KNOWLEDGE THAT KEEPS YOU FROM CRYING AND QUITTING
Sometimes it just seems that burdens are too heavy to bear and all seems lost. You've tried everything you know to handle the situation but still the problems remain and the pressures increase. It is one of those times when it seems all you want to do is cry for a day or quit for a lifetime!.
What can possibly help you during such a time? What can keep you going when all you want to do is lay in the middle of your bed and let the tears of frustration and failure come rolling down? Times like these are not times for cotton candy cliches but, instead, call for steak and potato answers. This is the time you need to forget about all the things you aren't sure of and grasp a few things that you KNOW for certain and allow them to keep you steady in the midst of the storm. After all, when the wind and rain have ceased, you will find that the storms can't move these rocks (Glory!).
1) The first thing you must KNOW is that no matter how you feel, and no matter the circumstances, your Salvation is real and Steadfast- (2 Tim 1:12) For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. This is a basic bedrock conviction that is the foundation for all others things in your life. Don't allow tears or trials to blind you to this foundational truth.
And, KNOWING I am saved allows me to KNOW that I am special to God- (Psa 4:3) But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. I want to cry and quit when I feel lonely and unloved. I can't feel this way when I KNOW I am special enough to God for Him to send His Son to die for me.
2) Secondly, I must KNOW that Circumstances are not out of God's control- (Rom 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. They may be out of my understanding but they are never out of God's Plan and they can never separate us from God's love- (Rom 8:38-39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3) Thirdly, I need to KNOW that all of my Efforts have meaning- (1 Cor 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. What a difference it makes in depression when we realize that God does not always pay up on Friday; but He will pay one day, so my Effort is Important- (1 Cor 9:24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And it is also a great help to KNOW that I don't really KNOW the value of what I do until Heaven- (1 Cor 13:9-12) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. {10} But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. {11} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. {12} For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
4) It is also a source of encouragement to KNOW that Ups and Downs are part of every Christian's life, even the great apostle Paul-- (Phil 4:12-13) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. {13} I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
God did not promise that I would never have problems but He did promise that He would give strength for every task through my relationship with Christ. That is a tremendous principle to KNOW.
5) And it is a great source of Motivation to me to KNOW that it is worth any cost to reach the Lost for Jesus- (James 5:20) Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. It is much easier to go on when I KNOW how important it is that I do my part in reaching a lost world with the life changing, destiny altering, Gospel of Christ. We are not playing mind games or doing "make do" work; we are engaged in the most important occupation in all the world; telling people about the deliverance they can have through Faith in Christ.
Therefore, when I Know all this, I find that today's drudgery can't quench tomorrow's hope- (2 Cor 4:16-18) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. {17} For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; {18} While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Looking at those things that clouded my eyes with tears and made my cross seem too heavy to bear in the light of all the things I KNOW causes me to see that they are matters of little consequence. Satan tried to make all my problems and persecutions seem like giants in my mind but when they were exposed to the light of God's word and the comfort of the Holy Spirit they turned into only shadows with no real substance.. In fact, I KNOW I can handle them now by leaning on the Lord and trusting in His provision.
What a difference it makes when you stop allowing the world's confusion and chaos to dominate you and instead rely on the wonderful things you KNOW as a child of God. Tears become cheers, life becomes abundant, and quitting is the last thing on your mind. So rest in what you KNOW ABOUT GOD and stop allowing Satan to control you with threats and intimidation. After all, Satan is a liar and the father of all lies and that is not who you want controlling your life.
The first problem man faced was the problem of "Loneliness" (It is not good that a man should be alone). God's answer to that is a Family and Friends.
Webster says a Friend is "One joined to another in mutual benevolence and intimacy".
There are several Bible Friends- Jonathan and David who Loved him as he loved his own soul.
Ruth and Naomi- Whither thou goest, I will go
Jesus was a friend of Publicans and sinners. He had close friends among his Disciples (Peter, James, and John) and among his "congregation" (Lazarus, Mary, Martha).
How do you tell a Friend? (Beware of "Job's Friends" who only want to condemn you or of being a "Friend of the World" which will condemn you! [James 4:4]. Also beware of Friends you have to "Buy"- Prov 19:4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.
A Friend is TRUE- Prov 17:17 A friend loveth at all times. A friend is the first person to come in when the whole world goes out. A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you!
A Friend is Stimulating- Prov 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countance of his friend. The axe is sharpeneth with the file and not the feather!! This may not be easy- Prov 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend.
A Friend Shares- Ecc 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Friends build one another as they build themselves.
Jesus listed 3 major requirements of Friendship:
1. Dedication- Jn 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
2. Trust- John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
3. Communion- John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
AN EXAMPLE- James 2:23 Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.
Abraham was DEDICATED (Left Ur to Follow God), TRUSTFUL (Willing to offer his son because God said so), and had COMMUNION (Before God would destroy Sodom He told Abraham and offered to spare it on Abraham's request if as few as 10 righteous men could be found).
How do you get a Friend? Prov 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
I went outside to find a friend
But could not find one there.
I went outside to BE a Friend,
And friends were everywhere.
Hold on to Old Friends- Prov 27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not. Friendship is one of the few relationships we chose. Friendships need never change. Happy is the man who has a friend; happier is the man who is a friend; Happiest is the man who has a friend and who is a friend.
It hurts to lose a Friend- Ps 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Pray for Friends- Job 42:10 The Lord turned the captivity of JOb, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Be careful of who you take for Friends- Prov 22:24-25 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go; lest thou learn his ways; and get a snare to thy soul.
We have just come through a tremendously tough week; the shock of an all night vigal as we wondered if our home could survive the storm, the shock of property destroyed, the agrevation over lack of power and water, the concern over how to clean up, and the realization that life (and bills!) must go on when you feel like you need a week just to cry over the freezer food you've lost. The "Fun" was over very quick, the neverous energy that you were running on gave out about Tuesday, and now all you want to do is "hollar and scream and throw a tempter tantrum"!!
You just want things back to some degree of normality and you're angery at the President, the Govenor, the light company, the news media, and even God for all that's happened. You can quarrel at the President, the Govenor, and the Light Company; you can think dark thoughts about God and never say anything; but the only people you can vent you anger on are those around you. That's where the Problem comes in. What are we going to do with all this anger that's built up inside you without doing tremendous harm?
There are 3 things we can do with Anger:
1> We must CONTROL Anger or it will control us- We build up "Reservoirs of Resentment" in our lives and when they become full the "dam" breaks. We must use that energy to Build up instead of Blow up (Jesus was angry at them for their hardness of heart so he healed the palsy man).
You must have a DESIRE to control Anger before you will be able to do so. If you can control your anger in front of the boss or co-workers but say you can't in front of your wife and children then you are actually saying your boss is more important than your family!
2> We must CHANNEL our Anger into the right things- We can allow it to make us abuse others or ourself or we can use it to change situations (Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple in order to demostrate a point). The difference in bad anger (Clamming up and Blowing Up) and good anger is whether it is used destructively or constructively. Do you vent it at people or the Problem (Remember that sometimes People ARE the Problem. Don't become angery at the individual but at the incident).
3> We must CONVERT our Anger into an attitude of trust, patience, and acceptance or it will destroy our body (ulcers, heart attacks, etc), our reputation, and even our soul.
Look at the Anger you have for your:
A) Circumstances- are they really difference from multitudes around you?
B) Situation- Is it as hard as you think? Or if you compare it to some others is it not something to be thankful for?
What can we do to change things? Vent that anger on tree limbs! Pray for changed hearts and attitudes. Work to make a difference. Commit yourself and your circumstances unto the Lord. God hasn't deserted you. He Still loves you and wants you to love and serve Him.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Unjustified anger is a sin
1. There is a right and wrong type of anger Eph.4:26
2. Anger is to be put away Eph. 4:31
A. Anger - to lift oneself up in violent passion
B. "Put Away" - to lift up and put away
C. Attitudes and actions associated with anger:
Bitterness, Clamor (Shouting), Evil Speaking
(Note on Clamor (Shouting)- " A soft answer turns away wrath". If one party speaks in a louder than normal voice and the other party answers in a louder than normal voice then the first party will increase their volume and back and forth it goes until you are shouting at one another. The second party must answer (important that you don't give the silent treatment!) softly and tone the conversation down instead of tune it up!).
Sources of Anger
1. Ecc 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Anger dwells in the heart of a fool [Silly, Mindless People]
2. Esther 3:5 Anger results from wounded pride- Haman was "full of wrath" because Mordecai would not bow to him. [Daniel 3:19 where Nubuchadnezzar was full of "fury" because the 3 Hebrews would not bow and therefore he had them cast into the firy furnance.]
3. Anger is a reaction against God when we are not totally at peace with Him - Cain (Gen 4:6-7), Jonah
Effects of Anger
1. Anger causes us to commit foolish actions
A. Proverbs 14:17, 29
B. II Kings 5:11 - Naaman
C. Genesis 39:14 - Joseph and Potiphar
2. Anger worsens an existing problem Proverbs 30:33, 15:13
3. Anger creates strife Luke 15 - Elder brothers
4. Anger is contagious Proverbs 22:24-25
Anger can be controlled
1. Recognize it as sinful
2. Recognize self control as good and desirable Proverbs 16:32, 19:11
3. Seek to develop the "Fruit of the Spirit"
PRO 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
PRO 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
PRO 20:2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
PRO 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
PRO 22:8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
PRO 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
PRO 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
PRO 19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
PRO 21:14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
ANGER IS:
1) FUTILE
2) FOOLISH
3) FATAL
IT IS CAUSED BY:
1) HUMILIATION
2) FRUSTRATION
3) AGGRAVATION
MY BIBLE CALLS FOR:
1. A Changed Mind - Repentance
2. A Changed Heart - Regeneration
3. A Changed Life - Conversion
4. A Changed Standing - Justification
5. A Changed Service - Santification
"How Cheap Will You Sell Out?"
It is often said that "every man has his price". A statement that may or may not be true. But it is true that a lot of people have given up a lot for a very small return. There are numerous examples to be found but I want to list just 4:
1. Judas sold the Savior for 30 pieces of Silver and lost his Apostleship (Acts 1:20) and his life (Matthew 27:3-5). And he found when he got the money that he didn't want it after all! He threw it away like he threw away his life (Matthew 27:5)
2. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of pottage (Genesis 25:34) and "afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected (Hebrews 12:17). He thought momentary Pleasure was better that future Profit and ended up with nothing but bitter memories.
