Be Ready

 

Scripture Text

Luke 12:35-40

Intro: Jesus warns those who are only concerned about material things and have no time for the Lord. In these scriptures before us today Jesus has a strong warning for all Christians today. Jesus says to be ready for His return. We are to be found faithfully living and serving Jesus and looking for His return.

The reasons we should Be watching and ready. (v.35-40)

I. Because the Lord is returning. Luke 12:35-36 (NKJV) ³⁵  "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; ³⁶  and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. The believer is to be in a state of readiness. We are to always to be prepared, always watching and waiting for our Lord's return. The attitude of the believer to the return of Christ is to be one of the readiness, having "the loins... girded" -- doing all we can for Him, and living in expectation of His return. In biblical days, men servants would wear robes. When they needed to serve in work they would tuck their robes in the belt. Faithful servants would stay awake with the lamps burning while waiting for their master’s return from the wedding feast. They were dressed so that they can do service for him at all times. No matter how late the master may come, the servants are prepared to open the door immediately upon his arrival. In the same way, God’s people must be awaiting his arrival so they too can welcome Him the moment he arrives. Servants who are faithfully serving, ready and waiting for the master’s arrival will be eternally rewarded by Him.

II. Because you shall be served by Christ Himself. Luke 12:37 (NKJV) Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. We are to stay ready because we will be served by Christ Himself at the marriage supper of the Lamb. This is a most precious and wonderful promise. It's a most unusual promise. Imagine the Lord of the universe serving us at a banquet, yet it is the promise made by Jesus! Why would such a promise be made to the believer? Jesus promises to take any person who honors and serves Him and elevate that person to the highest of positions. Any person who honors Jesus will be highly honored by God. He will put upon a person a very high honor and dignity, and satisfy them with a fullness of happiness and glory, and they shall rest for ever. The person who honors Jesus is adopted as a child of God's, and that person becomes a brother and joint heir with Christ and an heir of God.

III. Because you shall be blessed. Luke 12:38 (NKJV) And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
We believers are to stay ready because we will be blessed if we are living for the Lord, serving Him and awaiting His arrival. The word "blessed" means to pronounce a person happy, fortunate or to be envied. The idea is that Christ is going to make the believer happy and blessed. The night was divided into three watches by the Jews. First, second, and third. (Sunset -10:00 p:m), (10:00 p:m-2:00 a:m), (2:00 a:m-sunrise). The point is the importance of being ready: the hour of His return is unknown, but He is returning. It may be very soon; it may be later. The idea is that no one knows the time, but be ready—be prepared—if you wish to be blessed.
Happiness and blessedness will become an eternal state of being, it will be the constant experience of the believer who is waiting and prepared for the Master's return.

IV. Because Christ shall come suddenly, unexpectedly. Luke 12:39 (NKJV) But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Jesus' return is going to be unexpected. The burglar always comes in an unexpected hour, so we must watch and be prepared as much as a homeowner would watch and prepare if he knew a burglar was coming. The believer must not be careless: get tired of serving and waiting, be caught off guard, slip into sin, and begin to disbelieve. We must watch, be spiritually awake, listen, look, and take notice of all distractions.

V. Because Christ shall come when least expected. Luke 12:40 (NKJV) Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." The believer is to stay ready since Christ will come when least expected. Jesus could not have stated it any clearer; He could not have spoken any plainer. " He is Coming at an hour you do not expect.” Jesus warns us “Therefore you also be ready!" The bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NKJV) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

Conclusion: Christ’s return at an unexpected time is not a trick by which God hopes to catch his people off guard. In fact, Jesus is delaying his return so that more people will have the opportunity to know him and serve Him. Before Christ’s return, we believers must be busy living out our beliefs and reflecting Jesus’ love to others. We have time to bring more people with us into the Kingdom. We are to keep on for Christ as long as we have the health and strength to do it. Luke 12:43-44 ⁴³  Blessed (happy, fortunate and to be envied) is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁴  Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

Invitation: Are you ready for His return? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you? If not, right now is the time. If you have been saved, are you living for Christ and are you serving Him in some way? Are you telling others about Jesus and His desire to save them?

