THE BIRTHRIGHT

by Pastor Don Elmore

September 22, 2019

Scripture Reading:  Malachi 2:11

Today, I will be a history teacher. The purpose of this sermon is to let everyone know why I believe that Judah “married a daughter of a strange god.” It is not to change anyone’s mind, for that is up to God. It is not to have a sermon for and a sermon against. It is a sermon that says: We agree to disagree on this situation. I want everyone to know why I believe that Judah married a Canaanite. If you believe this or don’t, well just let it go.

Genesis is the beginning. It tells of the covenant that God unconditionally made with one man. This covenant, the Bible tells us, was passed on to who was considered the firstborn. Who was Abram’s firstborn? It was Ishmael.

Now who does the Bible tell us who the covenant is confirmed to: Ishmael or Isaac?

Abram loved Ishmael his firstborn son. The Bible promises that Ishmael will be blessed of God, and will be fruitful, and will beget twelve princes, and will be a great nation, but God’s covenant will not be established with him.

Genesis 17:21:  “But My covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”

The Bible tells us that the covenant would be with the son of Abram whose name was change to Abraham, and Sarai whose name was changed to Sarah, not the son of Abram and Hagar. The Bible then continues in the story of who would be the next heir. Isaac had twin boys. Which one was the firstborn? When Isaac was 60 years-old, his wife, Rebekah, gave birth to Esau and Jacob. Which one did Isaac love? Or did he love them both equally?

ANCIENT ISRAEL BATTLES THE UNHOLY SEED

By Pastor Don Elmore

September 8, 2019

Scripture Reading Judges 1:28

Israel (not the Jews) had been slaves less than a half-century previously in Egypt. Their God had led them out of Egypt in a very dramatic fashion by performing many miracles. He led them like a shepherd leading the sheep from Goshen (Egypt) to the Promised Land (Canaan Land).

But Israel failed to believe that they could conquer the giants who had intermingled into the family of the Canaanites living in the Promised Land. Because they believed this lie, they were made to wander till forty years had expired. Therefore, only two of the men of the 12 spies older than 20 years old, could enter the land west of the Jordan River. They were the only two men, Joshua and Caleb, who spoke for the Israelites to fight against the Canaanites. So much for democracy. Democracy failed. That was one reason that ancient Israel never had one—they were a theocracy and then a monarchy. Moses then died, being 120 years old, and Joshua became the next commander of Israel.

Joshua led Israel in conquering the Canaanites in the Promised Land. But even though the Israelites were strong, they failed to drive out all the Canaanites. Chapter one of the book of Judges tells us what happened after Joshua died. It first tells of the victories of Judah, the first tribe of Israel who fought against the Canaanites. The latter part of the chapter tells of Isreal’s failures: it names the tribes that were strong and didn’t have the courage to drive out all the Canaanites. If they had, they would have been a separate nation. But they weren’t. What happened next?

GOD'S VIEW ON THE SPIRIT AND SOUL'S HOUSE

By Walt Giddings

August 25, 2019

Greetings kindred and fellow sheep. We are on a first name basis here. My name is Walter. In Indiana the ministry given to me is family coach. I coach families to be good soldiers with these old fallen bodies on this side of life subsequent to the Fall of Adam in the Garden. On our plantation of a decimal point less than an acre my wife and I minister to families at the cottage. At the end of the day, after helping people deal with their lusts, I go up to the house and deal with mine. On this side of life, it is far too easy to throw something down the hatch that is no good for us. Is it just like sheep to lust for the no good!?

This is our second lesson on Bible Biology. After God dragged me to His Son Jesus Christ, the thought occurred to me to re-examine a four year course of four thousand six hundred twenty hours of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, lab analysis, pathology, diagnosis, and clinical work using the Scriptures as my road map, template, and light unto my path.

A RACIAL REVELATION

James N. Jester

August 11, 2018

Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:1-3

Introduction

This sermon will not be a study of the Book of Revelation. There is much symbolism and controversy regarding the meaning of the book. Of course, it depicts the great struggle between good and evil. The chasm between the good and the evil continues to grow larger. America needs a racial revelation to dissuade us from the current trend.

