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Luke 12
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."14 Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" 15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."16 And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'18 "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself ?' 21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
We better get used to being accountable for our actions:
“But I say unto you , that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of Judgment.” (MT. 12:36)
“ So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.” (RO. 14:12)
“But I say unto you , that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of Judgment.” (MT. 12:36)
“ So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.” (RO. 14:12)
I. First Jesus talks about Covetousness: A craving, a desire for more. It is greediness, dissatisfaction
With what is enough? It includes the cravings for both material things and fleshly indulgence.
With what is enough? It includes the cravings for both material things and fleshly indulgence.
II.
II. The Lord uses this rich man, he had this season come to a place of having plenty…His ground had brought forth plenty, I believe that you could also say that the Lord had blessed this man!!!
II. The Lord uses this rich man, he had this season come to a place of having plenty…His ground had brought forth plenty, I believe that you could also say that the Lord had blessed this man!!!
His problem?? Look in verses 16-19….We see the big “I” six times, this guy was very self-cantered.
Here we see in verse 17 where he said: “What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?” Another word, Man you have done so good, what are you going to do now with all of your possessions??
What is it that you do when God has abundantly blessed you with a little more than usual? This man made the BIGGEST MISTAKE in all of his life……(a mistake many make today) He left God out!!!!
The things that God could have used thru this man to BLESS others…..What might have happen if this man here in verse 20 would have said: GOD, WHAT SHALL I DO?…..Instead of asking self what he should do!! I’ve thought of some things he could have done to help others.
What is it that you do when God has abundantly blessed you with a little more than usual? This man made the BIGGEST MISTAKE in all of his life……(a mistake many make today) He left God out!!!!
The things that God could have used thru this man to BLESS others…..What might have happen if this man here in verse 20 would have said: GOD, WHAT SHALL I DO?…..Instead of asking self what he should do!! I’ve thought of some things he could have done to help others.
The Decision what we make TODAY affects our Health, Family, socially and financially.
In this world today folks don’t want to be responsible but on this day it is not going to matter how you were raised or how you grew up……On this day your soul will be required.
Are you ready for this day?
Have you made the most important decision in your life today? You are going to spend eternity somewhere….Question today::::: WHERE have you decided to go??
Have you made the most important decision in your life today? You are going to spend eternity somewhere….Question today::::: WHERE have you decided to go??
We have been taught for many years that our relationship with God and our Christian discipleship is a personal thing—it’s just between God and me. We set out to improve our relationship with God by self-discipline and trying harder. Usually we have failed miserably. We cannot grow in our relationship with God until we grow in our relationship with others. We cannot grow in our relationship with God until we are accountable to our Christian brothers and sisters. It’s not just about us. It is about God and the body of Christ.
We are Accountable for Using Our Time Wisely
Mark 14: 37-38 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
As a guideline, a tithe is 10% of our treasures, talents and even our time. With 24 hours in a day, the first fruits of our time should be presented unto the LORD. What are you doing 2.4 hours each day? Are you giving back to the LORD?
24 Hours are Divided as follows:
Working - 8 Hours, Sleep – 8 Hours, Travel – 3 Hours, Morning as soon as we get – 1 Hour, Breadfast/launch/dinner – 1 Hour
News paper reading/TV watching – 3 Hours
No Time for God - I am TOO TIRED TO PRAY
Can you not tarry but one hour, He said.
That is my question today.
In a world that is so busy. We have so many things to do in a day...
That telephone call, that show on the radio or TV. We have everything else to do today.
That is my question today.
In a world that is so busy. We have so many things to do in a day...
That telephone call, that show on the radio or TV. We have everything else to do today.
The disciples were rebuked for not staying awake. Can you not watch with me one hour?
We must guard ourselves, by praying, and keeping to the WORD of GOD, to keep us from falling into temptation
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
We must walk cautiously, warily, viligantly, with awareness, AS WISE. To Redeem time during an evil day. By understanding the will of God for our lives.
Colossians 4:5a Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time... Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Walk in the wisdom and the knowledge of the LORD. In His precepts. Life everlasting. Walk in this wisdom and show them who are without this knowledge. Redeeming our time, and theirs. For the Lord.
We were made for one thing. To Glorify the LORD.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
And we don’t have time to fool around. Life is short. We must be prepared. We must be equipped. We must let life pass by as if we were asleep!
Romans 13:10-12
10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
The time is now. The time is at hand. SALVATION, Jesus is NOW. Let us put on the armour of light. Let us equip ourselves with Christ.
We must guard ourselves, by praying, and keeping to the WORD of GOD, to keep us from falling into temptation
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
We must walk cautiously, warily, viligantly, with awareness, AS WISE. To Redeem time during an evil day. By understanding the will of God for our lives.