Freedom

 

Scripture Text

Titus 3:3-8

Intro: This Thursday we celebrate our freedom and independence. Many men and women have died to make sure we stay free from bondage to another nation. As we celebrate the Lord’s Supper here today, we want to remember the freedom that God has given us through the gift of His Son, the wonderful Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

I. Remember our former way of life before Christ. Titus 3:3 (NLT)
³  Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. a. Without God, all of us were unbelievers enslaved to our passions and desires. Left alone, all human nature can only go from bad to worse. Instead of living for God, our lives were full of evil and envy before Christ. No matter how much “love” we tried to create without God, the overriding power of our sin produced a greater amount of hatred. We needed to be set free from this bondage to the devil. Thus there was no hope for us apart from the intervention of the holy God, the Creator and Savior.

II. We were set free from bondage by God our Savior. Titus 3:3-6 (NKJV)³  For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.⁴  But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,⁵  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. a. All of our former bondage changed when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared. What we could in no wise do for ourselves, God did for us through Jesus Christ His Son. God freed us from bondage to Satan and sin. He freed us in His kindness, love, and mercy. God in His grace saves and sets free those who believe, not because of any righteousness in them, but because of His mercy, love, and kindness. The three words, “kindness,” “love,” and “mercy” all represent aspects of God’s grace. Grace is the unmerited favor of God. The dual means of grace through which He accomplished this salvation are (1) the rebirth spoken of as a washing from the filth of our sins, past, present, and future. (2) We were renewed by the Holy Spirit ( 2 Cor. 5:17). The moment we believed in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord we were washed clean from the filth of our sins and we were given new birth and new life by the power of the Holy Spirit which God generously poured out on us Paul says in verse 6.

III. We have been justified by God’s grace. Titus 3:7 (NLT)  Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” a. From Adam we inherited a sinful nature (the tendency to sin), and we were under God’s wrath and due His punishment. Because Jesus took the punishment we deserved for sin and made us right before God, we are now free from all bondage. We have been declared not guilty. We can trade our sin for Jesus’ righteousness. When we do that, we know that we will inherit eternal life. Colossians 1:13-14 (NKJV) ¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Eternal life began the moment we gave our life to Christ, but there is more to come! Our experience now is only a foretaste of what God has guaranteed to us in the future! Praise be to God!

IV. We are to devote ourselves to helping set others free from bondage. Titus 3:8 (NLT) This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. a. Believers must show their beliefs through their conduct. We must be careful to do good deeds all the time, wherever we are. Sound belief must manifest itself in good works. As we live a godly life before others, and help reach them with the gospel message, we will be helping to set them free from their bondage to sin and Satan.

Invitation: Allow the Holy Spirit to look into your heart and tell you whether you are a child of God or not. If God’s Spirit points out you are not His child, you need to correct that. Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him for His forgiveness. Do it now. Don’t wait!

Jesus Our All

                                                                          Scripture Text                                                                             Song 5:16

Intro: Jesus in Revelation 2:4 told the church of Ephesus that they had left their first love. Jesus is to be our first love and we are to never forget Savior and Lord. He is our bridegroom and we are His bride. He has done so much for us, so we must give Him His rightful place in our lives and stand strong for Him in this dark and sinful world.

I. Christ's words are most sweet to us. Song of Songs 5:16 (NKJV)  His mouth is most sweet, Psalm 19:10 More to be desired are His word than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psalm 119:103 (NKJV) How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Christ' words are Sweeter than honey; which is the sweetest food we know of. The honeycomb is that which is sweeter than the rest. Words are a principal part of Christ's beauty, and the main means of our comfort, security, joy and salvation. Our comfort and joy completely depends upon his sweet and excellent words, his holy teaching and gracious promises contained in the gospel. Luke 4:22 (NKJV) So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" To appreciate the sweetness of His words you have to feed upon Jesus' words by reading and meditating on it daily. His word tells us in Jude 1:24 (NKJV) Jesus is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. That is most sweet to our souls.

