Important Things must be Secured n The enemies of Christ spared no effort!

Important Things must be SecuredImportant Things must be SecuredImportant Things must be SecuredImportant Things must be Secured

The enemies of Christ spared no effort!The enemies of Christ spared no effort!


(Matthew 27:65-66 NKJV)(Matthew 27:65-66 NKJV) - “Pilate said - “Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make make it it as secure as you know howas secure as you know how.”.” {66} {66} So they went and made the tomb secure, So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.”sealing the stone and setting the guard.”


What is really important to you?What is really important to you?


What is really important to you?What is really important to you? When something is When something is importantimportant, I want , I want

quality. When it is quality. When it is unimportantunimportant, give me , give me the cheapest that requires the least effort. the cheapest that requires the least effort.


Jesus has told us the only way to be His Jesus has told us the only way to be His disciple is to make Him the focus of your disciple is to make Him the focus of your life. life. (Lk 14:26-27, 33)(Lk 14:26-27, 33)


(Luke 14:26-27 NKJV)(Luke 14:26-27 NKJV) “”If anyone “”If anyone comes to Me and does not comes to Me and does not hatehate his his father father and mother, wife and children, brothers and and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life alsosisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot , he cannot be My disciple.be My disciple. {27} {27} “And whoever does “And whoever does not not bear his cross and come after Mebear his cross and come after Me cannot cannot be My disciple.”be My disciple.”


(Luke 14:33 NKJV)(Luke 14:33 NKJV) “”So likewise, “”So likewise, whoever of you does not whoever of you does not forsake all that he forsake all that he has cannot be My disciplehas cannot be My disciple.”.”

Is Your Heart Secure?Is Your Heart Secure?Is Your Heart Secure?Is Your Heart Secure?

Everything flows from the heart! Everything flows from the heart! (Mt 12:34-35)(Mt 12:34-35)


(Matthew 12:34-35 NKJV)(Matthew 12:34-35 NKJV) - Brood of - Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For good things? For out of the abundance of out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaksthe heart the mouth speaks.. {35} {35} “A good “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.things.


Where is your focus? Be honest! Where is your focus? Be honest! (Mt 5:8; James 4:8-10)(Mt 5:8; James 4:8-10)


(Matthew 5:8 NKJV)(Matthew 5:8 NKJV) - “Blessed - “Blessed are are the the pure in heartpure in heart, For they shall see God.”, For they shall see God.”


(James 4:8-10 NKJV)(James 4:8-10 NKJV) - “ - “Draw near to Draw near to God and He will draw near to youGod and He will draw near to you. Cleanse . Cleanse your your hands, hands, you you sinners; and sinners; and purify purify your your hearts, hearts, you you double-mindeddouble-minded.. {9} {9} Lament and Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and turned to mourning and your your joy to gloom.joy to gloom. {10} {10} Humble yourselvesHumble yourselves in the sight of the in the sight of the Lord, and Lord, and He will lift you upHe will lift you up.”.”


We must first be crushed by repentance. We must first be crushed by repentance.


(Acts 2:36-37 NKJV)(Acts 2:36-37 NKJV) - “”Therefore let all - “”Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”both Lord and Christ.” {37} {37} Now when they Now when they heard heard this, this, they were cut to the heartthey were cut to the heart, and , and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ““Men Men and and brethren, what shall we dobrethren, what shall we do?””?””


If we do not, we will be religious but with If we do not, we will be religious but with hardened hearts. hardened hearts. (Heb 3:8,15)(Heb 3:8,15)


(Hebrews 3:8 NKJV)(Hebrews 3:8 NKJV) - “ - “Do not harden Do not harden your heartsyour hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,”trial in the wilderness,”


(Hebrews 3:15 NKJV)(Hebrews 3:15 NKJV) - “while it is said: - “while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not Do not harden your heartsharden your hearts as in the rebellion.”” as in the rebellion.””


