"A" sermon STARTERs
1. "About" of Grace
1. Protection of Grace. "Hast Thou not made an hedge about him?" (Job 1:10).
2. Pathway of Grace. "God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea" (Exod. 13:18).
3. Discipline of Grace. "He led him about and instructed him" (Deut. 32:10).
4. Diligence of Grace. "I must be about My Father's business" (Luke 2:49).
5. Direction of Grace. "Let your loins be girded about." "Girt about" (Luke 12:35; Eph. 6:14).
6. Life of Grace. "Always bearing about in the body," etc. (2 Cor. 4:10).
7. Aim of Grace. "Went about doing good" (Acts 10:38).
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2. Pathway of Grace. "God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea" (Exod. 13:18).
3. Discipline of Grace. "He led him about and instructed him" (Deut. 32:10).
4. Diligence of Grace. "I must be about My Father's business" (Luke 2:49).
5. Direction of Grace. "Let your loins be girded about." "Girt about" (Luke 12:35; Eph. 6:14).
6. Life of Grace. "Always bearing about in the body," etc. (2 Cor. 4:10).
7. Aim of Grace. "Went about doing good" (Acts 10:38).
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2. "Above" "Born From Above" (John 3:3)
1. Christ, who came "from above" did a work for us which was outside in its merit and worth--John 3:31.
2. Life. The life which qualifies us for the Kingdom of God is "from above"--John 3:3, 5. The word "again"
should be "above," and is so given in John 3:31.
3. Love. The "perfect gift" of God's love and grace is "from above," as well as every good gift of His
providence--Jas. 1:17.
4. Wisdom. The wisdom which makes us wise is "from above"--Jas. 3:17.
5. Affection. To set our affection on "things above" is to evidence we need resources above and beyond
us--Col. 3:1, 2.
6. Protection. We need "above all" the Shield of Faith (Christ) to shield us from the enemies' attacks--Eph. 6:16.
7. Satisfaction. Covering all and in all the Lord Himself, who is above, is the One who can take out of danger
and bring us into untold blessing--Psa. 18:16-19.
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2. Life. The life which qualifies us for the Kingdom of God is "from above"--John 3:3, 5. The word "again"
should be "above," and is so given in John 3:31.
3. Love. The "perfect gift" of God's love and grace is "from above," as well as every good gift of His
providence--Jas. 1:17.
4. Wisdom. The wisdom which makes us wise is "from above"--Jas. 3:17.
5. Affection. To set our affection on "things above" is to evidence we need resources above and beyond
us--Col. 3:1, 2.
6. Protection. We need "above all" the Shield of Faith (Christ) to shield us from the enemies' attacks--Eph. 6:16.
7. Satisfaction. Covering all and in all the Lord Himself, who is above, is the One who can take out of danger
and bring us into untold blessing--Psa. 18:16-19.
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3. A Journey of Faith-Gen. 12:4-9; 13:1-4, 14, 18
There is a path to be found, and God alone can find it; so if we would find the path we must find God by being found by Him.
1. The Departure of Faith--12:4. Abram "departed out of Haran," the half-way place of compromise, and this was "as the Lord had spoken to Him." Faith's authority and action is always based upon what God says--Rom. 10:17. Obedience is the act of faith. When we will what God wills, we show our faith.
2. The Destination of Faith--12:5; "This land" (ver. 7). "They went forth" to "Canaan," and "into the land of Canaan they came," and there "Jehovah appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land." The land was God's gift of earthly possession to Abram and his seed. God has given to faith "all spiritual blessing in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). See how many blessings are mentioned in Ephesians 1, and "name them one by one."
3. The Worship of Faith. Three times we read of Abram in connection with an altar, and in three different relations. First, when Jehovah gave Abram the land--12:7; second, when he was restored after his backsliding into Egypt--14:4; and third, as he progressed on his journey--14:18. The altar, in its typical meaning, is worship founded on sacrifice. The Cross of Christ's sacrifice is the basis of God's giving--Rom. 8:32, the plea for restoration--Heb. 9:13, 14, and the spur to progress in Christian life and service--2 Cor. 5:14-16. The only place where we can worship God is in and at the Cross of Christ's atoning sacrifice. We cannot worship Him if we are in the Egypt of the world and lack heart separation to Him. The altar and tent are not mentioned as long as Abram is in Egypt—see Gen. 12:9-13:4.
4. The Declension of Faith. Abram "went down into Egypt," and when he had "come into Egypt" he compromised with Sarah, caused Pharaoh pain, told a lie about Sarah, and was sent away by the Egyptians--12:10, 14, 17, 19, 20. When a child of God gets out of communion with the Lord, he will often do what a man of the world would scorn to do. Our faith will wane if we are not watchful, even as a plant will languish for want of attention. A musty room means the exclusion of light, sun, and air, and a declining faith will cause the whole spiritual life to be lacking in the warmth of love, the light of knowledge, and the air of the Spirit's life-imparting grace.
