- Published on
Living the Good Life
Col. 3:1-4
Intro: The first chapter of Colossians is a powerful treatise on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ; his deity; his Creative power; his preeminence over all things; his Fulness of Glory.
In light of the greatness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Paul writes in chapter 2 that we should not only receive Christ but we should Walk in Him; continue in Him; follow him in obedience; be rooted and grounded in Him; for only In Christ can we ever be Complete spiritually.
Complete; Greek word is pleroo (play roo) to be filled to the top; filled to the fullest measure. Only in Christ can our life ever be totally Fulfilling! Only in Christ can our Life ever be filled to its fullest measure; even David said the Lord filled his cup till it Ran Over!
These first four verses from chapter 3 talk about our Life In Christ; the only way anyone can Live the Good Life is to be In Christ.
I. The Life Which I Once Lived
vs. 3 says about the life we once lived, that we are DEAD.
That Life is Finished! It is done; it is dead;
Thank God he makes it possible for that Old Life to be Dead; we do not have to continue living that old, sinful, disobedient life once we come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He becomes OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR. He Saves us from that old life of sin.
Notice that Paul says about that old life- not only is it Finished- Dead
It is Forgiven! For it is “HID” with Christ in God. HID- I know that some people still remember your old life; if you go to a class reunion someone there will bring it up and laugh about the life you used to live; if you go to the wedding of a relative one of your kinfolk will bring up the life you used to live and get a kick out of talking about it.
But as far as God Himself is concerned- that Life is Finished and Forgiven. It is HID with Christ. When Jesus died on Calvary he died for YOU; to pay for your sin; to Cover your life with his blood; When you repent and turn to the Lord, your life is Hid with him.
II. The Life Which I Now Live
The life I live now has Purpose!
I buried the old life of sin and disgrace with Jesus in the tomb. My new life came to me because Jesus Arose from the tomb and Now I am Risen With Christ. Now instead of looking Down in shame and guilt and despair; I am Looking UP; I am looking for those things which are ABOVE; I am Living for a Heavenly Purpose; Because My life is With Christ and he is sitting on the right hand of the Father.
Paul wrote a lot about those “heavenly places” in Christ Jesus. As a matter of fact, he mentioned them 4 times in the book of Ephesians.
1) Christ was Raised from the Dead and is now Seated in heavenly places.
2) We too as Christians have been Raised up from the dead spiritually and we are seated together with Christ in those heavenly places.
3) We are Blessed with all Spiritual Blessings while we are there with Christ in those heavenly places.
4) The principalities that are in heavenly places are aware that we as children of God and members of his body the Church, are part of the ultimate and Eternal purpose of God.
Talk about Living the Good Life!
Did you think living the good life meant that you would have an abundance of money?
Did you think that living the good life meant you would be popular or famous in this world?
Did you think that living the good life meant that every single circumstance of life would go exactly as you wanted it to?
If any of those were your thoughts- you have been Sadly Mistaken. The Good Life is the life Hid With Christ- for in Christ we find the Ultimate and Eternal Purpose of our earthly life.
And, not only that- but this life we now life is a Protected Life- it is Hid in Christ. You know that NOTHING can in itself separate you and I from the Love of Christ; nothing can sever this wonderful relationship unless we allow it to.
We are Risen With Christ to a new Purpose.
And We are Hid with Christ in God for our Protection.
We are Hid from Satan’s power to possess.
We are Hid from Sin’s power to Dominate.
We are Hid from the power of principalities and powers that would love to overcome us and defeat us.
Talk about Living the Good Life!
III. The Life Which we Shall Live.
Paul states that right now our old life is dead; our new life has been Raised with Christ and is Hid with Christ in God. Then he says that when Christ shall appear- then we will also appear With Him in Glory.
Talk about an Exciting Life to come!
We will appear With Him in glory. Four times the Bible states that the Saints of God will reign WITH Christ in his kingdom. How exciting is that?!!
There is an old hymn in our books titled One Day.
Vs 1 talks about the Glorious Day when Jesus left the glory of heaven and came to the earth born of a virgin to dwell among man.
Vs 2 talks about the Tragic Day when Jesus was led up Mt. Calvary and suffered in anguish while bearing our sins and bringing redemption.
Vs. 3&4 talk about his being Buried in the Garden tomb while angels kept watch; and about how the Grave could conceal him no longer and he arose over death he had conquered and now has ascended our Lord evermore.
The last verse talks about a Future Glorious Day- the day when the Trumpet sounds his coming; the day when the skies with his glory will shine and his loved ones will be brought from earth to heaven- Wonderful Day!
The life which we shall live will be Exciting and it will be Eternal!
Paul said that the Lord would descend and that we would be caught up to meet him in the air- “And so shall we EVER be with the Lord.”
Talk about living the Good Life!
Do you feel short financially?
Are you suffering physically?
Are you oppressed by the circumstances of earthly life?
Just remember- you are living the Good Life.
The Good life is Hid with Christ in God- it is Protected and has Purpose.
The Good Life is leading you to an Exciting Eternity where God’s glory will shine in you without End.
Col. 3:1-4
Intro: The first chapter of Colossians is a powerful treatise on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ; his deity; his Creative power; his preeminence over all things; his Fulness of Glory.
In light of the greatness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Paul writes in chapter 2 that we should not only receive Christ but we should Walk in Him; continue in Him; follow him in obedience; be rooted and grounded in Him; for only In Christ can we ever be Complete spiritually.
Complete; Greek word is pleroo (play roo) to be filled to the top; filled to the fullest measure. Only in Christ can our life ever be totally Fulfilling! Only in Christ can our Life ever be filled to its fullest measure; even David said the Lord filled his cup till it Ran Over!
These first four verses from chapter 3 talk about our Life In Christ; the only way anyone can Live the Good Life is to be In Christ.
I. The Life Which I Once Lived
vs. 3 says about the life we once lived, that we are DEAD.
That Life is Finished! It is done; it is dead;
Thank God he makes it possible for that Old Life to be Dead; we do not have to continue living that old, sinful, disobedient life once we come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He becomes OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR. He Saves us from that old life of sin.
Notice that Paul says about that old life- not only is it Finished- Dead
It is Forgiven! For it is “HID” with Christ in God. HID- I know that some people still remember your old life; if you go to a class reunion someone there will bring it up and laugh about the life you used to live; if you go to the wedding of a relative one of your kinfolk will bring up the life you used to live and get a kick out of talking about it.
But as far as God Himself is concerned- that Life is Finished and Forgiven. It is HID with Christ. When Jesus died on Calvary he died for YOU; to pay for your sin; to Cover your life with his blood; When you repent and turn to the Lord, your life is Hid with him.
II. The Life Which I Now Live
The life I live now has Purpose!
I buried the old life of sin and disgrace with Jesus in the tomb. My new life came to me because Jesus Arose from the tomb and Now I am Risen With Christ. Now instead of looking Down in shame and guilt and despair; I am Looking UP; I am looking for those things which are ABOVE; I am Living for a Heavenly Purpose; Because My life is With Christ and he is sitting on the right hand of the Father.
Paul wrote a lot about those “heavenly places” in Christ Jesus. As a matter of fact, he mentioned them 4 times in the book of Ephesians.
1) Christ was Raised from the Dead and is now Seated in heavenly places.
2) We too as Christians have been Raised up from the dead spiritually and we are seated together with Christ in those heavenly places.
3) We are Blessed with all Spiritual Blessings while we are there with Christ in those heavenly places.
4) The principalities that are in heavenly places are aware that we as children of God and members of his body the Church, are part of the ultimate and Eternal purpose of God.
Talk about Living the Good Life!
Did you think living the good life meant that you would have an abundance of money?
Did you think that living the good life meant you would be popular or famous in this world?
Did you think that living the good life meant that every single circumstance of life would go exactly as you wanted it to?
If any of those were your thoughts- you have been Sadly Mistaken. The Good Life is the life Hid With Christ- for in Christ we find the Ultimate and Eternal Purpose of our earthly life.
And, not only that- but this life we now life is a Protected Life- it is Hid in Christ. You know that NOTHING can in itself separate you and I from the Love of Christ; nothing can sever this wonderful relationship unless we allow it to.
We are Risen With Christ to a new Purpose.
And We are Hid with Christ in God for our Protection.
We are Hid from Satan’s power to possess.
We are Hid from Sin’s power to Dominate.
We are Hid from the power of principalities and powers that would love to overcome us and defeat us.
Talk about Living the Good Life!
III. The Life Which we Shall Live.
Paul states that right now our old life is dead; our new life has been Raised with Christ and is Hid with Christ in God. Then he says that when Christ shall appear- then we will also appear With Him in Glory.
Talk about an Exciting Life to come!
We will appear With Him in glory. Four times the Bible states that the Saints of God will reign WITH Christ in his kingdom. How exciting is that?!!
There is an old hymn in our books titled One Day.
Vs 1 talks about the Glorious Day when Jesus left the glory of heaven and came to the earth born of a virgin to dwell among man.
Vs 2 talks about the Tragic Day when Jesus was led up Mt. Calvary and suffered in anguish while bearing our sins and bringing redemption.
Vs. 3&4 talk about his being Buried in the Garden tomb while angels kept watch; and about how the Grave could conceal him no longer and he arose over death he had conquered and now has ascended our Lord evermore.
The last verse talks about a Future Glorious Day- the day when the Trumpet sounds his coming; the day when the skies with his glory will shine and his loved ones will be brought from earth to heaven- Wonderful Day!
The life which we shall live will be Exciting and it will be Eternal!
Paul said that the Lord would descend and that we would be caught up to meet him in the air- “And so shall we EVER be with the Lord.”
Talk about living the Good Life!
Do you feel short financially?
Are you suffering physically?
Are you oppressed by the circumstances of earthly life?
Just remember- you are living the Good Life.
The Good life is Hid with Christ in God- it is Protected and has Purpose.
The Good Life is leading you to an Exciting Eternity where God’s glory will shine in you without End.
- Published on
Intro: You have no doubt heard the old saying about the month of March: In like a lion, out like a lamb; or the reverse, In like a lamb out like a lion.
The interpretation of that old saying is this: supposedly, if March comes in with strong winds and cold temperatures, even Snow- then it will end with gentle breezes, warm temperatures and sunshine. But if it comes in with the warm gentle breezes, then it will finish out with the strong cold winds. Well, our March came in today like a lamb, with warm temperatures and only a gentle breeze. Of course, it remains to be seen how the month will end; it might end up going out like a lion after all.
Anyway, I thought about this old saying as I studied and I thought about it in regard to the Church of Jesus Christ.
I. In Like a Lion
Acts 2
This familiar passage recounts what is often called the Birthday of the Church- the Day of Pentecost- The day when the Church as we know it began to take actual, visible shape and form; the time when the Holy Ghost was poured out for the Church Age also known as the Dispensation or Time of Grace.
The Church came in like a lion!
What an account; what an exciting event; the day of Pentecost; the day when the HG was poured out upon believers in the upper room for the first time in His Fulness and Power.
The Holy Ghost did not come just to Visit them; but to Dwell in them. He did not come just to give them Temporary Power but Abiding Power in their lives.
