SYZYGUS IN CHRIST CHURCH
TEXT : COLOSSIANS 3:1-10
THEME : SANCTIFICATION
TITLE : DEALING WITH PERSONAL SINS
PROPOSTION: MOTIVATION IN DEALING AGAINST SIN
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Goal of the Heart of every Christian
- Glory of God
- To live holy life
- To obey His Word
- Not to sin always
B. Hindrance to the Goal of every Christian
- if a man is true Christian he loves Christ
- if he loves Christ he hates sin
- if he hate sin he will do everything just to keep away from sin
- if he commit sin, he will feel deeply hurt because he breaks the heart of the one he loves so much
but here is the hindrance:
- since God regenerate the soul and not the body , Christian is still susceptible to sin
- therefore the flesh (sarkikos) the sinful nature is the great hindrance
- the only way to eliminate sins is to depart from the body, it means death, Christian must die in order to attain the goal which is not to sin
- therefore death of Christians is a sweet aroma to God. (Jer. 33:11)
- that is why every Christian does not afraid to die because in their death, it is not only to be present with the Lord but also they can now live a life without sinning against God
- death is not a sorrow but a delight (Phil. 1:23)
C. Christians as Example
Words of Polycarp in his martyrdom
- Eighty and six years have I served Him and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?
- You threaten me with the fire that burns for a time and is quickly quenched, for you do not know the fire which awaits the wicked in the judgment to com and in everlasting punishment. Why are you waiting? Come do what you will.
- Leave me as I am for He who gives me the power to endure the fire will grant me to remain in the flames unmoved, even without the security yo will give by binding.
II. BODY
A. Text
1) Command
a) Set your hearts on things above - desire
- things above something that Christian must value (Matt. 6:21)
- everything about God
- everything about salvation
- rewards (Matt. 61,6,18)
- Precepts of God (Psalms 1:1)
b) Set your minds on things above not on earthly things – will
- the manner of valuing those things from above
- forget what is from below (John 8:23)
- Forget the business about worldly things but value things which are spiritual (Rom. 12:9)
c) Put to death – Sinful Nature
- all things against the new self and God
d) Rid yourselves from.. – against your neighbors and your God
2) Reminder
a) You are alive, God raised you with Christ
b) You died and kept with Christ
c) Jesus is your life
d) Revelation of His glory
3) Sanctification
Sanctification – process to become holy
2 Simultaneous Act of Sanctification
a) Imputation - put on the new self
b) Mortification – taking off the old self
Illustration (bamboo and bolo)
Argumentation:
Sanctification involves killing the sinful nature in order to be holy. It is abhorring what is evil and clinging to what is good. It is setting heart and mind about spiritual things.
1) Is it God who sanctified or man? (John 17:17)
2) When will it end? After our last breath
Romans 7:24
What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Luke 9:23
Carry your cross daily
Matthew 24:13
But he who stands firm to the end will be saved
Suffering Struggle Persecution
Number one enemy of every Christian is sin in his sinful nature
It makes Christian suffer, It is Christian’s struggle, and persecutes Christian every moment.
Everyday is a battle against sin, and it is intensified by satan, and back-up by false teachers’ deception
This is God’s design for sanctification of every Christian very hard and painful. It is dealing with your own personal sin
How to deal with sins so that we may eliminate sin in our lives?
Motivation:
1) Consider our selves
a) past – what did sin bring to you (spiritual death)
b) present – what does sin bring to you (disturbed, uneasiness)
c) future – what will sin bring to you (consequence)
2) Consider our neighbors
a) Good example
b) Confusion
3) Consider the Triune God
a) Father – hates sin, He curse everything because of sin (Gen 1)
b) Jesus – the work of Jesus just to eliminate sin. What happened to Jesus
c) Holy Spirit – He grieves.
III CONCLUSION
We are in everyday battle with sins.
Put the whole armor of God
Grow in the grace and knowledge of God
Be aware of sins and wiles of sin. it is hazardous
Consider our heart attitude toward God
And to attain that is to obey Him
Look how destruction sin is
Suffering, struggle and persecution are being experienced because of sins
And it will come to the end only if we die and be with the Lord.
Don’t fear death it is the fulfillment of our dream not to sin against the one we love most our God. As long as we are here on earth hold on to what is good in the sight of God.
Jesus told His disciples to pray so that they will not be tempted
Jesus told us to pray so that He will lead us not into temptation
Read the Scripture intensely so that we may not sin against Him
Make every possible way to abhor sins.