3. Lot chose the well watered valley of Sodom to the Mountains of communion with God (Genesis 13:10-15) and it cost him his testimony (Genesis 19:14) and his family (Genesis 19). As he sat in the cave viewing his grandchildren born of Incest and looking out on the smoldering ruins of Sodom I wonder if he wished he had that choice back again??
4. The servant of Elisha, Gehazi, sold out for 2 talents of Silver and 2 changes of clothes (II Kings 5:20-27) and it cost him his health (He was striken with the Leprosy that Naaman had been cured of!) And he couldn't wear the clothes and he couldn't spend the money. As the Leprosy slowly ate his life away I wonder if he thought clothes and money were so important after all??
HOW CHEAP ARE YOU SELLING OUT?? Are a few days of Pleasure worth the eternal Pain of Hell?? Is a big bank account worth facing God and having to pay the wages of sin which is death (Romans 6:23)?? Jesus said, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:37). Good Question! What's keeping YOU from being saved??
It breaks my heart to see people sell out so cheaply today - job, career, or recreation. And what they don't know is that they could have the same things plus peace with God if they would just accept Christ as Savior.
If you want to know Christ as Savior and Lord then let me know and I'll be glad to tell you about the one who paid the Price for you.
Phil 1:22b Yet what I shall chose I wot not. The choices you make affect YOU now and later. They determine what you do and where you go. And, like a stone cast into a pond, they also affect many others. How can you then make the right decisions?
I. FEAR GOD - Ps 25:12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. A) REMEMBER THAT GOD WILL JUDGE YOU - Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. B) REALIZE THAT GOD CAN'T BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED - Prov. 1:28-29 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.
II. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD - Is 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
FELLOWSHIP MEANS AGREEMENT (Can two walk together except they be agreed?) FELLOWSHIP MEANS ACCEPTANCE - Ps 32:8-9 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eyes. Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Learn His Will from His Word.
Let the Holy Spirit guide you.
III. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST - I Pet 2:21 ...Leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps. He sought always to do those things that please the Father.
Put the welfare of Others first.
1. Base your choice on the Word of God
2. Make your choice only after feverent prayer
3. Make your choice in light of tomorrow.
4. Make your choice remembering your influence and testimony.
5. Make your choice remembering God. Is 66:3-4 Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and
their soul delighteth in their abominations, I also will chose their delusions, and will
bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer, when I spake, they
did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
LIFE IS FILLED WITH CHOICES. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DECISION BASED ON "MAGIC" OR CHANCE....OR YOU CAN CHOOSE TO LOOK TO GOD AND FOLLOW HIS PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE. WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE????
Written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house.
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
I have Holy Spirit power.
The dye has been cast.
I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I'm a disciple of His.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.
I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees,
colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by
power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my
companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversary,
negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the
maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up,
preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops
me.
And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me, my banner will be
clear!
May this creed be yours, and May God give you such strength to endure that nothing can tempt you to veer from the magnificent course God has appointed for your life!
A young married couple was contacted and invited to the service of the church. This is the record:
The first call: "We are going to start as soon as the baby gets old enough to come."
One year later: "The baby's in that stage where she cries a lot. I don't get anything out of the services and I know she disturbs other people. When she gets older..."
Three years later: "We are not coming to church because Sally doesn't want to go. Why do you think she is different from the other children her age?"
Eleven years later: "I'm so glad you called. I want you or some of the deacons to see if you can talk to Sally. She is running around with the wrong crowd. Perhaps if the church would provide some kind of entertainment for the young people, she might get interested."
Two years later: "Yes, Sally is married. They were awfully young, and he is not a Christian, but we hope it works out."
Ten years later: "Well, Sally has finally married a man who can give her the better things of life. This is her third husband, but she couldn't get along with the others. I had hopes that this one would become a Christian, but the preacher preached a sermon on marriage and divorce, and he says he will never attend that church again. There must be something wrong with that church or else it would have had a better influence on Sally. Maybe they need to change preachers. I don't know..."
We find in Galatians 5:22,23 that there are nine "Fruits of the Spirit" mentioned. Can you unscramble these words and identify these fruits?
ndogoses
tihaf
ojy
reffgnlosugni
ltgnensese
vloe
cepea
permetcane
sekemsne
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER-Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
1. CONTEMPLATIVE EYES: Prov 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
2. CONSTANT EYES: Prov 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Deu 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
3. COMPASSIONATE EYES: Gen 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest:
go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure
in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
1 Ki 15:5 Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not
aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the
matter of Uriah the Hittite.
4. CARING EYES: 2 Chr 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole
earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
1 Pet 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto
their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
CONSTRAINING EYES: When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.
MY EYES: Psa 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs. 2 Chr 29:6
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. 2 Chr 21:6
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. Prov 22:12
And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. Isa 49:5
And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. Jer 52:2
Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD. Amos 9:8
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. Zec 4:10
Deu 13:18 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. 1 Sam 26:24
And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation: 2 Sam 15:25
And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. 1 Ki 15:11
But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him. 1 Ki 16:25
And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places. 1 Ki 22:43
And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: 2 Chr 14:2
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isa 55:8-9).
Many people today have Tired Minds and Troubled Minds. This effects their character, their conduct, and, if they are a Christian, their testimony. That's because their minds are set on short term goals instead of life changing Purposes. These pictures show the difference:
It's easy to see how this could be when we see how the Bible describes the Mind controlled by Sin as compared to the Mind of a Christian.
SINNER'S MIND:
1. Carnal Mind- Directed by Flesh (Rom 8:7)
2. Evil Mind - Directed by Crowd (Acts 14:2)
3. Blinded Mind- Directed by Satan (II Cor 4:3-4)
4. Demon Controlled Mind- Directed by Demons (Mark 5:15)
5. Reprobate Mind- Directed by God to Destruction (Rom 1:28)
CHRISTIAN'S MIND:
1. Mind of the Lord- Desiring the Ways of the Lord (Lev 24:12)
2. Willing Mind - Motivated to Work for the Lord (I Chr 28:9)
3. Renewed Mind - New Priorities for God (Rom 12:1-2)
4. Single Mind - New Peace with God and Others (I Cor 1:10)
5. Christ Mind - New Attitude of Life [Service] (Phil 2:5)
Are you tired of momentary happiness? Wouldn't it be great to know that Everything in your
life had Purpose? That would bring you the greatest Peace you've ever known.
Look at the Pictures again. Which Picture Describes you- Without Purpose or Peace..... or Christ as the Center? Which Mind describes you- Chaos or Christ??
If you're not a Christian then you need to repent of Sin and Accept Christ as Savior today.
If you are a Christian but have never given control of your life to God then you need to do so today. God's ways are not always understandable but there is a peace in them that passeth understanding!
MIND CONTROLLED BY SIN: (Note the downward progression)
CARNAL MIND- Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be (Rom 8:7).
EVIL MIND- But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren (Acts 14:2).
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? (Prov 21:27)
BLINDED MINDS- But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Cor 4:3-4).
DEMON CONTROLLED MIND- And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid (Mark 5:15).
REPROBATE MIND- And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Rom 1:28).
MIND YIELDED TO GOD:
MIND OF THE LORD- And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be showed them (Lev 24:12).
WILLING MIND- And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever (1 Chr 28:9).
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. (2 Cor 8:12)
RENEWED MIND- I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom 12:1-2).
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (Eph 4:23)
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Col 3:10)
SINGLE MIND- Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Cor 1:10)
CHRIST MIND- Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Phil 2:5) Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: (Acts 20:19)
The Mind is a powerful thing. When a Person "gives up" in their mind they will probably die; even though they may not have died if they would have continued to make an effort.
When I was growing up one of the things I wanted to learn was to cut a flip off the diving board. I tried and tried, and ended up hitting the water on my back or full in my face time after time. One day, just before I tried the flip again, I began to picture just how I would look doing the flip. I could see myself on the end of the board, then I could see myself turning in the air, and, finally, I could see myself slicing thru the water in a perfect dive.
When I tried it that day it worked just like I had thought about it. From then on I would simply picture the dive in my mind first and it was easy to accomplish.
Let's apply this principle in our relationship with God. I believe that if we can get God's mind into our mind then we can accomplish all the tasks that seemed too hard for us before. The "Catch" is the fact that God's thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isa 55:8-9). This means we have to learn to think like God.
There are many things in life that God uses to affect our Minds and our attitudes. These things can change us and change those around us.
(1) GRIEF- Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah. (Gen 26:35). Esau married wrong. It effects him and it Grieved (Worried) his parents. It brought about the result [that God wanted!] of sending Jacob back to the home country to get a wife. (During our Praise Service Wednesday Night several people told how Grief in their life had brought about change in their relationship with God).
(2) ENTHUSIASM- So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work (Neh 4:6). When you enjoy a job it's not a job, it's a joy!! Your attitude about your work for the Lord (and everything else) will go a long way toward determining how successful you are.
(3) CONFIDENCE- One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind (Rom 14:5). Doubts bring discouragement and drudgery. Faith is really Confidence in God's Ability and Word. When you're confident in God's purpose for your life you can withstand the "low" places that come your way.
Just a Note-- There is coming a time that God will completely change our mind- For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind (Isa 65:17). In the mean time, it's important to see WHY He changed men's minds in the Past and HOW He went about changing them. Then we must determine to allow Him to direct us in the way He would have us go.
TIMES GOD CHANGED MAN'S MIND:
1. Abraham about to slay Isaac- (Gen 22:) Just as Abraham was about to plunge the knife into his son the Lord called to him and told him to stop. Hebrews 11: 17-19 says that Abraham believe God would resurrect Isaac; instead God delivered him. God did this to prove something to Abraham and to Himself.
Sometimes God puts us into some very difficult positions to see if we'll follow His instructions. From these tests come some of the sweetest victories you can imagine.
2. Joseph Marrying Mary. When Joseph found Mary was pregnant he wanted to divorce her and avoid the public shame but God had other plans. Joseph had to suffer in silence to accomplish God's will for his life (Joseph died before Jesus became famous!).
Sometimes God changes our mind from the easy way to the Better way!