Jesus had instructed his followers to Tarry in Jerusalem and Pray until they were endued with power from on high. Acts 1 tells us that 120 believers gathered to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. There were men and women; there were preachers and non preachers; there were some who were older and some who were younger; probably some were more wealthy and some were more poor.
It was ON this diverse group that God poured out His Spirit and the church came in like a lion.
The Church came in with a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind; with tongues of fire; with the power of the HG; with the believers speaking out in tongues; speaking in languages they did not know on their own; at least 15 different languages were recognized by people there in Jerusalem for the feast days.
The Church came in like a lion.
It came in with Praying, Rejoicing, Preaching, Souls being convicted and converted.
It came in with more than just emotion; it came in with more than just high human feelings; it came in with the fulness and power of the Holy Ghost.
They were Immersed in the Holy Ghost; baptized.
They were Infilled with the Holy Ghost; filled.
Their lives were changed; they were set on fire from heaven; they were separated from the world and unto God; they reached out to the lost and even endured persecution with courage and zeal.
The Church came in like a lion.
II. Out Like a Lion
Eph. 5:25-27
The old saying about March is not to be true for the Church. The true church of Jesus Christ came in like a lion and it will go Out like a Lion too! I know that there have been ups and downs for the true Church through the years. I know that there were days that became known as the Dark Ages because the true Church had become dominated by the Roman Catholic church; STILL even in those Dark Ages there was a Remnant of the True Church that still believed in genuine Salvation through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. There was even a remnant that believed in living a holy life separated from the world and in the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
NOW I believe we are living in the times that Paul called, Perilous Times; where sin would rage in the world and even many churches would “have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.”
I know that we are living in the days where “some will not endure sound doctrine but heap to themselves teachers having itching ears and are turned unto fables;”
I know that in our day “some depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.”
But I want to remind you that the true Church of Jesus Christ is NOT Deceived; it is not Defeated; it is not Dying; it is not Doomed for failure.
Jude told of some very dark days and difficult times for the true Church (I won’t take time to detail that, you can read it on your own) however, after the Bad news had been given- Jude said, BUT YE Beloved, build up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost; Keep yourselves in the love of God and look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Paul said in Eph 5:25-27 that Jesus “Loved the Church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might Present it to Himself, a Glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
When the Church as the Bride is Raptured and Presented to Jesus the Bridegroom, it will be: Sanctified, Cleansed, Glorious (esteemed, honorable, Splendid), Unspotted, Unwrinkled, Holy and without Blemish (perfection). Wow- that doesn’t sound like a Church going out like a lamb- going out weak and powerless; going out quietly and meekly;
The Church is NOT going out dirty and defeated, but holy and victorious.
The Church is NOT going out powerless and weak, but in the strength and power of the Holy Ghost; Not with heads hanging down in shame and loss, but Rejoicing in the glory of the Lord; headed for heaven!
In like a lion; out like a lion!
The interpretation of that old saying is this: supposedly, if March comes in with strong winds and cold temperatures, even Snow- then it will end with gentle breezes, warm temperatures and sunshine. But if it comes in with the warm gentle breezes, then it will finish out with the strong cold winds. Well, our March came in today like a lamb, with warm temperatures and only a gentle breeze. Of course, it remains to be seen how the month will end; it might end up going out like a lion after all.
Anyway, I thought about this old saying as I studied and I thought about it in regard to the Church of Jesus Christ.
I. In Like a Lion
Acts 2
This familiar passage recounts what is often called the Birthday of the Church- the Day of Pentecost- The day when the Church as we know it began to take actual, visible shape and form; the time when the Holy Ghost was poured out for the Church Age also known as the Dispensation or Time of Grace.
The Church came in like a lion!
What an account; what an exciting event; the day of Pentecost; the day when the HG was poured out upon believers in the upper room for the first time in His Fulness and Power.
The Holy Ghost did not come just to Visit them; but to Dwell in them. He did not come just to give them Temporary Power but Abiding Power in their lives.
Jesus had instructed his followers to Tarry in Jerusalem and Pray until they were endued with power from on high. Acts 1 tells us that 120 believers gathered to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. There were men and women; there were preachers and non preachers; there were some who were older and some who were younger; probably some were more wealthy and some were more poor.
It was ON this diverse group that God poured out His Spirit and the church came in like a lion.
The Church came in with a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind; with tongues of fire; with the power of the HG; with the believers speaking out in tongues; speaking in languages they did not know on their own; at least 15 different languages were recognized by people there in Jerusalem for the feast days.
The Church came in like a lion.
It came in with Praying, Rejoicing, Preaching, Souls being convicted and converted.
It came in with more than just emotion; it came in with more than just high human feelings; it came in with the fulness and power of the Holy Ghost.
They were Immersed in the Holy Ghost; baptized.
They were Infilled with the Holy Ghost; filled.
Their lives were changed; they were set on fire from heaven; they were separated from the world and unto God; they reached out to the lost and even endured persecution with courage and zeal.
The Church came in like a lion.
II. Out Like a Lion
Eph. 5:25-27
The old saying about March is not to be true for the Church. The true church of Jesus Christ came in like a lion and it will go Out like a Lion too! I know that there have been ups and downs for the true Church through the years. I know that there were days that became known as the Dark Ages because the true Church had become dominated by the Roman Catholic church; STILL even in those Dark Ages there was a Remnant of the True Church that still believed in genuine Salvation through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. There was even a remnant that believed in living a holy life separated from the world and in the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
NOW I believe we are living in the times that Paul called, Perilous Times; where sin would rage in the world and even many churches would “have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.”
I know that we are living in the days where “some will not endure sound doctrine but heap to themselves teachers having itching ears and are turned unto fables;”
I know that in our day “some depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.”
But I want to remind you that the true Church of Jesus Christ is NOT Deceived; it is not Defeated; it is not Dying; it is not Doomed for failure.
Jude told of some very dark days and difficult times for the true Church (I won’t take time to detail that, you can read it on your own) however, after the Bad news had been given- Jude said, BUT YE Beloved, build up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost; Keep yourselves in the love of God and look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Paul said in Eph 5:25-27 that Jesus “Loved the Church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might Present it to Himself, a Glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
When the Church as the Bride is Raptured and Presented to Jesus the Bridegroom, it will be: Sanctified, Cleansed, Glorious (esteemed, honorable, Splendid), Unspotted, Unwrinkled, Holy and without Blemish (perfection). Wow- that doesn’t sound like a Church going out like a lamb- going out weak and powerless; going out quietly and meekly;
The Church is NOT going out dirty and defeated, but holy and victorious.
The Church is NOT going out powerless and weak, but in the strength and power of the Holy Ghost; Not with heads hanging down in shame and loss, but Rejoicing in the glory of the Lord; headed for heaven!
In like a lion; out like a lion!
- Published on
Love and Marriage
1 Cor. 13
Intro: LOVE! What a word; what a feeling; what an experience; what a vital part of life!
This chapter (1 Cor. 13) is about Love in general; love in all its applications; in all its settings; in all relationships. Certainly it applies to Love in friendships; love in the family circle; love between Brothers and Sisters in the Lord; and it also applies to Love in Marriage.
Paul names 15 specific characteristics of love and they seem to fit rather naturally under four main headings.
I. Love is Patient.
Patience is named first and next to last- “love endures all things.” Love is Very patient.
Also in the list is this: “is not easily provoked...” (No chip on the shoulder; no short fuse) Patience again. So, Love is Very, Very Patient!
“Love beareth all things” (endureth, puts up with) Get the message- Love is Patient!
In patience there is No giving in to anger. To feel it is one thing; to give Vent to it something else. “Well, we don’t mean to fight, but we get irritated and next thing you know, we fly off the handle.” (Is not easily provoked) Patient love does get irritated but does not erupt. Anger and Temper are condemned for all believers in all of life, not just in marriage. If it’s sin at all other times, it’s sin in marriage as well.
A 76 yr old man went in for a routine check up and the doctor found him to be in remarkable condition. The doctor asked him, “What’s your regimen for staying in such good shape?” “Well,” the man replied, “ I’ve been married for over 50 years and when we married we agreed that we would not have any knock down drag out fights. I vowed that anytime I became angry I would go for a walk; that’s why I’m in such good shape.”
Patience rules out Anger but requires Acceptance. We must accept others for who they are; just as they accept us for who we are. Have patience with them; they must have patience with you; For this patience is patience with People, not just circumstances. Love is Patient!
II. Love is Kind.
“Love is kind” (Gracious; Gentle- Gal. 5:22)
“Doth not behave itself unseemly”- rudely; improperly
We often strive to be kind to others in social life; not to be rude in public; kind to total strangers- don’t make fun; don’t interrupt; don’t make snide comments; don’t laugh at mistakes- then too often we do those very things to the person and people we are supposed to love the most- our own spouse and children. Peter- “be courteous” Kind and Considerate.
A poet wrote: I have wept in the night, for shortness of sight, that to somebody’s need made me blind; but I never have yet, felt a twinge of regret, for being too kind.
So Paul said, “Love thinketh no evil” It does not immediately believe the worst; for love is not suspicious or malicious but gracious.
An Important Part of kindness is Appreciation.
Appreciate them as a Person; their Qualities & Abilities.
Appreciate them as a Partner; for their Actions; for what they do. (Especially for you; for your children; for your family)
III. Love is Unselfish.
“Love vaunteth not itself” (does not brag or boast about self)
“Love is not puffed up” (puffed up like a bellows used in the blacksmith’s shop; or like the puffer fish who enlarges to THREE times its normal size!)
“Love envieth not.” (Love is not always boiling with envy; not always wanting something or someone it doesn’t have)
“Love seeketh not her own.”
(Does not expend all its energy on self; does not expect others to expend all their energy on him or her as well)
For Love to be Unselfish Requires Accommodation.
Relationships are not Just TAKE- They are Give and Take. Selfishness will destroy all relationships; Friendships; and certainly a Marriage. Marriage in particular is not a 50/50 proposition; But a 100/100!
That’s Bible my friend!
1 Cor. 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
IV. Love is Faithful.
“Love rejoiceth not in inquity but rejoiceth in the truth.” (Does not enjoy sinful things but delights in the truth)
“Love believeth all things.” (Not blind belief of everything and everyone; But a Positive attitude and outlook; believing the best until proven otherwise)
“Love hopeth all things.” (Love is Full of Faith because it rejoices in the Truth)
“Love never faileth.” (Love is never ineffective; it is always productive.)
Like the time God said of his Word: “it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” So when Love is genuine, it is powerful and effective.
For Love to be Faithful Requires Allegiance:
Allegiance to God; to his Holy Word;
Allegiance to each other. In the words of the Song of Solomon- “I am my beloved’s and he is mine!”
Love is Patient-Acceptance; Love is Kind-Appreciation; Love is Unselfish- Accommodation; Love is Faithful- Allegiance.
Are you practicing this Bible kind of love in Your Marriage?
1 Cor. 13
Intro: LOVE! What a word; what a feeling; what an experience; what a vital part of life!
This chapter (1 Cor. 13) is about Love in general; love in all its applications; in all its settings; in all relationships. Certainly it applies to Love in friendships; love in the family circle; love between Brothers and Sisters in the Lord; and it also applies to Love in Marriage.
