RETURN TO ME

 

Text:  Jeremiah 3.

1. ISRAEL HAD COMMITTED SPIRITUAL ADULTERY.  (3:1-9). “They say, ‘If a man divorces his wife, And she goes from him And becomes another man’s, May he return to her again?’ Would not that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me,” says the LORD. 2 “ Lift up your eyes to the desolate heights and see: Where have you not lain with men? By the road you have sat for them Like an Arabian in the wilderness; And you have polluted the land With your harlotries and your wickedness. 3 Therefore the showers have been withheld, And there has been no latter rain. You have had a harlot’s forehead; You refuse to be ashamed. 4 Will you not from this time cry to Me, ‘ My Father, You are the guide of my youth?  5 Will He remain angry forever? Will He keep it to the end?’ Behold, you have spoken and done evil things, As you were able.” 6 The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. 7 And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. 9 So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.
    
1. God likens Israel and Judah to unfaithful wives.
1. Verse 1.  They had played the harlot with many lovers.
2. Verse 2.  They were acting like an animal in heat.  Unable to refrain from committing adultery.
3. Verse 3.  They refuse to be ashamed.
4. Verses 6-8.  Judah saw what happened to Israel and still committed harlotry.
5. Verse 9.  Judah committed harlotry with stones and trees!
    
2. It is interesting that God allows one cause for a Scriptural divorce.
1. Matthew 5:32. But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
2. God understands the pain that is caused by an unfaithful spouse.
3. God had put away Israel and was about to put away Judah.
    
3. We too can, and unfortunately often do, commit spiritual adultery against God.
1. The church is the bride of Christ.  2 Corinthians 11:2. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
2. James 4:4. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
3. We commit spiritual adultery when we love the world more than God.
4. We are adulterers when we put more faith in man’s wisdom than God’s wisdom.
5. We are adulterers when we put our wants above God’s wants.
    
2. GOD’S PLEA.  “RETURN TO ME!”
    
1. In spite of their harlotry, God wanted to take Israel and Judah back.
1. Verse 2. Yet return to Me,” says the LORD.
2. Verse 7. And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return.
3. Verse 12. Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: ‘ Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the LORD; ‘ I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says the LORD; ‘ I will not remain angry forever.
4. Verse 14. “Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
5. Verse 22. “ Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings.”
    
2. God placed one condition on their return.  Verse 13.  Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the LORD your God, And have scattered your charms To alien deities under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the LORD.
1. It wasn’t enough to just want out of Assyria.
2. It wasn’t enough to want to dwell in Palestine.
3. They had to acknowledge that they had sinned.
4. Before any sinner can be in a right relationship with God, he must acknowledge his sin.  Psalm 51:3.  For I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is always before me.
5. Acknowledging sin is part of repentance.  2 Corinthians 7:10-11. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
6. The problem is that too often people are too proud to admit their sin!
    
3. AN INADEQUATE REPSONSE (3:10). And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the LORD.
    
1. Judah had made an outward show of returning to God but had not done so wholeheartedly.
1. Perhaps they tore down a few altars to false gods.
2. Perhaps they gave lip service to the one true God.
3. But their heart was far from Him.  Isaiah 29:13-15. Therefore the Lord said: “ Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, 14 Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.” 
15 Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the LORD, And their works are in the dark; They say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?”
4. They thought they could hide their true intentions and desires from God.
    
2. We have a lot of people like this in the church today.
1. They sing, Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and then proceed to put the jobs, their families, their own wants and desires ahead of the kingdom.
2. They sing, None of self and all of thee, and then proceed to be selfish with their time and money.
3. They sing, Angry words O let them never from the tongue unbridled slip… and then proceed to “tell off” people who make them upset.
4. They sing, I want to be a worker for the Lord, and then say “No” when asked to do something to help the church.
    
3. God demands obedience FROM THE HEART.  Romans 6:17. But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
    
4. THE ONLY SOURCE OF SALVATION IS THE LORD (3:23). Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the LORD our God Is the salvation of Israel.
    