3. Nathan told David to Build Temple (2 Sam 7:1-7) but later had to go back and say that God had another plan. There was no Prayer before he spoke and he mis-spoke. When "every man does that that is right in his own eyes" it is usually not right in God's eyes. It made sense but it wasn't God's will.
4. Paul about to go to Asia to open it as a Mission Field- Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us (Acts 16:6-9). God wanted the Gospel in Europe, not Asia! Remember, you don't understand God's Ways sometimes; But you must learn to accept whichever direction He sends you.
HOW DOES GOD CHANGE OUR MIND TODAY?
First- We must change our mind toward God and His way. That's called REPENTANCE. We turn from Sin to the Saviour and from Self control to Spirit Control. We don't just believe IN a God, we accept Him as OUR God to Save us from our Sin debt and direct our lives.
Second- We listen to God speak IN HIS WORD. Bible reading becomes a part of our life. Prayer allows us to talk to God and Bible reading allows God to speak to us. We don't just see ink on a page, we allow the Holy Spirit to speak to our heart about things we should do; or not do.
Third- We learn to HEAR THE SPIRIT'S VOICE as God directs us in life's situations. I have lived with my wife long enough until I can almost tell what she's thinking. I have listened to God long enough until I can distinguish His promptings and proddings. I try to be like the Psalmist says (123:2) Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. When God's eyes move I try to know what that means for me to do.
Has you been "banging your head against a wall" trying to understand life apart from God? You need to change your mind about Sin and look at it's Penalty instead of it's Pleasure. Then you need to allow God to change your mind about your priorities.
Are you minding the Lord??
DETERMINING THE MIND OF THE LORD
And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be showed them. (Lev 24:12)
Sometimes the most difficult thing a person has to do about the mind of the Lord is to determine what it is! Many people have a "Want To" but don't know "What to". Like the Israelites in today's scripture, we need to find out the MIND OF THE LORD.
One place in the Bible that people were faced with the same dilemma is the last half of Acts 1. Jesus has ascended back to the Father. Before He left he gave His disciples their "marching orders"; but then He told them to wait until the power to carry out their mission came upon them. During the wait they began to wonder about an important detail; Should someone take Judas' place among the twelve, and, if so, who should it be.
The process they used shows us some ways we today can come to know the "Mind of the Lord".
I. A NEED WAS FELT- Judas' office was vacant
II. SCRIPTURE WAS EXAMINED- About the actions of Judas and about any thing required on their part.
III. CONDITIONS WERE SET- Guidelines were given about requirements
IV. PRAYER WAS GIVEN- Specific Prayer about a Specific Problem
V. A DECISION WAS MADE- "Lots" were cast Fleece
The Spirit bears witness with our spirit.
Apply this to Marriage, getting or changing a job, purchasing a new house.
We talked Wednesday Night about what "Meaning to Life" was all about. We determined that Life assumes meaning when we have Confidence in God's Forgiveness Plus the ability to forgive ourself. Then we recognize God's Plan for our Life and walk in it.
Sadly, many people have lost this abundant Life and now live lives of quite desperation. We're here to help change that today.
The first thing we must do is RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM. No matter how much water you pump you will never fill a pail if the bottom is rusted out!
So let's look at the FOUR THINGS THAT STEAL THE JOY FROM OUR LIFE:
1> Rigors of Life- Debt, Disease, Death, Disasters. All these combine to rain on our parade on a regular basis. It's hard to keep a joyful attitude when Life keeps dropping bricks on your head!
2> Rut of Routine- We NEED Routine; but it becomes so easy for routine to trap us into a Rut. Once we're in the rut, it's easier to stay in the rut that to make the effort needed to break out (The rut does most of the driving for us now!). Then the Rut becomes a grave without ends as we want to break free from the jail we've become captured in but find we don't have the energy or ability. We give up Hope of change and allow the rut to control our destiny and our destination.
3> Ruin of Sin- Sin is Appealing. It's Fun to do (The consequences are frightful but the actions are Fun). We must teach people to do right but they just naturally do wrong-- I don't have to preach about waiting your turn to attend Church; I have to tell you how sorry you are that you always look for excuses to miss Church!!
Sin steals our time, our heart, and our conscience (People can justify ANYTHING). Then, when it traps us, it pounds on us and tells us how sorry we are and our hopeless it is for us to think we can possible change.
All of these "joy stealers" are easily recognized. The easy thing for me to do now would be to tell you to "straighten up and do better. Then come to the Altar and tell God you're sorry". The sad truth, however, is that most of the people who came to the altar and just prayed a prayer would be back in their ruts before Wednesday night! When they walked out the door of the Church, Life would slap them beside the head, Their routine would require them to do certain things that would ease them right back into the rut, and the ballgame would still seem more entertaining than the Bible.
That's because we have left out the most common "Joy Stealer" among people who attend Church- The Rituals of Religion. The very thing that is supposed to Give us life ends up Stealing it!
Sermons beat us in the head instead of building us up in the Lord. We volunteer for a task and find that other Christians are apathetic at best and sometimes down right hard to live with. It becomes more fun to recognize who comes in late than to really read the words of the song we're singing. Church really becomes boring to us. We only come because of duty, guilt, or social obligation.
How did the Church become a Boulder of Burden instead of a Rock of Rest and Protection? What causes the Solution to become the problem.
The answer is relatively simple. The Bible says the Meaning of Life is found in a proper relationship with Christ. We have changed that to believe that the meaning to life can be found in Church Attendance. We have succumbed to the greatest temptation of religion.
The greatest temptation of religion is to BECOME WORSHIP CENTERED INSTEAD OF SERVICE CENTERED. Service without power found through worship is inadequate, but worship which does not express itself in service is worthless- Or as James said it, "Faith without works is dead".
Madame Chiang Kai-shek said, "Confucianism worshiped ancestors, but never built an old folks' home". I fear today she would say that Christians worship God but never serve Him.
Once a soap manufacturer was arguing with a minister about the value of religion. The Soap manufacturer said that religion had been here a long time and sin still existed. At that time they passed a boy playing in the mud. The Minister said that soap didn't work because the boy was still dirty. The manufacturer said, "But it would if it was applied". "So would religion", said the Minister.
It's simply amazing but Jesus never told about casting anyone into outer darkness because of a particular sin. It was always a failure in service. The rich man was sent to Hell because he ignored Lazarus; not for any specified wrong. The Pharisees did not do anything "wrong" but they failed to help people. The man who failed to use his talent did not do anything "wrong". He was cast into outer darkness because he did not use what God had given him. The five virgins who were excluded from the wedding had not become unclean; they had simply let their lights go out.
Christians seem to think we are righteous because of the bad that we don't do. Jesus continually emphasized the good that we should do!
So there you have it. If we are going to return meaning to life we must return to God's Purpose for our life. A person who loses purpose; loses life. That's why you will never enjoy life until you begin to live for something. The unhappiest people in the world are the people who live only for themselves. Life without meaning is the thought that if you died tonight it would not be a loss to anyone.
This Purpose in life is not found in feverish activity or financial abilities. It is found in service commissioned by God. It is taking the talents God has given you and using them to benefit others.
What has happened is that we have hid our talents for so long until they've lost their usefulness. There are fish in Mammoth cave that are blind. They have eyes but they have lived so long in darkness without using them until they are now blind. Put your arm in a sling for a week- then try to use it; it will be almost useless. Many people who stay in hospitals for extended times have to learn how to walk all over again.
Service in not based on our Ability to serve- Of the 30 miracles recorded in the Gospels, only one is recorded in all four of the Gospels. That one is the feeding of the 5000. The boy had only Two fish and five loaves; but he committed them to God! DESIRE TO SERVE God is all that's needed. God will provide the power and opportunity.
Are you willing to dedicate yourself to Serving God instead of just Worshipping God?? Sanctified Service will make your Worship wonderful and give meaning to your life. Come volunteer today.
What makes you Happy? Can you list 5 things that if they happened in your life they would make you Happy? It seems everyone wants to be happy but few know how to accomplish that goal. The thing to do (like always) is to go to the Bible and see what God says.
As I went thru the Bible I found the word "Happy" listed 28 times. These are the main thoughts of those verses. They show 11 things that should make us Happy. Note how similar they are to the Beatitudes.
1. Happy to be Saved- Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved
by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine
enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. (Deu
33:29)
2. Happy to be Corrected by God- Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore
despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: (Job 5:17)
3. Happy to have Children to raise for the Lord- Happy is the man that hath his quiver
full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the
gate. (Psa 127:5)
4. Happy when you stand in awe of God- Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that
walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and
it shall be well with thee. (Psa 128:1-2)
5. Happy when God is on your side- Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
whose hope is in the LORD his God: (Psa 146:5)
6. Happy to obtain Wisdom- Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth
understanding. (Prov 3:13)
7. Happy to Help Others- He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on
the poor, happy is he. (Prov 14:21)
8. Happy to Obey the Lord- If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John
13:17)
9. Happy to Witness for the Lord- I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall
answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the
Jews: (Acts 26:2)
10. Happy when you have a Clear Conscience- Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before
God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. (Rom 14:22)
11. Happy to Suffer for our Stand for the Lord- Behold, we count them happy which endure.
Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is
very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (James 5:11)
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (1 Pet 3:14)
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Pet 4:14)
Are you Happy? You can be. Let go of Self desires and accept Christ as Savior.
Paul told the Corinthians about 3 types of people they had to consider in their ministry-The Natural (Lost) man, the Carnal (Babe) Christian, and the Spiritual (Mature Christian. Within each type there are varing degrees of growth but these are the 3 basic classes of people you will have to deal with and it's good to keep them in mind. They are described in other parts of the Bible in their relationship to the Light- and that's how we want to look at them.
I. SOME ARE IN DARKNESS II Cor 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
A) They may try to lead others- Matt 23:- "blind guides" (Rom 2:19)
Matt 23:16-22 They promote Gold instead of God (Prosperity)
23-24 They strain at Gnats and swallow camels (Dot "i's"and cross
"t's" and never realize that the words are misspelled!!)
25-26 They make sure the outside is clean while neglecting the inside (Hypocrites)
Matt 15:14- They lead into the ditch!!
B) They don't realize their condition-having eyes to see they see not. They think everyone is in the same condition they are in.
