All right, let's open our Bibles to Romans chapter two. We're going to read verses 19 and 20. We'll come back and pick up a little more just in a little while. Romans 2, verses 19 and 20. The title of the message is, What Kind of Guide Are You? You will see why I ask that question before I finish, Lord willing. So, Romans 2, verses 19 and 20. And the apostle Paul is talking concerning those Jews who did not believe in Jesus Christ and perverted the Word of God. He said, And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which has the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law." But notice he said in verse 19, "...and are confident that thou thyself art a guide." Have you ever considered being a guide? Usually when we think of guides, we think of hunting and fishing. I have a very good friend who is a history guide. He not only teaches and lectures, but he carries people around to historical spots and teaches and lectures while they are at that spot. It might be Colonial Williamsburg. It might be one of the battlegrounds for the war of northern aggression. It might be somewhere in England. It might be somewhere in Scotland. He is not only well versed in American history, but world history as well. And speaking of historical sites, years ago I saw a cartoon, and here was this historical marker, and it said this, Nothing happened on this site in 1684. Nothing happened on this site. But another interesting historical marker states this. Listen carefully, Clay. On this exact spot on the afternoon of April the 27th, 1968, a marital argument was won by the husband. Now, that is a historical marker for sure. Those are very rare and very seldom. A few years back when I was preaching in West Virginia, Alice and I came across a Confederate battle site. We saw it on the way in, and on the way out, we decided we would stop and look at it. And we did, of course, it was very mountainous, and the battle line was there. And the interesting thing is that one of the main characters in that battle was a man from Sumter County, Georgia, which would be America's, which is only an hour, hour and a half from us. I'd wish there had been a guide at that particular point who could have told us more about that battle, and especially that individual, because my great-great-grandfather, whom I joined the SCV under, was with the Sumter Flying Artillery out of America's Georgia as well. But, you know, the Bible speaks of guides, and we just read in Romans 2, verses 19 and 20. But these happened to be bad guides. They were evil guides. And, of course, the Bible also teaches of good and godly guides as well. So, like I said, usually when we think of guides, We think of hunting and fishing. We have a dear brother in our church, Dr. Tom Holmes. He and I have shared a lot of joys over the years and a lot of heartaches together as well. But he is a wonderful guide when it comes to veterinary and medicine. He's now retired as a veterinarian. However, he is absolutely no hunting guide. Years ago, he and I, as well as some other friends, went archery hunting in Cohutta National Wildlife, which is in the mountains in North Georgia, and a very beautiful spot. And we drove as far as we could drive. We also had horses, and so then we loaded up the horses and went back into the forests and the mountains even further until we came to a spot that we wanted to camp at and then of course a hunt around. So the interesting thing is we were there several days and one evening right before dark Dr. Holmes came running in. He had a horse. And he said, I found a wonderful sight that's full of bear sign. Now, we were archery hunting for deer, but bear season was also in. And I just simply remarked to him, well, that's wonderful. We will check it out in the morning. No, no, he said, there's time to do it right before dark. He said, I know it's almost dark, but it's only 15 minutes from here. I said, well, okay. So usually when I rode, I rode bareback. So I just put the bridle on my horse and jumped on her back, and we went down the little road. And the next thing I know, he's turning and going higher up the mountain. I don't know if you've ever rode a horse bareback going up a mountain, but they have to lunge and jump. And, of course, my legs kept sliding back, and I'd catch on her rear legs. Then I'd catch her mane, and I'd pull myself up, you know. It just kept... And I wasn't really paying attention because I was just trying to hold on with all the lunging that she was doing. Well, we got to the top, and it was right before dark. And sure enough, I mean, there was bear sign everywhere. And I told Doc, I said, well, you found this place. I said, if you want to hunt it, I mean, that's up to you. And I said, I really wasn't paying attention on the way up here because I was just holding on. I said, now, it's now dark. And I said, you got us up here. Now get us back to the camp. He pulled out a compass and he looked and he said, this way. I said, Doc, I don't think that's the way. He said, this is what the compass says. I said, okay, I'll follow you. So we went a little ways and I said, Doc, I just don't think this is the way. He looked at the compass and checked it again. He said, compass said, this is the way. So after we had gone about 30 minutes, which we should have been back in 15, I said, Doc, This is not the way, he said, the compass says this. I said, Doc, let me ask you a question. Where did you get that compass? He said, I found it on the ground. I said, Doc, did it ever enter your mind that someone threw it away because it would not work correctly? He said, no, I didn't think about that. I said, well, all right. I said, I'll get us back to camp. I said, you just follow me. We had already twisted and turned. So I figured if I went in a straight line as best I