We could once again go to Hebrews 13. We're going to look at verses 9 through 13 tonight, Lord willing. Some more admonitions from the end of this letter, Hebrews 13. And we looked at verse 8 last time where it said, Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. And we saw just a few instances in the Word of God where the importance of that ought to be fresh in our minds at all times. It reminds us Jesus Christ is the same. There is no turning. There is no shadow of turning, the Bible says, with our Lord. James tells us that. There's no variableness. What God says, He will do. What He has promised, He will keep. There is no changing his mind when it comes to what he has said and his word. It is settled and we can take comfort in that. Now in verse 9, the Bible says then, keeping that in mind, Here we see that we are not to stray from the truth of God's Word. We've heard this all of our lives, a lot of us. We have heard it ever since we've been going to church on a regular basis. We hear it over and over again. We should not stray from the truth of God's Word, but the fact is that it is one of the easiest things to do as far as our old nature is concerned. Number one, our old nature does not like God's Word in the first place, and if we are not walking in the Spirit and we are walking in the flesh and our old nature has a say in what we do, where we go, etc., etc., then we are going to find ourselves straying from God's Word very quickly. Matthew, let's go to Acts chapter 20. As we're turning there, remember what Jesus said in Matthew 24, verse 4, He said, And he said that more than once. So we need to remember that warning that he gives us. In Acts chapter 20 and verse 30, Paul, as he's speaking to the leaders of the church there in what is now known as Asia Minor, he's telling them that it'll be the last time that he sees them. And he warns them, and he says in verse 30, also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. That is their goal. They are to draw away people from the truth. In order to draw people from the truth, you use some truth, but it's not all truth. And that's what we need to watch for. Romans chapter 16 then, verses 17 and 18. Here again, Paul, as he closes this letter to the church at Rome, he gives another warning about this. Romans 16 and verse 17. He says, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. Notice he doesn't say the ones who just offend you. The ones who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned. You see, when you go around getting upset when people offend you, you make you the standard. Instead of God's Word, the standard. So they said something against you. They said something you didn't like. Get over it. Well, that's easier said than done. Yes, that's true. I know. It is very true. You know, it's easy for someone else to say, oh, just get over it. Well, you're not the one who was offended. But at the same time, we need to get over it. We do need to move on and get over it, because we're not the standard. The Word of God is the standard. And then he says, "...avoid them, for they that are such," verse 18, "...serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." We must be very careful of that. Galatians chapter 1. We're just looking at these references to see that this is an important warning given to us in God's Word, because it is given several times. Galatians 1 and verse 6. Here in this letter, usually, Paul, in his introductions, he takes several verses to get going, so to speak. But here, he starts right away in verse 6 with his concern. He says, I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another, but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. It is a very serious thing. Ephesians chapter 4 then in verse 14. Here we have a familiar passage. He's speaking of growing in the grace of God. the perfecting of the saints, the gifts that God has given, and how we are to use them to edify the body of Christ. He says in verse 14 of Ephesians 4 that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. And if we took the time and go back through some of the things that people, for lack of a better word, that were a fad in Christianity over the last 20 or 30 years, we would probably be amazed at how much it has shifted, just like the pendulum, from over here, and then it's clear back over here, and then pretty soon it's over. It's like it's no different than diets, almost. We don't want to go into the world of diets tonight, but I think everyone is familiar with how that works. For a few years, this is the certain super remedy for all of your problems that will turn you into nothing short of angelic if you just follow this plan. And then in about five years, there's another one that comes along, and that one that was the thing that would make you almost angelic is now pariah, and anybody who would even think to follow that is so yesterday. You're a loser if you're following that one. And that's from the people who said you're a loser if you're not following that one five years before. But it's the same thing with doctrine anymore. There are so many people who are so intent on following what some person says because they have a, quote, ministry, that they don't even stop to think and compare, is that what God's Word really says? And if they're not careful, they'll be in that very same cycle. They'll be clear over here one moment, and in the next, they're on the opposite end with just as much intensity on this side as they had on the opposite side. That's not how we're supposed to... Verse 8, Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. Jesus Christ is the same. God's Word is the same. And what a comfort that is. I have some place I can go when I don't know which way to turn. I have somewhere I can go when I don't know what to do. The Word of God. The Word of God. Do not stray from the truth of God's Word. Colossians 2, verses 4 through 9. We don't have the time to go there, but many of you are familiar with that passage, but read through there and see, again, Paul brings that out. We must be careful. 