ARE YOU SANCTIFIED-ARE YOU A SAINT?

(Paul Scoggins-06/24/07)

The word sanctify comes from the Greek word “hagiazo” and means to set apart. Translated “hallow” twice and “sanctify” 26 times. A related word “hagios” is translated “holy” 161 times and “saint” 62 times. The basic meaning of the word has to do with “position” or “function” rather than “quality”. But there is a definite & important connection between “position”, “quality”, and “functional” sanctification that all should understand. Are you a saint?

1.     John 17:17 Since Jesus prayed for his followers to be sanctified, it must be important? Christians should know what sanctification is and how it is to be achieved. Be able to tell others.

2.     If Jesus were coming to visit you at your home and you have a special vessel that you set apart for his use, this is a “sanctified” vessel. This is the position of sanctification, for it is “set apart”, it is put in a specific position for his use. But the fact that you set it aside specifically for his use would involve your consideration of its quality. It would be the best that you have. If you were giving him soup you certainly would not give him a bowl old, cracked, and dirty. This “sanctification” would have to do not only with where it was placed, but also its quality (best that you have).

3.     Although the word sanctify means to “set apart”, it necessarily implies, when it is used with reference to our relationship to God and Jesus, personal purity, reverence, respect, dedication and functional usefulness!

4.     John 17:17 See how it is accomplished, “Sanctify them with thy truth”. It would be mockery to set aside a person in a special place to be a saint and not set them apart in terms of quality and function! 1 Peter 1:15 One`s manner of life must conform in quality-and functioning to a position as a saint.

5.     2 Tim 2:21 2nd element in sanctification is purification. This sanctification involves freedom from sin-purity of life-change of life (begins at baptism) and zeal for good works! One who purges himself in this way will be prepared for EVERY good work!

6.     2 Thess 2:10-12 There must be a love for the truth or else a person will suffer a strong delusion and be damned because they received not the love of the truth. John 8:32 IF you love the truth you will  try your hardest to learn what it is! (2 Tim 2:15) 2 Thess 2:13 Paul makes a connection between sanctification of the Spirit (thru the word) and belief of the truth!

7.     Romans 6:17 One is free from sin when he obeys from the heart the truth. 1 Pet 1:22 Are you a Saint? A Christian?

8.     There are at least 4 important reasons Jesus wants us to be sanctified. (1) For our own sake. He wants us separated from the world of sin. (2) For the glory of God. It is not giving glory to God when vessels for his use are impure.(Eph 3:21we give glory to God in the church) (3) To function properly in his service and do the tasks he has prescribed. (4) That we may dwell with him in the eternal glory of God (John 17:24).

INVITATION: Are you a saint?    Do you profess to be a Christian? Romans 1:7  1 Cor 1:2  1 Cor 16:1  Eph 2:19  Eph 4:11-16  Jude 3  1 John 1:6-10 & 1 John 2:1-2  Christians ARE Saints! Not completely sinless! We will not know it all at baptism but We must GROW IN CHRIST! What must I know & do to become a Christian? Believe Jesus is the son of God-confess him-believe in the resurrection-kingdom & church are the same-repent-baptism FOR forgiveness of sin.

Identifying marks of the Church

Eph 4:1-6  Eph1:22-23 Paul here teaches that there is ONE BODY = ONE CHURCH!  But there are many religious groups in the world claiming to be the church or a part of the church of the bible, that is all denominational churches that believe in Christ are a part of the church. Some claim to be the ONLY CHURCH!

CAN THE CHURCH OF THE BIBLE BE IDENTIFIED?

Heb 8:1-5  2 Sam 7:3  Gen 6  1 Kings 5  Noah`s Ark had a pattern given by God. Moses was given the pattern for the tabernacle when he was on Mount Sinai receiving the Old Law. Yet, people have continually said  that THERE IS NO PATTERN FOR THE CHURCH! This a topic of much religious controversy. It is essential for one to know and understand that there IS a pattern given by God for THE CHURCH! The Church of the Bible CAN be identified today! You and I CAN know! God says study! 2 Tim 2:15. Jesus said we  SHALL know the truth! John 8:32  John 17:17 Thy word is truth! Let US look and see If the one true Church can be identified from scripture.

GEN 4:15 God put a mark on Cain so that he could be identified and not be killed.

