persians would do. 

They would rule a greater territory than the empires that came before until Alexander the Great defeated them. 

None of this was an accident. 

God was working through it all. 

God set up the Assyrians to defeat the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 721 B.C. 

God set up the Babylonians to defeat the Assyrians and to defeat the Southern Kingdom of Judah in 586 B.C. 

God set up the Persians to defeat the Babylonians and all the Jews to return home and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. 

How big is God? 

Big enough that the most powerful empires this world has ever seen are nothing by pawns He moves at His will. 

In our text, God is taunting the worthless idols of the nations. 

They could not stop what was coming. 

In vs. 21 God issues a challenge, sort of like we talked about last week. 

He says, “Present your case, you deaf and dumb idols!” 

He challenges them to do two things in vs. 22: 

First, display their record. 

What great things have they ever done? 

Second, reveal the future. 

What prophecy have they made that was actually true? 

You know what they could present as evidence of their power? 

Nothing. 

Now look in chapter 42. 

God says, “Here, I will present my own case:  Here is my record and here are my prophecies.” 

Isa 42:8  I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 

Isa 42:9  Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. 

Now look at chapter 43. 

God calls us to judge the records that are presented: 

Isa 43:9  Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. 

God appeals specifically to Israel, calling them to testify: 

Isa 43:10  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 

Now God starts presenting His case: 

Isa 43:11  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. 

Isa 43:12  I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. 

Isa 43:13  Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? 

Isa 43:14  Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships. 

Isa 43:15  I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. 

Now pay attention starting in vs. 16. 

Here God enters into evidence His track record – the former things that keep getting mentioned. 

Isa 43:16  Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; 

Isa 43:17  Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow. [wick] 

That is the Red Sea Crossing: the way in the sea, the path in the mighty waters, the snuffing out of the Egyptian army. 

Now look at this: 

Isa 43:18  Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 

Isa 43:19  Behold, I will do a new thing; … 

He says, “Did you like what I did back in Exodus?  Just wait, there’s more coming:” 

…now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 

Isa 43:20  The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. 

I must stop there for brevity’s sake. 

What God is saying is that the future deliverance of Israel would be greater than the Exodus. 

He is speaking of two things here, I think both are in view: 

Restoration of the Jews to the Promised Land after the Babylonian Captivity. 

A future restoration of the Jews in the Millennial Kingdom. 

There are a handful more references I could use, but I think by now I have laid a sufficient foundation for what I want to say this morning. 

I want to speak to our church family this morning. 

I want to call you to testify, so to speak. 

Let’s stop and look at the works of our mighty God. 

First, I want us to see the past and future of God’s work in our salvation. 

I mention it from time to time, and it is worth putting to memory 

The three tenses of salvation. 

I was saved from the penalty of sin. 

I am being saved from the power of sin. 

I will be saved from the presence of sin. 

Salvation may be a one-time for all-time transaction, but its effects continue on. 

God has saved me through the redemption of Christ’s blood. 

I was doomed to an eternity in hell, now I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

I will never face condemnation before God for my sins. 

They are cleansed and forgotten. 

They will not come up again. 

A million years into living in Heaven, God will not say, “I just remember that time…” 

Friends, there is no greater work of God than in saving a soul. 

If you need more than that to get excited or to be thankful, you need to check your heart. 

The fact God has saved and will forever keep me saved is the ultimate work of God and we will praise Him forever because of it. 

Second, let’s look at the past and future of what God is doing in our lives. 

We all have things in our past that we regret or that wish we could purge from our histories. 

Praise God, those do not have to be my future, too! 

God has brought me through a lot, and I know you can say the same, too. 

Sometimes I look at some of these young preachers coming along and think to myself, “They would never make it if they had to go through what I did!” 

You know what I have learned through all of that? 

I have learned to trust in God rather than man. 

I have seen practices and plans be tested and found wanting. 

I learned to love because God so graciously loved me. 

Do you know how many times I wanted to quit the ministry? 

I am ashamed how many times I had convinced myself that I needed to resign from this church. 

That’s all in the past and I needed to go through it. 

I hate to bring the Bible into this, but that is what Romans 8:28 is there for. 

I feel like in many areas I have come a long way from what I was, or at least through I was, when I graduated Bible college. 

You would not like that Matthew Gage, I am afraid. 

