Category: Obedience
Subject: Obedience
An Earnest and Urgent Pursuit of Heaven
The Christian is defined by his purpose in life. It is not to get wealthy, not to get famous, not to “go for the gusto”, it is to serve the Lord. Few people live for this purpose. “…narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14).
The Bible reveals clearly two truths. First, men ought to have service to the Lord as their primary purpose in life. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Second, if a man lives his life without serving God, his life is ultimately empty of meaning. “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). (Note: the phrase “under the sun” indicates works that are done without an acknowledgment of God’s existence). Stated simply, the only way to have a meaningful life is to put God first.
Do Nothing
The following illustration has made the rounds, and make a wonderful point…
An infidel died and left his farm to the devil. The court decided the way to give it to the devil was to do nothing. The farm grew weeds, the soil eroded, the house and barn rotted.
You can give your life to the devil the same way. Do nothing.
(via Cecil May Jr.’s Preacher Talk, Fall 2017)
Our Lord said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
The easy way is the way of dissipation (ruin). Those who lose their souls will do so, not because they can’t get it right, but because the simply do not try. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
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Sermon: Zacchaeus
This lesson uses the example of Zacchaeus to illustrate how we may overcome formidable obstacles in order to see (be reconciled with) Jesus.
Sermon: The Woman About to be Stoned
This lesson discusses an example of Jesus’ masterful dealing’s with man. We see His ability to deftly handle the efforts of His enemies to destroy His reputation, to convict the hearts of men, and His great compassion and love for the souls of men.
Sermon: Those Noble Bereans
The Bereans were noble because they kept OPEN minds, OPEN Bibles and OPEN Schedules. We need to emulate them.
Are You A Legalist?
The term “legalist” is used quite often in religion, and always in a negative sense. If someone calls you a legalist, they are not giving you a compliment.
The term is not used in scripture, so we must go to secular sources to define it. Dictionary.com does so:
- strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit.
- Theology
- the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
- The judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.
Looking at the definition above, it would be inappropriate for Christians to ascribe to any of the definitions, save perhaps the last. Let me explain. Continue reading “Are You A Legalist?”
Are You a Friend to Jesus?
Invitation by: Josh Jackson
The text of John 15 is discussed to indicate the necessity of expressing our love for Jesus, by being obedient to Him.
A Militant Faith
A peculiar aspect of our culture is a tendency to shy away from any reference to militancy as a positive characteristic. I suppose that there has been so much violence that people are uncomfortable even entertaining the concept of a legitimate use of force — i.e., a defensive application.
And yet, scripture commonly makes use of the concept. For example, Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith…” In another place, Paul described the characteristics of the mature Christian in militaristic terms, exhorting the Ephesians: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10-13). Continue reading “A Militant Faith”
FB: “You, Yourself, are to be feared”
In Psalm 76, the poet proclaimed of Jehovah, “You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when once you are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment, to deliver all the oppressed of the earth” (7-9).
An angry God is a truly awful sight. When you consider His power, and that it is “a righteous thing with God” to take vengeance on those who do not obey Him (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9), it makes clear that we should seek rather to please Him.
Lest any take from this the idea that God is hateful or capricious, we emphasize that the Lord is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He loves us, and desires the salvation of all. Alas, not all will come to Him. Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).
In short, God is always ready to bless those who serve Him. But, there is reason to dread the awesomeness of our God if we choose rather to disobey. Fear Him!
Sermon: The Joy of Serving the Lord
What are some things we can do to help us remember the joy of serving the Lord in a world full of darkness and sin?
Invitation: How to See Good Days
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
1 Peter 3:10 Peter explains how to live a good life here, and receive God’s approval for eternity. Refrain from evil, and do good!
Sermon: Jesus in the Temple
Second in a series on the life of Jesus. Jesus’ obeyed His Father, and accomplished His will in redeeming man. We too have a stewardship from God, and we too must be faithful.
The Patternists: We Walk by Faith
The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Contextually, these words were a reference to his surety about life after death. “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord” (vs. 6). Men wonder, “What happens after we die?” Paul was a Christian. He knew. God told him. He was confident that after death he would be rewarded with eternal life (cf. 2 Timothy 4:8).
Since judgment was certain, and an eternal existence after death was his lot, how did Paul react? “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (vs. 9).
It is unwise to live your life to please yourself. If you make it your aim to please Him, then you too can look forward to an existence in the presence of God!
God has revealed to us what pleases and displeases Him. It is foolish to take chances, presuming to know what pleases God. Instead, make it your aim to learn God’s will, and do what is “pleasing to Him.”
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Sermon: What if I am a One Talent Man?
Regardless of my talent, I have value to the Lord. I am to be a good steward, and I am promised a wonderful reward!
