The Gospels in Harmony

We will be re-posting this series, so no one gets left behind. Look for a new posts every week.

The Gospels in Harmony is a Sermon Series that was begun in 2016. To date Pastor Freede has written over 350 sermons in this series and has many more to go. Enjoy our Pastors heart!

 

 

The Gospels in Harmony 

The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #1-102316

   The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Good News of the Promised Savior. The life, death and resurrection of the Son of God for our sin. The living Promise of salvation is through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The shed blood of a sinless man for our sin as men that we may live sinless in faith with Him in Spirit forever.
It is most important we stay focused on the Living Promise of salvation through faith.
    First our Promised savior is alive and is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for all who put their faith in Him.
Second your faith must be just as alive as our Savior and just as active in coming to Him continuously as our High Priest.
Faith is not something you get from going to church or changing a few bad habits or claiming to be a religious person. Faith is the resurrection of your soul. It is casting off the sin you were chained to by inheritance.
     That is what all men are born into. The bondage of sin which leads to death. The sin of unbelief in Jesus Christ is what keeps us there.
Let’s get something straight here. Faith is not the opposite of unbelief. Or vice versa.
Faith can be measured and applied and grown. Unbelief is the result of little or no faith.
Faith is alive and is life. 
Unbelief is dead and death. It is the result of no faith.
Faith is life eternal because it is of God.
Unbelief is death eternal because it is the result of the absence of God.

Just as darkness is the result of no light, unbelief is the result of no faith.

Did you know that light can be measured? Light is energy. Darkness is a word used to describe the absence of light. Even on the darkest night light can still be measured. But when there is no more energy to measure the darkness doesn’t get darker. 

It’s the same with hot and cold. Heat is energy. Molecular activity can be measured. Cold is a word used to describe the lack of that energy or activity. At -273 Degrees Celsius all molecular activity ceases. It can’t get colder, it just ends because there is no energy, no activity, no life.

Faith is the spec of energy that God gives to everyone. It is life.

The Bible says (ref John 3:16) Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Faith is necessary for one to believe in the manner the Bible speaks. You see you can believe almost anything. Most people do! Especially the latest gossip! But we are talking about life and death here folks! And it takes faith to truly believe you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ!  James 2:19
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 

They believe but they don’t believe through faith. They believe through fear and that’s not going to save them or you. 
  Faith is given to all men that they may believe in Him. But the sin of unbelief will condemn the soul forever.
   How much faith does it take?
The tiniest speck of faith. 
But it must be faith without doubt!
Why?
Because faith with doubt is no faith at all. 
James 1:6-8
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 

You may question the amount of faith someone has but you cannot question the faith that someone does have.
Let me explain this.
Faith without doubt is pour faith no matter what size.
It always starts out a tiny speck in size, but it is the application and testing and use that makes it grow. 
It does not become pourer, but greater, stronger and more visible along with more powerful and God glorifying. Faith in the saving grace of God is pour, and holy and sanctified by God through Jesus Christ.
No matter what size it is found in. 
However, faith that does not grow is the result of doubt.
Some would say it is the result of fear. But fear is nothing more than doubt in action.
Doubt is in one’s mind which controls the body. Fear is exhibiting in the flesh what the mind controls. 
Think about it. What is fear? It is the absence of faith. It is the doubting of the power of God to, and in and through you.
  I can remember the first time I was asked to preach a sermon. Actually, stand behind the sacred desk at the head of the congregation and speak the word of God. Faith in my calling by God through this congregation led me do what I feared in the flesh. Speaking in front of a crowd was one of my greatest fears. Yet faith without doubt lead me to rise and answer that call and after a year of preaching in that church, I was ordained and have not stopped preaching in person and through this website.
  I have faced many challenges that could have turned me from that calling and service to God but in faith I have remained true and stand on the promise of faith without doubt in Jesus Christ, that He will and has lifted me to a life that is real. A life I would have never known without faith in Him. A life that would never have grown without faith in Jesus Christ and a life of faith, without doubt in Jesus Christ, will increase forever.
    This is why I preach the Gospel.
I know what faith in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has done in and for me. 
It is because that faith in me continues to grow. It has become greater in me than I can hold in. 
You see, by faith without doubt, God lives in me. 
1 John 4:4
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
 Faith without doubt is not a faith that can be hidden or disguised or shelved.
It cannot be pulled out and applied when one thinks it is needed most nor can it be taken for granted or with arrogance..
Hiding your faith is fear, which is the acting out of doubt in one’s mind. But if you are saved, you no longer have a spirit of fear.
2 Timothy 1:7
 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

Disguising your faith is still acting out doubt, which is fear. It is not wanting the world to know you desire to be a child of God. It is being unsure of your standing in Christ.
I believe this is the correct way to state this point. It's time to take the hard line with salvation.
If you are intentionally hiding Jesus from the world, YOU ARE NOT SAVED!
Get it figured out! You are not hiding your religion. You are hiding Christ and if you were truly saved that would not be possible! 
  Shelving your faith is to assume you are saved and you can put that much of your life on hold until you die. It's being like so many today who think they can say a prayer and get fireproofed instantly.
It's like so many today who say they believe in God but they, in reality, just believe there is a god. Shelving your faith is fooling yourself. You really have no faith in Jesus Christ, or you would be humbling yourself in conviction of your conscience.
   Faith cannot be pulled out like a pocketknife to whittle away at your problems or carve out something you think you need at the time. Nor can it be taken for granted that just because you say you have faith, God will solve all your problems without any further commitment and of course arrogance will make God your servant by faith.

Faith is putting your trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is knowing beyond a shadow of doubt that He died in your place as a penalty for all your sin. Past, present and future. It is standing on the promise that a sinless man cannot die, and Christ rose to eternal life having taken captivity captive. By Grace you are saved through faith. By His finished work of love unto death you may live eternally in Christ because your sin was laid on His back. He died for you, and He rose for you, and you are seated with Him at the right hand of God, even now, in faith without doubt.
  If that is not Good News, I will eat my hat!
That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! He shed His blood for you and Rose for You that You may live eternally with Him in Heaven with the Father. Praised the Lord!
 
  Now, in beginning this new Sermon series I must explain or define a few things.
The synoptic Books of the New Testament are Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Within them you will find many of the same events and teachings of Jesus. This is why they are called the Synoptics. They describe similar events but are presented by different authors. Even so there are no discrepancies. They are synonymous with each other, saying the same thing sometimes in different ways. But the same nun the less. 
  The fourth book in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Book of John.
John takes on a different task in presenting the Good News. 
He does not ignore the synoptic writings of Matthew, Mark and Luke. He instead verifies them with added information and at the same time brings a most powerful, spiritual understanding into his writing.
He not only comes across as a great evangelist but fills his gospel with apologetics. Eyewitness and Spiritual proof of Christ our savior.
 
   So with much prayer, and devotion to my Lord Jesus Christ and you. I will begin a new Sermon Series. I believe the best title is simply "The Gospels in Harmony" 
Instead of teaching and preaching through each Book on it's own, I believe the task of preaching and teaching through all four at the same time will help us to cement the truth of our one and only Savior.
The living Word of God. Jesus Christ.
   I will attempt to keep all events in Chronological order, which will lead us to jump back and forth from Book to Book but remember it's all about Jesus. In studying the Gospels all together we will have a much better understanding of the harmony of the whole Bible.
  Remember it is the Old Testament that points to the New. And the New Testament that proves the Old.
They are only separated by the coming of Jesus Christ. The Promised Messiah.
Which brings us to the opening of this Sermon Series----:>)
Yes, I know, you are all thinking to yourselves "If that wasn't the opening, what was it?"
Well, it was the introduction to the opening. How's That?  It's Ok to laugh at me. I do it all the time!
   I am most excited about this new series and expect it to take several years to complete. I sincerely hope and pray you will all continue to join us as we study the Word of God together. 
Please pray for this ministry. Our goals and purposes are to study and grow together in the Word of God. 
   The Sermons that are posted each week are meant to be informative, thought provoking and challenging. It is the seed of faith that must grow into a mighty tree for the world to see and come to know. That seed is given to each one of us by God, but we must be faithful in planting it in the good soil of our hearts that it may grow with the watering of the Word. 
   It is the Word of God that cuts away all doubt. It is the Holy Spirit that works with us to nurture and care for that seed. And it is God that makes it grow.  
 And what is your part in growing your faith?
Humble yourself before God. On your knees, with your head bowed in reverence to our Father who art in Heaven. Hallow His glorious name and you will be lifted in the name of Jesus to stand against anything that is not of God. You will be lifted to serve in the strength of faith in our omnipotent Father and guided by His Spirit who lives in us. 
   Knowing God, is living in the Word; Jesus Christ.
Serving God, is Walking in the Spirit that the world may see and know Jesus Christ.
Remember faith without works is dead. 
The only work that is of God and for God is the work done by God, through you in faith. 
It's not what you can do for Him, it's what He can do through you.
In faith God will lift you to do and be, far and beyond what you would ever ask or think. 
That is the faith that cannot be hidden or disguised or shelved.
Praise the Lord for this time we have together to grow and glorify Him.
AMEN!

