Quote from Forum Archives on February 10, 2009, 7:54 pm

Posted by: jackpeters <jackpeters@...>

T0 SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail saying “subscribe” to: jpeters@alltel.net

 

TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org

 

SERMON SEEDS FOR FEBRUARY 8, 2009

www.sermonseeds.org

­­­­­­­­­­­­

Rev. Jack Peters is now the pastor of Ringwood Baptist Church in Ringwood, NJ. You may visit their website at www.ringwoodbaptist.org. To hear recordings of his messages go to Weekly Message.

 

***************************************************************************

Genesis 26:6-11

CAUGHT!

 

Because he did not trust God to look after Him Isaac was caught!

 

IN THE LIE – Vss. 6-7

BY THE LOOK – Vs. 8

WITH THE LOSS (OF TESTIMONY) – Vss. 9-11

 

 

***************************************************************************

Psalm 5

TODAY!

 

Today you should:

 

PRIORITIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD – Vss. 1-3

PERCEIVE THE HOLINESS OF GOD – Vss. 4-6

PURSUE THE PRESENCE OF GOD – Vss. 7-8

PONDER THE ENEMIES OF GOD – Vss. 9-10

PRAISE THE PERSON OF GOD – Vss. 11-12

 

 

***************************************************************************

Hosea 14

WELCOME BACK!

 

INVITATION TO ISRAEL - Vs. 1

Israel had fallen because of sin. She was invited to return to God.

When we have failed God we are invited to return to Him.

 

INSPECTION BY ISRAEL - Vs. 2-3

Israel was to examine herself and to confess sin and to renew her faith in God.

We also need to examine ourselves and to confess our sin.

 

INTERVENTION FOR ISRAEL - Vss. 4-8

When there is repentance God intervenes to bless!

 

INSTRUCTION FOR ALL - Vs. 9

God's ways are right.

Righteous people walk in the ways of God.

 

Sermon Seeds D18, 7/17/00

 

***************************************************************************

ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS

IN STEP WITH THE MASTER – Studies in Luke – LESSON #2

Luke 1:5-25    

 

Without looking below, what do you know about righteous people?

What are some of the problems with being righteous?

Why is it good to be righteous?

 

As we try to walk “In Step with the Master” through the Gospel of Luke, we begin by learning some lessons about righteous people. This passage tells us of the events preceding the birth of John the Baptist and introduces us to a righteous couple by the name of Elizabeth and Zacharias. From them we learn some important lessons.

 

RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE ARE FAITHFUL – Vss. 5-6

·        “For Luke the story begins at the point where after four hundred years of silence the voice of God was heard again by his people Israel. With the announcement, shortly before each was born, of the coming of Jesus and his forerunner John.” Michael Wilcox, The Message of Luke, The Bible Speaks Today, (Downers Grove, Illinois, Inter-Varsity Press, 1979) p. 32

·        Vs. 5 – “The days of Herod the King” were for Israel days of subjection to Roman authority and Rome’s vassal, Herod, who was a despot. Why do righteous people need to be faithful when, as a whole, righteousness is not being practiced?

·        The name “Zacharias” means “The Lord remembers”.  The name “Elizabeth” means “My God is an oath”. How do you see these as fitting names for these people?

·        Zacharias was a priest in the division of Abijah. There were thousands of priests, each belonging to one of twenty-four orders or divisions. Each ministered in the temple for two one-week stints of service.

·        Vs. 6 – Because they were both people of faith, they were righteous before God (Romans 5:1). Many are righteous in front of men, but it is God’s opinion that counts!

·        They were also “blameless”.  What is the difference between being blameless and sinless?

 

RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS - Vs. 7

·        Elizabeth was “barren”.  In Israel, to be childless was to be disgraced.  Some even thought that sin was involved when a couple was childless.

·        Although greatly disappointed, there are no signs of bitterness on the part of either one.

·        Why does God not exclude righteous people from having problems? Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4

 

RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE EXPERIENCE GOD’S PERFECT TIMING – Vss. 8-10

·        Incense was burned in the temple twice every day.

