Encouragement

If you were asked, and I'm asking now, what would have to happen in your life to encourage you the most? We often hear the words, encourage and discourage. So what do we mean when we say we are encouraged? And what do we mean when we say that we are discouraged? The Hebrew word, the word that is found in the Old Testament that is translated courage and maybe a place or two, encourage, it's the same word. It can be translated courage or encourage, and that Hebrew word is kossak. It spells C-H-A-Z-A-Q. Not that that matters to you, but it's pronounced kossak, and it's translated as courage or encourage. It means to fasten upon, to seize, to be strong, to cure, to help, to repair, to fortify. In short, it means to be strong. Figuratively, it means to be courageous. Let's turn to Deuteronomy 31. So today, we're going to talk about encouragement and how we can be encouraged. We have just all gone through one of the worst winters. The worst winter in my memory, the part of the world that I have lived in most of my life, most of my life, has either been in Mississippi, Texas, or California. We've had three stays in California in the work. One of the things that I wanted to tell you about when I came here, we had a Council of Elders meeting the week before last. Well, actually, it was last week, now that it was over Thursday of last week, February the 27th. One of the things that we are dealing with, of course, across the whole spectrum of the Church, has to do with being encouraged and being really on fire. One of the things that's happening is that we are receiving so many hits on the internet, thousands each month. We are sending out 30 to 50,000 booklets every month. 30 to 50,000 booklets every month. And we're receiving scores of thousands of hits on the internet. And yet, our attendance pretty is pretty much stable, and the income is stable. It's up just maybe one or two percentages, percentage points. So basically, our budget for this coming year is the same as it was last year. We have a fiscal year that runs from July 1st through June the 30th. And one of the things, of course, in times like this, where it seems like maybe you're just treading water, there is a tendency maybe to get discouraged. But we are very encouraged in the overall sense. I'm encouraged when I walk into a congregation of the United Church of God, because you can sense a buzz, a good spirit, as I have sensed here. And pretty much that is throughout the whole church around the world. And we know that God has some great things for us, and we are sowing the seeds. And one of the things we're trying to figure out is, how do you get people to respond? How do you get them to actually come to church? I have a lot of people that call me. And I would say maybe one out of ten that call shows up. And then oftentimes they only come for one or two services. So we live in a different age. I've never seen an age like we're living in, and you haven't either. We're living in one of the most critical, crucial times in human history.

These are tough, transitional times. The world is like a powder keg. It could go up in smoke at any time. And tensions have greatly been increased with what has just happened this past week with Russia taking over Crimea. And one of the things that Putin is doing, I saw a picture on the internet in the past few hours, of course, in which Putin had his hands around his neck. And he'd say, this is what the West is like. They choke when a crisis comes. And he's threatening to shut off gas to Europe. Europe depends on the heating fuel from Russia. About 40 to 50 percent comes from Russia. So the tensions in the world have greatly increased in just the past several days. Anywhere you want to look. And so we are living in times that we have never seen before, but yet at the same time, it is amazing how normal in one sense that we can come to services in the United Church of God. And we can have a sense of peace.

And we have hope burning within our hearts and minds. So in the face of everything that's out there, we do need to be encouraged and we need to take courage. So let's look here at Deuteronomy 31 and verse 6. Be strong and of a good courage. Fear not, nor be afraid of them, for the eternally God, he it is that does go with you, he will not fail you nor forsake you. And Moses called unto Joshua and said unto him, in the sight of all Israel, be strong and of a good courage.

closes after God told him that he would not go into the Promised Land because he had disobeyed and he had not glorified God. Instead of speaking to the rock, he struck the rock.

And God said, you're not going into the Promised Land. But Moses went to God and said, the people are like sheep. We need to please, I don't know exactly how he worded it, but appoint someone, ordain someone in my stead so that the people will not be scattered. And so, God selected Moses, servant as it were, and ordained him. So Moses is exhorting Joshua. Be strong and of a good courage, for you must go with this people under the land which the eternal has sworn unto the fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. So here we see that being of a good courage is inextricably linked to trusting in God. Note that. That being of a good courage is inextricably, and inextricably means you can't separate it. It's tied together. So being of a good courage in the spiritual sense is inextricably linked to trusting God. On the other hand, to be discouraged implies a loss of confidence to be downcast and are filled with doubt, fear, and anxiety. Most of the peoples of the world today are filled with doubt, fear, and anxiety. They're wondering where the next shoe is going to drop, where the next bomb is going to explode, where the next plane is going to crash, where the next war is going to break out. Time after time, God exhorts Joshua to be of a good courage. Let's go to the book of Joshua chapter 1. Deuteronomy Joshua, just a page or two over in Joshua chapter 1 and verse 6. Be strong and of a good courage, for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land, which I swear unto them, or swore unto their fathers, to give them. Look at verse 9.

