|
weekly sermon 3-8-09 Did I Read That Right?
Last week we were given a message from God concerning a state of mind. A state of mind leads us down paths, whether right or wrong. We looked at scriptures that showed us how we are to make sure that we are going down the right path.
Now I want us to look at something I just said, 'we looked at scriptures'. There is something that I firmly believe and try to show in every message that I post here, that this ministry is a Bible based ministry. We use nothing other than the true word of God to show the point that God has given us to post.
I want us to fully understand how we can keep our minds on the correct path. There is something that your mind always needs, to be fed. How do we feed our minds? We give it information. If we stop learning then we are dead. This does not mean that we would be physically dead, but mentally we would be dead.
There is one way for us to keep our minds on the right path. We are to pour our minds into the scriptures. I do not say this because I think it is something that we should do, I say this because it is something God things we should do.
Naturally we will turn to the Bible to fully understand what I am trying to say here. I am going to lead us through several passages of scripture here so that we understand what God is trying to tell us.
Turn with me if you will to Psalms 119:97-102, "O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation all the day. (98)Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they [are] ever with me. (99)I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies [are] my meditation. (100)I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. (101)I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. (102)I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me."
Let us talk about this passage for a minute. The law that is being talked about here is the actual written word of God. Notice how it is written that we are to love the word of God and meditate on it all day. If we meditate on the word of God daily and keep our thoughts on His commandments, in the word, then we will be able to stand against our enemies, just as it says here. We have to note here what enemies we are talking about. When the word enemies is mentioned, we think about folks that are against us in one way or another, but enemies are not necessarily people. What I am trying to say is, enemies can be within our thoughts. Our enemies are also sins of the flesh, such as greed, hatred, and even lust, as we spoke of last week. If we keep the word of God on our minds and in our hearts daily, then we become wiser than any enemy, whether it be physical or mental. Notice that it says we are wiser than our teachers or the old because of our knowledge of the word and our steadfast to the word. It also states that we can refrain from every evil sin because we do keep the word.
Next look with me in 1 Timothy 4:13-16, "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (14)Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. (15)Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (16)Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
It states here that we are to read until Christ comes again. We are to take the gift that was given to us through prophecy and meditate on these things. We are to give ourself wholly to the reading that our profit, from the reading, will be shown to all that see it. If we follow the scriptures and show those around us that we truly are children of God, by doing so, then not only will we be saved, but those around us that may not be, will come to know Christ because of our actions due to following the word, that we are to full submit to.
Let us look at what Matthew had to say. Matthew 22:29, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."
This is a very simple scripture that really says speaks volumes. Why is it that we make mistakes in our lives? There are actually two reasons. The first reason is that we are only human and not perfect. All humans sin and make mistakes, just as paul wrote, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So yes there is no way any of us could be perfect and not make mistakes, but there are things we should do to keep the mistakes minimal. Here we see the second reason that we would make mistakes. Jesus said here that we make mistakes, we err, because we do not know the scriptures, or the power of God. There is only one way to know the power of God, that is to know the scriptures. The more we stay in the scripture, the more we will understand the power of God.
In closing, I want us to notice a few of things that has been said here. Why are we to completely give ourselves to the word and meditate in it daily? First that we may be smarter than our enemies, both mental and physical, that we may stand firm in our beliefs and show all that we are truly children of Christ. Second, that we may make every attempt to keep ourselves from making mistakes, or sinning, that we may stand before all showing the true power of God and how it works within us. Lastly, it will take that power of God that is within us, that all have seen, and make those around us turn to the same power, that they may find salvation in Christ.
This past week I was verbally abused by several others, one later came and apologized for what they had done. I could have easily reacted in the way that would be normal to most, by verbally attacking back, but I held my tongue and went on about my business. After all had taken place, I treated this person as if nothing had ever happened. What affect did this have? This person came to me a day or so later and told me that he really appreciated how I was acting considering the punishment I had endured. What does this say? This person noticed in me the power of God and God used me to make the individual understand that no matter the circumstance, we can all act as God would have acted.
There is one reason we are put here on this earth, to bring the Gospel of Christ to the lost. If we keep our minds and thoughts daily in the word, fully understanding the scriptures, then we can show others, through our acting out the scriptures, the full power of God. By showing ourselves as true Bible based Christians, living as the scriptures instruct us to live, then others will come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ because of this.
Do you know the saving grace of Christ? If you do not but would like to find a friend that loves like no other friend, that does not judge, but offers complete salvation, washing sin totally out of your life, that you may spend eternity with Him, then all you have to do is say a little prayer with me.
Say this simple prayer with me, Dear Lord, I want you to be the Lord over my life, forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.
If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
With Love in Christ,
Pastor Stone
|
