1. [By Ron Halbrook]

2. Introduction 1. Psalm 121 The God of higher ground: Hills & mountains of Israel & Judah — Mt. Zion 2

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5. Introduction 2. Psalm 48:1-3 God’s people secure in Mt. Zion 5

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7. Introduction 3. Psalm 2:6-7 Christ rules from Mt. Zion 7

8. Introduction 4. Rev. 21:10 From higher ground John saw the heavenly city of God 8

9. Introduction 5. The God of higher ground revealed the gospel of higher ground: Calls us to higher ground Examples to encourage us Warns against false claims 9

10. I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground A. The Father Calls Us to Higher Ground 1 Pet. 1:14-16 10

11. 11 Leave lowlands of lusts & ignorance God: high & holy ground Examine every aspect of our lives

12. I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground B. Christ Calls Us to Higher Ground  Heb. 4:15-16 Christ our perfect example 12

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14. I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground C. The Holy Spirit Calls Us to Higher Ground  1 Cor. 2:9-13 The words of the Spirit transcend man’s natural limitations 14

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17. I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground D. The Gospel Calls Us to Higher Ground  Tit. 2:11-14 17

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19. I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground D. The Gospel Calls Us to Higher Ground  Tit. 2:11-14 Salvation from past sins Learn to deny ungodly living Learn to use our talents for Christ Hearts set on heaven 19

20. II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground A. The Samaritan Woman  Jn. 4:16-18, 22, 25-26 20

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23. II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground A. The Samaritan Woman  Jn. 4:16-18, 22, 25-26 Living in sin & ignorance, seeking the Savior who leads to higher ground She found him & called others Jn. 4:28-30, 39 23

24. 24 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

25. II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground B. The Woman Taken in Adultery  Jn. 8:3-11 25

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27. 27 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

28. II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground B. The Woman Taken in Adultery  Jn. 8:3-11 Witnesses implicated in the sin, not competent to execute her Jesus leads her to higher ground 28

29. II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground C. Peter  Matt. 16:22-23 Slow to learn, rash talk  Matt. 26:34-35 Promised fidelity, failed when tested  Gal. 2:11 Rebuked for compromise  Jn. 21:19 Grew, reached higher ground, died for Christ 29

30. II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground D. Simon the Sorcerer  Acts 8:12-13 Baptized into Christ  Acts 8:18-19 Relapsed into old sins  Acts 8:22-24 Reached higher ground 30

31. II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground E. Cornelius  Acts 10:1-2 Sincere, moral, but lost  Acts 10:24, 33 Ready to hear the gospel  Acts 10:48 Baptized into Christ 31

32. II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground F. Paul  Acts 26:9-11 Fought Christ & Christians  Phil. 3:7, 13-14 Gave up honors, friends, & family in false religion for higher ground 32

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34. III. ERRORS: False Claims of Higher Ground A. Sin Claims to be “Modern”  Jn. 8:44 Sin as old as Satan 34

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36. III. ERRORS: False Claims of Higher Ground A. Sin Claims to be “Modern”  Jn. 8:44 Sin as old as Satan Deceives every generation: sin “new” & “better” way of life “Not limited by 1 st century morality” Rom. 1:18-32 No new sin but new disguises & aliases Rom. 6:23 Same guilt & punishment 36

37. III. ERRORS: False Claims of Higher Ground B. Error Claims to be “Progress”  2 Jn. 9 Progress within or outside the doctrine of Christ? 37 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

38. III. ERRORS: False Claims of Higher Ground B. Error Claims to be “Progress”  2 Jn. 9 Progress within or outside the doctrine of Christ? Transgress, go onward, go on forward Error claims to improve the original 38

39. ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST “PROGRESS” BEYOND THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST Immersion (Rom. 6:4)Sprinkling Christian (Acts 11:26)Denominational names Local church under Christ (Acts 14:23) Denominational churches under denominational headquarters Inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Human creeds Final, complete revelation (Jude 3) Modern revelations 39

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41. 41 which begins by declaring the unbaptized in the kingdom, and progresses towards the reception of them into the church; which begins by scouting the demand for soundness in the faith, and progresses to all manner of unsound teaching; which, in short, begins at the same point of departure with the sects, and aims to progress up to them all, and finally, beyond them all in unauthorized teaching and practice. —This, and this only is the progress condemned.

42. 42 True progress is still backward— backward toward the apostles, toward the doctrine, the terms of pardon, the worship and the discipline which they instituted. Push your progress in this direction if you wish to have a hard fight for every inch of ground you gain. If you would sail smoothly on the current, let your progress be in whatever direction the popular current flows. (Apostolic Times, Oct. 26, 1871, p. 228)

43. Invitation 1. Psalm 121 The God of higher ground: Mt. Zion 43

44. Invitation 2. The God of higher ground revealed the gospel of higher ground: Calls us to higher ground Examples to encourage us Warns against false claims 44

45. Invitation 3. We all can reach higher ground in Christ: Faithful Christian: grow Erring Christian: repent & pray (Acts 8:22) Sinner in the world: believe, repent, confess Christ, be baptized (Acts 2:38) 45

46. Invitation 4. Rev. 21:10 From higher ground John saw the heavenly city of God 46