The Gospel light is turned on them and they either flee from it or come to it. Jn 3:19-21 And this is the dondemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather that light, because their deds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
II. SOME WALK IN THE LIGHT I Jn 1:7 We walk in the light
A) Saying we see doesn't make it so I Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.
B) Walking in the light results in 2 things: I Jn 1:7
1. We have fellowship one with another. (By this shall all men know you are my disciples,
if you have love one for another.) (See I Cor 3:1-4 Where this fellowship was broken for
"Babes" by division and strife over leaders- sometimes when you walk in a
leader's shadow your eyes become blinded!!)
2. The blood of Jesus Christ his Son Cleanseth us from all sin.
Salvation-Freedom from Sins penalty
Sanctification- Sin's power broken as we see the problems before we stumble over them.
As we walk in the light we should Grow in the ability to distinguish what's helpful and what's harmful to our Christian life. Heb 5:14 But strong mean belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
If you fail to grow in Christian graces you will become "near sighted" and forget what a joy it is to have sight-II Pet 1:9.
III. SOME BECOME LIGHTS Matt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world.
A) You shine that others may see the way (Life testimony) vs 14 A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid
B) You must be careful not to hide your light vs 15
1. 2 Ways to hide it: a. under a bushel=to much work b. under a bed=too much laziness
2.Put it on a chadlestick that it may give light to all that are in the house
C) Make sure your good works bring Glory to your Father in Heaven
As a light you are to Glow for God. Dirt will "dim the window" and cut down on your light (Avoid Sin). The glow is not from your "Burning up yourself" but from the oil of the Holy Spirit within.
If the Holy Spirit is within and the window is clean you won't have to try to glow-you can't help it!!!
Ps 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Ps 119-130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thne eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
John 1: 4 In him (Christ) was life; and the life was the light of men.
Phil 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, and the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and Perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Matt 6:14-15
Holding Grudges does a lot more that blow up buildings in Oklahoma! It burns in your heart and destroys your relationship with others and with God.
THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT PRAYER IS NOT SIMPLY GETTING AN ANSWER, BUT BEING THE KIND OF PERSON WHOM GOD CAN TRUST WITH AN ANSWER. In order to be this kind of person we must understand how God answers our prayers. God gives to us so that we might share with others- Love, Grace, etc. This is especially true of Forgiveness- God Flows Forgiveness in and we must flow it out; else we become like the Dead Sea (Dead because it receives the sweet water of the Jordan but never passes it on. The water evaporates, leaving salt and minerals that kill the animals and vegetation. Just like we become dead and fruitless if we fail to pass on forgiveness).
I. AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT MEANS:
A) You Can't worship God Correctly (and that ought to be enough to break your heart!)- (Mat 5:23-24) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; {24} Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
B) You can't Pray and expect Answers- (1 Pet 3:7) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
II. WHEN WE DON'T FORGIVE OTHERS,
1) WE ARE DENYING OUR COMMON GROUND AS SINNERS IN NEED OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS- Parable of forgiving servant- Matt 18:21-35. How can we NOT forgive when we consider how God has forgiven us?
2) WE OPEN OURSELVES TO BONDAGE AND BITTERNESS- (1 John 2:9-11) He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. {10} He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. {11} But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. Unforgiveness not only hinders our relationship with God; it also destroys our relationship with our family, friends and neighbors. It will destroy our health, happiness, and holiness.
3) WE EXPOSE OUR TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD- (1 John 3:14-15) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. {15} Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
(1 John 4:20-21) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? {21} And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
III. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FORGIVE?
A) Withhold revenge- Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good. When David had the opportunity to kill Saul in the cave and refused to do so, Saul had to admit to David, "Thou are more righteous than I". Vengeance belongs to God, A forgiving heart trusts that God will do the right thing about the Situation.
B) Replace Anger with Love- (Mat 5:44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
(Luke 6:27) But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
C) FACE UP TO THE FACTS THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE PROBLEM: (Mat 7:12) Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
1) Is the criticism justified? Were you Wrong?
2) Was the act meant to deliberately harm you or was it simply the self absorption of the person? Most drivers who cut you off could care less about who you are or where you are going. They are only thinking about what they need to get done.
3) Would Christ Forgive Them? Careful, not cut and dried- Are they violating God's Law, the Laws of the Land, or Moral Laws. Forgiveness does not mean you condone evil- My wife and I forgave the man who assaulted her but we had him put in jail because he showed no signs of remorse. We believe that given the chance, he would do it again. God has provided forgiveness for everyone but those who refuse to trust Christ as Savior will spend eternity in Hell!
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU HAVE FORGIVEN SOMEONE?
1) Do you Rejoice when Calamity befalls those who do you wrong?
2) Do you dwell on the memory of wrong suffered?
3) Do your reject overtures of repentance from others?
ARE HURT FEELINGS WORTH GOING TO HELL OVER? IS YOUR ANGER AT OTHERS WORTH FACING THE ANGER OF GOD? (Mat 6:14-15) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: {15} But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The first problem man faced was the problem of "Loneliness" (It is not good that a man should be alone). God's answer to that is a Family and Friends.
Webster says a Friend is "One joined to another in mutual benevolence and intimacy".
There are several Bible Friends- Jonathan and David who Loved him as he loved his own soul.
Ruth and Naomi- Whither thou goest, I will go
Jesus was a friend of Publicans and sinners. He had close friends among his Disciples (Peter, James, and John) and among his "congregation" (Lazarus, Mary, Martha).
How do you tell a Friend? (Beware of "Job's Friends" who only want to condemn you or of being a "Friend of the World" which will condemn you! [James 4:4]. Also beware of Friends you have to "Buy"- Prov 19:4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.
A Friend is TRUE- Prov 17:17 A friend loveth at all times. A friend is the first person to come in when the whole world goes out. A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you!
A Friend is Stimulating- Prov 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countance of his friend. The axe is sharpeneth with the file and not the feather!! This may not be easy- Prov 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend.
A Friend Shares- Ecc 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Friends build one another as they build themselves.
Jesus listed 3 major requirements of Friendship:
1. Dedication- Jn 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
2. Trust- John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
3. Communion- John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
AN EXAMPLE- James 2:23 Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.
Abraham was DEDICATED (Left Ur to Follow God), TRUSTFUL (Willing to offer his son because God said so), and had COMMUNION (Before God would destroy Sodom He told Abraham and offered to spare it on Abraham's request if as few as 10 righteous men could be found).
How do you get a Friend? Prov 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. I went outside to find a friend
But could not find one there.
I went outside to BE a Friend,
And friends were everywhere.
Hold on to Old Friends- Prov 27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not. Friendship is one of the few relationships we chose. Friendships need never change. Happy is the man who has a friend; happier is the man who is a friend; Happiest is the man who has a friend and who is a friend.
It hurts to lose a Friend- Ps 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Pray for Friends- Job 42:10 The Lord turned the captivity of JOb, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Be careful of who you take for Friends- Prov 22:24-25 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go; lest thou learn his ways; and get a snare to thy soul.
I. VISITATION
II. CONVERSATION
III. LETTERS/NOTES
IV. WRITTEN TESTIMONIES
V. HOSPITALITY/FRIENDSHIP
Some Things to Keep in Mind:
Memorize several scripture verses to share at any time- Faith comes by hearing the word of
God
Remember that Faith can't be forced.
We are not trying to get people to buy a product but become acquainted with a person
(Christ). Not a trophy to win but a person to save.
Col 1:9-10 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Paul's Prayer here shows that The Will of God allows us to:
A) Walk Worthy of the Lord unto all Pleasing- Please God
B) Being Fruitful in every good work- Bear Fruit
C) Increasing in the Knowledge of God- Learn about God
You can't ask for 3 greater goals than that. Why then do so many people fail to commit themselves to God's Will for their lives?
The Problem is that many people have a false concept of what God's Will is and how you Determine it.
Men Falsely say that God's Will is:
1. Dangerous- Somehow it will harm you or cause you a great deal of pain if you obey God-- If I commit myself to God He will make me be a Preacher or Missionary {There are worst things, you know!!})
The Truth: It's Dangerous NOT to do God's Will. Do you want to face God with a wasted life and unused talents??
2. Distant- God's will does not involve youth. It's something for older people to be concerned with.
The Truth: Get in God's Will as soon as possible. A little veer at first can cause a big deviation in the long run. The Longer you delay the lest useful you'll be.
3. Divided- God has a Good, Acceptable, and Perfect Will (Rom 12:2) and most people don't want to be dedicated enough to chose God's Best so they settle for the "good".
The Truth: God has One Will that is Good, Acceptable, and Perfect; Don't settle for cheap substitutes [Remember the man during the Civil war that wore a Blue Coat and Gray Pants so he could please everyone; and then both sides shot him!!].
4. Difficult to Discover- It's almost impossible to determine what God wants you to do.
The Truth: God reveals His will thru His Word, thru the Urges of Life {What do you WANT to do?}, and by Faith (We don't live by Explanations but by Promises. Many people want to understand God's Plan before they will follow it. But the Truth is that when we follow God's Plan then we begin to understand it. God is not obligated to explain Himself to us but He will make Plain the Path He expects us to take).
A) It's God's Will that we do our job well- Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart See I Pet 2:15
B) It's God's Will that we Live a Holy Life- I Thess 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification , that ye should abstain from fornication:
C) It's God's Will that we Trust Him in all Circumstances- I Pet 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
ARE YOU DOING GOD'S WILL?
(1 Cor 6:12) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
EVERYONE needs routine and Schedule; they come from learning what makes life easy and effective (For example- it would not be effective to get up, get dressed and then have to get undressed in order to take a shower. So your routine makes the shower come before the dressing).
This Routine is important to all of us (That's why Vacation is both bad and good; it breaks the routine but we miss our routine). The problem we have, however, is when the Routine become a rut; and the rut an open ended grave of life controlling Habit.
The Harm of Habits are the Control they exercise over you- Habits can turn a good thing into a harmful activity- You should make it a Habit to come to Church but coming to Church should be more than just Habit.
The reason it is so difficult to break Habits is we see the FRUIT of the Habit but fail to Recognize the ROOT of the Problem. Habits are built on three foundations: Belief (The core values that determine your perspective on problems), Behavior (What you believe determines what you do), Bondage (Behavior done repeatedly until it forms an unbreakable pattern in your life).
