DECEMBER 31, 2023

                   Preach Jesus

December 31 2023

Act 8:35  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 

INTRODUCTION

It is not uncommon today to hear "Let's just preach Jesus...!"

Often in response to those who preach and teach on baptism

Which many modern preachers rarely mention in their preaching

But what does it mean to preach Jesus...?

Should it include baptism?

If so, what else should be included?

In Acts 8, we read of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch...

Who on his return from Jerusalem was met by Philip the evangelist - Ac 8:26-29

Act 8:26  And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 

Act 8:27  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 

Act 8:28  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 

Act 8:29  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 

Who invited Philip to explain a passage from the book of Isaiah - Ac 8:30-34

Act 8:30  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 

Act 8:31  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 

Act 8:32  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 

Act 8:33  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 

Act 8:34  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man

Beginning with the passage (Isa 53:7-8),

Isa 53:7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 

Isa 53:8  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 

 note that Philip preached Jesus to him - Ac 8:35

[We can learn what it means to preach Jesus from what is written regarding the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch! For example, consider what we can glean from...]

ISAIAH'S QUOTATION

JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS...

The passage from Isaiah reveals the reason for the Messiah's suffering - Isa 53:4-6,10-11

Isa 53:4  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 

Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

Isa 53:10  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 

Isa 53:11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 

Christ's death for our sins was fundamental to the gospel Paul preached - 1Co 15:1-3

1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 

1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 

1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

-- Preaching Jesus therefore proclaims His death for our sins

JESUS HAS BEEN EXALTED...

Isaiah's prophecy begins and ends with the exaltation of the Messiah - Isa 52:13; 53:12

Isa 52:12  For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward. 

He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions

Isa 52:13  Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. 

The theme of Jesus' exaltation permeated Peter's preaching - Ac 2:36; 5:30-31

Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 

Act 5:30  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 

Act 5:31  Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 

-- Preaching Jesus therefore pronounces that He has been exalted by God

[From Isaiah's Quotation, we learn that preaching Jesus includes preaching how Jesus died for our sins, and has been exalted to the right hand of God! Now let's consider what we learn about preaching Jesus from...]

THE EUNUCH'S QUESTION

THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM...

Notice the first question asked by the eunuch - Ac 8:36

"See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"

Preaching Jesus clearly included preaching on baptism!

Indeed, baptism was important to Jesus and His apostles

Jesus commanded it in giving the great commission - Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

The apostles commanded it in their preaching - Ac 2:38; 10:47-48

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act 10:47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 

Act 10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. 

The apostles also wrote of its value in their epistles - Ro 6:3-4; 1Pe 3:21

Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 

Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

1Pe 3:21  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 

-- Preaching Jesus therefore includes preaching baptism!

THE IMMEDIACY OF BAPTISM...

The Ethiopian was anxious to obey; Philip was willing to accommodate him - Ac 8:38

Act 8:38  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 

Why the urgency? Why not wait until they got to town, or to a church?

Others were baptized immediately, even after midnight - Ac 16:30-33

Act 16:30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 

Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 

Act 16:32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 

Act 16:33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 

The reason for such urgency is clearly taught elsewhere

Baptism is for the remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Act 22:16  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 

We experience the working of God, and put on Christ - Col 2:12-13; Ga 3:27

Col 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 

Gal 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 

-- Preaching Jesus therefore calls upon people to be baptized quickly!

[From The Eunuch's Question, the importance and immediacy of baptism clearly taught elsewhere is implied. Let us also be careful to note what we learn about preaching Jesus from...]

PHILIP'S QUALIFICATION

THE NECESSITY OF FAITH...

Philip's response to the eunuch's question qualified who should be baptized - Ac 8:37

Act 8:37  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 

"If you believe...you may"

Faith is a necessary prerequisite to baptism, which precludes infant baptism

Indeed faith is necessary to salvation - Jn 8:24

Joh 8:24  I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 

Through faith we can have life in His name - Jn 20:30-31

Joh 20:30  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 

Joh 20:31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 

Baptism is a working of God when our faith is present - Co 2:12

Col 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 

-- Preaching Jesus therefore demands faith in Jesus before baptism!

THE NECESSITY OF HEARTINESS...

Philip required a wholehearted faith - Ac 8:37

"If you believe with all your heart, you may"

Baptism without such faith renders one simply wet!

