Last time I talked about standing firm in God’s Word and having God’s Word stand firm in us. Today the topic is “Standing Firm in the World.”
As Christians, we are to be in the world but not of the world as Jesus said in John 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
Everyday there are churches and pastors and preachers, who were once defending and teaching God’s Word, changing their teachings and beliefs, contrary to the Word of God, in order to increase attendance and to gain acceptance by the world!
Prov 10:25 – “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.”
Matt 10:22 – “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Would you rather be swept away with people that accept you and like you or standing firm with the Lord forever? It can be hard when we work around people that don’t believe in God and who look at us differently because we do believe in God. But it doesn’t matter how much ridicule, teasing, abuse or mistreatment you think you have ever received or are afraid of receiving, think of Jesus. Think of the beating, the whipping, the scourging, the spitting, the cursing, the nails driven into his wrists, his feet, think of the pain He endured. Think of the abuse He took. Think of the ridicule He received.
Can you or I say that we have gotten that because we are Christians? I think not.
If Jesus can go through that for us, so we can be forgiven from our sins and become children of the living God, the least we can do is be bold and proclaim that gift He gave to us and offers to all, especially those that ridicule us. Jesus forgave the criminal on the cross who was hurling insults one moment and then saved the next. He asked God to forgive those that crucified Him.
The key to living in the world and not of the world is found in these verses:
Phil 1:27 – “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:1 – “…walk worthy of the calling with which you were called”
Colossians 1:10 – “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”
Is the way we live our lives? Does our life represent the love and grace of Jesus Christ? If you were to tell someone you were a Christian, would they be shocked because of the life you really lead? We are to live out our faith and bear the fruit of our salvation that abides in us through Christ Jesus.
1 Cor 15:58 – “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Sometimes we can feel defeated and feel like “What’s the use?” “No one listens to me” “They all make fun of me if I try to share Jesus with them” “No one will like me if I tell them I go to church and believe the Bible.”
Please don’t be discouraged and remember that we are to not seek the praises of men but to glorify our Father in Heaven. The more you are persecuted and attacked by the enemy, the more you should be encouraged because you are doing something right.
Jesus died on the cross for us, the least we can do is be proud of that and not be ashamed!
Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes”
In closing, I leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the believers in Corinth and as he encouraged them to stand strong in their faith, I also encourage you to stand strong in your faith while in this world.
1 Cor 16:13 – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”
Glory be to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! AMEN!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
STAND FIRM - In the Word
I am a fan of both college and professional football but even if you aren’t you’ve probably heard the name “Peyton Manning.” He is the quarterback for the NFL Indianapolis Colts and arguably the best (at least one of the best) to ever play that position. The reason is because he studies the game and his opponent endlessly. He studies game film after game film, memorizes play after to play, practices relentlessly and he trains hard. In the end, on game day Sunday, he is prepared and usually picks the opposing defense apart. (I know they lost the Super Bowl this year, but hear me out)
The reason I bring this up is because of three words I said in the last sentence, “He is prepared.” How good would Peyton Manning be if he blew off studying game film, practicing, reading his play books or working on his signal calling? What if he just looked at the game plan only 1 day a week and for only an hour or so that day? Probably not that good.
So here is my question and the reason I use this analogy: How strong of a Christian do you think you can be if you only open you Bible on Sunday at church? God’s eternal Word has got to have a permanent place in our lives and in our hearts.
2 Thess 2:15 – “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”
How are we to know the attacks of the enemy if we don’t read the warnings in God’s Word? Listen to what Paul says in the book of Ephesians Chapter 6:10-17
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
It is our weapon against the enemy and against the world. The world tries to conform us to its ways because “times are changing” and we need to “get with the program.” The only program we need to get with is God’s program!
I admit, times are changing but not for the better. If you want a snap shot of America today, read Romans 1:18-32. As much our society is changing and its morals declining, God’s Word remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Psalm 119:89 – “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”
Isaiah 40:8 – “True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade, but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.”
The question is does God’s Word “stand firm” in you?
Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Get the most out of God’s Word so you can get most out of the life He has given you!
The reason I bring this up is because of three words I said in the last sentence, “He is prepared.” How good would Peyton Manning be if he blew off studying game film, practicing, reading his play books or working on his signal calling? What if he just looked at the game plan only 1 day a week and for only an hour or so that day? Probably not that good.
