Christ's Divine Glories

Hebrews 1:1-3. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

1. The Son - In whom God speaks to all. Vs. 1.

2. The Universal Heir - Possessing all. Vs. 2.

3. The Creator of Worlds - Forming all. Vs. 2.

4. The Effulgence of God's Glory - Declaring all. Vs. 3.

5. The Image of His Person - Manifesting all. Vs. 3.

6. The Upholding of Worlds - Sustaining all. Vs. 3.

7. The Purger of Sins - Putting away all. Vs. 3.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: (KJV)
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (KJV)



1. THE BLOOD BRINGS CONVICTION.
Matt 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person:see ye to it. (KJV)



2. THE BLOOD BRINGS CONVERSION.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,


3. THE BLOOD BRINGS CLEANSING.
1JN 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


4 THE BLOOD BRINGS CONFIDENCE.
REV 12:10-11 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.


5. THE BLOOD BRINGS CONDEMNATION
EZEK 3:18-21 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Hell Is

Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

We are not only living in a time when political correctness is threatening our basic rights and freedom, but we are in a time when pulpit correctness is causing us to avoid things that people may find offensive to our “Modern Civilized Thinking”

There are 162 references in the New Testament alone which warns of hell. And over 70 of these references were uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Let’s look at this place called Hell, together for a few moments this morning.

1. HELL IS A REAL PLACE CALLED HELL!

Since the days of Jesus, people have refused to believe in a place called Hell.
Some religious organizations teach the Bible does not promote an eternal hell.
The Word of God must be our reference point if we are to prove hell is a real place.

2 Peter 2:4; For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment

2. Hell is An Eternal PLACE!

Matthew 25:46; And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

It is worth noting the same word is used to describe God (Romans 16:26) and The Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:4). If one were to cease to exist, that same day, all would cease to exist.
This place called Hell is eternal. A place we do not want to spend eternity, nor a place we would want anyone to spend eternity.
Yet, what are we doing to see that not one person goes to this dreadful place?

3. Hell is a Dark Place!

Matthew 25:30; And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The significance of the darkness is that the merciful God is not there!
Where God is, there is light! [Revelation 22:5] Hell is dark, BECAUSE there is no presence of God there.
Where God is not, that is Hell!
By you and I spreading the light of Christ we are keeping them from hell!

4. Hell is a place of Fire!

The Scripture is repetitive on the subject.

Matthew 3:12; Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

5. Hell is a place of Intense Pain!

Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Webster’s dictionary defines torment as:. Extreme pain; anguish; torture; the utmost degree of misery, either of body or mind.

6. Hell is a place of no hope!

If hell were to last 1000 years, we could say at the end of the first day, we only have 999 years, 364 days left, and I'm gone.
If hell were to last 1,000,000 years, then after the first day we could say I have only 99,999 years, 364 days left, and buddy, I'm gone!
If there were even a small light at the end of the tunnel, those who would enter hell could withstand the pain, the flames, the darkness, and the horror of it all. With hope, we can survive.
Without it we cannot. In hell we have no hope, and we cannot die!

7. Hell is An avoidable Place

There is no hope in hell!
There is no hope in religion!
There is no hope in good works!
There is no hope in baptism or church membership!

Christian friend HELL IS where your parent, your child, your relatives, and your friends will go without Christ!
Can they see evidence of Christ’s salvation in you? Will they hear about Christ’s salvation from you?
Bring them to church with you and I will tell them about Jesus Salvation for you!
What ever you do don’t let the go to hell without hearing about its reality and torment from you!

Lost friend come to Christ who is your only hope as we sing the invitation hymn and avoid hell!

APPROVED OF GOD

2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.;

Mt. 25:14-25; Mt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

People seek approval. (Teens want the approval of their friends. Employees seek the approval of their boss.)
We should all seek GOD’S APPROVAL!
Does God approve of what I’m doing?

GOD’S STANDARDS OF APPROVAL (see Mt. 25:21). 5 essentials…

I. “WELL” —Approval of the CALIBER of our work (Excellence)
A. Anything worth doing, is worth doing “well.”
1. The Bible says Jesus “hath done all things well…” (Mk. 7:37). HE IS OUR EXAMPLE.
2. Jehu (2 Kings 9:20-24, 27, 30-33 cf.10:18-30)
3. Philippians support of Paul (Phil. 4:14).
B. Too many do things halfheartedly. Mediocre ministries.
Colossians 3:23-24— “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Who are you doing it for?
Ecclesiastes 9:10— “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…”
C. Jesus deserves our BEST.

II. “DONE”— Approval of the COMPLETION of our work (Achievement).
A. Our job is not done yet! It is no time to quit now. Finish what you start.
B. God’s never commends quitters.
C. What have you ever accomplished for the Lord’s sake? The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul (Prov. 13:18).

III. “THOU GOOD” — Approval of the CHARACTER of the worker (Integrity).
A. Notice, this is an individual commendation (“THOU…”). We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
B. Jesus went about “doing good.” God does not commend just any kind of doing, but doing the GOOD THING.
C. Goodness is part of the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22). ILLUS. Barnabas (Acts 11:23-24).

IV. “FAITHFUL” — Approval of the CONSISTENCY of the worker (Determination)
A. Be not be weary in “WELL DOING” (Gal. 6:9).
B. The one thing God requires of us is FAITHFULNESS (1 Cor. 4:2).
C. Are you faithful? Are you consistent?

V. “SERVANT” — Approval of the COMPLIANCE of the worker (Self-denial).
A. A servant has no plan of his own.
B. A servant has no property of his own.
C. A servant has no problems of his own.

These are characteristics of one who is approved of God - All five are ESSENTIAL for God’s approval.
1. Your CALIBER of your work
2. Your COMPLETION of your task.
3. Your CHARACTER in your work
4. Your CONSISTENCY at your work
5. Your COMPLIANCE to God’s direction.

Will you bear God’s stamp of approval?

Lord Save Me

Matt. 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Intro: Short Prayers:

1. David Prayed, “ Lord hear me.”
2. Canaanite Woman prayed, "Lord help me”
3. Peter prayed, “ Lord save me.”
4. Jacob, Lord save me from Esau.
5. David, Lord save me from Saul

This is a good prayer for:

1. SINNERS, Lord save me from Eternal Damnation.
A. Thief on the cross, Lord remember me.
B. Disciples, Lord save us, we perish.
C. Some try to bargain with God.

2. SAINTS, Lord save me from a wasted life.

3. SENIORS, Lord save me from Regrets in old age.
“ I wish I had gotten involved in the church and the ministries earlier in my life.”

4. SERVANT, Lord save me from embarrassment at the judgement seat of Christ.
“ Song, “I’ll wish I had given Him more.”

5. SERIOUS CHRISTIAN, Lord save me from a cabin in the corner of glory land.