Have not I commanded you be strong and of a good courage. And, of course, the word of God is a living word, and it's applicable for all times and all peoples. Be strong and of a good courage. God would tell us today, be strong and of a good courage. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed. For the eternal God is with you, wheresoever you go. He's promised never to leave us, nor forsake us. As lo, I am with you, even to the end of the age is what Christ told the disciples there at the close of Matthew 28. In verse 18, Whosoever he be that does rebel against your commandment, and will not harken unto your words, and all that you command him shall be put to death. Only be strong and of a good courage.

So, time after time, God exhorts Joshua to be of a good courage. Courage is also inextricably linked to conviction and commitment. Mr. Welch mentioned the leadership class that I taught in Ambassador. I taught the first leadership class in Ambassador for credit. It was called Dynamics of Personal Leadership. And one of the things I've always emphasized with regard to leadership is what I call the three C's of conviction, commitment, and courage. See, it is the Word of God and the Spirit of God that convicts us. Then God commits to us the Pearl of Great Price. The word commit or commitment in biblical terms means to place in sacred trust. So, God has given each one of us the Pearl of Great Price. It's like you are the safe. If you have a fireproof safe, a theft-proof safe, you are that safe. And God has said, here's the Pearl of Great Price. I'm giving you my precious truths, and you, I'm committing it to you. And you be courageous. You preserve it. And basically, to the degree that you're convicted and committed, you will be courageous. So, courage is a product, we could say, of conviction and commitment. Why would a person be able to act so courageously in the face of certain danger? Why would people be willing to give their lives for the faith? Because they're convicted. They're committed. And therefore, they are ready to die for it if need be. One of the most notable examples of this from history is contained in the famous words of Patrick Henry regarding his commitment to the cause of the American Revolution, when he said, I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.

So, when we went through the steps of repentance and faith and the sacrifice of Christ for the remission of sins that are passed, the minister asked us to count the cost. And he turned to Luke chapter 14. So, let's turn there and review that for a moment in Luke 14 and verse 25 about counting the cost. One of the most one of the saddest things in my whole life and has been, of course, the fact that we have seen the various schisms, divisions, and people falling away from the truth. It has happened in my family, it's happened in friends, it's happened with neighbors, and on and on it goes. You know, I see people in the Big Sandy area. You see, Big Sandy was like the second headquarters, and people moved in there from all over the world. And so, after the divisions began, you name whatever division it is, and we have it. We have from Orthodox Jews, people now who wear yarmulkes, to those who are wearing holy underwear, though I've not seen it. But they say they got it on. The living room groups, and then you could name the various organizations. And then, but, sadder, I guess you might say, are those who have basically turned their back on everything. And they're going the way of the world. Oh, they may, you know, what I've said historically, I used to tell the students in class, the two best-obeyed commandments, number one is be fruitful and multiply. We're good at that. At least we used to be, but now they say that the United States' birth rate has dropped so dramatically that the people who settled this country were not able to sustain themselves. And the next one was, or is, you shall not eat pork. But people won't eat pork even though they'll trample on the Sabbath. But let's go to Luke 14.25.

And there went great multitudes with him, and he turned and said unto them, If any man come to me, and love not less his father and mother and wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, in his own lives also, he cannot be my disciples.

And whosoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciples.

You see, God is saying we need to commit everything that we have.

Notice that last part of verse 26 says, Gay and his own life also. If you go to Revelation chapter 12, Revelation chapter 12 talks about, of course, Satan is deceiving the whole world in verse 9. In Revelation 12 verse 10, it says that Satan is before the throne of God, night and day, slandering the people of God. And then it says, I heard aloud, I just read verse 10, Revelation 12, I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, now has come, salvation and strength in the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ, for the accuser of our brother and his cast down, which accuses them before our God day and night.

And notice how they overcame him. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And so, if we sin, if we fall short, the same thing steps that you went through in initial repentance and coming to you, baptism, that you go before the throne of God, you confess your sins, you repent of your sins. And God says that he's faithful and just, forgive you of all unrighteousness. So, by the blood of the Lamb, then it says, in the word of their testimony.

In other words, the word of God was hidden in their hearts. That word that's been committed to them, that's been placed in sacred trust. They have studied the word of God. They know the word of God. The Spirit of God has written it on their inward parts, but it won't write it on your inward parts unless you are willing to study it and hide it in your heart. Perhaps you're familiar with Psalm 119 verse 11, which says, Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.