·        Because of the great number of priests, a priest only had this privilege, once, if at all, in his lifetime.

·        What is so amazing about God’s timing here?

·        How have you experienced God’s perfect timing in your life?

 

RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED BY GOD - Vss. 11-17

·        What are some ways you or other Christians have been surprised by God?

·        Vss. 11-12 – Zacharias was “troubled” and “afraid”?  Why was this fitting?

·        Vs. 13 - Although Zacharias’ lifelong prayer would have been for a son, it is doubtful that is what he was still praying for.  Like Simeon, Zacharias was probably waiting for “the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). It is more likely that Simeon’s prayer was more for the coming Messiah. Zacharias’ son would be the forerunner to that Messiah.

·        The name of the child that Elizabeth would carry was to be named John, which means ‘Jehovah is gracious.’

·        Vs. 14 - Of course any child born into a loving family brings joy and gladness. The joy and gladness at John’s birth was because he would be a “miracle baby” who would signal the coming of Messiah.

·        Vs. 15 – Why would John be “great in the sight of the Lord”?  How can we be “great in the sight of the Lord”?

·        Like the Old Testament Nazirite, John was to “drink neither wine nor strong drink.” Numbers 6:1-8

·        John was to be filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb.  John was to be controlled by the Spirit of God instead of the spirit of alcohol. Ephesians 5:18

·        Vs. 16 – What made John successful? Why should we want to imitate John?

·        Vs. 17 – Malachi 4:5-6 promised the coming of Elijah.  John came in the “spirit and power of Elijah”.

·        John would restore fathers to their children and sinners to the righteous. How would this make them a people “ready for the Lord”?

 

RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE FAIL GOD - Vs. 18

·        Zacharias doubted that he could be a father because of his age.  How do we limit God by appealing to our age?

·        Let’s be careful not to use age as an excuse for not doing God’s will. Psalm 71:17-18, Isaiah 46:4

·        Why should Zacharias have had no doubts?

·        Why is unbelief such a serious sin? Hebrews 3:12-13

 

RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE ARE DISCIPLINED BY GOD - Vss. 19-22

·        Vs. 19 - Notice how Gabriel “pulls rank” on Zacharias. Zacharias says, “I’m an old man”. Gabriel gives his name and announces that he stands before the presence of God and was sent by God.

·        The word Gabriel may mean ‘man of God’, ‘mighty one of God’ or “Mighty is God.”

·        Gabriel is only one of two angels mentioned by name in Scripture and also appears in the Book of Daniel. He appears in Daniel 8:16 and 9:21 and also to Mary in Luke 1:26

·        Vs. 20 – Zacharias was made mute and perhaps deaf because of his unbelief in the joyful news he received.

·        He would be silent until what God had promised him actually happened.

·        How has unbelief hurt you? Why does God discipline his children? Proverbs 3:10-11

·        Vss. 21 – Why would the people have been concerned because Zacharias took such a long time?

·        Vs. 22 – Zacharias’ silence was evidence that something dramatic had happened inside the temple.

 

RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE RECEIVE GOD'S BLESSINGS - Vss. 23-25

·        Vs. 23 - It wasn’t long after Zacharias got home that Elizabeth was pregnant.

·        Vss. 24-25 – There are various ideas as to why Elizabeth went into seclusion for five months. Perhaps it was a time of meditation and thanksgiving if Zacharias was able to communicate with Elizabeth what was going on.

·        Vs. 25 – Elizabeth’s reproach among men for being childless was removed. To her it was a great blessing.

·        What are some blessings unique to righteous people?

 

 

*************************************************************************

SPECIAL!

IN STEP WITH THE MASTER – Studies in Luke – LESSON #3

Luke 1:26-38    

 

Who is a special person in your life, and what makes that person special?

How would you define the word “special”?

How do we know when an event or a person is special?

 

The passage before us is special! It involves special people and a very special announcement. As we study, we should ask ourselves how this special passage helps us to walk “In Step with the Master”.

