Choice Morsels From the Word

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). "If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed"(John 8:36). Romans 5:18 tells us .... "by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Romans 6:22 tells us, we were made free from sin, after our salvation.

Just what does it mean to be free? Many people today want to be free and by that they mean; I want to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and I don't care about anyone else. But is that true freedom? No, because they are actually in bondage to their own selfish, sinful flesh.

True freedom, Biblical freedom is to be set at liberty from the dominion of sin, it means to be delivered. Many today would truly like to quit a bad habit (sin) or to overcome their anger or impatience or lust, but they have no power to do so because they are in their sins..

In John 8:36 quoted above, the verb free is in the past tense, indicating Christ made us free on the cross when he paid for our sins. Secondly, it is in the active voice indicating that it is not in us to make ourselves free, but is and was done by Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus is doing the action of setting free. The mood of the verb is subjunctive, indicating that it is only a possibility or potential, depending upon circumstance. You might say then, well I might not be free then for it depends on what I do, or if I fulfill all my obligations. No, the possibility of freedom depends wholly upon Jesus Christ, however, we must accept as a free gift, what He has done for us. So those who refuse Jesus Christ, are literally putting themselves in the position that they cannot be free from their bondage. The potential of true freedom is found in salvation of Jesus Christ. The potential is there for ALL mankind. It becomes a reality for those who believe in Jesus and accept Him as Savior.

Are you truly free, or are you still tied to your bondage of sin?

While preparing a communion service in 1707, Isaac Watts wrote the hymn, "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross." It is an expression of thanks and love for what the Lord Jesus did for us on the cross of Calvary. The last stanza of this great hymn goes like this:

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small: Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

In most of Paul's books or letters he begins with doctrinal teachings and ends with practical advice. The book of Romans is no different. Paul has basically, in the first 11 chapters, written concerning doctrine - what we are and have in Christ, and what we were before Christ. He also speaks concerning God's chosen people, that God has not forgot them (chapters 9-11). Now, because of the truth of the first eleven chapters, Paul says: give yourselves completely to the Lord and serve Him and Him only. He demands our all, and we should be glad to give our all.

Paul tells us. "I beseech you therefore ...." Paul begs us, instructs us, admonishes us, because of all that God, through our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us (therefore) give our bodies and our minds completely over unto Him who did so much for us. The earlier chapter of the book tells us that God chose us and called us to Himself. For those who have come unto Christ for salvation, He has forgiven, redeemed, adopted, reconciled, sanctified, justified, and glorified, only to mention a few of God's work for us. "Therefore" by God's mercies, present.... The word present has the idea of placing oneself at another's disposal. God desires us, not because we are so good, or lovely, or worthy, or useful, but only because of His mercy, love, and compassion (Deut. 9:4-6).

The word body means, that which casts a shadow. Some translations use the word yourselves, but I believe it means simply body. This hunk of flesh, nerves, muscle and blood, with all its organs and bones, God says ".... present" it to me. I want your body weak as it may be, as sick and stinky as it may be, as beautiful or ugly as it may be, I want you to give it wholly unto me. In II Cor. 6: 16 we are told".... ye are the temple of the living God ...." "What?" know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own" (I Cor. 6:19)?

The Lord Jesus made us, and bought us. He wants our bodies to indwell and to fill. The Old Testament speaks of sacrifices the nation of Israel was to bring to the Lord, and kill them in the tabernacle, and later in the temple, but we are to give a living sacrifice.

Because of the manifold grace of God and all He has done for us (Rm. 1-11) and because of God's mercies toward us (not giving to us what we rightly deserve because we are sinners) Paul continues in verse two to beseech us to not conform to this world by being ''transformed by the renewing of our mind."

Do not fashion your lives after the things of this world (age). Too many Christians give their minds (thoughts, feelings, purpose, and desires) over to the things of this age we live in, its philosophies, standards, and patterns of the time. It has been said, "If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck - it's probably a duck" Now if we look like the world are we Christians or unbelievers? Do not fashion yourself like unto the unbelieving age in which we live.

The world in which we live is an instrument of Satan, with its ungodly influence, the prideful spirit of rebellion, lies, error, and anything in which promotes self. We live in an age in which seeks to exalt self as the most important goal with its religions seeing to soothe man's conscience, and to teach self that God is a God only of love and therefore we can do whatever we desire and we do not have fear that God will judge us.

A picture of the world is found in Luke chapter 10, in the parable of the good Samaritan in (vss. 30-37). We see three attitudes. The thieves: "What is mine is mine, and what is yours is mine, if I can get it, and What do I get out of it." The religious priest and Levites: What is mine is mine and I am going to keep it and not endanger it by doing for another." The Good Samaritan: What is mine is God's and it is yours as you need it." Which category would you or I fit into? Someone said that the picture of the world is seen in two children playing, sooner or later, one of the children is going to want what the other one has. Why do we spend so much of life becoming like the world or this age, when soon it will all be history? Someone wrote it this way:

I counted dollars, while Christ counted crosses. I counted gains, while He counted losses.
I counted my worth, by things kept in store He sized me up by the scars that I bore;
I counted honors and sought for degrees
He wept as He counted the time on my knees. And I never knew till one day at a grave,
How vain are those things we spend life to save.
Author unknown

What have you done this past week that you would not have done if you were not a Christian? Don't count coming to church. Have you done something probably only a Christian would do? You may say, well I have prayed and read my Bible. Well, certainly not many non-Christians would read their Bible but quite a few may pray. Of course their prayers, since they are not saved have no place to go. But what else have you done?

We have been considering Romans 12 and today we are looking at spiritual gifts. I believe every Christian has been given a spiritual gift. A special spiritual ability to serve the Lord in a particular area. An ability which reaches out to the body of Christ, and to the unbelieving world as well.

The problem many Christians have is that they believe to do something for God, it has to be in a church service. That certainly is very far from the truth. The Christian life is to be lived 24 hours a day seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year. Only a few hours a week are spent at church, what about the other hours?

