[ Choir singing "Give Me the Bible" by Priscilla Owens ]

Today we are blessed with a wonderful gift from God, the Bible. This book is God's living word. In its pages we are told, "For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword." It is in this book of books that we find the answers to all of men's questions need. This morning your area churches of Christ welcome you to a program committed to that perfect law of liberty. ♪ Thy light shall guide me, in the narrow way ♪ As we present, "The Living Word". ♪ Precept and promise, law and love combining ♪ ♪ Till night shall vanish in eternal day ♪ Now here is your host, Ray Sullins.

In Psalm 1:39 we read, "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." God certainly has made us his crowing and glorious creation and certainly has placed us with dominion over all else. And what a privilege it is therefore this morning, to join together in the study of God's living word. We are happy that you have chosen this day, to give this time to God that we might praise Him in all that we do and lift up His holy name. Therefore may we each do our part to make this time exactly what God requires and what He asks of those who are faithful. As we begin our offering to God this day, will you bow with me before His might throne in prayer. Our God and Father in Heaven, we are thankful for this, another day of life. The great privileges and blessings that are found therein a knowing Father, that all good things come from you. And Father we know that everything we have physically is from you and everything we have spiritually, you have provided. That we might not only know your will but obey it and be found pleasing today and forevermore. And Father we also thank you, because today we are able to worship you and to present before you those things that you have asked as sacrifices and offerings, that we be found pleasing in them all. That you might truly be praised and that ultimately we might truly be blessed and rewarded. Father we thank you for the avenue of prayer and in Jesus name we pray, amen. It is now time to start our praises to God through song and I'd ask you to think for just a moment about the great hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Now what is the most important thing that was ever offered that we might have this ultimate hope? Well, Jesus. But also think about the great benefits that we have in hope. Well let's find out what the song today says as we join together in the first hymn of the day. Won't you join in with the brethren as we sing together, "Zion's call".

♪ Zion's call sweetly rings over land and sea ♪ ♪ bidding us look to realms above ♪ ♪ While the light from the throne shines for you and me ♪ ♪ let us list to the call of love ♪ ♪ Zion's call is ringing ♪ ♪ (Zion's call), coming from the throne above ♪ ♪ While we hear it ringing ♪ ♪ (clearly ringing) ♪ ♪ Let us heed the call of love ♪ ♪ (perfect) ♪ ♪ On the road to the goal, burdens we must bear ♪ ♪ but we have help from realms of above ♪ ♪ We receive courage new when we kneel in prayer ♪ ♪ let us list to the call of love ♪ ♪ Zion's call is ringing, coming from the throne above ♪ ♪ (in Heaven above) ♪ ♪ While we hear it ringing ♪ ♪ (clearly ringing) ♪ ♪ lesson us heed the call of love ♪ ♪ (perfect love) ♪ ♪ While we tarry below, they rights work to do ♪ ♪ and our strength cometh from above ♪ ♪ As we labor and wait we must call be true ♪ ♪ let us list to the call of love ♪ ♪ Zion's call is ringing, coming from the throne above ♪ ♪ (in heaven above) ♪ ♪ While we hear it ringing ♪ ♪ (clearly ringing) ♪ ♪ let us heed the call of love ♪ ♪ (perfect love) ♪

