Introduction:

A. What child isn't fascinated by dinosaurs? Dinosaurs attracts the attention and interest of everyone, not just children. Advertisers, entertainers and educators know this - so we see dinosaurs everywhere:
        Movies ("Jurassic Park" trilogy, "Land Before Time"), toys, books, cartoons ("Flintstones", "Barney"), Sports Mascots, Theme Parks, PC games and programs, Gas Station (Sinclair).

B. Because of the natural interest and curiosity, dinosaurs are one of the most effective tools that the evolutionist has, and uses them effectively. How many times have you watched a program, visited a museum, read a book about dinosaurs that did not teach evolution??
        Dinosaurs pose a challenge that Christians need to be ready for.

C. If our children are going to enjoy dinosaurs (and there is no reason for them not to), they need to know what is true about dinosaurs and what isn't. And, they need to know that they don't have to make a choice between dinosaurs and the Bible - they do go together.

I. Did Dinosaurs Exist?

A. Regardless of how evolutionists use dinosaurs, it would be foolish for us to deny the fact that they once lived. Accepting the fact that they lived does not mean that we accept the beliefs, theories and conclusions of the evolutionist.
        One might say, "If dinosaurs existed, we could read about them in the Bible."
        First, I believe they are mentioned in the Bible. The word "dinosaur" did not exist until 1842. By then the King James Version was already over 200 ears old. So the word "dinosaur" is not in the Bible. But that doesn't mean that dinosaurs aren't mentioned.
        Second, the Bible does not mention several animals that I have seen, including sharks, jelly fish, kangaroos and even cats. The Bible was not meant to serve as a catalog of God's creation, but as an account of it.

B. The modern study of dinosaurs dates back to 1822 in England. Dr. Gideon Mentell and his wife collected fossils. While visiting a patient, she happened upon a strange looking fossilized tooth. After showing it to friends, it was identified as the tooth of a rhinoceros. Then it was shown to a friend who specialized in iguanas. He said that it looked just like an iguana's tooth, only much larger.
        By 1842 , enough of these kinds of fossils had been discovered to convince scientists that a whole group of lizard-like reptiles had once lived. The name "dinosaur" was given to them (from the Greek words deinos and sauros -"terribly great lizard").

C. What we know about dinosaurs comes from fossils. Thus, we are very limited in our knowledge about these animals. Scientists fill in the gaps with their own ideas which are influenced by their views on origins.
        Fossils can tell us things like size, weight, muscle mass, diet and mode of travel.
        They can not tell us things like skin and eye color, how long ago they lived, or if evolution actually took place.
        Fossils are dated according to the layer of rock they are found in. Since carbon dating has proven to be faulty, scientists are guessing when they date the rock and thus the fossil.

II. Dinosaurs and the Bible

A. Genesis 1:20-21, 24-25.
        Included in these statements is every kind of animal. "Great sea creatures" would include the dinosaurs that lived in the sea, "beasts" and "everything that creeps on the earth" would include the land dinosaurs.
        Although now extinct, dinosaurs were a part of God's original creation. This also tells us that dinosaurs and man lived together; a fact that recent geological and archeological discoveries support.

B. Behemoth (Job 40:15-24).
        Some have suggested this was a hippopotamus or elephant. Neither animal has a tail like a cedar tree. We do not know the exact identity of this animal, but it certainly fits the description of the large, plant eating dinosaurs.

C. Leviathan (Job 41).
        Some have suggested that this was just a creature like an alligator. Not hardly! This is a creature that could not be killed, caught or tamed. If one did battle with him they would never forget it or do it again. He is said to do something similar to breathing fire (vs. 19-21). Not impossible when we consider the bombardier beetle.
        In every culture, there are stories of dragons, which suggests that it was more than just a myth. There is a good chance that a creature similar to a fire breathing dragon did exist.

        Some may try to dismiss this conclusion by saying that the description of these two animals is figurative. This is not reasonable. Consider the context, God is trying to impress upon Job His power and wisdom in His creation. How could He use a mythical or figurative creature to do this? These descriptions are literal, these animals existed, and they were likely what we now know of as dinosaurs.

III. What Happened To Dinosaurs?

A. This is the million dollar question. And there are many different theories, which have many different problems.
1. Some suggest that the increasing number of mammals ate all the dinosaur eggs. The problem is that dinosaurs are not the only animals that lay eggs.
2. Some suggest that a virus killed them. The problem with this theory: why just the dinosaurs and not all reptiles?
3. Perhaps the most popular theory is that an asteroid hit the earth, throwing up tons of dust, blocking out the sun, killing all the vegetation, thus starving the dinosaurs. Again, why just the dinosaurs?

