"IN THE BEGINNING GOD"
I. THE FACT OF GOD ASSUMED.
A. No elaborate arguments given seeking to prove or establish His existence.
B. This is a natural and logical assumption.
1. Evidences of His existence all around us and overwhelming.
a. The design and order of the universe.
b. The cycles and perpetuation of life forms.
c. The human body.
2. Only a fool could deny the eviden...
"IN THE BEGINNING GOD"
I. THE BIBLE IS GOD'S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO MAN.
A. It never seeks to prove His existence.
1. It is always assumed. If I should write an autobiography I would not attempt to first prove I existed.
B. The first verse introduces the subject matter of the book "In the Beginning God."
1. Who is God?
2. What is He like?
3. What has He to do with me?
C. S...
"IN THE BEGINNING GOD"
I. THE BIBLE NEVER SEEKS TO PROVE THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.
A. It always assumes the existence of God.
1. You do not seek to prove your existence, you have enough sense to know that by seeing you we should automatically know that you exist.
2. God is clearly seen in His creation.
ROM 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness an...
I. "AND GOD SAID, "LET THERE BE LIGHT."
A. In verse one we read, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." I understand that to mean our universe.
B. In verse 2 we read that the earth was without form and void, and darkness covered the face of the deep.
1. Out here in the corner of the Milky Way Galaxy was a formless mass, covered with ice shrouded in darkness. It ...
"CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD"
I. "SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE."
A. Note first of all that man was created. He did not evolve.
1. The evolutionist would have you to believe that man evolved over a period of billions of years by the fortunate occurances of accidental circumstances.
a. They teach that matter acting on matter given sufficient time can bring anything into exi...
THE IMAGE OF GOD
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE IMAGE OF GOD?
A. I do not believe that it means a physical image.
1. Though the Bible refers to the eyes of the Lord, and His ears. It talks of the hand of the Lord, also the arm of the Lord. These are all used in a figurative sense, for in the Psalms it refers to Him covering us with His wings.
2. Jesus was a manifestation of the Godhead...
"DOMINION OVER THE EARTH"
I. "AND GOD BLESSED THEM."
A. After God created man, the first thing that we read is that God blessed them.
1. You need to know that God wants to bless you and He delights in blessing His children.
a. I know how I love to bless my children and my grandchildren and now my great grandchild, with the second on the way.
b. One of the greatest delights of m...
"THE FALL OF MAN"
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE FALL OF MAN?
A. We read that God said, "Let us make man in our image and our likeness." We mean that man has fallen from the image of God.
1. When you look about on mankind today, you do not see him as God created him, nor how God intended him to be.
2. We mentioned that God was a superior trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, while man ...
"TEMPTED TO SIN"
I. THE TEMPTER.
A. Satan revealed in scripture as.
1. Deceiver (angel of light).
2. Opposer of God.
3. Liar "liar from the beginning..."
4. The true enemy of the believer "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood..."
II. THE FORM OF TEMPTATION.
A. Questioning God's Word "hath God said?"
1. Still attacking God's Word today.
a. Doubt the accuracy.
b. Doub...
"FIG LEAVES OR FUR COATS"
I. THE BEGINNING OF SIN BROUGHT BEGINNING OF SORROW.
A. Satan seeks to associate sin with pleasure.
1. With Eve.
a. Good for food.
b. Pleasant.
c. Desirable.
2. First reaction to sin often positive.
a. You seek to draw others to join you.
b. Eve gave to Adam and he ate.
3. Things have not changed from the beginning.
a. Sin still seems fun at the ...
"WHERE ART THOU?"
Intro: Genesis means "beginning." Beginning of physical universe, beginning of life forms, beginning of man.
I. MAN, A SPECIAL CREATION.
A. Rest of creation spoken into existence.
1. God formed man's body out of dust.
2. God breathed into man life.
B. Man has a special relationship to God above all other creators. Made in image of God.
1. A touch of God in ...
"REDEMPTION"
Intro. Webster's Dictionary defines redeem as: To ransom, free or rescue by paying a price; To free from the consequences of sin. Some of the synonyms for redeem are, reclaim, recover, regain, rescue, save. These all describe what God has done for the sinner.
