A Full Reward

 

Intro: 2 John 1:8 warns us to, "Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what you have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward" (Amplified Bible).

There are many ways to lose your rewards. Being seduced by false teachers is one way that Christians can lose their reward at the judgment. With this in mind, John writes that the reason to guard against deceivers is our own desire not to lose our reward at the judgment seat of Christ. Another way to lose rewards is listening to what people say instead of what God says in His word. Other ways of losing your rewards is not praying or reading God's word and putting other things before God. Habitual sin will also rob us of our full reward. Jesus cautioned the church at Philadelphia to “hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (see Rev. 3:11). Every believer has the potential of a full reward or a complete loss of reward. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NKJV) ¹¹  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³  each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴  If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵  If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. The determining factor is our faithfulness to Christ. Justification is not in view here because it is not something we worked for, but something we received as a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) ⁸  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹  not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. One thing is certain, no one wants to lose their full reward! Our desire is to run our race, finish our course, and receive our full reward. Paul did exactly that: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7 NAS). We can receive our full reward just like Paul! But we must be attentive to the things that come our way just like he did. We cannot allow ourselves to be sidetracked or distracted by sin or the things of this world. We cannot lose what we have accomplished. We want to receive our full reward! Our first priority is to focus on the task which God has assigned to us, whatever it is. Then, we must make frequent "checks" along the way. We must be certain that we have not allowed something that is second or third in importance, to take first place in our lives. We must pay close attention to what we do in life in order to continue in the right direction. There are signs to help to gauge our progress. Should we see an unfamiliar sign on our path, something that does not point in the direction of God's will, we must stop and see if we have taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way. We must continually ask for God's guidance in our lives. We must obey the commandment to love God with all we are and our neighbor as ourselves. Mark 12:30-31 (NKJV) ³⁰  And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. ³¹  And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Invitation: If you have never received Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, you will not even make it to heaven, much less have a reward. To receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord simply confess your sins to Him and ask Him to for give you and save your soul from hell. Be baptized to show you are sincere. Then you too, can begin to lay up treasures and rewards in Heaven.

True Joy

 

Intro: Are you missing the joy in your life because you are only focusing on being happy? The next time someone asks, “Are you happy?” you should tell them, “Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes I’m sad, but I’m always joyful in the Lord.”

I. You may ask “what do I have to be joyful about?” First & foremost, we have joy in the fact God loves us so much He paid the price for our sin with the life of His Son Jesus Christ & through Him we have eternal life. We also find joy by being with one another at church. Being together, even in our homes. We can do things like tell stories, share memories, talk about our family, God & many other things.

II. The Bible has many things to say about godly joy. Psalm 5:11 (NKJV) ¹¹  But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

In John 15:11 we read were Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

III. Even when we are put through hard times, we still have joy with the Lord. The apostle Paul probably went through more hardships than anyone in the Bible except for Jesus. But he had joy. Joy that could not be taken away. Many of the Books he wrote were written in prison. Paul was locked up when he wrote Philippians. He was imprisoned but Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Here he is in prison telling us to rejoice. If Paul can find reason to rejoice in times like this, we can do the same. Godly joy cannot be taken away from us! Life has times of hardship & sorrow, but through anything we can rejoice & be joyful in our Lord!

Invitation: The only way to have true joy is if you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. You must confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you. If you are sincere, He won't turn you away! Then you will know true joy!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill each one reading this with Your joy. Fill them with Your Spirit and hold them close to You. Give them the strength, comfort and encouragement they need for each day. Let them experience Your love in a special way. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen!

Blessings of the Believer

 

Scripture Text

Psalm. 36:7-9

Intro: We who are children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the most blessed people on earth. Some envy the wicked, but they are not blessed of God. Psalms 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I. There is security in the Lord. Psalm 36:7 (NKJV) How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

A. His unfailing love endures forever. We have the Security of a merciful, loving, kind, caring God. (Psalm 57:1) Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. God’s loyal love is precious, because humans can take refuge in the Lord like chicks taking refuge under their mother hen’s wings. If we are in God’s will, nothing can touch us without His permission.

II. There are abundant provisions. (Psalm 36:8) They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

A. The fullness of God’s house. The psalmist here uses the imagery of the temple to say that believers enjoy the provisions of God’s house. (Isaiah 55:1-2)
¹ "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come; buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. God invites people to come to Him. The blessings God gives are available without cost. Salvation is a free gift of God; it refers to spiritual redemption and physical deliverance. Both are intended here. The Lord asks how people could be interested in other things besides Himself as He is the only One who can bring genuine satisfaction. Throughout all history people have tried to find satisfaction through many things other than God.