B. Genesis 6-8 gives a perfect explanation for the sudden extinction of the dinosaurs: The Global Flood of Noah's Day.
        Genesis 7:21-24 - everything that wasn't in the ark perished.

C. The fossil record argues in favor of a global flood. Not everything that dies turns into a fossil. In fact, circumstances have to be just right in order for the remains of an animal or plant to fossilize.
1. A plant or animal must die and be buried very quickly. Otherwise decay or scavengers will quickly consume it.
2. The buried organism must be in contact with circulating ground water. Over time, the minerals in the water replace the elements in the bone and they turn into stone. This does not take millions of years.
3. Erosion is necessary at a later time to expose the fossil.
All three of these steps fit the description of the Genesis Flood.

D. Also, "Dinosaur Graveyards" have been discovered in different parts of the world, including Dinosaur National Monument on the Utah/Colorado border. These graveyards contain jumbled masses of fossilized remains, suggesting that great numbers of dinosaurs died suddenly and were thrown together and buried under sediment quickly. This would be explained by the Genesis Flood.

Amazingly, if we are honest with what we find in the fossil record, it argues more for the Bible than for evolution.

Conclusion:

Dinosaurs did exist, the Bible supports them, and the fossil record supports the Bible. Our children should not avoid dinosaurs, but enjoy them as a great, although extinct, part of God's creation.
What lesson should dinosaurs teach us? If Job's Behemoth and Leviathan were dinosaurs, look at Job's response: Job 42:1-2. We serve a great and powerful God.

Introduction:

A. The Sermon on the Mount begins with a section that we refer to as "The Beatitudes." This title comes from the Latin word for "Blessed," a word Jesus uses to introduce each of these eight characteristics.

B. Much of the work that Jesus did was in preparing the people to receive the kingdom. He made it clear, from the beginning of His ministry, that this was no ordinary kingdom. Everything about it was different, including the conduct and characteristics of its citizens. These beatitudes were given, and have since stood, as the standard of conduct and character within the Lord's kingdom.

C. I want us to consider some facts about the Beatitudes collectively before we look at them individually.

1. The Secret To Happiness. People are looking for lasting happiness, and most of them are coming up short.
Jesus tells us how to find happiness. The word "blessed" means happy. True, lasting happiness lies in fulfilling God's requirements, living up to His standards and obeying His commandments.
These qualities are not virtues in the eyes of the world. How can one who mourns or is poor be happy? We understand that we are blessed, not because we possess these qualities, but because we benefit from them.

2. Doesn't Come Naturally. It is not natural for us to be meek and merciful. These are the product of choice. We have to work at it.

3. These Qualities Describe Every Christian. Every one of these qualities ought to describe every Christian. These are not separate gifts that we can specialize in, neither are they unobtainable goals.

4. There is a Progression. Each builds upon the last. Bringing an infant into maturity, rising a sinner to the status of a son of God.
The first four seem to apply to our relationship with God, the last four apply to our relationship with our fellow man.

        Now let's consider the Beatitudes separately.
I. Poor In Spirit
        There is no real virtue in being poor. What did Jesus mean? Poor in spirit. We are all poor spiritually speaking. We all stand before God in need (Rom. 3:23).
        Blessed are those who realize their spiritual condition and are moved to do something about it - Luke 18:10-14.

        The promised blessing is that these will receive the kingdom of heaven. The proud, overconfident, self-reliant person does not see their need for God. They do not seek the kingdom, and thus never find it. The kingdom belongs to those who realize their need for God.

II. Those Who Mourn
        People mourn for different reasons. Not all mourners will be comforted. These are mourning for a specific reason - they are mourning their spiritual condition before God.

        How does this bring comfort? 2 Cor. 7:8-10 - those who mourn and are sorrowful about the sin in their life will be lead to repentance. Repentance brings forgiveness, which brings comfort.

III. The Meek
        Meekness is not an admirable trait to the world. Looked upon as weakness. But it is, in reality, great strength - Proverbs 16:32.
        It is easy to retaliate. It takes strength to hold ourselves in check when we are provoked.
        Meekness is a humble, gentle attitude towards others based upon a true estimation of ourselves. Once we realize that we are a sinner and in need of God's grace, we understand how we truly measure up to our fellow man.

        Inherit the earth - opposite of what we see and experience. The meek are overlooked, pushed aside and trampled upon by the world.
        This doesn't mean that we will live on this physical world for eternity. It is just an Old Testament phrase; an expression of ultimate victory.

