John Skaggs

Adam and Eve walked with God; Abel walked with God, and Enoch, also made righteous by faith, walked with God living an obedient life while surrounded by wicked and perverse God-haters. Our famous brother Noah was also a member of that remnant of believers to whom God had given the gifts of repentance and faith. 
 
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence (to God) prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 
 
This summation of God’s interaction with Noah and his faith response is fleshed out in the book of Genesis. Turn with me to Genesis 6:5, 
 
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. 
 
Did Noah’s righteousness or good behavior endear him to God? Or, was the faith gifted to him by God, the cause of his being declared righteous in the eyes of God? You know the answer, don’t you! Apart from God’s gift of grace, Noah would have been like all the rest, a child of wrath without hope and without God in the world. Like everyone else, Noah had gone astray from the womb speaking lies and loving sin, but he was called out of that mass of corruption and caused to believe in God and His promise of a Redeemer. Through this gift of faith, Noah became the righteousness of God in Christ!

Adam and Eve walked with God; Abel walked with God, and Enoch, also made righteous by faith, walked with God living an obedient life while surrounded by wicked and perverse God-haters. Our famous brother Noah was also a member of that remnant of believers to whom God had given the gifts of repentance and faith. 

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence (to God) prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

This summation of God’s interaction with Noah and his faith response is fleshed out in the book of Genesis. Turn with me to Genesis 6:5, 

5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created 

31 Noah,  Righteous by Faith / Hebrews 11: 7 / 10-20-2019 / John Skaggs

In vs. 26 we find the phrase, – “If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth.” This statement refers to a person who has understood the Gospel and declared their faith in Jesus as Savior yet; they walk away from Him to live in sin. For this person, “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” and he or she will live with “a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES” of God! (vs. 27) 
 
The author continues to emphasize the seriousness of this matter. Hebrews 10:28-29, 
 
Hebrews 10:28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

In vs. 26 we find the phrase, – “If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth.” This statement refers to a person who has understood the Gospel and declared their faith in Jesus as Savior yet; they walk away from Him to live in sin. For this person, “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” and he or she will live with “a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES” of God! (vs. 27)

The author continues to emphasize the seriousness of this matter. Hebrews 10:28-29,

Hebrews 10:28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

26 Trampling Underfoot the Son of God / Hebrews 10:19-31 / 08-25-2019 / John Skaggs

Vs. 36 says what we all need to hear - “You have need of endurance!” – Our flesh wants out of every uncomfortable thing in our lives; we want to run from all suffering. But as we learned in our recent study of James, God custom designs every trial in our lives to do us good and not harm; by suffering He teaches us to be patient, to endure, while under pressure without abandoning our faith. So, God’s council is this, don’t turn back, stay the course as you did in the beginning, and when you have done “the will of God you will receive the promise” – (see Hebrews 6:12, 15; 9:15; 11:13, 17, 39) 
 
Satan will roar against us. The world will allure us. Those things are inevitable; but so is this: ‘The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us’ (Romans 8:18). At the end of our lives whether we die of natural causes or we are murdered for our faith, we shall be with Christ! We will be like Christ! We shall see him as he is, ‘face to face’! Our God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes forever! When we have entered glory with Christ, there will be no more sorrow, because there will be no more sin! Therefore, be patient, endure to the end where all the promises will be fulfilled. 
 
All God’s children must patiently endure the hardships of life, but one day it will come to an end, 
 
37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. 38 BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.

Vs. 36 says what we all need to hear - “You have need of endurance!” – Our flesh wants out of every uncomfortable thing in our lives; we want to run from all suffering. But as we learned in our recent study of James, God custom designs every trial in our lives to do us good and not harm; by suffering He teaches us to be patient, to endure, while under pressure without abandoning our faith. So, God’s council is this, don’t turn back, stay the course as you did in the beginning, and when you have done “the will of God you will receive the promise” – (see Hebrews 6:12, 15; 9:15; 11:13, 17, 39) 

Satan will roar against us. The world will allure us. Those things are inevitable; but so is this: ‘The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us’ (Romans 8:18). At the end of our lives whether we die of natural causes or we are murdered for our faith, we shall be with Christ! We will be like Christ! We shall see him as he is, ‘face 

27 We Need Endurance / Hebrews 10:26-31 / 09-01-2019 / John Skaggs

Having encouraged, counseled, argued, and warned, our author returns to the subject of Christ’s priesthood in Hebrews 4:14-16. 
 