The sort of hearty sincerity God has always required

By the children of Israel under the Law - Mt 22:37

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

By the partakers of Christ today - He 3:12-14

-- Preaching Jesus therefore requires more than just mental assent before baptism!

CONCLUSION

Preaching Jesus certainly involves more, including...

Preaching repentance, though such is not mentioned in our text -  Lk 24:46-47

Luk 24:46  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 

Luk 24:47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

Preaching the resurrection of Christ, though such is not mentioned -  Ac 17:30-31

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 

Act 17:31  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. 

Yet from the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, preaching Jesus must include...

Preaching about the suffering and exaltation of Christ

Preaching the necessity and immediacy of baptism by a sincere believer

Today, many do not preach Jesus as Philip and the apostles did...

They ignore baptism altogether, or render it insignificant

They call upon people to pray, when apostolic preaching called for people to be baptized

Has Jesus truly been preached to you, as Philip preached Jesus to the Eunuch? - cf. Ac 2:36-38; 22:16

Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 

Act 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Act 22:16  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 

HEAR BELIEVE REPENT CONFESS BE BAPTIZED LIVE FAITHFULLY

DECEMBER 24, 2023

SELF DECEPTION DAVID SCHMIDT

self-deception

• Dave

• August 2, 2015

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Some folks are easy to fool. The criminals of our world feed on these people. They will con them into giving up their life savings, steal their identity, and rob them of all they have saved. Being conned or deceived is serious business. Not only can it lead to your financial ruin, but if it happens to you, you may become cynical or untrusting of others.

As cognizant as we are of the con artists among us, there is one deceiver who often goes undetected. He often operates with our full approval and we yield to him our greatest assets. But in the end his lies lead us to ruin. The tragedy is this malicious deceiver is our own heart! Self-deception is the most prevalent form of fraud on the planet and one of the most difficult to detect. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Jer. 17:9).

I. What is Self-Deception? It is the ability we have to convince ourselves that something that is false is actually true. We will consider both the propensity and danger of such deception.

A. Deception and Sin: But notice first that deception is the root of sinful activity. 2 Cor 11:2-3 – 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Later the apostle connects deception with the beginning of sin in 1 Tim. 2:14 – “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” Eve knew the truth. She knew that God had commanded her not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But, the serpent convinced her that God had told her that what God told (true) was false.

1. Satan is the original and ultimate deceiver. John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Satan is a relentless deceiver. This is why we need to be active in resisting him, and recognize his ability to fool even God’s people.

• 2 Cor 11:13-15 – 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

B. But certainly the most insidious type of deception is when we do it to ourselves. I am the one who can be easily deceived. Even when others are not able to fool me (I am on the lookout for their tactics), I can fool myself. This is self-deception. It is Satan’s end game. When he is successful at getting us to fool ourselves, he does not need to pay much attention to us from that point on. Someone has said that self-deception is the blindfold we wear that hides the presence of the firing squad.

II. How Does it Happen? Why are we fooled so easily? Again we recognize that Satan is at work, and he is successful because we desire to serve our flesh and seek to please ourselves. This sinful tendency is not an inherited depravity from Adam and Eve, but a resident consequence of our physical nature. John describes this as the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; (1 John 2:16) Spirit wars against this flesh.

A. What deceives us? Some things are not as they appear. They can fool us.

1. Sin – Hebrews 3:13 “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” It is possible to be hardened through the “deceitfulness of sin.” Sin looks enticing as though it is what is best for us. BUT IT IS NOT!

a. We are deceived into thinking that there are no consequences to our behavior. Paul warned in Gal. 6 – Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatever a person sows that he will also reap. The way of the transgressor is hard.

2. Riches – In explaining the parable of the sower, Jesus said, “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matt. 13:22). Seem to be the answer to our insecurity and other problems of life. This deception is the downfall of many. Thus, we are warned not to trust in uncertain riches, but in God – 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. “

3. Error – Scripture constantly warns us about false teachers who “deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:18). Sometimes after someone honestly studies the scriptures and sees the truth, they ask, How can so many people be wrong in religion? The answer is they are deceived, ultimately self-deceived. It is easy to believe a lie, especially if it serves the flesh, or connects with our culture.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” When the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch (Matt. 15:9, 13-14). Sadly, many will follow the destructive ways of error, because they have been exploited with deceptive words.

