Joe R. Price

     The angel Gabriel announced to Mary the great honor God gave her of giving life to the Christ, the Son of God: “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women” (Lk. 1:28)! As the “maidservant of the Lord”, this virgin conceived and gave birth to the Savior of the world (Lk. 1:39-56; 2:11).

     Today is Mother’s Day, and we are reminded that…

     1) The mother of Jesus did not abort her child. Mary was a virgin, though betrothed to Joseph (Lk. 1:34; Matt. 1:18). Upon learning that she was with child, Joseph was prepared to avoid a public scandal and “put her away secretly” until God’s angel appeared to him with divine instructions (Matt. 1:19-25). There was a time in America when pregnancy before marriage was scandalous. (Many opted for a “shotgun wedding” or a trip away from home to give birth away from the scrutiny of family and acquaintances.)

     Now, more and more choose abortion as the answer to an unwanted, inconvenient pregnancy. Do not be deceived: abortion is murder. It is the deliberate destruction of unique human life. Well over 3,000 babies are aborted every day in America – about 1.2 million per year – and, over 54.5 million since Roe v. Wade in 1973 (“Abortion Statistics”, National Right to Life website).

     The horrors of abortion are well documented as the current murder trial of Kermit Gosnell, M.D. in Philadelphia graphically attests. God hears the cries of the innocent ones and He will judge their cause (Psa. 106:38-40).

     If you still have your mother, tell her thank you for the gift of life she gave you. Millions of children, who could have lived but who were aborted, did not receive the gift of life from their mother.

     2) The mother of Jesus reared her child in the way of God. Under the parentage of Mary and Joseph, Jesus grew up learning and living in the wisdom and favor of God (Lk. 2:40). Oh, how such is needed today! On mother’s knee the child learns about God and faith, kindness, goodness and love. Mother’s stern hand corrects and comforts. The wise mother’s tongue gives righteous counsel to her children. In an age when motherhood is too often cast aside (as we are told it “takes a village” to raise a child), we know “it takes a mother”!

     Honor your mother with respectful obedience each day, not just on Mother’s Day (Eph. 6:1-3). Bring her joy and gladness by being wise and by living righteously (Prov. 23:24-25). Do not forsake the law of your mother, for your foolishness brings her grief (Prov. 1:8; 10:1).

     Mothers, follow the example of Mary and love your children (Lk. 2:51; Tit. 2:4). The most important thing you do for your children is to set them on a course of life that respects and obeys God. While giving your children good things, remember to give them what they most need. Follow the good example of Mary and teach your children well. 

"You're too Judgmental!"

Encourage One Another

Scripture Reading:  1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

1. Every Christian needs daily encouragement, Heb. 3:12-13; 10:24.
2. Encourage: To give comfort, exhort, strengthen, plead and warn, 1 Ths. 5:14-15 (11).
3. God comforts us so we may comfort others with His comfort, 2 Cor.1:3-5.

I. WAYS TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.

  A. Out of Singular Devotion to Christ, Matt. 6:21-23; Exo. 14:13; 2 Cor. 5:7
  B. By Urging Each Other to Trust in God, Heb. 13:5-6.
  C. By Emphasizing Faithfulness to the Lord, 2 Chrn. 35:1-2; Acts 14:21-22; 15:41; 18:23.
  D. By Using the Word of God as our Tool and Guide, 1 Cor. 2:1-5; 1 Tim. 4:13; Heb. 13:22; Acts 15:32.
  E. By Assisting Each Other Physically and Spiritually; Matt. 25:34-40; Jas. 5:14; Jude 20-23; Gal. 6:2; 1 Jno. 3:16-18.

II. BARNABAS WAS A SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT, Ac 4:36-37; 11:21-24.

  A. In Barnabas we find the Qualities We Need in Order to Encourage Each Other.
    1. Generous (4:37).
    2. Unselfish (4:37 and 5:1-2).
    3. Devoted (11:22).
    4. Spiritually perceptive (11:23).
    5. Good (11:24).
    6. Full of the Holy Spirit and faith (11:24; Eph. 5:18), Eph. 5:15-18.
  B. We have a Spiritual Obligation to Use our Opportunities to Encourage Each Other, Eph. 4:16; Matt. 10:41-42.

Conclusion
     Sons of encouragement are not born – they are made by a deliberate decision to be strong in the faith, to work hard at having a perceptive heart that sees the needs of others and responds, and to be devoted to Christ.
 

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

Preparing to Spread the Gospel (Acts 1)

1. The Acts of the Apostles is the grand and glorious expression of the Great Commission – God’s commentary of it.
2. Acts is key to understanding the rest of the New Testament.
3. Acts 1: “You shall be witnesses to me…” (1:8) – Preparing to spread the gospel of Christ.

I.  MANY INFALLIBLE PROOFS, Acts 1:1-3.
  A. The Former Account: Gospel of Luke, Lk. 1:1-4 (24:36-53; Acts 1:1-12).
  B. The Apostles of Christ:
    1. Chosen by Jesus, 1:2 (Lk. 6:13; Jno. 15:16, 19).
    2. After Christ’s resurrection, 1:3 (1 Cor. 15:3-8).
    3. Under commandment from Him, 1:2 (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15).
    4. Taught about the kingdom, 1:2-3 (Lk. 24:44).
    5. They would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, 1:4-8 (2:1-4).
-We can confidently believe and follow what they taught, 1 Jno. 1:1-5 (1 Cor. 14:37).

II. THE PROMISE OF HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM, Acts 1:4-8.
  A. We can Trust the Divine Source of the Gospel because of the Heavenly Power they Received, Jno. 16:13-14; Matt. 10:19-20; Mk. 16:17-20.

III. ASCENSION OF JESUS, Acts 1:9-11.
  A. Jesus is Exalted and Reigning in Heaven, Eph. 1:20-23 (Dan. 7:13-14).
  B. Jesus will Return, 1 Ths. 4:16-18.

IV. THE SELECTION OF MATTHIAS, Acts 1:15-26.
  A. The Wicked will not Prosper, 1:15-20.
  B. The Apostles are Credible Witnesses, 1:21-26.

Conclusion
     The book of Acts assures us that the gospel is from God.

This week has seen its share of high profile courtroom drama in our country: The Kermit Gosnell murder trial in Philadelphia, the Jodi Arias first-degree murder conviction in Phoenix, and in Cleveland, the three young women and child who were freed after being held as hostages for more than 10 years (the suspect now faces many charges). Then, there were the ongoing Congressional investigations into the Benghazi, Libya terrorist attack and the Boston bombings.

     We have heard many calls for justice in these cases. By definition, justice is the concept of moral rightness based on prevailing and/or recognized standards. In a legal sense, justice is administered by the court system to defend the innocent and punish criminals (Rom. 13:1-5). Societies define justice and determine its scope on the basis of its established laws and its accepted moral standards. Since men’s standards of morality, ethics and religion are not equivalent to God’s, men’s standards of justice often do not harmonize with divine justice (Isa. 55:8-9). God’s word is the basis of true justice (Psa. 19:9).

     When men pervert justice they fall under the just punishment of God: “Moreover I saw under the sun: in the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there. I said in my heart, ‘God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work’” (Eccl. 3:16-17).

     Though criminals may escape justice on earth, there is no escape from God’s justice: “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Gal. 6:7-8). Divine justice will be satisfied (Rom. 2:1-11). God has revealed His will as the basis for justice. And, God holds us to His standard of right and wrong.

     God commands us to be just in our treatment of others, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8) “Let justice run down like water” (Amos 5:24)! 

Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  05/12/2013