Archive for PRACTICING THE PRESENCE
Exposing the Lies That You Believe – sermon outline
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By Eddie Lawrence
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
-Honestly
4. WE MUST BREAK THE POWER OF THE LIES WITHIN US.
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Favor With God — sermon
Posted by: | CommentsFavor with God, a sermon about favor with God and how it unfolds in our lives.
by Eddie Lawrence
Text: Luke 1:6 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS…..38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (NKJV)
1. An Announcement from God (v26-28)
-Mary was made aware that God was speaking to her. In her case, it was an angel. God has a way of getting our attention when He desires to call us into action for His plans and purposes.
-(List the ways that God can speak to us and briefly share those here in the sermon)
2. A Response of Fear (v29-30)
-Mary was troubled and afraid. We too are initially afraid when God begins revealing what He wants to do. Even God speaking to us can be an intense experience that rattles us.
-(Share a time the Lord spoke to you and you were afraid when you considered what was happening.)
3. A Promise of Favor (v28-29)
-Twice the Lord lets Mary know He has come to favor her. It is important for us to know that God’s intentions for us are always in our best interest. It is a sign of favor when the Lord invites you into what He is doing.
-(share a story of someone who experienced God’s favor because of stepping into God’s plans)
4. A Conception and Birthing
-Mary was told she would conceive and birth a child. With us, there is also the development within us of what God wants to do. It is a step into a process. As we faithfully carry it, it will be brought forth.
-(share how it is important to be patient and allow God to develop things. Use other biblical examples here)
5. A Response of Faith (v38)
-Mary heard, overcame her fear and said "Yes, be it unto me!" She demonstrated faith and obedience.
-Call for people to say yes to what God is speaking to them.
6. A Focus on Jesus (v31)
-Mary’s call was to birth the Christ child.
-When God is at work in us, it is always about forming Christ in us and making him known to others. For us to live is Christ!!!
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The Benefits of Praisng God — sermon outline
Posted by: | CommentsThanks to Pastor David Cofield for the following wonderful sermon outline on praise and worship.
THE BENEFITS OF PRAISING GOD
1. Praise welcomes the presence of God
Psalm 22: 3 “But You are holy, who inhabit the praises of Israel.”
Psalm 100: 4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with
praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
2. Praise drives away the dark spirits
Isaiah 61 the prophet is listing all the reasons the Messiah is coming and it includes
“to console those who mourn in Zion; to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy
for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;….”
Praise lifts up the fallen countenance and spirit.
3. Praise is an act of obedience to God
Hebrews 13: 15 "Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God." Praise is
directed to God.
Psalm 22:23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him!
Psalm 150: 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
Luke 19:40 I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately
cry out.
We praise out of obedience to God
4. Praise and worship is beautiful to God
Psalm 147:1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is
pleasant, and praise is beautiful. Psalm 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
Psalm 135:3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for
it is pleasant.
5. Praise and worship transforms the worshiper
People become like the object of their worship. Psalm 115:8 Those who make them
are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.
Not to be changed when we leave worship by doing something different, being
somebody different or thinking different, then we have not worshipped. You can’t
come in the presence of God and remain the same.
Matthew 5:23-24
We offer ourselves as Isaiah did, “Lord, here am I. Send me.”
“Praise is never passive, boring, dull, or inexpressive. To come to church and settle
into a comfortable seat, cross your arms, and be smug by not participating in
singing, shouting, or verbalizing praise is to fail greatly in our worship. Praise is
always exciting, expressive, exalting, enthusiastic, energetic
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Who’s To Blame? – sermon outline
Posted by: | CommentsThe following is a sermon and sermon outline preached by S. Baring-Gould and published in 1886. Sift through it and you will be able to easily put together a more contemporary outline on a much needed message.
