Archive for Christian Living
Ten Benefits of Favor – sermon outline
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The following is a cool outline by my friend Leif Hetland on the benefits of God's favor on our lives. I hope you enjoy it.
TEN BENEFITS OF FAVOR
by Leif Hetland (LeifHetland.com)
1. Favor is greater than material wealth.
Proverbs 22:1 – "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold."
2. Favor is stronger than military power.
Psalm 5:12 – “For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.”
3. Favor releases from bondage.
Psalm 85:1 – “Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.”
4. Spiritual wisdom leads to favor.
Proverbs 14:35 – “The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.”
5. Doing what is right brings favor.
1 Peter 2:20 – “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.”
6. Favor breaks the power of shame and disgrace.
Luke 1:28-30 – “And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
Luke 1:24-25 – “After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
7. Favor brings supernatural increase and promotion.
Genesis 39:21 – “But, the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”
8. Favor will give honor in the midst of adversaries.
Exodus 11:3 – “And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.”
9. Favor brings prominence and preferential treatment.
Esther 2:17 – “The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
10. Favor brings recognition even when you seem the least likely to receive it.
1 Samuel 16:22 – “Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”
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The Master of Breakthroughs – Sermon Outline
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WHEN THE MASTER OF BREAKTHROUGHS SHOWS UP
2 Samuel 5:17 Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.[a] 21 And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away.
Footnote in Bible Gateway –1. 2 Samuel 5:20 Literally Master of Breakthroughs
The above passage shows us that God brought breakthrough to David against the Philistines. From David's life we see what kind of man we need to be to see breakthrough against the barriers before our lives:
1. A MAN WALKING IN HIS ANOINTING
2 Samuel 5:17 Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel,…
2. A MAN PROTECTED IN HIS STRONGHOLD
2 Samuel 5:17 Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
Jesus is our stronghold and our God will use all the force of Heaven to keep us secure in Him.
ILLUS-One day Mr. Wesley was sitting by an open window looking out over the bright and beautiful fields in summertime. Presently, a little bird, flitting about in the sunshine, attracted his attention. Just then, a hawk came swooping down towards the little bird. The poor thing, very much frightened, was darting here and there, trying to find some place of refuge. In the bright sunny air, in the leafy trees, or the green fields, there was no hiding place from the fierce grasp of the hawk.
But, seeing the open window, and a man sitting by it, the bird flew, in its extreme terror, towards it, and with a beating heart and quivering wing found refuge in Mr. Wesley's bosom. He sheltered it from the threatening danger, and saved it from a cruel death. Mr.
Wesley was at that time suffering from severe trials, and was feeling the need of a refuge in his own time of trouble as much as the trembling little bird did, that nestled so safely in his bosom. So he took up his pen and wrote that sweet hymn–
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly.
- Richard Newlin
3. A MAN WHO ENQUIRES BEFORE HE CHARGES
19 So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
Presumption has been the downfall of many a strong man. We need to learn to humbly seek God in spite of what our manly prowess may be leading us to do. David could have presumed that all his previous victories assured this one, but he knew the Lord gives the victory so the Lord should be the One giving the orders.
ILLUS-At Kenesaw, during the battle, those who approached a certain tree were almost sure to get shot. Eight men had fallen at that place. A sign was put up: "Beware!" A man in a braggadocio spirit said, "I am not afraid to stand there. There is no reason why a man should be not there, any more than anywhere else." He stepped up to the tree, and instantly fell, fatally wounded. – Talmage
4. A MAN WHO HAS THE COURAGE TO OBEY GOD
And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.[a] 21 And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away.
Knowing God will give victory in the battle is only seen by the man who then has the courage to step into the battle. David had courage that had been tested and he had faith to do what God said.
ILLUS-A woman and her husband interupted their vacation to go to a dentist. "I want a tooth pulled, and I don't want Novocain because I'm in a big hurry," the woman said. "Just extract the tooth as quickly as possible, and we'll be on our way." The dentist was quite impressed. "You're certainly a courageous woman," he said. "Which tooth is it?" The woman turned to her husband and said, "Show him your tooth, dear."