Today I want to start at the beginning and look at how Habits begin in our Beliefs- For this is the beginning, and this is the place most people never get to so they never root out the habit in their life.
Freedom from spiritual bondage is not a power encounter; it is a truth encounter (First Church problem- that brought death- was the fact that Annanias and Sappharis LIED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT).
Picture yourself on the way to Heaven. Along the way are numerous houses. These people cannot stop you physically (Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world). Their only weapon is WORDS. If you would continue the journey you must ignore their lies and cling to the truth- (John 8:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Satan uses lies to:
1) Harass You- You are no good
2) Halt You- You can't make it
3) Habit you- You need something besides God (He lies to get you to begin a habit and then lies by telling you you cannot stop)
So what does Satan use to Defeat Christians and bring us into the bondage:
1) DECEPTIVE THOUGHTS- See below
2) ACCUSATIONS- Basis of disinformation is the target groups predisposition to believe the untruth. We must learn the difference between Satan Accusations and Holy Spirit Conviction
3) TEMPTATION- Jesus was asked to disobey the Will of God, The Word of God, and the Worship of God. We learn to make the proper choices- Lend car to Pastor to deliver food or thief to rob bank
4) INTIMIDATION- (1 Pet 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: The opposite of Faith is Fear. Fear will allow Satan to control you.
You will only dislodge Satan's lies in the light of God's revelation; not human rationalization- (James 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (If a dog is biting you don't beat yourself, call out to God and beat the dog).
Denying yourself (cross) is not the same as self-denial (Athletics or dieters)
You defeat lies with the Truth- repeated over and over as the lies were.
Problem- Wife is not meeting sexual needs
Lies- I can do wrong and get right out of it- Lust
I won't really hurt anyone because its in my mind
I can stop anytime I want to stop
Something was wrong with me to begin with
God's word works but not for me (I'm a hopeless case)
Deception:
1- When we hear the word of God and don't do it- (James 1:22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
2- When we think we are something we aren't-(Gal 6:3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
3- When we think we are Wise- (1 Cor 3:18-19) Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. {19} For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
4- When we don't bridle our tongue- (James 1:26) If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
5- When we think we won't reap what we sow- (Gal 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
6- When we think unrighteousness will inherit the Kingdom- (1 Cor 6:9-10) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, {10} Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
7- When we think we can continually associate with bad and not be corrupted- (1 Cor 15:33) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (Remember Bob Harrington)
Remember that habits are built on Beliefs which build behavior which builds bondage. Also remember that what you believe determines what you do. Therefore, Satan will use WORDS to try to get you to believe wrong and do wrong.
(Titus 1:2) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
(John 8:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Mark of Christian- (Col 3:9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
I. BIBLE EXAMPLES OF PREJUDICE:
A) RACE- (John 1:46) And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
B) RELIGION- (John 4:9) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
C) Application of RULES-(1 Tim 5:21) I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
II. OUR PREDISPOSITIONS ARE BASED ON:
A) HISTORY- Abused in word or body
B) PERSONALITY- Optimist vs pessimist- Glass half full/empty
C) SOCIAL LIFE- Live in Peace/War Accepted or not
HOW DOES SATAN USE THESE PREJUDICES?
A) To defeat ABILITIES
B) To defeat HOPE
C) To Defeat DRIVE (Motivation)
Examples-
---Jonah believed two lies because of his prejudices:
1) The destruction of Nineveh was more desirable than's God's plan of repentance
2) He could run from the Presence of God
---EVE- Desire to be god more important than fellowship with God
The tree was good to look on- A lie is powerful not because it is deceptive but because it is delicious.
---Those controlled by lust of Flesh- (Rom 1:25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
BELIEVING A LIE CAN BECOME A PERMANENT WAY OF LIFE- (2 Th 2:11-12) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: {12} That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
God said that the way we are traveling is extremely easy to figure out- (Isa 35:8) And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Yet we find ourselves wandering off the path or confused about the way we should go. What causes us to fail to see the path God has for us? Why do we wander in the wilderness instead of march triumphantly toward Zion? The answer is found in fact that we are predisposed to believe certain things instead of follow the Lord.
Three of these Predispositions are:
1. LOGIC- (Isa 55:8-9) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. {9} For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Things make so much "Sense" to us until we can't understand how God could possible see them different. It just seems logical to us that God would always want us to be healthy, happy, and prosperous; while that may be exactly the wrong thing for us. (Jeremiah told to preach to the people to surrender to the Babylonians. Peter believing that Jesus was destined for the throne instead of the Cross.)
2. LUST (Desires)- (Prov 14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. We "feel" certain things are right; and can't believe God would see them differently. When we want something we just assume God will want the same thing- Jonah desired the destruction of Nineveh, and assumed God would also. David wanting to build the temple but was refused because he was a man of war).
3. LEGIONS (Crowd)- (Exo 23:2) Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: Styles and standards today are determined by the "Crowd". Everyone wants to be liked; no one wants to stand out as odd or unusual. We just believe that because "everyone" else is doing it then God won't mind if we do it also.
(John 8:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
(Definitions gleaned from "Wuest Word Study")
Truth- Unhidden, unconcealed- that which will bear scrutiny and investigation, that which is open to the light of day.
In the world- what is correct (true) in any matter under consideration
In the Church- What is correct (true) in things appertaining to God and the duties of man.
In our MOTIVES- It is used of sincerity of mind and integrity of character, also of a mode of life in harmony with divine truth (standards).
In our MEASUREMENTS- That which has not only the name and semblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name. That which is all it pretends to be- therefore, pure Gold as opposed to mixed metal.
For Example, in John 1:9 Jesus is the TRUE Light. John the Baptist was a burning and shining light (Jn 5:35). Jesus was all that the term light demands and implies. John was simply a model of that light.
Jesus is the TRUE Bread (Jh 6:32). Manna sent from Heaven was bread but, unlike Jesus, it could only meet man's Physical needs and not the higher spiritual needs.
It's truth that sets you free, not the knowledge of error.
We develop patterns of thought and habits of behavior which center our interest on ourselves.
Every temptation is an invitation to live independently of God.
We are not to believe evil spirits, nor are we to dialogue with them; instead we are to ignore them.
The lusts of the flesh prey on our physical appetites- World
The lusts of the eye appeal to self interest- Flesh
The Pride of life stresses self promotion and self exaltation- Devil
Eph 4:26-27 By allowing Anger to remain in your life you give it a foot hold to control you. Therefore sin must not be allowed to remain in our life. We must deal with it THAT DAY- See 2 Cor 2:10-11
If we say that Satan/Demons cannot control our life then that leaves us with only 2 culprits- self or God. If we blame ourselves we feel hopeless because we can't do anything to stop. If we blame God we lose Faith and Hope.
Satan is in control if there is bad you cannot stop doing or good you cannot make yourself do.
Satan can only take advantage of the opportunities YOU GIVE HIM. He cannot do it on his own.
3 Areas of Protection: (All must be done by YOU)
1) Choose Truth- Jn 8:11
2) Live a Righteous life- Submit to the Lord, Resist the Devil
3) Put on the Armor of God- Eph 6:
You are not the helpless victim of a tug of war between 2 nearly equal heavenly super powers. God is GOD!! Satan is a created being. That is why we worship God; to keep His divine attributes constantly before us in order to counter Satan's lies.
Faith is something you decide to do, not something you feel like doing. Believing the truth doesn't make it true; it's true so we believe it.
What it takes to take authority:
1) Belief in the power and authority of Christ
2) Humility- Realizing the source of our authority is Christ, not ourself
3) Boldness- Spirit inspired boldness is behind every successful advance in the Church today- 2 Tim 1:7
4) Dependence- Our Strength is FROM God. We must live in cooperation with Him and with His system of Authority.
The only thing big about a demon is his mouth.
Faith does not create reality; Faith responds to reality (Name it and claim it say you create reality by believing a certain way).
If what you believe is not true, then how you live will not be right.
Nothing is more foundational to your freedom from Satan's bondage than understanding and affirming what God has done for you in Christ and who you are as a result. We live in accordance with our perceived identity.
It's not what I believe that breaks the bonds, it's what I believe, confess, renounce, forgive, and live.
6 Foundational Guidelines for those who would be free from the bondage of the world system:
1) Denying yourself- Denying yourself is not the same as self denial. The ultimate purpose of self denial is self promotion- to get a good grade, to break a record, to achieve frame. Jesus was talking about the essential Battle of life- The scramble for the throne. The struggle is over who is going to be god.
2) Pick up your cross daily- not our own cross but Christ's cross, To pick up the cross daily means to acknowledge every day that we belong to God. We stop trying to become something we aren't and we rest in the finished work of Christ.
3) Follow Christ- Seeking to overcome self by self effort is a hopeless struggle. We must follow Christ by being led by the Holy Spirit down the path of death to self (2 Cor 4:11). We were not designed to function independent of God. Only when we are dependent on Him and intent on following Christ are we complete.
4) Sacrifice the lower life to gain the higher life- Shoot for this world and that is all you will get. Shoot for the next world and God will throw in this one as a bonus- I Tim 4:8 (Solomon's Prayer)
5) Sacrifice the Pleasures of things to gain the pleasure of life. Where is the majority of your time, energy, and money being invested? Do you want to be happy as a human animal or blessed as a Child of God?
6) Sacrifice the temporal to gain the eternal. Biggest sign of spiritual maturity is the ability to postpone rewards- Heb 11:24-26
Satan's ultimate lie is that you are capable of being the god of your own life. And his ultimate bondage is getting you to live as though his life is truth. Satan is out to usurp God's plan in your life. Whenever you live independently of God, focusing on yourself instead of on the cross, preferring material and temporal values to spiritual and eternal values, he has succeeded. The world's solution to this conflict of identify is to inflate the ego while denying God the opportunity to take His rightful place as Lord.
If you fail to see yourself as a child of God, you will struggle vainly to live like one.
PS 69:20 142:4 ACTS 8:30-31 JN 12:32
THE JOB OF CHRISTIANITY IS TO GET THE MAN INTO HEAVEN AS WELL AS GET HEAVEN INTO THE MAN. Soul Winning is not a part time hobby; it's the Christian's full time occupation. Don't get so busy with life until you forget that the earth is a "sinking ship" and our job is to rescue as many people as possible before it goes down!