He could not preach or pastor like I do now. 

Unless you are sitting there thinking, “It can’t get any worse than this!” 

I promise you, it can. 

How about you? 

I hope we all can look back and see the great things God has done. 

We may not understand it all, but by faith we can see His unseen hand guiding and molding us. 

Third, I want to look at the past and present of our church. 

As I was studying these passages in Isaiah, this is where it really hit home for me. 

This October will make nine years that I have been here. 

I cannot speak much about things before then, but I have talked to those who were here and have seen evidence that God was working then. 

It is hard to believe looking back at all that has happened. 

I think of those who God saw fit to take home. 

I miss them dearly. 

Sometimes that will get you down, looking back like that. 

Then I have to tell myself to look ahead. 

I don’t know who will be sitting these pews a month from now or a year from now. 

But for every person the Lord has removed from our church, He seems to send two or three more. 

We could go on and on about the memories and the victories we have seen. 

But as I reminiscence and survey all that God has done in this church family, I also get to feeling like our best days are ahead of us.  

It’s like God is saying, “Just wait, there’s more coming.” 

Or to put that in language everyone can understand: “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” 

Adoniram Judson, that great pioneer missionary, said this: “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” 

I would say we as a church have a lot to look forward to. 

I think I have told you this before, but I have said such things in the past and may not have really felt it. 

I think you call it vision casting – I wanted to people to start having hope so then we could see the hope. 

Folks, I am convinced the best days of Faith Baptist Church are ahead. 

We have sown a lot of seed in the past and there will be a harvest in the future. 

I do not believe we will have until wait to heaven to see that. 

God takes notice of churches that give generously to mission. 

He takes notice of churches that try to encourage others. 

He takes notice of churches that try to help their communities. 

He takes notice of churches that try to do things above board. 

He takes notice of churches that encourage Bible reading and prayer. 

He takes notice of churches that love one another as Christ loved us. 

He takes notice of churches that are willing to jump out and try something big. 

Another great missionary of the past, William Carey, said, “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.” 

I am excited about what is around the corner for us. 

I am not foolish enough to think it will all be smooth sailing. 

The devil hates churches that make a difference. 

But this I know, with our Captain the Lord Jesus Christ at the wheel our journey and our destination will be a grand adventure. 

CONCLUSION 

• Like I said last week, put God to the test. 

• There is no peace, joy, hope, or victory but in Him. 

• Look at His track record and look at His promises – nothing can compare! 

• Do not just rest on yesterday’s victories, keep pressing on! 

• Listening to Civil War audio books, there are so many cases where if the victorious army had just pressed their advantage they might could have ended the war. 

• Do you know God’s forgiveness. 

Let Us Reason Together 

Isaiah 1:1-20 

I struggled with what to preach this morning, mainly because of my own stubbornness. 

Sometimes I will have a sermon idea that I dismiss because it is something that appeals to me but I fear it will not make a good message. 

That happened with this sermon. 

Isaiah 1:18 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. 

It just seemed too easy that it would be my text. 

So finally, earlier this morning I finally submitted to God and went ahead with it. 

You should always submit to God’s will. 

I would caution though that you should make sure it is God’s leading and not your own. 

I said of a preacher I knew once that he did not know the difference between God’s voice and his stomach growling. 

A lot of people make that mistake I am afraid. 

We are in the middle of Isaiah right now with the daily Bible reading. 

Chapters 14-18 were today’s assignment. 

I have wanted to do a deep dive into Isaiah for a few years. 

I am very much enjoying it, but these early chapters about judgement are making me work. 

Sometimes it is hard to tell which prophecies have already been fulfilled in the distant past and which will occur in the End Times. 

The first 35 chapters of Isaiah deal primarily with judgment and then chapters 36-39 are historical records concerning it. 

In chapter 1, the children of Israel are called to give account of themselves before the thrice-holy God. 

I love Isaiah’s writing style. 

He compares the wayward Jews to rebellious children and to animals that do not recognize their master. 

Reese’s Chronological Bible says this was written shortly after King Uzziah attempted to intrude into the priestly office by forcing his way into the Temple in order to offer incense in the Holy Place for himself. 

The priests stood against him and God struck him with leprosy. 

II Chronicles 26:5 says of Uzziah that “as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.” 