Colossians 4:5a Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time... Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Walk in the wisdom and the knowledge of the LORD. In His precepts. Life everlasting. Walk in this wisdom and show them who are without this knowledge. Redeeming our time, and theirs. For the Lord.
We were made for one thing. To Glorify the LORD.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
And we don’t have time to fool around. Life is short. We must be prepared. We must be equipped. We must let life pass by as if we were asleep!
Romans 13:10-12
10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
The time is now. The time is at hand. SALVATION, Jesus is NOW. Let us put on the armour of light. Let us equip ourselves with Christ.
Deuteronomy 26:2 That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.
So, If we are to give back to the Lord of our first fruits, which he has given us, in the first place. What are some of the first fruits.
The one I am referring to today, is the first fruit of our time.
So, If we are to give back to the Lord of our first fruits, which he has given us, in the first place. What are some of the first fruits.
The one I am referring to today, is the first fruit of our time.
Revelation 22:7-10
1. Worship God. Don’t worship angels or saints or prophets. Worship only GOD alone.
2. 2 Keep the word alive in your hearts. #3 Don’t hide it but rather open the word and let get it in you. #4 Do it NOW, the time is at hand.
7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
We are Accountable to our Words
Wrong words spoken takes you away from God
Psalms 19: 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Let every word you speak be encouraging to others and be a Blessings to the hearers of your word through the love and grace of God.;
Ephesians 4:29
A. This verse is a pretty general rule concerning the words we use, but it’s a good place for us to begin. Think about the words you use on a day-to-day basis. What kind of attitude is being displayed when you speak to others? Are the words you use on a regular basis corrupting? Or, as one translation puts it, “unwholesome”? When we use our words to put others down, or when we use our words to criticize, or when we use our words out of anger, we aren’t doing ourselves or those around us any service.
It’s especially important that we notice the last half of this verse. Not only does the Apostle Paul instruct us to avoid using words that are “corrupting,” but he says that we should only use words that are going to benefit those who hear them. It would be a good rule of thumb to consider before we speak whether or not what we are about to say is going to “give grace to those who hear.”
A. This verse is a pretty general rule concerning the words we use, but it’s a good place for us to begin. Think about the words you use on a day-to-day basis. What kind of attitude is being displayed when you speak to others? Are the words you use on a regular basis corrupting? Or, as one translation puts it, “unwholesome”? When we use our words to put others down, or when we use our words to criticize, or when we use our words out of anger, we aren’t doing ourselves or those around us any service.
It’s especially important that we notice the last half of this verse. Not only does the Apostle Paul instruct us to avoid using words that are “corrupting,” but he says that we should only use words that are going to benefit those who hear them. It would be a good rule of thumb to consider before we speak whether or not what we are about to say is going to “give grace to those who hear.”
Gossip does not benefit those who hear it. Gossip does not lift up those being discussed. So, clearly, gossip is not going to be acceptable to God.
Proverbs 6:19 as a part of the “six things the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him.” Along with the haughty eyes, and lying tongue, and so on, we have, “one who sows discord among brothers.”
If you have a problem with one of your brothers or sisters in Christ, you take it directly to them. It is never acceptable for you to go to other members of the church and begin turning them against those whom you are dissatisfied with. Paul felt so strongly about this, that he tells Titus if you have to speak to someone more than once about this, and they still won’t change, then you should have nothing more to do with that person.
If you have a problem with one of your brothers or sisters in Christ, you take it directly to them. It is never acceptable for you to go to other members of the church and begin turning them against those whom you are dissatisfied with. Paul felt so strongly about this, that he tells Titus if you have to speak to someone more than once about this, and they still won’t change, then you should have nothing more to do with that person.
Matthew 12:36 says, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” Have you ever thought about how many careless words you have spoken? Perhaps you didn’t think it mattered if your words were divisive in the church. Maybe you didn’t understand what was or wasn’t gossip. Maybe you never really gave any thought to how beneficial the words you were using would be to those around you.
But, it should be clear to us now what God expects of us. It should be clear what kind of words are expected to be used, and how we’re to use them. Because our words can be very encouraging, and uplifting, and comforting, and empowering. But, they can also be degrading, critical, and divisive. So, we must be very careful with our words.
But, it should be clear to us now what God expects of us. It should be clear what kind of words are expected to be used, and how we’re to use them. Because our words can be very encouraging, and uplifting, and comforting, and empowering. But, they can also be degrading, critical, and divisive. So, we must be very careful with our words.
We are Accountable for our Evil thinking/Mind
Winning the Battle for Your Mind
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Three simple truths:
[1] I am a child of God. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)
[2] I am alive in Christ. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins . . . But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:1, 4-5 (NIV)
[3] I am a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
All of us agree that these statements are true. Yet if we are honest we have all found ourselves wondering at one time or another, “If what the Bible tells me about my identity in Christ is true, then why do I still battle the same thoughts and feelings that I had before I became a Christian?” “Why can’t I break free from these things that haunt my mind?”
