Wednesday Night, July 15, 2015
Sermon
[audio:https://www.ekklesia.church/Services/2015/20150715/20150715.mp3]
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Notes:
Wednesday
July 15, 2015
Giving heed to the Word. Much of what is happening in the World today is not designed to reflect the will of God.
Proverbs 24:10
Some experiences will be trying, but if you have no real strength in God, you will fail. Most people allow their emotions to dictate their actions. They don’t reference His Word.
Proverbs 24: 11-12
You can not be neutral on things related to God. You can argue politics, sports, social issues, so long as you don’t reference God. But if you don’t base your judgements on the will of God, then you aren’t Christian.
God is strong in his position. He wants you to love him with all you’ve got. God, doesn’t just deal with your emotions, but also your devotion. He does look at what you do. He isn’t simply there to balance your emotional state. Plenty of people are very successful in the ventures, work, school, etc. But, ultimately we will be judged based on the works we do, i.e. your deeds, what you do.
When you determine the things that you want to be obedient about, then you are not obedient. God is the determining factor. His word.
At the end of the day, your vantage point or opinions, will mean nothing. When God doesn’t get the worship he requires of his saints, then he is not pleased. Man’s myriad excuses about why we all fail God because he won’t allow, won’t excuse him. People obey what they want to. If you 8 things you will do, but 2 things you won’t, then you are still the determiner. Remember the rich young ruler. He that is not willing to forsake all, is not worthy of God.
Do we believe that God is actually going to render to everyman according to his works?
Real service to God is much different than our feelings about various issues. .
Matthew 10: 37
God standards is a lot different than the current tenor of Christianity.
When you say that you love God, it must be authentic. It is your great love.
Matthew 10: 38-39
You truly need others to help you see if you are living up to God’s standard. Have you really relinquished the deed to your own life? Or are you still more important than him? Did your goals change? Did your desires? You have to make God your vision…. How did you lose your life? How are you finding your life?
People will suffer for what they won’t, but have very little patience in the struggle for truth.
Luke 14: 15-20
People are living a life that looks like these folks here. How so? Because they are determining that they can’t respond to God’s invitation because they are occupied with their own pursuits.
Luke 14: 21-24
Two things here, 1) the Lord was angered, 2) the people who don’t think that their lives are more important than God’s will respond to the invite. If you are a mover and shaker, then you are inclined to feel that your life is more important than your maker’s will. If your life changed suddenly due to blindness, a wreck, an illness, etc. then you’d more than likely have a different response as well. Often, the poor, the halt, the maimed, the blind, are the very ones who have a constant commitment to the will of God. If you are not so stricken, rejoice in that, and be even more thankful by using your full strength for the savior’s glory.
Luke 14:25-27
These verses are too hard for most men to receive. God is obviously wanting you to be hateful towards these individuals, as he commands obedience and honor given towards father and mother. But, it is incumbent upon every believer to be more committed to God than to the approval of those who are important to us. And, most of all, you have to crucify your own desires in an effort to grow up in God. To learn about him, you have to allow him to break up the fallowed ground of a hardened heart. That only occurs when we are concerned about him most of all.
Is what you have planned more important than God’s will. If so, the repent!
It is quite easy to become afflicted by the disease of self. That is why Christ talks about letting go of your life so often.
If people can hurt for things that ultimately harm them, how much more can we willingly suffer for the Savior.
If you are not willing to forsake all, then you can’t even begin to learn of Christ, or be his disciple. Sacrifice is a necessary must for the believer.
Luke 14:28-32
The fundamental problem with Christianity is that making a commitment for Christ is more of a marketing ploy, i.e. growing the church. In reality it is best to explain the “downs”, as the world would see it, of living for Christ. You very well may lose everything you had planned for yourself.
Luke 14:33
Did you think that serving God meant going against the grain? Did it involve sacrifice? Did you think it meant that worship, service, and caring for others was part of the formula? What did you think that it meant? Does it insult you when people of God, a believer, expects that you would be active? Worshipping, present at church, available to serve, etc. These things are logical, and reasonable. Romans 12
Is it logical that your life serves as an example? Is it not logical that you keep commitments that you have made to God? Is it reasonable to listen to Gospel music? “Christians” kind of do what they prefer, date who they want, go where they want, watch what they want, etc.
God is looking for an entirely sold out commitment!!!! Only way to go with God.
There are no varying standards in the Lord. We all expected to our best for the Lord. We should all show the same diligence, Hebrews 6:11
Luke 14: 34,35
God doesn’t keep lukewarm, disinterested, non-repentant individuals in his presence just because they have decided that they are still “Christian”. But it is not True Christianity
Proverbs24:13,14
When you really take hold on this life in Christ, you begin to have all of your dreams become reality. Because you have made him the desires of your heart. This is something that you really need to take to heart.
Malachi 1: 13, 14
It is required of you to bring the best to God….. He will not accept anything less….. you would never give a dignitary less than he or she deserves, and that’s well. But, God should receive so much more. God requires your best!!!!!! Demands your best!!!!
Malachi 2: 2
It is so uncommon these days to hear this portion of scripture received. God does curse people if they play games with him.
Proverbs 14:15-16
Fallen in this verse doesn’t mean sinning. This is a person that has had someone actually cause them physical harm. They’ve fallen, but didn’t let that discourage him/her. This Christian, or believer, continues to give their all for God.
The Bible does not excuse you from being obedient or sincere in Christ. It is leading you to be authentic.
Proverbs 24:17-18
God doesn’t like you to revel in others mishaps or failures. We should be considerate people.