fromthepreacherspc

FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCTION
A. Hebrews 10:19-27
1. The Hebrew writer is speaking of the conversion process
2. Jesus consecrated by His flesh a “new and living way” for all of us; thus:
a. We have “boldness to enter into the holiest” (v. 19)
b. This occurred when the “veil” – His flesh – was torn
3. It is our duty to draw near to this “new and living way” by:
a. Having “our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience” (v. 22) – i.e. repentance
b. Having “our bodies washed with pure water” (v. 22) – i.e. baptism
c. Holding fast “the profession of our faith without wavering” (v. 23) – being faithful until death
d. “Provoking unto love and to good works” (v. 24) – admonition
e. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (v. 25)
4. The reason for not forsaking the assembly is seen in Hebrews 10:26-27
a. Our faithful attendance keeps us from rejecting the truth
b. Our faithful attendance keeps us from the fiery indignation of judgment
c. There is no forgiveness for those who intentionally remain in sin
B. Today I want to focus on one part of this conversion process as seen in Hebrews 10:19-27 – “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together”
C. When we forsake the assembly, whether it be a.m. or p.m. worship, or Sunday and Wednesday Bible Classes – we are forsaking God, one another, and ourselves.
DISCUSSION
A. Early Christians assembled EVERY Lord’s Day for worship
1. Acts 2:42
a. The church was “steadfast” [to continue all the time Thayer] in assembling together
b. They assembled at every opportunity
2. Acts 20:7 … The Christians at Troas met on Sunday to worship
3. The church in Corinth (1 Cor. 11; 16:2) are seen assembling on the first day of the week
B. Let us now consider several reason why we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together:
1. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study demonstrates a contempt for spiritual things
a. Romans 8:1, 6
b. If one chooses not to assemble with the saints to worship would you say they are spiritually minded or carnally minded?
c. Galatians 6:7-8
d. If Christianity were illegal, and you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
2. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study involves choosing not to do that which is known to be good
a. James 4:17
b. I have never talked to anyone who denied that it would be good for one to attend all the worship services
c. Would you agree that who chooses to worship is a making a good choice?
3. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is choosing not to give or receive needed encouragement in living the Christian life
a. Hebrews 10:24-25
b. We encourage each other in many ways, but one of the most important ways is by our faithful attendance
c. Faithful attendance helps prevent others from falling away from the Lord
4. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is a violation of an explicit command
a. Hebrews 10:25
b. We need to remember what sin is … 1 John 3:4
c. If it is not wrong to miss 1 worship service, then it would not be wrong to miss 2, then 10, then 100, then 1000. If it is wrong to miss a 1000 services is succession, it’s only because it is wrong to miss one.
d. Choosing to miss 1 service violates Hebrews 10:25
5. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study contributes to ignorance
a. Hosea 4:6
b. 2 Peter 3:18
c. Ignorance is one of the things that crucified our Lord (Acts 3:17)
d. Two 15 year old boys – one attends worship once a week, and the other 4 times a week. Notice what happen if they learn just one new spiritual truth each time they attend:
1) Boy 1 – y1 (52), y10 (520), y55 (2, 860)
2) Boy 2 – y1 (208), y10 (2,000), y55 (11,440)
e. Friends attending worship makes a difference
6. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study sets a bad example
a. 1 Timothy 4:12
b. Our example either brings people closer to the Lord or pushes them farther away … Romans 14:7
7. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study discourages the faithful
a. It is discouraging that only 2/3 of those for morning worship are there for Bible Study and evening worship
b. It is discouraging that only 1/2 of those present for Sunday morning worship are there on Wednesday night
c. On of the most encouraging aspects of church work is good attendance
8. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is a failure to let one’s light shine – Matthew 5:14-16… Are you dimming your Christian light? Or, is your light already out?
9. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study demonstrates that one’s priorities are not properly arranged
a. Matthew 6:33
b. Do you really suppose you are seeking God’s kingdom first when you would prefer to do something else [TV, fishing, etc.] than worship with the saints
10. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is an affront to God
a. By not attending you are telling God that is really not all that important to you
b. Matthew 22:37
11. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is to do so with intent and purpose
a. Some sins are committed unintentionally, or through ignorance. A faithful Christian does not plan to sin
b. Those who choose not to worship with the saints usually know they should, and they could if they would, but they plan not to do so
12. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is the only thing it would take to destroy the church from the face of the earth, if everyone did it
a. If one member of the church can, as a matter of preference and choice, not assemble with the saints for worship without committing any sin – then two can. If 2 can, then 10 can. If 10 can, then 100 can. And if 100 can, all can.
b. If it is right for 1 to do it then it is right for all
CONCLUSION
Please do not forsake the assembling of the saints