Paul names 15 specific characteristics of love and they seem to fit rather naturally under four main headings.
I. Love is Patient.
Patience is named first and next to last- “love endures all things.” Love is Very patient.
Also in the list is this: “is not easily provoked...” (No chip on the shoulder; no short fuse) Patience again. So, Love is Very, Very Patient!
“Love beareth all things” (endureth, puts up with) Get the message- Love is Patient!
In patience there is No giving in to anger. To feel it is one thing; to give Vent to it something else. “Well, we don’t mean to fight, but we get irritated and next thing you know, we fly off the handle.” (Is not easily provoked) Patient love does get irritated but does not erupt. Anger and Temper are condemned for all believers in all of life, not just in marriage. If it’s sin at all other times, it’s sin in marriage as well.
A 76 yr old man went in for a routine check up and the doctor found him to be in remarkable condition. The doctor asked him, “What’s your regimen for staying in such good shape?” “Well,” the man replied, “ I’ve been married for over 50 years and when we married we agreed that we would not have any knock down drag out fights. I vowed that anytime I became angry I would go for a walk; that’s why I’m in such good shape.”
Patience rules out Anger but requires Acceptance. We must accept others for who they are; just as they accept us for who we are. Have patience with them; they must have patience with you; For this patience is patience with People, not just circumstances. Love is Patient!
II. Love is Kind.
“Love is kind” (Gracious; Gentle- Gal. 5:22)
“Doth not behave itself unseemly”- rudely; improperly
We often strive to be kind to others in social life; not to be rude in public; kind to total strangers- don’t make fun; don’t interrupt; don’t make snide comments; don’t laugh at mistakes- then too often we do those very things to the person and people we are supposed to love the most- our own spouse and children. Peter- “be courteous” Kind and Considerate.
A poet wrote: I have wept in the night, for shortness of sight, that to somebody’s need made me blind; but I never have yet, felt a twinge of regret, for being too kind.
So Paul said, “Love thinketh no evil” It does not immediately believe the worst; for love is not suspicious or malicious but gracious.
An Important Part of kindness is Appreciation.
Appreciate them as a Person; their Qualities & Abilities.
Appreciate them as a Partner; for their Actions; for what they do. (Especially for you; for your children; for your family)
III. Love is Unselfish.
“Love vaunteth not itself” (does not brag or boast about self)
“Love is not puffed up” (puffed up like a bellows used in the blacksmith’s shop; or like the puffer fish who enlarges to THREE times its normal size!)
“Love envieth not.” (Love is not always boiling with envy; not always wanting something or someone it doesn’t have)
“Love seeketh not her own.”
(Does not expend all its energy on self; does not expect others to expend all their energy on him or her as well)
For Love to be Unselfish Requires Accommodation.
Relationships are not Just TAKE- They are Give and Take. Selfishness will destroy all relationships; Friendships; and certainly a Marriage. Marriage in particular is not a 50/50 proposition; But a 100/100!
That’s Bible my friend!
1 Cor. 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
IV. Love is Faithful.
“Love rejoiceth not in inquity but rejoiceth in the truth.” (Does not enjoy sinful things but delights in the truth)
“Love believeth all things.” (Not blind belief of everything and everyone; But a Positive attitude and outlook; believing the best until proven otherwise)
“Love hopeth all things.” (Love is Full of Faith because it rejoices in the Truth)
“Love never faileth.” (Love is never ineffective; it is always productive.)
Like the time God said of his Word: “it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” So when Love is genuine, it is powerful and effective.
For Love to be Faithful Requires Allegiance:
Allegiance to God; to his Holy Word;
Allegiance to each other. In the words of the Song of Solomon- “I am my beloved’s and he is mine!”
Love is Patient-Acceptance; Love is Kind-Appreciation; Love is Unselfish- Accommodation; Love is Faithful- Allegiance.
Are you practicing this Bible kind of love in Your Marriage?
- Published on
Dear God: Please Come Down
Isaiah 63:15a; 64:1
Intro: Isaiah was bemoaning the pitiful spiritual condition of Israel. He mentioned in ch. 63 that it seemed as if God’s compassion and mercy had been taken away from them. Their adversaries were trodding down the sanctuary and oppressing God’s people. Isaiah cried out to God in the first verse I read- “Look Down from Heaven and Behold...”
Dear God- Please Look Down on Us.
Please take notice of us; Please see how we are being afflicted;
Please pay attention to our pitiful condition;
Dear God- Please Look Down on Us.
Then in 64:1 he takes his Plea up a notch- to a higher level of request:
Dear God- Please COME Down to Us.
We do need you to Look Down on Us but that’s not really enough. We need for you to actually Come Down to us. We need more than your attention; we need your presence. We need more than your concern- we need your intervention. Dear God- Please come down to us.
I feel quite certain that all of us have felt this desperation at times. We get in the midst of life’s troubles and we want God to come down to us. We feel the pain of life’s sorrows and we want God to come down to us. We are shocked by the sin and immorality and perversion all around us and we Cry out, Dear God, Come Down to Us.
Well, I have good news; not that we don’t know about it but we sometimes need to be reminded:
God DID Come Down to Us.
He did not only Look Down on us and see our plight.
He did not only Look Down in Pity.
He CAME Down in Love!
I. God Came Down in Bethlehem to be our Savior.
When Gabriel appeared to the young virgin Mary, he told her that she was going to have a baby boy who would be named Jesus. Jesus means Savior. God was coming down to us to be our Savior.
When Mary questioned how she could have a child when she was not yet married, Gabriel told her that the Holy Ghost, the third person of Trinity, would come upon her and his power would surround and envelope her and she would conceive the very Son of God.
What an amazing miracle! God really did come down.
Paul wrote that in the fulness of time God sent forth his son, made of a woman...
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
The Bible states plainly that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself...”
God Came Down in Bethlehem to be our Savior.
God’s Own Son lived as a man and ministered to everyone he met. He was rejected and reviled; he was accused and arrested; he was tortured and crucified; he was buried but Rose Again, Alive Forevermore. Hallelujah- God Came Down!
II. God came Down in the Upper Room to give us his Power.
Before Jesus ascended back into heaven, he instructed his followers to go to Jerusalem and pray for the Coming of the Holy Ghost. He told them that they would receive Power when the Holy Ghost came upon them.
He told them in Jn 14 that the Holy Ghost would be “with them” and “in them” and that he would “abide with them forever.”
120 followers of Jesus took his commands seriously and went into the Upper Room to pray for the coming of the Holy Ghost. You know what happened; there was a sound that came from heaven that sounded like a Mighty Rushing Wind. Then flames of Fire came into the room and lit upon each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak out in languages they had never learned.
God the Holy Ghost had Come Down to give us Power.
I want to remind you today that this experience in the Holy Ghost was NOT just for the disciples; not just for the 120 in the upper room; thousands of other believers were filled with and baptized in the Holy Ghost after the Day of Pentecost; people all over the known world were filled with the Holy Ghost; people all around the world Today have been filled with the Holy Ghost and true Believers and Seekers are STILL being filled with the Holy Ghost today.
God Came Down in Bethlehem to be our Savior.
God Came Down in the Upper Room to give us Power.
God will Come Down Again to take his people home to heaven. When he comes in the clouds, all true Christians who have died will be Resurrected from the dead with Glorious Eternal Bodies that will never again suffer pain or death. When he comes in the clouds, all those Alive who are true Christians will be Caught up in the air to meet the Lord and will be changed from Mortal to Immortal; having Glorious Eternal Bodies that will never again suffer pain or death.
Isaiah cried out, Dear God, Please Come Down!
Thousands of Jews cried out, Dear God, Please Come Down!
And He Did! Jesus, God the Son, came as a baby in Bethlehem to be our Savior.
After his Ascension his Disciples cried out, Dear God, Please Come Down.
And he Did! God the Holy Ghost came down to fill and empower followers of Jesus.
Now, thousands are again crying out, Dear God, Please Come Down!
And He Will! Just as sure as Jesus came down in Bethlehem; and just as sure as the Holy Ghost came down in the Upper Room, Jesus is Coming Again in the Clouds! Are you Looking for His Coming?
Isaiah 63:15a; 64:1
Intro: Isaiah was bemoaning the pitiful spiritual condition of Israel. He mentioned in ch. 63 that it seemed as if God’s compassion and mercy had been taken away from them. Their adversaries were trodding down the sanctuary and oppressing God’s people. Isaiah cried out to God in the first verse I read- “Look Down from Heaven and Behold...”
Dear God- Please Look Down on Us.
Please take notice of us; Please see how we are being afflicted;
Please pay attention to our pitiful condition;
Dear God- Please Look Down on Us.
Then in 64:1 he takes his Plea up a notch- to a higher level of request:
Dear God- Please COME Down to Us.
We do need you to Look Down on Us but that’s not really enough. We need for you to actually Come Down to us. We need more than your attention; we need your presence. We need more than your concern- we need your intervention. Dear God- Please come down to us.
I feel quite certain that all of us have felt this desperation at times. We get in the midst of life’s troubles and we want God to come down to us. We feel the pain of life’s sorrows and we want God to come down to us. We are shocked by the sin and immorality and perversion all around us and we Cry out, Dear God, Come Down to Us.
Well, I have good news; not that we don’t know about it but we sometimes need to be reminded:
God DID Come Down to Us.
He did not only Look Down on us and see our plight.
He did not only Look Down in Pity.
He CAME Down in Love!
I. God Came Down in Bethlehem to be our Savior.
When Gabriel appeared to the young virgin Mary, he told her that she was going to have a baby boy who would be named Jesus. Jesus means Savior. God was coming down to us to be our Savior.
When Mary questioned how she could have a child when she was not yet married, Gabriel told her that the Holy Ghost, the third person of Trinity, would come upon her and his power would surround and envelope her and she would conceive the very Son of God.
What an amazing miracle! God really did come down.
Paul wrote that in the fulness of time God sent forth his son, made of a woman...
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
The Bible states plainly that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself...”
God Came Down in Bethlehem to be our Savior.
God’s Own Son lived as a man and ministered to everyone he met. He was rejected and reviled; he was accused and arrested; he was tortured and crucified; he was buried but Rose Again, Alive Forevermore. Hallelujah- God Came Down!
II. God came Down in the Upper Room to give us his Power.
Before Jesus ascended back into heaven, he instructed his followers to go to Jerusalem and pray for the Coming of the Holy Ghost. He told them that they would receive Power when the Holy Ghost came upon them.
He told them in Jn 14 that the Holy Ghost would be “with them” and “in them” and that he would “abide with them forever.”
120 followers of Jesus took his commands seriously and went into the Upper Room to pray for the coming of the Holy Ghost. You know what happened; there was a sound that came from heaven that sounded like a Mighty Rushing Wind. Then flames of Fire came into the room and lit upon each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak out in languages they had never learned.
God the Holy Ghost had Come Down to give us Power.
I want to remind you today that this experience in the Holy Ghost was NOT just for the disciples; not just for the 120 in the upper room; thousands of other believers were filled with and baptized in the Holy Ghost after the Day of Pentecost; people all over the known world were filled with the Holy Ghost; people all around the world Today have been filled with the Holy Ghost and true Believers and Seekers are STILL being filled with the Holy Ghost today.