CASTING BLAME
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
INTRODUCTION –A Schoolmaster finds one day that several of his scholars are playing truant. The morning passes and they do not arrive. At last, in the afternoon, the truants turn up. The master has a strong suspicion where they have been: however, he asks, "Why were you not at school this morning?" "Please, sir, mother kept me at home to mind the baby." "Indeed–let me look at your mouth." He opens the mouth, and finds it black inside. "Ah! I thought as much, rambling in the woods, picking and eating whortleberries." So with the others, they make their excuses, but he looks into their mouths, and the black colour betrays them.
Now, my friends, I am almost afraid to look in your mouths, lest I should see them black, not with whortleberries, but with something much sweeter, blame and fault-finding. You are, I suspect, all of you nearly fond of abusing your neighbours, of finding fault, of telling unkind things of them, of blackening their good names.
SUBJECT.–I am going to take as my subject to-day the Casting of Blame.
I. "Be ye merciful," said our Lord, "even as your Father which is in heaven is merciful." He did not mean only in our dealings with others, to be merciful to their bodies, and merciful in not exacting debts, and merciful in not punishing neglect, and so forth, but He meant also that we were to be merciful with their characters. We are not to be ready to impute evil, not ready to cast blame, not ready to believe hard things of others and retail them to our neighbours, but to be very slow to suspect evil, very slow to charge it on others, and exceedingly slow to say what is evil of others.
"Charity," says S. Paul, "is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." It seems to me, that charity is the exact reverse of this fault-finding, blame-imputing character. "Charity thinketh no evil," but how is it with you? Do you not always suspect that the motives of people are bad, do you not always think people are worse than they really are? "Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity." Ha! there is a bit of scandal, something very bad has come out about So and so. What a running about from house to house! the village is like a hive of bees swarming. Do you mean to tell me it is not a delight, a joy to you, to have this little bit of iniquity to talk about? I know better. "Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity," but charity is not to be found in that tittle-tattling, excited crowd of talkers. "Charity believeth all things"–will, that is, believe and trust, as long as it is possible, that people are not so bad after all, that the stories told are not true, and "Charity hopeth all things," hopes even against hope that it is so.
O! what a blessed thing is charity! S. Paul said he would rather have that, than be able to speak with tongues, and to prophesy; he would rather have that than work miracles. It is a better thing even to have that than Faith. But, alas! if it be such a good thing, it is also a very rare one.
II. How very often we cast blame when there is no cause, and are therefore guilty of serious injustice.
I was one day walking in the street of a little town, when a poor inoffensive dog passed me. He went quietly along without a thought of doing anyone an injury, when he happened to pass a knot of boys just come out of school. At once one of the urchins took up a stone and threw it at him, the others clapped their hands, and hooted after him,"Hit him! Knock him over! Mad dog!" Away ran the unhappy cur, and all the boys yelling after him, throwing dirt, and striking at him with sticks. What next? Everyone in the street ran to the door, and saw the brute tearing down the way, with his tail between his legs. Then out of every door rushed all the house-dogs, the butcher’s dog, and the coach-dog, and even the little lap-dog jumped up, and ran down stairs, and out of the door, to join in the barking, and away went all the dogs of the place after the poor wretch. There was a tumult! And the people in their doors and at their windows shouted, and one said, "Kill him! he is mad!" and another, "He has bitten a woman!" and another, "He has stolen some meat!" and another, "He has knocked over a child!"
Now all this arose from one boy throwing a stone at a harmless dog. And all the things said about the dog were untrue. The proverb was verified, "Give a dog a bad name, and you may hang him."
Is not this very much like what takes place among men? Someone throws blame on a poor harmless person for no cause in the world but out of sheer malevolence, or love of mischief, and at once others join in. Everyone has something to say, everyone joins in the general abuse. No lack of blame. No lack of unkind things said. And–all untrue, all unjust!
I do not mean to say that when a person has done what is wrong we are not to speak of it at all; but what I do say is, that we should be very careful indeed not to cast blame till we are quite sure that we are justified in doing so. "As for this way, we know that it is everywhere spoken against," was what was said of Christianity. All sorts of bad, lying things were said of the early Christians, that they killed and ate children, that they practised horrible idolatries: the stories were not true, but they were believed, simply because everyone said these things were done.
