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ReactorSTUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST
SERMON MENU SELECTIONS6/23/2008 ~ Diligently Seeking God |
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But without faith it is impossible to please Him, ... ~ Hebrews 11:6 It is a tragedy if you are a Christian in name with watered down commitment. It is urgent that we seek God seriously. Can God be pleased?
→ Self-righteousness is wrong. But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; ... ~ Isaiah 64:6 Are you a pompous or miserable Christian; unsettled person? "... 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' " ~ Luke 17:10 UNPROFITABLE FAITH
... he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ~ Hebrews 11:5 People can please God. <─┘ "... The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." ~ Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord takes pleasure in His people, that they strive for Him. For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. ~ Psalm 149:4 ... Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, ... Enter into the joy of your lord." ~ Matthew 25:21 We need the confidence that God can be pleased.
How can one set out to please God?
... keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: ... ~ Leviticus 18:5 ... no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." ... ~ Galatians 3:10-12 ... ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. ... ~ Romans 10:1-8 ... O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ~ Romans 7:19-24 ... having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith ... ~ Romans 5:1-2 \ | / God had to give Christ to punishment for our salvation. / | \ ... the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." ~ Romans 1:16-17 ... "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." ... ~ Romans 4:3-5 ... that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. ~ Romans 3:21-26 ⭩ He was just and the justifier. └─> Delivered amnesty. ... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, ... ~ Philippians 3:9-11 Do we trust in our faith? And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. ~ Genesis 15:6 ┌─> Performing duties. ● Not righteousness of Law keeping. ● Righteousness of faith. └─> Trust in God. If you trust in God you become a friend of God. ~ Trust was lost in the Garden of Eden. ... In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, ... having believed, you were sealed with the ... promise, ... ~ Ephesians 1:12-13
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~ Hebrews 4:16 One must remain humble under His rule. - A confidence with humility, it is possible through God. ... We love Him because He first loved us. ~ 1st John 4:17-19
Many think we can not please God. If one incorporates the Gospel of hope, it can be done. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:9 We should be eager to please the Father. ... that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:14-15 ... learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ... ~ Matthew 11:28-30 Adam <─┐ ┌─> Eve If you think you can’t please God, you will run and hide behind a tree. The Lord wants us to rely on Him. Live on the basis of faith. ... he who comes to God must believe that He is ... ~ Hebrews 11:6 ... love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, ... ~ 1st Timothy 1:5 God made this clearly available to us. Some believers are cardinally minded. ... to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ... ~ Romans 8:5-8 Believing in God means practicing His whole word. Many people are victims of temptation, ~ over taking God seriously. ... to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ... ~ Romans 8:5-8 Believing in God means practicing His whole word. Many people are victims of temptation, ~ over taking God seriously. ... to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 1:5-7 "... if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." ~ John 8:24 Is your faith ungenuine? SPECTRUM OF FAITH
a reason for the hope that is in you, ... ~ 1st Peter 3:15 Keep doing it until you die. ... know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. ~ 2nd Timothy 1:12 ... I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:7-8 "... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." ~ Revelation 2:10 ... must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:14-15 \ | / God gives us free will to choose. ~ One needs to have more than just traditional faith. It needs to be personal, sincere. <─┘ → One must own their own faith. Tradition is not bad if it holds God’s own truth. ... stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 2:15 Our faith needs to become more than just something given by others. ... count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ~ James 1:2-4 ... need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, ... may be found to praise, honor, and glory ... ~ 1st Peter 1:6-9 ... For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ~ 1st Peter 3:15-17 Weak faith won’t withstand temptation or hardship leading to an unfavorable certain coming judgment. God’s word is for each to believe individually. ~ This is what He asks of us. "... 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' " ~ Matthew 7:21-23 "... in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " ~ Matthew 15:6-9 Do you have a strong faith? How do you go beyond a hand me down faith? You must look truthfully at the quality of your own faith, – before Christ’s judgment seat confronts you.
... "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" ~ Mark 9:23-24 One needs to feed faith to grow stronger. Challenge helps one to move forward. Test you faith and call on it to grow. ... "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." ~ Revelation 3:1 Each person’s path is specific, all should ask for help. Their will be times of work and rest which is healthy. └─> Useful growing faith. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 13:5 FAITH IN THE GROWTH PROCESS
Keep doing what is good. ● Get you mind off yourself and on God. ○ Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. ~ 1st Timothy 4:15 ○ Genuine and sincere, trust and obey. ~ What would I do that would please God? Do what God would want you to do. <─┘ └─> Then trust in God. This is the decision of faith. The highest joy in the world should be searching out God’s own truth. LIVE FOR THE LORD GOD YAHWEH JEHOVAH! ... He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6 Do you seek your own pleasures or consider God’s will? Basic religion is to seek God.