Romans 12:9 If your love is sincere you will abhor sins and cling to what is right.
For God’s Glory
11/22/09
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Please God All The More
SYZYGUS IN CHRIST CHURCH
TEXT : 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-12
THEME : SPIRITUAL GROWTH
TITLE : PLEASE GOD ALL THE MORE
PROPOSTION: AREAS OF CHRISTIAN LIFE THAT NEED GROWTH
TO PLEASE GOD
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Paul Ministered at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)
1) The Preaching
2) The Power
3) The Persecution
4) The Perseverance
B. The Commendation – Model Church
1) Their Faith(1:3)
- work
- service
- endurance
2) Their Character (v.6)
- imitators of the Lord
- steadfastness
- joy
C. The Final Instruction
Paul was asking and urging them to grow in the life they are living in order to please God.
1) The Problem
a) Spiritual Dwarfism – The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9)
- seed along the path, birds came up and ate it up
- seeds on the rocky places, scorched and withered because of sun
- seeds on the thorny places, choked by the thorny plants
- seeds on good soil, produced a crop, bear fruits
Christians must grow and bear fruits.
b) Lack of Spiritual Nourishment – They neglect the following:
Prayer, word meditation, and fellowship
This implies that, if there is no growth in the life of the one who is professing that he is a Christian, I believe he is not. Because the Bible is crystal clear in telling that there must be growth throughout the life of a Christian, They must grow and bear fruits. Because the grace of God is so rich that it will give him desire to grow, a power to grow, resources to grow and inspiration to grow which is to be more like Jesus Christ.
c) Biblical Examples (Characters)
- Jacob, from being deceiver to being righteous
- Moses, from being idle to being a exhausted leader
- David, from being adultery and murderer to being victorious sufferer
- Peter, from being compromiser to being faithful minister
II. Body
A. The Final Instructions and the Purpose
1) Continue to live a life that they are living that is pleasing to God
2) To excel in living a life that is praiseworthy.
Ref:
Christians are God pleasers not man pleasers. And all other true Christians will be inspired by the example of life that he is living and that life is to please God because of their faith.
B. Total Reliance to God – In the Lord
Reliance to power of God to live life pleasing to Him. Jesus is our potential, our resources, our basis of life.
C. The Authority of Christ
The instructions are from God not from mere men.
Following the instructions is a must because we, Christians are accountable (v.2,8)
- duty
- promise
- judgment
D. The 3 Areas of Christian Life Need to Grow to Please God
1) Personal Holiness – (Sanctification)
From Positional Righteousness to Practical Holiness (v.7)
- growing hatred of sins
- pursuance of holiness (desire to live holy life and act to live a holy life)
Justification
We have righteousness in Christ because of what Jesus did on the cross. (Romans 5:19)
The Bible is teaching that we must live a holy life. (2Tim. 2:19, 1John 3:24, Titus 1:16)
James attacked those who were professing that they have faith and through that kind of faith they are justified made righteous even though there is no pursuance of holiness.
Sanctification
Christians need to live a holy life more and more because it pleases God. Everything we do must be doxological, for His glory. The be conformed more in the image of Jesus for God’s glory.
2) Spiritual Relationship – (Brotherly Love)
From Congregational Love to Denominational Love (v.9-10)
- be example to the church in the Lord
- be model to other church in the Lord
Love one Another (John 13:34-45)
Jesus new command is to love one another. It is a kind of love for all the believers so that the world may know that we are disciples, in unity and bind with His love.
3) Social Life – (Concern for Others)
From Concern for Brothers to Unbelievers
- don’t be a burden to others this is a sin of immaturity and implication of no growth
- don’t be idle because this is a sign of a Christian
In Matthew 5, we are salt and light of the world and God’s glory is exalted and His name is praised and it pleases Him.
On the other hand, you may gain respect of others and God uses this as instrument for them to believe in Him.
III. CONCLUSION
Brothers God has called us, redeemed us and when God saved man He also changed that man and also throughout the course of life in Christianity there will be growth. There will be a growing love of God, a growing desire to obey Him and a growing hatred of sins. The one who began this good thing is the one who will finish the course. Wake up Christians its about time to grow. Feed your soul with the His Word. Ask Him to give you desire and strength to grow so that you can please the God whom you love. Look at your own life, your personal life, your relationship with other Christians and to unbelievers. Love your God. Please Him not men. You’re claiming to be a Christian so please Him. You said that He had saved you from eternal condemnation the hell so do whatever he demands to you. Don’t be contended in what you are now. Search more how you please Him according to His own will. Love Him. Please Him. It’s your duty to grow in the grace and knowledge of God for His glory. Let your words of love for God be real in your actions. God bless you.