How often do we take time to realize how gloriously and wondrously we are made by God? I really love the way that Paul further puts it in Romans chapter 6 in verse 13 when he said, "And do not present yourselves members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead and your members as being instruments of righteousness to God." There we have it. It is the fact that we are created by God to be instruments of righteousness. But why are we to be righteous and what does it really mean? Don't think for a moment that we read throughout the Bible, that we can have a confusion about righteousness and unrighteousness. Don't you think that men like Moses knew exactly what God had in mind? When there it is recorded for us in Genesis chapter 1 in verse 26, that God said, "Let us make man in our major according to our likeness." We are you see, to be righteousness because we are made and created by God in His image and likeness. I also believe that this is what John was trying to present to us in First John chapter 3 in verse 7. There he said, "Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." Again, this confirmed that we are to be righteous just as God is righteous. So then, what are we talking about when we say that we are to be righteous? Well obviously we know that God is good and does no evil. We also know that God himself is righteous and always does what is right. So what is the opposite of doing what is right? Not doing what is right or unrighteous. So we say that we are to be righteous as God, we know this means that we must put away all unrighteousness or even sin. As even in First John chapter 5, verse 17 we read, "All unrighteousness is sin." And then in the next verse it goes on to say, "Whoever is born of God, does not sin." You see, sin and unrighteousness have no part and those who are striving to be true and faithful followers of God. Finally, I'm reminded of the beautiful verse that is found there in Matthew when we find there the Lord himself is described as the light of the world. And within that text, notice how we are described. Lights in the world, cities on a hill. You see as Christians, we are to truly be like Christ shining forth day in and day out, in all that we do and say, according to the righteousness of God. Therefore, when we are imitating God and doing His will, we are illuminating in the world and people see God in us and then the world is able to know our Creator, the one who also made them in His image. Or rather made them in His image and likeness. That they might know Him, obey Him and find their way to eternal life. Have you done what God requires today? Today we will again consider our final lesson from the series on the works of the flesh. Our specific lesson of the morning will deal with the statement that is found there in the same text and the like. So stay with us and in a few minutes I will return with this study from God's word. It is now time to join in our second song of the day, the name of the hymn, "God is love".

♪ Come let us all unite to sing, God is love ♪ ♪ Let heav'n and earth their praises bring, God is love ♪ ♪ Let ev'ry soul from sin awake ♪ ♪ each in his heart sweet music make ♪ ♪ and sing with us for Jesus' sake, for God is love ♪ ♪ God is love! God is love! ♪ ♪ God is love. God is love ♪ ♪ Come, let us all unite to sing that God is love ♪ ♪ O, tell to earth's remotest bound, God is love ♪ ♪ In Christ we have redemption found, God is love ♪ ♪ His blood has washed our sins away ♪ ♪ His Spirit turned our night to day ♪ ♪ and now we can rejoice to say that God is love ♪ ♪ God is love! God is love! ♪ ♪ God is love! God is love! ♪ ♪ Come, let us all unite to sing that God is love ♪ ♪ How happy is our portion here, God is love ♪ ♪ His promises our spirits cheer, God is love ♪ ♪ He is our sun and shield by day, our help and our hope ♪ ♪ our strength and stay ♪ ♪ He will be with us all the way, our God is love ♪ ♪ God is love! God is love! ♪ ♪ God is love! God is love! ♪ ♪ Come, let us all unite to sing that God is love ♪