And then the last part, and they love not their lives unto the death. See, that's the degree to which God wants us to be committed, the degree to which God wants us to be courageous. And one of the first steps to being encouraged is to truly come to understand that you cannot change the past. I cannot change the past. You cannot change the past. Crying over spilled milk, as it say, will not put the milk back into the bottle or the bucket. Yes, I milked a few cows, but I milked differently.

My daddy, he was so good. He had the thumbs on the outside. I put the thumbs on the inside. Well, you probably never milked a cow. That doesn't mean anything to you, but I do. So one of the things we have to recognize is that oftentimes our discouragement or grief might come from things that are past that has affected us personally. What so-and-so did is the reason why I am where I am. And oftentimes, maybe that's true, but the test of a person's character is how they deal with the disappointments of life.

And I'm sure that we have all had many disappointments in our life. And we may be dealing with some, and I would probably say, probably a good chance that everybody in here today is dealing with some kind of disappointment in their life. We can easily become so concerned with the burden that maybe somebody else's mistake is placed upon us that instead of being concerned about them and the burden that is placed upon them, you know that when a person does something wrong to you, maybe it places a burden on you, but on the other hand, it places a greater burden on them.

One of the things, and this is coming to real maturity in the spiritual Christian sense, where it talks about in Romans 12, do good to those that hate you and your enemy, thirst, give him water, feed hunger, give him food. We're familiar with those passages. So one of Satan's principle strategies is to have us to become obsessively concerned with ourselves. Satan is obsessively concerned with himself. To the point that his focus is on deceiving the world into worshiping him instead of worshiping God. So, are you discouraged over past events in your life? And perhaps more importantly, are you discouraged by the trials that are on you right now?

I have a saying that goes like this. Maybe somebody else has said it, but I don't know. What is is. What is is. And what isn't isn't. But I have got to deal with what is.

To face the reality of where I am. And so many people live in a state of denial and escape, that they don't quite ever face what is. And so one of the things you have to really do in life is to face where you are, assess where you are, and how you can make things better.

So we can deal with what is, or we can give up.

You can let it defeat you. Give up. But then, I realize, and I hope you realize, you cannot change the past, but we can learn from the past. I can repent of the past, but I cannot make that which is crooked straight. In fact, there's a proverb to that effect. And I realize that I must face what is at the present time, or retreat and quench the spirit and begin to die inside. A lot of people have died from the inside, and that's the worst death. Yet alive, in one sense, they're still breathing, but in another sense, they're dead on the inside.

You know, many of the things of the past that I would like to correct and make straight are not my doing. And you could say the same thing, and maybe you are grieved by them.

This reminds me of Rudyard Kipling's famous poem titled, If. I'd like to read that poem at this time.

It's If by Rudyard Kipling. If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowance for their doubting too, if you can wait and not be tired by waiting or being lied about, don't deal in lies, or being hated, don't give way to hating, and yet don't look too good nor talk too wise, if you can dream and not make dreams your master, if you can think and not make thoughts your aim, if you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same, if you could bear to hear the truth that you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, or watch the things you gave your life to broken and stoop and build them up with worn out tools, if you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss, and lose and start again at your beginnings and never breathe a word about your loss, if you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there's nothing in you except the will which says, hold on, if you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings and or lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, if all men count with you but none too much, if you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run, yours is the earth and everything that's in it, and which is more, you'll be a man, my son. Roger Kipling's son died an untimely death, and that poem is reflective. Oftentimes, when we think of encouragement, we think of how someone else can encourage me. If so-and-so would just do such-and-such, then I would be encouraged.

But so-and-so never does such-and-such, and such-and-such never happens, thus I'm never encouraged. Now, what a pitiful trap to fall into! And I would hasten to add that just about everyone in this room has fallen into that trap at one time or another. Can we learn to encourage ourselves? Can you learn to encourage yourself? Let's turn now to 1 Samuel chapter 30. Here's an event in the life of David, and it is quite astounding in one way. In 1 Samuel chapter 30, we're going to read verse 6 first here, and then get the whole context. 1 Samuel 30 and verse 6. 1 Samuel 30 verse 6.

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for all his daughters. But David encouraged himself in the eternal his God.

Now, let's read the first part and see why he was in that state. Verse 1.

And it came to pass when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag and smitten Ziklag and burned it with fire.

And had taken the women captives that were therein, they sloughed not any either great they sloughed not any either great or small, but carried them away and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and behold it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their daughters were taken captive. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept until they had no more power to weep. You can just imagine if you didn't have your wife or your children and they'd been taken away, how much weeping you might do. And David's two wives were taken captive. In Aum, the Jes of Realites, and Abigail, the wife of Nabal, the Carmelite.