 

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT – Vs. 26

·        Whenever the angel Gabriel appears by name in Scripture he has a message from God. In Luke 1:19 we learn that Gabriel stands in the presence of God.

·        What privileges Gabriel has! He gets to spend time with God and to speak for God. How are we blessed with the same privileges? (John 15:4-5, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 4:2)

·        How was Gabriel’s assignment this time different from his assignment six months ago?

·        The “sixth month” refers to the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.

·        The only reason Nazareth has any notoriety is because it is Jesus’ home town. Nazareth was a town with a poor reputation. In John 1:45 straight talking Nathaniel asked if any good could come out of Nazareth.

 

SPECIAL PERSON - Vss. 27-28

·        Vs. 27 - The name Mary comes from the Hebrew name, Miriam. It means “exalted one.”

·        Mary was one of thousands of peasant girls who lived in Judea at that time. She was probably in her early teens.  She was engaged to a man named Joseph who was a descendant of David.  Engagement was a legally binding agreement. The couple was betrothed but not living together.  Only death or divorce could break the engagement.

·         Vs. 28 – Seeing an angel would have been troubling enough, but Gabriel’s greeting to a poor young maiden whose only human hope was to live a long life and have lots of kids, was astounding.

·        How is each one of these statements in verse 28 true?  In a lesser sense, how are these statements true for you as a Christian?

 

SPECIAL PROCLAMATION – Vss. 29-33

·        Vs. 29 - As we will continue to see, Mary was a thinker. She was not only frightened, but trying to comprehend the meaning of the angel’s words.

·        Vs. 30 – Mary was not to fear because she had found favor with God.  In what ways have we found favor with God? Why should this favor allay all of our fears?

·        Vs. 31 – Mary was going to have a baby!  He was to be called Jesus, or “Jehovah is salvation”.

·        Vss. 32-33 – Compare these verses with 1 Samuel 7:9-16 and see how Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises God made to David.

·        Vs. 32 – “Whereas John would be ‘great in the sight of the Lord’ (1:15), Jesus would be great without qualification (1:32) and would be called the Son of God (1:35).”                                                                                                                               Robert H. Stein, The New American Commentary Volume 24, Luke, (Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1992), p. 81

·        The term “Son of the highest” put Jesus on the same level as God. It speaks of His deity!

·        Vss. 32-33 – Jesus has been promised David’s throne and an eternal reign. Daniel 2:44

·        Mary was receiving more than she ever had a right to hope for.  How is that true for us as Christians? Galatians 4:6-7

 

SPECIAL QUESTION - Vs. 34

·        Mary’s question was very logical. She did not doubt Gabriel, as Zacharias did. She was wondering how this would be possible because she was a virgin!

·        Why is it good to be spiritually inquisitive? Where should this inquisitiveness lead us?

 

SPECIAL EXPLANATION - Vs. 35

·        How is this account different from reports of “the gods” of mythology fathering children?

·        The conception of the Lord Jesus in Mary’s womb was the work of the Holy Spirit of God.

·        “The power of the Highest” overshadowing Mary is reminiscent of God’s overshadowing the Tabernacle in Exodus 40:34-35 and the mount during the Transfiguration in Luke 9:34-35.

·        “While it was not a sexual experience, it was surely a conscious experience – something Mary could feel. How could anyone have the Holy Spirit come upon him or her and be overshadowed as in the temple or on the Mount of Transfiguration and not know it? Perhaps it was in the very moment of Gabriel’s statement that she was overshadowed. Or perhaps it was after the angel left and she stood in awed silence.”                  R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word, Luke Volume 1- That You May Know the Truth, (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books, 1998) p. 35

·        Notice that Gabriel left no doubts for Mary. The child, that Holy One inside of her, would be the Son of God!

 

SPECIAL SIGN - Vs. 36

·        It’s interesting to note that Mary did not ask for a sign but received one anyway. God will give us all the assurance we need when we are willing to trust Him.

·        Elizabeth, a relative to Mary, “the barren one”, was in her sixth month of pregnancy.

