Sinful Substitutes for the Will of God

by avministry | Nov 13, 2022 | Sermons

Audio Sermon:

Video Sermon:

Sermon Series: Lord, Teach Us To Pray

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

So many prayers are ” Now Lord bless what I already plan to do ”

J Hudson Taylor said, ” The greatest mission in the world is submission ”

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:6 (NLT) Seek his will in all you do and He will show which path to take.

I. THE SINFUL SUBSTITUTION OF FEELINGS FOR THE WILL OF GOD.
Jonah 1:1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah …
Jonah 1:2 “Arise, go to Nineveh …
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Luke 6:46 But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the
manner of some,

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for
those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should
abstain from sexual immorality;
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Titus 2:4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love
their children,

Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,…”
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
1 John 3:20 (NLT) “…God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

Feelings come and feelings go, And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God, Nothing else is worth believing.

II. THE SINFUL SUBSTITUTION OF MONEY FOR THE WILL OF GOD.
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one
and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your
body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof
are the ways of death.

III. THE SINFUL SUBSTITUTION OF PRESUMPTION FOR THE WILL OF GOD.
Jame 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and
such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;
James 1:14 Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.

Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for you know not what a day
may bring forth.

James 1:15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this
or that.”

Instead of “Lord, bless what I’m doing,” it should rather be “Lord, help me
to do what You’re blessing,” in order to really find the will of God.

James 1:14 Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is
your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

John Chancellor said, ” If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
You don’t tell God your plans. Don’t tell Him what you’re going to do.”

Acts 18:21 ” … but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from

It is foolish to try to live our lives ignoring the will of God because we’re leaving
out the very blessing which can give meaning to our life.

James 1:16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Psalm 19:13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not
have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of
great transgression.

Acts 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked,
while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”
Acts 17:33 So Paul departed from among them.

2 Corinthians 6:2 “… Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day
of salvation.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness,
but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should
come to repentance.

God’s Perfect Will Versus God’s Permissive Will

by avministry | Nov 6, 2022 | Sermons

Audio Sermon:

Video Sermon:

Sermon Series: Lord, Teach Us To Pray

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Romans 12:2 … what is that good, acceptable and perfect, will of God. ”
Hebrews 6:3 And this we will do if God permits.

C.S. Lewis said, “Every prayer in the universe falls into two categories:
Your will be done or my will be done ”

I. THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD.
Romans 12:2 … what is that good, acceptable and perfect, will of God. ”

Perfect carries the idea of being complete, of something’s being everything it
should be
God’s perfect will means no plan of ours can improve upon the plan of God
Nothing can be added to it, nothing can be taken from it.
Perfect means to reach the goal that was originally intended by almighty God.

II. THE PERMISSIVE WILL OF GOD.
Hebrews 6:3 And this we will do if God permits.

The permissible will of God is what God permits.
Permissive will is God’s allowance of circumstances to occur, whether good or bad,
He allowed or permitted it to happen.
If we make our own decisions, and He allows it as His permissive will, the outcome
will prove why it was not His perfect will in the first place.

III. THE PERFECT WILL VERUS THE PERMISSIVE WILL.
God’s perfect will was the innocence of man.
Genesis 2:25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
God’s permissive will was the fall of man.
Genesis 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they
were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

God’s perfect will is the salvation of man.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord … is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance.
1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge
of the truth.
God’s permissive will is the condemnation of man.
Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart,
You are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his
righteous judgment will be revealed.

God’s perfect will for couples is marriage.
Genesis 2:24 . . . a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
and they will become one flesh.
Matthew 19:6b “…Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.
God’s permissive will for couples is divorce.
Matthew 19:8 Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts
were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.

Job 1:9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
Job 1:10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and
around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his possessions have increased in the land.
Job 1:11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will
surely curse You to Your face!”
Job 1:12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence
of the Lord.

