All In!
II Timothy 3:16-17
Introduction:
A. Have we ever heard this term?
a. The though and term of being all in
b. We put all of our chips in
i. The risk of being eliminated
ii. We don’t hold anything back
B. We have a problem and involves a liberal vs. conservative battle
a. This has been an ongoing battle with the church and also
b. People will tweak the scriptures and away from truth and this is where the problem as really generated
i. They have the name of church of Christ and believe that it is still okay
ii. For example we follow the scriptures entirely but we have a kitchen
iii. I follow the scriptures almost entirely but I still like fornicate
iv. I follow the scriptures except I still like to _____________
c. One believes they are okay at percentage of following the scriptures
C. We are now coming up in our election and we have a few candidates that have different views
a. The Republican and Democratic parties
i. More or less the Conservative vs. Liberal
ii. This is a battle that has been going on with the church
iii. It also a battle in society with government
b. Conservative vs. Liberal
i. What the Bible says vs. Everything else
c. The problem with this election is that there isn’t really a true conservative left
i. This is the problem with Christians today
ii. They aren’t all in with the Bible
iii. As is the candidates left that call themselves conservatives
D. The scriptures as we read in II Timothy 3:16-17 are complete
a. They give all sustenance for what we need to follow God faithfully and entirely
b. The scriptures are complete
i. We need to be all in with the scriptures
ii. It comes with a well devotion to God and want for God
iii. Because God provides everything for us that we do need
E. Let’s open out Bibles and study more on this matter
I. All in with Faith
A. Our faith is our foundation as a Christian
a. We start with our faith and then build from there
b. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
i. We can’t do any less than 100 percent
B. If we are all in with faith then we are all in with the scriptures
a. After all faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17)
b. Our faith is built in the Bible
i. The things that were written were so that we would believe
ii. Through our trust in God (Psalms 37:5)
C. It is our duty to live by faith (Romans 1:17)
a. Those that are of God and have full obedience to God are commanded to live by faith
b. This is an action that requires an all in attitude
i. Not just a half dedication
D. We walk by faith (II Cor. 5:7)
a. We walk by the scriptures and let them be our guide
b. We don’t go by the physical things but the things that are ahead
i. Things that we haven’t seen, felt, or seen before
E. Having an all in attitude of faith will give us understanding of Christ (Eph 3:17-19)
a. Unimaginable heights and depth and breadth with love
II. All in For Service
A. We are all servants of God
a. Nobody is any more special than anybody
b. The preacher is a servant just as the member
B. We all have the same goal and though in mind of heaven (Acts 2:38)
a. Having the gift of the Holy Spirit
C. In order to achieve this goal we all need to be servants of God
a. Jesus was to serve (Mark 10:45)
i. He said he was to serve
ii. After all we are to follow the example of Christ
iii. He devoted His life for service for us
iv. He asks us to do the same
D. Jesus said it clearly of who we are to serve (Luke 4:8)
E. We can’t be half way in our service
a. When we have a choice to serve God or serve man
i. We have to choose
ii. Joshua spoke of it (Joshua 24:15)
iii. Christ spoke of it (Luke 16:13)
1. Our loyalty will be affected if we are not all in for service to God
2. How are we choosing?
III. All in with God
A. How dedicated are we to God?
a. Are we allowing outside distractions hinder us?
b. The world vs. God
i. What is close and important to us
ii. Is it God?
iii. Is it our soul?
iv. It is eternal and the world is temporal
B. Have we counted the cost (Luke 14:25-33)
a. Have we looked at our life and counted the cost
b. Are we all in with God?
c. God commands obedience but entirety with it
i. Follow with all our heart (Luke 10:27)
ii. Love obedience and mind must be complete
C. Phillip said to the Eunuch to believe
a. The eunuch needed to be all in with God through obedience and belief
b. He said yes and was baptized
D. To bear the name Christian it means to be all in with God
a. God will not accept anything less
E. He even spoke to Israel about their Sacrifice wasn’t worthy a lesson that shows we need to all in with God (Malachi 1:7-8)
a. God spoke to Israel to give the best and it is required of us also
Conclusion:
A. Are we all in with our faith?
a. Our Service
b. All in with God
B. The plan of salvation has been laid out for us
a. It requires us to be all in
b. Are we willing?
C. What better time than now to start!
D. Invitation
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
New, Better, Different
New, Better, Different
Romans 6:4
Introduction:
A. In order to follow the Bible, as we should, we run into a word and become a great obstacle to many.
1. The word is “change”.
a. Whether it is our human nature, the culture of our times, or just the thought patterns we have been taught, people don’t like to change.
