April 19, 2015 – Sunday

Start Time:  6:34 AM

End Time:   9:00 AM

Title: For the Director of Music.  Of the Sons of Korah.  A Psalm. 

Scripture: Psalm 85:1 – 13

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

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Abimelek was:

- Gentile; Philistine

- Serve other gods

- A King

- Had no children

1) Abimelek Had A Clear Conscience

Jer 17: 10 - "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve."

Conscience brings together the thoughts of the mind and the affections of the heart in a harmonious and truthful way.

Benefits of not knowing the mind and heart of another or one's conscience:

- avoid from pain/hurt

- avoid judging others

- live by faith

Only God is the ultimate judge because only HE sees the hearts and minds and knows them. There is no hiding...We ought to search our hearts and minds daily and clear it from anything evil, for God sees it all.  When we have a clear conscience, God will intervene and keep us from sinning.

2) Abimelek Believed and Feared God

Acts 16:31 "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

We need to believe but not only what we want to believe; the bible speaks of God's love, grace, provision, etc...but the Bible also speaks of God's wrath and anger.  We must believed everything!

When God spoke to Abimelek, 2 things came were revealed!  1) God is gracious - He saw Abimelek's conscience and kept him from sinning; 2) God can also inflict disaster and death - God told abimelek that if he do not return Sarah, he will surely die and all who belong to him. So God showed love and grace but also judgment or consequence if Abimelek chose not to listen to God.  We must developed the Fear of God in us!  Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  The fear of the Lord is not to distance us from God; it will distance us from sin!

ex. woman addiction & papa

3) Abimelek Was A Seeker of Truth

Abimelek was not quick to judge Abraham instead he asked Abraham what's his reason for doing what he did (vs 10).  In the same way, we must seek the truth today.  John 14:6 - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  In short, we must seek Jesus for He is the truth!

Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. - We ought to seek Him now and not waste any time because time will come when He will not be found!

Outcome: Abimelek was healed and restored - he is now able to bear fruit (productive)