5. The Vision of Faith—13:14-16. The Lord told Abram to "look," after he was separated from Lot. Lot was the man who looked on the plains of Jordan--13:10, and soon was in Sodom. He followed the eyes of his inclination, but Abram followed the direction of the Lord. When we see things at the Lord's bidding we always find a blessing; but when we look with the eyes of self-will we are courting a bane. To see the Lord is to see things in their true light--Heb. 11:27. To see things truly there is a needs be for the heart to be clean, the hands right, the spirit possessed by Christ, and the soul dominated by the Spirit.
6. The Journey of Faith. There are seven stages in the journeyings of Abram.
From the Ur of idolatry to the Haran of compromise--11:31.
From the Haran of compromise to the Canaan of blessing--12:4, 5.
From the Canaan of blessing and the "Moreh" of conflict to the Bethel of prayer--12:6-8.
From the Bethel of prayer to the "going and journeying" (margin) to "the south" of bordering on the Egypt of the world, and to the Egypt of straitening--12:9-20.
From the Egypt of backsliding to the Bethel of restoration--13:1-4.
From the Bethel of restoration to the Hebron of fellowship--13:18.
7. The Advance of Faith. When the Haran of compromise is left, the Egypt of the world is abandoned, and Lot is cut off; then Abram is able to "look" with God into His purpose for him, and to "walk" through the land, and dwell with the Lord in the Hebron of fellowship--13:14-18. Hindrances gone, faith advances. When faith advances in the ways of God, it enjoys His word and keeps on in fellowship with Him.
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1. The Departure of Faith--12:4. Abram "departed out of Haran," the half-way place of compromise, and this was "as the Lord had spoken to Him." Faith's authority and action is always based upon what God says--Rom. 10:17. Obedience is the act of faith. When we will what God wills, we show our faith.
2. The Destination of Faith--12:5; "This land" (ver. 7). "They went forth" to "Canaan," and "into the land of Canaan they came," and there "Jehovah appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land." The land was God's gift of earthly possession to Abram and his seed. God has given to faith "all spiritual blessing in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). See how many blessings are mentioned in Ephesians 1, and "name them one by one."
3. The Worship of Faith. Three times we read of Abram in connection with an altar, and in three different relations. First, when Jehovah gave Abram the land--12:7; second, when he was restored after his backsliding into Egypt--14:4; and third, as he progressed on his journey--14:18. The altar, in its typical meaning, is worship founded on sacrifice. The Cross of Christ's sacrifice is the basis of God's giving--Rom. 8:32, the plea for restoration--Heb. 9:13, 14, and the spur to progress in Christian life and service--2 Cor. 5:14-16. The only place where we can worship God is in and at the Cross of Christ's atoning sacrifice. We cannot worship Him if we are in the Egypt of the world and lack heart separation to Him. The altar and tent are not mentioned as long as Abram is in Egypt—see Gen. 12:9-13:4.
4. The Declension of Faith. Abram "went down into Egypt," and when he had "come into Egypt" he compromised with Sarah, caused Pharaoh pain, told a lie about Sarah, and was sent away by the Egyptians--12:10, 14, 17, 19, 20. When a child of God gets out of communion with the Lord, he will often do what a man of the world would scorn to do. Our faith will wane if we are not watchful, even as a plant will languish for want of attention. A musty room means the exclusion of light, sun, and air, and a declining faith will cause the whole spiritual life to be lacking in the warmth of love, the light of knowledge, and the air of the Spirit's life-imparting grace.
5. The Vision of Faith—13:14-16. The Lord told Abram to "look," after he was separated from Lot. Lot was the man who looked on the plains of Jordan--13:10, and soon was in Sodom. He followed the eyes of his inclination, but Abram followed the direction of the Lord. When we see things at the Lord's bidding we always find a blessing; but when we look with the eyes of self-will we are courting a bane. To see the Lord is to see things in their true light--Heb. 11:27. To see things truly there is a needs be for the heart to be clean, the hands right, the spirit possessed by Christ, and the soul dominated by the Spirit.
6. The Journey of Faith. There are seven stages in the journeyings of Abram.
From the Ur of idolatry to the Haran of compromise--11:31.
From the Haran of compromise to the Canaan of blessing--12:4, 5.
From the Canaan of blessing and the "Moreh" of conflict to the Bethel of prayer--12:6-8.
From the Bethel of prayer to the "going and journeying" (margin) to "the south" of bordering on the Egypt of the world, and to the Egypt of straitening--12:9-20.
From the Egypt of backsliding to the Bethel of restoration--13:1-4.
From the Bethel of restoration to the Hebron of fellowship--13:18.
7. The Advance of Faith. When the Haran of compromise is left, the Egypt of the world is abandoned, and Lot is cut off; then Abram is able to "look" with God into His purpose for him, and to "walk" through the land, and dwell with the Lord in the Hebron of fellowship--13:14-18. Hindrances gone, faith advances. When faith advances in the ways of God, it enjoys His word and keeps on in fellowship with Him.