III. There is life in the Lord. Psalm 36:9a (NKJV) For with You is the fountain of life.

A. Jesus came for this purpose. (John 10:10b) Understanding, joy, and abundant life come from the Lord, our Source.

IV. There is light in the Lord. (Psalm 36:9b) In Your light we see light.

A. The light of the Lord overcomes darkness. John 8:12 — Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life." Jesus lights our way through the darkest of times. His Spirit guides us. 2Cor. 4:6 — For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: So, in contrast with the corruptions of the wicked, an obedient believer’s life is characterized by security in the Lord, abundant provisions, life, and understanding in God’s presence.

Invitation: If you are enjoying these provisions of the Lord you should give thanks right now. If you are not enjoying all these provisions of the Lord, now is the time to correct that. Simply confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. Invite Him into your life to guide and direct you until you go to live with Him in Heaven forever.

Fellowship With God

 

1 John 1:3–4 (NKJV) That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

Intro: Did you know God created you for close fellowship with Him? More than anything else that's what God wants from you and I. He wants to be in intimate fellowship and communion with us. Fellowship - means a friendly relationship; companionship: sharing of interest, feelings. The Father invites us to spend some time Him and enjoy the results.

I. Fellowship with God allows Him to more fully reveal Himself to you. Psalm 119:125 I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies. You and I don't know all God wants us to know about Him. The more a servant knows about his master, the more useful and effective he can be. So we need understanding to know the mind of God as it is revealed in His word. If you want to know more about someone you have to spend time with them. You have to talk to them, share your feelings and then listen to what they have to say. There has to be a sharing of mutual interest and feelings. When you spend time with God in bible reading, meditation, and prayer, he will reveal more of His interest and feelings to you. We need to seek more of God's wisdom, knowledge, and understanding thru reading scripture, meditation and prayer.

II. Fellowship with God helps keep your focus on Him. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus, our example, perfectly finished his race so Christians should keep their eyes focused on him and His word, looking away from other options or distractions. It is upon him that our faith depends from start to finish. In this world in which we live, its easy to lose our focus of God and go astray. Fellow-shipping with God keeps us looking to Jesus and longing to be with Him more and more because He loves and cares for us so and He knows the path of life that is best for us and our families.

III. Fellowship with God helps you overcome sin. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When you spend time fellow-shipping with God it leads you to recognize, confess and forsake your sin. Sin in your life blocks the sharing of interests and feelings with God. It robs you of the blessings that God intends for you to have. If we are truly committed to changing and we really want to overcome sin, God through His Spirit will spark the right thoughts in our mind if we ask Him to do so. God wants to help us overcome sin, and fellowship with Him helps prepare our mind to respond the way He would have us to.

IV. Fellowship with God brings His power into your life. Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. When you fellowship with God, it means you will have more of His Holy Spirit power working in your life so you will be able to live as God would have you to live. Spending time in fellowship with God and His word allows His Spirit power to work in your life and do exceedingly, abundantly above all you can possibly ask or think.                                                                                                                                        V. Fellowship with God brings joy to your soul. Nehemiah 8:10 Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! There is nothing in this world that will bring you lasting satisfaction and joy of spirit and soul like God. God gives us joy because He is joyful. He is the source of joy, just as He is the source of love, truth, mercy, and grace. Joy is both a description of God and a description of what He gives. Joy means delight and pleasure. As you fellowship with God, it will bring delight and pleasure to your soul. Most people have the wrong view of God. Rejoicing in God as prescribed in his word, and serving him with cheerfulness and thankfulness, will give you and I strength of mind and body which we all greatly need, to perform the duties God requires of us, and to endure and oppose all the cunning and malicious schemes of Satan against you and I.

VI. Fellowship with God helps you hear Him better. Jeremiah 33:3] 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' There are a lot of things you and I don't know. When we spend time in fellowship with God, communicating with Him in prayer, we are better able to hear His voice and understand what He has for us. God has great and mighty things for you and I but we must spend time praying, seeking His face and listening for His voice in our mind & spirit.

Conclusion: Spending time with God in intimate fellowship, sharing interests and feelings has great rewards. You and I would be wise to heed these words of advice. If we do, our lives will change for the better and it will benefit everyone around us.

Invitation: You can't fellowship with God if you don't have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. You must confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you from hell. Invite Him to come into your life to take charge of you. Then spend time in fellowship with God by listening and sharing your interest and feelings with Him.

The Truth!