 

SPECIAL REMINDER - Vs. 37

·        Elizabeth’s pregnancy was a special reminder to Mary that nothing is impossible with God.

·        If God says something is going to happen, it’s going to happen. What “impossible” things are promised for the future in God’s Word?

·        If God tells us to do something in His Word, it is not impossible! What are some things that God has said that Christians (often secretly) do not believe possible?

·        What are some “impossible” things that God wants to do in us and among us in the church?

 

SPECIAL RESPONSE - Vs. 38

·        Mary saw herself as the Lord’s “maidservant” or slave. She was a willing, loving, servant, willing to accept whatever God had planned for her life. This is not unlike the attitude that we are to have as slaves of Christ. Luke 9:23-24, 14:26-27

·        “Her servanthood is not a cringing slavery but a submission to God that in OT times characterized genuine believers and that should characterize believers today. (cf. v. 48).” Frank E. Gaebelein, General Ed., Walter E. Leifeld (Luke), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8 (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), p. 832

·        Why was this statement such a tremendous statement of faith for Mary?

·        What were some of the repercussions for Mary concerning the Virgin Birth?

·        What key lesson are you walking away with from this study?

 

 

 

 

*************************************************************************

PRAYING FAITH

Christian Character Clinic #4

 

God lamented the lack of praying men.

Ezekiel 22:30 - And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

Jesus said in John 15:16 - Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.

James said in James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Failure to pray is an indication of a lack of faith.  When we fail to pray we fail to truly believe that God wants us to pray and we fail to believe that God will answer our prayers.

We are conducting a Christian Character Clinic based on 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV) - But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.  

Faith is at the center of building Christian Character. It is the trait out of which every other trait flows.

We have shown that Christian character starts with saving faith. Last time we showed that our faith should be a trusting faith based on Psalm 27.

 

Now I want us to focus on another aspect of faith not mentioned in 2 Peter 1, but of utmost importance none the less.           Let us consider praying faith.

THE MIRACLE OF PRAYING FAITH

Mark 11:12-14, 20-24

My point this morning is not to discuss the morality of cursing fig trees or even the ability to move literal mountains.

My point is this: When we pray in faith God works miracles.

Vs. 22 – We are to have total faith or trust in God. It is not my abilities or efforts that I am to trust. It is God that I am to trust.

Vs. 24 – Whatever we ask for in prayer we are to believe that we will receive it, and we will!

There are qualifiers for this kind of prayer.  First of all, God will do nothing against His will.  Secondly, the Lord ’s Prayer teaches us to pray “Thy will be done.”  Thirdly, my heart has to be right with God. Psalm 66:18, James 4:2-3,

Vss. 25-26 – Failure to forgive will also mean failure to have our prayers answered.

Forgiveness means that we do not hold anything against a person who has wronged us or someone else. They owe us nothing.  To forgive is not to forget but to remember without rancor, ill feelings or anger. Ephesians 4:32

THE MOTIVE OF PRAYING FAITH

John 14:12-14

Vs. 12 – Jesus promises that those works that Jesus did his followers would do also. Does that mean that every follower will do every work that Jesus did? No!

 

But think for a minute.  What were the greatest works that Jesus ever did besides dying on the cross for our sins?

 

The greatest works He ever did were to help people Spiritually!

He won the Woman at the well to Himself.

He recruited Matthew, the tax collector.

He saved Zachaeus, another tax collector.

He instructed the multitudes in general and the disciples in particular.

The greatest works Jesus did for people were Spiritual in nature!

Jesus tells us that we will do some of the same things He did.

We can do good works that produce a positive testimony.

We can reach people with the Gospel.

We can teach and encourage other Christians.

These are the most important works we can do.

 

But let's think for a moment. Do Christians ever do physical great works?

Do Christians sometimes heal? Technically, no.

Do Christians have prayers for healing answered? Many times, they do.

Do Christians multiply 5 loaves and two fishes to feed 5,000?

No they don't. But often they pray and God answers prayer so they can feed 5,000!