1. Israel and Judah had sought safety by going to their false gods during times of trouble.
1. These false gods would not deliver them.
2. Nor would alliances with other nations do them any good.  Jeremiah 2:18,36.  18 And now why take the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? Or why take the road to Assyria,  To drink the waters of the River?   36 … Also you shall be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria.
3. They forgot that true salvation comes only from the Lord.
    
2. We must remember that ONLY IN THE LORD is salvation today.
1. It lies not in our good works.
2. It lies not in the wisdom of men.
3. It lies not in our feelings or emotions.
4. It lies not in man-made churches.
    
3. Are you in the Lord?  Galatians 3:27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

WHAT IS REPENTANCE ???

Text: 2 Corinthians 7:10; Matthew 21:28-32.

Delivered on: March 15, 2009. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. Its necessity was taught by John. Matthew 3:1-2. In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ²and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

2. Jesus said that if we do not do it, we will perish. Luke 13:3. I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

3. The apostles said that without it we would not have our sins remitted.  Acts 2:38. Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

4. We are talking about repentance.

5. As seen above, repentance plays an integral part in our salvation.

6. Without it, we will be lost.

7. But, what is repentance?

   
   

BODY.

1. WHAT IT IS NOT.
   

   1. It is not “turning to God.” Acts 26:20. But declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
      

   2. It is not conversion. Acts 3:19. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
      

   3. It is not crying. Hebrews 12:16-17. Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance,
      though he sought it diligently with tears.
      

   4. It is not godly sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
      

   5. It is not leading a reformed life.
      

2. WHAT IT IS.
   

   1. It is a change of action (or behavior) brought about by a change of heart.

      1. The process.

         1. The change of heart begins with a change of thought in regard to Jesus. Acts 2:36-37. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” ³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

         2. This leads to a change of attitude in regard to sin. Romans 6:1-2. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ²
            Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

         3. This change of attitude in regard to sin leads to godly sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

         4. Godly sorrow leads to repentance.

      2. The one who repents decides that he is no longer living to please self but to please God.

         1. And in accordance with that, he is going to change his behavior and bring it into line with what Christ wants from him.

         2. A great example of repentance is found in Matthew 21:28-32. “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ ²⁹ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. ³⁰ Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. ³² For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

         3. Also notice Jonah 3:5-9. So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. ⁶ Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. ⁷ And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. ⁸ But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. ⁹ Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?
            

   2. It is a command. Acts 17:30-31. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹ because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
      

   3. It is for sinners as well as saints. Acts 8:22. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
      

3. DO YOU NEED TO REPENT?
   

   1. If you have not yet obeyed the gospel, then you need to repent of your past sins and obey the gospel.
      

   2. If you are a child of God, you still need to repent of your sins too.

      1. You still have sin in your life. 1 John 1:8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

      2. Yet God will forgive us if we repent and confess. 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

      3. If you do not repent, you will not be forgiven.

      4. Do you have problems with:

         1. Lying.

         2. Laziness.

         3. Substance abuse.

         4. Pornography.

         5. Procrastination.

      5. It is time to repent!

THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD

Text: Romans 2:1-11.

Delivered on: February 22, 2009. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. In the latter half of Romans 1, Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives an account of the wickedness of the Gentile world in general.
   

2. The chapter concludes with these words… Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
   

   1. Notice that Paul mentions the righteous judgment of God.
      

   2. All too often, the judgment of men is not righteous.
      

      1. Sometimes we are judged according to appearances which are often wrong.
         

      2. Sometimes we are judged unfairly.
         

   3. Sometimes we have people who are good at seeing the faults in others, condemning them, and then practicing the same things themselves.
      

3. In Romans 2, we have a discourse from Paul on the righteous judgment of God.
   

4. Romans 2:1-11. Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. ³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, ⁶ who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: ⁷ eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, ⁹ tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; ¹⁰ but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God.
   

BODY.

1. HYPOCRITICAL JUDGMENT. Verses 1-2. Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
   

   1. Paul points out how wrong it is to condemn someone for something when we are doing the same thing.
      

      1. There were undoubtedly many self righteous Jews who felt that those heathen Gentiles were going to get exactly what they deserved. (And that is true.)
         

      2. But Paul is point out that in being guilty of the very same things, they too were guilty.
         

      3. In judging others, they were condemning themselves.
         

   2. Jesus had something to say about this. Matthew 7:1-5. “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
      

   3. Does this mean, as some suggest, that since none of us are perfect, then none of us are permitted to point out sin in another’s life?
      

      1. No!
         

      2. Jesus taught that we will know whether a person is righteous or wicked by their fruit. Matthew 7:15-16. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
         

      3. What would be wrong is to try to correct another person who is doing something while we are doing the same thing and not correcting it.
         

      4. That is what Jesus meant when He said, “First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
         

      5. Galatians 6:1. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
         

2. GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT. Verses 3,6,11. ³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁶ who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God.
   

   1. God’s judgment is universal. (v.3)
      

      1. Paul rhetorically asks, Do you think that you will escape the judgment of God?
         

      2. Will anyone escape the judgment of God?
         

      3. No!
         

      4. Good and Bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
         

      5. Living or dead. 2 Timothy 4:1. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
         

      6. All people! Hebrews 9:27. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
         

   2. God’s judgment is uniform. (v.6)
      

      1. There is a uniform standard by which we will be judged.
         

      2. According to our deeds (v.6).
         

      3. Those deeds will be judged according to the word of God.
         

      4. John 12:48. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
         

      5. Revelation 20:12. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
         

   3. God’s judgment is unimpeachable. (v.11)
      

      1. Unimpeachable – irreproachable, free from stain, guilt, or fault.
         

      2. Unlike man, God judges without partiality.
         

      3. Rich or poor. Slave or free. Jew or Greek. All are judged as equals.
         

      4. Galatians 3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
         

3. GOD’S JUDGMENT ON THE WICKED. Verses 5,8,9. ⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, ⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, ⁹ tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
   

   1. What makes a person wicked?
      

      1. Unbelief. Romans 1:18-22. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools.
         

      2. Having a hard and impenitent heart (v.5).
         

      3. Being self-seeking (v.8).
         

      4. Not obeying the truth (v.8).
         

      5. Obeying unrighteousness or doing evil (vv.8,9).
         

   2. The wicked will suffer.
      

      1. They are treasuring up wrath (v.5). Storing it up. Hebrews 10:29-31. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
         

      2. They will suffer God’s indignation (v.8). Anger provoked by man’s disobedience.
         

      3. Anguish. Matthew 25:30. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
         

   3. How can a loving God cause anyone to suffer?
      

      1. Let us answer that with another question.
         

      2. How could a holy and righteous God not punish wickedness?
         

4. GOD’S JUDGMENT ON THE RIGHTEOUS. Verses 7,10. ⁷ Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ¹⁰ but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
   

   1. What makes a person righteous?
      

      1. V.7. Patient continuance in doing good. Galatians 6:9. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
         

      2. 1 John 3:7. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
         

      3. Of course, good works are just the end-product of one who is seeking to do good. Ephesians 2:8-10. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
         

      4. It is the grace of God that saves us through faithful obedience.
         

      5. It is our continual striving to do good (walk in the light) that keeps us in fellowship with God.
         

   2. The righteous will be rewarded.
      

      1. Eternal life (v.7).
         

      2. Glory. Romans 8:16-17. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
         

      3. Honor. The honor that comes from God. John 5:44. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?
         

      4. Peace. Revelation 14:13. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
         

CONCLUSION.