Job 2:4 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that
a man has he will give for his life.
Job 2:5 But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and
he will surely curse You to Your face!”
Job 2:6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.”
Job 2:7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with
painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you,
that he may sift you as wheat.

Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail;

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall
shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive
the very elect.

Romans 8:34 “… It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even
at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Why does God permit it?
Luke 22:32 “… and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

IV. CHOOSING GOD’S PERFECT WILL OR GOD’S PERMISSIVE WILL.
2 Kings 20:1 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the
prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord:
‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’ ”

2 Kings 20:2 Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying,
2 Kings 20:3 “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in
truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.”

2 Kings 20:4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court,
that the word of the Lord came to him, saying,
2 Kings 20:5 “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the
Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your
tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.
2 Kings 20:6 And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city
from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake,
and for the sake of My servant David.” ‘ ”

2 Chronicles 32:24 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he
prayed to the Lord; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign.
2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him,
for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah
and Jerusalem.

J. Vernon McGee writes:
“This may seem like an awful thing for me to say, but Hezekiah should have died
when the time came for him to die. Three tragic things took place after God
extended his life; he showed his treasure to Babylon, He begat a son, Manassah,
who was the most wicked of all kings,…and His heart became filled with pride…
You see, it might have been better if Hezekiah had died at God’s appointed time.”

So often the perfect will of God comes to the rescue of the permissive will of God.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that
I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life,
that both you and your descendants may live;
Deuteronomy 30:20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His
voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days;

Prayer Priorities

by avministry | Oct 10, 2022 | Sermons

Audio Sermon

Video Sermon:

Sermon Notes:

Luke 11:1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when
He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray,
as John also taught his disciples.”‘
Luke 11:2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted
to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Sermon Series: Lord, Teach Us To Pray
https://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2018/4/6/saupload_maxresdefault.jpg
In Luke 3:21 — Jesus praying at his baptism.
In Luke chapter 4– Jesus is praying through His temptation.
In Luke 5:15-16, Luke tells us that Jesus often got off alone to pray;
In Luke 6:12 Luke reveals that before Jesus chose his disciples he spent the
night before praying
In Luke 9:28, Luke says Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up on the
mountain to pray.
In Luke Chapter 11, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray.
In Luke 18:1, Luke tells us that Jesus spoke a parable to them, that men always
ought to pray and not lose heart,
In Luke 22:32, Jesus promises Peter he’ll pray for him during his hour of trial
In Luke 22:40–Jesus commands his disciples to pray so they will not fall into
temptation;
And in Luke 23:46–Luke shows us that Jesus’s last breath at the hour of his
death was a prayer.
There are 667 recorded prayers in the Bible and 454 direct mentions of answers
to those prayers.
Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.
Psalm 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall
glorify Me.
Psalm 65:2 O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come.
Psalm 91:15: He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in
trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
Psalm 145:18: The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon
Him in truth.
Luke 11:1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when
He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray,
They recognized that prayer was the key to everything.
I. PRACTICAL PRAYER: PRAY OUT LOUD.
Luke 11:2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Acts 8:30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and
said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
II. PERSONAL PRAYER: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER.
Paul Miller writes, “If you are not praying (is this you? Do you struggle to maintain
a robust prayer life? Here’s your diagnosis), then you are quietly confident that
time, money, and talent are all you need in life. You’ll always be a little too tired,
a little too busy to pray. But if, like Jesus, you realize you can’t do life on your own,
then no matter how busy, no matter how tired you are, you will find the time.”
Psalm 55:17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He
shall hear my voice.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel … he went home. And in his upper room, with his

windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that
day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since
early days.
III. POWERFUL PRAYER: GOD ANSWERS PRAYER.
1 Kings 18:36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice,
that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Israel let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant,
and that I have done all these things at Your word.
1 Kings 18:37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are
the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.”
1 Kings 18:38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and
the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
Daniel 9:20 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the
sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my
God for the holy mountain of my God,
Daniel 9:21 Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had
seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me
about the time of the evening offering.
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord
in one place.
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat
upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to
them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you,
and heed my words.
Acts 2:15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour
of the day.
Acts 3:3 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer,
the ninth hour.
Acts 3:7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately
his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of
what was called the Italian Regiment,
Acts 10:2 A devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who
gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
Acts 10:3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of
God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
Acts 10:9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city,
Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
God put all of these times in His holy Word for a reason — to show us that
there is power in prayer.
Psalm 5:3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will
direct it to You, and I will look up.
IV. PERPETUAL PRAYER: PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.
1 Thessalonains 5:17 Pray without ceasing,
Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand
I shall not be moved.
Acts 17:27 So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope
for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
The golden altar of incense pictures prayers to God.

Exodus 30:1 “You shall make an altar to burn incense on;
Leviticus 6:12 And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be
put out …”
Leviticus 6:13 A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.
1 Corinthians 6:19 “… Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God,…”
Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer be set before You as incense,..”.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who
come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
1 Samuel 12:23, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to
pray for you”.
Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty
things, which you do not know.’
Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.

Sticks and Stones, Words of Criticism

by avministry | Oct 2, 2022 | Sermons

Audio Sermon:

Video Sermon:

Sermon Notes:

Matthew 11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Matthew 11:16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children
sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,
Matthew 11:17 and saying: “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
We mourned to you, and you did not lament.’
Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has
a demon.’
Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look,
a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is
justified by her children.”

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

Matthew 11:16 “But to what shall I liken this generation?

I. CHRISTIANS CAN’T LIVE TO PLEASE OTHERS.
Matthew 11:16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children
sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,
Matthew 11:16 (NLT) It is like children playing a game in the public square.
They complain to their friends,

Skip a rope, skip a rope
Oh, listen to the children while they play
Now ain’t it kinda funny what the children say
Daddy hates mommy, mommy hates dad
Last night you shoulda heard the fight they had
Gave little sister another bad dream
She woke us all up with a terrible scream

Matthew 11:16 “… children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,
Matthew 11:17 and saying: “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
We mourned to you, and you did not lament.’

Here come the sticks and stones aimed at John.
Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has
a demon.’

The critics say John has a demon.
While Jesus says he’s the greatest man who’s ever lived.

Matthew 11:19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, …”

Matthew 9:14 Then John’s disciples approached him with the question, “Why is
it that we and the Pharisees observe the fasts, but your disciples do nothing of
the kind?”
Matthew 9:15 “Can you expect wedding-guests to mourn while they have the
bridegroom with them?” replied Jesus. “The day will come when the bridegroom
will be taken away from them—they will certainly fast then!”

Here come the sticks and stones aimed at Jesus
Matthew 11:19 “… and they say, “Look a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of
tax collectors and sinners!’

Jesus knows gluttons, and Jesus knows drunkards, but Jesus has come as
their savior, and not as their enabler.

A critic is someone who defines themselves by who or what they are against.

If Jesus could not make people happy then who could?

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men?
For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

II. CHRISTIANS CAN’T LIVE TO PLEASE OURSELVES.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer
for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Romans 14:9 “… whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

The hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” includes the line:
Mold me and make me after Thy will.

III. CHRISTIANS MUST LIVE TO PLEASE OUR LORD.
Matthew 11:19 ” … But wisdom is justified by her children.”
Matthew 11:19 (NLT) … But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.

God’s wisdom is justified in changed lives.

Galatians 1:10 (NLT) “…If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s
servant.

Vance Havner said, “If I please Him, it matters not who I displease.
But, if I don’t please Him, it matters not who I please!”

John 8:29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone,
for I always do those things that please Him.”

The Church On The Rock

by avministry | Sep 25, 2022 | Sermons

Sermon Audio:

Sermon Video:

Notes:
Matthew 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of
the living God.”
Matthew 16:17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah,
for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Jesus is involved in three very important building projects.
1) He is involved in building a home for our future, a place called heaven.
John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
2) He is also interested in building a home for your family.
Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
3) He is involved in building a place for our faith, the church.
Matthew 16:18 “… I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.

Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault
between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by
the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
Matthew 18:17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses
even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

The audience Jesus is addressing, the Apostles, they don’t know what a church is.
They’ve never seen a church because there’s never been one.
They’ve never seen a church building.
They’ve never heard of any kind of organization with a denominational label.
They’ve never met a pastor or an elder or a deacon.
They have no idea what a church.

Acts 2:47 “… And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Ephesians 5:25 … Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

I. THE SUPERNATURAL FORMATION OF THE CHURCH.
Matthew 16:18 … I will build my church …

II. THE SWEET FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH.
Matthew 16:18 “… I will build my church (Ekklesia).

1 Peter 2:5 You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house,…

III. THE SATANIC FOE OF THE CHURCH.
Matthew 16:18 “… and the gates of hell … against it. ”

The devil comes against the church from the outside through persecution
and from the inside by infiltration.

Satan came against “the church at Ephesus,” with counterfeit apostles and
false doctrine
Revelation 2:2 “… they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
Revelation 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans,
which I also hate.
Satan came against “the church at Smyrna,” with infiltration and persecution
Revelation 2:9 … are a synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 2:10 … the devil is about to throw some of you into prison,
Satan came against “the church at Pergamos,” with martyrdom and false doctrine
Revelation 2:13 … Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you,
where Satan dwells.
Revelation 2:15 ” … you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans,
which thing I hate.
Satan came against “the church in Thyatira” with a false prophetess, sexual
immorality and doctrines of demons
Revelation 2:20 ” … you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess,
to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality …
Revelation 2:24 ” … this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan,
Satan came against “the church at Sardis,” with death and destruction in the church
Revelation 3:2 “… the things which remain, that are ready to die,”
Satan came against “the church at Philadelphia,” with Satanic activity and lies
Revelation 3:9 … those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and
are not, but lie
Satan came against “the church at Philadelphia,” with Satanic activity and lies
Revelation 3:9 … those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and
are not, but lie
Satan came against ” the chuch at Laodicea ” with apathy and deception
Revelation 3:16 … thou art lukewarm,
Revelation 3:17 “… you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need
of nothing’– and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind,
and naked”

Ephesus, Perguma and Laodicea no longer exist because Jesus ” removed
their lampstand.”
Revelation 2:5 “… I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from
its place—unless you repent.

10,000 churches in America have disappeared in a five-year period.
50% of new church starts never make it to a second year
In our own association of churches since I have been a pastor
Connor Avenue Baptist church had existed since 1903 went out of business.
Zion Baptist church had existed since 1904 went out of business.
Asbury Baptist church had existed since 1905 went out of business.
Empire Baptist church had existed since 1907 went out of business.
Racine Baptist church had existed since 1916 went out of business.
Brooklyn Heights church had existed since 1945 went out of business.
Friendship Baptist church had existed since 1946 went out of business.
College View church had existed since 1976 went out of business.
Eastvue Baptist church had existed since 1980 went out of business.

IV. THE SURE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH.
Matthew 16:18 … and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Gates are a means of entrance by which you pass from one realm to another.
What’s a gate for? To keep somebody in.
All of us as lost people were kept within the gates of hell, the Bible says we were
condemned already when Christ came and rescued us and delivered us from hell
That’s the idea presented here.

We sing a hymn that includes those lines:
He cannot fail, He must prevail.
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

The church is not temporary. The church is eternal.
The church right now is found in heaven and on earth.
Ephesians 3:15 From whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

V. THE SOLID FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH.
Matthew 16:18 “… on this rock, I will build my church.

Matthew 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of
the living God.”

Matthew 16:17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah,
for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

The church is not built on people alone; nor is it built on a confession alone.
The church is built on people confessing together that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God. That is the foundation of the church.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the
sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will
of man, but of God.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.