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Biblical Hermeneutics is a method or principle of interpreting God’s Word. This video presents Hermeneutics in a nutshell. How do we interpret the Bible and translate its truths into our own lives? We can discover Bible truths and make sense of them. We can know what the Bible means - we can understand and apply it. 2 Timothy 2:15. This short course presents an overview of some helps to better understand the meaning of the Bible. When we study the Bible, and try and grasp its meaning, we are separated by many potential “gaps”: • A time gap (chronological) • A space gap (geographical) • A customs gap (cultural) • A language gap (linguistic) • A spiritual gap (supernatural) As we approach Bible study it's good to think about: The Author’s intent – What did it mean then? Theological truth - What are the timeless truths taught? Principles for today – contextualise - How does it apply to us? We have need of spiritual preparation: • Firstly, to be born again • To have reverence for God and His Word • To have a prayerful attitude and a willingness to obey • To depend upon the Holy Spirit. Qualifications of an Interpreter • Faith (Hebrews 11:6) • Love for the Truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10) • Honesty (Proverbs 23:23) • Humility (Jeremiah 9:23-24) • Common Sense • Willingness to study (Acts 17:11) • Spiritual Purity (Titus 1:13-16) • Willingness to listen to God first (1 Sam. 15:1-25) Read the Bible… • Reverently • Prayerfully • Collectively • Humbly • Carefully • Christologically • Obediently • Regularly Look for the literal sense: When the plain sense of the scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense. Principle 1 - The Bible is Without Error and is Our Only Trustworthy Guide for Faith and Life. God’s inspired Word is without error. It is the final authority for what we should believe and how we should live. The Scriptures are: • Inerrant – Psalm 19:7; John 10:35 • Authoritative –1 Thessalonians 2:13 • Powerful – Hebrews 4:12 • Sufficient – 2 Timothy 3:17. We uphold the supremacy of Scripture over tradition (Matthew 15:3-6), human philosophy (Colossians 2:8), human reason (Proverbs 14:12), and so-called “knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20). Principle 2 - The Bible is Its Own Best Interpreter. Since the Bible has only one primary Author (the Holy Spirit), each part is consistent with every other part. We use the cross reference principle: Scripture interprets scripture. Context is king. Check the immediate context, the historical context, and the scriptural context. It's important to use clear passages to interpret the less clear. Principle 3 - The Entire Bible is Centred around Jesus Christ. Christ is the heart and centre of the entire Bible. Principle 4 - The Message of the Bible is Redemptive. Justification by grace through faith in Christ is the main subject of all true biblical and Christian theology. Principle 5 - The Message of the Bible is Progressive. It has an unfolding from Old Testament to New, and then the epistles. There is a harmony of scripture - all scripture is in agreement and will not contradict itself. Principle 6 - The Message of the Bible is Historical. The Bible describes what really happened to real people who lived in real places at specific times in history. It's good to be mindful of these historical aspects. Principle 7 - The Message of the Bible is Understandable. God’s highest wisdom and deepest truths can be learned and understood by the simplest believer who studies it prayerfully under the leading of the Holy Spirit. Principle 8 - Some Biblical Truths are Beyond Our Understanding. There are some things in the Bible which we accept simply by faith. God’s ways will always be higher than our ways and His thoughts will be higher than our thoughts. We should never limit God or His ways to our own understanding. Principle 9 - The Message of the Bible is Life-Changing. The Bible was not given primarily to inform us but to transform us. We must study in order to learn, and learn in order to live! It’s practical… we apply it to our own lives! Principle 10 - The Message of the Bible is Personal. Though the Bible reveals to us eternal truths about an infinite God and His work of creation and redemption, it also speaks to us personally. The Bible is God’s message to YOU. Note: These notes were gathered and compiled from various sources.

Mankind has a catastrophic global problem – heart pollution. Every mortal on planet earth suffers this pollution of sin and has need of cleansing. David cried out about his inward pollution: Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. David was about fifty years old when he sinned with Bathsheba and his actions led to the death of her husband, Uriah. He knew that his heart had need of cleansing. His heart was broken up over his sin. 2 Samuel 11:27 …the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. We have to see this heart pollution for all the ugliness and shame that it is. We have to want to be cleansed! We need divine intervention. We need the work of God. God has to do the work in our heart - to create a clean heart. We need to be reprogrammed to think like God. Sin is a contamination – it defiles - “their mind and conscience is defiled” Titus 1:15. It is possible for our soul and conscience to be polluted. We need to take sin seriously. The Bible talks about uncleanness - over 200 times. We cannot accommodate sin. We cannot overcome sin by our own efforts. Thank God, heart purity is possible. Cleansing is possible. God’s wants His church holy – without blemish. Our Lord wants His people to know a full cleansing. God effects a washing - and it’s by His Word: Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, As we get the Word we can know its cleansing effect. We can know… this purity… • A Pure heart • A Pure conscience • A Pure mind We can know a true cleansing… a sure forgiveness. The Word talks about God purifying hearts by faith - Acts 15:9. The Cleansing we can know is a deep and complete work. The Bible tells of a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. It’s speaking of God’s absolute provision for man’s pollution, by the blood of Jesus… Zechariah 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened… for sin and for uncleanness. We need a cleansing; a continual cleansing. Sadly, we read of the fountain forsaken… Jeremiah 17:13 …they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. People still reject Christ. Our Lord is that fountain that we so need. Our source. Our supply. A flowing, gushing well. A spring of life we can run to. Yet many don’t care. They won’t come for God’s cleansing. And so they can’t be cleansed. How is your spiritual life? Is your heart and mind washed? There is a promise of cleansing power. A powerful cleansing agent is available. We are promised the power of God to effect cleansing in us. 1 John 1:7-9 …the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. We can know… • Full cleansing. • Full atonement - full payment - full pardon. • Full salvation - paid in full. There are some 1300 Assurances of Salvation through the Blood Atonement. The shed blood of Jesus can cleanse all sin. No sin is too wicked that the blood of Jesus cannot wash it away. Is your heart’s cry like David's? Psalms 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Ask for it. God can save and wash the foulest clean. He can effect a practical holiness in our lives, in our day by day living… We can know this cleansing in our lives… what we need is… A new affection… An old time gospel preacher talks about “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection”. The idea springs from: 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. When we are saved we get a new affection. Our bondage to sin is broken by a stronger attraction — a greater, more compelling joy. That old affection doesn’t draw us like it used to. We have a new affection now. The power of His Presence within makes us more holy… The craving for God takes over. We can know God’s life within us. It’s a greater affection. We can know a new affection for spiritual things. God sets a right spirit within us. We need the life of God in us. There is a cleansing that comes as we apply the Word… Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Let us go to the fountain. Draw night to Him. Know that power of a new, greater affection. The love of the father. Come to the Fountain today. Lay hold on the power of God. The power of the blood. The expulsive power of a new affection. We can have a clean heart in a dirty world. David knew that. Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. May God right our heart. We can know His forgiveness. And He can grant us His power for our daily walk - to walk with Him, in holiness.

