1 Corinthians 10:11-13 Now these things happened to them as
an example, and they were written for
our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages
have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he
does not fall. No temptation has
overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow
you to be tempted beyond what
you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so
that you will be able to endure it.
Continuing Pastor Kyle’s sermon from where I left
off.
(3) I can only take into eternity that which I sow. In Jesus’ parable of
the Sower (Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8), the seed that was sown was the Word
of God and the different soils where the condition of the human heart that
receive the holy Word of God. We are not Bible editors, but Bible followers. Matthew 6:21 and Luke 2:34 “For where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also.” This is the treasure principle. Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed
down, shaken together, and running over. For
by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Do we give a
teaspoon of our time, talents and tithe offering to Creator God Almighty, then
desire and expect a shovel full of blessing in our lives from our Heavenly
Father? Galatians 6:7 “Do not be
deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man
sows, this he will also reap.”
(4) Humility is easy to lose, so we need others to
keep us on track on the straight and narrow road to the Promised Land. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are
better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls,
the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is
not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower
him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Proverbs
15:33 “The fear of the Lord is the
instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.” Ephesians 4:1-3 Therefore
I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a
manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and
gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent
to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Colossians 3:9-13 “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the
old self with its evil practices, and have put on the
new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to
the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which
there is no distinction between Greek and
Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian,
Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is
all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of
God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever
has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 1 Peter 5:5b “All
of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace
to the humble.”
(5) Understand
that hell is real and way too many of our friends and families are headed there
if we don’t do something about it. Invite people to church. We were ever meant
to live the Christian life alone. The gospel message is that we are saved from
hell to eternity in heaven though Jesus Christ. The church setting provides
evangelistic witness to Christ in the Word of God lived in open prayer, care, worship
and fellowship. This life is short. James 4:13-14 “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such
and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a
profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that
appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” In a puff
of smoke, everything can be gone. Every earthly thing in this life that we
value can disappear. In light that Jesus and heaven are real, can we say: “It
is well with my soul”?
When peace, like a river, attendeth
my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my
soul. It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest
assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed
His own blood for my soul. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My
sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! For me, be it Christ, be it Christ
hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, no pang shall be mine, for in
death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. But, Lord, ’tis for
Thee, for Thy coming we wait, the sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of
the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul! And
Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as
a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is
well with my soul. Horatio G. Spafford 1873
In Christ, Brian
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