Sermon: The foremost concession (Ps 106:15)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Concession (Ps 106:15)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2012

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

We face options everyday in the decisions we make. Some decisions test our character, and we can look back with satisfaction when we choose well.

The college faculty members were in their annual planning meeting when, suddenly, an angel appeared. Addressing the Dean, the angel said, "I will grant you one of three requests. You may ask for infinite wisdom, infinite wealth, or infinite health." The Dean thought for a minute, then replied, "Wisdom." "So be it," the angel responded and disappeared. In the silence that followed, the Dean sat thoughtfully, saying nothing and staring off into the distance. Finally, one of the other faculty members exclaimed, "Do you have anything to say? What words of wisdom can you offer us?" The Dean replied... "I should have taken the money."

Some decisions test our character, and we can look back with satisfaction when we choose well...or not. In certain cases, what we should do is clear, because God's will is clear. In other cases, what we should do is not clear, not because God's will is unclear but because we want something different and assume He will not mind. Still, what God permits to us may not be what He prefers for us, and it may actually represent The Foremost Concession.

Sermon: The foremost confusion (Exod 23:27)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Confusion (Exod 23:27)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2012

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

When we encounter something out of the ordinary, it can be somewhat... confusing.

A family from the hills was visiting the city and was in a large mall for the first time. The father and son were strolling around while the wife shopped. They were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and then slide back together again. The boy asked, "Pa, what's that?" The father, never having encountered an elevator, said, "I don't know, son. I've never seen anything like it in my entire life." While the boy and his father were watching with amazement, a large, elderly lady in a wheel chair rolled up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened, the lady rolled into a small room, and the walls closed behind her. The boy and his father watched the small circular numbers above the walls light up sequentially, eventually reaching the last number; then the numbers began to light in reverse. The walls opened again, and a beautiful young woman stepped out. The father, not taking his eyes off her, said quietly to his son, "Boy...go get your Momma."

When we encounter something out of the ordinary, it can be somewhat...confusing. That is how it will be for Israel's enemies, because God will ensure that an encounter with His people results in The Foremost Confusion.

When the Israelites leave Egypt, they are not an indomitable military. Far from it, they are more like an undisciplined mob.¹ While they have some fighting men, these are a lightly armed, probably poorly trained, and certainly untested militia. Moreover, the majority of the group is primarily civilians and livestock, difficult to maneuver and difficult to defend. Although God redeemed the Israelites, He could not now leave them to fend for themselves and to find their own way. They would need His direction and protection, protection He would give in a variety of ways, including...

Sermon: The foremost confession (Rom 10:9-10)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Confession (Rom 10:9-10)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2012

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

You have probably received comfort or encouragement through the thoughtful words of others.¹ As the sage said...

Prov 16:24 Pleasant words are...sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Words can be very powerful, especially if they have significant meaning.

An elderly woman returned to her house one evening after a revival service at church and was startled to discover an intruder. As he was in the act of robbing her home of its valuables, she yelled the first thing that came to mind, "Stop! Acts 2:38!" The burglar halted dead in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the responding officers cuffed the man to take him in, one of them asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture passage at you." "Scripture?" the burglar replied... "She said she had an axe...and two 38s!" (Acts 2:38a Repent and be baptized....)

Words can be very powerful, especially if they have significant meaning...and there is significant meaning in The Foremost Confession.

Paul's letter to the church in Rome is arguably the most theological New Testament book. In it, the apostle outlines five steps of God's dealing with man: sin, salvation, sanctification, sovereignty, and service.² In the fourth section, Paul explains how God exercises His sovereignty by placing the same expectations on everyone, Jew and gentile alike. No one gets preferential treatment. All must approach Him the same way, and that way includes making...

XXXIII. The Foremost Confession³

Sermon: The foremost confinement (Rev 22:14-15)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Confinement (Rev 22:14-15)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2012

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

There are times you might like to have a stand-in, someone to take your place when you face a difficult task, especially if that someone would be better at the task than you.

