SERMON NOTESNOTES TAKEN FROM SERMONS BY PASTOR R. BRUCE MILLER
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Introduction after prayer:
John14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In 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. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5Thomas saith unto him, LORD, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? the return of the Lord is near If I go away I will come again you can have peace in the Lord The message: Be reminded of Jesus' words about the last times! The answer is in the word of God that is what we have to stand fast in, to hold on to in this world today We begin with Matt 24 the last days 2Tim perilous times, perplexity, confusion, chaos 2 Timothy 3:1-13 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. the answer to hope is in the word of God in our relationship with Christ a despair, discouragement, depression deep in unbelievers. We give hope in Christ Jesus Stay focused and mindful of the wiles, schemes, deceptions of the enemy spirits of fear or deception drawing us away from the love, power and faithfulness of God watching out for the deceitfulness of sin - behind the mask, beyond people’s awareness 2Cor4 - Satan, the God of this world has blinded the minds of those who believe not Don’t allow blinders or earplugs to stop us from seeing and hearing the word of the Lord 2 Sin has subtle ways of seducing away from steadfastness be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord Deception Matthew 24:3-4 3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. people can see things are not coming to a good end Jesus’ answer, “take heed that no man deceive you” One major sign of the times is the spirit of deception. the lies of the enemy disguise the truth. We have to be on guard against this. try the spirits by the Word of God what does the word of God say? the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds 2 Corinthians 10:5 Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.-- Matt 24:4 take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:5-15 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. The lies of the enemy are disguised as the truth Try the spirits by the word of God Think, what does the Word of God say about the situation? we see earthquakes, etc but strong warnings Jesus gave us. Satan comes to deceive as a serpent 2Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Satan disguises, hides his true identity The bait of Satan. he entices into a lie, to get you to believe a lie with the intent of creating fear 3 allowing technology, the wisdom of man to override the wisdom of God. aside from the way of God brings fear God has not given us a spirit of fear f e a r – false evidence appearing real Satan’s lies appear to be the truth the only way to see the lie is by the word of God and the HOLY Spirit! Deception is behind the scenes, subtle, the serpent was more subtle that all the beasts of the field lest your minds be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. Paul was justifying his calling as an apostle of Jesus Christ, refuting, rebuking, exposing false prophets who were drawing men away from Christ into covetousness, materialism, worldly mindsets drawing away from the simplicity in Christ JESUS enticing and luring them away from the simplicity in Christ Jesus, the power of the blood, power of the blood, names of God, salvation in none other, foundational tenants of the faith, keep this thing simple living for Christ is not as hard as the devil wants you to think it is. Jude said contend for the faith we can live a life that pleases God, have a sound mind, keep trusting God, living for him, not as fearful but having a sound mind and overcome the spirit of fear 11:13 false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ on the increase in this day Their end shall be according to their works simplicity in salvation mixing with Islam, Buddhism, new age teachings – ecumenical movements teaching many ways to the one Lord 4 even ministers begin to dilute and be led into these false teachings the subtlety of the serpent challenges us Examine yourself – isolation – move in, discipline yourself. Get to know Him more than ever before! No man comes to the father but by me. STAY FOCUSED THERE IS WAR FOR YOUR SOUL MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN THE FAITH MAKE SURE YOUR MOTIVES ARE PURE, it's gonna be necessary that you have a discerning spirit fix this section its a time to really hone in discipline yourself, get to know him more than ever before Jesus' warnings to the last churches, many of whom exhibit caracteristics of modern day churches Ephesus – the backslidden church lost their first love, Smyrna, the persecuted church, Pergamos, the worldly church. Thyatira the compromising church. Philadelphia – church of brotherly love, ( there was no rebuke, only praise from Jesus, commended an open door) Sardis - Laodicea – represents the condition of the latter day church can be easily deceived (there was no praise for these last two churches) showed them how to repent and get back on track we can be easily deceived and drawn into worldliness and compromise strong warning Hebrews 3:12-13 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. be partakers of Christ…if we hold the steadfastness of our confidence to the end You can’t look back FOCUS! don’t get distracted in the last lap! IN VIEW OF THE FINISH LINE! if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end 5 the church of Laodicea – like the times we live in now deception sent to create fear, lust for other things Galatians 5:7– Paul told them, “you did run well, who hath bewitched you?” stand fast in the liberty, not entangled Deception causes the fiery testimony, love intensity to begin to cool off Rev. 3:14-20 14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: They were so deceived about who they were. Totally diferent from what Jesus saw. 