Sermon for August 28, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Sermon for This Week is: John 5:37 – 6:27 - covering the following:

The Insufficiency Of The Scriptures

Two Kinds Of Food

Part 1 - The Insufficiency Of The Scriptures - John 5:37-40 - And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

INTRODUCTION

1. The all-sufficiency of the Scriptures is an important doctrine...

a. For the Scriptures are completely adequate - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

b. God has provided all that we need for life and godliness - 2 Peter 1:3 - According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

c. We do not need further revelation, we have the faith delivered “once for all” to the saints – Jude 1:3 - Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

-- Thus we have that which is able to build us up and give us our inheritance - Acts 20:32 - And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

2. Yet there can come a time... when the Scriptures are insufficient...

a. When despite its power, the Word of God is unable to save

b. When despite diligent study, it does not benefit those who search through it

-- There can be a time when the Scriptures are insufficient!

3. We find such an occasion in the gospel of John...

a. When Jesus was confronted by unbelieving Jews - cf. John 5:16-18 - And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

b. Who had rejected various sources bearing witness to Jesus - cf. John 5:33-36 - Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

[In what serves as our text (John 5:37-40 - And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.), we learn when and how the Scriptures can be insufficient, as it proved to be in the case of the Jews...]

I. HOW THE SCRIPTURES PROVED INSUFFICIENT FOR THE JEWS

A. THEY DILIGENTLY SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES...

1. As indicated in our text - John 5:39 - Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

a. The KJV has Jesus commanding them to search the Scriptures

b. The ASV, NKJV, NASB has Jesus acknowledging their study of the Scriptures

c. “The form here can be either present active indicative second person plural or the present active imperative second person plural. Only the context can decide. Either makes sense here, but the reason given ‘because ye think’ (clearly indicative), supports the indicative rather than the imperative.” - Robertson’s Word Pictures

2. The Jews were diligent students of the Scriptures

a. Moses was read in the synagogues every Sabbath - cf. Acts 15:21 - For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

b. “Hillel used to say, ‘More law, more life...He who has gotten himself words of law has gotten himself the life of the world to come’ (Talmud). In their zeal for the Scriptures the Jews had counted every letter of them, expecting to find life in the laws and precepts...” - McGarvey’s Fourfold Gospel

-- One could hardly be a more diligent student of the Scriptures than the Jews!

B. YET THE SCRIPTURES DID NOT BENEFIT THEM...

1. They were unwilling to believe in Him of whom the Scriptures testified - John 5:39-40 - Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

2. Failing to believe in Jesus led to the Father’s Word not abiding in them - cf. John 5:38 - And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

-- Unwilling to believe in Him of whom the Scriptures testified, the Scriptures proved insufficient to be the Word of life for them!

[How sad that many Jews who had the benefit of receiving “the oracles of God” (Romans 3:1-2 - What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.) and studied them so diligently fell short of receiving their true benefit. Yet the same occurs often today...]

II. HOW THE SCRIPTURES CAN BE INSUFFICIENT FOR US TODAY

A. WE MAY BE DILIGENT STUDENTS OF THE SCRIPTURES...

1. Indeed we should be diligent students of the Word!

a. The gospel is God’s power to save - Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

b. The Word of God is living and powerful - Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

c. The Word is able to save our souls - James 1:21 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

d. The Word is able to make one born again - 1 Peter 1:22 - Seeing 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:

e. The Word is able to help us grow - 1 Peter 2:2 - As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

f. The Word is able to give us that inheritance among those sanctified - Acts 20:32 - And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

2. Many people are diligent students of the Word!

a. Every denomination has its scholars, people well-versed in the Word

b. People read the Bible daily, study it in church frequently

c. Some can even quote entire sections from memory

-- Many are like the Berean Jews in their study of the Scriptures - Acts 17:11 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

B. YET THE SCRIPTURES WILL NOT BENEFIT US...

1. If we do not have faith - Hebrews 4:1-2 - Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

a. We may come short of our promised rest

b. Like the Israelites who fell in the wilderness

2. If we are not doers of the Word

a. If we are only hearers, we deceive ourselves - James 1:21-25 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

b. If we are only hearers, we will not stand in times of trial - Matthews 7:24-27 - Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

-- Unless we believe and obey the Word of God , it remains insufficient to save us!

