Sermon Topic 6/30/13 Elder Chris Moran Our Reward Comes From God
What things do we set our hearts on?
Have we lost our focus on the eternal reward we hope to receive one day from the Lord?
Do we turn blessings from God and rewards in this life into idols? … this life is a vapor (James 4:14 msl); we must be READY.
Earthly rewards:
Pay raise
Powerful job position (Matthew 18:1-4 … humble yourself as this little
child; Luke 14:1, 7-11 … the Pharisees at the banquet, exalting
themselves) …are we striving to be humble as a servant of God?
Physical objects … there is nothing wrong with trophies … i have a golf trophy; but do we worship them?
Retirement
Recognition from others (Colossians 3:22-25 … fear God, and do everything heartily, as unto the Lord)
An inheritance (Luke 12:13-21 … the young man who demanded that Christ
arbitrate between him and his brother over their inheritance; the rich
man who decided to hoard his wealth and take his ease)
Anything else?
“My mother used to tell me man gives the award, but God gives the reward, i don’t need another plaque.” –Denzel Washington
Is our heavenly reward more important than earthly pleasures?
Matthew 19:16-30 … the young man who had great possessions (or did the
possessions have him? msl) … those who leave all they have in this
life, will receive a hundred fold
Alma 10:107 … Amulek, having forsaken all his possessions and having been rejected by his family
Do we set our hearts on earthly or future treasure?
Matthew 6:19-21 … lay not up treasures for yourself on earth (see also Helaman 5:23-29 msl)
2 Kings 20:12-18 …Hezekiah boastfully showed the ambassadors from
Babylon all the treasure he had; the prophet Isaiah told him that all
that would be taken by the Babylonians in the future; 24:10-13 … the
prophecy fulfilled
Are we like Hezekiah – do we boast of our possessions?
How do we spend our time?
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 … Solomon boasting of his great works … There are
things in life that the Lord has given us for our joy, but we need to
keep everything in perspective and evaluate the use of our time (note
the number of times the word “vanity” occurs in this book msl) We can
have temporary joy and pleasure from the things in life, but:
We should consider the needs of the Church of Christ
Are we meeting the needs of our family?
We should always remember that things in this world will not last
Helaman 4:47-55 … the Nephites very quickly slid back into pride and
wickedness … they were not focused on the Lord – they lost the vision of
their eternal reward. If it can happen to the people of Nephi, it can
happen to us!
One of my girls took baton lessons this year … part of
their year-end performance was the song “Famous” (lyrics below msl) We
need to work hard unto the Lord, not to become “famous” (Colossians
3:23 and Matthew 5:16)
The things of the earth will pass away
2 Peter 3:10 … the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
1 Corinthians 3:8-14 … we are God’s building (Strong’s G3619, oikodome …
along with 3618, oikodomeo – these are the words translated “edify” in
Ephesians 4:12 and all thru the New Testament) … all our works done in
this life will be tried by fire – is our life worthy of rewards? http://www.amazon.com/Life-God-Rewards-Everything-Matters/dp/1576739767/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372623062&sr=1-1&keywords=Bruce+Wilkinson+A+Life+God+Rewards
God will reward the righteous
Proverbs 11:18, 13:13, and 24:19-20
Alma 1:127-129
Daniel 12:2-3
Revelation 2:7, 11,17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21 … they that overcome will receive rewards
The goal of our eternal reward requires suffering
John 12:24-26
Matthew 5:10-12 (and John 15:18-16:3 msl) … those who are persecuted for His name
After making some bad choices in high school and hanging with the wrong
friends … i chose to do right. My “friends” asked me one day “why
aren’t you fun anymore?”
What are we willing to put first? (picture illustration – Abraham and his family leaving Ur of the Chaldees
Matthew 10:34-42 … I did not come to bring peace, but separation
Mansions in heaven … Strong’s G3438, mone, an abode – from G3306, meno,
to stay (the English word “mansion” is from Latin manere, to stay)
John 14:2-3 (also Ether 5:38)
Crowns (Strong’s G4735, stephanos – from stepho, to twine or wreathe)
1 Corinthians 9:24-5 … an incorruptible crown (as opposed to a corruptible earthly crown)
2 Timothy 4:6-8 … crown of righteousness
James 1:12 … crown of life
1 Peter … crown of glory
1 Thessalonians 2:9-20 … crown of rejoicing
Revelation 3:11 … hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown
The Joy of the Lord
Matthew 25:14-23 … we want to hear, “well done, good and faithful servant”
Revelation 21:1-8 … he that overcometh
I came up with this certificate:
God’s Kingdom
Excellence Reward
Presented to
_____________
Revelation 22:12 … I come quickly, and my reward is with Me….
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
What is the Sin of Gluttony and Drunkenness?
What is the Sin of Gluttony and Drunkenness?
Why in the scriptures is gluttony mentioned together with a drunkard?
Matthew 15 : 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man…. 16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Romans 15 : 14-15 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But
if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Glutton - Strong's H2151 - zalal (Old Testament)
1) to be worthless, be vile, be insignificant, be light a) (Qal) 1) to be worthless, be insignificant 2) to make light of, squander, be lavish with 2) to shake, tremble, quake a) (Niphal) to shake, quake AV — flow down 2, vile 2, glutton 2, riotous eaters 1, riotous 1
Gluttonous - Strong's G5314 - phagos 1) a voracious man, a glutton (New Testament)I.E. English meaning for voracious: Wanting or devouring great quantities of food
Drunkard - Strong's H5433 - caba' to drink heavily or largely, imbibe a) (Qal) 1) to imbibe 2) wine-bibber, drunkard (participle) (subst)
Examples where they are mentioned together
Deuteronomy 21 : 18- 20 18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will
not hearken unto them: 19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Proverbs 23 : 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Matthew 11 : 19 4 Jesus answered and said unto them,…. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Luke 7 : 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
All other examples where - Strong's H2151 - zalal (Glutton) is used
Scriptures where Glutton, Strong's H2151, is Translated to a Different English Word
Proverbs 28 : 7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Proverbs 23:20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
Lamentations 1 : 11 All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.
Jeremiah 15 : 19 therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
Isaiah 64 : 1, 3 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,…3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Riotous Living translated from a different Greek word in the case of Luke
[Mosiah 7 : 20-21 And it came to pass that he placed his heart upon his riches, and he spent his time in riotous living with his wives and his concubines; and so did also his priests spend their
time with harlots. 21 And it came to pass that he planted vineyards round about in the land; and he built wine presses, and made wine in abundance; and therefore he became a winebibber, and also his people.]
Luke 15 : 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Riotous Strong's G811 - asōtōs dissolutely, profligately I.E. prof·li·gate (pr f l -g t, -g t ). adj. 1. Given over to dissipation; dissolute. 2. Recklessly wasteful; wildly extravagant. n. A profligate
person; a wastrel. Dissolutely: Lacking moral restraint; indulging in sensual pleasures or vices
Seriousness of the Sin of being a Drunkard
I Corinthians 6 : 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
I Corinthians 5 : 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Why such harsh judgment on the drunkard?
Scriptures on Excessive Alcohol
Alma 25 : 43 And all those things were done in a profound silence. But had they awakened the Lamanites, behold they were drunken and the Nephites could have slain them. 44 But behold this was not the desire of Moroni. He did not delight in murder or bloodshed; but he delighted in the saving of his people from destruction; and for this cause he might not bring upon him injustice, he would not fall upon the Lamanites and destroy them in their drunkenness.
Alma 25 : 55- 60 55 And it came to pass that the Nephites began again to be victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their privileges. 56 Many times did the Lamanites attempt to encircle them about by night, but in these attempts they did lose many prisoners. 57 And many times did they attempt to administer of their wine to the Nephites, that they might destroy them with poison or with drunkenness. 58 But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lord their God, in this their times of affliction. 59 They could not be taken in their snares; yea, they would not partake of their wine; yea, they would not partake of wine, save they had firstly given to some of the Lamanite prisoners. 60 And they were thus cautious, that no poison should be administered among them; for if their wine would poison a Lamanite, it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try all their liquors.
I Peter 4 : 1-3 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings*, and abominable idolatries: (* a drinking, carousing)
Isaiah 5 : 11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Ephesians 5 : 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
I Timothy 3 : 1-3, 8 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine*, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; …8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre
Titus 1 : 5-7 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine*, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; * 1) given to wine, drunken
I Timothy 5 : 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
Titus 2 : 1-4, 8 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,…
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
I Thessalonians 5 : 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
We believe that ministry and membership should abstain from the use of tobacco, intoxicating liquors and narcotics, and should not affiliate with any society which administers oaths or covenants in conflict with the law of God, or which interferes with their duties as free men and citizens. (1 Cor 3:16-17; Eth 3:86-98) Number 25. Articles of Faith and Practice
Why in the scriptures is gluttony mentioned together with a drunkard?
Matthew 15 : 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man…. 16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Romans 15 : 14-15 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But
if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Glutton - Strong's H2151 - zalal (Old Testament)
1) to be worthless, be vile, be insignificant, be light a) (Qal) 1) to be worthless, be insignificant 2) to make light of, squander, be lavish with 2) to shake, tremble, quake a) (Niphal) to shake, quake AV — flow down 2, vile 2, glutton 2, riotous eaters 1, riotous 1
Gluttonous - Strong's G5314 - phagos 1) a voracious man, a glutton (New Testament)I.E. English meaning for voracious: Wanting or devouring great quantities of food
Drunkard - Strong's H5433 - caba' to drink heavily or largely, imbibe a) (Qal) 1) to imbibe 2) wine-bibber, drunkard (participle) (subst)
Examples where they are mentioned together
Deuteronomy 21 : 18- 20 18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will
not hearken unto them: 19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Proverbs 23 : 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Matthew 11 : 19 4 Jesus answered and said unto them,…. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Luke 7 : 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
All other examples where - Strong's H2151 - zalal (Glutton) is used
Scriptures where Glutton, Strong's H2151, is Translated to a Different English Word
Proverbs 28 : 7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Proverbs 23:20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
Lamentations 1 : 11 All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.
Jeremiah 15 : 19 therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
Isaiah 64 : 1, 3 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,…3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Riotous Living translated from a different Greek word in the case of Luke
[Mosiah 7 : 20-21 And it came to pass that he placed his heart upon his riches, and he spent his time in riotous living with his wives and his concubines; and so did also his priests spend their
time with harlots. 21 And it came to pass that he planted vineyards round about in the land; and he built wine presses, and made wine in abundance; and therefore he became a winebibber, and also his people.]
Luke 15 : 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Riotous Strong's G811 - asōtōs dissolutely, profligately I.E. prof·li·gate (pr f l -g t, -g t ). adj. 1. Given over to dissipation; dissolute. 2. Recklessly wasteful; wildly extravagant. n. A profligate
person; a wastrel. Dissolutely: Lacking moral restraint; indulging in sensual pleasures or vices
Seriousness of the Sin of being a Drunkard
I Corinthians 6 : 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
I Corinthians 5 : 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Why such harsh judgment on the drunkard?
Scriptures on Excessive Alcohol
Alma 25 : 43 And all those things were done in a profound silence. But had they awakened the Lamanites, behold they were drunken and the Nephites could have slain them. 44 But behold this was not the desire of Moroni. He did not delight in murder or bloodshed; but he delighted in the saving of his people from destruction; and for this cause he might not bring upon him injustice, he would not fall upon the Lamanites and destroy them in their drunkenness.