IV. Hunger and Thirst For Righteousness
        We are not to spend our life in sorrow over our spiritual poverty. We are to grow from there to spiritual maturity.
        There is no greater need in man than hunger/thirst. We all hunger, pursue something. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.
        This is really a hunger and thirst for God. We see where we fall short, we hunger for God to supply in our life what is lacking. This hunger is shown in things like attendance, Bible study, prayer, evangelism, activity in local church, serving others, etc.

        The promise is that we will be filled. Not everyone finds what they are looking for in life. But if we are looking for God and seeking to find His will for our life, we will find it - Matthew 7:7-8.

V. The Merciful
        Mercy - "our ability to be affected by the sufferings of others and our willingness to come to their aid." Mercy is compassion for people in need. If we realize our true state, that we are utterly dependent upon God's mercy, we will be more merciful to others.
        If God has shown mercy to me, who am I to refuse to do the same for another? Matthew 18:21-35.

        The promised blessing for the merciful is simple - they shall obtain mercy. From man in this life, and ultimately from God. James 2:13 - if I want to receive mercy then, I will show it now.

VI. Pure in Heart
        God is pure. His children should be pure as well.
        Our purity is not to be an outward show, but it is to spring up from a pure heart.         What matters to God is the heart - Proverbs 4:23.
        Matthew 23:25-26 - if we are first pure in heart, that purity will spread to all other areas of our life.

        The promised blessing to the pure in heart is the greatest blessing of all, they will see God - Psalm 24:3-4.

VII. The Peacemakers
        Not just those who live at peace with others, but those who work to cause peace among others. A citizen in the Kingdom of God will love peace and seek it - Romans 12:18.

        The promised blessing is that peacemakers will be identified as children of God. Jesus came to bring peace between God and man. Peace characterizes God, not the world.

VIII. Those Who Are Persecuted

Luke 6:22-23, 26
It may seem like a strange transition from peacemaker to persecuted. But it really isn't. There are several reasons that citizens of this kingdom will be persecuted by the world.

1. righteousness sake - we live a pure and holy life, which, by itself, condemns the world.
2. My sake - we've chosen to follow One the world rejects - John 15:18-20.
3. so they persecuted the prophets before you - this is what the unbelieving world has always done.

What is the promised blessing to those who suffer persecution for the sake of the kingdom?

1. Ours is the kingdom of heaven - v. 10.
2. great is your reward in Heaven - v. 12. Much greater than our loss that we have to suffer here in this life (Romans 8:18).
3. Persecution is a token of genuine discipleship - v. 12. If we are suffering like the saints before us did, we know that we are doing what is right. 2 Tim. 3:12 - we will suffer if we live godly lives.

Conclusion:

        "The beatitudes paint a comprehensive portrait of a Christian disciple. We see him first alone on his knees before God, acknowledging his spiritual poverty and mourning over it. This makes him meek or gentle in all his relationships since honesty compels him to allow others to think of him what before God he confesses himself to be. Yet he is far from acquiescing in his sinfulness, for he hungers and thirsts after righteousness, longing to grow in grace and in goodness.
        We see him next with others, out in the human community. His relationship with God does not cause him to withdraw from society, nor is he insulated from the world's pain. On the contrary, he is in the think of it, showing mercy to those battered by adversity and sin. He is transparently sincere in all his dealings and seeks to play a constructive role as a peacemaker. Yet he is not thanked for his efforts, but rather opposed, slandered, insulted and persecuted on account of the righteousness for which he stands and the Christ with whom he is identified.
        Such is the man or woman who is 'blessed', that is, who has the approval of God and finds self-fulfillment as a human being."
(John R.W. Stott, Christian Counter-Culture, p. 5)

(This lesson came from an outline I received from Cecil Douthitt of Hallsville, MO)
Heath Rogers

Introduction:
        This woman (Mark 14:3-9) did what she could. It didn't seem like much at the time. The disciples didn't see much use for it, and rebuked her for the waste. But Jesus memorializes her for simply doing what she could.
        Could the same thing be said of you and me? What better thing could Jesus say of us as He introduces us to the Father than, "Here is your servant, he/she did what they could."

I. Do What You Can
        Jesus gave us a wonderful principle to live by - do what you can.

        This is not enough for some people. Many are looking to do something great, and thus many needful things are neglected.

        Certain things determine what we can do.

A. Opportunity - Jesus spoke of opportunity. The disciples would always have time and opportunity to help the poor, but time was running out for Jesus. This woman had an opportunity to do this for Jesus, so she did.

