Lakeside Bible Church Sermons
Web Site: Lakeside Bible Church
Total Sermons: 219
Total Amens: 1
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The Praying Prophet
Daniel 9:1-27 Have you ever noticed that no matter what seems to be going on in the world that the focus of the news seems to be drawn to the little nation of Israel? There's a good reason for this. Long ago, God established the people of Israel as His chosen people, and ever since then many nations have come against them in persecution and in many attempts to annihilate them. God's Word foretold that Israel would play a central role in the world and would one day be a stumbling block to the nations that surround her. Moreover, God's prophetic Word says that one day the land of Palestine will be the final battle ground for the Battle of Armageddon. Students of the Bible know that scripture contains many prophesies regarding Israel that have already been fulfilled - not only to punish the Israelites, but to bless them. In the meantime, there are prophesies pertaining to Israel that have yet to be fulfilled. This was reaffirmed by the apostle Paul, in Romans 9-11, as well as in Daniel chapter 9. Tonight, Pastor Ramey teaches from chapter 9 of Daniel, which describes the third of Daniel's four visions. This vision came to Daniel during the reign of King Darius in 539 BC, 67 years after Daniel was taken captive by the Babylonians. Chapter 9 can be divided into 3 parts: 1. The Profound Promise (vv. 1-2) 2. The Passionate Prayer (vv. 3-19) 3. The Pivotal Prophesy (vv. 20-27) God answered Daniel's prayer by bestowing upon him what is perhaps the greatest revelation that has ever been given to any man in the history of the world. Indeed, we are still living out God's prophesy as put forth in the Book of Daniel. As Christians, we may not be able to figure out man's timetable for world history, but one thing is for sure, Jesus Christ will return one day soon. Will you be ready to receive Christ when He returns? The best way to do that is to receive Him now as your Lord and Savior. Daniel provided us with a great example of how to confess our sins to the Lord. We must acknowledge our sins to God and confess that we are sinners who deserve to be punished. But, we also must believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place, and for this we have eternal hope and can therefore be ever joyful!
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Turning The World Upside Down
Acts 17:1-15 The end of the American Revolutionary War was decided at Yorktown, Virginia, when General Charles Cornwallis of the British Army surrendered to General George Washington in 1781. This was such an unlikely outcome to the struggle for colonial independence that the defeated British army marched home to a song entitled "The World Turned Upside Down." As we know from history, The outcome of the Revolutionary War marks one of the most dramatic changes in world power that the world has ever seen. But, this change pales in comparison to the revolution that occurred during the first century with the entrance of Jesus Christ to this world. The coming of the Messiah meant that the world could never be the same again. The Book of Acts provides a historical record of this revolution, which centered around the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome during the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul. Paul's second missionary journey provides us with two models that we can follow to accurately preach and discerningly hear God's Word. From verses 1-17 in the Book of Acts, we learn what it means to be 1. Truthbearers - Those who reason and explain the scriptures to others (vv. 1-9), and 2. Truthseekers - Those who receive and examine the scriptures (vv. 10-15) The early followers of Christ, led by the apostles and their disciples, upset many people with the life-changing truth of the gospel message. They turned the world upside down by boldly and accurately sharing the gospel message with everyone they encountered. Is this a fitting description of you? Have you upset people within your own sphere of influence by sharing the gospel with them? Have you boldly and graciously represented Christ, making Him known to them by your actions and behavior?
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A Foretaste of the Future
Daniel 8:1-27 The symbols laid out in the Book of Daniel leave no doubt that the God of the Bible is indeed the sovereign God of history. In fact, the Book of Daniel alone proves the veracity of God's Word based on the precise fulfillment of the prophesy predicted there. This prophesy also provides us with a foretaste of the future, or the end times, and therefore gives believers the assurance that the rest of Daniel's prophesy will eventually come to pass. Tonight, we look at the second of the four prophetic visions or dreams that Daniel had during the reign of King Belshazzar. In this dream we see three images that have bearing on the future of the nation of Israel as well as those of us who live in these end times. These images represent the succession of dominant world powers that were previously prophesied through the interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2. The succession of the Babylonian Empire to the Medo-Persian Empire to the Greek Empire is symbolized by images of: 1. A Might Ram - Persia (vv. 1-4; 14-20) 2. A Mad Goat - Greece (vv. 5-8; 21-22) 3. A Menacing Horn - Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes (vv. 9-13; 23-27) God ordained the fall of the Medo-Persians to the Greeks in order to carry out His sovereign will for the nation of Israel by using one pagan empire to enslave the Jews and another pagan empire to free them and return them from exile to their homeland. What a comfort to know that no evil power can arise without His sovereign decree. We rejoice in the knowledge that when God is for us, who can be against us! Daniel shows us why we should stand for Christ in a secular society. Why? Because we know that God wins through His Son Jesus Christ - the One God raised up as the Savior of the world. Let us focus not on the ram or the goat, but on the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. Do you know the Lamb? Has He taken away your sins?