Alma 25 : 55- 60 55 And it came to pass that the Nephites began again to be victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their privileges. 56 Many times did the Lamanites attempt to encircle them about by night, but in these attempts they did lose many prisoners. 57 And many times did they attempt to administer of their wine to the Nephites, that they might destroy them with poison or with drunkenness. 58 But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lord their God, in this their times of affliction. 59 They could not be taken in their snares; yea, they would not partake of their wine; yea, they would not partake of wine, save they had firstly given to some of the Lamanite prisoners. 60 And they were thus cautious, that no poison should be administered among them; for if their wine would poison a Lamanite, it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try all their liquors.
I Peter 4 : 1-3 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings*, and abominable idolatries: (* a drinking, carousing)
Isaiah 5 : 11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Ephesians 5 : 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
I Timothy 3 : 1-3, 8 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine*, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; …8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre
Titus 1 : 5-7 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine*, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; * 1) given to wine, drunken
I Timothy 5 : 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
Titus 2 : 1-4, 8 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,…
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
I Thessalonians 5 : 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
We believe that ministry and membership should abstain from the use of tobacco, intoxicating liquors and narcotics, and should not affiliate with any society which administers oaths or covenants in conflict with the law of God, or which interferes with their duties as free men and citizens. (1 Cor 3:16-17; Eth 3:86-98) Number 25. Articles of Faith and Practice
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Good Leadership or Stewards
Sermon Topic Sunday, 6/23/13 Good Leadership or Stewards?
We are living in a world condition today that is fast approaching a vacuum, where leadership is misleading, self-serving, or void of understanding. Standing upon good moral principles has become archaic and mythological.
We are being governed by polls … by public opinion.
Are each of us doing all we should be doing? This morning in Sunday School, we studied the passage in Alma 3 in which Alma preached to the people of the church in Zarahemla and thru all the land. Alma Jr. had given up his judgement seat to Nephihah, and set out to “stir them up in remembrance of their duty” (Alma 2:26)
Nowadays good deeds are being frowned upon and scrutinized beyond reason … doers of good deeds are being judged as to why they are doing them, probably only for themselves.
Matthew 5:13-16 … you are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world. Let that light shine … so others will glorify God. We get wake-up calls sometimes … but do we just “hit the snooze button”? If the salt have lost his savor … or could we say, if the salt has lost his SAVIOR….
Alma was talking to those of the CHURCH (Alma 3:2) … but had they walked away from what they should be believing and doing?
There have been many kinds of leaders over time – good and bad. Some have led their followers to great accomplishments; some have led them to great calamity and destruction.
There are times of judges governing the people in both the Bible and Book Of Mormon, and great leaders in both Books.
Some nations have done wrong even when led well.
Judges 2:8-19 … after the death of Joshua, a new generation of Israelites arose which did not know God or remember what He had done for Israel. They forsook God and worshiped Baal and Ashtaroth (Ishtar). They provoked the Lord to anger, and reaped judgement (v.14) … our own gentile nation was set up by God to be that light on the hill. The Lord removed His hand of protection from Israel when they forsook Him, and other nations conquered them.
God raised up judges who delivered the Israelites, but the people continued to serve other gods. Do we see that today in our own country? our own lives? The Scriptures make a statement, but also beg the question of each of us.
Proverbs 29:18 … Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Our brother Dennis last week talked about rules … we need instruction, the virtues that God’s Spirit puts in our lives. When we don’t let Him, what happens? Do we want blessings/healings/liberty in this land?
We have the Spirit of the Living God in our lives. We have a vision of the way we live our lives … even in our finances, etc.
Matthew 15:14 … blind leaders of the blind. Back in verse 11, what is it that defiles us? Not what goes into us, but what comes out from our mouths (also Matthew 12:34-35 msl). Verse 12, the Pharisees were offended by Jesus’ saying … well, so what? Verse 13 … every plant not planted by the Father will be rooted up. We have sight, knowledge, vision, revelation, and the fullness of the Gospel. We are not to be partakers with them (the blind), but to be knowing and making a difference.
Ezekiel 33:1-9 … the watchman … God sent Israel prophets, and promised that the people would know that a prophet had been among them. You, Ezekiel, are My watchman on the wall. If you do not warn the wicked, their blood will be on your hands.
What are we doing? Have we been salt? We are to edify (build up) one another in love. Are we watching out for the people? Or do we go along to get along? Are we wearing the world’s camouflage? Do we say “it’s none of my business”?
1 Thessalonians 1:2-7 … ensamples (Strong’s G5179, tupos – a stamping die; a model) to the believers. Stewards and caretakers. Being an ensample does not mean believing one thing and doing another. V. 3 … your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope … do we work and pray without ceasing for our brothers in the mission field?
The Gospel is not to be used as a sledgehammer or a bulldozer, but to build up people. And opportunity can come at an inconvenient time! … but we are called on to deliver.
1 Peter 4:10-11 … the manifold grace … we have received the gift, now minister the same as good stewards of the manifold grace. Having the saving Gospel, we must be a good example.
Speak as the oracles of God … Spiritually led. The mouthpiece of God, which is how we got our Scriptures. Are your words Spiritually directed?
Are people watching the path? Where does it lead? Broad is the way to destruction, and many go that way. Are people being warned? Alma Jr. … are you Spiritually led? – good followers?
John 8:12 … he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness (in verse 11, Jesus told the woman taken in adultery to “go your way, and SIN NO MORE”.
I AM the light of the world … be a good FOLLOWER of God, and His way. Be a good example to follow, show the Light in your life, don’t walk in darkness.
2 Peter 1:3- … partakers of divine nature … having ESCAPED the corruption that is in the world thru lust … add these things (listed in vv. 5-7). He that lacketh them is BLIND (back to Matthew 15:14)
2 Corinthians 5:20 … ambassadors for Christ … are we representing Him? Have we walked the walk in humility? Have we made that covenant with Him?
1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 … Children of the day, not in darkness! That day will come as a thief in the night … either for us individually, when He calls us to Him, or for all at that day when He comes in the clouds. Let us not sleep (Strong’s G2518 katheudo, to lie down to rest, to fall asleep) but WATCH (Strong’s G1127, gregoreuo, keep awake, be watchful) and be sober (Strong’s G3525, nepho, to abstain, to be sober, to watch).
We are witnessing about that day. Why would anyone want to gamble with their life? …but some do.
Ephesians 5:1-2 … as dear children … FOLLOWERS. Let our lives, our works, and our words show that we are followers … let our lights shine so others will glorify God!
We are living in a world condition today that is fast approaching a vacuum, where leadership is misleading, self-serving, or void of understanding. Standing upon good moral principles has become archaic and mythological.
We are being governed by polls … by public opinion.
Are each of us doing all we should be doing? This morning in Sunday School, we studied the passage in Alma 3 in which Alma preached to the people of the church in Zarahemla and thru all the land. Alma Jr. had given up his judgement seat to Nephihah, and set out to “stir them up in remembrance of their duty” (Alma 2:26)
Nowadays good deeds are being frowned upon and scrutinized beyond reason … doers of good deeds are being judged as to why they are doing them, probably only for themselves.
Matthew 5:13-16 … you are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world. Let that light shine … so others will glorify God. We get wake-up calls sometimes … but do we just “hit the snooze button”? If the salt have lost his savor … or could we say, if the salt has lost his SAVIOR….
Alma was talking to those of the CHURCH (Alma 3:2) … but had they walked away from what they should be believing and doing?
There have been many kinds of leaders over time – good and bad. Some have led their followers to great accomplishments; some have led them to great calamity and destruction.
There are times of judges governing the people in both the Bible and Book Of Mormon, and great leaders in both Books.
Some nations have done wrong even when led well.
Judges 2:8-19 … after the death of Joshua, a new generation of Israelites arose which did not know God or remember what He had done for Israel. They forsook God and worshiped Baal and Ashtaroth (Ishtar). They provoked the Lord to anger, and reaped judgement (v.14) … our own gentile nation was set up by God to be that light on the hill. The Lord removed His hand of protection from Israel when they forsook Him, and other nations conquered them.
God raised up judges who delivered the Israelites, but the people continued to serve other gods. Do we see that today in our own country? our own lives? The Scriptures make a statement, but also beg the question of each of us.
Proverbs 29:18 … Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Our brother Dennis last week talked about rules … we need instruction, the virtues that God’s Spirit puts in our lives. When we don’t let Him, what happens? Do we want blessings/healings/liberty in this land?
We have the Spirit of the Living God in our lives. We have a vision of the way we live our lives … even in our finances, etc.
Matthew 15:14 … blind leaders of the blind. Back in verse 11, what is it that defiles us? Not what goes into us, but what comes out from our mouths (also Matthew 12:34-35 msl). Verse 12, the Pharisees were offended by Jesus’ saying … well, so what? Verse 13 … every plant not planted by the Father will be rooted up. We have sight, knowledge, vision, revelation, and the fullness of the Gospel. We are not to be partakers with them (the blind), but to be knowing and making a difference.
Ezekiel 33:1-9 … the watchman … God sent Israel prophets, and promised that the people would know that a prophet had been among them. You, Ezekiel, are My watchman on the wall. If you do not warn the wicked, their blood will be on your hands.
What are we doing? Have we been salt? We are to edify (build up) one another in love. Are we watching out for the people? Or do we go along to get along? Are we wearing the world’s camouflage? Do we say “it’s none of my business”?
1 Thessalonians 1:2-7 … ensamples (Strong’s G5179, tupos – a stamping die; a model) to the believers. Stewards and caretakers. Being an ensample does not mean believing one thing and doing another. V. 3 … your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope … do we work and pray without ceasing for our brothers in the mission field?
The Gospel is not to be used as a sledgehammer or a bulldozer, but to build up people. And opportunity can come at an inconvenient time! … but we are called on to deliver.
1 Peter 4:10-11 … the manifold grace … we have received the gift, now minister the same as good stewards of the manifold grace. Having the saving Gospel, we must be a good example.
Speak as the oracles of God … Spiritually led. The mouthpiece of God, which is how we got our Scriptures. Are your words Spiritually directed?
Are people watching the path? Where does it lead? Broad is the way to destruction, and many go that way. Are people being warned? Alma Jr. … are you Spiritually led? – good followers?
John 8:12 … he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness (in verse 11, Jesus told the woman taken in adultery to “go your way, and SIN NO MORE”.
I AM the light of the world … be a good FOLLOWER of God, and His way. Be a good example to follow, show the Light in your life, don’t walk in darkness.
2 Peter 1:3- … partakers of divine nature … having ESCAPED the corruption that is in the world thru lust … add these things (listed in vv. 5-7). He that lacketh them is BLIND (back to Matthew 15:14)
2 Corinthians 5:20 … ambassadors for Christ … are we representing Him? Have we walked the walk in humility? Have we made that covenant with Him?
1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 … Children of the day, not in darkness! That day will come as a thief in the night … either for us individually, when He calls us to Him, or for all at that day when He comes in the clouds. Let us not sleep (Strong’s G2518 katheudo, to lie down to rest, to fall asleep) but WATCH (Strong’s G1127, gregoreuo, keep awake, be watchful) and be sober (Strong’s G3525, nepho, to abstain, to be sober, to watch).
We are witnessing about that day. Why would anyone want to gamble with their life? …but some do.
Ephesians 5:1-2 … as dear children … FOLLOWERS. Let our lives, our works, and our words show that we are followers … let our lights shine so others will glorify God!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Is Gambling a Sin?
Tuesday Night Scripture Study 6/18/13
Elder Chris Moran
IS GAMBLING A SIN?
Definition of “gamble”
1 a : to play a game for money or property
b : to bet on an uncertain outcome
2 : to stake something on a contingency : take a chance
There is no direct mention of gambling for money in scripture, but scripture does provide principles that can be applied to gambling.
One thing we do find in scripture:
John 19:23-24 – “23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.”
Are there any other examples of gambling in scripture?
Article: “Pastor warns Christians not to play Mega Millions lotto”
March 30, 2012
From:
http://blog.chron.com/believeitornot/2012/03/pastor-warns-christians-not-to-play-mega-millions-lotto/
Evangelical leader and pastor John Piper, like Americans across the country, couldn’t ignore the Mega Millions mania. But instead of joking about the odds or going in on a ticket for the $640 million jackpot, Piper warned followers of the dangers of gambling saying it should be considered “spiritual suicide.” If you win, “don’t tithe your lottery winnings to our church. Christ does not build his church on the backs of the poor,” he said. “Pray that Christ’s people will be so satisfied in him that they will be freed from the greed that makes us crave to get rich.” Piper listed seven reasons why Christians shouldn’t play the Mega Millions, calling it a destructive habit that wastes God’s money, preys on the poor and builds up foolish hopes. Texas pastor Jim Denison highlighted the plague of lottery winners who have gone on to make destructive choices and ruin their lives. Even “ministers are not immune from the lottery curse,” Denison wrote. “Billy Bob Harrell, Jr. was a preacher who won $31 million in Texas’ lottery in 1997. Some 20 months later, after divorcing his wife and buying a half-dozen homes for relatives, he took his own life with a shotgun.”
When we gamble, are we relying on God’s provision in our lives?
Matthew 6:25-34 – “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? 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? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 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? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 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.”
Jarom 1:19-22 – “19 And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceeding rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron, and copper, and brass, and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war; 20 Yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war; 21 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. 22 But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying, That inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land.”
1 Kings 3:5-13 – “5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.”
The Nephites in the Book of Mormon where blessed temporally at times because of their obedience (but also fell into temptation time and time again because they eventually focused on these things more than the Lord).
QUESTION: Do you think it’s alright to sell tickets for a raffle at church for raising money? If not, how should money in the church be raised?
Our struggles with money benefit our character
Romans 5:1-5 – “1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
James 1:2-4 – “2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
If we gamble and win, will our hearts become set on riches?
Matthew 19:16-24 – “16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
What would happen if we did when the lottery and become rich? Would it be difficult to keep those things from taking the place of God? Do we know for sure we can withstand the temptation to not lust over money when we gamble?
James 1:13-15 – “13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 – “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
1 Timothy 6:6-10 – “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
When we do buy a lottery ticket, and lose, is there any shred of disappointment, or do we simply say to ourselves “no problem” and move on? It’s difficult not to be disappointed and have your thoughts turn to covetousness.
Will winning as a result of gambling truly solve all of our problems?
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.”
1 Timothy 6:17 – “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”
Proverbs 13:11 – “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
Proverbs 15:6 – “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.”
Proverbs 28:22 – “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”
James 5:1-3 – “1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.”
QUESTION: If you play in the lottery and win money, but later wonder if you should keep it, would you keep it, return the money, give it all to charity, give it to church, throw it away, or other?
If we gamble, we may covet money, and the things that this money can buy
When we gamble, are we tempted to covet?
Exodus 20:17 – “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.”
Hebrews 13:5 – “5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Luke 12:13-21 – “13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Covetousness has SERIOUS consequences
Ephesians 5:5 – “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Can the example of my gambling cause another brother or sister to become addicted?
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – “22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
How would you feel if you walked up to a lottery vending machine, purchased a ticket, and then found out that the next person right behind you that purchases a ticket has a gambling addiction. This person’s gambling addition has destroyed their family. Are we tempting that person as a result of our example? If that person knows you are a Christian, will that give them more justification for doing it?
Gambling can create a recipe for envy between those that lose, and those that win (though envy is a personal decision)
Galatians 5:19-21 – “19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
When we gamble, are we yoking ourselves with unbelievers and those that lust for money?
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – “14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Many things that are associated with gambling (particularly casinos) are not wholesome in nature (drunkenness, showgirls, the lust of money, greed, etc.).
We should be wise stewards of our money and not risk losing it
Could our money be used in better ways?
Acts 20:35 – “35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Mormon 4:50 – “For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.”
Jacob 2:22-24 – “22 Think of your brethren, like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all, and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you. 23 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. 24 And after that ye have obtained a hope in Christ, ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them, for the intent to do good; to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick, and the afflicted.”
2008 Focus on the Family Study
From: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/social-issues/gambling/cause-for-concern.aspx
SMR Research Corporation called gambling "the single fastest-growing driver of bankruptcy." Professors from Georgetown University and Purdue University performed research on the link between gambling and bankruptcy. They concluded, "We found statistically significant increases at the county level in the number of personal bankruptcy filings due to the introduction of casino gambling." The U.S. Department of Justice and The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) found a correlation between high levels of criminal activity related to pathological gambling. The percentage of pathological gamblers among arrestees was three to five times higher than the general population, and compulsive or pathological gamblers were significantly more likely to have sold drugs than arrestees who fit the other gambling types. In a report titled Casinos, Crime and Community Costs (2004), university researchers found that a casino's effect on crime is low shortly after it opens and grows over time. Casino counties had notably higher crime rates than non-casino counties, and, for most offenses, the statistically significant differences tend to appear two or three years after casinos open. In a survey of nearly 400 Gamblers Anonymous members, 28 percent reported being either separated or divorced as a direct result of their gambling problems. In the National Gambling Impact Study, the lifetime divorce rates for problem and pathological gamblers were 39.5 percent and 53.5 percent, respectively; the rate in non-gamblers was 18.2 percent. In Indiana, a review of the state's gaming commission records revealed that 72 children were found abandoned on casino premises during a 14-month period. A University of Nebraska Medical Center study concluded that problem gambling is as much a risk factor for domestic violence as alcohol abuse. Domestic violence murders in at least 11 states have been traced to gambling problems since 1996. Three years after casinos were legalized in Deadwood, South Dakota, felony crimes increased by 40 percent, child abuse increased 42 percent, and domestic violence and assaults rose 80 percent. One in five pathological gamblers will attempt suicide, while one in ten of their spouses will attempt suicide. In Gulfport, Mississippi, suicides increased by 213 percent (from 24 to 75) in the first two years after casinos arrived. In neighboring Biloxi, suicide attempts jumped by 1,000 percent (from 6 to 66) in the first year alone. A survey of nearly 200 Illinois Gamblers Anonymous members found that 66 percent had contemplated suicide, 79 percent had wanted to die, 45 percent had a definite plan to kill themselves, and 16 percent had actually attempted suicide.
Summary
If we gamble, will we do any of the following?
1. Trust in money more than God for our provision
2. Covet
3. Have our hearts turn to greed
4. Love and our money more than God
5. Regret when we loose
6. Be tempted to envy the ones that win
7. Be yoked with unbelievers and the things of the world
8. Be a bad example to those that may severely struggle with gambling
9. Become addicted
If gambling results in any of the above, then gambling becomes a sin.
An excellent study, particularly thought-provoking for us in Michigan. More and more casinos are being built, including one about a mile from the Bradley Church, and the lottery is big business here with revenue promised to fund education.
http://blog.chron.com/believeitornot/2012/03/pastor-warns-christians-not-to-play-mega-millions-lotto/
Elder Chris Moran
IS GAMBLING A SIN?
Definition of “gamble”
1 a : to play a game for money or property
b : to bet on an uncertain outcome
2 : to stake something on a contingency : take a chance
There is no direct mention of gambling for money in scripture, but scripture does provide principles that can be applied to gambling.
One thing we do find in scripture:
John 19:23-24 – “23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.”
Are there any other examples of gambling in scripture?
Article: “Pastor warns Christians not to play Mega Millions lotto”
March 30, 2012
From:
http://blog.chron.com/believeitornot/2012/03/pastor-warns-christians-not-to-play-mega-millions-lotto/
Evangelical leader and pastor John Piper, like Americans across the country, couldn’t ignore the Mega Millions mania. But instead of joking about the odds or going in on a ticket for the $640 million jackpot, Piper warned followers of the dangers of gambling saying it should be considered “spiritual suicide.” If you win, “don’t tithe your lottery winnings to our church. Christ does not build his church on the backs of the poor,” he said. “Pray that Christ’s people will be so satisfied in him that they will be freed from the greed that makes us crave to get rich.” Piper listed seven reasons why Christians shouldn’t play the Mega Millions, calling it a destructive habit that wastes God’s money, preys on the poor and builds up foolish hopes. Texas pastor Jim Denison highlighted the plague of lottery winners who have gone on to make destructive choices and ruin their lives. Even “ministers are not immune from the lottery curse,” Denison wrote. “Billy Bob Harrell, Jr. was a preacher who won $31 million in Texas’ lottery in 1997. Some 20 months later, after divorcing his wife and buying a half-dozen homes for relatives, he took his own life with a shotgun.”
When we gamble, are we relying on God’s provision in our lives?
Matthew 6:25-34 – “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? 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? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 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? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 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.”
Jarom 1:19-22 – “19 And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceeding rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron, and copper, and brass, and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war; 20 Yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war; 21 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. 22 But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying, That inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land.”
1 Kings 3:5-13 – “5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.”
The Nephites in the Book of Mormon where blessed temporally at times because of their obedience (but also fell into temptation time and time again because they eventually focused on these things more than the Lord).
QUESTION: Do you think it’s alright to sell tickets for a raffle at church for raising money? If not, how should money in the church be raised?
Our struggles with money benefit our character
Romans 5:1-5 – “1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
James 1:2-4 – “2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
If we gamble and win, will our hearts become set on riches?
Matthew 19:16-24 – “16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
What would happen if we did when the lottery and become rich? Would it be difficult to keep those things from taking the place of God? Do we know for sure we can withstand the temptation to not lust over money when we gamble?
James 1:13-15 – “13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 – “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
1 Timothy 6:6-10 – “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
When we do buy a lottery ticket, and lose, is there any shred of disappointment, or do we simply say to ourselves “no problem” and move on? It’s difficult not to be disappointed and have your thoughts turn to covetousness.
Will winning as a result of gambling truly solve all of our problems?
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.”
1 Timothy 6:17 – “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”
Proverbs 13:11 – “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
Proverbs 15:6 – “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.”
Proverbs 28:22 – “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”
James 5:1-3 – “1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.”
QUESTION: If you play in the lottery and win money, but later wonder if you should keep it, would you keep it, return the money, give it all to charity, give it to church, throw it away, or other?
If we gamble, we may covet money, and the things that this money can buy
When we gamble, are we tempted to covet?
Exodus 20:17 – “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.”
Hebrews 13:5 – “5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Luke 12:13-21 – “13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Covetousness has SERIOUS consequences
Ephesians 5:5 – “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Can the example of my gambling cause another brother or sister to become addicted?