II. Christ is altogether lovely. Song of Songs 5:16 (NKJV) Yes, he is altogether lovely. There is no part of him which is not all together lovely and beautiful. Now the important question is this: Is He altogether lovely to you? Are you able to speak of Him with the enthusiasm the bride had for her bridegroom? We must know Christ intimately if we are to witness of Him. When one comes to Christ it is not a business transaction, it's a forever commitment. He is wonderful, and I don't think we praise Him, glorify Him, lift Him up, worship Him, and honor Him with thanksgiving enough. He is altogether lovely any way that you look at Him. 1.Christ is lovely in his birth and by becoming flesh and dwelling among us. 2.Christ is lovely by being a blessing to others, He goes about doing good and helping those who are oppressed of the devil. He is lovely by His holiness, and His obedience to the Father, fulfilling His will. He is lovely by His perfection in all He does.  3.Christ is lovely in His death, for by His death on the cross, we sinners are reconciled to the Father; our sins are forgiven and no longer to be remembered, giving us the promise of everlasting life in heaven with Him and the Father. 4.Christ is lovely in the promise of His kingdom. He saved us so that we can have access to and serve in His kingdom. He made us heirs of God and joint heirs with Him. 5.Christ is lovely in His position as the mediator between God and us. He stands as advocate between the Father and us and brings us together in peace and harmony.  6.Christ is lovely in His person; He's full of mercy and grace, wisdom, knowledge, humility, holiness, righteousness, love, compassion, faithfulness, and kindness. 7.Christ is lovely in His care for us, protecting us at all times and meeting our needs. Christ, therefore, is lovely in everything He does. His loveliness cannot be improved on.

III. Christ is my beloved. Song of Songs 5:16 (NKJV) This is my beloved, Can you say He is beloved to you? Is He is the One whom you love the most? Is He is the One dearest to your heart. Do you desire none but him. Is He is the focal point of your interest; is your faith completely in him, and do you love him because He first loved you and gave Himself for you. Do you love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength which is the first and greatest commandment?

IV. Christ is my friend. Song of Songs 5:16 (NKJV) And this is my friend, Christ is lovely as our personal friend. We can talk to Him at all times. He discloses the secrets of His heart to us. John 15:15 (NKJV)  No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. He paid our sin debt for us by his suffering in our place on the cross, and by shedding His precious blood to purchase us as His own. He has entered into heaven in our name, where He is our advocate before the Father. He is abundant in His mercy and grace, and gives us help and relief in times of need. We can share all our secret things needs with Him, knowing that He will help us. He gives us good and wholesome counsel by His word. He shows us the right path to follow to avoid the pitfalls of life.
He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother; He loves at all times; is constant and faithful, and always to be trusted in; He is a rich, powerful, everlasting, unchangeable friend.

Conclusion: "Let others be governed by the love of the world, and seek their happiness in its friendship and favors, This is my beloved and this is my friend. Others may do as they please, but this is my soul's choice, my soul's rest, my life, my joy, my all; this is he whom I desire to live and die with." Quote from Matthew Henry Commentary

Invitation: Christ is seeking those that have not experienced His love in the forgiveness of their sins. If you have never experienced Christ's love for you, confess your sins to Him, ask Him to forgive you and save you from hell and give you a home in Heaven. He will not turn you away and you will begin to experience His great love for you! 

A Call to Remain Faithful

 

Scripture Text

Jude 17-21

Intro: We Christians are under persecution daily by those who don't know Christ. We are being mocked for our belief in Jesus Christ. These mockers are in our government, media, society and even some churches. Jude calls on all Christians to remain faithful.

I. Remember we are warned there shall be mockers. Mockers were predicted by the apostles. Jude 1:17 (NKJV) But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: What we see today shouldn't surprise us. We are warned in the bible that this would happen. There are mockers in and out of the church. They are in every aspect of life. Christianity is foolishness to them. They mock things they don't understand. The idea of a spiritual world that is more real and alive as the physical world is questioned. The idea of levels of authority, of principalities and powers and rulers in a spiritual world is mocked. The idea of Christ being exalted to the right hand of God is laughed at. The fact of believers someday ruling, serving and ministering for Christ forever in a new heavens and earth is ridiculed and mocked. We see a total disregard for anything concerning God! The devil has blinded their eyes. His favorite devise is to keep them ignorant and unconcerned about spiritual truths. These scriptures give us three characteristics of mockers! a. They are sensual. Jude 1:18 (NKJV) how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. Mockers are sensual (fleshly) and worldly minded. They don't ever think of spiritual things. Their mind is set on the things of this world and satisfying the desires of the flesh. They are like brute beasts. Jude 1:10b (NLT) They do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. They walk after their passions. They think and act as natural fleshly men. These people couldn't care less about God or Christ but live their lives only after their own lustful passions. They think only of themselves and what they want. They hate people who disagree with them. Jude 1:16 (NLT) These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. b. They cause divisions Jude 1:19 (NKJV) These are sensual persons, who cause divisions. They cause divisions every where they go. As we look at our world today we see divisions everywhere in and out of the church, in the nation & government, social media, news media, different religions. Divisions come when people turn from the source of unity which is the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit ruling in the hearts of men there can never be peace. Man has tried since the beginning to bring peace but has never been successful. c. They do not have the Spirit Jude 1:19c (NKJV) not having the Spirit. All these evil actions that people do is because they don't have God's Spirit in them. Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. They have never been saved. They are ignorant to the results of this kind of lifestyle, that leads not only to physical death, but also spiritual death. This is why the church is so important. We can't stop using every method at our disposal to reach people for Christ. He is the only hope for the world.