We're so glad that you continue with us this day we go back to God's word and look at really a summation of what we've studied over the past many months. Most of you know that we've been looking at the idea of the works of the flesh that is found there in Galatians chapter 5. But from the very beginning, with our very first lesson, what we have tried to do is to look at the overall setting of how this passage really deals with what it means to walk in the spirit. And then in relationship to understanding what that daily walk in the spirit, are those things according to the spirit of God. We do have broken down for us as we have been studying together, the works of the flesh, those actions or activities, that verb that is given there. Things that we choose to do of a fleshly nature are the world. And it's contrasted to this idea of the fruit of the spirit, which as we saw from the very beginning of our series is more the idea of bearing forth the qualities of God and striving again to really be those that show forth that fruit and things that are seen according to the will of God. Normally, as we certainly understand, we would try to hide these sinful or wicked things that we are talking about, but the fruit that we bear, that is of God, certainly is a beautiful and a wonderous thing. But within our discussion you might again remember with me, the things that we have discussed and where we have been in that discussion. There in verse 19 beginning, we remember the things that we have looked at and the works of the flesh are evident which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousy, outburst of wrath, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, envy, murderers, drunkenness and revelries. But then I think it's also equally important to see that as all those things are mentioned, that this is not an exhaustive list. And throughout the series many times we have clarified the fact that it ends by saying "and the like". The distinction again being made between the one who choses God and to serve as God desires that they serve Him and to strive for righteousness, in contrast to the one who really choses sin or unrighteousness and therefore as we see, anything that is involved in that is certainly, again contrary to the will of God and unacceptable. How far unacceptable? Well, in most of our lesson again you'll note that it goes on to say there that they've been warned about this, not only now but in times past, that those who practice such things. These things that we have studied, the things like them are things that are sinful, will not inherit the kingdom of God. Now the first thing I'd like you to look at for just a moment with me is kind of maybe a parallel passage, not parallel in the sense that really it's covering exactly the same thing, but it shows us another time when Paul made a similar type of a list to really challenge individuals to understand that things were not according to really God or really that they were more according to the way of the world and the things of the world. And by the way, it wasn't only here that such things were found, but we also do know that several times Paul, speaking to Timothy and others, and even churches, uses either very short lists or long lists and it's not just Paul, but even Peter and John and others, speak about sensuality and passions and things that again, are contrary to the will of God. But there in First Corinthians chapter 6, you might remember with me the discussion that Paul is challenging the Corinthians to think about and he reminds them of things that they've been engaged in and he reminds them of things that they need to be aware of because evidently, perhaps some were returning to or going back into the ways of their old sin or at the very least, he's cautioning them strongly not to be guilty of such. But read with me there in verse 9 beginning a similar list and as we read these things, what I would like you to do is to notice that there are some words that are the same, but actually some differences. Because again, we're focusing on "and the such like" which suggests to us that there are many other things that we need to be aware of. For instance what does he mention here? He starts out with where we ended in Galatians chapter 5, and he actually says, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God." And then he clarifies what unrighteousness or what acts of unrighteousness are. He says, "Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, no homosexuals, no Sodomites, no thieves, nor coveters, nor drunkards, nor revilers, no extortioners will inherit the Kingdom of God. Boy, if you look at that list, maybe we should have covered that one, because there are certainly many things that are affecting our society and the world today, that are found within this that would be within the "and the like" of Galatians 5, that certainly, again, equal the same outcome. Those who choose, those who follow, those who do these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Now that takes us then back to our main text because notice the similarity in the wording there of Galatians chapter 5 and First Corinthians chapter 6. Those who do what? Practice such things will not inherit. You know one of the things that we always might think about in our world or in our life is, "Well I wonder someday if I'll ever inherit something." I think that I'm planning to leave as an inheritance for my children a bunch of debtor bills, I don't know [laughs] maybe others are thinking about that as well. But hopefully not, hopefully we'll not do those types of things. But because of all that we sometimes have in the world, we have forgotten the idea of really perhaps what might be involved here and you see this a lot in Africa and places where people have a home place or home land and maybe possessions of this earth, and they leave them to their children. And we also find that here in America as well, and probably all of us have received something due to the death of someone as a type of inheritance. And usually an inheritance is a positive, it's a very good thing, in the physical sense. And someone might benefit financially or in relationship to many other ways by an inheritance or the receiving of such. Sometimes even as the church of our Lord, we will find that people leave an inheritance or money within their inheritance for the work of the Lord. Again, what a great blessing. So we understand the concept of a blessing or a reward that is found within an inheritance. But now put that back within our context. Those who do any of these types of sins or acts of unrighteousness or the like, have been warned and are warned now that when you do those things, you'll lose your inheritance. Now the difference is, is this is even worse. Because what is the inheritance being referred to here? An eternal inheritance. Eternal life, the reward of not only going and being with God someday, living with God someday, but having that mansion in heaven and to dwell amongst God and for God to dwell amongst us as His people. You see again what a sad thing. A sad thing to lose our spiritual inheritance. And then He specifically states here, the inheritance of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God by which and through which you and I as Christians already are a part of, but that someday will be received and taken back to the Father. To help you with that idea I think it would be important for us to look just briefly there in First Corinthians, chapter 15. And you might recall with me as it deals with the final things or the reality of final things, that it actually tells us there in that text, that there is a time coming when we will be given back to the Lord. Verse 24, if you'll read with me First Corinthians 15. "Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom of God to who God the Father Himself. When he puts an end to all rule and authority and all power." Do you see there some day the Kingdom of God, the church that has been established on this earth, that church and kingdom that has clarified to be one in the same in Colossians chapter 1, verses 13 through 18. That church that is headed by Christ. Someday Christ will return to receive His own at the kingdom and take that kingdom, that eternal sovereign kingdom that is God's and give it to the Father and we will dwell in Heaven with Him forever. Boy, what an inheritance. And you don't have to read very far into the Bible or even the book of Revelation or even the end of Revelation, to find there in chapter 21 and 22, to see the beauty, the glory, the awesomeness of Heaven and the reward there. No tears, no sorrow, golden streets, mansions described in ways that certainly from a physical standpoint are exciting to us, but spiritually, equally they would bear just as much if not more excitement. But what do we learn here? We will lose that inheritance. You see, that's been the challenge of this whole series. That we would never do anything to lose that inheritance. That inheritance that is made up for the kingdom, the kingdom made up of priests, the children of God, who are the ones protected and cared for by God, who will be received by God and delivered up to that kingdom someday. May we never engage in sin or unrighteousness or any sort, that would keep us from such. And if you are guilty of that today, you know what you can do through the blood of Jesus Christ? Praise be to God that you can repent of that sin, you can repent of that unrighteousness. You an repent of any of these things or anything like them and once again be forgiven by your God and then live faithfully until death. And you know what the result is of a faithful life til death? The crown of life. Are you living in such a way today?