For God’s Glory
10/25/09
TEXT : 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-12
THEME : SPIRITUAL GROWTH
TITLE : PLEASE GOD ALL THE MORE
PROPOSTION: AREAS OF CHRISTIAN LIFE THAT NEED GROWTH
TO PLEASE GOD
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Paul Ministered at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)
1) The Preaching
2) The Power
3) The Persecution
4) The Perseverance
B. The Commendation – Model Church
1) Their Faith(1:3)
- work
- service
- endurance
2) Their Character (v.6)
- imitators of the Lord
- steadfastness
- joy
C. The Final Instruction
Paul was asking and urging them to grow in the life they are living in order to please God.
1) The Problem
a) Spiritual Dwarfism – The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9)
- seed along the path, birds came up and ate it up
- seeds on the rocky places, scorched and withered because of sun
- seeds on the thorny places, choked by the thorny plants
- seeds on good soil, produced a crop, bear fruits
Christians must grow and bear fruits.
b) Lack of Spiritual Nourishment – They neglect the following:
Prayer, word meditation, and fellowship
This implies that, if there is no growth in the life of the one who is professing that he is a Christian, I believe he is not. Because the Bible is crystal clear in telling that there must be growth throughout the life of a Christian, They must grow and bear fruits. Because the grace of God is so rich that it will give him desire to grow, a power to grow, resources to grow and inspiration to grow which is to be more like Jesus Christ.
c) Biblical Examples (Characters)
- Jacob, from being deceiver to being righteous
- Moses, from being idle to being a exhausted leader
- David, from being adultery and murderer to being victorious sufferer
- Peter, from being compromiser to being faithful minister
II. Body
A. The Final Instructions and the Purpose
1) Continue to live a life that they are living that is pleasing to God
2) To excel in living a life that is praiseworthy.
Ref:
Christians are God pleasers not man pleasers. And all other true Christians will be inspired by the example of life that he is living and that life is to please God because of their faith.
B. Total Reliance to God – In the Lord
Reliance to power of God to live life pleasing to Him. Jesus is our potential, our resources, our basis of life.
C. The Authority of Christ
The instructions are from God not from mere men.
Following the instructions is a must because we, Christians are accountable (v.2,8)
- duty
- promise
- judgment
D. The 3 Areas of Christian Life Need to Grow to Please God
1) Personal Holiness – (Sanctification)
From Positional Righteousness to Practical Holiness (v.7)
- growing hatred of sins
- pursuance of holiness (desire to live holy life and act to live a holy life)
Justification
We have righteousness in Christ because of what Jesus did on the cross. (Romans 5:19)
The Bible is teaching that we must live a holy life. (2Tim. 2:19, 1John 3:24, Titus 1:16)
James attacked those who were professing that they have faith and through that kind of faith they are justified made righteous even though there is no pursuance of holiness.
Sanctification
Christians need to live a holy life more and more because it pleases God. Everything we do must be doxological, for His glory. The be conformed more in the image of Jesus for God’s glory.
2) Spiritual Relationship – (Brotherly Love)
From Congregational Love to Denominational Love (v.9-10)
- be example to the church in the Lord
- be model to other church in the Lord
Love one Another (John 13:34-45)
Jesus new command is to love one another. It is a kind of love for all the believers so that the world may know that we are disciples, in unity and bind with His love.
3) Social Life – (Concern for Others)
From Concern for Brothers to Unbelievers
- don’t be a burden to others this is a sin of immaturity and implication of no growth
- don’t be idle because this is a sign of a Christian
In Matthew 5, we are salt and light of the world and God’s glory is exalted and His name is praised and it pleases Him.
On the other hand, you may gain respect of others and God uses this as instrument for them to believe in Him.
III. CONCLUSION
Brothers God has called us, redeemed us and when God saved man He also changed that man and also throughout the course of life in Christianity there will be growth. There will be a growing love of God, a growing desire to obey Him and a growing hatred of sins. The one who began this good thing is the one who will finish the course. Wake up Christians its about time to grow. Feed your soul with the His Word. Ask Him to give you desire and strength to grow so that you can please the God whom you love. Look at your own life, your personal life, your relationship with other Christians and to unbelievers. Love your God. Please Him not men. You’re claiming to be a Christian so please Him. You said that He had saved you from eternal condemnation the hell so do whatever he demands to you. Don’t be contended in what you are now. Search more how you please Him according to His own will. Love Him. Please Him. It’s your duty to grow in the grace and knowledge of God for His glory. Let your words of love for God be real in your actions. God bless you.