IDENTIFYING MARKS OF THE CHURCH

Matt 16:18  I will build MY Church! Who does the church belong to? Acts 20:28 If a man builds/starts a church not according to the pattern, does it belong to Jesus?

Where will it be built?  Is 2:2  Daniel 2:37  Joel 2:28  In Jerusalem – Not Rome – Not Berlin – Not NY  – Not Salt Lake City. If it begins somewhere else can it be the church Jesus built?

When will it be built/begin? Isaiah 2:2 Acts 2:47  In the last days AD 30-33

When is the last days?  Heb 1:1-2  Acts 2:29-47  God raised up Jesus  Jesus ascended back to heaven  The church began in Jerusalem on Pentecost  that we read about in Acts 2. Acts 2:16-21 Peter affirmed it was the last days!

Built on what? What foundation? Matt 16:13-19  On Peter? No! Built on the confession that Jesus IS the Son of God! Eph 2:19-22 Jesus IS the corner stone -  He holds it together, without the cornerstone it will not stand!   1 Cor 3:9-11 Paul say the church is built on Jesus!

HEAD OF THE CHURCH: Eph 5:23 Jesus is the ONLY Head of the Church! No earthly head! No man, no Apostle ever dared to claim such a title!

ORG OF THE CHURCH:  Phil 1:1  Bishops/Presbuteros/Elders Plural as overseers, Deacons to serve, preachers and members, all under the oversight of the Elders.

MEMBERSHIP:  Follow God`s plan of salvation, when obeyed ACTS 2:47 Jesus adds one to the church! 1 Cor 12:13 Baptized into the one body-made up of baptized believers properly taught from the word.No joining, no asking permission. No voting-no forcing-no keeping from it-who so ever will –free will choice. After teaching and baptism.

WORSHIP: John 4:24 In Spirit and in Truth. Heb 11:4 Thru faith as Abel did. Praying-singing no instrument-no choir congregational singing preaching and teaching. giving. Can one worship in any other manner than what the bible teaches and be pleasing to God? Can one worship in another church in another church and be faithful?

Name it wears: Church – Chuirch of God – Church of first born – Church of Christ. What name should it wear? What if it wears a man`s name? started at a different time-different doctrine.? Can it be the church?

WHAT IT IS:  1 Tim 3:15 House of God Pillar and ground of the truth!

Preached in Commerce/Dec 2005

From the Greek-“Biblia” literally THE BOOK. Greatest book ever written because it comes from God! Translated into more languages and dialects than any other. Best seller ever. More copies of this book given away than any other. Greatest gift one could ever give!

NOTABLE SAYINGS ABOUT THE BIBLE;

1. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: I believe the bible is the best gift God ever gave to man. All the good from the savior of the world is communicated to us thru this book.
2. GEORGE WASHINGTON: It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the bible. (The most progressive nations are those who have adopted the principles and guidelines in the bible into their laws and constitutions.)
3. NAPOLEON: The Bible is no mere book, but a living creature with a power that conquers all that oppose it.(Hebrews 4:12)
4. DANIEL WEBSTER: If there is anything in my thoughts pr style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the scriptures. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we or our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.
5. HORACE GREELEY: It is impossible enslave mentally or socially a bible reading people. The principles of the bible are the ground work of human freedom.

The bible was written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit-differing levels of educations-some died before others were born yet it contains a wonderful continuity. 30 OT books 27 NT books that make up the grandest library known to man.

1. 2 Tim 3:15-17 Inspired by God.
2. 2 Peter 3:20-21 All moved/instructed by the HS/God
3. 2 Tim 2:15 Study to be approved by God
4. John 12:48 Will be judged by the words of Jesus/recorded in the NT.
5. Psalms 1 God blesses those who read/meditate/obey his book.

Everybody ought to love the bible-be a daily reader of the bible-strive to live by the bible`s teachings. The Bible ought to have central place in the life and workings of EVERY congregation and in EVERY pulpit! THE PULPIT`S ONE BUSINESS IS THE SIMPLE EXPOSITORY TEACHING OF GOD`S WORD!

There used to be a time whenever anyone had a bible question they went to a member of the Church, BUT NOT TODAY! There is widespread neglect of this book in our country! Oh we talk about it-defend and praise it-exalt it. Many Christians SELDOM EVER LOOK INTO IT! SOME WOULD EVEN BE ASHAMED TO BE SEEN READING IT! We are intelligent about everything else in the world. Why not be intelligent about our Christian beliefs? We read newspapers, magazines, novels but not the bible as we should!

