2004
January 4, 2004 
Bro. Gary Hibberts
Proverb 1:24-33
January 11,2004 Bro. Gary Hibberts
Psalsm 51:1-4
January 18,2004 Bro. Gary Hibberts
John 6:53-59
January 25,2004 Bro. Gary Hibberts
Matthew 25: 31-41
February 1,2004 Bro. Gary Hibberts
Luke 7:36-49
February 8,2004 Bro. Gary Hibberts
Luke 12:49-53
February 15, 2004 Bro. Gary Hibberts
Job 14:7-15
February 22, 2004 Bro. Gary Hibberts
2 Timothy 1:9
February 29, 2004 YOUTH SERVICE
March 7, 2004 Bro. Gary Hibberts
Luke 4:16-32
Mark 6:3
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September 14,2003 Bro. Gary Hibberts
Isaiah 5:1-7
September 24, 2003 Bro. Joe Gowens
St. John 3:1-21
JUNE
"THEY SAY/ I SAY"
Gary A. Hibberts
(Mt. 5:21-48)
6/22/03
Introduction: We are all familiar with the phrase, "One picture is worth a thousand words." Although we must not fail as believers to fulfil the great commission in carrying the Gospel to all ends of the earth, our living example normally has more impact than what we might have to say. This is the purpose of the words of Jesus to his disciples in this passage. They were confronted with the self-righteousness of the Pharisees and other religious sects of their day, the tradition keepers, and the lawyers.
Understand this; revenge and retribution are not to be part of a Christian life. We see the evidence and effect of these vices today in the Middle East in the news every day. The Palestinian wants the Jew out so he blows himself up and kills innocents. The Israelis' retaliate and kill innocents.
Jesus came with a new way; a way of love, forgiveness, and compassion. The Jew of Jesus' day had twisted the law to justify their actions. Sadly, many Christians today twist the Gospel to justify their actions. In the final act what "they say" is not going to stand. The only thing that will stand for us with God is what "Jesus said." In this passage there are six points Jesus made concerning what "they said" and what "He said." Let's examine these together. (Jesus response is a paraphrase or my interpretation of his words).
1.They say: (v21) "Whoever kills is in danger of judgment." The opinion of the Jew of Jesus' day was that the only thing that put you in danger of judgment was actual murder, anything else was o.k.
Jesus said: (v22) "Whoever is unjustifiably angry is in danger of the judgment." The grace of God and the love of Jesus Christ constrains us to be in control of ourselves at all times and very few can control themselves when they are angry. Paul said to "be angry and sin not." How many of us lose our temper and don't sin? Very few!
2.They say: (v27) "Do not commit adultery." In other words don't do the physical act. You can look and lust all you want, just don't consummate it.
Jesus said: (v28-30) "If you are going to be victorious over the physical you are going to have to first deal with the heart." Sin does not begin in the eyes or hands, it begins in the heart, where lust is born. (Ja.1:14,15)
3.They say: (v31) "Marriage can be broken simply by divorce." To them marriage had become a contract that could easily be broken. The commitment to one another and the fidelity of marriage had become trivial to the point of legality.
Jesus said: (v32) "Marriage is a sacred bond that must be entered into and broken only after dire circumstances and effort made to repair it." It is much too easy to simply give up and quit. Like everything else in life that has value, marriage takes commitment, devotion, and hard work to be successful.
4.They say: (v33) "Say what you will as long as you keep your oaths to God." Your conversation doesn't really matter so long as you follow the right traditions and let people know that you keep your oaths that have religious significance.
Jesus said: "Profanity, lies, and deceit are not to be part of you conversation." Some say that it doesn't matter what you say or how you say it. Some will say that is the way we have talked all our lives. Some will say that it is a habit that they just can't seem to quit. My father used to say, "a person that uses profanity has a limited vocabulary and uses cuss words to fill up space in conversation."
5.They say: (v38) "Revenge, retribution, and strife is o.k. when it is done in the name of the God. Remember, an eye for an eye.