For God’s Glory
10/25/09
The Good News In Obedience
SYZYGUS IN CHRIST CHURCH
TEXT : DEUTERONOMY 10:13
THEME : GOD-CENTERED OBEDIENCE
TITLE : THE GOOD NEWS IN OBEDIENCE
TRANSITION : WHAT MAKES OBEDIENCE GOOD NEWS TO
CHRISTIANS?
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Review of the past sermon about obedience
1) The Rebel Acts in Obedience
- misplacement of fear, desire, honor, and praise
2) The questions to be asked whether the obedience is rooted in faith
- what is the intention, basis, and character when Christians obey God
B. The Misconceptions about Obedience
1) Obedience is a way to salvation
Catholicism and other non-catholic denominations hold this view about obedience
They make it a ticket or a passes to inherit eternal life
It is some kind of examination to be passed in order to go to heaven
Dangers:
Salvation is man’s initiative and, justification is by human works (process)
Salvation can be earned, and grace is no longer grace
2) Obedience is maintenance of salvation
Pentecostalism and other charismatic movements hold this view about obedience
They need to sustain the salvation they possess through obedience
Dangers:
Salvation can be lost. Man is responsible for keeping his salvation secure
Grace loose its power and faith fades like a mist
3) Obedience is optional in salvation
Most Evangelicals and extreme Calvinists hold this view about obedience
They believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ even to the point of denying the faith and live carnally throughout Christian life.
But they missed the point about grace and faith, not a power to save but a power to change, not a power to sustain salvation but a power to hate sin and love God, not a power to secure salvation but not the assurance of salvation.
Dangers:
It brings great confusion to the Christians
It brings great stigma to unbelievers
Grace became cheap grace, grace that has no power to change lives, has no power to turn from sin and turn to God
In conclusion, these three misconceptions are very hazardous to Christian faith. Those who hold these views do not understand God’s intention about obedience which is to glorify God. To please God. They do not know grace and faith as a whole. And I cannot find anything good about their obedience to God’s law. There is no good news in it.
In the first misconception, they want to attain salvation whose method has no power
In the second misconception, they want to sustain salvation whose method has no power also
In the third misconception, I think the most miserable, because they already gave up because they think it is not important. What is important is that their salvation is secured.
II. Body
God gave us the law, His decrees, His commandments, His precepts not to be ignored, not to be neglected to obey, not to give the lowest appreciation, value and priority but to be obeyed for His glory. There is one more, for our own good. This is the good news for our own good.
A. The Three Benefits That Makes Obedience, Good News
1) Privilege
- to please God (Hebrew 11:6)
- to display the glory of God (Matthew 5:16)
- to acknowledge God as Lord (Romans 6:16)
- to love God (John 14:23)
- to enjoy the beauty of God (Psalms 1:2)
- to share in His suffering (Romans 8:17)
2) Assurance
- Identification (John 14:23, 10:27, 1John 5:1)
- Solid Foundation (2 Timothy 2:19)
- Affirmation (1John 3:24)
3) Promise
- He gave everything we need in order to obey Him (Ezekiel 36:24-27)
- His law is not too hard to follow (Deuteronomy 30:11, Matthew 7:28-30, 1John 5:3)
- His blessings (Deuteronomy 11:1, 8, 22)
III. CONCLUSION
Obedience is not from our strength. It is part of God’s grace produce by God given faith for His glory. It is not a way to salvation, nor maintenance of our salvation it is God’s power through faith given to us, therefore it is not optional but an inevitable will of God in our lives. It is for our own good because God loves us. Obedience is our privilege, our assurance and a promise.
God bless you!
For God’s Glory
09/27/09
TEXT : DEUTERONOMY 10:13
THEME : GOD-CENTERED OBEDIENCE
TITLE : THE GOOD NEWS IN OBEDIENCE
TRANSITION : WHAT MAKES OBEDIENCE GOOD NEWS TO
CHRISTIANS?