So here is my question and the reason I use this analogy: How strong of a Christian do you think you can be if you only open you Bible on Sunday at church? God’s eternal Word has got to have a permanent place in our lives and in our hearts.
2 Thess 2:15 – “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”
How are we to know the attacks of the enemy if we don’t read the warnings in God’s Word? Listen to what Paul says in the book of Ephesians Chapter 6:10-17
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
It is our weapon against the enemy and against the world. The world tries to conform us to its ways because “times are changing” and we need to “get with the program.” The only program we need to get with is God’s program!
I admit, times are changing but not for the better. If you want a snap shot of America today, read Romans 1:18-32. As much our society is changing and its morals declining, God’s Word remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Psalm 119:89 – “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”
Isaiah 40:8 – “True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade, but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.”
The question is does God’s Word “stand firm” in you?
Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Get the most out of God’s Word so you can get most out of the life He has given you!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Standing Firm - Introduction
Recently, I was encouraging a friend who is stationed in Iraq about standing strong and leaning on Christ in difficult times (we should always lean on Him, but you know what I mean) and afterward I realized that this was something that all of us, at one time or another, struggle with and that includes myself.
I had sent my friend a bunch of verses to encourage him to “stand firm” and after looking through at the verses more closely I realized that they can all be classified in three categories:
1) Standing firm in the Word
2) Standing firm in the World
3) Standing firm in the War
So guess what? Yep, another series of postings is coming that I hope and pray will encourage you when you are struggling in your walk with the Lord.
So prepare you hearts and prepare your minds and check back in the next day or so for the first installment of “STAND FIRM.”
We will discuss how we need to stand firm in the truth of God’s Word and how God’s Word needs to stand firm in us.
I had sent my friend a bunch of verses to encourage him to “stand firm” and after looking through at the verses more closely I realized that they can all be classified in three categories:
1) Standing firm in the Word
2) Standing firm in the World
3) Standing firm in the War
So guess what? Yep, another series of postings is coming that I hope and pray will encourage you when you are struggling in your walk with the Lord.
So prepare you hearts and prepare your minds and check back in the next day or so for the first installment of “STAND FIRM.”
We will discuss how we need to stand firm in the truth of God’s Word and how God’s Word needs to stand firm in us.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Romans Road - Last Stop
Romans 10:9,10 "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. "
Well here we are, last stop on Romans Road. We have learned that all have sinned and deserve death but God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to die in our place, to be nailed on a cross that was meant for us and that if we call on the name of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven and we can be saved.
So what now? How are you saved?
You confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe (put your trust in) that He died on the cross for your sins and that He was raised from the dead.
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
I had a conversation last week with someone who asked me if I thought there were any good people in the world. I knew where it was going and the question was followed up with another that asked if I thought that good people that try really hard to be good would get into Heaven because how could a loving God sent them to hell?
Well for starters...
How do we know how good is "good enough?"
Exactly...we don't, but more important, it is not about being good enough. The Bible is very clear that we are incapable of being good enough.
We learned this at the first stop (Romans 3:23-"For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.")
The reason God gave the Law was to expose man's inability to to keep it due to sin and to point us to Jesus because with His sacrifice we are made righteous in the eyes of God.
Matthew 13:43 "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."
If certain people can get into Heaven by just being good and "giving it their best shot" then why did Jesus die?
Read what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."
Did you read that? HE DIED FOR ALL. So if He died for all that means that all need a Savior and just being good enough is not possible.
I hope and pray for those reading this that you have followed each step along Romans Road and have decided in your heart to follow Jesus Christ and live out verse 15 from 2 Corinthians 5 "...that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."
It is time to live for Christ. The time is short. We need to stop playing church, stop turning a blind eye to sin and start living a life that reflects the love of Christ and a life driven by the Spirit of God not by the flesh of the world.
If you want to change your life and make a decision for Christ, I ask that you pray this prayer and turn from a life of sin and turn to life in Christ.
“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that I need forgiveness.
I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and rose again so that I can have eternal life with you in Heaven.
Lord, I surrender my life to you. Jesus, please forgive me of my sins and come into my life and into my heart and make me the person that You want me to be.
In Jesus name, Amen.”
If anyone who prayed this prayer needs help getting started in their Christian walk, feel free to contact me and I will pray with you and help you in any way possible.
God bless
Mike
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