Following Jesus Son of God …

I can hardly wait to see what God is going to do in my life, and yours, through this Genesis study. What a challenge, but also I believe God has impressed on me the great blessing in that very challenge as he speaks to us in this essential book.

I want you to know this morning that you have every good and excellent reason to believe and trust God’s Holy Book the Bible!

From beginning to end. From creation to the end of days on this planet. God’s word. Believe it. Trust it. Believe God. Trust God.

When he begins his Book: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Then count on it. Let no one, absolutely no one, undermine your faith in a God who can do exactly what he says in his word.

Message Title: “In the Beginning, God Created the Heavens and the Earth!”

Message Text: Genesis 1:1-2

God gives us the choice. It has been that way since the very first humans walked the planet. Believe God and trust him or believe the lie.

For decades now many professing believers in Christ have listened to those whom God calls fools when it comes to the creation account.

• (Psalm 14:1 ESV) The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.

For too long many sincere believers have cowered before the voices of “reason” and “science” even though the very ones defining reason and science have turned their backs on their Creator. For the sake of prestige and place in this world, too many have listened to those who are wise only in their own eyes.

• (Romans 1:21–22 ESV) For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.

But not from this pulpit. God speaks very clearly the things that are necessary for us to hear and believe.

God, and God alone, is Creator and Redeemer!

Message Title: “In the Beginning God Created the Heavens and the Earth!”

Message Text: Genesis 1:1-2 & Selected

• PDF GENESIS MESSAGE 1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth : Genesis 1-1-2-4 : ffc : dave scott : 040316 AM STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF GENESIS MESSAGE 1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth : Genesis 1-1-2-4 : ffc : dave scott : 040316 AM STUDY SHEET TWO
• PDF GENESIS MESSAGE 1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth : Genesis 1-1-2-4 : ffc : dave scott : 040316 AM STUDY SHEET THREE
• PDF GENESIS MESSAGE 1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth : Genesis 1-1-2-4 : ffc : dave scott : 040316 AM STUDY SHEET FOUR

“Why can’t we all just get along?”

• Why can’t we find the things that we share in common as brothers and sisters in Christ and work together? We agree on so many things. Why can’t we minister to the world from this common ground that we share? It just makes sense. Why draw denominational or doctrinal distinctions?
• Do you know what is so absurd about that rationale? We disagree with them on the things that the Apostle Paul tells us are “of first importance.”
• It is true that as the liberal, false teachers point out, we do have much in common. But what we do not have in common is what the Apostle Paul delivers to us as the things “of first importance.” Think about it. The issue is not the common things, but the great divide on who Jesus Christ is, exactly what he has accomplished at the Cross of Calvary and the authoritative voice of the word of God. The distinction should not be drawn by what we have in common but by the huge, glaring differences in our beliefs on Jesus Christ and the word of God.
• I heard on the radio again this past week a liberal church in the area: “Come join us for Easter and celebrate with us the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
• Face value that may sound okay. We have that in common with that church. We too next week are going to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• But that is where the common ground ends because we will connect that resurrection to Christ’s death for our sins which they no longer believe is of first importance. And we will connect his resurrection with his literal, physical death according to the Scriptures. And we will not come up with various theories that explain away the authoritative instruction of the Word of God concerning sin. We will connect this celebration to Jesus Christ dying for our sins, my sins, your sins, redemption by his blood for the forgiveness of sins.
• And we will connect our celebration with the physical, bodily resurrection of our Lord and his appearance to over 500 people according to the Scriptures. And we will continue to hold the absolute authority of the teaching of God’s word that this resurrection provides the only way of salvation, the only way for us to go to the Father. The only way. That there is no other name to call on, no other religion that escapes the tentacles of some form of works salvation formed by and based upon the reasoning of sinful, fallen man.
• So, yes, we are very narrow in our view of salvation. Our Lord tells us this morning to: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Message Title: Build on the Rock!

Message Text: Matthew 7:13-29

Life or destruction! You choose.

• Narrow Gate: One way for life.
• Wide Gate: Many ways (that are really the same way) for death.

Only one way. Only one name. Only one truth. His name is Jesus.

Narrow? Exclusive? Only one way? Are you kidding me? Nope. But it’s God, not me anyway. Neither my idea nor plan of salvation for this fallen planet.

God’s idea, God’s way!

• (Isaiah 55:9 ESV) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

This week in Matthew 7, Jesus Christ speaks of a way that leads to life versus a way that leads to destruction. Guess which way most people take?

The way of death!

Why? Because our way not only “seems right” to us, but in our minds it “is right.” (See study sheet for Scripture references.)

