The Number One Problem People Have

by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2013, all rights reserved.

Chapter 1

There is a wide range of problems that people have.  Financial problems, marital problems, health problems, emotional problems, employment problems.

One of the largest industries today is the health care industry, and while some people seem to get better, there seems to always be an increasing number of health problems.

A man who lived in the same building as I did in Los Angeles was a fellow chess player.  But he took his chess way too seriously.  I had to stop playing him.  After another chess player won a game against this man, the loser assaulted the winner.

Afterward, we were sitting in the lobby of the building, and this man said something about maybe he should take some anger management classes.  I told him it wouldn't help, and that the problem was that he had demons in him, and such classes wouldn't get the demons out.

He said, "That's probably right."  It was right, but the man showed no interest in turning to God for the solution to the problem.

But of these problems I've mentioned, none of these is the main problem that people have.

The number one problem that people have is lack of fear of God.

"The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." (Psa 111:10)

A good, healthy fear of God will put you on the road to finding solutions to the other problems.  But those who don't fear God are standing in quicksand, and at any moment, the bottom could drop out.

Or, they might remain for a few years, and then the bottom drops out.  It was on the news lately that a very large sink hole opened up in Kansas.  It is not known why that happened.

In another place, recently, a sink hole opened, and a man in his bed went down into it.  They could hear his shouts for help, but weren't able to save him.

If you fear God, you'll make an effort to stay out of hell.  And Jesus said most people go to hell.  In Matthew chapt 7, verses

13 "Enter in at the restricted gate, because wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and there are many that go in there,

14 Because the gate is restricted, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Jesus is saying there that most people go to hell, and few go to heaven.

Jesus said you must be born again (John chapter 3,  Romans 10:9,10).

There are many people who don't take Jesus seriously.  That's a big mistake.

People who don't take Jesus seriously are people who don't know who Jesus is.  He is the greatest man who ever walked the face of the earth.

Adam and Eve lived in a very nice place called the Garden of Eden.  Until they got kicked out.  And why did they get kicked out?  Because they sinned.  They ate the fruit God said don't eat.

Even before God created Adam, he had a plan for the world and for mankind.

God had a sort-of co-creator, and that was Jesus.  I say sort-of because Jesus himself said, "My Father is greater than I am." (John 14:28)

When God the Father and Jesus created Adam, it was already known that man would sin.  That's why Jesus is "The Lamb killed from the foundation of the earth." (Rev 13:8)

Under the laws of Moses, they killed lambs for the sins of the people.  But that was just a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, once and for all, for the sins of the world.

After perhaps four thousand years of mankind on earth, God sent his only Son Jesus down to earth to live in a man's body.  Jesus taught the people, healed the people, cast out demons, raised the dead, and then died on the cross for our sins.

But 2 Cor 5:21 tells us Jesus himself never sinned.

On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead.  He was seen by more than five hundred Christians.  Jesus went back to heaven where he had come from, and now sits at the right hand of God.

So then, beside the fact that Jesus was a co-creator, and our sacrificial lamb, another reason to respect Jesus is that on Judgment Day, Jesus will be the Judge. (John 5:22)

Even criminals who don't have much respect for the law are usually reluctant to say bad things about judges, because the judge can give them a harsh sentence or a lenient sentence.

Chapter 2

Many people go through their lives mostly without a thought about God.  And yet, Judgment Day is coming.

There are even people who call themselves Atheists.  My Dad was one of them, and chose to believe that there is no God.  But God has something to say about Atheists.

God says, "The fool has said in his heart there is no God." (Psa 14:1)  On the math-science part of his I.Q. test, my Dad scored in the 150's.  But in the sight of God, he's a fool.

And then, Dad died and went to hell.  What a pity, but I had made efforts to get him saved.

If you know anything about computers, you know that they come from the factory with default settings.  After you get your new computer home, you can begin to change default settings to your preferences.

Going to hell is the default setting for people.  (But I believe little babies that die go to heaven.)  But adults must make other arrangements to avoid going to hell.

They must get born-again, according to John chapter 3 and Romans 10:9,10.

The whole purpose of Jesus dying for our sins is so that we can go to heaven and not a fiery hell.

But Jesus' payment for our sins only counts if we accept his free offer of salvation.

Virginia was a friend in grade school.  She even took piano lessons from my Mother.  Virginia had a very high I.Q.  She started out Jewish.  They believe in God, and gave us Moses and the Prophets.

I invited her and she went with me to my church.  She invited me and I went with her to her synagogue.