You know some parts of my body I only have one of. For instance, I only have one heart, one stomach, one brain, but others parts of my body I have several, the fingers, toes, and many blood vessels- 60,000 miles worth! So some of the spiritual gifts God gives to the church may be fewer than others, such as teaching compared to the gift of helps. In the body of Christ, the gift of helps; that special spiritual ability to see a need reaching out to help in that need, is probably needed much more regularly and in a larger scale than the gift of teaching, so is given by the Holy Spirit to more people.

Friends, I do not know what your spiritual gift may be, but I do know that if you, are a believer, the Holy Spirit has given you a gift, and He expects you to serve Him in the use of it. What are you doing for Him? What have you done this past week you probably would not have done if you were not a Christian?

Is it not a marvelous thing how our body (if healthy) works together? Our bodies function properly if each member correctly communicates with the others. Our brain of course sends the signals to each part of our body so that we can function properly. When we are eating, our brain instructs the hand to grip the fork and move the food to our mouths, but it also must signal the mouth to open, to close, to chew and swallow the food. This sounds simple, but I knew a lady in Florida with dementia, and she did not know to lift the food to her mouth, or if she did, she did not know to chew and swallow. There was a breakdown somewhere in the usual path of signals between the brain and the body.

Why am I saying all this? Because this very often happens in the body of Christ. We know Scripture tells us that He is our head (Col.1: 18). If every Christian is receiving and obeying the instructions from our head (Christ) we are going to function well and please Him who saved us.

How are we doing? Do we have spiritual dementia? Are we each doing our part in the body of Christ? Remember, if I am not fulfilling my place, using my gift as a member of the body, I am hurting and hindering you in fulfilling your role in body of Christ. The Church CANNOT function properly Gust as a physical body cannot) if each member is not doing his or her part.

Am I hurting or hindering you? Are you hurting or hindering me, or another member? Each one of us desires that our physical bodies work well. We desire healthy bodies. Is it, or should it be any different with the Body of Christ? Are we all fulfilling our part, our gift, in the body? Remember: "... we are members one of another ...." and Christ is our head.

Name and meditate identifying the 25 characteristics of a Christian in these verses. 1.
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The first seven verses of Romans 15 gives us (Christians) seven responsibilities. In our world today, people are seeking their rights and privileges, but they do not want to be reminded of their responsibilities. Let's just look at what Paul or the Lord tells us as to what our responsibilities are, both toward man and God.

Verse one tells us we are to have regard for others before ourselves. The word ought is a financial term. As it speaks of being in debt. In other words, I have a debt to pay to others. I am in debt to help them. Philippians 2:4 tells us to "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Paul then tells us how Jesus came and put man first rather than himself (Phil. 2:5-8). Paul tells us also in Romans 1:14: "I am a debtor, both to the Greeks and the Barbarians; both to the wise and unwise" Friends, we are responsible to regard others in their needs. We have a responsibility; we are debtors to help others.

Verse two tells us we are to have a disregard for self. This is difficult, is it not? We are not wired this way, we want to put our self-first but God says no. What if Jesus had refused to put others (mankind) first? We would never have been able to be saved, as Jesus would not have come to earth and would not have given His life for us on the cross. Jesus said "... I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me" (John 5:30). Disregard for self and pleasing the Father was the goal for Jesus. It is to be our goal as well.

Third, we are to be conformed to Jesus Christ (vs. 3). Romans 8:29 tells us that it is God’s will that we be".... conformed to image of his Son ...." We are to be living as Christ. We are to be a Christian in our actions our attitude, our love, our kindness, our service. It is not God's will to make us conformed to his Son when we get to heaven, but it is God's will now. We are to be conforming to the image of Jesus Christ now, and God is working in our lives to that end. (Rom. 8:28).

Fourth, we see we are responsible to submit to Scripture (vs. 4). The Bible is written for our learning. All of it! The law was given that we may see our need of a Saviour (Galatians 3:21-25). It is given to give us an example on how to live (I Cor. 10:1-13). It is written that we might learn patience and have the comfort in hope, but we are responsible to yield ourselves to it.

Fifth, we are responsible to depend upon God (vs. 5). God will encourage us to be likeminded one toward another, but we must depend upon Him, for it does not come naturally, we must read the instructions found in God's word. In Philippians two we are told "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (vs. 5). Do we depend on our own strength or the Lord's to live for Him?

Sixth, it is all for God's glory. The ultimate purpose in life is to glorify God. In all of life, is He honored, is He lifted up, is He praised? We are responsible to do so in all of life not just on Sunday, but we have a 24/7 responsibility.

Last, seventh, we have responsibility to receive one another as Jesus Christ received us (vs. 7). The Christian life is one of great blessing, but one of great responsibility as well.

Paul the apostle was one of the great missionaries, faithful, vigilant, ever serving, a zealous man of God who lived in the early church age, and of course the human author of quite a few of the books of the New Testament. Paul, it seems, was a one man dynamo, constantly travelling, preaching the Gospel, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul saw the beginning of local churches throughout the Roman empire. He was sought after, admired by other believers (hated by the world) and loved by many. Yet Paul, as great and godly of a man that he was, did not try to go it alone. In chapter 16 of Romans, Paul speaks highly and in appreciation and thanksgiving for 34 other individuals as well as groups of people. Each individual was looked upon as equal to himself.

What I want us to note in this chapter, and to be encouraged by, is that we need not feel or believe that we have nothing to offer as children and servants of the Lord. Far too many people believe that because they cannot preach as another, or teach, or serve in any great way, they are not important, or cannot even serve at all. Many, if not most of those dear saints Paul gives thanks for in this chapter were basically just common everyday people, with no particular education, or expertise as far as spiritual things. Yet the Lord greatly used them and Paul recognized them, as great servants unto the Church and the Lord. He knew he could not do the work of the Lord alone.

Whatever I may have accomplished in my life for the Lord, I have not done on my own. First of course, I have the Holy Spirit within me who enables, strengthens, and guides. God has also given me a wonderful help meet, who also encourages, and is my strength to help me on the way. "Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (Prov. 27:17).