Jesus said: (v39-42) "Forbearance, meekness, long-suffering, and generosity are to be the evidence of me living within you." Those that want to live by the eye for an eye commandment also have to live in booths one week a year, bring beaten olive oil, keep the Passover, offer unblemished sacrifices, and the tithe cannot be changed, etc. If you want to live by one part of the law you will have to live by all the law. And if you haven't gotten it yet, we are not living under the law but under grace.
6.They say: (v43) "You only have to really love those that are of your own little select group; nationality, family, church, those like you and those you like." You are better than most so just love those that are easy to love. That way all those that are in your group will be perfect, just like you.
Jesus said: (v44) "True love is loving the unlovable." Love your enemies, those that curse you, do good to those that hate you, pray for those that despitefully use you. The key to this passage is in v45, "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." Basically it all comes back to what Jesus was saying to his disciples, this is an example of how your lives are to be different from the world around you.
Conclusion: Which was right? What they said, or what Jesus said? Jesus was giving his disciples directions on being Christian examples. He is doing the same for us today. Do you see yourself in any of these questions;
1. Are you easily angered?
2. Is your eye and heart easily drawn to sin?
3. Is your marriage sacred to you?
4. Is your tongue ruining your Christian witness?
5. Is getting even more important to you than your relationship to God?
6. Is your Christianity confined only to those like you and those you like?
May 2003
"Relationship Building"
(Acts 2:41-47)
5/18/03
Gary A. Hibberts
Introduction: Our lives are built upon relationships, good, bad, or non-existent.
Good relationships are when two or more people fellowship and co-exist together in harmony. Bad relationships happen when strife exists between individuals to keep them apart. Non-existent relationships, is the idea of purposely keeping someone at arms length.
In this passage from Acts 2, are three different relationship principles taught that I want us to examine today;
1. Our relationship to God; (v41-43)
2. Our relationship to the Church; (v44-46)
3. Our relationship to the lost; (v47)
1. Our relationship to God: We must first realize that from creation God's intention was and is that we have a loving relationship with Him. He has always loved mankind, but mankind does not always love God. The relationship He desires is two sided, He wants us to love him as he loves us. God first initiated contact with us, not us with Him. (Ps.31:19)"O how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee."
"they that gladly received his word were baptized." We will never know God until we know His word.
"they continued stedfastly in doctrine, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers." To know God is to know what he is about and participate in his plan.
"and fear came upon every soul:" As our relationship with God grows so does our fear or awe of Him. It is not a fear of retribution, but so deep and fulfilling love that we don't want to lose or endanger it by sinning."
2. Our relationship to the Church:
Many modern believers think that being faithful to the Church, fellowshipping together, burying hard feelings and grudges is passe. But it isn't. The church is God's organism for evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship; not just a place for those going to heaven someday to gather before they are translated out of this place. Without Christ the Church is nothing, without you the Church is weakened, without the Church the world is doomed.
1. "And all that believed were together." The early Christian knew it was important that they be together. Both physically and spiritually and I see no evidence in the world today that changes that precept. In fact there is a greater need for the Church today than ever before. (He.10:25)"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2. "as every man had need." (Lk.21:1-4), (Ac.4:34-35) The early Christians loved the Lord and one another so much they saw their neighbor as themselves.
3. "continuing daily:" Persistence. How easily are you discouraged, dismayed, distressed, or defeated in the work of the Lord? Which is easier for you to surrender your secular job or the Church? (He.12:1)"run with patience the race that is set before us."
3. Our relationship to the lost:
There is a fine line set forth in the Word of God that believers must toe the mark to. It is a line of separation, but also a line of compassion.
Separation, in that we do not participate in the deeds of the wicked.
Compassion, in that we be willing to go where they are to enable us to snatch them from the very fires of Hell.
The Pharisee did not want to pollute themselves, so they ignored and condemned the sinner. Jesus loved the sinner while disapproving of the sin. Which was the right attitude when seen through the eyes of Scripture.
We are forever looking for the sinner to come to us when is point of fact the scripture makes it abundantly clear that we are to go to them.
(Jn.15:16) "that ye should go and bring forth fruit."
(Lk.10:33) "as he journeyed, came where he was."
(Ac.1:8) "end of the earth."
Conclusion: How is your relationship to God? What is it built upon? Is it built entirely upon your getting to heaven, or upon deepening the knowledge of Him?