I. THE NEED OF REDEMPTION.
A. Man had sinned, he ate the fruit of the tree that God commanded he should not e...
"BUILDING TOWERS TO HEAVEN"
I. THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF MAN'S FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS.
A. All religious systems have a base, man's attempt to reach heaven.
1. There is a universal awareness of God.
2. Universal desire to worship God.
a. Woman at the well.
B. There are many attempts to localize God.
1. Establishing of sacred places.
2. Creating magic sticks, lucky charms.
3...
"AS THE DAYS OF NOAH WERE"
Intro: Jesus walking through the Temple precincts with the disciples. Not one stone was left standing. "What will be the sign of these things and thy coming . . ."
I. POPULATION EXPLOSION "MEN BEGAN TO MULTIPLY UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH."
A. You may figure by a mathematic formula the population in a given number of years if you know the average family ...
"THE DAYS OF NOAH"
Intro: In response to the disciples request for end time signs.
"As it was in the days of Noah,so shall the coming of the Son of Man be."
I. HOW WAS IT IN NOAH'S DAY?
A. Population explosion. "Men began to multiply on the face of the earth."
1. Some math ratios put as many as 4 billion.
2. Since flood, reduction of life span, wars, plagues. It took till:
a....
I. THE CONDITION OF THE WORLD.
A. Wickedness of man was great.
B. The imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
C. The earth was corrupt before God.
D. The earth was filled with violence.
E. These are the conditions that brought God's judgment.
F. The present condition of the world.
1. Rising crime rate, crimes of violence.
2. Corruption that-exists...
"STRIVING WITH GOD"
"MY SPIRIT...""HEREIN IS A BLESSING AND A CURSE"
I. HOW DOES GOD'S SPIRIT STRIVE WITH MAN?
A. He seeks to reason with us about sin.
1. "Come now, let us reason together..."
2. He reveals to us our sin.
a. This is where the striving often begins.
1. I defend my actions.
2. I deny my guilt.
3. A conflict is set up inside.
3. He points to Jesus Christ the ...
"NOAH FOUND GRACE"
Intro. The Hebrew word translated grace in most translations is translated favor. Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord. This same Hebrew word is translated favor in the majority of places where it is found in the King James Bible.
I. HOW IS IT THAT NOAH FOUND FAVOR IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD?
A. Noah was a just man. vs 7
1. He was upright, and fair.
2. God...
"GOD'S COVENANT"
Intro. Webster's Dictionary defines covenant as a formal, solemn and binding, agreement. Throughout the scriptures we find God offering many covenants.
I. GOD'S COVENANT WITH NOAH THAT HE WOULD NEVER AGAIN DESTROY THE EARTH WITH A FLOOD.
A. First note that God initiated the covenant. "I establish My covenant with you."
1. This is true of the covenants in the Bib...
"BUILDING TOWERS TO HEAVEN"
I. WHY DOES MAN SEEK TO BUILD TOWERS TO HEAVEN?
A. Man's inner consciousness declares God exists.
1. God is on a higher level or plane.
2. Man is reaching out for God.
B. Within I realize I need God.
1. My life is incomplete without Him.
2. Life is a puzzle and enigma without Him.
3. "Life" is impossible without Him.
a. I may be a very self-suffi...
Intro: After the flood when men began to multiply on the earth they once again turned from God. God called out a family that He might create a nation. "Come ye apart from them and be ye separate."
I. THE CALL OF GOD SOMETIMES ONLY HALF OBEYED "AND THEY CAME UNTO HORAN AND DWELT THERE."
A. We do not know how the call came to Abram.
1. The first thing he must do is tell his family....
"THE LOOK OF FAITH"
I. "LIFT UP NOW THINE EYES."
A. Abraham just experienced a difficult trial.
1. He and Lot had just parted company.
2. Lot had chosen the Jordan valley.
3. In the midst of trials Satan often speaks to us.
a. "You were sure a fool to give them a choice.
b. "Now you are all alone, what are you going to do?"
c. "It doesn't pay to be gracious. He gets the gard...