It's easy to expect someone else to be brave but are you willing to be bold for the Lord in the tests of daily life?
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7 Confessions for Increased Favor – Sermon Outline
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SEVEN CONFESSIONS FOR INCREASED FAVOR
by Leif Hetland ( LeifHetland.com)
1. Supernatural Increase and Promotion.
"But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison."
Genesis 39:21
2. Restoration of Everything the Enemy has Taken From You.
"And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go emptyhanded.” Exodus 3:21
3. Honor in the Midst of Adversaries.
"And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people." Exodus 11:3
“It's not the law of religion, nor the principles of morality that define our highways and pathways to God; only by the Grace of God are we led and drawn to God. It is His grace that conquers a multitude of flaws and in that grace, there is only favor. Favor is not achieved; favor is received.”
-C. Joy Bell
4. Victory in the Midst of Impossibilities.
“For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He might utterly destroy them, and that they might receive no favor, but that He might destroy them, as the LORD had commanded Moses.” Joshua 11:20
5. Recognition, Even when You seem the Least likely to Receive it.
“Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.’" 1 Samuel 16:22
6. Prominence and Preferential Treatment.
“The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” Esther 2:17
7. Battles Won which You won’t even fight – God will fight them for you!
“For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.”
Psalm 44:3
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The Favor of the Lord – Sermon Outline
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THE FAVOR OF GOD
by Leif Hetland (Leif hetland.com)
“For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12
A Definition of “favor”:
Webster: “friendly regard shown toward another, especially by a superior”
W.E. Vines: Greek word - “Charis” (same word for Grace). Grace on the part of the giver, favor or kindness”.
IT'S TIME TO START LIVING IN THE —F. O. G.—(favor of God)
I. FAVOR IS A GIFT
Consider the story of Mary in Luke chapter 1.
"In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:26 – 28
“Found Favor” verse 30: She didn’t earn it, buy it – there was nothing in her that suggested she would be the one to bring the Son of God into the world.
Mary is about to find out something….
everyone needs to know….
YOU ARE GOD’S PRIZE POSSESSION!
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5
-A Lack of Knowledge Keeps You from Living up to Your Privileges!
-You are Royalty. Religion won’t tell you that. Jesus said in John 12:26 “If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor”. When you are honored by someone, you can expect “preferential” treatment.
-You are so highly favored that no weapon formed against you will prosper.
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD. Isaiah 54:17
-You are so highly favored that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ.
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39
YOU CAN EXPECT IMPOSSIBLE DOORS TO SUDDENLY OPEN AND EVERY SITUATION TO TURN AROUND.
“Fools mock at sin, but among the upright
there is favor.” Proverbs 14:9
2. FAVOR BRINGS INCREASE
Increase was on the way for Mary.
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33
She didn’t have much hope of ever seeing “increase” but her life was about to change.
ILLUSTRATION: God’s Unmerited Favor
When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time, that is wage.
When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize.
When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award.
But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award-yet receives such a gift anyway-that is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.
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You Have Been UPGRADED – sermon notes
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Thanks to my friend Leif Hetland, who travels the nations, for the following teaching. Leif's ministry site is LeifHetland.com .
YOU HAVE BEEN UPGRADED!
by Leif Hetland
This is the Social Dimension.
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5 Steps of Recovery – Sermon
Posted by: | Comments(The following came from a friend of mine, Leif Hetland. You can learn more about his ministry at leifhetland.com)
5 STEPS OF RECOVERY
by Leif Hetland
INTRODUCTION: GOD HAS GIVEN ME A "NOW" WORD FOR 2012
I have tried to operate my ministry using the five steps of David's recovery for many years. As 2011 drew to a close I began to cry out to the Lord for a WORD for 2012. I felt a stirring in my spirit and I believe that God told me, "TELL MY PEOPLE 2012 IS THE YEAR OF UPGRADE!"
2011 was an unusual and interesting year. On one hand, I saw tremendous blessing, power, and anointing. On the other hand, it seemed every time I turned around, the enemy was trying to steal things from me. I woke up one day and realized that; the greater the anointing, the greater the attack. The enemy only attacks what he is afraid of, so it was obvious to me that I was doing something right.