How is your relationship to the Church? If you can't get along here with a few, how do you expect to get along with the multitude in heaven?
How is your relationship to the Lost? If you don't love them enough to go to them, they probably won't love you enough to come to you.
OBC
MARCH 2003
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WHAT SPIRITUAL HERITAGE?
(John 8:31-48)
Gary A. Hibberts
03/16/03
Introduction: I want to begin my sermon this morning with a series of questions about our spiritual heritage. I know that some here were never carried to church as children and they have only as adults experienced the fellowship of the saints and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. But many of us had the distinct advantage of being drug to church by Christian parents all the years we were at home.
How many of you were carried to church by your parents or grandparents when you were children? How many remember hearing your parents read from the bible, or pray at home or in church? How many of your parents or grandparents were preachers, deacons, Sunday school teachers or other leaders in church?
I thank God for my spiritual heritage, parents that went to church, sung together, sung in the choir, read the bible to us, taught Sunday school, prayed at church and at home. They were concerned with the spiritual welfare of their two sons, along with ensuring that as many children that would fit in the car on the way to church had a ride to Sunday school. Dad and moms' lives had an impact upon my life. Where would I be but for their influence?
I am saved; but not because I am a Hibberts. I am saved; but not because mom taught Sunday school, not because dad was a deacon, or because my brother was a minister. I am saved because I recognized I was a sinner, repented of my sin, believed on Jesus Christ as Savior, and confessed Him as Lord of all.
Mom and Dad did had an influence on me and the decisions I made, but when it came down to the bottom line it was me that had to decide what I would do with this man Jesus.
What I am getting to is that we can't depend upon our parents religion. We must have salvation ourselves. The Pharisees and the large majority of the Jews depended upon being descended from Abraham and thinking that was enough.
It wasn't!!!
1. (v33) "We be Abraham' seed." Look who our forefather was, how can you say we are in bondage? He was free; we are free because of him. There was at least two things wrong with this supposition:
a. Abraham was a man of faith; these were men of tradition.
b. Abraham was open to change; these could not bend because of prestige and stubbornness.
2. (v39) "Abraham was our father." We can do anything because of the bloodline we belong to. You may have or did have good parents; parents that worked for the Lord and faithfully serve or served Him. But I have a couple of questions for you:
a. Abraham believed God and did as he was told, do you?
b. Abraham loved the truth, do you?
3. (v41) "God is our father." How do we honor our parents? How do we show them we love them? Look at verse 42 and verse 47.
(42) God loves me, do you? The proof is in the love. God loves us and we must love Him with all our heart.
(47) God' children hear his words, do you? It is easy to say we love God, but if we have turned a deaf ear to his word then we show to whom we really belong.
Conclusion: The question is not what those before you believed or did, it is what you believe or do. There is not anything wrong with cherishing our spiritual heritage, but we must know ourselves that we are saved and are living in His will, allowing Him to work through our lives to fulfill the great commission that He has entrusted with us.
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"What would you have me to do?"
Gary A. Hibberts
Introduction: Saul the great protector of the religion of the Jew, the keeper of the law, the enforcer of tradition, is now confronted with something he had not been confronted with before. The truth. Although he had stood and held the coats for those that stoned Steven he had not been touched with the truth as yet. He had believed he supported and served the truth, but when challenged in his heart where real truth abides he realized what he believed was only a façade to hide behind with all its traditions and symbolism.
Many things can be avoided, but when the light from heaven shines upon us there is no hiding place. When we accept the truth and let it do its work within us it changes our very nature and goals. I want us to look at Sauls' question today as we ask that same question of Jesus.
"What wilt thou have me to do?"
1. What: This was not a request that Jesus' statement be repeated, but a request for direction. Saul knew what was said and knew to whom it was directed he just didn't know what to do. You may deny the voice of the Holy Spirit that is speaking to you today, but in reality you know something or someone is leading you to come to God.
Have you ever truly asked Him what you should be doing with your life, how you can serve Him? You must ask in the right manner to get direction from God.
1. Humbly: Any other manner of asking will not get you the answer you need.
2. Submissively: Only when we submit ourselves to the will of God do we find the road to a right relationship with Him.
3. Voluntarily: God is looking for willing people, not people that have to be driven and coerced each time there is a work to do for Him.