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

GOD’S WORD IS A FIRE

INTRODUCTION
A. Jeremiah 23:21-32 is found in a context speaking against the false prophet.
1. Verse 21 – God said that there were some prophets who He did not send, nor spoke to, and yet, they RAN to prophecy.
a. Today we need more true gospel preachers to run to preach the truth
b. Remember Jonah? He ran away!
2. Verse 23 – God said that He was not a far off, but was close at hand.
a. Omniscience – omnipresent
b. This should have made an impact on the false prophets
3. Verses 24-25 – God said that no one can hid from Him
a. He knew of their false teaching
b. He knew deceit was in their heart
c. All of this caused God’s people to forsake Him
4. Verses 28-29 – The true prophet was to speak God’s word faithfully, because it was like a fire and a hammer.
5. Verses 30-32 – God is against the false prophet, who takes the Word from the people – causing them to err.
B. God’s people throughout the Bible were continually departing from Him, and one of the major reasons was the false prophet
1. They were teaching man’s doctrine, as are many today – Matthew 15:9
2. God commanded them then, as He does today, to preach HIS WORD, because it is like a fire (Jer. 23:29).
C. God’s word will work like a fire in our lives today if we will only allow it to.
1. It’s difficult to explain fire
2. But we do know the things that it does
D. Let us consider the ways in which God’s word is like fire…
DISCUSSION
A. God’s word is like a fire because it gives LIGHT
1. Think, for a moment, how valuable light is to us
a. Helps us to see in darkness
1) Gives direction
2) Keeps us from stumbling
b. Helps us to feel secure
1) Fear of things that go bump in the night
2) Things that seem to something in the night are really nothing when seen in the light…
2. The light that is set forth from God’s word is even more important
a. “Thy word is a LAMP unto my feet, and a LIGHT unto my path” (Psa. 119:105).
1) God’s word sheds light in our lives
2) It allows us to see the direction we should follow
b. 1 Peter 2:9
1) A Christian is depicted as one taken from darkness into light
2) Jesus tells Paul that he was chosen to go to the Gentiles and “to turn them from darkness to light” (Acts 26:18).
3) Those in darkness are under the power of Satan and those in the light are under the power of God
4) Today there are many walking in darkness and going in the wrong direction
c. “The entrance of thy word giveth LIGHT; it giveth understanding to the simple” (Psa. 119:130).
1) God word gives light, therefore security
2) Things seem one way in the dark, but another way in the light
3. God’s word is like fire because it gives light helping us to see and understand
B. God’s word is like fire because it COMFORTS
1. There is nothing more comforting than sitting by a warm fire on a cold day
a. A fire causes cheer, comfort and serenity
b. The farther one gets away from the fire the less he is warmed and comforted.
2. So it is with God’s word … it comforts
a. “Wherefore COMFORT one another with these words” (1 The. 4:18)
b. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
1) God’s word is our comfort in time of trouble
2) We can then comfort others
c. “This is my COMFORT in my affliction, for thy word hath quickened me” (Psa. 119:50).
3. How does God’s word comfort us?
a. Salvation…
b. Sorrow…
c. Stress…
4. It is comforting to know that we have a God who cares and gives all we need, remember the farther we get from God word the less comfort we will receive.
5. God’s word is like a fire because it gives comfort.
C. God’s word is like a fire because it is PENETRATING
1. Fire has the power to burn right through metal
a. Fire is powerful
b. Fire that is hot enough can penetrate anything
2. As fire is able to penetrate, so can the word of God
a. Hebrews 4:12
1) Able to pierce through the hardest hearts
2) Like a two edged sword, able to cut a going and a coming
b. Ephesians 6:17 – “sword of the Spirit”
1) Notice that it is not the Spirit that penetrates
2) It is His sword – the word of God
3. When the word of God penetrates the hearts of man, one of two things will occur:
a. Acts 2:37
b. Acts 5:33
4. God’s word is like a fire because it penetrates the heart
D. God’s word is like a fire because it PURIFIES
1. Precious metals are separated from the dross by fire
a. Burns the impurities away
b. Fire is a purifying agent
2. As does fire, so does the word of God purify
a. John 15:3
1) It cleanses
2) Removes the filth of sin
b. Ephesians 5:26-27
1) The church is purified by the word of God
2) Produces a spotless church
c. 1 Peter 1:22
1) It is not simply the word that purifies
2) But obedience also
3. We need to use the word of God to burn the impurities from lives.
4. The word of God is like a firs because it purifies.
E. The word of God is like a fire because it DESTROYS
1. The same fire that can warm our homes, can burn it down
a. The fire that cooks your meals can burn you up
b. Fire can help and it can destroy
2. God’s word is much the same way
a. If you obey it, it will save you
b. If you disobey it, it will destroy you
3. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
a. God is going to take vengeance in the Day of Judgment
b. The disobedient will be punished eternally
4. John 12:48
a. We will be judged by God’s word
b. Those word can save or cause us to be lost, depending upon our response to them
CONCLUSION
A. How are you responding to God’s word?
1. Are allowing it to do all it can?
2. Or, do you give little or no attention at all?
B. God’s word can do great things for us if we will but accept it.
1. Will you accept God’s word?
2. Will you allow it to so what it is able to do?

