5 Great Reformers of the Reformation

“Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen!” Martin Luther (Lutheran Churches)

“There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice” John Calvin (Reformed Churches)

“A man with God is always in the majority.” John Knox (Presbetyrian Churches)

".....do not put yourself at odds with the Word of God. For truly it will persist as surely as the Rhine follows its course. One can perhaps dam it up for awhile, but it is impossible to stop it." Ulrich Zwingli (Brethern Churches)

"Live, first of all, piously and purely; afterwards, teach faithfully and sincerely." Jan Huss (Moravian Churches)

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Isaiah 58:1

5 "Solas" of the Reformation:

Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone") Sola fide ("by faith alone") Sola gratia ("by grace alone") Solus Christus ("Christ alone") Soli Deo gloria ("glory to God alone")

Our Help

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalms 124:8

Sweeter than the honeycomb

1) The law of the LORD is perfect, *** converting the soul:

2) the testimony of the LORD is sure, *** making wise the simple.

3) The statutes of the LORD are right, *** rejoicing the heart

4) the commandment of the LORD is pure, *** enlightening the eyes.

5) The fear of the LORD is clean, *** enduring for ever:

6) the judgments of the LORD are *** true and righteous altogether.

*** More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.***

7) Moreover by them is thy servant warned:

8) and in keeping of them there is great reward.

***...cleanse thou me from secret faults.***

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Psalms 19:7-13

The Heavens Declare!!!!!!

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Psalms 19:1-3

Sermon from Mars Hill

1) Paul speaks of the UNKNOWN GOD- Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Acts 17:22,23

2) Paul describes the UNKNOWN GOD as Creator- God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; Acts 17:24,25

3) God controls time and history- And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; Acts 17:26

4) Core of the sermon- *****That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:***** Acts 17:27

5) The Godhead- For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. Acts 17:28,29

6) Repent- And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30

7) There will be a day of Judgement- Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:31

Blined by the god of this world

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:3,4

When He looked down.....

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; To declare the name of the LORD in Zion,.... When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. Psalm 102:18-22

Where 2 or 3 are gathered

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

His Presence

Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? Jeremiah 5:22

Despisers

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. Acts 13:41

Glory in the Cross

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14

Now I lay me down to Sleep....

Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. Psalm 42:8

Bible Lessons

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. Nehemiah 8:8

A New Creature

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Ruth

The story of Ruth is about Boaz (a Jew) marries a non Jew (Ruth). He purchased her land to save her inheritance (Just as Christ purchased our inheritance on the cross so we could have access to the Promised Land). Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee.Ruth 4:8 He went on to marry Ruth, the Moabitess. (Just as Christ is our Bridegroom). So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: Ruth 4:13 Also, the bloodline of Boaz and Ruth was in the genealogy of Christ, as they were the ancestors of King David. ...and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth 4:17 The main verse in the story takes place between Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi, as she was leaving Moab after the death of her son to return home to Bethlehem..... And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:16,17 That pretty much sums up what our attitude towards Christ should be.

Idols

Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; Deuteronomy 11:16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

The Alpha & Omega

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22:13

Thy Law is my delight

Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. Psalm 119:77

Maker of the Worlds

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Hebrews 1:2

The Basket of Summer Fruit

Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. Amos 8:1-3

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Revelation 9:20,21

The END of Spiritual Israel

He died for the Ungodly-us

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6,8

What is Faith?

Now faith is

1) the substance of things hoped for,

2) the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

The Cursed & Blessed Man

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Jeremiah 17:5,6

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7,8

Daniel in the Lions Den (in-depth case study)

1) Daniel set up over others in the government under the King- It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Daniel 6:1-3

2) The men who were jealous of Daniel sought a way to get rid of him-and since they couldn't based upon his job performance-they decided to go after him based on his religion. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Daniel 6:4,5

3) The plot - Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Daniel 6:6,7 This was the same tactic used against the Jews in Persia during the days of Queen Esther If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered,.. Esther 1:19 The conflict that was set up was between the laws of man and the Law of God.

4) The royal decree could not be altered among Medo-Persian kings - Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Daniel 6:8,9 ...for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. Esther 8:8

5) Daniel prays as was his usual routine - Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Daniel 6:10 As the Psalmist says Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Psalms 55:17

6) The jealous men went looking to catch Daniel- Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Daniel 6:11

7) They tell the king- Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Daniel 6:12,13 Notice they refer to Daniel as one of the "children of the captivity of Judah". They played to their ethnic dislike of Daniel.

8) The king searched for a technicality to save Daniel- Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Daniel 6:14

9) They pressure the king to implement the punishment- Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. Daniel 6:15

10) The king gives the order but shows a faith in Daniel's God- Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. Daniel 6:16

11) The deed is done- And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Daniel 6:17

12) The king couldn't sleep- Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him. Daniel 6:18

13) The king goes to check the lions den in the morning- Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Daniel 6:19,20

14) The enemies of Daniel had the mouth of the den shut to kill Daniel but his God shut the mouth of the lions- Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. Daniel 6:21-23

15) The jealous plotters recieve their punishment- And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. Daniel 6:24

16) The king praises the God of Daniel- I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:26,27

The first conflict recorded in scripture between humans was over WORSHIP And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Genesis 4:4,5,8 And so will be the last controversy on earth over WORSHIP And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,.. Revelation 14:9 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Ezekiel 9:4,6

Summary of Daniel 6: "In all cases where the king had a right to command, Daniel would obey; but niether the king nor his decree could make him swerve from allegiance to the King of Kings." Patriarchs & Prophets p.542

Be abounding with Thanksgiving

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; Jonah 2:9

2012

With all the talk about the end of the world 0n 12/21/2012 based on the Mayan calender---what does scripture say about the end? But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36

Be Gentle

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3:2

Hypocrisy

Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? Amos 8:4-6

Two points to notice:

1) The deception of those who claim to follow God obediently yet abuse those around them.

2) As for obsderving His Holy Sabbath-No buying or selling was allowed during those sacred hours.

A Famine is Coming Upon the Land

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. Amos 8:11,12

God is Love

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:8

Walk not as others.....

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Ephesians 4:17-19

We can carry nothing out of this world

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:7

The Love of Money

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

Advice to the Rich

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

A Psalm when tempted to almost cross over to the other side

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. ------- So foolish was I, and ignorant: Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. Psalms 73:2,3,5,6,8,9,22,25

God of my Salvation

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Angels to keep thee

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11

The Fool

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Proverbs 26:11 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; 2 Peter 2:22

Einstein & Religion

Einstein discovered the theories of General Relativity & Special Relativity. God gives us General Revelation (Nature) and Special Revelation (Written Word). Error occurs when man strays from God's Revelations. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Ephesians 3:3,4 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,... Romans 1:20

Praise Him

Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. Psalm 148:12,13

Sun, Moon & Stars

Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Psalm 148:3

Atmosphere

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Psalm 148:4

Angels Praise Him

Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Psalm 148:2

Avoid Gossip

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. Proverbs 16:28

The Truth

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

NO IMMORTALITY of the Soul

There is NO immortality of the soul. When you die-you are dead. The soul that sins dies. It does not go to heaven or go and eternally burn in torment. It dies. Eternal life-given at the resurrection morn, is a "GIFT" from God. Not automatic.

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18:20

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Return from your Backsliding

Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD. A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God. Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. Jeremiah 3:20-22

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

Brought unto Zion

Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: Jeremiah 3:14

That Day

And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. Ezekiel 37:13,14

Formed you

Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Isaiah 44:2