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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
If you have ever flown hundreds or thousands of miles at a given time, you know what it's like to be tired and weary after a long trip. No sweeter words can you hear in an airport than when they call your name to come to the ticket counter, and say, "Mr. Hetland, you have been upgraded to first class." It's just a different world up there. The food is better, it's much quieter, and the sleep is more relaxing.
UPGRADE = an improvement in or enhancement of the condition, status, etc. of a person or thing; something that has been improved or enhanced; to raise in importance, value, esteem, etc.; to enhance or improve one's condition, status, capabilities, etc.
He showed me TWO things that he is upgrading in the coming year:
1. WISDOM
2. FAVOR
I believe with all my heart that these are the two most important ingredients for 2012 that will bring the greatest year that we have ever seen!
JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE
“ And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52
JESUS GREW IN WISDOM:
This is the Intellectual Development.
As you can see, Jesus exemplified the epitome of intelligence when He confronted the teachers, masters of the Law of His day, the Pharisees, and everyone who wanted to test His knowledge as a recognized Teacher of His day. They were amazed and astonished with His answers.
JESUS GREW IN FAVOR WITH MEN:
This is the Social Dimension.
As we mature in our walk with Jesus, notice that the circle of unbelieving friends in our life become smaller. Is this good? No, we must function like Jesus. He always came in contact with sinners, healing the sick and oppressed, teaching and telling about the Kingdom of heaven. Was He not branded to be a friend of sinners and the gluttons, and drunkards, and prostitutes and lepers?
JESUS GREW IN FAVOR WITH GOD:
This is the Spiritual Development.
This aspect of your life is part of a larger process. Jesus said it very clearly in Matthew 6:33 -" But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
YOUR UPGRADE IS ALREADY HERE,
IT'S NOW TIME TO WALK IN IT!
I. WISDOM
is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8
1. What is the principal thing?
· Not tongues
· Not baptism of the spirit
· Not soul winning
· Not money
· Not fellowship
· Not having a great marriage
· Not having a successful business
All are important, but still not the "principal ” thing according to Scripture.
The MAIN thing is the PRINCIPAL thing:
WISDOM
2. What is wisdom?
The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight. Common sense; good judgment. The sum of learning through the ages; knowledge. The Fear of the Lord.
Wisdom has two parts here:
1) One – is knowing what God wants
2) Two – is doing what God wants.
It’s not enough to give mental accent to the truth, but to put that truth into action moves me to the wisdom of God.
Not just “common sense”
Not just “book smarts”
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. “ James 3:13
Godly Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge. You gain knowledge by looking around; you gain wisdom by looking up. “Wisdom is the God-given ability to perceive the true nature of a matter and to implement the will of God in that matter”.
3. Why is it so important?
Knowledge without wisdom leads to chaos and all kinds of problems. We’ve all known people who are very smart and intelligent who were unable to carry out the simplest of tasks. They can run computers, but cannot run their own lives. Man can build a rocket and fire it to the moon, but he has yet to figure out how to keep a teenager off of drugs, or a man from beating his wife.
Here’s why – God’s reality and Man’s reality are often very different.
4. Consider the Value of Wisdom
Wisdom is greater than:
A. Monetary Power.
"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
Proverbs 3:13-17
"On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?" And Solomon said to God: "You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. "Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude."Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?" And God said to Solomon: "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life – but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—“wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."
2 Chronicles 1:7-12
You don’t have a money problem today, you have a wisdom problem. You can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t know why you have the money, it will destroy you.
Natural wisdom says to tithe only if you feel like it, only if there’s enough left over to do all the things you want to do. Spiritual wisdom says it’s a command, it’s a trust issue, and it’s the right thing to do no matter how you feel.
THINK ABOUT THIS –
Experts have studied the histories of past lottery winners and have discovered that an alarming number of them went bankrupt. These studies revealed that many lottery winners lacked the experience and knowledge to handle a sudden increase in wealth. Unable to cope, they mismanaged their resources till they ran dry:
Some Lottery Winners Who Splurged Their Lottery Payments:
• Evelyn Adams won the NJ lottery twice (1985, 1986), but was unable to save and now lives in a trailer.