Please listen to God's instructions, start with Please listen to God's instructions, start with the heart! the heart! (Prov 4:4, 21-23)(Prov 4:4, 21-23)


(Proverbs 4:4 NKJV)(Proverbs 4:4 NKJV) - “He also taught - “He also taught me, and said to me: “me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain Let your heart retain my wordsmy words; Keep my commands, and live.”; Keep my commands, and live.”


(Proverbs 4:21-23 NKJV)(Proverbs 4:21-23 NKJV) - “Do not let - “Do not let them depart from your eyes; them depart from your eyes; Keep them in Keep them in the midst of your heartthe midst of your heart;; {22} {22} For they For they are are life to those who find them, And health to life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.all their flesh. {23} {23} Keep your heart with all Keep your heart with all diligencediligence, For out of it , For out of it spring spring the issues of the issues of life.”life.”


Satan wishes to clutter and confuse your Satan wishes to clutter and confuse your hearts so you will not turn to God. It is hearts so you will not turn to God. It is very easy to do this if you let him. very easy to do this if you let him. (2 Cor 4:4)(2 Cor 4:4)


(2 Corinthians 4:4 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 4:4 NKJV) - “ - “whose whose minds the god of this age has blindedminds the god of this age has blinded, who , who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”God, should shine on them.”


How often do you think about God's love How often do you think about God's love and find patience there? and find patience there? (2 Thess 3:5)(2 Thess 3:5)


(2 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV)(2 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV) - “Now may - “Now may the Lord the Lord direct your heartsdirect your hearts into into the love of the love of GodGod and into and into the patience of Christthe patience of Christ.”.”


How often do you take your cares to the How often do you take your cares to the Lord and by faith truly find the burdens Lord and by faith truly find the burdens of you heart lifted? of you heart lifted? (Phil 4:6-7)(Phil 4:6-7)


(Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)(Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV) - “Be anxious - “Be anxious for nothing, but for nothing, but in everything by prayer and in everything by prayer and supplicationsupplication, with thanksgiving, , with thanksgiving, let your let your requests be made known to Godrequests be made known to God;; {7} {7} and and the peace of God, which surpasses all the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, understanding, will guard your heartswill guard your hearts and and mindsminds through Christ Jesus.” through Christ Jesus.”


Do you have sincere love for other Do you have sincere love for other Christians? Christians? (1 Thess 3:12-13)(1 Thess 3:12-13)


(1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NKJV) - “And - “And may may the Lord make you increase and the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to allabound in love to one another and to all, , just as we just as we do do to you,to you, {13} {13} so that so that He may He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our Godbefore our God and Father at the coming of and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”


Are you really protecting your heart? Is it Are you really protecting your heart? Is it important to you?important to you?

We must have a secure view of We must have a secure view of the one true God. the one true God.


When we know God, we will cleanse our When we know God, we will cleanse our hearts and draw near to Him. hearts and draw near to Him. (Prov 3:3-7)(Prov 3:3-7)



(Proverbs 3:3-7 NKJV)(Proverbs 3:3-7 NKJV) - “ - “Let not mercy and Let not mercy and truth forsake youtruth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, ; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heartWrite them on the tablet of your heart,, {4} And {4} And so so find favor and high esteem In the sight of find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and manGod and man.. {5} {5} Trust in the LORD with all Trust in the LORD with all your heartyour heart, And lean not on your own , And lean not on your own understanding;understanding; {6} {6} In all your ways In all your ways acknowledge Himacknowledge Him, And , And He shall direct your He shall direct your pathspaths..



{7} {7} Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.”the LORD and depart from evil.”



When I see God my heart should be filled When I see God my heart should be filled with reverence.with reverence.



When I see God my heart should be filled When I see God my heart should be filled with reverence.with reverence.

My concern is for what He sees rather than My concern is for what He sees rather than what men think. what men think. (1 Thess 2:4; Gal 1:10)(1 Thess 2:4; Gal 1:10)



(Galatians 1:10 NKJV)(Galatians 1:10 NKJV) - “For - “For do I now do I now persuade men, or Godpersuade men, or God? Or do I seek to ? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”would not be a bondservant of Christ.”