1. Do you read your bible regularly?
2. Can you show some one God`s plan of salvation?
3. Are you a workman for God that has no reason to be ashamed? Will you make a decision today to read this book every day? Meditate upon what it teaches?
4. The only book that tells man where he came from, what he is to do here and where he will go when he dies!
5. Hear believe repent be baptized Lord adds to the church.

Hosea 4:6 Not only was there a lack of knowledge in OT times, there also appears to be a widespread lack of bible knowledge throughout the world.

1. There was an article in a large daily newspaper about a young man`s answer to an examination question in a certain Christian University. The test asked, “What is a Papal Bull”? His answer was, “A Papal Bull” is a cow kept in the Vatican to give milk for the orphans.”
2. Another account was about 2 brethren that got into an argument about who knew the most about the Bible. One bet the other $5.00 that he could not say the “Lord`s Prayer”. He recited, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord to take.” The other said, “Here`s your money I didn`t think you could do it.”
3. In another Christian university a student was asked a question about creation. “The 2nd day God created the firmament and vegetation sprang up.” Another said, “The 2nd day God fermented.” When asked how man was created one student said, “ God made man by breathing dust into his nostrils and man became known.”

More bibles sold than any other book, yet it`s true contents are almost unknown. Almost all Americans have one, but few know it`s true contents. Christians are lukewarm toward it. Many don`t read it at all. Even preachers look to other books. Sermon literature and religious periodicals make up his reading for most. The majority of people don`t criticize or abuse it, simply ignore it! It must be taught because:

1. It is the will of God: John 6:44-45 (Is 54:13) Romans 10:11-15 Luke 24:46-47 Col 1:23 Apostles/others did it! 2 Cor 5:5-7 Romans 1:16 It IS the power of God! 1 Cor 1:21 God`s power is in his word!
2. Gal 1:8-9 Preach ONLY the pure gospel!
3. 2 Tim 4:1-2 Not testimonies-I think-I hope-the word!!
4. Anarchy reigns! Bible is THE ONLY true standard!. Breaking away from the Bible as a standard creates anarchy in the world.
5. Among religious organizations 3 things take precedence over all over rules of faith and practice. (conscience-creeds-HS)
   1. Conscience:
      1. Titus 1:15 May be defiled-Difference between an idol worshipper and1 worshipping the 1 true God is NOT sincerity. They are equally sincere, but the idol worshipper has a defiled conscience.(defiled=rty,unclean-ceremonially unclean)
      2. Gal 1:13 + 1 Tim 1”12-15 Paul thought he was doing right while persecuting Christians.
      3. 1 Tim 4:2 Conscience may be seared. Truth may be refused so many times the conscience becomes calloused and hardened.
      4. Romans 2:14-15 One who depends on conscience as a guide exalts his mind (what he has been taught) above the word of God.
   2. Creeds: It is an act of rebellion against God for man/men to assume that the law of God is not sufficient as a guide for believers. That uninspired men can make a law for that purpose and undertake to do it! This very thing is assumed every time a human creed is imposed on a person to guide or govern him in religion.
      1. 2 men were debating this subject, 1 maintained his creed was a better bond among Christians than the bible alone. His opponent was anti-creeds. They put the question to a visiting Frenchman who listened to the entire debate. He asked each to take into his hand the creed he defended.
      2. He asked each who made the creed you hold?
         1. 1 with the NT replied Jesus Christ.
         2. 1 with man made creed replied “it was adopted in the city of Philadelphia in 1742.
         3. Very well that is enough: If you follow your creed (NT) when you die it will take you to Jesus

Christ. To the other, if you follow your creed it will take you to Philadelphia.

INVITATION: Have you determined in YOUR heart where you will go when you die? Goals that one sets in their heart determine the direction of their life. People set their heart on many different things-when one sets his heart on something-that is what comes first! Sports-work-more important even than their own health-more important than family-influences how we use our time-always find time/money to do what we set our heart on.Where will you spend ETERNITY? What about your children-your grandchildren? Where will they spend eternity? Ezra 7:10 Will you do as Ezra did? Set heart-know-do-teach?

Paul Scoggins-08-03-06

CREATION VERSUS EVOLUTION

THE ARGUMENTS OF EVOLUTIONIST

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Observation
2. Statement and definition of the problem
3. Formation of Hypothesis (educated guess)
4. Deduction from Hypothesis of Prediction
5. Experimentation
6. Formation of theory or law.

