God Centered Lives

 

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.  "But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.  So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!  (PS 81:10 -14)

“It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”  (Philippians 2:13)

God is working around us, working in the lives of others, working in the world, through circumstances, through people, all to bring about His Will, which is of coarse to bring lost people home. 

Today, as we think about how to be involved in God’s Work around us, there’s one key we need to be aware of. In order to be involved by God and doing His work, WE need a God-centered life.  We always need to remember the focus of the Bible is God. It is God accomplishing His will through willing, obedient, God centered lives.

The essence of Sin is a shift from a God-centered life to a Self-centered life. The essence of the Holy Life is the dying to our self and returning to being God-centered in our thinking and our living. When we live God-centered lives God can accomplish through us the purposes He had before He created the World.

To live a God centered life, you must focus your life on God’s purposes, not your own plans. We must seek to see from God’s perspective rather than from our own distorted human perspective. When God starts to do something in the World, he takes the initiative to come and talk to somebody. For some divine reason, He has chosen to involve His people, you and me, in accomplishing His purposes.

God was about to destroy the world with a flood when He came to Noah. When God prepared to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He came to tell Abraham about it. God came to Gideon when He was about to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of Midian. God came to Saul (later called Paul) on the road to Damascus when He was ready to carry the gospel message to the Gentiles around known world.

Without a doubt, the most important factor in each situation was not what the individual wanted to do for God. The most important factor was what God was about to do.

The pattern in Scripture is that we submit ourselves to God and we wait until God shows us what He is about to do, or we watch to see what God is doing around us and we join Him.  We cause ourselves, we cause our church so much harm when we devise our own plans, and then we ask God to bless it.  "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, (PS 81:14) how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

We need to know what God is about to do. When God spoke to prophets, He always had a two fold message. The first desire of God was: “Call the people to return to Me.” If the people failed to respond, they needed to hear the second message: “Let them know that they are closer to the moment of judgment than they have ever been.”  The Prophets understood what God was about to Do!

Also, we need to know what God has on His agenda for our church, for our community, for our nation. Then we can adjust our lives to God, so that He can move us into the mainstream of His activity before it’s too late. Obviously, God will not give us a detailed schedule, but He will let us know one step at a time how we need to respond to what He is doing?

All the way through Scripture, God took the initiative. When he comes to a person, He always reveals Himself and His activity. When God does this, it’s always an invitation for you to adjust your life to God.  If you want to be involved in God’s activity, you need to be ready to make changes in your life. None of the people God ever encountered could remain the same after the encounter.  They had to make major adjustments in their lives in order to walk obediently with God.

When you are God centered, even the desires to do the things that please God come from God’s initiative in your life because “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” ( Phil. 2:13)

~Bits and Pieces of Sermon by Glenn Newton

The Church Garden

Who likes gardening? I’m not talking about plants and flowers, I’m talking about growing your own food.  When planting a garden every section of the garden is set aside for a particular vegetable. You organize each vegetable so there will be good results when it is harvested. In the fall you harvest what you have labored over.

Like a farmer depending on a good crop to feed his family at harvest time there are certain things we need to have in a church garden. Organizing each member, getting them ready for their journey to their eternal home and having a plan that will be suitable for crop survival such as tilling, seed planting, watering, and harvesting. ~Debi Webster

Making A Garden Plan Through the Word:

I.  Three Rows of SQUASH

A. Squash Indifference (Rev 3:15)

Indifferent means – not concerned for or against something. The Bible refers to this indifference as being lukewarm.

B. Squash Criticism (Romans 14:19 / 1 Thes. 5:11)

The faults of others stick out like a missing tooth, while our own are often hard to spot. A Mote (dry twig / straw) in other people seem major, while the beam in our own eye seem excusable (Mat 7:1-5).

Let’s quit dwelling on the faults of others all the time. The church needs builders and workers-not a demolition crew. Work on our own faults, then seek to help others in a spirit of gentleness.

C. Squash Gossip (Leviticus 19:16)

Causes Friction – Proverbs 16:28 A forward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Called Talebearer – Proverbs 11:13, 20:19

Called Talkers – Ezekiel 36:3

Called Whisperers – Romans 1:29

Called Tattlers – 1 Timothy 5:13

Why is it that people like to gossip? It used to drive me mad at work – it was worse than soap operas. I can almost understand it from a lost point of view – but we as Christians should not entertain gossip at all!  The next time you are about to talk about someone, or someone is about to talk to you about someone else use the following acronym.

T.H.I.N.K.

True? – Exodus 20

Helpful? – Psalms 69:1-12

Inspired? – Matthew 12:34

Necessary? –

Kind? – Proverbs 18:8

II. Four Rows of TURNIPS

A.  Turn up for Meetings (Hebrews 10:25)

In this passage of Scripture Paul has been emphasizing our responsibilities as brethren.

This is the idea of this passage. We are to exhort one another, stir each other up to keep the fires of the Spirit burning brightly. We need to be kept close together so that Christian warmth can be communicated back and forth from one member of the fellowship to another.