(1 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV) - “But as we - “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, with the gospel, even so we speak, not as not as pleasing men, but God who tests our pleasing men, but God who tests our heartshearts.”.”



In this fear we find comfort and motivation In this fear we find comfort and motivation to make first things first!to make first things first!



In this fear we find comfort and motivation In this fear we find comfort and motivation to make first things first!to make first things first!

This is not the fear of the legalist, the man This is not the fear of the legalist, the man who tries to obligate God to him by his own who tries to obligate God to him by his own efforts. This only brings torment. efforts. This only brings torment. (1 Jn 4:18-19)(1 Jn 4:18-19)



(1 John 4:18-19 NKJV)(1 John 4:18-19 NKJV) - “There is no fear - “There is no fear in love; but in love; but perfect love casts out fearperfect love casts out fear, , because fear involves torment. But he who because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.fears has not been made perfect in love. {19} {19} We love Him because He first loved We love Him because He first loved us.”us.”



When a man truly fears God, you will see it When a man truly fears God, you will see it by how he handles His word. by how he handles His word. (Lk 6:46, (Lk 6:46, Heb 8:10-11)Heb 8:10-11)



(Luke 6:46 NKJV)(Luke 6:46 NKJV) “”But why do you call “”But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?”which I say?”



(Hebrews 8:10-11 NKJV)(Hebrews 8:10-11 NKJV) - “”For this - “”For this is is the covenant that I will make with the house the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I I will put My laws in their mind and write will put My laws in their mind and write them on their heartsthem on their hearts; and I will be their ; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.God, and they shall be My people.



{11} {11} “None of them shall teach his “None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of from the least of them to the greatest of them.”them.”



Do you know God and fear Him? Do you know God and fear Him? (Prov 1:7)(Prov 1:7)



(Proverbs 1:7 NKJV)(Proverbs 1:7 NKJV) - “ - “The fear of the The fear of the LORD LORD is is the beginning of knowledgethe beginning of knowledge, , But But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Tests for what is really Tests for what is really important to us.important to us.


Our casual approach to sin. Our casual approach to sin. (Heb 1:9; 1 Cor 6:18)(Heb 1:9; 1 Cor 6:18)



(1 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV)(1 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV) - “ - “Flee sexual Flee sexual immoralityimmorality. Every sin that a man does is . Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own sexual immorality sins against his own body.”body.”



(Hebrews 1:9 NKJV)(Hebrews 1:9 NKJV) - “You have - “You have loved loved righteousnessrighteousness and and hated lawlessnesshated lawlessness; ; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.””Your companions.””



What is your reaction when someone What is your reaction when someone approaches you with concern about your approaches you with concern about your spiritual condition?spiritual condition?



What is your reaction when someone What is your reaction when someone approaches you with concern about your approaches you with concern about your spiritual condition?spiritual condition?

Too often we show our priorities by Too often we show our priorities by ignoring these concerns, why? It is not ignoring these concerns, why? It is not important to us!important to us!



Our casual approach to Bible study. Our casual approach to Bible study. (1 Thess 2:13)(1 Thess 2:13)



(1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV) - “For this - “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, God which you heard from us, you you welcomed welcomed it it not not as as the word of men, but as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of Godit is in truth, the word of God, which also , which also effectively works in you who believeeffectively works in you who believe.”.”



When we know the source of this word we When we know the source of this word we will show it!will show it!



What kind of hearer are you? Often I hear What kind of hearer are you? Often I hear of people moved by a sermon or Bible of people moved by a sermon or Bible study that walk away and do nothing! Why? study that walk away and do nothing! Why? It did not stay important to them! It did not stay important to them! (Jas 1:22)(Jas 1:22)



(James 1:22 NKJV)(James 1:22 NKJV) “But be doers of the “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, word, and not hearers only, deceiving deceiving yourselvesyourselves.” .”



Why is the religious world unconcerned Why is the religious world unconcerned about closely following God's word?about closely following God's word?



