Good afternoon. I'm certainly glad for the
presence of everyone that's made it back this afternoon and I'm
very glad to be your speaker. I hope that the things that we
study and we consider will be according to the word of God.
I'd like to talk to you about a passage of scripture found in
the 73rd Psalm and as an introductory text I just like to
read verses 21 through 26 will be considering verse 24 but I
thought that verse 21 through 26 really helps us to better
understand what the The psalmist is saying and their wonderful
words that had meaning and Specialty to, what I'm going to
talk to you about. So Psalm 73 verse 21, the Bible
says, thus my heart was grieved and I was vexed in my mind.
I was so foolish and ignorant. I was like a beast before you.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you.
You hold me by my right hand. He will guide me with your
counsel and afterward receive me to Glory.
Whom have I in heaven, but you And there is none upon Earth
that I desire besides you, my flesh and my heart fail but God
is the strength of my heart and my portion forever, the words
that the psalmist has penned, they're very beautiful.
It's a comforting song that's been written to the loving
creator with the thought, the motive of being Guided by his
counsel and ask for being received into his glory.
I can't think of anything that would bring Greater Joy to a
person than, to be guided by God's counsel and to be I've
done to the glory of God. I like to talk about for just a
few moments making the words of the psalmist.
Our very own that we too could have this great joy and this
great comfort that the psalmist talk spell.
I want to talk about her. Just a few moments.
We wanted we wanted to. We said that we wanted to talk
about God's counsel and how wonderful it is what great
comfort it brings to us. But why do we need the counsel
of God or this guide? What is the importance or
significance of that? And a little illustration that I
could give to help us Stan. This is we have various road
signs as you're driving along the road, some are signs that
show the speed limit at our other side such as this, that
shows that you're coming upon a curve.
And you need to slow down and these signs, these things are
put in, place to guide guard, and protect us on the road,
certainly, that are of importance.
And it's important that we do not violate them, it would be
wrong of us to violate them because they've been put in
place for our safety. And for our betterment and are
good. Good.
But how do we know what the speed limit is?
For example, or how do we know that we're coming up on a curve?
Unless there was a sign to guide us and likewise this afternoon,
our precious souls are in need of guidance from God.
Solomon would say in Proverbs, Chapter 14 and in verse 12,
there is a way which seems right to a man, but the end is the way
of death. And it's wasn't the only time
that Sullivan was saying this. He also would say in Proverbs
chapter 16 and verse 25. The same words he says there's a
way that seems right to a man but it's end is the way of death
and Jeremiah 10:23. Jeremiah would say oh Lord I
know that the way of man is not in himself, it is not in man
that walks to direct his steps. So when we talk about our own
what we would think would be right doing what is right in our
own eyes that doesn't cut it according to Solomon and Amaya,
as well as others. This, we're going to see, we're
going to stumble and we're going to fall if we rely on ourselves.
However, when we take what, a joy in great comfort, it is to
be guided by God's counsel, we can be truly blessed and
Proverbs chapter 12. And in verse 28, Solomon, would
say, in the way of righteousness is life.
And the pathway there of There Is No Death and it's in the
guidance of the counsel of God that we can reach the wonderful.
Glory of God as we read in our introductory text, in Psalm 73
and in verse 24. So that might lead us to the
question. What is this great counseling?
This wonderful Council that comes from God and I want to
invite your attention to Acts chapter 20 will consider verses
24 to 27. There knocks chapter 20.
Beginning at verse 24. Paul has called the Elders of
the Church of Ephesus together and here's what he says to them
were picking up, Acts 20, verse 24, but none of these things
move me, nor do I count my life, dear to myself.
So that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry, which
I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the
grace of God and indeed. Now, I know that you all among
whom I have gone preaching, the kingdom of God will see you.
My face no more. Therefore, I testify to you,
this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
For, I have not shunned to declare to you.
The whole counsel of god. Notice that?
And one verse Paul says that he has testified to them, the
gospel of the grace of God, and then he finishes up there in
verse 27 by saying that he has declared, the whole counsel of
God to the Ephesians. In fact, backing up two verses.
20 through 21 Vox 20. He says, I Back.
Nothing, that was helpful, but proclaimed, it to you and taught
you publicly. And from house to house,
testifying to Jews and also to Greeks repentance toward God and
Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
We talked about the gospel, being the counsel of God.
The gospel is a wonderful thing, you know, Paul would say in
Romans chapter 1 and verse 16, he was not ashamed of the gospel
of Christ. Why it is the power of God unto
salvation to everyone who believes in the Jew first.
