Sunday Morning, December 15, 2013
Scriptures: John 3, Romans 8, 1 Peter 3, 1 Peter 5, 2 Corinthians 4
audio file: click to open in a new window or right-click to download
Notes:
When reading the word, we are hoping to understand ourselves and to understand people. It is our own psychology book that teaches us about behavior, joy, hope, and peace.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
When you want to be right, you will ask a believer to check you out to make sure you are doing the right things in Christ. Ask questions before making decisions. Don’t be the person that asks questions later.
When you have the perspective to ask questions later, it’s because you know something’s not right about yourself. These people go ahead and do something, and decide to worry later. (Example of excuses: Sorry, I’ll fix it, or I already done it now.)
If you are making hazardous decisions, it is unbiblical to not consulting with your parents, brother/sister in Christ, or spouse. You should be consulting with other men and women.
Respect the conversation of someone else that is trying to get you to be considerable and honorable.
All things via the internet are not bad, but can be bad if it is used out of context.
God looks for modesty and humility not vanity! Doing something bad is wrong, but wanting to do it means that something is wrong with your character.
Your actions say something about you. If you are on a monster diet, then you are a monster. Think about how you are presenting yourself before men.
People are willingly and ignorantly sinful; it’s not accidental. People say they want truth, but they don’t come to truth.
With scripture you can figure people out. There is a reason people listen to secular music vs godly music. The bible teaches us to be a counselor.
Some people don’t want to be right. They want to be wrong because they aren’t willing to change.
If you are a parent you should know this about your children. (Husband /wife, etc.)
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
The oddity of this present generation is that they are open to advice from the world rather than someone who is living for Christ. We don’t take the godly perspective on things because we are so blinded.
One Direction examples:
“You say you’re a good girl but I know you would girl cause you’ve been telling me all night. With your little white lies, little white lies. With your little white lies, little white lies.”
“Nothing can come between you and I. Not even the Gods above can separate the two of us. No, nothing can come between you and I.”
Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Some people value their relationship more than God.
It’s sad when people try to justify the world. The bible says “eschew evil.” Keep your eyes open.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Are you focused? What is your prize? Your goal? Keep your goal in mind.
1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Are you the person that likes to avoid suffering? You may need something that you don’t think you need. You may need to be stronger in that area. After you have suffered a little while, it makes you perfect.
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
God knows what your heart needs. If you come humbly to the Lord and pray, He will work it out. Even if you don’t know yourself what you need.
If you are not with God, you are against him. It matters what you do. If you say that something doesn’t matter, you are not with Him. When you don’t do something, you are discouraging others.
Do you live a life of true faith? Are you living a true Christian life? Do you trust God?
Be faithful and patient to see what God has planned for you. We are saved by hope.
You can’t question God; you can only question yourself. You should ask for forgiveness and mercy for doubting Him, and your trust will be restored in Him.
Is there anything that you should be doing?
God is a good God. The question is whether you are good or not.
God may make you deal with something longer than you want to, but if he does it will make you better.
God is not set to destroy you unless you are set to destroy him in your life.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Every day you are dying, and are getting one step closer to your death. This is not our last destination. Until you think about it you don’t realize how close you are to death.
Are you ready to meet God if you shall die today?