Is it not interesting, that the first person mentioned by Paul is a woman? Many people believe Paul was a woman hater because of his writings on the role of women and men. But quite the opposite, he had a very appreciative heart concerning those women with whom he served. Jesus himself had a group of women who travelled with Him some, and ministered to Him and with Him, such as Mary Magdalene, Johanna, Mary and others. In the early church, women cared for the poor, the sick, visited prison houses, discipled other women and children. Phebe was a "scourer of many” (vs. 2). The word scourer speaks of one who cares for the affairs of others, particularly in financial needs. Today we would use the word, philanthropist; a person who uses his/her money for charitable purposes.

Do not get discouraged, or feel you can do nothing. Sit down and ask yourself, What can I do, how can I be an encouragement to another, How can I make a difference?

Think About It:
You may be only one
but you are important
No one can take your place
No one can do for you
What God wants you to do

Noah was just one person, but God chose him to build an ark, (a huge undertaking) what if he would have said no? Esther was just a woman in a man's world, what could she do? Yet God chose her to save His chosen people. Only 12 men were chosen to evangelize the world, and they turned the world upside down. What if they would have gone back to their jobs?

For want of a little piece of foam insulation a shuttle was lost and seven people died. Do not underestimate the need of small things, and do not under estimate the influence of one individual. Perhaps just one person will stay faithful to the church because they are encouraged by your faithfulness, or one may drop out because of your lack of faithfulness. Zech 4:10 says: "For who hath despised the day of small things ....?" The truth being we walk and work by faith, seeing in this life only a small fraction of results. Gideon found success and did a great work with just 300 men. Jesus reached many through just one Samaritan woman. God used Phillip who was having great success in a city wide revival (Acts 8) but was directed to go down to the desert to reach one man.

The importance and reward of our work is not based on numbers, importance, recognition, or popularity. It is based on obedience and faithfulness.

I would like to consider just four words of our text verse: "... labourers together with God ...." John 15:5 tells us,"... without me ye can do nothing." Yet God himself, limits himself and gives much responsibility to man. God is the self-existing, all sufficient, supreme ruler, who sustains, saves, and upholds all things, yet he limits himself by giving man responsibility. God does not need us, for He is complete in himself, yet he desires to use us. What an awesome joy it is to think, God, Almighty God, desires to labour together with me! He wants me to be a part of His work. What an awesome privilege we have; and what responsibility.

Let's turn back to the beginning in Genesis one, verse 26. "And God said; let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let him have dominion over the fish of the sea ..." God needed and needs no help from man, He could do it all on His own, but from the beginning He desired to be labourer together with man. General Booth, founder of the Salvation Army said: "It takes two to grow a potato, God and man." God could grow my garden for me, and even harvest it, and cook it and he could have the angels feed it to me, but no, I have a responsibility. I enjoy raising, or growing a garden of vegetables. I till the ground, pull the weeds, plant the seed, care for it and I have from time to time irrigated it, I picked the vegetables, but God had to do the actual growing, I could not do that. We are labourers together.

Because of the evil of man (Gen. 6:5-7) God chose to destroy that which He created, yet he wanted to save those who were righteous. Could not God take care of it all? Yes, but He chose Noah to labour with Him and build an ark, and prepare it so as to save man and beast.

God chose to liberate the nation of Israel from their bondage in Egypt (Ex. 3:7-10) and He chose Moses to lead the people out of Egypt and into the promise land. God leads His people out of this world, but He also leads them into a far better land.

God chose to judge His people because of their wickedness (Habakkuk 1:1-17) and He chose a wicked Chaldean (Babylonian) king (Nebuchadnezzar) to do it.

God's people were in exile in Persia, and they were to be annihilated. God saved them through Queen Esther (Book of Esther).

In New Testament times, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection needed preached, a very important and huge responsibility. Surely this time He would send the sinless angels to do the job - but no He again gave the commission to man; to the Church (Mt. 28:19, 20).

So the question is this: What part of the labor are you doing for the Lord? Every Christian, every Christian has a responsibility. Are you doing or are you shirking?

In Numbers 14, the LORD said that Israel was an evil congregation because of their disobedience and murmuring against Him. The LORD therefore condemned all those older than 20 years of age to die in the wilderness, and they would never enter the promise land. Paul used this account to tell the Corinthians, and us, that we need to look at the nation of Israel as an example.

I want us to consider the awful sin of murmuring. Have we ever murmured? Yes, all of us have, and God hates it, for we are in murmuring against others, or circumstances, really murmuring against God (Ex. 16:8). There are several meanings of the word murmur. It means to dwell or to abide. Is this not what we do when we find fault or do not like what is taking place, or what has been done, or we have not received what we think we should have? We dwell on it, bringing it up, over and over, holding a grudge or loudly and continually complain we dwell on it instead of going on. It speaks of complaining, holding a grudge or to grumble, but it is dwelt on and continues. It is not stated and then forgotten, but it is a continual, daily, never-ending complaint.

How often we quarrel against God. We think our complaint is against people for what they have done or not done, but our complaint is a quarrel against God. The nation of Israel murmured against Moses, and thereby against God, and they sought other rulers or leaders that would do what they wanted (return to Egypt). The same thing takes place today in churches. People fumed complaints against their pastor or teacher, or someone else so they seek out another church that is more to their liking and does not step on their toes, but gives them all they want and makes no demands.

Just how much does God hate the sin of murmuring? In Numbers 16, Korab, along with 250 men of renown, princes of the people murmured against Moses, and therefore against God. Because of this, these men all died, being swallowed up by the earth itself (Nu. 16: 31-35). Even by his awful judgement, the people did not learn (Nu. 16:41) for they continued to murmur and blame Moses and God. God therefore sent a plague among them and 14,700 people died because of their murmuring (Nu. 16:46-50).