Would you like to know the answer to such questions about yourself? This morning we continue THE GREAT ESCAPE, Winning the Battle for our Minds.
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
[3] For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. [4] The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. [5] We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Three simple truths:
[1] I am a child of God. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)
[2] I am alive in Christ. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins . . . But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:1, 4-5 (NIV)
[3] I am a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
All of us agree that these statements are true. Yet if we are honest we have all found ourselves wondering at one time or another, “If what the Bible tells me about my identity in Christ is true, then why do I still battle the same thoughts and feelings that I had before I became a Christian?” “Why can’t I break free from these things that haunt my mind?”
Would you like to know the answer to such questions about yourself? This morning we continue THE GREAT ESCAPE, Winning the Battle for our Minds.
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
[3] For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. [4] The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. [5] We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
So why do we still battle with the same thoughts and feelings that we had before we became a Christians? Paul said, “We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods” (2 Cor. 10:3 NLT). We are now Christians, yet we still live in the world, but we don’t go to war as the world does. Therein is our problem; the battle for our mind cannot be won using the same thinking we had before we accepted Christ. YET MANY OF US STILL TRY TO WIN THE BATTLE FOR OUR MIND THE SAME WAY WE ALWAYS DID.
That’s why Paul tells to not “conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 NIV). Our thinking has to be reprogrammed; we have been given the mind of Christ only now we need to learn to use it.
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
[3] For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. [4] The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, THEY HAVE DIVINE POWER TO DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS.
Within our thinking we have given Satan strongholds. The devil has a vice-like grip on our thinking and won’t let go; Satan has fortified his position and wants to continue to influence your thinking. The devil won’t let go of his stranglehold on our lives as long as we continue to follow our old way of thinking.
Growing up we all learned to cope with life in a variety of ways; some of our coping mechanism are not always healthy emotionally or spiritually. Psychologists refer to these unhealthy patterns of thinking as defense mechanisms, and none of them are consistent with the thinking God wants us to have as Christians.
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
[3] For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. [4] The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, THEY HAVE DIVINE POWER TO DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS.
Within our thinking we have given Satan strongholds. The devil has a vice-like grip on our thinking and won’t let go; Satan has fortified his position and wants to continue to influence your thinking. The devil won’t let go of his stranglehold on our lives as long as we continue to follow our old way of thinking.
Growing up we all learned to cope with life in a variety of ways; some of our coping mechanism are not always healthy emotionally or spiritually. Psychologists refer to these unhealthy patterns of thinking as defense mechanisms, and none of them are consistent with the thinking God wants us to have as Christians.
Defence mechanisms come in all shapes and sizes:
Ø DISHONESTY—to lie in order to hide the truth about oneself
Ø DENIAL—a conscious or subconscious refusal to accept the world the way it really is
Ø FANTASY—to escape the real world and live in one’s imagination
Ø EMOTIONAL INSULATION—to withdraw from others to avoid rejection
Ø REGRESSION—to revert to safer less threatening times
Ø DISPLACEMENT—to take anger and frustration out on others
Ø PROJECTION—to blame other people for your problems
Ø RATIONALIZATION—to make excuses for what you say or do
These defence mechanisms are the strongholds the enemy will use to control your life. They are the patterns of thinking programmed into your mind when you lived independently of God.
Paul said the weapons of our warfare have divine power to demolish strongholds! The wrong way of thinking can be reprogrammed. If you believed a lie, then you can renounce the lie and choose to believe the truth.
Satan won’t just leave you alone because you are a Christian. He will run to the strongholds in your mind that were built up before you came to Christ. The devil still tries to manipulate your thoughts to accomplish his desires. Satan wants to continually penetrate your thoughts with his thoughts, to reinforce the lies you have believed and distort God’s truth. Why? SATAN KNOWS THAT IF HE CAN CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS THEN HE CAN CONTROL YOUR LIFE.
Ø DISHONESTY—to lie in order to hide the truth about oneself
Ø DENIAL—a conscious or subconscious refusal to accept the world the way it really is
Ø FANTASY—to escape the real world and live in one’s imagination
Ø EMOTIONAL INSULATION—to withdraw from others to avoid rejection
Ø REGRESSION—to revert to safer less threatening times
Ø DISPLACEMENT—to take anger and frustration out on others
Ø PROJECTION—to blame other people for your problems
Ø RATIONALIZATION—to make excuses for what you say or do
These defence mechanisms are the strongholds the enemy will use to control your life. They are the patterns of thinking programmed into your mind when you lived independently of God.