Message Title: Build on the Rock!

Message Text: Matthew 7:13-29

• PDF Building on the Rock : Matthew 7-13-29 : ffc : dave scott : 032016 AM STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF Building on the Rock : Matthew 7-13-29 : ffc : dave scott : 032016 AM STUDY SHEET TWO

• That is what the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, is about. Remembering the gospel. Every time we take the bread and the cup we remember and we proclaim the Lord’s death.
• In our text this morning we find Jesus, the light of the world, facing the deep darkness of humanity and the spiritual forces of wickedness. Through the dark night, both literally and spiritually, through betrayal and disappointment, isolation and loneliness, and sadness to the point of death, our Lord confronted the land of darkness spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah.
• Alone. No one beside him. The fury of the battle between the deep darkness and the Great Light had scattered his disciples like terrified children.
• So what message did Jesus have for these men who had run for their lives but would soon return in great love and faithfulness and devotion?
• His message to them: This is all you have. This is all you need. Now and in the centuries to come: this is all you have, this is all you need. The blood of the covenant. His blood poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. They were to build on the finished work of Jesus Christ and nothing else.

The Blood Promise!

Solid Rock (or sinking sand … our choice)!

• My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
• On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

My Faith Has Found A Resting Place

• My faith has found a resting place, Not in device or creed, I trust the ever-living One, His wounds for me shall plead.
• I need no other argument, I need no other plea, It is enough that Jesus died, And that He died for me.

What is your hope built on? Jesus gives us a “blood promise” in our text this morning. He makes a new covenant and signs the agreement with his blood.

What work could a human ever add to that?

Message Title: The Blood Promise!

Message Text: Matthew 26:17-56

• PDF The Blood of the Promise : Matthew 26-17-29 : ffc : dave scott : 031316 AM STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF The Blood of the Promise : Matthew 26-17-29 : ffc : dave scott : 031316 AM STUDY SHEET TWO

“Catch Up” Week for Audio …

This is my catch up week for the audio. You don’t want to miss the two messages by Pastor Ervin McNeill (Pacific Garden Mission Chaplain) from this past Sunday. They are brief. Too brief. Most of us agreed that we could easily have listened for an hour. Good stuff.

And there is my stuff for the previous two Sundays.

Scroll down. You will find what you are looking for.

______________________________________________________________

Pastor Ervin McNeill / Morning Worship / Faith Fellowship / March 6, 2016

______________________________________________________________

Pastor Ervin McNeill / Sunday School / Faith Fellowship / March 6, 2016

___________________________________________________________

Dave Scott  / The Lips of a Priest Should Guard Knowledge / Malachi 2

___________________________________________________________

Dave Scott / James Study / LESSON 13: Patient Farmers / James 5:7-12

___________________________________________________________

Dave Scott / James Study / LESSON 14: The Prayer of Faith / James 5:13-20

Why do we assume that when we become sick that God would want to heal us? Where do we get the information upon which we base that assumption? Could we be operating on man-made principles, human rules-of-the-game, that actually oppose the work of God in our lives?

Each of us needs to ask, “Why am I asking God to heal me?” Is it possible that God knows that we need this illness or injury? Is he that wise?

• (Psalm 119:67 ESV) Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Paul was given a thorn in the flesh. Paul did not heal everyone around him, even those close to him in ministry.

So why do we think that God has this great desire to heal us? Do we ever ask “why”? As in, Why do we want to be healed? Will I better carry out the will of God? Am I concerned for the purposes of God?

Or could it be that I just want to get on with “MY” life? And … if God is a good God, which he says he is, then he had better take care of me and heal me!

So … Why am I asking God to heal me?

And … What does God really promise?

Message Title: The Prayer of Faith!

Message Text: James 5:13-20

• PDF LESSON 14 : The Prayer of Faith : James 513-20 : ffc : dave scott : 022116 STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF LESSON 14 : The Prayer of Faith : James 513-20 : ffc : dave scott : 022116 STUDY SHEET TWO

———————————————————

From Preaching the Word: James—Faith That Works …

Amy Carmichael, the turn-of-the-century missionary to India, described the attempted healing of one of her treasured coworkers, a woman named Ponnammal, who contracted cancer in 1913. Amy was, of course, aware of James’ prescription to call for the elders of the church to anoint the ill and offer the prayer of faith, but she and her fellowship were not sure what to do. So they sought a sign asking that, if it was God’s will, he would send someone to them who was earnest about James’ prescription for healing. The person came—an old friend of hers from Madras. As her biographer Elisabeth Elliot describes it:

