SERMON SEEDS J10 FOR 5/22/06
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
OUR TENTH YEAR
SERMON SEEDS FOR MAY 22, 2006
ABOUT THE WEBSITE The website is now up to date. As far as I know, all material through last weeks Sermon Seeds are posted, and I plan to post the outlines in this edition sometime today.
ABOUT THIS ISSUE This issue of Sermon Seeds is a little unusual. There are 4 outlines in the same series, Christian Character Clinic. I do normally space these out, but decided this time to send you all of these at once. Four more will follow as I teach them on Wednesday Evenings. Also the latest outline of James and The Life of Christ are included.
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Nehemiah 1
A MAN WHO CARED
Nehemiah was a man who cared.
HE INQUIRED ABOUT JERUSALEM Vss. 1-2
HE WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEMS Vs. 3
HE WAS INFECTED WITH A BURDEN Vs. 4
HE INTERCEDED FOR HIS PEOPLE Vss. 5-10
HE INTENDED TO GET INVOLVED Vs. 11
Sermon Seeds H26
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John 7:37-39 - PAGE 1
IS IT REAL? AM 5/21/06
LIFE OF CHRIST #34
Christmas is widely celebrated. But is it real to everyone?
Does everyone understand and appreciate the real meaning of Christmas? Does everyone grasp with a believing heart that Christmas is the time that we celebrate the birth of the Son of God to earth, who not only came to teach us, model right living, and to show us God in the flesh, but also to give his life for the sins of everyone that ever lived?
Is Christmas real to everyone? The answer of course is no.
Not everyone who celebrates Christmas is a true believer in Christ.
We are continuing our study in the Life of Christ. The last time we studied we looked at the healing of a demon possessed epileptic.
Jesus returned to Galilee after that, and then it was time for a visit to Jerusalem. It was now in the fall of the year and time for one of the greatest celebrations in the Jewish religion, the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. It was not only a celebration of the harvest, but it was also the time when Israel was called upon to remember their wilderness wanderings of 40 years between Egypt and The Promised Land.
· This was a seven or eight day festival held in Jerusalem.
· The place was mobbed with people.
· And during this festival people dwelt in temporary dwelling places, or booths. So, wherever you looked you could see these temporary structures. They even appeared on roof tops and in alleys.
· Sacrifices were offered every day in the temple.
· People wore their best clothes.
· Large candles were lit at night, reminding the people of the pillar of fire that had led them in the wilderness.
· One of the great features of the feast was a daily ritual that reminded people of times when in the wilderness, God gave water out of rock.
· Each morning multitudes would gather holding citrus fruit in their one hand. It was called an ethrog. This reminded them of the bounties of the land that God had blessed them with.
· In their right hands they would carry a lulab, which was a combination of three trees a palm tree, a willow, and a myrtle, emblematic of the stages of their ancestors journey through the wilderness. R. Kent Hughes, Preaching The Word, John That You May Believe, (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books, 1999), p. 212
· The priest would lead the procession to the pool of Siloam, where he would fill a golden pitcher. The crowd would recite the words of Isaiah 12:3, Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
· Back at the temple and before the Altar, the water was poured out as an offering to God as the Hallel, Psalms 113-118, was sung.
· Not only was the past remembered, but it was also a prophetic look forward to the Millennial reign of Christ. Isaiah 35:6-7, Joel 3:18
Just like there are many who celebrate Christmas without Spiritual reality, there were many who celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles without Spiritual reality.
Vss. 1-5 The Jews, the religious leaders, sought to kill Jesus and his own half-brothers did not believe on Him. They lacked the Spiritual realities of the joy of God found in the Feast of Tabernacles.
Vss. 12-13 - There was much controversy over Jesus at the feast. This would have also robbed people of the joy of the festival. It would not have been real.
And think of the thousands of Jews, who outwardly showed joy but within they were clueless concerning forgiveness of sin and eternal life! Many were counting on their righteousness and obedience to the Law in order to get into Heaven.
It is in the last day of this great feast in which Jesus had been teaching that He made a wonderful statement.
Remember, that one of the great issues of the feast is water! Remember that the Jews not only suffered from physical thirst, but also from spiritual thirst. Jesus invited his listeners to experience something that is real! He offers to us today this same reality.
THERE IS A REAL INVITATION Vs. 37
Vs. 37 Jesus stood. Teachers usually sat.
I believe that He wanted to be seen, so people would know who was making the offer.
The people at this feast were thirsty for the same things that people are thirsty for in our day.
