Biblical faith is about newness. Isaiah 43:19 declares: "Behold, I will do a new thing." God is always doing "a new thing." This is especially true in the New Testament. Though Jesus walked on the earth 2,000 years ago, He continues to do new things in the world, the church and in our lives. Let's take a look at newness.
I. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Life in Christ A. According to John 10:10, new life in Christ is abundant life. 1. This new, abundant life is brought about by the Holy Spirit, who woos us, convicts us, convinces us, indwells us and leads us day by day. 2. This new, abundant life has to with the joy that Jesus gives us. John 15:11 3. This new, abundant life has to do with a new purpose for living. Jesus brings new purpose to our lives, such as, witnessing for Him, etc. B. New life in Christ is eternal life. 1. Eternal life begins the day that we are saved. 2. We begin on that day to live eternally. To see what I mean read Hebrews 11:13-16. C. Are you living abundantly? Does this sound like your life? II. A New Outlook on Life A. A new attitude. (attitude adjustment) 1. Colossians 3:8-10 2. Colossians 3:12-14 B. A new hope. 1. In the New Testament, hope means expectation, not "maybe so." 2. We can live in optimism, knowing that, though things might look bleak, Jesus will win in the end, and we will win with Him. 3. This hope reduces our anxiety and brings us peace. C. Is this your outlook on life? What about your attitude, your hope? III. A new view of death. A. We no longer fear death as we once did. Hebrews 2:14-15 This does not mean that we live with a death wish. We are to live life to the fullest, and we can do this because the fear of death has been removed. B. We know that death brings better things. Revelation 21:4 No more tears, no more death, no more sorrow or crying, no more separation. C. Is this your view of death? We can rejoice today, because Jesus has made all things new in our lives. He has given us new life: a new attitude, a new outlook on life and a new view of death. There is much more that we could talk about if time permitted. Do you have new life? If not, it is available to you by faith in Christ. If you have new life -- live it!
0 Comments
Love is the greatest thing in the world. We need more of it in our world. There is just too much rancor in the world, and especially in the church. Let's look at the necessary threefold love.
I. God loves us. A. John 3:16 is the greatest Biblical proof of this. B. Romans 5:8 tells us the extent of that love. C. 1 John 4:8b defines God as love. D. 1 John 4:10 tells us that God is the source of all love. II. Vs. 27a - We love God. A. With all of our hearts. B. With all of our souls. C. With all of our strength. D. With all of our minds. III. Vs. 27b - We love each other. A. In John 13:34, Jesus gave love for each other as a commandment. B. 1 John 4:7-8 tells us that our love for each other reveals our knowledge of God. C. 1 John 4:10-11 - Tells us that God's love for us should be the cause of our love for each other. D. I John 4:19-21 - If we don't love each other, we don't love God. There is no greater love than God's love for us. His love is so profound that it cause us to love each other. Thank God for this thre Note: This idea just occured to me as I was reading in Psalms this morning. It will be skimpy, but I think that it is worthy of notice. Bro. Joe
Why should we praise the Lord? As the poet wrote: "Let me count the ways...." Our text gives some excellent reasons to praise the Lord. Let's concentrate on these. "Blessed" is also translated "praise." I. Vs. 6 - Because He hears us. That's why it is so important to pray. (What about your prayer life?) II. Vs. 7a - Because He is our strength and shield. He gives us the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the shield of faith. III. Vs. 7b - Because we can trust Him completely, with our whole hearts. The Christian life is a life of trust. It begins in faith and we are sustained by faith until we meet Him in glory. IV. Vs. 7c - Because we can depend on Him for help. He is our helper in every area of our lives........... In closing, notice the word "therefore." It means that because of all of the above the psalmist rejoiced and sang the glory of God. That should be our reaction as well. Is it your reaction? For a Christian, prayer is a logical thing. It is as logical as talking to parents, etc. It is our way of communicating with God. Psalm 61:1-3 gives us an example of a "logical prayer."
