Gleanings From Grace

ARE YOU WORKING IN THE FIELD
TEXT: 1 COR. 3:5-7
Warren Wiersbe writes, “Paul was fond of agricultural images and often used them in his letters. “Ye are God’s husbandry” simply means, “You are God’s cultivated field, God’s garden.” In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus compared the human heart to soil and the Word of God to seed (Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23). Paul took this individual image and made it collective: the local church is a field that ought to bear fruit. {Read More…}

TEXT (1 Pet.5:1-11 Text V.8)
I. NOTICE THE DECLARATION CONCERNING THE ADVERSARY. (V.8a)”Be sober, be vigilant” here we are told to be Sober and Strong, this is not a new declaration.
There is The sober Leaders this concerns the Shepherd: 1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
The sober Look this concerns the Second coming of Jesus:1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
The sober Laymen this concerns the Servants: Tit 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. Tit 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
The sober Ladies this concerns the Sisters: Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
The sober Lifestyle this concerns the Saints. 1Pet.5:8 {Read More…}

John 4:1-15
Chapter three and four of the book of John provide us with interesting contrasts into the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Chapter 3Chapter 4
It named the man that was seeking the Lord.
The man was a respected ruler, a man of rank.
The man was moral.
The man was Jewish.
He was knowledgeable about religion.
He came by night in secret.
He had a serious, respectful attitude.
There is no mention of the results of the meeting with Christ.
We hear of this man again later in the Bible.
An un-named woman was sought out by the Lord.
The woman was an outcast of society, lower in rank.
The woman was immoral.
The woman was a Samaritan and despised by the Jews.
The woman was ignorant.
Her meeting with Jesus took place by day out in the open.
She was flippant, hostile, a debater, and then she was respectful.
The results of the meeting are given.
She fades into the silence of history. {Read More…}

HOW TO DEAL WITH TEMPTATION

TEXT:Matthew 4:1-11
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS
Temptation is probably the most familiar experience of the Christian. While some may be tempted more than others, all will be tempted.
I believe there is a great deal that we can learn from the temptations of Christ as found in Matthew 4 and Luke 4.
I am firmly convinced that there are some basic principles and similarities between the temptations of Jesus and our temptations. {Read More…}

TEXT: NUM. 13:20

INTRODUCTION: We live in the midst of a troubled, depressed and downcast world and, unfortunately, this same attitude has crept into the church. When I see some saints, I honestly wonder if they can remember the last good day they ever had and, if they can remember it, their face certainly does not show it. One of the recurring commands of Christ that I find in God’s Word is the command “be of good cheer.” I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS A GLOOMY, DEPRESSED, ALWAYS SERIOUS PERSON BUT I BELIEVE HE HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE AND “GOOD CHEER” IN HIS HEART! Further, I believe it is God’s will for His people, yes that includes you, to have a smile on our face and “good cheer” in our hearts. Let’s look at Jesus’ “three cheers” to you. {Read More…}

TEXT: (Luke 13:1 KJV) There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
(Luke 13:2 KJV) And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
(Luke 13:3 KJV) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
(Luke 13:4 KJV) Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
(Luke 13:5 KJV) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. {Read More…}

TEXT: Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
(Phil 2:10) the glory of God the Father.

Introduction: A look at “names” in the Bible.
A. Names are important to God. (Gen 1:5,8,10) God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning–the first day .. God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning–the second day.. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. {Read More…}

II Chronicles 7:14

The average age of the great civilizations in history have been two hundred years. That being true, that means that America is living on borrowed time, and that I do believe to be true. America is a sin sick nation. Since 1960 there has been: - A 560% increase in violent crime - More than a 400% increase in illegitmate births - A quadrupling in divorces - A tripling of the percentage of children living in single parent homes - More than a 200% increase in the teenage suicide rate - A drop of 75 points in the average SAT scores of high school students. {Read More…}