CONCLUSION

1. The Word of God is truly all-sufficient..

a. To do the work God designed it do - Isaiah 55:10-11 - For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

b. To bear fruit in the noble and good heart - Luke 8:11 - Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. - Luke 8:15 - But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

2. Yet “people of the Book” (as the Koran calls Jews and Christians) should take heed...

a. The Word cannot bear fruit in some hearts - Luke 8:12-14 - Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

b. We must let the Word lead us to Him Who is the giver of life - cf. John 5:40 - And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Indeed, “the all-sufficiency of the Word” must be understood in its context, for the Word alone does not save. To be saved we also need faith (John 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.), we need blood (Ephesians 1:7 - In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; we even need water (Ephesians 5:26 - That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,), the last being an allusion to baptism where the Word, God’s grace, Christ’s blood and our faith comes together to provide remission of sins! - cf. Acts 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. - Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Part 2 - Two Kinds Of Food - John 6:27 - Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

INTRODUCTION

1. Among the miracles of Jesus that attracted great attention was the feeding of 5000 with five loaves of bread and two fish - John 6:1-13 - After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

a. Many came to believe in Him as the Prophet to come - John 6:14 - Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. cf. Deuteronomy 18:15 - The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

b. Some wanted to take Him by force and make Him king - John 6:15 - When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

c. People sought to follow Him - John 6:22 - The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; - John 6:24-25 - When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

2. Jesus, who knew the hearts of men (John 2:25 - And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man), perceived their selfish motives...

a. They were interested only in the food, not what the miracle indicated - John 6:26 - Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

b. Prompting Jesus to warn them about the food for which they labor - John 6:27 - Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

[The words of Jesus in our text (John 6:27 - Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.) reveal there are “Two Kinds Of Food”, one that perishes and another that endures. As we seek to apply Jesus’ admonition to our own lives, let’s consider...]

I. THE FOOD WHICH PERISHES

A. WHAT FOOD IS THIS...?

1. Literally, it is the food we eat

a. It quickly perishes, even with the benefit of preservatives

b. It fails to satisfy for long, soon we are hungry and thirsty again - cf. John 4:13 - Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

2. Figuratively, there are other “foods” which soon perish

a. The food of human wisdom

b. The food of folly

c. The food of mirth and pleasure

d. The food of great wealth and industrious labor

-- Which Solomon found to provide no lasting fulfillment - cf. Ecclesiastic 1:17 - And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. - Ecclesiastic 2:1-2 - I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? - Ecclesiastic 2:3-11 - I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

B. DO NOT LABOR FOR SUCH FOOD...

1. This does not mean we are to make no effort to supply our needs

a. A Christian is to provide for his family - 1 Timothy 5:8 - But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

b. If a man does not work, neither should he eat - 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 - For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

2. But that we not do so to the neglect of food which endures

a. The “food” which perishes should not be our priority in life - cf. Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

b. A lesson that Martha needed to learn - Luke 10:38-42 - Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

[Sadly, many people expend much time, energy, and money for “food” which soon perishes. Jesus would have people direct their life’s efforts toward...]

II. THE FOOD WHICH ENDURES

A. WHAT FOOD IS THIS...?

1. In other texts, it is the Word of God

a. By which man truly lives - cf. Matthew 4:4 - But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

b. Which Job treasured more than necessary food - Job 23:12 - Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

c. Which David valued more than gold and fine food - Psalms 19:10 - More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. - Psalms 119:72 - The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. - Psalms 119:103 - How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! - Psalms 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

d. Which Jeremiah found to be the rejoicing of his heart - Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

e. Which causes rebirth, and endures forever - 1 Peter 1:22-25 - Seeing 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: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For 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: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

2. In our text, it is Jesus, the Word of God

a. Jesus, the Logos (Word) of God - John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. - John 1:18 - No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

b. He is the true bread from the Father in heaven - John 6:31-35 - Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

c. He is the bread of life who offers everlasting life - John 6:47-51 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

B. LABOR FOR THIS FOOD...

1. Jesus must be the primary focus of our labors, in which we strive:

a. To believe in Him, for therein is everlasting life - John 6:28-29 - Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. - John 6:40 - And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

b. To follow Him, for He has the words of eternal life - John 6:66-69 - From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

c. To know Him, for that is eternal life - John 17:1-3 - These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

d. To obey Him, for to those who obey He is the author of eternal life - Hebrews 5:9 - And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

2. Are we laboring for the food which endures to everlasting life?

a. Let Paul’s attitude be our example - Philippians 3:7-15 - But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

1) Seeking to know the Lord more and more

2) Never content with our current understanding, always pressing further

b. Let Peter’s exhortation to diligence in growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ set the standard - 2 Peter 1:5-8 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

1) Seeking to become like the Lord more and more

2) Always abounding, always growing in grace and knowledge

CONCLUSION

1. Dear friends and brethren, for what “food” do you labor...?

a. Is your focus in life on that which is temporary?

b. Do you strive for that which cannot truly satisfy?

-- If so, consider what Isaiah wrote 700 years before Christ came - Isaiah 55:1-4 - Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

2. Jesus is the true bread of life, the living water, who truly satisfies...

a. He alone provides the hope of eternal life - John 6:40 - And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

b. He alone offers the abundant life even now - John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Isaiah 55:2-3 - Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Prayer: Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned - Lord I truly thank You for giving the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will keep them in Your blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Ephesians 6:23-24