The
Church of God 7th Day Eisenhauer Rd.
4102 Eisenhauer Road
San Antonio, Texas
Pastor Joe J. Corrales
(210)645-0097
"Living in the spirit of the law!"
- II Corinthians 3:5-6
We are a Sabbath (Saturday) keeping church
and we are a part of the Church of God 7th Day General Conference that
is located in Denver Colorado. The mailing address for the central offices
are: The General Conference of The Church of God 7th Day, P.O. Box 33677,
Denver Colorado, 80233-0677. Their web page address is: http://www.denver.net/~cofgsd/
If you would like to drop in and visit with
us sometime, you are more than welcome. If you are looking for a church
that abides by the commandments as Jesus Christ taught them under the New
Covenant, then we just might be what you are looking for. We are a "Spirit
Filled" church and have been in existence since the fall of 1989!
We are a church composed of diverse backgrounds and walks of life. While
we make accomodations for Spanish speeking brethren, our services are still
conducted primarily in the English language.
However, for the benefit of our distant internet
friends, we include some information in scripture you can use wherever
you are. On this church web page, we will include some bible studies and
sermons so that we may help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. It will
also give you an idea for what we are about. Feel free to print a copy
of whatever interests you and share it with your friends and neighbors.
In this way, you will also be a part of the ministry that the Lord has
commisioned all Christians to do! We will update this page from time to
time, so keep checking back with us! Email me at church@express-news.net
Sermons
"The
Problem With Pride"
""God's
Hedge"
"Influences"
"The
Problem With Pride"
I. Introduction- In today's society, it
is a commonly accepted trait to be proud. Unfortunately, it is something
that God despises and yet even Christians have a tendency to include pride
in their own lives. It is pride that causes contentions and strife. It
is pride that produces envy, distance from God and the brethren as well
as self centeredness. In this study we will examine the effects of pride
in our life and God's attitude toward it.
II. The Study-
1. The effect pride has on our relationship with
God and our neighbor:
A. Pride can cause us to be self centered and
to isolate ourselves from God and others.
a. Psa 49:11-12 Their inward thought is,
that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to
all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless
man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
b. Psa 52:7-8 Lo, this is the man that
made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches,
and strengthened himself in his wickedness. But I am like a green olive
tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
B. Pride causes envy and this leads to slandering
others.
Psa 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his
neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart
will not I suffer.
C. Pride causes contention with others.
a. Prov 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention:
but with the well advised is wisdom.
b. Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to
hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth,
do I hate.
2. Pride causes problems with our relationship
with God.
A. Because we may feel we don't need God as much.
a. Psa 73:6-8 Therefore pride compasseth
them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes
stand out with fatness:they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt,
and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
b. 1 Cor 4:6-7 And these things, brethren,
I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes;
that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written,
that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh
thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?
now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not
received it?
B. We become separated from the Lord.
a. Psa 138:6 Though the LORD be high,
yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
C. God feels he has to humble us.
a. Psa 12:3-4 The LORD shall cut off all
flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said,
With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our : who is lord over us?
3.How we need to deal with the pride problem
in ourselves.
A. When we humble ourselves to one another, we
set pride aside.
a.Mark 10:43-45 But so shall it not be
among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:And
whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even
the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to
give his life a ransom for many.
B. In this world the greatest is he that has
more people under him, serving him. But in the kingdom it is quite the
opposite.
a. Luke 9:46-48 Then there arose a reasoning
among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the
thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto
them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever
shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among
you all, the same shall be great.
b. Phil 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through
strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better
than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also
on the things of others.
3. How God deals with us to avoid pride. A. Look
at Paul as an example!
a. 2Cor 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted
above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given
to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me,lest I
should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,
that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore
will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest
upon me.
b. James 4:6-8 But he giveth more grace.
Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the
humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse
your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
III. Conclusion- It is a natural thing
to be proud. With God's help we avoid falling away from him through pride.
Let us not mistake this with honest, pride in the good things in our lives
such as the pride in our children or in a happy home.