As happens so many times, God’s goodness causes us to be distracted and forget the source of those blessings. 

You might say Uzziah got a little too big for his britches.   

He paid the price for pride. 

He was an outcast because of the leprosy. 

His son Joatham took over ruling in his stead. 

It looks like he died within a year. 

That is the background of what we are reading here. 

The nature of the times is that men so full of pride feel that they may approach God on their own merits and standing. 

It is part of our human nature that we think we know best. 

It is a principle found numerous times in the Bible. 

It is the characteristic of the confusion and anarchy of the time of the Judges. 

Twice the Scripture says in Judges 17:6 and 21:25 this: 

Jdg_17:6  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. 

Solomon writes of it multiple times in Proverbs: 

Pro_12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 

Pro 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 

Pro_21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. 

So here in the first chapter of Isaiah, God has to make the case that Judah was guilty before Him. 

He has to convince them of their sin when they feel like they have done no wrong. 

They thought they were all right, Dr. Isaiah says they are sick head to toe.: 

Isa 1:5  Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 

Isa 1:6  From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. 

He goes on to talk about how desolate the nation truly was though they thought they were prosperous. 

In vs. 9 he compares them to the nation to the proverbial worst nations that had ever existed: Sodom and Gomorrah.  

While it is no stated here, I can hear a response from the Jews here. 

“What do you mean we are so evil?  We have the Temple!  We are God’s chosen people!  We keep the Law!  We offer sacrifices!” 

Beginning in vs. 11, God gives His opinion of their religious piety. 

They may have offered burnt sacrifices without number, but God was not moved by these. 

He goes so far in vs. 14 to say that He hates their activities that were supposedly done in His honor. 

In vs. 15 He says He will not hear their prayers because of the blood on their hands. 

What are they to do? 

God tells them: 

Isa 1:16  Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 

Isa 1:17  Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 

This is a great counter to those who think Old Testament saints were made righteous through their sacrifices and obedience to the Law. 

God did not want rigid, heartless performance – He wanted their hearts to be transformed through faith. 

We come now to the crux of the matter. 

God says, “Let’s reason together.” 

The commentaries say this is a legal term being used. 

God is saying, “Let’s put this on trial – My way vs. your way”. 

Which way is best? 

Let us see… 

First up, we have the people make their case. 

Isaiah has already given it. 

They do the right things. 

They say the right things. 

But this is a veneer – it is all show. 

While with one hand they praise God and offer sacrifices, with the other they commit the grossest of sins. 

Like a slight of hand magician, they think the good they do is distracting God from the evil that they do. 

But they cannot do anything about the blood stains. 

In vs. 18 these sins are compared to scarlet dye on white wool. 

The linguists say that the word used there has a root that means double-dipped. 

This type of dye was made by crushing an insect. 

It was not only known for its vividness, but also for its permanence 

Wash blue jeans and they will fade – the dye washes out. 

This dye stayed true unlike many other dyes of that time. 

I want to point out that they think all the good they do negates the evil they do. 

It is a vain pursuit. 

Isaiah writes later: 

Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 

Try as you may, the stain of sin cannot be removed by human means. 

Next up, we have God make His case. 

He offers forgiveness. 

He can take that sin-stained garment that we are clothed in and make it white as snow. 

What a deal! 

We cannot even fade the stains of sin but He can remove them completely! 

God says, “let’s reason this out”. 

This is the biggest no-brainer there has ever been! 

If I was selling gold bars for a dollar each, there would be a line from here to Ft. Worth to get some. 

This is infinitely better. 

We can do nothing about sins, but God can fully forgive them! 

What does He ask in return? 

It is there in vs. 16-17 

“cease to do evil;… Learn to do well;” 

That is repentance. 

We turn from our sin and turn to His righteousness. 

We turn from our good works to the finished work of Christ. 

We turn from trusting in sin to trusting in God. 

This is how we find salvation. 

Now, I want to make this a little more practical for Christians today. 

Sometimes we forget that  

By the way, that is a terrible excuse to make. 

I see that same one made today when Christians and ministries fall into sin. 

They say, “How can we be so bad?  Look at all the good we are doing!” 

As if all our good could even remove the slightest spot of sin from our record. 

Our good works do not save us, nor do they bring any forgiveness for the believers sins. 