1 Timothy 4 warns us, the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to what? Seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. They're not taking the time to see, is that what God's Word really says? They're basing it on what does it sound good. 1 John 4 and verse 1, what did John tell us? Try the spirits, whether they be of God. Don't just accept it at face value. Because it is a serious thing to stray from the truth. And that is exactly what the devil's trying to get us to do. And he doesn't do it by coming out and saying, Boo, I'm the devil, this is the wrong way, come with me. He uses God's Word, just like he tried to use it with Jesus himself. He uses the Word of God and mixes in just enough to get us off track. Remember, we've used the illustration before. If you've ever shot at a target with anything, you know, a BB gun, a rifle, a bow and arrow, what have you, you know, if you're at about 100 yards and you hit right on the edge of the bullseye, that's pretty good. But as you go out farther, say 200 yards, and you aim at the same spot, you're going to hit a little farther from the target because you're further away. And as you keep going further, the farther you go, if you don't correct your aim, you're going to be way off target. That's how the devil works. He gets us just a little bit off at the beginning, and then He makes sure that we don't adjust and get our line of sight back where it needs to be. Because if we're not using the Word of God, we're not going to adjust the line of sight. Because we're walking by what we see, not by what God's Word said. This is what adjusts it. The Word of God, it is that important. We must not stray from God's Word, regardless of whether it sounds good, regardless of whether it is popular, Many times God's Word has been popular. It has been in vogue sometimes in the past. It's not that way now, but it has before. But regardless of whether people respect it or not, regardless of whether it is popular or not, regardless of whether a new method, quote, gets results or not, that's not what it's about. It's about the truth and staying with it and not changing it. Remember, what does the Bible tell us? This faith was once delivered. unto the saints. It has not changed. 1 Timothy 6, that's what Paul exhorts Timothy to do. Keep this commandment without spot, without rebuke, until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those are pretty clear instructions. And in Revelation 3, in verse 8, look at what Jesus says to the church there at Philadelphia. This was the church that had nothing negative said about it. This was a church that was, we'll just read the verse here, and it's self-explanatory. Jesus says here in verse 8, I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it. This church didn't do all these things for God on their own. God was the one who did it. God was the one who opened the door. Why? Because of verse 8, Jesus himself says, thou hast a little strength. They were not super strong. So what was it? Well, he says, Thou hast a little strength and has kept my word, has kept my word and has not denied my name. It's important to God that we do not stray from the truth of his word. And that's what Jesus told the apostles there in John 14, right there before he went out to the garden to pray and then was betrayed and was crucified. He told him, if you love me, keep my commandments. And he explains there how it is so important that we stay with the Word of God. Why? Because in verse 9 there, as we read in Hebrews 13, let's just go back to it and refresh our memories. My memory needs more refreshing to get the order I get. Hebrews 13, verse 9, he says, "...for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." We are to be established with grace. We won't take the time, but back in Acts chapter 20 and verse 32, Paul also there exhorts them to be established in God's grace, in the grace of God. But in 2 Corinthians 1 and verse 21, this idea of being established, that comes up quite a bit in the Bible. And here in 2 Corinthians 1 and verse 21, Paul says, Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God, who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Just as the church in Philadelphia, they didn't establish themselves, it was God who did the work. God is the one who establishes us, and we are to be established in His grace. Romans chapter 5, verses 1 and 2. Romans 5, verses 1 and 2. After Paul goes through a lengthy discussion proving all are sinners, there is none righteous, and all need Jesus Christ. It is the righteousness of Christ that matters, not our own righteousness, because we have none. It is faith in Christ And in chapter 4, he uses Abraham as his example of faith. He says then in chapter 5 and verse 1, "...therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." To stand in the grace of God. Titus chapter 2. Here's a very familiar passage, Titus 2, verses 11 through 14. I had to memorize this passage many, many years ago, and it was one of the ones that have stuck with me through the years. And I can usually quote it from memory, unless I'm standing up here wanting to quote it from memory. So that's why we're turning to it, because I'm just going to nip it in the bud. and get the advantage here. Titus 2 verse 11, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." To be established in grace, chapter 3, verses 4 and 5. But after that, the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior." We are to be established with grace. John 1, verses 14-17 talks about how the Word was made flesh. And Jesus Christ came in grace and truth, and in Galatians chapter 2, we'll go over there, verse 21. I know many people who have made this passage their life verse, and with good reason, but Galatians chapter 2, Verse 20, we'll begin there. Paul says here, I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, I live. Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God. For if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. The basis of our standing with God is solely Christ. That's all that matters as far as God is concerned. Christ has done the work on our behalf. Salvation is His work. It's done. It's finished. And what did God say? This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. And Isaiah 53 says it pleased the Lord to bruise Him. And I always am thankful when I read that passage that it did not please the Lord to bruise me. It pleased God to bruise Him, not me. And yet it was for my sin He was bruised. But Christ has satisfied those claims. It's taken care of. It's all done. That's the basis of my standing with God. It's the righteousness of Christ. I simply see the truth, confess my sin and repent, and ask Christ to save me. And the Bible says, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. And in Romans chapter 8, we've looked at it. Once we're a child of God, we are a child of God. It's all because of Christ. So then, what sense does it make for me to live my life as though doing things on my own is going to improve my standing, so to speak, with God? Now, we're not talking about doing what is right and doing good works. We can go back to Titus 3 and read that right there. Paul is very adamant that Titus, in his work, makes sure that he encourages the believers to maintain good works because that's important, it's good. We're not talking about that, but we're talking about our standing with God. As though the Jews, if you recall in the Old Testament, the problem with the Jews up to the Pharisees at Jesus' time, they were trying to earn their standing with God themselves. That was the point of all of their works, and their reading the Law, and doing all of their traditions, and tithing their herbs and spices, and all these silly things that they thought were earning them standing with God. Hebrews 9, verses 9 and 10. And Paul is very clear in his writings, as well as here in the book of Hebrews, that that doesn't do anything as far as our standing with God is concerned. We must be established in grace. Hebrews 9, verse 9. He's talking about all the things that were in the tabernacle in the Old Testament, and he says in verse 9, which was a figure for the time then present in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience, which stood only in meats and drinks and divers' washings and carnal ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation. Those things could not, could not change our standing with God. The Bible's clear. The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin. That's not what did it. It was their faith in the fact that God would send the Lamb of God, the Messiah, to come and pay the price for their sin. Romans 14 and verse 17. Here back to the book of Romans again. Romans chapter 14, verse number 17. Here, the Bible's clear, for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink. That's not how we make ourselves right with God. It's not through those things. But righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. We must be established in grace, not with meat. 1 Timothy 4, let's go over there. In Colossians 2, again, a lot of that chapter, Paul talks about this very thing. how you're observing all of these things because you somehow think that that's going to help you in your standing with God. That's not what it's about. 1 Timothy 4, verses 3-5, talking about these seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. He says, "...forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." You know, you want to eat something, you eat something. You don't want to eat something, you don't eat something. Okay, that's fine. That has no bearing on my salvation. It has no bearing on that at all. Now, if I'm going to eat a McDonald's three times a day for three months in a row, that will have some bearing on my body. and my body will be bearing a whole lot more after three months. That's just, there is common sense there, and yes, we are to let our moderation be known to all men, we are to use the brain God gave us, we are not to be governed and consumed by our lusts, but at the same time, someone who says, you shouldn't eat that because I think it's bad for you, okay, you don't want to eat it, that's fine. Someone else wants to eat it, back off. It's their thing, okay? It's not about meat and drink. That's not the point. In 1 Timothy 4, Paul says it right here, "...which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." We are not to base our faith on works and things. It is to be based on grace, the grace of God. Also, the basis of our standing with God is solely Christ, not our self-desires, wants, and comforts. That's usually what happens with a lot of believers. They either go too far to the left or too far to the right. They make it all about their works or they make it all about their freedom. missing the point entirely that it's all about Jesus Christ. And if you are in Christ, if you are walking in the Spirit, then you will not be going too far to the left or too far to the right. And here in 1 Corinthians chapter 6, Paul deals with this side of the issue. 