I wonder how much is suffered by Christians today because of our murmuring? How many blessings do we lose? How many hurts do we suffer and how much peace and joy are lost because of our murmuring against another and against God as well? By our murmuring are we saying that God is not treating us as He should? He is not being good to me as He ought, that I deserve better than this? We have no occasion to murmur against man or God, for we deserve nothing, it is all mercy and grace of God in whatever we receive. Yet it's so easy isn't it? May we be careful of the awful sin of murmuring.

Love. Just what do we mean when we use the word, love? For us who use the English word love, the word is all compassing. We love pizza, and we love our dog, we love our car, and hopefully our spouse, we love our children, and we love that song, or we love a book, or our favorite T.V. show. Hopefully our love of a car is not the same as our love for our spouse, and certainly not the same as our love for God. In the King James Version of the Bible there are seven different Greek words translated love (or charity, the same word as love) in the New Testament. The word love is found 281 times in our Bible, the word charity, the same Greek word is used 24 times.

In the Old Testament the most used Hebrew word for love is Ahab pronounced aw-hub used 195 times. As I understand this word, it comes from a word which basically means, I give. That certainly is an understanding of Biblical love; it is not of getting, but of giving. If you study out the Scripture which speaks of God's love, you will find that in the context it will speak of God's giving, or sacrifice (Jn. 3:16, 35; 10:17; 13:1 ; 17:24,26; 19:26; I Jn. 4:10; Rev. 1:5).

In the New Testament, the first use of the word love is Mt. 5:43. The word in the Greek is Aqapao, the verb form of the noun, agape; The word is commonly understood as love based on the decision of the will and not emotion or physical attraction. It is a love of the head and not the heart (or emotions). So when we are told to love our enemies we cannot give the excuse, "well I don't feel like it and it would be hypocritical to love them." No, we are to make the decision to love, even though we do not feel like it, and our heart may not be in it. This is God's love. Isn't it great to know God loves us, even though we are unloving and unlovable, wretched sinners?

Another Greek word translated love is the word, Philem., used first in Mt. 6:5. This love based in contrast with Agape, is a love based on emotions, feelings, affections. It's a love of the heart (Mt 10:37, Jn.11:3, 12:25). This is the word Peter used in John21:15-17. Is it not interesting, Peter had feelings of love for Jesus, but not a love of the will, so therefore it was not as strong as it could be, as it would be more likely to be based on circumstance or feelings?

The third Greek word is Thel'o, first translated love in Mark 12:38. This word speaks of desire, or to be fond of, take pleasure in, in fact Mk. 14:7 the word is translated ye will and in 14:12 wilt thou, speak of desire. I guess we would use this word and not agape in the sentence, "I would love (thel'o) some pizza."

Fourthly, the Greek word Philadelphia is translated five times, brotherly love, love of the brethren, and brotherly kindness. Fifth, the love of money in I Tim. 6:10 is a translation of the Greek word Philerquria, speaking of avarice or greed, it is from a word meaning covetousness and is only used once in the New Testament. The Sixth word used only once in Titus 2:4, love their children or in Greek, philoteknos, it speaks of a maternal love. Seventh, used in two verses, Acts 28:2, Titus 3:4, is the word kindness or philanthropia which speaks of a fondness and benevolence toward our fellow man? Lastly, the word charity is found 24 times, but each time it is the same word agape, translated love more than 200 times.

Other Scripture to consider: I Thess. 4:9, Philippians 2:2, I Cor. 14:1, I Peter 4:8, Colossians 3:14, Hebrews 10:24 II Corinthians 8:8
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I've been thinking lately that it seems there is a lack of just plain courtesy in our society. I know that in many ways I am strange, or as they say in the south, "he has a different turn." But I was taught that a man stood up when a woman came into the room or your presence, to never shake hands with a woman, unless she offered hers first, children were to keep silent when adults were talking, and to walk on the side of traffic when walking with a woman. Now I know that the word manners in our text is not necessarily speaking of those kinds of manners (the word means customs, morals, or character) but it does teach us, we need to be careful of the company we keep. For if we are not careful, our goodness will be marred by their corruptness. Is it not correct that if we put a gallon of pure water into a barrel of poison it will still be poison? But if we take a barrel of pure water and add a few drops of poison the whole becomes poison. The lesson we can learn is that just a little sin can corrupt and destroy a lifelong good testimony, but it takes a long time of right living to change a poor testimony.

Do we need to be careful? He who frequently is in the company of corrupt men will soon be as they are if he is not very careful. We must realize that this verse is not only warning us about our relationship with the unsaved, but also we need to be careful about our relationship with carnal Christians. Just because an individual names the name of Christ, does not mean we should fellowship with them if they are living in sin.

Is that person you spend time with, making you a better Christian?

"In a moment." If we look back over our lives, we can-probably think of things which may have changed our lives, in a moment. Many athletes have had their careers stop because of an injury which happened, in a moment. Car accidents have changed and ended lives in a moment. A surgeon's scalpel in a moment moved just a hair too far and brought death or disability in a moment. A moment's decision was made and careers have changed, lives have ended and sadness or happiness has come into lives. So many things happen in a moment which affects lives forever.

A more than 2,000 years ago, in a moment, Jesus Christ left all the glories of heaven and the presence of God the Father and took up residence in the womb of Mary for nine months. About 34 years later, Jesus was being crucified and in a moment of His choosing He gave up this life and commended his spirit back to God the Father (John 19:30, Luke 23:46), and was then buried in a borrowed tomb. Three days and three nights later, in a moment, life came back into the body of our Lord Jesus Christ and He arose from that tomb and from death into life which was no more capable of dying, victorious over Satan. Forty days later: (Acts 1:3) Jesus Christ ascended into heaven in a moment and was seated on the right hand of the Father in all authority and is now preparing a place for us (John 14:1-6).