David fled to the wilderness – 1 Samuel 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. It was a time of trouble and turmoil. These men sought after God’s appointed king, and became his army: 1 Chronicles 12:38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. These hurting, hopeless men became an army, fit for battle. They had a heart to follow and honour the king. 1 Chronicles 12:22. ...they were all mighty men of valour. 1 Chronicles 12:23. These were ready armed to the war. They knew the reality of the days they were living in. 1 Chron. 12:32. ...men that had UNDERSTANDING of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. May we also have an understanding the times – and know WHAT we must do. The Bible tells of a world where people’s foolish hearts are darkened… Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Ignorance prevails. “Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the major media destroy information, religions destroy spirituality, and Bible publishers destroy God's Word.” There is a shocking lack of knowledge. A war is being waged against the truth. People don’t know God. There’s a wilful ignorance. 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not… There is a gross lack of understanding. 2 Peter 3:3-5 …there shall come in the last days scoffers… People deny Bible truth like the mockers of Noah’s day. Judgment looms! And the average Joe stands culpable. He has no defence. He has had every chance to reach out and know God. They will be swept away in judgment - like it was in the days of Noah. Either you will have understanding - or you will have ignorance. There is no middle ground! The Bible urges us: Ephesians 5:16-17 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but UNDERSTANDING what the will of the Lord is. Does the will of God matter to you? Do you care to know and do His will? Our lives are short. 1 Peter 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: We live in evil and spiritually dangerous times... At the heart of all of this is a gross lack of understanding. Spiritual understanding. Anti-God ideologies and godless philosophies abound. There is an increasing pressure to conform to the evil agendas being pushed upon us. Legislators are increasing restrictions on your biblical beliefs and even your private conversations with your own children. The activists are attacking anyone who stands up for Bible truth and they hate Biblical Christianity. Christians are getting bullied everywhere. Wake up, oh sleeper. Wake up, Australia! Do not compromise with the world. Darkness has enveloped the land… Sadly the church is asleep. Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil… The world is increasingly spiritually bankrupt... Our world faces the wrath of God... We have need to warn the people, as in the days of Noah. Our nation is broken, damaged, and it is spiralling more and more into moral chaos... People try and vainly turn to pills or drugs or drink. People have abandoned Biblical standards of righteousness. They just blindly go along with the crowd and take the broad way, thinking little of spiritual truth. There is a dumbing down. People have lost the truth. Many are asleep as to what is going on. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. We are called to be like David’s army. A disciplined fighting unit... in step with our great king... We have need of true understanding about what is going on. May we be soberminded men and women - who wise up and can discern the times. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant… The enemy of our soul wants to threaten us. He wants Christians to be fearful and shrink back from challenges and to weaken our faith. We have a reason for hope. A hope that is in us. A hope that lasts beyond the grave. A hope we want to impart to others. A sure and confident expectation. Our refuge is in God alone. And this hope motivates us. As with David’s men... We can be a people of courage, who will keep rank, who march forward for our king, with one heart. A people who can know, with a true understanding, what is going on… and to know what it is we are meant to DO. May we be armed, and ready for battle... Keep up the fight against the darkness. You have a personal assignment and privilege of being used by God. Go, fulfil your mission!

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What does the Bible teach on the subject of music? The Bible has much to say about music and principles that can help guide us to make good choices about the music we listen to and how to worship God. People have different views about music. This study explores key Biblical truths about the purpose of music, and some principles we can apply to our own lives. One of the purposes for humanity is to worship God: Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Music is intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Consider: The PURPOSE of Music. Music is primarily for the Praise and Glory of God - Psalms 104:33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Music is also for the edification of believers - Again - Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Music can have a Therapeutic healing effect: 1 Samuel 16:16. Music can minister healing to the mind, soul, and body. PRINCIPLES about music in a believer’s life. Music reflects: What is going on inside a believer’s heart - our relationship with, and our attitude toward God. Psalms 145:2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. My music must glorify God. Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. My music must reflect the character of God. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. God’s character is truth. Psalms 31:5 …thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. My music must change me to be more like God, NOT the world - Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. My music must be in accord with God - it has the nature of submission not rebellion - Ephesians 5:21. My music must be going in the right direction - not the wrong direction - as with Lot, Genesis 13:10-11. When we make choices about music - do we consider what is the attitude of others who go along with it and listen to this music? - Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Let's ask ourselves: What is the philosophy behind this music? Can we go along with what the music style represents and the lifestyle and thinking that goes along with it? Is there a clash? Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? We want to avoid what has questionable associations. What’s the message behind the music? Is it in accord with right doctrine? Titus 2:1. The Bible urges us to steer away from sin. We don’t want to accommodate or lean what is doubtful. We don’t want to veer towards that wrong direction. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. As God’s people we are born again and we put behind us the old sinful nature. Our heart has been changed and our desires - our primary consideration is: Does it please the Lord? 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. If God has your heart, He’ll have your music. There is a right and a wrong way to worship. It’s important that we worship in a way that is pleasing and right in the sight of our holy God. David neglected to obey God when moving the Ark of the Covenant and suffered God’s judgment. 2 Samuel 6:7. We must accord with the principles of scripture - it is essential that we treat holy things reverently and honour of our Lord. We must not treat holy things carelessly. We should not think that we can treat worship and music carelessly. Our music and worship ought not to be focussed upon the sensual, but upon the spiritual - founded upon truth. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We want to exercise care and godly principles when we consider what type of music we will use. We should ask: “How does the music affect us?” “Does it have a beneficial, helpful influence or a harmful one?” Music, even without lyrics, can have an effect upon the listener and produce certain fruit. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

