Sovereign Grace African Fellowship

Psalm 22:3 - "But you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." The Lord Jesus Christ submitted to God while he punished him. He said, “My God, my God,” not my Father, because God had withdrawn his face, and was pouring out the fullness of his wrath.

When we think that we're righteous, then we despise others. Luke 18:9  — "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:" The two go together hand and glove. It is self righteousness

"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way." vs7 God is restraining the Evil One, and he will do so, until he looses his hand, so that Satan can deceive for a season. This is God

"For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men." vs9 The gospel is not what we think. It's not about ease and popularity. It's self

2 Thessalonians 1:8 — "in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." The Lord Jesus Christ is going to come in vengeance. The wicked are warned, but the saints will be

"Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas." We can be hot one day, and cold the next. We must be on guard. Demas loved this present world, meaning that he turned his back on Christ, eventually, and on his people. 2 Timothy 4:10 — "For Demas,

"It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God." vs2 The glory of the Lord shall be seen. It is

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." vs2 Grace and peace is the message of God to us, in spite of our ongoing sins. We can never sin ourselves out of this relationship, though we can be disciplined, and it hidden by the

1 Corinthians 4:2 - "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." The number one thing required of us - as stewards of the mysteries of God - is faithfulness. Faithfulness is a must, which says, “I believe God’s word, and I will live

"He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." vs24 God is the One who sanctifies. It's not us. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 — "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the

"I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts," vs8 Encouraging others is our mission. God didn't give us the gospel to keep it to ourselves. We serve, and we get better thereby. Are you

"We ask you, brothers, to know those who labor among you and lead you you in the Lord and admonish you," vs12 Admonishment is part of the gospel; it is telling people they are wrong, and warning of the consequences; it is to be done in love, but it is the

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." vs2 Thanksgiving is our portion in the gospel. Paul reminds the Colossians over and over. “Be thankful,” “with thankfulness,” “giving thanks,” [Col 3:15-17]. Be thankful because you

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope." vs13 There are people in this world who have no hope. They have false hope, assuring themselves that their loved ones

"Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful." vs10 We must be very careful how we build. Preaching the truth from evil

"Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another," We are taught by God to love one another. As soon as we hear the gospel, and we’re saved by grace, love for God’s

Colossians 3:18 - "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord." It’s fitting for wives to submit to their husbands. This is right in the Lord’s sight. The rules that he gave us come from his loving character. When he says, “Do,” or, “Don’t,

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience," We are chosen. From the foundation of the world, God chose to save us, not because of ourselves but by grace through faith. He elected

"Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and encourage you in your faith," vs1-2 Paul sent Timothy for the

"But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” — Colossians 3:2  The things above at the right hand of God are things that we have in Jesus Christ: the riches of the spiritual blessings.  It has nothing to do with fame, wealth

The Confidence and Conduct of Faithful Preachers: "But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict." vs2 Our boldness and

"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." vs1-2 Jesus Christ is the message of the gospel. It isn

"For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything." vs8 Faith in God spreads. It is not something that we keep to ourselves. Our light

"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." vs16-17 Christ is the substance of the

“Everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace.” — Isaiah 30:5 No one can help us but the Lord. God's intentionally done it this way, so that our real needs - obedience,

"For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through [human] wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe." vs21 God saves those who believe the gospel. We are sinners and nobodies, but he has mercy

"And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." vs19-20 We ought to speak the gospel with all

Vs9, "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily," Everything that we need is in Christ. He is the fullness of God, and we don’t need to look anywhere else to see everything. God’s beauty, grace, and justice are revealed in Christ. He shows us

Colossians 1:1 - "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother," God gave us apostles by his own will; it is not our will and our choosing. The apostles are finished. They have run their race and left us with the gospel. We

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." vs1 There are many false prophets in the world, and they are dangerous. They turn our eyes from Christ,

"How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again

"And he said, "Take the arrows," and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground with them." And he struck three times and stopped. Then the man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck five or six times; then

“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” If we don't show mercy to others, then God will show none to us. Deal with people… rich or poor… without love, and God will deal with you harshly. Be merciful,

"And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life."" God sets limits on Satan. If he did not, there’d be no peace in the world and no end to evil. Satan is not benevolent. He hasn’t come to give us pleasure. He is here to

"And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD." We serve a God who gives Satan authority to afflict us. This is good news! It means

"The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned!" When we realize our sin, often, it is too late. We come under chastisement of the Lord, and suffering is immense. It is not too late for mercy, but pain has come. What will we do?

"Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has ruined and broken her bars; her king and princes are among the nations; the law is no more, and her prophets find no vision from the LORD." We're in a terrible condition when God no longer speaks to us.

"Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?" But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." There's a fountain filled with blood, so sinners like us draw near to God for cleansing. Unholiness does not keep us out!

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Love to God comes first. He is the Lord. We pay our highest attention and affection to him. We put him above everyone else. Matthew 10:37 — "Whoever

"Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her." We must cling to our Lord Jesus and forsake everything for him. No matter the difficulty, never turn back. This we will do if sovereign grace is

"And the people of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until the evening. And they inquired of the LORD, "Shall we again draw near to fight against our brothers, the people of Benjamin?" And the LORD said, "Go up against them." So the people of Israel

"I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not." This happens: We seek the Lord, but we do not find him. We must not stop here. Like the woman in the Song, let

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." What an amazing promise from God: if we humble ourselves and admit our sins, calling upon him for grace, then he'll give us grace, and lift us up. He'll cleanse our insides and our motives. He'll

"O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely." The Lord Jesus put away our sins. Therefore, he calls us to himself. It's on the basis of

"I had put off my garment; how could I put it on? I had bathed my feet; how could I soil them?" I'm too lazy to open to the Son of God. I don't need him now. I'll call, and he'll answer. His tokens of love make me take him for granted. Familiarity breeds

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."" The Lord attaches a blessed promise to humility. If we humble ourselves, then we will be exalted. God will see it, and he will lift us up. First, let us seek

"That night the LORD said to him, "Take your father's bull, and the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it and build an altar to the LORD your God on the top of the

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” Grace makes us work, and it makes us work hard. It is not