I have been taught, and therefore, always believed that you can love a person without liking a person. Love is an action, not a feeling, or emotion. Consequently, I should be able to command my love, even when the object of my love is disliked. Today, I have been corrected.
In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Paul says, "I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. _If I give away all I have, and _if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." What struck me about this passage is the fact that actions can be done without love, especially actions of giving to someone in need, or self-sacrifice. Therefore, love is more than an action. It does involve emotions and feelings.
One only has to look to Jesus for our example of love. The Bible tells us that Jesus died for us while we were his enemies. I can't imagine Jesus saying, "I don't like these people, but I am going to love them anyway." I believe, as D.A.Carson so eloquently stated, "Christ love for us is not grounded in our loveliness, but in his own character. His love is not merely sentimental, yet is charged with incalculable affection and warmth. It is resolute in its self-sacrifice, but never merely mechanical self-discipline."
My old way of thinking falls short of the example of Jesus. Dear Lord, help me to love others as you have loved me. Forgive me for the times that I have done actions without any love.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
More than Conquerors!
I have been spending a great deal of my devotional time reading the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Israel did not believe the warnings of destruction from these prophets if they did not turn from their sin and turn back to God. They believed that God would never destroy Jerusalem or the temple. They found out that you can't hide unholy living behind holy things. God will bring judgment upon ungodliness. Even so, not all destruction that God's people face is on account of sin.
God's people will face suffering and tribulation even when they are being faithful to the Lord. Examples of this type of suffering are numerous throughout the Bible. One in particular has caught my attention. It is the innocent suffering of Israel from Psalm 44.
In this psalm, the author writes about suffering even though they were faithful to the Lord, "All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant" (Psalm 44:17). They were trying to make sense of their suffering. It is one thing to suffer because of sin, but to suffer when God's people are being faithful!
Like most of us, they respond questioning God, "Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?" These words are illustrated in the New Testament when the disciples and Jesus encounter a storm at sea, and Jesus is asleep. The disciples cry out, "Lord, don't you care that we are perishing?"
The reality of walking with Jesus is that we will suffer because we walk with Jesus. We will suffer for being faithful. It is interesting that the apostle Paul quotes Psalm 44:22 in Romans 8:36, "As it is written, 'For your sake, we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." What is encouraging is what Paul says in verse 37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors."
God's people will suffer even when faithful to God because we live in a world that hates God.
Be encouraged! The suffering we face this side of heaven won't compare to our future glory.
God's people will face suffering and tribulation even when they are being faithful to the Lord. Examples of this type of suffering are numerous throughout the Bible. One in particular has caught my attention. It is the innocent suffering of Israel from Psalm 44.
In this psalm, the author writes about suffering even though they were faithful to the Lord, "All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant" (Psalm 44:17). They were trying to make sense of their suffering. It is one thing to suffer because of sin, but to suffer when God's people are being faithful!
Like most of us, they respond questioning God, "Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?" These words are illustrated in the New Testament when the disciples and Jesus encounter a storm at sea, and Jesus is asleep. The disciples cry out, "Lord, don't you care that we are perishing?"
The reality of walking with Jesus is that we will suffer because we walk with Jesus. We will suffer for being faithful. It is interesting that the apostle Paul quotes Psalm 44:22 in Romans 8:36, "As it is written, 'For your sake, we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." What is encouraging is what Paul says in verse 37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors."
God's people will suffer even when faithful to God because we live in a world that hates God.
Be encouraged! The suffering we face this side of heaven won't compare to our future glory.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Call to Ministry
When I first surrendered to serve the Lord in ministry, I said to the Lord, "I will do anything you want, but I don't want to be a pastor." I was willing to go to the ends of the earth as a missionary, but I had no desire to pastor. Of course, I have learned since then that "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).
I was serving the Lord as a youth minister when God called me to be a pastor. The call upon my life came, not at one serendipitous moment, but over a long period of time. It started with my first opportunity to preach at a Wednesday night Bible Study. This opportunity was followed by several more opportunities to preach on Sunday mornings. Over a six month period, the Lord gave me an intense desire to pastor his people and preach his word. The apostle Paul said, "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task" (1 Timothy 3:1). The desire I had to pastor could only be from God because I had no desire to be a pastor.
I have been serving the Lord for over twelve years as a senior pastor. I have to admit that if I had not been called by God, I would have quit a long time ago. I have to constantly recommit my life to God's call upon my life to be a shepherd of the people whom he purchased with his blood. Paul summarized what it means to be a pastor when he said to the Ephesian elders, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God"(Acts 20:24). This verse reminds me that I have to commit my life to the priority of God's call.
