Ridiculous Or Right On!

1Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

They may honestly think you’re crazy.
They may laugh and mock God’s word.
They might even slam the door.
But, the Gospel must be heard!

It may not make much sense,
God dying for the human race.
To the world it sounds like foolishness.
To the Saved, it sounds like Grace.

 

False Faith?

Profession without Practice: False Faith

Professions without Practice are Worthless. – v. 14  (of no value or profit; Empty) Have you ever met someone who says one thing and does another. 1 John 3:17-18 – Empty professions of love are contrasted with the living reality.

Professions will not save you. – v. 14

1. For a long time I was unsure of whether I was saved or not.  I went through a period of what seemed like years where I prayed, prayed, and prayed what we call “The Sinner’s Prayer.”  I felt like I wasn’t saved.  Looking back at my experience, I believe now that I truly was saved at a younger age when I first professed Christ but I had allowed sin to rule in my life.  This caused me to doubt whether I was truly saved.  To make up for my feelings, I prayed again and again, saying, “Lord, if I’m not saved, save me.”  I was professing to Him that I believed in Him but the truth is, it’s not the words/professions that save.  It is the acceptance, by faith, of Jesus Christ’s atonement that saves.
2. I do not want to take for granted that all here have true assurance of their faith.  Please understand.  It is not what you said, or how you felt that determines your eternal destiny/state.  It is what you believe (in whom you believe).

Professions without Practice are a Hindrance. – vv. 15-16

1. May change feelings
2. Does not change reality (situation)

Professions without Practice are Degrading. – vv. 15-16

1.  “Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled” –
2. “The sight of distress is unpleasant to these dainty Christians.  They bustle out the wretched-looking brother or sister with seeming kindness and what sounds like an order to others to provide for their immediate relief, but without taking any step to carry out the order…to have said directly ‘go and get warm, go and eat’ would have been giving an order which it was plainly not in their power to obey [emphasis mine].” – J.B. Mayor, The Epistle of Saint James, 1892
3. Recognizes the need, speaks to the need, but has no intent of ministering to the need.

Professions without Practice are Hypocritical – v. 17

1. False Expression of Care & Concern (CONTEXT)
2. True faith WILL result in fruit – Matt. 7:20

I hope you faith is real!!  I pray that your professions are from the heart and not a plea for acceptance in the church.  False faith? Or True Trust?

 

Abortion

If Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived in the year 2012, I wonder if the thought of Abortion every would have crossed her mind.  I understand that it probably wouldn’t have – she was a very godly young woman.  But, given the circumstances, if abortion was a normal thing in her day, there probably would have been some that would advise her to “cover up the pregnancy” and abort the “fetus.”

Most of you reading this have already predetermined your stand on abortion.  But, what is the basis for your belief?  Could you back it with scripture?

Here are some thoughts to consider.

Life Begins at Conception – I like the passage in Luke chapter 2.  Verse 5 says that Mary was “great with CHILD.“  I think there was a reason God did not use the word fetus or embryo.  He used the word “child” because it was exactly that.  A young human life – a child.

God Abhors The Murder of the Innocent – Proverbs 6:17 - “A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,”

God is involved in conception:  He is the Giver of life.

• Gen. 29:31 – “[the Lord] opened her [Leah's] womb”
• Gen. 30:22 – “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.”
• Judges 13:3-5 – “committed to God from the womb”
• Ruth 4:13 – The Lord gave her conception.

God is Involved in Forming of Children in the Womb: God is not only the Giver but also the Designer.  He gives us each of our features and created us just a He wanted us to be.

• Job 10:8-12 – fashioned: worked, formed with the hands
• Psalm 127:3; 139:12-16
• Isa. 49:1, 5 – formed = designed/ made
• Jer. 1:5 – He forms and knows us in the womb.

God Created us in His Image: Therefore, there is a sacredness or sanctity of human life.

• Gen. 1:26,27
• Psalm 8:3-8

 

Twas the Night Before Christmas

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS By Pastor Alfred C. Smith

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the land,

Folks came to be taxed at Caesar’s command.