Gal. 6:10 - as we have opportunities to do God's will, we must do it.
Col. 4:3 - we have to look for, pray for and make opportunities.

B. Ability - the woman had the ability to anoint the Lord's body.
A perceived lack of ability keeps people from doing what they really can do. Sometimes an ability lies buried under lack of effort or years of neglect.
Matt. 25:15 - the truth is that we all have abilities. Not all people have the same abilities, but we all have abilities.

Opportunity + Ability = Responsibility
If we are doing all we have opportunity to do and all we are able to do, then we are doing what we can.

C. Increased Ability and Opportunity - Matt. 25:20-23, 28-29 - the great thing about our opportunities and abilities is that they will increase as we use them.

D. How Are We Doing What We Can?

1. Our Best - Romans 12:1-2.
        Our service to God and to others is a sacrifice to God. A living sacrifice is much better and more useful than a dead one.
        One thing God has always demanded in sacrifices - the best.

2. Heartily - Col. 3:23.
        From the heart, with the right attitude, because it is as to the Lord.
        We can do more, better, in a better spirit if we remember it is for God.

3. In Jesus' Name - Col. 3:17.
        Means by His authority. "Stop in the name of the law."
        We are His servants acting upon His direction.

4. To the Glory of God - 1 Cor. 10:31.
        God is to be glorified by our thoughts, words and actions.
        Will the things we do help the cause of Christ or hinder it?

II. With What You Have
        Romans 12:6-8 - we are all different. We have different backgrounds, education, abilities and talents. This could hurt a church, but it should help it.

        We shouldn't fail to do what we can because we perceive it to be less than what others are doing - 1 Cor. 12:12-25.
        All talents are necessary, and they all work together for good the way God intended.

Maybe we can preach like Paul or Apollos,
teach privately like Aquila and Priscilla,
encourage like Barnabas,
make clothes for brethren like Dorcas,
open our homes like the elect lady of 2 John.

Use what talents have been given to you.
Try to develop new ones.

III. Where You Are
        "If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you?"
        You are not anywhere in the world, you are here.

        Joseph was taken away from his home at a very young age (Gen. 37). He never got to return. He was taken to preserve his family (Gen.45:5-8).

        God has a will for our lives, we are where we are because God wants us here to do His will. "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10).

        "Brighten the Corner Where you Are." Where you live, work, go to school, shop, eat, play, etc. If you don't do it, who will?

Conclusion:

Let us be doing what we can.
If we have the opportunity and the ability we have a responsibility.
If we use these opportunities and abilities, they will increase.
If we look for opportunities and work on our abilities we will have them.
If we do what we can, what more is there for us to do?

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
God demands nothing more, He expects nothing less.

1. If man cannot know the truth, then by necessity, man cannot be free.
2. Slavery to sin and the failed "solutions" of the wisdom of the world are all man has to look forward to.
3. Does "tripping out" on drugs free you? Does "free love" (i.e. fornication) free you? Does federal welfare programs free you? Does communism free you? Does democracy free you?
4. I think you know the answer by a simple look at history.

1. If man cannot know the truth, then man cannot know Jesus Christ.
2. "Except you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins" (Jn. 8:24).
3. If man cannot know the truth, then he cannot know the only source of "life" that has come into the world to save man.

1. Jesus promised to reveal "All Truth" to His apostles after He went to heaven. Was Jesus guilty of lying?
2. The apostles later claimed to have received "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2Peter 1:3). Were the apostles guilty of lying?

1. God's word IS TRUTH.
2. By that truth man was sanctified (made holy) and continues to be sanctified.
3. If there is no truth, there is no sanctification. All men are unholy.

1. Jesus Christ came into the world to give Truth.
2. If you will but listen to His voice, you will be "of the truth".
3. Most men today are just like Pilate. They ask the question, but refuse to listen to the very Source that can truly answer it with confidence!

1. Paul told men "the truth". Some of them became his enemies because of that.
2. Today, to claim you have "the truth" will lead many to the same conclusion: "You can't possibly have the truth . . . You are a liar!"

1. If you will be patient and sit at Jesus' feet and let Him teach you, then you can and will have the truth.
2. The prokblem is, very few, even among the church, patiently sit to llisten and learn. Deep down in their heart they refuse to believe that Jesus can teach them all truth.