My wife and I kept my nephew once. After he had been with us for awhile he began to cry. Nothing we gave him would satisfy him but as soon as his mother returned and held him everything was alright. I'm afraid that sometimes the Church is like that. We try to give people entertainment or education that we think will satisfy them but it doesn't fill the empty place in their heart. It's time we realized what sinners really need so we can give it to them. And if you're a sinner here today, lost and bound for hell, you need to realize that we have just what you need.
I. Sinners need COMFORT from Saints- Psa 69:20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
Sinners today live in a troubled world with no one to turn to and nothing to cling to. They need someone to comfort them, someone to pity them
A) Can't comfort them IN their sins- We love the sinner but we hate the sin
B) Can't cast our pearls before swine- Can't comfort those who turn away from our comfort.
C) Shouldn't comfort the comfortable- Must get them to see their lost condition before we can help them.
But we can comfort the seeking sinner, the lost loser, and the desperate doomed. We can comfort them with our Preaching, Our Presence, and our Performance
1. Preach- Hope for this life and Heaven in the next.
2. Presence- Sometimes a touch on the shoulder, a look in the eye, and a simple statement of concern can do wonders.
3. Performance- Don't just say Depart and be filled, Feed them (Man who said the pork chops, not the sermon, saved him)
II. Sinners need CARE from Saints- Psa 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
We live in a society that allows people to die on sidewalks while others walk by. That allows a young woman to be raped in a bar while the onlookers cheer on those who are raping her. And a society that shuts itself off behind locked doors where the only view of the world is thru the distorted misshapen window of TV. SAINTS MUST CARE ENOUGH TO:
A) Visit- Break down the barriers
B) Befriend- Jesus was a friend of sinners (Be a Friend, not a follower! Don't let them guide you. Be enough of a friend to stand on Biblical convictions. They'll grumble but they'll respect you.
C) Claim them for the Lord- George Muller prayed for his 4 friends for 40 years BUT THEY GOT SAVED.
III. Sinners need CLARITY from Saints- Acts 8:30-31 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
1 Cor 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
The Battle cry throughout the land today is "Maybe" or "It doesn't make any difference what you believe as long as you're sincere". No one seems willing to make a stand on anything and sinners don't know what to believe even if they wanted to (That's why we use every method available to get the message out).
--Many teach a Philosophy of life but Jesus gives Abundant Life
--Many add to(Full Gospel, Mormons), take from (Social Gospel), or ignore the Bible. Human reasoning is the guideline.
--Many don't know what they're talking about and need to wait on God like Paul until they get God's Message (Had Education but no message).
We need some clear teaching on Heaven, Hell, Being Born Again, Holiness of life, and Faithfulness to God's Work. Many think Christianity is simply turning over a new leaf. Many more think Christian living ends at the altar of repentance and they never become dedicated to the Work and Worship of God.
IV. Sinners need CHRIST from Saints- John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
A) He is our SOURCE OF COMFORT. Psalm 69:20 was a prophecy of the suffering of Christ on the Cross when He bore our sins (See vs 21) and it does us well to remember that (Heb 4:15-16) We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus was Weary; Jesus Wept, and Jesus was tempted like we are. He knows what we need and is able to give comfort.
B) He is a SAVIOR THAT CARES- Loved you enough to leave Heaven and come to earth to die for you. Jesus will Walks with you even through the valley of the shadow of death. That's genuine concern.
C) He's a SOUND THAT IS CLEAR. How much clearer do you need than I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).
Christians, are you meeting the needs of Sinners??
Sinners, Christ has everything you need. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? Are you ready to die?
I am honored today to speak to this graduating class of New Prospect FWB Church Christian School. As it has with you, so New Prospect FWB Church has played an important part in my life. The three most important decisions in your life are normally made by the time you are 25- Your Occupation, Your Mate (Marriage), and Your Salvation (Although, of course, some people can and will be saved after this time. Generally, however, people will make the decision about accepting Christ before they get past 25).
All three of these decisions in my life were made in connection with New Prospect FWB Church: I was Saved on Monday, March 19, 1962 at the alter of New Prospect FWB Church. Shortly after that time I announced God's call on my life to the ministry from the pulpit of New Prospect FWB Church. And, finally, several years later, I looked over the congregation of New Prospect FWB Church and found the prettiest girl in all the world and asked her to be my wife (And surprisingly enough, she accepted!).
Today, as you close out one chapter in the book of your life and beginning another, I want to share with you 3 Truths that I believe will help you face the future ahead of you and get the most from your life.
TRUTH NUMBER ONE: GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE AND YOU MUST FIND IT AND WALK IN IT- (Psa 16:11) Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. There are Three kinds of people in the world: (1) Those who don't know what is happening. (2) Those who simply Watch what is happening. And (3) Those who cause things to Happen. What I want you to realize today is that even if you belong in that first group, the group that doesn't have a clue about what is going on in life, you can still rest in the fact that God does know what is happening and you can rest in peace in His plan.
That means you need to Find out what God is doing in your life and then get involved in His work. You will find there is no greater challenge or no greater joy in life than living your life in accordance with God's Plans and Purposes.
TRUTH NUMBER TWO: THE WORLD IS OUT TO DESTROY YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND THE WAY THEY SEEK TO DO THAT IS BY DESTROYING YOUR PURITY. YOU MUST MAKE A CONSCIOUS DETERMINATION TO LIVE PURE-(Dan 1:8) But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank:.
Ever wonder why anyone would be stupid enough to take Drugs, Risk aids or disease, or take chances that might destroy their life and reputation? Like lambs being led to the slaughter, They simply go with the flow instead of standing on the Rock.
When you try to be part of the world while still trying to maintain a relationship with the Lord you will end up in big trouble. Let me illustrate it this way. If you grab a power line while you are standing on the ground it will immediately kill you. But birds can land on the same power line safely. The difference is that the birds only contact the line so the electricity does them no harm. It is when you try to hold on to the world with one hand and the power of God with the other that you get in trouble.
Many people have left Christian Schools like this full of big dreams and have ended up defeated and captured all their life. Their fall was not because God's power was not strong enough or available enough; they fell because they allowed sin to enter their life and destroy their relationship with the Lord. And it all began with the Music they listened to, the TV they watched, or the crowd they decided to hang around with. It is an old statement but true, If you lie down with the dogs you will get up with fleas. Don't allow Satan to defeat you by destroying your purity.
THE THIRD AND FINAL TRUTH IS THIS; NO ONE KNOWS HOW BIG YOUR BOOK IS OR HOW MANY CHAPTERS YOU HAVE LEFT TO WRITE. ARE YOU READY IF THE BOOK ENDS TONIGHT? (Eccl 11:9) Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
I'm not talking about the impression you made on your Parents, your Teachers, or your Friends. I'm not talking about simply meeting the standards of Society. I'm talking about "good little boys and girls" that end up in the back seat of a car or in a hotel room at the beach because they think the rules get suspended on graduation night.
When things like that happen then I know there is a big difference between what is said and what is so in their Christian life. It is like an experience I had in the military. I picked up a book someone was reading and found the cover said one thing but the contents were something else altogether! Is that the way God would look at your book if it came to a conclusion tonight?
Has there ever been a time in your life that you honestly confessed to God that you were a sinner? Have you told God you were sorry for violating His laws and asked Him to forgive you because Christ paid the price for your sins? Then you simply trust His word that He will forgive you and dedicate your life to His service from this day forward.
Three Truths that I believe will help you get started on the right foot when you enter into life after graduation- God has a plan for your life, Satan is out to destroy that plan by destroying your purity, and you don't know how long the plan will run so you need to be ready to meet God at all times.
Let me close with one final illustration. There is an ancient tale from India about a young man who was seeking God. He went to a wise old sage for help. "How can I find God?" he asked the old man. The old man took him to a nearby river. Out they waded into the deep water. Suddenly the old man seized the young man by the neck and pushed him under the water. He held the young man down until the young man was flailing the water in desperation.
Finally he released him and the two of them came up out of the river. The young man was coughing water from his lungs and still gasping for air. Reaching the bank he asked the man indignantly, "Why did you do that? What did that have to do with my finding God?" The old man answered him quietly, "While you were under the water, what did you want more than anything else?" The young man thought for a minute and then answered, "I wanted air more than anything else?" The old man replied, "When you want God as much as you wanted air, you will find him."
It is my prayer that you want God more than you want air. If so, I can't wait to see the joy and victory that awaits you In the days to come.
1. Character is developed, not acquired
2. Character is the subconscious doing of right
3. It is developed by the doing of right so often, so regularly, and with such
habit that it becomes a part of you.
4. Character is formed by habit- habit is formed by practice
5. Habit is formed by the proper and continuous repetition of doing right.
6. Promptness is part of character
7. We teach bad habits by allowing the child to talk out without permission,
disobey, sit in an improper manner. If you go ahead and teach without the full
attention of the class, bad habits are being formed
8. Mental brilliance does not make for greatness. Perseverance, work and
character are the causes that make one great.
9. When these qualities have to be developed one can become great without mental
brilliance, whereas the mentally brilliant will usually not develop these
qualities.
10. Do not over sympathize with a child. This teaches him to whine and seek
sympathy
11. The difference between success and failure is hard work.
12. Teach a child to finish a job.
13. Teach a child the joy of a job well done.
14. Praise a child for being honest or working hard even if the job isn't
perfect. Praise character, not talent
15. A child needs to be taught to reverence God, even before they are old enough
to understand salvation.
16. Teach small children about our universe and the wonderful things God has
made. Call attention to the things God has made that they see everyday.
17. Teach the child that the Bible is God's word and every word is true.
18. Let Children know that it is not the parents or teachers who set the
standards of right and wrong- but God. God wants us to be punished when we do
wrong.
THE POWER OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
Christianity has been called the "bloody Religion" because of it's emphasis on Sacrifices . In one manner of speaking this is very true and marks the major difference between Christianity and the other religions of the world. Christianity is a Religion that is based on the shed blood of Christ as payment for sins instead of Works of man or Wisdom of man as in other religions. In other Religions my Education or my Ability; my Service or my Sacrifice, are the requirements. In Christianity I come before God, and am accepted by God, on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ.
That is a fundamental issue that even many Christians need to learn again. We must realize that Sin separates us from God--and before we can know the Power and Blessings of God on our lives we must put away the sin that stands between us and God. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
The only means of doing this is the Blood of Christ; Not improved Morals or increased Money [which is what many people are trying to use today to correct the world's problems]. I want us to see today the necessity of the Blood of Christ in our coming to God and what great power there is in the Blood of Christ.