Paul said the weapons of our warfare have divine power to demolish strongholds! The wrong way of thinking can be reprogrammed. If you believed a lie, then you can renounce the lie and choose to believe the truth.
Satan won’t just leave you alone because you are a Christian. He will run to the strongholds in your mind that were built up before you came to Christ. The devil still tries to manipulate your thoughts to accomplish his desires. Satan wants to continually penetrate your thoughts with his thoughts, to reinforce the lies you have believed and distort God’s truth. Why? SATAN KNOWS THAT IF HE CAN CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS THEN HE CAN CONTROL YOUR LIFE.
How are we to overcome the strongholds we have allowed Satan to build in our lives?
• 2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST.
Paul says to take every thought captive, forcibly make your thoughts obey Christ. The battle for your spiritual freedom is within your mind! Paul shows us clearly how the devil works as we look carefully at what he says in this second letter to the Corinthian church.
Satan’s scheming
• 2 Corinthians 2:11 (GW)
I don’t want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan’s scheming.
Satan is devious in his trickery; he calculates his plan wanting to outwit us. “Scheming” is the Greek word “noema;” it is the same word translated “thought” in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Satan’s schemes are within the thoughts. Paul uses this word again:
• 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Here “noema” is translated minds. Satan’s underhanded schemes are not removed from us, but his schemes are engaged within our minds. “Noema” is similarly translated “minds” again in:
• 2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST.
Paul says to take every thought captive, forcibly make your thoughts obey Christ. The battle for your spiritual freedom is within your mind! Paul shows us clearly how the devil works as we look carefully at what he says in this second letter to the Corinthian church.
Satan’s scheming
• 2 Corinthians 2:11 (GW)
I don’t want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan’s scheming.
Satan is devious in his trickery; he calculates his plan wanting to outwit us. “Scheming” is the Greek word “noema;” it is the same word translated “thought” in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Satan’s schemes are within the thoughts. Paul uses this word again:
• 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Here “noema” is translated minds. Satan’s underhanded schemes are not removed from us, but his schemes are engaged within our minds. “Noema” is similarly translated “minds” again in:
• 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV)
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Are you beginning to get the picture of how Satan works against you? Satan runs to the strongholds within your mind; he engages you within your thoughts. Your battle for freedom is within your mind. Your thinking must be transformed as your mind is renewed.
Your mind while somehow connected to your brain is not physical. Your mind is the real you; the mind resides within your spirit and soul. Your mind is eternal because when you die your spirit and soul separates from your body. For the believer Paul says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. However we won’t be mindless spirits; the mind will live on with the spirit and soul.
it is not a physical problem. Our struggle is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms;” we are engaged in a spiritual battle! (See: Ephesians 6:12)
How are we to overcome the strongholds we have allowed Satan to build in our lives? How do we break free from the negative, lying condemning thoughts that fill our minds?
How are we to overcome the strongholds we have allowed Satan to build in our lives? How do we break free from the negative, lying condemning thoughts that fill our minds?
Take every thought captive; make your thinking obedient to Christ. You overcome destructive and wrong ways of thinking; you break down the strongholds of the enemy by changing the way you think. So how do we demolish arguments? How do we tear down strongholds that try to keep us from knowing God? How do we take our thoughts captive? Here’s the answer:
• Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV)
[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
• Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV)
[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
What does Paul want us to take away from these verses? What can the Holy Spirit teach us about taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ? I want to share with you three take-a-ways that you can use to win the battle for your mind: DEVELOP, DEPEND and DEFEND.
THE LORD IS NEAR! Be conscious of the reality of God’s presence with you always. Develop a God awareness.
2. Depend upon God in everything; pray continually.
• Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When you are anxious, when you are fearful, when you find yourself worrying about anything and everything, YOU ARE ENGAGED IN A SPIRITUAL BATTLE. Satan has run to a stronghold an is manipulating your thoughts. It is time to fight back and win the battle for your mind!
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING. Last time I checked, everything meant just that EVERYTHING WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
2. Depend upon God in everything; pray continually.
• Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When you are anxious, when you are fearful, when you find yourself worrying about anything and everything, YOU ARE ENGAGED IN A SPIRITUAL BATTLE. Satan has run to a stronghold an is manipulating your thoughts. It is time to fight back and win the battle for your mind!
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING. Last time I checked, everything meant just that EVERYTHING WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
Matthew 11:28
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
If you are going to win the battle for your mind, then develop a God awareness; Jesus has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. When you are aware of God’s presence in your life depend upon God for everything; pray continually and open your heart to God. Finally:
Defend your heart; and mind; be single minded in your thinking.
If you are going to win the battle for your mind, then develop a God awareness; Jesus has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. When you are aware of God’s presence in your life depend upon God for everything; pray continually and open your heart to God. Finally:
Defend your heart; and mind; be single minded in your thinking.