1 Corinthians 6 and verse 13. We'll start here. He says in verse 12, all things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats. But God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord. And the Lord for the body. This is one of the principles we must understand. I'm not here for what my body wants. I'm not here to live for my body. My body was given to me by God to serve Him. And that's where a lot of people get it backwards. They think it is all about what they want. It is all about their desires. I got a right to this. So I can do it regardless of what anybody else thinks. No, that's not the case. 1 Corinthians chapter 8. Paul makes it clear that there are meats that are offered to idols do not make us lose our salvation if we were to eat them. It's meat, that's all it is. The idol is nothing, the meat is nothing. But, verse 8, "...meat commendeth us not to God. For neither if we eat are we the better, neither if we eat not are we the worse. But take heed, lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak." For if any man see thee which hast knowledge, sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols? And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meet make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." What is the point? The point, really, it's a simple thing. If we will simply live for Christ, make our testimony for Christ, the guiding principle in our life, the Word of God, our guiding principle, it will keep us from going too far one way or the other. But we must be careful. We must take heed. Look at Galatians 5. It is something that is very easy to fall into. Galatians 5, verse 16. Paul says here, this I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. That is one of the things that is so hard for us to understand sometimes. We think there's no problem with doing certain things, but then at the same time, when we get into those certain things, we all of a sudden realize we're not spiritually strong like we should be, and we have this dilemma, I wish I could be stronger spiritually, but we don't get out of the things that are keeping us from being strong spiritually. That's the problem, because the flesh and the spirit are against each other. They make it so that we can't do the things that we... We may still have a desire to do what's right, but if the things of the flesh are what are calling the shots, we can't. because they're in charge. Verse 18, but if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like, of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past. Notice Paul repeats himself quite a bit when he talks to people. That they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God, but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Be established with grace, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, making Christ our life. He is where our focus should be. And if our focus is on Christ, if our focus is on the Word of God, then God will lead us and keep us from falling into these things. We can't make our life based on all the things we do, and at the same time, we cannot make our life all about what we want. Our life is hid with God in Christ. That's where it is. That's where we need to be. We were saved by grace. We need to walk in grace. The Holy Spirit of God is what is the earnest of our inheritance. That's what seals us as belonging to God. We need to walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. Be established with grace. Hebrews chapter 13, verses 10 through 13 here, just quickly. Chapter 13. Beginning in verse 10. The Bible says, We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. We need to realize the sufficiency of Christ. And many times we're tempted to not see that because we get focused on our shortcomings, we get focused on our failures, we get focused on the mistakes we make, the sins that the Bible says doth so easily beset us, and pretty soon we're in despair, we're despondent, I'm no good, I'm a failure, how in the world, God can't love me anymore, how could He even put up with me? It's not about you or me. And thank God for that. It's about Christ. His sufficiency. It takes care of it. God knows my weaknesses and my mistakes better than I do. And He knew them when He was on the cross paying for those things. And yet He still loves me. Why? Because I'm worth it? No. Because Christ is worth it. Christ is all-sufficient. And that's what he's saying here with these Old Testament sacrifices, comparing to them. The Old Testament sacrifices could not accomplish redemption. We mentioned this already. Look at Hebrews 10, verses 1 through 4. Here he says, for the law, having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year, continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. That was the problem with it. It never took care of the sin. It was more bringing it to remembrance. That it hadn't been paid for yet. That Christ would come in the future, but it had not been paid. And he says in verse 4, "...for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." It couldn't do it. Christ's sacrifice, however, was once for all. once for all. The contrast that he makes between the Levitical priesthood and Jesus Christ, the great high priest, there's no comparison. They continually brought these sacrifices in and it never could make anyone perfect. Jesus Christ made one sacrifice and it's done. Hebrews chapter 9. Back to chapter 9, beginning of verse 11. He says, Now, but Christ, being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifyeth to the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Verse 22. The same chapter, he says, And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others. For then must he have often suffered since the foundation of the world. But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. And unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." And