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MAY SERMONS

MAY 3, 2009

 “LIVING IN VICTORY”

 SCRIPTURE READING: ROMANS 6:1-11

 SCRIPTURE TEXT: ROMANS 8:11 (NLT)

     The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.

 INTRO: There is an attitude that is very destructive, the attitude of compliancy.  

    Today we are celebrating two of the Sacraments of the Church. 

1. COMMUNION

2. WATER BAPTISM

   Each of these has an important part in helping us to live a life of victory. 

   As true Believers, God expects and demands that we live a life free from sin that will enable us to draw others to Him. 

   Too often our Christian walk is one that is filled with ups and downs. 

   How do these two Sacraments help us live a life of victory? 

   It is not the physical act that enables us but rather the spiritual commitment. 

I. COMMUNION: 

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (KJV) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

    The Communion Table speaks to two things that we as follows of Christ must remember.

1. THE HUMANITY AND LIFE OF JESUS.

 NOTE: To me the bread speaks of Christ’s humanity and His life as an example to us.

    Jesus took on the form and nature of man for several reasons: 

• To know and experience physically what we go through.

 Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 Hebrews 2:14a Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same;

 Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  

• To know and experience what it is like to be tempted to sin.

 Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.  

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  

• To give to us an example how we can live a victorious Christian life.

 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  

• To die.

NOTE: Jesus had to take on human nature in order that He could die. 

2. THE DEITY AND DEATH OF JESUS.

NOTE: Jesus had to be the Son of God so that His death would be accepted as the atonement for our sins. 

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  

• He was sinless

NOTE: Only a sinless sacrifice could pay the debt for our sins. 

1 Peter 1:18, 19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  

• His death was accepted as atonement for our sins.

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

 Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

 NOTE: Every time we partake in Communion we should remember what Christ has done for us and this should cause us to seek to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

 II. WATER BAPTISM.

NOTE: How does Water Baptism help us live a life of victory?

   Remember it not the physical act but the spiritual experience that make the difference.

   As Communion speaks to us of the life and death of Christ, Water Baptism speaks of the burial and resurrection of Christ.

Romans 8:11 (NIV) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Romans 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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.

   Water Baptism is a symbol of our death to self and sin and our resurrection to a victorious Christian life.

   As a True Believer we must constantly seek to live a life of victory.

   We are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ and raised in the power of the Holy Ghost to walk in Spiritual victory.

   The reason we do not live a victorious Christian life is that we do not consciously seek it.

   The more we consider the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the more victory we will experience in our daily walk.

   It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was raised from the dead and it’s through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can live a life of Spiritual Victory.

MAY 10, 2009

“EXPERIENCING MOTHERHOOD WITHIN THE CHURCH”

SCRIPTURE READING: I SAMUEL 1:20-28

SCRIPTURE TEXT: Proverbs 31:30 (NLT)

   Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

INTRO: The teachers teaching about magnets. (Our Daily Bread; May 10, 2009)

   When you think of a Mother, what comes to your mind?

   What are your memories of your mother?

   A mother does many things for her children, today we want to consider three and see how the Church relates to them.

1. LOVE

2. PROTECT

3. TEACH OR TRAIN

NOTE: Not all women are physical mothers but they all can be spiritual mothers.

   Everyone, both men and women, should seek to experience motherhood within the Church.

I. A MOTHER LOVES HER CHILDREN.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

NOTE: A mother loves her child no matter what.

• A mother loves regardless of looks.

   The Church must love others regardless on how the look, how they dress or the size of their wallet.

James 2:9 (GW) If you favor one person over another, you're sinning, and this law convicts you of being disobedient.

ILL: Momma and the White Man

• A mother loves regardless of talent.

NOTE: How often do we acknowledge those who have talents we can see and hear and ignore those who do not?

1 Corinthians 12:25 (GW) God's purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other.

• A mother loves regardless of physical or mental limitations.

Luke 14:21 (GW) "The servant went back to report this to his master. Then the master of the house became angry. He told his servant, 'Run to every street and alley in the city! Bring back the poor, the handicapped, the blind, and the lame.'

ILL: Where do the Mermaids Stand.[1]

• A mother loves regardless of being good or bad.

NOTE: The Church is to be a hospital for sinners not a museum for saints.