Don’t try to atone for your sins in your own power. 

If you sin, confess it to God and repent of it 

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

If you hurt someone, make it right. 

Mat_5:23  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 

Mat_5:24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 

Christian, we will mess up. 

When we do, deal with it right. 

Own up to it – don’t make excuses. 

Confess it before God and man – don’t hide it. 

Repent of it – try to turn you back on it and forsake it – don’t keep doing it, as hard as that is. 

Let God forgive you and cleanse you. 

Quit trying to get rid of the stains in your own power. 

You cannot wash them out. 

You cannot dye it a different color. 

Only God can truly forgive our sins. 

CONCLUSION 

• The Christian faith makes sense. 

• Put it to the test – “Let us reason together” 

• But it does take faith. 

• There is a point where we must choose to believe it and act on it. 

• Believers, do not try to cleanse your faults in your own power. 

• Sinners, seek God’s forgiveness. 

What Does It Mean to Fear God? 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 

I was curious to know how many times I have preached this year from passages in that week’s daily Bible reading schedule. 

I believe it to be about 1/3 of the time. 

I looked it up and today is the 31^st Sunday of the year. 

Glancing through my sermon tracking spreadsheet – which I had to update with everything from this year because I haven’t been keeping up with it – I identified maybe 10 or 11 that would qualify. 

I spent way more time on that than I anticipated, and that was just to get an estimate and not a hard number. 

Today’s sermon is from tomorrow’s assigned reading. 

The Book of Ecclesiastes is a strange book. 

Solomon is trying to make sense out of life and human existence using his vast human understanding. 

The only way that life has meaning is with God in the equation. 

Take God out of life and it has not hope or peace or purpose. 

Our text is that grand conclusion – the light at the end of the tunnel. 

What should man do to find purpose in life? 

First, Fear God. 

Second, Keep His Commandments. 

Why? Because God is watching and everyone will stand before Him in judgment.  

That is what the wisest man who ever lived concluded after years of searching for purpose. 

He could have saved himself a lot of time and heart attack had he just accepted that same truth from God. 

It, after all, is no secret. 

God has clearly revealed to us that we should all fear and obey Him. 

Now, we toss about the phrase “Fear God” a lot, but I am afraid we do not grasp its meaning. 

We all fear things. 

I do not hide the fact that I am arachnophobia – I hate spiders. 

It is an irrational fear like all phobias. 

Are we to fear God like I fear spiders? 

No one in their right mind would say so! 

Now, I will tell you something else that I would say that I fear, but not irrationally. 

I have a very healthy respect for the power of a thunderstorm. 

I do not think I have astraphobia, but I do take notice of severe weather when it is around me. 

I think this gets a bit closer to the mark of comprehending what it is to fear the Lord. 

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary gives this definition for Biblical fear: 

In scripture, fear is used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear 

Here are a couple of things I pulled from Vine’s Expository Dictionary : 

“to be afraid, stand in awe, fear” 

“’reverential fear’ of God as a controlling movie of the life, in matters spiritual and moral, not a mere ‘fear’ of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him.” 

I find it very difficult to fully grasp what it means to fear the Lord. 

I think that is in large part because that idea of fear as respect and obedience is not promoted in our culture. 

I’ll give you a great example. 

I have a healthy respect for the office of the President of the United States. 

In recent decades, our culture has taught us to not respect that office or the man that holds it. 

It used to be that be invited to visit the White House was a tremendous honor. 

Now, it is nothing to not only decline such an offer but also use it as a chance to attack the person in office. 

This is nothing new – I have personally noted it happening since George W. Bush was in office. 

Listen, I do not care who the president is – as an American citizen I would count it as one of the greatest honors of my life to invited to the White House. 

Let me give you another example. 

Have you ever watched footage from courtrooms? 

It used to be that if you were to appear in court in any capacity you dressed in the best clothes you had. 

You addressed the judge as “Your honor” and you put on your best behavior. 

Today, especially in the lower courts, there is no fear or respect for law or the people who represent it. 

They are constantly having to reprimand people for what they wear and how they act. 

I think the same goes for how people treat law enforcement today. 

I have a healthy respect and fear of law and order. 

The police represent that. 

I know they are not perfect, but that is what due process is for, to help ensure that justice is rightly served. 