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. man looks at the outward appearance Parable of the sower: sows the seed of the word types of soil: thorny soil, thorns- cares of this world, lusts of other things -choked out the word drawn into the things of life, the world’s standards, rather than advancing the kingdom Laodicea, “the people rule” they looked more to material wealth, at the way of the city to judge their standards 6 Jesus said they were lukewarm standards of the world determine actions. waters from the springs of the mountain hot springs brought down rom the aqueduct into the city and become tepid, lukewarm by the time it reached the city nauseating major banking, major resources, industrious city, 2 rivers ran into the city, commerece, material wealth where people want to be the church home of a renowned medical center with eye salve The church at Laodicea was a wealthy, weak church with Jesus on the outside knocking except the spirit draw him, you cannot b drawn to God Jesus had no place in that worldly church, lost their relatioinship with the lord He cried out to them, be zealous and repent regardless of your identification with a particular church, make your calling and election sure James 1 God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth He any man, every man tempted with his own lust self esteem, self worth, the spirit of self exaltation , spirit of pride – what satisfies our desires, not God’s will the heart of man is evil, desperately wicked always be mindful of who gets the glory out of things make sure that His name is being exalted lead men to Christ and to have an intimate relationship with Him Whatever we like may draw us away from God. Lay aside every weight, know what our triggers are, what our weaknesses have been before salvation There are things that satisfy our flesh Pastor gives the example of baiting a mouse/rat, bait on the hook when fishing something that will satisfy a desire in him Satan knows what it will take to lure you. your weak points, things you love know your weaknesses, triggers before you were saved. things you were used to being satisfied with be not ignorant of his devises pride, need for praise, fulfilment not of god He knows how to bait you into going back again So give no place to the devil, don’t be ignorant concerning his devices. 7 Don’t be drawn away of your own lust, pride, needing praise, etc. the enemy uses whatever worked in the past! Once you were born again, you reconned the old man to be dead and buried 2Cor, 5:17 “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” – a new man the enemy will hand you a shovel with your name on it. tries to get you to dig up your old desires and satisfy yourself again, to justify the temptations of the past life. Romans 6:1 Shall we sin knowingly? God forbid! the seductions and enticements of the flesh try to get you to relive and get involved in the old life example of the shovel to dig up what was buried James 1:15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Galatians 5:1 1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. We must not lose focus. Be on guard, Watch as well as pray. Peter, Paul and Jude all warn against deception, speaking against the falling away, the apostacy. through all the epistles, warning against the falling away. Don’t be of those who are losing confidence! departing from the faith 2Peter 3:1-3 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, There is confusion in the church concerning the word of God. 8 We must not forget God’s judgment on angels, on Sodom and Gommorah 2Peter 2:4 4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment The LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 2Peter 2:16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. If you continue in his word you will know the truth John 8:31-32 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (2 Peter 2:20) “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse than the beginning better to not have known… that which was washed – the sow has returned to the mud (2PETER 2:22) Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud." hold fast! Satan wants you to go back into sin be encouraged, understand the warfare we are in. have a disciplined, consistent prayer life! a time and place to be with the lord daily! spend time in the presence of God or you will become weary! healing, salvation, deliverance, peace will follow your obedience "Men aught always to pray and not to faint" This warfare is real! deception is slowly drawing saints away from God Remember the example of the boiling frog – the captor slowly turns up the heat to boiling before the frog realizes he is being cooked - it is a process, but faithfulness should be greater than that in you Make sure you are advancing! are you stronger now than it was last year, last week? weapon of fervent prayer, declaring the word of the lord. righteousness, pleading the blood of the lamb stand on the covenant we have, speak them out of our mouths often MAKE TIME! Rev 12 overcome Satan by the blood of the lamb, the word of your testimony and love not your life, speak out of your mouth have a disciplined prayer life – make time and place for prayer daily Put on whole the armor of God Ephesians 6:11-17 KJV Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Hear what the spirit is saying – information and time are speeding up, confusion and fear with it we have to stop! Be steadfast, unmovable 1 Corinthians 15:58 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the LORD stand on the truth, have greater discernment, insight on sight moment by moment, be doers of the word and not only hearers HEAR AND BE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD! SPEAK LIFE, DECLARE BLESSING, FAVOR, HEALING AND HEALTH, VICTORY Rev. 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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