Mark 2:17 (KJV) When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

II. A MOTHER SEEKS TO PROTECT HER CHILDREN.

NOTE: There has never been a time when our children have been in greater danger than now.

• Physical dangers.

• Emotional dangers.

• Physiological dangers.

• Relationship dangers.

NOTE: As a mother seeks to protect her children for that which will hurt them, so the Church must seek to protect from satan and sin.

1 Peter 5:8 (GW) Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.

NOTE: As children are susceptible to dangers so are we all vulnerable to satan and sin.

Ezekiel 2:6-8 (GW) Son of man, don't be afraid of them or the things they say. Don't be afraid, even though thorns and thistles are around you and you live among scorpions. Don't let the things they say frighten you. Don't be terrified in their presence, even though they are rebellious people.  Speak my words to them whether they listen or not, because they are rebellious.  But you, son of man, listen to what I say. Don't be rebellious like those rebellious people. Open your mouth, and eat what I am giving to you."

Ezekiel 3:17-21 (NLT) "Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, pass it on to the people immediately.  If I warn the wicked, saying, 'You are under the penalty of death,' but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs.  If you warn them and they keep on sinning and refuse to repent, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved your life because you did what you were told to do.  If good people turn bad and don't listen to my warning, they will die. If you did not warn them of the consequences, then they will die in their sins. Their previous good deeds won't help them, and I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs.  But if you warn them and they repent, they will live, and you will have saved your own life, too."

   As children often fail to heed the warnings of their mothers, so will many who hear the warnings against satan and sin.

III. TEACH OR TRAIN HER CHILDREN.

NOTE: One of the most important jobs a mother has is to teach and train her children in order that they may lead a productive life.

   One of the most important task the Church has is to instruct and guide Believers in how to live a life of victory and pleasing to God.

   Some of the areas that a mother teaches and trains her children in are:

• Education

• Personal hygiene

• Responsibilities within the family

• Personal conduct

• Inter reaction with others.

   Some of the areas that the Church teaches the Believers are:

• Knowing and understanding the Word of God.

Leviticus 10:11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

• How to live a holy life.

 1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

• How to be a productive and supportive member of the Church.

• How to conduct ourselves in a way that will attract others to Christ.

Matthew 5:16 (NLT) In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

• How we should respond to those both within and without the Church.

Romans 12:18 (NLT) Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.

1 Thessalonians 5:13 (NLT) Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.

Hebrews 12:14 (NLT) Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

CONCLUSION: Let us all seek to experience Motherhood within the church to not only those in the church but also to those without.

MAY 17

“WE HAVE NO EXCUSE”

SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 25:24-30

SCRIPTURE TEXT: 1 Corinthians 1:27, 29

   But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty…That no flesh should glory in his presence.

INTRO: What is an excuse?

ILL: Do you believe in life after death? (Grandmother’s visit)

   How often have we sought to find an excuse why we didn’t do what we were supposed to do?

   We will stand before God and have to give answer for three different questions.

I. WHAT HAVE WE DONE WITH JESUS?

NOTE: God has provided for us the gift of Salvation through His Son, Jesus; what have we done with this gift?

Matthew 22:1-14 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.  But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

    And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

   No one will have an excuse why the failed to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

II. HOW HAVE WE TREATED OTHERS?

NOTE: The proof of our faith is found in our actions.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

   The authenticity of our faith is not based on how much we believe but rather how much we do.

   If we fail to obey our faith is empty.

Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

   Are we sheep or are we goats?

James 2:14-17 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone.  Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"—but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

     So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.

   How do we react towards those who are in need?

III. HAVE WE DONE WITH WHAT GOD GAVE US TO DO?

NOTE: Have we sought to use the talents, time and treasure that God has given us to further His Kingdom.

Matthew 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

NOTE: We cannot allow fear to keep us from using our time, talent and treasure for the cause of Christ.

Time: the women washing Jesus’ feet.

 Luke 7:36-38 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.  And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Talent: Naaman’s wife’s servant girl.

2 Kings 5:2-3 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

Treasure: the widow’s mite.

Mark 12:42-43 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

CONCLUSION:

Spirit led Creativity

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman

Saturday, May 16 2009

   "He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things" (1 Chronicles 28:12).