• William Post won $16.2M in the PA lottery in 1988, but now lives on his Social Security.
• Suzanne Mullins won $4.2M in the VA lottery in 1993, but is now deeply in debt.
• Ken Proxmire won $1M in the MI lottery and within five years filed for bankruptcy.
• Willie Hurt of Lansing, MI won $3.1M in 1989 and ended up broke and charged with murder two years later.
• Charles Riddle of Belleville, MI won $1M in 1975 and had a life troubled by divorce, lawsuits and drug dealing.
• Janite Lee of Missouri won $18M in 1993 and, according to published reports, only has $700 left in two bank accounts and no cash on hand.
• A Southeastern family won $4.2M in the early 90s, bought a huge house and unthinkingly kept helping family members pay off debts till nothing was left of their winnings.
B. Greater than Military Power.
"I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me. There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded. The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good." Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
What we need in Washington DC is not more “Power” of might, but of Mighty Power of Almighty God who gives wisdom.
C. Greater than Mental Power.
"He also taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words; keep my commands, and live. Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you."
Proverbs 4:4-9
Wisdom and knowledge are linked together, but not the same. They are two different words.
How do you get this kind of mental power?
Step One:
A Right relationship with a Person.
People have said that if they could just go to some mountain top and sit at the feet of some wise man, then they will gain wisdom. Many have tried and failed.
What person?
We all need coaches, mentors. But the best is living inside you right now.
He has a name, Jesus Christ!
“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
1 Corinthians 1:30
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully.”
Colossians 1:9-11
Some of the smartest people in the world will end up in Hell, because they were not wise enough to do the simplest thing? Give their heart to Jesus.
Step Two:
A Right relationship with a Book.
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet , And a light to my path. “
Psalm 119:103-10
“I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”
Job 23:12
“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.”
Jeremiah 15:16
Have you ever just wanted to talk to the author of a book you were reading? How about a How-to book? You have the author of the Bible living inside of you.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Colossians 3:16
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Our Sin on His Cross
by Eddie Lawrence
INTRODUCTION – The three crosses present the day Jesus died carry a message for each of us. Please allow me to use what Pastor Rod Parsley wrote about concerning these three crosses as a simple sermon outline that carries some very major truth from the Scripture.
Here is an excerpt from Pastor Parsley’s devotional thought and the link where you can find it in its entirety.
"There were three crosses. The cross in the middle bore the One who died for sin; another bore the one who died to sin; and the third bore the one who died in sin. Although both criminals originally railed Jesus, one asked for forgiveness and Jesus promised that man a home in Paradise. The other ridiculed His choice and now is spending eternity in hell." Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/daily-breakthroughs/20130-three-crosses-of-sin#ixzz0jIaiRnsH
With the above thought in mind, let’s look at these three powerful messages about the relationship each of us have with sin. I want to ask you three questions:
1. DO YOU KNOW THE ONE WHO "DIED FOR SIN"?
There is only ONE who has ever lived, who lived a perfect life who qualifies to die for the sin of another — His name is Jesus. Do you know him?
Consider:
A. He died willingly – He could not be made to die.
B. He died sacrificially – He chose to die for the benefit of others.
C. He died lovingly – In his death, he expressed forgivness and demonstrated God’s love to us.
D. He died triumphantly – The Bible teaches that through his death, we can now receive life. His resurrection is the proof of his triumph over the penalty of sin which is death.
2. ARE YOU ONE WHO HAS "DIED TO SIN"?
This happens when Christ is confessed as Lord of your life through the repentance from your sin and faith toward Jesus Christ.
Consider:
A. Through faith in Christ – His righteousness becomes your righteousness>
B. You receive the guaranteed of the Holy Spirit as proof of your own future resurrection to life.
C. You are granted access to God as a child of God.
D. You are liberated from the consequences and condemnation of sin.
3. IF YOU DIED TODAY, WOULD YOU BE ONE WHO "DIED IN SIN"?
You will die some day, what if it were this day? Which cross would you be hangin on?