Of all things my briefcase was stolen, my wallet, along with all my important documents that were in my briefcase. Things that I thought I could not live without were taken away. If it's ever happened to you, well, you know how disconcerting it can be.
It became crystal clear that the enemy was trying to take:
· My Dignity
· My Identity
· And My Dreams
I was reminded of John 10:10:
"The thief comes only to steal and kill
and destroy; I have come that they
may have life, and have it to the full. "
While it is true that’s what the enemy wants to do, we also know that what he steals, God will make sure it is restored!
I was reminded of the story of David in first Samuel 30.
You will remember that David had been a man on the run. Even though he had the anointing on him, he is still not reigning as King.
When he learned how to take back what the enemy had stolen from him, it became a turning point in his ministry.
God told David,
“Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
You remember the story?
While David and his men were away from his stronghold at Ziklag, the enemy attacked. They took their families captive, and burned the city. David and his men were distressed, and didn't know what to do. David's men were so angry they blamed him and even talked of stoning him.
What was David to do?
If you will look closely at this passage of Scripture, you will see five keywords that outline David's recovery:
1. Praise
"Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God."
1 Samuel 30:6
This is the foundation for his recovery. David began to learn how to focus on the promises of God and not on the problems at hand. He encouraged himself in the Lord. It's always great to get encouraging words from other people, but sometimes, when everyone is against you, it's best to learn how to encourage yourself. This is what David was learning to do.
One of the hardest, most difficult things to do is to praise God when everything is going wrong.
WHAT WE DO AND SAY FIRST WHEN WE HEAR BAD NEWS IS A HINT AS TO WHAT WE BELIEVE.
2. Prayer
"Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
1 Samuel 30:7 – 8
David asked specific questions and got specific answers. He called for the man of God and got into agreement and he did not come out from the agreement until he heard from God. We give up too easily when faced with difficult problems.
“Again I say[ to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:19 – 20
3. Pursuit
"So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor."
1 Samuel 30:9 – 10
This Is the Turning Point in David’s Recovery.
So David went – David pursued. God gave his word, and David acted on it. He could have looked at the negatives and said, "I don't think this plan will work." Everybody is mad at me, I've lost my stronghold, my family, and my men. David didn't do that, he pursued the enemy and recovered it all.
4. Prevailed
"Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. 18 So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. 19 And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all."
There will always be warfare attached to our recovery. David stepped out on the word of God, focused on the promises of God, and God began to move on his behalf. God led them right into the enemy's camp.
God is raising up an army of men and women who will learn how to pursue, advance on the enemy, and take back everything.
5. Perpetuate
”Now David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he greeted them. 22 Then all the wicked and worthless men[a] of those who went with David answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart.” 23 But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the LORD has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. 24 For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” 25 So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.”
1 Samuel 30:21 – 25
There were some who couldn't go to the battle. They were too weak to follow David, and stayed by the supplies. David did not punish them for not going. His attitude was that they would all share in the reward. The principle is obvious. He is sowing generous seeds for future harvest. That is how we perpetuate the victories that we win.
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Overcoming Your Fears – Sermon Notes
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INTRODUCTION: One summer night during a severe thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't dear. I have to sleep in Daddy's room." A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!" – Source Unknown.We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..
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Lessons Learned From Lot’s Wife – Sermon Outline
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LESSONS LEARNED FROM LOT'S WIFE
(Original Title -LOT'S WIFE)
by the Rev. C. Perren
(Read Gen. 18:16-33; Gen. 19:23-28.) '' Remember Lot's Wife. '' Luke 17:32.
I. REMEMBER HER PRIVILEGES.
1. She had been faithfully instructed in the knowledge of Clod and how to worship him.
2. She was related by one of the closest earthly ties to a child of God. She must have often seen the tears running down the face of her husband when his soul was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.
3. She was faithfully warned of the impending danger. Angels sent of God urged her to escape for her life — not to tarry in the plain.