"Consider a survey by Redbook magazine "Consider a survey by Redbook magazine in August of 1961. Of the ministers in in August of 1961. Of the ministers in training, 56 percent training, 56 percent rejected the virgin birth rejected the virgin birth of Jesus Christof Jesus Christ, 71 percent , 71 percent rejected that rejected that there was life after deaththere was life after death. 54 percent . 54 percent rejected the bodily resurrection of Jesus rejected the bodily resurrection of Jesus ChristChrist. 98 percent . 98 percent rejected that there would rejected that there would be a personal return of Jesus Christbe a personal return of Jesus Christ.”.”



Our casual approach to God. Our casual approach to God. (Col 3:17)(Col 3:17)



Colossians 3:17 NKJV)Colossians 3:17 NKJV) - “And - “And whatever whatever you do in word or deed, you do in word or deed, do do all in the name all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”Father through Him.”



I see men in "churches of Christ" that claim I see men in "churches of Christ" that claim we need a new way of looking at the Bible. we need a new way of looking at the Bible. Why? In my opinion they have changed Why? In my opinion they have changed their view of God.their view of God.



Some are content with stirring up clouds of Some are content with stirring up clouds of dust and confusion and concluding that we dust and confusion and concluding that we may then do what we wish. The man who may then do what we wish. The man who fears God will only do what he knows is fears God will only do what he knows is clearly found approved in God.clearly found approved in God.



Our casual approach to raising our children. Our casual approach to raising our children. (Eph 6:4)(Eph 6:4)



(Ephesians 6:4 NKJV)(Ephesians 6:4 NKJV) - “And you, - “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up wrath, but bring them up in the training and in the training and admonition of the Lordadmonition of the Lord.”.”



The greatest problem we face in the church The greatest problem we face in the church are parents who think they know more than are parents who think they know more than God! Anger is often expressed to those who God! Anger is often expressed to those who try to show them God's way.try to show them God's way.



We must first show the way of faith by We must first show the way of faith by living by faith.living by faith.



Our casual approach to our salvation. Our casual approach to our salvation. (2 Cor 6:1-2)(2 Cor 6:1-2)



(2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NKJV) - “We then, - “We then, as as workers together workers together with Him with Him also plead also plead with with you you not to receive the grace of God in not to receive the grace of God in vain.vain. {2} {2} For He says: “In an acceptable For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now now is is the accepted timethe accepted time; behold, ; behold, now now is is the day the day of salvationof salvation.”.”



Some refuse to test their own conversion. Some refuse to test their own conversion. Have you been baptized into Christ? Have you been baptized into Christ? (Acts 2:38)(Acts 2:38)



(Acts 2:38 NKJV)(Acts 2:38 NKJV) - “Then Peter said to - “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”gift of the Holy Spirit.”



Why do some get angry when it is Why do some get angry when it is suggested that their denominational baptism suggested that their denominational baptism may not be acceptable to God? may not be acceptable to God?



What does a person who puts God first do? What does a person who puts God first do?



What does a person who puts God first do? What does a person who puts God first do? Even if they need time for further study, Even if they need time for further study,

they will be diligently pursing it!they will be diligently pursing it!



What does a person who puts God first do? What does a person who puts God first do? Even if they need time for further study, Even if they need time for further study,

they will be diligently pursing it!they will be diligently pursing it! What would you think of a doctor that said: What would you think of a doctor that said:

"You might have cancer, but we will not "You might have cancer, but we will not worry about it?" We want certainty here. worry about it?" We want certainty here. Why not with God?Why not with God?



What kind of confidence and assurance do What kind of confidence and assurance do you have? you have? (2 Pt 1:10)(2 Pt 1:10)



(2 Peter 1:10 NKJV)(2 Peter 1:10 NKJV) - “Therefore, - “Therefore, brethren, brethren, be even more diligent to make be even more diligent to make your call and election sureyour call and election sure, for if you do , for if you do these things you will never stumble;”these things you will never stumble;”

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Important Things must be Secured n The enemies of Christ spared no effort!

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