   It is said of George Washington Carver that he got up early in the morning each day to walk alone and pray. He asked God how he was to spend his day and what He wanted to teach him that day. Carver grew up at the close of the Civil War in a one-room shanty on the home of Moses Carver- the man who owned his mother. The Ku Klux Klan had abducted him and his mother, selling her to new owners. He was later found and returned to his owner, but his mother was never seen again.

   Carver grew up at the height of racial discrimination, yet he had overcome all these obstacles to become one of the most influential men in the history of the United States.

   He made many discoveries with the use of peanuts and sweet potatoes. However, after he recommended farmers to plant peanuts and sweet potatoes instead of cotton, he was led into his greatest trial. The farmers lost even more money due to the lack of market demand for peanuts and sweet potatoes. Carver cried out to the Lord, "Mr. Creator, why did You make the peanut?"

   Many years later, he shared that God led him back to his lab and worked with him to discover some 300 marketable products from the peanut. Likewise, he made over 100 discoveries from the sweet potato. These new products created a demand for peanuts and sweet potatoes, and they were major contributors to rejuvenating the Southern economy.

   As he made new discoveries, he never became successful monetarily. But during his lifetime, he overcame great rejection for being black. He was offered six-figure income opportunities from Henry Ford, and he became friends with presidents of his day, yet he knew what God had called him to do.

   His epitaph read: "He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world."

   Like Carver, each of us must connect with our primary purpose in life. Pray that God allows you to fully fulfill your purpose.

MAY 24, 2009

“LIVING AT GROUND LEVEL”

SCRIPTURE READING: JOB 1:1-12

SCRIPTURE TEXT: Romans 8:28

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

INTRO: The book of Job is filled with questions.

   The central question in the book of Job is not why do the righteous suffer, but why do the righteous serve God?

   How do we react when we are blindsided by the storms of life that seem to have no rhyme or reason?

   Living at ground level we are unable to understand why these things happen.

   The story of Job gives us a view that is far above ground level.

·         There is a spiritual battle going on that we are not aware of.

·         That Satan seeks to destroy us by turning us away from following God.

·         Satan is limited by God in what he can do against us.

·         We can be assured that God is watching us in spite of the circumstances we are experiencing.

   Not all of us face the same kind of storm Job faced, but we are all tried in the same way he was tried.

   There are four questions found within the book of Job that we must face at sometime in our life.

   The story of Job can help us when we are faced these situations that seek to overwhelm us.

   Satan attacked Job on four fronts:

1. His integrity

The first question: Is serving God really worth it?

NOTE: Job was considered a righteous man, not only by man’s standard but also by God’s.

Job 1:8 (NLT) Then the Lord asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil."

   Often when facing life’s storms we question whether or not it worth serving God.

Psalm 73:13-14 (NLT) Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong?  All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.

2. His possessions

NOTE:  Job was a very wealthy man but lost it all in one day.

The second question: Do we love God more than the things we posses?

   Jesus asked Peter this question: John 21:15 (NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"  "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."  Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Luke 18:24-25 (NIV) Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!  Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

   Compare the Rich Young Ruler and Zacchaeus:  Luke 18:18-27 & Luke 19:1-10

   The Rich Young Ruler was a Pharisee, Zacchaeus was a tax collector.

   Would we still serve God is we lost everything that we possessed.

3. His family

NOTE: Not only did Job lose all his possessions he also lost his children and his wife seemed to turn against him.

Job 2:9 (NIV) His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

The third question: Are we willing to serve God when we must stand alone?

Matthew 10:36-38 (NLT) Your enemies will be right in your own household!  If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.

4. His reputation

NOTE: Job’s friends came and said it was because of Job’s sins that he was suffering these calamities.

Matthew 5:11 (NIV) "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

The fourth question: Are we willing to serve God even when people accuse us of things that are not true and question our relationship with God?

   THE SECRET BEHIND JOB’S VICTORY: He had a daily living relationship with God before all this happened.

   You may deepen your knowledge of God in a crisis, but it is a poor time to try to find Him.

   The story of Job is filled with many questions that are not answered.

Deuteronomy 29:29 (NLT) "There are secret things that belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we may obey these words of the law.

   Too often we struggle trying to find answers to questions that are only known to God.

NOTE: Remember the main question found in Job is: not why do the righteous suffer but rather, why do the righteous serve God?

   One of the great lessons of Job is that not all suffering is deserved.

