Subtopic: "Something To Hold On To: My Source Of Joy”

Text: 2Tim.3:1-5 &7 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (vs2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (vs3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (vs4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (vs5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (vs7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Heb.13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things  as ye have: for he has said, (Ref. Josh.1:5 & 1Chron.28:20) I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (vs6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”


Premise

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.21, Pages 408-409, A Comment on Hebrews 13:5-6 “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Extraordinary is the emphasis of expression in this assurance. No less than five negatives are employed by the writer to give force to this one brief yet blessed promise. The argument of the text is this, that the abiding presence of God with us is a sufficient reason for contentment. It is so because his presence guarantees: 1.WE HAVE  ALL THINGS IN HIM; (1) Provision(Psa.84:11; St. Matt.6:25-26). (2) Protection (Psa.121:1-2; Rom.8:31; 1 Peter 3 :12-13). (3) Guidance (Psa.73:23-24; Prov.3:5-6;). The summation of which can be found in Phi. 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

2.THE SANCTIFICATION OF OUR PORTION. His gracious presence will sweeten the poorest fare, and cheer the most depressed condition, and exalt the lowliest circumstances. To his faithful suffering servants his presence transformed a loathsome dungeon into a palace beautiful (Acts 16:24-25). 

Subtopic: The Offer Still Stands

Deut.30:15-16 "See I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;(vs16) In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God ,to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it".

Rev.3:20-22 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door , I will come into him, and sup with him, and he with me.(vs21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne , even as I also overcame , and am set down with my Father in his throne. (vs22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches".

Premise

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.3 ,page 467 a comment on Deut. 30:15-20 “To love the Lord, to obey him, to cleave to him, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and judgments----this is obviously the right course for men to follow. On many grounds. 1. The Lord God is holy, and all his commandments are so too; and it is intrinsically and manifestly right to follow what is holy. 2. As our Maker and Preserver, God has supreme claims on our loyalty of heart and life. 3. As our Lawgiver, he has the infinite right to require our obedience. 4. As our Infinite Benefactor, having commended his love towards us, having bought us with a price, he has claim of love as well as a right of law. And it is not possible for a man to dispute this claim unless his nature is becoming so perverted that he begins to call evil good, or good evil.

There is a great blessing which will follow our loyalty and obedience. This is so under the gospel, as really as under the Law. For the Law rested on a basis of gospel, and the gospel brings with it its own law. How can it be otherwise? The gospel call is,” Repent, believe, obey.” This is the precise and immutable order. The grace of God teaches us that “ we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope,” ect. And we know what is the promised issue: “Godliness…. Hath promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” “For God is our life and the length of our days.” Peace, joy, hope, and all joyful graces and blessings attend on a life which is in accordance with God’s will.

Subtopic: "I Will’s": God's Commitment of Love And Faithfulness To His Will And Purpose

Text: Romans 8:28-31: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (vs29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren, (vs30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (vs31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Premise

The Pulpit Commentary Vol.18 , Pages 225-226 , a comment on Romans 8:28  “The purpose which may be detected in all things is a good purpose. A moral aim is discoverable throughout the universe, and emphatically in human life. All things work together, not indeed for the promotion of pleasure, but for moral good--- the highest and worthiest of all aims. This conviction is the key to many difficulties by which observant and reflecting minds have been distressed. This moral purpose is secured so far as spiritual beings voluntarily conform to God’s will. As a matter of fact, the order of things does not actually secure the good of all beings; many will not receive the benefits which nature and life are intended to convey. But Christians who love God, and who respond to his call in Christ’s gospel, do really reap advantages to which others are strangers. These are the obedient, who are attentive to the Divine summons and accomplish the Divine purpose. For these all circumstances are ordained and overruled, that they may minister to the true well-being of God’s people.

The Christian may learn to avoid murmuring, when he remembers that even untoward circumstances are intended to work out his highest good. Such a conviction casts a new light upon daily experiences; and what otherwise might be regarded as annoyances, calling forth resentment, are  now looked upon as ministrations of Divine love and mercy. The Christian may seek to profit by all God’s providential dealings. It is the spirit in which these are received which determines whether or not they shall be means of blessing; and the proper spirit is one of submission and teachableness. The Christian will cherish the expectation that the day will come when, looking back upon the path by which he has been led, and the discipline through which he has passed, he shall be able gratefully to acknowledge that God “ hath done all things well” .”