Therefore, since we have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (continue trusting exclusively in Christ for salvation) 15 For (Because) we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 
 
1. vs. 14 – We have a Great High Priest! No priest in the OT was described in this way. So, what makes Jesus the greatest of all Priests? Well, died, was buried, rose from the dead and has passed through the Heavens into the very presence of God where He intercedes on behalf of all who believe in Him. Further, He is Greater than any human priest because He is the God-Man, fully man and fully divine! 
 
2. vs. 15 – Jesus is Great compared to earthly priests because He had no sin of His own to atone for. He lived a perfect life in thought, word, and deed thereby establishing His righteousness which qualified Him to be our Sacrificial Lamb, spotless, unblameable, and perfect in both in His living and dying. How does this affect my relationship with God? 
 
3. We find the answer in vs. 16 – By faith in Christ’s life and death, we have unlimited access to God! We can come boldly into His presence by the blood and righteousness of Christ! We come as sons and daughters to find mercy and grace in time of need! Therefore, let us come, and keep on coming to the throne of Grace!

Having encouraged, counseled, argued, and warned, our author returns to the subject of Christ’s priesthood in Hebrews 4:14-16.

Therefore, since we have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (continue trusting exclusively in Christ for salvation) 15 For (Because) we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

1. vs. 14 – We have a Great High Priest! No priest in the OT was described in this way. So, what makes Jesus the greatest of all Priests? Well, died, was buried, rose from the dead and has passed through the Heavens into the very presence of God where He intercedes on behalf of all who believe in Him. Further, He is Greater than any human priest because He is the God-Man, full

14 Our Great High Priest / Hebrews 4:1-4, 5:1-11 / 03-17-2019 / John Skaggs

The ultimate author of the Bible is God the Holy Spirit. The words we have in our hands were breathed out by God into the minds of men who wrote by His direction and the letter to the Hebrews is no exception. Because of the great love with which God in Christ loved these feeble saints, He moved this man, whose name has been lost to us, to write what we call the book of Hebrews. He doesn’t write in anger, rather he speaks the truth in love. He addresses their minds, asks them to think, and then act. He says some very difficult things, but he does so with respect. He must say difficult things, he must be honest, he must speak truth that hurts because each one of his readers will live forever in Heaven or Hell depending on what they do with Jesus. Will they abandon their professed faith in Him and return to Judaism proving they never believed in Jesus as Savior and Lord? Or will they hold fast to Christ and be saved for all time and eternity? There is much at stake therefore, the writer piles argument upon argument to make the case that Jesus is the only mediator between God and sinners! Jesus is the only way to God! 
 
The word “therefore” is used 24 times in this letter (NASB translation). In the first three chapters the writer uses “therefore” to transition from an explanation of truth to the response he wants from his readers, he does so 6 times. Two of those instances are found in our text today. Please open your Bibles to Hebrews 3:7-19 . . . 
 
Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, 8 DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, 9 WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED Me BY TESTING Me, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS. 10 "THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART; AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’; 11 AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, ‘THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.’" 12 Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God.

