Are you a crystal goblet or a peanut butter jar?
Dawson Trotman who founded the Navigators tells the story of having a friend in his home for the night and the friend asked for a glass of water. Dawson Trotman’s wife had been gone for several days so when the friend went to get a glass, there were only two in the cabinet. One was a crystal goblet and the other a peanut butter jar. The friend asked Dawson if he could use the crystal goblet. Out of embarrassment, Dawson told him he could, because the goblet was very expensive and had belonged to his wife’s grandmother and had great sentimental value. When the friend got the crystal goblet down he looked inside and saw that it was very dirty. He put it back and got the peanut butter jar which was very clean and used that for his glass of water.
The story illustrates the truth of 2 Timothy 2:20 which says, “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, and some for dishonorable.”
Vessels are people’s lives. Some lives are for honorable or godly purposes and some for dishonorable or ungodly purposes.
All lives can be for godly purposes. But for lives to be used for godly purposes, those lives have to be:
Cleansed Lives
2 Timothy 2:21
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
Paul says that a cleansed life is a life that is:
Holy
Useful to the Master
Ready for Every Good Work
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness.”
Confession of sins to Jesus brings cleansing. But how do we keep ourselves clean?
According to Romans 12:2 it is by not being conformed to the values of this world, but by being transformed by God renewing your mind continual.
It begins with our minds.
Allow God to cleanse, transform, and control your thinking.
In Psalm 119:133 David asks God to, “Keep steady my steps according to Your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.”
A cleansed life isn’t about a one-time act. It is about daily submitting your mind, heart, and spirit over to God’s control.
Balanced Lives
2 Timothy 2:22
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Living a godly life means that there are some things we are to flee and some tings we are to pursue.
Flee: evil desires of youth (things that in our immaturity looks good but lead to destruction)
Pursue: righteousness, faith, love and peace
We are given one thing to flee and four things to pursue.
Many contend that Christianity is mostly negative. But here we are given a four to one ratio toward the positive.
We are not in this fleeing and pursuing alone. We are to surround ourselves with others who are calling on God with a pure heart. We are to connect ourselves with people who are fleeing ungodly things and pursuing godly things.
This doesn’t mean we are to be living only in a “Christian Fortress”, but we are to have fellowship with other believers so we can live in a fallen world and have balance.
Forgiving Lives
2 Timothy 2:23-24
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.
The first way we can lead forgiving lives is not to do things that cause arguments which produce the need for forgiveness.
The word foolish in this verse is the word we get our word moron from. Quarrels in this verse means fighting. So we are not to be morons and go around causing or getting into fights.
Quarrels are counterproductive because they don’t produce repentance. Repentance comes from followers of Jesus being kind.
Romans 2:4 tells us that God’s desire is for His kindness to lead people to repentance.
How is God’s kindness expressed to the world? God’s kindness is expressed through His people.
When God’s kindness expressed through His people is experienced by another person, it opens up the opportunity for us to teach them about God’s love and His plan for them.
Sometimes God’s kindness has to be shown to others by us as God’s people being patient as we endure suffering.
I think of Stephen.
Stephen as he was being stoned to death says, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
One of the people there assisting with killing Stephen was Saul, later to become Paul. The kindness of Stephen to those killing him was something that God used to transform Saul to Paul.
What Saul saw exhibited in Stephen as he died was what Jesus showed from the cross as He prayed for the Father to forgive them because “they don’t know what they are doing.”
Humbled Lives
2 Timothy 2:25-26
Correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
We are to deal with opponents, people who oppose us or what we believe, with gentleness. Gentleness carries the idea of humility. We are not to try to embarrass or prove others wrong. Our goal is to help people come to repentance. We do that by treating them with respect and not trying to argue them down.
We need to see people who oppose God not as enemies but as victims. They are trapped by the devil and have been taken captive by him and deceived into doing his will.
We should want them to come to their senses and escapes his enslavement.
Our condemnation will not accomplish that. God’s love expressed through His people will.
Being humble means we understand that we are not above falling into sin.
Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
We all can fall!
