making the effective ineffective

MAKING THE EFFECTIVE MAKING THE EFFECTIVE INEFFECTIVEINEFFECTIVE

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. (1 Cor. 1:17)


For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (ESV)

3


Can All Be Made IneffectiveCan All Be Made Ineffective

The Word of GodThe Word of God

ChristChrist

The Cross of ChristThe Cross of Christ

The Promises of GodThe Promises of God

4

THE WORD OF GODTHE WORD OF GOD Lack of faith makes the word ineffectiveLack of faith makes the word ineffective

5

Hebrews 4:2; 11:6Hebrews 4:2; 11:6

For indeed the gospel was preached to us For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. mixed with faith in those who heard it.

But without faith it is impossible to But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Him.

6

1 Thessalonians 2:131 Thessalonians 2:13

For this reason we also thank God For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. effectively works in you who believe.

7

THE WORD OF GODTHE WORD OF GOD Lack of faith makes the word ineffectiveLack of faith makes the word ineffective Lack of knowledge makes the word Lack of knowledge makes the word

ineffectiveineffective

8

Hosea 4:6Hosea 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your of your God, I also will forget your children. children.

9

Romans 10:1-3Romans 10:1-3

Brethren, my heart's desire and Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. the righteousness of God.

10


ineffectiveineffective Hard-heartedness makes the word Hard-heartedness makes the word


11

Matthew 13:13-14Matthew 13:13-14

"Therefore I speak to them in "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: which says: 'Hearing you will hear 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,and shall not understand, And seeing And seeing you will see and not perceive;you will see and not perceive;

12

Matthew 13:15Matthew 13:15

"'For the hearts of this people have "'For the hearts of this people have grown dull.grown dull. Their ears are hard of Their ears are hard of hearing,hearing, And their eyes they have And their eyes they have closed,closed, Lest they should see with Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,their hearts and turn, So that I So that I should heal them.'"should heal them.'"

13



ineffectiveineffective Traditions of men make the word Traditions of men make the word


14


Then the scribes and Pharisees who Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."hands when they eat bread."

15


He answered and said to them, "Why He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the do you also transgress the commandment of God because of commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, your tradition? For God commanded, saying, saying, 'Honor your father and your 'Honor your father and your mother';mother'; and, and, 'He who curses father 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'or mother, let him be put to death.'

16


But you say, 'Whoever says to his But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a you might have received from me is a gift to God"-- then he need not honor gift to God"-- then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition."effect by your tradition."

17

Mark 7:9-10Mark 7:9-10

He said to them, "All too well you He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, Moses said, 'Honor your father and 'Honor your father and your mother';your mother'; and, and, 'He who curses 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to father or mother, let him be put to death.'death.'

18

Mark 7:11-13Mark 7:11-13

"But you say, 'If a man says to his "But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me might have received from me isis Corban"--' (that is, a gift to God), then Corban"--' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."down. And many such things you do."

19

Colossians 2:8Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not principles of the world, and not according to Christ. according to Christ.

20



ineffectiveineffective Traditions of men make the word Traditions of men make the word

ineffectiveineffective Allowing Satan to take away the word Allowing Satan to take away the word

makes the word ineffectivemakes the word ineffective

21

Luke 8:5, 12Luke 8:5, 12

"A sower went out to sow his seed. And "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it." birds of the air devoured it."

"Those by the wayside are the ones "Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." saved."

22


"Therefore hear the parable of the "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside."received seed by the wayside."

23

CHRISTCHRISTTrying to be justified by the Law of Trying to be justified by the Law of Moses rather than by the law of Christ Moses rather than by the law of Christ makes Him ineffectivemakes Him ineffective

24

Galatians 2:11-13Galatians 2:11-13

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. was carried away with their hypocrisy.

25

Galatians 2:14Galatians 2:14

But when I saw that they were not But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? to live as Jews?

26


We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. But if, while we seek to be shall be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! of sin? Certainly not!

27


For if I build again those things which I For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."Christ died in vain."

28


Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. fallen from grace.

29


Brethren, if a man is overtaken in Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. law of Christ.

30

1 Corinthians 9:19-201 Corinthians 9:19-20

For though I am free from all men, I For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; win those who are under the law;

31


to those who are without law, as to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save men, that I might by all means save some. some.

32

CHRISTCHRISTTrying to be justified by the Law of Trying to be justified by the Law of Moses rather than by the law of Christ Moses rather than by the law of Christ makes Him ineffectivemakes Him ineffectiveRefusing to listen to Him makes Him Refusing to listen to Him makes Him ineffectiveineffective

33

Hebrews 12:25-27Hebrews 12:25-27

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven."heaven." Now this, Now this, "Yet once more,""Yet once more," indicates indicates the removal of those things that are being the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. things which cannot be shaken may remain.

