Sermons on Spiritual Growth (Page 14)
Clean Your Heart – Part 1
Traditions verses Commandments Scribes and Pharisees saw the oral traditions of ‘The Elders’ as authoritative: They saw themselves as part of a succession of leaders passing on God’s will… •Moses•Aaron•Priests•70 Elders•Tribes of Israel•Synagogues•Themselves Matthew 15:1-3 15 Then some Pharisees and scribes *came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for…
The Mind of Christ
Humble—•Emptied Himself•Servant•Son of Man•Obedient—cross•Saviour Christ’s Mind—It’s impact upon you! Christ’s Mind—How do we know? He has left a Witness—The Bible•OT anticipates Him•Gospels reveal Him•Acts preaches Him•Letters teach Him•Revelation glorifies Him Philippians 2:5-8 5 Have this attitude [a]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be [b]grasped, 7 but [c]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the…
I am Resolved
Not these kinds of resolutions. •Easily made•Easily broken•Easily forgotten Habits are hard to break•If you do not fill the void, Satan will. When I was young, I was a slave to my passions. Now that I am old, I am a slave to my habits. Living in Maybe-LandGod doesn’t abide thereNothing much gets done of any value Joshua 24:15 (NASB) 15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods…
Relationships 103—I’m Married
Ephesians 5:22-24 (NASB) Marriage Like Christ and the Church 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
The Way Forward Is Back
Have you ever been lost? I have taken wrong turns in the USA—a long way backGod’s people regularly lost their way…Adam and Eve driven from the Garden of EdenCain did evil to his brotherNoah’s wicked GenerationAfter EgyptUnbelief costsFunerals in the desertDidn’t have to be God always provided a way back…Each time God offered a door of mercy for them to walk through Galatians 1:6-9 (NASB) 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you [a]by the grace of Christ,…
Relationships 102—Before You Commit
All relationships are to be based on love for God and, in turn, love for one another. Some things are best learned now *Disagreement doesn’t change facts*Both parties find this reality hard to believe*But men can actually chew gum and walk at the same time*There are a variety personality types*Only God can change the heart*Men and women communicate differently*Adjust you must! 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NASB) 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does…
God At Work – Again
Four things that God wants: 1.Maturity– Grow in faith and knowledge– Leaving behind an infantile life 2.Decisiveness– Choose this day – Some are neither ‘Hot nor cold.’ 3.Consistency– Rid yourself of doubts– Some burn ‘Hot and cold.’ 4.Strength If you want God to work in you? Seek that which is pleasing in His sight. Philippians 1:6 (NASB) 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.…
Relationships 101
Everyone is included•We want to be at peace with all•We want unshifting principles for everyday life•We want everyone we meet to benefit•We want to be genuine•We want no compromises•We want souls to be won to Christ Ephesians 4:26-29 (NASB) 26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil [a]an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share…
Free at Last
After 66 days of lock down we are FREE AT LAST !!! Real Freedom is on the inside Not reliant on externals We can spend our days: •Rich—but still be impoverished •Full—but still be starving •Dressed—But still be naked •Surrounded—But still be lonely •Mobile—But going nowhere Galatians 5:1 (NASB) 5 [a]It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
How To Bear A Burden
The BurdenWho is Burdened?1.It helps to know specifically:•We all have things in common•Sin and temptation•Circumstance of church, family, work, school, health…•Fear comes upon us•Sooner of later it is us 2.What•Personal—private sin or temptation•Sickness—affecting your future•Disappointment—relationships, work issues, child trouble•Loneliness—divorce, friendship issues•Financial—setback•Temptation—changes bring opportunities•Not accountable to old friends•Guilt—Past and/or present sins•Situations handled badly—Regret Galatians 6:2 (NASB) 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.