The ultimate author of the Bible is God the Holy Spirit. The words we have in our hands were breathed out by God into the minds of men who wrote by His direction and the letter to the Hebrews is no exception. Because of the great love with which God in Christ loved these feeble saints, He moved this man, whose name has been lost to us, to write what we call the book of Hebrews. He doesn’t write in anger, rather he speaks the truth in love. He addresses their minds, asks them to think, and then act. He says some very difficult things, but he does so with respect. He must say difficult things, he must be honest, he must speak truth that hurts because each one of his readers will live forever in Heaven or Hell depending on what they do with Jesus. Will they abandon their professed faith in Him and return to Judaism proving they never believed in Jesus as Savior and Lord? Or will they hold fast to Christ and be saved for all time and eternity? There is much at stake therefore, the writer p

09 Therefore Do not Harden Your Hearts / Hebrews  3:7-19 / 01-27-19 / John Skaggs

Unlike the human priests of old our Apostle and High Priest, did not offer the blood of Bulls and Goats that could never take away sin. Neither does He offer sacrifices over and over again. Rather, Jesus offered himself one time and took His blood into the Holiest Place of all, the throne room of God in Heaven. There, the blood and righteousness of Christ was received by God as a complete and eternal satisfaction for the sins of all who trust in Christ for salvation. In Jesus, our never dying High Priest, we have eternal redemption. In Him, the human Priesthood has been superseded and abolished! No man stands between the believer and His God, none but the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, the Lord Jesus Christ who died and is risen! Holy Brethren, look not to the right, look not to the left, rather, consider Jesus . . . 
 
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

Unlike the human priests of old our Apostle and High Priest, did not offer the blood of Bulls and Goats that could never take away sin. Neither does He offer sacrifices over and over again. Rather, Jesus offered himself one time and took His blood into the Holiest Place of all, the throne room of God in Heaven. There, the blood and righteousness of Christ was received by God as a complete and eternal satisfaction for the sins of all who trust in Christ for salvation. In Jesus, our never dying High Priest, we have eternal redemption. In Him, the human Priesthood has been superseded and abolished! No man stands between the believer and His God, none but the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, the Lord Jesus Christ who died and is risen! Holy Brethren, look not to the right, look not to the left, rather, consider Jesus . . .

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony giv

07 Consider Jesus / Hebrews 3:1-5 /  01-06-2019 / John Skaggs

It’s hard to believe that the doubters and those who believed originally stood side by side. They might have been family members, raised by the same parents, taught the same truths, participants in the same religious ceremonies. But in a moment one saw Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the other cried out, crucify Him! What made the difference between the two? It had to be God for "THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD!” God makes the difference between one man and another raising one from spiritual death to life, while leaving the other in his sin and unbelief. Salvation is of the Lord! Consider . . . 
 
Romans 9:15 . . . "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." 16 So then it (meaning salvation) does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. . . 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED. Now look at . . . 
 
John 1:10-13 He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, (to the Jews first) and those who were His own did not receive Him. (however, a small number did and John now tells us why) 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, (born again) not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Salvation is of and by the Lord! Look also at . . . 
 
John 10:22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, (the promised Messiah) tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 "But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 "I and the Father are one." 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 
 
Not all the Jews picked up stones, not everyone cried “crucify Him!” The ones to whom the books of James and Hebrews were written, bowed low and believed because God the Holy Spirit had raised them from spiritual death; He had given them new hearts, minds, eyes, ears, the gifts of repentance and faith in Christ so that they became the children of God. The unbelieving Jews turned on the followers of Jesus and persecuted them relentlessly.

It’s hard to believe that the doubters and those who believed originally stood side by side. They might have been family members, raised by the same parents, taught the same truths, participants in the same religious ceremonies. But in a moment one saw Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the other cried out, crucify Him! What made the difference between the two? It had to be God for "THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD!” God makes the difference between one man and another raising one from spiritual death to life, while leaving the other in his sin and unbelief. Salvation is of the Lord! Consider . . . 

Romans 9:15 . . . "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." 16 So then it (meaning salvation) does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. . . 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT TH

01 Christ is Superior to the Prophets / Hebrews 1:1-3 / 10-28-2018 / John Skaggs

In Matthew 7:16-27 we find Jesus warning his hearers about False Prophets, but the warnings are applicable to everyone who professes faith in Jesus for salvation. 
 