James 4:6-8 (NIV)
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." [7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
God is ready to help you; “HE GIVES US MORE GRACE!” You don’t have to try to win the battle for your mind in your own strength. God will equip and empower you. His Spirit, the Spirit of Truth will help you discern which thoughts to hold onto and which ones to let go of. But the choice is yours.
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." [7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
God is ready to help you; “HE GIVES US MORE GRACE!” You don’t have to try to win the battle for your mind in your own strength. God will equip and empower you. His Spirit, the Spirit of Truth will help you discern which thoughts to hold onto and which ones to let go of. But the choice is yours.
1 Timothy 3
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Body of Christ (Church)
Proper church behavior includes Accountability, Compassion, and Transparency.
I. There must be Accountability
A. What is accountability?
1. Accountability -
2. The acceptance of responsibility for one’s actions and being held answerable for those actions.
B. Lack of Accountability
1. Psalm 10:13 “Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, “You will not require an account.”
2. The lack of accountability started with Adam and Eve as each accused someone else for their sin. Their son also expressed his lack of accountability in Genesis 4:9 when the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"
C. Accountability to Christ
1. Romans 14:12 “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”
2. 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things [done] in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
3. A passenger on a sailing vessel cut a hole through the ship's side, and when confronted about it by a fellow passenger calmly replied, "What does it matter to you? The hole I cut is under my own berth." – copied
4. 1 Corinthians 3: 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, [you are] God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation [with] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on [it] endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
I. There must be Accountability
A. What is accountability?
1. Accountability -
2. The acceptance of responsibility for one’s actions and being held answerable for those actions.
B. Lack of Accountability
1. Psalm 10:13 “Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, “You will not require an account.”
2. The lack of accountability started with Adam and Eve as each accused someone else for their sin. Their son also expressed his lack of accountability in Genesis 4:9 when the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"
C. Accountability to Christ
1. Romans 14:12 “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”
2. 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things [done] in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
3. A passenger on a sailing vessel cut a hole through the ship's side, and when confronted about it by a fellow passenger calmly replied, "What does it matter to you? The hole I cut is under my own berth." – copied
4. 1 Corinthians 3: 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, [you are] God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation [with] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on [it] endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Accountability to Fellow Believers
1. Romans 12:5 “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
2. 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 “It is widely reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and the kind of sexual immorality that is not even condoned among the Gentiles— a man is living with his father's wife. And you are inflated with pride, instead of filled with grief so that he who has committed this act might be removed from among you.
3. Instead of being grieved and mourning over this situation, they were not broken hearted and became arrogant in their own evaluation of how this situation should be handled. They didn’t care what this man’s sin or their thin skins, thick heads, hard hearts and waging tongues was doing to the church and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Today, the very idea of such a procedure would horrify many churchgoers.
5. Romans 15:14 “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. “
6. Who holds us responsible for living what we profess? We need accountability in our personal life, our relationships (with God, our spouse, our family, our friends and our work), our attitudes (about the events of life, self, others, money), and our decisions (before and after). It is very important that our accountability be voluntary rather than mandatory.
7. "We don't live alone. Our actions and deeds affect other people, many of whom we will never know."
8. Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in [our] brother's way.”
9. Romans 14: 19-21 “Therefore let us pursue the things [which make] for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed [are] pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drinkwine nor [do anything] by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
II. They must be compassionate Community
A. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
5. Romans 15:14 “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. “
6. Who holds us responsible for living what we profess? We need accountability in our personal life, our relationships (with God, our spouse, our family, our friends and our work), our attitudes (about the events of life, self, others, money), and our decisions (before and after). It is very important that our accountability be voluntary rather than mandatory.
7. "We don't live alone. Our actions and deeds affect other people, many of whom we will never know."
8. Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in [our] brother's way.”
9. Romans 14: 19-21 “Therefore let us pursue the things [which make] for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed [are] pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drinkwine nor [do anything] by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
II. They must be compassionate Community
A. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
B. Compassion is what makes a person feel pain when someone else hurts.
C. Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
D. Someone said, “A person caught in a painful trap of sin doesn't need other believers to cluck their tongues and shake their heads at his foolishness. He needs a friend to reach down and release him from the trap.”
E. Galatians 5:13-14 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”
F. “Backbiting provokes biting back. Mutual depreciation is as destructive as mutual appreciation is constructive. The church that does not keep the peace will go to pieces. Alas, when the members of any church prey on one another and do not pray for one another!
G. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
H. Reconciliation isn't about shedding tears at conferences or saying "I'm sorry" or "I forgive you" every time we get together. Rather, it's about living out the character of Christ and keeping pace with the enduring unity that Christ won for us at Calvary 2,000 years ago. –
1 Corinthians 12:25b “the members should have the same care for one another.”
For the sake of each of us he laid down his life—worth no less than the universe. He demands of us in return our lives for the sake of each other
For the sake of each of us he laid down his life—worth no less than the universe. He demands of us in return our lives for the sake of each other
There must be Transparency
A. 2 Corinthians 3:2 “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men”
B. Is what they see what you are?
C. Living Consistently
1. The Christian life ought to be open to all, transparent in the way we walk. We shouldn’t practice one kind of behavior around one group of believers and a totally different kind of behavior around another group of believers or around unbelievers.
2. James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
A. 2 Corinthians 3:2 “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men”
B. Is what they see what you are?
C. Living Consistently
1. The Christian life ought to be open to all, transparent in the way we walk. We shouldn’t practice one kind of behavior around one group of believers and a totally different kind of behavior around another group of believers or around unbelievers.
2. James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Ephesians 5:8b “...Walk as children of light.”
Speaking Honestly
1. We are not to go around saying one thing to one person and something else to another.
2. Proverbs 20:19 “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.”
3. You have a tongue and a voice. These instruments of speech can be used destructively or employed constructively. You can use your tongue to slander, to grip, to scold, to nag, and to quarrel, or you can bring it under the control of God's Spirit and make it an instrument of blessing and praise."
3. Proverbs 24:26 “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.”
Sharing Freely 1. James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses[a] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Today we no longer fear God.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”
I. Some would say that when "fear" called for is a devout sense of awe and reverence. Certainly the fear of God includes awe and reverence, but it does not exclude literal holy terror.
J. Isaiah 8:13 “The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” (dread - cause to tremble, terrify)
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”
I. Some would say that when "fear" called for is a devout sense of awe and reverence. Certainly the fear of God includes awe and reverence, but it does not exclude literal holy terror.
J. Isaiah 8:13 “The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” (dread - cause to tremble, terrify)
Consider how you are the Way living your life
A. Haggai 1:5-7 “Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways! "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes." Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!”
A. Haggai 1:5-7 “Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways! "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes." Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!”
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Peter 4:10 “As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another , as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
1 Peter 4:10 “As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another , as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Consider your Influence on others.
A. Hebrews 10:24 “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”
B. What are we doing to build up the Body of Christ? To encourage others to grow, to glow and to go and sow?
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Consider your Communication
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Living for Christ
Philippians 1:21
What’s our greatest goal and aim in life? What occupies our minds? If we were to sum up what our life is all about in one word, what would that word be? For the apostle Paul, that word was Christ. In Philippians 1:21 Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
To gain insight into Paul’s words listen to the nuance of this verse in several different versions.
“Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more” (GWT)
“To me the only thing important about living is Christ & dying would be profit for me.” (NCV)
“For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better.” (NLT - Tyndale House)
“For living to me means simply "Christ", and if I die I should merely gain more of him.” (Phillips: Touchstone)
“ For, so far as I am concerned, to be living, both as to my very existence and my experience, that is Christ, and to have died, is gain.”
When Paul says to live is Christ, what he means is that real life is knowing, loving, serving, glorifying, enjoying, and communing with Christ. What does it mean for us to live as if “to live is Christ”? It means that we live with our first and central aim in life being to know, glorify, and enjoy Christ. It means serving Him and doing all we do for Him. It means setting a watch on our thoughts, words, actions and deeds to ensure that they are glorifying Christ. Paul was motivated to live for Christ by the realization that one day he would be with Christ, the desire to see others come to Christ and an appreciation for the price of his redemption.
I. We should live for Christ knowing that we may stand before Him at any time
A. He may return at any moment
1. John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
2. Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with promises of the second coming of Christ. Someone has reported that there are 1,845 references in the Old Testament alone and a total of 17 books that give it prominence. Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318 references to Christ's second coming. That averages one out of every 30 verses. Furthermore, 23 of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. That leaves only four books that do not refer directly to the Second Coming. Interestingly, three of these four books are single-chapter letters which were written to specific persons on a particular subject. – copied
What’s our greatest goal and aim in life? What occupies our minds? If we were to sum up what our life is all about in one word, what would that word be? For the apostle Paul, that word was Christ. In Philippians 1:21 Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
To gain insight into Paul’s words listen to the nuance of this verse in several different versions.
“Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more” (GWT)
“To me the only thing important about living is Christ & dying would be profit for me.” (NCV)
“For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better.” (NLT - Tyndale House)
“For living to me means simply "Christ", and if I die I should merely gain more of him.” (Phillips: Touchstone)
“ For, so far as I am concerned, to be living, both as to my very existence and my experience, that is Christ, and to have died, is gain.”