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4. Abraham's Intercession Genesis 18:18-33
Dr. Joseph Parker, in referring to Sodom, and Abraham's prayer for it, and God's knowledge of its sin, said: "There are four great facts to consider: 1. That God holds inquest upon the moral condition of cities.
2. That God is accessible to earnest human appeal.
3. That the few can serve the many.
4, That human prayer falls below Divine resources."
There are several traits in Abraham's intercession:
1. He was confident in spirit, for he stood before the Lord--v. 22.
2. He was definite in his plea, for he prayed that Sodom might be spared for the sake of the righteous
in it--v. 23-25.
3. He pleaded what the Lord was, and His righteousness, as arguments for his prayer to be answered,
for he confessed the Judge of all the earth would do right--v. 25, 26.
4. His intercession was humble in tone, for he confessed he was but dust and ashes--v. 27.
5. And his petition was persistent in spirit--v. 28. And yet it failed in its continuance, for he left off in
his intercession before the Lord left off in His giving--v. 32, 33.
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2. That God is accessible to earnest human appeal.
3. That the few can serve the many.
4, That human prayer falls below Divine resources."
There are several traits in Abraham's intercession:
1. He was confident in spirit, for he stood before the Lord--v. 22.
2. He was definite in his plea, for he prayed that Sodom might be spared for the sake of the righteous
in it--v. 23-25.
3. He pleaded what the Lord was, and His righteousness, as arguments for his prayer to be answered,
for he confessed the Judge of all the earth would do right--v. 25, 26.
4. His intercession was humble in tone, for he confessed he was but dust and ashes--v. 27.
5. And his petition was persistent in spirit--v. 28. And yet it failed in its continuance, for he left off in
his intercession before the Lord left off in His giving--v. 32, 33.
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Fellowship is the soul of friendship, or the common interest that the one has with the other.
The Lord appeared to him--v. 1, 2. If the different occasions when God appeared to Abraham are looked up, it will be found they were crisis points in his history. On this occasion God promised a son to him. Every true Christian experience begins with a vision of Christ, and we fail to see anything that is worth seeing till we have seen Him. Recall how this fact is illustrated in the lives of--
1. Moses, the Leader--Exod. 3:2.
2. Isaiah, the Prophet--Isa. 6:1.
3. Paul, the Apostle--Acts 9:3-5.
4. Peter, the Fisherman--Luke 5:8.
5. John, the Disciple--Rev. 1:17.
6. Gideon, the Warrior--Judges 6:12.
7. Jacob, the Prince--Gen. 32:24-30.
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The Lord appeared to him--v. 1, 2. If the different occasions when God appeared to Abraham are looked up, it will be found they were crisis points in his history. On this occasion God promised a son to him. Every true Christian experience begins with a vision of Christ, and we fail to see anything that is worth seeing till we have seen Him. Recall how this fact is illustrated in the lives of--
1. Moses, the Leader--Exod. 3:2.
2. Isaiah, the Prophet--Isa. 6:1.
3. Paul, the Apostle--Acts 9:3-5.
4. Peter, the Fisherman--Luke 5:8.
5. John, the Disciple--Rev. 1:17.
6. Gideon, the Warrior--Judges 6:12.
7. Jacob, the Prince--Gen. 32:24-30.
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6. "Agree"
The Greek word for "agree" in Matthew 18:19, means to symphonise and suggests a musical harmony, where
chords are tuned to the same key, and struck by a master hand.
1. There is a symphonising which we should avoid, that is, a concert for the furtherance of evil, like Ananias and
Sapphira, when they "agreed together" to tempt the Holy Spirit--Acts 5:9.
2. There is a symphonisation which we should recognise, namely, when the working of God's providence agrees
with the fulfilment of God's Word (see the word "agree" in Acts 15:15).
3. But the symphony which is specially pleasing to the Lord is when His people agree in a concert of prayer, as
Judah did--2 Chron. 20:4, as the disciples did in the upper room--Acts 1:14, as the Church did for Peter--Acts
12:12, and as Nehemiah and his workers did--Neh. 4:9.
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chords are tuned to the same key, and struck by a master hand.
1. There is a symphonising which we should avoid, that is, a concert for the furtherance of evil, like Ananias and
Sapphira, when they "agreed together" to tempt the Holy Spirit--Acts 5:9.
2. There is a symphonisation which we should recognise, namely, when the working of God's providence agrees
with the fulfilment of God's Word (see the word "agree" in Acts 15:15).
3. But the symphony which is specially pleasing to the Lord is when His people agree in a concert of prayer, as
Judah did--2 Chron. 20:4, as the disciples did in the upper room--Acts 1:14, as the Church did for Peter--Acts
12:12, and as Nehemiah and his workers did--Neh. 4:9.
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7. Abundant Supply
"Able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20).