THE BIG BANG THEORY

WHAT IS THE BIG BANG THEORY?

The Big Bang Theory is the currently accepted theory of the creation of the universe. It was cosmic explosion that occured approximately ten to twenty billion years ago which caused the universe (which was incredibly compact, dense, and hot) to expand. As the universe expanded, it cooled. However, for a long period of time (geologically speaking) temperatures were too hot to allow atomic nuclei to capture electrons. Photons made of light could travel only short distances before meeting these free electrons. When the temperature of the universe fell below 5000 kelvins (approximately 300 000 years after the Big Bang) atoms began to form. The free electrons bonded with the atoms allowing radiation to freely move through the universe. Thus, the universe became transparent to light.

The theory is based on field equations, a type of mathematical equation, set forth in Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. (1915) A Russian physicist named Alexander Friedmann, Willem de Sitter from Holand, and Georges Lemaitre in Belgium solved these equations forming the basis of the Big Bang Theory. The universe described within Sitter’s solutions to Einstein’s field equations had no matter in it. The model was not bad considering the average density of the universe is actually quite low. This model, along with the other scientists’ provided an explanation as to what happened after the Big Bang; however, they did not explain how the universe began. In the 1940’s, George Garnow and a team of his students began working on the solutions to the field equations once again. They discovered that the universe was very hot at the time of the Big Bang because elements heavier than hydrogen can only be formed within these temperatures. Thus, they predicted that the radiation from the Big Bang should still exist. Finally, in the 1960’s, microwave background radiation was discovered, adding further support to Garnow’s theories. In 1929, Edwin Hubble supported the theory with his discovery that light from distant galaxies shifted towards the red end of the visible spectrum. This essentially proved that galaxies were, in fact, drifting away from each other gradually over time.

DARWINISM (Natural selection through genetic mutations)

If a fair maiden kisses a frog, which instantly changes into a handsome prince, we would call it a fairy tale. But if the frog takes 40 million years to turn into a prince, we call it evolution. Time is the evolutionist’s magic wand. Fairy tales come in many forms!

We often hear that science has proved Darwin’s theory of evolution. Nothing could be further from the truth. You see, people often confuse scientific fact with scientific theory. Current scientific theory regarding the evolution model does conflict with the creation model. But the facts of science do not! There are many scientists who fully accept the creation model of origins. Surprised?

Darwin’s theory of evolution says that over millions of years simple life forms (one celled creatures) slowly evolved into complex life forms (fish), and that one kind of animal evolved into another kind (ape to man)

Darwin taught that many little changes over a long period of time would add up to big changes. Darwin predicted that the fossil record would either prove or falsify his theory. Darwin realized the difficulty the fossil record (missing links) gave his theory when he said, “Why, if species have descended from other species by fine graduation, do we not everywhere see innumerable transitional forms? Why is not all nature in confusion, instead of the species being, as we see them, well defined?”

QUESTIONS CAUSED BY DARWIN AND THE BIG BANG THEORY

The Big Bang Theory places the universe at 10-20 billion years old.

Darwin places human existence at 2-4 million years old.

The Bible, through genealogies, places man at approx. 6000 years in existence.

In the big bang theory- how has it been ruled a theory without ever being beyond the observation stage of the scientific method?

In Darwin’s theory the same question must apply. Even Darwin doubted his own theory questioning a mass confusion of mutations thin this stage of existence.

BIBLICAL PROOF OF GOD, AND CREATION (BIBLE FOREKNOWLEDGE)

Science states that there are five fundamentals of science

1. Time
2. Force
3. Action
4. Space
5. Matter

KJV Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Time (Beginning), Force (God), Action (Created), Space (the Heavens), and Matter (the Earth).

We have Bible prophecies that declare unity in the scriptures.

We have scientific foreknowledge in the scriptures:

OCEANOGRAPHY

Paths of the sea not found until 1927 by the US Naval Institute

KJV Psalms 8:8

The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

Fresh water springs in the ocean found in 1976 by the US Geological Survey

KJV Job 38:16

Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

In 1876 the Challenger Expedition found recessed (Channels) in the Ocean

Job 38:16 II Part of the verse

KJV 2 Samuel 22:16

And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, At the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

In 1690 Pierre Perrault and Edme Mariotte found water cycles that formed the rain from large bodies of water.