How's your freshness? Are we weary or worn? There's a refreshing God works in human hearts. We can know His refreshing presence. We can also help to refresh the spirit of other people in our lives. Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. May God refresh your faith, your zeal, your love. God promises for us a recharging, a renewing. Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Wait upon the Lord. It tells of faith, of trust.Trust the Lord and rest in His promises. He will deliver. Rely upon Him. Trust His timing. Depend upon Him. Draw from Him your spiritual strength. God is teaching us patience and trust. Draw near to Him. Trust in His care. His plan for you. Paul’s letter to Philemon has been called an instruction on how to refresh the saints. Philemon 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. The bowels speaks of the inner being; our spiritual being. It’s the deep inside core of our being - of who we are. It embodies emotion and affection. Paul used this word, to say he identified with the bowels of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Do we identify with our Lord, such that we share in the powerful feelings of our Lord, His earnest compassion, His deep felt love and mercies? Refresh means to revive, revitalise, restore. Times of refreshing come from God. He does the work. It is His work of grace, done in hearts, by His Spirit. Godly worship will refresh us. As when David ministered to Saul: 1 Samuel 16:23 …David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well… The refreshing of God comes along with spiritual fellowship… Take a holy pause. Like it says in the Psalms: Selah. It says it 75 times. It means pause and consider. Mary… sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving… It’s easy to be a Martha and fret and fuss and worry, and be troubled. Mary sat at His feet and heard His word. She had a holy hush. She took time for the presence of the Lord. He says, enter into my rest: Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls… The Word of God speaks of a refreshing, a giving of new life… a restoring… God pours out floods on dry ground. Paul tells of some who had the ministry of being refreshers of others… 1 Corinthians 16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours… People’s spirits can be wounded, broken. Hurting people are everywhere. People are broken in spirit. Crushed. There are deep wounds. The healer of the broken hearted can come and bind up our wounds. God is with you. Always. May we be like Philemon. And see beyond our own selves. Our own needs. Refreshing brings restoration. It brings blessing. It brings boldness. Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John …they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Something happened to them. They had been with Jesus. Times of refreshing happen when we are with Jesus. We need a God-sent awakening… Let us wait upon Him for His supply. For His touch. The anointing is for a purpose. It’s so that we will be able to minister to others. Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach – to reach… • The broken hearted • The captives. • The blind • The bruised. We can be used of God. May we know a refreshing of spiritual life and boldness. Proverbs 26:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. Let us shirk spiritual laziness… Let’s stop making excuses. Draw near unto God with reverence – as Moses did: Exodus 3:5 …put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Enter in. Commune with Him. Take that personal time. Keep on praying. Luke 18:1 …men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Let’s face these trying times with courage. The presence of the Lord is with you. Whose presence is going to dominate your life? Will it be the presence of the world, controlling you and your time? Or will it be the presence of the Lord? Let’s refresh our love for God. Let us reject whatever would rob us of the presence of the Lord. May we refresh our love and our devotion for Him, and follow after Him, wholeheartedly.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Quench not the Spirit. The Holy Spirit works within a believer like an inward fire. He makes us alive and gives us spiritual power. He purges and He refines. Will we stifle the fire – or will we stir it up? It is possible to: STIFLE THE FIRE Quench not the Spirit. Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. Quenching a fire - like throwing water on it - brings coldness and darkness. A fire can be quenched: We can pour water on it, or cover it with something that won’t burn, or take away the fuel. We can be guilty of being a squelcher. A wet blanket. Our faith can fizzle - we can quench the flame in others, too. Is there something that dampens our passion for Christ? God’s Spirit can be quenched when we disobey the Word of God. What are some ways we can dampen our fervency - our faith: • Lack of faith • Neglect • Sin • Worldliness • Carelessness • Pride • Ungodliness The devil would love to dampen your faith – to cool your affection for Christ. He wants your church to fizzle out. The devil wants other loves to come in and take the Lord’s place. For you to get busy with anything but the things of God, so He gets crowded out. The cobwebs of neglect overtake your spiritual life – neglect, of Prayer, the Bible, of fellowship. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit do His work in your heart. Don’t lose that burning conviction – that godly zeal. That glow of God’s Spirit… You can Stifle the Fire - OR - you can… STIR UP THE FIRE Keep the fire burning. The Holy Spirit – like fire – can be snuffed out – or we can burn more fully and intensely. Paul directs Timothy, “Stir up the gift of God;” 2 Timothy 1:6, in other words fan it into flame. . How is your love for the Lord? Will we fan into flame God’s gift - God working us? Will we go the extra? Give the extra? Love the more. Go above and beyond expectations? Will we fire up our faith and be all aglow for God? Let His Zeal consume you. Let it burn up the dross - all the vain things that would hinder your spiritual life. All the things that would take His place. God wants us to be on fire. Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. Pray for a deeper love for Christ. Pray for a personal revival. What are some ways we can stir up our faith? • Assemble - Support your church • Pray • Study • Yield - personal surrender • Crucify the flesh • Stand for Christ Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit… Be being filled. A continuous command. A moment by moment relationship. Let’s not settle for shallowness – but, rather, go deeper. Ezekiel 47:1-12. Paul prayed that his readers might be "filled with all the fullness of God”, Ephesians 3:19. The believer can know a filling, a fulness. It is a heartfelt, inner work, as we draw closer to Christ. We can know a fruitfulness - in contrast with the Unfruitful works of darkness - Ephesians 5:11. God’s desire is that we be productive, fruit-bearing Christians - fruitful in every good work. God calls us to fervency. Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; God warns us against a lack of zeal - Woe to them that are at ease in Zion - Amos 6:1. God is sick of the lukewarm church. How’s your spiritual temperature? Leviticus 6:13 tells of the fire on the altar - The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. Keep the fire burning. We can know a soul-stirring, passionate faith. We can know a zealous, flaming, red-hot devotion to Christ. Psalms 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. God wants His people ablaze, glowing, bursting into flame. Refuse the apathy - the indifference. Pray that God thaw out – and melt the frozen. Seek after God for a red hot, boiling heat. It’s said that there’s three things involved in decision for Christ. Up in your head imagine three little men sat on a bench. One is named Intellect, another Emotion, and another Will. Intellect says: I know that I am a sinner. I recognise my condition before God. Emotion says: I am sorry I am a sinner. I don’t like sinning against God. Will is sitting in the middle and takes Intellect with one arm, and Emotion with the other, and says, Come on fellows, let’s do something about it. You can agree intellectually with what you have heard. You can agree that you need to take action. Emotionally, you can also be moved to take action. But it needs more. It takes your will to make action happen. Have you been quenching the Spirit? So, what will you do about it? The Bible says we can grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30. We can hurt Him. We can disappoint the one we should love the most. What a shame that is! Will you let God do a work in you? He wants to take the spiritual deadness away. He wants to activate and empower us for God’s service. Don’t be a squelcher. Be filled with the Spirit. Fire up your faith.

