Ironworks

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3              Will you imagine with me for a moment that one of the wealthiest people in the world, say Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, in an attempt to help the disadvantaged children of a particular region, started a school. As you can imagine, there would be many who would want to receive the benefit of attending such a school supported by such a benefactor. To have such a school, some guidelines would have to be established. There would have to be age, economic, and other considerations taken into account for one to be admitted and to receive the benefits of being enrolled in the school. We all accept that to receive the benefits of such a school one must be admitted into the school.              The LORD has provided us a home for those who will obey the Gospel. He wants to bless each with spiritual blessings. There is a spe

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52                    Over the last few weeks, many of our daily schedules have changed. Some of you might have used some extra time learning or trying something new. Many people are trying their hand at baking bread, doing landscaping, and building things. I guess this is a good use of time for people to grow in areas where they are lacking.                    Luke records that Jesus, as he came up, increased in several areas. These areas would be great for all Christians to consider as we have time away from a normal schedule. First, Jesus increased in wisdom. To grow in wisdom is to grow in the proper application of intelligence. Second, Jesus increased in stature. He grew physically. Third, Jesus increased in favor with God. He grew religiously. Fourth, he grew in favor with men. He grew socially.                                         Jesus increased in all he did, at all times. H

When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests: And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean. If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days :And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more: And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark

For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. James 1:23-24               We examine our appearances at some point every day. We often do it when we wake up and head to the bathroom where we see our face in the mirror.  Upon seeing that appearance, we make adjustments and change the condition by seeking to improve our disheveled state because we want to do the best we can to portray the best image of ourselves.              The Word of the Lord is the mirror for our souls. When we look into it, we fully see the functions that God intended for the Word He gave us. Bro. Leroy Brownlow once described these functions as follows: 1) It reveals the origin of the soul: (Gen 2:7). 2) It reveals the value of the soul: (Matt. 16:26). 3) It reveals the disfigurements of the soul: (Gal 5:19-21). 4)

         And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.   Exodus 15:26                There is great need in this country as more and more people become sick with COVID-19. There are many more who are now facing uncertainty financially and many people are working around the clock to attempt to heal both of these ills. After the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, he said these words to Moses, " I am the LORD that healeth thee."                   Stephen preached the fact that M oses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds (cf. Acts 7:22). However, it was not his education in Egypt that would help the people of Israel find healing; it would be the Law g

      Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the  Lord  imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the   Lord ; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.  Psalm 32:1-5                   A few weeks ago , I preached on forgiveness and how it is qualified. I wanted to add this in and share a few thoughts from Psalm 32: Please recall Davids great sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). You will surely be reminded that he made many attempts to cover it up. He very well may have believed that he had gotten away with it.   Now, apply that knowledge to the above Psalm 32.                   “When I

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 3 John 1:11         Who will you follow? Will you follow the crowds, or will you follow the Lord? Will you follow the trends of those who ridicule the name of the Lord and His people? Will you try to fit in with a world that will chew you up and spit you out? Let’s say no with our actions. Can we love like God loved? Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good (cf. Rom. 12:9).         This is not something that is impossible in 2020. I know we have been told that it’s too late, that our society is too far gone. It’s not. The church was born in a deplorable time with the same immorality, disregard for human life, and pagan worship. In fact, the church was comprised of many people who came out of that (see 1 Cor 6:9-10); they were people who chose to no longer follow evil but to follow that which