... "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." ~ John 14:6 Doctrinal truth is essential to obtaining sound faith. The question is, is it about you or God? He has clearly said come to Him and not of men. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, ..." ~ Matthew 23:15
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ~ Romans 10:2 ┌─> God is our goal. "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, ..." ~ John 7:17 To Love Him the ultimate peace. ... but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ... ~ Philippians 3:13-14 ┌─> A true desire and longing to worship Him acceptably. ... That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, ... ~ Psalm 27:4
... "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ..." ~ Matthew 22:36-40 A deepest Love with all of your yearning heart. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. ~ Psalm 145:18 Everyone’s clock is ticking towards death. Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. ~ Isaiah 55:6 APPEALS TO GOD
We need to be more diligent, fervent, deeply longing for Him. ● We were not intended to be so far away from God. → We want fellowship with God, which is beyond anyone’s capacity in this forsaken world. Sin keeps us from enjoying fellowship with God. ... also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. ~ Philippians 1:20 ~ We are left for God to be glorified in us. By any path, by any circumstance … to glorify God unconditionally. A challenge for us all. <─┘ ... I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. ~ Psalm 86:11-12 One must be grateful for what He has given us, to be part of this opportunity to glorify and honor Him.
... cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" ~ Acts 2:37 Is your desire inflamed ? "... so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; ..." ~ Acts 17:27 "... have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. ..." ~ Matthew 23:23 His truth is here. ... to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD ... ~ Deuteronomy 10:12-13 ... what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? ~ Micah 6:8 \ | / Our hearts should be over-glowing with Love for of Him. / | \ ... "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ... ~ Matthew 22:34-40 Many are overwhelmed and apprehensive with God’s own hand delivered truths. ... "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." ~ Acts 24:24-25 Seeking God will be for better or worse. ... you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ~ Jeremiah 29:12-13 ~ If you seek Me, you will find Me. It means never giving up. └─> This person will find God. "... ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." ~ Luke 11:9 God has delivered His inspired word for our instruction. ... So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. ~ Malachi 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 Do you want to know more about God each day? His will as our light. <─┘ God is seeking those who seek Him. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, ... ~ 1st John 5:1 Do you desire God enough; none do more than He desires each one of us. ... He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6 \ | / We are all works in progress. Love and honor Him more passionately tomorrow. ... eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness - indignation and wrath, ... ~ Romans 2:4-8 What is the reward of seeking Him? What is the heart of our responsibility to God? Scripturally, “New Age” universal salvation for all is real deception.
Goodness means taking a stand against evil; manipulations of man. God is bound by His own rules, openly given to us. ... so that the righteous should be as the wicked; ... ~ Genesis 18:25 We need to do what is right over what is accepted by man. ... "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground." ~ Genesis 4:10 It hurts God for all those that have turned from His Love and Care. For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; ... ~ Job 19:25 ... in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 1:6-8 Right will be done. ... He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, ... ~ Hebrews 5:9 ... before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:10 God does love all, everyday, but there will be those that are lost. Benevolent character of God. └─> He wants good for all. God showed us through Christ that He wishes for us all back. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8 ... His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, ... ~ Romans 8:32 We must believe He is a benevolent God. └─> On good and bad days. In the end, good will triumph over evil. └─> He asks us to believe this, even when it is hard. I have a redeemer who Lives! └─> Hang on to this. When God gains His victory, He will allow those found faithful to come back to Him. God offers us amnesty. └─> Grace given as if we never turned away from Him. ... If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. ... ~ 2nd Timothy 2:11-13 God will not force us to choose Him. ~ God gave us free will. He longs for us to say "yes" to Him.
God wants to give of Himself to us, as His intent in the Garden of Eden. ... is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. ~ 2nd Peter 3:9 ... the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life ... ~ Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ... a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. ... ~ Acts 10:1-4 God currently waits for all to desire Him. ... when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, ... ~ Luke 15:20-24 ...The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; ... ~ Numbers 6:24-26 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. ~ Psalm 149:4 We were made to be tender, valuing precious godliness. ... in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ~ Genesis 1:27 We were created to need God. → HE now asks that we should want Him. ... He has put eternity in their hearts, ... ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11 We were made to enjoy God and this is His wish for us all. ~ But this is a broken world that will be destroyed. ... both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. ~ 2nd Peter 3:10 "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." ~ John 17:3 Each one of us has to decide if we will earnestly follow (seek) God. ... for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. ~ Revelation 22:1-5 What we experience of God today is just a drop in the eternal bucket.
... although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, ... ~ Romans 1:21 To forget reverence AND gratitude for God leads us to sin. God loves us more than we love ourselves. We should find joy in pleasing Him. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." ~ John 14:3 What of this world could replace what He offers us? Do you long for God more than the trinkets one desires? - Christianity was meant to put the groaning for God in us. └─> God gave us the fuel of Him.