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A study uncovering hidden meanings in the Bible, including: Persons, Events, Places, Institutions, Things, Sacrifices, and Feasts. Melchizedek represents the High priesthood of Christ. Moses shows Christ as deliverer. Jonah pictures the resurrection. Passover shows Christ’s sacrifice. The Flood foreshadows coming destruction. Egypt represents the bondage of sin. Jerusalem typifies the church, and Heaven. Babylon pictures the end days apostate church. The Cities of Refuge picture Christ, our refuge. The Veil shows the believer's access to God and Christ's humanity. The Sabbath represents the spiritual rest – salvation. The coats of skin God gave to Adam and Eve represent the covering of man's sin. The Brazen Serpent was a type of the lifted-up Christ. The most holy place of the tabernacle represents Heaven. The holy place is a type of the church. The manna foreshadows Christ. The Burnt offering represents Christ's sacrifice. The Grain offering shows Christ’s perfect sacrifice of the highest quality. The Peace offering shows Christ's death as basis for fellowship with God. The Sin offering - Christ's death takes care of the root of sin. The Trespass offering – His death atones for the injury of sin. The Scapegoat shows Christ the Substitute. Passover represents Christ's redemption. Unleavened Bread shows the believer's holy walk. Firstfruits tells of Christ's resurrection. Pentecost represents the Holy Spirit's coming. Trumpets represents the Day of the Lord. The Day of Atonement shows Israel's conversion by the shed blood of Christ. Tabernacles represents God's provision for man's need. The tabernacle is called a figure (Hebrews 9:9), a pattern (Hebrews 9:23),and a shadow (Hebrews 10:1, 8:5). The Tabernacle has much spiritual truth about our communion with God. The tabernacle’s wall of fine twined linen was a symbol of the righteousness of God. The tabernacle had only one gate, made of different colours. Our Lord says, “I am the door”. White linen is the Righteousness of Christ Blue - His Deity Scarlet - His Suffering Purple - His Kingship Gold represents deity, silver is redemption, and brass is judgment. The roof of the tabernacle had four layers - goat's hair represents atonement, the ram’s wool is redemption, the badger skin is humanity. The Brazen Altar speaks of the sinner’s deliverance from the guilt of sin by the sacrifice of Christ; the atonement for sin. The Brazen Laver revealed, and removed uncleanness. The Candlestick pictures Christ - light of the world. The Table of Showbread shows Christ is God’s provision for all our spiritual needs. The Altar of Incense was only for burning incense - it pictures access to God through prayer. The veil – showed man’s separation from God and His holy presence. The veil of the temple was torn at the hour of the evening sacrifice, at 3PM - just as Christ our Passover was sacrificed for our sin. The Ark of the Covenant represented access to God – His covenant. Now we have access to God through Christ. The Ark contained the Law of God, which demanded death for every sinner. But over this Ark was the Mercy Seat, covered with blood - it speaks of acceptable atonement. It was made out of beaten gold - it pictures our Lord, beaten with many stripes, shedding His blood, so that we could be reconciled to God. The Mercy Seat shows that there is mercy with God - it is the sacrifice of Christ - Romans 3:25. Inside the ark were the Ten Commandments. The Lord fulfilled God’s requirements and took our curse upon Himself. The ark contained the golden pot that held the Manna. Christ says: I am that bread of Life. Aaron's Rod that budded showed God's appointment of the priest. Jesus Christ is God’s chosen High Priest. The Ark gives us a full portrait of Christ: • Humanity (wood) • Deity (gold) • Incarnation (wood with gold overlay) • Atonement (sprinkled blood) • Resurrection (budded rod) • Ascension, glorification (crown) • Obedience, holiness (tables) • Wilderness provision (Manna) • Vindication of God’s throne (cherubim) • Now appearing for us (cloud of glory) The high priest and his garments also have hidden meanings. The Coat of fine woven linen pictures the righteousness of the saints. The Ephod –had the colours of purple, scarlet and white. The priest had a special Breastplate upon his chest, with precious stones that represented the twelve tribes. God’s saved people are likened to jewels. The priest had a Girdle - a belt of fine twined linen - representing service. The priest had Shoulder Stones - the names of all the people of God were upon his shoulders. The priest also wore a golden plate – like a crown - made out of pure gold. It was inscribed with “Holiness to the Lord”. Christ is our righteousness. The priest also wore a Mitre–a turban on his head. This could represent authority. God’s people were led by a pillar of cloud – which represented the presence of the Lord in the midst of His own people.