♪ Have you a heart that's weary, tending a load of care? ♪ ♪ Are you a soul that's seeking ♪ ♪ rest from the burden you bear? ♪ ♪ Do you know ♪ ♪ (do you know) ♪ ♪ my Jesus? ♪ ♪ DO you know ♪ ♪ (do you know) ♪ ♪ my friend? ♪ ♪ Have you heard ♪ ♪ (have you heard) ♪ ♪ He loves you? ♪ ♪ And that He will abide til the end ♪ ♪ (til the end) ♪ ♪ Where is your heart, O pilgrim? ♪ ♪ What does your light reveal? ♪ ♪ Who hears your call for comfort? ♪ ♪ When naught but sorrow you feel? ♪ ♪ Do you know ♪ ♪ (do you know) ♪ ♪ my Jesus? ♪ ♪ Do you know ♪ ♪ (do you know) ♪ ♪ my friend? ♪ ♪ Have you heard ♪ ♪ (have you heard) ♪ ♪ He loves you? ♪ ♪ And that He will abide til the end ♪ ♪ (til the end) ♪ ♪ Who knows your disappointments? ♪ ♪ Who hears each time you cry? ♪ ♪ Who understand your heartaches? ♪ ♪ Who dries the tears from your eyes? ♪ ♪ Do you know ♪ ♪ (do you know) ♪ ♪ my Jesus? ♪ ♪ Do you ♪ ♪ (do you know) ♪ ♪ my friend? ♪ ♪ Have you heard ♪ ♪ (have you heard) ♪ ♪ He loves you? ♪ ♪ And that He will abide til the end ♪ ♪ (til the end)? ♪

Let me again thank you for choosing to be with us this day for the Living Word program. It is my hope and prayer that we have all benefited from our time together as God's people and let us always join together each and every Sunday morning at we have opportunity at 7:30 on this program, to give this time of worship to our Creator. But for now if you have any questions or comments about today's lesson please contact us and let us know. Maybe you'd also like a free transcript or a free CD or DVD of our program? Or possibly we could assist you with free Bible materials or free Bible correspondence courses. No matter what you need is, please feel free to contact us at the following address. The Living Word 2540 North Kansas Expressway, Springfield, Missouri, 65803. Many of these items are also available on our website, that address TheLivingWordProgram.com or if you prefer you may call us at 407-869-2284. Brethren and friends, the reality is we all know that sin is that which is against God. We also know that such things can keep us from God and therefore keep us from eternal life. So why not do whatever is necessary today to put God first and to remain free from sin. That we might be found well pleasing in His sight in all things.

Our prayer is to help the world know more about God through this television program. The Living Word has been brought to you under the oversight of the elders of the Kansas Expressway Church of Christ in Springfield Missouri, with the assistance of the following area Churches of Christ. ♪ Unison: To seek and save the lost ♪ ♪ Give me the Bible, holy message shining ♪ ♪ Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way ♪ ♪ Precept and promise, law and love combining ♪ ♪ Till night shall ♪