... He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6
♥ He created you to be part of His Heart. ♥ Indifference, apathy, complacency hurts God ~ when you could care less for Him. "... I have no pleasure in you," Says the LORD of hosts, ... ~ Malachi 1:10 Some church going people may not be seeking God. "You also say, 'Oh, what a weariness!' And you sneer at it," Says the LORD of hosts. ... ~ Malachi 1:13 Do you have passion for God that ignites you or do you hold a coldness? "... outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." ~ Matthew 23:25-28 Casual or part-time Christians are in danger of not pleasing God. "... because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth." ~ Revelation 3:15-16 How can we get closer to God?
... though I give my body to be burned, but not love, it profits me nothing. ~ 1st Corinthians 13:1-3 ... He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." ~ Luke 9:23 Good things come from commitment.
We must seek God FERVENTLY. Are you desperately hungry and thirsty for God? ~ You are out of touch if you miss this. ... "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." ~ Mark 8:34 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." ~ Matthew 5:6 ... My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. ~ Psalm 42:1-2 Do we really want God? We must seek God FAITHFULLY. It is an unquestionable continuance, eagerly not as burdensome. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." ~ John 4:24 "... those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified." ~ Leviticus 10:1-3 We must seek the truth of God; Hallow be Him. ... Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? ... ~ James 4:4 Is it the world or God? Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ~ James 4:8 Decide to choose. "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." ~ Matthew 5:8 └─> Single mindedness.
"... you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul." ~ Deuteronomy 4:29 "... the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes." ~ Ezekiel 36:23 We are representatives of God. If we diligently seek God we will have more: IMPACT with others and we will obtain. PEACE and deep joy knowing we run for God. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you ... ~ 1st Timothy 4:14-16 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, ..., I myself should become disqualified. ~ 1st Corinthians 9:27 There is training in sPIRITUAL growth. It may not come easy but it is worth having. God will send us pain to discipline us. └─> The flesh must serve the spirit. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ~ 2nd Timothy 2:15 "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." ~ Matthew 12:30 It really is ALL or NOTHING. ~ Why do we seek the Lord? So what motives motivate us? How do we increase our quality? Most religion is self-centered with the focus → on ourselves, seeking what life can do for us. All meaningful change starts with the right aspiration. ... Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, ... ~ John 6:26-27 ... seek those things which are above, where Christ is, ... ~ Colossians 3:1 Do you seek what is more important than yourself? Many people see God as the celestial Santa Claus. ~ Outward wealth and inward comfort. <─┘ It is not about wanting from God, it is about thanking God for any circumstance to learn His will. ... tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ... ~ Romans 5:3-5 ⭨ ↓ ⭩ If the focus is on ourselves, the devil has a good chance of winning your soul over. ... love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ... ~ Matthew 22:34-40 One must love the Lord unconditionally. This is a challenge and hard to do. <─┘ ~ God challenges us to love one another. One’s ability to do this questions whether one is shallow or deep. If we have a problem loving one another, how can we expect to love Him? ... he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? ... ~ 1st John 4:20-21 Can we rise to open our hearts to Him?
... we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:6-7 If you truly seek God, one never gives up, for all that is better or worse. Many look to Christianity for happiness. Christianity for the most is hard and painful. <─┘ One must deny the pleasures of the world and confront the self. Many choose personal happiness over that of making God happy. → It’s not about the pursuit of happiness. It’s about glorifying God whether by life or by death. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." ~ Matthew 6:33 Focus on God first and the rest will fall in to place. ~ How can you serve the Lord being grateful for the opportunity?
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. ... ~ 1st Peter 4:11 Because we Love Him. ... present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ~ Romans 12:1 Learn to sacrifice for God. What costly gift have you given to the Lord? ~ What would you give up ... for the Lord? He GAVE the COSTLIEST gift – HIS LIFE for us. Yield to the Lord for His sake voluntarily, whole-heartedly. └─> This is Love. GRATITUDE FOR GRACE is what makes seekers diligent. ... I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:9-10 "... to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." ~ Luke 7:44-47 Where there is little hope, love escapes them. Are you inwardly harsh or can you reach out to care openly? ... pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin ... ~ 2nd Chronicles 7:14-15 ... not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ... ~ Romans 12:11 \ | / ┌─> Divine Summery For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness ... ~ Titus 2:11-14 └─> Divine Summery Gary Henry ~ "Those who serve the Lord the most passionately are those who are most lovingly aware of their indebtedness to His grace." The Bible is a book of love to teach us how to love. We work in the vineyard of the Lord. Can we love the Lord for the Lord? Do you walk the talk? ... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ..." ~ Acts 2:38 DOES YOUR PATH RETURN TO LOVE OF GOD?
... perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. ~ 1st John 4:16-18 ... - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ~ Ephesians 3:14-19 ... - meditate on these things. ... ~ Philippians 4:4-9 How can we live if not for the Love of God? Go to Him in Peace. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. ~ Psalm 14:2 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. ~ Psalm 53:2 |
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