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The Persecuted Christians - How Do They Remain Standing?
Selected Scriptures Imagine if you had to look over your shoulder just to read the Bible, or, had to sneak around just to worship with fellow Christians? Imagine, if you are caught, that you could be beaten, jailed and even killed? This is the environment for many Christians throughout the world and the conditions that they live through routinely. It is these people who we refer to as the "persecuted church". Here in America, where life-threatening persecution has not yet come, what is our responsibility? Matthew 5:44 tells us that we are to love our enemies and pray for them as well as for those who are being persecuted. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. That is how God has chosen to reveal Himself and to bring men to saving faith. Today, Pastor Okwakol, President of the Baptist Union in Uganda, teaches us three keys to standing firm in the face of persecution. We can remain strong by 1. Hearing the Word 2. Hiding the Word in Our Hearts, and 3. Holding on to the Word (1 Corinthians 15:1-2) When trouble comes, we need to remember to hear God's Word, Stay in His Word, and hide His Word in our hearts. Only then will we be able to stand firm on His promises. That is what defines saving faith in one's life. Please remember to pray for those who are members of the persecuted church.
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How the World Will End
Daniel 7:1-28 Never has a date been so significant to so many men, so many cultures, and so many nations as the year 2012. In fact, a Google search of "2012" will deliver close to 200 million web sites that pertain to the coming of that year. Such attention could potentially generate a phenomenon similar to that of "Y2K" and a recent movie entitled "2012" demonstrates the latest attempts of the movie industry to capitalize on people's fascination with the topic of the end of the world. While the world searches for meaning as we live out the end times, there is a much better source to reference regarding the end times. If you want to know how the world will end, there's no better place to turn than to the very author and creator of the universe. In God's Word, the topic of the end of the world is addressed in one of the most well-known apocalyptic sections of scripture - the Book of Daniel. Unfortunately though, many Christians have not been taught about the various aspects of end times prophesy as written about in the Bible. In the last six chapters of the book of Daniel, we learn that apocalyptic literature is actually a theology of hope to those who the world has marginalized. Here, Daniel gives his people hope through a series of visions that pertain to the coming end times and his prophetic words should give us the same hope today. Indeed, the last six chapters of Daniel are just as much the inspired Word of God as the first six chapters, which deal with the historical accounts from Daniel's time. As such, his prophetic scripture it is equally profitable for teaching, reproof and correction. God considers His Word about the future to be very important because He willed to include it in the Bible. I tonight's sermon, Pastor Ramey teaches from the seventh chapter of Daniel, which occurred during the reign of Belshazzar. In Daniel's first vision, we are given a glimpse into the three kingdoms of the world: 1. The Kingdoms of the World (vv. 2-6) 2. The Kingdom of Satan (vv. 7-8) 3. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (vv. 9-28) As believers, we know that we live in tough times, but the times we live in are no tougher than were Daniel's. Are you ready for the world to end? Do you know if you'll be saved from God's wrath, or will you be the object of His wrath? Jesus Christ could return at any moment, which should motivate us to walk in such a way as to not incur shame or suffer remorse, but to live with joy in the coming days.
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The How and Why of Salvation
Ephesians 2:8-10 Martin Luther was perhaps the most devout monk in the Catholic church. As devout as he was, Luther struggled with a guilty conscience to the extent that he was constantly accounting, confessing, and punishing himself for his sins. In spite of this, he could never find peace. However, by studying the Word of God directly, Martin Luther discovered that men are saved by God's grace rather than by their works. This truth lay in stark contrast to what the Catholic church was teaching. As a result, a great reformation was launched when Luther published his 95 theses, which documented the inconsistencies between the teachings of the Catholic church and the truths of God's Word in the Bible. Among the many verses in the Bible pertaining to salvation, one of the best known passages is found Ephesians 2:8-10. In Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus, he gives a clear explanation of God's plan for salvation - specifically, how and why a person is saved. Paul also teaches us about the relationship between faith and works and warns us all about the heretical beliefs of legalism (it is possible to do good works to earn salvation) and antinomianism (it is possible to be saved without doing any good works), for either of these beliefs can consign a person to hell. In combating these heresies, Paul recognized the importance of maintaining a balance between the truths that a person is saved by grace apart from good works and a person who is saved will do good works. In Ephesians 2:8-10, Paul placed these two vital truths side-by-side to provide us with a clear understanding of the role that faith and works play in God's work to save and sanctify us. He explains 1) How we are saved - Justification (vv. 8-9), and 2) Why we are saved - Sanctification (v. 10). We are God's workmanship and it is God Who works within us. We were created by God in Christ Jesus for good works - not as a result of works, but for good works. By studying the Bible, the reformers came up with a marvelous phrase to describe how faith and works work together. "A person is justified by faith alone, but faith that justifies is never alone." So, the reformers are reminding us that saving faith is always followed up and expressed by a life of good works. This spiritual concept signifies that we are totally dependent on God for our salvation as well as our spiritual development, which in turn, is exemplified by good works within us. Paul effectively stated his (and our) position before the Lord in 1 Corinthians 15:9 (NASB): "For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me." You are what you are by the grace of God and the grace of God alone!
