Category: Christian Living
Subject: Christian Living
Sermon: Ugliness
Just like in Roman times, our society is full of ugliness and sin. Violence, oppression, immorality, vitriol and corruption is everywhere. What is the proper Christian response?
The Patternists: Behave Like a Christian
One of the paragraph headings the translators add to the book of Romans is found in the context of Romans 12:9-21. It reads “Behave Like a Christian.”
Though supplied by uninspired men, the paragraph heading is well chosen. There are certain behaviors that should be characteristic of Christians. We are servants and disciples of Jesus. Our lives must reflect that in order to please Him. So, what are these behaviors, as listed by Paul in this passage?
Pressing Toward the Goal
Paul wrote:
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).
Paul had the right attitude. His past life as a persecutor of the church was no longer relevant because of his obedience to the gospel of our Lord.
His conversion was not enough in and of itself, because he understood the danger of apostasy. “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
Paul understood that the only way to approach his life was to look forward. “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). What matters is what I am doing now for the Lord. What matters is pressing forward — reaching for the prize — making heaven our goal.
Paul understood … do we? May we never rest upon our previous accomplishments. May we never take our relationship with God for granted. Press toward the goal!
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Sermon: Disrupt, Dismantle Destroy
The proper response of a child of God when confronted with evil is not to compromise or accomodate it. Instead, the Christian must be militant, battling evil with the power of God and His word.
Sermon: Emulating Christ
As our example, Christ suffered for us, taught us how to deny Satan, forgave us and extended us merccy, showed compassion, and showed humility. He serves as a wonderful example for us.
Sermon: Church Exhortations
Speaker: Josh Cox
Josh turns to 1 Corinthians 3 to see what was lacking among the Corinthians and Paul’s response. He appeals Christians today to make appropriate applications.
Sermon: Living for Jesus
Speaker: Tommy Davis
Tommy discusses the text of Romans 12, emphasizing that as Christians we must lay aside any distractions, and have as our priority serving Christ first.
Your Life is Hidden with Christ in God
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).
Too many today seek the glory, but are not willing to make the commitment. Have you noticed how often in scripture the two are combined? Jesus and His apostles all emphasized the commitment of the Christian life. You have obeyed the gospel, you are now a Christian. Because of this relationship and the glory that it brings, Jesus requires you to live commensurately. “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
As Paul rightly emphasizes, this commitment is a commitment of righteousness. In other words, you are a Christian, now stop sinning! He wrote in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live in any longer in it?”
Anyone who continues a worldly lifestyle while claiming to be a faithful Christian, “is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). Startling to many, but true!
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Because We Trust in the Living God!
Paul wrote to Timothy, telling him that “godliness is profitable for all things” (1 Timothy 4:13). This included the life we live here on earth, and especially the life which is to come. There is truly no better way to live your life. It is a life of sacrifice, but the Creator has ordered our existence to reward righteousness, and punish evil. For example, the civil authorities. “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same” (Romans 13:2-3).
It is for this reason Paul wrote, “For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10).
Do we trust in the Living God? That trust, if true, impacts the way we live our lives. God has promised us salvation in the last day, but that salvation is conditioned upon our response to the gospel, and the steadfastness of our faith. It is for this reason that Paul said, “to this end we both labor and suffer reproach” (4:10).
A willingness to work hard, to endure. The truism that nothing worthwhile is easy is true in this case. But the reward is great! Because we work, “we have the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (4:8).
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Why Do Some Christians Not Grow?
The need for growing spiritually is well established in the New Testament. Those who remain babes in Christ remain as vulnerable to spiritual dangers as their physical counterparts are to the temporal dangers of life. They are weak, and undiscerning, which make them easy fodder for the devil and his minions.
“For he who lacks these things [attributes of the spiritually mature] is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9).
Knowing the importance of spiritual development and growth, it is disheartening when we witness a Christian who is stagnant spiritually. It happens far too often.
I Like Normal
Some people like to “shake things up” to “keep everyone on their toes.” I must confess that I have never been one of those people. I don’t like the “new normal.” I like normal!
Just how much I like normal has been reinforced to me in the past several months. I like knowing what is upcoming each Sunday. I like shaking hands with the brethren, and visiting (sometimes an hour) after services are over. I like having brethren over to my house. I like the routines we have established. In fact, I like tradition!
While I was willing to do whatever was necessary, I didn’t like the threat of shutting down our worship. I didn’t like having to have truncated worship services, of cancelling classes, of meeting outside with a threat of rain or high temperatures. I haven’t liked the frustration of depending upon fickle technology to share Bible teaching with my brethren who are stuck at home. The unknown often causes frustration and anxiety.
Each day that passes means a day closer to normality. Whether it will be another two months or two years, I honestly can’t tell. I do know this, the Christian’s normal is putting God first, no matter what the world throws at us. I like that. I pray that you do too!
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
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Sermon: The Desires of Disciples
An examination of the proper desires of God’s people. For example to be lovers of God rather than the world, and to Honor and Obey Him, no matter the sacrifices that must be made.
Sermon: Not Carnality, But Christ
The text of Colossians 3 contrasts the life of the self-indulgent with the better life of a child of God who practices self-denial. Let us choose Christ rather than the fleshly lusts!
Sermon: Diligence
Diligence in serving God, the Brethren, Family and Others. These are the hallmarks of faithful disciples.
Sermon: Using Euphemisms
The use of Euphemisms can be healthy and helpful. In fact, euphemisms are often found in scripture. However, when they are used to mask profane thoughts and ugly words, they are sinful!