Calling young people to decision. King Solomon wrote this about 3000 years ago: Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not... Solomon shows in his book how life without God is meaningless. What makes life meaningFUL is a relationship with the living God. He says here: Don’t want to waste your life - remember your Creator in the days of your youth. Here’s what it says: Remember WHO? - thy Creator. You were purposefully made. Created. God has made you and cares about you. God is like a potter - and we are like a lump of clay that He shapes. Remember WHEN? Remember NOW thy Creator. You are setting out on life’s journey. It’s just starting. You are setting your life’s direction. The rest of your life is working out the decisions you made in the days of your youth. So, you are at a critical place in your life, right now. Right now it’s decision time. It’s like a fork in the road. Solomon says evil days are ahead - we can expect to face some difficult days ahead, as we get older. Tougher days. Remember God in the days of your youth because it will help you fight against temptation. If you come to have faith in God now, it will see you through any evil days that lie ahead of you. Taking the right path now will help you avoid consequences that can last a lifetime. So make the right choices now. Solomon says how, as we get older, we face maybe losing our eyesight, our hearing, even our teeth! We will lose our strength and get aches and pains. We won’t have the same energy, as we get older. You will slow down and you maybe won’t be as strong and healthy as you grow older. So remember thy creator now. Give your life to God. You are at the crossroads. If you believe in Jesus and follow Him in your life now - the time will come when you will be able to look back to this time of your life. You will feel good about your life because you made the right decision young in life. Remember God now. In the present. Do it now. God has given young people so much - time, energy, strength, talent. You can give your life over to God and know Him personally right now and into the future. Life is short, and fragile. We’re in the process of dying every day. Remember your Creator today… before you die! It says remember now THY creator. When you believe - He is your God.It’s personal;. Between you and God. We belong to this God because He has given His great love to save us. Your Creator offers His gift of salvation by our Lord Jesus. We can find eternal life. When as a young person you make decisions about your life — remember your Creator. Remember what God has done for you. Remember what you have learned about God. When in time you search for friends, and perhaps the one you will marry, remember your Creator and what pleases Him. When you are with friends you can make good choices about what you are going to do, and where you are going to go with your creator in mind. When you are tempted to go some sinful way, then remember your creator. Whenever you must make a decision about what to do - Remember now—at this very moment—your Creator - and what He has done for you. David in the Bible was ashamed over his sins of youth. If we truly are a believer, we will too. The memory of past sins brings sorrow and shame and regret. Remember your Creator while you are young - it will help you avoid wounds that can leave scars for the rest of your life. Life in this world is empty without God. When we make the wrong decisions in youth it can lead to a whole lot of regret. Remember your Creator now. God fulfils our life. He has made us and He wants us to know Him. In your future you must live with the choices you have made. So make the right choices early in your life. Will your future be days of regret, days of lost opportunities, or days when you are glad you followed Jesus? Trust Christ with your life now.

The return of Christ will be a glorious day for the believer – yet we can expect some tough times in the final days. 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. Drag queens are grooming children. There’s talk of a World war. Russian state television are talking of launching nuclear missiles, called Satan 2. There’s talk of a Climate Emergency. Fear can be used as a means of control. Senior world leaders want a great reset – impacting energy supply, food, and economies. Basically it’s a socialist global governance. Leaders are calling for depopulation. Some think that children belong to the State, and take the place of the family. The Bible foretells Global deception. Revelation 12:9 …Satan, which deceiveth the whole world… was cast out into the earth… Deception is happening, on a grand, global scale. It’s a strong delusion. There is a propaganda campaign, a social engineering. A distorted worldview. Meantime there’s censorship, where any discordant voices are silenced. Matthew 24:4 …Take heed that no man deceive you. Radical change agents are redefining what a family is, and promoting all kinds of gender confusion. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth… People want an inclusive church with warm and fluffy message. We are seeing a rise in so-called Global crises. Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Pestilences, poxes, pandemics… The Bible tells of a coming food crisis. There’s much talk lately of food shortages, as disrupted global supply trains and rising costs are causing a manufactured crisis. And what they call food now is not always real. There’s a move to fake meat, for example. They want you to be eating synthetic, fake food. Then there's the oil crisis. Soaring costs are hitting everything we buy, for all of us. Seems like there’s a whole lot of fearmongering, lately, as the media jumps on the latest hot issue… Generating more and more fear and chaos. Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear… Once the situation in the world becomes severe enough, that’s when the people will be willing to give up freedoms and liberties. People will want order out of chaos. That’s the plan. This all sets the scene for tyranny. We can expect Global government. The Bible foretells of the antichrist who will have global influence and power. Revelation 13:7 …power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. There’s a ramping up of systems that unite nations and powers… More treaties and international agreements. Moves to a world court, a global tax, and global police force. On the education front our children are being conditioned. When the beast comes to power we can imagine the kind of controls he will have over populations. There are already mass surveillance systems that can keep whole populations under watch by a Big Brother type government. As we approach the end times we can expect to see Global economic controls. A few dominant companies and banks hold a monopoly on most of the world’s wealth. There's much concern about recession and nation's debt levels. The Bible tells of a time people will be marked like livestock: Revelation 13:17 …no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark… Let us join the resistance - be the modern day non-conformists. Global persecution is mounting. There are 340 million Christians living now under high levels of persecution. Whatever difficulties we may yet face, we can trust God’s plan. There will be a global falling away. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 …that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first… Churches are more and more biblically illiterate and worldly thinking. Ultimately, there will be a global false worship. Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him. We have need of courage in these perilous times. 1 Timothy 4:1 …in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. The Bible urges God’s people to come out of Babylon and its evil influence… Revelation 18:4 …Come out of her, my people. We must separate ourselves from the God-hating system. We must rise up and stand for Christ. We have great need of Biblical discernment and resolve. Since we’re still here we still have time to get right with God. 1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Prepare your heart. Live in the light of the coming of Christ. Eternity is only a short while away. We have reason for hope and for joy. Titus 2:11-14 …we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