II. We are called to remain faithful. Many are turning away from the faith that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Even though mockers are all around us we are to remain faithful to our calling for there is no other way to unity and heaven but by Jesus Christ. a. By building upon our "most holy faith." Jude 1:20 (NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith. We were called to be God's children. We were called to one day rule and reign with Christ. We are to keep assembling ourselves together as Heb. 10:25 says so we can help each other build up our “most holy Christian faith.” Holy means separate, set apart, different. Our holy faith is far different from all other faiths. It is a faith that is not based upon opinion, speculation, works and imaginations of men. It is a faith of grace and salvation thru Jesus only. John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. It is faith that has been separated and set apart from man's ideas about God and life. It is a faith that is set apart by God Himself, it comes from God. Our holy faith is based on the holy bible, God's word. We are to read, study, memorize it and live it. We are to preach and teach it as long as we are able. b. We are to remain faithful By praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 1:20b praying in the Holy Spirit, We communicate with the Father in prayer letting our request be made known to Him.  We pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, asking and depending upon the Holy Spirit to cleanse our requests and make sure that what we ask is according to the will of God. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning (0r moaning) which cannot be uttered. We set time aside time every day in prayer before God for the needs of loved ones and for the needs of God's people and for the world, all in and with the help of the Spirit. c. We are to remain faithful by keeping ourselves in the love of God. Jude 1:21 (NKJV) keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude is telling us to keep ourselves in a place where God can actively bless us, and to keep ourselves away from all that is unlike Him, and those things that would drag us down spiritually. In other words, we don’t keep ourselves saved, but we keep ourselves safe in His love. That includes denying ourselves and embracing what God has for us. If we get out from under God's love, the devil will be waiting to make our lives miserable.

Conclusion: By doing these things we will keep ourselves safe in God's love. We must remain faithful in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation and shine as lights in a dark place. We are to be salt of the earth and light of the world as Jesus said.

Invitation: Have you responded to God's call to be saved from hell and to be saved for Heaven? If not, the bible says now is the time, today is the day of salvation for all who confess their sins to Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness.

Things To Be Thankful For

 

Intro: We Christians have so much for which to be thankful for not just one day a year but each and every day we live. God has given us so many blessings both spiritual and material! I have listed some spiritual blessings because they are eternal. Be thankful that;

1. We are children of God. (John 1:12) But as many as received Him (Jesus) to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. This verse speaks of Jesus granting the right or giving the authority to become a child of God. No one can attain this new birth by his or her own power, merit, or ability. Only Jesus can grant it. When we place our faith and trust in Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for our sins, we ask for His forgiveness of our sins and we receive Him into our lives, Jesus gives us the authority and power to become children of the living God. Galatians 3:26 (NLT) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. We owe thanks to Jesus because He gave us the right to become children of God.

2. We are righteous in God’s eyes. (2 Corinthians 5:21) For God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. This is one of the great verses proclaiming the unbelievable love of God. Christ bore the penalty and the punishment for our sins. God made Jesus, who was completely innocent and perfect; to become sin for us so He could take away our sin. Once someone comes to Jesus and confesses their sin and asks for forgiveness and salvation, they become righteous in God’s eyes and they find a peace and satisfaction of soul which is everlasting, and that person will never cease to be righteousness. Nothing can ever change our standing with the Father. Think about that, Christians will never cease to be righteous in God's eyes. Jesus said in; John 6:47 (NKJV) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. Jesus makes it plain that the believer has been made righteous and has eternal life, starting the moment someone believes in Him as their Savior. The verb “believes” in these verses means “he who continues to believe.” We do not believe merely once; we keep on believing in and trusting Jesus. We owe thanks to Jesus for making us righteous in God’s eyes.