And also, Also, to the Greek I want to show you that the gospel
is how we are called of God, that we may obtain the glory of
Christ. That's what second
Thessalonians. Chapter 2 verses 13 through 14
says they're in second Thessalonians.
Chapter 2, verse 13, through 14, Paul says, but we are bound to
give. Thanks to God.
Always for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God from the
beginning, chose you for salvation through sanctification
by the It and belief in the truth, the which he called you
by Our Gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ. So since this is so important in
such that since this could bring such joy in such a comfort to
us, what is the gospel? And thus, what is the counsel of
God? The word gospel means, good
news. So what is the good news for
you? And I, that we can be guided by
that? We could have great joy and
great comfort and the lord, well, the good news begins.
With bad news. The bad news is that Romans 3:23
says that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.
And in Romans 6:23, Paul continued to say that the wages
of sin is death. So that's the bad news.
However, we've read in. Psalm 73 verse 24 that there is
Council that can guide us that we can obtain the glory of God.
So what is this? Where that's where the good news
of the gospel of Christ comes Then because in Romans Chapter 5
Verse 6, through 9, Paul would say, for when we were still
without Strength In Due Time Christ died for the ungodly for
scarcely for a righteous man. Will one die yet, Perhaps for a
good, man, some would even dare to die, but God demonstrates his
own love toward us in that while we were still sinners Christ
died for us, much more then having now been justified by his
blood, we shall be saved from Wrath.
Through him. So we've talked about the
importance then of being Guided, by God's counsel, thus, being
Guided by the gospel. How does one obey the counsel of
God? How do you know if you're being
Guided by God's counsel and thus, being Guided by the gospel
will consider this now. And first of all, I would submit
to you. This afternoon one who hears,
the gospel is Guided by it, going back to the Pearls of
Wisdom by Solomon. Solomon would say in Proverbs
Chapter 19, Verse 20 through 21. Proverbs 19 verse 20, through
21, listen to counsel and receive instruction that you may
be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man's
heart. Nevertheless, the Lord's counsel
that will stand. But how can we hear the counsel
of God preached and where does it even come from?
You know, Paul would ask similar questions to others in Romans
chapter 10, verse 14, through 17.
And as he asks these questions, the answer becomes obvious to
us. So let's read that.
A chapter 10 verse 14 through 17 Paul says, how then shall they
call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard
and how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they
preach? Unless they are sent as it is
written. How beautiful are the feet of
those who preach, the gospel of peace who bring Glad Tidings of
good things but they not they have not all obeyed.
The gospel for Isaiah says Lord who has believed our report.
So then faith comes by Hearing and hearing by the word of God,
I think. So when we consider these words,
we could progress a little bit further though.
And we could say one, who knows the gospel is Guided by God's
counsel. The Bible says, this as well.
I want to invite your attention to consider second Peter,
chapter 1 and verse 3. Often we go to this passage.
We show that we have everything that we need for life and
godliness coming from the scriptures.
Well, let's focus for just a moment on those last words
there. The scripture says there, his
divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and
godliness. Usually that's where we drone
the rest out. But listen to what the rest says
through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue.
And we've read in second Thessalonians 2 that were called
by the gospel. Knowledge is important.
Solomon would say in Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 15 that the
heart of The Prudent acquires knowledge and at the ear of the
I seeks knowledge. In fact, when we talk about
knowledge in the church it's commended when it's found in the
Brethren, Paul gave this combination to the Brethren and
Roman Romans chapter 15 and verse 14.
Listen to the good words that he had to say to them.
I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren.
That you also are full of goodness filled with all
knowledge able also to admonish one another that's good.
Could Paul say the same thing about you this afternoon I've
certainly Would love to hear such wonderful things coming
from an apostle like that. But from Romans chapter 10,
verse 14 through 17 which we just considered, I think we've
progressed a little bit further though.
We can say that one is Guided by the gospel.
Not only by hearing it and by knowing it but also by believing
it as well. And Romans 10:17, we just read
that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Now Ponder those words if you will for just a moment Ponder
how it's possible. And actively listen to
something. That's been said you know what
has just been said, but you still don't believe it.
And we have an example of this in the scriptures.
It's found in John chapter 7 and John chapter 7.
I imagine that the brothers of Jesus as he was doing his
Earthly Ministry. They must have heard the words
that he preached and they knew what he was saying.
But verse 5 says that they didn't believe Think about that.
