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How to live as a Christian

Eph. 4:1-6 is on how to live as a Christian!

Lessons:

  1. Walk in a manner worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1)
    Col. 1:10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
  2. Have all humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance in love (Eph. 4:2)
    Matt. 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  3. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in peace (Eph. 4:3-6)
    1Cor. 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Sowing the Seed

Jesus’ command to all His disciples:

  • Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 How are we to “make disciples”?

Sowing the Seed

  • Luke 8:5,11 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up … 11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.

Rom. 10:17  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Sometimes Christians may become discouraged by the apparent lack of response to the direct telling of the gospel.

It is equally discouraging to see people respond to the gospel and then fall away some time later.

So there is a great temptation, at times, to try devious means to entice people to Christ!

But to employ such:

(i)  is to practise deception (like the devil, Rev. 12:9), and

(ii)  may cause people to be attracted to the wrong thing (i.e. not to Christ).

Let’s consider four (4) questions this morning:

  1. What tricks may I use to bring others to Jesus?
  2. How should we bring people to Jesus?
  3. Why can’t we modify God’s word to please all people?
  4. Does the word of God need any “help” from us?

True Happiness

What is the key to true happiness?

  • Many seek for happiness in wealth, possessions, and pleasure, only to be ultimately disappointed!
  • Many seek happiness in various sins, but any such “pleasure” is of course passing, and leads to hell.

The book of Psalms with its very first Psalm shares with us the key to true happiness

Other parts of the Bible also share with us this same key to true happiness …

  • g., We started this morning with Solomon … let’s go back to his inspired findings:
    • 12:13-14 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
    • Prov. 3:13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.
    • 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.
  • Also recall Jesus in the beginning of the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5:3-12) …
    • 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Also 1 Tim 4:7-8 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

The way to true happiness:

  • Acts 2:36-38 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ– this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Acts 2:41-42 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth

There were many people of tremendous faith in the bible and in this mornings sermon we look at Abraham. Spending the majority of his life in his father house it would appear like a failure to launch for Abraham until he received a Promise from God that he will have a legacy and land to call his own. Abraham knew the promise of physical land didn’t compare to the promise of an eternity in heaven. Because of his Faith in that promise and ultimately in God many have access to this same promise through Christ Jesus. Join us in learning more about his wonderful gift of salvation through todays sermon. Enjoy.

Ezekiel 37

In the midst of their despair, the two halves of Ezekiel 37 contain:

  • A vision of the restoration of the nation (37:1-14), and
  • An enacted prophecy about the Messiah’s nation (37:15-28)!
  • In the explanation of these things (Ezk.37:11-14), who were represented by the bones?
  • Two sticks of Judah and Joseph demonstrating when all God’s people would be united in the Messiah’s nation!
  • David, the second king of Israel (Acts 13:21,22), had died about 400 years before the time of Ezekiel (cf. Matt.1:17). So who then is the “one shepherd” described as “My servant David”(Ezk.37:24)?
  • the “one shepherd” described as “My servant David” is David’s descendant, the Messiah(Acts 2:29-32)

What kind of covenant would be made?

  • Ezek 37:26 “And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.
    • Col 1:20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Mary’s Song of Thanksgiving

When Mary found out that she was pregnant with God’s Son, her response is somewhat muted: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” Mary appears to have had concerns about the matter, and it is not until after she visits her relative Elizabeth that her concerns are allayed and she is filled with joy and thanksgiving to the Lord for the great honour that is bestowed upon her: that she should carry the Messiah in her womb.

Mary’s song traces the same thread as the songs of Hannah and David before her, marvelling at the faithfulness of God towards those who serve Him; who exalts the humble and destroys the proud and those who are wise in their own estimation.

Ephesians 3: Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles

  • How was Paul “the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” (Eph. 3:1) according to the following Scripture?
  • What might the Ephesians (cf. Eph. 1:1) “have heard of” concerning Paul according to Ephesians 3:2?
  • How could the Ephesians (cf. Eph. 1:1) understand Paul’s “insight into the mystery of Christ” according to Ephesians 3:4?
  • When was “the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4) revealed according to Ephesians 3:5?
  • What does the following Scripture teach concerning “His holy apostles and prophets” (Eph. 3:5)?
  • What is “the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4) according to Ephesians 3:6?
  • In “Christ Jesus our Lord … we have” what according to Ephesians 3:12 Ephesians 3: Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles