Harold G Mackay

ID 58327Date unavailable

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ID 56510Feb 8, 1971

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ID 56103Date unavailable

The presentation of a sermon message is crucial for its reception and impact, building upon the preparation of gathering and arranging material. Effective presentation requires qualities such as relevancy, accuracy, simplicity, clarity, sincerity, fervency, and spirituality. The objective of a sermon is to arrest attention, awaken interest, inspire confidence, impart instruction, and impel action. Key elements for effective delivery include being composed, convincing, clear, and controlled by the Spirit, while avoiding common pitfalls like preaching on unsure topics, scolding the audience, using clichés, overemphasizing outlines, or relying too heavily on notes.

ID 56102Date unavailable

The essential principles of preparing sermon material, emphasizing the dual processes of gathering and arranging information. It highlights the importance of consistent Bible study and broad reading, coupled with a systematic method for organizing notes and resources, such as using Manila envelopes or a filing system, to ensure accessibility. The message stresses that effective arrangement transforms raw material into a coherent and impactful presentation, likening it to building a house from a blueprint rather than a mere pile of supplies. The sermon concludes by outlining the five key components of a well-structured message: title, text, introduction, body, and conclusion, underscoring that while diligent preparation is crucial, the ultimate power of a sermon comes from the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

ID 56101Oct 23, 1966

The biblical understanding of the afterlife, distinguishing between the Old Testament concept of Sheol and the New Testament Hades. It uses the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19 to illustrate that departed spirits go to a place of torment or comfort based on their earthly spiritual condition. The message further clarifies that after Christ's resurrection, Old Testament believers who were in a place of comfort were taken to be with God, and now, believers who die are immediately present with the Lord in paradise, which is in the presence of God.

ID 56100Oct 16, 1966

Clarifies the biblical understanding of hell by distinguishing it from the grave, using the Genesis 37 account of Jacob mourning Joseph as a key illustration. It explains that the Hebrew word 'Sheol' and the Greek word 'Hades,' often translated as 'hell,' primarily refer to the unseen realm of departed spirits, not the physical grave. The message emphasizes that Jesus Christ himself spoke extensively about hell, describing it as a place of 'hell fire,' unquenchable fire, and eternal punishment, distinct from the grave where bodies are buried. The sermon concludes by asserting that the reality of hell, as taught by Christ, is the ultimate explanation for his sacrifice on the cross, urging listeners to consider this truth and seek salvation.

ID 56099Date unavailable

Financial stewardship is a vital aspect of the individual Christian's life, emphasizing that all possessions ultimately belong to God. The sermon uses the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13) to illustrate how worldly individuals wisely manage their resources for future security, contrasting this with the often less strategic use of God's resources by believers. The core lesson is to be faithful with material wealth, or "mammon of unrighteousness," by investing it in eternal purposes, thereby making "friends" for oneself in heaven. The application encourages Christians to give regularly, proportionately, willingly, purposefully, cheerfully, liberally, sacrificially, and worshipfully, viewing their giving not as a duty but as an act of worship and an investment in true riches.

ID 56098Date unavailable

True faith is centered on God's witness concerning His Son, not on human opinion or feeling. The sermon emphasizes that believing God's report about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection is the foundational aspect of faith. Genuine faith moves beyond merely hearing a message to actively trusting in the person described. The core lesson is that the object of faith is God Himself, and His witness is greater than any human testimony. The sermon concludes by asserting that eternal life is found solely in God's Son, and believing this witness provides assurance of salvation.

ID 56097Date unavailable

Faith is the essential element for salvation, peace, pleasing God, and spiritual progress, as demonstrated by the biblical narrative. The sermon explains that faith begins with hearing and believing God's Word, contrasting this with misconceptions of faith as mere intellectual assent, a work for merit, or a predetermined gift. True faith, rooted in the report of Christ's atoning work, leads to salvation and then grows into a life of confident trust and obedience. The message concludes by urging believers to deepen their trust in God for all aspects of life, moving from initial salvation to ongoing reliance.

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God's eternal purpose, focusing on the creation of mankind on the sixth day as a pivotal moment in His plan. It details the creation of man in God's image, emphasizing the tripartite nature of humans (spirit, soul, body) and the distinct creation of Eve from Adam as a picture of the Church. The message then transitions to the future, describing Christ's millennial reign and the ultimate eternal state, contrasting the New Jerusalem with the lake of fire, and underscoring the cross as the determinant of one's eternal destiny.