3. We are redeemed from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:10-14¹⁰  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." ¹¹  But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." ¹²  Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." ¹³  Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), ¹⁴  that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Every person is guilty of violating the 10 commandments and under the curse of God's law until they are saved. Jesus took our curse upon Himself on the cross. To be hanged on a tree signified to the Jews that a person had been cursed. Christ willingly allowed himself to become cursed for all humanity, and so He endured the Crucifixion for us. At the cross, the curse of the law was transferred from sinful humanity to the sinless Son of God. Christ became our representative and took on himself the penalty of our sin for breaking God's laws and then He gave us His righteousness so we could be accepted by the Father. We are no longer under God's curse for breaking His law. Thanks be to Jesus for redeeming us (saving us) from the curse of the law.

4. We have victory over the world. 1 John 5:4 (NKJV) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. It is faith (trust) in Jesus that saves us, and it is faith in Jesus that keeps us. We (walk) live our lives by faith. We are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ, and faith is the only way in which you and I will be able to overcome this world around us. The power of Christ, given to believers through the Holy Spirit, gives us the victory over the world, the flesh, the devil, death, and sin. We need to live our lives in the assurance that we belong to God and we are under His care and we have victory over the world.

Conclusion: These are just some of the things God has given us to be thankful for. As you read the word of God daily you will find many more things for which to be thankful because the bible says Ephesians 1:3 Thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. May we be counted among those who are thankful for every good and perfect gift that comes from God our Father.

Invitation: Do you know for sure you are a child of God? Can you say that without a doubt? If not now would be a good time to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him to take charge of your life, then you too will be thankful that you now have victory over the world, the devil, death, and sin. The choice is yours!

The One Needful Thing!

 

Scripture Text

Luke 10:38-42

Intro: Most Christians think they have to be busy doing things for the Lord to please Him. The more they do the more pleased Jesus is with them. But the verses before us today give us enlightenment as to what Jesus considers the most needful thing in a person's life.

I. Martha welcomed Jesus into her house! Luke 10:38 (NKJV)
³⁸  Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. We need to be like Martha in this respect. May we welcome Him into our life as we start each day! Jesus stands at the door and knocks in; Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. He won't force His way in, He must be invited in.

II. Martha's focus. Luke 10:40 (NKJV) But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." She was distracted by much serving. She complained about no help! Many Christians are stressed out from to much serving. They feel they have to keep busy for Him to please Him. Jesus let Martha know the truth about her misplaced priorities. Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. Jesus was not rebuking her for wanting to serve Him, but she was to sit at His feet and listen to Him first and then serve. You can be so busy for Jesus and others that you don’t take time to be in His presence and listen to Him. If you don't take time to listen to Jesus there will be no joy in your serving. You will be serving in your own strength. Martha's eyes were on her sister. Some today try to serve that way. She was worried and troubled about many things, not just serving. How many do you know that are serving God and it is torture for them and they make it known to everyone? They complain about this and that. Miserable Christians they are! Jesus doesn’t want you to stress out over serving Him and others so you need to stop, sit at Jesus' feet and listen to Him. Then we will be prepared to serve Him in His way and strength instead of our own which really profits nothing.

III. Mary's focus. Luke 10:39 (NKJV) And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. We need to be like Mary also. She knew what was important and needful. Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Jesus said one thing is needful, necessary, worth being concerned over and that's Listening to Him. Mary had chosen the good part and it would not be taken from her. When you take time out of your daily schedule to sit at Jesus’ feet you have chosen that good part and you will be blessed. Godly Christians are to pray for understanding and knowledge and listen to hear the Holy Spirit speaking through God’s word. God has given us His word to strengthen, comfort, and encourage us. His word gives us guidance and direction in life. From Jesus’ word we obtain wisdom that we need to serve Him and live successfully for Him in this world. God blesses and favors those who read His word. Our relationship with Jesus is made ever more intimate as we sit at Jesus feet and hear His words. Then we apply them in our service for Him and in our every day life. In God’s word we will find His promises to us and we will find the path for a victorious lifestyle. May all Christians see a need to read God’s word and listen for the Holy Spirit's leading. How many problems of the church and our lives could we avoid if we all read this word daily and lived each day by it?Jesus has a plan for our lives but if we don’t take time to sit at His feet we won’t find it!Jesus wrote the instruction book for life! Have you ever tried to put something you bought together without reading the instructions first? What usually happens besides not being able to finish the job? A great loss of time! Jesus alone knows the most successful path in life. In John 15:5 Jesus said “without Him we could do nothing.” Jesus says in verse 42 that There is Nothing more needful in your life than God’s word. Luke 4:4 But Jesus answered him-[the devil], saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' "

