I Will Remember No More

Scripture: Hebrews 8-9

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." (Hebrews 8:12).

This blessing makes every other blessing of the new covenant possible. God forgives. God then remembers no more...

Jason Cicero

The Silence of the Scriptures

Scripture: Hebrews 7

"For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood." (Hebrews 7:14)

God's silence is prohibitive.

When God specified Levi His choice prohibited the other eleven tribes from serving as priests.

The silence of the Scriptures speaks to the authority of the true and living God.

Jason Cicero

God Doesn't Lie

Scripture: Hebrews 6

"...that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us." (Hebrews 6:18).

God doesn't lie. In fact, it is "impossible" for Him to do so. We can rest easy that He who promised is faithful...

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." (Deuteronomy 4:2; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Are you thirsty?

The invitation is for you!

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).

Jason Cicero

Jesus Prayed

Scripture: Hebrews 5

"...who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear..." (Hebrews 5:7).

When God was in the flesh, He prayed. When the Son prayed to the Father the Father "heard" Him. When the Father "heard" the Son's prayers He responded. Sometimes He said, "Yes." Sometimes He said, "No." Sometimes He said, "Wait."

He responds to our prayers with the same three responses...

Jason Cicero

The Word of God

Scripture: Hebrews 4

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Read God's word and see how it affects you...

Affect - to act on; produce an effect or change in (www.dictionary.com)

God's word will act on you if you read it...

Jason Cicero

The Danger of Departing

Scripture: Hebrews 3

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:12-13)

Every Christian is in danger of "departing from the living God." Sin is deceitful. It cheats. It deludes. Sin leads away from God.

In the first three chapters of Hebrews two safeguards are given from above to help us avoid "departing from the living God."

1. The Word

2. The Exhortation of Faithful Brethren

Avoid "departing from the living God!" Abide in His Word! Exhort your brethren!

Jason Cicero

The Danger of Drifting Away

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-4

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?" (Hebrews 2:1-4)

Every Christian is in danger of drifting away from the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We must get in the Word, stay in the Word, and love the Word "lest we drift away." Rest assured that we can trust the Word to keep us from flowing past our God.

Jason Cicero

God Has Spoken

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

1. There is a God.

2. God has spoken.

3. Jesus Christ is His only-begotten Son.

4. God speaks to us today through Jesus.

5. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide the Apostles into all truth.

6. The Scriptures reveal the will of God from the Father through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

7. We we read we can understand and know God.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." (Deuteronomy 4:2; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Greet a visitor.

Learn what’s-his-name’s name.

Take time for a little person.

Notice somebody who’s overlooked.

Say “thanks” to someone who needs it.

Jason Moore

Life Lessons from Philemon

Scripture: Philemon

Onesimus was guilty of a great offense (11, 18). Paul interceded on his behalf (10-17). Paul laid aside his rights as he appealed to Philemon (8). Paul becomes Onesimus substitute by assuming his debt (18-19). By Philemon's gracious act, Onesimus will be restored and placed in a new relationship (15-16).

We are as Onesimus. Paul's advocacy before Philemon is parallel to the Christ's work of mediation before the Father. Onesimus was condemned by law, but saved by grace.

The Scriptures neither condemn nor condone slavery. Freedom from sin and death is the will of the Father for His children. Allow Jesus to restore your relationship to the Father!

Jason Cicero

What Philemon Did

Scripture: Philemon

Philemon owned a slave named Onesimus. Onesimus ran away from Philemon. Paul taught Onesimus the gospel of Christ and he was born again (10). Onesimus was instructed to return to Philemon. Onesimus returned to Philemon with this letter instructing him to receive Onesimus not only as a returning slave, "but more than a slave - a beloved brother" (16).

What did Philemon do when he received this letter and saw Onesimus? Scripture doesn't reveal that to us. But Paul's words surely indicate what Paul thought he would do. By faith we see Philemon receive Onesimus as he would Paul (17). Because of Paul's "confidence" in Philemon's "obedience" we see him receive Onesimus as a "beloved brother" (16, 21).

Read Philemon and consider what Paul did, what Onesimus did, and see by faith what Philemon did and allow all of it to "refresh" your "heart in the Lord" (20).

Jason Cicero

What Onesimus Did

Scripture: Philemon

Onesimus heard the gospel of Christ and was born again (10). He revealed to Paul that he was a runaway slave who belonged to a Christian named Philemon. Paul informed Onesimus that he must return to Philemon. Onesimus went back to Philemon.

Onesimus was forgiven of His sins by the blood of the Lamb. Repentance required him to go back to Philemon. Onesimus went back.

Continue reading Philemon. Tomorrow we will consider what Philemon was instructed to do. Friday we will consider some life lessons from the epistle to Philemon.

Jason Cicero

What Paul Did

Scripture: Philemon

Paul taught Onesimus the gospel and he obeyed it and was adopted into the family of God (10-11). Paul learned that Onesimus was a run away slave who belonged to another Christian named Philemon. Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote to Philemon to "receive" Onesimus (12). Onesimus was wrong to have run away. Paul sent him back.

