IF GOD PERMIT

Sunday Morning:  January 28, 2000

Text: Hebrews 5:12-14  "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Hebrews 6:1-3  "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection [completion]; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2. Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3. And this will we do, if God permit.

TAUGHT IN PARABLES

Mark 4:2  "And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,"

WITHOUT A PARABLE

Mark 4:34  "But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."

DISCIPLESHIP

Luke 14:26-28  "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?"

 

UNTO YOU IT IS GIVEN

Mark 4:9-12  "And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."

HARD HEARTS

John 12:39-40  "Therefore they could not believe [present active ▬▬], because that Esaias said again, 40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them."

MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED

Luke 12:47-48  "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

DIVINE POWER FOR LIFE

2 Peter 1:3-4  "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge [epignosiv, greater knowledge] of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

 

AGAIN ENTANGLED

2 Peter 2:20-21  "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge [epignwskw, greater knowledge] of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21. For it had been better for them not to have known [epignwskw, greater knowledge] the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

THE WARNING

Hebrews 6:4-10  "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened (have gone on to maturity), and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world [age] to come, 6. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify (again) to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

BELIEVE FOR A WHILE

Luke 8:13  "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe [present active ──], and in time of temptation fall away."

BLESSING FROM GOD

7. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8. But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

SUFFER LOSS

1 Corinthians 3:15  "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

 

PERSUADED BETTER THINGS OF YOU

9. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak."

GOD WON’T FORGET

10. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."