David was greatly distressed, but you see that last part, but David encouraged himself, and the Lord is God. And so, brethren, we can encourage ourselves. Let's go to Psalm 77 and note one of the ways that we can be encouraged. Psalm 77 describes a situation with a person where he is at his wits end, as they say, sort of like this account here of David. And notice this. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice, and he gave ear to me.

So here's a person crying out, asking for help, praying to God.

In the day of my trouble I sought the eternal, and my sore ran in the night and ceased not.

The sore means the position of prayer in the Old Testament was get on your knees and you lift up your hands like that. If you stay in that position very long, it's pretty difficult to keep that up. The key verse here, the key phrase here, my soul refused to be comforted. My soul refused to be comforted. And oftentimes, we look for an answer or look for some kind of magical something to happen, when very often the answer is very simple. I remembered God and was troubled. I complained. This word in another verse is translated communed. It means I looked inside myself. I communed with my own spirit. In other words, what the psalmist is saying here is, I went over my problems over and over again.

That's what he's saying. I communed and my spirit was overwhelmed. So when I looked at the whole thing of what I had to deal with, my spirit was overwhelmed. Now, you contrast that with what we just read about David, in which people had lost their wives and children, and two of David's wives had been taken captive. But then he says, and David encouraged himself in the Lord. Contrast David with this.

Verse 4, You will behold mine eyes waking, or you hold as mine eyes waking. I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of all the years of ancient times.

I call to remembrance my song in the night. And here's this word that was translated complain. I commune with mine own heart. So go back over my problems.

How many times have you sat? Have you some people lying in bed all night, tossing and turning? How are they going to face the next day? I've got so many problems to deal with.

I commune with mine own heart and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off? Now, here comes the four enemies of faith flooding in.

Anxious care, fear, doubt, human reasoning. They feed off each other.

Anxious care, fear, doubt, human reasoning. All four of those are covered in Matthew.

So here this comes. Verse 7, Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Is His mercy clean gone forever?

Does His promise fail forevermore? Have God forgotten to be gracious?

Hath He in anger shut up His tender mercies? So He begins to be filled with anxious care, with doubt, doubting God. Can the situation be helped? And then it's like verse 10. He comes to His senses. And I said, This is my infirmity. This is my sickness. What does that mean? It means this. My problem is my problem.

My problem is my problem. And what is the problem? The focus is totally on self. Totally on self.

This is my infirmity, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Eternal. Surely I will remember your wonders of old.

I will meditate also of all your work and talk of your doings. The way, your way, O God, is in the sanctuary. That's where God dwells in the sanctuary. And each one of us is a temple, a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit. If we have God's Spirit, who is so great a God as our God?

You are the God that does wonders. You have declared your strength among the people. And he goes on praising and thanking God. And when he gets his eyes off himself and onto God, it's like his problems go away.

Another way we can be encouraged is by helping others. Get your focus on God. And instead of focusing on our own problems, help others. Remember the Scripture says it's more blessed to give than to receive. And love is expressed through outgoing concern for others.

Notice what the Apostle Paul writes concerning love and sharing one another's burdens. Let's go to Galatians now. Galatians chapter 6. In Galatians chapter 6, the Apostle Paul writing, Brethren, if a man be overtaken, this verse 1, Galatians 6, 1, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. Bear you one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Bear one another's burdens. For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden, and it seems like a contradiction. You do have to bear your own burden, but at the same time, you are exhorted and admonished to help others. Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teaches in all good things. Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man sows, he shall also reap. The word translated communicates here. We want to look at that word, the word that is translated communicates in verse 6. But let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teaches in all good things. This word communicate is coe non eo, coe non eo, to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, to be a partner, to enter into fellowship, join oneself to an associate, make oneself a sharer or a partner.

So what Paul is admonishing here, we go back to verse 2, There you one another's burdens and so fulfill the royal law of Christ.

Use your love your neighbor as yourself. Of course, the two great commandments love God with all your heart, mind, and soul, love your neighbor as yourself. And then it says, what does the next verse say? On these two hang all the law and the prophets.

For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But let every man prove his own work. Then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another. Every person is standing before the judgment seat of Christ that has been called into God's marvelous light. And we're all on trial, as it were. And when it's all said and done, you know, like, go back to 2010 and the events that led up to the split in the church that came about Christmas Day in 2010.