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. (there is a fundamental difference between the two) 19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 "And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ (The lawless person’s only rule of faith and practice is what he wants at any given moment. The Christian’s only rule of faith must be the Word of God; that is the standard by which he lives and breathes.) 24 "Therefore everyone (every person on earth) who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, (obeys them) may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; (he speaks of the storms of life, temptations from within and without, tests, trials, suffering physically and spiritually, the onslaughts of Satan) and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. (That Rock is Jesus Christ, the God man, who died to save sinners FROM their sin. On the other hand, . . .) 26 "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall." Therefore, professed faith in Christ that does not produce love for God, man, and obedience to the Word, is not saving faith.

In Matthew 7:16-27 we find Jesus warning his hearers about False Prophets, but the warnings are applicable to everyone who professes faith in Jesus for salvation. 

"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. (there is a fundamental difference between the two) 19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 "And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU 

08 Reflections in the Word of Truth / James 1:21-26 / 05-06-18 / John Skaggs

We are all called to this work of Evangelism, but we must remember, whether sharing the Gospel with one person or a hundred, we depend entirely on God for the opportunity, the courage to speak, the content of our message, and the sinner’s response. Therefore . . . 
 
1. We must be devoted prayer, pleading with God to intervene in the circumstances and hearts of those to whom we wish to speak. And, we must be thankful for God’s answer and providential rule over all. 
2. We must pray specifically that God would open doors, meaning, give us the opportunity to explain the Gospel to unbelievers. 
 
3. Finally, having prepared ourselves for Evangelism by committing God’s truth to our memories, we must pray that God would help us speak in a clear and orderly fashion, with love, and respect. 
 
These are the 3 evangelistic necessities Paul speaks of in Colossians 4:2-4 
 
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

We are all called to this work of Evangelism, but we must remember, whether sharing the Gospel with one person or a hundred, we depend entirely on God for the opportunity, the courage to speak, the content of our message, and the sinner’s response. Therefore . . .
 
1. We must be devoted prayer, pleading with God to intervene in the circumstances and hearts of those to whom we wish to speak. And, we must be thankful for God’s answer and providential rule over all.
2. We must pray specifically that God would open doors, meaning, give us the opportunity to explain the Gospel to unbelievers. 

3. Finally, having prepared ourselves for Evangelism by committing God’s truth to our memories, we must pray that God would help us speak in a clear and orderly fashion, with love, and respect.

These are the 3 evangelistic necessities Paul speaks of in Colossians 4:2-4

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that

17 Evangelistic Necessities / Colossians 4:2-6 / 1-21-2018 / John Skaggs

Soon after I became a Christian brother Bob Bowles gave me a copy of the Westminster Confession of Faith. It is one of the great Confessions influenced by the Reformation. Although it contains some obvious Presbyterian distinctives it remains a sound and faithful guide to the Christian faith. 
 
In chapter 15 titled “Of Repentance unto Life” we find 5 paragraphs that will introduce today’s lesson from the book of Colossians. Paragraph 1 . . . 
Repentance to eternal life is an evangelical grace,a (a gift from God) repentance is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, along with the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation.b a. Zech 12:10; Acts 11:18. b. Luke 24:47; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21. 
Paragraph 2 . . . 
By repentance, the sinner, sensing the danger of judgement, and the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as being contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and understanding the promise of God’s mercy in Christ to those who repent and believe, so grieves over, and hates his sins, that he turns from them all unto God, determined to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments’ a. Ezek. 18:30–31; 36:31; Isa. 30:22; Ps. 51:4; Jer. 31:18–19; Joel 2:12–13; Amos 5:15; Ps. 119:128; 2 Cor. 7;11. b. Ps. 119:6, 59, 106; Luke 1:6; 2 Ki. 23:25. Paragraph 3 . . . 
Although repentance is not to be rested in, as a satisfaction for sin, or the cause of pardon a which is only by God’s free grace in Christ;b yet, repentance is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.c a. Ezek. 36:31–32; 16:61–63. b. Hos. 14:2, 4; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7. c. Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30–31. Paragraph 4 . . . 
There is no sin so small, that it doesn’t deserve damnation;a likewise, there is no sin so great, that it can damn one who truly repents, believes in, and follows Christ.b a. Rom. 6:23; 5:12; Matt. 12:36. b. Isa. 55:7; Rom. 8:1; Isa. 1:16, 18. Paragraph 5 . . . 
Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, rather it is every man’s duty to repent of his particular sins. The one who seeks forgiveness must acknowledge the truth about his practice of sin in thought, word, and deed, and repent or turn from it all.a a. Ps. 19:13; Luke 19:8; 1 Tim. 1:13, 15. (End Quote – some antiquated language updated)