Consider:
A. Each of us have an appointment with death.
B. There is only one way to experience victory over death.
C. Waiting till a later time is playing Russian Roulette with your soul?
D. Whatever keeps you from trusting Christ now is one of the very things he died to set you free from.
E. Will you confess Christ now? Will you value what happened for you on the cross where there was One who died for sin.
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The 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.
AUDIO OVERVIEW OF THIS SERMON
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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The Jesus Journey
by Eddie Lawrence
The following points can be used to share a simple sermon about the story of Jesus. Many different facets could be added under the main points. I have offered some suggestions.
1. Jesus Came
A. To do the will of His Father
B. To save sinners
C. To give abundant life
D. To set people free
E. To destroy the works of the Devil
2. Jesus Ministered
A. To the sinner
B. To the sick
C. To the outcast
E. To his disciples
3. Jesus Died
A. Willingly
B. Selflessly
C. Sacrificially
D. With our sins place upon him
4. Jesus Arose
A, He conquered death
B. He lives
5. Jesus Ascended
A. He is seated because the work is finished.
B. He prays as our Great High Priest
6. Jesus Poured Out His Spirit
A. He has empowered us to carry on his work
B. He speaks to us and guides us
7. Jesus is Returning
A. To receive us to himself
B. To raise the dead
C. To rule and reign
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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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(The following sermon was written and contributed by Diane Harrington who resides in South Carolina. It is obvious that the Lord has blessed Diane with a writing and teaching gift. Thanks to her for this message.)
“THERE IS NO RETIREMENT IN GOD’S KINGDOM”
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
1. Introduction
The city of Thessalonica sat squarely in the middle of an important trade route; hence it was a strategic place to plant a new church. Information from the city could travel easily to the far East and West. Paul was so successful in his efforts to organize the Thessalonian church that outraged Jewish leaders threatened his life. He had to sneak out of the city under the cover of darkness, and then wrote letters to continue to guide the new believers.
2. Exegesis
The second letter was written to clear up misconceptions about Christ’s second coming. There were those who had the attitude that if Christ’s return was imminent, there was no point in doing anything but watching and waiting. This placed an undue burden on the rest of the Christian community, who continued to work and be productive. Paul pointed out the example that he, Silas, and Timothy had set with regard to work. Even though it was their right to receive support from the church, they had worked to provide for their own basic needs. They did not want to be a burden and they wanted to provide an example of how believers should live and work while they waited for Christ’s return.
As we heard in last week’s sermon, Paul emphasized the importance of tradition, or following the beliefs and practices that he and the other apostles taught. Paul reprimanded those who broke from tradition and were guilty of idleness and disorderly conduct. The Greek word “ataktéo” has been translated as “idleness” and as the word “disorderly.” Disorderly is a military term used to describe a soldier who is out of ranks. [ii] Paul emphasized the need for believers to continue working productively while they waited for the Second Coming. Idleness implies deliberate loafing or goofing off. Judging from Paul’s stern command, “anyone unwilling to work shall not eat,” some were probably using the excuse of waiting for Christ’s return, when really, they were just plain lazy. With too much time on their hands, they mooched off others and caused trouble within the community of believers. They gossiped and meddled in the affairs of others. Paul instructed the faithful to speak the truth in love, to warn the idlers about their destructive attitude and behavior, but not to shun them either.
