Grace Bible Church
Pastor teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Thursday October 17, 2019
Pastor Rick Bettez
Living for self ends in misery.
Mal 3:13 “Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’
Mal 3:13 - ‘What have we spoken against You?’ - There is no recognition of sin or sense of wrong because their pride and arrogant nature had blinded them. Reliance on self (human IQ & talent) had become their system of faith.
Mat 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
Mat 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Mat 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Mal 3:14 “You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the LORD of hosts?
Pro 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
This speaks to growing in God’s plan by application of Bible Doctrine, consistent intake of the word.
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
Whether it is 420 B.C. or 2019, the Bel who puts faith in the flesh & the cosmic system will find self-induced misery in their path at some point.
Pro 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear (respect) the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
Pro 3:9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;
Wealth is not only finances but it speaks to time, talent & treasure.
Pro 3:11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Mal 3:15 ‘So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape.’”
The person who has no relationship with God, yet they seem to have the details of life figured out like success, money, pleasure, etc. have one of these three principles working in their favor;
- They live in Biblical standards (divine institutions).
- Satan is blessing them in his system.
3. It is a front, not at all what it seems on the surface.
Once a Bel has negative volition, he accepts substitutes — pseudo- spirituality, pseudo love and all of the facades of religion as well as the exterior trimmings of cosmic success. Negative Bel’s nurture their emotions rather than their mind which leads to living in feelings (for self) instead of facts (Bible Doctrine).
Mal 3:15 – highlights “the proud” — the people who possess the details of life “are happy” — “the doers (workers) wickedness” —this is a pseudo happiness which has no lasting, eternal value and the wickedness is deeds of the flesh, cosmic works.
1Cor 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
1Cor 9:26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Imperishable Crown – 1Cor 9:25
Crown of Righteousness - 2Tim 4:8
Crown of Glory (pastor) - 1Pet 5:4
Crown of Rejoicing – 1Thes 2:19
Crown of Life – Rev 2:10
Authority in heaven - Rev 2:26-28
Rev 22:12 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
Mat 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.
1Co 3:13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.
Bema Seat Judgement (Bels) after the Rapture.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
Mal 3:15 -“they test (tempt) God and escape (safe)” — this is all human viewpoint. This is a description of what most people (Bel & Unbel) think happens when you are arrogant and prideful against the plan of God.
Deu 28:65 “Among those nations you shall find no rest, and there will be no resting place for the sole of your foot; but there the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and despair of soul.
Deu 28:66 “So your life shall hang in doubt before you; and you will be in dread night and day, and shall have no assurance of your life.
No one (Bel or Unbel) is immune to answering to God. Ignorant bliss is temporary because at some point we all face the outcome of our decisions.