"The principal and most valuable characteristic of the cod is its amazing fecundity. It has been calculated that a single fish will deposit nine millions of eggs, a number which in its vastness simply bewilders us, for we cannot at all realise what such a mighty host means." What is true in this realm of Nature is true in every other, and especially in the realm of grace, for the Lord provides--
1. Abundant Grace to save us--Rom. 5:20.
2. Abundant Pardon to forgive us--Isa. 55:7.
3. Abundant Satisfaction to fill us--Psa. 36:8.
4. Abundant Peace to quieten us--Phil. 4:7.
5. Abundant Life to equip us--John 10:10.
6. Abundant Joy to gladden us--Phil. 1:26.
7. Abundant Power to energise us--Col. 1:11.
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"The principal and most valuable characteristic of the cod is its amazing fecundity. It has been calculated that a single fish will deposit nine millions of eggs, a number which in its vastness simply bewilders us, for we cannot at all realise what such a mighty host means." What is true in this realm of Nature is true in every other, and especially in the realm of grace, for the Lord provides--
1. Abundant Grace to save us--Rom. 5:20.
2. Abundant Pardon to forgive us--Isa. 55:7.
3. Abundant Satisfaction to fill us--Psa. 36:8.
4. Abundant Peace to quieten us--Phil. 4:7.
5. Abundant Life to equip us--John 10:10.
6. Abundant Joy to gladden us--Phil. 1:26.
7. Abundant Power to energise us--Col. 1:11.
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8. "According To" In Ephesians 1
1. Predestination. "According to the good pleasure of His will," He hath predestinated us to the place of
children (v. 5).
2. Benediction. "According to the riches of His grace," He has blessed us in Christ (v. 7).
3. Revelation. "According to His good pleasure," He hath made known to us the secret of His will (v. 9, 10).
4. Inheritance. "According to the purpose" of His counsel, He hath given us an inheritance in Christ (v. 11).
5. Power. "According to the working of His mighty power," He energises us for life and labour (v. 19).
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children (v. 5).
2. Benediction. "According to the riches of His grace," He has blessed us in Christ (v. 7).
3. Revelation. "According to His good pleasure," He hath made known to us the secret of His will (v. 9, 10).
4. Inheritance. "According to the purpose" of His counsel, He hath given us an inheritance in Christ (v. 11).
5. Power. "According to the working of His mighty power," He energises us for life and labour (v. 19).
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9. A Group of Glad Ones
The words "Glad," "Rejoice," etc., are one and the same in the Greek.
1. A Glad Saviour--Luke 15:5.
2. A Glad Sinner--Luke 19:6; Acts 8:39.
3. A Glad Servant--Acts 11:23.
4. A Glad Sufferer--Col. 1:24.
5. A Glad Saint--2 John 4.
6. A Glad Surveyor--Col. 2:5.
7. A Glad Scoffer--Luke 23:8.
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1. A Glad Saviour--Luke 15:5.
2. A Glad Sinner--Luke 19:6; Acts 8:39.
3. A Glad Servant--Acts 11:23.
4. A Glad Sufferer--Col. 1:24.
5. A Glad Saint--2 John 4.
6. A Glad Surveyor--Col. 2:5.
7. A Glad Scoffer--Luke 23:8.
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10. Activities of God
Among the activities of God on behalf of His people, we have--
1. Hurrying Feet in Grace for our blessing--Luke 15:20.
2. Holding Hands in Power for our security--John 10:29.
3. A Loving Heart in Sympathy for our encouragement--John 16:27.
4. Listening Ears in Attention for our prayers--Psa. 34:15.
5. Watching Eyes in Outlook for our enablement--2 Chron. 16:9.
6. Gracious Lips in Promise for our faith--Song of Solomon 5:13.
7. Everlasting Arms in Upholding for our sustainment--Deut. 33:27.
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1. Hurrying Feet in Grace for our blessing--Luke 15:20.
2. Holding Hands in Power for our security--John 10:29.
3. A Loving Heart in Sympathy for our encouragement--John 16:27.
4. Listening Ears in Attention for our prayers--Psa. 34:15.
5. Watching Eyes in Outlook for our enablement--2 Chron. 16:9.
6. Gracious Lips in Promise for our faith--Song of Solomon 5:13.
7. Everlasting Arms in Upholding for our sustainment--Deut. 33:27.
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11. "Afar Off"
There are many characters who are said to be "afar off."
1. A Demon-Possessed Man, when he "saw Jesus afar off," ran and worshipped Him (Mark 5:6).
2. The Women at the Cross were "beholding" Him "afar off" (Matt. 27:55).
3. Peter followed his Lord "afar off" when he ought to have been near (Luke 22:54).
4. The Lepers, conscious of their disease, "stood afar off" (Luke 17:12).
5. The Publican, knowing his sin and unworthiness, stood "afar off" (Luke 18:13).
6. The Gentile Sinners are "afar off" from Jewish blessings and promises (Acts 2:39; Eph. 2:13, 17).
7. Old Testament Saints did not enjoy to the full the blessings of the Gospel, but they saw them
"afar of" (Heb. 11:13).