Pastor Steven Freede
Down Home Preaching Ministry
Original Sermon Date

10/23/16



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #2-11616

The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #2-11616

John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 
2 The same was in the beginning with God. 
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

    Our most Gracious Heavenly Father, as we begin this study together, open our hearts to receive the truth in every word. Your Word! Open our eyes to see and our ears to hear. Lift us as we grow with the filling and the watering of your Word. But most of all, guide and strengthen us to walk in your Word. Bless this study and all who choose to come and participate. In the name of Jesus, your living Word, we pray. AMEN!

   In the beginning, is always the best place to start. So, as we begin our study in the Gospels of Jesus Christ, it is best to start at the beginning of existence as we know it.
There are two words in the opening of John 1:1.
The words In and was.
In-- is referring to all of Creation from the moment it began to be made.
Was--refers to God in His entirety before the time of His creation of the world and all that is in it.
It is clear from the narration of The Beginning, in Genesis 1 and 2, God in His Triune self was and is the creator of all things throughout all time. 
  Before we proceed, I believe it is necessary to give a simple example or defining description of the word triune.
First, we know our one and only God as a Triune God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
What? How can God be Three separate entities and yet one God?  Three Persons yet one?
Here is the best way to understand Triune as a person.
Using myself as an example I can tell you I have parents, a wife and a daughter.
My relationship with my parents is far different than my relationship with my daughter and wife.
My relationship with my daughter is far different than my relationship with my parents and wife.
And my relationship with my wife is far different than my relationship with my parents and my daughter.
Yet in all three relationships I am the same. I am the same person not three. I have three different living and active relationships, with different responsibilities to each, all culminating from love for all as a whole.
In love, I care for all who I have been given as mine. I care for all of them in different ways but all in love from the same person. I am a different person with a different purpose and function to each of them, but I am still the same person. I myself am one.
    So, when we see John writing; verse 1. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God; ---we can clearly understand that God has personal relations with all things He has created. Those relations are personified in different ways, but God never changes or becomes or shares His Glory. God is one in three different living and active relationships, with different works in love through each one, but still all from one.
    God is the designer of all creation. It is through His spoken Word that all things were and are created.
God’s word is God. It is not separate from God. 
When you speak, everyone knows what you are. Your words describe what you really are.
If you lie, you are a liar and you will be found out. If you swear, if you bless, if you preach, if you encourage, if you pray; no matter what, you will be known by what comes from your mouth and how you present things verbally. Why because a righteous man speaks from a clean heart. 

What comes out of a man's mouth is from his heart.
Luke 6:45
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
    In God there is no evil. So, through His perfect Word all things were created for the Good!
God's Word is living. 
His word goes out and does not come back void.
The Word of God is God because it always was with God and never ends.
2 The same was in the beginning with God. 
God's Word was not created. God's Word as well as His Holy Spirit are God. 
Now before we get any further, for the sake of clarity for them who are new to the Gospel. I would like to jump ahead to verse 14 so we may, without doubt, know who we are talking about when we say "the Word"
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Word is the exact and full representation of God because He is God. The Word became flesh that We would know God as He knows us. God expressed Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ. His Son, His Living Word. 
Was Jesus Created by God? No!
Jesus always was, is and forever will be God. He became flesh for our sake. He took on the body of a man to lower Himself as an obedient servant to the Father, that we might believe on Him and be saved. When His sinless flesh was crucified by sin filled men, He returned to the Father having fulfilled the law of the flesh for all mankind and took captivity captive. 
Isaiah 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it

Why is the Word of God the Son of God?
Because He became flesh as a child of God and not of man. Children of men are born into sin, but only Jesus is born of God by the Holy Spirit. Born without sin and remained sinless. God is Holy and cannot even look upon sin, so He had to become the appearance of sinful flesh just to satisfy the penalty for sin through a sinless being. His living Word.
   God allowed sinful men to crucify the exact sinless representation of Himself that the enmity between man and Himself may be forever removed. God revealed Himself to us through His Spoken Word, His written Word and His Living Word. All, nothing less than God Himself.
   It is so important that we understand Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are God. No less in anyway. The only difference is the functional relationship. 
God gave us life for His Glory. He gave His Word that if we believed in Him we would live with Him forever. He gave His Spirit that we would be sealed as a child of God, free from all condemnation.
Romans 8:1-4
 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
   So, as we begin our study in the Harmony of the Gospels, we must understand Jesus was, is and always will be God. The Sons relationship with us is different than that of the Holy Spirit and of the Father, yet He is still God.
The Holy Spirits relationship with us is different than the Fathers and the Sons, yet He is still God.
His relationship with us is triune. Three in one.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 
All things were made by God's Word.
God the Father is the designer, God the Son, the Word of God is the creator and God the Holy Spirit is the finisher.
Because all things were created by God's Word they are made through His Son. 
How wonderful it is to be commanded and strengthened to be Christ like. We are called to become like our creator.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 
Because He gave us life, we live.
Because He gave us light, we see.
Because He gave His life for us, we may live our lives for Him in the light of faith and obedience.
   Satan could not tempt Jesus to sin, nor could he destroy Him on the cross. The Word humbled Himself to become the Son of God in the flesh of men. But even then, the darkness did not know Him. Did not comprehend faith and obedience as the light. Darkness and sin can overcome the flesh, but faith and obedience are of the Spirit and in the Spirit of God there is only the light of righteous.
Humbling oneself in faithful obedience to God will cast all darkness into the shadows. We are called to be a light in the darkness. To live a life that shines and shows and reflects the light of the life of Jesus in a world of darkness and death.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The word comprehended, in the KJV, is also translated as overcome.
The world of darkness did not nor ever will overcome the light.
Even science has proven, light is positive energy. The greater the energy the greater the light.
The lower the energy the lower the light. Darkness is the result of no light.
Sin is darkness in the world. It is present because of the absence of the Light.
   I want every professing Christian to think about this, long and hard.
Far too many people in this day and age are more concerned with getting even more people to be professing Christians like them. They want people to claim to be Christians without being Christians.
They want to be a disciple of Jesus without the risk of persecution or even the obedience that comes from true conversion through faith.
    Oh, what a darkness the worldly church lives in. Darkness is filling the hearts and minds of so many church goers today. Are you hearing this alarm! Are you looking at yourself and your fellow church attendees as a whole? Professing Christianity is only fooling yourself! Calling others to profess Christianity with you is pulling them into the same darkness of false salvation you live in. There is no Light in professing to be a child of God! There is no light in hiding Jesus from the world so you will not be persecuted! There is no light in claiming to know someone who does not know you! 
    CONFESS Jesus in Your Life! Show the Light that lives in You! Live the life that was given for you!
Professing to be something you are not, is a lie from a heart that does not know the truth.
Confessing is the truth from the heart.
If you are saved you will not be able to hide Jesus in you. His light will be in you because in you there is no more darkness. Your sin is forgiven. The Old has become New. You have been raised with Jesus in the righteousness of eternal life in Christ. 
1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Greater is He that is in you.
     If you are a child of God, confessing the blood of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit you will not be able to hide that much light. The overwhelming joy of salvation. The life giving and life sustaining faith in our Father, Creator and Sustainer brings about a change that cannot be hidden and through a willing desire to be with our Father, even as we live for Him, the world will see Christ is alive and powerfully walking as He still walks in the darkness of this world in and through you.
  The Good News of the Gospel is that Christ is alive because darkness cannot overcome the light.
And He is still alive and well, even in us, as we are in Him, in Faith.
Matthew 5:14-15
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. 
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a close vessel, but on a candlestick: and it giveth light to all that are in the house. 
    It is the Light of the Righteousness of the Word of God that is in you, and it will shine for the world to see.
It is that Light that draws the lost from the darkness.
The Light that shines in and out of a CONFESSING Christian. The Light shines in a confessing disciple’s heart and not through a professing hypocrite's lips. The world sees through the hypocrite but the real Christian shines in a way that darkness must hide or show itself in confession and repentance. 
     Since the Beginning, Jesus Christ, the Word, was, is and always will be. He is our creator and savior and Lord forever! The Good news is, He can and will live in and through anyone who calls on His name, believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth, their faith in His obedient finished work of shedding His blood for their sin and then rising once again to be the firstborn among all faithfully obedient children of God. 
     The Gospel begins with the knowledge of who Jesus is. 
This is why John begins His Gospel in the beginning.
Our beginning. Our creation by our pre-existing God, His living Word and His Holy Spirit.
Oh, Praise the Lord all you Saints!
Amen!

Pastor Steven Freede
Down Home Preaching 

Original Sermon Date
11/6/16



 

     

 

 

The Gospels in Harmony

This popular Sermon Series was first posted in 2016 and to date contains over 350 sermons.
We will post them in order as well as posting new sermons as this series continues.  Enjoy!

The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #3-111316
Matthew 1:1-17

1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; 
3 And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah; 
7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 
8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 
9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 
10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 
11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 
14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations. 

