Blog Archives

"THE BURDENS OF THE BRETHREN"

2/24/2019

Galatians 6:1-10

Principles for the local church
1. Bear one another's burdens. (vs. 1-2)
When someone in the church has a burden, that is the burden of the rest of the church.

2. Bear your own burden. (vs. 3-5)
If you make a commitment to serve the Lord in a certain area, but don't follow through, then the work is left for the faithful few to try to do.
Become aware of the needs of your fellow church members, and you will find that you do have a burden
to bear.

3. Bear the burden of sowing and reaping.
concepts
a. teaching (vs. 6) If you are not a teacher, then you should be a student.
b. motivation (vs. 8) If our motivation is to win people for Christ...., then we are sowing to the Spirit.
c. perseverance (vs.9-10) We will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Local church work is important!

"MERCY ON ME"

2/17/2019

Jonah 3:1-10

It is God's nature to give a second chance.

1. Your sinful past doesn't change God's Plans. (1-2)
examples: Abraham, Moses, David
Things may not happen they way they would if you had been obedient in the first place, but it is never too
late to submit to God's calling in your life.

2. Your past mistakes don't change God's Power (5)
example: Peter
You may need to earn back credibility in the eyes of other people.
The process of repentance and restoration is a lot like being vomited onto shore!

3. Your past sin cannot change God's Promises. (10)
If you repent, you will be forgiven.
Lessons
a. If you try to run from God, you are likely to end up in the belly of a whale.
b. If you run from God, He will do whatever He has to do to get you back where He wants you to be.
c. If you run from God, that does not mean that He is finished with you.

No matter what you have done, God's mercy is available to you to restore you and equip you for the task of living a pure Christian life.

"BALANCING ACT"

2/3/2019

Psalms 40:1-12

Areas where balance is needed
1. Waiting patiently and acting decisively (Vs. 1 and 13)
key: Trust (vs. 4)
Trusting God means not being so impatient that you turn to the wrong place.
Trust is being confident in God's power. (vs. 5)

2. Serving God with impure motives or not serving Him enough. (vs. 6-8)
key: Obedience
Obedience is the purest of motivations.
Obedience also indicates an awareness of the consequences of irresponsibility.

3. God's judgment and God's mercy (vs. 9-11)
key: Confession (vs. 12)
Confession acknowledges both sides of God.
These three keys are also the basic steps to salvation.