4. Ignorance – Sometimes we are deceived because we do not know. Ignorance leads to destruction because it opens wide the door for deception. By being ignorant of God’s righteousness, we will be deceived into trying to establish our own. Romans 10:1-3 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” One may be deceived into thinking he is saved because of what someone else told him, when in reality, he is lost. It is the truth which makes us free (Jn. 8:32). We cannot afford to be ignorant of it.

5. Tradition – The Pharisees were deceived into thinking that because the “elders” passed down a practice, it was not only right, but it was law (Matt. 15:1-9 washing your hands before you eat). People say, “That’s the way we’ve always done it.” Some things appear to have authority behind them, but that is a delusion. Don’t be deceived into thinking that something is right just because it’s been that way for a long time. Study God’s word to make sure (Acts 17:11).

6. Compromise. This is the devil’s narcotic. Slowly, we compromise our thinking, and begin to rationalize according to the situation. We can find some solace in the fact of a compromise (we are not going to extreme- truth is in the middle”)

a. We cannot be conformed to this world in our thinking. Rom. 12:2 – 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

III. Why are We Self-Deceived? Why does it happen? Can we trace the journey to self-deception?

A. Pain-free living: We gladly wear the blindfold of self-deception because it allows us to pursue our selfish pleasures without the pang of conscience. One convinces himself that what he wants to do is what God wants him to do. He can easily remove the pain of his conscience (even one that is informed and active).

1. If you asked a Pharisee in Jesus’ day, “Should you honor your parents?” He would say, “Certainly!” “But what about your needy parents?” With a smile he would reply, “I’d love to help, but my money is dedicated to the Lord,” (Mark 7:9-13). Jesus saw through their rationalization and said, “You honor me with your lips, but your heart is far from me.”

2. 1 Sam. 15 – Samuel caught King Saul in blatant disobedience, yet Saul surprisingly said, “Look Samuel, I’ve obeyed the Lord.” How could he be so blind? He simply defined what he wanted as what God wanted. He replaced revelation with rationalization (good reasons for not doing exactly what God said).

B. What does it look like? Self-deception is difficult to detect so it is important for us to see its symptoms. Jesus confronted it often in the hypocritical Pharisees of his day, who were smug in their traditions, but deceived concerning God’s law. For example, those who are self-deceived are …

1. Quick to justify themselves. They are more interested in expressing their desires than listening to others. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Prov. 12:15).

2. Quick to blame others. The person who believes their problems are caused by others become blind to their own role and are doomed to repeat them. They look down on others so as to elevate their own rationalizations. (see 1 Sam. 15:15).

3. Quick to hide behind religion. When questioned about their priorities they will talk about church attendance and good works as though that erases immorality and greed. They are satisfied in their so-called spirituality. 1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” One should always recognize a continual need to keep growing.

IV. How Can We Overcome It? – As difficult as it is to detect self-deception it is even harder to remove it. Yet, taking off the blindfold to see ourselves as God sees us is one of the most liberating things we can do! Here are a few exercises that will help you see yourself more clearly.

A. Trust in the Word of God completely. Consider that truth is objective. What was true before is true now. What God says trumps all that man might say or think. 2 Tim 3:10-17 – 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

B. Question Your Own Virtue. Few people are willing to face their own faults. We tend to trust ourselves above all else. We must be willing to admit our prejudices and selfish desires when it comes to seeing the truth. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Those who are slow to confess their errors are busy constructing lies to conceal them. Like a ruthless lawyer we must cross-examine our hearts as a hostile witness. 2 Cor 13:5 – 5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified.

C. Invite Others To Question You. Most people will not hear the truth about themselves because they only listen to their own propaganda. The way out of delusion is to have the courage to ask somebody to evaluate your thinking. Do you have godly advisers you regularly ask to evaluate your attitude and actions? If not, you are likely living in self-deception. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov. 11:14).

D. Listen To God With A Commitment To Change. James 1:22-25 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. Listening alone may be the easiest route to self-deception. We tend to place value in hearing what God says. But we are deceiving ourselves.

DECEMBER 17, 2023  

MARRIAGE JAMES WATKINS     Bible reading :