Do Christians control the weather, like Jesus did.

No we don't. But often God will answer our prayers and the weather is controlled. 

I believe that the only way we do greater works we do than the Lord Jesus is in quantity, not quality!

So why should we want to do these great works. The answer is really very simple, and it is what I have been telling you that the purpose of this church is!

John 14:13-14 – Jesus promises to answer our prayers so that God will be glorified.

Ephesians 3:21 - Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

When we ask something in Jesus’ name, it means that we are convinced that it is something that pleases Him and brings glory to God!

THE MERCY OF PRAYING FAITH

Hebrews 4:15-16

You have problems at work, at home, at school, and even in church. You have a place to find mercy.

You struggle with temptations and trials. You have a place to find mercy.

As a Christian, you are invited to the throne of grace. But notice how you are to come. You are to come boldly. That means you are to come in faith. This is where you find mercy and grace to help.

THE MINISTRY OF PRAYING FAITH

If you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior you have a ministry that you are to do for others. It is the ministry of prayer.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

We are told to pray for all men. Of course, we can’t do that by name.

We are to pray for those in authority over us so that we can live in peace and spread the Gospel in peace.

Because God wants men to be saved we can pray for their salvation.

We can also pray for missionaries and churches around the world that they would see people come to know the Lord Jesus as Savior. Ephesians 6:18

Ephesians 6:18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We are to pray for other Christians! God has given us models in the Scriptures, showing us how to pray for others.

Some of these Scriptures are Numbers 6:24-26, Ephesians 1:15-22, Ephesians 3:16-21, Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 1:9-14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

I suggest you pray for Christians the way Paul prayed for Christians, believing that God will answer!

THE MARVEL OF PRAYING FAITH

1 John 5:14-15

Here is the marvel of praying faith, and yes, it’s much like, if not identical to the miracle of praying faith.

The marvel of praying faith is, first of all, that our confidence is God. We are coming before Him in trusting and praying faith. We are confident in God’s willingness and ability to answer our prayers.

When we ask, we ask according to God’s will.

Some things we know are God’s will because God says so in the Scriptures.

Other things we know to be God’s will because His Holy Spirit will guide us in a certain way.

When we are not sure of God’s will, God promises to show us His will so we can pray accordingly. James 1:5-8

So when we ask according to God’s will, we have confidence in God that God hears and that He have the things that we are asking of Him.

·        What more reason do you and I need to pray?

·        It is God’s will that people be saved so ask. It’s God’s will that Christians be Godly and filled with the Spirit, so ask.

·        It’s God’s will that missionaries take the Gospel to the world, so ask.

·        It’s God’s will that your children love and serve the Lord, so ask!

·        Ask! And when you ask, ask confidently!

 

THE MAINSTAY OF PRAYING FAITH 

Luke 11:5-10 - If a person would get up in the middle of the night to give somebody bread to feed a guest, just because of the insistence of the one asking, how much more will God answer our consistent, persistent prayers.

So, let’s keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking.

The mainstay of praying faith is to keep on praying. I wonder how many times we’ve given up asking just before God was going to answer.

Let me ask you some questions as we close.

·        Do you believe God answers believer’s prayers?

·        Do you believe that God wants you to pray?

·        Do you believe that prayer is a ministry that glorifies God?

·        Do you believe that the world will be a better place if you pray believing prayers?

·        Do you believe your church will be better off if you pray believing prayers.

·        Do you believe that you and your family will be better off if you pray believing prayers?

THEN PRAY!

THE MIRACLE OF PRAYING FAITH

THE MOTIVE OF PRAYING FAITH

THE MERCY OF PRAYING FAITH

THE MINISTRY OF PRAYING FAITH

THE MARVEL OF PRAYING FAITH

THE MAINSTAY OF PRAYING FAITH 

 

FOR THIS WEEK:

Make a brief list of prayer requests that you can believe God will answer as you pray.

Pray at least twice a day in faith, asking God to answer these prayers.