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – “22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
How would you feel if you walked up to a lottery vending machine, purchased a ticket, and then found out that the next person right behind you that purchases a ticket has a gambling addiction. This person’s gambling addition has destroyed their family. Are we tempting that person as a result of our example? If that person knows you are a Christian, will that give them more justification for doing it?
Gambling can create a recipe for envy between those that lose, and those that win (though envy is a personal decision)
Galatians 5:19-21 – “19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
When we gamble, are we yoking ourselves with unbelievers and those that lust for money?
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – “14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Many things that are associated with gambling (particularly casinos) are not wholesome in nature (drunkenness, showgirls, the lust of money, greed, etc.).
We should be wise stewards of our money and not risk losing it
Could our money be used in better ways?
Acts 20:35 – “35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Mormon 4:50 – “For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.”
Jacob 2:22-24 – “22 Think of your brethren, like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all, and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you. 23 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. 24 And after that ye have obtained a hope in Christ, ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them, for the intent to do good; to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick, and the afflicted.”
2008 Focus on the Family Study
From: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/social-issues/gambling/cause-for-concern.aspx
SMR Research Corporation called gambling "the single fastest-growing driver of bankruptcy." Professors from Georgetown University and Purdue University performed research on the link between gambling and bankruptcy. They concluded, "We found statistically significant increases at the county level in the number of personal bankruptcy filings due to the introduction of casino gambling." The U.S. Department of Justice and The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) found a correlation between high levels of criminal activity related to pathological gambling. The percentage of pathological gamblers among arrestees was three to five times higher than the general population, and compulsive or pathological gamblers were significantly more likely to have sold drugs than arrestees who fit the other gambling types. In a report titled Casinos, Crime and Community Costs (2004), university researchers found that a casino's effect on crime is low shortly after it opens and grows over time. Casino counties had notably higher crime rates than non-casino counties, and, for most offenses, the statistically significant differences tend to appear two or three years after casinos open. In a survey of nearly 400 Gamblers Anonymous members, 28 percent reported being either separated or divorced as a direct result of their gambling problems. In the National Gambling Impact Study, the lifetime divorce rates for problem and pathological gamblers were 39.5 percent and 53.5 percent, respectively; the rate in non-gamblers was 18.2 percent. In Indiana, a review of the state's gaming commission records revealed that 72 children were found abandoned on casino premises during a 14-month period. A University of Nebraska Medical Center study concluded that problem gambling is as much a risk factor for domestic violence as alcohol abuse. Domestic violence murders in at least 11 states have been traced to gambling problems since 1996. Three years after casinos were legalized in Deadwood, South Dakota, felony crimes increased by 40 percent, child abuse increased 42 percent, and domestic violence and assaults rose 80 percent. One in five pathological gamblers will attempt suicide, while one in ten of their spouses will attempt suicide. In Gulfport, Mississippi, suicides increased by 213 percent (from 24 to 75) in the first two years after casinos arrived. In neighboring Biloxi, suicide attempts jumped by 1,000 percent (from 6 to 66) in the first year alone. A survey of nearly 200 Illinois Gamblers Anonymous members found that 66 percent had contemplated suicide, 79 percent had wanted to die, 45 percent had a definite plan to kill themselves, and 16 percent had actually attempted suicide.
Summary
If we gamble, will we do any of the following?
1. Trust in money more than God for our provision
2. Covet
3. Have our hearts turn to greed
4. Love and our money more than God
5. Regret when we loose
6. Be tempted to envy the ones that win
7. Be yoked with unbelievers and the things of the world
8. Be a bad example to those that may severely struggle with gambling
9. Become addicted
If gambling results in any of the above, then gambling becomes a sin.
An excellent study, particularly thought-provoking for us in Michigan. More and more casinos are being built, including one about a mile from the Bradley Church, and the lottery is big business here with revenue promised to fund education.
http://blog.chron.com/believeitornot/2012/03/pastor-warns-christians-not-to-play-mega-millions-lotto/
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Rules, rules, rules!
Sermon Topic Sunday 6/16/13 Elder Dennis Trudgen
Happy Fathers’ Day!!
Rules, rules, rules! … why all the rules? Safety laws, moral laws … where do they come from?
Rules for tiny infants … no solid foods, DO NO SHAKE!!, no too-mushy mattresses … safety issues.
Toddlers … stay out of the road! … a safety issue. Share your toys … why? That’s a part of loving others! So is saying thank you, praying, trusting parents, and respect for others.
We put filters on what they see and hear, where they go, and what they say … to shape their characters and teach them to be Godly … we want them to live with God.
Proverbs 22:6 … we all have seen and heard this one … and it is mostly true, but see Mosiah 11:105-109.
2 Nephi 3:6-16 … Lehi blessing the children of Laman and Lemuel, declaring that God would answer any curse on those descendents on the heads of the parents who taught them wrong.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 … if we love God, what will we do? Keep His commandments … such as this one, to TEACH OUR CHILDREN DILIGENTLY.
1 Nephi 1:1 … i Nephi, having been born of goodly parents ….
3 Nephi 8:52 … Pray in your families … some parents send their kids to Sunday School. This is better than nothing, but what does it tell the kids? What do they do later?
Colossians 3:12-17 … Everything we do, everywhere we are, should be the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Why meet together often? …teaching and admonishing (and building each other up, Eph. 4:12, 29 msl) The previous verses told us what to “put off”; here we are told what to put on. We teach our children to forgive and to say “i’m sorry”. We also admonish and strengthen one another thru our testimonies. We are to do ALL in the Name of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4 … parent/child relationships in Christ.
2 Timothy 3:14-16 … The Scriptures don’t save us, but show the way. Knowing is half the battle, the other half is DOING.
2 Timothy 4:2 … be instant in season, out of season. The seasons of a kid’s life …
Age 10 … I love you Mom!
Age 14 … My Mom is so annoying.
Age 18 … I wanna leave this house.
Age 25 … Mom, you were right.
Age 30 … Mom, forgive me?
Age 50 … I don’t wanna lose my Mom!
Age 70 … Mom, I love you so much….
Dennis showed a couple of pictures showing the kind of attitude our teenagers can have.
What new things do we teach our young adults? The things from the earlier years still apply. And why do we correct them? They have to be accountable in this life … they will be accountable to God! We teach them to not text and drive; be careful who your friends are; be safe on the internet, avoiding predators and bad sites. The schools teach them atheism and evolution….
We teach them the GOSPEL. We can still make them go to Church; they are still under our authority.
Hebrews 12:5-6 It’s not because He enjoys chastening us that He does it, it’s because He LOVES US so much. Godly love disciplines and corrects children.
1 Corinthians 5:9-11 … not to company with with anyone who is called a brother. We can’t help being among the ungodly outside of the church and our homes, but we can help companying with one who is called a brother but is in sin. (an old illustration is that we don’t put on our best white gloves and play in the mud, expecting the mud to get “glovey” … the gloves get muddy, but there is no such thing as “glovey” mud msl) When we do these things, we lose our testimony.
Moroni 8:11 … This thing shall ye teach…. We can’t be good enough to be saved; it is by GRACE. The best way to teach, is by example.
Jacob 2:46 … their bad example before their wives and children; 2:62-63 … you may bring your children to destruction, and their sins will be heaped on your head.
2 Corinthians 7:10 … godly sorrow works repentance to salvation (in contrast to Mormon 1:37, the sorrow of the damned)
Mosiah 1:119 … the natural man is an enemy to God … becoming a Godly person is a molding process, a marathon (Matthew 13, the 4 different groups)
Endurance –
1 Corinthians 3:2 … they could not handle the deep intellectual things of the Gospel – Paul compared them to babes who need milk instead of solid food. When we first come into the Church we are not developed; growing in Christ is a process. We are expected to grow.
1 Peter 2:2 … grow on the milk! … if you don’t grow, you shrink.
Isaiah 28:9-10 … who will understand doctrine? Those that are weaned from milk (ready for solid food).
Isaiah 60:16 … the milk of the Gentiles – at the end, Israel would be fed the milk of the Gospel by the Gentiles.
2 Nephi 11:93-101 … v. 99, He (God) saith to us, Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1)
Alma 16:164-173 … It’s a process! We have to stay in the Word and nurture the tree.
Which rules for our children do not apply to us? They ALL apply.
Dennis ended the message with a video of a very cute little girl singing that old Sunday School favorite “Oh be careful” … great words for us adults to ponder.
Happy Fathers’ Day!!
Rules, rules, rules! … why all the rules? Safety laws, moral laws … where do they come from?
Rules for tiny infants … no solid foods, DO NO SHAKE!!, no too-mushy mattresses … safety issues.
Toddlers … stay out of the road! … a safety issue. Share your toys … why? That’s a part of loving others! So is saying thank you, praying, trusting parents, and respect for others.
We put filters on what they see and hear, where they go, and what they say … to shape their characters and teach them to be Godly … we want them to live with God.
Proverbs 22:6 … we all have seen and heard this one … and it is mostly true, but see Mosiah 11:105-109.
2 Nephi 3:6-16 … Lehi blessing the children of Laman and Lemuel, declaring that God would answer any curse on those descendents on the heads of the parents who taught them wrong.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 … if we love God, what will we do? Keep His commandments … such as this one, to TEACH OUR CHILDREN DILIGENTLY.
1 Nephi 1:1 … i Nephi, having been born of goodly parents ….
3 Nephi 8:52 … Pray in your families … some parents send their kids to Sunday School. This is better than nothing, but what does it tell the kids? What do they do later?
Colossians 3:12-17 … Everything we do, everywhere we are, should be the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Why meet together often? …teaching and admonishing (and building each other up, Eph. 4:12, 29 msl) The previous verses told us what to “put off”; here we are told what to put on. We teach our children to forgive and to say “i’m sorry”. We also admonish and strengthen one another thru our testimonies. We are to do ALL in the Name of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4 … parent/child relationships in Christ.
2 Timothy 3:14-16 … The Scriptures don’t save us, but show the way. Knowing is half the battle, the other half is DOING.
2 Timothy 4:2 … be instant in season, out of season. The seasons of a kid’s life …
Age 10 … I love you Mom!
Age 14 … My Mom is so annoying.
Age 18 … I wanna leave this house.
Age 25 … Mom, you were right.
Age 30 … Mom, forgive me?
Age 50 … I don’t wanna lose my Mom!
Age 70 … Mom, I love you so much….
Dennis showed a couple of pictures showing the kind of attitude our teenagers can have.
What new things do we teach our young adults? The things from the earlier years still apply. And why do we correct them? They have to be accountable in this life … they will be accountable to God! We teach them to not text and drive; be careful who your friends are; be safe on the internet, avoiding predators and bad sites. The schools teach them atheism and evolution….
We teach them the GOSPEL. We can still make them go to Church; they are still under our authority.
Hebrews 12:5-6 It’s not because He enjoys chastening us that He does it, it’s because He LOVES US so much. Godly love disciplines and corrects children.
1 Corinthians 5:9-11 … not to company with with anyone who is called a brother. We can’t help being among the ungodly outside of the church and our homes, but we can help companying with one who is called a brother but is in sin. (an old illustration is that we don’t put on our best white gloves and play in the mud, expecting the mud to get “glovey” … the gloves get muddy, but there is no such thing as “glovey” mud msl) When we do these things, we lose our testimony.
Moroni 8:11 … This thing shall ye teach…. We can’t be good enough to be saved; it is by GRACE. The best way to teach, is by example.
Jacob 2:46 … their bad example before their wives and children; 2:62-63 … you may bring your children to destruction, and their sins will be heaped on your head.