I have a hard time respecting anyone or anything that casts aspersions on law enforcement and the laws they uphold. 

Like I said, we are a few generations into a mindset of rebellion and cynicism that say we should not fear anything. 

Look how well that is working out! 

By the way, the reason that shift happened in our culture is simple. 

In fact, it is in the Bible. 

Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

There is no wisdom or truth without the foundation of fearing God. 

Our country has turned into a nation of fools because we have in our society lost our fear of the Lord. 

I want to go a step further. 

I am afraid that modern Christianity has lost its fear of God. 

What most people practice in their worship has little resemblance to fear, holiness, or reverence. 

It is not just the liberals or charismatics either. 

I am convinced it is everywhere, and it starts at the top. 

I do not think many high-profile Christians have much fear of God in them. 

Just this week, another preacher was charged that I once would have counted among the good guys. 

I am sick of it – some of it is hitting close to home with people I know or are at least familiar with. 

As I have been trying to process all this, I had this thought: 

Did these men have a proper fear of God in their lives and ministry? 

If they ever did, they lost it somewhere to do the things they have done. 

Psa 36:1  The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. 

Let’s examine what it means to fear the Lord this morning and do a little check up on ourselves. 

I. The Fear of the Lord recognizes the difference between God and man. 

There is a principle that many Bible teachers use to understand the meaning of a word or phrase. 

It is often called the Law of First Mention, and that is exactly what it is. 

It looks at the first time a word or phrase is used and sets a definition from it. 

I have not found this technique to be universal, but it is often helpful. 

The first time any variation of the word for fear is used in the Bible is in Genesis 3:10 when Adam answers the Lord as he was hiding after he ate the forbidden fruit. 

Gen 3:10  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 

Adam knew what he had done. 

Adam knew the holiness of God. 

Fear made him hide. 

Now, I do not think this is the best example of fearing God that we can find, but there is truth in it. 

To fear the Lord is to recognize our sinfulness and weakness 

It is also to recognize God’s holiness and greatness. 

We thus recognize how infinite He is and how insignificant we are. 

The more we understand that the more we will develop a true fear of God. 

I think this is why when God appears to people in the Bible He has to tell them not to be afraid. 

When you get a good look at Who He is, you will fear Him. 

My favorite examples of this are in Isaiah 6 and Revelation 1. 

Isaiah saw the Lord “high and lifted up”. 

His reaction – “Woe is me!” 

John saw Christ in His glory – remember that they had been close while He was on earth. 

His reaction – “I fell at his feet as dead.” – Jesus had to tell Him “fear not” 

II.  The fear of the Lord is to properly honor Him. 

The proper fear of God is not to be scared of Him. 

The proper fear of God is to respect and honor Him. 

The Book of Hebrews describes this: 

Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 

Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire. 

Reverence – supposedly the Greek word used here is based on the idea of having downcast eyes. 

Strong’s defines it as “bashfulness, i.e. (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe:—reverence, shamefacedness.” 

Thus, to fear the Lord is to reverence Him in awe and humility. 

Godly fear –  

Strong’s defines it as “properly, caution, i.e. (religiously) reverence (piety); by implication, dread (concretely):—fear(-ed).” 

Adam Clarke wrote that this is: “Religious fear. We have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, but let that boldness be ever tempered with modesty and religious fear; for we should never forget that we have sinned, and that God is a consuming fire.” 

III.  The fear of the Lord is to obey Him 

What we properly fear affects how we live. 

Again, I am not talking about irrational fears. 

I had, and still have, a healthy respect for my parents. 

I do not cower in fright from them. 

But what they say, I am going to do my best to do. 

This is what I have tried to instill in my kids. 

I don’t want to them be scared of me like I was some monster, but I do what them to respect me in love. 

These simple illustrations reflect what it is to obey God through fear. 

As a proof text for this idea, let’s look at Deuteronomy 10: 

Deu 10:12  And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 

Deu 10:13  To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? 

To fear the Lord is to obey Him, knowing Who He and what He can do. 

Again, this is not because we are scared of judgment. 

We recognize His greatness and HIs grace toward us. 

We recognize that He know and wants what is best for us. 

We then respond in thankful, joyful service. 

Listen, there are thing that I disagree with the government about being illegal. 