34


Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

35

Matthew 17:5Matthew 17:5

While he was still speaking, behold, a While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"Him!"

36

Acts 3:22Acts 3:22

"For Moses truly said to the fathers, "For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The Lord your God will raise up for 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.'"things, whatever He says to you.'"

37

THE CROSS OFTHE CROSS OF CHRISTCHRIST Preaching man’s wisdom makes the Preaching man’s wisdom makes the

cross ineffectivecross ineffective

38


For Christ did not send me to For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. saved it is the power of God.

39


cross ineffectivecross ineffective Minimizing the church makes the cross Minimizing the church makes the cross


40

Ephesians 3:8-9Ephesians 3:8-9

To me, who am less than the least of To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; things through Jesus Christ;

41


to the intent that now the manifold to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. through faith in Him.

42



ineffectiveineffective Preaching the cross w/o the resurrection Preaching the cross w/o the resurrection

makes the cross ineffectivemakes the cross ineffective

43


Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

44


After that He was seen by over five After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. because I persecuted the church of God.

45


But by the grace of God I am what I am, But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you or they, so we preach and so you believed. Now if Christ is preached that believed. Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? resurrection of the dead?

46


But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise. For if raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

47

THE CROSS OFTHE CROSS OF CHRISTCHRIST Preaching man’s wisdom can make the Preaching man’s wisdom can make the

cross ineffectivecross ineffective Minimizing the church can make the Minimizing the church can make the

cross ineffectivecross ineffective Preaching the cross w/o the resurrection Preaching the cross w/o the resurrection

makes the cross ineffectivemakes the cross ineffectiveThe resurrection makes the cross The resurrection makes the cross

effectiveeffective

48

Romans 1:1-4Romans 1:1-4

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. by the resurrection from the dead.

49

1 Peter 1:3-51 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ready to be revealed in the last time.

50

1 Peter 3:18-201 Peter 3:18-20

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. souls, were saved through water.

51

1 Peter 3:21-221 Peter 3:21-22

There is also an antitype which now There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. made subject to Him.

52




makes the cross ineffectivemakes the cross ineffective The resurrection that makes the The resurrection that makes the

cross effectivecross effective Many preach the “doing and Many preach the “doing and

dying of Jesus” and say little or dying of Jesus” and say little or nothing about the resurrection.nothing about the resurrection.

53




makes the cross ineffectivemakes the cross ineffective Preaching the cross w/o the blood Preaching the cross w/o the blood

makes the cross ineffectivemakes the cross ineffective

54

Colossians 1:19-20Colossians 1:19-20

For it pleased the Father that in Him For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. through the blood of His cross.

55

THE PROMISES OF GODTHE PROMISES OF GOD

Not being in Christ makes the promises Not being in Christ makes the promises ineffectiveineffective

56

2 Timothy 2:102 Timothy 2:10

Therefore I endure all things for the Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is obtain the salvation which is inin Christ Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Jesus with eternal glory.

57


Therefore the law was our tutor to Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith through faith inin Christ Jesus. For as Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized many of you as were baptized intointo Christ have put on Christ. Christ have put on Christ.

58


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places spiritual blessing in the heavenly places inin Christ, just as He chose us Christ, just as He chose us inin Him before the Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted made us accepted inin the Beloved. the Beloved.

59

1 John 2:25; 5:111 John 2:25; 5:11

And this is the promise that He has And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life. promised us--eternal life.

And this is the testimony: that God And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life has given us eternal life, and this life is is inin His Son. His Son.

60

THE PROMISES OF GODTHE PROMISES OF GOD

Not being in Christ makes the promises Not being in Christ makes the promises ineffectiveineffectiveFalling short makes the promises Falling short makes the promises ineffectiveineffective

61

Hebrews 4:1, 9Hebrews 4:1, 9

Therefore, since a promise remains Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short any of you seem to have come short of it. of it.

There remains therefore a rest for There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. the people of God.

62

Revelation 2:8-9Revelation 2:8-9

"And to the angel of the church in "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to and the last, who died and came to life. " 'I know your tribulation and life. " 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. synagogue of Satan.

63

Revelation 2:10Revelation 2:10

"'Do not fear what you are about to "'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful you will have tribulation. Be faithful untounto death, and I will give you the death, and I will give you the crown of life.'" crown of life.'"

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CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

God’s plan is effective God’s plan is effective onlyonly for those who for those who follow it.follow it.

making the effective ineffective

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