could, I was bound to hit the road that would take us back to the camp. Well, we were going down the mountain, and way in the distance I saw a little red dot. And I looked at Doc, and I said, Doc, I said, there's a camp up ahead. And I said, we can get back from that camp. He said, how do you know there's a camp up there? I said, well, I just saw a man drag on a cigarette. I said, I saw the little red dot. By the way, when I was in boot camp, they told us on sentry duty, of course, I never smoked anyhow, but on a straight line, you could see a man drawing a cigarette for a mile. But this was probably a good quarter, half a mile, I saw it. And we got, I went right straight to where I saw that man drawing that cigarette. And sure enough, there was a camp. And so I asked him which way the River Road was. He said, right that way. And so we found the River Road, then we turned and went back to camp. And when we left camp, it was 15 minutes. When we got back to camp, it was about two and a half hours. So I told people, I said, I love Dr. Holmes. I said, but now listen to me. I said, if he gives you counseling advice as a veterinarian, you listen because he knows what he's talking about. But if he pulls out a compass, you run. don't follow his compass at all, so he is not a hunting guide. And so, he and I both, in fact, our families have laughed about that experience many times. It was not funny at the time, because we were on horses with no weapons, not even our archery equipment, and we were in bear territory, and bears They love horse meat, just like they do anything else. So after we got back to camp safely, it was funny, but not until then, I can assure you. So the truth is, each of us need guidance. We need to be directed. We need to be instructed. We need to be delivered. We need to be led. And the only sure and certain guide, of course, is the one true and the sovereign God who's revealed Himself in the Lord Jesus Christ. He's not only promised to guide us, but He's also given us guidance by His Holy Spirit and by His Word. Now, I'm sure that you remember that in the Old Testament, when the children of Israel were being led in the wilderness, that God led them with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of a cloud by day. And the Bible says in Exodus 13 and verse 22, He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people. So God led them. He guided them. He directed them from danger and into safety, and finally, into the promised land. I want you to hold Romans 2, but turn in your Bibles, if you would please, first of all, to Psalm 78, and look, if you would please, at verse 53. I want to just show you several passages that actually deal with God leading His people and especially there in the wilderness. But in Psalm 78 and verse 53 it is, the Word of God says this, And He led them on safely, so that they feared not, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. But note, if you would, He led them on safely, and God always leads His people safely. Then if you will turn in your Bibles to Psalm 106, And look, if you would please, at verse 9, Psalm 106 and verse 9. The Word of God says there, He rebuked the Red Sea also, And it dried up. So He led them through the depths as through the wilderness. So even though they went across on dark ground, God was still leading them. Then in Psalm 107 and verse 7, Psalm 107 and verse 7, And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Note he led them forth by the right way. God always leads us in the right way. Then one more, if you'll look in Isaiah chapter 48 and verse 21. Isaiah 48 and verse 21. Because here the scripture says this in relationship to God's leading Israel. Isaiah 48 and verse 21 and they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them. He claimed the rock also and waters gushed out So they thirsted not when he led them. There's a hymn that we have sung for years and And it came to my mind as I was working on this message, the title of that hymn is, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah. And here are the stanzas. I want you to think about them. Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty. Hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more. The second one is this. Open now thy crystal fountain where the healing waters flow. Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through. Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, be ever my strength and shield. And then the last one, I love this verse. When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside. Death of death and hell's destruction land me safe on Canaan's side. Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever sing to thee. certainly in the Bible there's a multitude of promises. There's a multitude of precepts. Now, I want to show you some before I really get to the message I want to share with you. But if you will turn in your Bibles to Psalm 25, Psalm 25. I just want to show you some of these promises where God is telling us that He will indeed lead us and guide us. So, in Psalm 25, beginning there with verse 9, Psalm 25, verse 9, the Word of God says this, The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek will He teach His way. Now, note the meek will He guide in judgment. Now, I'm just going to refresh your memory on this, because some time ago, several months back, I went through the word meek with you in the Bible. And the word meekness has nothing to do with being a coward, has nothing to do with being a footmat, has nothing to do with being fearful. No. The word meek refers to submission to God. It refers to submission to His law. In other words, when our Lord said, Take my yoke upon you, for I am meek and lowly in heart. Meekness refers to someone who is broken to yoke, just like an oxen is broken