God established the practice of work in the very beginning. God worked for 6 days to create the earth, and rested on the 7th day to enjoy his creation. After creating man and woman, God gave them a job – the responsibility to name other living creatures and rule over them. Adam and Eve were to continue the creative process that God began. Both the Old and New Testaments tell the story of God’s mighty acts in and through history to enable and inspire humanity to achieve God’s purposes. Elwell Walter in The Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, said that any human work is a life-enhancing blessing when it is controlled by God. [iii]
3. Employment issues today
Parents of school aged children and youth often remark that they keep their children involved in activities to keep them out of trouble. Idleness breeds negative, unruly behavior. Sometimes the behavior is rooted in boredom or a need for attention, but as we say “one thing leads to another.” In the workplace, the “underemployed,” or those workers who don’t have enough to keep them busy, seem always to be the ones who are a bad influence on other workers. Some effects of idleness in the workplace are petty disagreements, gossiping, broken relationships, and general loss of productivity. Just as in Paul’s day, idleness ruins attitudes and prevents us from being all that God calls us to be. There is a difference in not being busy and idleness. Idleness is a sin.
Idleness is an insidious, contagious disease. Paul was tough in his answer to this problem: “anyone unwilling to work shall not eat.” But in applying Paul’s message to today, we must be careful not to mistake idleness with unemployment or unemployability. [iv] Just because someone is unemployed, they are not necessarily idle. The Department of Labor defines unemployment as those who are actively seeking work. There is also what is called a “shadow workforce,” or those who would work, but have stopped looking because they have not been able to find a job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate is 5.5%. An article on the Society for Human Resources Management website offers that the shadow workforce, if counted, would increase the unemployment rate to 8%. Business closures due to relocating operations offshore or due to financial difficulties have had a devastating effect on the US economy. North and South Carolina’s textile and furniture industries have been especially hard hit. Downsizing throughout the country has resulted in workers who don’t trust management and management that has had to defend itself against lawsuits – some justifiable, but many that are frivolous. Employment laws that were created to protect workers and guarantee fair and equal treatment are used successfully by some on both sides to “work the system” for their own advantage. Victims of forced unemployment are at high risk of falling into the habit of idleness and joining the ranks of the shadow workforce. It is not usually because they want this to happen, but continued rejection in the job market can lead to a defeatist attitude, depression, illness, or even suicide. Health care is often a low priority as displaced workers lose their insurance coverage. Though coverage is available through COBRA, it is very expensive. Lack of income and insurance benefits put whole families at risk. From my vantage point in human resources, the people who weather the unemployment crisis best are those who continue to cling mightily to their tradition of Christian values and their faith in God to help them weather the storm.
4. Employment in God’s Kingdom
The lost jobs crisis is really a global issue that seems impossible to solve. In our helplessness, we wait for our government to solve the problem. When confronted with a displaced worker, we often say “We’re praying for you.” We go home, thank our lucky stars that we are still gainfully employed or honorably retired, and then do nothing else – out of sight, out of mind. But, as responsible Christians, we can do more than that. Many years ago, after job loss in my own family, a member of this congregation sent Ed Lewis to our house at Christmas to give us an anonymous monetary gift. I hope that person is here today to hear how much that meant to us. It wasn’t the amount of the gift, because I honestly don’t remember what it was, but the Christian love it represented. The act itself spoke much louder than words.
Some things we can do regarding the problem of unemployment are:
First: we can pray for wisdom to know what it is that God would have us do. We can pray with and for our friends and neighbors, especially those in our faith community, that have experienced job loss, and then do something to help them. We can offer to babysit while someone goes on a job interview. We can offer to serve as a reference, or to forward their resume to a business person we know.
Second: we can support local efforts to help those who are victims of forced unemployment. When Pillowtex in Kannapolis closed, many agencies and churches, including ours, responded with aid – be that monetary or volunteers to provide training in resume writing or other job readiness skills.
Third: we can study the issues before our Congress, study the candidates for office, pray, and then vote. We just had the opportunity to do that – to be responsible citizens.
God can and will direct us in how we can help. We are not only called to work productively to take care of our basic human needs, but we are also called to be employed in God’s Kingdom.