2. One thing that it very clearly seen by observation is that if we just get out of our own way we can serve God as we should everyday of our life.
a. When we decide that we want something else; that is when we falter and fail.
b. We must take on the mindset presented in Galatians 2:20.
i. When we take on this way of thinking we will certainly desire God’s way and whatever changes are necessary.
3. Perhaps we are not quite there yet. We may need some more encouragement toward change and commitment.
B. In order to desire change we must be motivated to that desire.
1. This perhaps leads us to a place of questioning:
a. Why change and become a Christian?
b. What does Christ offer for all of the effort of change?
c. Why is His way better than mine?
C. These are honest questions.
1. Questions with straightforward answers.
a. Why change? If you don’t change you will die in your sins (John 8:24).
b. What does Christ offer? Everlasting life as opposed to everlasting punishment (John 4:14)
c. Why is His way better? You can’t find anyway out of death (Proverbs. 14:12) Christ provides the way to life (John14:6)
D. Perhaps we need a closer examination, we need to be inspired to change and that requires a little more work.
1. Let’s take a few moments to consider the fact that a life in Christ is New, Better, and Different.
I. New:
A. What a great feeling, when we get something new.
1. Perhaps a new home, car, appliance, anything new has a certain appeal.
a. Some thing new is not the same old thing it is new and we are excited to use whatever that new thing is.
2. One of the things that we have come to do in our country is to stop maintaining newness.
a. Do you know the difference between that new car that you are so proud to own and drive and a car that is just the same old car that we use to get from here to there?
i. The new becomes the old when we stop checking the oil at each fill-up; we stop visiting the car wash; we stop dusting the dash; we quit taking the time to apply a fresh coat of wax or polish; we start taking the new thing for granted and stop appreciating it for what it is.
3. So what does all this mean?
B. In Christ we are given a new life, what are you going to do with it?
1. Romans 6:1-4 Faithful obedience results in the newness of life.
a. Through the waters of baptism our old life is ended and then we rise and walk in the newness of life—free from our sins (Acts 2:38).
2. We have to set our minds on a continuous maintenance program in order to maintain our newness.
a. Consider Ephesians 4:17-5:5
i. We should no longer walk as the rest of the world walks (vs. 17).
ii. We should not give time or energy to the practice of sin (vs. 19)
iii. Put off the former conduct (vs. 22)
iv. Change your actions by first changing your thoughts (vs. 23)
v. Put on the new—righteousness and holiness (vs. 24)
vi. If you have sinned, sin no more, work at the good works (vs. 28)
vii. Watch yourself (vs. 29, 31, 3-4)
ix. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (vs. 30)
x. Be an imitator of God (5:1).
b. Colossians 3:1-15
i. If you became a Christian, seek the things of Christ (vs. 1-4).
ii. Put the old ways to death (vs. 5-9)
iii. Put on the new way—the new life (vs. 9-15).
iv. Be thankful (vs. 15).
3. Never take the forgiveness and salvation for granted maintain their newness every day (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
II. Better:
A. The life that Christ offers is better.
1. We usually desire change when we become dissatisfied with the frustrations of the old way.
a. Those in the world who never find true satisfaction and direction fail to have a good life.
2. Which of these verses sounds like a better life and hope?
a. Galatians 5:19-21 “Those who practice such things will not go to Heaven”
b. Galatians 5:22-25 “The fruit of the Spirit”
B. In Christ we are offered true fulfillment and the life that He offers is better.
1. He offers us purpose (Acts 17:24-27)
2. He offers us direction toward freedom (John 8:31-32)
3. He offers us a life of honesty, integrity, and wellbeing (Romans 12:16-21).
4. He offers us the comfort of knowing God cares (Romans 8:31-39; 1 Peter 5:7).
5. He offers us a relationship with both Himself and the Father (2 John 9).
III. Different:
A. In Christ we are offered true fulfillment and the life that He offers is better if we truly commit.
1. This is usually the greatest weakness in our approach.
a. We want to have a good life; we desire to be made new; but the real challenge is the follow through.
b. The life that Christ offers is different and we must be willing to be different in order to have that life and receive its benefits.
B. Jesus Himself said that we cannot be happy when we are torn between two masters (Matthew 6:24).
1. Those who try to hold on to the world and God will loose, “you cannot serve God and mammon.”
2. We cannot grow the fruit of the Spirit while we are cultivating the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:24-25).