to yoke. And so meekness is nothing less than controlled strength under God. A meek person moves when God tells him to move. A meek person acts when God tells him to act. In other words, he does not run ahead of God. He does not run behind God. He just simply moves when God tells him to move. And so the Bible says the meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way. Look in Psalm 31 and verse 3. Psalm 31 and verse 3. Again, David says this concerning God, For thou art my rock and my fortress, therefore for thy name's sake lead me and guide me. So again, David is asking for God's leadership and God's guidance. Then if you would look in Psalm 48, I tell you what, let's go to Psalm 32, verse 8 first. Psalm 32 and verse 8, where God said, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go, I will guide thee with mine eyes. Now look at the warning in verse 9. Be ye not as the horse or as the mule, which have no understanding. whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Why do you put a bit and bridle in a horse's mouth? And the answer is, to make him obey you. It's what it amounts to. So God said, I will instruct thee, and I will teach in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye. In other words, listen to me, don't make me put a bit and bridle upon you. Now look, if you would please to Psalm 48. In Psalm 48 and verse 14, Psalm 48, verse 14, David says, For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death. So God is never going to forsake us. That's what He promised in Hebrews 13 in verse 5. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. But He's our guide even unto death. And if you remember Psalm 23, He's also our guide through death. He does not forsake us at death. He leads us through death. Look if you would in Psalm 73. Psalm 73 and verse 24. Psalm 73, verse 24. David said, thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel. That is with the truth that's revealed in the word of God. Then if you'd look in the book of Jeremiah chapter three and verse four, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and here the word of God says, what should be, we should be crying, Jeremiah chapter three and verse four, will thou not from this time cry unto me, my father, thou art the guide of my youth. Thou art the guide of my youth. So God has been our guide. I could tell you how God guided me when I did not even realize and did not know that God was guiding me, how He preserved me so many times. One more, if you will look in your Bibles to Psalm 58, not Psalm, but Isaiah, back to Isaiah 58 and verse 11. Isaiah 58, verse 11. Look at what the word of God says. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And the Lord shall guide thee continually." Now, the truth of the matter is, as you look at some of these promises, and I say some, because I've been very selective in arranging verses so that you could see the divine guidance of God. But when you look at them, you have to consider that God does indeed guide us providentially. He does indeed guide us through His Word, through His promises, through His precepts. But He also guides us through His pastor-teachers, and He also guides us through the integrity which He gives us by the Holy Spirit. So, I want to show you that. I want you to look back in your Bibles to Proverbs 11 and verse 3. Here's an interesting verse. Proverbs 11, look at verse 3. The Word of God says, the integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. The integrity of the upright shall guide them. How in the world does integrity guide us? Well, the answer is the integrity is instilled in us by the Holy Spirit based upon the precepts and the counsels of God. I can give you an excellent illustration. There was a huge pile of gravel beside the road, and the gravel was either put there by DOT, the Department of Transportation, or it was put there by the county. I don't know which, but it was way out in the country. And each week I had to pass that gravel. And of course, most of you know I live on a dirt road, and I can always use gravel. But I looked at that big pile of gravel, and I thought, man, that would be just wonderful, my road. It'd be easy to get. And I thought, but, you know, I can't get that gravel because I don't know who owns it, and I can't ask for it, and I can't even offer money for it. So I certainly was not going to steal it. It was not mine. But I noticed Every week when I went by, the pile of gravel got smaller and smaller and smaller. But I happened to have a friend who was over at the county road department in our county, and he traveled that road as well. And I said, Tim, have you ever noticed that gravel on the right-hand side of the road, how that pile continually sinks into the ground? He laughed. He said, yeah. And the next thing I know, I went by that pile of gravel, and you could not have gotten a five-gallon bucket off the ground. People had just simply stolen it. I mean, that's all there is to it. Now, I could use gravel as much as anyone else, but I know stealing is wrong, and I'm not going to steal. So this is what he's talking about when he said, the integrity upright shall guide them. I might need money, but I'm not going to rob a bank. Why? The Bible says thou shalt not steal. You follow me? The integrity of the right shall guide them. Now, I want you to look in your Bibles to Isaiah chapter 30. Isaiah chapter 30 at verses 20 and 21. Isaiah 30. There's a reason for this. Look in verses 20 and 21. Hang on. Isaiah 30, verse 20 and 21. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, which means difficult times, Yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers, in other words, people who are going to teach the truth of God, look, and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left. How in the world would you know how to turn? How in the world would you know where to go? Because your teachers have not been hidden in a corner. They've been teaching you biblical principles. And if you follow those principles, you know exactly how to act. Now, I want you to turn right over to the book of Jeremiah, just a few pages over, Jeremiah 3, and look, if you would, please, at verses 14 and 15. Jeremiah 3, verses 14 and 15. Look what God says. Jeremiah 3, verse 14. So, He says, Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD. For I am married unto you, and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion. Now note verse 15, And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Note, I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. That is where you receive the integrity. That is where you know how to act because you've been taught the truth of God. So, let me just pause at this point and try to set the stage by asking some questions. First of all, is God guiding you? If so, if He is guiding you, how are you being guided? And also, are you guiding others? What kind of a guide are you? The truth of the matter is this. In the strictest sense of the word, we are all guides. We may be guiding our children in education. We may be guiding some to salvation, we may be guiding others to condemnation and damnation, but we cannot escape the concept of guidance, or the concept of being guides. For instance, husbands are required by God to guide their wives. Wives are to guide the homes. Parents are to guide the children. Teachers are to guide their students. Pastors are to guide the churches. Statesmen are to guide the nation. So, the concept of guidance and being guides cannot be overlooked and cannot be denied. Now, we took our text from Romans 2, and I was pointing out that there were some bad and evil guides. In fact, these Jews that Paul was speaking about in Romans 2 were also condemned by the Lord Jesus Christ, because they were hypocrites, and they were dishonest in their teaching. Moreover, their teaching, in their teaching, they were actually obnoxious, they were unbiblical, and they were hypocritical. That is why in Matthew chapter 23 and verse 4, our Lord said this, for they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be born and lay them on men's shoulders. Now listen, but they themselves will not move them with one little finger. In other words, they don't care how much they put on you, but they're not going to put anything on themselves. They're going to say, but they're not going to do. They're going to tell you, but they're going to restrain themselves. They're not going to do it themselves. Now, with that in mind, I want you to go back to Romans 2, because I want to not only read the two verses we read, but read just a little bit farther, just to show you these evil and wicked guides. Look, if you would, in Romans 2, verse 19. The apostle says, Art thou confident and art confident that thou or thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which has the form of knowledge and of the truth and the law." They really don't have knowledge, they just have a form of it. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preaches a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that says a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhors idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, Watch, through breaking the law dishonest thou God, for the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written." And then he goes on. But note, if you would, God says, here these people were saying, you better not steal, and yet they were stealing. You better not commit adultery, and yet they were committing adultery. You better not worship idols, and yet they were committing sacrilege themselves. Now, I want you to understand that Jesus Christ Himself was sent to be a guide. Yes, He was sent to save His people as well. John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Luke, chapter 1. And there you will see what Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, is saying, Luke 1, concerning John and concerning the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In fact, there is so much in Luke 1. Mary's Magnificat is found in Luke 1 as well. And so, notice if you would, beginning there with just verse 68, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, that would be the Lord Jesus. And as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all them that hate us, to perform the mercy promised our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the day long, and thou, child, The Lord Jesus shall be called the prophet of the highest, for thou shalt, well, that would be John the Baptist, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation unto the people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day spring, that would be the Lord Jesus, from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace. That's what our Lord is doing, guiding our feet in the way of peace. And then the child drew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts until the day of his showing unto Israel. Now, the interesting thing is the word guide here in the Greek is the word katathounao, and it literally means to direct, to guide, and to make straight. It also refers to the removal of any hindrances. Whatever's in the way is taken out of the way. Now, Matthew Poole in his commentary said this concerning prophecy of Zacharias. He said, Here Zacharias showeth us the end why God visited us with His Son, the branch, the light, the day spring, the Son of righteousness. Men were in the darkness of sin and ignorance, dead in trespasses and sins, at war and enmity with God. Christ came to give the light of the gospel revelations, the light of spiritual comfort and salvation, to