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1. A Demon-Possessed Man, when he "saw Jesus afar off," ran and worshipped Him (Mark 5:6).
2. The Women at the Cross were "beholding" Him "afar off" (Matt. 27:55).
3. Peter followed his Lord "afar off" when he ought to have been near (Luke 22:54).
4. The Lepers, conscious of their disease, "stood afar off" (Luke 17:12).
5. The Publican, knowing his sin and unworthiness, stood "afar off" (Luke 18:13).
6. The Gentile Sinners are "afar off" from Jewish blessings and promises (Acts 2:39; Eph. 2:13, 17).
7. Old Testament Saints did not enjoy to the full the blessings of the Gospel, but they saw them
"afar of" (Heb. 11:13).
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12. Activities of Jesus
In John 11 The Man of men, the greatest Person who ever lived.
1. The Listening Friend. "Jesus heard" (v. 4).
2. The Loving Lord. "Jesus loved" (v. 5).
3. The Gracious Teacher. "Jesus answered" (v. 9).
4. The Wondrous Speaker. "Jesus saith" and "spake" (v. 13, 23).
5. The Timely Visitor. "Jesus came" (v. 17).
6. The Located Saviour. "Jesus was" (v. 32).
7. The Seeing Helper. "Jesus saw" (v. 33).
8. The Troubled Groaner. "He groaned and was troubled" (v. 33, 38).
9. The Weeping Compassionator. "Jesus wept" (v. 35).
10. The Believing Son. "Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father" (v. 41).
11. The Commanding Life-Giver. "He cried" (v. 43).
12. The Constant Worker. "Jesus did... done" (v. 45, 46).
13. The Undisputed Witness. "This Man doeth many miracles" (v. 47).
14. The Delivering Substitute. "Jesus should die" (v. 51, 53).
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1. The Listening Friend. "Jesus heard" (v. 4).
2. The Loving Lord. "Jesus loved" (v. 5).
3. The Gracious Teacher. "Jesus answered" (v. 9).
4. The Wondrous Speaker. "Jesus saith" and "spake" (v. 13, 23).
5. The Timely Visitor. "Jesus came" (v. 17).
6. The Located Saviour. "Jesus was" (v. 32).
7. The Seeing Helper. "Jesus saw" (v. 33).
8. The Troubled Groaner. "He groaned and was troubled" (v. 33, 38).
9. The Weeping Compassionator. "Jesus wept" (v. 35).
10. The Believing Son. "Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father" (v. 41).
11. The Commanding Life-Giver. "He cried" (v. 43).
12. The Constant Worker. "Jesus did... done" (v. 45, 46).
13. The Undisputed Witness. "This Man doeth many miracles" (v. 47).
14. The Delivering Substitute. "Jesus should die" (v. 51, 53).
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13. Activities of the Christian Life
1. Shining. Arising to shine--Eph. 5:14.
2. Running. Running to win--1 Cor. 9:24-27.
3. Helping. Helping to succour--Phil. 4:3.
4. Sowing. Sowing to reap--Gal. 6:7-9.
5. Fighting. Fighting to subdue--1 Tim. 6:12.
6. Praying. Praying to bless--1 Tim. 2:1, 2.
7. Fishing. Fishing to catch--Matt. 4:19.
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2. Running. Running to win--1 Cor. 9:24-27.
3. Helping. Helping to succour--Phil. 4:3.
4. Sowing. Sowing to reap--Gal. 6:7-9.
5. Fighting. Fighting to subdue--1 Tim. 6:12.
6. Praying. Praying to bless--1 Tim. 2:1, 2.
7. Fishing. Fishing to catch--Matt. 4:19.
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14. Activities of the Christian Life
1. Following to prove--John 10:27.
2. Growing to attain--Eph. 4:15.
3. Walking to accomplish--Eph. 5:1, 2.
4. Working to benefit--Rom. 12:6-16.
5. Wrestling to conquer--2 Tim. 2:5.
6. Washing to cleanse--John 13:14.
7. Reaching to gain--Phil. 3:13, 14.
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2. Growing to attain--Eph. 4:15.
3. Walking to accomplish--Eph. 5:1, 2.
4. Working to benefit--Rom. 12:6-16.
5. Wrestling to conquer--2 Tim. 2:5.
6. Washing to cleanse--John 13:14.
7. Reaching to gain--Phil. 3:13, 14.
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15. "All" in Romans
1. Sin. "All have sinned" (Rom. 3:23).
2. Subjection. "All under sin" (Rom. 3:9).
3. Sacrifice. "Gave Him up for us all" (Rom. 8:32).
4. Supply. "Freely give us all things" (Rom. 8:32).
5. Supplication. "All who call upon Him" (Rom. 10:12).
6. Superintendence. "Lord over all" (Rom. 10:12).
7. Support. "The God of Peace be with you all" (Rom. 15:33).
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2. Subjection. "All under sin" (Rom. 3:9).