The Pope met with his Cardinals to discuss a proposal from the Prime Minister of Israel. In the interest of ecumenical relations, the Prime Minster suggested that he and the pope play a friendly game of golf. The Pope thought it was a good idea, but he had never even held a golf club let alone played the game. "Would one of you Cardinals represent me?" he asked. "None of us plays very well," one of them replied. "But there is an American golfer named Jack Nicklaus, who is a devout Catholic. We can make him a temporary Cardinal, then ask him to play the Prime Minister as your representative. It would show our spirit of cooperation, and...we'd win the match." The Pope and the other Cardinals thought it was a good idea. Jack Nicklaus was, of course, honored and agreed to play.

After the match, Jack Nicklaus reported to the Pope. "I have good news and bad news, your Holiness." "Tell me the good news first, Cardinal Nicklaus," said the Pope. "Well, I don't like to brag, but even though I've had some pretty terrific rounds of golf in my life, this was the best I have ever played, by far. I must have been aided from above. My drives were long and true, my irons were accurate, and my putting was perfect. With all due respect, my play was truly miraculous." "So what's the bad news?", the Pope asked. Nicklaus sighed. "I lost by seven strokes...to Rabbi Tiger Woods."

There are times you might like to have a stand-in, someone to take your place when you face a difficult task. You have a stand-in, not to take your place on the golf course but to take your place at the bar of divine judgment. That stand-in, of course, is Jesus, whose sacrifice spared you from The Foremost Confinement.

The apostle John offers a rare and extended view of the future, including the rise and fall of the antichrist, the defeat of Satan, and the final disposition of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Throughout Revelation, John relates what he sees and hears in his vision, often through the guidance of an angel.¹ That changes abruptly halfway through the final chapter, as Jesus speaks to him.²

Sermon: The foremost consignment (Rev 20:10)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Consignment (Rev 20:10)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2012

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

What determines an individual's eternal fate? Does he get to choose, or does someone else make that decision for him?

On the outskirts of town was a large pecan tree by the cemetery fence. One day two boys filled a bucket with nuts, sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." In the process, several dropped and rolled toward the fence. Another boy came riding along on his bicycle. He heard voices from inside the cemetery. "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He reasoned what that was. "It's Satan and St. Peter dividing the souls at the cemetery." He rode off and met an old man. "Come quick," said the boy, "Satan and St. Peter are in the cemetery dividing up the souls." Dubious of the boy's story, the man followed him to the cemetery. Standing by the fence he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been telling the truth. Let's try to get a closer look. Shaking with fear yet compelled by curiosity, they peered through the fence, but were still unable to see anything. Then they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all.... Now let's get those nuts by the fence."¹

What determines an individual's eternal fate? Does he get to choose, or does someone else make that decision for him? ...The answer is that he gets to choose, and neither Satan nor St. Peter have any say in the matter. In fact, because of Satan's own choices, he has his own problems and will have his own place in eternity, his own apartment or compartment, as John describes in The Foremost Consignment.

Sermon: The foremost confrontation (Dan 7:9-10)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Confrontment (Dan 7:9-10)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

One day you will come face to face with God. What will you say to Him? ...More importantly, what will He say to you?

A middle-aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing God, she asked "Is my time up'?" "No," he replied, "you have another 40 years to live." Upon recovery, she decided that since she had so much more time than she thought, she might as well make the most of it. So she stayed in the hospital to have some work done. She had a facelift, liposuction, and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come and dye her hair. After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, though, she was hit and killed by an ambulance. Arriving in front of God (again), she asked Him, "You said I had another 40 years. Why didn't you save me from being hit by the ambulance?" God replied, "Sorry about that...I just didn't recognize you!"

What will you say when you come face to face with God? More importantly, what will He say to you? ...Hopefully it will go better than it did for this woman. Certainly, it will go better than The Foremost Confrontment, when another individual encounters the presiding of God at his trial.