Now we look at our text, for those who in a moment accepted Jesus Christ as their own Saviour from their sins, in a moment will be changed. If you are truly a believer, a Christian, there will never be a moment like this one. No moment will compare to this moment when we will be changed forever in the Lord's presence to be forever with Him in Heaven's bliss. All the thrills of everything else in life will be nothing if all put together, to this moment. "In a moment .... We shall be changed," --Forever! This will no doubt be the quickest moment we will ever experience. Paul says it will take place in the "... twinkling of an eye ...." The word twinkling means: a throw, or beat, or a moment of time, possibly we- could say in a wink of the eye. Someone has said it's the smallest measure of time, a nano second which is one billionth of a second. Whatever the measurement of time is, it will be very short. We will go from corruptible to incorruption, from mortal to immortality and death will be swallowed up in victory, never to die again (I Cor. 15:53, 55). All done in a moment.

Are we ready for that moment? It is not just enough to know we are saved, but are we also abiding faithful, living day by day, and yes even moment by moment as He would have us do.

Chapter 16 of First Corinthians is very practical; a change from the previous chapter, Paul ends his letter with exhortations on giving, service, and faithfulness in the things of God.

In our two key verses, Paul gives us some instruction as to our living the Christian life and our faithful service. Paul gives five commands in these two short verses. They were to watch, stand fast, be mature, increase in strength, and do it all with a loving heart. Let's look at each command a little closer.

First Paul says, "watch ye." This speaks of giving strict attention to, to be alert, to be vigilant. As this is used in the New Testament, it most often refers to the Christian's awareness of his spiritual welfare. Far too many believers are not careful and are not watchful, and are slowly drawn into the ways of the world and they do not even realize it. Just a little reading or church attendance, and they fall away. Several verses in the New Testament gives guidance as to what we need to watch. We need to watch against Satan (I Peter 5:8, 9). We must be alert against temptation (Mark 14:38). We must watch for coldness and deadness in our lives, to insensitivity to spiritual things (Rev. 3:1-3, 14-17). We need to be watchful concerning false doctrine and false teaching (II Peter. 2: 1-3, II Tim. 4:3-5). We need to be watchful in prayer (Eph. 6:18) and also we need to be watchful concerning the Lord's return (II Pet. 3:10-12, Matt. 24:42, I Thess. 4:13-18, Rev. 22:7, 12, 20).

Second, we are to stand fast, to stand firm, to persevere in the faith, do not corrupt it, nor water it down, or desert it. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (I Jn. 5:4). We are to stand true to the doctrine of God's holy word, not watering it down as so many are doing. Human thinking, human wisdom, coupled with human sin, twists and denies the Word of God and man is led astray. We must stand fast upon thus saith the Lord.

Third we are to: "quit you like men." Now just what does this mean? It literally means, to show yourself a man, to grow up, to mature, and to act as an adult and not as a little child. How many times do we act like a little child, wanting our own way and pouting when we do not get it, being quick to anger and revenge, looking out only for self and forgetting about others. We need to grow up in grace (II Pet. 3:18) in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23) in love (I Cor. 13, Eph. 4:15). How do we mature, grow up? By the Word of God (I Pet. 2:2, II Tim. 3:16, 17).

Fourth, be strong, increase in strength (spiritual). God actually is the one who strengthens us as we yield ourselves to Him in prayer, the Word, and His will. Last of all, be loving, without this all the rest would be of no benefit. We must seek to strive to love God and one another (I Pet. 4:8, I Jn. 4:7, 19).

The previous three verses (14-16) gives us a list of opposites; righteousness-unrighteousness, light-darkness, Christ-Belial, believer-infidel, temple of God-idols. Verse 17 then tells us, for which cause (wherefore) or, on account of these things -be separate.

Why does God call us to separation? This is something our flesh rebels against, we want to be part of the crowd, and we do not want to stand out as being different. But the Lord says not so, be separate, be different. One reason we are to be different is that we are different, we have been made a new creature (II Cor. 5:17). We now as believers, have a new nature. God now dwells in us, we walk in newness of life, we are His people, and He is our God. "Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing ...." (Isaiah 52:1 la). The nation of Israel found themselves in trouble over and over again when they compromised on God's law of separation, which led to disobedience, and ultimately to judgment. As we separate our self from the unclean things, God blesses (17c, 18).

The word separate speaks of setting boundaries in our lives, it is to limit ourselves: There are things we will not do, places we will not go, people we will not associate with, or activities in which we will not be involved.

It is so great an honor to be called sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty (18). How ungrateful we are when we fail or refuse to please Him by not separating ourselves from those things from which He has called us out. During flu season we are constantly reminded to avoid places and people if at all possible which may have the flu or flu like symptoms. We are told to wash our hands frequently, and to cover our coughs and sneezes, so as to protect others. Must we not also do the same thing spiritually? If we strive to protect our self from physical disease or sicknesses, does it not make sense to as well to protect our self from that which is far worse- that which would harm our eternal souls? We must be careful not to defile our self with sin.

God says He will be a Father unto us. Stop and think about that wonderful promise, and for all it includes. A good earthly father will seek to provide for his children, to protect them from danger and from evil, and from that which would hurt or bring destruction into their lives. He is going to love them and do only that which is best for them (even discipline and correction). He is going to guide them into the future and prepare them for it. He will pity them, sympathize with them, and support them in trials and temptations. He will seek to communicate to them his wisdom and knowledge so that they may grow thereby. Will not our Heavenly Father do these things, and so much more? We must then seek to please Him by separating ourselves from that which is not consistent with a life of a believer.

Many of us, if we were asked: "So you believe the Bible? Do you believe it is the Word of God?" Would say yes. However, do we really take it to heart? I mean do we really make it a part of our lives, actions, thoughts, and our basis for decisions? Many, if honest, would have to say no.

For the last three months I have been going through some physical challenges, and the doctors have not been able to diagnose my problems. I myself am doing great, but my body seems to be wearing out. After being poked, pricked, and examined from stem too stem, the doctors still have not given me an answer. During this time, I have prayed, "Lord whatever you want in my life, whatever will give you the honor and glory, whatever will be a witness to others, that's what I want."