purchase peace and to direct them how to walk that they might have peace with God and at last enter into peace. Now, here's a very important truth. When God guides us, He guides us into peace, because He guides us into obedience to His law. He guides us into obedience to His Word. So let me make a statement. I'm going to show it to you from the Bible. Here it is. Peace, real, true, genuine peace is only given to the obedient. It's not given to the disobedient. So, I want you to turn, first of all, to Isaiah 48. Isaiah 48, and look, if you would, please, at verse 22. Isaiah 48 and verse 22. This is why there's so much turmoil in the lives of the ungodly, in the lives of the unsaved. It's why there's so much turmoil in the homes. He said in Isaiah 48 and verse 22, there is no peace, saith the Lord unto the wicked. There is no peace. If you will look at Isaiah 57 at verses 20 and 21, again, he says this, But the wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." There just is no peace. Now, so the question has to be asked then, to whom does our Lord give his peace? And the answer is, to His disciples, to those who obey Him. So, if you will turn now to the book of John 14, and look, if you would please, at verse 27. And stay with me in the book of John for a few minutes. Look in John 14 and verse 27. Look at what our Lord says. He's talking to his disciples, and he says, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. There's a vast difference between what is known as a worldly peace and the peace that the Lord Jesus Christ gives. Because our Lord not only guides us into peace, But He gives us that peace which only He is capable of giving. Now, when our Lord ascended into heaven, He sat by the right hand of God the Father. But He did not leave us alone. He was our guide on earth, but He's no longer on earth. He's now seated at the right hand of God the Father. Thus, He's going to send the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and to be our guide. So, if you'll look in your Bibles to John chapter 16, John 16, beginning there with verse 12, Our Lord said, I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. For he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me, For he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine. Therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and he will show it unto you. Now, when the Bible tells you in verse 13, When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you. The Greek word there for guide is the Greek word hodegeo, and it literally means to lead, to guide, to lead into the way, to be a guide, to be a teacher, to give guidance unto. So here's a good question. Have you ever sought the Holy Spirit for guidance? Have you ever sought the Holy Spirit for guidance when you read and study the Word of God? Have you ever sought the Holy Spirit for guidance as you worship God? I want you to understand something. Based upon the Scripture, it is utterly impossible to understand truth apart from the Holy Spirit. If He does not open your eyes, if He does not teach you, you do not understand. I could be the very best teacher in the entire world. I could have the best oratory in the entire world. I could have the best illustrations in the entire world, but the best preacher and the best oratory and the best illustrations are worthless without the illumination and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. So He has to lead us. He has to guide us. Without Him, we'll never see truth. Now look back, John 15 and verse 26. Look what our Lord says. John 15, verse 26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeded from the Father, He shall testify of me. And you also shall bear witness, because you've been with me from the beginning." But note, if you would, verse 26, he said, He will send the Comforter from the Father, which is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father. So actually, We call this the procession of the Spirit because He proceeds from the Father and the Son. Now, let me give you two things that you must absolutely know and grasp and understand. Two important points. First of all, the Holy Spirit will never lead us, never guide us, never direct us in contradiction to the Word of God. Never. Never. I've heard people talk about the leading of the Spirit so many times, and yet they say the Holy Spirit led them to do something that was absolutely atrocious and ungodly. And I got news for you, you may have been led by a Spirit, but it was not the Holy Spirit of God, because He never, ever leads us to do anything in contradiction to the truth of God. What did our Lord say? He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you. So anytime someone claims the leadership of the Holy Spirit when they're doing something wicked and wrong, no, no, it's not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit always leads in agreement with and in conformity to the Word of God. The second thing is this, the Holy Spirit will never lead you, never guide you, never direct you to criticize, condemn, mock, ridicule, or reject the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord said, He shall testify of me. He glorifies me. He takes of mine. And if you know of anyone who says anything wickedly and wrongly concerning Jesus Christ, it is not the Holy Spirit that's impressing them to do that. It's a wicked, evil spirit. It is not the Spirit of God. He always leads us into truth, and He always leads us to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, here's what I want to show you. What I just talked to you about is what you and I would call theological guidance, okay? I want to show you some practical guidance from the Word of God, and this is why I ask, what kind of guide are you? I want you to think about that question as I show you at least three more passages. First of all, I want you to turn in your Bibles to 1 Timothy 5. 