The recent birth to Prince William (Duke of Cambridge) and Kate (Duchess of Cambridge) of a son who might one day become King of England (and head the Church of England) has captivated the attention of people around the world. All the excitement is something of a curiosity to many in America, because we do not have a royal class (although politicians in Washington may come close). The type of government we have, a democracy in the form of a republic,¹ dates back to the Greeks. The type of government Great Britain had at one time, a monarchy, goes back much farther and is one of the oldest kinds of government known to man. It is the form of ancient superpowers—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon—and is the form God chose for His people,² Israel, perhaps because it mirrors His own realm.

Sermon: The foremost conferment (2 Tim 4:7-8)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Conferment (2 Tim 4:7-8)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

Whenever children want to get from one place to another, they often run, even if there is no urgency. Most adults, however, are content to take life at a stately pace...unless there is some urgency.

Two lawyers walking through the woods spotted a vicious-looking bear. The first lawyer immediately opened his briefcase, took out a pair of sneakers, and put them on. The second lawyer looked at him in disbelief, "Are you crazy? You'll never be able to outrun that bear!" "I don't have to," the first lawyer replied.... "I only have to outrun you."

Most adults are content to take life at a stately pace...unless there is some urgency, in which case, they may run. While not out of urgency, Christians do run, because the Christian life is a race of sorts, one that ends with The Foremost Conferment.

Sermon: The foremost concealment (Esth 4:14)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Concealment (Esth 4:14)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

There is a saying that "timing is everything." It is true in cooking, where the difference of a few minutes can mean the roast is underdone or overdone. It is true in finance, where a person might buy stock just before or right after a company releases its hot new product. Timing is everything.¹

An irate customer called her local newspaper office with a complaint: "Where is my Sunday paper?" Despite the fact that she had waited patiently for it, the Sunday edition she so enjoyed reading had not arrived. "Ma'am," the newspaper employee replied, "today is Saturday. The Sunday paper is not delivered until tomorrow, on Sunday." There was a long pause on the other end of the phone, after which she muttered... "That's why no one was at church today!"

Timing is everything. That principle is evident in God's activity as well, even when His role may not be obvious, as in The Foremost Concealment.²

Among all the books in scripture, Esther has the distinction of not mentioning God. It does, however, note His activity behind the scenes on behalf of His people.

Sermon: The foremost concern (Num 14:21)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Concernment (Num 14:21)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

When an opportunity presents itself, it may be important that we take advantage of it, even if we do not feel properly prepared.

A man goes into a fancy restaurant wearing a shirt open at the collar and is met by the maitre d who tells him he must wear a necktie to be admitted. So the man goes out to his car and looks around for a necktie. Unfortunately, he doesn't have one. All he can find is a set of jumper cables in the trunk. In desperation he ties them around his neck, manages to fashion a fairly acceptable looking knot and lets the ends dangle free. He goes back to the restaurant, where the maitre d looks him over for a few minutes then says, "Well, OK, I guess you can come in...just don't start anything."

When an opportunity presents itself, it may be important that we take advantage of it, even if we do not feel properly prepared. The Israelites faced something similar when they first came to the border of Canaan, and their decision was the occasion for The Foremost Concernment.

When Moses begins to write the Pentateuch for God's people Israel, he starts Genesis by documenting for them God's activity, appropriately, "in the beginning." Moses describes what God did in the creation, in response to the fall of man, in the flood, in confusing the languages at Babel, and in His involvement with the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These fifty chapters contain a lot of information about God, about His might but little about His motive, some about His personality but not about His purpose. The reader sees God at work but may wonder: What is He up to?

Sermon: The foremost contentment (Phil 4:11b-13)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Contentment (Phil 4:11b-13)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

Many people have secrets, things they do not want others to know, because they fear the consequences that exposure might produce, from persecution to prosecution, depending on the gravity of the secret.