They were thirsty for:
· Freedom from guilt
· Forgiveness of sin
· Peace of mind and heart
· True happiness
· A meaningful life
Jesus said to them Come and drink.
Why could Jesus say that?
He, as God the Son, would die for their sins and be resurrected from the dead! 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21
He, as God the Son, would provide for them a meaningful, peaceful life, represented by the springs of living water that would come from within.
The invitation was to come and drink, or believe.
My friend God has always wanted people to come to Him in faith. This invitation is valid for you today, along with other similar invitations including, Matthew 11:28-30 and Revelation 22:17
So how does one come to Christ by faith?
1. RECOGNIZE your own sinfulness and guilt before a righteous God, and your own inability to please God through your own works. Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Ezekiel 18:4
2. REPENT of your sin by turning from it, and any way by which you thought you could make it to Heaven. 1 Thessalonians 1:9
3. RELY on Christ alone to save you! Romans 5:1
4. REALIZE by faith that God has changed you! Romans 10:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17
.
This is a real invitation that you need to receive by faith!
THERE IS REAL INSPIRATION Vs. 38-39
Vs. 38 - Think of a river that flows underground, and then suddenly gushes out for all to see. And with it comes life that blesses the vegetation and people that live around that river.
Rivers of living water do the same thing.
First they give us life from within and then they flow outward to bless others.
Vs. 39 The reference to living water means that God, the Holy Spirit, is at home and at work in the life of the believer. The Holy Spirit has always been present, but now indwells true believers since Jesus has been glorified. 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 8:9
So, how will these living waters from the Holy Spirit affect first you and then others?
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL AFFECT YOUR WALK
There will be immediate changes followed by more gradual changes. Galatians 5:16, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Unsaved people will see your ways and wonder what happened to you. Some people will drop you like a hot potato when they see your changed life. Others will want what you have.
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL AFFECT YOUR WAYS
A Godly man brings forth fruit. Psalm 1:1-3
A Godly man is a person who is controlled by Gods Holy Spirit.
His walk is distinct.
Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit is:
1. A love for God and man that is so strong that an unsaved person will not understand how you can so love.
2. A joy that continues to abound even when circumstances are tough.
3. A peace that passes all understanding because it is grounded in the Spirit of the God of peace.
4. A long suffering that endures mistreatment and trying circumstances graciously.
5. A gentleness of kindness that is remarkably considerate of others at ones own expense.
6. A goodness that shows itself in good behavior and good works.
7. A faith or faithfulness that is loyal to God and man no matter what the cost.
8. A meekness or humility that is submissive to God and man.
9. A temperance or self-control that allows God to be in control of your attitudes, words, and habits.
These qualities will begin inside of you and then flow to others. Think of the wonderful benefits you show when you display love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faithfulness and self-control to others!
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL AFFECT YOUR WORDS
When the Holy Spirit controls your words, you will practice Ephesians 4:29.
Most importantly, you will not be ashamed to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Not only are your ways and works to flow as living waters outside of you, but so are your words of testimony.
Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
You should feel inspired to think of all that the Holy Spirit accomplishes in a person who is a true believer.
THERE IS A REAL IMPLICATION
I see a very real and scary implication here.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to those who believe.
The Holy Spirit will affect our way, our walk and our witness.
What if you examine your way of living and have to admit that the way you live is not Gods way?
What if you examine your walk for the fruit of the Spirit and find none?
What if you examine your words and find that you have no witness for Jesus Christ going on in your life?
2 Corinthians 3:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves
The implication is this: If the Holy Spirit is not at work in at least some degree in your life the chances are that you are not saved.
If this is true it is time to make sure that you are saved. It is time for you to truly turn from you sin and to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and change!
RECOGNIZE
REPENT
RELY
REALIZE
My friend before it is too late, make sure that you are right with God.
There were Jews whose celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles was not real.
There are people whose celebration of Christmas is not real.
There are people who think they are Christians, but have not come to Christ. Their Christianity is not real.
IS IT REAL IN YOUR LIFE?
REAL INVITATION
REAL INSPIRATION
REAL IMPLICATION
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CHRISTIAN CHARACTER CLINIC
WEEK #2 BEDROCK = FAITH
2 Peter 1:5-7 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
· How is faith a distinctive part of Christianity?
· How has faith made a difference in your life?
· What are some things that you have done using your Christian faith?