Read Philemon again and consider what Paul did. Think about what Onesimus did. Tomorrow we will consider Onesimus' response to what Paul did.

Jason Cicero

Philemon

Scripture: Philemon

While in prison Paul taught Onesimus and he was born again (10). Turns out Onesimus was a slave who belonged to another Christian named Philemon (12). What should Paul do? What should Onesimus do? What should Philemon do? These questions are answered in the epistle to Philemon.

This week we will consider these questions. Spend today just thinking them over. Read Philemon and look for answers from above.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

"Give to the LORD the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!"

1 Chronicles 16:29; NKJV

A Faithful Saying

Scripture: Titus 3:8

Allow me to "affirm constantly" this "faithful saying: "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men" (Titus 3:8).

Be Careful - "to exercise thought" (Strong's).

Maintain - "to care for, give attention to" (Thayer's).

Good Works - the acts our good God has given us to do.

Jason Cicero

The Grace of God Teaches Us

Scripture: Titus 2:11-15

The grace of God teaches me...

1. I am to deny ungodliness.

2. I am to deny worldly lusts.

3. I am to live soberly.

4. I am to live righteously.

5. I am to live godly.

6. I am to look for the second coming of Jesus.

7. I am to remember what He did for me.

8. I am to allow Him to redeem me.

9. I am to allow Him to purify me.

10. I am to be zealous for good works.

Jason Cicero

Sound Doctrine

Scripture: Titus 2:1-10

"But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine..." (Titus 2:1).

"Sound" means healthy (Strong's). "Doctrine" means teaching (Thayer's). To speak "sound doctrine" is to speak words that will make one whole, keep one well.

Be healthy! Receive His sound doctrine! Abide in His healthy teaching!

Jason Cicero

In Works They Deny Him

Scripture: Titus 1:10-16

"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work" (Titus 1:16).

God has recreated us in the image of His Son "for good works" (Ephesians 2:10). There are those who "profess to know God, but in works they deny Him" (Titus 1:16). They are not working "the works" that "God prepared beforehand" that they should work (Ephesians 2:10).

God has spoken. The Scriptures reveal the works He would have us work. Read and do!

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Jason Cicero

Through Preaching

Scripture: Titus 1:1-3

"Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior..." (Titus 1:1-3).

"Manifested" means "to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown (Thayer's). God has chosen to make known His word through preaching. The Holy Spirit revealed the word to the Apostles and they made it manifest through preaching.

The preaching of God's Word is important. It is how God first made faith in Christ manifest. When Word is preached today His will becomes known for those who previously did not know it. Preach the Word!

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." (Deuteronomy 4:2; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Tomorrow we rejoice in the God who has given us work.

If we can keep before our minds the constant conviction that the common work we do is being done to the glory of God, that which men call menial will continue to hold for us great meaning.

Jason Cicero

What Should a Preacher Preach?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Question: What should a preacher preach?

Answer: "Preach the word!"

Jason Cicero

From Such People Turn Away!

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

"And from such people turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5). To "turn away" is to shun (Thayer's). 2 Timothy 3:1-9 lists a number of folks we are to avoid (Strong's).

1. Lovers of themselves
2. Lovers of money
3. Boasters
4. Proud
5. Blasphemers
6. Disobedient to parents
7. Unthankful
8. Unholy
9. Unloving
10.Unforgiving
11. Slanderers
12. Without self-control
13. Brutal
14. Despisers of good
15. Traitors
16. Headstrong
17. Haughty
18. Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
19. Having a form of godliness but denying its power

Why are we to avoid these people?

1. For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts...
2. They are always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth...
3. They resist the truth...
4. These will progress no further...

Jason Cicero

What Can I Do?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Jesus would have me to go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone. According to Jesus in the parable of the sower, most folks will not be receptive to the gospel. As His servant, what can I really do when it comes to the business of evangelism?

"And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

1. I must not quarrel - to war, dispute, strive, to fight

2. I can be gentle to all - affable, mild, kind

3. I can prepare myself to teach - apt and skillful in teaching

4. I can be patient - enduring of ill

5. I can correct others in humility - mildness, gentleness, a temper of spirit

6. I can remember that the Devil is the enemy - He sets traps and captures folks

7. I can pray for the salvation of others - He longs for their release from the Devil's snare

Jason Cicero

Four Generations

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2)

God has chosen to make known His word through preaching (Titus 1:3). Those who preach have the responsibility to train others to preach God's word. Those teachers are to train others too. 2 Timothy 2:2 speaks of four generations of preachers.

1. Paul - "me"

2. Timothy - "you"

3. Those Timothy Taught - "faithful men"

4. Those the Faithful Men Would Teach - "others also"

Let us be about the business of training the next generation of men to "Preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2)!

Jason Cicero