3. Sacrifice. "Gave Him up for us all" (Rom. 8:32).
4. Supply. "Freely give us all things" (Rom. 8:32).
5. Supplication. "All who call upon Him" (Rom. 10:12).
6. Superintendence. "Lord over all" (Rom. 10:12).
7. Support. "The God of Peace be with you all" (Rom. 15:33).
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16. "Again"
The importance, intensity, and repetition of a given act, or the statement of a truth, is seen in the word palin, rendered "again." The importance of distinguishing words given "again" is seen if we contrast two other words. "Again" should be "above" in the sentence, "Born from above" (John 3 is given "above" in verse 31). Another word, "again," is the word associated with Christ rising "again" from the dead. It means to stand up. Strictly speaking, "again" can only be applied to a second act. Christ did rise the second time. He was standing in life before He died, and He stood up again in resurrection; but in the instances where palin is used of Christ, it means a repetition.
1. Life Given and Taken. "I lay down My life, that I may take it again" (John 10:17, 18). Here is the double
purpose of deliberate action. His death and resurrection were no accident.
2. "Written" and "Written Again." To Satan's partial quotation of Scripture, Christ gave him an utterance
of full statement. "Jesus said to him, It is written again" (Matt. 4:7).
3. Hands Upon Eyes and Again. There was a double touch with Christ in His healing of the blind
man--Mark 8:23-25.
4. Christ's Repeated Statement. The disciples were astonished at Christ's teaching about
riches, but He emphasised His statement by repeating it--Mark 10:23, 24.
5. Peace and Peace. "Jesus saith to them again" (John 20:21). He gives a double peace. The peace
of the Cross and the peace of Himself--John 14:27.
6. Prayer and Prayer. "He went away again" (Matt. 26:42, 44). To pray again is to get into the heart of things.
7. Coming and Coming. "I will come again" (John 14:3). His future coming is associated with His first.
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1. Life Given and Taken. "I lay down My life, that I may take it again" (John 10:17, 18). Here is the double
purpose of deliberate action. His death and resurrection were no accident.
2. "Written" and "Written Again." To Satan's partial quotation of Scripture, Christ gave him an utterance
of full statement. "Jesus said to him, It is written again" (Matt. 4:7).
3. Hands Upon Eyes and Again. There was a double touch with Christ in His healing of the blind
man--Mark 8:23-25.
4. Christ's Repeated Statement. The disciples were astonished at Christ's teaching about
riches, but He emphasised His statement by repeating it--Mark 10:23, 24.
5. Peace and Peace. "Jesus saith to them again" (John 20:21). He gives a double peace. The peace
of the Cross and the peace of Himself--John 14:27.
6. Prayer and Prayer. "He went away again" (Matt. 26:42, 44). To pray again is to get into the heart of things.
7. Coming and Coming. "I will come again" (John 14:3). His future coming is associated with His first.
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17. "After That"
1. Trusting after hearing--Eph. 1:13.
2. Communion after cleansing--Lev. 14:8.
3. Revelation after separation--Gen. 13:14.
4. Service after consecration--Num. 8:15, 22.
5. Power after the Spirit's coming--Acts 1:8.
6. Thanksgiving after blessing--Deut. 16:13-17.
7. Glory after suffering--1 Peter 5:10.
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2. Communion after cleansing--Lev. 14:8.
3. Revelation after separation--Gen. 13:14.
4. Service after consecration--Num. 8:15, 22.
5. Power after the Spirit's coming--Acts 1:8.
6. Thanksgiving after blessing--Deut. 16:13-17.
7. Glory after suffering--1 Peter 5:10.
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18. Acts of Christ
The acts of Christ are frequently referred to in connection with the word "Forth."
1. His Power to Heal. "Put forth His Hand" (Matt. 8:3).
2. His Power to Send. "Jesus sent forth" (Matt. 10:5).
3. His Power to Sow. "Sower went forth to sow" (Matt. 13:3).
4. His Power to Manifest. "Manifested forth His glory" (John 2:11).
5. His Power to Direct. "Putteth forth His own sheep" (John 10:4).
6. His Power to Evidence. "Jesus Christ might shew forth" (1 Tim. 1:16).
7. His Power to Return and Reward. "Will come forth and serve" (Luke 12:37).
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1. His Power to Heal. "Put forth His Hand" (Matt. 8:3).
2. His Power to Send. "Jesus sent forth" (Matt. 10:5).
3. His Power to Sow. "Sower went forth to sow" (Matt. 13:3).
4. His Power to Manifest. "Manifested forth His glory" (John 2:11).
5. His Power to Direct. "Putteth forth His own sheep" (John 10:4).
6. His Power to Evidence. "Jesus Christ might shew forth" (1 Tim. 1:16).
7. His Power to Return and Reward. "Will come forth and serve" (Luke 12:37).
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19. "All Things"
"All things" occurs 221 times in the Bible.