The basic, bedrock quality that a Christian must have is faith. In this passage it is saving faith on which Christian character is built. Saving faith is essential, but there are other kinds of faith that the Christian needs to practice. The more we have established, developed, and practiced our faith, the more we will be able to develop the Christian characteristics that follow.
SAVING FAITH
Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 10:13 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
1 John 5:12 - He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
SEEKING FAITH
Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
SEEING FAITH
Isaiah 26:3-4 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. [4] Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
SHARING FAITH
Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
SERVING FAITH
1 Peter 4:10-11 - As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. [11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
SIMPLE FAITH
Luke 17:3-6 - Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. [4] And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. [5] And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. [6] And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
Mark 11:22-24 - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. [23] For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. [24] Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
STRETCHED FAITH
James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
SUBMISSIVE FAITH
James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Ephesians 5:21 - Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
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CHRISTIAN CHARACTER CLINIC
WEEK #3 MORALLY EXCELLENT! - VIRTUE
2 Peter 1:5-7 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue;
· In what areas do you strive for excellence and why?
· How do you know when you are striving for moral excellence?
· Why should moral excellence be an issue for the Christian?
The bedrock quality for Christian character is faith. Out of our faith should flow virtue or moral excellence. According to Peter, we are to give diligence to add moral excellence to our faith.
WHAT? What is Moral Excellence?
Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Exodus 20:1-8, 12-17 - And God spake all these words, saying, [2] I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [3] Thou shalt have no other gods before me. [4] Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [5] Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; [6] And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. [7] Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. [8] Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. [13] Thou shalt not kill. [14] Thou shalt not commit adultery. [15] Thou shalt not steal. [16] Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. [17] Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any
thing that is thy neighbour's.
WHY? Why should I pursue moral excellence?
add to your faith virtue;
Galatians 3:22 - But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Galatians 3:24 - Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Romans 5:17 - For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Romans 8:4 - That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
WHO? Who are examples of moral excellence?
Daniel 1:8 - But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel 6:3-4 - Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. [4] Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Luke 1:6 - And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Luke 2:25 - And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
HOW? How can I achieve moral excellence?
Romans 8:3-4 - For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:24-25 - And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
I achieve moral excellence by applying two principles to my life:
DEATH TO SELF
DEPENDENCE ON GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT
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CHRISTIAN CHARACTER CLINIC
WEEK #4 INTIMATELY HIS! - KNOWLEDGE
2 Peter 1:5 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
· Why should we know our husband, wife, or other best friend well?
· How should we go about accomplishing this?
Knowledge should come forth out of virtue (moral excellence). This knowledge of God should be an intimate knowledge.
KNOW HIS GRACE
1 John 5:13 - These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
2 Corinthians 8:9 - For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
KNOW HIM
Philippians 3:8-10 - Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Ephesians 1:17 - That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Ephesians 4:13 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
2 Corinthians 10:5 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
KNOW HIS WORD
Psalm 119:125 - I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Proverbs 1:2 - To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
John 8:31-32 - Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
KNOW HIS WILL
Romans 15:14 - And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Colossians 1:9 - For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Psalm 143:8 - Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
KNOW HIS HELP
Psalm 9:10 - And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalm 20:6 - Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
KNOW HIS HOPE
Psalm 39:4 - Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
2 Timothy 1:12 - For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Corinthians 5:1 - For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
KNOW HIS POWER
Psalm 83:18 - That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.
Psalm 100:3 - Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
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CHRISTIAN CHARACTER CLINIC
WEEK #5 UNDER HIS CONTROL - TEMPERANCE
2 Peter 1:5-6a - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance;
Proverbs 25:28 - He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
· What are some of the areas Christians and non-Christians lack self-control?
· Do you think that some ways people lack self-control are more serious than others?
· According to Proverbs 25:28, why is a lack of self-control dangerous?
· What causes the lack of self-control?
Peter continues to show us areas of Christian Character that should flow one out of the other. Flowing out of knowledge is temperance, or self-control. The more intimately I know God, the more I should allow Him to have control of my life.
A CLASSIC STRUGGLE
Romans 7:18-19 - For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
· Can you relate to what Paul is saying in these verses?
· Is self-control impossible?
A CRITICAL ISSUE
Ephesians 3:16-17 - That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; [17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
· What do these verses suggest to you about self-control?
Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
· Why is being filled with the Spirit our responsibility?
· Why is being filled with the Spirit a critical issue?
Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
· According to these verses, why do Christians lack self-control?
· Do you think Christians take their lack of fruit seriously enough? Why or why not?