1. What do we learn from this passage?
   

2. Unlike man, God is a righteous judge.
   

   1. His judgment will be universal, uniform, and unimpeachable.
      

   2. Those who are obedient to His will will be rewarded with eternal life.
      

   3. Those who are disobedient will suffer the vengeance of an Almighty God.
      

3. Are you ready to face the Judgment?
   

   
   

PAUL'S CONFESSION TO FELIX

Text: Acts 24:1-16.

Delivered on: January 11, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. In Acts 24, Paul is being accused by the Jews before Felix.
   

2. After Tertullus finishes his little speech, Paul gives his defense.
   

3. He starts out by pointing out that their accusations are false and improvable. (vv.12-13).
   

4. Then, in verses 14-16, he makes his confession to Felix. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. ¹⁵ I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. ¹⁶ This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
   

5. Paul confesses to:
   

   1. Worshiping the God of his fathers according to the Way which they call a sect.
      

   2. He does this believing all the things written in the Law and the Prophets.
      

   3. He believes and hopes in the resurrection of the just and unjust.
      

   4. He always strives to have a conscience without offense toward God.
      

BODY.

1. PAUL WORSHIPED THE GOD OF HIS FATHERS ACCORDING TO THE WAY.
   

   1. The “Way” to which Paul is referring is the “Faith.”
      

      1. Jude 3. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
         

      2. Acts 6:7. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
         

      3. Acts 14:21-22. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
         

      4. Acts 16:5. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
         

      5. Romans 1:5. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.
         

      6. 2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
         

   2. There is only one way.
      

      1. John 14:6. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
         

      2. Acts 4:12. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
         

      3. It is a straight way. Matthew 7:13-14. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
         

   3. Paul worshiped according to this Way.
      

      1. Worship is a necessity to the true follower of God.
         

      2. John 4:23-24. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
         

      3. It is not to be directed by the dictates of our own conscience. Colossians 2:20-23. Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— ²¹ “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” ²² which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? ²³ These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
         




2. PAUL SERVED GOD IN THE WAY BELIEVING ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
   

   1. As Christians, we live under the New Covenant or Testament. Colossians 2:14. Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
      

   2. However, that does not mean that we don’t believe the things written in the Old Testament.
      

      1. Paul was accused of not believing the Law and the Prophets.
         

      2. Jesus was accused of this. Matthew 5:17-18. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
         

      3. The Old Testament is valuable in so many ways. Romans 15:4. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
         

         1. It led the world to Christ. Galatians 3:24. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
            

         2. It teaches moral and ethical lessons.
            

         3. It teaches us about the character of God.
            

      4. Jesus and Paul understood the real purpose of the Law and Prophets. 1 Peter 1:10-12. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹ searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹² To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
         

   3. Notice that he believed ALL things.
      

      1. He believed in the 6 days of creation.
         

      2. He believed in the global flood.
         

      3. He believed in the crossing of the Red Sea.
         

      4. He believed that Jonah was swallowed by a great fish.
         

      5. Etc.
         

      6. Either all of the Bible is true or none of it is.
         

   
   



3. PAUL BELIEVED AND HOPED IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND UNJUST.
   

   1. Paul saw the resurrected Christ.
      

   2. The Pharisees believed in a resurrection but not that Christ had risen.
      

   3. Paul hoped to attain to the resurrection himself. Philippians 3:7-11. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
      

   4. Both the Just and Unjust will be resurrected.
      

      1. John 5:28-29. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice ²⁹ and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
         

      2. The Just will be resurrected to Life.
         

      3. The Unjust will be resurrected to condemnation.
         

      4. To answer for what we have done in this life. 2 Corinthians 5:10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
         

   5. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ “ O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
      




4. PAUL ALWAYS STRIVED TO LIVE WITHOUT OFFENSE TOWARD GOD.
   

1. This was true even before he became a Christian. Acts 23:1. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
   

2. Because he wanted to attain to the resurrection, he strived to live without offense toward God.
   

3. 2 Peter 3:14. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
   

4. What about you?