1 Timothy 5. This is a very interesting passage. And it needs to really and truly be understood. So watch this in 1 Timothy 5, and let's begin reading there with verse 11. Actually, I want verse 14, but we're going to get to verse 14. Watch this. First Timothy chapter five, verse 11, Paul is talking about how to act in church. And here he's dealing with widows and he's dealt with the older widows earlier. Now he says in verse 11, but the younger widows refuse for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry having damnation because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also, that is, gossipers, busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. Now watch verse 14. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. Hmm. Go back to verse 14 again. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house. Now, here's an example of biblical guidance by the wife. She is indeed the queen of the house. She guides the household. She may be the guide of the house, but she's not the head of the house. Okay? The word guide in this passage is a Greek word that's very, Very important. The Greek word is actually oikodespoteo. Now that doesn't mean a thing to you until I break it down. But oikos is from the Greek word oikos, which means house. Despoteo is where we get our English word despot. So the wife, then, is the despot of the house. The word is used 12 times in the New Testament. It refers to God. It refers to Christ. It also refers to a man as the owner of a house, as being distinct from a slave. And here it refers to the wife. Now, the wife is here put as the ruler of the household, which is indeed a proper recognition of her influence. She is the one who takes care of the family within the doors, that is, inside the house. This is her sphere of authority, and she exercises it without usurping the authority of her husband as the head of the house. Now, if you really want to understand more of this, then just read Proverbs 31. Read Proverbs 31 about the wise woman who rises a great while before in his day, and then all the things that this woman does, and how her husband praises her, and how she's an honor to him as well. Here's what John Gill, the Baptist theologian, said concerning this. She is to manage domestic affairs, direct, order, and do what is proper to be done for the good of the family, which is much more commendable than to throw themselves upon the church, like the older widows, and live an idle, wanton life, and after that marry, and so on." Well, I think every woman in this room will agree with this. If a woman really and truly fulfills the duties of a wife and mother and guides and governs the home, she will not have time to live a wanton life. Duties are time-consuming. Now, if you don't believe that, ask Alice. Up at 5.30 every morning and still complains that there's not enough time in the day to get everything done. That doesn't include taking care of me. But I'm just simply saying, you know, she guides the house. That's one reason I could never leave her. I don't know where anything is. And she won't pack my bag. But one thing she does do, Dinah, I can assure you this, when it comes to that dark chocolate, she hides it in the back of the refrigerator. I mean, I couldn't even see it if I pulled half the stuff in the refrigerator out. I ask her, well, have you stopped buying dark chocolate? Oh, no, it's in the refrigerator. Really? Where? Oh, it's back there where you can't find it. Oh, man. But I jokingly tell everybody, don't feel sorry for her because she doesn't do anything between midnight and five in the morning but sleep. You know, so. That's the way it goes. But anyhow, that's exactly what we're talking about. In other words, the woman has to guide the house. Now, let me give you two more quick passages. That is a practical illustration of biblical guidance. In other words, the wife and mother does exactly what God commands her to do. If you'll look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 8, here's a second application, very practical. In Acts chapter 8, you know the story how Now, the Ethiopian eunuch had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he's returning now to Ethiopia. He's the treasurer under Candace, the queen. And he's in the chariot reading his Bible, which happens to be from Isaiah 53. And the Holy Spirit commands Philip to go and to draw close to that chariot. So, if you look in the book of Acts chapter 8, and let's begin reading there with about, let's see, Verse 30. Yeah, let's begin reading with verse 28. And he was returning and sitting in his chariot, read Isaiah the prophet. Then the spirit said unto Philip, go near and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the prophet Isaiah and said, understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, how can I except some men guide me? And he desired, Philip, that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth. And his humiliation, his judgment, was taken away. And who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh this prophet? of himself or some other man. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Note, if you would, he asked in verse 31, How can I understand, except some man guide me? Now, here's the interesting thing. The word guide in this passage is the exact same word that you find used of the Holy Spirit and John 15 and John 16. It is the Greek word hodegeo, and it's the same word. So you would have to ask, why in the world would the same Greek word used of the Holy Spirit be used here of Philip guiding this Ethiopian eunuch? And I believe the answer is twofold. Number one, it is the Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible to be written. It's His Word. And number two, it's the Holy Spirit who must give understanding and who must open the eyes. So this is why I'm beginning to ask, are you a guide? And if you are, what kind of guide are you? Do you know the Word of God? So let me put this very plainly. You can't teach what you don't know. And you can't reveal what you don't know, and you can't lead and guide in the direction that you do not know. And so the man asked, How can I understand this except some men guide me? All Philip could do would be to guide. That's all anybody can do. The rest is the work of the Holy Spirit of God. So there is a guide. Now, let me show you another passage. I want you to turn in the book of Acts to Acts chapter 1. So, we're looking at a practical guide. Look in Acts chapter 1. Peter is speaking. Look in verse 15. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples and said the number of names together were about 120. Watch verse 16. Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. Judas is known as the guide to them who took Jesus. Judas, the traitor. Judas, the betrayer. Judas, the guide. The question is, How did Judas know where Jesus Christ was? If you'll look back in your Bibles to John chapter 18, just a few pages back, and begin reading there with verse 1. John 18, verse 1. When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Kedron, where was the garden into which He entered and His disciples. Here it is. And Judas also, who betrayed Him, knew the place. For Jesus oftentimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Judas knew the place. He knew where our Lord often prayed. He knew where our Lord often resorted and refreshed himself. And he led the enemies of Christ straight to him. Now, let me ask you the question. Where is the place today that Jesus Christ resorts? If you wanted to betray Christ, if you wanted to lead the enemies to Christ, where would you lead them? And the answer would be to his church. What did our Lord say? Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. Do you realize, and I want you to see this, do you realize our Lord is often betrayed HIS OWN HOUSE. I WANT YOU TO TURN BACK TO THE BOOK OF ZACHARIAH, WHICH IS THE BOOK RIGHT BEFORE MALACHI, NEXT TO THE LAST BOOK IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. I WANT YOU TO LOOK IN ZACHARIAH, CHAPTER 13, ZACHARIAH 13, AND LOOK, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE, AT VERSE 6, ZACHARIAH 13 AND VERSE 6. LOOK AT THIS. They're talking about the Messiah. And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, These which I was wounded in the house of my friends. Hmm. I got these in the house of my friends. Judas guided enemies to Christ in order for him to be captured, mocked, whipped, and crucified. Many today guide people away from Christ by failing to be faithful, truthful, and obedient. I have known of men and women who drew people away from church over senseless, stupid things because of their emotions and because of their feelings and had nothing to do with biblical principle. I've known people just get mad and leave. So my question is, what kind of guide are you? Do you realize guiding people to Jesus as Judas did for the wrong reason is just as bad as guiding people away from Jesus for the wrong reason? What kind of guide are you? Here are my applications. I want you to think about this. In the strictest sense of the word, everyone is a guide. You cannot deny the principle or the concept of guidance. You are guiding your family. You are guiding your friends. You are guiding people oftentimes, not just simply by words, but by example. We're either guiding people to the Lord Jesus Christ, or we're guiding people away from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thought of something. I thought, you know, this would be a good way to remind ourselves of this. If we just got a little plaque and put it up over our doors, Weaver's guide service, Howerton guide service, Sharpless guide service, Barley guide service. You see it every day. You know, you're guiding people, whether by truth or by example. Here's another one. I think about this for a moment. Judas is known as the man who was guide to them that took Jesus. And I'd much rather be known as the man who guided people to Jesus for the right reason than the people who guided than the ones who guided people to Jesus for the wrong reason. I want to show you what I'm going to call the right reason. To me, this has been an amazing scripture. I want you to turn to one last passage, John 1. I want you to look at this. John the Baptist was quite a preacher, that is for sure. And John the Baptist was unique. But I want you to note what is said concerning John the Baptist. Look, if you would, in John chapter one, beginning there with verse 35. Here it is. Again, the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples, and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, that is John the Baptist said, behold, the Lamb of God. Watch it. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. So my question is, when you speak, do folks follow Jesus Christ? All John said was, behold, the Lamb of God. And his disciples followed Jesus Christ. We need to speak. We need to act. We need to live in such a way that folks will follow the Lord Jesus Christ, because we are guides, whether we like it or not. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You for Your Word. We thank You for Your truth. We pray, Father, that You would indeed make us acutely aware of our guide service. Help us, Father, to love Thee, to honor Thee, to glorify Thee, to walk in Thy truth, and to guide others unto Thee, that they may be saved, and that Thou mayest be glorified and worshiped. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray, amen.