THE BIBLE TELLS US THIS IS WHY THE SEA IS NOT FULL WITH ALL OF THE RIVERS THAT FLOW INTO IT.

KJV Ecclesiastes 1:7

7. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

KJV Ecclesiastes 11:3

3. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

KJV Amos 9:6

It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: the Lord is his name.

MEDICINE

The life of the flesh is in the blood was not found until the late 1800’s

KJV Leviticus 17:11-14

11. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

12. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.

13. And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.

14.  For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.

In 1935 Prof. H. Dam realized that babies blood clot abilities (VIT. K) is best on the 8^th day after birth.

IS THIS A LUCKY GUESS?

KJV Genesis 17:12

12. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

Scientist found in the 1900’s that it takes a mans 23 chromosomes and the females 23 chromosomes to produce a child.

KJV Genesis 3:15

15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

ASTRONOMY

The Earth is round was found by Christopher Columbus 1492

KJV Isaiah 40:22

22. It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

GOD CREATED ALL THINGS

Copyright 1999 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.

THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON

(Paul Scoggins 12-29-06)

Revelation 16:16 In the Hebrew language it is Har-ma-geddon. In Hebrew the word har means mountain, hence the mountain of Ma-gedon or Megiddo. Megiddo was a city in Northern Palestine on the Plains of Esdraelon with some hills around it. It was strategically located on the north south road between Egypt and Mesopotamia, commanding the direct route from one to the other by way of Galilee and Syria.

Megiddo, was the scene of many memorable battles in the history of Israel. It is estimated that more battles have taken place there than any other place of comparable size. Among them was Deborah and Barak who with their army won a victory over the Canaanites. (Judges 5) It is located nearby to Gilboa, where Saul and his three sons died. At Armageddon Israel achieved some of her greatest victories and suffered some serious defeats. It has been called , “the classic battleground” of history.

1. What did the apostle John and the first readers of the book of Revelation understand the “battle of Armageddon” to be? Did they believe it to be a physical battle located at or near Megiddo fought with real weapons of war between Jesus Christ and Satan, with the forces of each at the end of time as so many believe today? Some say it will be so terrible the blood will rise up to the horses reins.
2. The battle of Armageddon can be known by going back to the 1^st century AD to the time when the book of Revelation was written and looking at it in the way those Christians saw it.
3. In the 1^st century two empires went forth to capture the hearts and minds of men and women-the empire of Rome and the church of our Lord as depicted in the book of Revelation.
4. It was a conflict between God and the devil-Jesus Christ and the Roman Caesars-the church and the Roman Empire-monotheism and polytheism-between morality and immorality-all that was right and everything that was wrong.
5. John knew that the battles fought in and around Megiddo were conflicts arising from moral and spiritual ideologies as also those found in the book of Revelation. The HS used details of the former battles to describe the current battle. John saw the battle of Armageddon as one between right and wrong, symbolic of a world wide battlefield-an age long war. However it certainly included the battle waged by God and Satan in the 1^st century. It was not fought with real weapons but with moral-spiritual-intellectual weapons used by the minds and hearts of men and women. Ephesians 6:10-18)
6. Not a single battle but different encounters between right and wrong, and it still goes on both day and night! It has been going on since Adam and Eve!
7. Adam and Eve lost the battle-Joseph won in the house of Potiphar-Saul lost-David with Bathsheba lost-Jesus won in his temptation. Rev 17:14 Jesus won the spiritual battle of Armageddon in the 1^st century AD! Rome was brought to it`s knees! The government was changed resulting in Col 1:23 every person heard the gospel!

Conclusion: We continue to fight the battle of Armageddon. The moral and spiritual encounter is found in the choices that we make in life.

Deut 30:19 Moses said in his farewell address to Israel-Joshua 24:15 Jesus said Matt 6:24 Matt 12:30 Matt 6:33 It is in the choices that we make every day and night that WE fight the battle of Armageddon as did the Christians to whom the book of Revelation was first written. What are our priorities? What choices are we making? If we love and obey Jesus then WE WILL win our Armageddon!  Are you saved, yes or no? Will you respond to the invitation? Believing-repenting-confessing-being baptized for the remission of sins-being added to the church WINNING YOUR ARMAGEDDON! Christian: Is there anything that separates you from God? Are you faithful? Have you repented of EVERY sin?