 

How to Avoid Deception

 

Intro: No one is exempt from being tempted and deceived.   Christians who are not prepared are being swept into the streams of deception that are being spewed out by many different voices.  Many believers are filled with fear and worry.  They are following deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. (1Timothy 4:1) Here are 4 keys you can use to avoid falling into the trap of the enemy.

1. Be Alert and Watchful. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”. Romans 13:11, “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”  And Jesus encouraged us to, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) In other words, as followers of Christ we need to wake up and be on guard.  Too many of us have become apathetic and complacent.  We are asleep.   It’s time to wake up and be aware of what is going on around us and sensitive to what spirit is at work.  We need to be aware of the tactics and devices of the enemy, so we are not out witted and become a victim of deception.  (2Corithians 2:11)

2. Know and Do the Word of God. You must know God’s word. You will be susceptible to being deceived if you do not know what God has said. The Word is the plum line. It establishes true north in our life. Jesus said, “Man is not to live on bread only. Man is to live by every word that God speaks” (Mt 4:4).  We must feed upon God’s word every day – read it, meditate upon it, speak it, hear it. Then, we must do what God’s word says to do not be just hearers only. James makes this very clear, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  (James 1:22) So, stay immersed in the word and walk in all the light God gives you, and you won’t have to worry about being deceived.

3. Guard your heart. Deception usually begins in the heart as a result of honoring one’s personal will above the will of God. The will of man by nature does not love the truth.  Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Even those who are religiously minded can have their hearts deceived (Jas. 1:26).  The heart can be polluted by pride, greed, apathy, unforgiveness, and offense.  These are all breeding grounds of deception. Not only can the devil deceive us, but others can deceive us, and we can be self-deceived – if, we don’t guard our hearts.

4. Stay in right relationship. God created us for relationship.  Relationship with Him and relationship with others.  It starts with our relationship with the Lord.  You will not be deceived if you commune with the Lord, pray, and worship Him.  You will remain sensitive to His voice and the leading of the spirit. Then, we need to be in right relationship with other believers.   We need each other.  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  (Proverbs 27:17)   Fellowship provides encouragement and strength.  We need people in our life to hold us accountable and to help us grow. One of the biggest traps and dangers for deception is going it alone.  When a believer becomes isolated, separated from God and others they become and easy target for deception. This is what church is all about, fellowship with other believers!

Invitation: If you have never asked Jesus to forgive your sins, you are being deceived by the devil because without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will be eternally lost in hell. God wants you to spend eternity with Him and has provide the way to heaven through Jesus Christ His Holy Son. Ask Jesus to forgive you and save you from hell. Invite Him into your life right now if you have never done that before its eternally to late! Then you will spend eternity with God and His Son Jesus!

The Joys of Trusting God

 

Psalm 40:1-5

Intro: We see so many Christian people that seem so sad and they feel beat down by the pressures and the problems of this life, facing trials and temptations on every hand. God wants us to trust Him with all these things. King David gives us a firsthand personal witness of the benefits and joys of trusting God with all the problems and trials of life. No matter what he faced, David had the privilege of taking everything to God and then fully trusting Him with everything he faced in his life. David gives his joyful report to the congregation about his deliverance and an encouragement to them to trust the Lord.

I. The first benefit is patience! Psalms 40:1 (NKJV) I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. David says he had learned to pray and wait on God to move and help him. David could even have patience while waiting for God to help him. Then David says God turned to face him and inclined His ear (bent down to hear) his request. God promises that He will hear us when we continue to ask, seek and knock, with continuous praying. (Mt.7:7)

II. The second benefit of having trust in God is His answer. Psalms 40:2 (NKJV) He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. David says he was going through (mud and mire) a time of despair and hopelessness. He felt the pressure of his many problems and He felt helpless in his situations in life. But when he prayed to God out of his pitiful state, God answered him and changed his situation. God changed his helplessness into victory, and turned his despair to joy. God had now set David’s feet on solid ground by giving him power over his problems and circumstances to where he could walk steadily in the paths of God’s leading.

III. Third benefit of trusting in God. He gives a new song of praise and admiration for His goodness. Psalms 40:3 (NKJV) He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord. God will bring a new song to your heart when He delivers you. We are to tell others about God’s mercy and grace in delivering us from our hopeless problems and troubles. When we do we will see another benefit of our trusting in God and that is people will see what He has done and they will put their trust in God as well.

IV. Fourth benefit of trusting God is joy. Psalms 40:4 (NKJV) Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. David gives us encouragement to commit our troubles and our lives to God. We will have no confidence in arrogant people (those who are full of self and think they know it all) and those that lie and brag about what they can do; God says the arm of flesh will always fail you. Jeremiah 17:5 (NLT) This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. Neither will we trust in idols. Idols are anything that takes up more of our time then God does! People look to everything the world has to offer (idols) trying to escape from their despair and hopelessness. We Christians will look only to God and trust Him!