3. We cannot play games with God (1 John 2:15-17).
a. We are given a life that is better than what the world offers we will realize that fact when we fully commit to walking in that life.
Conclusion:
A. Out of all of God’s vast creation.
1. We stand out as the only part to whom God has offered the opportunity of forgiveness and salvation (1 Peter 1:10-12)
2. Are we going to rejoice in that fact and take the hope into our lives?
a. Or, are we going to treat that hope like just any other thing?
B. If you are a Christian you should be rejoicing in a new, better, and different life in Christ.
1. If you have not found that joy, perhaps you have never fully committed.
a. It is time to change. It is time to put away the world and its lusts, it is time to put away the sins and it is time to fully commit to God’s divine will.
C. If you are not a Christian, you are given a wonderful opportunity, right now.
1. You can have a new, better, and different, life… right now.
Romans 6:4
Introduction:
A. In order to follow the Bible, as we should, we run into a word and become a great obstacle to many.
1. The word is “change”.
a. Whether it is our human nature, the culture of our times, or just the thought patterns we have been taught, people don’t like to change.
2. One thing that it very clearly seen by observation is that if we just get out of our own way we can serve God as we should everyday of our life.
a. When we decide that we want something else; that is when we falter and fail.
b. We must take on the mindset presented in Galatians 2:20.
i. When we take on this way of thinking we will certainly desire God’s way and whatever changes are necessary.
3. Perhaps we are not quite there yet. We may need some more encouragement toward change and commitment.
B. In order to desire change we must be motivated to that desire.
1. This perhaps leads us to a place of questioning:
a. Why change and become a Christian?
b. What does Christ offer for all of the effort of change?
c. Why is His way better than mine?
C. These are honest questions.
1. Questions with straightforward answers.
a. Why change? If you don’t change you will die in your sins (John 8:24).
b. What does Christ offer? Everlasting life as opposed to everlasting punishment (John 4:14)
c. Why is His way better? You can’t find anyway out of death (Proverbs. 14:12) Christ provides the way to life (John14:6)
D. Perhaps we need a closer examination, we need to be inspired to change and that requires a little more work.
1. Let’s take a few moments to consider the fact that a life in Christ is New, Better, and Different.
I. New:
A. What a great feeling, when we get something new.
1. Perhaps a new home, car, appliance, anything new has a certain appeal.
a. Some thing new is not the same old thing it is new and we are excited to use whatever that new thing is.
2. One of the things that we have come to do in our country is to stop maintaining newness.
a. Do you know the difference between that new car that you are so proud to own and drive and a car that is just the same old car that we use to get from here to there?
i. The new becomes the old when we stop checking the oil at each fill-up; we stop visiting the car wash; we stop dusting the dash; we quit taking the time to apply a fresh coat of wax or polish; we start taking the new thing for granted and stop appreciating it for what it is.
3. So what does all this mean?
B. In Christ we are given a new life, what are you going to do with it?
1. Romans 6:1-4 Faithful obedience results in the newness of life.
a. Through the waters of baptism our old life is ended and then we rise and walk in the newness of life—free from our sins (Acts 2:38).
2. We have to set our minds on a continuous maintenance program in order to maintain our newness.
a. Consider Ephesians 4:17-5:5
i. We should no longer walk as the rest of the world walks (vs. 17).
ii. We should not give time or energy to the practice of sin (vs. 19)
iii. Put off the former conduct (vs. 22)
iv. Change your actions by first changing your thoughts (vs. 23)
v. Put on the new—righteousness and holiness (vs. 24)
vi. If you have sinned, sin no more, work at the good works (vs. 28)
vii. Watch yourself (vs. 29, 31, 3-4)
ix. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (vs. 30)
x. Be an imitator of God (5:1).
b. Colossians 3:1-15
i. If you became a Christian, seek the things of Christ (vs. 1-4).
ii. Put the old ways to death (vs. 5-9)
iii. Put on the new way—the new life (vs. 9-15).
iv. Be thankful (vs. 15).
3. Never take the forgiveness and salvation for granted maintain their newness every day (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
II. Better:
A. The life that Christ offers is better.
1. We usually desire change when we become dissatisfied with the frustrations of the old way.
a. Those in the world who never find true satisfaction and direction fail to have a good life.