You cannot build your foundation on the faults of others. In fact, I wrote a long thing that went out on the internet, went viral about that time. With regard to this, if you think that because you're justified because you say somebody else did something wrong, that doesn't justify you. You know, I have heard from all kind of people for all so many years, well, so and so did such and such. And they did this, and if they're going to be like this and all this kind of thing, so I don't want to have anything to do with that.

See, God does not change. The truth does not change. It doesn't matter what I do or anyone else does. If you have a relationship with God, and if you know God, as we should know God, He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He is the same, and you're going to be judged what you do. When you stand before the judgment seat of Christ, it says in Romans, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess. And I don't care how hard you try to make your heart now or anything else. The truth of God will stand. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess, and every man will bear his own burden in that sense. But at the same time, we are to help bear one another's burdens. This is one of the main ways that you can be encouraged. The old high school principal that I had, and I had some great teachers along the way, he was a sergeant in the Marines. But one of his sayings was, the only last and good you will get out of life is what you do for others. And it's similar to the Paul saying, more blessed to give than to receive. We come back to this verse 6, let him that is taught in the Word communicate, to become a sharer, to enter into partnership with him that teaches in all good things. Then the next two verses remind us that, be not deceived, God is not mocked whatsoever we sow, we're going to reap. If we sow unto the flesh, we're going to reap of the flesh. If we sow of the spirit, we will reap of the spirit. But if a person withdraws from the arena of life, does not fight the good fight of faith, no one can help them. Before we can truly learn to serve others and thus be encouraged, we must learn to let others serve and help us. If we refuse the opportunity to let others, we're robbing them of their joy and opportunity for encouragement. One of the great tragedies of our current culture in the spirit of the times is that, if you look at the entertainment world, you're led to believe that life should always be filled with fun, frivolity, feasting, oh, we got to have fun. So-called hard times, bad trials, will not sell much toothpaste or Toyota pickup, so all the commercials picture this having fun and a good time and a wonderful life. But life is not that way, and as a phony facade has been created in the minds of the American people through the advertising world, and of course now the bottom line is the bottom dollar, and the whole world is basically involved, caught up in this Babylonian system. Trials and testing provide us with opportunity to show God and Christ that we understand what life is all about, that we know that through trials and testing we can be refined and God can create His holy righteous character within us. Let's look at Ecclesiastes chapter 7.

Ecclesiastes chapter 7, and what I've just said here, the understanding that trials and testing, how valuable that is and how God views that.

In Ecclesiastes 7 verse 1, a good name is better than precious ointment. You can ask yourself, do I have a good name? Can I be trusted? Am I a person of integrity?

A good name is better than precious ointment in the day of death than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance, the heart is made better.

You want to come to be a person who really has sympathy and empathy, you have to go through a lot of trials and troubles and difficulties.

And God is testing us. He is refining us. Look at Romans now.

In Romans chapter 4, I just started teaching the epistles of Paul to the online course for ministers this past Tuesday. If you master the book of Romans, the rest of the epistles of Paul are a lot easier to understand. Romans and Hebrews.

In Romans chapter 4, and we heard this verse that I'm about to quote read in the sermon, Hebrews 11. 1, faith is a substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. So what is the number one thing that you hope for in your life? Of all things.

Well, it's the kingdom of God. Seek you first, the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So that is the hope, the substance we're hoping for.

God will create his holy righteous character within us. We, upon death, when Christ comes, will be resurrected as glorious, radiant spirit beings.

Now, the evidence of things not seen, of course, is God doing his work within us. And look at this example here of Abraham, and it continues in chapter 5. Verse 17, As it is written, I have made you, that is, Abraham, a father of many nations, before him whom you believed, even God, who quickens, or makes alive the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were. Now, that's a reference to Abraham when he was told to sacrifice Isaac, that Abraham received in a figure Isaac resurrected from the dead. In other words, if Abraham had had to kill Isaac, he knew he had that kind of faith that God would raise him up from the dead. So, against hope, believed in hope. Sounds like a contradiction. What does that mean? Against the hope of this world, believed in the hope of God, the evidence of things not seen, that he might become the father of many nations according to that which was spoken, so shall your seed be. So, you go way back in Genesis 12 when the promise was first given, that you're going to be the father of many nations, and in your seed shall all nations be blessed. And now, here he is an old man. His wife is past the age of childbearing. It almost looks like, well, God is not going to keep his promise. But, verse 19, being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead when he was about a hundred years old. Neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb, he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but with strong in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded that what he had promised, what he had promised, a seed, Isaac, the son of promise, the seed of promise, he was able also to perform. And therefore, it was, this word imputed, it doesn't mean like I pull off my shield and give it to you. It means that it's reckoned. It was reckoned to him for righteousness. This is a whole long subject about imputed. I can't get sidetracked to take too much time, but the Protestants talk about imputed righteousness. It's like Christ just pulls off his righteousness and gives it to you.