I> The Blood is the PASSOVER for our sins- EXO 12:12-13 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. The power that it conveyed was simply astonishing- anyone who was in the room where the blood was applied was safe; any firstborn in a house without the blood would die. It was not a degree of "Goodness" or "ability" but simply the applied Blood.
The Blood has ALWAYS been God's way of dealing with the separation caused by sin. In the Garden of Eden God slew an animal and man was clothed with it's skin. Rev 13:8 says that Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth. God would have immediately destroyed man had it not been for the Blood of Christ that He saw from the beginning.
II> Not only does the Blood save us from God's Wrath, it also saves us from Sin's Power by REDEEMING us. Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; REDEMPTION means "To buy off the slave market". Christ has bought us from the "Slave market" of Sin and set us free to live life abundantly. Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the World.
III> The Blood does even more than save us from Sin's Power; it also saves us from sin's POLLUTION- I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
God didn't just deal with our PAST sins, He also made the necessary arrangements for our PRESENT sins. The Blood allows me to walk in FAITH instead of FEAR. It also allows me to approach God today JUSTIFIED (Just as if I had never sinned)- Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
IV> The Blood has power to cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. I don't have to DO what's already been DONE so I can serve God Freely and Fully
V> It is the power God used to purchase the Church as the Bride of Christ. Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath make you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
VI> It has power to give us boldness to approach God. Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethen, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. I approach the "bank of Heaven" based on Faith in what Jesus did for me instead of what I have done or can do for God.
VII> It has power to give those who believe in him access to the tree of life and entrance into Heaven- Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Your ability to stand BEFORE GOD will depend on whether or not you have the Blood of Christ appropriated and applied.
Your ability to stand FOR GOD will depend on whether or not you acknowledge the Power of the Blood of Christ.
Like Cain, you can come to God with the very best you have--and be rejected, or you can come by way of the blood and find pardon and peace. DO YOU HAVE THE BLOOD APPLIED TODAY???
Music can Teach us (Books of the Bible Song); Calm us (Jesus Loves me); and Encourage us (Just a little Boy David). MUSIC IS A MINISTRY. As such it can not only Entertain us; but also Enlighten us when:
1. Seeking for the Will of God: When Elisha was asked to give the king advice about how to defeat the Moabites-II Kings 3:15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.
2. When faced with a "bad Spirit: I Sam 16:23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
3. To show you're filled with the Spirit: Eph 5:18-19 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
4. When Sorrow surrounds you: Isaiah 30:29 Ye shall have a song, as in the night, when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel
5. When you feel good: James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
6. To Defeat your enemy: II Chron 20:21-22 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
7. To "Preview" Heaven: Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
May this great "Heavenly Hymn" be an example in all our
music for it magnifies-
God's Greatness God's Power God's
Sacrifice
II Kings 6:1-7 tells the Story of the lost Axe head that was made to "Swim". Sadly today, some people are trying to do God's work without the "Axe-head" and all they are doing is expending energy and time and bruising the trees!!! Their life has no meaning or purpose and they consider themselves failures because they can't accomplish anything. So if God is to work THRU us He must first work ON us to give us something to work with. He then must keep that Axe-head sharp so it can accomplish it's job. Let's see how He does this
Anytime you want to do something you need something to work ON and something to work WITH. So the first thing we need to understand is WHAT IS GOD TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH???
A) Relationship- God desires relationship with His people and He is trying to build that. But Sin stands in the way; therefore there must be-
B) Redemption- God had to make a way to redeem man from the bondage of sin and death so fellowship would be possible. He did that by sending His own Son to die in our place and pay the debt we owe. But God knows it is not enough to simply "buy us off the slave market"; we must now be-
C) Renewed- There are 2 main ways God uses to accomplish this:
1. The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that guides us into the ways of God thru the Word of God.
2. Circumstances that God allows to come our way to conform us to the image of His son Jesus.
So God can take an "old Stick", fit only for the fire, and give it Purpose and direction. Suddenly we find ourselves with Joy in this life and rewards in the life to come
Sad to say though, as we work the axe can become dull and the Joy turn into a real Job. Ecc 10:10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct
HOW CAN WE KEEP THE AXE SHARP??
A) Avoid things that would dull the axe (The Sinful "stones" of Society)- II Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (Change friends- Abram left Ur and his family)
B) Don't let the Axe sit idle and get "rusty"-
Witness of what God has done for you
Tithe your income to God's work
Maintain contact with God
(Prayer- Talk to God/ Bible Study- God talk to you)
C) Understand God's way of Sharpening you- CHRISTIAN
FELLOWSHIP Prov 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance
of his friend. Join God's People (Church Membership). You need the Fellowship-
Ecc 4:9-12 Two are better than one because:
1. They have a good reward for their labor- an award means little if no one
knows you received it. Sharing Triumph is important
2. If they fall, one helps the other. Sharing Troubles is necessary (Mountain
climbers tie together to help should one fall)
3. Two together have heat- a single coal goes out
4. Two can withstand stress- strength in unity
Are you "Beating your head against the wall" and just getting a headache for your efforts?? God wants to Redeem you today, so you can find Abundant Life in service with Him.
Is your "axe" dull and your life ineffective?? Dedicate yourself to doing right by becoming a working part of Christian Fellowship.
Many people today seem little concerned about what God wants with them. Their main concern seems to be that God meets their every whim and makes sure they stay Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy. God has been turned from the Sovereign to a Servant and as such men seek to control Him instead of Obey Him.
One of the reasons men are Misusing God is that they are "Misty" about what God's Goals really are. I think it's time we re-examined God's Goals for:
1. HIS PEOPLE- That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him Eph 1:10. God desires to unite the Body of Christ with the "head" and the Bride of Christ with her "Groom". Our responsibility is to give Him our Service and our Love. The Enemy tries to defeat God's Goal by getting us to use our Time and Talents for the world, the flesh, or the Devil; or by "stealing" our Love with the Lure and Lust of the world.
Do you realize you were Saved to Serve God; or do you think God had to save you because you're "Special" and must be Satisfied??
2. OUR PERSONALITY- For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren Rom 8:29. God's Goal for our Sin warped Natures is that we become Pleasing to Him as demonstrated by His Son Jesus. The Holy Spirit that indwells us changes the works of the Flesh into the Fruits of the Spirit as we yield ourselves to Him so we can say with Paul, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20).
Do you pray for God to give you a life of ease; or do you ask Him to use whatever pressure is necessary to make you like Jesus???
3. PREACHING- Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Col 1:28. God's Goal in our Preaching and Teaching is that every man may become "Mature" (That's what "Perfect" means in Greek) in Christ. Far far too many Preachers and Teachers simply want to "Get through" their hour in such a way as to receive a pat on the back when they conclude. They accomplish THEIR Goal of "Getting Through" the hour but they fail miserably in accomplishing GOD'S Goal of Maturing baby Christians into mature sons of God (As exemplified by the large amount of "Fighting, Feuding, and Fussing" among Church members). This sort of Preaching and Teaching involves:
A) Evangelism- Showing a lost world the Folly of Sin and the need of Faith in Christ. You can't mature a "dead" person!! They must be Born Again first. Let's stop trying to make well dressed, well behaved corpses!! Get them Saved first.
B) Education- Teaching new baby Christians how to Grow in Christ while at the same time showing them the "Doctrines of Devils" to avoid (These are "Foods" to eat and these are things to avoid). Multitudes of people attend Sunday School and Church week after week and yet live on the world's "Junk food" so that they are so spiritual anemic they never have the strength to do anything for God.
C) Edification- Comforting those who mourn, giving Hope to those who are depressed, Warning those who are growing Lukewarm. Building up the Body of Christ so that it's more than a "Mind"; it's a living working organism.
Whose Goals are you trying to accomplish? Yours or God's???
The Christian Life is not simply Faith, it's also a Fight. The Discipline and Dedication needed to successfully accomplish God's will for your life is missing in many Christians today and as a result the Devil is destroying our Foundations and our Families. I want to look at some things the Bible Commands us to "Strive" to do and help us to see our obligation to God and His Work.
The Bible says we are to STRIVE:
1. To enter the strait Gate Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. The word "strive" here means "to struggle to accomplish something" and literally means to "struggle as in agony". This involves Determination and a willingness to suffer to accomplish something. Compare that with the average Christian today who is unwilling to do anything for the Lord if it involves inconvience or discomfort. How many Christians "wrestle" in Prayer, fast, read the Bible regularly?
2. For the Mastery (Reward given to the Winner) II Tim 2:5 Strive [to content in the Games] for the mastery (See I Cor 9:25- And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.)
American praise our Olympic athletes but few of them are willing to put in the time and effort of the athlete in order to become the "best in the world". In similar fashion, Most Christians would like to do something "great" for the Lord but are unwilling to put in the necessary time and effort.
3. Against Sin Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Here the word means "to struggle against" and gives the idea of struggling to the point of injury. Most Christians seem much more eager to embrace sin than to expose it. Are we struggling against sin or snuggling up to it???
4. As a group- In Prayer Rom 15:30 Striving [To struggle in company with] together in prayers. Group Prayers are great!!
For Faith Phil 1:27 Strive together for the Faith
A body of Believers tend to act as "checks and balances" on someone straying from the right path- but there must be concern.
5. Not about words- II Tim 2:14 Strive not about words to no profit Do we simply Talk a good life or live one??
6. In God's Power- Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Do we realize that all of our efforts will fail apart from the Power of God?? Do we consciously seek to have that power on our lives??
Don't Strive with God- Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What maketh thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? But Realize that God will not always strive with you!! Gen 6:2 My Spirit shall not always strive [to appear in court] with man
I Thess 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Let's begin with a "Quiz". List the Following in the order you feel they belong. "The Problem with People is":
1. Not Grateful
2. Not Showing Love
3. Critical
4. Prideful
5. Not Understanding
I sort of "stacked the decks" in this list. Each of these is basically the same form of Ingratitude. Many years ago someone took a poll as to the greatest sin committed by mankind and the surprising answer was "ingratitude". Let's look at 10 ways we can cultivate the habit of Gratitude.