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

THE DISOBEDIENCE OF A YOUNG PROPHET
(1 Kings 13:1-32)

INTRODUCTION
A. Shortly after the death of Solomon the kingdom of Israel was
divided
1. Jeroboam … Israel
2. Rehoboam … Judah
a. Followed bad advice
b. Partly responsible for the division
B. Jeroboam institutes false worship
1. 1 Kings 12:25-30
2. He wanted the people to forget Jerusalem
3. He wanted to make things easy for them
C. Soon after this a young prophet from Judah was directed by God to deliver a prophecy against Jeroboam’s altar
1. 1 Kings 13:1-3
2. This was literally and precisely fulfilled 330 years later
3. The fulfillment is seen in 2 Kings 23:15-20
D. Jeroboam was upset that the young prophet was there to cause him trouble
1. 1 Kings 13:4
2. To get rid of him, Jeroboam tried force, but the Lord was with the young prophet
3. Jeroboam next offers him money… 1 Kings 13:7
E. But the young prophet understood the Lord’s command
1. 1 Kings 13:8-10
2. God said do not stay in Bethel – they had turned from God in that place
3. God wanted His faithful remain so – so He says have no fellowship with them
4. This is a New Testament principal… 1 Corinthians 5:11
F. The terrible seduction (1 Kgs. 13:11-19)
1. The young prophet resisted the invitations of Jeroboam, and was on his way home by a different route
2. An old prophet had heard about the young prophet and went out to see him
a. 1 Kings 13:15-18
b. The old prophet lied
c. So the young prophet went with the old prophet
G. The Punishment announced
1. 1 Kings 13:20-22
2. The old prophet at this time did speak for God
3. The old prophet prophesied that the young prophet would never make it home
4. The young prophet was killed by a lion (1 Kgs. 13:29-32)
H. Let us now consider some valuable lessons
DISCUSSION
A. The people of Israel first saw the sign of the prophet, then they saw the prophet as a sign (vs. 2-3, 29)
1. Can you imagine the wonder that the people must have felt in seeing the prophet being led into the city – dead – on a donkey?
2. They needed to understand that this man, even though he was a man of God, had to pay the penalty for his disobedience
3. But did they learn the lesson? © 1 Kings 13:33-34
4. The wise man will learn from the mistakes of others – he will not feel he has to make all the mistakes himself
5. There is nothing wise in learning the hard way
B. If Satan can’t get you one way – he’ll try another
(vs. 4, 7, 28)
1. Satan’s tactics with the young prophet:
a. He tried force
b. He tried friendliness and money
c. He used a prophet
2. Satan is versatile in his temptations:
a. Ephesians 6:10-11 … “wiles” = deceit, trickery
b. 2 Corinthians 2:11 … has evil purposes and desires
c. 2 Corinthians 11:3 … cunningly tries to corrupt
d. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 … tries to impress us – lies
e. Revelation 12:9 … he deceives
C. Just because someone says something doesn’t make it so
1. Many today claim to be speaking the word of God
a. Are you listen to some, all, or none?
b. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
1) Today many are trying to make you think they are something which they are not
2) They lie!
c. The young prophet took the word of the old prophet without checking into it
d. “Trust not in lying words” (Jer. 7:4)
e. Will we be so gullible?
2. We must be careful to believe only the truth
a. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
b. Acts 17:11
c. 1 John 4:1
d. Galatians 1:6-10
D. A man must remain faithful
1. The young prophet started out great
a. Resisted force
b. Resisted money
2. But he dropped his guard
3. Remaining faithful is a constant battle
a. Revelation 2:10
b. Galatians 5:7
c. Matthew 10:22
E. The old prophet was where God told the young prophet not to stay
1. Have you ever wondered what possessed the old prophet to lie like he did?
2. Could it be that where he lived had begin to wear off on him?
3. In some places and with some people is found great evil
a. To the Pergamos was said… Revelation 2:13
b. Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom (Gen. 13:12-13)
c. 1 Corinthians 15:33
4. Be careful where you are and with whom you associate
F. The deadliness of the tongue
1. It was actually the tongue of the old prophet, not the lion, that killed the young prophet
2. The old prophet told a lie, he used his tongue for evil purposes
3. The Bible has much to say about the tongue, here is a sampling:
a. Open grave (Psa. 5:9)
b. Sharp razor (Psa. 52:2)
c. Sharp sword (Psa. 57:4)
d. Arrow (Psa. 64:3)
e. Burning fire (Pro. 16:27)
f. Bit in a horse’s mouth (Jam. 3:3)
g. Ship’s rudder (Jam. 3:4)
h. Untamable wild beast (Jam. 3:7-8)
i. Deadly poison (Jam. 3:8)
CONCLUSION
Will you learn the lessons of the young prophet?