in the rest of chapter 10, of course, verses 5 through 22 talks about the passage in the book of Psalms where He's saying that the sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not. He doesn't take pleasure in those things, but a body hast thou prepared me. And it's very clear that it was the body of Christ, that one sacrifice, verse 10 there of chapter 10. He says, by the witch will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily, ministering, and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. And he goes on to talk about that through those verses in chapter 10. Now there's something else mentioned here in Hebrews 13 about this, the sin offering. He says in verse 11, the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin are burned without the camp. And that's, we'll just look at one reference here, Leviticus chapter 6, verse 30, there are others that mention this. But here in Leviticus chapter 6 and verse 30, it's speaking of the sin offering. They were to bring the blood in to offer it, but everything else was to be burnt. They could not partake of it. And no sin offering whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile with all in the holy place shall be eaten. It shall be burnt in the fire. Many of the other sacrifices the priests were to partake of, they were given a portion of. to show the fellowship there, partake of the sacrifice. But the sin offering, they were not to do so. It was to be burned without the camp. They could not partake of it. But he says here, he shows us here that in the New Testament, the believer in Christ has a sin offering on which he can feast. We're to partake of that sin offering. That sin offering is Jesus Christ, Matthew 26. How many times have we heard this read as we prepare to partake of communion? Matthew 26 and verse 26, And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and break it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. John chapter 6, we see twice there that Jesus makes it clear to the Jews there, the people that were listening to Him, that He is the true bread of life. They need to partake of Him. They need to eat His flesh. That's what He was talking about. They couldn't see that. They were so focused on the physical realm that they didn't understand the spiritual words He was speaking. Even though He told them, the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, they are life. They couldn't see it. But that's what Jesus is referring to. In 1 John 5, verse 12, the Bible says, it's very simple, He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. We are to partake of that sacrifice. Alexander McLaren made this statement in his commentary on this passage here in Hebrews. He says, the Christ who died for my sins is not only my means of reconciliation with God, but His sacrifice and death are the sustenance of my spiritual life. We live upon the Christ that died for us. We live upon the Christ that died for us. How can I make sure that I'm not going too far to the left hand or too far to the right? partake of Christ. Stay with Christ. Follow Christ. He is the sustenance of our spiritual life. To live upon the Christ that died for us. 2 Peter 1, verse 4. Many times we've looked at this verse, and with good reason, Verse 3 tells us, 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. Whereby, verse 4, are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. We need to live upon Christ. Make Him our life. Walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. Well, to do so, as we saw in the final verse there in our passage of Hebrews 13, to do so, we must go forth and bear His reproach. And this is where many Christians balk. They want the home in heaven. They want their sins taken care of, but to take up the cross and follow Jesus Christ, it's just too much. It's too much for them. But that's exactly what the Bible tells us we need to do. Romans 15 in verse 3. A few more verses here and we will close. Romans 15 in verse 3. We'll just start in verse 1. He says, Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification." And then, verse 3, he says, "...for even Christ pleased not himself. But as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me." Christ was reproached for my sake. It's not that great of God to ask me to suffer for His sake. He suffered for mine. And I can't bear The reproach of Christ for this. Look at Hebrews chapter 11. Just one example of Moses. Hebrews 11. Beginning in verse 24, "...by faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Verse 26, "...esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt." That's a statement we should dwell on for like a week or two. is steaming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. When you add up the treasures in Egypt, that's a lot of money. That is a lot of wealth. And yet Moses, who was very familiar with the treasures of Egypt, they were basically his for the taking. valued the reproach of Christ as of more value than those treasures. You know, we look at that and say, yep, that's what I would have done if I was back there. Yep. Yeah, that's the wishful thinking pipe dream that many of us fall to quite too often when it comes to spiritual things. We look at Adam in the garden, huh, wouldn't make that fruit, no way. Yeah, yeah. Yep. If I was the children of Israel, there's no, yeah. On and on it goes. But Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ's greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. Why? Because he saw the real value. He saw where the true worth was. It wasn't in Egypt. Where are those treasures now? What little they've found are scattered all over the world in private collections and museums, including their owners. You know, wrapped up in gauze and stuck in