The Husbandman That Laboureth Must Be First Partaker of the Fruits - Part 1280

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but, according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:1-18)

"God manifest in the flesh." (I Timothy 3:16) Because He declared peace and good will, His kindness and love toward man appeared. Not by our own works are we saved, but because of His righteousness have we received eternal life. His gift of salvation and grace we receive when we ask Jesus to become both Lord and Christ in our life, and are water baptized [buried] in His precious name. (Acts 2:37-47; Romans 6:1-4)

The name of Jesus -- for He shall save His people from their sin. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Then as believers in Jesus, we are justified by His grace, and sanctified through His Word. The Word that was in the beginning with God, and was God. (John 1:1) The same Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) And because of His mercy, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Made conquerors because of the blood He shed on the cross.

What should be our response? We should be like those identified "who were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily" -- whether those things that were being preached were so. (Acts 17:11) We should study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15) So that "the God of hope [would] fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

His Spirit dwelling within. The Comforter. The Spirit of truth.

But as we know also from the scriptures, we should avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the Law -- "for they are unprofitable and vain." (Titus 3:8-9) We need to be aware of the false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them. (II Peter 2:1-2) Be aware of certain philosophers that babble and seem rather to be a setter forth of strange gods. (Acts 17:18)

Indeed, Jesus warned us of those who proclaim to the know the truth and yet openly deny the kindness and love of God who willingly became our Saviour. (Titus 4:3) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) They that willingly are so blatantly ignorant of the Word of God, that these would worship an unknown God -- rather than the God who made the world and all things therein. (II Peter 3:5; Acts 17:23)

The same God that made the world, seeing that "He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men's hands, as thought He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life and breath and all things, and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." (Acts 17:26)

But to those who seek the Lord Jesus, knowing that the fullness of the Godhead dwelt within Him, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him -- "for in Him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28)

Therefore, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and the things that thou hast heard among many witnesses, and the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, being effectual in your communications. Be bold in proclaiming the good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.

For "no man that warreth entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (II Timothy 2:1-4)

The same One who has called you "hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." (Titus 1:1-3)

To Him be the glory forever and ever, Amen. Stand in the offering plate.