Soon after I became a Christian brother Bob Bowles gave me a copy of the Westminster Confession of Faith. It is one of the great Confessions influenced by the Reformation. Although it contains some obvious Presbyterian distinctives it remains a sound and faithful guide to the Christian faith.

In chapter 15 titled “Of Repentance unto Life” we find 5 paragraphs that will introduce today’s lesson from the book of Colossians. Paragraph 1 . . .
Repentance to eternal life is an evangelical grace,a (a gift from God) repentance is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, along with the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation.b  a. Zech 12:10; Acts 11:18. b. Luke 24:47; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21.
Paragraph 2 . . .
By repentance, the sinner, sensing the danger of judgement, and the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as being contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and understanding the promise of God’s mercy in Christ to those who repent and believe, so grieves over, an

13 Always Repenting / Colossians 3:5-14 / 11-12-2017 / John Skaggs

King Nebuchadnezzar describes God’s Sovereignty in Daniel 4:34 . . . 
 
 “. . . For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ 
 
The Christian’s God, the God of the Bible, is the Sovereign Ruler of everything and everyone He has created. He alone has the undisputed right to make decisions about His creation and the unlimited power to carry them out. GOD IS SOVEREIGN! The Psalmist declares this truth in Psalms 103:19-22 . . . 
 
"The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; And His sovereignty rules over all. {20} Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! {21} Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. {22} Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!" 
 
"The Lord has established His throne in the heavens!" God is on His throne, He has absolute power, and is ruling over everything, including humans! This text makes clear what our response should be to God’s sovereignty! 
 
The Angels are to PRAISE THE LORD as they obey His commands and carry out His will. His heavenly armies, (hosts) are to PRAISE THE LORD as they obey His commands and carry out His will. ALL THE WORKS OF HIS HANDS, in all places of His Sovereign Dominion, are to praise the Lord as they obey His commands and carry out His will. Then the Psalmist speaks to himself saying, “Bless the Lord oh my soul!” 
 
Our God is on His throne exercising His Sovereign rule over everything and everyone! Which should fill us with praise, peace, and thanksgiving! Bless the Lord oh my Soul! 
This God rules over all human governments whether Kings, Presidents, Dictators, Republicans, or Democrats. His dominion is so complete and powerful, the author of Ephesians 1:11 says "God works all things after the counsel of His own will." 
 
"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36) 
 
Sometimes we need to be reminded that our joys, heartaches, children, health, sickness, life, death, our money or lack of money; the hard thing that has come into my life, it is all from God, it can only come through God, and is designed to return Glory to God. Don’t adjust or qualify the inspired statement, you’ll ruin it, just read and rejoice!

King Nebuchadnezzar describes God’s Sovereignty in Daniel 4:34 . . .

 “. . . For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

The Christian’s God, the God of the Bible, is the Sovereign Ruler of everything and everyone He has created. He alone has the undisputed right to make decisions about His creation and the unlimited power to carry them out. GOD IS SOVEREIGN! The Psalmist declares this truth in Psalms 103:19-22 . . .

"The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; And His sovereignty rules over all. {20} Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! {21} Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. {22} Bless the LORD, 

Hurricanes and Evil Intent / Psalm 103:19-22 / 10-08-2017 / John Skaggs

Colossians 1:21 “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds. . .” This is true of us all before we come to Christ. 
 