God Came Down in Bethlehem to be our Savior.
God Came Down in the Upper Room to give us Power.
God will Come Down Again to take his people home to heaven. When he comes in the clouds, all true Christians who have died will be Resurrected from the dead with Glorious Eternal Bodies that will never again suffer pain or death. When he comes in the clouds, all those Alive who are true Christians will be Caught up in the air to meet the Lord and will be changed from Mortal to Immortal; having Glorious Eternal Bodies that will never again suffer pain or death.
Isaiah cried out, Dear God, Please Come Down!
Thousands of Jews cried out, Dear God, Please Come Down!
And He Did! Jesus, God the Son, came as a baby in Bethlehem to be our Savior.
After his Ascension his Disciples cried out, Dear God, Please Come Down.
And he Did! God the Holy Ghost came down to fill and empower followers of Jesus.
Now, thousands are again crying out, Dear God, Please Come Down!
And He Will! Just as sure as Jesus came down in Bethlehem; and just as sure as the Holy Ghost came down in the Upper Room, Jesus is Coming Again in the Clouds! Are you Looking for His Coming?
- Published on
Christians and Cross Bearing
Mt. 27:31,32; Mark 15:20,21
Intro: We all know that Jesus told those who followed him that if they were going to be genuine disciples of his they would have to take up their cross and follow him. Let’s talk about this matter of the Christian and Cross Bearing.
I. Personal
We notice in this account that cross bearing is Personal. Simon was singled out individually from the crowd; he was to bear the cross of the Lord alone. He was not part of a group, a committee, a club or even a church.
So it is that Jesus said in Mt. 16:24= If ANY MAN will come after me, let HIM deny HIMSELF and take up HIS cross and follow me.
We do not bear the cross of discipleship as a couple, or as a family, or as a SS Class, or a congregation; we bear the cross Personally, individually. EACH one of us must make our OWN decision and our OWN dedication; our own Choice and Commitment.
No one can bear your cross for you. You cannot bear the cross of anyone else.
II. Practical
In this account Jesus was suffering terribly. He had already been through almost unbelievable torture. He was barely alive and his enemies were in a hurry to get him to the top of Calvary and crucify him. He was moving too slow because of his pitiful physical condition.
So, they looked into the crowd and singled out Simon and compelled him, forced him, to bear the cross of Jesus.
Simon bore this cross Physically. He actually took the cross upon his should; he bore the heavy weight of the cross; he felt the rough wood and the pressure of it.
He bore it Socially. No one would volunteer to bear the cross for it was a degrading thing; it was shameful and even scandalous. Simon became a sharer and partaker of the stigma of bearing a cross; a stigma reserved for criminals of the lowest degree.
He bore it Emotionally. Think of the emotional turmoil involved in this incident. This was a dreadful scene. It was graphic and bloody. Everyone around “didn’t want to get involved;” to be a spectator maybe but nothing more. Think of the shame Simon felt as he carried this cross. Think of the reproach he felt from those around him and think of the embarrassment he experienced.
Not only was he feeling reproach on his own behalf but no doubt he felt sorrow for this man Jesus whose body was so broken he was about to collapse. He heard the mob crying out for the death of Jesus and he heard the cries of the women who loved him and were following out of devotion. Talk about an emotional event in Simon’s life!
Cross Bearing is Practical.
It’s not just a theological issue that we discuss or debate; not just something we say we believe; not just a profession we make; bearing the cross is a Practical matter.
NO- you will not pick up a literal wooden cross and carry it everywhere you go; in your home, to school, to work, to the bank or store, to church and so on.
Still, there is a Physical aspect to Cross Bearing. People will be able to Tell that you are a Christian Cross Bearer. They will know from the way you conduct yourself that you are bearing cross of Jesus.
Remember the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and wanted to receive eternal life? Jesus knew the affections and priorities of his life and told him he lacked one thing; he needed to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor- then Jesus said, “come, take up the cross and follow me.”
Bearing the cross will change the way you Think; the way you Act; the way you Treat Others; the things you Participate in; the Places you go and the things you Talk about.
We are all called to be totally surrendered to the Lord: our spirit, our soul and our body.
So, yes there is a physical aspect to Christian Cross Bearing.
There is also a Social aspect. This world will not understand your commitment to the Lord; they will often not only question, but actually make fun of your lifestyle. There is somewhat of a social stigma and reproach in bearing the cross of Jesus.
There is an Emotional aspect of Cross Bearing as well.
Bearing the cross of Jesus as a true disciple will cause some pressure in your feelings and emotions for this is a serious matter! It is not just a matter of life and death, but of heaven or hell!
In Luke 14 Jesus turned to the multitude following him and said, “If any man come to me and hate not his father, mother, wife, children, brethren and sisters, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
In Mt. 10:38 Jesus said, “He that taketh Not his cross and followeth after me is Not Worthy of me.
In Mark 8 Jesus told those around him that whoever would be his disciple would have to “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Jesus told them that whoever would strive to save his own life would lose it; while those who gave their lives to him for the Gospel’s sake would save them. Then Jesus asked this profound and sobering question- “For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Yes. Christian cross bearing is Personal and it is Practical, but it is also a Privilege.
III. Privilege.
A privilege to bear the cross?
A privilege to suffer socially, emotionally, even physically?
Well, when Simon was called upon to bear the cross his first reaction was probably to Pull Back into the crowd and try to hide; this seemed like something to be avoided.
BUT think about what was happening here! Simon was a common ordinary man and he was bearing the Cross of Redemption along with God’s Own Son!
This was Jesus the Christ.
This was Immanuel, born of a virgin, anointed by the HG, the only sinless man who had ever lived, the Savior of the whole world. He was the Perfect, Spotless Lamb of God who was bearing the sins of all mankind and paying the price for the world’s redemption and salvation.
He was bearing Simon’s sin!
Could not Simon bear his cross?!
Jewish writers tell of how each Jewish man would go to a wooded area and gather wood for their Passover fire to roast the lamb. Here, Jesus was bearing the Wood for a Divine Passover and Simon was now bearing a Part Also! What a Privilege!
Simon was evidently on the scene simply as a curious onlooker. He was not a devoted follower of Jesus and was not there to support and honor him.
BUT, when he was compelled to become part of what was happening it changed his life.
By all indications, Simon Became a Believer in Jesus; a Disciple of the Lord.
When Mark wrote his Gospel he records that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus, naming them as though they were men who would be known to anyone reading his Gospel. Evidently, this Rufus, son of Simon is the man named by Paul in Rom. 16 as a man “chosen in the Lord.” So, it seems that Simon became a Believer and a Disciple after that day when he bore the cross of Jesus. His family became Christians and he had at least two sons who were known to the early church and its leaders.
It really did turn out to be a Privilege for Simon to bear the cross and it will be a Privilege for You and I also!
Bearing the cross of Jesus speaks of our Identification with Him in his Suffering. We too are willing to suffer in this world in order to be his true followers and disciples.
Bearing the cross of Jesus speaks of our Participation with him in his Sacrifice. For as he bore the cross to lay down his life for you; you bear his cross to lay down your life for him.
It’s a matter of Full, total and complete surrender to the Lord and to his Word and Will.
It’s a matter of really Knowing Him, both in his suffering and in his resurrection.
Mt. 27:31,32; Mark 15:20,21
Intro: We all know that Jesus told those who followed him that if they were going to be genuine disciples of his they would have to take up their cross and follow him. Let’s talk about this matter of the Christian and Cross Bearing.
I. Personal
We notice in this account that cross bearing is Personal. Simon was singled out individually from the crowd; he was to bear the cross of the Lord alone. He was not part of a group, a committee, a club or even a church.
So it is that Jesus said in Mt. 16:24= If ANY MAN will come after me, let HIM deny HIMSELF and take up HIS cross and follow me.
We do not bear the cross of discipleship as a couple, or as a family, or as a SS Class, or a congregation; we bear the cross Personally, individually. EACH one of us must make our OWN decision and our OWN dedication; our own Choice and Commitment.
No one can bear your cross for you. You cannot bear the cross of anyone else.
II. Practical
In this account Jesus was suffering terribly. He had already been through almost unbelievable torture. He was barely alive and his enemies were in a hurry to get him to the top of Calvary and crucify him. He was moving too slow because of his pitiful physical condition.
So, they looked into the crowd and singled out Simon and compelled him, forced him, to bear the cross of Jesus.
Simon bore this cross Physically. He actually took the cross upon his should; he bore the heavy weight of the cross; he felt the rough wood and the pressure of it.
He bore it Socially. No one would volunteer to bear the cross for it was a degrading thing; it was shameful and even scandalous. Simon became a sharer and partaker of the stigma of bearing a cross; a stigma reserved for criminals of the lowest degree.
He bore it Emotionally. Think of the emotional turmoil involved in this incident. This was a dreadful scene. It was graphic and bloody. Everyone around “didn’t want to get involved;” to be a spectator maybe but nothing more. Think of the shame Simon felt as he carried this cross. Think of the reproach he felt from those around him and think of the embarrassment he experienced.
Not only was he feeling reproach on his own behalf but no doubt he felt sorrow for this man Jesus whose body was so broken he was about to collapse. He heard the mob crying out for the death of Jesus and he heard the cries of the women who loved him and were following out of devotion. Talk about an emotional event in Simon’s life!
Cross Bearing is Practical.
It’s not just a theological issue that we discuss or debate; not just something we say we believe; not just a profession we make; bearing the cross is a Practical matter.
NO- you will not pick up a literal wooden cross and carry it everywhere you go; in your home, to school, to work, to the bank or store, to church and so on.
Still, there is a Physical aspect to Cross Bearing. People will be able to Tell that you are a Christian Cross Bearer. They will know from the way you conduct yourself that you are bearing cross of Jesus.
Remember the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and wanted to receive eternal life? Jesus knew the affections and priorities of his life and told him he lacked one thing; he needed to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor- then Jesus said, “come, take up the cross and follow me.”
Bearing the cross will change the way you Think; the way you Act; the way you Treat Others; the things you Participate in; the Places you go and the things you Talk about.
We are all called to be totally surrendered to the Lord: our spirit, our soul and our body.
So, yes there is a physical aspect to Christian Cross Bearing.
There is also a Social aspect. This world will not understand your commitment to the Lord; they will often not only question, but actually make fun of your lifestyle. There is somewhat of a social stigma and reproach in bearing the cross of Jesus.
There is an Emotional aspect of Cross Bearing as well.
Bearing the cross of Jesus as a true disciple will cause some pressure in your feelings and emotions for this is a serious matter! It is not just a matter of life and death, but of heaven or hell!
In Luke 14 Jesus turned to the multitude following him and said, “If any man come to me and hate not his father, mother, wife, children, brethren and sisters, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
In Mt. 10:38 Jesus said, “He that taketh Not his cross and followeth after me is Not Worthy of me.
In Mark 8 Jesus told those around him that whoever would be his disciple would have to “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Jesus told them that whoever would strive to save his own life would lose it; while those who gave their lives to him for the Gospel’s sake would save them. Then Jesus asked this profound and sobering question- “For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Yes. Christian cross bearing is Personal and it is Practical, but it is also a Privilege.