That through obedience, as we shall follow through here, God will create his righteous character within you. So it was reckoned to him for righteousness. It was laid up to his account. Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him.

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus, our Lord, from the dead. So what happened with regard to Abraham and Sarah? The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Well, Abraham and Sarah believed God. They came together. They were able to conceive. Isaac, the son of promise, was born. The substance hoped for. The evidence of things not seen. God's spirit working, opening the womb of Sarah and allowing Sarah and Abraham to have a child. But this is an example. It says it was not written for him alone, but for us. Verse 24, but for us also to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus, our Lord, from the dead, who was delivered for our offenses, was raised again for our justification. Therefore, being, really should be no chapter break, therefore being justified by faith.

We have to repent of our sins and exercise faith in the sacrifice of Christ for the remission of sins that are passed. That's covered in chapter 3. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith unto his grace wherein we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. So, what is the main thing hoped for? And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation works patience. Now, patience, the meaning of patience in this sense is not passive in the sense you just sit and do nothing. You do whatever you can. And patience, experience. In this word, experience, I don't know why the King James translators translated that experience. It's in the Greek, it's dokime, and it means proof testing. Tribulation works proof of testing. God will see what we're made of. Proof testing. So, tribulation works proof testing. And hope makes us not ashamed because, see, if we go through that, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given unto us. So, if we understand, we go through the tribulation, the trial, the difficulty. But through it all, we have hope because we know, we understand what Peter writes. First Peter 1, verses 6 and 7, knowing that the trying of your faith is more precious than gold tried in the fire. And every man's work is going to be tried of what he has built up, whether it be wood, hay, stubble, or the precious gold or diamonds. So, what we're talking about here has to do with real spiritual understanding, spiritual maturity, spiritual growth. In other words, we're getting down now to the very meat of the word. Return now to James chapter 1. James chapter 1. They come to the point that James talks about.

I used to teach General Epistles. I don't know if I think Mr. and Mrs. Welch maybe didn't take that class. Maybe we had it on CD or something. But people talk about, well, the General Epistles, that's the milk of the word, no. The General Epistles is the very heart and core of Christian living. See, Paul's Epistles goes through repentance and faith, baptism, laying on of hands, conversion, all that. Of course, there's some, you know, like Romans 12, become a living sacrifice. But to come to the point laid out here in James chapter 1, James, a servant of God, a bronze servant and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the twelve tribes, which are scattered abroad. Greeting, my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into different trials.

I don't know if I've come to that point yet or not.

Now, we go back and I quote now from Romans 5.3, which Paul says, and we glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation works proof testing.

And hope makes us not ashamed because we realize that going through this process, we're going on toward perfection. You know, Paul writes, I get sidetracked, but anyhow, Paul writes in a Roman Hebrews 6, it says, Therefore, laying aside the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, baptism, laying on of hands, judgment, resurrection, and so on. See, perfection cuts through all of that. And so this has to do with going on to perfection.

My brother encountered all joy when you fall into different trials, knowing this is the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. What does that mean? Let's put that in common language. Here's what that means.

You see, when you are going through the trial and the difficulty, and you bear it patiently, being filled with hope and knowing that God is going to deliver, there is nothing that can get through to you. No fiery dark from Satan can penetrate the shield of faith that you have before you. You know, Ecclesiastes 6 and verse 16 says, and above all, taking the shield of faith, whereby you'll be able to quench all the fiery darts of Satan. In other words, it's like if you're trying to penetrate this wood with a needle, forget it, because it'll just, you'll either bend or fall to the floor. And so, if you have this kind of patience, but let patience have a perfect work, that means that you go through it with the understanding that God is your deliverer, and that regardless of what happens, He will deliver you. And in so doing, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I mean, here I stand. And to come to that point, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that gives to all men liberally, and upbraves not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith nothing wavering, for he that wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and toss. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. The devil-mited man is unstable in all his ways. So you have to have that steadfast faith knowing, and filled with that hope, and realizing that a purpose is being worked out in your life, and that God is working in you and with you to bring you to perfection. The Laodiceans are counseled to go and buy gold tried in the fire. Turn forward there a few pages to Revelation chapter 3. Revelation chapter 3 and verse 14. Revelation 3.14 And under the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, write, these things says, Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God, I know your works, that you're neither cold or hot. I would that you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold or hot, I will spew you out of my mouth, because you say, I am rich and increased with goods. Have need of nothing, and know not that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Of course, nakedness symbolizes sin in the Bible. One of the things about the city of Laodicea was a very rich city. A lot of views live there, and even in one of the severe earthquakes, they did not have to have help from Rome to rebuild. But the thing that they lacked was a fresh water supply. The water had to be brought in by conduit. If you've ever gone to Petra, Petra is without a fresh water supply, and you can see the old conduits there on the side of the seat that's the passageway into Petra. And of course, by the time that water travels that distance, it is lukewarm. So that's the analogy from a physical point of view. They also had quite a medical school there, a famous treatment for the eyes, and they also had a kind of wool, a black wool, that was highly sought after in making garments. So you have those physical analogies, but what God is speaking of here is spiritual.