Conclusion: When you choose God’s word as the most needful thing in your life, it will not be taken from you and you will have great success and you can serve God in His power!

INVITATION: God’s word says He wants all mankind to come to the knowledge of the truth. Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior? If not confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. Invite Him into your life to take charge of you. Is Jesus saying to you that you are troubled and worried about many things? Do you feel stressed out over things? Then take time daily to read His word!

Never Forsaken

 

Scripture Text

Hebrews 13:5

Intro: God has given us His many great and precious promises. We can live our lives with the comfort and peace of His promises till we go to be with Him in heaven.

Promise one. God will never leave nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) ⁵  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Don't be known as a lover of money, as one who puts the almighty dollar above almighty God. He may not make you a millionaire, but He will never leave you or forsake you. Isn't it wonderful to have Him say that to you? This passage helps us understand God’s character and nature. He never changes. Believing this can affect and transform the way you and I live every day. It helps us gain a greater confidence in our position as God's children knowing that God will never never leave us or never forsake us. Never means “not at all, “absolutely not.” It doesn't matter who you are, if you have responded in faith to this promise of God, you can know that He will never leave you or forsake you, absolutely not.” You may have friends who would forsake you, and you may have relatives who would forsake you. But the Lord Jesus promised He will never forsake you.

Promise two. God is our very present help. Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV) ¹  God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. ²  Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³  Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah! In times of trouble you can count on God. Christians fail to trust God in times of trouble because they know nothing about His sufficiency. They don't read His word and have not learned the promises God has made us. We all need a God who does not fail nor forsake us in trouble and who is sufficient in any circumstance. These verses tell us that God is our refuge, strength, and very present help in trouble. Because of this promise we will not fear even in the worst of circumstances or situations. What good would it do to fear and worry? These scriptures are like a hallelujah chorus in which we see the sufficiency of God, the security of God, and the supremacy of God.

Promise three. God will uphold us by His power. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)¹⁰  Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, [don't be struck with fear or dread] for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' This verse has been a real pillar of strength and a source of comfort to God's children of every age. This phrase indicates His sovereignty and strength over all who oppose His people. God has called us to be His people and His servants; we are assured of His presence, His relationship, His help, and His sustaining power. Here is God's gracious invitation to trust Him -- what comfort! God wants to take us into His confidence. He wants to enable us to walk with Him, have fellowship with Him, and know Him intimately. Most people are missing out on the promises of God today! Some people can even get so involved in church work that they miss this close relationship with God and the promise of His word that He will always provide for us whatever we need. God's fellowship, His strength and help, and His all sustaining hand of grace, His salvation, all of these are promised us forever.

Promise four. God will be with us through the worst of circumstances. Isaiah 43:1-2 ¹  But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, And He who formed you, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;[saved you from your sins] I have called you by your name; You are Mine. ²  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. This verse is not only for Israel but it has a tremendous spiritual application for all of God's children in all times. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." Sometimes in our experiences we get into what is called "deep water" when we can't touch bottom. But we have the assurance that God is going through the experience with us and will deliver us. Sometimes I think I'm going to drown, but God has promised, "the waters shall not overflow you," and He intervenes and delivers me. Because of God's past work in calling us, redeeming, and caring for us, He will continue to protect us and walk with us even through the fiery trials and temptations of life. Therefore in difficult times, pictured as floodwaters and fire, we should not give up and fear, for God has promised He will be with us, protect us and deliver us.

Conclusion: We can live our lives here on earth knowing from God's promises in His word that He will be with us and never forsake us no matter what we have to face. This should give us comfort and peace knowing God can not lie and will fulfill His every promise.