The Priority of God's Call
A follower of Jesus Christ understands that the God's will is about self-denial and self-sacrifice. This is especially true for the minister of the gospel. God calls pastors to be examples for the flock. Paul said, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself." Paul knew that following Christ and serving Christ would mean sacrificing his preferences to God's will. There is a great temptation to serve God only if it benefits my life. All pastors would love to be successful and comfortable, but God doesn't call us all to success and comfort. He calls us to surrender our lives to his will, knowing that God honors those who honor him. God's call must take priority over my family, my finances, my future, my fun, my life.
The Perseverance for God's Call
Paul's desire is stated, "if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus." God's call must take priority if you are going to finish the race. Many people get out of the ministry because they are not willing to make the sacrifice. They value their lives more than the call of God upon their lives. I will admit that I have had many times I wanted to give up in ministry. Every minister struggles with perseverance, and the only way to stay with the course is to surrender preference to the priority of God's call, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Purpose of God's Call
The purpose of God's call is a privilege. It is also the greatest motivation for surrendering to the priority of God's call. The purpose of God calling is real simple, "to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." What can be a greater privilege and purpose in the world than to preach the gospel of grace?. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that God's call is the most important call in the whole universe. What really matters to humanity is to know and understand the Lord. The only way a person can know and understand the Lord is through grace of God revealed through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What a privilege to be able to testify of God's grace!
Dear Lord, today, I recommit my life to your call upon my life. I thank you that I can serve you and your people at First Southern Baptist Church. I am thankful that I have the wonderful privilege of sharing Jesus.
"Count the cost of following Christ; and if you cannot bear such a cost as this, turn your backs and perish in your sins!" Charles Spurgeon
I was serving the Lord as a youth minister when God called me to be a pastor. The call upon my life came, not at one serendipitous moment, but over a long period of time. It started with my first opportunity to preach at a Wednesday night Bible Study. This opportunity was followed by several more opportunities to preach on Sunday mornings. Over a six month period, the Lord gave me an intense desire to pastor his people and preach his word. The apostle Paul said, "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task" (1 Timothy 3:1). The desire I had to pastor could only be from God because I had no desire to be a pastor.
I have been serving the Lord for over twelve years as a senior pastor. I have to admit that if I had not been called by God, I would have quit a long time ago. I have to constantly recommit my life to God's call upon my life to be a shepherd of the people whom he purchased with his blood. Paul summarized what it means to be a pastor when he said to the Ephesian elders, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God"(Acts 20:24). This verse reminds me that I have to commit my life to the priority of God's call.
The Priority of God's Call
A follower of Jesus Christ understands that the God's will is about self-denial and self-sacrifice. This is especially true for the minister of the gospel. God calls pastors to be examples for the flock. Paul said, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself." Paul knew that following Christ and serving Christ would mean sacrificing his preferences to God's will. There is a great temptation to serve God only if it benefits my life. All pastors would love to be successful and comfortable, but God doesn't call us all to success and comfort. He calls us to surrender our lives to his will, knowing that God honors those who honor him. God's call must take priority over my family, my finances, my future, my fun, my life.
The Perseverance for God's Call
Paul's desire is stated, "if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus." God's call must take priority if you are going to finish the race. Many people get out of the ministry because they are not willing to make the sacrifice. They value their lives more than the call of God upon their lives. I will admit that I have had many times I wanted to give up in ministry. Every minister struggles with perseverance, and the only way to stay with the course is to surrender preference to the priority of God's call, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Purpose of God's Call
The purpose of God's call is a privilege. It is also the greatest motivation for surrendering to the priority of God's call. The purpose of God calling is real simple, "to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." What can be a greater privilege and purpose in the world than to preach the gospel of grace?. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that God's call is the most important call in the whole universe. What really matters to humanity is to know and understand the Lord. The only way a person can know and understand the Lord is through grace of God revealed through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What a privilege to be able to testify of God's grace!
Dear Lord, today, I recommit my life to your call upon my life. I thank you that I can serve you and your people at First Southern Baptist Church. I am thankful that I have the wonderful privilege of sharing Jesus.
"Count the cost of following Christ; and if you cannot bear such a cost as this, turn your backs and perish in your sins!" Charles Spurgeon
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thirteen Heresies from The Shack: Michael Youssef's Message
Below is a wonderful critique of "The Shack" by Dr. Michael Youssef. You can find his message on video at http://www.leadingtheway.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sto_TheShack_13heresies
1. God the Father was crucified with Jesus.
Because God's eyes are pure and cannot look upon sin, the Bible says that God would not look upon His own beloved Son as He hung on the Cross, carrying our sins (Habakkuk 1:13; Matthew 27:45).