However, I fear the government and the prospect of being in jail therefore I follow the laws that I do not agree with. 

I want to be a good citizen. 

Respect brings obedience. 

To fear God is not to simply fear His judgment, but also His displeasure. 

CONLUSION 

• The fear of God begins with understanding two things. 

• Know these well! 

• The Greatness of God 

• The Unworthiness of Man 

• The fear of God should affect how we worship Him. 

• The fear of God should affect how we live. 

• The fear of God should bring us to repentance 

The Cry of Wisdom 

Proverbs 8 

In our daily Bible reading we are now in the book of Proverbs. 

This book is a collection of wise sayinågs and observations. 

It is the most practical book in the Bible. 

By way of introduction I have a few things I want to establish. 

First, I do believe Solomon wrote the entire book, though some say a few of the later chapters were not. 

When we get to Heaven, they will find out I am right about that. 

Regardless, there is little to no debate that the about Solomon writing the first 9 chapters. 

These are addressed to his son. 

Historically, that would be Rehoboam, his heir whose pride divided the kingdom. 

He did not listen to his father’s advice. 

I think that could be because He saw Solomon drift from the wisdom he was trying to pass on. 

Solomon started well but lost his way. 

In the end, he came back to his senses and acknowledged his error – see the book of Ecclesiastes. 

Second,  the theme of Proverbs is wisdom. 

Someone said that wisdom is knowledge applied practically. 

That is partially true. 

But in this book is more than that. 

We note Proverbs 1:7 

Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Here we see that true wisdom is based on proper respect for God. 

Why is that important? 

Because true wisdom is only found through His character and His truth. 

It amazes me when I read or hear things where someone claims some great practical discovery. 

So many times, they just stumbled across Biblical truth. 

For instance, there is a writer named Joshua Becker that I enjoy following. 

He is a proponent of the Minimalist lifestyle that promotes simplifying your life and owning fewer things. 

He is a Christian, too. 

I cannot say that I follow much of what he teaches, but it is amazing how many times he teaches Bible truth. 

How about being content with our possession and not constantly seeking gratification with accumulating junk? 

1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

1Ti 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 

1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

How about living life purposefully? 

Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 

Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 

Third, I think Proverbs is a continuation of the thoughts from Psalm 1 that there are two paths that man may choose. 

• The Path of Righteousness – loving God, serving Him, living a holy life, and a final destination in Heaven. 

• The Path of Wickedness – denying God, serving self, living a sinful life, and a final destination in Hell. 

Proverbs constantly contrasts the two paths. 

It is like each verse is a waypoint by which we can both guide our hearts and measure our direction. 

Fourth, I do remind you that the book of Proverbs, though thoroughly, is written in artistic styling. 

It is Hebrew poetry. 

Not built on rhyming words, but rather rhyming ideas. 

Almost all verses in proverbs have two parts, an A and a B, that are compared and contrasted to each other. 

We also have another literary device that Solomon uses called personification. 

You learned about it in English class but probably have forgotten about it.  

It is when the writer takes something non-human and non-living but applies human attributes and traits to it. 

For example, I could say that the wind whispers, or the wind screams, or the wind howls, or the wind kisses. 

Now, it does not actually do any of those – it just moves. 

We personify it by describing it as having some agency and identity. 

Solomon does with Wisdom. 

We see it first in 1:20-33. 

Pro 1:20  Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 

Pro 1:21  She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 

Pro 1:22  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 

Pro 1:23  Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 

He returns to this device in our text. 

Pro 8:1  Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 

Pro 8:2  She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 

Pro 8:3  She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 

Wisdom does not literally have a voice or is even a person, but Solomon’s description so much more vivid because he personifies it. 

With these introductory remarks in our minds, let us dig into this chapter. 

I. The universal appeal of Godly wisdom – vs. 1-21 

In the opening verses, Wisdom cries out from the mountain top and the intersections of roads. 

Her voice is heard when in the public square of the city. 

Everywhere you go you cannot escape the cry of wisdom, begging us to follow her. 

Friends, you have to blind your eyes and stop your ears to miss the two greatest truths in this world. 

First, that there is a God. 

Psa 19:1  The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 

Drew just got back from his big trip with Mimi and Pawpaw. 

He was showing us the pictures he took of Yellowstone, the Tetons, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and more. 