III. Now this is the advice I give you:–
a. Be sure that blame is just before you cast it.
b. Be merciful in attributing blame even when it is deserved.
First:–Be sure that you have real cause to cast blame, be sure that you are not committing a great injustice, and doing another a grievous injury which is unmerited.
"Do to others as you would they should do to you." Consider how miserable you would feel were you the subject of unmerited blame.
Secondly:–Be merciful in attributing blame even when it is deserved. Remember that you yourself are not guiltless. There are things that you have done which deserve censure quite as much as those things you blame in others. One day a woman, taken in adultery, was brought before Christ, and the Jews desired to stone her to death because of her sin. Then our Lord said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." And when they heard it, being convicted by their own consciences, they went out, one by one, beginning at the eldest even unto the last.
I say to you: when you are inclined to cast blame, even when just, think, "Am I without sin, that I should judge and condemn another?"
– S. Baring-Gould, The Village Pulpit (Vol. 2)
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Seven Reasons that You Must Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Posted by: | CommentsThe following sermon outline and sermon notes focus on the importance of the resurrection of Jesus to our faith.
By Clicking Below, You Can Hear a Six Minute Audio Overview of this Sermon While You Read the Outline.
Seven Reasons that You Must Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
by Eddie Lawrence
Introduction– I believe in the literal resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that is an essential element of the very Gospel presented in the New Testament. I believe that is a foundational doctrine of any true Church.
1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
Transition– Paul teaches us what the Christian faith would look like if there were no resurrection of Jesus. It would mean that:
1. Jesus Body is Just Dust (v13, 16 Christ is not risen)
The absence of a literal resurrection means the absence of a risen Christ.
2. We Have No Gospel Message (v14, your faith is empty, v17 faith if futile)
What we believe as Christians is vain, useless, meaningless and without any substance in reality if there is no resurrection. Our faith is vain. If we do not believe the tomb is empty then it leaves us with a faith that is empty.
3. We Witnessess of the Life of Christ are all Liars (v15 we are false witnesses)
No resurrection, not true testimony.
4. The Pulpit is Silent (v14 preaching is empty)
Our preaching is vain without a resurrection. The preacher becomes a fraud peddling a message that is a well fabricated lie without the literal resurrection of Christ.
5. We Have No Remedy for Sin (v17 still in sin)
Romans 10:9-10 teaches us that we must believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead in order to be saved. Without a resurrected Jesus we are hopelessly lost.
6. Those Who Have Died Have Simply Perished (v18)
If there is no resurrection, the bodies of the dead will forever remain in the dead. There will be no reunion or afterlife.
7. Christians Are Saturated with Misery (19)
We are a miserable group who have held onto a hoax if there is no literal resurrection of the body of Christ.Without the risen Christ we are just bad news people not good news people.
Conlusion– Dear friends, do not allow unbelievers or even professing Christians who deny the resurrection to trick you into believing it is not an essential. We must agree with the Apostle Paul, the witnessess of the Scripture, the witnessess of history, and the witness of the precious Holy Spirit within us that "HE LIVES!"
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Jonathan Edwards, God Honoring Resolutions
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Jonathan Edwards was one of the most profound theologians in our American lineage. The positive influence of his life continues to linger and stir the souls of believers toward Christ.
Following is a list of resolutions he penned personally. Most of them were penned at a young age as he began his journey into life as a minister. Others were added as time went on. He dated those so you can see the progression of his thought as he became aware of yet another area that needed consecration. They are challenging and give us insight into the discipline, passion, and resolve that possessed a man that God has used mightily to His Own Glory. (The original source of the following is found in The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 1, Chapter Three.)
RESOLUTIONS
“Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, To be continually endeavouring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things.
3. Resolved, If ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God, nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it.
5. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, To act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings, as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. Vid. July 30.
9. Resolved, To think much, on all occasions, of my dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, When I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, When I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, If I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, To be endeavouring to find out fit objects of liberality and charity.