When Paul says to live is Christ, what he means is that real life is knowing, loving, serving, glorifying, enjoying, and communing with Christ. What does it mean for us to live as if “to live is Christ”? It means that we live with our first and central aim in life being to know, glorify, and enjoy Christ. It means serving Him and doing all we do for Him. It means setting a watch on our thoughts, words, actions and deeds to ensure that they are glorifying Christ. Paul was motivated to live for Christ by the realization that one day he would be with Christ, the desire to see others come to Christ and an appreciation for the price of his redemption.
I. We should live for Christ knowing that we may stand before Him at any time
A. He may return at any moment
1. John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
2. Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with promises of the second coming of Christ. Someone has reported that there are 1,845 references in the Old Testament alone and a total of 17 books that give it prominence. Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318 references to Christ's second coming. That averages one out of every 30 verses. Furthermore, 23 of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. That leaves only four books that do not refer directly to the Second Coming. Interestingly, three of these four books are single-chapter letters which were written to specific persons on a particular subject. – copied
3. 1 John 3:2-3 “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
4. "I think Jesus is coming sooner than most people think … but, of course, most people aren't thinking about it at all."
5. 1 John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
6. Luke 12:43 “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.”
B. We may be called home at any moment
1. Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”
2. We all must answer death’s call someday. But we do not know when that call will come. Young, old, rich, poor, wise, foolish, infant, aged, healthy or infirmed; death calls us sooner or later. Most of us receive little warning before it calls.
3. James 4:14 “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
4. The Lord wants us to live all the time as if today would be our last. I believe it was John Wesley who was asked at one time, "What would you do if you knew that tonight you would die?" That great preacher of years gone by said, "I would do exactly what I have scheduled to do." Could we say that?
5. 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
C. The suddenness of death or of the coming of Christ will not hinder our joy if we have been prepared.
II. We should live for Christ knowing that veneer and inconsistency will never win anyone to Christ.
A. Speaking of His sacrificial death on the cross Jesus Christ said in John 12:32, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” While this was referring to His death it is also applicable to the fact that when Christ is lifted up in our lives and in our church people will be drawn to Him. Conversely no one is drawn to Christ by Christians who are superficial Christians or who live inconsistent lives.
B. 1 Peter 3:1-4 “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
C. The World will not accept a Christian that is not Christ-like either! We will not win the world for Christ by miracles, silver tongued oratory, or entertaining programs. We will only win the world for Christ when the world sees bona fide Christianity lived out by us.
D. Matthew 23:27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.”
E. If you're going to try to witness to the unbelieving world then your behavior must be genuine, honest, excellent, lovely, winsome, and gracious. We must have a transformed life empowered by the Spirit of Christ, which is visible to the unsaved world.
F. 1 Peter 2:12 (NASB) “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
G. Sometimes our witness will be spurned
And nothing's left to say;
But if our lives are true to Christ,
His love we will convey
We should live for Christ knowing the price He paid to make us His own.
A. 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”
A. 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”
B. 1 Peter 1:18-19 “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
C. In the ministry of Jesus Christ we have an example of those who minimize or forget what Christ has done for them in the account story of the ten lepers.
D. Luke 17:12 – 19 “Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."
E. How often are we like the nine? We might even have gone so far as to say thank you to the Lord. But are we demonstrating that we truly have hearts of gratitude for all He has done for us.
2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
H. Living for Christ does not make us more justified than we already are; rather, it is our heart’s grateful response to the internal work that the Lord has done in us. The Christian should be known for living a life of gratitude that overflows.
I. Living a life of gratitude means that we go out of our way to serve the Lord.
H. Living for Christ does not make us more justified than we already are; rather, it is our heart’s grateful response to the internal work that the Lord has done in us. The Christian should be known for living a life of gratitude that overflows.
I. Living a life of gratitude means that we go out of our way to serve the Lord.
Don’t Unequally yoked with Unbelievers
1 Corinthians 10:14 “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”
The above are not mere statements but they are the commandments of God! Hearken unto His voice today! If we disobey then there would be CURSES in our life!
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 "Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today;
28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.
The above are not mere statements but they are the commandments of God! Hearken unto His voice today! If we disobey then there would be CURSES in our life!
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 "Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today;
28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.
Follow commandments of God instead of Commandments of men!
Mark 7:3,7’For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:3,7’For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
Dates are fixed, keeping in mind numerology and astrology, a short prayer is made by the Servant of God, he is royally ignored after that and what follows are rigorous rituals conducted by the elders of the family. Silently as a servant of God I had watched, many, many times with tears the drama that goes on in functions like ‘house-warming, christening, wedding and many such functions.’ God is not in the agenda, but the entire arena stinks of religious customs, rituals and the vain display of glamour and money. When I found educated Christians applying turmeric powder on the legs and hands of the bride and themselves, showering colored rice on the head of the bride; I wondered, ‘why do we follow the customs of the people around us; when we are strictly commanded by God not to do so?’