ID 56095Date unavailable

The creation account of the fourth day in Genesis, focusing on the creation of the sun, moon, and stars as "light holders." It distinguishes between general light (OR) and specific light-bearing celestial bodies (MA OR), highlighting God's purpose in establishing these for signs, seasons, days, and years. The message draws parallels between the elements of creation and theological concepts, particularly the distinction between Israel as God's earthly people and the Church as a heavenly body, emphasizing that Christ is the ultimate light and the Church's role as light holders. The sermon concludes by underscoring the divine appointment and placement of these celestial bodies, mirroring Christ's position at God's right hand and the believer's secure anchor in Him.

ID 56094Date unavailable

The concept of God's eternal plan by examining the six days of creation as a framework for understanding historical dispensations. It argues that the Genesis creation account, particularly the separation of waters on the second day, serves as a type for God's redemptive work. The message highlights how God's creative acts, like bringing light and establishing the firmament, parallel His spiritual work in salvation, where divine wrath is held back for believers through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that just as the firmament protected life during creation and Noah's flood, Christ's sacrifice provides eternal safety for believers from God's judgment.

ID 56093Date unavailable

God's eternal plan and His dealings with mankind throughout history, emphasizing that God's purposes are known to Him and are unfolding according to His divine timetable. It highlights the distinction between God's works and man's responsibility, illustrating that while God's plans are sovereign, individuals have a role in responding to His offerings. The message draws parallels between the Old Testament figures of Abraham and Moses, who were privy to God's ways, and believers who can become friends of God through obedience, thereby understanding His purposes. The sermon uses the Genesis creation account as a framework to illustrate God's orderly progression in bringing cosmos from chaos, applying this principle to individual lives transformed by Christ.

ID 56092Date unavailable

Begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding the Bible in its proper context, likening misinterpretations to a blurred photograph. It then delves into Genesis 1:1-5, explaining that God's creation was initially perfect, but verse 2 describes a chaotic state, using the Hebrew words "Tohu" (without form) and "Bohu" (void). The examples highlight the work of the Spirit of God moving upon the waters and God's creative power through His Word, which brings order (cosmos) out of chaos. The sermon connects this to God's plan for humanity, from creation to the future millennial reign, and also to the individual's need for regeneration through the Word and Spirit, beginning with God's declaration, "Let there be light."

ID 56091Date unavailable

Joshua's final address to the Israelites, recorded in Joshua 24, centers on the critical choice of whom they will serve. The sermon highlights Joshua's life as an example of faithfulness, from his early service under Moses and his striving against Amalek to his leadership of Israel. The core lesson emphasizes that salvation is a gift requiring a personal decision, urging listeners to choose God, just as Joshua declared, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." The message concludes with an invitation for individuals to make a public commitment to Christ, mirroring Joshua's resolute stand.

ID 56090Date unavailable

Following the miraculous victory at Jericho, the Israelites experienced a significant defeat at the small city of Ai due to two primary reasons: secret sin and self-confidence. The sermon explains that Achan's hidden sin not only brought defeat upon the entire nation but also led to the death of his family, illustrating that individual sin impacts the whole community and necessitates divine judgment. Furthermore, the Israelites' overconfidence after Jericho, neglecting to return to Gilgal for spiritual recalibration and failing to seek God's direction, led them to underestimate Ai and suffer a humiliating loss. The message concludes by emphasizing that true and lasting victory for God requires humility, constant reliance on Him, and the diligent purging of sin from one's life and the community.

ID 56089Date unavailable

The defeat of Israel at Ai, following their miraculous victory at Jericho, serves as a stark illustration of how sin can bring about spiritual defeat. The sermon highlights that while Jericho represents victory through faith and obedience, Ai represents defeat stemming from disobedience and hidden sin, specifically Achan's coveting and taking of the devoted spoils. The core lesson is that even one person's sin can bring disaster upon the entire community, and that God sees all hidden sin, leading to inevitable consequences. The message concludes by emphasizing that true victory requires not only outward obedience but also inward purity, and that sin must be confessed and dealt with to avoid God's chastening or ultimate condemnation.

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Entering the Promised Land of Canaan required the Israelites to undergo spiritual preparation at Gilgal, symbolized by circumcision. This act, commanded by God after they crossed the Jordan River, signified a cutting off from their past and a commitment to a new life in obedience. Historically, it was a reminder of God's covenant and His grace in bringing them into the land despite their neglect of the covenant sign. Practically, it represents a spiritual circumcision of the heart, a cutting away of self-reliance and fleshly desires, enabling believers to live victoriously by feeding on Christ in His resurrection and glory, rather than on the fading provisions of the world.