Invitation: God has made a promise that all who confess their sins to Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness will be saved from hell and given a home in heaven. If you have never taken advantage of the salvation Jesus can give you, now is the time and today is the day.

God's Will Concerning the Spirit

Scripture Text

Ephesians 5:17-21

Intro: To be able to live the Christian life God intends we need power that we don't have within ourselves. God made provision for that when He sent His Spirit to this earth at Pentecost. Only a person filled with God's Spirit can live victoriously in this world.

I. We are not to be foolish and unwise. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV) ¹⁵  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶  redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. God wills for us to be wise. We should not be foolish and silly but instead we should redeem (make the most of) time and understand what the Lord wants us to do. God has a will for His children. We are to understand what His will is for each of us that belong to Him. Believers must not waste their time acting thoughtlessly anymore. We have a job to do, and our lives must reflect our motivation and our goal which is to serve our Lord, share His gospel message, and live in a way so as to honor Christ and be ready for His Kingdom.

II. God wills for us to be filled with His Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)¹⁸  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. To understand the Father's will and carry it out we need a power that we don't have within ourselves. The first church in the book of Acts didn't have radio, T.V. Newspapers or social media but they turned the world upside down. They were not discouraged from acting on their faith no matter what they had to face. What was their secret? Acts 2:4 says they were all filled with the Spirit. We also need the Spirit's power to understand and carry out God's will. We are not to be drunk with wine. Being drunk with wine portrays the work of the flesh, our old life, that was sinful and evil. Being filled with the Spirit portrays our new life in Christ. Just as too much wine influences and controls your actions that all can see, being filled with the Spirit influences our actions and causes us to act a certain way for all to see Christ in our lives. With the old life we served the devil and sin. With the Spirit we are to serve God and live for Him. To be filled the Spirit means to be fully surrendered to and controlled by the Spirit. The fullness of the Spirit is a personal manifestation of Christ to the believer who walks obediently day by day. It is a consciousness of His presence, of His leadership—moment by moment. Romans 8:14 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Being filled and led by the Spirit is the believer's privilege and duty. But the Spirit's filling and leading is not an automatic experience. The responsibility of being filled and led by the Spirit rests upon the shoulders of each believer. Can't just pray once and it's done. To be filled with God's Spirit we must be walking (living) in obedience to Christ and desiring more of Him in our lives. Then the heavenly Father fills us with the very Source of all good things. Just think about that. The very presence of God dwelling within our hearts and bodies! If He dwells within us, then every good thing is assured. Once we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, we have God's presence within to accompany and guide us and give us understanding of His will for our lives and the power to accomplish His will.

III. The evidence of being filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:19-21 (NKJV) ¹⁹  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰  giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹  submitting to one another in the fear of God.

1. A Spirit-filled person has a singing spirit. [v:19] The mention of singing is the picture of true joy and happiness. God's Spirit will put a song in your heart. Grounded in God’s word and correct doctrine, music can be an important part of Christian worship and education.

2. A Spirit-filled person has a thankful spirit. [v:20] Note the words "always" and "for all things." No mumbling and complaining. Our lives are in God's hands. He guides and directs us in and through all things. Therefore, we can thank Him for all things—no matter what the things are. He controls all. Giving thanks as we walk along throughout the day—always giving thanks—helps us to experience the fullness of God's Spirit.

3. A Spirit-filled person has a submissive and respectful spirit. [v:21] When we submit to God, we become more willing to obey his command to submit to others, to surrender our rights to theirs. A Spirit-filled person does not have a spirit of criticism, dissension, envy, divisiveness, or selfishness. He has a spirit of submissiveness. The same is true of churches: a Spirit-filled church has a body of people who are submissive—going out of their way to minister and serve each other. There is no dissension or divisiveness, no envy or selfishness among its people. In the fear of God, they submit to each other in the fullness of God's Spirit. They also produce the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

Galatians 5:22 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Conclusion: We are to take seriously the command to be filled with the Spirit. It is not an option for us to decide. It is the will of God. If you haven't already begun to pray to be filled with God's Spirit, begin right now and pray for it everyday and receive what God has willed for you and live in His power. It is of the utmost importance for the Christian.

Invitation: The only way to have the Spirit of God in your life is to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life. At that moment the Spirit comes into your life. Then surrender completely to God's Spirit and let Him lead you until God calls you home!