I counsel you to buy of me gold trite in the fire. So we're all being trite in the fire and being purified, and that character of pure gold, that you may be rich in white raiment. See, white raiment is really the linen. It is the wedding garment of the saints, as in Revelation 19. That you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear, and anoint your eyes with eyesave, that you may see. And that's spiritual eyesave. See, how do you anoint your eyes with spiritual eyesave? You seek God. You know, they're the... It's like young people sit in the church, and some of the parents say they don't respond, because they've made up their mind they're not going to respond. It's not for them. Or, parents might say, well, God has to call them. One of the first things that we did in the United Church of God... This goes back to like 96, 97, somewhere along in there. There's a write-up paper that God is calling children. In fact, we have a hymn in the hymnal, and I'm not hinting that should be the closing hymn, but that's not the main thrust today. But God is knocking at the door. You see, the Bible says, knock and I'll open. Seek and you'll find.

Ask and you'll receive. Seek, ask, knock.

Look what he says here, verse 19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him or sup with him, and he with me. But you can always keep the door closed. Oh yeah, you can harden your heart and close the door. That's the old easy chicken way out. Okay. I will come in with him or sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am sat down with my father in his throne. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. I am convinced and have been for a long time that the reason so many people become lukewarm, disinterested, and fall away is because they're looking for a loose brick. They're looking for an excuse to become discouraged, to lack the courage. They become spiritual cowards. They're looking for the easy way out. They're tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. I'm here to tell you there are no loose bricks in the Word of God. There is no slackness in God's promises. There is no wavering in His love for you. Oftentimes, the stuff we come up with about why we're discouraged with this or that is just that stuff. And as the old saying goes, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't amount to the hill of beans. Very often, we think we're justified in what we're doing. We don't like the way so-and-so looks. We don't like what so-and-so said. We don't like the way the minister talks. We feel like everybody is judging us. We feel like we don't belong. We would rather be somewhere else. I've heard all those, oh, packed mead, worn out, cliches, excuses, till I am sick of it.

You see, if God is God, if God exists, the title of one of my sermons, I didn't bring today, but, is, if you believe in God, then what? Oh, a lot of people out there see, I believe in God. But if you do, then what?

In reality, encouragement centers on living by faith, and you heard also in the sermon at Hebrews 1039, the just shall live by faith. At first, it appears in Habakkuk, I think it's 2-4, the just shall live by faith. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace, do you think they were encouraged or discouraged?

One of the things that I have a tendency to think is, why did God let this happen to me? I mean, good thing the Apostle Paul didn't get discouraged and throw in the towel, because so many of the things, the understanding of so many of the key elements of salvation would not be explained to us. We would really have to dig and glean if it were not for the writings of Paul. No, God could have prevented anything, but He has not placed us in a glass cage. He has not given us immunity from everything. It says in Ecclesiastes that time and chance happens to them all.

But then, after thinking that, I think this is an opportunity to show that I indeed know what it means to live by faith. In approaching the trial in this way, I'm encouraged. Satan is defeated. Remember what James writes in James 4.7, submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Here's a prayer that someone penned. I asked God to take my pain away. God said no. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. I asked God to make my handicapped child hold. God said no. Her spirit was whole. Her body was only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. God said no. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations. It isn't granted. It is earned. I asked God to give me happiness. God said no. I give you blessings.

Happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said no.

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said no. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said no. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things. I asked God to help me love others as much as he loves me, and he says, Ah, finally, you have the idea. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace, they said, Oh Nebuchadnezzar, I don't know if God will deliver us or not. I know he is able to, but whether he delivers us or not, be it known unto you, we will not bow down and worship the image. And you know the rest of the story. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

That's Romans 10.17. We know that if we read and study the Word of God, it will increase our faith and provide encouragement. I had a lady one time tell me back when I was pastoring Big Sandy in the 70s. Her husband had what they call terminal cancer, and he did die. But sometimes you go through in cancer, you go through long months of agony and suffering, and she said, You know, I can take the book of Psalms, and I begin to read a Psalm, and it brings like new life is brought to him. There's a great memory Scripture.