2. Which of these verses sounds like a better life and hope?
a. Galatians 5:19-21 “Those who practice such things will not go to Heaven”
b. Galatians 5:22-25 “The fruit of the Spirit”
B. In Christ we are offered true fulfillment and the life that He offers is better.
1. He offers us purpose (Acts 17:24-27)
2. He offers us direction toward freedom (John 8:31-32)
3. He offers us a life of honesty, integrity, and wellbeing (Romans 12:16-21).
4. He offers us the comfort of knowing God cares (Romans 8:31-39; 1 Peter 5:7).
5. He offers us a relationship with both Himself and the Father (2 John 9).
III. Different:
A. In Christ we are offered true fulfillment and the life that He offers is better if we truly commit.
1. This is usually the greatest weakness in our approach.
a. We want to have a good life; we desire to be made new; but the real challenge is the follow through.
b. The life that Christ offers is different and we must be willing to be different in order to have that life and receive its benefits.
B. Jesus Himself said that we cannot be happy when we are torn between two masters (Matthew 6:24).
1. Those who try to hold on to the world and God will loose, “you cannot serve God and mammon.”
2. We cannot grow the fruit of the Spirit while we are cultivating the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:24-25).
3. We cannot play games with God (1 John 2:15-17).
a. We are given a life that is better than what the world offers we will realize that fact when we fully commit to walking in that life.
Conclusion:
A. Out of all of God’s vast creation.
1. We stand out as the only part to whom God has offered the opportunity of forgiveness and salvation (1 Peter 1:10-12)
2. Are we going to rejoice in that fact and take the hope into our lives?
a. Or, are we going to treat that hope like just any other thing?
B. If you are a Christian you should be rejoicing in a new, better, and different life in Christ.
1. If you have not found that joy, perhaps you have never fully committed.
a. It is time to change. It is time to put away the world and its lusts, it is time to put away the sins and it is time to fully commit to God’s divine will.
C. If you are not a Christian, you are given a wonderful opportunity, right now.
1. You can have a new, better, and different, life… right now.
Why Do Bad Things Happen
Why Do Bad Things Happen?
1 Thess. 5:17
Introduction:
A. How often is your life visited with a bad day or bad news?
1. How often do we suffer in this world?
B. One specific area that I know visits every family at one time or another is sickness.
1. Yes, ailments come and sometimes they bring an end to a loved one’s life.
a. Some find themselves asking if it was God’s will that this individual would stay sick or even die.
C. Many of us whether we fully admit it or not fall prey to the mindset that says, “What have I done to deserve this?”
1. We immediately turn to God with questions as to “Why?” or “What have I done?”
D. This evening we need to look deeper into this reality to see if God has given us any indications in His word to help us understand.
1. Things we consider to be bad things especially when they happen to “love ones”
2. Let’s take the time tonight to look at ending some of the improper assumptions.
I. We Do Not Suffer Because of Some Hidden Sin.
A. It is remarkable, just how many people think that illness is punishment for wrong-doing.
1. This is what Job’s “friends” thought.
2. They witnessed what he was going through and assumed it was because of sin in his life.
a. Eliphaz (Job 4:8,9)
b. Bildad (Job 8:6)
c. Zophar (Job 11:5,6)
B. I know that this thought is still common.
1. I hope that no one here thinks this way.
a. I was told that my Dad’s great-grandmother died of cancer.
i. His grand-mother would not tell anyone that fact. She was ashamed and embarrassed, afraid her mother had committed some horrible sin that caused the cancer.
C. Job’s friends were wrong and my great-grandmother was wrong.
1. Consider what God had to say concerning Job (Job 1:22; 2:10 “in all this Job did not sin”)
a. God states that Job’s friends had not spoken right (Job 42:7-9)
D. Sometimes sinful choices cause illness (STD’s; IV drug users) it is not punishment for the sin as it is merely the results of their actions.
1. If it were punishment for sin no innocent people would have AIDS today.
a. Sin is not punished by physical disease—the wages of sin is death (separation from God) Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23
II. We Do Not Suffer Because God Lacks The Power To Help.
A. For someone to come to this conclusion they must not know God at all.
1. Some, however, do come to this conclusion.
a. We know better, don’t we?
B. God is not limited by any mortal illness.
1. God was able to extend Hezekiah’s life (Isa. 38:1-5).
2. Jesus Christ worked great wonders and healings.
a. Mark 1:38-42 Healed a leper
b. Mark 5:25-34 Healed an long-term illness
c. John 11:39-45 He raised Lazarus from the dead.
C. God created us (Acts 17:26) and His power is limitless within His will.
1. People are just looking for someone to blame.
III. We Do Not Suffer Because God Just Doesn’t Care.
A. Again, to come to this conclusion one must not know God at all.
1. We are commended to cast every care on God because in fact He does care for us” (1 Peter 5:7)
a. We must trust in and rely on God (Matthew 6:25-33; Hebrews 11:6).
