Faith Bible Church

Have You Set Up Your Tent Yet?

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 08:45:44 -0700

Have You Set Up Your Tent Yet?

Exodus 29:42-43 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee. ⁴³ And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.

Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

When God led the nation of Israel through the wilderness, He had them construct a meeting place called the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a tent where God would be present. It was a place where God would meet them.

Literally, the word tabernacle means Tent of Meeting. God found it necessary for His people to have a time and a place where they would meet. It was an appointed time and an appointed place.

If you read the verses preceding Exodus 29:42, you will see where this was daily. It was in the morning and in the evening. It was scheduled. It was specific.

Do you have a scheduled time at a specific place to meet with God? Is it daily? Perhaps it would be better asked: What is keeping you out of God’s Word? Or perhaps: What is keeping you in God’s Word?

For some they do not see a walk with God as vital, for others it is the struggle for consistency. They have desire, but lack consistency.

Perhaps the key is finding a walk with God to be vital.

Scripture reminds us of its importance. In Psalm 1 God promises:

Psalm 1:1-6 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful....Read More

The Fool

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 10:56:13 -0700

The Fool (Part 1)

Erasmus said; Fools are without number. Certainly, all of us at times are foolish. Jean Francois Delavigne said; Ever since Adam fools have been in the majority.

The Bible mentions the word fool 36 times in the book of Proverbs alone. So, who is a fool, and what does it mean to be a fool?

In Proverbs three words are rendered fool, kesîl referring to the dull or obstinate one, referring not to mental deficiency, but to a propensity to make wrong choices. ʾewîl refers to moral insolence (rude, arrogant, haughty, prideful), and nābāl to the boorish man of mean disposition.

So who is a fool? A fool is anyone whose choices, behavior, and attitude are void of God. A fool is anyone living life and making decisions as if there is no God.

Psalm 14:1 (KJV) 1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

In this study, we will see what God teaches in the book of Proverbs concerning the fool and his behavior.

1. Fools Commit Immorality

A man choosing adultery with an immoral woman is likened unto a fool bound in chains being taken to prison.

Proverbs 7:21-22 (KJV) 21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

The same could be said of a woman choosing to get involved with an immoral man. She would be foolish.

Have you ever thought about how many problems in life are caused by people disobeying God when it comes to their sexual behavior? Many relationship and financial problems are directly related to immoral acts. The old adage you cannot win in sin is true. Sin has consequences.

Thomas Watson said; What fools are...Read More

3 Biblical Principles that Should Govern Our Relationship

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 14:11:56 -0700
3 Principles that Govern our Relationships
1. The Love Principle
Love is defined as the willing sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of others without thought of return.
Who are we to love?
John 15:12 (KJV) 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Matthew 5:44 (KJV) 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
2. The Forgiveness Principle
Forgiveness is a conscious decision on the part of the offended party to release the offender from the penalty and guilt of the offense committed.
Forgiveness not only frees the offender from guilt and punishment, but it also frees the forgiver of anger and bitterness.
Matthew 18:21-35 (KJV) ²¹Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? ²²Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. ²³Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. ²⁴And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. ²⁷Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. ²⁸But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. ^{29...Read More}

Are You Teachable?

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:59:05 -0800
Is Every Man Your Teacher?
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
All the good advice in the world will not help you if you don’t have a teachable spirit.
Same with mind and heart
1. Am I open to other people’s ideas?
2. Do I listen more than I talk?
3. Am I open to changing my opinion based on new information?
4. Do I admit it when I am wrong?
5. Do I ask questions?
6. I am willing to ask a question that will expose my ignorance?
7. Am I open to doing things in a way that I haven’t done them before?
8. Am I willing to ask directions?
9. Do I act defensive when I am criticized, or do I listen openly for the truth?
John Wooden: Everything we know we learned from someone else!
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Trust or Turn?

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 04:31:52 -0800

Exodus 14:10-12 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. ¹¹ And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? ¹² Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Who heard the prayers of Israel for a deliverer? God. Who provided Israel with a leader who would deliver them from the Egytians? God. Who cast plaques upon Egypt? God. Who set Israel free? God. Who led Israel with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night? God. Who hardened Pharoah's heart to pursue Israel? God.
When one is faced with a trial or circumstance in life not to our liking, one should consider God. God delivers his people. God works in the lives of His people for their better benefit (Romans 8:28). God takes what man intends for evil and twists it for His purpose and His glory (Genesis 50:20). The right response by Israel here would have been to trust God, not murmur. How about you and me? Do we trust or turn? Do we praise or complain? Do we have faith or fear?
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Thessalonians: Living in Light of His Coming (Part 2)

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 03:49:54 -0700

The Power of the Church
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
This is a good verse for the soul-winner. Here we have four important things that must accompany the gospel.
There must be Exposition (God’s Word)
1 Peter 1:22-25 (KJV) ²²Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: ²³Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. ²⁴For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: ²⁵But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
There is no salvation apart from God’s Word.
There must be Enablement (God’s Power)
Paul brought the gospel not only in word but, also in power, and in the Holy Ghost. (1 Thessalonians 1:5) Just like no one gets saved without the Word of God, no one gets saved without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the true soulwinner!
First, The Enablement of the Soul-winner.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth....Read More

Thessalonians: Living in the Light of His Coming (Part 1)

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 03:38:37 -0700
What to do until Jesus Returns Background:
Paul and company started a church in Thessalonica on his 2^nd journey.
He stayed in Jason’s home.
Immediately there was persecution.
Paul was expelled from the city after only a month.
The people from Thessalonica followed Paul to Berea where they stirred up the people resulting in Paul’s departure to Athens.
While at Athens, Paul sends Timothy to Thessalonica and Silas to Philippi.
Timothy and Silas reunite with Paul in Corinth.
In response to Timothy’s news, Paul writes this epistle.
Written from Corinth during Paul’s 2^nd Missionary Journey.
Purpose:
Jews were impugning Paul’s credibility.
Proclaiming Paul as a wandering charlatan (like some medicine man).
The people at Thessalonica were confused doctrinally concerning the second coming of Christ and what happened to believers who died before Christ returns.
The people at Thessalonica had stopped working because they believed Christ’s return was imminent.
Some of the people were sinking back into the immorality of the culture.
Every chapter ends with a reference to Christ’s 2^nd coming.
The Church Waiting (I Thessalonians 1)
The Preachers of the Church (1)
1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
He includes Silas and Timothy; they are not co-authors but Paul’s co workers.
The Position of the Church (1)
1...Read More

The Thorn in the Flesh

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 06:37:16 -0700

The Thorn in the Flesh
When I am weak, He is strong; When I am strong, He is weak. (12:7-10)
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (KJV) ⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. ⁸For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
A. God’s Purpose in Thorns
Exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations: Paul had so many spiritual experiences that if he went about talking about them, he would be exalted above measure.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 (KJV) ⁴ Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
This was in reference to the Antichrist. A minister of the gospel must be careful not to allow himself to be worshipped or exalted above measure. He needs humility!
Given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.
Thorn: Only time used in the NT: pointed stake. Splinter
Buffet: hit with closed fist.
So What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?
Some physical problem that gave him daily and constant pain? The messenger of Satan some (Luther, Calvin) have thought may have been a demon...Read More