All of us should memorize this. John 663. John 663. It says, The flesh profits nothing. It is the Spirit that quickens. It makes a life. The words I speak—this is Jesus talking—the words I speak, they are spirit, and they are life.

And the more you have those indelibly stamped on your being, the more you can be encouraged and deal with any trial that comes your way. So one of the greatest ways to be encouraged is to open up the pages of your Bible and read about God's love, care, and concern for you.

All there are many doubters out there and many ones that would throw sticks and stones, but the Word of God stands forever. The principal way that you can cast your care on Christ is it says, cast all your care on me, for I care for you. Cast all your care on me, I care for you, paraphrased. One person writes about what Satan fears most. What Satan fears most is a man on his knees, not vast marching armies with great weaponry.

He knows he can stand against the power of men to engage us in battle, his mere sport to him. But a man on his knees with his head bowed in prayer is something quite different to the prince of the air.

For when he sees us in prayer to our God Most High, he knows we have seen through his devilish lies.

That's why Satan, that's what Satan fears most, a man on his knees, and we'll keep him trembling if our prayers never cease. People encouraging people. You know, remember the song, people who need people are the luckiest people on earth.

Sometimes just the sight of another person will cause you to well up in your heart and to be encouraged. It is amazing how much power we have within each one of us to encourage one another. Another essay here, the strength of a man isn't seen in the width of his shoulders. It is seen in the width of his arms that circle you. The strength of a man isn't in the deep tone of his voice. It's in the gentle words he whispers. The strength of a man isn't how many buddies he has. It's how good a buddy he is with his kids. The strength of a man isn't in how respected he is at work. It's in how respected he is at home. The strength of a man isn't in how hard he hits. It's in how tender he touches. The strength of a man isn't in the hair on his chest. It's in his heart that lies within his chest. The strength of a man isn't how many women he's loved.

It's in how he can be true to one woman. The strength of a man isn't in the weight he can lift.

It's in the burdens he can carry. Is your life on fire for God? Or, on the other hand, are you being consumed by the fiery trials of life? Thinking that all is lost, your life is being consumed, going up in smoked flames. The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help. None seemed to come. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the weather and store his few possessions. But then, one day after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames. The smoke rolling up in the sky, the worst had happened. Everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. God, how could you do this to me? He cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. How did you know I was here? Asked the weary man of his rescuers. We saw your smoke signal, they replied.

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it. You say it's impossible. God says all things are possible. You say, I'm too tired. God says I will give you rest.

There are a lot of people who use that excuse and have come to serve with services.

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. You say, nobody really loves me. God says, I love you. You say, I can't go on. God says, my grace is sufficient. You say, I can figure things out. God says, I will direct your steps. You say, I can't do it. God says, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You say, I'm not able. God says, I am able. You say, it's not worth it. God says, it will be worth it. You say, I can't forgive myself. God says, I forgive you. You say, I can't manage. God says, I will supply all your needs. You say, I'm afraid. God says, I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of a silent mind.

You say, I'm always worried and frustrated. God says, cast all your care on me, for I care for you.

You say, I don't have enough faith. God says, I've given everyone a measure of faith. You say, I'm not smart enough. God says, I will give you wisdom. You say, I feel all alone. God says, I will never leave you or forsake you. So, brethren, it is through experiencing the comfort and encouragement of God and the fiery furnace of trials that we learn to encourage and comfort one another. The choice of whether we're going to wallow in the pits of South Pity or whether or not we're going to look to the hills for strength and encouragement is up to us.

No night in shining armor is going to come along and pull us out of the pitty pits of self-despair.

But there is one who is coming on a great white horse, who is currently sitting at the right hand of the Father, one who ever lives to make intercession for us. Therefore, he's able to save us to the uttermost. That's Hebrews 7.25. So, let us get our focus off ourselves, off our plight, and fight the good fight of faith. Let's close with this Scripture, Ephesians 3.16, to the end of the chapter. Ephesians 3.16, to the end of the chapter. As you're turning there, once again, it's been my pleasure to be here today with you, and thanks once again to the Welch's. I think it was Mr. Redline's idea, whomever, to invite me to come up here. You have been a most attentive audience, perhaps the most attentive audience that I've seen in a long time. So, Mr. Welch has taught you well. He has gone out and served, as I advised him to do, a long time ago. In Ephesians chapter 3, verse 16, that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by Spirit, in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you may be rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to power that works in us, and to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages. The world without end. Amen.