There are the various views of interpreting the book: Preterism, Historicism, Futurism, Idealism; and there are various combinations and mixtures of these systems of thought. Because there is controversy surrounding the book does not mean we should not read it. In fact, it is the only book in the Bible that grants a blessing to those who read, hears, and keeps the things written in it. That alone gives us more reason to take notice of this book.

GOD'S VIEW ON THE SPIRIT AND SOUL'S HOUSE

By Walt Giddings

July 28, 2019

Scriptural Reading:   I Corinthians 9:27

In I Corinthians 9:27, what kind of example is Paul setting? What is he saying about the house for his spirit and soul? What does “keep under my body” mean? What is this “subjection” into which he brings his body? “Keep under” is translated from the Greek verb “to subdue. “Bring into subjection” is translated from the Greek verb “to enslave”, or “be a slave driver”.

There is a second witness in the Scriptures to our bodies being slaves. I am almost daily amazed at the understanding of God’s Word the men of King James appointment brought to the Authorized Version 1611. In Revelation 18 God’s servant John heard a voice from heaven list the Bible Biology.

Merchandise of Mystery Babylon. This list of merchandise begins with the most highly valued, and descends to the cheapest.

Revelation 18:12-13: "The merchandise of gold and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots and slaves and souls of men."

The “slaves and souls of men” are dead last. “Slaves” is translated from the Greek word for body, soma. The Greek word “soma” appears in our English expression “psychosomatic” and “somatopsychic” indicating the soul-body connection.

This lesson is Bible Biology.  In sharing this lesson together, our hope is we will be much more alert to matters of biology in The Scriptures, and we will have more of the mind of Christ in being good soldiers with these fallen bodies.

HEBREWS ARE HEIRS

By James N. Jester

July 14, 2019

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4, 14; 2:1-4

The book of Hebrews was written during the last half of the first century. We do not know for sure who wrote this Epistle. The mention of Timothy (Heb. 13:23) has led some to think that Paul or one of his associates wrote it. Our friend, Bill Fink, an Internet C. I. teacher at Christogenea.com, believes Paul did write it.

The church of Alexandria appears to have been the first to consider that Hebrews was written by Paul or reflected his thought. Clement of Alexandria (c. A.D. 150-215) named Paul as the author and that he wrote it in Hebrew, but argued that Luke translated it into Greek. Origen (c. A.D. 185-253) concluded that the thoughts were of Paul but that the phraseology and composition were those of someone who was recalling the apostle’s teaching (e.g., Clement of Rome, Luke, or Priscilla). Most say it was written during the last half of the first century.

The Jamison, Fausset, Brown Commentary also believes Paul wrote it:

“The writer, though not inscribing his name, was well known to those addressed (Heb 13:19). For proofs of Paul being the author, see my Introduction. In the Pauline method, the statement of subject and the division are put before the discussion; and at the close, the practical follows the doctrinal portion. The ardor of Spirit in this Epistle, as in First John, bursting forth at once into the subject (without prefatory inscription of name and greeting), the more effectively strikes the hearers. The date must have been while the temple was yet standing, before its destruction, A.D. 70; some time before the martyrdom of Peter, who mentions this Epistle of Paul (2Pe 3:15, 3:16); at a time when many of the first hearers of the Lord were dead.” –JFB

As to who the Book of Hebrews was written to, there is plenty of confusion in judeo-Christianity.

DOES GOD WELCOME ALL? 

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

June 29, 2019

Scripture Reading: Genesis 19:24-25

Zoar was the smallest of the five cities that were on the same very fertile plain of the Jordan River. It was there where Lot begged the two angels that his family could go instead of into the mountains. As soon as they entered the city (minus his wife because she died when she disobeyed God’s command and looked back, and his two married daughters who remained in Sodom) the destruction quickly followed. The smoke from this fire and brimstone was so great that Abraham could see the smoke from where he was living which was in Hebron (Mamre).

Maybe Zoar had 10 or more righteous people living in the city? Maybe the 10 or more righteous individuals referred to each city separately not collectively? If it had, then it could have been spared by Abraham’s intercession given in Genesis 18:23-33. Anyway, Zoar continued for many centuries, not because of Abraham’s request only, but no-doubt also because it was not as ripe for judgment as the other cities. But Lot and his two remaining daughters did not stay in this small city very long. They very quickly left town and went to the mountains. All their cattle were destroyed—they were homeless and desolate.