A sermon about the work of God in the soul of a believer - and an exhortation to believe God and activate your faith to fulfil His will in your life. Philippians 2:12 …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Is God at work in you? How’s your faith? Is it working? Activate your faith today! WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION. Is your faith working? Is it functioning, or is it hit-and-miss? Work out our own salvation WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING. Do we stand in awe of Him? Do we fear God? Do we care about what matters to Him? Let us come before Him with humility: Isaiah 66:2 …to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Notice, GOD WORKS IN YOU. Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Sometimes the biggest obstacle for God working in my life, is… me. Notice, it’s Two-fold: To WILL - and - To DO - a desire and an action. We do what we believe. We have a faith in action. We put feet under our faith, and we walk it out. We believe it, and we live it out. You are a walking advertisement of your church and the Christ whom it proclaims. You take the church out of its four walls, and make it live in the everyday affairs of life. What is it we are to will and to do? Our own good pleasure? No! His good pleasure. His will. Do we will and do of His good pleasure, with the people that He has put into our lives? Where the rubber hits the road. YOU ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. You are His workmanship. His masterpiece. His project. His work in progress. He has created you unto Good Works. It’s His design. He’s planned it that way. Purposed it. It’s why you exist. Will you fulfil God’s purpose for your life? The creator has a purpose that is uniquely yours. And it is - that you please God with your life. Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. This good work, this workmanship that is you… He will complete it… He has specific good works that you do. He has made you for that purpose. You are a vessel fitted for the master’s use. Put yourself at His disposal. 2 Timothy 2:21 …a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. You may feel inadequate… But that doesn’t stop God. God is at work in you. YOU ARE CREATED UNTO GOOD WORKS. God has ordained us to do good works. God wants that we… abound to every good work… 2 Corinthians 9:8. Be …fruitful in every good work… Colossians 1:10. He wants to ...stablish you in every good word and work - 2 Thess. 2:17. Good works are associated with godliness 1 Timothy 2:10. Let us …diligently followed every good work… 1 Timothy 5:10, …be rich in good works… 1 Timothy 6:18, Be …prepared unto every good work… 2 Timothy 2:21, …throughly furnished unto all good works… 2 Timothy 3:17. …In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works… Titus 2:7. Be…zealous of good works… Titus 2:14, …be ready to every good work… Titus 3:1, …be careful to maintain good works… Titus 3:8, let us provoke other …unto love and to good works… Hebrews 10:24. Zechariah 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? No one is too small or insignificant - God is working. Ask yourself, what Good works has God prepared me for? And what’s stopping me doing them? Stop the excuses. God is working on you, and He will continue to work… GOD WILL COMPLETE HIS WORK IN YOU. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: We are still in progress, but we can know God will finish what He has started. God is working in your life! So... • Work out your own salvation • God works in you • You are His workmanship • You are created unto good works • Know that God will complete His work in you Hebrews 13:20-21, Now the God of peace… Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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In John 13 our Lord says, I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. God commends service. Our Lord sets us an example… of a good servant. Service and serving occurs over 1600 times in the Bible. As soon as God made man he gave him a job to do: Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. If you are a good servant you will… 1. TAKE NOTICE The Lord saw a need. It may have been just a little thing. But He saw it. It was something that needed doing. Do we see what needs doing? Are we thoughtful about the interests of others – or just our own? Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Are you ready to serve? We are exhorted, “…to be ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1). Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Please the master Honour the master Obey the master Follow the master …Even in the little things, the insignificant things of life… Let us also 2. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY The Lord not only saw a need… • He did something about it. • He did not call another to do the task. • He took the responsibility upon Himself. Are we like Him? Do we have His mind? • That we would not consider reputation or esteem of men? • That we would shun our pride and position and take a humble place? How is your attitude towards service? Do you serve as unto the Lord? Do we serve as Christ did, out of love and humility… He took it upon Himself… Will you take responsibility? One of the big things, I think, as a servant of God - is that we represent the master. We act on behalf of our master. We speak in His stead, in His place. We stand for Him, for His sake, on behalf of Him, as His ambassador. It can be easy to get distracted by splinter issues. They are still issues. But it’s how we address them that matters. I try to have a Christ-like bias in what I do and say. I try to address things as he would do, as a shepherd would guide sheep, not harshly but gently. Also, let’s… 3. TAKE ACTION Our Lord took action - personally. He did not look around Him to find the servant of the home that had failed in his duty… He laid aside His garments. He washed the disciples' feet. He served. Some people remind us of blisters - they don’t show up until the work is done. Work is honourable. Do you serve Him with quality and faithfulness; with your whole heart? Ephesians 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Notice with our Lord, the humility of service. Let us not shy away from humble work - whether it be even doing the dishes, cleaning toilets, whatever... God commends Humility. True servants are those willing to undertake work which means menial duties: humble, lowly tasks. Some people say I’m willing to be a servant, just don’t treat me like one. Yet, here is true greatness; as Christ, washing the disciples' feet. Be faithful. Don’t expect thanks. Just serve willingly. Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. A good servant is ready to serve, to obey. They are there for the will and work of their master. They do not live for their own wants - or according to their own timetable. What is important is what the master wants. Do we follow the Master’s orders, and do His will? As God’s servants we are to serve willingly. God calls the ordinary to serve Him… The Lord just wants a willing heart. He is at work in us… and through us… Our master deserves our service. So - be a servant. A Servant is one who dedicates himself to the service of another by his own choice. It is a repeated theme in the Bible: • Joshua - Servant of Moses • Elisha - Servant of Elijah • Gehazi - Servant of Elishah • Apostles - Servants of Christ Our Lord served with the absolute commitment - of giving his very life… Are we committed to serving Him? Who we serve shows Who our master is. Our service to God is like an act of worship. It is due Him. “Half the trouble with the church today was that the members thought that they were merely passengers on the Gospel ship instead of understanding that they constituted the crew”. Be willing to serve. William Booth: The greatness of a man’s power is his measure of surrender. Take action. Opportunity is now. “It is a solemn thing to say ‘Tomorrow’ when God says ‘Today’, because man’s tomorrow and God’s today never meet.” Do what you can, where you are, with what you have. Serve now.