A COURSE OF ACTION
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Luke 9:23 - And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Romans 6:11-14 - Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. [13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. [14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 8:11-14 - But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. [12] Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. [13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. [14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
1. DEATH Realizing that I am crucified with Christ and dead to self and sin.
2. DEPENDENCE Being dead, I am dependent on Gods Holy Spirit to control me.
A CONTINUOUS PROCESS
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
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James 5:7-11
FAITH WORKS PERSEVERINGLY
FAITH WORKS #15
Often Christians are called to persevere under the most difficult of circumstances. We already know that we could at anytime face trials, tribulations and/or persecution. In such situations we are called upon to persevere. The Christians that James was writing to were facing various trials, tribulations, and persecution or mistreatment. One of the problems they faced was mistreatment or persecution from wealthy land owners who would withhold or cheat them out of their pay. These wealthy land owners are rebuked in James 5:1-5.
James next encourages those who are persecuted or mistreated to persevere in spite of their circumstances. In James 5:7-11, we learn that we are to:
PERSEVERE BY EXPECTING THE LORDS COMING Vss. 7-8
Vs. 7 The word patient here means to be long-tempered. It has to do with our reaction to people who persecute, abuse, or cause us difficulty.
We are to be patient until the Lord comes. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
When do people most want the Lord to come?
Not when things are going well, but when things are not going well.
The church and individuals are most anxious for the Lord to come when there is persecution and discomfort. Perhaps you have been most anxious for the Lords return during times of adversity. If you have, you are very normal.
James gives us an illustration of the farmer waiting for rain.
Vs. 8 Just as the farmer is patient. We are also to be patient.
In our patience we are to establish or strengthen or confirm our hearts. One of the ways we do this is by anxiously anticipating His coming whether we things are going well or not so well. Matthew 25:13, Mark 13:35-37, Luke 12:40, Titus 2:11-13, 1 Peter 4:7
Vs. 8 James next tells us that the coming of the Lord is drawing nigh.
Its been almost 2000 years now since He left. How can we say that his coming is near? There are many who dont think that He will return at all! Things havent changed since Bible times!
2 Peter 3:8-9 - According to these verses, Jesus has just been God a couple of days according to Gods perspective. Thats not long at all!
The Lord is not a slacker!
The Lord is delaying so more can be saved!
PERSEVERE BY EXCLUDING GRUMBLING
Vs. 9 This grumbling was probably an inward sigh or groaning. It was a bad attitude towards others. There was bitterness towards others that would easily be displayed in the ways others were treated.
There was a critical spirit afoot.
And James warns that we will be judged for that critical spirit! Matthew 7:1-2
The judge is standing at the door.
If Jesus is coming back soon, and He is, the judge is close by! 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 4:5
When we persevere we dont grumble or whine.
We might not be able to change things, but we wont complain about others and let it get us down.
PERSEVERE BY EXAMINING BIBLICAL MODELS
Vs. 10 To be called a servant of God is a honor.
But with that designation has often come suffering and affliction at the hands of men.
James audience, which was suffering affliction was encouraged to remember the example of the long suffering and patience of the Old Testament prophets. Here was a group whose suffering for the cause of righteousness were legendary. Matthew 5:11-12, Matthew 23:37, 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15
Some Old Testament Prophets that suffered persecution or hardship:
· Moses children of Israel, Aaron and Miriam
· David from Saul
· Elijah by Ahab and Jezebel
· Micaiah by Ahab sent to prison for speaking the truth. Diet was bread and water.
· Amos - Amos 7:10-13
· Jeremiah thrown into muddy pit and left to die
· Ezekiel wife died
· Daniel lions den
· Hosea unfaithful wife
And besides this formidable list, we can add those who have suffered as martyrs for Christ in times past, and even in our present day.
Compared to what others have suffered for the cause of Christ, I have had to endure very little. If I am forced to suffer I am to endure with the same patience of the Old Testament prophets and the Christian mar
Vs. 11 The prophets that endured were blessed.
Then there was Job who persevered.
He lost all things and became dreadfully sick.
And yet, although Job did question God, and curse the day he was born, and argue his righteousness with his comforters, Job never denied or cursed God.
Job 13:15 - Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job 19:25-27 - For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: [26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: [27] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
And in the end, after God appeared to Job and Job repented, God blessed Job once again.
Job 42:12-13 - So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. [13] He had also seven sons and three daughters.
PERSEVERE BY EXPECTING THE LORDS COMING
PERSEVERE BY EXCLUDING GRUMBLING
PERSEVERE BY EXAMINING BIBLICAL MODELS
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