V. Fifth benefit is confidence in God. Psalms 40:5 (NKJV) Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. God has no equal. When we remember the wonders God has performed for us. Count your many blessings, name then one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Look at the wonders of creation, the vastness and order of the universe and beyond. Look at the beauties and wonders here on earth. God gives us food, clothing, houses, cars, TVs, luxury items! Nature itself is a wonder of God. God’s wonders happen every day. I have seen many miracles and wonders that God has performed in my life and other people’s lives. They are too numerous to mention, we would forget some. The joy and blessings of trusting God is confidence and assurance. There is no one equal to Him. Many people give glory to the devil by fearing him instead of God. The devil is not omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He cannot create. He came to deceive, steal, kill, and destroy. Let’s take David’s personal witness and take everything to the highest authority there is. God has no equal and He invites us come to Him day or night. He has given us a High Priest who understands our need and presents our case before Him. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NKJV) ¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin .¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Invitation: Have you experienced the joys of trusting God lately? Take your worries, fears and doubts to God right now as He gives you this invitation to come to Him. Cast all your cares on the Lord if you have not already. You can never have joy till you fully trust Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Come to Him while He is near and experience the joys of trusting God!

Priority of Prayer for 2025

Intro: As we think about our priorities for 2025, our top priorities should be of the spiritual nature. Those things that will help us grow in our relationship with God. Our spiritual life controls how we respond to all other things. God is concerned about every area of our lives and wants us to seek Him in prayer for His will, His guidance, His blessings, favor and wisdom in all of our ways. Prayer is one of the of the greatest privileges that we have!

I. One of our top priorities for this year should be prayer. (Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV) 'Call to Me,                                                     A. We have an open invitation from God to call on Him in prayer. Only through prayer can we believers stay in contact with God, know what he wants us to do and the way we should go. God's word is like a map or G.P.S. System giving us guidance as to the right way to go. B. The promise if we call on God is (V:33b) and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'1. He will answer us. We should pray in confident & complete trust in God's word to us. 2. He will show us the things we don’t know. God’s plans for the future are inaccessible to ordinary people. Only God can unlock the answer to the things we don't know. He offered this knowledge to Jeremiah and to every one of us who are children of Abraham by faith.

II. Jesus invites us to call on God in prayer. In Matthew 6:9-13  (NKJV) ⁹  In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed (sacred, holy) be Your name. ¹⁰  Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹  Give us this day our daily bread. ¹²  And forgive us our debts,(trespasses,sin) As we forgive our debtors  ¹³  And do not lead us into temptation, (don't permit us to be temped) But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Jesus had given the disciples and us a model prayer. Now He assures them that God welcomes prayer and urged them to come to Him through their own prayers in His name. Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV) ⁷ "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Jesus gives us the conditions of prayer. 1. Ask – Continuous and persistent action. Emphasized by the present tense. [keep on] 2. Seek- “keep seeking” - Like seeking some lost treasure that means the most to you. 3. Knock -“keep on knocking” Don't give up on prayer. B. God's promise to us if we do these things faithfully. Matthew 7:⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 1. We will receive. The answers we need to make right choices that will keep us on the right path and keep us faithful to Him, and keep us away from sin and trouble will be given. 2. You will find. We will find God more than ready and willing to help us along life’s journey this year. The people of Israel asked Jeremiah 42:3 (NLT) Pray that the LORD God will show us what to do and where to go.” 3. It will be opened. God promises that the door to His throne room will be opened to us.

III. God's promise to meet our needs when we pray. Matthew 7:9-11 (NKJV) ⁹  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?¹⁰  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?¹¹  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! A. The Father is willing to answer us because He delights in granting our request. B. He will give us the good things that we need to promote our health and well-being, our prosperity and success in life. Prayer makes sure we live with a humble acknowledgment of our need for His grace and mercy, knowing He is our only hope for staying on course and fulfilling our created purpose. God faithfully rewards those who call on Him.

Conclusion: Prayer shouldn't be looked upon as a burden, but a privilege in which we are able to communicate with the One who created us and who is in charge of the whole universe. Philippians 4:6 in the New Living Translation says “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” For the abundant, stress free, successful life, make prayer one of your top priorities for this year. This is the way of wisdom.

Invitation: First priority in prayer is salvation. If you have never called on Jesus to save you, now is the time! Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins against God. Then invite Jesus into your life to take charge of you. Be baptized as a public testimony of your faith in Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.