But something bad happened to Virginia.  I think she fell in with the wrong crowd.  Do I mean drug users and criminals?  No, not the down and outers, the up and outers.

She fell in with college professors and scientists.  She became an astrophysicist, and she became an Atheist.

It reminds me of something I heard David Letterman say on TV.  He said, "We were Presbyterians."

Presbyterian is not so bad.  My Mother was Presbyterian before she became a Pentecostal.

But when Letterman says, "We were Presbyterians,"  it rather sounds like he means they were that until they got quite prosperous and decided they no longer needed God.

The bad news, David, is that if you step out into eternity without God, you go down to hell, not up to heaven, at which time you'll wish you hadn't gotten away from God.

In Mark chapter 10, verses

23 And Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, "How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God!"

24 And the disciples were astonished at his words.  But Jesus answered, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!"

But Virginia fell in with a crowd that did well financially, had honor and respect in their field, and seemed, by the standards of the world, to be quite successful.

But, you see, the bottom hasn't dropped out for them yet.

Jesus said, "What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul." (Matt 16:26)

You lose your soul if you go to hell.

The richest man in the world couldn't ransom his own soul.  He can only go to heaven like the rest of us, by following Romans 10:9,10.

In Phil 2:12 we are told "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Virginia has no fear and trembling.

Moses said, "I very much fear and shake." (Heb 12:21)

Does Virginia have a better idea than Moses?  No, Moses was on the right track, and Virginia, otherwise.

Chapter 3

Some people look around and say to themselves, "All my friends don't worry about God, and they seem to be doing OK, so why should I concern myself with God?"

The Bible warns against comparing yourself with the wrong people. "They comparing themselves among themselves are not wise." (2 Cor 10:12)

You might be the best person on your block, but maybe the whole block is on its way to hell.

In Proverbs chapter 22, verses

24 "Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man you shall not go,

25 So you don't learn his ways and entrap your soul."

But it's not just anger that can rub off on you.  If you hang out with adulterers, adultery can rub off on you.

If you hang out with blasphemers, blasphemy can rub off on you.

If you're Virginia, and hang out with those who espouse the Theory of Evolution and reject God, then you're very likely to wind up in hell with them, even though things seemed to be going rather well during your life on earth.

There was a man on TV.  He was part of a show that lasted quite a few years.  After the series went off the air (except for reruns), he gave concerts.

He started out an evangelical Christian, but later gave it up for the Church of Religious Science.

The problem with that is they don't have salvation through Jesus, and don't believe the Bible.  But they gave him a position in the church.  When he arrives in hell, he will see that the position wasn't worth going to hell for.

A man with whom I had been close, and who had started out as a Christian gave me some bad news last fall that he had stopped being a Christian.  We were sitting at a table in a restaurant.  He said, "...and that's why I stopped being a Christian."

I said, "You're talking like a man on his way to hell."  He is quite familiar with the Bible teaching of a fiery hell, where their worms don't die, and where the fire is not quenched, where there's crying and gnashing of teeth.

In the Parable of the Planter, he is in the thorns category. (Luke 8:14)  "And that which fell among thorns are those who, when they've heard, go on, and are choked by cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."

And then, too, I believe he has been "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb 3:13)

He failed to "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil 2:12)

I believe he has become one of those people in Hebrews chapter six that can't be renewed again to repentance.  I expect he'll spend eternity in hell, even though his name was once written into the "Lamb's Book of Life" in heaven, until such time as God had to remove his name.

Scriptures quoted are from the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version and the New Testament, Hoehn Version, both are available as ebooks for the Kindle readers from Amazon.com.

The Lord bless you.  Frederick Hoehn

www.FredHoehnMinistries.com

___1 Peter chapter 1

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 Elect according to the knowing ahead-of-time by God the Father, through making holy by the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, grace to you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has fathered us again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that doesn't fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the end times.

6 In which you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if necessary, you're in heaviness through many temptations,

7 So that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it's tested by fire, will be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ,

8 Whom having not seen, you love, in whom, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,

9 Receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 About which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you,

11 Searching what, or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ that was in them meant, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that would follow.

12 To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they ministered the things that are now reported to you by those who've preached the gospel to you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, which things the angels desire to look into.

13 So, strengthen your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

14 Like obedient children, not building yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance,

15 But like he that has called you is holy, so you be holy in every aspect of living,

16 Because it is written, "You be holy, for I am holy."

17 And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your temporary residence here in fear,

18 Since you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your wrong lifestyle, received by tradition from your fathers,

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,

20 Who truly was preordained before the foundation of the world, but was made clearly visible in these last times for you,

21 Who by him, believe in God, who raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope would be in God.

22 Since you've purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unpretended love of the brothers, make sure you love each other with a pure heart fervently,

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, that lives and remains forever.