2. Thou: He is God, there is none other, no other Savior or Lord.As Savior He is our Lord, that simply means that He is to be master of our lives. We are his servants, his hands and feet to carry the gospel message to the world. There must be nothing held back from his control. Unless we are willing to give him our all we are not fit to serve him.
(Lu.14:33) "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my disciple." It's either all or nothing with Him.
3. Me: This means you, not your family, not your friends, not your church, not your pastor, You! There is no one else that can do what God calls you to do. What someone else does is not as important as what you can do, and it is also none of your concern.(Jn.21:20-22) "Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You? Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that tothee? You follow Me."
4.Do: What can I do? I don't know what you are capable of doing, but I do know one thing; whatever God directs you to do He will enable you to accomplish it. Sometimes in our excitement we forget the first priority of a Christian; Follow Him. If we will first learn to follow we will be able to learn more of His will for us.
(Mt.4:19)
(Mt.9:9)
(Mt.16:24) "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up the cross and follow me."
Conclusion: As Saul did so must we. We must ask for direction and after receiving direction we must go as we are told, following Jesus to whatever field of endeavor He would direct us to. That means if we have to go with a crowd or go alone. Remember, Saul did not ask what about all the others that were with him on the Damascus road, only about himself. We would be much more effective if we did the same thing.
So what would He have you to do? And if He has told you are you doing it?
February 2003 Sermons:
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"FAIR WARNING"
(Ezekial 33:1-6)
02/23/03
Gary A. Hibberts
Introduction: If you lived on the coast and received warning that a hurricane with the destructive force of Hugo that struck Florida several years ago was headed your way, what would you do? If you had a storm shelter at your home and you received word from the National Weather Service, that a tornado was headed directly toward you, what would you do?
The smart thing is always to move from the path of danger.
But, isn't it amazing that with all the warnings issued from God in his word, and so many ignore them.
This morning I am giving you fair warning as says the word of God.
1. To the world:
(De.30:15) "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil."
*You see, God has a plan for your safety and it is set before you to either accept or refuse, but you have to understand that there are consequences to the choice you make.
(Mt.5:20) "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
*These two groups of people that Jesus was talking about had all their churchisms down pat, they knew the right things to say, but they didn't have the change of heart to be real about who they really were.
(Re.21:8) "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
*Remember, if you make the wrong choice or if what you have is only a head belief, something you have been taught or learned, it isn't going to be enough to keep you for eternity. You must have a real experience of grace, a born again experience that makes you a part of the family of God.
2. To the church: This warning has two parts. We must diligently look for inward danger, and also be about warning those that are without.
A. We must watch for inward dangers: (Ac.20:30,31) "Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
*Here Paul is warning the church about those that were part of them or appeared part of them that were troublemakers, those that took the word of God and made it into something that was not what God had intended.
(Rv.2:4)"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."
*Now John was reminding them that they had left that part of God that had enabled them to become the children of God in the first place. When we leave the rudimentary principles of God's word we leave that which has the power to allow us to make disciples and when we cease to make disciples we cease to fulfill the great commission and become sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
B. We must warn those without and those within:
(Ez.3:18)"When I say to the wicked, thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."
*The unbeliever is responsible for his response to the Word of God, but we are responsible in getting to Word of God to the unbeliever. Whether as a preacher or a lay member we are all called to be witnesses of Him. If we are not doing that then we are failing to carry out His command to us and we will be held responsible and will answer to Him for our slackness.
(Ga.6:1)"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."
*We also are responsible as believers in helping other believers. Those that are weak in faith need our support to help them grow stronger. If we see them in a time of weakness instead of judging them harshly we must try to restore them in the spirit of meekness realizing that if not for the grace of God we too can fall.
Conclusion: We the church must be faithful in warning the lost that they are headed for destruction and their only hope is the Lord Jesus Christ. If we fail to do so then we will be held accountable.
If you are here today and have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, you are in danger of plunging into Hell where there is no hope of reprieve or escape. Take time today to think of your eternal destiny. This may be your last chance to respond, make good use of it.