1. Remember that there is no such thing as a self made man. All Christians are part of the Body of Christ and each part is vital to the others- I Cor 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
2. The Foundation of Gratitude is to expect nothing- Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Remember it's better to be asked to come up to the head of the table than to be put down.
3. Weigh a Small Gift- Prov 17:8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. Remember that "money is time wrapped in a paper sack" {$10 is 2 hours of a person's life at $5 per hour!}.
4. Do Not Weigh a Large Gift- Deut 16:19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
5. Never lose appreciation for a gift. Kids expect big Christmas Presents and don't appreciate them as much as a surprise.
6. Let nothing extinguish gratitude- Don't Second Guess the Giver.
7. Feel Gratitude as you remember things done for you- Keep a "Gratitude Book" instead of a "Grudge Book".
8. Express Gratitude- Remember the 9 lepers who didn't return. Send Cards, Calls, etc.
9. Be Grateful for the USUAL- Anyone can be thankful for bonus; be thankful for a salary.
10. Be Grateful for not receiving what some others receive- Those with less responsibilities also have less pressures! Don't Covet until you know the groaning that goes with the gift!
James 1:2 My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations: The word "divers" here comes from a Greek work meaning "motley" or "Many colored" (usually translated "Different"). James wants us to know that Temptation takes many forms, and sometimes it's difficult to identify, but I think it will be easier if we learn to recognize the Many Colors of Temptation:
1. Black- Black comes from the absence of light and is usually associated with "the blackness of Despair" or Discouragement. This is a Temptation that everyone must endure as Satan continually tries to hide the light of God from our faces. In the Dark you must deal with an Active Imagination ("Boogie men") and Isolation (You lose the "sight sensor" and only relate to things that YOU can feel). It was in the Blackness of Despair that Job's wife said, "Curse God and Die" (There is no Hope) and in the Blackness of Discouragement that Elijah sulked under the Juniper Tree saying, "I, alone, am left" (There is no Help). This Temptation can be conquered by the Light of God thru His Word (Ps 119:105) and thru the Witness of Christians (Matt 5:14).
2. Red- Red is normally associated with Danger. In this regard I think we can classify this as the Temptation to "Open Sin". These are the sins of the "red light District". This was the Temptation the Prodigal Son succumbed to. He thought the world would be wild and wonderful but it turned out to be poverty and hog-pens. Young people especially are attracted by "Red" but people in their mid forties seem to get "red-eye" also. The way to Avoid this temptation is to AVOID THIS TEMPTATION!! When you see "Red", Stop.
3. Yellow- Yellow is the color of a Coward and is linked to the temptation to lack of Faith- Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, ...shall have their part in the lake of fire which burneth with fire and brimstone: This Temptation can be avoided by putting on the whole armor of God (Ep 6:10-17) so you can defeat Satan and then Building your life on Christ the Rock so life's Storms won't frighten you.
4. Green- This is when people are "Green with Envy". This Temptation is seldom preached on today but it greatly affects our society. It was such a prevalent Temptation until God made the 10th Command to deal with it; Ex 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's. And Paul told the Colossians that it could lead to a far worst sin; Col 3:5 covetousness, which is idolatry;. The Answer to this Temptation is found in Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.- Count your Blessings and Remember God's constant care and protection are yours.
5. Blue- This is a subtle temptation because it deals with Pleasures that become Problems- The "good" replaces the best. Every life needs some Blue Skies but Blues Skies alone produce desert- "I walked a mile with Pleasure, she chattered all the way, but I was none the wiser for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow, not a word said she, but O the things I learned that day when sorrow walked with me". It is when you are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing that you wander away from God. Remember the admonition of Ps 62:10 if riches increase, set not your heart upon them
Temptation has many shades and colors but a Christian knows to keep his garment white as all times.
During the course of a day we find ourselves in numerous Physical Positions. In much the same way, as we live for the Lord we find ourselves in many Spiritual Positions. I want us to look at some of them and determine to make the most of every situation we find ourselves in [Sometimes we think we must "bow our heads to pray" but that is difficult (and Dangerous!!) while driving a car. Today preachers stand to preach while in Jesus' day they sat (Luke 4:16-21). Not many years ago people would "walk the aisles" Praising God; today we're much too sophisticated for that (Unless of course it's at a ball game and our team is winning!)].
I believe it's possible to worship God in the Sick Bed as well as the Church; in the Work Place as well as the Worship Service. We simply must look for Opportunities.
The Seven Spiritual Positions We can use to advantage are:
I. Lying Down- Spiritual Rest Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. A time of Spiritual Rest has been one of God's requirements from the very beginning (Gen 2:2-3); but today it goes like this- rush to Church (Coming in breathlessly at the very last minute), leave church and throw together something for dinner before rushing off to do some shopping or other activity so you can just get back in time for the evening service (and pat your foot during it because you've got more things to do as soon as it's over). Then we wonder why we don't enjoy fellowship with God or feel so tired on Monday.
And we go through the entire week like that also. Try this for one week and see if you don't find a noticeable difference-- Take 5 Five minutes breaks during the day to read a Chapter in the Bible and think about what God is telling you. You'll find increased energy, tremendously less stress, and a wonderful relationship with God.
The Three Elements the Psalmist lists are: (1) Requirement "He Maketh Me", (2) Refreshment "Green Pastures", and (3) Reflection "Beside the Still Waters". Do you need Spiritual Rest??
II. Sitting- Spiritual Instruction Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. As long as you're "roaming around" it's hard to instruct you but when the teacher can get you seated then they can get your attention. Many people fail to understand (and as a result fail to accomplish) God's Will for their lives because God can't get them to focus on what He's trying to say to them. They're so busy with living until they miss the purpose of life.
Try this for a week- Take a Half Hour of your "television Time" and use it to sit and read the Bible. You'll find God has been saying a lot more than you've been hearing!
III. Standing- Spiritual Warfare Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with the truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. You need something firm to stand on- Get on the Rock so the Storms of life won't undermine you. You also need a good pair of Shoes to grip the Rock, Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace;. If you don't stand for God you'll fall with the Devil.
IV. Walking- Spiritual Fellowship
A) Walk by Faith- II Cor 5:7
B) Walk in the Spirit- Gal 5:25
C) Walk with Christ and His Church- I John 1:7 But if we walk
in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Wouldn't it be great if they could write on your tombstone as they did on Enoch's "He Walked with God"? But it can't be just on Sunday, It must be a Daily Fellowship.
V. Running- Spiritual Progress Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. A Runner realizes two things-- He must run within Boundaries (God's Guidelines) and He run toward a Goal (God's Purpose). How far have you progressed from the time you were saved?? Have you laid aside the hindrances and determined to patiently go forward (A long distance runner realizes he can "dash" the entire way. He learns to get in the proper "stride" so that he can manage the long haul).
VI. Leaping- Spiritual Praise Acts 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping and praising God. Sometimes we simply must leap in exhalation as we praise the Lord and Rejoice in His goodness. While Christianity can not be based solely on emotion, one of the things that is missing in many people's relationship is emotional involvement. No wonder some people dread coming to church instead of joy in serving the Lord.
When is the last time the Word of God so excited you until a hearty "AMEN" burst from your lips?? When's the last time God so blessed you until you couldn't wait to get to Church and testify?? When is the last time you really ENJOYED serving the Lord??
VII. Mounting Up- Spiritual Energy Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah uses this verse to include all the positions- Waiting (Resting and Sitting), walking, running, and leaping (Mount up with wings of Eagles). He shows us that when we position ourselves correctly with the Lord then we receive the power we need to do the jobs on life's journey. Instead of being tired all the time we are able to accomplish exactly what the Lord intends; and enjoy life while we're doing it!
What Position are you in?? Do you need
REST- Matt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Lay or Sit at His Feet
SECURITY- Plant your feet securely on the Rock
FELLOWSHIP- Walk with the Lord and His People
JOY- Count your Blessings
ENERGY- Wait on the Lord. Most of the pressure you are under is of your own making!! because you're following your timetable instead of the Lord's. Stop trying to be what everyone else wants you to be and become what God intends you to be.
I hope each of you would readily agree that obeying God's Commands is an absolute must in our lives. Then why don't we do it?? What keeps us from letting the "will of God be done on earth as it is in Heaven"?
Let's look at several times God gave commands to men; and they hesitated to do what He said. Then as we find out why they wouldn't do God's Will it may help us realize why we fail to obey God's Command.
1. II Kings 5:9-14 Naaman was told to dip in the Jordan
River 7 times in order to cure his leprosy. He didn't want to do so because he
was looking for some great magic show instead of a simple act of obedience- The
Command of God deals with our PRIDE. Naaman's servants said that if Elisha's had
told him to do some great thing then he would have done it but he didn't want to
do anything that would make him look foolish. We must come to God thru the
Foolishness of Preaching, Become Fools for Christ's sake, and live by what the
world calls "Foolish Faith".
Will Pride keep you from Obeying God in the matter of Salvation or Service?
2. Acts 10:9-16. Peter didn't want to eat with, or
associate with, the Gentiles so God used this vision to show him that anything
God made was not unclean. The Command of God deals with our PREJUDICES.
Christians are color Blind and pocket book blind (James 2:1-4); although we are
not character blind (We love everyone equally- which means we dislike sin or
slothfulness in anyone).
Some sinners are prejudice against the hypocrites in the Church. If they're good
enough to spend eternity in Hell with they're surely good enough to spend a
Sunday with!
3. And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not
eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I
am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue (Exo 4:10). Moses was willing to go back
to Egypt but he didn't want to speak- The Command of God deals with our
PERSONALITIES. Many People don't mind serving the Lord as long as it doesn't
require any real effort or stress.
We become New Creatures at Salvation. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit to
conform us to the image of Christ. God uses the Bible and the events of life to
mold and make us.
Are you going to miss Heaven because you think you aren't good enough, or bright enough, or strong enough?? Obey God's Command.
"Look at your life as you will see it on ETERNITY'S MORNING when life will be all behind you. What will you and I count on Eternity's morning? Money? No, that will be gone, never to come back again. Position? That will have passed away forever. Pleasure and ease? They, too, will have gone.
But there will be two things which we shall value with all our being on Eternity's morning. The first is to know that we have done His will with our lives, and the second thing will be to know that there are precious souls standing around the throne on the solemn morning that God used us to have a share in winning." (G.S. Graham)
The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:17)