"THE GREAT REWARD"
I. "AFTER THESE THINGS."
A. Four kings from Babylon and Persia invaded the land plundering many cities including Sodom.
1. Lot was taken captive.
2. An escapee came to Abram to inform.
B. Abraham armed 318 servants.
1. They pursued the plundering armies.
2. They caught up with them near Dan.
3. Pursued them as far as Damascus.
C. As Abraham returned with ...
"HONEST DOUBT"
Intro: Abram had just defeated the confederacy of kings and saved Lot and his family, the king of Sodom offered Abram the spoils which he refused.
I. THE OCCASION FOR THE HONEST DOUBT.
A. God had just spoken to Abram two promises.
1. "I am thy shield."
a. Perhaps Abram began to fear a retaliation from these four kings.
b. I am your defense.
2. "I am thy exceed...
"THE LORD OUR SHIELD"
Intro. Lot had journeyed with Abraham from Haran to the land of promise. They were together until they became so prosperous that the land was not big enough for their animals to graze together. It was then that Abraham told Lot that it would be best to separate and that Lot could have the first choice. Lot saw the beauty and fertility of the Jordan Valley and ...
"THE DAYS OF LOT"
GEN 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
I. ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION FOR THE CITY OF SODOM.
A. The premise of the intercession, it would not be right to punish or judge the righteous with the wicked. Abraham asked: "Will you destroy the righteous with the wicked?" He knew his nephew Lot li...
"REMEMBERING LOT'S WIFE"
I. THE CONDITIONS OF SODOM.
A. Physical - Beautiful lush plain south of Dead Sea.
1. Dead Sea 40 miles long, 10 miles wide, 1286 feet below sea level.
2. Divided into upper and low end. Lower end 10 to 20 feet deep. Upper up to 1400 feet deep.
3. Lower end more recent, being formed by northern end being filled with salt, raising level.
4. It is under t...
"THE CONQUENCES OF COMPROMISE"
I. LOT WAS A VERY WEALTHY MAN. HIS FLOCKS AND HERDS BECAME SO GREAT HE COULD NO LONGER STAY WITH ABRAHAM.
A. The scripture describes him as having great substance.
1. Abraham and he had come to that point that they had to part company.
2. Abraham left the choice of the land up to Lot. "You go one way and I will go the other."
3. Lot chose the lush...
"JEHOVAH WILL SEE IT: THE LORD WILL BE SEEN" (JEHOVAH JIREH)
I. PROVISION IN HOUR OF EXTREMITY.
A. "Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it and was glad." When he saw the substitute for Issac.
II. PROVISION SPONTANEOUSLY MADE.
A. Abraham did not pray for substitute.
III. PROVISION MADE BY GOD HIMSELF.
A. "The Lord will provide."
1. What sacrifice could man offer ? (burn...
"THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERING."
Intro: Jesus said to Jews "Ye do search the scriptures...." Here is one of the clearest pictures of all.
I. "AFTER THESE THINGS," THIS WAS THE SEVENTH OF A SERIES WHEREBY GOD REVEALED HIMSELF TO ABRAHAM.
A. Called to leave the Ur of the Chaldees. Fellowship with the discontent of God.
B. Next appearing was when God promised him the land, where...
"FELLOWSHIP OF SUFFERING"
Intro: God created man for fellowship. He desires fellowship with you. The story of Abraham is a man being drawn into full fellowship with God. "Friend of God." We haven't cried together.
I. THIS IS THE SEVENTH AND FINAL APPEARANCE OF GOD TO ABRAHAM.
A. First in the Ur of the Chaldees and later at Haran called to leave land and family.
1. Fellowship wit...
"FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERING"
I. GOD CREATED MAN FOR FELLOWSHIP.
A. I John 1, "That which we have seen and heard..."
B. Paul speaks of his desire to know the fellowship of His suffering.
1. Suffering seems to create the closest bond of fellowship.
2. "We never cried together."