III. Privilege.
A privilege to bear the cross?
A privilege to suffer socially, emotionally, even physically?
Well, when Simon was called upon to bear the cross his first reaction was probably to Pull Back into the crowd and try to hide; this seemed like something to be avoided.
BUT think about what was happening here! Simon was a common ordinary man and he was bearing the Cross of Redemption along with God’s Own Son!
This was Jesus the Christ.
This was Immanuel, born of a virgin, anointed by the HG, the only sinless man who had ever lived, the Savior of the whole world. He was the Perfect, Spotless Lamb of God who was bearing the sins of all mankind and paying the price for the world’s redemption and salvation.
He was bearing Simon’s sin!
Could not Simon bear his cross?!
Jewish writers tell of how each Jewish man would go to a wooded area and gather wood for their Passover fire to roast the lamb. Here, Jesus was bearing the Wood for a Divine Passover and Simon was now bearing a Part Also! What a Privilege!
Simon was evidently on the scene simply as a curious onlooker. He was not a devoted follower of Jesus and was not there to support and honor him.
BUT, when he was compelled to become part of what was happening it changed his life.
By all indications, Simon Became a Believer in Jesus; a Disciple of the Lord.
When Mark wrote his Gospel he records that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus, naming them as though they were men who would be known to anyone reading his Gospel. Evidently, this Rufus, son of Simon is the man named by Paul in Rom. 16 as a man “chosen in the Lord.” So, it seems that Simon became a Believer and a Disciple after that day when he bore the cross of Jesus. His family became Christians and he had at least two sons who were known to the early church and its leaders.
It really did turn out to be a Privilege for Simon to bear the cross and it will be a Privilege for You and I also!
Bearing the cross of Jesus speaks of our Identification with Him in his Suffering. We too are willing to suffer in this world in order to be his true followers and disciples.
Bearing the cross of Jesus speaks of our Participation with him in his Sacrifice. For as he bore the cross to lay down his life for you; you bear his cross to lay down your life for him.
It’s a matter of Full, total and complete surrender to the Lord and to his Word and Will.
It’s a matter of really Knowing Him, both in his suffering and in his resurrection.
- Published on
You Can Win Over Sin
Rom. 6:12-18
Intro: Every person experiences temptation. Sinners are tempted by Satan to go deeper into sin; Christians are tempted to dabble with sin and sinful things. Satan will try everything in his power to over come you and kill your spiritual life. Let me remind you today, You Can Win Over Sin!
I. You Can Win Over Sin with Decision.
You’ve heard how important it is to have your “Mind made up.”
Paul said in Rom. 6:11- Reckon ye yourselves to be DEAD unto sin but ALIVE unto God...
Reckon- (Logizomai)- The root word is “logi” where we get such words as logic and logical. It speaks of thinking it through; Considering it to be so; Making a Decision and a determination.
If you do not Reckon yourself dead to sin you will fall again to sin. If you do not Make a Decision & Determination BEFORE you face the temptation you may very fall for it and into it.
[Daniel- He Purposed in his heart that he Would NOT defile himself with the king’s meat or wine. He knew what the procedure was for those taken for Royal Training. Before he was ever ushered into the Dining Hall he made his Decision; Told his Supervisor about it, and was allowed to follow through on it]
So one must declare, “I know I will be tempted; but I have already made my choice.
You Can Win Over Sin with Decision! This victory starts with the Decision to Repent and be Saved. It continues with the Decision to Follow Jesus every day of your life. It progresses with the Decision to do only those things that are Pleasing to the Lord.
II. You Can Win Over Sin with Devotion.
A vital part of the victorious Christian life is being wholly devoted to the Lord; to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Paul said in our text that we YIELD ourselves to God.
We willingly surrender; we give our selves up to him and his will; we allow him to take control of our life. When you really LOVE the Lord you will not constantly fall to temptation; you will not continually commit sin. Your love for God will keep you from loving this World.
[Joseph- When tempted by Potiphar’s wife he cried out, “How can I do this thing and sin against God?” Notice how his love for God kept him from loving Potiphar’s wife?]
We are told in Col. 3 to SET our Affections on things above not on things on the earth. We are told in 1 John 2 that we are not to love this world, neither the things that are in the world, for all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life; these are not of the Father and anyone who loves these things does not truly Love God.
Are you DEVOTED to the Lord? Are you yielded to him? Do you Love him supremely?
III. You Can Win Over Sin with Diligence.
Notice these phrases in our text:
- “LET not sin reign in your mortal body.” You take control and don’t let this happen!
- “Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin.” Take control of your members and don’t allow them to be used for unrighteousness and sin.
- “Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine that was delivered to you.” You made your decision; you devoted your life to the Lord; you are diligently obeying his Word.
- “Ye became servants of righteousness.” You willingly placed your life under God’s control; you became a servant of God and a servant of righteousness and holiness.
It does take Diligence to Win Over Sin: Not Just a ONE TIME Decision- Not just a One Time Devotion; An ALL the Time Decision; An All the time Devotion- That’s Diligence.
Paul said, “I keep under my body and bring it into subjection.” Who does it? I Do! No one can exercise diligence in your life but you. We are told in Eph 6 to put on the armor of God and STAND Against the wiles of the devil.1 Peter 5:8 reminds us we have an adversary- an enemy- the devil- who as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. We are told to RESIST him steadfast in the faith. We are told in Heb. 12 to lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us and to run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
You Can Win Over Sin! It takes Decision; Devotion; Diligence.
You must do whatever it takes for you to overcome temptation & sin. You may have to disconnect the internet. You may have to lose the cell phone. That sounds drastic doesn’t it? Still, if technology continually trips you up, you are better off without it.
You may have to quit that job. You may have to break off that relationship. You may have to avoid that place of business. You need to move the TV out and the ungodly videos with it.
Jesus said that if your eye continually offends you, you should pluck it out; for it is better to enter eternal life with one eye that to enter hell with two eyes. Sound drastic? The message is this: Do Whatever you have to do to Win Over Sin.
This is a Vital matter! For if your life was to end today, you need to be ready to meet the Lord. When Jesus comes, only those who are ready will go with him.
Victory is possible!
You Can Win Over Sin!
Rom. 6:12-18
Intro: Every person experiences temptation. Sinners are tempted by Satan to go deeper into sin; Christians are tempted to dabble with sin and sinful things. Satan will try everything in his power to over come you and kill your spiritual life. Let me remind you today, You Can Win Over Sin!
I. You Can Win Over Sin with Decision.
You’ve heard how important it is to have your “Mind made up.”
Paul said in Rom. 6:11- Reckon ye yourselves to be DEAD unto sin but ALIVE unto God...
Reckon- (Logizomai)- The root word is “logi” where we get such words as logic and logical. It speaks of thinking it through; Considering it to be so; Making a Decision and a determination.
If you do not Reckon yourself dead to sin you will fall again to sin. If you do not Make a Decision & Determination BEFORE you face the temptation you may very fall for it and into it.
[Daniel- He Purposed in his heart that he Would NOT defile himself with the king’s meat or wine. He knew what the procedure was for those taken for Royal Training. Before he was ever ushered into the Dining Hall he made his Decision; Told his Supervisor about it, and was allowed to follow through on it]
So one must declare, “I know I will be tempted; but I have already made my choice.
You Can Win Over Sin with Decision! This victory starts with the Decision to Repent and be Saved. It continues with the Decision to Follow Jesus every day of your life. It progresses with the Decision to do only those things that are Pleasing to the Lord.
II. You Can Win Over Sin with Devotion.
A vital part of the victorious Christian life is being wholly devoted to the Lord; to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Paul said in our text that we YIELD ourselves to God.
We willingly surrender; we give our selves up to him and his will; we allow him to take control of our life. When you really LOVE the Lord you will not constantly fall to temptation; you will not continually commit sin. Your love for God will keep you from loving this World.
[Joseph- When tempted by Potiphar’s wife he cried out, “How can I do this thing and sin against God?” Notice how his love for God kept him from loving Potiphar’s wife?]
We are told in Col. 3 to SET our Affections on things above not on things on the earth. We are told in 1 John 2 that we are not to love this world, neither the things that are in the world, for all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life; these are not of the Father and anyone who loves these things does not truly Love God.
Are you DEVOTED to the Lord? Are you yielded to him? Do you Love him supremely?
III. You Can Win Over Sin with Diligence.
Notice these phrases in our text:
- “LET not sin reign in your mortal body.” You take control and don’t let this happen!
- “Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin.” Take control of your members and don’t allow them to be used for unrighteousness and sin.
- “Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine that was delivered to you.” You made your decision; you devoted your life to the Lord; you are diligently obeying his Word.
- “Ye became servants of righteousness.” You willingly placed your life under God’s control; you became a servant of God and a servant of righteousness and holiness.
It does take Diligence to Win Over Sin: Not Just a ONE TIME Decision- Not just a One Time Devotion; An ALL the Time Decision; An All the time Devotion- That’s Diligence.
Paul said, “I keep under my body and bring it into subjection.” Who does it? I Do! No one can exercise diligence in your life but you. We are told in Eph 6 to put on the armor of God and STAND Against the wiles of the devil.1 Peter 5:8 reminds us we have an adversary- an enemy- the devil- who as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. We are told to RESIST him steadfast in the faith. We are told in Heb. 12 to lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us and to run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
You Can Win Over Sin! It takes Decision; Devotion; Diligence.
You must do whatever it takes for you to overcome temptation & sin. You may have to disconnect the internet. You may have to lose the cell phone. That sounds drastic doesn’t it? Still, if technology continually trips you up, you are better off without it.
You may have to quit that job. You may have to break off that relationship. You may have to avoid that place of business. You need to move the TV out and the ungodly videos with it.
Jesus said that if your eye continually offends you, you should pluck it out; for it is better to enter eternal life with one eye that to enter hell with two eyes. Sound drastic? The message is this: Do Whatever you have to do to Win Over Sin.
This is a Vital matter! For if your life was to end today, you need to be ready to meet the Lord. When Jesus comes, only those who are ready will go with him.
Victory is possible!
You Can Win Over Sin!
- Published on
The Haven of Rest
Psalm 107:23-30
Ch. Hymnal 344
I Love the chorus of that old hymn- I’ve anchored my soul in the haven of rest; I’ll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep, but In Jesus, I’m safe ever more.
That’s what I want to write about today: the haven of rest.
I. The Haven of Rest from Sin
Vs. 1 of that old hymn says, My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea; so burdened with sin and distressed; till I heard a sweet voice saying make me your choice; and I entered the haven of rest.
Every person born into this world comes into it with a nature already corrupted by sin; we are sinners- by nature and by practice- For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God; There is none righteous, no not one.
Sin will attract us then bind us; control us; dominate us; and destroy us.
For the wages of sin is Death! Sin when it is finished brings forth death.
A life lived in wild stormy deep of sin is a miserable life; a life of turmoil; unrest;
dissatisfaction; and distress; bound for an eternity in hell!
When you are in sad exile out on life’s sea burdened with sin and distressed you need to hear the voice of Jesus calling out to you. When you come to him in repentance and full surrender you will enter the haven of Rest- safe from the wild seas of sin.