14. Resolved, Never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, Never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonour, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, That I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, To live so, at all times, as I think is best in my most devout frames, and when I have the clearest notions of the things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, To maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.
22. Resolved, To endeavour to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigour, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, Frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs, and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the fourth Resolution.
24. Resolved, Whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavour to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, To examine carefully and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and so direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, To cast away such things as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, Never wilfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, To strive every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, Never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of christian honour, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said any thing against any one, to bring it to, and try it strictly by, the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, To be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Prov. 20:6. ‘A faithful man, who can find?’ may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, To do always what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without an overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, In narrations, never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, Whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call to it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, To inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,—what sin I have committed,—and wherein I have denied myself;—also, at the end of every week, month, and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, Never to utter any thing that is sportive, or matter of laughter, on a Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, Never to do any thing, of which I so much question the lawfulness, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, To inquire every night before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, Frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism, which I solemnly renewed when I was received into the communion of the church, and which I have solemnly re-made this 12th day of January, 1723.
43. Resolved, Never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s; agreeably to what is to be found in Saturday, Jan. 12th. Jan. 12, 1723.
44. Resolved, That no other end but religion shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan. 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, Never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.
46. Resolved, Never to allow the least measure of any fretting or uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved, to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye; and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, To endeavour, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving, and sincere, temper; and to do, at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have so done. Sabbath morning, May 5, 1723.
48. Resolved, Constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, That this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, That I will act so, as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, That I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, To improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Resolved, Whenever I hear anything spoken in commendation of any person, if I think it would be praise-worthy in me, that I will endeavour to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, To endeavour, to my utmost, so to act, as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, When I fear misfortunes and adversity, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as Providence orders it. I will, as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13, 1723.
58. Resolved, Not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness, and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, When I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, Whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4 and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, That I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it—that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, &c. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, Never to do any thing but my duty, and then, according to Eph. 6:6–8. to do it willingly and cheerfully, as unto the Lord, and not to man: knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord. June 25, and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true lustre, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, To act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan. 14, and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, When I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered,” of which the apostle speaks, and those “breathings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20. that I will promote them to the utmost of my power; and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavouring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and Aug. 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, Very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness of which I am capable, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him, all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance, according to Dr. Manton’s Sermon on the cxix Psalm. July 26, and Aug. 10, 1723.
66. Resolved, That I will endeavour always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking, in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them; and, what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, To confess frankly to myself, all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, Always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723.”
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Wikipedia Grace
Posted by: | CommentsWikipedia Grace
by Eddie Lawrence
INTRODUCTION: Many of you are probably familiar with the fantastic success of wikipedia on the internet. Wikipedia is a consortium of sorts. Anyone can participate in bringing information to a particular subject assisting in building a colossal encyclopedia online that is constantly and fluidly changing. Users can also correct and edit the material. In this way, it is truly a continual work in progress.
God’s grace works in a similar way. There are incomplete areas in our life that are seeking fulfillment. There are areas that need to be edited and adjusted. God will send grace to bring these changes about. How He sends His grace is similar to wikipedia as well. He sends all kinds of people to touch our lives and leave a deposit that enriches, equips, corrects, and changes us. We too are a continual work in progress.
TEXT: Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
1. Grace Brings Us Salvation v11a
The word salvation is a word that means we are made whole and complete in alignment with God’s original intentions. What sin has effects, grace can correct. Just like a wikipedia, grace comes and starts adding to your life making you more complete. As you live, the story of God’s deposits build. What a beautiful living "article" you become for others to read.
2. Grace Is Accessible by All v11b
Just like Wikipedia, all are invited. Grace has been made available to all people through Christ. Whosoever wills may come and partake.