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Review of the past sermon about obedience
1) The Rebel Acts in Obedience
- misplacement of fear, desire, honor, and praise
2) The questions to be asked whether the obedience is rooted in faith
- what is the intention, basis, and character when Christians obey God
B. The Misconceptions about Obedience
1) Obedience is a way to salvation
Catholicism and other non-catholic denominations hold this view about obedience
They make it a ticket or a passes to inherit eternal life
It is some kind of examination to be passed in order to go to heaven
Dangers:
Salvation is man’s initiative and, justification is by human works (process)
Salvation can be earned, and grace is no longer grace
2) Obedience is maintenance of salvation
Pentecostalism and other charismatic movements hold this view about obedience
They need to sustain the salvation they possess through obedience
Dangers:
Salvation can be lost. Man is responsible for keeping his salvation secure
Grace loose its power and faith fades like a mist
3) Obedience is optional in salvation
Most Evangelicals and extreme Calvinists hold this view about obedience
They believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ even to the point of denying the faith and live carnally throughout Christian life.
But they missed the point about grace and faith, not a power to save but a power to change, not a power to sustain salvation but a power to hate sin and love God, not a power to secure salvation but not the assurance of salvation.
Dangers:
It brings great confusion to the Christians
It brings great stigma to unbelievers
Grace became cheap grace, grace that has no power to change lives, has no power to turn from sin and turn to God
In conclusion, these three misconceptions are very hazardous to Christian faith. Those who hold these views do not understand God’s intention about obedience which is to glorify God. To please God. They do not know grace and faith as a whole. And I cannot find anything good about their obedience to God’s law. There is no good news in it.
In the first misconception, they want to attain salvation whose method has no power
In the second misconception, they want to sustain salvation whose method has no power also
In the third misconception, I think the most miserable, because they already gave up because they think it is not important. What is important is that their salvation is secured.
II. Body
God gave us the law, His decrees, His commandments, His precepts not to be ignored, not to be neglected to obey, not to give the lowest appreciation, value and priority but to be obeyed for His glory. There is one more, for our own good. This is the good news for our own good.
A. The Three Benefits That Makes Obedience, Good News
1) Privilege
- to please God (Hebrew 11:6)
- to display the glory of God (Matthew 5:16)
- to acknowledge God as Lord (Romans 6:16)
- to love God (John 14:23)
- to enjoy the beauty of God (Psalms 1:2)
- to share in His suffering (Romans 8:17)
2) Assurance
- Identification (John 14:23, 10:27, 1John 5:1)
- Solid Foundation (2 Timothy 2:19)
- Affirmation (1John 3:24)
3) Promise
- He gave everything we need in order to obey Him (Ezekiel 36:24-27)
- His law is not too hard to follow (Deuteronomy 30:11, Matthew 7:28-30, 1John 5:3)
- His blessings (Deuteronomy 11:1, 8, 22)
III. CONCLUSION
Obedience is not from our strength. It is part of God’s grace produce by God given faith for His glory. It is not a way to salvation, nor maintenance of our salvation it is God’s power through faith given to us, therefore it is not optional but an inevitable will of God in our lives. It is for our own good because God loves us. Obedience is our privilege, our assurance and a promise.
God bless you!
For God’s Glory
09/27/09
The Root of Obedience
SYZYGUS IN CHRIST CHURCH
TEXT : Romans 9:30-32
THEME : GOD-CENTERED OBEDIENCE
TITLE : THE ROOT OF OBEDIENCE
TRANSITION : HOW DO WE KNOW IF OUR OBEDIENCE IS ROOTED
IN FAITH?
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The Questions to be Answered Regarding our Obedience
1) Do I obey God?
2) Do I really obey God?
3) Do I please God in my obedience?
4) How do I know I please God?
B. Biblical Examples That They Think They Obeyed God
1) Cain
2) Saul
3) Pharisees, Saduceess and Scribes
4) Those who call Lord, Lord in Matthew 7
C. Areas Where Obedience is Applied
1) Worship
2) Service
3) Daily Activities – Decision,
D. The Three Verses
1) Hebrews 11:6
2) Romans 14:23
3) Isaiah 64:6
II. BODY
A. The Text : Two Roots of Obedience Righteousness
1) Israel - They obey to be saved by God
a) How did they pursue righteousness to be justified before God?
*by obeying the Law- They obey the law to pursue righteousness to be
justified before God. Galatians 5:4 objects that notion and it is unbiblical.
b) Where did their obedience rooted? Is it by Faith by Jesus Christ?
*If it is by faith in Jesus no need to pursue righteousness because only Jesus can
provide righteousness on our behalf before God.
c) So where did it rooted?
*The answer is by their own way. IT IS BY WORK?
Obedience rooted in work made them righteous and been justified before God
a) Their obedience is futile
b) Their obedience is hypocrite
2) Gentiles – They are saved by God to Obey
a) Do they pursue righteousness to be justified before God? NO!
b) How did they obtain righteousness and been justified before God?