1. Alienated and hostile in mind – alienated - estranged, shut out from fellowship and intimacy with God. hostile in mind – by nature we are opposed to God’s rule in our minds. Romans 8:6-8 
2. We were - Engaged in evil deeds – actions opposed to God’s law, motivated by a hateful and selfish attitude. Titus 1:15-16. This is who we were . . . 
 
Colossians 1:22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach 
 
1. He has now reconciled you (22) – reconciled – the word speaks of bringing one back to former state of harmony – Romans 5:6-11 
 
2. In His fleshly body through death (22) – fleshly body – God prepared a flesh and blood body for his Son who would then give himself over to death by crucifixion for God’s lost and sinful sheep. John 10:11&15, Hebrews 10:5-18 
 
3. Jesus sacrificed himself - In order to present you before God Holy and blameless (22) – present – is used in the sense of presenting a trophy or prize won by athletic exertion. Jesus redeemed us with his blood so that He could present us to His Father, not as practicing sinners, but - Holy and blameless – sharers in God’s purity – 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 1:4, 5:27, Titus 2:14, Jude 24. 
 
5. Beyond reproach (22) – one that cannot be called into account, unreproveable, unaccusable, blameless – 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Romans 8:1+31-39

Colossians 1:21 “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds. . .” This is true of us all before we come to Christ.

1. Alienated and hostile in mind – alienated - estranged, shut out from fellowship and intimacy with God. hostile in mind – by nature we are opposed to God’s rule in our minds. Romans 8:6-8
2. We were - Engaged in evil deeds – actions opposed to God’s law, motivated by a hateful and selfish attitude. Titus 1:15-16. This is who we were . . . 

Colossians 1:22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach 

1. He has now reconciled you (22) – reconciled – the word speaks of bringing one back to former state of harmony – Romans 5:6-11 

2. In His fleshly body through death (22) – fleshly body – God prepared a flesh and blood body for his Son who would then give himself over to death by crucifixion for God’s lost and sinful sheep. John 10:11&15

05 I Am Beyond Reproach In Christ / Colossians 1:21-23 / John Skaggs

The Philippians were already lovers of God and man, but like all of us, they needed to grow in love. However, he wants their love to be real as defined in the Bible, so he adds . . . 
 
2. Philippians 1:9 “I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment . . .” 
 
He wants them to grow in love but love can’t be self-defined. Rather, our definition of love for God and man must be biblical. The knowledge we need to discern what is, and is not, true love, can only be found in the Bible. We have just discovered that love for God is expressed by joyful obedience to his word. (John 14:15, 1 John 5:3) Now let’s see what Christian love for our neighbor looks like. 
 
1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (a big fat “zero!”) 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (“the goal of all biblical instruction is love” and here is what real, mature, love looks like) 4 Love is patient, (longsuffering, slow to give up or get angry) love is kind (as opposed to harsh and mean) and is not jealous; (it does not boil with envy, hatred, anger) love does not brag (does not promote self) and is not arrogant, (proud, self-exalting) 5 does not act unbecomingly; (love has manners, it does what is right in the sight of God and man) it does not seek its own, (Biblical love is always other people concerned) is not provoked, (not easily irritated, not short tempered, or touchy) does not take into account a wrong suffered, (in other words, love does not record offenses, it forgives and them) 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, (real love wants nothing to do with sin, it can’t be happy in the midst of sin) but rejoices with the truth; (love seeks out and lives according to God’s truth) 7 bears all things, (real love covers a multitude of sins, it does not gossip, rather, it hides the faults of others by silence) believes all things, (love thinks the best of others and their motives till it is proven different, love is not suspicious or cynical) hopes all things, (love always hopes for a good outcome) endures all things. (true love stands fast, refusing to stop bearing, believing, and hoping) 8 Love never fails; (Christian love perseveres in the face of all opposition. There is no “falling out” of Biblical love) Love involves feelings of every kind but feelings are not what love is made of. Love is made of obedience to God and a commitment to love our fellow man as God in Christ loved and gave himself for us. 
 