If that cannot see the fingerprints of a Divine Creator in such places, you need your eyes examine. 

You have to be willfully blind to not look upon the universe and see that there is a God. 

Second, that sin has broken this world. 

Go read Romans chapters 1-3. 

We are all sinners. 

We are corrupted and imperfect, fallen from the purity of God’s original design because of Adam’s sin. 

Why is there evil in this world?  Sin. 

Why is there death in this world?  Sin. 

Philosopher have wrestled with human depravity and Politicians have tried to suppress it  for millennia – ALL TO NO AVAIL. 

These are universal truths. 

Beyond that, everyday life proves the wisdom of the word of God is true. 

Want to know how to do business? 

What the experts tell you matches what the Bible says. 

Work hard, be fair, and give more than is deserved. 

Want to know how to make friends? 

You can read Dale Carnegie, but you can read it in the Bible. 

Be friendly, be genuine, and be caring. 

If humanity would just open their eyes, if they would just look at the evidence, if they would just compare it to the pages of God’s Word – then would be no debate about. 

The cry of Godly wisdom is everywhere. 

By the way, let me say this. 

I think one of the characteristics that divide conservatism and liberalism, in any arena – politics, religion, social sciences – is how it processes information. 

Conservatism I believe looks are real life, real stats, and real observations and tries to build order on these. 

Liberalism filters its view to try to force order through shifting lenses. 

It denies reality, trying to instead force some system or lens on it. 

I think this is why so many times you will hear liberal pundits try to understand the world through fiction, like books and movies. 

They force a fanciful system onto a real world scenario and wonder why it doesn’t work. 

They do it with the Bible – not letting its light shine for itself without forcing a filter on it. 

Moving on…. 

II.  The ultimate archetype of Wisdom is Christ – vs. 22-31 

This is an intriguing portion of Scripture. 

It applies wisdom beyond the present and the practical. 

Wisdom is seen as being with God before the beginning in Creation. 

Now, I cannot help but read these verses without thinking of the opening of the Gospel of John. 

Jhn 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Jhn 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God. 

Jhn 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

Now, I am not saying that this section is Proverbs is about Christ, merely that this a grand parallel here between Wisdom and the Word. 

Christ, the Word of John 1, is the ultimate expression of God. 

He is the ultimate expression of wisdom. 

There is no truth, no wisdom, no reality without knowing Christ. 

III.  The Alluring Undoing of the Wicked Woman 

If you continue reading, the personified Wisdom continues in the next chapter. 

Now, what is interesting to be is what surround Wisdom. 

In chapter 7, the seductive strange woman appears. 

Those that are ensnared and destroyed by her are called foolish as they lack wisdom. 

Personified wisdom is the answer to personified folly. 

In the final verses of chapter 9, the strange woman returns. 

She too calls out to passersby. 

Pro 9:13  A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 

Pro 9:14  For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 

Pro 9:15  To call passengers who go right on their ways: 

Pro 9:16  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 

Pro 9:17  Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 

Pro 9:18  But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. 

I do not just want to speak about sexual morality here. 

That is forefront but I think there is a deeper meaning here. 

Just as Wisdom calls out all around us, so does folly. 

It is a siren’s call to the simple. 

Just like the mythical siren, it entrances men to their doom. 

Wisdom shows us the evil and the danger of folly. 

All around us, live and homes are being destroyed because they embrace folly and reject Godly wisdom. 

Let it be a warning to us. – Not every appeal is safe – Not every call is sincere. 

Do not the let offer of free cheese make you overlook the trap it is set on. 

CONCLUSION 

• There is no true wisdom without God. 

• To reject God is to reject the truth. 

• It is like trying to bake a cake without flour. 

• Be wise and discerning about the voices that call to you. 

• Filter them through the truth of God’s word. 

• God has already made the judgement on what is good or what is evil. 

• We only must apply His criteria in our discernment. 

• Which path are you on? 

• There are only two ways for man. 

• The path of righteousness. 

• You get on this road, not by works, but by faith in Christ. 

• The path of wickedness. 

• This road is cursed by God. 

• Its destination is Hell. 

• If you do not know Christ, you are the crossroads today – literally, the CROSS roads 

• It is time to choose – which path will you take?  What will you destination be?