24 For all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man like the flower of grass.  The grass withers, and the flower of it falls away,

25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.  And this is the word that by the gospel is preached to you.

___1 Peter chapter 2

1 So, laying aside all hatred, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envying, and all evil speaking,

2 Like newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word, so you'll grow by it,

3 If you've tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming, like to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, and precious,

5 You also, like living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Also it is contained in the scripture, "See, I lay in Zion a main cornerstone, elect, precious, and he that believes on him won't be put to shame."

7 To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but to those who are disobedient, the stone that the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to those who stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, so that you will show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,

10 Who previously were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I ask you please, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul,

12 Having your lifestyle honest among the Gentiles, so that, while they speak against you as evildoers, they will, by your good works that they'll see, glorify God on the day of visitation.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it's to the king, as supreme,

14 Or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of those who do well.

15 For this is the will of God, that with well-doing you'll put to silence the ignorance of foolish men,

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of hatred, but as the servants of God.

17 Honor all men.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the difficult.

19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it if when you're chided for your faults, you take it patiently?  But if when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

21 For even to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps,

22 Who did no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth,

23 Who, when he was reproached, didn't reproach back, when he suffered, he didn't threaten, but committed himself to him that judges righteously,

24 Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, so that we, being dead to sins, would live to righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed.

25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

___1 Peter chapter 3

1 Likewise you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that, if any doesn't obey the word, they also without the word will be won by the lifestyle of the wives,

2 While they see your pure living coupled with fear.

3 Let your adorning not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of wearing fancy clothes,

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God.

5 For that's how the holy women did also in old times, who trusted in God, adorning themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands,

6 Like Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are, as long as you do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7 Likewise you husbands, live with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, so your prayers won't be hindered.

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion on each other, love like brothers, be pitiful, be courteous,

9 Not returning evil for evil, or railing for railing, but to the contrary blessing, knowing that you are called to that, so that you'll inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips so they speak no deceit,

11 Let him hate evil, and do good, let him seek peace, and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

13 And who is he that will harm you, if you're followers of what is good?

14 But if you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are you, and don't be afraid of their terror, nor be troubled,

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to every man that asks you for a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear,

16 Having a good conscience, so that, although they speak evil about you, like about evildoers, they will be ashamed that falsely accuse your good lifestyle in Christ.

17 For it is better, if it's the will of God, that you suffer for well-doing, than for evil doing.

18 For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, so that he would bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit,

19 By which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison,

20 Who once were disobedient, when previously the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21 The similar figure to which baptism also now saves us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 Who has gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

___1 Peter chapter 4

1 Since Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he that has suffered in the flesh has stopped sinning,

2 So that he no longer would live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

3 For what's in the past of our lives should be enough in doing the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, riotous living, excessive eating, and filthy idolatries,

4 In which they think it strange that you don't run with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil about you,

5 Who'll give account to him that is ready to judge the alive and the dead.

6 That's why the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, so that they'd be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is near, therefore be sober, and stay awake for prayer.

8 And above all things have fervent love among yourselves, for love shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality toward each other without grudging.

10 As every man has received the gift, minister the same to each other, as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.

11 If any man speaks, let him speak like the oracles of God, if any man ministers, let him do it as of the ability that God gives, so that God, in all things, will be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and always.  Amen.

12 Beloved, don't think it strange concerning the fiery trial that is to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you,

13 But rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, so that, when his glory shall be revealed, you'll be glad also with great joy.

14 If you're reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  On their part he is spoken evil about, but on your part he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16 Yet if any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God because of this.

17 For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God, and if it first begins at us, what shall be the end of those who don't obey the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous just barely get saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 So let those who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as to a faithful Creator.

___1 Peter chapter 5

1 I exhort the elders who are among you.  I'm also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed,

2 Feed the flock of God that is among you, taking the oversight of it, not because you must, but willingly, not for filthy bribes, but with a ready mind,

3 Nor as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you'll receive a crown of glory that doesn't fade away.

5 Likewise you younger, submit yourselves to the elder.  Yes, all of you be subject to each other, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so he'll lift you up in due time,

7 Casting all your care on him, because he cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, walks around, seeking whom he can devour,

9 Whom resist, steady in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you've suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion forever and always.  Amen.

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I've written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, greets you, and so does Marcus, my son.

14 Greet each other with a kiss of love.  Peace be with you all who are in Christ Jesus.  Amen.