PROMISES FOR ALL

God never made a promise that was too good to be true. -D.L. Moody

Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

In each dispensation, God has made promises. Some promises are directly for the Jew and some promises are directly for the church. There is a distinct difference between the church and Israel. Because of this distinct difference, we the church of the living God, will be spared the Great Tribulation. Because of these differences, we will be raptured out of this world prior to that awful time beginning. Because of these differences, we will be coming back with Him at the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ.

Friend, there are some promises in the Word of God for you! Have you heard about them? If not, get yourself to a good, Bible believing church that preaches on sin, judgment, forgiveness, and redemption this morning!  

PROMISES MADE- PROMISES KEPT

Our God ain’t slack! He takes care of of His business!

2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Have you ever had someone let you down? Had someone make you a promise and then not come through? In this verse, we have one of the blessed promises from the Lord. He keeps His promises! He keeps His Word!

We are not on God’s time table. God is longsuffering or has a deep seated patience and no matter what people say He cares for us. Yet, day after day and year after year men try to belittle His Word by laughing at those who follow Him. They question, “Where is the second coming?” “If God is so good, then why do bad things happen to good people?” The list goes on and on of how this old world tries to get us to doubt the Word of God.

The last two portions of this verse reveal specifically what the topic of this verse is; God is longsuffering. He is not willing that any should go to hell but in our own self-willed heart we choose to go there if we do not repent and trust Him as Saviour. He wants all to come to Him with a humble convicted heart receiving the free gift of salvation. He wants all to be saved.

Do you have someone that you have been praying for a very long time? Don’t give up! The Lord is willing and very capable of saving that person you have been praying for. Is it a lost spouse; son or daughter; or your best friend? Continue to hold onto the promises of God. Pray for them to accept the free gift of salvation and remember— God ain’t slack! He’s made some promises in His Word and He intends to keep every last one of them!

YOU USE TO HAVE MY WORD ON IT...

The sacred promises, though in themselves most sure and precious, are of no avail for the comfort and sustenance of the soul unless you grasp them by faith, plead them in prayer, expect them by hope, and receive them with gratitude. -Spurgeon

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

In the Webster’s 1828 dictionary this word trucebreaker is defined as “One who violates a truce, covenant or engagement.” We used to seal deals with a hand shake. When someone said, “You’ve got my word on it”, it actually meant something. Now, you sign your life away and some fancy lawyer will find a loop hole out of a commitment someone made with you. I’m glad God isn’t that way! His promises are true and everlasting!

Have you broken a promise, a covenant or truce you made to God? Have you gone back to some of your old ways? Why not do an about face (repent) and get back on track with the Lord? The Lord will give you mercy, grace and strength because He has said He would—if you take the first step! 1 John 1:9

BETTER THAN A HANDSHAKE!

God never made a promise that was too good to be true. -D.L. Moody

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Hebrews 10:23

When I was growing up a man’s handshake was better than any written contract. Times have changed and the handshake means nothing anymore. As far as that goes, a written contract has more loop holes in them than a kitchen colander.

But praise be to God for His promises though! His Word is better than gold! While gold loses its value, God’s Word hasn’t lost anything! It is still as true and relevant today as it was two thousand years ago! His promises are better than anyone’s handshake! So when He said, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”, you can do better than taking it to the bank, you can take it all the way to Heaven!

YOU HAVE GOD’S WORD ON IT

Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but taking God at his word. –Evans

Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. Psalm 119:90

There was a time when a man’s word meant something. If he told you he would do something for you, he did it. If he shook your hand on it, it was a binding agreement. Today, when someone says they will do something you had better follow up with; what year, what day, and what time, can I expect you. If you don’t, you may be waiting a while.

I’m glad God isn’t that way. I’m glad when God inspired the writers of His Word to pen down a promise it was as good as done! What a promise! What a hope! What a joy it is to know God is true to His Word! Hey, you have His Word on it!

Broken Promises are worse than boasting lies.

I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to him. –Spurgeon

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Ecclesiastes 5:5

I would much rather someone not committing to do something than to say they are going to do it and then never lift a finger to do it. It makes for very awkward moments when someone says, “I’ll take care of that for you” and then never fulfills the commitment made. When you see them in the hall they avoid you like you’re the plague. When you see them at Walmart they turn and go down another aisle. I would much rather you just tell me the truth rather than say you’re going to do something and then never come through with it. I’m glad the Lord isn’t that way…He is good to His Word! As one has said, “God said it and that settles it—no matter what it is!” He's good for every promise He has ever made!