God In me, Gives Me Purpose

God in Me, Gives Me Purpose

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.

1. If I have indeed been crucified with Christ, I am dead to sin and to this worlds allurements.

2. If I live by faith in the Son of God, I must carry out the mission that He intended for me.

3. The outer trimmings do not matter.

4. It is what is inside that gives me meaning, purpose, and strength.

God’s Coffee:

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned to complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He told them to help themselves to the coffee.
When the students all had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: “If you will notice, all the nice looking cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.
While it is normal for you to want the best for yourselves, that is also the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases it even hides what we drink. What you really wanted was the coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... and then you began eyeing each others cups.
Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money, and positions in society arethe cups.
They are only the tools to hold and contain the life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, it is possible, that concentrate of the cup so much that we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided for us.
God brews the coffee, not the cups...enjoy your coffee!
The happiest people are not those who have the best of everything; they are the people who make the best of very thing.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.”

The Real Spirit of Christmas Colossians 3:1-17

Col 3:1) If you then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
If you are a Christian than live like it.
(Col 3:2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Put your money where your heart is.
(Col 3:3) For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
You have a new Spirit living within you.
(Col 3:4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.
Soon we will be hanging out with Christ.
(Col 3:5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Get your self together!
(Col 3:6) For which things' sake the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience:
(Col 3:7) In the which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.
(Col 3:8) But now you also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
(Col 3:9) Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;
(Col 3:10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Don’t live like that!
(Col 3:11) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Put away your prejudice.
(Col 3:12) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Put on Christ Jesus.
(Col 3:13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.
(Col 3:14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
(Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be you thankful.
(Col 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(Col 3:17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
How To Give:

1. In the name of the Lord
(Col 3:17) And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

2. Of your own free will
(Exo 25:1) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
(Exo 25:2) Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that gives it willingly with his heart you shall take my offering.
(Exo 25:3) And this is the offering which you shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
(Exo 25:4) And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
(Exo 25:5) And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
(Exo 25:6) Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
(Exo 25:7) Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
(Exo 25:8) And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

3. Give as the Lord has given to you
(Psa 136:25) Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endures for ever.
(Psa 136:26) O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endures for ever.

4. Give locally
(Num 30:2) If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

5. Give selflessly
(Phi 2:1) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
(Phi 2:2) Fulfil you my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
(Phi 2:3) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
(Phi 2:4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
(Phi 2:5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
(Phi 2:6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
(Phi 2:7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
(Phi 2:8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

6. Give remembering that all things came from God in the first place
(Joh 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(Joh 1:2) The same was in the beginning with God.
(Joh 1:3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
(Joh 1:4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Have a marvelous Christmas season and let it become a life-style instead of a single day celebration.

God Bless you all

Are You Willing?