1. They are of God as to their Source. "All things are of God" (2 Cor. 5:18).
2. Are for the sake of the believer as to their Object. "All things" are yours--1 Cor. 3:21.
3. Work together for good as to their Purpose. "All things work together for good to them that
love God" (Rom. 8:28).
4. Christ Head over the Church as to their Arrangement. "Head over all things to the Church" (Eph. 1:22).
5. The believer may know, hence his Privilege. "Teacheth you of all things" (1 John 2:27).
6. The believer can do, hence his Power. "Do all things through Christ which strengthened" (Phil. 4:13).
7. Granted in answer to Prayer, hence his dependence. "All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer" (Matt. 21:22).
8. Only possible to Faith, hence his responsibility. "All things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23).
9. Are to be Proved, hence his diligence. "Prove all things" (1 Thess. 5:21).
10. Thanks to be given for, hence his gratitude. "Giving thanks for all things" (Eph. 5:20).
11. Their End at hand, hence his watchfulness. "The end of all things is at hand" (1 Peter 4:7).
12. To be Inherited by the believer, hence his hope. "Inherit all things" (Rev. 21:7).
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1. They are of God as to their Source. "All things are of God" (2 Cor. 5:18).
2. Are for the sake of the believer as to their Object. "All things" are yours--1 Cor. 3:21.
3. Work together for good as to their Purpose. "All things work together for good to them that
love God" (Rom. 8:28).
4. Christ Head over the Church as to their Arrangement. "Head over all things to the Church" (Eph. 1:22).
5. The believer may know, hence his Privilege. "Teacheth you of all things" (1 John 2:27).
6. The believer can do, hence his Power. "Do all things through Christ which strengthened" (Phil. 4:13).
7. Granted in answer to Prayer, hence his dependence. "All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer" (Matt. 21:22).
8. Only possible to Faith, hence his responsibility. "All things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23).
9. Are to be Proved, hence his diligence. "Prove all things" (1 Thess. 5:21).
10. Thanks to be given for, hence his gratitude. "Giving thanks for all things" (Eph. 5:20).
11. Their End at hand, hence his watchfulness. "The end of all things is at hand" (1 Peter 4:7).
12. To be Inherited by the believer, hence his hope. "Inherit all things" (Rev. 21:7).
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20. All-Ness of the Christian Life
How many of God's saints know the fullness of blessing found in connection with the little word "all" in the following Scriptures.
1. God has blessed us with "all spiritual blessings in Christ" (Eph. 1:3).
2. He has "given all things that pertain to life and holiness" (2 Peter 1:3).
3. He is able to make "all grace abound toward you" (2 Cor. 9:8).
4."All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ" (2 Cor. 1:20).
5. He desires we should be filled into "all" His fullness --Eph. 3:19.
6. He can supply "all" our need, according to His riches in Christ Jesus--Phil. 4:19.
7. He assures us "all things" are ours--1 Cor. 3:21, 22.
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1. God has blessed us with "all spiritual blessings in Christ" (Eph. 1:3).
2. He has "given all things that pertain to life and holiness" (2 Peter 1:3).
3. He is able to make "all grace abound toward you" (2 Cor. 9:8).
4."All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ" (2 Cor. 1:20).
5. He desires we should be filled into "all" His fullness --Eph. 3:19.
6. He can supply "all" our need, according to His riches in Christ Jesus--Phil. 4:19.
7. He assures us "all things" are ours--1 Cor. 3:21, 22.
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21. The "All" Psalm Psa. 34, R.V
1. A Joyful Chorister. "I will bless Jehovah at all times" (v. 1).
2. A Delivered Suppliant. "Jehovah... delivered me from all my fears" (v. 4).
3. A Saved Saint. "Jehovah... saved him out of all his troubles" (v. 6).
4. A Confident Witness--v. 17. "Jehovah heard, and delivered out of all troubles."
5. Escaped Believer--v. 19. "Afflictions... Jehovah delivereth him out of them all."
6. A Preserved Servant--v. 20. "He keepeth all his bones."
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2. A Delivered Suppliant. "Jehovah... delivered me from all my fears" (v. 4).
3. A Saved Saint. "Jehovah... saved him out of all his troubles" (v. 6).
4. A Confident Witness--v. 17. "Jehovah heard, and delivered out of all troubles."
5. Escaped Believer--v. 19. "Afflictions... Jehovah delivereth him out of them all."
6. A Preserved Servant--v. 20. "He keepeth all his bones."
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22. "Altogether"
1. What man is. "Every man at his best is altogether vanity" (Psa. 39:5).
2. What man has become. "Altogether become filthy" (Psa. 53:3).
3. What God's Word is. "The judgments of Jehovah are true and righteous altogether" (Psa. 19:9).
4. What God thinks about man's thinking about Himself. "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether
such a one as thyself" (Psa. 1:21).