One night while I was awake and thinking and praying, I was rebuked. The thought came into my mind (I am sure by the Holy Spirit) that I did not really mean my prayer. The day before I had several tests and they did not show anything. I had been praying that they would, and so I admit, I was disappointed? When the Lord rebuked me, it was like he said, "Why are you disappointed, didn't you pray that you wanted what my desire is for you? So why are you disappointed? Since nothing showed up on the test, must not that be my desire for you? Why are you not accepting what took place? Why do you not believe my Word?" Boy I tell you, I had to do some confessing, for I do believe in God's Word and I do want his will, but I needed to be shown, it may not be as I think it should be. He may not remove my thorns (II Cor. 12:7, 8).

What about you? I am sure you believe God's Word, and want his will, but when it comes right down to it, we become frustrated, disappointed, or sometimes even angry when things do not go our way. Shame on us! I read somewhere recently of a man who said, "If God told me to jump through a brick wall, it would be my responsibility to jump; it would be His responsibility to get me through the wall."

May we all commit ourselves anew to Him to perform His will in us, and then accept it joyously when He does so!

What a verse, what truths and encouragements are found in this verse. This verse tells us that those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior are no longer living in the old self, the flesh, the old nature, but are living in Christ. The old self has been crucified. "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Rom. 6:6). Romans 6:4 says: "... like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

The true Christian life is not so much me living for Christ, but Christ living through me, the fullness of God lives in me. I am "... partaker of the divine nature ...." (II Peter 1:4). The life I received by faith, I must also live by faith.

The life I now live is not under the law or obedience to the law but faith in Christ's finished work. I do not earn his mercy, grace or love, but it is given to me by a great and merciful God. Christ has finished the work, it is my responsibility to believe, and to live my life by faith in what He has done and continues to do through me.

We must realize that it is not the greatness of our faith that empowers us, but it is a faith, no matter how weak, placed in a great God. "God is not a man, that be should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good" (Numbers 23: 19)? Why do we work and strive so hard in our own strength when our Lord wants us to simply trust in Him and allow Him to work through us?

Perhaps the hymn “My Faith Looks Up to Thee" says it best.

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire;
As Thou hast died for me,
0 may my love to Thee
Pure, warm and changeless be,
A living fire!

Freedom and liberty, two things which we hold close to our lives, but also two things in which we see eroding away in our nation as we exchange peace and safety, comfort and political correctness, for our freedoms.

Liberty and freedom however, can be enjoyed in Jesus Christ, no matter what type of government we live under. True freedom is found only in Jesus Christ, for what really enslaves us, are not our circumstances, but our sinful heart; a sinful heart in bondage to Satan, and our own sin nature. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you" (Rom. 6:16, 17).

As Scripture teaches us, no one can take away our riches as Christians for we are "... heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ ...." (Rom. 8:17). We cannot lose our freedom for "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (Jn. 8:36). No one can take our home for Jesus is gone to prepare our home and will come and get us and take us there someday (Jn. 14:1-6). But what of our life? Ah, even that cannot be taken for"... your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3b). Oh, to be sure this body may be killed, but no man can harm the soul, our true life in Him.

So we see, as we lose freedoms as Americans, true freedom and liberty are found only in Jesus Christ. I am thankful to be an American. I am thankful for the freedoms I enjoy. I am thankful for those who fought and those who died so I might enjoy these things. But all this pales in my thankfulness to God for sending His son to die for me that as a believer in Him, I enjoy true freedom and a liberty which man, nor Satan himself can take away.

Do you ever get weary? Of course, we all do. We have so many things to do and places to go, we get tired, weary and just really worn out. But in doing well, we must, even in weariness, continue. How do we keep on keeping on? How do we remain faithful to our Lord in well doing and not quit when we find ourselves weary?

The problem seems to me, that in our fast paced society, we simply do not take time to rest. I know a pastor who one time stated that he was not going to take vacations because Satan never does. Well for one thing, we need to be very careful in taking Satan for an example for our lives. Secondly, we read several times in the Gospels that Jesus and His disciples took time for rest. Did not God in the Old Testament law, and even before, make a day of rest? The busiest person must take time to rest, both short term, a few hours or days and also the long term a week or more. We have to take time to put things aside.

Many people go to stress counseling because they are so busy and stressed out they're about ready to explode. But I can tell you what to do in those situations without spending a bundle of money; learn to put the cause of stress aside. Anything can cause stress if we do not take a break, a rest, or maybe a vacation.

If we fail to rest, to come apart from that which causes stress- we will come apart! When that happens, we cannot do the work of well doing.

Years ago, before the invention of the compound bow, hunters and soldiers used long bows, or recurve bows. After each day, or each use, the bow had to be unstrung, if not, it would become useless and lose its power. So also if we fail to unbend our minds with rest, we too will be rendered useless, and become weary in well doing and very possible quit altogether. George Mueller, a faithful man of God said, "The stops of a good man are ordered by the Lord, as well as his steps."

Our text tells us not to be weary, that does not mean we do not become tired. But if we fail to rest to strengthen ourselves, then we do become weary, and in the end we quit and fail to reap of our good works. Don't become weary, make sure you get your rest, spiritual, mental and physical, then and only then can we be faithful in well doing till God calls us home.

What a blessing it is to be a Christian. What a burden is removed when we can cast all our care upon Him (I Pet. 5:7). How great to know and what assurance and peace are experienced when we know the Lord is our shepherd (Psalm 23). We understand that He is only the believer's shepherd, not the worlds.

Look at the above text,"... to do exceeding (beyond or more than) abundantly (out of what you have now) above (over) all we ask or think .... ," now does that not encourage you? What a blessing to be a Christian. He can, and does more than what we ask. God knows our wants and heart’s desire before we ask, and makes provision before we know it is needed. King Solomon asked for wisdom and understanding and God gave him exceeding, abundantly, above that which he asked.

Note also in our text, it is not through our power or our deserving it, but "according to the power that worketh in us": It is the Holy Spirit that carries on the work of grace in our hearts. This refers back to the first few words of the verse "unto him that is able." The word "able" is dunamai, which refers to having power of one’s own ability and resources. We have ability to do, but it is only by the help of God. God is able with the help of no other, he is sufficient in Himself. It should also be noted that his power is not limited by our lack of ability to think or know.