2 Corinthians 7:10 … godly sorrow works repentance to salvation (in contrast to Mormon 1:37, the sorrow of the damned)
Mosiah 1:119 … the natural man is an enemy to God … becoming a Godly person is a molding process, a marathon (Matthew 13, the 4 different groups)
Endurance –
1 Corinthians 3:2 … they could not handle the deep intellectual things of the Gospel – Paul compared them to babes who need milk instead of solid food. When we first come into the Church we are not developed; growing in Christ is a process. We are expected to grow.
1 Peter 2:2 … grow on the milk! … if you don’t grow, you shrink.
Isaiah 28:9-10 … who will understand doctrine? Those that are weaned from milk (ready for solid food).
Isaiah 60:16 … the milk of the Gentiles – at the end, Israel would be fed the milk of the Gospel by the Gentiles.
2 Nephi 11:93-101 … v. 99, He (God) saith to us, Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1)
Alma 16:164-173 … It’s a process! We have to stay in the Word and nurture the tree.
Which rules for our children do not apply to us? They ALL apply.
Dennis ended the message with a video of a very cute little girl singing that old Sunday School favorite “Oh be careful” … great words for us adults to ponder.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Goals – how do we attain them?
Sermon Topic 6/9/13 3pm Priest Martin Addie
We were BLESSED this morning to witness a young man accept his calling and be ordained.
Martin touched briefly on his life … that he had sinned … and so have we all.
1 Nephi 3 … Laman and Lemuel seemed to be worthless sons; they did not want to listen to anything right, especially from their younger brother. They eventually tried to kill him. Let us think a little differently….
Goals – how do we attain them? In order to attain, we have to know that they exist … having an imaginary goal is useless.
Consider target shooting
1 Nephi 3:37-69 … Nephi asked the Spirit to see the vision that his father Lehi had seen. The Spirit asked him “believest thou that thy father saw….?” And Nephi’s prompt response was an emphatic yes.
Do we believe ALL the Words of our Father? Our calling, to ministry and all brothers and sisters in the Church, is to TESTIFY of Jesus Christ.
If you point your gun somewhere else besides the target, you will not hit the target!
What’s on the other side of what we’re shooting at? Is it safe to shoot?
Our aim must be precise … we must hold steady and know that the target is right.
When you fire, the bullet will go wherever the barrel points when fired.
The Holy Spirit may be trying to guide us … we must be listening. Song #137 in our hymnals is titled “Speak My Lord”. In the chorus we sing “Speak, and i’ll be quick to answer Thee”. We must listen or we won’t hear.
If we miss the goal – where does the fault lie? With God? NOOOOO …it’s on us. My salvation is dependent on me … it’s my responsibility. The path has not changed nor wavered.
1 Nephi 3:70-87 … several times, the angel’s command to Nephi is “LOOK!” ….He was lifted up and slain for the sins of the world. Who are those sinners? Each one of us has sinned.
vv. 124-125 … the fountain of filthy waters … If our eyes are blinded, we will lose sight of the target. Is there a way to re-aim? Yes … the path of repentance.
210-216 … Thou hast beheld that if the Gentiles repent, it shall be well with them; and if not … then comes destruction, by way of “the devil of which i have spoken”.
1 Nephi 4:1-4 … Nephi’s brothers were disputing over what their father had told them … those things were hard to understand, unless we inquire of the Lord; and because their hearts were hard, they had not inquired. (their comment “we have not [inquired], FOR the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us” is telling msl) Laman and Lemuel did not inquire … they did not follow the path. Later in verse 34, after Nephi’s exhortation and explanation, they did humble themselves and ask the meaning of the rest of the vision.
Sometimes the things the Lord asks us to do aren’t comfortable.
v. 43 … the enemy is the king of distraction. He tempts us, makes it easy for us to leave the path.
v. 46 … it represents also the gulf of separation between the righteous and the wicked.
Right now, we are in those days of probation. When we put our trash out, we expect the trash haulers to pick it up and put it in a place of filth and bury it … there is a place prepared for the filthy.
5:1-5 … the brothers complained that Nephi had spoken “hard things” to them. Nephi explained to them that those things wouldn’t be hard, if they were righteous. The brothers again humbled themselves before God.
vv. 10-12 … the ball (director) given to Lehi and his party.
v. 20 … they followed the directions given by the ball. It’s a good thing to follow directions when traveling … we don’t want to wander without water and food.
v. 25 … Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael began to murmur … and even Lehi murmured.
v. 33 … all of them trembled when they read the writing on the ball. Wonder what He wrote on that ball … “quit whining”?
vv.37-38 Nephi followed the directions on the ball, and found food.
vv. 46-48 … murmuring AGAIN, to the extent of plotting to kill both Nephi and their father Lehi … this time the voice of the Lord spoke to them, and they again humbled themselves. The cycle is repeated at Bountiful, over the building of the ship, and on the sea, and in the new land; until soon after the death of Lehi, Nephi and those who would go with him were forced to flee.
I used to think they were worthless characters … but what about us? The difference between us and Laman and Lemuel, is if we repent and come back. We have the same things happening in our families … some have departed … it’s their choice. What about our lives? Do we look at what effect we have on the lives of others?
J. O. Dutton converted my paternal grandfather, leading to 3 generations of ministry. My Dad was called in 1979.
I’ve thought, “what if?” If i had decided or acted differently, what would have happened? but thinking about “what if” isn’t helpful … we can’t know, and we can’t go back.
We like to whine about our troubles and trials, but do we ever thank the Lord for them?
If it weren’t for our own trials, would we have compassion for others in theirs? Would we be fit for ministry in the Church?
Sometimes we find blessings in things that don’t seem like a blessing at the time (like car trouble keeping me off the road when i would have been involved in a serious pile-up).
Do we enable our children? Our Father enables us to do His will; satan tried to distract us.
Matthew 13:10-23 … the parable of the sower. V. 10 … the disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables. His reason is, to separate those who want to understand from those who don’t.
Where do we fit in this parable and interpretation? Are we stony ground? Thorny? Hard roadside? Or are we good ground, staying on target, bearing fruit; staying on the path.
That path has not and will not change … He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The Scriptures are our guidance – the Rod of Iron.
READY! … prepare.
AIM! … focus on the goal.
FIRE! … send the bullet off … fire toward your target!
We were BLESSED this morning to witness a young man accept his calling and be ordained.
Martin touched briefly on his life … that he had sinned … and so have we all.
1 Nephi 3 … Laman and Lemuel seemed to be worthless sons; they did not want to listen to anything right, especially from their younger brother. They eventually tried to kill him. Let us think a little differently….
Goals – how do we attain them? In order to attain, we have to know that they exist … having an imaginary goal is useless.
Consider target shooting
1 Nephi 3:37-69 … Nephi asked the Spirit to see the vision that his father Lehi had seen. The Spirit asked him “believest thou that thy father saw….?” And Nephi’s prompt response was an emphatic yes.
Do we believe ALL the Words of our Father? Our calling, to ministry and all brothers and sisters in the Church, is to TESTIFY of Jesus Christ.
If you point your gun somewhere else besides the target, you will not hit the target!
What’s on the other side of what we’re shooting at? Is it safe to shoot?
Our aim must be precise … we must hold steady and know that the target is right.
When you fire, the bullet will go wherever the barrel points when fired.
The Holy Spirit may be trying to guide us … we must be listening. Song #137 in our hymnals is titled “Speak My Lord”. In the chorus we sing “Speak, and i’ll be quick to answer Thee”. We must listen or we won’t hear.
If we miss the goal – where does the fault lie? With God? NOOOOO …it’s on us. My salvation is dependent on me … it’s my responsibility. The path has not changed nor wavered.
1 Nephi 3:70-87 … several times, the angel’s command to Nephi is “LOOK!” ….He was lifted up and slain for the sins of the world. Who are those sinners? Each one of us has sinned.
vv. 124-125 … the fountain of filthy waters … If our eyes are blinded, we will lose sight of the target. Is there a way to re-aim? Yes … the path of repentance.
210-216 … Thou hast beheld that if the Gentiles repent, it shall be well with them; and if not … then comes destruction, by way of “the devil of which i have spoken”.
1 Nephi 4:1-4 … Nephi’s brothers were disputing over what their father had told them … those things were hard to understand, unless we inquire of the Lord; and because their hearts were hard, they had not inquired. (their comment “we have not [inquired], FOR the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us” is telling msl) Laman and Lemuel did not inquire … they did not follow the path. Later in verse 34, after Nephi’s exhortation and explanation, they did humble themselves and ask the meaning of the rest of the vision.
Sometimes the things the Lord asks us to do aren’t comfortable.
v. 43 … the enemy is the king of distraction. He tempts us, makes it easy for us to leave the path.
v. 46 … it represents also the gulf of separation between the righteous and the wicked.
Right now, we are in those days of probation. When we put our trash out, we expect the trash haulers to pick it up and put it in a place of filth and bury it … there is a place prepared for the filthy.
5:1-5 … the brothers complained that Nephi had spoken “hard things” to them. Nephi explained to them that those things wouldn’t be hard, if they were righteous. The brothers again humbled themselves before God.
vv. 10-12 … the ball (director) given to Lehi and his party.
v. 20 … they followed the directions given by the ball. It’s a good thing to follow directions when traveling … we don’t want to wander without water and food.
v. 25 … Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael began to murmur … and even Lehi murmured.
v. 33 … all of them trembled when they read the writing on the ball. Wonder what He wrote on that ball … “quit whining”?
vv.37-38 Nephi followed the directions on the ball, and found food.
vv. 46-48 … murmuring AGAIN, to the extent of plotting to kill both Nephi and their father Lehi … this time the voice of the Lord spoke to them, and they again humbled themselves. The cycle is repeated at Bountiful, over the building of the ship, and on the sea, and in the new land; until soon after the death of Lehi, Nephi and those who would go with him were forced to flee.
I used to think they were worthless characters … but what about us? The difference between us and Laman and Lemuel, is if we repent and come back. We have the same things happening in our families … some have departed … it’s their choice. What about our lives? Do we look at what effect we have on the lives of others?
J. O. Dutton converted my paternal grandfather, leading to 3 generations of ministry. My Dad was called in 1979.
I’ve thought, “what if?” If i had decided or acted differently, what would have happened? but thinking about “what if” isn’t helpful … we can’t know, and we can’t go back.
We like to whine about our troubles and trials, but do we ever thank the Lord for them?
If it weren’t for our own trials, would we have compassion for others in theirs? Would we be fit for ministry in the Church?
Sometimes we find blessings in things that don’t seem like a blessing at the time (like car trouble keeping me off the road when i would have been involved in a serious pile-up).
Do we enable our children? Our Father enables us to do His will; satan tried to distract us.
Matthew 13:10-23 … the parable of the sower. V. 10 … the disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables. His reason is, to separate those who want to understand from those who don’t.
Where do we fit in this parable and interpretation? Are we stony ground? Thorny? Hard roadside? Or are we good ground, staying on target, bearing fruit; staying on the path.
That path has not and will not change … He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The Scriptures are our guidance – the Rod of Iron.
READY! … prepare.
AIM! … focus on the goal.
FIRE! … send the bullet off … fire toward your target!
The Living Water
Sermon Topic Sunday 6/9/13 9am Apostle Joel Yates
The service began with with a word from our brother Chris Moran, followed by his ordination as an Elder in the Church of Christ.
Romans 5:6-11 … when we were yet without strength; when we were yet sinners … by the fall we were separated from God; we are reconciled to God and saved from wrath thru the blood of Jesus … we now have access to the Throne of God (Hebrews 4:16 msl).
John 4 … Jesus left Judea for Samaria. When traveling thru the desert, we look carefully on our map for the location of the SPRINGS.
Jesus told the woman at the well that He would give her something that would satisfy her … everything satan offers us tastes/feels good for a moment, but does not but does not satisfy. The Living Water He offered her is Christ’s Spirit, the Comforter, who will teach us all things (John 16:7-11).
1 Timothy 4:12, 14 Let no man despise your youth; neglect not the gift that is in thee.
Satan offers us wells too … they can look very attractive, but they are DRY. There is pleasure in sin for a season (Hebrews 11:25 and Mormon 1:37); but then come the consequences.
We thirst and thirst … but in HIM ALONE are we truly satisfied. People with money are not satisfied, there is always more to get.
As we consider this precious gift of the Holy Spirit, we remember the Son and His promise (Moroni 4 and 5) to always be with us. We don’t need to make a new covenant with Him, but to renew our desire. There are days when we feel close to Him, days when we don’t … that well is always available to us to draw from. The last thing the Lord wants is to be separate from us.
The Spirit is still active in the lives of those who have not yet come to baptism. Prior to baptism, He is there … He calls and draws us … but after He is with us.
It’s God who helps us do His will.
Moroni 4 and 5, the blessings on the bread and wine … by shedding His blood, He brought us back into remembrance. If we don’t remember and participate, and dip and drink often, we have no life in us. We have a great opportunity to REMEMBER.
The service began with with a word from our brother Chris Moran, followed by his ordination as an Elder in the Church of Christ.
Romans 5:6-11 … when we were yet without strength; when we were yet sinners … by the fall we were separated from God; we are reconciled to God and saved from wrath thru the blood of Jesus … we now have access to the Throne of God (Hebrews 4:16 msl).
John 4 … Jesus left Judea for Samaria. When traveling thru the desert, we look carefully on our map for the location of the SPRINGS.
Jesus told the woman at the well that He would give her something that would satisfy her … everything satan offers us tastes/feels good for a moment, but does not but does not satisfy. The Living Water He offered her is Christ’s Spirit, the Comforter, who will teach us all things (John 16:7-11).
1 Timothy 4:12, 14 Let no man despise your youth; neglect not the gift that is in thee.
Satan offers us wells too … they can look very attractive, but they are DRY. There is pleasure in sin for a season (Hebrews 11:25 and Mormon 1:37); but then come the consequences.
We thirst and thirst … but in HIM ALONE are we truly satisfied. People with money are not satisfied, there is always more to get.
As we consider this precious gift of the Holy Spirit, we remember the Son and His promise (Moroni 4 and 5) to always be with us. We don’t need to make a new covenant with Him, but to renew our desire. There are days when we feel close to Him, days when we don’t … that well is always available to us to draw from. The last thing the Lord wants is to be separate from us.
The Spirit is still active in the lives of those who have not yet come to baptism. Prior to baptism, He is there … He calls and draws us … but after He is with us.
It’s God who helps us do His will.
Moroni 4 and 5, the blessings on the bread and wine … by shedding His blood, He brought us back into remembrance. If we don’t remember and participate, and dip and drink often, we have no life in us. We have a great opportunity to REMEMBER.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Does God bless us when we are sinning?
Sermon Topics Saturday 6/8/13 pm
2 pm Service opened by Elder Adam Porter, message by Apostle Joel Yates
I was here at the Bradley Local 23 years ago. We all look different now, and so does the building … and we are all very thankful to be here today.
It is a very difficult world we live in spiritually, but we have a MIGHTY GOD. Dad told me to pray about everything, and i have. God guides us in our lives (Isaiah 9:6, Wonderful Counselor msl). He has protected me from two building collapses. Does God bless us because we’re His? Or while we are sinners? Even in our sinful fallen state He still reaches out to bless us.
When it came time to take exams for promotion, the Lord reassured me “I’ve got you … you’re in My hands.” He leads us and reassures us.
Romas 1:16-20 … The more He shows you, the more you understand … the more accountable you are.
We live in a world of idolatry … things that have been made more important than the blessings God would provide.
Salvation = deliverance! from death, hell, satan … the things that have had power over us … Jesus delivers us. Is the Gospel changing your life?
The Lord is not blessing me because i’m perfect.
Are you ready to hear a word that makes you think, “i need to rethink”? or do you hear and go home and go on as before?
So many go to church and feel righteous … and then live in ways that grieve God. You may be getting blessings,but maybe not to the degree God would like.
Matthew 1:19 Joseph was a man of good character ... he did not want Mary publicly condemned and stoned, so he figured to put her away quietly and privately.
1 John 3:1-7 … what manner of LOVE the Father has shown us. It’s easy to say we’re not perfect and we never will be … but when Jesus comes, we will be like Him.
We repent and humble ourselves before Him … repent means to turn around and change course. We were intended to overcome (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21 msl). He has called us to be victors and not victims.
I treated a 19-year-old young man for chest pain … drugs, etc. … he looked like a hopeless case, looking at him through man’s righteousness. He asked me “have you ever felt that you had no hope?” I told him that there is a place where he can find a family and hope, and he is attending the Phoenix Local.
What is the power of the Gospel in your life? Are you being strengthened and growing in your life?
Matthew 5:20 … righteousness … the Scribes and Pharisees kept the Law of Moses, and wrote their OWN book on how to keep the Law (tradition of the elders, Matthew 15:2 msl); God’s righteousness vs. man’s righteousness.
Matthew 6:25-33 God provides! We have appetite, we’re not content with what we have, we want more. TAKE NO THOUGHT for these things, but SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of Heaven.
We get our own ideas of what is righteous, but that’s not what makes us better. God’s righteousness is not about us.
The Pharisees displayed themselves. In contrast, Jesus told us that when we do these things – prayer, alms, fasting – we are to do them privately. Not that we cannot do them in public, but NEVER to be seen of other people.
We have an imbalance between justice and mercy … God does not.
Romans 5:7-8 … while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Some in the Church have come from horrible backgrounds … their lives have been CHANGED. We are all ungodly and unworthy … God loves us anyway. He changed my brother’s life before calling him home.
We get zealous and forget that we have to live in HIS righteousness, not our own.
Acts 7:60 … the stoning of Stephen … on our own we say about someone else, “serves you right”. Stephen’s response was to call on God to “lay not this sin to their charge”.
God’s righteousness is different from ours. He doesn’t give us what we deserve – let us be the same way.
Hebrews 10:16 … quoted from Jeremiah 31:33-4 … the New Covenant, written on our hearts. You are always empowered to do the right thing … but His law must be written in our hearts. The things we do must be with real intent.
Moroni 7:8 … it’s not about that you prayed, but about HOW you prayed. It doesn’t count if you didn’t do it with REAL INTENT.
He’s keeping track … whatever we say, think, do … and we will give account. It can all get to where we say and do by rote without thinking … it needs to be with real intent. It’s not what we do, it’s why we do it; it’s what is in our hearts. We need to pray sincerely, and live sacrificially. What God does with our lives is His call.
In ministering to Chris Wallace (age 15), every member in the Local had a part in that young man’s life, in preparing him to meet the Lord (age 16). We ARE our brother’s keeper.
James 3:17 … be easy to be intreated (God’s righteousness) … you cannot live to yourself and be righteous. When required, be willing to give more, to help heal and restore another.
There are times when we feel we have to be offended – but do we? The Lord took our unrighteousness and doesn’t hold us accountable … He forgives and doesn’t bring it up again.
He’s with us in our trials and afflictions … we should not complain “why are You doing this to me?” It’s our nature to complain … we must be willing to allow God to work in us. Be willing to suffer shame, and bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23 msl). What needs to be done is not all someone else’s problem, we each have a job to do – taking our place as part of the body.
Ask the Lord, “help me, give me words to say”. My hope is that we’ll be found not in OUR righteousness, but in HIS … if not, He’s not going to know who we are.
The service was closed by Adam with a reminder: Who is our neighbor? What is our witness? We are challenged to examine our lives.
2 pm Service opened by Elder Adam Porter, message by Apostle Joel Yates
I was here at the Bradley Local 23 years ago. We all look different now, and so does the building … and we are all very thankful to be here today.
It is a very difficult world we live in spiritually, but we have a MIGHTY GOD. Dad told me to pray about everything, and i have. God guides us in our lives (Isaiah 9:6, Wonderful Counselor msl). He has protected me from two building collapses. Does God bless us because we’re His? Or while we are sinners? Even in our sinful fallen state He still reaches out to bless us.
When it came time to take exams for promotion, the Lord reassured me “I’ve got you … you’re in My hands.” He leads us and reassures us.
Romas 1:16-20 … The more He shows you, the more you understand … the more accountable you are.
We live in a world of idolatry … things that have been made more important than the blessings God would provide.
Salvation = deliverance! from death, hell, satan … the things that have had power over us … Jesus delivers us. Is the Gospel changing your life?
The Lord is not blessing me because i’m perfect.
Are you ready to hear a word that makes you think, “i need to rethink”? or do you hear and go home and go on as before?
So many go to church and feel righteous … and then live in ways that grieve God. You may be getting blessings,but maybe not to the degree God would like.
Matthew 1:19 Joseph was a man of good character ... he did not want Mary publicly condemned and stoned, so he figured to put her away quietly and privately.
1 John 3:1-7 … what manner of LOVE the Father has shown us. It’s easy to say we’re not perfect and we never will be … but when Jesus comes, we will be like Him.
We repent and humble ourselves before Him … repent means to turn around and change course. We were intended to overcome (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21 msl). He has called us to be victors and not victims.
I treated a 19-year-old young man for chest pain … drugs, etc. … he looked like a hopeless case, looking at him through man’s righteousness. He asked me “have you ever felt that you had no hope?” I told him that there is a place where he can find a family and hope, and he is attending the Phoenix Local.
What is the power of the Gospel in your life? Are you being strengthened and growing in your life?
Matthew 5:20 … righteousness … the Scribes and Pharisees kept the Law of Moses, and wrote their OWN book on how to keep the Law (tradition of the elders, Matthew 15:2 msl); God’s righteousness vs. man’s righteousness.
Matthew 6:25-33 God provides! We have appetite, we’re not content with what we have, we want more. TAKE NO THOUGHT for these things, but SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of Heaven.
We get our own ideas of what is righteous, but that’s not what makes us better. God’s righteousness is not about us.
The Pharisees displayed themselves. In contrast, Jesus told us that when we do these things – prayer, alms, fasting – we are to do them privately. Not that we cannot do them in public, but NEVER to be seen of other people.
We have an imbalance between justice and mercy … God does not.
Romans 5:7-8 … while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Some in the Church have come from horrible backgrounds … their lives have been CHANGED. We are all ungodly and unworthy … God loves us anyway. He changed my brother’s life before calling him home.
We get zealous and forget that we have to live in HIS righteousness, not our own.
Acts 7:60 … the stoning of Stephen … on our own we say about someone else, “serves you right”. Stephen’s response was to call on God to “lay not this sin to their charge”.
God’s righteousness is different from ours. He doesn’t give us what we deserve – let us be the same way.