In order to avoid idleness in our own lives, it helps to remember that, as Walter Elwell said, “work is a life-enhancing blessing when it is controlled by God.” [v] Stewardship of our time, talents, and resources is essential. Stewardship starts with personal bible study, prayer, and reflection in order to receive guidance and direction. God calls us to serve both in our own church and in the community at large. During the stewardship season, we have heard about the many things we can do individually and collectively to love our neighbors. If you have not completed your time and talent form, please remember to do so. Our many committees (Finance, Christian Ed, Worship, Commitment, Weekday Preschool, Personnel, Witness & Service), Church School, Choir, Presbyterian Men and Women, and other groups need your help. Your service not only supports our own congregation, but also provides outreach to the community. Our Logos/Middle School Ministry program has attracted many new members through its efforts to teach our children the Word of God and the traditions of our denomination. Our Witness and Service Committee sponsors outreach efforts such as Habitat for Humanity and Angel Tree, which ministers to children of incarcerated youth.
My Mother-In-Law Mary Harrington was the ultimate “hot roll lady.” She whipped up delicious, melt-in-your mouth rolls whenever anyone she knew was down and out. One time, she was expressing her guilt for not helping someone she thought she should have. I will never forget her telling me that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” While we all know that statement is not really true, what we should realize is that we can do nothing through our own power. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we make a difference. We are not responsible for the outcome (that’s God’s part), but we are responsible for the planting and watering, for being God’s agents – God’s eyes, ears, hands, and feet. In his book Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby says that we should look to see where God is already at work, and then go there to participate in God’s work.
5. Conclusion
In God’s Kingdom, there is no reason to remain idle. There are too many jobs and not enough people. We are all called to do God’s work, to avoid idleness while others do the work for us. Paul said, “Brothers and sisters, do not weary in doing what is right.” Make no mistake, Paul is not talking about works for works sake. He is talking about the believer’s proper response in gratitude for God’s gift of faith and saving Grace. Unlike our secular world today, in God’s Kingdom, we are called to accept God’s employment offer, because there is no unemployment. In God’s Kingdom, there is no such thing as retirement.
Let us pray:
Gracious and loving God,
We thank you for the ability and calling to do your work. Help us have the correct attitude about the work and to avoid idleness, so that the results we produce will glorify you.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
[i] Barclay, William,
The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, PA, 1975, pages 179-183.
[ii] Ogilvie, Lloyd J., General Editor,
The Communicator’s Commentary: 1,2 Thessalonians, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, Word Books, Waco, TX, 1984, pages 136-144.
[iii] Elwell, Walter A., “Entry for Work,” “Evangelical Dictionary of Theology,” <htts://www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries/Baker Evangelical Dictionary/bed/cgi?number=T742>. 1997.
[iv] Ogilvie, Lloyd J., Ibid.
[v] Elwell, Walter A., Ibid.
vi Buttrick, George A., The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume XI., Abingdon Press, New York/Nashville, 1955, pages 335-338.
vii Blackaby, Henry, Experiencing God, Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN 1998, pages 67-71.
viii www,shrm.org
viv www.usgov.bls.org
N
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Following is one of our free sermons among our many sermon outlines. Please make it your own and ask God to bless it.
TWO VIEWS OF CHRISTIAN SALVATION
Christians have many varying views on what it means to live the Christian life. To a large degree, the foundational truth you rest upon will affect how you view Christianity and how to live life as a Christian. Let’s look at a very foundational text. In it’s simplicity it holds the key to how to view the Christian experience and life.
Text: Romans 6: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1. THE WAGE VIEW
6:23 {Wages} (\ops“nia\). Late Greek for wages of soldier, here
of sin. See on ¯Lu 3:14; 1Co 9:7; 2Co 11:8. Sin pays its wages
in full with no cut.
(A.T. Robertson, Word Studies)
-Like it or not, a lot of religious non-Christian thinking has affected people’s view of what it means to live life as a Christian.
-This views a person’s life as a grand set of scales. The bad on one side, the good on the other. The side with the most determines heaven or hell.
-This is a works based view. How much can I do for God? It has the idea of earning one’s way in to heaven.
-This view places the value of a person’s life on their own intrinsic efforts.
-It is the "Get what you deserve!" attitude.
-It focuses on the outward show of a person’s life as opposed to the inner condition of the heart.
ILLUS–putting apples on a pine tree does not make it an apple tree.