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is about living a life that has been cleansed by God and is continually being cleansed by Him.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is about living a balanced life of fleeing what God doesn’t want in your life and pursuing what He does want in your life.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is about living a life that forgives just as Jesus does.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is about living a humbled life so others can see Jesus through us.
Being Useful for God to Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls
Joe
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
We Are Created for God's Pleasure
In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell is asked why he ran with such intensity. He said that he could sense God’s pleasure when he ran as fast as he could.
You and I were planned for God’s pleasure.
Psalm 149:4
For God takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.
The smile of God needs to be the goal of your life.
Psalm 119:135
Smile on Your servant; teach me the way to live.
In 2 Timothy 2:14-19 we are given four ways we can bring pleasure to God and make Him smile.
First, Don’t Quarrel
2 Timothy 2:14
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value; and only ruins those who listen.
We are commanded not to get in “word fights”
Witnessing, evangelizing, sharing the Gospel, and sharing your Jesus story is not to be about arguing to prove that your belief is right and others are wrong.
Quarreling is about YOU being right.
Sharing your Jesus story is about helping the other person to be right with GOD.
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
The things that makes God smile is not how right we are but how much we love.
Second, Don’t Mishandle the Word of God
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
We are told to give maximum effort to studying AND applying God’s Word to our everyday living.
We are told to be a workman, one who works to please God. We are not to see ourselves as experts or elite but as an ordinary worker who us seeking to serve his Master, Jesus.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
We are told to correctly handle the word of truth.
We are use God’s Word in a “straight forward manner.”
We are not to use God’s Word to manipulate things to prove a point or to justify sin or to guilt people into doing something.
God’s Word is truth and we need to use it as God’s truth to help people come into a relationship with Him and grow in Him.
The Word of God is not a club to hit people over the head with.
The Word of God is not a rule book to make people do what we want them to do.
The Word of God is a love letter sharing with us:
Who we are (sinners)
Who God is (the One who loves sinners)
What God has done for us out of His love (death and resurrection)
How we can respond to His action of love (surrender and obedience)
We share the whole truth of God’s Word, popular or not.
Third, Stay Away From Irreverent Babble
2 Timothy 2:16-18
But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
We are not to be involved in fruitless discussions.
1 Corinthians 10:23
All tings are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.
A good test about what is said in Bible study discussions is, “Does it build up spiritually?” If not, we should just shut up.
The result of godless chatter is that the body become sick and could even die.
Proverbs 11:9
The godless destroy their neighbors by their words, but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.
This irreverent babbling or godless chattering is worse than useless. It is destructive to people’s faith.
Fourth, Stand on God’s Firm Foundation
2 Timothy 2:19
But God’s firm foundation stands bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
The firm foundation is:
Our life surrendered to Jesus as our Lord
The church (our faith family)
God’s Word
There are two things that will keep us standing on God’s firm foundation.
Relationship - “The Lord knows those who are His.”
John 17:3
This is eternal life that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Everything connected with Christianity, even eternal life is about a relationship with Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
Repentance - “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Acts 11:18
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God saying, “Then the Gentiles also God granted repentance that leads to life.”
Repentance leads to life.
Acts 3:19-20
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.
Repentance leads to sins being blotted out, experiencing spiritual refreshment, and having Jesus fill your life.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about knowing you were created by God for His pleasure.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about making God smile by who you are and how you live.
Knowing and following God’s Word, staying away from arguing about God’s Word, avoiding godless chattering, and standing firm on the foundation of a relationship with God and His church will bring God great pleasure and make Him smile.
With God’s Pleasure Raising the Roof and Removing the Wall
Joe
You and I were planned for God’s pleasure.
Psalm 149:4
For God takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.
The smile of God needs to be the goal of your life.
Psalm 119:135
Smile on Your servant; teach me the way to live.
In 2 Timothy 2:14-19 we are given four ways we can bring pleasure to God and make Him smile.
First, Don’t Quarrel
2 Timothy 2:14
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value; and only ruins those who listen.