   Suffering is not always a consequence of direct personal sin, but it is always the result of living in a fallen world.

   Job’s suffering came not because he was sinful but because he was righteous.

   Another lesson we can learn is that suffering may be undeserved but it is never purposeless.

John 9:2-3 (NLT) "Teacher," his disciples asked him, "Why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?" "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.

   Are we willing to suffer that God’s glory might be revealed?

   Another question we must address: Can we believe and trust in the sovereignty of God?

   Can God always be trusted even when we don’t understand what He is doing?

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

CONCLUSION: He had prepared himself for the storms of live by developing a strong faith in God before the storms hit.

Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

   Because we live a ground level we must understand three things when we are experiencing the storms of life:

·         God has a right to do what He does: He is sovereign.

·         God has a reason for what He does: He is good and wise.

·         God has a goal in all He does: He is fair and gracious.

MAY 31, 2009

“THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD”

SCRIPTURE READING: LUKE 4:1-13

SCRIPTURE TEXT: Psalm 119:11

    Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

INTRO: How valuable or important is the Word of God to you?

   Many Christians fail to place much or any importance on the Word of God.

   Our attitude towards the Word of God and the value we place upon it is revealed by how much we read and apply to our lives.

   The Word of God is the greatest tool a Christian has but unless we know how to use it, it will profit us little.

   There are many functions of the Word of God in the life of the Believer; one of them is to keep the Believer from sin.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

NOTE: Sin will keep us for God’s Word and God’s Word will keep us from sin.

   There are three things required from us if we are to use the Word of God to keep us from sin.

1. We must know the Word of God.

2. We must believe the Word of God.

3. We must obey the Word of God.

I. KNOWING GOD’S WORD.

NOTE: There are three steps in knowing God’s Word.

A.   READING OR HEARING GOD’S WORD.

NOTE: The Jews will read or recite God’s Word out loud.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

   There is no way we can learn the Word of God unless we spend time in God’s Word.

B.   STUDYING GOD’S WORD.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

   How can we live a life that is pleasing to God if we don’t know His Word and the way it seeks to guide us?

Psalm 119:9 (NLT) How can a young person stay pure?  By obeying your word and following its rules.

   The more we know God’s Word the brighter will be our path.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

C.   MEDITATING ON GOD’S WORD.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalm 19:13-14 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

NOTE: One of the meanings of the Hebrew word meditate, means to mutter.

   The question we must ask is, what is God saying in the passage and how does it affect me?

II. WE MUST BELIEVE GOD’S WORD.

NOTE: Knowing God’s Word is not enough, we must also believe God’s Word.

   Unless we believe God’s Word we will not value what God’s Word teaches.

A.   WE MUST BELIEVE THAT IT IS GOD’S WORD.

B.   WE MUST BELIEVE THAT WHAT IS SAYS IT TRUE.

C.   WE MUST BELIEVE THAT IT IS RELEVANT FOR TODAY.

D.   WE MUST BELIEVE THAT IT IS SPEAKING TO US.

III. WE MUST OBEY GOD’S WORD.

NOTE: It will do us not good if we know, believe but do not obey.

James 1:22 (NLT) And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself.

Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT) "Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash."

IV. COMPARING TWO TEMPTATIONS.

NOTE: Adam and Jesus both face temptation, but what made the difference between Adam’s failure and Jesus victory.

   It was not the location:

• Adam’s temptation took place in a garden

• Jesus’ temptation took place in the desert.

   It was not the person:

• Adam was created without sin.

• Jesus was born without sin.

NOTE: Jesus did not face temptation as the Son of God but rather as the Son of Man.

• Adam was with Eve.

• Jesus was alone.

   What made the difference?

   It was how they used or didn’t use the Word of God.

• Adam knew the Word of God.

Genesis 2:15-17 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.  And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

• Jesus knew the Word of God

NOTE: Jesus learned the Word of God by reading and studying it as a young man.

• Adam & Eve did not believe the Word of God.

• Jesus believed the Word of God.

NOTE: Had Adam & Eve truly believe the Word of God they never would have yielded to Satan’s temptation.

• Adam & Eve disobeyed the Word of God.

• Jesus obeyed the Word of God.

CONCLUSION: The more we know God’s Word, the more we believe God’s Word, the more we obey God’s Word; the greater will be our victory over temptation.

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