The Philippians, and modern day Christians, must filter their idea of love through “knowledge,” or Biblical truth. Then they will be able to discern what true love for God and man really is. Love is the goal of all Christian teaching.

The Philippians were already lovers of God and man, but like all of us, they needed to grow in love. However, he wants their love to be real as defined in the Bible, so he adds . . .

2. Philippians 1:9 “I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment . . .”

He wants them to grow in love but love can’t be self-defined. Rather, our definition of love for God and man must be biblical. The knowledge we need to discern what is, and is not, true love, can only be found in the Bible. We have just discovered that love for God is expressed by joyful obedience to his word. (John 14:15, 1 John 5:3) Now let’s see what Christian love for our neighbor looks like.

1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (a big fat “zero!”) 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, 

02 Paul Prays for the Philippians / Philippians 1:7- 11 / 01-15-2017 / John Skaggs

We pick up our study of Matthew’s Gospel in Matthew 8:1-4 . . . 
 
“When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." 3 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 
 
Jesus had already performed many miracles but this time he takes on the disease which is said to be worse than death. Leprosy was relentless and almost always fatal in Christ’s day. Its subjects were like the walking dead, separate from the rest of humanity, without human contact, love, home, country, or employment. Everything we take for granted, was taken from them at the time of diagnosis. 
 
Leprosy is not a pretty disease. Its spread cannot be slowed or stopped. It changes one’s appearance day to day until its victim is unrecognizable. It melts away fingers, toes, facial features, and limbs, inches at a time, and at last it destroys the vital organs. Leprosy is the embodiment of what the curse has done to us physically and the representation of what sin has done to us spiritually. Death is the result on both counts, one physical, the other, spiritual. One leads to the grave, the other, to the second death, meaning eternal separation from God! 
 
That a Leper made his way to Jesus by pressing through a great crowd is astonishing! He just wasn’t supposed to be there. He was to have no contact with healthy humans. It was the law of God! Yet, driven by desperation, by life and death, he was there, in the presence of Jesus, his only hope, and he . . . 
 
Matthew 8:2 “. . . bowed down before Jesus, and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

We pick up our study of Matthew’s Gospel in Matthew 8:1-4 . . . 

“When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." 3 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 

Jesus had already performed many miracles but this time he takes on the disease which is said to be worse than death. Leprosy was relentless and almost always fatal in Christ’s day. Its subjects were like the walking dead, separate from the rest of humanity, without human contact, love, home, country, or employment. Everything we take for granted, was taken from them at the time of diagnosis.

Leprosy is not a pretty disease. Its spread cannot be slowed or st

24 Gospel of Matthew / Lord If You Are Willing /  Matthew 8:1-4 / John Skaggs

The United States Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, then edited and adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. You and I are familiar with the words; “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” 
 
The right to live, the right to be free, and to pursue the coveted prize of happiness. Like love, happiness is sought by all, but most are looking in the wrong places. The unbeliever will never find happiness, the Christian, on the other hand, has it in his possession as a gift from his Father. There’s a whole book of the Bible dedicated to this subject, written by the wisest man on who ever lived, King Solomon. 
 
With God given, supernatural, wisdom, Solomon set out in pursuit of happiness, contentment, and satisfaction. His hunting ground was the world. The record of this great adventure is found in the book of Ecclesiastes where Solomon puts before us a two part conclusion. The first part is found in chapter 1:1-2, the second in chapter 12:13-14 (Ecclesiastes is between Proverbs and The Song of Solomon) 
 
Part 1 - Ecclesiastes 1:1 “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." 
 
This is much like reading the end of a book and spoiling the plot. We have the conclusion of Solomon’s research before we are allowed to see how he went about it. If you continue to read, which I hope you will, you will find that Solomon indulged himself in every worldly pleasure known to man and found nothing but emptiness. He filled his treasuries with gold, silver, precious stones but he was not happy. He poured himself into profitable work, built things that the world would marvel at, yet he was empty, discontent, unsatisfied. He had wives and concubines by the hundreds, there was nothing he did not try, nowhere he did not look in his pursuit of happiness and contentment. In the end he says, it was all vanity! It promised everything and delivered nothing. Which brings us to his second and final conclusion. It is true that everything the world has to offer is empty, vain, and worthless. But now he tells us where to find what we all want desperately to possess, happiness, contentment, joy, and peace. 
 