We are commanded not to get in “word fights”
Witnessing, evangelizing, sharing the Gospel, and sharing your Jesus story is not to be about arguing to prove that your belief is right and others are wrong.
Quarreling is about YOU being right.
Sharing your Jesus story is about helping the other person to be right with GOD.
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
The things that makes God smile is not how right we are but how much we love.
Second, Don’t Mishandle the Word of God
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
We are told to give maximum effort to studying AND applying God’s Word to our everyday living.
We are told to be a workman, one who works to please God. We are not to see ourselves as experts or elite but as an ordinary worker who us seeking to serve his Master, Jesus.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
We are told to correctly handle the word of truth.
We are use God’s Word in a “straight forward manner.”
We are not to use God’s Word to manipulate things to prove a point or to justify sin or to guilt people into doing something.
God’s Word is truth and we need to use it as God’s truth to help people come into a relationship with Him and grow in Him.
The Word of God is not a club to hit people over the head with.
The Word of God is not a rule book to make people do what we want them to do.
The Word of God is a love letter sharing with us:
Who we are (sinners)
Who God is (the One who loves sinners)
What God has done for us out of His love (death and resurrection)
How we can respond to His action of love (surrender and obedience)
We share the whole truth of God’s Word, popular or not.
Third, Stay Away From Irreverent Babble
2 Timothy 2:16-18
But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
We are not to be involved in fruitless discussions.
1 Corinthians 10:23
All tings are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.
A good test about what is said in Bible study discussions is, “Does it build up spiritually?” If not, we should just shut up.
The result of godless chatter is that the body become sick and could even die.
Proverbs 11:9
The godless destroy their neighbors by their words, but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.
This irreverent babbling or godless chattering is worse than useless. It is destructive to people’s faith.
Fourth, Stand on God’s Firm Foundation
2 Timothy 2:19
But God’s firm foundation stands bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
The firm foundation is:
Our life surrendered to Jesus as our Lord
The church (our faith family)
God’s Word
There are two things that will keep us standing on God’s firm foundation.
Relationship - “The Lord knows those who are His.”
John 17:3
This is eternal life that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Everything connected with Christianity, even eternal life is about a relationship with Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
Repentance - “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Acts 11:18
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God saying, “Then the Gentiles also God granted repentance that leads to life.”
Repentance leads to life.
Acts 3:19-20
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.
Repentance leads to sins being blotted out, experiencing spiritual refreshment, and having Jesus fill your life.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about knowing you were created by God for His pleasure.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about making God smile by who you are and how you live.
Knowing and following God’s Word, staying away from arguing about God’s Word, avoiding godless chattering, and standing firm on the foundation of a relationship with God and His church will bring God great pleasure and make Him smile.
With God’s Pleasure Raising the Roof and Removing the Wall
Joe
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Experiencing the Peace of Jesus
Sixty-six times we are told in the Bible not to fear. The reason God tells us so many times not fear is that we face things that move us to be fearful all the time. Life is many times very scary.
One of the main causes of fear is a lack of peace. We don’t have peace. Even we who are disciples of Jesus many times lack that sense of peace.
When the Bible talks about peace it does not always mean a lack of conflict. When we are told that we can have peace through a relationship with Jesus, that peace is not an absent of conflict or problems. That peace is a tranquility or rest in the middle of conflicts and problems.
In John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave you; My peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Jesus’ peace is not like the peace of the world. The peace of the world is conditioned on outside circumstances. Jesus’ peace is based on His Spirit dwelling in you.
Paul talks about Jesus’ peace in Philippians 4:7. He says, “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The peace that Jesus gives is:
Beyond human understanding
Guarding our hearts
Guarding our minds
There are four things we need to know and remember to experience the peace of Jesus.
#1: The Person We Serve
2 Timothy 2:8a
Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and descended from David.
Jesus died for your sins.
Jesus, by His death, gives you the supernatural ability, by the presence of His Spirit, to overcome fear and worry when you acknowledge your sin and accept His death to pay for your sin.
Jesus rose from the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus proves that He is God.
We don’t serve a dead guy.