What a shame it is when we begin to stop attending the gathering of those of like precious faith. We soon begin to lose our fervor, we begin to grow colder toward the things of God until, at last, we are no different from the unsaved people around us.

B. Turn up with a Smile (Psalm 9:1-2)

This is the kind of victory that must really bug the devil, what can he do with a man who is able to praise the Lord? Not just praising the Lord with the lips but with the whole heart.

Verse 2 - Glad = to brighten up, glee-some: - cheer up, be (make) glad, (have make) joy (-ful), be (make) merry.

Smiling is contagious. If you come to church with a smile you might help someone else by passing it on to them – What would people think if you were to come to church all doom and gloom.  I realize that we are to be serious about sin and the fate of sinners, but do it with a joyful attitude.

Let me put it this way – when Wales won the Grand Slam people were happy for weeks, because their team won – Christ has won the greatest victory EVER – that should make us smile.  Come and rejoice and praise His wonderful name.

C. Turn up with a Visitor (Proverbs 11:30)

There is no joy in the entire world like the joy of leading someone to Christ. We have the responsibility of taking the Gospel to a lost and dying world. Imagine how many more pews would be filled tonight if each one of us brought someone with us.

So many people knock on our doors – selling phone services, internet providers, vacuum cleaners, JW’s, Mormons. When was the last time you answered the door and it was a Christian telling you about Christ or even inviting you to church?

D. Turn up with a Bible (2 Timothy 3:16)

The doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture is vitally important, and a doctrine that Satan has attacked from the very beginning. God has given us a Word, His Word, and it is a Word that we can trust because it is the truth.

The Scriptures are profitable for doctrine (What is right)

The Scriptures are profitable for reproof (what is not right)

The Scriptures are profitable for correction (how to get right)

The Scriptures are profitable for instruction in righteousness (how to stay right)

A Christian who studies the Bible and applies what he learns will grow in the things of the Lord and will avoid many pitfalls in this world.

III. Five Rows of LETTUCE

A. Let us Love one another (Romans 13:8)

Love one another is the basic principle of the Christian life. It is the “New Commandment” that Christ gave us (John 13:34). When we practice love, there is no need for any other laws, because love covers it all. If we love others we will not sin against them.

Our motive for obeying God and helping others is the love of Christ in our hearts.

B. Let us Welcome Strangers (Hebrews 13:2)

Where there is true Christian love, there will also be hospitality. Christian compassion reaches out, not only to the saints in the local fellowship but to strangers too. This verse was true in the experience of Abraham. The three wayfaring men visited him, two were angels, and the other was the Son of God Himself.  We should welcome strangers in our church.

C. Let us be Faithful in Duty (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

Our duty is to serve God; He has given us the commission to preach the Gospel. In this passage of Scripture we see how the Thessalonians were spreading the Gospel.

The word for “sounded out” refers to the sounding of a heralds trumpet; such was the boldness of their witness. They did not hide timidly behind closed doors and whisper the Gospel into the ears of their closest friends. They preached the Good News loudly, and they told it to everyone. What they had discovered in Christ was too good to be kept to themselves.

Timothy had brought the good news to Paul at Corinth. But, by the time Paul came to write this letter he was hearing the same story from everyone. All of Macedonia and Achaia were ablaze. The Thessalonian believers were setting the world on fire. The Gospel was sweeping across the heartland of Greece like wildfire.

Are we ashamed of the Gospel or are we faithful in our duty to tell others about Christ?

D. Let us Truly Worship God (Psalm 29:2)

Henry Ward Beecher, the famous pulpit orator, once had to be absent and his brother was invited to speak for him. The church house was crowded, but when it became evident the eloquent Henry Beecher was not going to appear, many started to leave. Beecher’s brother was not disturbed. He stood up before the murmuring crowd, called for silence and said, "All who came this morning to worship Henry W. Beecher may now leave. The rest will remain and worship God."

What are we doing in our Churches? Some come to hear the preacher say something nice. "Is it relevant?" "Is it positive?" Some attend to judge the singing, the prayers, or the friendliness of the congregation. These go away with a host of criticisms, perhaps, or even pride, but worship has been forgotten.

Why do we gather for worship? Some come to "get it over with for a week"; to get their tickets validated once more. But those who come because they need strength in carrying their crosses know the value of true worship.

Worship has nothing to do with the singing or the preacher. It has to do with you and God. Let people do what they will to please themselves. "The rest will remain and worship God."

E. Let us Give Liberally (2 Corinthians 9:7)

We reap as we sow with right motives. Motive makes absolutely no difference to the farmer. If he sows good seed and has good weather, he will reap a harvest whether he is working for profit, pleasure or pride. It makes no difference how he plans to use the money that he earns, the harvest will come just the same.

But not so with the Christian. Motive in giving (or any other activity) is vitally important. Our giving must come from the heart, and the motive in the heart must please God. We must not be “sad givers” who give grudgingly, or “mad givers!” who give because we have to; but we should be glad givers who cheerfully share what we have because we have experienced the grace of God, He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed (Prov 22:9).

Cheerful – Greek = Hilarious. If we cannot give joyfully then we must open our hearts to the Lord and ask Him to grant us His grace. Certainly God can bless a gift that is given out of a sense of duty, but God cannot bless the giver unless his heart is right.

