Category: Obedience
Subject: Obedience
The Patternists: The Rule of Law
In the midst of all the rhetoric heard concerning immigration, protest and racial tension that is troubling our country, the voice of scripture is seldom heard. Consider these words from the pen of the apostle Peter:
“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1 Peter 2:13-14).
Obviously, the worldly disregard scripture. They could care less what God has to say regarding citizenship. However, the true Christian is constrained by the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us that we are to obey the laws of the land, “for the Lord’s sake.” Those who disregard the rule of law do so to their soul’s detriment.
Yes, there is a limit to the obedience we proffer to our government (cf. Acts 5:29). But that threshold is far above the lawlessness that has gained the acceptance and even approval of a large segment of our nation. Both the laws of God and of man must be respected. God said so!
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
Sermon: Reputation vs Reality
Even godly men like John the Baptist, Paul, and even the Lord Himself had bad reputations in the eyes of the world. Christians will too. The crucial thing is to be blameles in God’s sight!
FB: Are We Doing Good?
In Acts 10 we have the record of Peter’s sermon in Cornelius’ house. In verse 38 Peter related how, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
A major point of Peter’s statement was the power given to Jesus. This power to perform such miracles identifies Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
However, you might also note that He went about doing good. Jesus is not only our Master, He is a righteous Master! In this, He serves as our example. We are to do good, because we are to strive to be like Him! “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master…” (Matthew 10:24-25).
Jesus went about doing good! Are you?
Click below to…
The Patternists: Are You Listening?
The incarnate Creator of the universe has spoken to you, are you listening?
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
- He said that divorce was sinful, are you listening? (cf. Matthew 19:9).
- He said that evil thoughts, sex outside of marriage, theft and lying are all sinful too, are you listening? (cf. Matthew 15:19).
- He said to be a good influence, are you listening? (cf. Matthew 5:16).
- He said to love your enemies, are you listening? (cf. Matthew 5:44).
He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), are you listening?
He said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48).
Are you listening?!
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
Sermon: Let Him Hear!
Jesus intended for his listeners to be discerning and disciplined in their hearing. The lesson emphasizes how essential it is for us to be good listeners.
The Patternists: God Was Not Well Pleased
The apostle Paul wrote of ancient Israel in her infancy as a nation. “But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (1 Corinthians 10:5-6).
The reasons for God’s displeasure, both at the beginning and through Israel’s entire national history are myriad. They can be simply summarized in this statement – They did not obey God’s will for them. At turns they were rebellious, prideful and negligent. Regardless, God told them what He required of them, and they did not follow His will.
Today there are religious people who are guilty of the same thing. They give lipservice to God, but do not follow His will. They have not learned from the example of Israel.
The next time someone tells you that the Bible was not intended by God to be a “pattern” for the Christian, remember God’s dealings with Israel. They were “written for our admonition” (11).
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
The Patternists: Do It Heartily
“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the ineritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24).
Have you considered that every aspect of your existence here on earth is to be controlled by the Lord? That in every relationship you have – familial, fraternal, civic or business – your words and actions are to accord with the will of Jesus Christ.
The words, “for you serve the Lord Christ” require of you honesty, industry, mercy and love. Respect for authority comes directly from a respect for Christ’s authority. A flouting of any authority, be it the President, a police officer, or your employer, constitutes a flouting of the authority of your Lord.
Remember, whatever you do is to be done, not as to men, but rather “as to the Lord.” You belong to Him!
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
Invitation: We are Debtors
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
In Romans 5:12 the apostle Paul affirms that death has spread to all men. The only way to escape death is through God’s gift to man (cf. Romans 6:23). As such, we are Debtors (Romans 8:12).
The Patternists: What Kind of Servant are You?
There is no more important question for each of us to ask ourselves. We acknowledge the existence of God, and our own subservient relationship to Him. So, each must ask, “What kind of servant am I?”
In the text of Matthew 24 Jesus describes the two answers possible. One may be a “faithful and wise servant” (vs. 45), or an “evil servant” (vs. 48). What is the difference between the two? The faithful and wise servant is the one, when the Master comes, who is doing the Master’s will (vs. 46).
The point is simple. God is our Master, and if we want to please Him, we must do His bidding. That is why it is so important for us to know the pattern of obedience required by God in His word. If we do so, we are “blessed” (vs. 46), and will be rewarded (vs. 47). If not, “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (vs. 51).
A sobering truth, to be considered in opposition to the common claim that sincerity in religion is the sole matter of importance. Jesus tells us the important thing is to do the Master’s will!
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
Sermon: Analyzing the Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia
The Sermon analyzes the letters of the Lord to the seven church of Asia, found in Revelation 2 & 3.
The letters emphasize Jesus’ knowledge of the works of the churches, His call for some to repent, and His promise of reward to the faithful.
From the Preacher’s Pen: If then…
Paul wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). The phrase “if then” refers back to his statement in the previous chapter, “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (2:12).
Those who have been baptized have been raised with Christ. The blessings given by God at baptism (the “remission of sins” cf. Acts 2:38), require a response on the part of those who are born again to this new life. We are to “seek those things which are above.”
The idea that man has no part to play in his own redemption is very wrong. Paul wrote, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2). He also admonished the Philippians to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (2:12-13).
Have you been raised to a new life? Then you need to ask yourself whether you are doing “His good pleasure” or your own. You are now a child of God, and it is your responsibility to “seek those things which are above.”
Sermon: The URGENCY of the Gospel
The URGENCY of the Gospel is seen in:
* The Plan of Salvation before Creation.
* The Compassion of the Christ
* The Crucifixion of the Christ
* The Exaltation of the Christ
* The Future Coming of the Christ
* The Christ’s Charge to the Church
Invitation: No Partiality with God
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Paul, in Colossians 3:18-25, gives numerous exhortations, emphasizing that a man’s standing with God is dependent upon his obedience. There are no exceptions to this, because God does not show partiality.
Sermon: The Good Fight of Faith
In order to fight the good fight of faith (cf. 1 Timothy 6:6), we must first identify the enemy, and second utilize all of the help and weapons at our disposal.