2. God is limited by His love and cannot practice justice.
The Bible declares that God's love and His justice are two sides of the same coin — equally a part of the personality and the character of God (Isaiah 61:8; Hosea 2:19).
3. On the Cross, God forgave all of humanity, whether they repent or not. Some choose a relationship with Him, but He forgives them all regardless.
Jesus explained that only those who come to Him will be saved (John 14:6).
4. Hierarchical structures, whether they are in the Church or in the government, are evil.
Our God is a God of order (Job 25:2).
5. God will never judge people for their sins.
The Word of God repeatedly invites people to escape from the judgment of God by believing in Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-3).
6. There is not a hierarchical structure in the Godhead, just a circle of unity.
The Bible says that Jesus submitted to the will of the Father. This doesn't mean that one Person is higher or better than the other; just unique. Jesus said, "I came to do the will of Him who sent me. I am here to obey my Father." Jesus also said, "I will send you the Holy Spirit" (John 4:34, 6:44, 14:26, 15:26).
7. God submits to human wishes and choices.
Far from God submitting to us, Jesus said, "Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life." We are to submit to Him in all things, for His glory and because of what He has accomplished for us (Matthew 7:13-15).
8. Justice will never take place because of love.
The Bible teaches that when God's love is rejected, and when the offer of salvation and forgiveness is rejected, justice must take place or God has sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for nothing (Matthew 12:20; Romans 3:25-26).
9. There is no such a thing as eternal judgment or torment in hell.
Jesus' own description of hell is vivid ... it cannot be denied (Luke 12:5, 16:23).
10. Jesus is walking with all people in their different journeys to God, and it doesn't matter which way you get to Him.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one will come to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).
11. Jesus is constantly being transformed along with us.
Jesus, who dwells in the splendor of heaven, sits at the right hand of God, reigning and ruling the universe. The Bible says, "In Him there is no change, for He is yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 11:12, 13:8; James 1:17).
12. There is no need for faith or reconciliation with God because everyone will make it to heaven.
Jesus said, "Only those who believe in me will have eternal life" (John 3:15, 3:36, 5:24, 6:40).
13. The Bible is not true because it reduces God to paper.
The Bible is God-breathed. Sure, there were many men through 1,800 years who put pen to paper (so to speak), each from different professions and different backgrounds, but the Holy Spirit infused their work with God's words. These men were writing the same message from Genesis to Revelation. If you want to read more about the place of Christ in the Scripture, read "We Preach Christ" (2 Timothy 3:16).
1. God the Father was crucified with Jesus.
Because God's eyes are pure and cannot look upon sin, the Bible says that God would not look upon His own beloved Son as He hung on the Cross, carrying our sins (Habakkuk 1:13; Matthew 27:45).
2. God is limited by His love and cannot practice justice.
The Bible declares that God's love and His justice are two sides of the same coin — equally a part of the personality and the character of God (Isaiah 61:8; Hosea 2:19).
3. On the Cross, God forgave all of humanity, whether they repent or not. Some choose a relationship with Him, but He forgives them all regardless.
Jesus explained that only those who come to Him will be saved (John 14:6).
4. Hierarchical structures, whether they are in the Church or in the government, are evil.
Our God is a God of order (Job 25:2).
5. God will never judge people for their sins.
The Word of God repeatedly invites people to escape from the judgment of God by believing in Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-3).
6. There is not a hierarchical structure in the Godhead, just a circle of unity.
The Bible says that Jesus submitted to the will of the Father. This doesn't mean that one Person is higher or better than the other; just unique. Jesus said, "I came to do the will of Him who sent me. I am here to obey my Father." Jesus also said, "I will send you the Holy Spirit" (John 4:34, 6:44, 14:26, 15:26).
7. God submits to human wishes and choices.
Far from God submitting to us, Jesus said, "Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life." We are to submit to Him in all things, for His glory and because of what He has accomplished for us (Matthew 7:13-15).
8. Justice will never take place because of love.
The Bible teaches that when God's love is rejected, and when the offer of salvation and forgiveness is rejected, justice must take place or God has sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for nothing (Matthew 12:20; Romans 3:25-26).
9. There is no such a thing as eternal judgment or torment in hell.
Jesus' own description of hell is vivid ... it cannot be denied (Luke 12:5, 16:23).
10. Jesus is walking with all people in their different journeys to God, and it doesn't matter which way you get to Him.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one will come to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).
