Guidance of the Spirit through the mind toward a life of obedience and toward truth is propounded in Scripture as essential Christianity. Nowhere though does the Bible teach that direct guidance by means of impressions must be the experience of the believer. Those who argue that such experiences are to be regular fare for the Christian virtually always make their case on the basis of the narrative or story sections of the Bible and not on those that are didactic or teaching sections. I have not been told by God in His Word that divine visitations of unusual nature constitute authentic Christianity. I have not been commanded to have them or seek them. Interestingly enough, Christ Himself said that it is an evil and adulterous generation that seeks a sign (Matthew 12:39).
Jim Elliff

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"Love is...minimum?" early draft

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#1 · April 19, 2017, 2:00 pm

Posted by: pastorbob <pastorbob@...>

Any input or illustrations?

 

April 23, 2017             Love is....minimum?

Luke 17:7-10 "Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'?  Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'?   Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?  So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" ESV

 

When we are in love with someone we are willing to "go that extra mile" to make them happy.  We will spend the extra money and time to travel across the state just to visit them.  We will buy them something just because we know they will enjoy the gift.  We may…MAY…even take out the trash or do laundry without even being asked; just because we love them.

 

How much more should we be willing to give to GOD and serve God out of our love for Him?

 

Why do we make excuses?

Why do we try to figure out what our minimum gift should be?

Why do we struggle with spending time with Him in SS, Church, Prayer meetings, ministry events, revivals, Bible readings, prayer and more?

 

  • We like to be served
    • We like to take advantage of those who serve us
      • We don't know them
      • We certainly don't love them
      • We demand and demand
        • My drink has been empty for 48 seconds
        • I cannot believe this line is so long and the checker is so slow
  • We always want more
    • We want to feel more important
    • We want to feel more special
    • We want to feel more submission from those below us
      • We are an arrogant people
  • When we bring that attitude to the Cross – To Jesus – to His Church….. we become much surprised
    • We find that we have responsibilities to serve
    • We learn that we have the EXPECTATION to serve
    • We find out that God has a plan for our lives that includes service
  • This is where our ATTITUDE kicks in
    • This is when our FAITH kicks in
    • This is when our HUMILITY kicks in
    • This is when our LOVE FOR GOD AND OTHERS kicks in
  • What is our live to be AFTER we are SAVED?
    • We are not SAVED to SIT
    • We are SAVED to SERVE
    • We are SAVED to SUBMIT
    • We are SAVED TO GIVE
    • We are SAVED to GO
  • So much of our culture seems to be focused on doing the BARE MINIMUM to get by
    • How many widgets or sprockets am I expected to make
    • How long do I have to complete this task
    • How little can I do and keep the boss happy
  • We FAIL when we serve God with this attitude
    • How MUCH MORE can I do for my Savior?
    • Can I reach just ONE MORE today?
    • We should always serve Jesus with our BEST – not our MINUMUM!
    • When we only DO THE MINIMUM for God we should feel ashamed.
  • Do your Best
  • Do your most
  • Not out of DUTY
  • Not out of LEGALISM
  • Do all you can do OUT OF YOUR LOVE!

 

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