Four psychiatrists were attending a convention and, during the dinner break, they decided to share a table at a local restaurant. While they were eating, one said, "People come to us with their guilt and fears, and we keep what they tell us in confidence, but we have no one to consult when we have problems. Since we're professionals, why don't we take some time now to hear each other out?" They all agreed.

The first psychiatrist confessed, "Some of my patients drive me nuts, and I'm often tempted to prescribe something that will put them out of their misery...permanently."

The second psychiatrist confessed, "I love expensive things, so I find ways to overcharge my patients to buy the things I want."

The third psychiatrist confessed, "I sell drugs on the side, and sometimes I get my patients to sell them for me."

The fourth psychiatrist confessed, "I know I'm not supposed to, but no matter how hard I try...! can't keep a secret."

Many people have secrets, things they do not want others to know. Some secrets are secure not because people do not want others to know them¹ but because people themselves do not want to know them. That seems the case for a secret Paul describes. Few people want to know it because of the expectation that comes with it.

In our expanding understanding of What Is Foremost?, we recognize that giving these priorities the attention they deserve can be difficult, especially when we become distracted by other, seemingly more pressing concerns. Today, we will examine what enables us to resist those distractions and to retain our focus on the right priorities. From one of Paul's epistles, it is...

XXVI. The Foremost Contentment²

...which is relying on...

• The provision of God (Phil 4:11b-13)

The apostle Paul did not have an easy life. In his second letter to the church at Corinth (A.D. 55), he writes...³

2 Cor 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked.... 26b I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.... 27b I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

The foremost contingent (Matt 13:49-50)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Contingent (Matt 13:49-50)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

Any confrontation between opposing military forces comes with a host of challenges, from determining an efficient deployment to developing an effective strategy. One of those challenges can be dealing with equipment shortages.

A young soldier, just before battle, told his sergeant that he didn't have a rifle. "That's no problem, son," said the sergeant. "Just take this broom, point it at the enemy, and say, 'Bangety Bang Bang." ..."Sarge, what about a bayonet?" the young (and gullible) recruit asked. The sergeant pulled a piece of straw from the bristles of the broom and attached it to the handle end. "Use this and just say, 'Stabity Stab Stab."

Later, the young recruit ends up alone on the battlefield, holding just his broom. Suddenly, an enemy soldier charges at him. The recruit points the broom and says, "Bangety Bang Bang!" ...The enemy soldier falls over. More soldiers appear. The recruit, amazed at his good luck, says, "Bangety Bang Bang! Stabity Stab Stab!" Dozens succumb to this unconventional defense, until the battlefield is littered with fallen enemy troops... except for one soldier walking slowly toward him. "Bangety Bang Bang!" shouts the recruit. The enemy keeps coming. "Bangety Bang Bang!" repeats the recruit, to no effect. In desperation, the young recruit employs his entire arsenal. "Bangety Bang Banc,! Stabity Stab Stab!" But the enemy just keeps coming.... As the enemy stomps the recruit into the ground, the young soldier hears him say... "Tankety Tank Tank."

Any confrontation between opposing military forces comes with a host of challenges, from efficient deployment to effective strategy, even dealing with equipment shortages. None of those issues will be a concern for The Foremost Contingent of God's forces when, in the end, they confront the wicked.

The foremost contrast (Rom 6:23)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Contrast (Rom 6:23)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

If you need to make a point, it is often helpful to use a comparison that highlights a clear contrast.

Two brothers in town had a scandalous reputation after years of continuous carousing. Getting on in age, they wanted to be remembered well when they were gone. They asked a local minister to conduct the funeral of whichever brother went first, promising to make a large donation to the church if the minister would say in his eulogy that the deceased brother was a saint. The minister agreed. When one of the brothers died, the other brother approached the minister, reminding him about their arrangement, and gave him a check for a sizable amount. At the funeral, the minister did not hold back. "He was an evil man," he said. "He cheated on his wife and abused his family." After going on like this for a while, he finally concluded, "but, compared to his brother...he was a saint."

If you need to make a point, it is often helpful to make a comparison that highlights a clear contrast...assuming there is one. When the apostle Paul needed to make a point, he used a comparison to highlight The Foremost Contrast.

Sermon: The foremost combustion (2 Peter 3:10

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Combustion (2 Pet 3:10)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

Are you a patient person? ...You might say, "That depends on the situation." Indeed, some situations require more patience than others.

A man with a swollen foot goes to the doctor. After a careful examination, the doctor hands the man a pill big enough to choke a horse. "I'll be right back with some water," the doctor tells him and leaves the room. The doctor is gone quite a while, though, and the man loses patience. He hobbles out to the drinking fountain, forces the pill down his throat, following it with large quantities of water until the pill is finally clear, and hobbles back to the examining room. Just then the doctor returns with a bucket of water. "Okay," he says, "after the pill dissolves...soak that foot for about 20 minutes."

Some situations warrant more patience than others. That is sometimes the case when we wait for a doctor, and that is surely the case when we wait for God to wrap things up with The Foremost Combustion.

Paul began his ministry by bringing the gospel to fellow Jews but shifted the focus of his ministry later, calling himself "an apostle to the gentiles" (Gal 2:8b), although he often addressed his epistles to mixed congregations. Peter also began his ministry by bringing the gospel to fellow Jews, branching out to include gentile converts,¹ but maintained the original focus of his ministry, leading Paul to call Peter "an apostle to the Jews" (Gal 2:8a), and he addressed his (two) epistles to (predominantly) Jewish congregations.² Despite their different audiences, though, recipients of the apostles' letters often faced similar problems, including the insinuation of false teachers into the congregations.³ Please turn to chapter 3 of Peter's second letter, where he warns about those who deny Jesus' return.

4 They...say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

Sermon: The foremost commutation (Col 2:13)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Commutation (Col 2:13)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

When faced with the fact that we have done something wrong, there is often the hope that we can somehow avoid the consequence of our misdeed.

Rushing to work, Katrina—not our Katrina—was driving too fast and was pulled over by a highway patrolman. The trooper noticed that one of the books on her seat had a GACTC logo. "I teach math there," she explained. The trooper smiled, and said, "Okay, here's a problem. A teacher is speeding down the highway at 16 m.p.h. over the limit. At $12 for every mile, plus $40 court expenses, plus the rise in her insurance, what's her total cost?" She replied, "Taking that total, subtracting the low salary I receive, multiplying by the number of students who hate math, then adding to it the fact that none of us would be anywhere without teachers, I'd say... zero." The trooper handed back her license and said... "Math was never my favorite subject. Please slow down."

When faced with the fact that we have done something wrong, there is often the hope that we can somehow avoid the consequence of our misdeed. While it may be possible to talk one's way out of a policeman's ticket, it will require a much more compelling argument to avoid the Lord's judgment. It will, in fact, require The Foremost Commutation.

Sermon: The foremost commendation (Matt 25:21)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Commendation (Matt 25:21)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

When we encounter someone whose ability is out of the ordinary, an obvious cut above the rest, we readily acknowledge it.

A mother cornered the concert violinist in his dressing room and insisted that he listen to a recording of her talented son playing the violin. The man agreed, and the woman switched on the player. "What music!" the violinist thought. It was a difficult piece, but played with such genius that it brought tears to his eyes. He listened spellbound to the entire recording. "Madam," he whispered, "is that your son?" "No," she replied. "That's Itzhak Perlman....But my son sounds just like him."

When we encounter someone whose ability is out of the ordinary, an obvious cut above the rest, we readily acknowledge it. That is what God will do for believers who distinguish themselves, when He bestows on them The Foremost Commendation.