I. Vs. 1 - A Logical Request A. To be listened to is one of the longings of the human heart. 1. We want other people to hear us. 2. We want to be heard in the course of life: work, church, home, etc. No one really wants to be ignored. B. So, of course, we want God to listen to us, to hear us. C. Good news! God does hear! Exodus 3:7; Acts 10:31; Psalm 28:6; Psalm 61:5 II. Vs. 2 - A Logical Response A. He was calling out to God as from a distance,i.e., from great distress. Sometimes our prayers are like that. B. Therefore, "Lead me in the way that is higher than I..." 1. Would we want to talk to the "lower rock"? Sometimes we do when we depend on self, or the world, alone for help. 2. We know that we need Jesus because He is really higher than we are. Psalm 18:2 a. We need to lean on His power and strength. b. We need to lean on His love and care. c. We need to have help that only Jesus can give. C. Don't we want the "higher rock"? HE IS AVAILABLE!!!!!! III. Vs. 3 - A Logical Conclusion A. He is our shelter to cover us. B. He is our tower to elevate us above Satan and the world. C. He is our hope - period. This prayer is logical and hits at the heart of our own feelings and needs. There is a fork in the road with two options: One is joyful, guilt-free, etc. The other is rife with potholes and pitfalls. Though the world does not seem to think so today, there is a right way and a wrong way. The psalmist contrasted the right way and the wrong way in such a way that the difference is plain.
I. Vss. 1-4 - The Wrong Way A. Vs. 1 - Those in the wrong way do not fear God. B. Vs. 2 - Those in the wrong way deceive themselves. 1. Vs. 2a - They are flattered by their own sinfulness - proud of deviant lifestyles. 2. Vs. 2b - They will not see their own sinfulness. They see sin as harmless. C. Vs. 3 - Those in the wrong way deceive others. D. Vs. 4 - Those in the wrong way are sold out to sin. 1. They plot evil in their sleep. 2. They are committed to a "sinful course." 3. They do not abhor evil, rather, they love evil and and reject what is right. II. Vss. 5-9 - The Right way A. Vss. 5-7a - The right way is the right way because of God/Jesus. 1. Vss. 5a & 7a - His love and mercy are on the right way. 2. Vs. 5b - His faithfulness is on the right way. 3. Vs. 6a - His righteousness is on the right way. 4. Vs. 6b - His justice is on the right way. B. Vss, 7-9 - The people of the right way. 1. They trust God and they trust in God. 2. Vs. 8 - They feast on the riches of God. Some of these riches are: grace, peace, joy, service, etc. 3. Vs. 9a - They drink from the fountain of life. 4. Vs. 9b - They live in the light of God. C. Don't you want to walk in the right way. In vss. 10-12 we observe that the people who live in God's way continue, but the peopel who live the wrong way will ultimately fall. Surely you want to be in the right way!!!!! Samuel vowed to continue to pray for Israel, then he said that he would "teach the good and right way." Verse 24 tells is what "the good and right way is...."
I. "Only fear you the Lord..." A. Note in the Pilgrim Bible: "The fear of the Lord is the attitude of the heart that the children of God have toward their Heavenly Father. While perfectly at home in His presence, and trusting Him reverently, they realize His greatness and stand in awe of Him. Such fear produces a hatred of evil as well as a love of God." B. Proverbs 19:23 - "The fear of the tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied. He shall not be visited by evil." C. Psalm 111:10a - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." II. "Serve Him with all your heart.." A. "Serve Him in truth." 1. In accordance with God's word. 2. From a faith relationship with Jesus. B. "With all your heart..." 1. Don't just give lipservice. 2. Don't just serve Him from a sense of duty. 3. Serve from your heart - all of it. C. This is how all of His great servants served Him: Moses, David, Peter, Paul III. "For consider how great things He has done for you..." A. Look at what God had done for Israel: chose them as His people, delivered them from Egypt, etc. B. Look at all He has done for us: He sent Jesus to save us, He gave us fellow- ship with each other, peace, joy, etc. C. If you can't see what great things Jesus has done in your life, you really need examine your heart. What is the "good and right way"? Fear the Lord. Serve the Lord with all of your heart and consider the great things that He has done for you. These will not lead us astray. |
All of these materials are free of charge. There is no copyright on them and you are free to use them as you see fit. I am happy to be of assitance to you in your preaching/teaching minstry.
|