Matthew 28:16-20

Throughout the Bible we read of others who are willing to be faithful servants of the Lord God. If you start with Genesis and go all the way through to Revelation you will see how God used various people to accomplish His will. This morning I would like to do something a little different I am going to read our main text at the end of the sermon today and instead I want to start off today by looking at one family that was willing to serve God and in doing so accomplished His will. Since we are in the Christmas season I thought the best place to look would be with Mary and Joseph lets begin by reading Luke 1:26-38. As we can see Mary was willing to be the Lords servant. Mary did not make excuses even though people were going to start to ask questions and wonder. She was a virgin, engaged to be married and she was pregnant this did not look very good for her because people would assume that she was unfaith to Joseph even though she wasn’t.
I now want to take a look at Matthew 1:18-25. The Lord sent an angel to Joseph and told him what he was to do. Joseph was to take Mary as his wife and to name her son Jesus or as Matthew quotes here from Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel which means God with us remember this I will be mentioning it again. Joseph also did what the Lord had commanded.
I now want to look at one more example of how Mary and Joseph were willing to obey the Lords directions for them.
Lets look at Matthew 2:13-14 & 19-23. As we can see here God told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary and flee too Egypt. Joseph did what the Lord commanded him to do and went to Egypt and there he stayed until the Lord told him to return.
God had a very specific task for Mary and Joseph to accomplish and they were faithful and obeyed God directions to them. God has also given us directions and a purpose. God has called me to be His servant He has also called Al, Ken, and Russ, God has not only called the four of us to serve Him, He has also called each and everyone of you to serve Him too. Jesus gave us specific instructions as to what we are to be doing in service to Him. Lets take a look at our text for this morning Matthew 28:16-20. Here we are told by Jesus to go and make disciples baptizing and teaching them to obey what Jesus has commanded. Before I conclude I want to look at the end of verse 20 and a very encouraging promise in which Jesus says “and surely I am with you always” Do you remember when I was discussing the first chapter of Matthew and mentioned the name Immanuel means “God with us”. I find it interesting that Matthew’s gospel record begins with the statement “God with us” and then ends with a promise from Jesus that He will be with us always. If you were to ask me a few years ago if I would get up in front of everybody and give a speech for school I would get worked up and worried about it. I used to have a great fear of getting up in front of people. I used to be a very shy person who would keep to myself. I would have never though of myself as a preacher but as I stand here before you today I want to tell you that I have not got to this point in my life by my own power. God has brought me to this point and He has been with me all this way and I know that He will continue to be with me. I used to think that I did not know enough or was smart enough to be a preacher and I would always feel so useless until I realized that God would help me and that I am not perfect. God has called you to serve Him. Not only has He called you but He also has promised that you will not be alone and he will be with you. So let me ask you are you willing to do what God asks of you remember He will be with you and you are not alone.

The Greatest Gift

John 3:16-18

This is the time of the year that people start talking about gifts and giving gifts. Most people when they think of Christmas their first thought is on giving gifts. What should I get for so and so or do you think this person would like this. It seems like everyone goes out of their way to make sure everyone has the perfect gift sometimes spending too much, I remember one year we put most of our Christmas gifts on credit cards. Not a good idea I would not recommend trying this yourselves. You know with all this talk about credit cards and gifts this made me think: for Emily A binky $1, some paper to tear up 10 cents, gift box and bow 50 cents; Sarah markers and paper $1.50, candy 50 cents, gift box and box 50 cents; Veronica box of rocks free, antique porcelain doll pric.. (Actually an old mud pie I made when I was ten) free, gift box and bow 50 cents; Total cost of gifts for the family $4.60; Eternal life found only in Jesus Christ – Priceless. For everything else there is the hope in salvation. Christmas used to confuse me when I was younger it never made much sense to me. There were three things that I didn’t really understand and tonight I am going to talk about them briefly. The first thing about Christmas that confused me is the saying it is better to give than receive. God gave His Son so that we might receive eternal life. Jesus gave His life on the cross so that we can receive forgiveness for our sins. The second thing about Christmas that confused me is its Jesus birthday but we would get gifts. Whenever I had a birthday I would get gifts and whenever Jesus had a birthday I would get gifts this always seemed to perplex me. When I was really young I just thought people got confused when they were wrapping presents because my name started with a “J” and Jesus also starts with a “J”. As I got older I started to read the Bible then I read about the three wise men bringing Jesus gifts and I felt like we were even since they brought Him gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Since I didn’t know what frankincense or myrrh was at the time I thought it must have been really special. Once I became a Christian I finally realized how this whole birthday / Christmas thing worked. God gave his Son Jesus (that would be Christmas) and in turn Jesus gave His life for ours (that would be Easter but we will save that for another sermon). When we become Christians (our second birthday) we give our lives to Christ and in turn He gives us life eternal. (If you want to know more about second birthdays read all of John chapter 3.) The third thing about Christmas that confused me was recycling gifts. What is the first thing you think of when I say recycled gifts; your answer is probably fruit cake. It is the most passed around and almost never kept gift that seems to have a shelf life in the hundreds of years. You know I actually like fruitcake I have Veronica get me a small one every year to go along with my egg nog. I always thought it was insincere when someone would get a gift and then turn around and give it to someone else. My mom used to do it ever once in a while when she would get something she would never use, and I would get after her about it. Then when I got married Veronica would do it and I would get after her too. This went on for a few years until one day I was given a gift card for a gas station. It was a really nice gift who couldn’t use some gas for their car every now and then. It was great except the closest gas station that I could use it at was in Columbus. I did it yep me Recycled Gift and from now on I keep my mouth shut. We are given a gift from God and this gift He tells us to pass along to others. We are given the gospel message and are instructed to pass it on to others. What is the gospel message some might ask? You can find it right here in John 3:16 and if you are like me you can add in 17-18. God gave His Son so that we may not perish and have eternal life. The Son did not come to condemn but that the world might be saved. If we believe then we are not condemned but if we refuse to believe then we are condemned. I hope this message has cleared up some of your Christmas confusion. During the rest of the month when you are out shopping for gifts I want you to take a minute and think of those who are on your Christmas who have never received the Greatest Gift of all and pray for them. God has given us a gift that He wants us to share with others so my question is are you going to be selfish and keep it to yourself or are you going to share what has been given to you

