PSALM 145:11-13 [By Ron Halbrook]

2 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

Introduction: 2. Man’s quandary: Who is in charge? Who gives order? Who gives orders? 3. When man takes charge: chaos! 3

Introduction: 4. Time to learn God is in charge: God is over all things God ordained the home God ordained civil government God ordained the church 4

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6 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

7 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

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9 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

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11 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

12 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

13 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

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15 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

16 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

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18 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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20 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

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22 9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

II. God Ordained the Church C. True & False Freedom: Submit to God OR Act as Our Own “Gods”? Satan, Master Liar: “free” when deny God’s plan  Adam & Eve exchanged freedom for bondage in the name of freedom 23

 Adam & Eve exchanged freedom for bondage in the name of freedom 24 Satan’s “freedom”

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26 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

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28 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

II. God Ordained the Church C. True & False Freedom: Submit to God OR Act as Our Own “Gods”? God gives true freedom, Satan’s “freedom” is bondage 29

God gives true freedom, Satan’s “freedom” is bondage 30 Satan’s “freedom”

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32 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

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34 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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36 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

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38 Satan’s “freedom”

39 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

40 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

41 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

42 1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

43 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

II. God Ordained the Church F. God Delegated Authority to Elders in the Local Church Part of God’s plan to guide us to heaven  Limited not absolute authority: divine law, qualifications, local autonomy, & spirit of sacrifice  Real authority: judgment decisions within divine law like husband in home 44

II. God Ordained the Church F. God Delegated Authority to Elders in the Local Church Part of God’s plan to guide us to heaven  Defy God’s order: “I don’t want elders checking up on my life, attendance, participation, etc.—it is no one’s business— I want to be left alone”  Submit to God’s order: submit to elders 45

46 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

Invitation: 2. Man’s quandary: Who is in charge? Who gives order? Who gives orders? 3. When man takes charge: chaos! 47

Invitation: 4. Time to learn God is in charge: God is over all things God ordained the home God ordained civil government God ordained the church 48

49 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

50 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.