“Sinful Census” Salvation: John 3:16 – Just think of the forgiveness that goes unused on a daily basis, and all the people who needlessly and senselessly died unblessed, outside of Jesus Christ! The Scriptures: Psalm 119:97-98 “Talk about ‘left behind’. Our church lost-and- found closet is overflowing with unclaimed items, mostly Bibles... the owners must be using their other Bibles for daily devotions” (Andree Seu). Wisdom: James 1:5

“Sinful Census” When It Comes To Spiritual Blessings – Be Bold Jacob: Genesis 32:26 “I will not let you go until you bless me.” Moses: Exodus 33:26 “Show me Thy glory.” The Daughters of Zelophehad: Numbers 27:2-7; Joshua 17:4 “If they had not been so determined and desirous – if they had not asked – the daughters of Zelophehad may well not have received an allotment among the children of Israel, and their clan of Manasseh would have died out... It’s scary to think of the things we don’t have because we don’t ask” (Andree Seu).

“Sinful Census” Caleb asked in Joshua 14:12 “Now then, give me this hill country” The Syrophoenician woman received her daughter back because she asked. Mark 7:28 In Contrast – The Mildly Interested Joash asked for little in 2 Kings 13:14-19 “And he struck it three times and stopped”. He in turn received little.

“Sinful Census” Elisha gets mad at the king for striking the ground only three times. “He lacked perseverance and determination. He was content with half-measures (which is seen in his relationship with God) and incomplete achievement, and therefore the future victory over Syria would be a limited victory” (Mastering the Old Testament, 2 Kings, Dilday, p. 385). Are we content with half-measures and incomplete achievements? Are we satisfied with half-way spiritual progress?

“Sinful Census” Blessings Just Waiting To Be Claimed Salvation 1 John 2:2 “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” 1 John 2:25 “And this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life”

“Sinful Census” Confidence In Your Salvation 1 John 3:19 “We shall know by this that we are of the truth” 1 John 3:21 “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God” 1 John 4:6 “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” 1 John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life” 1 John 5:19 “We know that we are of God”

“Sinful Census” These verses demand a couple of things. 1) That God’s revelation to mankind is very clear and understandable. 2) That we know very well whether or not we are living according to its instruction. The Ability to know the Truth 2 John 4 “I was very glad to find some of your children walking in the truth” 3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” Colossians 1:28 “And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ”

“Sinful Census” The Ability to Obey the Truth 1 John 2:5 “But whoever keeps His word” 1 John 2:29 “Everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” 1 John 3:24 “And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him” The Ability to Remain Faithful to the End 1 John 2:24 “Let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning” 1 John 2:28 “Abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming”

“Sinful Census” Victory Over Habitual Sin And Temptation 1 John 2:1 “I am writing these things to you that you may not sin” 1 John 3:3 “Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” 1 John 3:6 “No one who abides in Him sins” 1 John 5:4 “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world” 1 John 5:18 “We know that no one is born of God sins” 1 John 2:13 “I am writing to you young men, because you have overcome the evil one” 1 John 2:14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one”

“Sinful Census” So when people try to convince you that you cannot… Understand the Bible, that you should not study it because you are not an expert, That victory over habitual sin is impossible, that it is unreasonable to expect young people to refrain from certain temptations, That we are all just brethren in error, that there is no such thing as absolute truth – Remember, they are trying to stand between you and the blessings that God wants you to receive.

“Sinful Census” Ask God for the things that matter most: – A faithful spouse, – courage to say or do the right thing, – hearts in your children that love God and embrace truth, – fruit from efforts to share the gospel, – peace and love in the families at Joaquin and beyond, – continued freedom from persecution, – a renewed commitment to virtue in our country. – Prayer changes things. [Matthew 7:7]