James 2:1-13 Rich Man, Poor Man

Are there any prejudices that shackle me?
“The way we behave toward people indicates what we really believe about God.” –W. Wiersbe

I. The Deity of Christ 2:1-4
1. Jesus did not respect persons.
2. Jesus was despised and rejected.
3. Jesus was the very glory of God, “the expressed image of the Father.”
Application: Look at everyone through the eyes of Christ.
1. If they are a Christian accept them because Christ live in them.
2. If they are not a Christian accept them because Christ died for them.

II. The Grace of God 2:5-7
God’s grace surpasses:
1. National differences
2. Social differences
3. Gender differences
4. Racial differences
Application: Jesus broke the walls down that separated mankind; we dare not build them up again.

III. The Word of God 2:8-11
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Leviticus 19:18
1. This controls all other laws.
2. Obeying it makes you feel good about yourself.
3. Obeying it makes you look like Jesus.
Application: Christian love involves treating others the way that God has treated me.

IV. The Judgement of God 2:12-13
1. Our words will be judged
2. Our deeds will be judged
3. Our attitudes will be judged

V. About Liberty
Obeying the law of love prepares us for liberty.
1. Liberty does not mean license.
2. Liberty means the freedom to be all that I can be in Christ Jesus.
Application: License is confinement; liberty is fulfillment.
Our beliefs should control our behavior. If we really believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that God is gracious, His word is true, and one day He will judge us, then our conduct will reveal our convictions.
Before we attack others who do not follow right doctrines we must be sure that we are pracicing the doctrines we are defending.
Jonah had wonderful theology, but he hated people and he was angry with God.
One of the tests of reality of our faith is how we treat people.
Can you passthe test?

Jehovah Jireh The Lord Our Provider Genesis 22:1-18

I. Interpretation of Jehovah Jireh
1. Jehovah the Self-existent, ever present God
2. Jireh is Hebrew for provide
A. Provide comes from the combination of two Latin words
(a) pro - meaning before
(b) vide - meaning vison
(c) a literal meaning would be to see the need before
(d) Jehovah Jireh is the God who sees the need before it is and provides for it.

II. The Ultimate Test of Faith
1. God told Abraham to send Ishmael and Hagar away
2. God told Abraham to offer Isaac on Mount Moriah
3. The difference between perfect will and permissive will (Ishmael and Isaac).
4. Abraham told the servants that he and the boy would return
5. ‘Worship’ word origin is worth - ship as well as work - ship
6. They built and altar
7. Had God not intervened, Abraham would have went ahead with the directives that God had
given him.
8. God made a covenant with Abraham that in his seed all the world would be blessed.
9. Abraham was the first in the to believe in the resurrection power of God.
10. Over 1900 years later Jesus Christ fulfilled this promise to Abraham.

III. Application of the name
1. Jehovah Jireh will provide for you.
2. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
3. Do not Doubt God’s willingness to meet your needs nor His capability to do so.
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)
4. We all make trips to Mount Moriah
5. You too must be willing to sacrifice it all
6. You cannot enjoy tomorrow today, but you can ruin today by worrying about tomorrow.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
7. God will provide strength for each day.
“Your shoes shall be iron and brass; and as your days, so shall your strength be.” (Deuteronomy 33:25)

Challenge: If you would like to meet Jehovah Jireh, he is here today.