It is better

IT IS BETTER 11/22/2014

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TEXT: PSALMS 118:8 SLIDE #1

Introduction:

A. There is an old general truth which reads---

“Good, better, best; never let it rest till your good is better,

and your better is best.” (Read again) SLIDE #2

B. This will introduce the subject “IT IS BETTER”.

1. Definition of BETTER: “to surpass in excellence exceed

or excel.”

I. Our text this morning: Psalms 118:8 “it is better to

trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

A. Man is feeble, ignorant, fickle, and unpredictable; it is

better to trust in the Lord.

B. Man is sinful.

1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive

ourselves and the truth is not in us. SLIDE #3

C. Let’s consider these eternal truths.

SLIDE #4 (3 VERSES)

Jeremiah 10:23 23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not

his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.


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Proverbs 3:5 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and

lean not on your own understanding;

Romans 3:4 4Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a

liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when

you speak and prevail when you judge."

D. We must turn to the Lord

SLIDE #5 John 6:63-68 63 It is the Spirit who gives life;

the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are

spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who

do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who

they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one

can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My

Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and

walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve,

“Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we

go? You have the words of eternal life.

II. Compliments, verses rebuke

Ecclesiastes 7:5-6 SLIDE #6


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5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise

Than for a man to hear the song of fools.

6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot,

So is the laughter of the fool.

This also is vanity.

A. We prefer compliments, but oftentimes rebuke is more

needful. “The rebuke of the wise, though it may hurt, it

can lead to moral improvement; but the song of fools,

though they may afford some passing entertainment, are

without worth.

III. Matthew 18:8 “It is better to enter into life. 8 “If your

hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it

from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or

maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to

be cast into the everlasting fire. SLIDE #7

A. Christ uses this figure of speech to show how we

must deny our selfish and proud desires.

B. Paul says :

Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your

members which are on the earth: fornication,

uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness,

which is idolatry. SLIDE #8


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SLIDE #9

NOTHING SHOULD TAKE THE PLACE OF GOD

“If an object as dear as the right eye, and

useful as the right hand, lead you into sin,

that object, however dear, you are to part

from it.”

C. Anything which interferes with Christ and his church.

Matthew 6:33 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His

righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

SLIDE #10

IV. Ecclesiastes 5:5 It is better to keep a vow 5

Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. SLIDE

#11 (2 VERSES)

A. Promises – either with God or Man.

B. Consider vows when you were baptized – Have you

kept those promises or your marriage vows?

C. The Bible says in:

V. Proverbs 21:19 19 Better to dwell in the

wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry

woman.


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The old saying:

IF MAMA AIN’T HAPPY NO ONES HAPPY

A. The same principle of life is also true of man.

B. The bible says-

Proverbs 19:13 13 A foolish son is the ruin of his

father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual

dripping. SLIDE #12

C. A nagging individual is like a dripping faucet.

D. A man can have no greater asset than a good wife.

Proverbs 18:22 22 He who finds a wife finds a good

thing, and obtains favor from the LORD. SLIDE #13

My wife Mary has been such a asset to me, she has always

been supportive of me no matter how dumb I got. She is

my best friend my worse critic, and a loving wife. She is the

reason I am a member of the LORDS Church. She has

always loved me even when I wasn’t very lovable even

when I didn’t deserve it.

VI. “Its better to have a good name” WHATS IN A NAME?

A. Name- The title by which any person or thing is

known.


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B. My dad died when I was 13 my sister was 8, my

mother deserted us and move in with our future

step dad. They were both alcoholics. My mother

came to the house once a week with groceries and

lunch money for school. I raised my little sister and

myself until 16 when my mother and step dad

move back in. The reason I tell this story is that my

sister and I had something instill in us that no

matter what happened we did not want to bring

shame on the family name. We made excuses for

our mother not being present.

B. Good – Possessing attractive qualities.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 1 A good name is better than

precious ointment, And the day of death than the

day of one’s birth; SLIDE #14

1. To have a good name would mean that your

name stands high- you are a person with a

good reputation.

On that snack route I do my boss told me that the manager

of the one stop call him to have him move the snack machine

so they could re wall paper that area. And she also said, by

the way, that guy you having working for you is always

friendly and courteous. Our reputation speaks volumes any

job we have if you’re a Christian you should be happy and a

good worker.


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C. The sum total of a man is found in his name- The

mention of a name immediately suggest, influence,

reputation, and character.

1. Think of an individual’s name- What comes to mind?

a. Peter, Paul, Jesus, Abe Lincoln, and George

Washington. Just to name a few.

2. Try your own name. What do people think?

E. Cicero once said “to disregard what the world

thinks of us is not only arrogant, but

shameless.”

Conclusion:

A. It will be better to be rewarded an eternity in heaven

than to suffer the horror of hell.

B. It is better to obey now and not wait until it is too

late.

SLIDE #15 (2 VERSES)

Mark 16:16- 16 He who believes and is baptized will be

saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Revelations 2:10 10 Do not fear any of those things which

you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw

some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you

will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I

will give you the crown of life.


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INVITATION: If you are ready to change your life for the

better, and be baptized into Christ for the remission of your

sins, this morning is the time to make that decision.

Or if you have made that decision and need the prays of the

church to live better please come.

Spiritual

It is better