II. The Haven of Rest from Life’s Storms.
In our text, the Psalmist talked about those who were in the storms that life brings to us all; their ship of life was going up and down; their soul was melting in them because of distress and fear; THEN they cried unto the Lord and he brought them out of their distress; He made the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof were still; then they were glad because he brought them unto their desired haven.
Isa 25:4 says of God- Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm.
Vs. 2 of the old hymn says, How precious the thought that we may all may recline like John the beloved and blest on Jesus strong arm where no tempest can harm, Secure in the haven of rest.
Even in the storms of life there is a haven of rest- Rest in the arms of Jesus- Rest upon his Holy Word; Rest in the Holy Ghost; Rest in his promises and in his presence.
III. The Haven of Rest from Suffering.
Life brings some suffering to us all; some suffer more than others and there is no way to figure that all out or understand it all to our own satisfaction. The Fact is Human life brings suffering; part of our physical existence.
Thank God that there is Rest even during those times of suffering; God is a strong tower and a refuge; when we run into him we are safe. AND- Thank God there is a haven of Rest beyond this world and beyond this life where Suffering Cannot touch us any more!
Paul wrote in Col 1:5 about the Hope that is laid up for us in Heaven. That Hope is already There! That Haven of Rest is already Prepared!
Heaven is the ultimate Haven of Rest; the final refuge from sin, storms, and suffering. Hebrews 6 tells us that we have strong consolation or comfort in the Lord because we have fled for Refuge and laid hold upon the hope that was set before us; this hope is an Anchor of the Soul, sure and steadfast. When we anchor in Jesus we have found the haven of rest.
Vs. 4 of the old hymn- O come to the Savior, he patiently waits to save by his power divine; Come anchor your soul in the haven of rest and say My Beloved is Mine.
There is a haven of rest from sin; from the storms of life; and from suffering; Jesus is his name and he wants to bring his rest to you today.
Psalm 107:23-30
Ch. Hymnal 344
I Love the chorus of that old hymn- I’ve anchored my soul in the haven of rest; I’ll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep, but In Jesus, I’m safe ever more.
That’s what I want to write about today: the haven of rest.
I. The Haven of Rest from Sin
Vs. 1 of that old hymn says, My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea; so burdened with sin and distressed; till I heard a sweet voice saying make me your choice; and I entered the haven of rest.
Every person born into this world comes into it with a nature already corrupted by sin; we are sinners- by nature and by practice- For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God; There is none righteous, no not one.
Sin will attract us then bind us; control us; dominate us; and destroy us.
For the wages of sin is Death! Sin when it is finished brings forth death.
A life lived in wild stormy deep of sin is a miserable life; a life of turmoil; unrest;
dissatisfaction; and distress; bound for an eternity in hell!
When you are in sad exile out on life’s sea burdened with sin and distressed you need to hear the voice of Jesus calling out to you. When you come to him in repentance and full surrender you will enter the haven of Rest- safe from the wild seas of sin.
II. The Haven of Rest from Life’s Storms.
In our text, the Psalmist talked about those who were in the storms that life brings to us all; their ship of life was going up and down; their soul was melting in them because of distress and fear; THEN they cried unto the Lord and he brought them out of their distress; He made the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof were still; then they were glad because he brought them unto their desired haven.
Isa 25:4 says of God- Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm.
Vs. 2 of the old hymn says, How precious the thought that we may all may recline like John the beloved and blest on Jesus strong arm where no tempest can harm, Secure in the haven of rest.
Even in the storms of life there is a haven of rest- Rest in the arms of Jesus- Rest upon his Holy Word; Rest in the Holy Ghost; Rest in his promises and in his presence.
III. The Haven of Rest from Suffering.
Life brings some suffering to us all; some suffer more than others and there is no way to figure that all out or understand it all to our own satisfaction. The Fact is Human life brings suffering; part of our physical existence.
Thank God that there is Rest even during those times of suffering; God is a strong tower and a refuge; when we run into him we are safe. AND- Thank God there is a haven of Rest beyond this world and beyond this life where Suffering Cannot touch us any more!
Paul wrote in Col 1:5 about the Hope that is laid up for us in Heaven. That Hope is already There! That Haven of Rest is already Prepared!
Heaven is the ultimate Haven of Rest; the final refuge from sin, storms, and suffering. Hebrews 6 tells us that we have strong consolation or comfort in the Lord because we have fled for Refuge and laid hold upon the hope that was set before us; this hope is an Anchor of the Soul, sure and steadfast. When we anchor in Jesus we have found the haven of rest.
Vs. 4 of the old hymn- O come to the Savior, he patiently waits to save by his power divine; Come anchor your soul in the haven of rest and say My Beloved is Mine.
There is a haven of rest from sin; from the storms of life; and from suffering; Jesus is his name and he wants to bring his rest to you today.
- Published on
Living for the Unseen- 2 Cor. 4:18
Intro: I know its difficult for us to Live for the unseen for we as human beings are physical creatures living in a natural world; living by our physical senses; living by what we hear, smell, taste, touch and especially SEE. Still, a life lived only by what is SEEN is a miserable life; a defeated life; discouraged life; depressed life; actually a wasted life.
For while it is true that we are physical creatures we are also spiritual creatures, and while it is true that we are human beings we are also heavenly beings in the making.
We Must Strive to Live for the Unseen! Paul stated plainly that we are to Live Looking not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen, because those things we see are temporal [they are temporary, momentary, brief, fleeting, quickly passing away] while those things that we cannot see physically are Eternal [Real and lasting; not fleeting but infinite; not brief but for ever; not quickly passing a way, but forever sure].
So what does it mean to Live for the Unseen?
I. It’s a Matter of FAITH.
The whole concept of faith has to do with the Unseen. Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things NOT SEEN.
Let me remind you that Faith is not based on feelings, it is based on Facts. Still, that being said, Faith is based on FACTS that cannot always be Seen with our physical eyes.
Faith is believing God even when you have not Seen God.
Faith is believing Jesus Christ even when you have not seen him.
Faith is believing the Holy Ghost when you have not seen Him.
Faith is believing the Word of God even though you did not witness its writing and knew none of its authors.
Faith is believing the truth even when you do not see the proof with your eyes.
Living for the Unseen means you will be living by FAITH- living IN Faith.
Remember when Jesus had been arrested, tortured, crucified and buried? His disciples fled in fear and despair, but remember how he came to them when they were gathered behind locked doors and revealed himself to them and they were thrilled beyond words. HOWEVER, Thomas was not there that evening and when the others told him about it, he could not and would not believe it. Remember what he insisted on happening before he would believe- being able to SEE.
Jesus did appear to him; did reveal himself to him; also gently rebuked Thomas and in so doing he gave us all a very important LESSON:
“Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
This is Vital because you and I are not going to SEE the Lord in this human life with our natural eyes, BUT we see him with our eyes enlightened with FAITH. Jesus is not just a historical figure, he is our Divine Savior. He really did come to earth; he really did live and die to save us; he really was buried in the tomb and he really did rise again on the third day; he really did ascend into heaven and he really did send the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.
So Peter wrote about this in 1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Living for the Unseen means that we live by Faith and with Faith- seeing spiritually what we cannot see physically.
II. It’s also a Matter of the Future.
Not only is living for the unseen an important matter of Faith, it is an important matter of our Future, for the future of each and every one us depends on how we live right now. If you live only for what is Seen, you will suffer in your future life here on earth and you will Really suffer in your future in eternity. The only way to have any hope for the future is to live for the unseen.
Again, Paul said that our outward man will perish but our inward man can be renewed day by day; and that even though we suffer affliction in this life, it is not even worthy to be compared to the glory that we will receive in our future= IF we live for the unseen.
Living for the Unseen means that we will Live for:
The Life that Comes After Death.
Yes, for those who live for the unseen there will be Glorious Life after death. Death is a Separation from physical life; a separation from human relationships; a separation from all earthly matters; BUT death is not just a separation- It is also a Completion!
It unites us with the Lord and completes our salvation. It unites us with loved ones gone on before us and completes our glorification. It takes us from earthly life to eternal life and completes our existence. Death is not the End for the Christian, it is only the Beginning. Are you living for the unseen?
Living for the unseen not only causes us to live for the life that comes after death; but
We live for the World that Comes after Earth.
There really is a world that comes after earth for all true Christians.
The words of this old hymn are certainly true- “This world is not my home I’m only passing through; my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue; my Savior beckons me through heaven’s open door and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
Paul said in 1 Cor. 2:9 that Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
I know that Paul may have been referring to spiritual blessings that we receive right here on the earth, but can anyone deny that he must also be referring to the glorious world God has prepared for his people? The descriptions of heaven are amazing and we cannot begin to understand what heaven will really be like. Then when you top that off with NEW Heavens and a New Earth it’s even more amazing. I’m not interested in living for the SEEN but for the UNSEEN! How about You?
One last thing- If you are living for the unseen, you are living not only for the life that comes after death and the world that comes after the earth, but you are also living:
For the Joy that comes after the Tears!
Yes, it’s true that weeping may endure for the night. We all know what it is to go through the “Nights” of human life: the nights of disappointment; nights of broken hearts; nights of affliction and suffering; nights of grief and sorrow brought about by death; weeping may endure for the night BUT JOY comes in the morning. Sometimes we get a Ray of Morning’s Joy right now but then we will get the Fullness of Joy that comes after the tears. For when we enter that New heaven and New earth Jesus our Lord will wipe away all tears from our eyes. And there will be NO NIGHT THERE! There will be No more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain, and the former things will have all passed away.
Living for the Unseen! Living by Faith- Living for the Future- Living for the life that comes after death; the world that comes after earth; and the joy that comes after tears.
Intro: I know its difficult for us to Live for the unseen for we as human beings are physical creatures living in a natural world; living by our physical senses; living by what we hear, smell, taste, touch and especially SEE. Still, a life lived only by what is SEEN is a miserable life; a defeated life; discouraged life; depressed life; actually a wasted life.
For while it is true that we are physical creatures we are also spiritual creatures, and while it is true that we are human beings we are also heavenly beings in the making.
We Must Strive to Live for the Unseen! Paul stated plainly that we are to Live Looking not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen, because those things we see are temporal [they are temporary, momentary, brief, fleeting, quickly passing away] while those things that we cannot see physically are Eternal [Real and lasting; not fleeting but infinite; not brief but for ever; not quickly passing a way, but forever sure].
So what does it mean to Live for the Unseen?
I. It’s a Matter of FAITH.
The whole concept of faith has to do with the Unseen. Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things NOT SEEN.
Let me remind you that Faith is not based on feelings, it is based on Facts. Still, that being said, Faith is based on FACTS that cannot always be Seen with our physical eyes.
Faith is believing God even when you have not Seen God.
Faith is believing Jesus Christ even when you have not seen him.
Faith is believing the Holy Ghost when you have not seen Him.
Faith is believing the Word of God even though you did not witness its writing and knew none of its authors.
Faith is believing the truth even when you do not see the proof with your eyes.
Living for the Unseen means you will be living by FAITH- living IN Faith.