- By Faith in Jesus Christ
c) Do we need to obey God? YES
d) What is our obedience for?
- It is not for justification
- It is not for righteousness
- It is not for salvation
It is a way of God to display His glory, the glory of His name (Ezekiel 36:22)
This glory will shine to those whom He loved before the world began (Ephesians 1:4)
That is the reason why God made you light and salt of the earth for His glory to shine
-It is for you to know that you are true disciple, branch, son of God, faithful servant
In is the manifestation that you are saved by God.
The obedience of Gentiles is rooted in faith that justifies and saved.
2) How do we know that our obedience is rooted in faith?
There is no other way to evaluate if our obedience is rooted in faith or not except asking ourselves about our obedience.
3 QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IF OUR OBEDIENCE IS ROOTED IN FAITH OR NOT
1) What is the intention of my obedience? (Ezekiel 36:22-27) The Glory of God
- to display the glory of God’s name or to display the pride of my name
- to get something from it for my selfish ambition or to fully give to Him all the glory He deserve
God commanded us to obey for His glory alone.
2) What is the basis of my obedience? (Joshua 1:8-9) The Truth
- based on my biased opinion my personal opinion
- based on human philosophy
God commanded us to pray and to meditate the Word so that we may obey Him according to His Word alone
3) What is the character of my obedience? (Luke 9:23) The Self-Denial
- denies the condition when we obey
- consider the cost when we obey
God commanded us to obey even without the gift of salvation because He deserved to be obeyed. All creations obeyed Him for His will alone.
III. CONCLUSION
Obedience is not yours. It is not of your own work but it is from faith that God had given you. He sprinkled you with water, He gave you the Spirit, He gave you the heart of flesh in order to obey Him properly. God enables every Christian not only to come to Jesus but to hear the voice of Jesus. It is faith that works in you that leads you to obedience. Faith cleanses your intention when you obey for His glory. Faith leads you to what the Bible is telling you to do as the basis of your obedience. And you will obey God what ever it takes, what ever it costs and what ever your condition is.
For God’s Glory
08/23/09
TEXT : Romans 9:30-32
THEME : GOD-CENTERED OBEDIENCE
TITLE : THE ROOT OF OBEDIENCE
TRANSITION : HOW DO WE KNOW IF OUR OBEDIENCE IS ROOTED
IN FAITH?
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The Questions to be Answered Regarding our Obedience
1) Do I obey God?
2) Do I really obey God?
3) Do I please God in my obedience?
4) How do I know I please God?
B. Biblical Examples That They Think They Obeyed God
1) Cain
2) Saul
3) Pharisees, Saduceess and Scribes
4) Those who call Lord, Lord in Matthew 7
C. Areas Where Obedience is Applied
1) Worship
2) Service
3) Daily Activities – Decision,
D. The Three Verses
1) Hebrews 11:6
2) Romans 14:23
3) Isaiah 64:6
II. BODY
A. The Text : Two Roots of Obedience Righteousness
1) Israel - They obey to be saved by God
a) How did they pursue righteousness to be justified before God?
*by obeying the Law- They obey the law to pursue righteousness to be
justified before God. Galatians 5:4 objects that notion and it is unbiblical.
b) Where did their obedience rooted? Is it by Faith by Jesus Christ?
*If it is by faith in Jesus no need to pursue righteousness because only Jesus can
provide righteousness on our behalf before God.
c) So where did it rooted?
*The answer is by their own way. IT IS BY WORK?
Obedience rooted in work made them righteous and been justified before God
a) Their obedience is futile
b) Their obedience is hypocrite
2) Gentiles – They are saved by God to Obey
a) Do they pursue righteousness to be justified before God? NO!
b) How did they obtain righteousness and been justified before God?
- By Faith in Jesus Christ
c) Do we need to obey God? YES
d) What is our obedience for?
- It is not for justification
- It is not for righteousness
- It is not for salvation
It is a way of God to display His glory, the glory of His name (Ezekiel 36:22)
This glory will shine to those whom He loved before the world began (Ephesians 1:4)
That is the reason why God made you light and salt of the earth for His glory to shine
-It is for you to know that you are true disciple, branch, son of God, faithful servant
In is the manifestation that you are saved by God.
The obedience of Gentiles is rooted in faith that justifies and saved.
2) How do we know that our obedience is rooted in faith?
There is no other way to evaluate if our obedience is rooted in faith or not except asking ourselves about our obedience.