Joseph placed Mary on the donkey with care,

In hopes that in Bethlehem — room would be there.

The Jews were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Messiah formed in their heads.

Herod in his robe and his servants in caps,

Had just settled down for the long night’s lapse.

While out in the streets of Bethlehem, filled with such chatter,

Joseph’s and Mary’s hopes went a ‘shatter.

As away from the Innkeepers they turned like a flash,

He told of a stable and then let down the sash.

The star on the breast of the new fallen snow,

Gave a luster of midday to the shepherds below.

When what to their wondering eyes should appear,

But a heavenly angel so bright and so near.

What a glorious message that cut to the quick,

Their eyes in a moment with tears were all thick.

More rapid than eagles the angels they came,

And they sang, and they shouted and praised Jesus by name.

Now rich man, now poor man, now beggar and thief,

Now doctor, now lawyer, now merchant and chief.

To all that are sinners from the curse of the fall,

This Jesus has come –to cast away sin – cast away all.

As dry leaves that before the wild winds fly,

When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky,

So up to Pilate’s hall how rapidly they flew,

With Jesus, the Son of God, called King of the Jews.

Then in an instant came the false proof,

The lying and scheming of each one aloof.

As Pilate stood with accusers all around,

He questioned Jesus but no guilt could be found.

They stripped Him of His robe from His head to His foot,

A crown of thorns they fashioned and on His head did put.

A roughhewn cross they had flung on His back,

He looked so friendless and for strength He did lack.

Yet His eyes – how they twinkled, His face was still merry,

Though His cheeks were bloody, His cross He did carry.

His shoulders quivered in anguish as He clenched His teeth,

The ghastly crown of thorns pierced His brow like a wreath.

Yet He had such a kind, loving, compassionate face,

That seemed to say, “I love the whole human race.”

He fell ‘neath His load – but it was not for Himself,

Men laughed when they saw Him for love of themselves.

With a tear in His eye and a twist of His head,

He soon gave all to know that the worst was still ahead.

He spoke not a word – but went straight to His work,

They nailed Him to the cross and lifted it high with a jerk.

Looking into Heaven it was death that He chose,

As unto the Father His spirit arose.

He sprang from the tomb – to His disciples appeared.

Now sins curse need no longer be feared.

And they heard Him exclaim ere He faded from sight,

Behold, I come quickly. Are you ready? Is everything right?

 

Psalm 32

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered…Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity…I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin…Thou art my hiding place…Thou shalt preserve me from trouble…Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart

 

Watch Your Form

I was resting between sets on the bench the other day at the Powerhouse Gym when I heard a squealing, “Spot Please! Little help!”  I looked over to my right and saw a kid with a loaded bar resting on his chest.  I ran over and lifted it off, asked if he was okay, then went back for my next set.  For the rest of my entire workout, this kid would walk up to me and ask me if I needed a spot or help with anything.  “You okay?” He’d ask me.  I was kind of humored at his attempts to help me, the one who just saved him.  As you can imagine, my thoughts were storming and striving to be audible.  “You just got a bar stuck on your chest and you’re asking ME if I’m ok!?”

I tell this story for a purpose.  As I left the gym I found myself at the pinnacle of pride.  “Who did that kid think he was, trying to help me?”  In reality, there have been several times in the past when mid-rep I called out “Need a spot!!”  And here I am thinking this kid is some sort of ”Wanna-be” lifter.  I was being super proud.  Aaand pride is sin.  I had to ask God to forgive me for my thoughts.

I wonder, though, how many times we’ve all thought like this.  Thoughts of pride towards a classmate, friend, sibling, parent, or pastor(or even to me - I’m sure I’ve given you reason [sorry, I try not to.]).  How about this one.  Maybe we’re in the place of the “Wanne-Be Lifter” and we go to God and say, “Need some help?”  Oh, sure maybe we wouldn’t ACTUALLY say it.  But in our actions, we might take things into our own hands.  Maybe we think that God is just like us – Just as strong, same ability, who need’s Him? Maybe we can teach God a thing or two.

I hope this is not true or at least the norm in our lives.  But watch your form!  One slip up could really affect the rest of our lives.