 

 

************************************************************************************

MORAL EXCELLENCE

ROMANS 6:15-19

Christian Character Clinic #5

 

Have you ever stopped to think that God is in the improvement business? John 3:16, Ephesians 2:1, John 10:10

 

Our text for our studies is 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV) - But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

We have already showed you that the quality out of which all the other qualities of Christian character flow is faith.

First of all there is the faith that is mentioned in 2 Peter 1:1-4. That’s saving faith. Without saving faith there’s no Christian character. John 14:6,

We also stated that there are at least two other types of faith that are necessary for us as Christians.

There is trusting faith. We referred you to Psalm 27. 

Also, there is praying faith. Mark 11:24

We are moving on in our pursuit of Christian Character.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue,

We are to give diligence. We need to be zealous and eager in our pursuit of Christian Character. We are to give diligence to add or abundantly supply out of our saving faith virtue.

What is virtue? It is moral excellence! The Christians’ moral excellence should be constantly showing improvement.  It should be our goal to live a better, more virtuous Christian life because we have been saved.

To discuss showing improvement in our moral excellence this morning, I’d like us to look at Romans 6:15-19.

I want you to grasp the improvement in moral excellence that God has planned for you as a result of your faith in Christ. 

A FOOLISH PROPOSAL – Vs. 15

 

Romans 6:15 - What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

This is a similar proposal to this one in Romans 6:1, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

The answer to both these questions is “God Forbid!” or “May it never be!”

 

Paul is asking, “Should we continue to live the way we always lived before we trusted Christ as Savior without any improvement because we are not under law but under God’s grace?”

 

God has freed us from law keeping as a means for attaining eternal life. Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5

God does not want there to be a lack of improvement in the way you live because you are not under law but under grace!

In fact God’s intention is that you show improvement in a dramatic way because of His work in your life! Romans 8:3-4

The law couldn’t save you because it is a religion of do and do perfectly or perish! The death of God’s Son paid for your sins.

Now we are to fulfill not the letter of the law, but the righteousness of the law through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Why would God want us to fulfill the righteousness of the law?

Romans 7:12 - Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

God’s intention is that we live more righteously now than we ever did before we trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior!

Anything less than that is a travesty!

A FOOLISH PROPOSAL

A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE – Vs. 16

Romans 6:16 - Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:16 is giving us a sobering axiom or principle. Everybody is slave to somebody.

The only one who is free from being a slave is God.

There’s no choice in the matter.

How can you tell whose fool or slave you are? The word servant means “slave”.

It is whom you obey!

If you habitually obey sinful urges so that you have sinful attitudes and do sinful things, you are a servant to sin!

And as it says, at the end of this chapter, “the wages of sin is death.”  Nothing good comes from sin. When it controls you you’re in bad shape.

If we habitually obey the Lord we will be the servants of righteousness, or moral excellence.  It does not mean that we are sinless, but it does mean that the general pattern of our lives is righteousness or moral excellence. Matthew 6:24

You can’t serve two masters.  It’s a love thing. You’ll always love one more than the other. The one loved less, is by comparison, despised.

That’s the principle here.

It’s one or the other. You serve sin or righteousness. If you serve righteousness you will be morally excellent!

Examine your life. Are you motivated by your own desires or by a desire to please God? If you are motivated by your own desires you are a slave to sin!

If you are motivated by living righteously for the Lord, you are the slave of Christ and hence a slave to righteousness.

SO WHOSE FOOL ARE YOU?

A FANTASTIC PROMOTION – Vss. 17-18

When Joseph was taken out of prison in Egypt and made prime minister that was a fantastic promotion!

When you became a Christian you received a fantastic promotion!

Romans 6:17-18 - But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Paul tells us flat out. Our natural state, the state in which we were born was as “servants of sin”.  We were sinners by nature and sinners by practice!

But when a person places their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, a dramatic change takes place and it’s worthy of our thanks and praise.

Salvation came when you obeyed “from the heart”, the real you that “form of doctrine” or teaching which was given to you.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 10:9-10

Obeying from the heart does not stop at salvation.