Remember when Jesus had been arrested, tortured, crucified and buried? His disciples fled in fear and despair, but remember how he came to them when they were gathered behind locked doors and revealed himself to them and they were thrilled beyond words. HOWEVER, Thomas was not there that evening and when the others told him about it, he could not and would not believe it. Remember what he insisted on happening before he would believe- being able to SEE.
Jesus did appear to him; did reveal himself to him; also gently rebuked Thomas and in so doing he gave us all a very important LESSON:
“Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
This is Vital because you and I are not going to SEE the Lord in this human life with our natural eyes, BUT we see him with our eyes enlightened with FAITH. Jesus is not just a historical figure, he is our Divine Savior. He really did come to earth; he really did live and die to save us; he really was buried in the tomb and he really did rise again on the third day; he really did ascend into heaven and he really did send the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.
So Peter wrote about this in 1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Living for the Unseen means that we live by Faith and with Faith- seeing spiritually what we cannot see physically.
II. It’s also a Matter of the Future.
Not only is living for the unseen an important matter of Faith, it is an important matter of our Future, for the future of each and every one us depends on how we live right now. If you live only for what is Seen, you will suffer in your future life here on earth and you will Really suffer in your future in eternity. The only way to have any hope for the future is to live for the unseen.
Again, Paul said that our outward man will perish but our inward man can be renewed day by day; and that even though we suffer affliction in this life, it is not even worthy to be compared to the glory that we will receive in our future= IF we live for the unseen.
Living for the Unseen means that we will Live for:
The Life that Comes After Death.
Yes, for those who live for the unseen there will be Glorious Life after death. Death is a Separation from physical life; a separation from human relationships; a separation from all earthly matters; BUT death is not just a separation- It is also a Completion!
It unites us with the Lord and completes our salvation. It unites us with loved ones gone on before us and completes our glorification. It takes us from earthly life to eternal life and completes our existence. Death is not the End for the Christian, it is only the Beginning. Are you living for the unseen?
Living for the unseen not only causes us to live for the life that comes after death; but
We live for the World that Comes after Earth.
There really is a world that comes after earth for all true Christians.
The words of this old hymn are certainly true- “This world is not my home I’m only passing through; my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue; my Savior beckons me through heaven’s open door and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
Paul said in 1 Cor. 2:9 that Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
I know that Paul may have been referring to spiritual blessings that we receive right here on the earth, but can anyone deny that he must also be referring to the glorious world God has prepared for his people? The descriptions of heaven are amazing and we cannot begin to understand what heaven will really be like. Then when you top that off with NEW Heavens and a New Earth it’s even more amazing. I’m not interested in living for the SEEN but for the UNSEEN! How about You?
One last thing- If you are living for the unseen, you are living not only for the life that comes after death and the world that comes after the earth, but you are also living:
For the Joy that comes after the Tears!
Yes, it’s true that weeping may endure for the night. We all know what it is to go through the “Nights” of human life: the nights of disappointment; nights of broken hearts; nights of affliction and suffering; nights of grief and sorrow brought about by death; weeping may endure for the night BUT JOY comes in the morning. Sometimes we get a Ray of Morning’s Joy right now but then we will get the Fullness of Joy that comes after the tears. For when we enter that New heaven and New earth Jesus our Lord will wipe away all tears from our eyes. And there will be NO NIGHT THERE! There will be No more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain, and the former things will have all passed away.
Living for the Unseen! Living by Faith- Living for the Future- Living for the life that comes after death; the world that comes after earth; and the joy that comes after tears.
- Published on
Straight Shooters
Psalm 127:3-5
Intro: What is a straight shooter? Dictionaries define a straight shooter as:
- one who is honest and forthright
- one who is sincere and ethical
- one who is direct and without deception
- one who is undeterred
Those are great qualities for any man; to be honest; to be forthright or “up front” and without deception; to be sincere- ethical- and undeterred or focused and persistent.
Every dad should be a straight shooter- Both in the definition given by dictionaries, and in the analogy of the Psalm I read to you today. The Psalm writer said that the earthly father has been blessed by the heavenly father when he has children; they are his heritage and his reward. Then the Psalmist says that our children are like Arrows in the hand of a mighty man; our children are arrows and we need to be Straight Shooters.
I. The Archer Must be Strong.
You’ll notice the Psalm said that children are arrows in the hand of a Mighty man.
All of you hunters know the strength it takes to pull the bow. It takes might, and force and determination. We dads must be Strong!
Strong: Spiritually- our children need dads who are not spiritual wimps. Dad you need to be genuinely Saved. Dad you need to be sincerely dedicated to the Lord and living for him in obedience to the Holy Word of God. You need to be strong in the Faith; strong in the Word; strong in your faithfulness to church; strong in prayer. Too many men take the easy way spiritually and many let their wives lead the way spiritually in the family. Come on dad- Be a straight shooter when it comes to spiritual things. Take your stand and Live for God.
Morally- our children need dads who are strong morally. NO Dad should be looking at pornography- God Forbid! No dad should be looking lustfully at women he comes in contact with.
No dad should be unfaithful to his wife. No dad should be flirting with other women; no dad should be in compromising situations with other women.
Our families and our children need dads who are strong morally.
Family- our children need dads who are strong in the family. Some dads take no responsibility for their children’s education; or their recreation; or their correction.
You need to be sure your children are learning and getting a proper education; not taking a short cut to make it easier on you. You need to be sure your children have leisure time and fun with You in it.
You need to be sure you are personally involved with the correction and discipline of your children. That area is the not the sole responsibility of the wife and mother; matter of fact it is not to be Mostly her area of responsibility.
The Archer must be Strong.
II. The Arrows Must be Straight.
I assume all of you dads and moms do realize that though our children are born Cute; they are born Cuddly; they are born Adorable; they are born Precious; They are NOT born intelligent, honest, industrious, or Holy.
These arrows are Not straight by birth or by nature. Sadly, Adam’s fallen human nature still plagues us all today. We are all born with a sinful tendency built inside of us. Children left to themselves will not be Straight Arrows. While our arrows are not straight by birth or by nature, they can be made straight by training.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go...
Paul wrote that we dads are to “bring up” our children in the “nurture” and in the “admonition” of the Lord.
[Bring them up]- takes conscious effort and consistent effort; does not happen by itself.
[Nurture]- instruction; feeding them the truth about God and about life; nurturing them in the ways of righteousness
[Admonition]- discipline and correction; when the arrow takes a bend, we take hold of it and gently but firmly pull against the bend and make it straight again.
I feel sorry for children who have no nurturing and no correcting. They are being deprived and cheated in life. We owe it to our children to do all that we can to make their lives right and proper; straight arrows.
III. The Aim Must be Sure.
Any archer knows that even if his hands and arms are strong enough to pull the bow; and even if the arrows are straight; his aim must be sure. He must have steady hands and a sharp eye.
Let me mention briefly two things I think are important in this matter of a Sure Aim.
1) We must Know the Target.
You’ve heard it said that if you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.
We dads need to have a Target for our children’s lives. I do want them to be smart. I do want them to be liked and have friends. I do want them to be well behaved. I do want them to find their place in life as far as a career or job or vocation. I do want them to have a happy marriage. And so on...
BUT more than anything I think we dads need to Know the Target when it comes to the Ultimate Goal of Life. It is expressed simply and forcefully by the Apostle John in 3 Jn:4- “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” THAT’s The Target! We want our children to walk in the Truth; to live in the truth; to be saved and love the Lord and obey the Bible and live a holy life and make it to heaven when this life is over.
2) We must Keep our Focus.
It’s one thing to Know the target, its another thing to Keep your Focus on the target.
Every hunter has been distracted at some time or another and missed their mark.
As Dads we must keep our focus on the target of Walking in the Truth. We are the leaders whether we like it or not and we must walk in the truth and then lead our families in the truth as well.
Pro. 20:7 says that The just man walks in his integrity: and his children are blessed after him.
I know that when our children become adults they will make their own decisions; they will choose their own way of life; they will choose their activities and set their own priorities; that’s the way God made us. We grow up as children under the supervision of parents and then we launch out into our own individual lives. BUT while those children are arrows in MY Quiver, it is my responsibility to Be Strong; it is my Duty to train my arrows to be Straight; it is my Obligation to Aim them in the right direction and then Trust God to do the work in their hearts and minds so that they will follow Him in their own life and with their own family.
Hey Dads, Let’s be Straight Shooters!
Psalm 127:3-5
Intro: What is a straight shooter? Dictionaries define a straight shooter as:
- one who is honest and forthright
- one who is sincere and ethical
- one who is direct and without deception
- one who is undeterred
Those are great qualities for any man; to be honest; to be forthright or “up front” and without deception; to be sincere- ethical- and undeterred or focused and persistent.
Every dad should be a straight shooter- Both in the definition given by dictionaries, and in the analogy of the Psalm I read to you today. The Psalm writer said that the earthly father has been blessed by the heavenly father when he has children; they are his heritage and his reward. Then the Psalmist says that our children are like Arrows in the hand of a mighty man; our children are arrows and we need to be Straight Shooters.
I. The Archer Must be Strong.
You’ll notice the Psalm said that children are arrows in the hand of a Mighty man.
All of you hunters know the strength it takes to pull the bow. It takes might, and force and determination. We dads must be Strong!
Strong: Spiritually- our children need dads who are not spiritual wimps. Dad you need to be genuinely Saved. Dad you need to be sincerely dedicated to the Lord and living for him in obedience to the Holy Word of God. You need to be strong in the Faith; strong in the Word; strong in your faithfulness to church; strong in prayer. Too many men take the easy way spiritually and many let their wives lead the way spiritually in the family. Come on dad- Be a straight shooter when it comes to spiritual things. Take your stand and Live for God.
Morally- our children need dads who are strong morally. NO Dad should be looking at pornography- God Forbid! No dad should be looking lustfully at women he comes in contact with.
No dad should be unfaithful to his wife. No dad should be flirting with other women; no dad should be in compromising situations with other women.
Our families and our children need dads who are strong morally.
Family- our children need dads who are strong in the family. Some dads take no responsibility for their children’s education; or their recreation; or their correction.
You need to be sure your children are learning and getting a proper education; not taking a short cut to make it easier on you. You need to be sure your children have leisure time and fun with You in it.
You need to be sure you are personally involved with the correction and discipline of your children. That area is the not the sole responsibility of the wife and mother; matter of fact it is not to be Mostly her area of responsibility.
The Archer must be Strong.
II. The Arrows Must be Straight.
I assume all of you dads and moms do realize that though our children are born Cute; they are born Cuddly; they are born Adorable; they are born Precious; They are NOT born intelligent, honest, industrious, or Holy.
These arrows are Not straight by birth or by nature. Sadly, Adam’s fallen human nature still plagues us all today. We are all born with a sinful tendency built inside of us. Children left to themselves will not be Straight Arrows. While our arrows are not straight by birth or by nature, they can be made straight by training.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go...
Paul wrote that we dads are to “bring up” our children in the “nurture” and in the “admonition” of the Lord.
[Bring them up]- takes conscious effort and consistent effort; does not happen by itself.
[Nurture]- instruction; feeding them the truth about God and about life; nurturing them in the ways of righteousness
[Admonition]- discipline and correction; when the arrow takes a bend, we take hold of it and gently but firmly pull against the bend and make it straight again.