All of this is for His glory (vs. 21). So the question we need to ask ourselves, the things we ask of God (vs. 20) are they for the glory of God? This verse is a doxology. Our lives should be a doxology. Our lives should bring an excellence, magnificence, preeminence, and dignity to God.

As I stated in the beginning, what a blessing it is to be a Christian. Every burden and every care must be cast upon Him. May our Lord be praised, and our God receive all the glory!

Every day we awake, we need to stop and realize that we are a little closer to the day in which we will see our Lord, whether it is by the rapture or death.

Since all this is true, we need to take Ephesians 5:16 to heart, "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Also John 9:4 tells us, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." Fifty times in the New Testament we are exhorted to be ready, 318 references are made to his coming again. Out of 27 books, 23 refer to his coming; we certainly do need to redeem the time.

The world looks for something to happen, but we look for someone to come. People have set dates and tried to predict the return of the Lord, but one thing is certain, we are one day closer, and then we were yesterday.

Back to our verse, Ephesians 1:16, the word redeeming refers to making wise and sacred use of every opportunity to do good. Just as a merchant must be aware of the best time to buy and sell so that he may make a profit, so the believer needs to be aware of the times to lay up for self-treasure in heaven. Paul also tells us the days are evil. They are full of difficulties to keep us from service to our Lord so we better take the opportunity when it comes to serve.

It is interesting to note by this verse, those who are not believers cannot thank God for they cannot truly give thanks in Jesus Christ's name, for they are not in Him. But having said that, many are like the rich farmer in Luke 12 who had abundant crops, but instead of thanking God and giving him credit for his blessing he became proud and decided he could take his ease. The Lord, however said "... Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall these things be ...." (Luke 12:20). The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, be careful to thank him for all things.

In Luke 18 we read about the hypocritical, self-righteous Pharisee. "I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican" (Lk.18: 11) Although he was supposedly offering thanks, It was a sham, a pretense. Note in the first part of verse 11 Jesus said he"... prayed thus with himself ...." It was not thankfulness to God, but a calling attention to himself.

In Luke 17 however, we read of the one leper out of the 10 who were healed came back to Jesus and gave him thanks (Lk 17:16). His thankfulness was an expression of his trust in Jesus, realizing his healing was undeserved and it was entirely by the grace and mercy of God.

My friends' why is it we are more prone to ask, than to give thanks for his abundant blessings? Shakespeare (in King Lear) wrote, "Ingratitude, thou marble hearted fiend ....! how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless Child,"

We as Christians must certainly be a thankful people. Shame on us when we are not thankful, for we have no excuse not to be. What are you thankful for today?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was killed in a concentration camp during WW II, on Sunday, April 8, 1945, after holding a short service for the prisoners there. He was known for his emphasis of joy in the Christian life. He is to have said "God cannot enjoy that unfestive, mirthless attitude of ours in which we eat our bread in sorrow, with pretentious, busy hate, or even with shame. Through our daily meals He is calling us to rejoice, to keep holiday in the midst of our work day" In other words, rejoice no matter what, watch your attitude, be on top of circumstances rather than under them! Christ first miracle was performed, not during a time of grief, but of joy. He instructs us over and over again to be joyful. Psalm 89:16 tells us "In thy name shall they rejoice all the day ...." Psalm 4:7 "Thou hast put gladness in my heart ...." Psalm 33:21 "For our hearts shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name."

Happiness is an emotion, but joy is an attitude. Happiness comes and goes, often based on circumstance, but our attitude should come and grow to mature us in being joyful people. If we do not have joy as Christians, who can?

The shortest verse in our Bible is John 11:35 "Jesus wept." However the shortest verse in the Greek N.T. is I Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice evermore" There does seem to be a connection; because Jesus sorrowed we can rejoice.

Viktor Frankl, a Nazi death camp survivor said, "Everything can be taken away from a man, but one thing: the last of human freedoms- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." What is your attitude? Do you have, no matter what, an attitude of joy?

PART TIME FAITH AS A PART TIME JOB, WILL NOT FULLY SUPPORT YOU.

Just what is important in your life? If I were to ask you to sit down and write, beginning with the most important, to the least important, how long would your list be? What, with eternity in mind is really important? Family? Yes family is important. Having a job? Yes, that too, for God commands man to work (II Thess. 3:10). Money? Well it certainly comes in handy doesn't it? Health is important, friends, home, a vehicle, a church to attend. All these things may be important in our lives, but, what is really important?

Paul writes of some things that at one time in his life were important to him (3:5, 6). For Paul, who he was, his position in life, being of the nation of Israel; a Jew was important. Being well learned was important. He took pride in being zealous in his religion, and in persecuting what he thought was a false, apostate, sect- the church. He was proud of his righteousness. He thought he was doing right. He thought he was being obedient to God's Word.

Paul, however, became a believer, a Christian on the road to Damascus. On that day, and forward things changed. He had become a new creature (II Cor. 5:17). The list of things that were important changed for Paul (vs. 7). Paul's eyes were opened and he truly saw what was important, what really mattered. It was no longer who he was, or what he accomplished, what he had, or what position he held. What was important was: knowing the Lord Jesus Christ (our text verse).

Most of us find ourselves too tied up with the things of this world that will pass away (Matt. 24:35, James 1:10, II Peter 3:10). If we truly believe such, our list of things that truly matter, would no doubt be quite different. Maybe to turn the question around, or to approach it from a different direction, where does knowing Jesus Christ fall in your list? Or is it even on your list? Just what is of real importance? One hundred years from now, what will really be important? What will really make a difference? What will be remembered, what will have changed our eternal lives to the good? I dare say it will be knowing Jesus Christ.