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The Israelites' complaining and despising of God's provision in the wilderness, symbolized by the manna, led to God sending fiery serpents that caused death. This incident, recounted in Numbers 21, serves as a powerful illustration of sin's pervasive and deadly nature, mirroring the spiritual poison that afflicts all humanity from birth. Just as Moses lifted a bronze serpent on a pole, which provided healing to those who looked upon it, Jesus was lifted up on the cross to offer salvation to all who believe in Him. The core lesson is that salvation is not achieved through human effort or outward changes, but solely through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice, emphasizing that looking to Him is the only way to receive eternal life.

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The second instance of water from the rock in Numbers 20, contrasting it with the earlier event in Exodus 17 to reveal deeper spiritual lessons. It highlights that while both events involved God providing water from a rock in response to Israel's strife, the specific rocks, rods, and commands differed, illustrating key theological truths. The sermon emphasizes that Christ is the ultimate rock, first as the foundation (humiliation) and then as the exalted one in glory, and that His sacrifice, like the smitten rock, provides salvation. It concludes by stressing the importance of obedience, as Moses' disobedience in striking the rock instead of speaking to it led to his exclusion from the Promised Land, and calls listeners to continually drink from the living water of Christ.

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Israel's forty years of wandering in the wilderness were a direct consequence of their unbelief and disobedience at Kadesh Barnea, representing a period of "wasted years" outside of God's will. The examples highlight that during this time, Israel experienced arrested progress, became aimless pilgrims, engaged in apostate practices like idol worship, and became adverse parents, leading their children astray. The core lesson is that disobedience and turning away from God lead to spiritual stagnation and deviation from His intended path. The message concludes by emphasizing God's amazing pity and abiding presence even during these wasted years, urging listeners to seek God's best through obedience rather than settling for His provision in disobedience.

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Israel's journey to Canaan was halted by their unbelief, as detailed in Numbers 14 and commented on in Hebrews 3. Despite God's promises and the positive report of spies like Caleb and Joshua, the majority's fear and murmuring led them to reject the land. This rejection resulted in God's judgment, with that generation condemned to wander in the wilderness, illustrating the severe consequences of unbelief and disobedience. The sermon emphasizes that while God is merciful, He does not clear the guilty, and true faith requires fully following Him, not succumbing to fear or popular opinion.

ID 56083Date unavailable

At Kadesh Barnea, Israel faced a critical juncture where failure to enter their God-given inheritance stemmed from a report of insurmountable obstacles rather than God's promises. The sermon contrasts the spies' fearful report, emphasizing giants and walled cities, with the faithful perspective of Caleb and Joshua, who saw God's provision and power. The core lesson highlights how unbelief exaggerates difficulties and minimizes resources, while faith looks at challenges through God. Ultimately, the sermon concludes that only those with faith, like Caleb and Joshua, will enter their inheritance, urging listeners to trust God's word and power in their own lives.

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The power and misuse of the tongue, using Miriam's story in Numbers 12 as a primary example. It highlights Miriam's initial faithfulness as a young girl and prophetess, contrasting it with her later failure of speaking against Moses due to envy and pride, which led to her leprosy. The message emphasizes that even great leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Miriam failed, serving as a warning against criticism and envy within the community of faith. Ultimately, it calls for careful stewardship of speech, urging listeners to use their tongues for God's glory and to avoid hindering the progress of God's people.

ID 56081Date unavailable

The Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan is interrupted by discontent and a craving for the comforts of Egypt, leading to divine judgment at Kibroth-Hattavah. The sermon highlights that complaining against God's provision, symbolized by manna, and desiring worldly pleasures, represented by the foods of Egypt, incurs God's displeasure and discipline. The core lesson is that true satisfaction comes from God's provision, exemplified by Christ as the manna, and that discontent with God's leading leads to spiritual leanness and loss. The message concludes by urging listeners to choose heavenly pursuits over earthly desires to avoid spiritual emptiness and eternal regret.

ID 56080Date unavailable

The biblical concept of priesthood, contrasting the Old Testament Aaronic priesthood with the New Testament priesthood of all believers. Initially, God promised Israel a kingdom of priests if they obeyed, but their disobedience led to a select family serving as intermediaries. In contrast, through Christ, all born-again believers are made a holy and royal priesthood, granting direct access to God's presence and the privilege of offering spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. This New Testament reality means every believer can approach God individually and collectively, distinct from the specialized ministry gifts for preaching and teaching.