Our best day’s work to earn our salvation still merits DEATH.
2. THE GIFT VIEW
6:23 But eternal life is God’s gift (\charisma\),
not wages. Both \thanatos\ and \z“ˆn\ are {eternal} (\ai“nion\).
(A.T. Robertson, Word Studies)
-Salvation is to be received not acheived.
-Salvation is dependent primarily on actions that God has taken.
ILLUS–a drowning man has to be rescued. God has thrown out the lifering. All man has to do, is to take hold of it.
-Salvation is a gift.
-A gift has a giver than gives it.
-To be used and enjoyed there has to be a recipient to receive it.
JESUS work to provide our salvation always merits ETERNAL LIFE
6:23 {Wages} (\ops“nia\). Late Greek for wages of soldier, here
of sin. See on ¯Lu 3:14; 1Co 9:7; 2Co 11:8. Sin pays its wages
in full with no cut. But eternal life is God’s gift (\charisma\),
not wages. Both \thanatos\ and \z“ˆn\ are {eternal} (\ai“nion\).
(A.T. Robertson, Word Studies)
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Following is another of our sermon outlines about God’s plan for your life. As with all our free sermons, please enjoy it! Also check out our Monday Morning Preacher’s Package!
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
You can be encouraged today by realizing the following truths that are present in this one power-packed verse:
1. YOU ARE GOD’S WORKMANSHIP
What an intoxicating thought, God is at work in your life! Don’t believe the enemy’s lie that
God does not care. Here Paul tells us that God is at work in us!
A. Having come to faith in Christ (v 8-9), God continues to give grace to grow you.(
B. You are God’s personal project so to speak. You have heavenly supervision over your life.
C. Since God is the Craftsman at work in your life, you are custom made by God. Exiting isn’t it?
Illus-In the world of fashion, people make a big deal about who designed their clothes, purses, shoes, etc. You are God designed and He does extended warranty work on you until you are called to be with Him. Lifetime warranty!
2. CHRIST IS THE BASIS OF FAVOR IN YOUR LIFE
You have become a join heir with Christ. It was not because of your good works (v9).
A. Because of what Jesus did, you can be saved.
B. Because of what Jesus did, you receive heaven’s benefits.
C. The flow of grace comes to you through Jesus mediation for you.
D. All that Father does for you is rooted in Christ Jesus.
E. Your creation and continued growth is in Christ Jesus.
F. When Father looks at you, He sees you with all the changes
provided by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
3. YOU ARE CREATED TO WORK PROPERLY
It is so important to see yourself the way God sees you–through Christ Jesus.
We tend to focus on our weaknesses and do not move from there into our place of strentgh–in Christ!
A. God is an ace mechanic. As the bumper sticker says,
"God don’t make no junk!"
B. We have under the hood what we need to move down the road of God’s will.
C. Tune ups are necessary as well as oil changes and occassional new tires. (sanctification)
D. God’s plans result in good works flowing from our lives. Not working to get saved
but working because we have been saved.
E. New cars are not meant to sit on the parking lot to be seen. They are created to be driven on the road.
Likewise, Christians have not been created to just sit on the pew in the church, they were created to
go into all the world sharing Christ and his love and teachings.
4. YOU DO HAVE A GOD PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE
Many people struggle with feeling no sense of purpose. God has a purpose for your life. A well thought through plan.
A. This plan was ordained ahead of time.
B. The Christian life manual is the New Testament
C. The best place to start is to study Jesus in the Gospels.
D. See how God worked through Jesus.
E. Realize Jesus said his disciples were to go do likewise.
F. God laid out a plan for your life to walk in. As you walk out
this plan, then His hands position everything into place.
G. Discover the plan of God revealed through Christ Jesus for your life.
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This is a free sermon. Like our other sermon outlines, please develop and make it your own. A bible sermon effectively delivered can be such a blessing to people.