Hebrews 10:16 … quoted from Jeremiah 31:33-4 … the New Covenant, written on our hearts. You are always empowered to do the right thing … but His law must be written in our hearts. The things we do must be with real intent.
Moroni 7:8 … it’s not about that you prayed, but about HOW you prayed. It doesn’t count if you didn’t do it with REAL INTENT.
He’s keeping track … whatever we say, think, do … and we will give account. It can all get to where we say and do by rote without thinking … it needs to be with real intent. It’s not what we do, it’s why we do it; it’s what is in our hearts. We need to pray sincerely, and live sacrificially. What God does with our lives is His call.
In ministering to Chris Wallace (age 15), every member in the Local had a part in that young man’s life, in preparing him to meet the Lord (age 16). We ARE our brother’s keeper.
James 3:17 … be easy to be intreated (God’s righteousness) … you cannot live to yourself and be righteous. When required, be willing to give more, to help heal and restore another.
There are times when we feel we have to be offended – but do we? The Lord took our unrighteousness and doesn’t hold us accountable … He forgives and doesn’t bring it up again.
He’s with us in our trials and afflictions … we should not complain “why are You doing this to me?” It’s our nature to complain … we must be willing to allow God to work in us. Be willing to suffer shame, and bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23 msl). What needs to be done is not all someone else’s problem, we each have a job to do – taking our place as part of the body.
Ask the Lord, “help me, give me words to say”. My hope is that we’ll be found not in OUR righteousness, but in HIS … if not, He’s not going to know who we are.
The service was closed by Adam with a reminder: Who is our neighbor? What is our witness? We are challenged to examine our lives.
Enduring
Sermon Topic Saturday 6/8/13, am
10 am service opened by Priest Bruce Haines, introductory remarks by Elder Aaron Heath
Mark 9:14-29 … Jesus returns from the Transfiguration experience … this kind of spirit only comes out by much prayer and fasting
John 4:24 God is Spirit, they who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.
The service went into a season of prayer, followed by administrations.
Closed by Bruce with #344 and prayer.
11 am service opened by Elder Dennis Trudgen, message by Bishop Brandon Tarbell
Brandon recounted an experience he had had, of taking a cruise with his wife and meeting the oldest man in North America to have climbed the highest mountains on each of the world’s continents. He showed pictures of Mount Everest, which is the highest mountain on Earth at 29,029 feet; and a graph of the ~200 people who had died trying to summit Everest, and how they perished. When asked how he had accomplished the goal of summiting Everest, his reply was that “it’s easy … once the airline tickets are bought, and the enormous fee for entering the National Park is paid and the expedition booked, there is no turning back … the consequences are too great to turn back.”
Everyone … all of us … has our Everest to climb; our challenge of spiritually enduring to the end.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (also Moroni 8:3 msl)
Even those with physical handicaps have climbed and summited Everest.
3 Nephi 7:10-11 and 1 Nephi 7:69 … Enduring in obedience to His commandments. The commandments are our guide to success … if we don’t prepare ourselves for life’s struggles, we won’t endure. We must read the Scriptures, pray, and keep our tongues in check.
3 Nephi 11:11-13 … quoting Malachi chapter 3. Don’t rob God, give Him what is due Him. (also, 2 Corinthians 9:7, with a cheerful attitude msl)
Alma 5:36 … Enduring in resistance to temptation to sin. The enemy is a “one-hit wonder” … he knows what works on each one of us.
1 John 1:8-9 We all have sinned … it’s a constant battle til the day we die.
Ezekiel 7:19 … lay your treasures up in Heaven, not on Earth; none of us can take it with us. We fall into the same trap as others – gain gain gain
Mosiah 11:23-24; Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:6-11 … the chastening of each of us by the Lord. Do not despise His chastening; it makes us stronger, more resilient, and ready for the future.
Alma 17:3 … those who trust in God shall be supported thru trials.
When we exercise for weight loss, our muscles are torn down … and then built back up.
Hebrews 12:2 … He ENDURED. He could have called legions of angels to fight for Him, but how would Scripture be fulfilled? And look what He endured, for us.
2 Nephi 13:19-30 … there is no guessing needed, on how to endure.
Alma 16:228-231 … we endure by improving. Football players have to maneuver sideways sometimes in order to go forward. If you are associated with wrongdoers – sidestep them to move forward.
Alma 9:41 … this life is the time to prepare. Don’t be stagnant. Take one step at a time, with eye on the goal. Our mountain climber learned to endure the unexpected, and go one step at a time.
Psalm 31 … TRUST IN GOD. Our prayer is that we all summit our Everest.
10 am service opened by Priest Bruce Haines, introductory remarks by Elder Aaron Heath
Mark 9:14-29 … Jesus returns from the Transfiguration experience … this kind of spirit only comes out by much prayer and fasting
John 4:24 God is Spirit, they who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.
The service went into a season of prayer, followed by administrations.
Closed by Bruce with #344 and prayer.
11 am service opened by Elder Dennis Trudgen, message by Bishop Brandon Tarbell
Brandon recounted an experience he had had, of taking a cruise with his wife and meeting the oldest man in North America to have climbed the highest mountains on each of the world’s continents. He showed pictures of Mount Everest, which is the highest mountain on Earth at 29,029 feet; and a graph of the ~200 people who had died trying to summit Everest, and how they perished. When asked how he had accomplished the goal of summiting Everest, his reply was that “it’s easy … once the airline tickets are bought, and the enormous fee for entering the National Park is paid and the expedition booked, there is no turning back … the consequences are too great to turn back.”
Everyone … all of us … has our Everest to climb; our challenge of spiritually enduring to the end.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (also Moroni 8:3 msl)
Even those with physical handicaps have climbed and summited Everest.
3 Nephi 7:10-11 and 1 Nephi 7:69 … Enduring in obedience to His commandments. The commandments are our guide to success … if we don’t prepare ourselves for life’s struggles, we won’t endure. We must read the Scriptures, pray, and keep our tongues in check.
3 Nephi 11:11-13 … quoting Malachi chapter 3. Don’t rob God, give Him what is due Him. (also, 2 Corinthians 9:7, with a cheerful attitude msl)
Alma 5:36 … Enduring in resistance to temptation to sin. The enemy is a “one-hit wonder” … he knows what works on each one of us.
1 John 1:8-9 We all have sinned … it’s a constant battle til the day we die.
Ezekiel 7:19 … lay your treasures up in Heaven, not on Earth; none of us can take it with us. We fall into the same trap as others – gain gain gain
Mosiah 11:23-24; Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:6-11 … the chastening of each of us by the Lord. Do not despise His chastening; it makes us stronger, more resilient, and ready for the future.
Alma 17:3 … those who trust in God shall be supported thru trials.
When we exercise for weight loss, our muscles are torn down … and then built back up.
Hebrews 12:2 … He ENDURED. He could have called legions of angels to fight for Him, but how would Scripture be fulfilled? And look what He endured, for us.
2 Nephi 13:19-30 … there is no guessing needed, on how to endure.
Alma 16:228-231 … we endure by improving. Football players have to maneuver sideways sometimes in order to go forward. If you are associated with wrongdoers – sidestep them to move forward.
Alma 9:41 … this life is the time to prepare. Don’t be stagnant. Take one step at a time, with eye on the goal. Our mountain climber learned to endure the unexpected, and go one step at a time.
Psalm 31 … TRUST IN GOD. Our prayer is that we all summit our Everest.
Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant.
Sermon Topic Saturday 6/8/13 4pm service opened by Priest Bruce Haines, message by Elder Mike Bevaart
Mike mentioned Hymn #356 in our hymnals … the second verse states, “shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant.”
Mike asked us to consider:
1. Jesus
2. Christ
3. Jesus Christ
The “Christian” world is separating Jesus from Christ. Jesus is a name … still used today among Spanish speakers (and in English as “Joshua”, from the Hebrew “Yeshua” msl)
Christ is not a name. (Strong’s G5547, “christos”, anointed; from 5548 “chrio”, to anoint or consecrate (the Greek translation of Strong’s H4899, “mashiyach”, anointed or consecrated [Messiah] msl)
3 Nephi 5:11 … His appearing to His people on this continent … He used both together. My burden today is for those Christians who gravitate toward Jesus and away from Christ.
Hebrews 10:1-4 … The Old Testament Law, of sacrificing animals. Have you considered the number of animals sacrificed JUST FOR SINS? The tasks of the priests and Levites? They probably looked pretty good at the beginning of the day, but what about at the end? The animals didn’t go willingly, they would have fought … how would any of us like to have to slit the throats of the animals? (Hogs, when rounded up to go to the slaughterhouse, would scream) Why the endless torment of animals, when, in verse 4 and verse 11, Scripture states that the blood of animals DOES NOT take away sins.
So what was the purpose? … to teach Israel three things:
Sin is costly – there is a price to be paid.
The punishment for sin is death.
There will be no remission of sin without the shedding of blood.
The purpose was to focus them on Christ, Messiah, to come. They KNEW He was coming … they were excitedly anticipating … then He came!
Luke 1:30-31 … Yeshua was a popular name for boys at that time … it means “Yahweh is salvation”. He came as a JEW.
Christos … Mashiyach, anointed … nobody else bore that title, it came from the Father.
He had, and we have, a responsibility to fulfill the commandments of the Father.
The Christian world accepts Jesus, then stops short. We come together to celebrate Jesus Christ – to acknowledge our nothingness and His mightiness. It is easy to acknowledge the Jesus of the Gospels – the healing of the sick, feeding of so many, the raising of the dead … but the Christ – executing the commandments of God?
Mike showed pictures of the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan, and asked whether these people would still be saying “sweet Jesus”? after disasters here, would we say that? Do those who merely accept Jesus know what they are saying when they shout “Come Jesus”? Do we say that in the Church of Christ? When He comes, what will happen? Are they ready for that?
When He comes, He will do everything that He is given to do. How will they feel when they understand that He is visiting the destruction He visits? Every knee shall bow … do they do that now?
Hebrews 10:26-29 … These are SERIOUS Scripture. Verse 28 … you could be punished for disobedience by DEATH, without mercy.
If someone says that a portion of His Word is unholy … where will that person go to get forgiveness? Forgiveness requires the shedding of blood … of an animal? NO … that’s useless (verses 4 and 11) of Christ? Those who deny the holiness of His Word have already trampled Him under their feet … what’s left? NOTHING. If you have put Christ under your feet, you’re out of options; there is no place else to go.
Other churches love Jesus … but do they trample Christ under their feet? Everything He stood for, which He says is holy, they say it is unholy … they accept only the warm and fuzzy.
Have we prepared ourselves? Have we accepted everything, all of it? Have we accepted Christ who will bring judgement and wrath, and call it holy? Are we keeping sin out of our lives, and humbling ourselves?
We have to take the message of Jesus Christ to those who are confused … who else will do it? … the feeding of the 5000, as well as all the rest? Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant … do we hesitate? Don’t be afraid!
3 Nephi 5:11 again … He identified Himself as JESUS CHRIST … let’s put them back together the way they belong.
Mike mentioned Hymn #356 in our hymnals … the second verse states, “shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant.”