How is your state of mind? The world’s greatest area of undeveloped territory lies beneath people’s hats. Our mind is like a mental garden. What are the thoughts we cultivate? The Christian mind is… 1. REASONABLE Romans 12:1 …present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Reasonable is "logikos" - it is logical. Christianity is rational. It makes sense. The Bible tells of how we tell of the reason of the hope that is in us - the word reason is logos. God calls people to use their minds. Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together… Paul often used to reason and persuade his hearers - Acts 17:2 And Paul… reasoned with them out of the scriptures. We have a sure basis for our belief, as a wise man building on the rock; Matthew 7:24. A lot of people are building on sand. They deny the Word of God. It makes sense to put your life into the hands of the one who knows best the way you should take and loves you with the highest love. The Bible contrasts those whose minds are controlled or governed by the flesh… and those who are led by the Holy Spirit: (Romans 8:6) "to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace... the carnal mind is enmity against God." Paul talks of Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, Acts 20:19. Be willing submit to His will. …that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Apply your mind in godly thinking so you can develop spiritually. Hebrews 5:14 …who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Feed your mind the right things. The best of all knowledge is to know God. 2 Timothy 1:12 …I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Know Him. Intelligently believe and keep on learning. The Christian mind is also... 2. RADICAL God can change your mind, radically so. We don 't fit in with the WORLD and its philosophy (humanism, materialism). When we become a Christian a radical change takes place - our life focus changes. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. The mindset of this world is: "Eat, drink and be merry" (Ecclesiastes 8:15). God calls us to be sober-minded. if we should ever feel like our mind is troubled - we can know Christ is a refuge for us. The Bible says that the so-called "wisdom of the world is foolishness with God". We can know true wisdom: Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Let go of unbelief, and stand for God. …be ye transformed… It’s a mind shift. Literally - a metamorphosis. A transformation takes place. Repentance is a transformation in thinking - literally metanoia - a change of thinking. We need a radical change before a holy God. God's Spirit brings salvation, refreshing, and strength. Also, the mind of the believer has an ongoing process of: 3. RENEWING …by the renewing of your mind… To renew means to “make new again”. Are we teachable? Have we that renewed thinking? A clear conscience? How can you discover what God wants for you? How can you prove or discern the will of God? To search out the will of God, search the Word of God. There's a washing of the Word. He can purify our thinking. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Our mind can be captivated in a good way. How are we developing our mind? 1 Corinthians 14:20 talks about how God wants us “...in understanding be men”. Be willing to let God shape you and your thinking, Biblically so. Christ brings true comfort, peace, and safety into our lives. Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 10,000 thoughts go through the human mind in one day. 3.5m per year. It is a super-computer. Phil. 4:8 …whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Think on the things of God. Renew your mind. Know God’s will. Colossians 3:2 Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. Focus your mind on what is godly and good. Our thinking is powerful. We can have a sound, spiritual mind. We can know a reasonable mind, trusting Christ. A radical mind, different from the thought-patterns of those whose minds are blinded, but rather patterned after our model, Christ, and we can know a renewing… a new way of thinking, and it keeps happening, day by day, and we can become a heavenly minded people. Our thought patterns can be heavenly ones. Does your thinking glorify God? Let Christ control your thoughts.

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War a good warfare - 1 Timothy 1:18. War has been declared. On the one hand, warfare is DEFENSIVE. We face attack. Let us: BE VIGILANT. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Be on guard! Our families and freedoms are under fire. We have an enemy to counter. Warfare is OFFENSIVE also. Let us BE VALIANT. Hebrews 11:34 tells of God’s people, …valiant in fight... War means it's time to sound the trumpet! To rally the troops! We have need of courage! To stand fast in the faith! Welcome - to the Battlefield! By God’s grace and through faith – You can BE VICTORIOUS. CONSIDER: 1. THE DEFENSIVE ASPECT to this warfare. We are at war. There’s a… battle – on the home front - for the family. Nehemiah 4:14 Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. A fight is raging - a propaganda campaign, breaking down morals, and attacking morale. Militant radicals are pushing leftist agendas. There’s increasing controls and globalism; erosion of personal and religious freedoms. Radical climate change alarmism and pandemic scares. A new order is being set up. On the church front, error prevails, false prophets, false teachings… There’s a dumbing down, a watering down of doctrine, and a rise of counterfeit gospels. Some churches focus more on feelings than actual Biblical faith. Our Lord has called us to be salt, light, and a city on a hill. The Cultural Marxists want to cancel Christianity. They hate Christianity, and call the Bible “hate speech”. Some want to ban so-called “hate prayer” - to make certain prayer illegal! They ultimately want the criminalisation of Christianity. We must hold our ground against the devil’s attacks! Our defensive strategy is this: (1) Be Sober. • Keep your senses • Abstain - avoid anything that dulls your thinking. 1 Peter 4:7 …the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Be of sound mind. Understand what’s going on. 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober… The mind needs to be “belted in” –under God’s control and care. (2) Be Vigilant. Keep on guard.Be always watchful. Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. • Be careful. • Be prayerful. Colossians 4:12 Epaphras… was a prayer warrior… always labouring fervently for you in prayers.. Our enemy is hostile. He’s on the prowl. Like a lion on the loose! Let us be on the alert. Be aware of what the devil uses against you. Wise up to his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 …for we are not ignorant of his devices. Take courage. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Believe God. God is a shield for us • A SURROUNDING shield - Psalm 5:12 • SAVING - Psa 18:35 • PERSONAL - Psa 3:3 • SHELTERING - Psa 119:114 • TRUTH - Psa 91:4. CONSIDER: 2. THE OFFENSIVE ASPECT to this warfare. 1 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the good fight of faith... Jude 1:3 Earnestly contend for the faith… Peter, tells of our adversary: 1 Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith… We have need of an aggressive Christianity. There are strongholds to pull down, and gates of hell to advance against. There are systems and levels of principalities and powers we must oppose. We have need of courage. Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. We must not compromise. We are called to have a zeal for truth. 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war (contend) against the soul. It’s a wrestling match – a struggle. But the Lord will enable us. Romans 13:12 …cast off the works of darkness …put on the armour of light. Let us arm ourselves. Set yourself against the devil. Make no concessions. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Be manly - be courageous. Proverbs 28:1 The righteous are as bold as a lion. By faith, we have VICTORY: 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. We are soldiers of the Lord. We are called to be militant. Let us press on, despite hardships. 2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ… Our God fights for us: 2 Chronicles 32:8 …with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles… Let us persevere, endure, and press on. 2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus brings us victory. Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