5. What the convicted saint knows God knows. "There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Jehovah,
Thou knowest it altogether" (Psa. 139:4).
6. God's other blessing of His people. "Thou hast altogether blessed them these three times... what
the Lord saith, that will I speak" (Num. 23:11, 26; 24:1, 10, 13).
7. The secret of blessing. "That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live and
inherit the land" (Deut. 16:20).
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2. What man has become. "Altogether become filthy" (Psa. 53:3).
3. What God's Word is. "The judgments of Jehovah are true and righteous altogether" (Psa. 19:9).
4. What God thinks about man's thinking about Himself. "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether
such a one as thyself" (Psa. 1:21).
5. What the convicted saint knows God knows. "There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Jehovah,
Thou knowest it altogether" (Psa. 139:4).
6. God's other blessing of His people. "Thou hast altogether blessed them these three times... what
the Lord saith, that will I speak" (Num. 23:11, 26; 24:1, 10, 13).
7. The secret of blessing. "That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live and
inherit the land" (Deut. 16:20).
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23. "All That He," or "She Had"
1. A Clean Separation. "Abram went up out of Egypt... and all that he had" (Gen. 13:1).
2. A Beautiful Type. "Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac" (Gen. 25:5; John 3:35).
3. A Worthy Ruler. "All that he had he put into his hand" (Gen. 39:4, 6).
4. A Prosperous Man. "The blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had" (Gen. 39:5).
5. A Bankrupt Servant. "Commanded him to be sold... and all that he had" (Matt. 18:25).
6. A Weary Quest. "Spent all that she had, nothing bettered" (Mark 5:26).
7. A Magnificent Gift. "Cast in all that she had" (Mark 12:44).
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2. A Beautiful Type. "Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac" (Gen. 25:5; John 3:35).
3. A Worthy Ruler. "All that he had he put into his hand" (Gen. 39:4, 6).
4. A Prosperous Man. "The blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had" (Gen. 39:5).
5. A Bankrupt Servant. "Commanded him to be sold... and all that he had" (Matt. 18:25).
6. A Weary Quest. "Spent all that she had, nothing bettered" (Mark 5:26).
7. A Magnificent Gift. "Cast in all that she had" (Mark 12:44).
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24. Angel's Resurrection Message Matt. 28:1-10, 18-20
The angel's message is full of the grace and glow of the Gospel. Weigh his sevenfold message.
1. The "Fear not" (v. 5) of Love. The earthquake caused the keepers to shake and quake; we are therefore
not surprised that the lightning countenance of the angel should fill the women with consternation.
2. The "I know" of Appreciation. The angel knew the loving quest of the women. He knew they wanted to see
the loved form that they had last seen on the cruel Cross. Faith's memory always centres in the Cross.
3. The "He is not here" of Reminder. He had said He would not remain in the grave. We do not always find
what we expect, but we discover the unexpected to our joy and comfort.
4. The "He is risen" of Joy. He travelled through the realm of Hades, and preached the Gospel to the spirits
in prison--1 Peter 3:18; 4:6; and now He is risen triumphant over death, Hell, the grave, and the Devil--Heb. 2:14; Rev. 1:18.
5. The "See the place" of Observation. The place of expiation was Calvary--Luke 23:33; the place of glory
will be in the Father's mansions--John 14:2, 3; and the place of resurrection was an empty tomb.
6. The "Go quickly" of Commission. To go and "tell" others that "He was risen from the dead" when they
expected still to find Him lifeless, gave wings to their feet and a glow in their hearts.
7. The "Ye shall see Him" of Expectation. To hear He was risen was good, but to have the assurance of
seeing Him was better.;
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1. The "Fear not" (v. 5) of Love. The earthquake caused the keepers to shake and quake; we are therefore
not surprised that the lightning countenance of the angel should fill the women with consternation.
2. The "I know" of Appreciation. The angel knew the loving quest of the women. He knew they wanted to see
the loved form that they had last seen on the cruel Cross. Faith's memory always centres in the Cross.
3. The "He is not here" of Reminder. He had said He would not remain in the grave. We do not always find
what we expect, but we discover the unexpected to our joy and comfort.
4. The "He is risen" of Joy. He travelled through the realm of Hades, and preached the Gospel to the spirits
in prison--1 Peter 3:18; 4:6; and now He is risen triumphant over death, Hell, the grave, and the Devil--Heb. 2:14; Rev. 1:18.
5. The "See the place" of Observation. The place of expiation was Calvary--Luke 23:33; the place of glory
will be in the Father's mansions--John 14:2, 3; and the place of resurrection was an empty tomb.
6. The "Go quickly" of Commission. To go and "tell" others that "He was risen from the dead" when they
expected still to find Him lifeless, gave wings to their feet and a glow in their hearts.
7. The "Ye shall see Him" of Expectation. To hear He was risen was good, but to have the assurance of
seeing Him was better.;
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