    Matthew 1 or at least the first half of Matthew 1, is probably the most passed over portion of the New Testament there is. How sad we as Christians view one part of the Bible less important as the rest.
Matthew has much to say with the names he brought forth in the genealogy of our Lord and Savior.
Unlike Luke in his recording of the lineage of Jesus, Matthew only goes back to Abraham. Luke chose to follow the line back to Adam and God Himself.
  Not all of the names have been recorded as many may have been lost in wars and destruction of cities and temple records. However, Matthew is still able to compile an accurate list according to times, places and events throughout the history of Israel.
So as we look at this list, we will be examining each name and what they tell us by their lives and events that brought them into the planned line of Jesus.
   Matthew starts with Abraham. Right away we must look at the Abrahamic covenant.
Over and over God promises Abram he will make and keep a covenant that He alone will make with him. You see this was not a deal formed from both sides. God chose Abram. Why? Because God sees what we are and what we are to be. How God sees you is not how we look at ourselves. What God knows we will do is beyond our comprehension, but God knows and will work all things for the good.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 
God called Abram because He knew Abram’s heart. Even before Abram knew his own heart.
God made a covenant with Abram. He told Abram what He would do for and through Him and He swore it by Himself, for there is no greater than Himself.
Genesis 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 
Genesis 17:6-8
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 
  Each one of the persons in the line of Christ. The genealogy, as we say, of our Lord, has something to teach us and this is why Matthew goes to such lengths to not only proclaim the direct line but also mentions pertinent people involved with them. As we continue through this list, I will be able to show and explain why Matthew provides this information.
There are four points that I believe Matthew wants us to recognize and hold onto with the first person named. 
   
     1. God knows our hearts and sees us as He knows us. 
Jeremiah 29;11
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 
     2. Faith. Faith is counted to us as righteousness.
Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. 
     3. Obedience in faith. 
Genesis 22:16-18
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son : 
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
    Oh my Beloved Brethren. 
   4. The fourth point we see come to light in Abraham, is his devotion.
  It is one thing to be a Christian, but a far greater thing to be a devout Christian. Giving your all for God as He gave His all for us. This is why God proclaims; "By Myself I have sworn"---Because there is no greater to swear by--- and "Because thou hast done this thing"---because you have held nothing back to obey My command 
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens and the sand which is upon the sea shore"
    Oh how great God is toward the violently faithful and obedient.
Nothing stops them from faithful obedience even when it tears at every fiber in their flesh. 
Even before God promised Abraham, he would have a son and be the father of many nations and kings,
God had a purpose for Abraham and knew His heart. Even before Abraham was born. God knew he was the foundation for the nation of Israel in which the promised Seed would come.
Faith is the first step in being a child of God. The second step is obedience in faith. 
It can be and should be noted. Obedience is for God. It is to God for His Glory.
James says it with clarity! Faith without works is dead. Showing your faith in action by the guidance of God through His Holy Spirit is obedience. 
  God's abundance is already promised through His promise to Abraham. 
It doesn't stop unless you stop it. Faith alone is not enough!
Oh it may get you into heaven, but your clothes may be smoking when you get there!
God's blessings are for you and I and everyone who will devote themselves to obedience to the Word.
     That's not being a little church mouse! It is being a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. Not stopping for anything that may appear to be a hindrance or an end. Why live a normal life when we are born unto a superfluous God!
Blessing, I will bless thee and multiplying I will multiply--- These are the words of God to Abraham. They are the words God swore by Himself to keep, and they are available to all who devote themselves in FAITH and OBEDIENCE!
Once again being a church mouse is not being obedient.
Living abundantly for Jesus brings the abundance of God, for God, through Jesus, by the Holy Spirit in us!
So in Abraham we see,
1. God sees us as He created us to be, not what we see in ourselves.
2. Faith is righteousness before God.
3. Obedience opens the door to all the promises God has for us.

4. devotion brings the abundance God has in store for us.

I can testify, God's abundance is never ending toward me, when my devotion to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through my love for Him, is not stopped or hindered even by the smallest or greatest challenges. 

As we study each of these people in the book of the generation of Jesus Christ we can draw a lesson or a teaching that will be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
At the end I will recap each that we will be able to see that fulfillment in Christ.
   Isaac is our next in line.
Verse 1 says:  1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 
Now at first glance many newcomers to the Word think this is a misprint or a contradiction because verse 2 starts with --2 Abraham begat Isaac;
One thing we must grasp in our minds. sons are eternal. By the Word of God, a grandson as we would call the son of a son, is still the grandfather's son. and so, it is as we know it by our terminology for each generation following. Great grandson, great great grandson and so on. But God does not separate Himself from us by generations. In Christ we are His sons and His daughters. Not a thousand generations removed. We are born again as new children, of the first and only generation. There is nothing separating us from the Father. Jesus Christ is the first risen from the dead and we all follow in His steps in Him to be among many to join Him in relationship with our Father who art in Heaven.
  God does not sort us out and assign us a closer or more distant relationship with Him if we come early or late or we are the first among our earthly family or from a long line of faithful servants. We are all sons. And so, we must look at verse 1 in this holy and inclusive manner. Abraham is the beginning of the promise of Jesus Christ as savior for all nations. Each generation is as close to God as the next. His promise to Abraham is never ending especially to Israel but to all nations and nationalities because of Israel.  
Verse 1 says Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Yes! This is the abridged version because all Jews would know the Abrahamic and the Davidic covenants that led to the coming of the Messiah. 
But Matthew chose to expound on the major characters in between each of them that we may see how God works to make all things work for the good.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

I believe we will stop there for this Sermon and continue with Isaac when we meet again.
   Our most gracious Heavenly Father. Open the eyes of our hearts to see things as you see them. Open our hearts to accept the truth that we are Your chosen and can and will walk in Your promises when we rise above our flesh in Spiritual faith and obedience. It is not what we can do or even think we do in our fleshly efforts to obey, but it is what You do through us when we give ourselves totally to you. When we die to the flesh and rise in the Spirit of our Lord and Savior in devoted faith and obedience.
Faith that seeks the face of God and obedience that shows His hand in our lives.
Shout in Praise all ye saints! In the righteousness of Jesus Christ we pray. AMEN!

Pastor Steven Freede
Down Home Preaching Ministry
Original Sermon Date 11/13/16 



 


 



 

 

The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #4-111616

This popular Sermon Series was first posted in 2016 and to date contains over 350 sermons.
We will post them in order as well as posting new sermons as this series continues.  Enjoy!

   The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #4-111616


Matthew 1:2-17 
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; 
3 And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah; 
7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 
8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 
9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 
10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 
11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 
14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations. 

    As we pick up in Matthew in verse 2, we begin with the second in line to receive the promises God made to and through Abraham.
2 Abraham begat Isaac-----
Isaac; the son of promise! God promised a son to Abraham through his wife Sarah. Ishmael was not the son of promise although the son of Abraham. Ishmael was the son of Abraham's efforts with a woman that could bare him a child. Isaac was the son of Abraham through a woman that had to receive the grace of God to conceive. The blessing of God toward Abraham continued to be all of God! This is also the beginning of the doctrine of the elect. God knows His purpose for each one of us. All things work for the good, but it is always for the glory of God.

Think about. How would it glorify God to just make an offer to several so-called God-fearing men. Let them proceed to raise children and see which one would appear to be the most God glorifying in the eyes of the world. A worldly view of righteous person doing Gods work. Let me assure you the world is fooled daily by such nonsense.  

   No, God knows who He will call to do His work, and He knows how to show it can only be Him making it happen. A man and woman past the age of child being chosen to have a son for Gods glory is for them to know. But a barren woman past the age of child baring being with child can only be viewed by the world as a miracle of God. 
   God is in control of all things as our designer, creator, and sustainer. Here once again we will have people reading this and thinking to themselves, "what if I am not one of God's elect?" 
Well stay with us in this series and I will clear up a few things for you.
But for now, if you are deeply concerned then perhaps you should take a long hard look at yourself, your actions and thoughts, your relationship with Jesus Christ and the brethren, then be honest with yourself and confess and repent at every feeling and remembrance of wrongdoing. Oh, my beloved, if you are that concerned, that willing, that fearful of not being a child of God, then you will be saved! You would not fear being without Jesus or sinning against God if you were not being called to salvation by the Holy Spirit. Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and savior, and you will know what salvation really is.


  The child of promise came to Abraham and Sarah at a time when both were passed the age of procreation. The child grew and lived under the promise of blessing toward his father. When Abraham died, all the blessings of God's promises came directly to Isaac. How were they poured out on him?
Through faith and obedience just as they were for his father.
Genesis 25:11
11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi. 
Genesis 25:21
21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 
Genesis 26:1-6
1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. 
2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 
3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 
4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 
5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. 
6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: 
Gerar was in the land of Canaan which God had promised Abraham would be given to his descendants.
It was later in the land of the tribe of Judah. 
  So, Isaac was faithful and obedient in the land of King Abimelek of the Philistines. Now this was ninety years after Abrahams visit and original covenant of peace in this same land. So, this was not the same Abimelek. However, Isaac knew to fear them for their practices of taking what they wanted, by force if necessary and he applied the same ploy that His father had to save himself from them killing him to take his beautiful wife, Rebecca. 
   I find it noteworthy. Because of their faith and obedience, these two men were blessed with women so beautiful, that even kings desired them. 
Now I understand why my wife is so beautiful! 