Joe J. Corrales
"God's
Hedge"
I. Introduction - God has a hedge! It
is a special hedge that he uses to protect his people and to reserve them
from the world. All those that are a part of God's kingdom are withen God's
hedge. That does not mean that nothing can ever happen to us. There are
things that God permits us to experience for our own good and to help us
to learn and grow. Let us look closely at that hedge in order to help us
understand it a little better.
II. The Study -
1. The hedge around Job.
Job 1:9-10 Then Satan answered the LORD,
"Does Job fear God for nothing? Hast Thou not made a hedge about him
and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the
work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
A. The devil knew that there was a hedge around
Job that he could not penetrate.
B. God does not leave us over protected but allows
a degree of problems to come through that hedge.
C. It is only certain things that God permited
the devil to do to him and for his own purposes.
D. This did not mean that God stopped loving
Job either.
2. The hedge means salvation and defense.
2 Sam 22:3-7 My God, my rock, in whom I take
refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;
My savior, Thou dost save me from violence. I call upon the LORD, who is
worthy to be praised; And I am saved from my enemies. For the waves of
death encompassed me; The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me; The cords
of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. In my distress
I called upon the LORD, Yes, I cried to my God; And from His temple He
heard my voice, And my cry for help came into His ears.
A. Perhaps we do suffer a certain degree of problems
but they would probably be more severe if not for God's hedge.
B. The Lord hears our prayer and closes up the
hedge of protection over us in time of need.
C. Sometimes we feel ovewhelmed by difficulties
and in those times we need his protection.
3. The hedge doesn't go down at night or when
are afraid.
Psa 91:4-9 He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and
buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the
arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall
at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come
nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of
the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the
most High, thy habitation;
A. When we are fearful, we need to remember the
hedge of God.
B. Just because we feel like things are out of
control, it doesn't mean that God has.
C. The hedge of protection is there when we need
it the most.
4. The hege is like a tower of strength in your
darkest hour.
a. Psa 27:5-6 For in the time of trouble
he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall
he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be
lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in
his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises
unto the LORD.
b. Psa 61:3-4 For thou hast been a shelter
for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle
for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
A. He hides us with his hedge but also establishes
and gives a solid foundation.
B. We are only asked to trust in the saftey withen
the hedge of protection but often, we reject it.
a. Isa 5:1-7 Let me sing now for my well-beloved
A song of my beloved concerning His vineyard. My well-beloved had a vineyard
on a fertile hill. And He dug it all around, removed its stones, And planted
it with the choicest vine. And He built a tower in the middle of it, And
hewed out a wine vat in it; Then He expected it to produce good grapes,
But it produced only worthless ones. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem
and men of Judah, Judge between Me and My vineyard. What more was there
to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected
it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones? So now let Me
tell you what I am going to do to My vineyard: I will remove its hedge
and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall and it will become
trampled ground. And I will lay it waste; It will not be pruned or hoed,
But briars and thorns will come up. I will also charge the clouds to rain
no rain on it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,
And the men of Judah His delightful plant. Thus He looked for justice,
but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.
b. Lam 3:1-7 I am the man who has seen
affliction Because of the rod of His wrath. He has driven me and made me
walk In darkness and not in light. Surely against me He has turned His
hand Repeatedly all the day. He has caused my flesh and my skin to waste
away, He has broken my bones. He has besieged and encompassed me with bitterness
and hardship. In dark places He has made me dwell, Like those who have
long been dead. He has walled me in so that I cannot go out; He has made
my chain heavy.
c. Hosea 2:6-10 "Therefore, behold,
I will hedge up her way with thorns, And I will build a wall against her
so that she cannot find her paths. And she will pursue her lovers, but
she will not overtake them; And she will seek them, but will not find them.
Then she will say, 'I will go back to my first husband, For it was better
for me then than now!' For she does not know that it was I who gave her
the grain, the new wine, and the oil, And lavished on her silver and gold,
Which they used for Baal. Therefore, I will take back My grain at harvest
time And My new wine in its season. I will also take away My wool and My
flax Given to cover her nakedness. And then I will uncover her lewdness
In the sight of her lovers, And no one will rescue her out of My hand.
d. Prov 1:24-28 Because I have called,
and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;But ye
have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also
will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your
fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind;
when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me,
but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find
me:
e. Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath
set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call
unto him.