B. The Bible makes us aware of the fact that Jesus was the full expression of the His Father (Col 2:9; John 14:8-9).
1. He acted in the same manner as the Father would.
a. And we know that Jesus was moved by compassion.
i. Matthew 9:36, 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; John 11:35
Conclusion:
A. Ailments are simply part of mortality.
1. We must understand, however, that we are human and the fact is that we will know illness and death.
a. Both are part of being in this mortal body.
B. Is it God’s will that any one would become sick or die?
1. In a manner of speaking, I suppose. God created us with mortal flesh; sickness and death are ways of life as we know it.
2. We need to be reminded that we are not here forever.
C. There is an even more important illness that we all need to take care of.
1. We have an immortal soul housed in this flesh that needs to be freed from the bondage of sin.
a. Invitation.
1 Thess. 5:17
Introduction:
A. How often is your life visited with a bad day or bad news?
1. How often do we suffer in this world?
B. One specific area that I know visits every family at one time or another is sickness.
1. Yes, ailments come and sometimes they bring an end to a loved one’s life.
a. Some find themselves asking if it was God’s will that this individual would stay sick or even die.
C. Many of us whether we fully admit it or not fall prey to the mindset that says, “What have I done to deserve this?”
1. We immediately turn to God with questions as to “Why?” or “What have I done?”
D. This evening we need to look deeper into this reality to see if God has given us any indications in His word to help us understand.
1. Things we consider to be bad things especially when they happen to “love ones”
2. Let’s take the time tonight to look at ending some of the improper assumptions.
I. We Do Not Suffer Because of Some Hidden Sin.
A. It is remarkable, just how many people think that illness is punishment for wrong-doing.
1. This is what Job’s “friends” thought.
2. They witnessed what he was going through and assumed it was because of sin in his life.
a. Eliphaz (Job 4:8,9)
b. Bildad (Job 8:6)
c. Zophar (Job 11:5,6)
B. I know that this thought is still common.
1. I hope that no one here thinks this way.
a. I was told that my Dad’s great-grandmother died of cancer.
i. His grand-mother would not tell anyone that fact. She was ashamed and embarrassed, afraid her mother had committed some horrible sin that caused the cancer.
C. Job’s friends were wrong and my great-grandmother was wrong.
1. Consider what God had to say concerning Job (Job 1:22; 2:10 “in all this Job did not sin”)
a. God states that Job’s friends had not spoken right (Job 42:7-9)
D. Sometimes sinful choices cause illness (STD’s; IV drug users) it is not punishment for the sin as it is merely the results of their actions.
1. If it were punishment for sin no innocent people would have AIDS today.
a. Sin is not punished by physical disease—the wages of sin is death (separation from God) Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23
II. We Do Not Suffer Because God Lacks The Power To Help.
A. For someone to come to this conclusion they must not know God at all.
1. Some, however, do come to this conclusion.
a. We know better, don’t we?
B. God is not limited by any mortal illness.
1. God was able to extend Hezekiah’s life (Isa. 38:1-5).
2. Jesus Christ worked great wonders and healings.
a. Mark 1:38-42 Healed a leper
b. Mark 5:25-34 Healed an long-term illness
c. John 11:39-45 He raised Lazarus from the dead.
C. God created us (Acts 17:26) and His power is limitless within His will.
1. People are just looking for someone to blame.
III. We Do Not Suffer Because God Just Doesn’t Care.
A. Again, to come to this conclusion one must not know God at all.
1. We are commended to cast every care on God because in fact He does care for us” (1 Peter 5:7)
a. We must trust in and rely on God (Matthew 6:25-33; Hebrews 11:6).
B. The Bible makes us aware of the fact that Jesus was the full expression of the His Father (Col 2:9; John 14:8-9).
1. He acted in the same manner as the Father would.
a. And we know that Jesus was moved by compassion.
i. Matthew 9:36, 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; John 11:35
Conclusion:
A. Ailments are simply part of mortality.
1. We must understand, however, that we are human and the fact is that we will know illness and death.
a. Both are part of being in this mortal body.
B. Is it God’s will that any one would become sick or die?
1. In a manner of speaking, I suppose. God created us with mortal flesh; sickness and death are ways of life as we know it.
2. We need to be reminded that we are not here forever.
C. There is an even more important illness that we all need to take care of.
1. We have an immortal soul housed in this flesh that needs to be freed from the bondage of sin.
a. Invitation.
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