Understanding Mind Veils
2 Corinthians 3:13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
UNDERSTANDING MIND VEILS
1. A Veil Worn Keeps Others from Seeing (v13)
A literal veil hides us from others
A mind veil keeps others from seeing who we truly created to be
2. A Veil Worn Keeps You from Seeing (v14)
A literal veil interferes with our ability to see.
A mind veil causes us to be blind to what we should see.
Blinded to:
A. Truth About Christ
B. How God Sees People
C. How to View Onself
D. The Deception of Satan
E. New Covenant Grace
We must remember in witnessing to the lost, that they cannot see.
You do not expect a blind man to see what you see.
You relate to the person in terms they understand and lead them.
They need to be able to trust you, not suspect you.
3. A Veil Remaining Hinders (v14-15)
A bride removes a veil when she is carried away by her groom.
To continue to wear a veil hinders intimacy.
In the Old Testament Tavernacle, the Veil was a barrier between God and Man.
Today that veil is in the mind and around the heart.
It is there as a result of sin. Sin separates us from God. Keeps us from God and
from each other.
Even as Christians, we can choose to wear an Old Testament veil which results in:
A, Attitude of Law toward people
B. A Yoke upon oneself
C. A unwhole view of Christ’s redemptive work
D. Striving and Struggling to measure up
E. Competition and Envy
4. A Veil is Removed through Repentance and Faith in Christ (v14 and v16)
Christ the groom removes the veil from his bride’s face
We must continue to ask him to remove the veils we put on areas of our thinking
5. A Veil Removed Results in Revelation (v16)
The field of vision is cleared and uncluttered when a veil is removed.
When a mind veil is removed by Christ, a person begins to see what they have
not seen before. It is awesome.
Jesus said in John 3, We can see the kingdom of God.
-The Bible comes alive.
-You see people differently
-Freedom replaces condemnation
-Grace abounds and love comes so much easier
-You see the glory of God
-You see the unseen!
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This is another Mother’s Day sermon outline among our free sermons for you to use and enjoy in your online bible study and bible preaching.
The 1122 Motherhood Principle
1 Samuel 1:11 Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
1 Samuel 1:22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever.”
Verse 11 demonstrates Hannah’s desire for Samuel and her devotion to the Lord.
Verse 22 demonstrates Hannah’s dedication to Samuel and her devotion to the Lord
Desire, Devotion, and Dedication are the three words that make up the core of what I am calling the 1122 Principle of Motherhood. It comes from this two verses in 1 Samuel. It also speaks of all that transpires in a woman’s life and a child life’s between the time the child is conceived until the child is released from the home. In Samuel’s case, it was only three short years. In most cases, it is the period of time from birth until marriage or moving away from home to pursue a career.
Let’s think about these three words. First let’s look at:
1. DESIRE FOR MOTHERHOOD
-God placed a special nurturing love within the heart of women toward little ones.
-The yearning for a child can be very deep and intense as it was with Hannah
-Stop and pray for all women who desire a child and have been unable to have one
-Pray blessing upon those who have stepped forward to adopt a child (this also reflects God’s heart who has adopted us)
2. DEVOTION TO THE LORD
-Hannah had a deep devotion to the Lord
-She was in the house of the Lord praying
-She was overwhelmed with emotion
-She knew God could grant her the longing of her heart
-She was a worshipping woman
-Pause and pray blessing over all mothers for their devotion to the Lord and its effect upon their children. Honor them.
3. DEDICATION TO A CHILD
-Hannah vowed early on to give her child to the Lord
-She was faithful to her promise to give him to the Lord
-She did all she could do to prepare Samuel to live for the Lord
-She knew God had a special purpose for him
-A mother sacrifices like no one else selflessly in order to see their children grow and succeed.
-Pause and pray thanking God for the sacrifices mothers have made for their families.
-Pray blessing over all children present and remember to pray for those who are away from the Lord.
Conclusion– If you are a person who has a mother that desires you, is devoted to the Lord, and has dedicated her life to release you to the purposes of God, you are blessed indeed.
(Remember to provide encouragement and ministry to those who have been abandoned by their mothers, have conflict with their mothers, or have lost their mothers through death).
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