3 QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IF OUR OBEDIENCE IS ROOTED IN FAITH OR NOT
1) What is the intention of my obedience? (Ezekiel 36:22-27) The Glory of God
- to display the glory of God’s name or to display the pride of my name
- to get something from it for my selfish ambition or to fully give to Him all the glory He deserve
God commanded us to obey for His glory alone.
2) What is the basis of my obedience? (Joshua 1:8-9) The Truth
- based on my biased opinion my personal opinion
- based on human philosophy
God commanded us to pray and to meditate the Word so that we may obey Him according to His Word alone
3) What is the character of my obedience? (Luke 9:23) The Self-Denial
- denies the condition when we obey
- consider the cost when we obey
God commanded us to obey even without the gift of salvation because He deserved to be obeyed. All creations obeyed Him for His will alone.
III. CONCLUSION
Obedience is not yours. It is not of your own work but it is from faith that God had given you. He sprinkled you with water, He gave you the Spirit, He gave you the heart of flesh in order to obey Him properly. God enables every Christian not only to come to Jesus but to hear the voice of Jesus. It is faith that works in you that leads you to obedience. Faith cleanses your intention when you obey for His glory. Faith leads you to what the Bible is telling you to do as the basis of your obedience. And you will obey God what ever it takes, what ever it costs and what ever your condition is.
For God’s Glory
08/23/09
Rebellion in Obedience
SYZYGUS IN CHRIST CHURCH
TEXT : 1 SAMUEL 15:10-26
THEME : GOD-CENTERED OBEDIENCE
TITLE : THE REBELLION IN OBEDIENCE
PROPOSTION: THE 4 REBEL ACTS IN OBEDIENCE
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Christianity
1) Do we consider ourselves Christians?
2) We are not sure whether we are Christians or not because all the things that God tells us to do, we do not do. We do not do to:
Pray, study the Word, share the Gospel, serve others and so on and so on..
3) If I we define Christian life in one word, it is OBEDIENCE
B. Obedience
It tells us who we are
1) True Disciples (John 8:31)
2) Faithful Servants (Matthew 25:21)
3) Children of God (1John 3:10)
4) Slaves of Righteousness (Romans 6:16)
5) Blessed (Psalms 1:1-2; 29:18)
6) Justified (James 2:24)
7) True Branch (Romans 15:10)
Jesus said if you love me you obey me (John 14:23)
Obedience is not something we added as a process for our salvation but rather the progress from salvation.
II. BODY
Obedience must be a God-Centered Obedience
Rebellion
Let us take the negative example of Saul’s obedience which is not a God-Centered Obedience
Emphasis:
Obedience is better than Sacrifice
Partial Obedience is Disobedience
Obedience must be God-centered obedience
If the obedience is not God-centered it is disobedience
God Hates the Disobedience of Man
THE 4 REBEL ACTS IN OBEDIENCE
1) MISPLACEMENT OF FEAR (v.24)
Biblical : Rahab, Paul, Three Hebrew Children, Mary and Joseph
Fear man rather than fear God
Fear the undesirable consequence rather than sinning against God
Fear the displeasure of people rather than displeasure of God
Practical: Sharing the Gospel (mockery of men)
Peer Pressure
Biblical : Rahab, Paul, Three Hebrew Children, Mary and Joseph
(Isaiah 51:12-13)
Beware in your obedience. Fear God in obeying Him
2) MISPLACEMENT OF DESIRE (v.19) v.14-15
Biblical: Achan, Demas, Jude, Balaam, Lot’s wife, Samson, David, Solomon
Desire of worldly things rather than heavenly things
Desire the pleasure of the world rather than pleasure being with God.
Desire sin rather than glory of God
Practical: We desire O.T rather than the ministry
We desire to attend party than Bible study
We desire to upgrade our mobile phone rather than our Bible
Biblical: Achan, Demas, Jude, Balaam, Lot’s wife, Samson, David, Solomon
(Galatians 5:17)
Beware in your obedience. Desire God rather than spoiled things of the world
3) MISPLACEMENT OF HONOR (v.12) v.17
Biblical: Pharisees, Saducees, Diotrephes, Nebuchadnezzar
We seek our own honor in our obedience rather than the glory of God
We obey so that others will honor us in some sense.
We build our own monument.