Wow! Thank You Jesus!

   But God put fear in the hearts of the Philistine leaders, and they proclaimed that Isaac and Rebecca not be harmed. 
Isaac planted and God made his labors produce 100-fold.
He prospered so much the people of that land became envious and Isaac was told to leave because they feared him, for he had become so great in strength and number. So, he moved eastward but every time he dug a well the herdsmen of that area claimed it for themselves. So instead of fighting he would pack up and move. Here is another feature of faith and obedience in the son of Abraham. God did not tell him to make a stand or fight or take anything that was not his. God said (paraphrase)--do not go into the land of Egypt. Go where I tell you and you will be blessed. 
  Now sometimes we are moved and things change around us so we must deal with current events, but that does not mean God is not there the whole time with a watchful eye and a helpful hand. When God is ready to move you on to the next step in His plan, He will tell you. Isaac moved from place to place but was forced to move over and over because of the herdsmen in the area. Peacefully he would move and God would continue to bless and guide and provide for him. 
  2-------and Isaac begat Jacob-----
Matthew was writing to confirm the lineage of Jesus through the promise made to Abraham.
But in stating each one of these people he was bringing the remembrance of the presence of God in the lives of them all to our attention. Throughout time God has made Himself manifest in the lives of all men for His purpose.
As we continue looking into the lives of each one on Matthews list, we will begin to see the character of God. Each one is a stone in the architects finished work which comes to a head in Jesus Christ.
   Let's continue.
Jacob the second born of twins. It is hardly possible to mention Jacob without thinking of Esau also.
Here I will expound on the doctrine of election.
Before Jacob and Esau were ever born God knew them.
Genesis 25:21-23
21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 
22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. 
23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
Romans 9:10-18
 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. 
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 
12 It was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger. 
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. 
17 For the scripture saith to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 
  Now, many would say Esau didn't have a chance. 
Oh, but he did! He was raised in the same God-fearing household as Jacob, but God knew his heart before the world was formed. God knew he would not fear Him nor follow his commands. 
  Many would say Esau was treated like a pagan, like Pharaoh himself, yet even Pharaoh saw the greatness of God firsthand and would not believe. There are them who only get one opportunity to come to God and others are called for many years. Jacob by no means was sinless in thought or action many times in his life, yet he believed God was with him and it was counted to him as righteousness as it was with his father and grandfather.
We must understand, God is sovereign. It is His perfect will for all things to work for the good. God's mercy is on them he knows will come and compassion on them that do. But them who will not, He knows, and even hardens their hearts so they cannot come to Him and be saved.
 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 
     I would like everyone to notice verse 11 of 2 Thessalonians 2 says----that they should believe a lie: 
This is a choice made by the unbeliever. A choice to ignore everything else and in doing so God does not hinder them but makes the lie more than believable. It is what their hearts desire.
This is why Scripture says: Esau have I hated. 
In the same sense He says: ---Jacob have I loved. God knew Jacobs heart and He never left Him.
Is God unrighteous for giving us what our hearts desire? Not at all! 
One thing we must all remember. God gave us free will! And we are free to accept or deny the truth of even His existence. But God already knows and to them that will desire Him, He has mercy and to them who will not, His mercy is withheld to the point of total blindness toward Him.
  You cannot blame God for your sinful refusal to come before His Son in confession and repentance. If you choose a hard heart, a hard heart is what you will receive.
Everyone has been given a seed of faith. It is what you put that seed in to grow that will be for your eternal glory with God or your eternal damnation. Faith grows in lies as quick as it does the truth!
   So as Matthew lists the names of all who came in line to Jesus Christ, Jacob is remembered for many things in his life. 
He bartered with Esau for His birthright which Esau willingly gave up to satisfy his stomach.
He followed his mother's plan to deceive Isaac for the blessing that Esau had already willingly given up.
He did not always follow God's directions to the fullest or the quickest but nun the less, he was faithful and even though Laban used and abused him for his services Jacob dealt honestly with him.
   Jacob had 12 sons through his obedience and faith to his father and God. Jacob was blessed because of his persistence in believing God would be with Him and his willingness to set his face like flint on God blessing him to continue, without harm, to walk the path God had set before him.
 Dedication and devotion to even wrestle against his fears to serve our almighty God. 
And oh, was he blessed! 
It would do us all good to open our Bibles and read once again from Genesis Chapters 24-33.

     Are we beginning to see the importance of the naming of the earthly descendants of Jesus? As we read this list, instead of skipping over it to get on with the Book of Matthew, we can begin to see the character in each of them that God has used to show us Himself in Jesus Christ.
Each one has something to teach us about what God looks for and uses in each of His servants and as we will soon see, what God will use to achieve His purpose. 
Romans 9:13
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Genesis 26:34-35
34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: 
35 Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah. 

How do you live?
Are you like Jacob, who admits and faces his fears, and cries out for God to be with him?
Or are you like Esau who credits his own hands for his prosperity?
Are you a blessing to your parents or a grief of mind to them?
Are you persistent in your desire to come closer to and honor and glorify God? 
Or are you high and mighty all by yourself?
It is by these very people that we can see and know what is righteous in the sight of God and what is not. By the time we get to Jesus we will know Him by His righteousness.

Open our eyes to the truth in your Word, Father, that we would not believe the lies of the world.
In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN!

Pastor Steven Freede
Down Home Preaching Ministry
Original sermon date---11/16/16

   



 


 



 

 

The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #5

This popular Sermon Series was first posted in 2016 and to date contains over 350 sermons.
We will post them in order as well as posting new sermons as this series continues.  Enjoy!

The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #5-112016

Matthew 1:2-3 

2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; 
3 And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 

2----and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren;
Judas is another spelling for Judah.
Matthew not only states the direct line but includes the rest of Israel or shall we say all the children of Israel.
Why is that?
Matthew wants everyone to see a oneness in Christ. 12 tribes of Israel make a whole nation and from that nation came the Messiah! Yes, from one tribe but he was also born from one nation, rose and become savior to all. 
The Children of Jacob became the tribes of Israel and they came to be as follows:
Genesis 35:23-26
23 The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: 
24 The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin: 
25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali: 
26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.  
 I would like to draw your attention to the oneness or wholeness of these families. Did you notice there was no mention of half brothers and of being lesser or greater by who they were born under, as their mother's relationship to Jacob.
Jacob was tricked into taking Leah as his wife but did so to gain Rachel.
Handmaidens were often given as part of the blessing for prosperity and progeny.
You see, Children were named and numbered through the men. It didn't matter how many wives or concubines or handmaidens he had children with. They were his children. They may not all receive the same inheritance, but they were all brothers and sisters by the same father.
Are we beginning to see the oneness and wholeness of the Church!
It doesn't matter who you are born under in the flesh. Our Father in Heaven holds us as one of His own. Our Father calls us, redeems us and keeps us all to Himself. In faith and obedience, we are His sons and His daughters no matter who we have descended from.
  Judah was chosen to be the line from which Jesus was to be born.
The rest received an inheritance according to their obedient or disobedient action.  But they were still all the Children of Israel and the chosen nation for God.
Genesis 49:8-10
8 “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 
9 “Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? 
10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. 
    
3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, -----
Why does Matthew mention the mother of the sons of Judah?
Once again the facts behind these people should give us faith in our total adoption into the family of God. Over and over, Matthew brings to light the faults of these chosen people. It is not to belittle any of them but to prove God works through anyone for His purpose. And not just them who love Him.
He is in control of all things and will make them work for the good. And what is that?
It is for His glory!
Praise the Lord! If you’re coming to Christ through the call of the Holy Spirit, it is for God's glory, then how much more will the rest of your life be for His glory?  How much more will He give for you to walk in faith and serve in joyful obedience for His glory! God does not call His children and then forget them.
God wants His children to be His children. When the world looks at you, do they question if God in Heaven, is your Father? Do they wonder if you walk in Christ and work by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit? 
  Oh, we all make mistakes and fall short of the mark of sinlessness, but even so, do you rise once again in confession and repentance to be a light for Christ? Do you sanctify yourself once again to discipleship and obedient service for the glory of God? God can and will work in and through them who's hearts are perfect toward Him. It is His will, His gracious disposition for us to glorify Him. And He will make it happen whether we walk in unison with Him or not.
  Stop and think for a second. These chosen people were nothing more than sinful flesh like everyone else. They had the same fears and doubts and challenges that we do. They were just as weak in the flesh as we are, and we are just as strong in faith and obedience as they were. Yes, we can be powerful servants of God by faith or servants by His hand and plan without faith and obedience.
What's the difference?
Salvation!  
    Judah married a Canaanite woman. A Pagan. An unbeliever in God. Well should we consider this in our own lives?
Yes! Judah married an unbeliever. An unbeliever in the God of Abraham, Isaac and his father Jacob.
Genesis 38:2
2 Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her and went in to her. 
  Judah SAW a woman. Well, that right there gives us a clear understanding of what went wrong.
Judah was looking with his eyes and not his heart. He had been raised better but ignored his teaching and followed his sinful desires. Oh My, how human of him! 
  Free will is from God. In reality, free will is an inner need. We never have the will to come to Christ, but we do have the need to come to Him when we begin to understand the Gospel. We never have the will to take a spouse until we reach the age and knowledge of understanding what a spouse is or should be. Then for most a spouse becomes a need, a necessity for growth and happiness. However, like Judah many see with their eyes and not their hearts. Desire replaces need and people choose what their minds want their spouse to be for them instead of waiting for their hearts to choose. God gave us an inner need that we would come to Him with our hearts. However, we still have the ability to refuse and turn away. 

   I would say if we do have free will, it would be to refuse or deny the need that is within us. It is the turning away from the calling in our hearts to fill our eyes and minds with our desires. God does not force us to accept Him. Jesus was our one and only sacrificial offering. We acknowledge that offering through faith it was made for us, or we refuse to believe it is true. We recognize our need for a savior in our hearts or we tell ourselves we have a better plan.

It is free will, not need that can separate us from God, just as it did with Adam and Eve.  When we choose to listen to the voice of Satan and move against God, we are no longer in the will of God. We walk and work alone. We live outside of the power and the presence of God. 
God may still use us for His purpose, but we may never know the glory of God in our lives. Or we may confess and repent and be gathered into God's promises once again.
   Judah had 3 sons by his pagan wife. After many years Judah took a wife for his eldest son.
Genesis 38:6-11
6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. 
7 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 
9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 
10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. 
11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. 
    After some time, Judah's wife passed away, and his youngest son whom had been promised to Tamar was not given to her. When Tamar discovered this, she dressed herself as a Harlot and tricked Judah to lay with her. By her, God brought forth 2 offspring as twins. The chosen of the two, forced his way to be born ahead of the flesh. Natural birth would have had Zarah born first but by God's will Pharez broke forth to be the first born. 
Genesis 38:26
26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
Confession and repentance once again became part of Judah's life. 
   Tamar was not what we would expect to see in the line of Jesus but once again, God will work all things for the good with whomever He chooses to work with and through. Our opinion of just and worthy is not what God goes by. All people are God’s creation. His love for every person is without end and it is His right to bring about all things for His glory in and through anything or anyone. He is sovereign.  
Nothing has changed. He still works all things for the good! 
Don't ever think that because someone does not believe in Jesus Christ that God cannot or will not use them for His glory. That does not mean they will be saved. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. God Himself! But all things are the Lords. All creation is by His hand, and He has the right to use anything He has created, any way He wants. 
  Now is the time to think if you will. 
Would you rather be used by God without the benefit of His saving grace?
Or would you come to Him with a heart’s desire to be of service to our creator with the blessed assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
  God wants to continue the blessing of the promises made to Israel in you. His promises never end for them who's faith and obedience are the same. We may stumble and fall but God is always ready to stand us up and lift us to greater heights when we confess and repent of our sin and put our total trust in Him.

    If you are reading this day and know you are living in sin, even if you have called on the name of Jesus, stop right know and confess and repent and commit your life to service in Faith.
Serving in faith, is full of rewards for us through God.
Being used as an unbeliever, only rewards God!  
 
Let's pray,
  Our most gracious Heavenly Father. As we take the time to examine this list of the people you chose to bring forth the promised Messiah. Your Son Jesus Christ! As we open our eyes to their lives and mistakes, their beliefs and service, help us Lord to capture a true look at what we really are, compared to these people and why we should not fear being someone that you cannot or will not lift to great service in faith. Our fear should lay in not coming to you in faith by your Word! Our fear should be knowing our lives are in your hands, to be gathered in and kept through faith or cast off in unbelief. All creation is for the glory of God. God may use someone for His glory, but He will never make them believe in Him. The gift of salvation is free for them who willingly come in the knowledge of their need of salvation
  If there is anyone today who hears the call of the Holy Spirit to come to Christ, just stop right now and ask Jesus for forgiveness. Ask Him to come into your heart and then commit your life to Him. 
I believe there are many who are reading these sermons who are hearing that call and I pray Father, hear them, even in their weakest moments Lord. Gather in your children as they answer your call to glory.
In the name of Jesus we pray! AMEN! 


Pastor Steven Freede

Down Home Preaching Ministry

Original Sermon Date

11/20/16



 


 


   
 



 

 

The Harmony of the Gospels  Sermon #6

This popular Sermon Series was first posted in 2016 and to date contains over 350 sermons.
We will post them in order as well as posting new sermons as this series continues.  Enjoy!
 

The Harmony of the Gospels  Sermon #6-112516
Matthew 1:3-5

     We come now to a few names that may have had more historical meaning other than proving the direct line from Abraham to Jesus. 
 3 And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; ------- And we will stop there for a bit.

       Salmon had a wife named Rachab (Rahab) and she gave him a son whom they named Booz (Boaz).
Rahab? Oh yes, the same Rahab that took in the spies from Israel. 
Matthew continues to break tradition by naming woman in the genealogy of Jesus but because he is free in Christ and no longer bound to tradition, he makes it clear just how important it is, these women are included in his list which he presents as proof to the mercy, grace, forgiveness and sovereignty of God!
   Examining these women and their historical placement and even the roles in the movement and demonstration of the power of God, brings to light the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith.
    Rahab was the first and one of the most powerful testimonies to the truth of God's Word, even toward them who were not of the tribe of Israel.
How is that you may ask?
Well, let's examine this and apply it, even to the world today.
 Rahab was not only a harlot but she was from the land of Canaan. A pagan. Raised and taught to accept and embrace any and all false gods and religions, as well as religious and immoral activities of the culture of this land. There were no boundaries to religious beliefs or sinful activities in the land of Canaan. 
That is why, the children of Israel were told not to marry into them. They were not to take pagan wives.
   Now you say, "Oh but pastor Salmon was a son of Abraham and Rahab was a pagan.
Well, let's define something here.
What is a pagan.
Any of various religions other than Christianity or Judaism.
Any belief that accepts and embraces a Deity or Deities other than Our Lord God and Father in Heaven.
Even a religion that claims the one true God but does not adhere to his Word, statutes and commandments. Does this sound like many or even most of the religious organizations we see and know today? Compromise was not, is not, nor ever will be a part of the Christian life or religion. 
Accepting or embracing any other religion or even unholy activity is not lifting the ungodly. It is leaving your holy standing with God. 
  Not to say God will not take you back upon your confession and repentance, but when you become engaged to and even become part of such unholy activity you are no longer a representative of the one true God. You are no longer a Christian but a servant of Satan! A Hypocrite!  A believer in your mind and not your heart. Filled with faith and works that glorify you and not God. 
2 Timothy 3:5
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 
   Ok so what are we learning here. 
It is what we believe or believe in that makes us what we are.
Unbelief is the same as being half hearted or compromising in the sight of God.
Unbelief is not fearing the penalty of disobedience. Unbelief is accepting unholy behavior as acceptable. Unbelief is not turning completely away from such behavior and seeking to become righteous through God. 
   Now let's examine the life and events of Rahab and apply these truths and then grasp the truth of the outcome.
Joshua 2:1
1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. 
Joshua 2:4-6
4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were : 
5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. 
6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. 
Joshua 2:8-13
8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; 
9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 
10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. 
11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. 
12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: 
13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Joshua 2:15-21
15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. 16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way. 
17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. 
18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. 
19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. 
20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. 
21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. 
Joshua 6:22-25
22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. 
23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. 
24 And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD. 
25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. 
     This may seem to be a lot of scripture to study, but we will do a brief overview to gather in the truth and the value of it in the greater sense. I can assure you we will return to this text in the future for a more in depth study.
     Rahab was a citizen of Jericho. The first city God had chosen to conquer through His chosen nation, in the promised land. 
The first thing we see is that Rahab recognized the men of Israel as representatives of God.
The second thing we see is that she knew what would happen to them if they were found.
    Rahab knew and feared the power of God and feared His representatives.
Now one might say , "well it doesn't appear that she feared the spies because she took them in her home, not as a harlot but as a friend or as people she could trust."