1. Satan was busy at work in the first century, persuading and deceiving men to scoff at the very concept of "Truth". The idea that there was actually "Truth" was pawned off as a strong delusion!
2. Satan remains at work in the 21st century, spinning the same old lie! Men will "perish" and "be condemned" because they are deceived into thinking pleasure in unrighteousness is all there is to life.
To them, Spiritual Truth is only a strong delusion and the Big Lie.

1. If man cannot believe in "The Truth" then man cannot be saved, and God is convicted as a liar.
2. God says Truth is found in "our gospel" (i.e. preached by the apostles). If there is no Truth, then the gospel is not the good news! It is The Lie.

1. God's greatest desire is for man's salvation, which can only come through knowledge of "The Truth".
2. If it is impossible for man today to "know the truth", then it is impossible for man today to be saved! This makes God's great deire only a fading drean. In fact, His desire is only a cruel joke!

1. Paul wrote with a purpose. That pupose was for christians to know with certainty how to live as God's people (i.e. the church).
2. If Christians are "the church", and the church is the pillar and ground of "the truth", then it must follow that Christians have the truth!
3. If the claim is true that "no one can claim to know the truth", then the very purpose of the church - to be the support of the truth - is impossible.

1. The only way a man could be "approved to God" was to be a diligent student of "the truth".
2. If "no one can claim to know the truth", then it must follow that no one can rightly divide the truth, which then means no man can be appproved to God. That leads to only one conclusion, all the world is going to hell!

1. God grants men the ability to repent and come to "know the truth".
2. If "no one can claim to know the truth", God's patience in lovingly waiting for men to repent and learn truth is only an exercise in futility. He might as well end the world today!

1. Since "the last days" began (beginning in Acts 2:16 at Pentecost), men have sought to lift themselves above God, claiming to know more than God. They are "always learning" something newer, bigger, better.They then declare their way is best.
2. Over the last two millenniums the folly of such pride has been manifested for all to see. Those who resist the truth continue to this day to be shown but fools.

1. Paul said "the word" he preached was "sound doctrine" and "the truth".
2.It was true in Paul's day that men were not satisfied with the ond fashioned gospel he preached, instead wanting the latest and greatest "new" gospel and doctrine. But it was only "fables" to which their itching ears loved to heasr. Today those "fables" they thought so wonderful would be laughed to scorn as foolishness.
3. Today's latest and greatest schemes will also soon be on the ash heap of history, and be looked back upon as ridiculous. Only truth endures.
4. If "no one can claim to know the truth", then there is no word to preach, no sound doctrine to endure, and no truth that itching ears can turn from.

1. Unto Paul was committed by God to preach a gospel (His word) whereby men could acknowledge "the truth", and thereby become godly.
2. This gospel, which men could acknowledge as "the truth", was totally dependent on the attribute of God that says He cannot lie. God is truth, making lies impossible in His very nature.
3. If "no one can claim to know the truth", then God lied, because He said men could acknowledge the truth.

1. The apostle Peter claimed men's souls could be purified by obeying "the truth". That truth was the incorruptible word of God that forever llives and abides in this world.
2. To claim no one can know the truth is to claim two things: (1) Man cannot obey God, therefore cannot be purified (saved); and (2) God's word did not abide forever, but has perished from the earth!

1. Peter, an inspired apostle, promised to leave to the world after his death a written message of "the present truth" he taught. That "present truth" is found in the New Testament. It is still "present". It is still "truth".
2. If "no one can claim to know the truth", then Peter failed to keep his promise to ensure men would have a constant reminder of the present truth.

1. God has anointed His people (i.e. christians, or the church) with the ability to "know all things". How so? By the written words of John (and all other writers of the Bible) which revealed "the truth".
2. If "no one can claim to know the truth", two conclusions must be drawn: (1) John lied; and 92) God's anointing men to know all things was a failure.

1. The inspired John told his little children (Christians) they could prove they had "the truth" by the life they lived in love.
2. God, who knows all things (i.e. Truth), has left us with confidence that we can trust Him to give us all we need to know in life.
3. If "no one can claim to know the truth", then there can be no confidence in God on earth. All is futile and hopeless.

1. John (and all the apostles) wrote an inspired message that said God can be in all Christians, and He would give us the ability to overcome the world.
2. The "spiit of truth" says man can believe in this wonderful promise. The "spirit of error" says that promise is only a pipe dream, for no one can claim to know the truth.

1. John's overriding message in his three epistles is that man can know "truth".
2. Not only could Christians of the first century know the truth, but John assured us that same truth would "be with us forever". How? He wrote it down. It is called the New Testament.
3. If "no one can claim to know the truth", man is forever lost!

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