Practical: Leaders are prone in seeking honor, prestige, and fame
Members of the ministry suffer from seeking self honor
We honor ourselves rather than God
(Isaiah 48:11)
Beware of your obedience. Honor God. Honor and glory belongs to Him
4) MISPLACEMENT OF TRUST (v.22-23)
Biblical: Rich Fool, Parable of the Talents We trust others rather than God
We trust ourselves rather than God
We trust things rather than God
We are right God is wrong
Our method is better than God’s word
Practical: In our obedience we are the master not God.
Service – own way rather than God’s way
Life – our philosophy rather than God’s precepts
(Proverbs 11:28)
Beware of your obedience, Trust God not ourselves, others, philosophies
III. CONCLUSION
God is not the beneficiary of our obedience but the other way around.
Think for a while, examine the obedience that you offered to God
Is it a God-centered obedience? Or there is any rebellion in your obedience
For God’s Glory
07/26/09
TEXT : 1 SAMUEL 15:10-26
THEME : GOD-CENTERED OBEDIENCE
TITLE : THE REBELLION IN OBEDIENCE
PROPOSTION: THE 4 REBEL ACTS IN OBEDIENCE
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Christianity
1) Do we consider ourselves Christians?
2) We are not sure whether we are Christians or not because all the things that God tells us to do, we do not do. We do not do to:
Pray, study the Word, share the Gospel, serve others and so on and so on..
3) If I we define Christian life in one word, it is OBEDIENCE
B. Obedience
It tells us who we are
1) True Disciples (John 8:31)
2) Faithful Servants (Matthew 25:21)
3) Children of God (1John 3:10)
4) Slaves of Righteousness (Romans 6:16)
5) Blessed (Psalms 1:1-2; 29:18)
6) Justified (James 2:24)
7) True Branch (Romans 15:10)
Jesus said if you love me you obey me (John 14:23)
Obedience is not something we added as a process for our salvation but rather the progress from salvation.
II. BODY
Obedience must be a God-Centered Obedience
Rebellion
Let us take the negative example of Saul’s obedience which is not a God-Centered Obedience
Emphasis:
Obedience is better than Sacrifice
Partial Obedience is Disobedience
Obedience must be God-centered obedience
If the obedience is not God-centered it is disobedience
God Hates the Disobedience of Man
THE 4 REBEL ACTS IN OBEDIENCE
1) MISPLACEMENT OF FEAR (v.24)
Biblical : Rahab, Paul, Three Hebrew Children, Mary and Joseph
Fear man rather than fear God
Fear the undesirable consequence rather than sinning against God
Fear the displeasure of people rather than displeasure of God
Practical: Sharing the Gospel (mockery of men)
Peer Pressure
Biblical : Rahab, Paul, Three Hebrew Children, Mary and Joseph
(Isaiah 51:12-13)
Beware in your obedience. Fear God in obeying Him
2) MISPLACEMENT OF DESIRE (v.19) v.14-15
Biblical: Achan, Demas, Jude, Balaam, Lot’s wife, Samson, David, Solomon
Desire of worldly things rather than heavenly things
Desire the pleasure of the world rather than pleasure being with God.
Desire sin rather than glory of God
Practical: We desire O.T rather than the ministry
We desire to attend party than Bible study
We desire to upgrade our mobile phone rather than our Bible
Biblical: Achan, Demas, Jude, Balaam, Lot’s wife, Samson, David, Solomon
(Galatians 5:17)
Beware in your obedience. Desire God rather than spoiled things of the world
3) MISPLACEMENT OF HONOR (v.12) v.17
Biblical: Pharisees, Saducees, Diotrephes, Nebuchadnezzar
We seek our own honor in our obedience rather than the glory of God
We obey so that others will honor us in some sense.
We build our own monument.
Practical: Leaders are prone in seeking honor, prestige, and fame
Members of the ministry suffer from seeking self honor
We honor ourselves rather than God
(Isaiah 48:11)
Beware of your obedience. Honor God. Honor and glory belongs to Him
4) MISPLACEMENT OF TRUST (v.22-23)
Biblical: Rich Fool, Parable of the Talents We trust others rather than God
We trust ourselves rather than God
We trust things rather than God
We are right God is wrong
Our method is better than God’s word
Practical: In our obedience we are the master not God.
Service – own way rather than God’s way
Life – our philosophy rather than God’s precepts
(Proverbs 11:28)
Beware of your obedience, Trust God not ourselves, others, philosophies
III. CONCLUSION
God is not the beneficiary of our obedience but the other way around.
Think for a while, examine the obedience that you offered to God
Is it a God-centered obedience? Or there is any rebellion in your obedience
For God’s Glory
07/26/09
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