 The rest of Jericho was searching for the spies from Israel to kill them. She had turned from their wicked way and sought to save them and in doing so save herself and her family from certain destruction.
   All of Jericho had heard of the nation of Israel's departure from Egypt and their conquest of great kings and peoples. Rahab believed it was the God of Israel that moved in and through them and by Him they were more than conquerors. Rahab believed in God by the actions of His children. She did not need to know all the promises and blessing given to them by God. She was quite convinced by hearing of the results of their faith and obedience to their God. 
   Rahab laid her life on the line for God's servants. She was giving her life for theirs. 
Think about what would have happened to her if she would have been caught in protecting them.
But God, knows the hearts of them who are perfect toward Him. 
  An agreement was made between the servants of God and Rahab for her safety and the safety of her family if she followed their instructions without deviation or compromise. 
1 She was told to bind the scarlet cord that it may be seen outside of the walls of Jericho.
2 Take all of her family into the safety of her dwelling place. 
3 Do not let them wander outside of that safe haven.
4 Tell no one of these promises made to you. 
Joshua 2:21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it.--
Rahab became dedicated and devoted to not only believing in God but to obeying God.
And the outcome was not only her being safely extracted from Jericho before it's annihilation but her complete acceptance into the nation of Israel and the honor of being in the direct line of relation to Jesus.
   Now let's apply this to what Matthew is bringing to light to his readers including us in this day and age.
Rahab was born into sin but through her uncompromising faith she became a person of action.
She became obedient to her faith against the threat of being killed by her countrymen.
She cast off fear of death for a promise of life through faith in God and was rewarded far and beyond her imagination. 
She confessed with her mouth the Lord.
Joshua 2:11------- for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. 
She repented of her sin. In other words, she no longer lived a life that coincided with the lives of the people of Jericho. She cast off all they stood for to grasp hold of the life of the people living under the hand of the eternal God in Heaven.
   Do we see what Matthew is telling us by simply mentioning Rahab's name on his list, God's mercy and grace go far beyond the nation of Israel. God's forgiveness and blessing are for all who will confess and repent of their sin and not only believe but do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
    Confession is little without the great motion of repentance that must go with it!
Confession is through the mouth from the heart but repentance is the rest of your life. It is a lifestyle.
Living in repentance is living by the Spirit of God and not by the flesh of the world.
Rahab chose to confess her belief in God and cast off the life of a pagan to join into a life of eternal promise and blessing.
  You see the only similarity between being a pagan and being a child of God is what you do because of what you believe. 
The differences are as far apart as light and darkness and hot and cold.
Anything in between is a mixture of both and is still unpleasing to God.
Revelation 3:15-16
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.   
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Our text reads 
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; -----
We have spent most of this sermon on the proof of God's mercy and grace as well as forgiveness and blessing to all who put and show their faith in Him, but there is someone that is often overlooked.
Salmon was a son of Abraham. He was from the tribe of Judah and as was all the men of Israel, He was not to marry out of his tribe and never out of the nation of Israel. 

Now some would say that he did.
Oh, but he didn't!
You see, Rahab was taken into the nation of Israel by faith and became a member of God's children with all the rights of marriage and inheritance.
You see when you give yourself to God, he takes all of you and makes you new. 
The old is dead and you become a new person. Inside and out.
You belong to God. You are one of His children. 
Salmon took Rahab and did nothing wrong in doing so.
Did he marry her and then try to change her? NO!
She was a member of the house of God before he took her into his household.
This is a lesson for everyone now and until Jesus comes.
If you are a God-fearing Christian, do not marry someone who is not the same. 
Remember Christianity is a lifestyle, and it cannot be mixed with a lifestyle that is not the same!
But, when someone gives their life to Christ. Confesses with their mouth, believes in their heart and repents of all unholiness they are free from sin and can marry and be blessed in marriage to any other Christian of the opposite gender.
Salmon took Rahab and begat Booz.
Salmon knew how great God was in saving this woman because of her faith and actions which proved her faith. Salmon knew he was not marrying out of His tribe of Judah. He knew Rahab was marrying into his tribe because she was now a Hebrew, child of God, like Him.

   I would like all of us to take a moment to reflect on this lesson.
How do we all relate to Rahab?
We are all pagans from birth. All born into sin. Even being raised in a Christian family does not save us.
We are pagans even if we go to church and sing and do all kinds of things Christians do.
Oh yes, even the Devil believes in God!
But when we confess from our hearts and repent of all that is not of God; all that is unholy in our life, we become new. We become a child of God, with all the rights and inheritance of the family of God.
How do we who have cast off our pagan roots, to become children of God, look upon others who have done the same?
Do we still look at them through standards and divisions? Do we judge them by where they came from, their color of skin or their history?
Or do we accept them as an equal in the sight of God?
You see Salmon was as blessed by God as Rahab.
Salmon took her in, as a believer in God and became the father and teacher to a son named Booz (Boaz).

I believe we will pick up there in our next sermon.
   Let's pray,
Our most gracious Heavenly Father, what an awesome God you are, to accept everyone into your family, who will confess and repent and give their life to You. You never take us part way, sometimes or a little at a time. When we give all of ourselves to You, You take all of us into You, because You have already given all of yourself for us on the cross through your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to understand that without total faith and obedience we are still like the people of Jericho. Doomed for total annihilation by our own choice of denial and refusal to repent of all unholiness. Help us to understand, even as Christians, how completely we have been accepted into your holy house. We are children of God in Spirit and in flesh. Choose a lifestyle that will continue to grow and improve forever. Choose God, choose Jesus, choose the Holy Spirit. Walk and work for His glory without shame and hindrance of this world.
Rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit and roll the stone of death from your earthly tomb.
We are alive in Christ to live for our Father in Heaven because He says so!
Praise the Lord! and all the children of God shout------AMEN!

Pastor Steven Freede

Down Home Preaching Ministry

Original Sermon Date

11/25/16

 


 



 



 

 

The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #7-12216
This popular Sermon Series was first posted in 2016 and to date contains over 350 sermons.
We will post them in order as well as posting new sermons as this series continues.  Enjoy!

Boaz and Ruth

The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #7-12216

Matthew 1:5
And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

   We ended our last study in Matthew with Salmon and Rachab (Rahab).
Rahab being a Canaanite who had cast off her pagan upbringing and faith to accept the one true God of Israel. Rahab confessed God with her mouth and with her actions repented of her pagan lifestyle. 
In the name of Rahab we see God's sovereignty in choosing whom he wants for His purposes. 
  Too often we assume that royalty begets royalty.
In a way we are correct. You see royalty as the world views it is by blood line. A physical inheritance and position. But royalty in the sight of God is for all who will cast of the flesh and come to Him in Spirit.
Rahab is a beautiful example of being taken into the Royal family of God by faith and obedience. Rahab was not only washed of sin by faith but was (unbeknownst to her), blessed with being in direct line to the King.
  Royalty in the family of God is for all who will come before Him in confession and repentance. We are immediately taken into a royal priesthood as faithful and obedient disciples of the Word of God, Jesus Christ Himself. 
1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:  
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