glass. Where's Moses? I guarantee you he's not wrapped up in gauze, stuck in glass. He's on streets of gold. Because he saw where the true value was. Just as Jesus in chapter 12 there, He says, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He saw where the true value was. That's what we need to see. Matthew chapter 5, verse 11. Do we see it as valuable? Matthew 5, verse 11, Jesus here in what is commonly referred to as the Beatitudes. He says in verse 11, Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." And yet it is so hard for us to understand that. It is so hard for us to accept that. That Jesus says we should rejoice when we are persecuted and reviled, when we are suffering for Him, when we are suffering persecution. Look at what He says in verse 12, great is your reward in heaven. It's hard for us because we've never been to heaven. We don't know what's there. But did not Jesus come from heaven? Uh-huh. So, does Jesus lie? Uh-uh. So, if Jesus came from heaven and Jesus doesn't lie, and Jesus said, great is your reward in heaven, then Jesus knows what he's talking about. Uh-huh. So then, it comes back to faith and trust in what Jesus Christ said. Do I believe what Jesus said? Then if I do, then I need to go outside the camp and join Him and suffer for His sake. Take the reproach. Matthew chapter 10, verse 24. Jesus said here, the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his Lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master. And the servant, that's the definition of a disciple. You're disciplining your life to follow that person. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, which they did call Jesus, of the devil, how much more shall they call them of his household? He made it very clear. You choose to follow me, this is what will happen. But trust me, it is so worth it. It is worth it. Chapter 16, verse 24. Matthew 16, 24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it. And whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. You know, we know this applies to those who are willing to give their lives for Christ and die, the martyrs, et cetera, but it also applies to self. If I'm not willing to lose self for Jesus' sake, then I'm not gonna have much for my efforts. But if I'm willing to sacrifice self for the cause of Jesus Christ, then once again, Jesus says, whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. What does the Bible say about what is in store for us? I have not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man. You can't even imagine what God has prepared for us. And yet we are so willing to turn our back on it and throw it away when someone points their finger at us and laughs. We're so willing to completely forget what God has promised us. He which cannot lie, he has promised us because we're suffering some trial or persecution. When the whole time the Bible makes it clear, that's exactly what's going to happen. We must go forth and bear his reproach. In Acts chapter 5, remember the apostles when they had been beaten and warned not to teach in Jesus' name? Verse 41, it says they rejoiced that they had been counted worthy to suffer for Jesus' sake. When was the last time you felt like doing that? That's not easy. But that's what they did. Because it was nothing that wasn't about them. They were willing to die to self for Jesus Christ. And then 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 10. This is kind of what Paul was referring to here when he says he besought the Lord thrice. That the messenger of Satan would be taken from him. And God's response was, my grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. That's why self has to get out of the way. Self has to die, because God can do so much more with me when self is dead than he can if self is still living and kicking. Because self's in the way. I got to get self out of the way. Most gladly, Paul says, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong." Realize the sufficiency of Christ and go forth to where he is and bear his reproach. This power is for prayer. Again, are you listening to us tonight? Don't know Christ as your Savior? The Bible is clear. Jesus Christ is what satisfies the sin debt that we owe God. Nothing else will. That's why He is the way. There is no other. The way we get things right with God, the way we have our sin forgiven, the way we become a child of God is to simply confess our sin, repent, and ask Christ to save us. And the Bible says, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Christian, are you willing to suffer the reproach for Christ, or have you been holding back? Are you more concerned with what man thinks of you than what God does? Are you more ready to believe what man says about you than what God says? Are you so weak in your faith? Well, I just can't bring myself to that. Well, it's not in you, but it is in the power of Christ. Maybe the problem is this itself has a little too much hold. Maybe there are some things that are holding back God being able to do some things in your life because you just will not go forth without the camp and be willing to suffer the reproach of Christ. Are you established in the grace of God? Are you focused on Christ, following His Word, living in Christ, partaking of Him? Father in heaven, I pray you would work in our hearts, help us to see the importance of Christ, how he is all sufficient, how he is everything to us. He truly is all. Help us, Father, to surrender self, to present our bodies a living sacrifice to you, so that you can take us then and use us, and so that the power of Christ can rest upon us, as it did with Paul. Help us to be faithful in these days that we live, and we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. Let's all stand together.