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Living Among Lions
Daniel 6:1-28 Christ told His apostles that they would be persecuted and would suffer just as He suffered. Like the apostles, we who follow Christ are foreigners in this world and therefore can expect persecution and suffering as well. As aliens in this land, we should abstain from the evil influences of this evil world and conduct ourselves in such a way as to honor and glorify our Lord and King Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should maintain honorable behavior even when we are treated harshly or unjustly. God is pleased when we are patient and long-suffering. We are called by our Lord to suffer, just as He suffered, and we are to put our trust in Him just as He entrusted Himself to the Father, Who judges righteously. Perhaps no other story exemplifies this better than the story of Daniel in the Lions Den. From this story, we see that Daniel did not compromise, as as a consequence, he was hated and reviled. In spite of this, Daniel thrived and triumphed because he had a relationship with God and trusted Him for endurance and deliverance during his trials. The story of Daniel among the lions can be divided into eight parts: 1. The Promotion of Daniel (vv. 1-3) 2. The Plot Against Daniel (vv. 4-9) 3. The Prayer of Daniel (vv. 10-11) 4. The Persecution of Daniel (vv. 12-18) 5. The Preservation of Daniel (vv. 19-23) 6. The Punishment of Daniel's Enemies (v. 24) 7. The Praise of Daniel's God (vv. 25-27) 8. The Prosperity of Daniel (v. 28) Daniel is a great model to pattern our prayer life after. By his witness, King Darius came to acknowledge that the God of the Jews was the one true God. Hear the message of Daniel above the roar of the lions around you. Just as God delivered a pagan king, He can deliver us from among the lions of this world!
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Evangelism God's Way
Acts - Selected Scriptures We must always be ready to defend and share the gospel, for it says in 1 Peter 3:15 that we should always be ready to "make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is within you..." Scripture tells us that sinful man does not have the desire, nor is he capable of receiving the truths of God in and of himself. Instead, it is the Lord Who opens men's hearts to receive His Word. So, how does God want us to tell other sinners about Him? Today, we consider two compelling truths from God's Word that will revolutionize the way you tell others about Him. Truth 1: Man's Depravity Man is helpless to reconcile himself to his creator or to obtain salvation. Depraved man has no desire to seek God or any of His truths. Moreover, men are born spiritually dead and remain dead in their trespasses apart from God's sovereign grace. In short, man in depravity is helplessly lost in sin and hopelessly doomed to hell without God's saving grace. (Gen. 6:5; Jer. 13:23; Rom. 1:18-19; 8:7-8; 1Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3) Truth 2: God' Sovereignty It is not the desire of men to become saved, nor is it within man's power to save himself from God's wrath. In his depraved state, man desires only to rebel against God and to rely on his own understanding of truth. It is instead God's sovereign will alone to make His truths known and He alone chooses who He will save (John 1:12-13; 6:65; 15:16; Rom 8:29-30; 9:16; Eph. 2:4-9). As believers, we often have a tendency to bring forth all sorts of evidences to prove the existence of God and justify the basis for our faith, but all we really need to remember about defending the faith is that Jesus loves us, and we know this because the Bible tells us so. Christianity is not an opinion to be proved, but a truth to be believed in and to be proclaimed. A person must believe in God's Word first, and understanding will follow. As such, the two most powerful weapons available to believers to defend God's Word is the Word of God and the spirit of God. Thus, we cannot reach people for the Lord using our own means (i.e., evidences and rational reasoning). We must instead rely on the presupposition that God's Word is true and that faith in Jesus Christ is essential for life. According to scripture, people already know that the gospel is truth. They need only turn to the one true God. For God tells us "I am God and there are no others."
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