We don’t serve a way of life or a philosophy of life.
We don’t serve a book or a certain view of the world.
We serve a risen, living person who is Lord!
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today.
Jesus was descended from David. Jesus was 100% human as well as 100% God (no I can’t explain that).
Hebrews 2:18
For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
Jesus was tempted and He suffered through the temptations, so He is able to help us when we are experiencing temptation.
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus was tempted as we re, but He did not let the temptation lead to sin. He cannot only help us, He can and does give us victory over the temptation. We can with confidence come to Jesus and find mercy and grace.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about serving Jesus and, in the serving, experiencing peace. We can have peace by serving Jesus because He was tempted but did not sin, died as our perfect, sinless sacrifice and rose from the dead.
#2: The Power of God’s Word
2 Timothy 2:8b-9
This is my Good News. This is the reason I’m suffering to the point that I’m in prison like a common criminal. But God’s word cannot be imprisoned.
Paul was in prison, being treated like an “evil doer” or felon for teaching the Gospel. Paul was not whining about it. The truth is that while in prison Paul was ministering to the guards and other prisoners and writing may of the letters to the church that are now part of the New Testament.
Paul says that even if he is imprisoned, the Word of God is not.
The Word of God is powerful.
Isaiah 55:11
It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
God’s Word will never be void of effect in people’s lives.
Hebrews 4:12
For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The power of God’s Word is that it penetrates to the very core of who we are, It shows us what is really in our hearts. It showed us how God can change our hearts.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is about allowing the power of God through His Word to change our minds and hearts and make them like Jesus’.
#3: The Reason for Our Problems
2 Timothy 2:10
This is why I endure everything for the sake of those who are chosen by God so that they too may experience salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Paul was willing to endure suffering so that the Gospel might be spread and people would be saved.
I am not impressed with people whose testimony is that God has made them rich.
I am not impressed with people whose testimony is that God has given them great power or position.
I am not impressed with people whose testimony is that God has given them great health and they have never been seriously ill.
I am impressed with someone who has cancer and is still praising and serving Jesus.
I am impressed with someone who is sacrificing comfort and convenience to serve Jesus.
I am impressed with someone with huge obstacles and disadvantage who is serving Jesus.
Most people can serve Jesus and praise Him when life is good. People who have been radically changed by Jesus serve and praise Him when life is not good.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is abut being willing to sacrifice and suffer so that people have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel.
#4: God is Faithful
2 Timothy 2:11-13
This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with Him, we will also live with Him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us. If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He will not deny who He is.
If we die to sin, we will live with Jesus now and forever.
If we persevere (showing our submission to Jesus’ reign in our lives), we will reign with Jesus as our King.
If we reject Jesus, He will not acknowledge us now or in eternity.
God’s faithfulness toward us is not dependent on our faithfulness toward Him.
God promised that He will:
not abandon us
not stop loving us
not lie to us
God’s faithfulness is seen in the truth that what He says He will do, He WILL DO.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about experiencing the peace of God by:
Remembering the Person we serve
Remembering the Power of God’s Word
Remembering the Reason for our problems
Remembering that God is Faithful
In the Peace of God Raising the Roof and Removing Walls
Joe
One of the main causes of fear is a lack of peace. We don’t have peace. Even we who are disciples of Jesus many times lack that sense of peace.
When the Bible talks about peace it does not always mean a lack of conflict. When we are told that we can have peace through a relationship with Jesus, that peace is not an absent of conflict or problems. That peace is a tranquility or rest in the middle of conflicts and problems.
In John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave you; My peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Jesus’ peace is not like the peace of the world. The peace of the world is conditioned on outside circumstances. Jesus’ peace is based on His Spirit dwelling in you.
Paul talks about Jesus’ peace in Philippians 4:7. He says, “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The peace that Jesus gives is:
Beyond human understanding
Guarding our hearts
Guarding our minds
There are four things we need to know and remember to experience the peace of Jesus.
#1: The Person We Serve
2 Timothy 2:8a
Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and descended from David.
Jesus died for your sins.