• It was a solemn meeting around the sickbed, the women dressed as usual in their handloomed saris, but white ones for this occasion. They laid a palm branch across Ponnammal’s bed as a sign of victory and accepted whatever answer God might give, certain that whether it was to be physical healing or not, He would give victory and peace. It sounds like a simple formula. It was an act of faith, but certainly accompanied by the anguish of doubt and desire which had to be brought again and again under the authority of the Master.…  From that very day Ponnammal grew … worse. The pain increased, and her eyes grew dull as she lingered for days in misery until she reached her limit and her “warfare was accomplished.”1

Prima facie James’ directions did not “work” for Ponnammal, the faithful servant of Christ. Honesty demands that we admit that such is often the case when Christians attempt to follow this Scripture. Why is this so? How is it that two believers become ill and both call for the elders of the church, both are anointed, both are prayed over, yet one dies and the other is healed?2 Are we all to follow James’ prescription? How are we to apply this Scripture in the church today? We hope to answer these and similar questions as we consider The Divine Prescription for Healing in the church.

[Hughes, R. K. (1991). James: faith that works (pp. 253–254). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.]

———————————————————

Do we believe that Jesus is coming again?

We are supposed to neither complain nor argue. God tells us. He wrote it down in his “Book” very clearly.

• (Philippians 2:14 NIV84) Do everything without complaining or arguing.

And … we are supposed to never grumble, especially against one another.

• (James 5:9 ESV) Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

So I believe that it would be safe to say then, that grumbling, complaining and arguing are sins.

Unless it’s me. Or one of my family members or friends. Or probably not if it’s you either. You’re a pretty good person. (Not really but let’s roll with this.)

Have you ever noticed how some things that God describes as sin that we change the meaning, or at least change the application? Have you noticed that?

If someone else spreads that rumor it is gossip, so shame on them. However … if it is me or my friends, or family, then it’s different. (Of course it’s not but this is what we say it is so it must be so. Right? Seems right to me. And my friends agree.)

It is like we are on the “friends and family” plan with the wireless phone company. We have unlimited minutes for grumbling, complaining, arguing and gossiping.

So I can grumble and gossip and it’s okay, but don’t you dare grumble or gossip. Haven’t you read what God says in his holy “Book” the Bible. I will whip those Bible verses on you like ugly on a monkey.

FOR WAY TOO LONG we in the Church of Jesus Christ have turned a blind eye to the way we relate to the people around us, especially fellow believers, especially the way we speak to and about one another.

FOR WAY TOO LONG we have made this acceptable. “That’s just the way it is.” Right? You’ve heard it. We frail, flawed, humans have given our “Christian social acceptance” to this downgrade of Gods divine teaching as to how we speak to and treat one another, but God has not changed anything in his Bible.

What was sin 2,000 years ago is still sin! What was harmful to his Church 2,000 years ago is still harmful today.

So when are we going to let the word of God penetrate and quit making excuses?

HERE IS THE IRONY: The very things that we grumble and complain about are the things that God tells us that he uses to produce precious fruit in our lives. This is his work of sanctification.

• (Ephesians 5:26–27 ESV) That he [Christ] might sanctify her [us–the Church], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

We are going to look so good. We will be stunning beyond our imagination. But he does this work through the difficult things of this life that drive us to his grace.

Jesus is coming again. We wait, hope, believe, trust and patiently allow the Lord to accomplish his mighty work in our lives. Amen and amen!

Are you with me on this? 🙂

Message Title: Patient Farmers!

Message Text: James 5:7-12

• PDF LESSON 13 : Patient Farmers : James 5-7-12 : ffc : dave scott : 021416 : STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF LESSON 13 : Patient Farmers : James 5-7-12 : ffc : dave scott : 021416 : STUDY SHEET TWO

There is no explicit good news in our text this week, at least not in the first six verses. James delivers a scathing condemnation against a class of people who exalt themselves above anyone and everyone else. And for that God will judge them in all severity. No peace offered. No resolution. No call to repentance of sin or confession of sin. Only the fiery blast of judgment.

So what does this mean to us?  Patience. James begins the next section calling us to patience.

• (James 5:7a ESV) Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. 

Be patient. Trust God. Jesus is coming again. So do not succumb to the oppressiveness of life. Don’t take it out on your brothers and sisters in Christ. Know that one day all things will be made right. We do not wish this on people, but we do take comfort in God’s justice.

In this God calls us to a calm assurance and a confident hope.

Message Title: The Coming Miseries of the Oppressive Rich!

Message Text: James 5:1-7a

AUDIO: