[By Ron Halbrook]

• Introduction1. Psalm 121 The God of higher ground:

Hills & mountains of Israel & Judah — Mt. Zion

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• Introduction2. Psalm 48:1-3 God’s people secure in Mt. Zion

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• Introduction3. Psalm 2:6-7 Christ rules from Mt. Zion

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• Introduction

4. Rev. 21:10 From higher ground John saw the heavenly city of God

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• Introduction

5. The God of higher ground revealed the gospel of higher ground:

Calls us to higher groundExamples to encourage usWarns against false claims

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I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground A. The Father Calls Us to Higher Ground

1 Pet. 1:14-16

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Leave lowlands of lusts & ignoranceGod: high & holy groundExamine every aspect of our lives

I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground B. Christ Calls Us to Higher Ground

Heb. 4:15-16 Christ our perfect example

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I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground C. The Holy Spirit Calls Us to Higher Ground

1 Cor. 2:9-13 The words of the Spirit transcend man’s natural limitations

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I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground D. The Gospel Calls Us to Higher Ground

Tit. 2:11-14

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I. EXHORTATION: Aim for Higher Ground D. The Gospel Calls Us to Higher Ground

Tit. 2:11-14Salvation from past sinsLearn to deny ungodly livingLearn to use our talents for ChristHearts set on heaven

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II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground A. The Samaritan Woman

Jn. 4:16-18, 22, 25-26

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II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground A. The Samaritan Woman

Jn. 4:16-18, 22, 25-26Living in sin & ignorance, seeking the Savior who leads to higher groundShe found him & called others Jn. 4:28-30, 39

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39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground B. The Woman Taken in Adultery

Jn. 8:3-11

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7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground B. The Woman Taken in Adultery

Jn. 8:3-11Witnesses implicated in the sin, not competent to execute herJesus leads her to higher ground

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II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground C. Peter

Matt. 16:22-23 Slow to learn, rash talk Matt. 26:34-35 Promised fidelity,

failed when tested Gal. 2:11 Rebuked for compromise Jn. 21:19 Grew, reached higher ground,

died for Christ29

II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground D. Simon the Sorcerer

Acts 8:12-13 Baptized into Christ Acts 8:18-19 Relapsed into old sins Acts 8:22-24 Reached higher ground

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II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground E. Cornelius

Acts 10:1-2 Sincere, moral, but lost Acts 10:24, 33 Ready to hear the gospel Acts 10:48 Baptized into Christ

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II. EXAMPLES: Reaching Higher Ground F. Paul

Acts 26:9-11 Fought Christ & Christians Phil. 3:7, 13-14 Gave up honors, friends,

& family in false religion for higher ground

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III. ERRORS: False Claims of Higher Ground A. Sin Claims to be “Modern”

Jn. 8:44 Sin as old as Satan

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III. ERRORS: False Claims of Higher Ground A. Sin Claims to be “Modern”

Jn. 8:44 Sin as old as SatanDeceives every generation: sin “new” & “better” way of life“Not limited by 1st century morality”Rom. 1:18-32 No new sin but new disguises & aliasesRom. 6:23 Same guilt & punishment 36

III. ERRORS: False Claims of Higher Ground B. Error Claims to be “Progress”

2 Jn. 9 Progress within or outside the doctrine of Christ?

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9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

III. ERRORS: False Claims of Higher Ground B. Error Claims to be “Progress”

2 Jn. 9 Progress within or outside the doctrine of Christ?

Transgress, go onward, go on forward Error claims to improve the original

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ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

“PROGRESS” BEYONDTHE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

Immersion (Rom. 6:4) SprinklingChristian (Acts 11:26) Denominational namesLocal church under Christ (Acts 14:23)

Denominational churches under denominational headquarters

Inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Human creeds

Final, complete revelation (Jude 3)

Modern revelations39

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which begins by declaring the unbaptized in the kingdom, and progresses towards the reception of them into the church; which begins by scouting the demand for soundness in the faith, and progresses to all manner of unsound teaching; which, in short, begins at the same point of departure with the sects, and aims to progress up to them all, and finally, beyond them all in unauthorized teaching and practice. —This, and this only is the progress condemned.

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True progress is still backward— backward toward the apostles, toward the doctrine, the terms of pardon, the worship and the discipline which they instituted. Push your progress in this direction if you wish to have a hard fight for every inch of ground you gain. If you would sail smoothly on the current, let your progress be in whatever direction the popular current flows. (Apostolic Times, Oct. 26, 1871, p. 228)

• Invitation1. Psalm 121 The God of higher ground: Mt. Zion

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• Invitation

2. The God of higher ground revealed the gospel of higher ground:

Calls us to higher groundExamples to encourage usWarns against false claims

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• Invitation

3. We all can reach higher ground in Christ:Faithful Christian: growErring Christian: repent & pray (Acts 8:22)Sinner in the world: believe, repent, confess Christ, be baptized (Acts 2:38)

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• Invitation

4. Rev. 21:10 From higher ground John saw the heavenly city of God

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