Now, because you know Jesus as your Savior and have God, the Holy Spirit living in your heart, you will also obey God’s Word from your heart.

You will still obey the doctrine, the teaching found in God’s Word.

Romans 6:18 - Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

You are no longer in bondage to sin!

You are now the servant or slave of righteousness.

You’re on your way to moral excellence!

What a promotion!

You are free from the domination of sin to live under the domination of righteousness through your Lord Jesus Christ! You are free to add to your faith moral excellence!

A FAITHFUL PATTERN – Vs. 19

 

We do run into problems as Christians, because we are not perfect, and often we seem to find more service to unrighteousness in our lives that service to righteousness.

The solution is to learn the pattern!

Romans 6:19 - I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Before Adam sinned he had a brain and an understanding which was remarkable! 

Since Adam sinned our understanding is a lot more limited.

That’s why Paul had to speak simply in terms that his readers would understand.

Before we came to know Jesus as our Savior, we had no choice but to yield our members as servants to uncleanness, or impurity. That led to a chain of iniquity unto iniquity or “lawlessness unto lawlessness”.

Sin is like a fast moving truck barreling out of control that takes out anything in its path!

But now, since our promotion, we are the “servants of God and servants of  righteousness”.  We can develop moral excellence!

Therefore we are to yield every part of our bodies as servants to righteousness.  We are no longer obligated to serve sin as Romans 6:6-7 tells us.

Romans 6:6-7 - Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Instead we are to obey Romans 6:12-13. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 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.

Our bodies are to be presented once and for all to God.

Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And after that, your specific members are to be yielded to God as His slaves.

 

The pattern of your life according to Romans 6:19, is to yield your bodies as servants to righteousness which leads to holiness, or sanctification or holy living.  It is the thought of being entirely set apart for God.

So what about you Christian?  Are you ready to live by the pattern God has given you?  Are you ready to live up to your promotion?  Are you ready to supply to your faith moral excellence?

Can people say of your life, “WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT?”

A FOOLISH PROPOSAL

A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE

A FANTASTIC PROMOTION

A FAITHFUL PATTERN

 

 

 

************************************************************************************

 

PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW SISTER WEBSITE

WWW.EXPOSITORYECHOES.ORG

 

***************************************************************************

 

PASTOR MAIL is a mailing list for male pastors.  The purpose of the list is to share sermons, outlines, illustrations and prayer requests.  To subscribe send a blank email to pastormail-subscribe@welovegod.org

 

EXPOSITORY ECHOES is a mailing list that includes a full text sermon from Pastor Jack Peters.  To subscribe send a blank email to expositoryechoes-subscribe@welovegod.orgHAVE THESE SERMON SEEDS BLESSED YOU? THEN, PLEASE PASS THEM ALONG!

 

ABOUT SERMON SEEDS:

 

Sermon Seeds is a weekly e-mailing of free brief sermon outlines from Pastor Jack Peters. These outlines are meant to help other pastors and Bible Teachers in their own preparations.

 

In most cases these outlines are only "seeds". They are not sermons ready for you to preach. Feel free to improve on these outlines anyway the Lord leads you.

 

TO SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-subscribe@welovegod.org    

 

TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org

 

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE!

www.sermonseeds.org is the location for the Sermon Seeds Archives. You will find most of the outlines from these e-mail editions, plus links to other helpful web pages. Be sure to sign the guest book, and tell me a little about yourself.

 

JACK’S EMAIL ADDRESS – jpeters@alltel.net

 

TALK TO JACK THROUGH INSTANT MESSAGING

I welcome live correspondence with those on the Sermon Seeds list. To put me on your "buddy list" here is the information you need.

 

AOL AIM – JackPeters1947

MSN (Microsoft) - johnwpeters@hotmail.com

 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE – www.sermonseeds.org 

 

This ministry has grown over the years because people like you have told others about Sermon Seeds.  Always feel free to forward the weekly Sermon Seeds email to those who you think might be interested in these outlines. Also, please share our website address with others as well. Thank you for your support.

-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@associate.com