Mike asked us to consider:
1. Jesus
2. Christ
3. Jesus Christ
The “Christian” world is separating Jesus from Christ. Jesus is a name … still used today among Spanish speakers (and in English as “Joshua”, from the Hebrew “Yeshua” msl)
Christ is not a name. (Strong’s G5547, “christos”, anointed; from 5548 “chrio”, to anoint or consecrate (the Greek translation of Strong’s H4899, “mashiyach”, anointed or consecrated [Messiah] msl)
3 Nephi 5:11 … His appearing to His people on this continent … He used both together. My burden today is for those Christians who gravitate toward Jesus and away from Christ.
Hebrews 10:1-4 … The Old Testament Law, of sacrificing animals. Have you considered the number of animals sacrificed JUST FOR SINS? The tasks of the priests and Levites? They probably looked pretty good at the beginning of the day, but what about at the end? The animals didn’t go willingly, they would have fought … how would any of us like to have to slit the throats of the animals? (Hogs, when rounded up to go to the slaughterhouse, would scream) Why the endless torment of animals, when, in verse 4 and verse 11, Scripture states that the blood of animals DOES NOT take away sins.
So what was the purpose? … to teach Israel three things:
Sin is costly – there is a price to be paid.
The punishment for sin is death.
There will be no remission of sin without the shedding of blood.
The purpose was to focus them on Christ, Messiah, to come. They KNEW He was coming … they were excitedly anticipating … then He came!
Luke 1:30-31 … Yeshua was a popular name for boys at that time … it means “Yahweh is salvation”. He came as a JEW.
Christos … Mashiyach, anointed … nobody else bore that title, it came from the Father.
He had, and we have, a responsibility to fulfill the commandments of the Father.
The Christian world accepts Jesus, then stops short. We come together to celebrate Jesus Christ – to acknowledge our nothingness and His mightiness. It is easy to acknowledge the Jesus of the Gospels – the healing of the sick, feeding of so many, the raising of the dead … but the Christ – executing the commandments of God?
Mike showed pictures of the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan, and asked whether these people would still be saying “sweet Jesus”? after disasters here, would we say that? Do those who merely accept Jesus know what they are saying when they shout “Come Jesus”? Do we say that in the Church of Christ? When He comes, what will happen? Are they ready for that?
When He comes, He will do everything that He is given to do. How will they feel when they understand that He is visiting the destruction He visits? Every knee shall bow … do they do that now?
Hebrews 10:26-29 … These are SERIOUS Scripture. Verse 28 … you could be punished for disobedience by DEATH, without mercy.
If someone says that a portion of His Word is unholy … where will that person go to get forgiveness? Forgiveness requires the shedding of blood … of an animal? NO … that’s useless (verses 4 and 11) of Christ? Those who deny the holiness of His Word have already trampled Him under their feet … what’s left? NOTHING. If you have put Christ under your feet, you’re out of options; there is no place else to go.
Other churches love Jesus … but do they trample Christ under their feet? Everything He stood for, which He says is holy, they say it is unholy … they accept only the warm and fuzzy.
Have we prepared ourselves? Have we accepted everything, all of it? Have we accepted Christ who will bring judgement and wrath, and call it holy? Are we keeping sin out of our lives, and humbling ourselves?
We have to take the message of Jesus Christ to those who are confused … who else will do it? … the feeding of the 5000, as well as all the rest? Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant … do we hesitate? Don’t be afraid!
3 Nephi 5:11 again … He identified Himself as JESUS CHRIST … let’s put them back together the way they belong.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Unity In The Body Of Christ
Sermon Topic 6/2/13 Elder Adam Porter
After the hymns, Pastor Adam pointed out that we are in choir practice here … someday we will be joining the angels in singing praises to God. And don’t worry about your voice or singing ability … it’s not the sound of the voice so much as what’s in our heart.
Unity In The Body Of Christ
We do all kinds of things to prepare for Reunion, but the important thing is that the Holy Spirit prevails.
The Body of Christ is an object of God’s design, to operate within His principles; and it is also a delicate creation in Jesus The Christ. We can’t push or orchestrate His body … it’s God’s doing.
Eph 4:11-14 … The callings and offices in the Church, and their purpose – the edifying (building up) of the saints, til we all come in the unity of the faith. Adam referenced Alma 1 which we had discussed in Sunday School, about the arrival of Nehor and his attempt to destroy the unity of the Church thru his preaching.
1 Corinthians 12:27 … We are the body of Christ, and members in particular; it is an intricate and delicate thing.
Genesis 11:1-7 … the post-flood people were unified, but their purpose was corrupt so God stopped them. Israel was also unified under God’s laws of worship, His power, direction, and community; yet when their purpose in worship became corrupted they too were scattered – first the Northern Kingdom by Assyria, then the Southern Kingdom by Babylon, then finally by the Romans in the first century, worldwide.
Isaiah 1:2-11 … My children don’t know me … in the Prophecy of Zenos, the decayed branches were cut off and cast away. The people had polluted their sacrifices and worship (verse 13, vain oblations msl) … contrast that to Paul’s admonition in Colossians 3:23 – whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ….
All that we have is God’s, not ours. Drought can occur in any area, anytime … such as a plant closing.
Lehi and his family suffered great disarray and rebellion … such as when they tied up Nephi while on the ship, and the boat was no longer on course.
Psalm 133:1 … Dwell together in unity.
Mosiah 9:54 … knit together in unity (Alma Sr.’s command). We have God’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves; how much more our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should treat our family as friends, and our friends as family.
Back to Ephesians 4:1-4 … unity of the Spirit … the body of Christ must be unified thru His Gospel, love, and peace.
1 Corinthians 14:33 … God IS NOT the author of confusion!! (guess who is … msl) … He desires simplicity (verse 40, let all things be done decently and in order).
1 Corinthians 12:24-27 God tempers the body together, that there be NO SCHISM … Strong’s G4978, schisma, division or tear; Webster’s “separation into factions, formal divisions within a Christian church,, the offense of attempting to produce a schism, a body or sect that participates in a schism. The body of Christ does not work according to worldly designs. What is important is PEOPLE. The Holy Spirit drawing us all here, is a miracle.
1 Corinthians 11:17-20 … There are divisions among you (Paul to the church in Corinth) Sacrament service is communing in the spirit and remembering His sacrifice, not party time.
4 Nephi 26-31 … the people had multiplied and spread, and were rich and prosperous, and once again there were classes and PRIDE among the people, and multiple churches; some preaching false doctrine and one actually persecuting the saints of the Lord. (see also Ephesians 4:14, led about by every wind of doctrine).
3 Nephi 12:10-14 … deal justly with one another (also Micah 6:8 msl)
4 Nephi 1-3 … the children of Christ living in unity … thru humility
The church is united under one common goal – eternal salvation through Jesus the Christ.
3 Nephi 12:20-23 … the church MUST be built upon His Gospel. We would that all in the church would jell together … yet if something that isn’t right is left untended, or just smoothed over, the body has a hard time growing.
Both men and women are guilty of gossip.
Ephesians 5:1 … be followers of God, as dear children.
Romans 12:9-10 … love without dissimulation (Strong’s G505, anupokritos; from the word for the mask worn by a theatrical performer). Cleave (stick like glue) to that which is good (His Gospel), and prefer one another in honor.
1 Peter 5:1-4 … the ministry is to feed the flock – WILLINGLY. Our goal is to perpetuate a fulness of joy thru Christ.
James 1:17 … Every good and perfect gift is from the Father. We are to be swift to hear, and slow to speak, and slow to wrath. We should be always looking for the evidences of unity in our midst. Live in humbleness, faith, joy, love, peace, and blessings.
After the hymns, Pastor Adam pointed out that we are in choir practice here … someday we will be joining the angels in singing praises to God. And don’t worry about your voice or singing ability … it’s not the sound of the voice so much as what’s in our heart.
Unity In The Body Of Christ
We do all kinds of things to prepare for Reunion, but the important thing is that the Holy Spirit prevails.
The Body of Christ is an object of God’s design, to operate within His principles; and it is also a delicate creation in Jesus The Christ. We can’t push or orchestrate His body … it’s God’s doing.
Eph 4:11-14 … The callings and offices in the Church, and their purpose – the edifying (building up) of the saints, til we all come in the unity of the faith. Adam referenced Alma 1 which we had discussed in Sunday School, about the arrival of Nehor and his attempt to destroy the unity of the Church thru his preaching.
1 Corinthians 12:27 … We are the body of Christ, and members in particular; it is an intricate and delicate thing.
Genesis 11:1-7 … the post-flood people were unified, but their purpose was corrupt so God stopped them. Israel was also unified under God’s laws of worship, His power, direction, and community; yet when their purpose in worship became corrupted they too were scattered – first the Northern Kingdom by Assyria, then the Southern Kingdom by Babylon, then finally by the Romans in the first century, worldwide.
Isaiah 1:2-11 … My children don’t know me … in the Prophecy of Zenos, the decayed branches were cut off and cast away. The people had polluted their sacrifices and worship (verse 13, vain oblations msl) … contrast that to Paul’s admonition in Colossians 3:23 – whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ….
All that we have is God’s, not ours. Drought can occur in any area, anytime … such as a plant closing.
Lehi and his family suffered great disarray and rebellion … such as when they tied up Nephi while on the ship, and the boat was no longer on course.
Psalm 133:1 … Dwell together in unity.
Mosiah 9:54 … knit together in unity (Alma Sr.’s command). We have God’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves; how much more our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should treat our family as friends, and our friends as family.
Back to Ephesians 4:1-4 … unity of the Spirit … the body of Christ must be unified thru His Gospel, love, and peace.
1 Corinthians 14:33 … God IS NOT the author of confusion!! (guess who is … msl) … He desires simplicity (verse 40, let all things be done decently and in order).
1 Corinthians 12:24-27 God tempers the body together, that there be NO SCHISM … Strong’s G4978, schisma, division or tear; Webster’s “separation into factions, formal divisions within a Christian church,, the offense of attempting to produce a schism, a body or sect that participates in a schism. The body of Christ does not work according to worldly designs. What is important is PEOPLE. The Holy Spirit drawing us all here, is a miracle.
1 Corinthians 11:17-20 … There are divisions among you (Paul to the church in Corinth) Sacrament service is communing in the spirit and remembering His sacrifice, not party time.
4 Nephi 26-31 … the people had multiplied and spread, and were rich and prosperous, and once again there were classes and PRIDE among the people, and multiple churches; some preaching false doctrine and one actually persecuting the saints of the Lord. (see also Ephesians 4:14, led about by every wind of doctrine).
3 Nephi 12:10-14 … deal justly with one another (also Micah 6:8 msl)
4 Nephi 1-3 … the children of Christ living in unity … thru humility
The church is united under one common goal – eternal salvation through Jesus the Christ.
3 Nephi 12:20-23 … the church MUST be built upon His Gospel. We would that all in the church would jell together … yet if something that isn’t right is left untended, or just smoothed over, the body has a hard time growing.
Both men and women are guilty of gossip.
Ephesians 5:1 … be followers of God, as dear children.
Romans 12:9-10 … love without dissimulation (Strong’s G505, anupokritos; from the word for the mask worn by a theatrical performer). Cleave (stick like glue) to that which is good (His Gospel), and prefer one another in honor.
1 Peter 5:1-4 … the ministry is to feed the flock – WILLINGLY. Our goal is to perpetuate a fulness of joy thru Christ.
James 1:17 … Every good and perfect gift is from the Father. We are to be swift to hear, and slow to speak, and slow to wrath. We should be always looking for the evidences of unity in our midst. Live in humbleness, faith, joy, love, peace, and blessings.
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