Sunday Morning, August 4, 2013
scriptures: Romans 8, Philippians 1
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audio file: click to open in a new window or right-click to download
NOTES
Christianity is not for you to try to push over and have your way.
God is looking for people with strength and fortitude. It takes effort.
Do I have hte spirit that says that even if I don’t have nice things, that I am ok in God.
Where ever you are, God is in the place. That helps you deal with difficulties knowing that he knows.
Romans 8:16 – 17
You won’t have the assurance of God’s spirit if you are not obedient to Christ.
Are you looking for the Spirit of God? Asking for it, wanting to be closer. Are you seeking God’s love as life.
Many people who claimd to identify with Christ but actually identify with the world. They have fear and can’t talk about God. The struggling are often struggling with being ashamed of God.
You have to be for real to represent God.
In Christ, His Spirit gives you joy and peace. Anxiety speaks of the world and its cares.The devil wants to take away the fruit of God’s spirit in your life.
We all must realize that this is a temporary existence. Eternal peace comes from knowing God and His protection forever.
Many people would jump on the Christian bandwagon if it makes people popular and winners.
The reality is that Jesus suffered and when we stand for Him, the world will not like it.
The world’s response was to crucify Him.
Many people life to get pleasure or avoid pain. But to live for Christ takes effort and requires you to be willing to suffer.
Philippians 1:27-29
How is it that a person can put forth a lot more effort toward distractions and things of the world but can do nothing for Christ? It means that evil is present.
How is my conversation? What story does my life tell? Who can see by your life that you are a Christian, whether some one is present or gets the story second hand?
Whether you like it or not, your business is out there. You are marketing yourself, whether you are active and working with other believers or not.
Believers have to work together to make it the best in Christ.
Does your reputation say that you are standing fast? That you are working with others together in one spirit and one mind?
Striving together – God is more concerned about you working together to accomplish His will than you staying by yourself to try to do things.
God wants people working together. If you are trying to grow in God, you need to try to grow together in God.
vs 28
It is a pointless goal to try to live as a Christian that everybody likes. Part of the job description of being a Christian is to be different from the world.
There are people who won’t like the God things in you because they are not Christian and don’t like God.
A person who cannot stand Christians is evidence that they are not saved. If that same person likes you, what does it say about your life and your testimony?
What the world calls open-minded means that you are allowing foolishness to enter in. Wisdom is not to let foolishness enter in.
To deny creation is either foolishness or denying the truth to get people to like you. To please the world is foolish, evil and going to be punished.
vs 29
If God is not worth suffering to you, you are lost. Have you already decided the most that you would do or suffer for God? He already paid the price and suffered death for us.
When you say life is hard, are you saying that it is harder than for someone else? That you are not willing to endure it?
God is looking for people who know He is worth it and will commit.