The word know does not just refer to having a knowledge of His existence, or to understand something of who He was, or to know of His teachings or even His work, but to know Him. It speaks of a close, intimate knowledge that permeates our being. This word know was used in Jewish culture in speaking of the knowing of a married couple toward one another, particularly concerning the act of marriage. It is not just an acquaintance, or perception, but a deep, absolute knowing. That should be our life long desire and objective. For when we truly know Him, we will have no trouble in serving Him. Just what is the most important thing in your life?

Are you living such, that you can say to another, follow my example? "Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me" (I Cor. 4:16). I Corinthians 11:1 states: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." Should not this be our desire as well? To so live for Christ that we may say to those who need an example, "be followers of me."

Although we are admonished to be followers of God, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children"(Eph. 5:1), for many, especially those who have newly been saved, they need a human example to follow. We certainly as parents should so live that our children can follow our example, why then as a Christian who faithfully follows the Lord, should we not be able to say, "follow me as an example of how to live." This will not make us proud, for we will realize that it is the Lord which enables us, although unworthy, to be an example to others. The word follower means to imitate. We certainly are to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ. We are being conformed into his image (Rom. 8:29), so why then should we not be able to be one whom someone else can imitate?

We need to understand, there will be children, friends, co-workers who will follow our example, you cannot get away from it. The question is are we living such that we are good and godly examples for them to imitate? Some people will imitate you whether you like it or not, so be a good example.

A pastor is the shepherd of the church in which he serves. I Peter 5:3 tells us, "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." I know of some pastors that have been a good example, but sad to say I know some that are not. I remember my dad telling me he knew a man who would preach on the street comer and he said he preached, "don't do as I do, do as I say." That is not what the Bible teaches. Have you ever heard the saying, "your actions speak so loud, I cannot hear what you're saying?" or "actions speak louder than words." We must so live that people can imitate our actions, our lives.

If we are going to live such lives (and we must!) we must stay close to our Lord. It saddens me greatly today to see those who claim to know Christ, live unfaithful, disobedient, and compromising lives. Oh we must dare to be different, setting the example for others to follow.

A start:
1. His or her life is worth mimicking (vs. 17)

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Paul is praying for the Colossian believers that they would walk pleasing to God. The word "pleasing" occurs four times in the New Testament. Each time a different Greek word is used. Here in Colossians 1:10 the word means, with a desire to please, or ... walk worthy of the Lord with a desire to please.

The second is found in Col. 3:20. "Children obey your parents .... for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." Here pleasing means "acceptable" anything else besides obedience is not acceptable to God.

The third time pleasing is found is in I Thess. 2:4 ".... we speak not as pleasing men but God ..." This pleasing means to accommodate one's self to the opinions and desires of others. This certainly for a Christian should not be. Our desire to please should be first and foremost to God. If pleasing men would be counter to pleasing God, He must be first in our lives. Certainly in our relationship with one another, there is nothing wrong with pleasing another, but we must make sure that in our pleasing one another, we are pleasing God as well.

The last reference to pleasing is found in I John 3:22, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." The thought here is that we do that which God agrees with, therefore it is pleasing to Him.

As you travel through this life may you always strive to please Him.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him ...." ( Heb. 11:6). "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (II Tim. 2:4). John 8:29, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him."

Three times in Scripture the words ''please him" are found. Once Jesus was saying (even though he was God Himself) that he did that which pleased His Father. Two times we are admonished to please God, but in Hebrews it tells us we can only do that by faith.

One of the meanings of the word please, is to be agreeable. Certainly, we must be agreeable with our Lord. Whatever His will or desire is, should also be our desire. Whatever we do, however we act, in all things, it should be agreeable to our Lord. It also means to accommodate oneself to the opinion and interest of another. Certainly we should be accommodating ourselves to God and not our own selfish, fleshly desires. The reference in Hebrews was a stronger word for please; it is the word to be well pleased.

I remember when I was young, about five or six, I was out about in the fields of our farm, and came across some wild strawberries. I knew it would make my mom pleased if I could pick her some. However, I had nothing to pick them in; but I did have my pant pockets, so I picked as many as I could, and stuffed them into my pockets. Needless to say when I got home later, they weren't much good, and I really don't remember my mom's reaction (maybe I don't want to remember): though it wasn't the wisest thing to pick ripe strawberries and put them in my pockets, I did it with the desire to please my mother.

May we also, as we live day by day, have a desire to faithfully please our Lord Jesus Christ, the one that has done so much for us.

The word reconcile (also reconciled) is found seven times in the New Testament (Eph. 2:16, Col. 1:20, 21, Matt, 5:10, 24, I Cor. 7:11, II Cor. 5:18, 20). It means to, "bring back to a former state of harmony." When Adam sinned, he became an enemy of God; no longer could they walk together. (Gen. 3:8) Amos 3:3, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" They were out of harmony. They were enemies (Rom. 5:10; Phil. 3:18, 19; Col. 1:21).

Reconciliation or to reconcile includes then, elements of justification, which part of its definition is, "a restoration to a position of favor," Looking at it from the aspect of becoming a child of God, we see reconciliation brings us into the position of being Sons of God.

Now I want us to note that according to our text above, as well as others, the reconciliation is done or accomplished by the blood of Christ, shed upon the cross, Although Christ death is sufficient for all mankind, it is only efficient (effective) for those who realize they are lost in sin (Rom. 5:8, 8:7) and humble themselves and turn to Christ for the free gift of salvation (Rom. 5:23, 10:9-13). Man cannot reconcile himself to God, no matter what good works he performs, or how good of life he leads, or how busy he becomes in the church, or how religious, or even how faithful he is. Faith in itself is not enough, unless that faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ and him only for salvation. The work of reconciliation, the bringing of the lost sinner back in harmony with God is entirely God's work through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, it is only humbly accepted as a gift by man (Rm. 6:23) not including any work that we can do (Eph. 2:8,9).

When man is reconciled justified by God) we receive forgiveness (we are not declared innocent) but we are free from condemnation (Rm. 8:1) because the demands of God's holiness have been satisfied in Jesus Christ.

Do you truly know the Lord? What a peace and joy it is in this very unstable world to know your sins forgiven and the promise of eternal life with our Saviour in heaven.