I feel sorry for children who have no nurturing and no correcting. They are being deprived and cheated in life. We owe it to our children to do all that we can to make their lives right and proper; straight arrows.
III. The Aim Must be Sure.
Any archer knows that even if his hands and arms are strong enough to pull the bow; and even if the arrows are straight; his aim must be sure. He must have steady hands and a sharp eye.
Let me mention briefly two things I think are important in this matter of a Sure Aim.
1) We must Know the Target.
You’ve heard it said that if you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.
We dads need to have a Target for our children’s lives. I do want them to be smart. I do want them to be liked and have friends. I do want them to be well behaved. I do want them to find their place in life as far as a career or job or vocation. I do want them to have a happy marriage. And so on...
BUT more than anything I think we dads need to Know the Target when it comes to the Ultimate Goal of Life. It is expressed simply and forcefully by the Apostle John in 3 Jn:4- “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” THAT’s The Target! We want our children to walk in the Truth; to live in the truth; to be saved and love the Lord and obey the Bible and live a holy life and make it to heaven when this life is over.
2) We must Keep our Focus.
It’s one thing to Know the target, its another thing to Keep your Focus on the target.
Every hunter has been distracted at some time or another and missed their mark.
As Dads we must keep our focus on the target of Walking in the Truth. We are the leaders whether we like it or not and we must walk in the truth and then lead our families in the truth as well.
Pro. 20:7 says that The just man walks in his integrity: and his children are blessed after him.
I know that when our children become adults they will make their own decisions; they will choose their own way of life; they will choose their activities and set their own priorities; that’s the way God made us. We grow up as children under the supervision of parents and then we launch out into our own individual lives. BUT while those children are arrows in MY Quiver, it is my responsibility to Be Strong; it is my Duty to train my arrows to be Straight; it is my Obligation to Aim them in the right direction and then Trust God to do the work in their hearts and minds so that they will follow Him in their own life and with their own family.
Hey Dads, Let’s be Straight Shooters!
- Published on
A Home Remedy
Acts 16:29-34
Intro: Most all of us have suffered through some of our parent’s home remedies. We have had vick’s put in our nose, rubbed on our feet, put on our neck and then covered around with a sock to keep it warm all night. Oh, what a smell! Many of us have choked on castor oil; many have choked while trying to gargle salt water for a sore throat; and many have had to drink concoctions that were probably against the law if the truth be known.
Some “home remedies” seem to work; some definitely do not; or if they do they are not worth the Pain they cause.
I want to share with you a Real Home Remedy Today; not one I made up but one from the Word of God; a Remedy for every Home represented here today; a remedy for any home that wants to be healthy or a home that is suffering or sick.
I. The first ingredient of this home remedy comes from Acts 16; A Family that is SAVED.
When Paul and Silas were delivered by the power of God from the inner prison, the jailer started to take his own life; he was interrupted and stopped by Paul, he then Cried out- What Must I Do to be Saved?
Paul told him that he must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he would be saved; AND HIS HOUSE.
God’s remedy for your home is that every member of the family be SAVED. When the jailer took Paul and Silas to his home, they shared the gospel with his family and they were All Saved. Verse 34 says that the Jailer Rejoiced!
I’ll tell you what will change the atmosphere of your home; Salvation!
When husband and wife are saved, it makes an amazing difference in the relationship; it makes an amazing difference in the home itself.
When Dad, Mom and children are saved it makes an amazing difference in the home.
Are you saved? Genuinely saved?
Not just a Church attender; not just “raised in church;” not just claiming an experience that you really don’t have; SAVED.
II. The next ingredient in this Home Remedy is found in the Life of Cornelius, in Acts 10. A Family that Hears and Responds to the Gospel.
Cornelius was a man with a hunger to know more about God; a hunger to KNOW God.
As he prayed, he was directed by an angel to send for the apostle Peter. Peter was directed by the Lord to go with the messengers of Cornelius and preach the gospel to them.
When Peter arrived, Cornelius had his entire house-hold present and waiting for his arrival. He said to Peter, “Now therefore, we are All here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”
Cornelius wanted them ALL to hear the Gospel.
I’ll tell you what will help heal and strengthen your home- Hear and Respond to the Gospel!
Don’t stay away from church because you are Tired; because you are Busy; because the kids have to get up to go to school; because you have to get up to go to work.
Don’t stay away from church because you don’t want to really Hear and Obey the truth. You and your family NEED The truth of the Gospel; you need it; your spouse needs it; your children need it.
Gather them together in the house of God and say, We are all here present to hear the things that God has commanded.
When Peter began to preach, the entire household BELIEVED; and before he was even finished speaking they had been Saved and were Baptized in the Holy Ghost.
Talk about a home remedy; if you will hear and respond to the Gospel you too will be saved AND filled with the Holy Ghost.
III. The third ingredient of this Home Remedy is from the life and example of Noah, Parents that Fear & Obey God.
Heb. 11:7- By Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with Fear and prepared an Ark to the saving of his house...
Notice the important elements here:
FAITH
FEAR
OBEDIENCE
God warned Noah about the coming flood of destruction. Because he had great Faith in God he believed that what God said was True. Then, because he had a great Fear and Reverence of God, he was MOVED to action. He did not shrug off the warning; he did not make excuses as to why such a thing could not happen to him and his family; he did not argue with God; he did not Delay;
HE OBEYED. He immediately began the work of building the Ark that God gave him plans for. At the time his children were YOUNG. According to Gen 11:10 Shem was only 98 when the flood ended! So he wasn’t even born when Noah first received the warning of the flood and began preparing the Ark.
When Noah started building the ark he had two relatively young sons and one yet to come. While he built the ark, his third son was born; all the sons grew up into manhood and married; so that when it was time to enter the ark there were 8 in the family instead of the 4 when he started building.
You, sir or ma’am may not be married today but you need to already have Faith in God, Fear God and Obey God. If you do marry and have a family in the future, your home will need you strong in the LORD.
You husband, you need to have Faith in God, Fear God and Obey God for you and your wife’s sake and for the sake of any children the Lord may see fit to give you.
You wife, you need to have Faith in God, Fear God and Obey God for you and your wife’s sake and for the sake of any children the Lord may see fit to give you.
All of you that are already moms and dads certainly need to have Faith in God, Fear God and Obey God for you and your wife’s sake and for the sake of your children.
ONLY Noah’s family was spared from among the entire world at that time.
The only families that will be spared from the judgment and wrath of God that is soon to come upon THIS World are those who are SAVED= those who hear and respond to the gospel; those who have Faith in God; those who Fear God; and those who Obey God.
You want a healthy home? A happy home? A Heavenly home? Try God’s Home Remedy.
Acts 16:29-34
Intro: Most all of us have suffered through some of our parent’s home remedies. We have had vick’s put in our nose, rubbed on our feet, put on our neck and then covered around with a sock to keep it warm all night. Oh, what a smell! Many of us have choked on castor oil; many have choked while trying to gargle salt water for a sore throat; and many have had to drink concoctions that were probably against the law if the truth be known.
Some “home remedies” seem to work; some definitely do not; or if they do they are not worth the Pain they cause.
I want to share with you a Real Home Remedy Today; not one I made up but one from the Word of God; a Remedy for every Home represented here today; a remedy for any home that wants to be healthy or a home that is suffering or sick.
I. The first ingredient of this home remedy comes from Acts 16; A Family that is SAVED.
When Paul and Silas were delivered by the power of God from the inner prison, the jailer started to take his own life; he was interrupted and stopped by Paul, he then Cried out- What Must I Do to be Saved?
Paul told him that he must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he would be saved; AND HIS HOUSE.
God’s remedy for your home is that every member of the family be SAVED. When the jailer took Paul and Silas to his home, they shared the gospel with his family and they were All Saved. Verse 34 says that the Jailer Rejoiced!
I’ll tell you what will change the atmosphere of your home; Salvation!
When husband and wife are saved, it makes an amazing difference in the relationship; it makes an amazing difference in the home itself.
When Dad, Mom and children are saved it makes an amazing difference in the home.
Are you saved? Genuinely saved?
Not just a Church attender; not just “raised in church;” not just claiming an experience that you really don’t have; SAVED.
II. The next ingredient in this Home Remedy is found in the Life of Cornelius, in Acts 10. A Family that Hears and Responds to the Gospel.
Cornelius was a man with a hunger to know more about God; a hunger to KNOW God.
As he prayed, he was directed by an angel to send for the apostle Peter. Peter was directed by the Lord to go with the messengers of Cornelius and preach the gospel to them.
When Peter arrived, Cornelius had his entire house-hold present and waiting for his arrival. He said to Peter, “Now therefore, we are All here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”
Cornelius wanted them ALL to hear the Gospel.
I’ll tell you what will help heal and strengthen your home- Hear and Respond to the Gospel!
Don’t stay away from church because you are Tired; because you are Busy; because the kids have to get up to go to school; because you have to get up to go to work.
Don’t stay away from church because you don’t want to really Hear and Obey the truth. You and your family NEED The truth of the Gospel; you need it; your spouse needs it; your children need it.
Gather them together in the house of God and say, We are all here present to hear the things that God has commanded.
When Peter began to preach, the entire household BELIEVED; and before he was even finished speaking they had been Saved and were Baptized in the Holy Ghost.
Talk about a home remedy; if you will hear and respond to the Gospel you too will be saved AND filled with the Holy Ghost.
III. The third ingredient of this Home Remedy is from the life and example of Noah, Parents that Fear & Obey God.
Heb. 11:7- By Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with Fear and prepared an Ark to the saving of his house...
Notice the important elements here:
FAITH
FEAR
OBEDIENCE
God warned Noah about the coming flood of destruction. Because he had great Faith in God he believed that what God said was True. Then, because he had a great Fear and Reverence of God, he was MOVED to action. He did not shrug off the warning; he did not make excuses as to why such a thing could not happen to him and his family; he did not argue with God; he did not Delay;
HE OBEYED. He immediately began the work of building the Ark that God gave him plans for. At the time his children were YOUNG. According to Gen 11:10 Shem was only 98 when the flood ended! So he wasn’t even born when Noah first received the warning of the flood and began preparing the Ark.
When Noah started building the ark he had two relatively young sons and one yet to come. While he built the ark, his third son was born; all the sons grew up into manhood and married; so that when it was time to enter the ark there were 8 in the family instead of the 4 when he started building.
You, sir or ma’am may not be married today but you need to already have Faith in God, Fear God and Obey God. If you do marry and have a family in the future, your home will need you strong in the LORD.
You husband, you need to have Faith in God, Fear God and Obey God for you and your wife’s sake and for the sake of any children the Lord may see fit to give you.
You wife, you need to have Faith in God, Fear God and Obey God for you and your wife’s sake and for the sake of any children the Lord may see fit to give you.
All of you that are already moms and dads certainly need to have Faith in God, Fear God and Obey God for you and your wife’s sake and for the sake of your children.
ONLY Noah’s family was spared from among the entire world at that time.
The only families that will be spared from the judgment and wrath of God that is soon to come upon THIS World are those who are SAVED= those who hear and respond to the gospel; those who have Faith in God; those who Fear God; and those who Obey God.
You want a healthy home? A happy home? A Heavenly home? Try God’s Home Remedy.