A short communion message on the theme of self examination. As a process worker in a factory I can remember one of the most important jobs was that of the quality control people. At Bonaire they would examine every air conditioner to make sure all the parts were installed and in good working order. They were there to measure the quality of the product. The Bible talks of an examination for believers, an assessment - it’s something we undertake at this time of communion: 1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. The Lord calls us to a SELF EXAMINATION. How do we measure up to what God wants for our lives? The Bible talks of at least three things our Lord examines. Our Heart. Our Faith. Our Work. Firstly… The Bible says that God examines OUR HEART Let us also take a look into our own heart. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. God examines the heart. Is it saved, or lost? Is it tender towards God, or hardened? First let us be sure that our heart is yielded unto God. Luther said, “I am more afraid of my own heart than the Pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, SELF”. Let us take time to pause, and take account of our standing in the sight of God. Examine the accounts. This is a solemn act. As David prayed: Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Just to note: the word translated prove is the same word in the Greek Bible as that first word, examine. We must compare our heart and life by the Word. Do we know Christ as our Saviour and Lord? Does He have our heart? Will we let God search out our hearts today? Another area the Lord examines is… OUR FAITH 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: The Bible talks of a faith that will carry us through trials. and it will all be to the praise and honour and glory of our Saviour. I look back to when at one time I was a worker at another factory - the Bridgestone tyre factory - and one day I recall watching the quality control of a tyre. The assessor would set up the tyre on a machine that would run it repeatedly over a bump to punish the tyre, over and over again - to see what punishment it could sustain. Our faith is tested also. The Bible talks of the trial of our faith. Our Lord calls us to a resilience of faith - that it will be a gold quality faith - despite all the trials and tests we face through life. God is making you stronger for it. He’s making gold. This proving process is also a purifying process. We will come forth as gold. How is our faith today? Is it assured in Christ? Are we established in the faith? We can strengthen our trust in Christ. The Lord examines our Heart, and our Faith. Another aspect is that the Lord examines is: OUR WORK 1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try (test) every man's work of what sort it is. This word examine is also translated as try - or prove… As we would prove and test metals for their quality and strength. Our work will be examined. How is our workmanship? What of our works, our practical application of our faith? Some people worry a lot about gaining the approval of other people. But what actually matters most is that we have God’s approval. Again, here is a like word, to examine or prove… Paul commended one who was approved: Romans 16:10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. And again: 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. God wants us to be approved, when faith is under fire from false teachings. Again this is a like word to this examination, this proving our Lord calls us to. Let us be those whose faith is firm and Biblical; grounded in Christ. Approved. Stamped with God’s stamp of approval. It’s to His pleasing. Not because of our own works, but because by faith we stand with God’s truth, not error. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Will you be approved, or be ashamed? God is proving and approving of us. What about you? Paul says examine yourselves. Examine - test… Will we pass the test? 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Take time for personal reflection. Search out and remove what is offensive to God. Come to the Lord Himself - let it be an act of consecration, for His service. Deliberately and honestly examine ourselves - our words, our conduct. Examine your heart, your faith, your work.

I present a fishing lesson. The Lord Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. For us to go fishing we have to leave the shore. Be willing to step off the beach. Get out there. Put yourself out. Leave the shore hugging Christianity. The Lord urges: Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Steer for the deep waters. The fish are out there. Your mission field starts at the doorstep of your home. Are we willing to leave the comfortable place? And make some sacrifice. “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.” Can we reach the lost ones of this city of Adelaide? "The only thing the majority of Christians in the West know of Sacrifice is how to spell it." Get out as a fisher of men – into the deep waters. The challenging waters. Also, let us get the net out and get in the fish. Obey - and expect God to work, as you witness. Trust Him to work. Peter was dog tired. He had been up all night, working without any results. He said, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. Be a witness. Open your mouth and be used of God to give the Gospel. Leave the comforts of land – into the deep. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. Missions is a team effort. The Bible urges us: Philippians 1:27 “...that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Peter forsook all and followed the Lord. Let’s set on a course into the deep waters, trusting God to steer as the pilot and captain of our vessel. As a church, as churches, let us get out there. Let us leave the comfort zone. Be obedient to the Master’s call. Go out and fish. I urge you to check your hearing, spiritually… Do we hear the Word of the Lord? The call? Acts 16:9-10 …a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Their cries are ringing still. “Come over… and help us”. The need was urgent, pressing. It’s easy to say, let someone else answer the call… Paul had to put himself out. It meant travel, and trials; prison and privation, for Christ. What about us? Will we put ourselves out? Launch out, into the deep? Are we willing to be a living sacrifice? To put our lives on the line? To put our own desires aside? To give up our own wants and comforts, that another can be reached? To give and keep on giving? How much are we willing to help? Be big hearted. Immediately we endeavoured to go… gathering that the Lord had called us. Paul could see it was God calling them, through the voice of the crying one… God was speaking to them and they sensed the very call of God Himself. Will we step up to serve in the place of need, or will we be a Jonah? Will we pick and choose what need we will respond to? Or will we just step forward, and get the job done? Will we be a servant, or will we choose to please ourselves? Will it be that we will wait? Maybe till it is perhaps more convenient? More comfortable? How long will we wait? Maybe we will wait so long that it is, sadly, too late… Or will we act immediately? Promptly? Instantly? Come over and help us. Can’t you hear them? Their desperate cry… Paul heard the cry, and responded, immediately. Can you hear the Macedonians today? Will we reach to the people “beyond”…Outside of our comfort zone… Outside of our circle… Will we step outside and reach out…? Dare to venture out, to launch out, into the deep… There’s some Macedonians calling out across the way, even across our own city. Crying out for help… Can’t you see them? …Hear their urging, their desperation. Will you heed their call? Will you hear God’s voice, that still, small voice? His call. He’s sending you. As He urges you to Go… Will you obey His commission, as He sends and sends and sends… Yet more are needed. The harvest is great… Pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest… He is the Lord of the Harvest still. And labourers are needed, still… One thing about God’s call to mission… Notice what He says: Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Notice – it says: Start in Jerusalem. Start now, right where you are. Start preparing. Your mission training starts right here, right now. In your Jerusalem. The mission starts at the church doorstep.

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