II. THIS WAS THE SEVENTH APPEARANCE OF GOD TO ABRAHAM AS GOD BROUGHT HIM INTO AN EVER DEEPENING FELL...
"THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERING"
Intro: God created man for fellowship. The deepest fellowship is the fellowship of suffering. "We have never cried together."
I. THIS IS THE SEVENTH AND FINAL APPEARANCE OF GOD TO ABRAHAM AS HE WAS LEADING HIM INTO A SUCCESSIVE DEEPER FELLOWSHIP.
A. First in Ur of Chaldees called him to leave his family and country.
1. Fellowship with discontent...
"GIVING GOD OUR BEST"
Intro: Most have never really tried what God called Abraham to give.
I. ABRAHAM'S TESTING CALL "TO GIVE BEST."
A. God calls for best of our love.
B. God calls for best of our gifts. (cruse of oil.)
C. God calls for best of our service.
D. God calls for best of our loyalty.
II. ABRAHAM'S READY RESPONSE.
A. It cost his home life.
B. All personal incentiv...
I. NOT ISOLATED INCIDENT.
A. Link in chain.
1. Seven occasions God appeared to Abraham.
B. Purpose of God through Abraham to restore a lost order, and establish kingdom.
1. Not chosen that from his loins a. people might spring forth to be God's people.
2. That is while other peoples abandoned to darkness and death.
a. God said, "I will bless thee and make thee a blessing" "In ...
"THE FELLOWSHIP OF SUFFERING"
Intro. There are seven recorded occasions when the Lord appeared to Abraham. This is the last of the seven. In each occasion the Lord was drawing Abraham into an ever deeper fellowship with Himself.
I. THE SEVEN APPEARANCES.
A. The first appearance was when he received the call of God to leave his birthplace in the Ur of the Chaldees and his family a...
Genesis 22:2
God's Call to Abraham to Give His Best
I. Isaac was the most prized possession of His Father. "Thy Son, thine only Son Isaac, whom thou lovest."
A. God had promised to Abraham that He would give to him a son, and that through his seed all of the nations of the earth would be blessed.
1. Abraham waited many years for that promise to be fulfilled.
a. It is probably w...
"THE NEARNESS OF GOD UNRECOGNIZED"
Intro: A long journey, a hard pillow, an uneasy conscience, a heavy heart, these are the things that make men dream.
I. MAN'S UNCONSCIOUSNESS OF THE NEARNESS OF GOD.
A. God is omnipresent.
1. Psalm 139.
2. Acts 17:28 "In Him we live and move..."
B. We are not always conscious of His presence.
1. The place of Jacob's dream.
2. "The Lord is i...
"THE CAMELS ARE COMING"
Intro. God declared through Hosea the prophet that He had spoken by the prophets, and had multiplied visions, and used similitude. Things that are similar to illustrate a point. This story of getting a bride for Isaac is one of the similitude or types of the Old Testament.
GEN 24:2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all t...
"TRUE REPENTANCE"
I. WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
A. It is to be so sorry for what you have done that you change.
1. It isn't just being sorry, but sorry enough to change.
2. There are many who are sorry for what they have done, for the hurt and anguish that their actions have brought on themselves and others, but have not really repented for what they have done.
3. If you would conduct...
"THE PRESENCE OF GOD"
Intro: A hard trip, a guilty conscious, an uncomfortable bed, these are ingredients that make for dreams.
I. THE DREAM.
A. God many times spoke through dreams.
1. Pharaoh.
2. Nebuchanezzar.
3. Joseph.
B. Why does he use a dream?
1. Sometimes we keep our waking hours so jammed with our own thoughts, can't get through.
2. We seldom take time for meditati...
"THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD"
Intro: The omni-presence of God is a part of Christian theology. Though we believe it, we so often fail to recognize it.
I. "SURELY THE LORD IS IN THIS PLACE."
A. Jacob was fleeing for his life.
1. His brother threatened to kill him.
2. Jacob had disguised himself and received his brother's patriarchal blessing.
3. Running for his life he arrived tir...
"THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD UNRECOGNIZED"
Intro. Jacob is fleeing for his life. He has deceived his father and received the blessing that his father intended for Esau, his twin brother. Esau has consoled himself with the thought that as soon as his father dies, he will kill Jacob. The evening of the first day of his flight has brought him all the way to Bethel. Bone tired and weary, ...
"CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST"
A free translation of Genesis 31:36-41
GEN 31:36 And Jacob was angry with Laban and began to tell him off saying: Where have I wronged you, what is my sin that you have so hotly pursued after me? You have searched through all of my stuff and have found nothing. I was with you for twenty years, during that time I took great care of your flocks, I have ...
"PRAYER"
I. "MOTIVATIONS TO PRAY." "WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MOTIVATE?"
A. Some motivated by desperation.
1. These were troubling days for Jacob.
a. Laban had just departed.
b. Esau is on his way with 400 men.
2. There doesn't seem to be any human way out.
3. What does an extremely resourceful person do?
B. Some motivated by fear "I fear."
1. He feared for the safety of his fam...
"THE MERCIES OF GOD"
Intro: Jacob returning home after 20 years. He had fled from home 20 years earlier because his brother was planning to kill him. We now see him at Jordan, the border of his land praying.
I. HIS MOTIVE FOR PRAYER.
A. A last resort.
1. His servants just brought disturbing news. Esau on his way to meet him with 400 men.
2. He had just had a bad scene with his ...
"GETTING WHAT YOU DON'T DESERVE."
Intro: Troubling news.
I. TO WHOM ADDRESSED "O GOD OF MY FATHER ABRAHAM, AND GOD OF MY FATHER ISAAC, THE LORD WHICH SAIDEST UNTO ME."
A. First element in prayer - who are you talking to?
1. "He that cometh to God must believe that He is."
a. What is your concept of God?
1. Some unintelligent force in the universe?
2. Mystic creative powers wi...
"VICTORY OUT OF DEFEAT"
Intro: Difficult story on surface. God deliberately crippling a man.
I. THE DEFEAT OF JACOB.
A. A man of complete self reliance and resourcefulness.
1. He never faced a problem he could not solve.
2. He outwitted every foe.
3. He was shrewd, cunning, clever, he would have done very well in Los Angeles or New York.
B. The pressures that were on him.
1....
"WHEN GOD CRIPPLES"
Intro: This is the story of God touching a man to cripple him, in order that through the crippling he might crown him.
I. THE STORY FROM THE HUMAN SIDE.
A. Jacob is coming home.
1. God has fulfilled His promise at Bethel.
2. The stream Jabboic brings back memories of twenty years.
a. They were prosperous years.
b. They were hard years.
1. Working for his ...
"THE CRIPPLING THAT CROWNS"
GEN 32:26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
GEN 32:27 And he said unto him, What [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob.
GEN 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
I. JACOB IS UNDE...
"THE CALL TO BETHEL"
Intro. Jacob is fearful, his sons have done a horrible thing of treachery and deceit that has put the whole family in jeopardy. The consequences of their deed could be disastrous. On his death bed Jacob cursed the anger and the self will that led to their actions. Jacob realized that they would have to move on, it was not safe to stay there. This is when God sa...
"BACK TO BETHEL"
Intro: The Call of God for Jacob to return to Bethel is much like the call of Christ to the church of Ephesus to return to its first love.
I. IT IS AT BETHEL GOD FIRST REVEALED HIMSELF TO JACOB.
A. A God of mercy and kindness.
1. Jacob was not really seeking God at the time.
a. He was fleeing for his life.
b. His treacherous sowing was ready to bear harvest.
...
"THE PITS"
I. JOSEPH'S EXPERIENCE.
A. Sent by his father to check welfare of his brothers.
1. His brothers were jealous and bitter.
a. Jealous because of long-sleeved coat and dream.
b. Bitter because he had reported their misdeeds to their father.
B. His brothers seeing him coming decided to kill him.
1. His oldest brother who wanted no part in the killing suggested an alter...
"THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH"
Intro: Scripture often sums up a man's life in a few words. "Abraham believed God." Saul, "Behold I have played the fool." Moses was very meek.
I. EVIDENCES OF THE LORD BEING WITH HIM.
A. At home growing up.
1. Communicated to him through dreams.
2. Gave him favored position.
B. When sold as slave.
1. "And prospered him."