II. REMEMBER HER SIN.
1. It was a sin of presumption.
Her heart was still in Sodom. The angel had said, '' Escape for thy life; look not behind thee." She disregarded the heaven-sent warning; she looked back.
2. It was a sin of unbelief.
She did not believe the angels' warning. Doubtless there was nothing to indicate the approaching calamity—" Where in that golden sky was the storm-blast that had been threatened? "
3. It was a sin in act.
Faith leads to works; unbelief leads to rebellion. The murderer first hated, then killed. "0 Lord, keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me."
III. REMEMBER HER FATE.
1. It was merited.
She had been warned, entreated, etc.
2. It was sudden — wholly unexpected.
She turned to look back, and in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the storm and tempest swept past. Her eyes grew dark, her blood congealed in her veins, and she stood forth a monument of the wrath of an offended God. <' He that being often reproved stiffeneth his neck, shall be suddenly cut down, and that without remedy." Thus suddenly Pharaoh perished, and Herod, and Ananias, and Sapphira his wife. Sin kills people.
3. It was final. It closed the day of grace, and ushered in the day of doom.
PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.
1. Beware of worldly entanglements.
2. Beware of questioning God's commands.
3. Beware of delays; "To-day is the day of Salvation."
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Are You Living Bitter Free? – Sermon Outline
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ARE YOU LIVING BITTER FREE?
by Eddie Lawrence
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. (NKJV)
INTRO: During my 28 years of pastoral ministry, I have known several occasions when someone became offended and allowed the offense to become a root of bitterness in their lives. When this happens, people who are in the same family may go years without speaking, people who attend the same church avoid each other, people who sleep in the same bed refuse to open their hearts to one another. This bitterness is very destructive and it affects the people around it. As the writer of Hebrews wrote, "by this many become defiled."
Let's do a little digging in the hopes of uprooting this root of bitterness if it is present in any of our lives.
Let me ask some questions:
1. ARE YOU PURSUING PEACE WITH ALL PEOPLE? (v14)
If there is someone whom you do not desire to be at peace with, then that is a place to start looking for bitterness. This does not mean that if everyone is not at peace with you, that you have an unforgiveness issue. The Scripture says we are to live at peace with all men as much as lies within us. That is, we are not to be the door closers on reconcilation. We must be willing for true reconciliation to take place. This does not mean it will, but it does mean you are willing.
Neither does this mean that you are to submit to someone interrogating you under the guise of reconciliation. The purpose of reconciliation is to forgive sin not to focus on it. Some people will never be satisfied with any amount of repentance, restitution, or efforts at reconciliation because revenge lives in their hearts.
Is there anyone who desires to reconcile with you but you simply are not interested in things being made right?
Are there vindictive or revenge filled thoughts that you harbor toward anyone that keep you from reconciling?
May I also add, that if someone who has offended you never asks for your forgiveness, you still must forgive or you will become bitter.
So, be a pursuer of peace because that is necessary to remind bitter free.
2. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A ROOT OF BITTERNESS?
This could be a much longer list, but here are some observations I will share with you:
A. Unforgiveness and Grudge Bearing
Someone recently asked me, "What is the difference between unforgiveness and being bitter?" I thought for a moment and then said, "Unforgiveness is the sap that flow through the root of bitterness." I do believe that bitterness is fueled by unforgiveness.
B. Pride
Believing we have the right to pass judgment, deliver a verdict, and carry out the execution is putting ourselves in the place of God and is rooted in pride. You cannot be bitter and humble; but if you are bitter, you will always have a pride issue to deal with. This pride says, "I don't deserve this but they deserve judgment!"
C. Unhealed Wounds and Echoing Words in Your Mind
It has been my experience both personally and ministerially that when bitterness is present there is often something someone did or words that someone has spoken that keeps ringing in the mind. Words are powerful dear friends. They can have a long life when they are sown deep into someone's soul through some traumatic event. A person can still hear the angry words, the words of rejection, the words that humiliate in the corridors of their memory. These have to be healed through forgiveness.
These wounds can be the result of terrible things that one person has done to another. They can range from a sentence of hate filled words to years of some type of abuse. But becoming bitter just adds another terrible thing to the list of what is happening to you.