ID 56079Date unavailable

The law given at Mount Sinai, rather than being a path to salvation or a rule for Christian living, served to debar people from God, bring death, inspire dread, and create distance. The sermon highlights that the law is holy and good, but it reveals sin and leads to death because of human guilt, contrasting this with God's grace shown to Israel before Sinai. The text then points to an altar of earth, symbolizing Christ, as the means through which God will come to bless humanity, emphasizing that salvation is solely through Christ's finished work on the cross, not through human effort or adding to it.

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God's meticulous pattern for the Tabernacle, as revealed on Mount Sinai, underscores the importance of divine instruction in all His work. The sermon emphasizes that obedience to God's specific design, demonstrated by Moses and the Israelites in constructing the Tabernacle and later by David and Solomon for the Temple, is paramount. This principle extends to the New Testament church, for which the Apostle Paul received God's pattern. Therefore, all service and church structure must adhere to the divine pattern to ensure God's presence and blessing, rather than human preference or tradition.

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The significance of Israel's encampment at Mount Sinai, drawing parallels to the formation of the United States. It highlights that God's stops in our lives, like Israel's year-long stay at Sinai, are purposeful for teaching and ordering. The message details the giving of God's law in three phases—moral, civil, and ceremonial—and emphasizes that the failure of humanity to keep this law, as demonstrated by Israel's breaking of the tablets, points to the necessity of Christ. Ultimately, the sermon concludes that Christ alone fulfilled the law and offers redemption from its curse, urging listeners to place their trust in Him for spiritual rebirth.

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How to achieve victory over the flesh by examining the battle between Israel and Amalek in Exodus 17. Amalek is presented as a type of the flesh, the old fallen nature that believers continually struggle with. The sermon highlights that victory is not achieved by destroying the flesh but by breaking its power through faith in the risen Christ and the application of God's Word, the "sword of the Spirit." The dual scene of the battle in the valley and Moses' intercession on the mountaintop illustrates that while believers must actively fight the flesh, ultimate victory is secured by Christ's ongoing intercession in glory.

ID 56075Date unavailable

Identifies Amalek as a biblical type of the flesh, the fallen nature within believers, and argues that this enemy is not a one-time battle but a continuous struggle from generation to generation. It illustrates Amalek's characteristics through various scriptural appearances, highlighting its tendency to attack the weak and straggling, to destroy spiritual sustenance, and to seek self-promotion and honor. The core lesson is that the flesh is unholy, unprofitable, and unreliable, and attempting to serve God with it or gain favor through it leads to spiritual impoverishment and loss, ultimately resulting in defeat and the forfeiture of eternal rewards. The message concludes by emphasizing that while the flesh is a persistent enemy, it will ultimately be blotted out, and believers will receive glorified bodies free from its influence.

ID 56074Date unavailable

Identifies Amalek as a biblical type of the flesh, the fallen Adamic nature within believers, which wages war against the Holy Spirit. The attack by Amalek on Israel at Rephidim occurred after they received spiritual sustenance from the smitten rock, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's indwelling. This timing illustrates how the flesh becomes active and attacks believers once they are born again and indwelt by the Spirit. The sermon emphasizes that Amalek's subtle, ambush-style attacks target the weak and lagging, highlighting the danger of spiritual complacency and the need for believers to remain fervent and engaged in their faith.

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The Israelites' journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt was not just an escape but a crucial part of God's salvation, teaching them dependence on Him. When they complained about hunger, God provided manna, illustrating His gracious, gratuitous, and glorious provision, which sustained all ages and needs. This divine sustenance foreshadows Jesus Christ, the true bread of life, who offers eternal life to all who partake of Him. The message concludes by urging believers to continually feed on Christ through meditation and to accept Him as their personal Savior for ongoing nourishment and strength.

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Redemption by power is illustrated through the Israelites' miraculous escape from Egypt at the Red Sea, demonstrating God's salvation in two aspects: deliverance by blood in Egypt and deliverance by power from Egypt. The sermon details the hopeless situation the Israelites faced, trapped between the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptian army, to show that God brings individuals to a place of recognizing their helplessness before salvation. It emphasizes that God does not always lead by the easiest path but by a way that teaches lessons and ensures complete deliverance, as seen when God's presence protected Israel and destroyed the Egyptian army. The core lesson is to stand still in helplessness and then go forward in faith, trusting God's power to open the way, as exemplified by Moses lifting his rod and God parting the sea, a picture of Christ's sacrifice at Calvary that provides salvation and puts away sin.