And also think about how believed as necessary for our
salvation. And John 3:16.
The scripture says that God loved the world so much that he
gave his only begotten, son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus would make this statement and John 8:24.
Jesus said that unless you believe that I am, he the Son of
God you will die in your sins. And he also says in Mark chapter
16 and verse 16, he who believes and is baptized will be saved.
But he who does not believe will be condemned.
So so far what we've talked about one, hears, the gospel and
thus, acquires knowledge of it. Secondly, he believes, but I
would submit to you. Thirdly this afternoon, he who
is, then baptized is Guided by God's counsel, and fact, the
scripture says to reject baptism, it's reject, the
wonderful counsel of God and the joy, and comfort that it could
bring for our lives. I find this in Luke Chapter 7,
And Luke chapter 7, Jesus is talking to the multitude about
the validity of John, the Baptist's teachings.
He talks about how this was the one that was prophesied of and
Malachi chapter 3 and in other places the one to prepare the
way of the Lord. And in verse 29, the scripture
says in Luke 7, many were Justified having been baptized
by John, but verse 30 reads, the Pharisees and lawyers rejected
the counsel of God against themselves.
Being not baptized of him. I realized when it scripture
says that it's talking about the baptism of John, but the Bible
still does say that. Baptism is necessary for our
salvation and Mark chapter, 16 and verse 16, we just dragged he
who believes and is baptized will be saved on the day of
Pentecost, Peter's response. When the crowd asked him men and
Brethren. What shall we do was to repent,
and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ, for the remission of your sins.
That's found in Acts chapter 2 and verse 38 or when ananias
came to Saul of Tarsus. We find Knox 22 verse 16, he
said, and now why are you waiting arise and be baptized
and wash away? Your sins?
Calling on the name of the Lord. It couldn't be any simpler than
when Peter says in First Peter chapter 3 and verse 21, there's
an antitype which now saves us. Baptism, not the removal of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience
toward God, through the resurrection.
Ian of Jesus Christ. And to be baptized would be to
obey the gospel and the strobe a, the counsel of God ever.
Consider what is meant by that? When we called baptism obeying
the gospel. I hope to explain that to you
right now and hopefully we have a better understanding of that
first. Let's go to First Corinthians
chapter 15. And we'll look at verses 1
through 4. And 1st Corinthians chapter 15
verse 1 through 4. Paul says, the Brethren who are
at Corinth, moreover Brethren, I declare unto you, the gospel,
which I preached to you, which also you received and, which you
stand by which also ye are saved if you hold fast that word,
which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain, for I
delivered to you first of all, that, which I also received that
Christ died for our sins. According to the scriptures that
he was buried and that he rose again the third day, according
to the scriptures In this passage Paul gives a little
definition of the Gospel. People, it's something to be
preached. It's something to be received,
something to standed, and something to be saved, by that.
Something to hold fast, unless we believed in vain Paul says,
and Our Gospel is that Christ died for our sins.
According to the scriptures, he was buried according to the
scriptures and he rose the third day.
According to the scriptures, keep that passage in mine.
And we'll go now to Romans chapter 6, and verse 17, And in
Romans, 6:17. Paul say to the Brethren who are
at Rome, but God be thanked. That though, you were slaves of
sin, you obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine to which
he were delivered. What was the doctor?
And I was delivered to the Brethren.
That Rome was the same doctor and I was delivered to the
Corinthians. It was the Gospel that Christ
died for our sins. He was buried and that he rose
again. The third day, Paul says that
they obeyed. A form of that, what is a form.
I have a couple examples here and a power points whenever
you're making. Ting.
This is called a bundt cake here.
It's a very unique tank and that you pour the batter into this
uniquely shaped pan here. You bake it and then you flip it
over and it takes the form or it takes the mold of the pain that
you've baked it in or if you're a little bit of a carpenter,
like I am one of the classes I had to take when I was getting
my associates degree, in construction was concrete and
forms. The idea of concrete and forms
is that you build a little form here.
Here, these are called form boards, you set them up and then
you place your Concrete in it and concrete hardens, you take
away the boards and it takes the form or takes the shape of the
boards that you place the concrete in.
All right? Gives you an idea of what a form
is and Paul says that they will bait a form of the doctor.
Now, let's delivered to them. How did they do that?
What we go back to Romans chapter 6?
Verse 33 4 and here. We'll see how you obey a form of
the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Paul says, in Romans 6:3 through four, or do you not know that as
many of us as were baptized into Christ?
Jesus were baptized into his death.
Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death
that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of
the father. Even so we also should walk in
newness of life that's to obey the gospel to be guided by.
God's counsel we're going to obey a form of the Gospel.
That gospel is Jesus died. He was buried, he rose again, we
obey a form of that by putting to death, the man of sin were
buried with him and that watery grave of baptism and we rise to
walk in newness of life and that is how one obeys the gospel
fourth though, to live Faithfully is to be guided by
God's counsel and Romans chapter 6.
And verse 4. We just read that from baptism
one Rises to walk in newness of life.
And then, it's time for the Christian to get busy.
You know, we read in the New Testament, the gospels.
There are four books called the gospels, which we learn of
Jesus. His wife is his death and his
burial. We learn things such as that,
the things that he taught things that he wanted to be enacted in
his kingdom and John says, that these things have been written.
He says in John chapter 20, verse 33 31, these things have
been written that we may believe that Jesus Christ is the son.
Son of God and that believing you may have life in his name.
After the gospels, we come to the book of Acts, the book of
Acts is a history showing the establishment of the church as
well as many examples of conversion by which people acted
on the counsel of God by believing and by being baptized.
And then there are the Epistles or letters.
And these teach us how to live the Christian Life.
How to worship God and how to continue to allow the Council of
God to govern our lives. For example, one of the Whistles
is second Peter and in second Peter chapter 1 verse 5 through
11, the Christian, who has been baptized is instructed to give
all diligence add to your faith virtue to Virtue knowledge to
knowledge, self-control to self-control perseverance,
perseverance godliness, to Godliness brotherly, kindness
and to brotherly. Kindness love for if these
things are yours and abound we will be neither Barren or
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
For He Who lacks these things is short-sighted even The blindness
and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins,
therefore Brethren be even more diligent to make your call and
election. Sure.
For, if you do these things, you will never stumble, for cell and
entrance will be supplied. You abundantly into the
Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior.
Jesus Christ. So we've talked about in great
detail, what the counsel of God is, and what it means to be
guided by it. But why do we want to be
received into the glory of God? They're wonderful reasons.
Why what glorious things await those that are Guided by God's
cow? Council, they're wonderful
things that I take great joy and I take great comfort in and I
hope to share with them with you this afternoon.
First of all, those that are Guided by God's counsel, our
promise to Glorious body and Philippians chapter 3 verse 20
through 21. Paul says, our citizenship is in
heaven from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it
may be conformed to his glorious body, according to the working
by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself or
detail can be given on this from First Corinthians chapter 15 but
a glorious body awaits, those Guided by God's counsel.
That's something the certainly look forward to and a good
motivator for why we want to be guided by.
God's counsel but secondly a glorious Crown awaits those
Guided by God's counsel, you know, Peter was speaking to
elders and First Peter Chapter 5 Verse 33 for, and here's what he
says to the elders. He says not to be Lords over
those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd appears, he will receive the
Crown of Glory that does not fade away.
And I realized that he speaks to Elders here, but being Guided by
God's counsel. So by being faithful,
Christians, and good examples after baptism is what Jesus
said. He would reward this glorious
crown for and Revelation 2:10. He says be faithful until death
and I will give you the crown of life, but third glorious
inheritance. Awaits, those that were Guided
by God's counsel and Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 18.
Paul would say the eyes of your understanding being enlightened
that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are
the riches of the glory of his inheritance?
And the Saints, these are wonderful things.
There things to take great joy and great comfort in.
I look forward to these things and I look forward to seeing you
receive them as well. So if you've not been Guided by
God's counsel, I want to encourage you to do that this
afternoon. How are things with you?
Would you like to say that I am Guided by God's counsel and will
receive these glorious things. We've talked about, you can do
that now, by obeying. It we just read in Mark 16:16
that he who believes and is baptized, will be saved.
But he, who does not believe will be condemned.
Paul would say in Acts 17:30, to those that He preached at the
areopagus, that God commands, all men everywhere, that
includes yourself this afternoon and that includes myself.
He commands them to repent, but it is to change our lives,
living a life of sin to living the Christian Life and Matthew
10:32. Jesus said, whoever confesses me
before men him will. I also can pass before my father
who is in heaven and that confession and acts 8:37 is.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
And then we've already read in 1st Peter, chapter 3 and verse
21. There's an antitype which now
saves us baptism and In baptism, we replicate the death burial
and resurrection of Our Lord. Would you like to be guided by
God's counsel this afternoon? We thank you for listening to
our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans.
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