11. Jesus is constantly being transformed along with us.
Jesus, who dwells in the splendor of heaven, sits at the right hand of God, reigning and ruling the universe. The Bible says, "In Him there is no change, for He is yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 11:12, 13:8; James 1:17).
12. There is no need for faith or reconciliation with God because everyone will make it to heaven.
Jesus said, "Only those who believe in me will have eternal life" (John 3:15, 3:36, 5:24, 6:40).
13. The Bible is not true because it reduces God to paper.
The Bible is God-breathed. Sure, there were many men through 1,800 years who put pen to paper (so to speak), each from different professions and different backgrounds, but the Holy Spirit infused their work with God's words. These men were writing the same message from Genesis to Revelation. If you want to read more about the place of Christ in the Scripture, read "We Preach Christ" (2 Timothy 3:16).
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The Importance of the Word
The Importance of the Word
Nehemiah 8:1-18
Ezra Reads the Law
1And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of (A)the Water Gate, and they asked (B)Ezra the scribe to bring (C)the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel.
2Then (D)Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on (E)the first day of the seventh month.
3He read from it before the square which was in front of (F)the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
4Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand.
5Ezra opened (G)the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people (H)stood up.
6Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, "(I)Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then (J)they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place.
8They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.
"This Day Is Holy"
9Then Nehemiah, who was the (K)governor, and Ezra (L)the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "(M)This day is holy to the LORD your God; (N)do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.
10Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and (O)send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
11So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."
12All the people went away to eat, to drink, (P)to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, (Q)because they understood the words which had been made known to them.
Feast of Booths Restored
13Then on the second day the heads of fathers' households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.
14They found written in the law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel (R)should live in booths during the feast of the seventh month.
15(S)So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and (T)in Jerusalem, saying, "(U)Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written."
16So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each (V)on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at (W)the Water Gate and in the square at (X)the Gate of Ephraim.
17The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them. The sons of Israel (Y)had indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day And (Z)there was great rejoicing.
18(AA)He read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day And they (AB)celebrated the feast seven days, and on (AC)the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance.
------------------------
How to grow a church....preach the
Word of God!
Greatest need of the church today? Expository preaching!!!
I Peter 1:23
23for you have been (A)born again (B)not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring (C)word of God.
Acts
6:7
7(A)The word of God kept on spreading; and (B)the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to (C)the faith.
12:24
24But (A)the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.
19:20
20So (A)the word of the Lord (B)was growing mightily and prevailing.
When you see a church or person that is hungry for the Word of God, that is a sign of spiritual growth and that God is at work.
I. Believe it!!!
If we want to see our church grow, we need to believe what it says!!!
A. Enthusiastically and expectantly
- they expected God would speak to them personally
B. Attentively
- for hours they listened
C. Reverently
- they stood up when the Word was read. They believed that the Word
was God speaking to them.
D. Submissively
- bowed low and humbled themselves.
-Submit ourselves to what God's Word says and obey it!
II. Receive it!!
Not just to be a heater, but a doer!!!
A. The power to purify.
- the Word of God convicts them of their sin.
B. Receive the promise of provision
Have you truly received the conviction of sins & the provision for sins?
Today is the day of salvation! When God convicts you of your sins, it's because He wants to forgive you of your sins!
III. Live it!!!
Live it out so others can see.
Those that were looking to them could see that the Israelites were living for God. (v.18)
Problem with Christians today, we tell people to believe in Jesus, but the way we live tells them just the opposite.
626-710 S Reynolds Rd, Bryant, AR 72022, USA
Nehemiah 8:1-18
Ezra Reads the Law
1And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of (A)the Water Gate, and they asked (B)Ezra the scribe to bring (C)the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel.
2Then (D)Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on (E)the first day of the seventh month.
3He read from it before the square which was in front of (F)the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
4Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand.
5Ezra opened (G)the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people (H)stood up.
6Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, "(I)Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then (J)they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place.
8They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.
"This Day Is Holy"
9Then Nehemiah, who was the (K)governor, and Ezra (L)the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "(M)This day is holy to the LORD your God; (N)do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.
10Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and (O)send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
11So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."
12All the people went away to eat, to drink, (P)to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, (Q)because they understood the words which had been made known to them.
Feast of Booths Restored
13Then on the second day the heads of fathers' households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.
14They found written in the law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel (R)should live in booths during the feast of the seventh month.
15(S)So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and (T)in Jerusalem, saying, "(U)Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written."
16So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each (V)on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at (W)the Water Gate and in the square at (X)the Gate of Ephraim.
17The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them. The sons of Israel (Y)had indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day And (Z)there was great rejoicing.