    You see, we are all God's creation, but without asking for forgiveness of sin and believing with all our hearts that Jesus Christ was crucified, died on a cross, took the penalty for our sin and then was raised up again because there was no sin in Him, we cannot and will not be saved. If we put our faith in Him, that He paid the penalty for our sin and turn our lives from all unholy and ungodly practices, we will be saved.
   I want to stress this point.
Faith without works is dead!
Believing without changing and doing, is faith in your head, not your heart.
God does not live in the believers head, He lives in the believers heart. That is the soul of a man. 
What a man believes in his heart is what a man will rise and stand for.
  Rahab believed God was with Israel and that through their faith in Him they would be able to conquer anything. Rahab was right. And she still is today.
   Salmon was the one who took Rahab as holy and clean because of her faith and obedience. She was accepted into the nation of Israel, but Salmon took her into the tribe of Judah believing God had cleansed her of all unholiness. Salmon was right. And it is still God who cleanses us by the blood of Christ through faith and obedience to this very day. 
    One might say "Well how can that be? Christ hadn't even been born yet and certainly not crucified for sin yet?" 
Oh, that is true but to God who was, is and always will be, there is no time. When Christ (who is God) was crucified, He died for all sin, past, present and future. He died once and for all. 
All who were, are and will be faithful and obedient to the Word of God. Jesus Christ!
You see before Christ in the Flesh, was Christ the Word. The very Word of God! 
John 1:1-2
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 
2 The same was in the beginning with God. 
And all who believed and obeyed the Word of God, to them it was counted righteousness. 
     Do you understand, being called a Christian is nothing. It's nothing if there is no proof of salvation through works of faith and obedience! 
Do you call yourself a Christian? Do you believe with all your heart that Jesus died for your sins and rose again to be our High Priest interceding for us at the right hand of God?
Do you believe that you are not only called to faith but are called to obey?
Do you just have a form of godliness or do you live and work and grow in the power of the saving grace God has poured out for you through Jesus Christ? Are you continuously being filled with the Holy Spirit to rise above this world in discipleship and service to God? Are you actively giving your life for Christ as He gave His life for yours?
   Look at Rahab. Look at what she was and what she did. And then look at what she became.
Rahab believed in her heart and rose to offer her life to God through the action of protecting God's faithful servants and children. Rahab and her family were shown and given the mercy and grace of God far and beyond their expectations. They were saved from certain destruction and taken into the chosen nation of Israel. Rahab herself was given a God-fearing man from the tribe of Judah and was given the honor of bearing a son that would carry on the knowledge of righteousness through faith and obedience, forgiveness and acceptance.
  Yes this is a salvation message. The whole Bible is a salvation message. We need to look for that loud and clear message in every word and example it has for us. This is why Matthew includes the names of these women with the list of fathers and sons. Matthew is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Good news of salvation through faith in the Son of God. Matthew is testifying to the righteousness of God and Jesus by the works He has done in and through these people even before the birth of Jesus.
   There is much more to study in our text so let's proceed.
5 And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; ------
    The Old Testament book of Ruth is a beautiful record of historical facts.
Many like to think the book of Ruth is a love story. Well, when you consider all of the blessings that came upon these God-fearing people and God is Love, I suppose that is not an incorrect statement.
However, when we look into the background of Boaz and Ruth we can see it is more than a love story.
     Ruth was a Moabite. A descendant of an incestuous relation between Lot and his oldest daughter.
Although the Moabites were distant relatives to the Israelites, they were Pagans by their beliefs and practices.  Their Idolatrous worshipping of Chemosh and child sacrifices made them an abomination to God. Yet we see Ruth in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Why?
       I would like everyone to take the time to read the Book of Ruth. 
One of the first things you will notice is that she loved Naomi.
Obviously, Ruth saw in Naomi what she wanted to see in herself. 
She was married to Naomi's son for ten years before he died. If he or his family had treated her poorly, she would have surely left to go back to her people when she was bid to go. Both daughters-in-law were bid to go but Ruth would not let go of what she believed to be the best and most desirable life she had ever known. Ruth had become fully indoctrinated with the commandments and statutes of God by living in this family for so long and when the decision had to be made on whether to go back to the old or remain with the new, she chose God.
   You see choosing God is not just a religion. Choosing God is a way of life. Ruth cast off all her ties to her Pagan Moabite roots and took on the faith and life of an Israelite. 
She had no idea how she would survive but in faith she set her face toward God and set her life toward service to God through love for her mother-in-law.
    The second point we must see in Ruth 1:16-17 is her statement of faith and commitment to God and to Naomi.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
    Devotion to doing what is right in the eyes of God, is devotion to God! It is His righteousness shining through in you!
    In the land of Judah, near Bethlehem was a man of great wealth. There is more to this translation than we generally assume. A man of great wealth is a man of great valor and ability. Too often we put money as the sole definition for wealth. Boaz was a devout follower of God. He was raised in a time of God's mighty hand upon Israel as they conquered the kingdoms of the land of Canaan and as they fought to maintain it. God proved Himself in and through His people all of the life of Boaz and through his faith and obedient life he reaped the blessing of God's abundance even when there was a famine in the land.
   Remember, Boaz was present in Bethlehem at the same time as Elimelech took Naomi to Moab. 
Boaz remained in faith through the famine. Elimelech claimed faith but followed his stomach to lead his family into a slow and certain removal from the hand of God.
   Listen folks, claiming faith in God but not living in faith is not God honoring or glorifying in any way.
You are loving God in your head but loving yourself in your heart.
Now, someone would say "well if it comes down to feeding my family and seeing that they have what they need I would have done the same. I would have moved them to where we could make a living." 
   Oh, will you listen to that! Will you listen to the Devil as he whispers in your ear? "You need to move. God will take care of you even if you subject your family to sin and abominable behavior just to have what you think you need! Go ahead, you don't have to renounce God, just don't live like one of His children so you can get along with the Pagans!"
   Oh can't you see why Boaz prospered even during a famine and Elimelech lost everything including his life. Boaz remained in faith and obedience. Elimelech claimed faith but was obedient to his head instead of his heart. 
  Why was Naomi spared from death in Moab?
One can assume it was because of her obedience to her husband, her faith even though she did not agree with being where she was and the things going on around her. Her love for her family including her daughters-in-law. And her belief that God was in control of all things.
Naomi believed she was being punished for moving to Moab and would not stay because she herself desired to return to God and his people. 
  Why was Naomi spared? God knew her heart. 
He also knew the heart of Ruth. Have you ever stopped to think if it were not for Naomi's desire to return to God in the land of Judah that it would have been very difficult for Ruth to be accepted into the nation of Israel. Do you see God's hand in all of this. 
 Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 
   
 Now Boaz became a type of Christ to these two women, being a righteous man, a very giving and forgiving man. He wasted no time in redeeming the property of his close relative including the widow of one of Elimelech's sons that there would be an inheritance and an inheritor in the future for this family.
  Once again, there will be some who insist that Boaz broke the law by taking a Moabite woman as his wife. No, the facts are Elimelech's son married a pagan from Moab. Boaz married a Jewish proselyte.
The law held no bars against anyone who fears and honors God no matter where they were from or who they were born to. Faith and obedience to God and His Word brought any and all into the household of God. 
  And guess what folks? It still does!
Why would Boaz so readily accept this woman from Moab?
He himself made statement as to hearing about Ruth's loyalty to Naomi. He also knew she had cast off her pagan beliefs or she would not have returned with Naomi to the land of Judah.
Boaz also was the Son of a man who had taken a woman from a pagan nation. 
Remember Boaz was half Canaanite by his mother Rahab. That did not lower him in the sight of anyone but actually made him an even stronger servant of God having firsthand knowledge of the total acceptance of His mother by God and his father, as well as the nation of Israel.
   Boaz knew what total acceptance by God was, because of his mother. Boaz understood the sincerity of casting off a false faith and religion to completely accept the truth of God. He was raised by a mother who could testify to the error of false religion and a father who could testify to the righteousness of following God. Being a faithful child and a faithful nation to God. 
   Have you ever really thought about what it means to be ---One Nation Under God!   
Look at the nation of Israel
God separated his people to be clean and free of all false gods and pagan religious practices. He gave them a land where they could live and prosper and grow in faith and obedience to Him.
Others could come into this nation only if they denounced their false beliefs and practices and became a faithful and obedient child of God. 
    God never intended Israel to become a melting pot of religions and religious practices. He did not command his people to coexist with the sin of false religion. He commanded them to rid the land of all who were not His people and then keep that land free from such ever returning. The promised land was for the tribes of Israel to keep and prosper in as one nation under God. 
    As soon as they allowed false religions and pagan rituals to enter and coexist, they became divided amongst themselves. they began accepting pagan practices into their lifestyles and even their religious practices. They became selfish and arrogant and fought against each other or would not fight for each other. They became each man for himself, worshipping in whatever manner and degree they saw fit.
They went from one nation under God, to individual groups with their own names and religious beliefs and practices.
   You know, America was once One Nation Under God.-------- America was once a God fearing, growing and prosperous nation. But when the Church, the real Nation became divided amongst itself------well just look around.
     It's not hard to see the outcome. It's not difficult to understand why God commands His people to remain united as one in faith and obedience to Him. He doesn't call us to start another church, He calls us to be one church, one body. No matter where we come from or how we were raised. We are to be the children of God. God fearing and God honoring without religious differences, practices or names.
  Do you think God's Heavenly Kingdom is divided up in sections? One for the Baptists, one for the Methodists, one for the Pentecostals, etc; etc? Really?
  No! God's kingdom is and always will be for them who cast off their man-made religions and man-made ritualistic practices and come to Him in faith and obedience. To Him and Him alone. Heaven is and always will be filled with Christians and only Christians. There is no other name before God or His children.

    We have just been given the examples of two women who turned their lives away from false religion and put their faith and lives in God's hands. They cast off all that was not of God and put on the life of a child of God. They had been accepted into the nation of Israel, the family and children of God through faith and obedience to God and God alone. They didn't come to Israel because they no longer liked where they lived and immediately started looking for a group of religious practitioners that fit their wants and needs.
No! They came fearing God! They came knowing the God of Israel was and is and always will be the most High God! They came knowing death and destruction lay waiting for them without faith and obedience to God. And they came to join One Nation Under God. Undivided on how to worship or when or where to worship God. They were one people. They were God's people and even them who came and worshipped without bringing their pagan practices and beliefs with them were accepted and abundantly blessed. They were justified by God and his people. Justified----Just as if they had never sinned against God and His commandments. Just as if God Himself had raised them from the dust of the earth and made them from the very beginning, just for Himself. 
   Do you know why?   Because He did!
We are all God's creation from the beginning to the end. But we are not all God's Children. We are not one nation under God with all our religious divisions and factions and organizations and practices.
Rahab and Ruth have much to teach us and there is much to remember just by the mentioning of their names.
Are you religious? Or are you a converted pagan? 
Are you a member of some religious group and organization, attempting to convince the world of your faith? Or are you a God-fearing Christian with no other names and memberships attached. 
Are you a sinner saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? The Son of God who redeemed our lives, our inheritance with and from God. You see Jesus is our Boaz, when we come to Him in total submission. When we humble ourselves at His feet and ask Him to take us in, believing He can and will. 
No strings attached, just faith and obedience to His commands. We are immediately comforted with the knowledge that all is being taken care of. Be at peace and wait for God to move in your life. Just as Rahab and Ruth, you do not know the awesome things God has in store for you and yours, when you cast off all that is not of God and give your life to Him through faith in His Word, Jesus Christ!