How does your garden grow?

Bits and Pieces of the sermon by Darren Rogers, "The Church Garden".

David's Prayer/Overcoming Guilt

Psalms 51:1-17

David's Prayer of Confession – verses 1-6

David begins with a cry for God to have mercy upon him. He does so appealing to God’s faithfulness and compassion. David has sought for over a year to hide his guilt. He knows that in reality he cannot hide it from God but like many he believes it will remain undetected and there will be no consequences for his sinful actions. In Psalms 38 and 39, David’s own words is what happened during the time he remained silent. Psalm 38 verse 4. His guilt was a heavy burden on his life. 

The sin exposure actually brought relief to David’s heart and soul. The burden which had weighed so heavily on his life, that had taken its toll mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually was about to be lifted. The anticipation of it being removed brought relief to a weary man. Having been exposed as an adulterer and a murderer David casts himself on the merciful compassion of God.

God cleansed David and in so doing restored a right relationship between them. For a year David had suffered the pain of a broken relationship with God now experiencing forgiveness he longs for a restored relationship with God and to experience once again the joy which he once knew in God’s salvation.

Note how in these verses David not only faces up to the revelation of his sin and guilt but also how he takes personal responsibility for his sin and guilt. Note how he speaks of ‘my sin’ and ‘I have sinned.’ David does not try to evade his guilt but faces it and admits it openly. David does not try to make excuses for his sin, nor does he try to pass the blame on to someone or something else. So there is the first lesson in overcoming guilt – you must admit your guilt.

The second thing which David did in these verses was that he sought God’s forgiveness. Listen to what he says – blot out, wash thoroughly and cleanse completely. 

David tried to hide the guilt of his adultery by murdering Uriah and marrying Bathsheba but try as he would there was no means for him to remove the stain of guilt from his soul and the burden of that guilt crushed him daily. He turns to God and he cries to God to blot it out. That is to remove it from the record – God alone could do this.

David asks God to wash him thoroughly – the stains of guilt were deeply ingrained in David’s life and only God could remove them. He then asks God to cleanse him completely of the guilt that weighed heavy on his soul – David wanted to not only know the forgiveness of his guilt but also freedom from his guilt.

David had no contentment in his life because of the torment of his soul. So in verses 3-4 he opens his sinful heart before God. This is no introspection but and honest realization of his standing before God. David knows that his sin is ultimately against God and he knows that God’s judgment on him is right. He has come to a proper understanding and realization of how sinful and guilty he actually is. 

In verses 5-6 David speaks further of his sinfulness and admits that without God revealing such to him he would have no understanding of his spiritual state. The same is true for you and I.  Without the work of the Holy Spirit opening our eyes to our sinful nature we have no proper understanding of how truly sinful and guilty we are.

David's Prayer for Restoration – verses 7-12

When David has confessed his sin and sought God’s forgiveness for his guilt he then calls upon God to restore him. I find that interesting. David was not content just to be forgiven. He wanted more than the guilt to be removed from his soul – he wanted a right relationship with God restored. David knew what it was to have a right relationship with God and that relationship was broken because of his guilt.

When the guilt was removed by the cleansing power and work of God, David then asked for the relationship with God to be restored. David asks God to cleanse him with hyssop – this was the action of the OT priest to declare the penitent ceremonially clean and acceptable for participation in worship. David asks God to declare him acceptable in his presence. He asks God to restore to him the joy of salvation which he once knew but was lost because of sin. 

When guilt burdens your soul then it steals the joy that you once knew in salvation. However, the result of forgiveness by God is joy restored in the heart of a man. Here is the beginning of David experiencing not only forgiveness but freedom from guilt. When God forgives he also restores. He not only blotted out David’s guilt, he washed him thoroughly and declared him acceptable in his presence.

No doubt during the year that David had sought to conceal his guilt he went through the motions of his faith. All the time God knew his heart was not right. Every time he participated in worship his guilt just grew and the burden became heavier and heavier.

Having been forgiven David’s desire is to remain in the presence of God and not to be excluded from it again. He had experienced what it was like for God to hide his face from him because of his sin. He had experienced what it was like to be burdened with guilt. Now he asks God for the Holy Spirit to abide in his life that this joy of a restored relationship with God might also remain in his life.

David's Time for Thanksgiving – verses 13-17

Finally David declares that he will praise God and point other people in the right path of forgiveness and freedom. David’s concern is that others might know the forgiveness that he has experienced. His praise of God is an appropriate response to the experience of guilt forgiven.

The deliverance which David has experienced is divine in origin and working. David could not cleanse himself nor free himself from guilt. Knowing his forgiveness he asks God that his heart would be committed to God – David knows from the day of his calling as king that God’s concern is with the heart of a man and not the externals (1 Samuel 16.7).

I would close by saying to each of us – Guilt is a positive thing when it moves us to confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness. When we have done that we must believe and live according to what Scripture teaches – that we are forgiven and live in the freedom of that forgiveness.

~Bits and Pieces of the sermon "Overcoming Guilt" by Al McCann