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” 
 
In other words, put your hope and trust in God, make him your supreme joy and satisfaction. Hope in God and you will find happiness, contentment, and joy not only in this life, but in the next as well. The New Testament says the same thing using different words – look with me at 1 Timothy 6:6. 
 
“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and meekness.”

The United States Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, then edited and adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. You and I are familiar with the words; “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The right to live, the right to be free, and to pursue the coveted prize of happiness. Like love, happiness is sought by all, but most are looking in the wrong places. The unbeliever will never find happiness, the Christian, on the other hand, has it in his possession as a gift from his Father. There’s a whole book of the Bible dedicated to this subject, written by the wisest man on who ever lived, King Solomon. 

With God given, supernatural, wisdom, Solomon set out in pursuit of happiness, contentment, and satisfaction. His hunting ground was the world. The record of this great advent

05 Sermon on the Mount / Blessed are the Meek / Matthew 5:1-12 / John Skaggs

God appointed a great storm that came close to sinking Jonah’s ship. In fact, had the sailors not tossed Jonah overboard it would have been destroyed along with everyone on board. In desperation the sailors toss Jonah into the raging sea and instantly it became calm. Before we get too upset with the sailors we must remember that it was Jonah who told them to toss him into the raging waves. He knew that God had sent the storm because he had refused to preach to the Ninevites. The thought of a million people being destroyed didn’t seem to move him, but now Jonah’s conscience begins show some evidence of life, he could not let this handful of sailors die on account of his sin. So into the sea he went. But not only did God appoint this great storm to beat Jonah into submission, He appointed a great fish to swallow the rebellious prophet just before he drowned . . . 
 
Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and he said, "I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice. 3 "For You had cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me. 4 "So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless, I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ 5 "Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me, Weeds were wrapped around my head. 6 "I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, But You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. 7 "While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, And my prayer came to You, Into Your holy temple. 8 "Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness, 9 But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD." 10 Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land. 
 
Jonah’s attitude has been adjusted, he has repented, he is on his knees once again, and he is listening . . . 
 
Jonah 3:1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you."

God appointed a great storm that came close to sinking Jonah’s ship. In fact, had the sailors not tossed Jonah overboard it would have been destroyed along with everyone on board. In desperation the sailors toss Jonah into the raging sea and instantly it became calm. Before we get too upset with the sailors we must remember that it was Jonah who told them to toss him into the raging waves. He knew that God had sent the storm because he had refused to preach to the Ninevites. The thought of a million people being destroyed didn’t seem to move him, but now Jonah’s conscience begins show some evidence of life, he could not let this handful of sailors die on account of his sin. So into the sea he went. But not only did God appoint this great storm to beat Jonah into submission, He appointed a great fish to swallow the rebellious prophet just before he drowned . . .

Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and he said, "I called out of my distress to 

The Sovereign Grace Hour #50 / "The Sign of Jonah" 04 / Jonah 3:1-9

Readers of the Bible have always come to the wrong conclusion about the relationship between God and Israel. Israel was a picture of the true people of God but, with the exception of a remnant, they were not the true people of God. The true Israel is a spiritual nation whose citizens are the Elect from every nation. Paul quotes the Prophet Isaiah in Romans 9:27 
 
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;

Readers of the Bible have always come to the wrong conclusion about the relationship between God and Israel. Israel was a picture of the true people of God but, with the exception of a remnant, they were not the true people of God. The true Israel is a spiritual nation whose citizens are the Elect from every nation. Paul quotes the Prophet Isaiah in Romans 9:27

Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;

John Skaggs Videos

31 Noah, Righteous by Faith / Hebrews 11: 7 / 10-20-2019 / John Skaggs