Leviticus 18:30 'Therefore you shall keep My ordinance, so that you do not commit any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves by them: I am the LORD your God.”
Jeremiah 10:3 “For the customs of the peoples are futile..”
Ezekiel 11:12 “And you shall know that I am the LORD; for you have not walked in My statutes nor executed My judgments, but have done according to the customs of the Gentiles which are all around you."
When we carelessly disobey God and selfishly go forward with our plans, then several curses would destroy our life. When Solomon daringly disobeyed God and married many pagan women, the curse followed the life of his children and grand children.
1 Kings 11:42 tells us that Solomon reigned 40 years.
Rehoboam the son of Solomon was born to his mother - a wife of Solomon named Naamah the Amonitess (idol worshipers).
1 King 11:21 “And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king. He reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother's name was Naamah, an Ammonitess.
22 Now Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done.
23 For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree.
24 And there were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.”
From the above scriptures, we can see that Solomon married Naamah while his father David was alive, probably during his last years. How could David allow Solomon to marry Naamah? Probably Solomon rebelled (like many) and married her because he was in love with her. However, the aftermath of such a disastrous marriage not only affected his family but the entire nation as well. The Bible says that because of wrong tutoring from his mother Naamah, Rehoboam grew tobe a wicked man and eventually he made Judah to sin. The Bible says: ‘Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord.’ One idol worshipper in the family is enough to lead the entire family away from God! Ecclesiastes 9:18”…one sinner destroys much good." It is for this very reason God warned us to be away from the pagan crowd. Rehoboam was not happy though, the Bible says (1 King 14:30)”And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.”
Rehoboam the son of Solomon was born to his mother - a wife of Solomon named Naamah the Amonitess (idol worshipers).
1 King 11:21 “And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king. He reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother's name was Naamah, an Ammonitess.
22 Now Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done.
23 For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree.
24 And there were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.”
From the above scriptures, we can see that Solomon married Naamah while his father David was alive, probably during his last years. How could David allow Solomon to marry Naamah? Probably Solomon rebelled (like many) and married her because he was in love with her. However, the aftermath of such a disastrous marriage not only affected his family but the entire nation as well. The Bible says that because of wrong tutoring from his mother Naamah, Rehoboam grew tobe a wicked man and eventually he made Judah to sin. The Bible says: ‘Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord.’ One idol worshipper in the family is enough to lead the entire family away from God! Ecclesiastes 9:18”…one sinner destroys much good." It is for this very reason God warned us to be away from the pagan crowd. Rehoboam was not happy though, the Bible says (1 King 14:30)”And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.”
Falling in love with a wrong person!
At times people wrongly term infatuation as divine love! I am not against people genuinely in love with each other, though; yet, Biblical principles got to be meticulously followed. Alas, when two people fall in love, to see things clearly will begin to fade! Every thing takes back seat including God. They strongly reject Biblical counseling and every form of reasoning and recklessly walk the path of destruction. Ecclesiastes 9:17”Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.”
At times people wrongly term infatuation as divine love! I am not against people genuinely in love with each other, though; yet, Biblical principles got to be meticulously followed. Alas, when two people fall in love, to see things clearly will begin to fade! Every thing takes back seat including God. They strongly reject Biblical counseling and every form of reasoning and recklessly walk the path of destruction. Ecclesiastes 9:17”Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.”
We Are Accountable (YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE)
It is true that “We are Saved by Grace.”
2. It is true that “We will be Judged by Our Works.”
3. It is true that “Actions Prompted by Faith and Obedience Are Essential.”
4. And it is true that “We must Continue in the Grace of God through Faith and Obedience.
2. It is true that “We will be Judged by Our Works.”
3. It is true that “Actions Prompted by Faith and Obedience Are Essential.”
4. And it is true that “We must Continue in the Grace of God through Faith and Obedience.
” Believers and Unbelievers, I’m here to tell you that there are no loopholes.
1. Someday we will face God in the Judgment and we must all give an account.
2. I will leave you will 2 more passages, the Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:7-9)
3. Solomon, the third king of Israel and the wise man of the Old Testament concluded this, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
4. Let us thank God for His grace and let us trust in it.
5. And let us give ourselves whole heartedly to the Lord in faith and obedience for we are held accountable.
1. Someday we will face God in the Judgment and we must all give an account.
2. I will leave you will 2 more passages, the Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:7-9)
3. Solomon, the third king of Israel and the wise man of the Old Testament concluded this, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
4. Let us thank God for His grace and let us trust in it.
5. And let us give ourselves whole heartedly to the Lord in faith and obedience for we are held accountable.
