Subtopic: My Assurance That I Will Survive (This)!

Text:  2Tim. 1:12 "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for 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".

1 Cor. 15:58 " Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord".

PREMISE

From The 2,200 Quotations From The Writings of Charles A. Spurgeon Concerning- 2Tim.1:12 he says "Paul does not say, "I know what I have believed," though that would have been true. He does not say, "I know when I have believed," though that would have been correct. Nor does he say, "I know how much I have believed," although he had well-weighted his faith. He does not even say, "I know in whom I have believed." he says expressly, "I know whom I have believed," as much as to say, I know the person into whose hand I have committed my present condition and my eternal destiny. I know who he is, and I therefore, without any hesitation, leave myself in his hands."

Subtopic: "Spiritual Showers"

Text: Ezekiel 34:26-27 "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.(vs27) And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them".

Acts 3:19-20 "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:(vs20)And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:"

Premise

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 12, pages 211-212, a comment on Eze.34:26. "It is a sign of miserable deadness when any church or soul can be satisfied to continue in the dull routine of formal service without receiving any refreshing Divine grace. The first waking from such a condition of such lethargy or apathy must result in a great thirst of spirit".

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.18, page120, a comment on Acts 3:19-20."THE TIMES OF REFRESHING THAT ARE ALWAYS CLOSE AT HAND. God is ever "waiting to be gracious", as it were watching for opportunities of giving men his rich spiritual blessing. Revivals are always close by, when men's hearts are made humble and open and seeking. Does an individual soul set itself upon humiliation and prayer? the "times of refreshing" are at hand for it. Does a church unite in confession and supplication? the "times of refreshing" will come in response to its cry. And this assurance should act as a moral persuasion, and urge men to seek for higher and better things. We are not limited or reduced, especially to insufficiency in God.  He would bless us more abundantly if we were more truly ready for the blessing."

Subtopic: "Do You Really Care"

Text: Ezekiel 44:23-24 (Concerning The Ordinances for the Priests of Israel) "And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane(with contempt or disregard for God or Holy things), and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. (vs24) And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths."

 Jude 3 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints". 

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.12, Page 401,a comment on Ezekiel 44:23 "THERE IS A SPIRITUAL AND REAL DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE HOLY AND THE PROFANE--- It cannot be doubted that the ceremonial differences were intended to be the emblems of deeper and more real distinctions of a moral nature. In the Christian dispensation men were early taught upon the highest authority to call nothing common or unclean. But whilst Christ abolished distinctions, which were a means to an end, which served a temporary purpose of preparation, he emphasized those distinctions which, in the sight of a holy God, are real and important. Especially was this the case with the eternal difference between moral good and evil, between what is in accordance with, and what is repugnant to, the nature, the character, and the will of God. This distinction is one which the Church of Christ is bound to maintain, both by teaching and by conduct, before a sinful and disobedient world."