2. Made ruler over the hou...
"SINNING AGAINST GOD"
Potiphar put Joseph in charge of all of his household. He trusted him with everything he owned. The Lord blessed greatly the house of Potiphar for Joseph's sake. Potiphar did not have to worry about anything that he had because Joseph was so capable. Now Joseph was well built and handsome, and Potiphar's wife sought to entice him to go to bed with her. He refu...
"MANASSEH AND EPHRAIM"
I. THE TRIALS THAT JOSEPH ENDURED.
A. He was despised by his brothers.
1. Can you imagine how it would be to have 10 older brothers that all hated you?
2. The taunting and teasing that must have gone on.
B. His brothers hated him enough to kill him.
1. When they saw him coming to them they conspired to kill him.
a. His oldest brother did not want to go ...
"WHEN YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE"
I. GOD HAD GIVEN TO JOSEPH A DREAM WHEN HE WAS LIVING AT HOME WITH HIS BROTHERS.
A. His brothers were very jealous of Joseph because of their father's preferential treatment of Joseph.
B. The Bible gives us the story.
GEN 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of [many]...
"WHEN YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE"
I. GOD HAD GIVEN TO JOSEPH A DREAM WHEN HE WAS LIVING AT HOME WITH HIS BROTHERS.
A. His brothers were very jealous of Joseph because of their father's preferential treatment towards him.
B. The Bible gives us the story.
GEN 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many c...
"WHEN YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE"
I. GOD HAD GIVEN TO JOSEPH A DREAM WHEN HE WAS LIVING AT HOME WITH HIS BROTHERS.
A. His brothers were very jealous of Joseph because of their father's preferential treatment of Joseph.
B. The Bible gives us the story.
GEN 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of [many]...
"ALL THINGS ARE AGAINST ME"
Intro: Jacob's sons have just returned from Egypt with report of rough treatment. Accused of being spies, brother Simeon being held as hostage. Benjamin must go with them on next trip to verify their story. As they open their sacks of grain, there are bundles of money in each sack.
I. JACOB'S CRY, "ALL THINGS ARE AGAINST ME."
A. Despair can cause us t...
"GOD'S OVERRULING PROVIDENCE"
I. LOOKING FROM THE DIVINE SIDE.
A. The World is in rebellion and lost.
1. Their concepts of God are wild, confused and wrong.
2. Man's sin has alienated him from the life of God.
B. God still loves man and plans to send His Son to earth to teach man clearly of God then to demonstrate God's love by taking the guilt of man's sin upon Himself and dyi...
"GOD'S SOVEREIGN PLAN"
Intro. Joseph's brothers hated him so much that they conspired to kill him. They had thrown him in a pit with the intention of leaving him there to starve to death. When they saw merchants heading toward Egypt, they sold Joseph to them for 20 pieces of silver. As far as they knew Joseph was dead. God was with Joseph while he was in Egypt and had ultimately ma...
"FEAR NOT"
Intro. Note the two names used in these verses. "And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and God spoke to Israel in the night saying, Jacob, Jacob." His given name was Jacob, a name that described his old nature, schemer, surplanter. God had given to him a new name Israel, (Ruled by God). Sometimes he is still Jacob, sometimes he is Israel. We also have two nat...
"THE SECRET OF STRENGTH"
I. JOSEPH IS A FRUITFUL BOUGH.
A. He is like a branch that is loaded with fruit.
1. That is how God wants our lives to be. Loaded with fruit.
a. Jesus said: "Herein is the Father glorified, that you bear much fruit."
b. David spoke of the happiness of the man who walked not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way with sinners, nor sat in the...
"THE SECRET OF STRENGTH"
Intro: Jacob is dying. He summons his 12 sons that he might prophesy concerning their future state. Turning first to Reuben.
I. "JOSEPH IS A FRUITFUL BOUGH."
A. God desires that our lives bring forth good fruit.
1. "Herein is My Father glorified that ye..."
B. The fruit is a test of a man's life and doctrine.
1. Christ warned against false prophets, "b...