A. So if we are feeling alone and desolate, it
is because we have relied on our own resources.
B. It may well be that we have found the hedge
that God offers is too stifling and oppresive.
C. We often reject a true relationship with God
because of the need to develop and work at the relationship.
II. Conclusion:
The hedge of protection that God offers can be
a wonderful blessing for us. It shields us from many of life's difficulties
but at the same time, it separates us from the things of the world. Everything
is fine until we want to leave that hedge to go our own way. We then find
that God can use this hedge to punish and correct us. We need to live by
faith and confident in his protection.
Joe J. Corrales
"Influences"
Lead Verse: John 17:14-16 I have given
them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take
them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I. Introduction- In life we are influenced
by people around us. They make us strong or they may weaken us. On the
other hand, we may influence people around us. I guess this all depends
on how strong or weak we are. Either way, the longer we associate with
people that may influence us in a negative way, the more effect they have
on us. This study is about the effect people have on others, and the relationships
that develop and some of the reasons people may deal with you a certain
way. II. The Study -
1. We need to be careful about associating with
those that will influence us in a bad way and not learn their ways.
A. Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh
not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
B. Prov 22:24-25 Make no friendship with
an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn
his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
C. Prov 29:24 Whoso is partner with a
thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
D. Prov 1:10-12 My son, if sinners entice
thee, consent thou not.If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood,
let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them
up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
E. Prov 14:7-8 Go from the presence of
a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The
wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools
is deceit.
F. Pet 2:20-21 For if after they have
escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the
latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better
for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have
known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2. We need to get those people out of our lives
or get away from those that tend to be a bad influence to us and at the
same time, keep us from being Godly people.
A. 2 Cor 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what
concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with
an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye
are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them,
and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a
Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty.
B. Heb 12:15-16 Looking diligently lest
any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing
up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;Lest there be any fornicator,
or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
C. 1 Tim 1:18-20 This charge I commit
unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on
thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and
a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made
shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto
Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
3. Does this mean we can't associate or talk
to people who are not Christians?
A. Luke 7:34-39 The Son of man is come
eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber,
a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children.
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he
went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.And, behold, a woman
in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in
the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,And stood at
his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and
did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed
them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw
it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would
have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for
she is a sinner.
B. 1 Cor 7:16 For what knowest thou, O
wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man,
whether thou shalt save thy wife?
C. 1 Pet 3:1-2 Likewise, ye wives, be
in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they
also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While
they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
4. The truth is that we can't run away from the
world and not be around them at work, school, or our community in general.
Therefore, we must be prepared for contention and strife.
A. Phil 2:15-16 That ye may be blameless
and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked
and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding
forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I
have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
B. 2 Tim 2:14 Of these things put them
in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about
words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
C. Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil,
but overcome evil with good.
D. Mat 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the
earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?
it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden
under foot of men.Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on
an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under
a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in
the house.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
E. 1 John 4:4-6 Ye are of God, little
children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you,
than he that is in the world.They are of the world: therefore speak they
of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth
God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the
spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
F. Gal 5:7-10 Ye did run well; who did
hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not
of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.I have
confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded:
but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
5.In a situation where someone will have to be
influenced-one way or another, it should be them by us and not the other
way around.
A. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
B. John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me,
as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water.(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him
should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus
was not yet glorified.)
C. 1 Pet 2:11-12 Dearly beloved, I beseech
you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against
the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas
they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which
they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
D. 1 Th 1:7-8 So that ye were ensamples
to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the
word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place
your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any
thing.
III. Conclusion - So let is conclude with
the fact that Christ never meant t take us out of the world. We need to
remain here until he comes again. While we are to remain in the world for
a time, we cannot become conformed to it and defiled by it. Let us be a
good influence to others and not allow them to influence us instead. We
need to be careful what type of people we associate with too!
Psa 26:4-7 I have not sat with vain persons,
neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of
evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in
innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with
the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Joe J. Corrales
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