I've gone a bit long this morning, but I pray you will all grasp the importance of the mentioning of these two women in the genealogy of Jesus, by Saint Matthew in His opening chapter. The whole Bible is the Good news of God's salvation for us, by grace through faith in His Word. Jesus Christ! AMEN!

Pastor Steven Freede
Down Home Preaching Ministry
Original Sermon Date 12/2/16

    
    
 
 



 

 

The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #8-12416

The Gospels in Harmony  Sermon #8-12416

Matthew 1:5-6
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah; 

Matthew continues in verse 5 with the son of Obed.
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 
  Now it seems that Matthew skipped over a few generations to light on the most important and prominent members in the genealogy of Jesus. Between Rahab and David there was about 400 years, but it was not uncommon for writers to abbreviate family lines in order to cover a greater space of time.
  Jesse was the son of Obed but remember the phrase "son of" is correct when speaking of any number of generations past or present. They simply kept direct bloodlines in short terms. Therefore, to say David was the son of Abraham or Abraham begot David by his seed, is correct terminology.
  So we have the statement of direct line even if we only mention a few names. None the less we will concentrate on the names given as they were given for our remembrance. 
5----and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 
6 And Jesse begat David the king; -----
    David the king!
How is it that all of a sudden there is royalty in the sons of Abraham!
Is it not what God promised?
Genesis 17:6
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
    God never breaks a promise, because He makes His promises on His own head.  Why? Because there is nothing higher to swear upon!  God's promises stand for the one given and for all generations after. They are never ending promises, and they are never ending commitments made by God to all who put their faith in Him. Remember Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness! It was through faith that God's promises were made and instituted. 
    By faith all grace from God is given. 
I didn't say, all of God's blessings to you personally. God's Promises came to Abraham through his seed. You see God's promises are for the faithful and for their children.
I want you to get a handle on this folks! Your faith in God is a blessing toward your children!
Your faith in God, without doubt, opens the door of promises to you and your offspring.
Your faith and obedience brings God's promises to fruition with power.
2 Thessalonians 1:11
 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

 God counts you worthy of His calling when you give yourself to Him and accept His precious gifts of mercy and grace, forgiveness and justification through faith in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. 
  He fulfills all the good pleasures of His goodness in and through His faithful children. 
God's will is His gracious disposition toward us. His desire is for us to live in all His blessing and promise through our faith and obedience to Him, through Jesus Christ. When I say that He wants us to live in all His blessing, I am referring to you personally and you in and through the lives of your offspring.
Just as God lives in and through His Son, Jesus Christ, He also lives in and through each one of us. 
Now apply that to yourself and your children. What you teach and give and prepare for them is yours from God. Your Father gives you everything good through your faith and obedience to Him. Even blessings that are promised will be given to you through your children. The continued blessing of God's promises is because of the believer’s faith and obedience.
   How do you insure the blessing of God for your children? By showing your faith and teaching them what your obedience has brought for you and for them. 
Do your children have faith in God through you? 
Do they have faith in you because they know your faith in your Father in Heaven?
Do they know your faith because of your father's faith in God? 
Have they been told of all of God's blessing in your family through the generations up to them?
Even if you are the first generation to walk with and in and through the power of God's promises to His children, they should know and see.
  You will see all of God's Promises fulfilled in your children and their children and their children and so on. Why? Have you not been given eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ? 
Oh, my beloved brethren! Please understand, your life is eternal in Christ! You will see the promises of God fulfilled in your children of faith and obedience! You will live in and through them because of everything you have taught and shown them that is from the Word of God! 
God is eternal. God's promises are eternal, because they are continuously fulfilled in and through His children. That's you and your offspring, if you and they are faithful and obedient to the Word of God. 
   Now, let's look at your heart condition.
Do you put your faith in Jesus Christ because you love Him for what He has done in and for you?
Or do you have a religious faith?
In other words; do you believe in Jesus Christ because you want to, or because you are supposed to?
Were you taught by your parents and their parents that you need to act a certain way and do certain things and say certain things at certain times in order to be recognized as a religious person and receive the blessings of God?
Or, were you given the truth of blessing by having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ?
It's not a have to religion; it is a get to relationship.
Do your children know the glorious life of a Christian by first-hand knowledge through your relationship with God through Jesus?  Are they passing the blessings you have received, on to their children?
   If you have tasted the love of Jesus in your life, why would you not want your children to enjoy the same sweetness of His love and the fatness of His promises. I do not know a single blood bought, born again, Spirit filled, child of God who does not want the grace of God to be poured out on everyone, especially their own children. The abundance of God in a true believer is far greater than one can hold in.
It's not possible to keep Him to yourself, and the most delightful way to let God overflow from you, is toward your children.
   Now someone will say, "Yah, but there's not going to be any royalty in my family unless someone marries into it!"
Well I guess we need to read the Bible a little closer!
1 Peter 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 
 Read that again! It says Royal Priesthood! You are not only a child of God but a priest to the King!
You are royalty in the family of God! 
Why do we look at the Promises of God and not apply them as He sees and means them in and for us?
We want the world to recognize us as royalty in the flesh, but God wants the world to see our royalty in the Spirit. God wants us to walk with Him in His kingdom, above this world of dead and dying flesh. You are a child of the King and so are your children if they know Him in and through your faith and obedience to Him.
  
6 And Jesse begat David the king.
Jesse had eight sons, David being the youngest. David was a very strong believer in God. 
So where do you think he got that from? The sheep and the goats he tended all day?
No, David learned from his father who taught and exhibited his faith. David also knew God by believing the oral and probably the written history of his ancestors. David was a man after God's own heart.
 1 Samuel 13:14
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
   What does that mean? God chose David because David sought the King in all things. David served the King in all ways and honored the King with his speech and his actions. David served the Lord God on High and God made him a king among his people. God chose David because David walked above the flesh of this world even as a youth. He walked as royalty even before he was appointed the worldly position. 
  The story of David and Goliath should prove that point to everyone.
1 Samuel 17:20-58
If you take the time to read these verses you will understand what I mean when I say, David walked above the flesh of this world even as a youth. 
He killed a lion and a bear while guarding his father's sheep with what he carried for weapons. A rod, a staff, a slingshot and Faith in God. There was no hesitation in his actions because he trusted God was with him as he moved to do what was right. Now, he certainly knew God's hand was with him to save a lamb, so it would certainly be with him to save God's people. 
  Get a handle on this folks! 
David didn't just wake up one morning and decide to trust in God. Jesse didn't hide his faith so his sons would have to come to know God on their own. David was not only taught but shown what faith in God is. He then made the decision to apply it to his own life and became aware of the power of God through faith. He heard it and saw it then applied it and became it. 
Faith is something you must become. You must be faithful within a relationship with God!
Faith is not something you pull out and apply whenever you feel it is necessary. 
Faithful---full of faith---is what you must be!
David was full of faith in God as his strength, his sword, his shield and his high ground against the enemy.  
  Have you ever thought of that? David walked above Goliath in the righteousness of God!
David had the high ground, the definite advantage over Goliath! David didn't look up to Goliath!
He looked down on him!  Too often we get a picture in our heads of this little boy coming up against this giant of a man and think to ourselves that the odds were against David because of the size difference.
Well folks, there was a size difference that we should be seeing. Goliath was no match for the faith filled giant that came to take him out! 
   Don't you know David did his Daddy proud on that day!
I can hear it know! Jesse popping off "That's my boy!"
David learned from his father, who learned from his father, who learned from his father and so on.
Children don't learn by waking up one day and deciding they will believe the Word of God. They are introduced and instructed and shown and even experience what faith in God is from their parents.
   Sending your child to church with the neighbor is not teaching or demonstrating the promised blessing God has for the faithfully obedient. I don't care how you want to color it or how many excuses you have, the fact is; You---as a parent, are responsible for teaching your child or children, what a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, really is! You will be held accountable!
   You cannot make your children accept Jesus as their Savior but you can give them all the truth in word and example. 

David grasped the truth at an early age and ran with it! He ran to take out Goliath in the power of faith in God.   Once again;
2 Thessalonians 1:11
 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
   What is the last part of that verse?   --------and the work of faith with power:
Remember that---Work--Faith--Power!
David was already royalty in the family of God by faith and because of the tremendous exhibit of that faith, God made him to be royalty in the this world also.
    Is there Royalty in your household?
Have you and are you passing it on to your children and their children?
Is God their inheritance through Jesus in you? 
6 And Jesse begat David the king;
And Jesse begat David who became king---first by faith and then by obedience in faith, followed by the blessing of Gods promise to Abraham.
    We will stop there for this morning but I would like everyone to take the time in earnest prayer to ask God to show you where and how you could be teaching and exhibiting your obedient faith to your children and their children. How you could be teaching them more about the grace and blessings that God has poured out on you and others through you. Teach them that love for Jesus Christ is the beginning and the never-ending truth of the power of faith. Teach them how God has moved in mighty ways in your life and others. Show them that God is with all who sanctify themselves to Him in spiritual and physical faith. 
Work in Faith with Power!
Amen!   

Pastor Steven Freede
Down Home Preaching Ministry

Original Sermon Preached
12/4/16



 

 

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