D. A Resistance to Grace
As our Scripture bears out, bitterness occurs when we fall short of the grace of God. In other words, we need to receive God's grace to forgive. "You don't know what he did to me preacher?" I may not, but God does, and He says "Forgive them." And he offers you the grace to do it. When you refuse the grace to forgive, you choose to live in unforgiveness.
E. The soul is tormented
Refusing to forgive and choosing to linger in unforgiveness brings torment to the soul. Jesus taught this in his parable of the debtors. I have seen this in many people's lives. They are tormented over and over and over by what has been done to them and the reason they are is that they will not forgive. Forgiveness is not just for the benefit of the offender but for the person who has been offended too. Torment or freedom? That is the real choice you are making when you are deciding to forgive or not?
F. The Harboring of Hatred
Bitterness buys its groceries from hatred. When we refuse to forgive we decide to focus on and relive the offense. This breeds hatred which reinforces the bitterness.
G. Breaksdown One's Health
Bitterness causes rottenness in the bones. You can often see that someone's countenance is affected by bitterness. They eventually begin to reflect their countenance the hardness and callousness that has taken over their heart. Friends, you shave days, months, and years off your life by remaining in bitterness. This is not what Christ died to provide for us.
ILLUS-E. Stanley Jones said, "A rattlesnake, if cornered, will sometimes become so angry it will bite itself. That is exactly what the harboring of hate and resentment against others is–a biting of oneself. We think that we are harming others in holding these spites and hates, but the deeper harm is to ourselves. "
H. Forfeit Blessings Available Each Day
When there is a root of bitterness in your life, there is a part of your life that is on hold and decaying and will remain so until you forgive. You miss all the blessings you could see and enjoy if you were not blinded by bitterness.
What is it not only costing you, but what is it costing the people you love because you are paralyzed by bitterness. You can't respond like you should. You are not the same as you were. You are not who you could be.
I. You don't want someone else to be blessed.
If there is someone who you simply do not want good things to happen to, then do some soul searching about bitterness toward that person.
J. Who comes to mind?
When I first mentioned about there being someone whom you are not pursuing peace with, did someone come to your mind?
3. IF YOU ARE BITTER, WILL YOU CHOOSE TO FORGIVE RIGHT NOW?
A. Forgiveness is an act of your will and an act of faith. You choose to forgive and you trust God to give you the grace to walk it out. If you do your part, God will do His part.
B. Remove the Stinger – A man by the name of William Walton said, "To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee."
Someone else has said that you may not be able to forget what has been done to you, but you can take the stinger out of the memory through forgiving.
C. You must forgive or you will not live in the benefits of God's forgiveness. This is the teaching of Scripture. Why set yourself apart from such wonderful blessing just because you want to see someone else cursed. Let love win. Let forgiveness come and cleanse you and free you of this torment.
D. If you asked Jesus right now, to forgive you, would he?
E. If he asked you to forgive that person who has offended you, would you? Well, he not only asks us to do this, but commands us to do it.
CONCLUSION: So, at this point, it is no longer between you and that other person, it is between you and Jesus. What do you choose to do right now? Would you come and let's all gather here in the altar, and we will all pray and lay down our offenses and let the river of God's forgiveness wash through this place this morning…….
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New Year’s Joke for Preachers to Use
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As you might know, it is not always easy to find a joke appropriate to share from the pulpit, especially on New Year's Day. I really thought the following one is really a good one.
A New Year’s Gift
Jennifer was taking an afternoon nap so she would be able to be awake to see the New Year end later that night at the big party that had been planned.
After she woke up, she confided to Clayton, her husband, 'I just dreamed that you gave me a diamond ring for a New Year's present. What do you think it all means?'
'Wow, let me just say, you'll know tonight,' Clayton answered with a big smile.
At midnight, as the New Year was chiming in, and people left and right were kissing their sweethearts, Clayton approached Jennifer, kissed her while holding her a long time, then he handed her a small package.
Ecstatic and delighted, she opened it quickly.
There in her hand rested a book entitled: 'The meaning of dreams'.
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