ID 56056Date unavailable

Sanctification means being set apart by God, a truth illustrated by the Old Testament command to sanctify the firstborn. The firstborn, like all humanity, was under the sentence of death due to sin, but was spared through the blood of a substitute, a lamb, signifying salvation through Christ's sacrifice. Because this redeemed life now belongs to God, it is set apart for His purposes, a concept of positional sanctification. This positional truth calls for practical sanctification, which involves separating from sin and living a life of sincerity and truth, as symbolized by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, to reflect that one belongs to God.

ID 56055Date unavailable

The Passover event in Exodus 12 illustrates salvation through Christ, beginning with a new start for Israel, symbolizing regeneration in believers. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is not based on personal merit but on a perfect substitute, the spotless Lamb of God, whose sacrifice and sprinkled blood provide redemption. God himself acts as the personal Savior, offering protection and a new life to those who trust in Christ's atoning work, urging listeners to accept this salvation for a life of true success.

ID 56054Date unavailable

The Passover feast, as described in Exodus 12, serves as a profound type of the Lord's Supper, reminding believers of their redemption and providing spiritual strength for their journey. The feast was to be eaten in haste, symbolizing the urgency of their deliverance from Egypt and pointing to Christ's sacrifice, which shelters believers from judgment. The Passover lamb, roasted with fire and eaten whole, represents Christ's complete sacrifice under God's judgment and the entirety of His person and work, which believers are to meditate upon for spiritual sustenance. This remembrance looks back to Christ's death, forward to His return, and ultimately to the full inheritance in the millennial kingdom, underscoring the vital importance of partaking in the Lord's Supper for spiritual growth and stability.

ID 56053Date unavailable

The tenth and final plague on Egypt, the Passover, was a plague of death for the Egyptians and deliverance for Israel, mirroring how Christ's cross is either a savor of life or death depending on one's belief. The cause of this plague was Pharaoh's continued refusal to obey God, leading to God's judicial hardening of his heart, illustrating that persistent rebellion against God results in a hardened heart. The character of the plague was death, a solemn consequence of sin, as stated in James and Romans, and distinct from the second death in Revelation. Despite the widespread devastation, God protected His people, demonstrating His care by making a distinction between Israel and Egypt, as seen in the absence of flies and hail in Goshen.

ID 56052Date unavailable

The objections Moses raised when called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, as recorded in Exodus 4. It highlights God's provision of signs—the transformation of a rod into a serpent and a leprous hand—to authenticate Moses' mission and demonstrate divine power and purity. The message emphasizes that God can use ordinary individuals and their limited abilities, like Moses' staff or a young boy's lunch, for His purposes, and that true service relies on God's presence rather than human eloquence. Ultimately, it reveals that obedience, particularly in family matters like circumcision, is crucial for God's use, as exemplified by Moses' near-death experience due to his son's uncircumcised status and his wife's objections.

ID 56051Date unavailable

God educates individuals for service in a threefold manner, as exemplified by Moses' life. His early education occurred in the home, followed by formal schooling in Egypt, and culminating in practical training as a shepherd in the wilderness. This multi-faceted preparation, though not always formal or conventional, is essential for effective service to God. The sermon emphasizes that while worldly knowledge and academic achievement can be consecrated to God, they are secondary to spiritual formation and a divine commission. Ultimately, true readiness for service comes from a manifestation of God, a mission from God, and a message from God, as seen in Moses' later ministry.

ID 56050Date unavailable

The devil's deceptive tactics, drawing parallels between Pharaoh's methods to keep the Israelites in bondage and Satan's strategies to ensnare believers. It details how Pharaoh used construction to occupy the Israelites' time and strength, contentment with earthly pleasures, counterfeiting God's power through magicians, and finally, various forms of compromise. The sermon emphasizes that Satan's compromises, such as worship without redemption or separation, are designed to keep people from true freedom and a complete relationship with God, urging listeners to discern and reject these deceptions. The message concludes by highlighting Moses' unwavering refusal of any compromise, insisting on complete liberation and service to God, and applying this principle to the believer's complete surrender to Christ.

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ID 53013Date unavailable

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central proof of Christianity, demonstrating his divine nature and validating his claims. The sermon argues that Christ's resurrection is the keystone of Christian faith, contrasting it with the unverified claims of other religious founders. It presents scriptural, historical, and experiential evidence for the resurrection, including the empty tomb, the testimony of witnesses, and the transformative power of a relationship with a living Christ. Ultimately, the message encourages listeners to embrace the certainty of Christ's resurrection as the foundation for their faith and hope.