Jesus, by His death, gives you the supernatural ability, by the presence of His Spirit, to overcome fear and worry when you acknowledge your sin and accept His death to pay for your sin.
Jesus rose from the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus proves that He is God.
We don’t serve a dead guy.
We don’t serve a way of life or a philosophy of life.
We don’t serve a book or a certain view of the world.
We serve a risen, living person who is Lord!
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today.
Jesus was descended from David. Jesus was 100% human as well as 100% God (no I can’t explain that).
Hebrews 2:18
For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
Jesus was tempted and He suffered through the temptations, so He is able to help us when we are experiencing temptation.
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus was tempted as we re, but He did not let the temptation lead to sin. He cannot only help us, He can and does give us victory over the temptation. We can with confidence come to Jesus and find mercy and grace.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about serving Jesus and, in the serving, experiencing peace. We can have peace by serving Jesus because He was tempted but did not sin, died as our perfect, sinless sacrifice and rose from the dead.
#2: The Power of God’s Word
2 Timothy 2:8b-9
This is my Good News. This is the reason I’m suffering to the point that I’m in prison like a common criminal. But God’s word cannot be imprisoned.
Paul was in prison, being treated like an “evil doer” or felon for teaching the Gospel. Paul was not whining about it. The truth is that while in prison Paul was ministering to the guards and other prisoners and writing may of the letters to the church that are now part of the New Testament.
Paul says that even if he is imprisoned, the Word of God is not.
The Word of God is powerful.
Isaiah 55:11
It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
God’s Word will never be void of effect in people’s lives.
Hebrews 4:12
For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The power of God’s Word is that it penetrates to the very core of who we are, It shows us what is really in our hearts. It showed us how God can change our hearts.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is about allowing the power of God through His Word to change our minds and hearts and make them like Jesus’.
#3: The Reason for Our Problems
2 Timothy 2:10
This is why I endure everything for the sake of those who are chosen by God so that they too may experience salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Paul was willing to endure suffering so that the Gospel might be spread and people would be saved.
I am not impressed with people whose testimony is that God has made them rich.
I am not impressed with people whose testimony is that God has given them great power or position.
I am not impressed with people whose testimony is that God has given them great health and they have never been seriously ill.
I am impressed with someone who has cancer and is still praising and serving Jesus.
I am impressed with someone who is sacrificing comfort and convenience to serve Jesus.
I am impressed with someone with huge obstacles and disadvantage who is serving Jesus.
Most people can serve Jesus and praise Him when life is good. People who have been radically changed by Jesus serve and praise Him when life is not good.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is abut being willing to sacrifice and suffer so that people have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel.
#4: God is Faithful
2 Timothy 2:11-13
This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with Him, we will also live with Him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us. If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He will not deny who He is.
If we die to sin, we will live with Jesus now and forever.
If we persevere (showing our submission to Jesus’ reign in our lives), we will reign with Jesus as our King.
If we reject Jesus, He will not acknowledge us now or in eternity.
God’s faithfulness toward us is not dependent on our faithfulness toward Him.
God promised that He will:
not abandon us
not stop loving us
not lie to us
God’s faithfulness is seen in the truth that what He says He will do, He WILL DO.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about experiencing the peace of God by:
Remembering the Person we serve
Remembering the Power of God’s Word
Remembering the Reason for our problems
Remembering that God is Faithful
In the Peace of God Raising the Roof and Removing Walls
Joe
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Being Strong to the End
In Deuteronomy 31:6 Moses tells the nation of Israel to be strong.
In Joshua 1:6-9 three times God tells Joshua to be strong.
Strong in these verses means to be courageous, firm, resolute, and to prevail.
God wants us as His followers to be courageous, not letting fear direct us.
God wants us as His followers to be firm, not unstable.
God wants us as His followers to be resolute, not complacent.
Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”
At times we all feel weak. Satan uses fear, fatigue, and frustrations as weapons against us.
So how do we become and stay strong followers of Jesus till the end?
2 Timothy 2:1
So, my child, draw your strength from the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
We must be empowered by the grace of Jesus.
