“If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20 ESV)

The truth is not in the hypocrite

“Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:4 ESV)

The hypocrite’s heart is far from God

“You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Matt. 15:7-9 ESV)

Hypocrites won’t escape God’s judgement

“Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?”

Covered things will be revealed

“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:2 ESV)

The answer to hypocrisy

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matt. 7:5 ESV)

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16 ESV)

 “Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords And strengthen your pegs.” (Isa. 54:2 NASB)

Ask God to bless you and enlarge your territory

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.” (1 Chron. 4:10 NIV)

Ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 ESV)

Your Father who is in heaven gives good things to those who ask him!

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:7-11 ESV)

So that you may abound in every good work

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8 ESV)

 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)

Sometime progress is slow in coming and just plain hard work. When my children were small I was building a fence in my back yard. My son, Matthew, was watching me. I looked up from my work and said to him, “Inch by inch it’s a synch, and by the yard it’s hard!” And without missing a beat he said, “And, by the mile it’s a pile.”  We both laughed. Truth is, most jobs eventually get done if you just stick with them and don’t quit.

Don’t quit

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

Remain steadfast

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

Run with endurance the race set before you

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:1 ESV)

It produces character

“And endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” (Rom. 5:4 ESV)

 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11 ESV)

In the above passage is a list of “the unrighteous” who “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” The passage warns us not to be deceived about this.

This list includes…

• sexually immoral: From the Greek por·neiʹa, where we get the English word pornography. This word is also translated as “whoredom,” “fornication,” and “idolatry.” It means “a surrendering of sexual purity”. It is any type of sexual expression outside the boundaries of a biblically defined marriage relationship (Matthew 19:4–5).

• Idolaters: image-worship or divine honor paid to any created object. Paul describes the origin of idolatry in Romans 1:21-25

• adulterers: adultery generally refers to sexual relations by a married person—either a man or a woman—with someone other than his or her mate.

• homosexuality: God created humans to engage in sex only within the arrangement of marriage between a male and a female. (Genesis 1:27, 28; Leviticus 18:22; Proverbs 5:18, 19)

• thieves: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 19:10 NASB)

• greedy: a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5 ESV)

• drunkards: a drunkard is person who is habitually drunk. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18 KJV)

• revilers: to reproach angrily and abusively. “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” (Matthew 5:11)

• swindlers: someone who lies or scams to get someone’s money.

What a list! If you look at what we in America entertain ourselves with in our music, tv shows, and movies, you will notice that it’s about participating in the things on the list.

Such were some of you!

The good news is there is hope for those guilty of participating in any of the things mentioned on the above list! The passage continues with, “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:11 ESV)

You become a new creation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV)

 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exo. 20:12 ESV)

Complete disrespect!

I happened on a modern sitcom while flipping through the channels (I don’t usually watch them) and I was taken aback by how the main character, a teenage youth, addressed his parents. He called them by their first names, never mom or dad, laughed at them and treated them with complete disrespect. Each time he referred to them in an unflattering manner, the laugh track responded loudly. What really bothered me was that the show was teaching young viewers that it is acceptable to disrespect their parents. According to the Bible this is very dangerous. The Bible commands children to honor their parents and gives the promise that when they do, “It may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Sadly, if children don’t honor their parents the opposite will be true! Things WILL NOT go well for them, and they WILL NOT live long in the land!

For this is right (means it’s righteous)

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Eph. 6:1-3 ESV)

Those who resist will incur judgement

“Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” (Rom. 13:2 ESV)

A sign of the end times

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5 ESV)

Continue to honor them when they are old

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” (Prov. 23:22 NIV)

 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:11-12 ESV)

Where demons came from

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Rev. 12:7-9 ESV)

Test the spirits to see whether they are from God

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 ESV)

Some will depart from the faith by deceitful spirits and demon teachings

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” (1 Tim. 4:1 ESV)

Demons oppress many

“That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.” (Matt. 8:16 ESV)

Fortune telling and divination is from demons

“As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.” (Acts. 16:16-18 ESV)

Demons are subject to the Name of Jesus

“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17 ESV)

Believers will cast out demons

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues.” (Mark. 16:17 ESV)

Jesus appeared to destroy the works of the devil

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8 ESV)

Jesus within you is greater than the devil in the world

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Pet. 2:9 NIV)

When I was a child attending grade school I was the smallest kid in my class. I had been born early and weighed only a pound and a half. It took me many years to catch up to the others in my age group and I was usually a head shorter than everyone else. Being the smallest in the class put me at the bottom of the list to be chosen on any team sport. I remember well the humiliation of always being the last kid chosen in any lineup.

In the passage at top we learn some wonderful news about being chosen by God

• You are a chosen people. Chosen means to be selected, picked, appointed, elected, favored, hand-picked.
• You are a royal priesthood. A priest acts as an ambassador, a chosen vehicle through whom God has chosen to serve the people and represent Him, on His behalf.
• You are a holy nation. Defined as a kingdom of people who are sacred, consecrated, sanctified, revered, and blessed. 
• You are God’s special possession. Which is the state of ownership, care, custody, charge and guardianship.

And the reason God chose you

• So that you can declare the praises of God. “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalms 150:1-6 ESV)
• Because He called you out of darkness. “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” (Acts 26:18 ESV)
• Because He brought you into His wonderful light. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)

 “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” (Luke 2:52 NLT)

“And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.” (1 Sam. 2:26 NIV)

I had a lot to learn

I remember very early on, shortly after I had received Christ, I was leading a Bible study in a Christian coffee house. In the group was a woman who had been a Christian for many years. After the study she said to me, “Young man, you’ve got a lot to learn!” She was certainly correct! It’s been almost 50 years since then, and I’m still learning and growing.

God will continue His work within you

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Phil. 1:6 NLT)

Press on towards the goal in Jesus Christ

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:12-14 ESV)

Grow up in your salvation

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Pet. 2:2-3 NIV)

Be rooted and built up in Him

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Col. 2:6-7 NIV)

Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Pet. 3:18 NIV)

Practice and immerse yourself to see progress

“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” (1 Tim. 4:15 ESV)

 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:9-10 ESV)

God is faithful and will provide

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13 ESV)

You can rejoice in sufferings

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5 ESV)

He is greater than the enemy

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)

God will strengthen you

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)

God will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10 ESV)