2 John v.8 - “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”

Here’s a little project for you:

1. Look up the verses that use the phrase “Take heed” in the New Testament.

2. List the “Take heed” commands (I counted 28 in the NT)

3. Use this list to check up on yourself.

BE STRONG. GROW.

 

 

Psalm 18

“The Lord is my rock…”  I am reminded this morning that God is MY GOD.  He is my strength, salvation, stability, security, and my hope for tomorrow.  Because of Him, I know my feet can stay firm (v.33).  Though at times we are hurt and lose hope, He is our stay – our protection and confidant (v.18).  My God will lead me to the completion of His path for me. He will make my way perfect and complete (vv.30,33).  This reminds me of the verse in Philippians.  Because God is faithful to His promises, I am “being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).”  Keep faith.  God can work.  Trust in Him.

 

Sin’s Chains

Sin’s Consequences upon my body:

Psalm 51

1. Unclean Soul – v. 2
2. Clouded Vision – v. 3
3. Separation in my relationship with God – v. 4
4. God’s Judging – v. 4
5. Impaired Hearing – v. 8
6. Inward Brokenness – vv. 8, 12
7. Impurity of Heart – v. 10
8. Conviction/Grieving of Holy Spirit – v. 11
9. Loss of Joy – v. 12
10. Mark on the Mind – v. 13

 

REMEMBER THE CROSS

REMEMBER THE CROSS

1. The Requirements of the Cross – What does the cross require? – What was the
   cost of the cross?
   1. Cursing – Gal. 3:13
   2. Humiliation – Phil. 2:8
   3. Blood – Col. 1:20
   4. Shame – Heb. 12:2
   5. Endurance – Heb. 12:2
   6. Death – Phil. 2:8
2. The Representations of the Cross – What does the cross represent? – What should it
   mean to us?
   1. Foolishness – 1 Cor. 1:18
   2. Power – 1 Cor. 1:18
3. The Requests of the Cross – What does the cross request? – What should we do because of the cross?

Mt. 16:24;
Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23 Mt. 10:39; John 19:17; Mt. 10:38;

• Deny Yourself – Involves: Acknowledgment! God’s way is best.
• Take Up Your Cross – Involves: Acceptance! I will live God’s way.
• Follow Him – Involves: Action! I live God’s way.

Great Application: CROSS TRAINING

“bringing other to the cross…taking up our own”

Gal 6:14  But God
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

 

Potiphar’s Wife

The Problems
with Potiphar’s Partner

Genesis 39:7-20

This text gives us vivid proof that something is not right in this woman’s life.  What we are reading and seeing is the fruit, but there are much deeper problems.  Let us look at the two, deeper rooted problems of Potiphar’s wife.

1. She Listened to a Lie –
1. What are some lies to which we might be tempted to listen? – “God does not want me to be happy.” …or…”People are talking about me”…or…”I would be so much happier if I could…”
2. The Devil subtly convinces us of many things – “Go ahead, you can always ask forgiveness.”
3. We construe lies out of our own imaginations – Especially by over analysing.
4. We must trust the truth and reject the lies – Always have a positive outlook.  Hope and look for the best in every area.
5. We often Assume to our Demise – Bad logic and never a good thing.  NEVER ASSUME!
2. She Followed her Feelings – Feelings are fine. But they must follow our actions and not determine them. Check out what James says about your misplaced desires (James 1:13-16) – But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. – Most of the time, our biggest enemy is our own misplaced desires.
   i. Lust’s Seduction– drawn away of his own lust,
   ii. Lust’s Deception  and enticed
   iii. Lust’s Conception – Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin
   iv. Lust’s Devastation – and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death
   v. Lust’s Protection – Do not err, my beloved brethren err = “wander, roam” (Don’t let yourself wander! An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.)
3. Our Concise Commitment for today:
   1. Contentment – 1Tim.6:6
   2. Patience & Trust – Pro. 3:5-8; Psa.31:6  2Sam.22:31
   3. Faithfulness – 1Cor.15:58
   4. Spirit-filled living – Gal.5:16