18(AA)He read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day And they (AB)celebrated the feast seven days, and on (AC)the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance.
------------------------
How to grow a church....preach the
Word of God!
Greatest need of the church today? Expository preaching!!!
I Peter 1:23
23for you have been (A)born again (B)not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring (C)word of God.
Acts
6:7
7(A)The word of God kept on spreading; and (B)the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to (C)the faith.
12:24
24But (A)the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.
19:20
20So (A)the word of the Lord (B)was growing mightily and prevailing.
When you see a church or person that is hungry for the Word of God, that is a sign of spiritual growth and that God is at work.
I. Believe it!!!
If we want to see our church grow, we need to believe what it says!!!
A. Enthusiastically and expectantly
- they expected God would speak to them personally
B. Attentively
- for hours they listened
C. Reverently
- they stood up when the Word was read. They believed that the Word
was God speaking to them.
D. Submissively
- bowed low and humbled themselves.
-Submit ourselves to what God's Word says and obey it!
II. Receive it!!
Not just to be a heater, but a doer!!!
A. The power to purify.
- the Word of God convicts them of their sin.
B. Receive the promise of provision
Have you truly received the conviction of sins & the provision for sins?
Today is the day of salvation! When God convicts you of your sins, it's because He wants to forgive you of your sins!
III. Live it!!!
Live it out so others can see.
Those that were looking to them could see that the Israelites were living for God. (v.18)
Problem with Christians today, we tell people to believe in Jesus, but the way we live tells them just the opposite.
626-710 S Reynolds Rd, Bryant, AR 72022, USA
-Christy
Monday, June 21, 2010
A Faithful Father
My wife takes good sermon notes!
A Faithful Father
Psalm 78:1-8
Psalm 78
God's Guidance of His People in Spite of Their Unfaithfulness.
A Maskil of Asaph.
1(A)Listen, O my people, to my instruction;
(B)Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2I will (C)open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter (D)dark sayings of old,
3Which we have heard and known,
And (E)our fathers have told us.
4We will (F)not conceal them from their children,
But (G)tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
And His strength and His (H)wondrous works that He has done.
5For He established a (I)testimony in Jacob
And appointed a (J)law in Israel,
Which He (K)commanded our fathers
That they should (L)teach them to their children,
6(M)That the generation to come might know, even (N)the children
yet to be born,
That they may arise and (O)tell them to their children,
7That they should put their confidence in God
And (P)not forget the works of God,
But (Q)keep His commandments,
8And (R)not be like their fathers,
A (S)stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation that (T)did not [a]prepare its heart
God's plan to change a nation was for families to have godly spiritual
leaders...fathers & mothers
I. You must have a saving relationship with the Lord
A. God's purpose for you (& your family) can only be fulfilled if
you have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
II. You must fulfill the responsibility of a father to train up his
children
A. Share the truth of God with your family and generations to
come...children yet to be born!!!
B. Experience
C. Share your testimony with your children & ur daily experience
with God
D. Communicate it by example
if you are trying to tell your children to be obedient to God &
walk with him, then you need to do it too!!! They need to see that
you love Jesus more than you love your life!!!
E. Education: fathers are to teach them to their children
Deut. 6:4
4"(A)Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the (B)LORD is one!
5"(C)You shall love the LORD your God (D)with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your might.
III. You must focus on the spiritual condition of your child
Your children have to make their own choices before God, but you have
to make sure you have taught them the right way & the truth!
Dr. Patrick Mead
FSBC
Sunday, June 13, 2010
A Word from A. W. Tozer - Mornings with Tozer
I wanted to share this with you!
Pastor Patrick
Loving God Only
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.Matthew 24:12 The first and greatest commandment is to love God with every power of our entire being. Where love like that exists, there can be no place for a second object.
Yet popular Christianity has as one of its most effective talking points the idea that God exists to help people to get ahead in this world! The God of the poor has become the God of an affluent society. We hear that Christ no longer refuses to be a judge or a divider between money-hungry brothers. He can now be persuaded to assist the brother that has accepted Him to get the better of the brother who has not!
Whoever seeks God as a means toward desired ends will not find God. God will not be one of many treasures. His mercy and grace are infinite and His patient understanding is beyond measure, but He will not aid men in selfish striving after personal gain. If we love God as much as we should, surely we cannot dream of a loved object beyond Him which He might help us to obtain!
Lord, show me what it means to love You as You commanded— with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind (see Luke 10:27).
Sent from the Mornings with Tozer, by A. W. Tozer. For devotionals like this one for your iPhone, visit us at 43rdElement.comDr. Patrick Mead
FSBC
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)