In the New Testament we find three types of grace.
Saving Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.
Equipping Grace
Romans 12:6
In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.
Empowering Grace
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
The grace referred to in 2 Timothy 2:1 is empowering grace. It is the grace that God gives us to deal with issues and problems in our lives that are ongoing.
In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul talks about a “thorn in the flesh” that he has and he asks God three times to remove it.
Jesus’ answer is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Jesus did not remove the issue in Paul’s life. He gave Paul the ability to deal with it by His grace. In doing it this way Jesus received the continual glory for it.
How do we receive this empowering grace of God?
We have to acknowledge our weakness.
If we don’t acknowledge we have a weakness then we don’t really need God’s empowering grace. We are saying, “I can handle it all by myself.”
We have to saturate our minds with God’s Word.
Psalm 119:25-28
I am laid in the dust; preserve my life according to Your Word. I gave an account of my ways and You answered me; teach me Your Decrees. Cause me to understand the way of Your Precepts, that I may meditate on Your wonderful deeds. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word.
God’s Word is true, so it can show us the truth of God and the truth of our situation. It gives us the understanding that God is greater than our struggles.
We have to thank God for His empowering grace.
We want ask God for help and then want to see if He comes through the way we want Him to before we thank Him. The pattern in Scripture is we ask and then thank God for the grace before we see the answer. Remember, righteous people walk by faith not by sight (or emotion).
When we stop focusing on the difficulties of living the Christian life and start thanking Jesus for His empowering grace, we receive power to overcome every issue, obstacle, and hindrance in our lives.
2 Timothy 2:2
Take the things you heard me say in front of many witnesses and pass them on to faithful people who are also capable of teaching others.
We must multiple.
Multiplying is making disciples. It is not a program. It is not for some special “class” of believers. It is what Jesus commands all of us as Hid followers to do according to Matthew 28:18-20
It is continually investing our lives in the people around us, teaching them and walking with them through life’s joys and trials.
We must be willing to work and sacrifice.
2 Timothy 2:3-7
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
We are given three pictures of the work and sacrifice we will face so God can grow us stronger.
The first picture is of a soldier.
A good soldier endures hardships.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
We will face hardships or tribulation. Things like persecution, being misunderstood, being lied about, and opposition.
A good soldier does not get entangled with trivial things. Our focus is on doing God’s will.
A good soldier wants to please his commanding officer.
Our commanding officer is Jesus and our desire is to please Him in everything we do.
The second picture is an athlete.
An athlete competes by following the rules.
The rule we follow is the rule of Jesus as Lord of our lives according to His Word - the Bible.
An athlete trains and conditions his body for the competition.
An athlete doesn’t just show up for the games; he shows up for the practices.
An athlete does all that so he can win.
We as Jesus followers do that to win the prize.
The prize is the victor’s crown. The wreath placed on the head of the victor of an Olympic contest. It is not a kingly crown. That one belongs only to Jesus.
The third picture is a farmer.
Being a follower of Jesus is many times just plain hard work.
When the farmer works hard, he harvests a crop that he gets to enjoy.
When we as followers of Jesus work hard, we see a crop harvested.
The crop is people surrendering their lives to Jesus and entering into the Kingdom of God.
The harvest is worth the work, because Jesus wants there to be a great harvest.
In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labors are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labors into His harvest.”
In 2 Timothy 2:7 we are told to think about what has been said. We are to examine our lives to see if we are growing stronger. God will help us to see the reality our lives by His grace.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about working hard and living a life of sacrificial service.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about allowing Jesus to use you to multiply by making disciples.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about allowing the grace of Jesus to strengthen you daily.
Jesus wants us to be strong - courageous and firm and resolute and to prevail. This will happen as we surrender our lives to Jesus as the strength and authority of our lives.
Strongly Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
In Joshua 1:6-9 three times God tells Joshua to be strong.
Strong in these verses means to be courageous, firm, resolute, and to prevail.
God wants us as His followers to be courageous, not letting fear direct us.
God wants us as His followers to be firm, not unstable.
God wants us as His followers to be resolute, not complacent.
Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”
At times we all feel weak. Satan uses fear, fatigue, and frustrations as weapons against us.
So how do we become and stay strong followers of Jesus till the end?
2 Timothy 2:1
So, my child, draw your strength from the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
We must be empowered by the grace of Jesus.
In the New Testament we find three types of grace.
Saving Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.
Equipping Grace
Romans 12:6
In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.
Empowering Grace
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
The grace referred to in 2 Timothy 2:1 is empowering grace. It is the grace that God gives us to deal with issues and problems in our lives that are ongoing.
In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul talks about a “thorn in the flesh” that he has and he asks God three times to remove it.
Jesus’ answer is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Jesus did not remove the issue in Paul’s life. He gave Paul the ability to deal with it by His grace. In doing it this way Jesus received the continual glory for it.
How do we receive this empowering grace of God?
We have to acknowledge our weakness.
If we don’t acknowledge we have a weakness then we don’t really need God’s empowering grace. We are saying, “I can handle it all by myself.”
We have to saturate our minds with God’s Word.
Psalm 119:25-28
I am laid in the dust; preserve my life according to Your Word. I gave an account of my ways and You answered me; teach me Your Decrees. Cause me to understand the way of Your Precepts, that I may meditate on Your wonderful deeds. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word.
God’s Word is true, so it can show us the truth of God and the truth of our situation. It gives us the understanding that God is greater than our struggles.
We have to thank God for His empowering grace.
We want ask God for help and then want to see if He comes through the way we want Him to before we thank Him. The pattern in Scripture is we ask and then thank God for the grace before we see the answer. Remember, righteous people walk by faith not by sight (or emotion).
When we stop focusing on the difficulties of living the Christian life and start thanking Jesus for His empowering grace, we receive power to overcome every issue, obstacle, and hindrance in our lives.
2 Timothy 2:2
Take the things you heard me say in front of many witnesses and pass them on to faithful people who are also capable of teaching others.
We must multiple.
Multiplying is making disciples. It is not a program. It is not for some special “class” of believers. It is what Jesus commands all of us as Hid followers to do according to Matthew 28:18-20
It is continually investing our lives in the people around us, teaching them and walking with them through life’s joys and trials.
We must be willing to work and sacrifice.
2 Timothy 2:3-7
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
We are given three pictures of the work and sacrifice we will face so God can grow us stronger.
The first picture is of a soldier.
A good soldier endures hardships.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
We will face hardships or tribulation. Things like persecution, being misunderstood, being lied about, and opposition.
A good soldier does not get entangled with trivial things. Our focus is on doing God’s will.
A good soldier wants to please his commanding officer.
Our commanding officer is Jesus and our desire is to please Him in everything we do.
The second picture is an athlete.
An athlete competes by following the rules.
The rule we follow is the rule of Jesus as Lord of our lives according to His Word - the Bible.
An athlete trains and conditions his body for the competition.
An athlete doesn’t just show up for the games; he shows up for the practices.
An athlete does all that so he can win.
We as Jesus followers do that to win the prize.
The prize is the victor’s crown. The wreath placed on the head of the victor of an Olympic contest. It is not a kingly crown. That one belongs only to Jesus.
The third picture is a farmer.
Being a follower of Jesus is many times just plain hard work.
When the farmer works hard, he harvests a crop that he gets to enjoy.
When we as followers of Jesus work hard, we see a crop harvested.
The crop is people surrendering their lives to Jesus and entering into the Kingdom of God.
The harvest is worth the work, because Jesus wants there to be a great harvest.
In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labors are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labors into His harvest.”
In 2 Timothy 2:7 we are told to think about what has been said. We are to examine our lives to see if we are growing stronger. God will help us to see the reality our lives by His grace.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about working hard and living a life of sacrificial service.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about allowing Jesus to use you to multiply by making disciples.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about allowing the grace of Jesus to strengthen you daily.
Jesus wants us to be strong - courageous and firm and resolute and to prevail. This will happen as we surrender our lives to Jesus as the strength and authority of our lives.
Strongly Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)