3. Grace Is A Teacher v12a
In a way the people who contribute to Wikipedia are teachers. They are sharing what they know so that others may know. God gets His grace to us through people as well. Through them and their ministries we are taught by the resident teacher, the Holy Spirit. Here are some things Paul says Grace teaches us:
A. Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness v12
B. Grace teaches us to deny worldy desires v12
C. Grace teaches us to live seriously v12
D. Grace teaches us to live righteously v12
E. Grace teaches us to live godly right here and now v12
F. Grace teaches us to live for Jesus and look for His return. v13
CONCLUSION–What What are you learning from the Grace teachers whom God uses to edit your life for the better?
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Enjoying A Clean Heart — sermon 1 John
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Enjoying A Clean Heart
The Bible is clear and offers us the blessing of cleansing of our hearts so we can enjoy a wonderful fellowship with God.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1. A CONDITION MUST BE MET
"If we confess our sins" This means we must agree with God about the true condition of our heart. It is filled with sin and in need of cleansing. It means we take responsibility for our sin. We do not blame others, we own it ourselves and are accountable to God for it.
when we sin, we can and should confess it to God! We should endeavor to maintain a confessing heart so that we can live with a cleansed heart.
2. A FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING IS GIVEN
Notice, based on the faithfulness of God, you can be forgiven and cleansed. The whole Gospel story is the story of God taking action so that you could be forgiven and cleansed. It is your responsibility to confess and God takes responsibility from there. He forgives and He cleanses. You must stake your claim on the integrity of God that He will do what He says He will do.
The enemy will combat your mind with accusation, but you must stand on God’s Word and agree with God not only about your sin, but also about your forgiveness and cleansing. This is the way, you come to enjoy the cleansed heart. To have one, yet doubt it, robs one of the joy of what he possesses.
What spot is there so dark, that the blood of Jesus cannot wash it clean? Then do not rob the Son of God of the glory he deserves by doubting the efficacy of his blood work.
3. A COMPLETENESS OF CLEANSING IS TO BE EXPECTED
God cleanses us from "all unrighteousness." We are not half-way sinners and God is not a half-way cleanser. Understand that God always does a good job of whatever He does. When He cleanses you, you are clean. Rest in the work He has done. The message of the cross is that it is a finished work, a completed work. Jesus paid it all. When God cleanses, you are clean. Go forth from the moment of confession with an assurance that is firmly rooted in the Character of God and the completeness of salvation in Christ.
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Practicing the Presence – Pt. 20
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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.
The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.
FIFTEENTH LETTER
From his death-bed. * Repeats the same exhortation to knowledge, that
we may love.
GOD knoweth best what is needful for us, and all that He does is for
our good. If we knew how much He loves us, we should be always ready to
receive equally and with indifference from His hand the sweet and the
bitter; all would please that came from Him. The sorest afflictions
never appear intolerable, but when we see them in the wrong light. When
we see them in the hand of GOD, who dispenses them: when we know that
it is our loving FATHER, who abases and distresses us: our sufferings
will lose their bitterness, and become even matter of consolation.
Let all our employment be to know GOD: the more one knows Him, the more
one desires to know Him. And as knowledge is commonly the measure of
love, the deeper and more extensive our knowledge shall be, the greater
will be our love: and if our love of GOD were great we should love Him
equally in pains and pleasures.
Let us not amuse ourselves to seek or to love GOD for any sensible
favours (how elevated soever) which He has or may do us. Such favours,
though never so great, cannot bring us so near to GOD as faith does in
one simple act. Let us seek Him often by faith: He is within us; seek
Him not elsewhere. Are we not rude and deserve blame, if we leave Him
alone, to busy ourselves about trifles, which do not please Him and
perhaps offend Him? Tis to be feared these trifles will one day cost us
dear.
Let us begin to be devoted to Him in good earnest. Let us cast
everything besides out of our hearts; He would possess them alone. Beg
this favour of Him. If we do what we can on our parts, we shall soon
see that change wrought in us which we aspire after. I cannot thank Him
sufficiently for the relaxation He has vouchsafed you. I hope from His
mercy the favour to see Him within a few days. Let us pray for one
another.
[He took to his bed two days after and died within the week.]
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