Thursday, November 29, 2012
David Platt world missions Together for the Gospel 2012 sermon jam .m4v
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Jonah: The World's Greatest Fish Story (Jonah) John MacArthur
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ANGUS T. JONES TRASHES 'TWO AND A HALF MEN' It's Ungodly FILTH
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Living in Grace
Read | 2 Corinthians 5:17
Before the apostle Paul's conversion, if someone had suggested that he would impact the world for Jesus, he'd probably have laughed. In fact, his original goal was to rid the world of Christians.
God's grace can impact anyone; no sin is beyond the reach of His forgiveness. This amazing gift of redemption changes lives. Contrary to what many think, being a Christian does not mean adding good deeds to one's life. Instead, believers receive forgiveness by God's grace, and a completely new nature. Our inward transformation results in obvious outward changes.
A beautiful illustration of this is the butterfly's metamorphosis. Once it's in a chrysalis, a caterpillar doesn't merely act or appear different from the outside; it truly has changed inwardly as well.
Transformation for believers occurs in many areas. For example, our attitudes change--salvation by God's grace results in humility and gratitude. Out of thankfulness for this undeserved free gift flows compassion for the lost and a desire to share the gospel with them. Experiencing Christ's forgiveness also results in a longing to serve Him. This does not need to be in a formal church setting; we serve Him by loving others, helping those in need, and telling them about salvation.
While there are still natural consequences for our sin, God offers us forgiveness and redemption through Jesus. He made a way to restore our broken relationship with Him. What's more, our Father transforms our lives so we will become more like His Son and reflect His heart to others.
Everything is under grace! We are saved by grace through faith. We most also not forget though, that grace has an expiration date!
Before the apostle Paul's conversion, if someone had suggested that he would impact the world for Jesus, he'd probably have laughed. In fact, his original goal was to rid the world of Christians.
God's grace can impact anyone; no sin is beyond the reach of His forgiveness. This amazing gift of redemption changes lives. Contrary to what many think, being a Christian does not mean adding good deeds to one's life. Instead, believers receive forgiveness by God's grace, and a completely new nature. Our inward transformation results in obvious outward changes.
A beautiful illustration of this is the butterfly's metamorphosis. Once it's in a chrysalis, a caterpillar doesn't merely act or appear different from the outside; it truly has changed inwardly as well.
Transformation for believers occurs in many areas. For example, our attitudes change--salvation by God's grace results in humility and gratitude. Out of thankfulness for this undeserved free gift flows compassion for the lost and a desire to share the gospel with them. Experiencing Christ's forgiveness also results in a longing to serve Him. This does not need to be in a formal church setting; we serve Him by loving others, helping those in need, and telling them about salvation.
While there are still natural consequences for our sin, God offers us forgiveness and redemption through Jesus. He made a way to restore our broken relationship with Him. What's more, our Father transforms our lives so we will become more like His Son and reflect His heart to others.
Everything is under grace! We are saved by grace through faith. We most also not forget though, that grace has an expiration date!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wretched: Will everyone go to heaven?
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Friendly Fire
“Friendly fire” can be as deadly as an enemy bullet. Always be mindful that attacks can come from the closest of friends and family. They are the ones who can hurt if you let your guard down and forget that you are not wrestling against flesh and blood (see Eph. 6:12–20). It was Peter who attempted to discourage Jesus from going to the cross. But Jesus knew the source of the attack and said, “Get behind me, Satan” (Matt. 16:23). Do the same in your heart when attacked in such a way. Keep your shield of faith held high.
Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Grace Changes Everything
Read | 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Our lives are hopeless without God. We are born with a "flesh" nature and continue to choose wrong paths throughout our lives. The penalty for sin is death and eternal separation from God. No one is exempt from this biblical truth. And there is nothing that any of us can do to change the situation.
Enter God's grace, His unmerited favor toward us. We can't do anything to earn it. He blesses us according to His goodness, apart from anything we have done.
Consider the apostle Paul, whose original intent was to persecute anyone claiming the name of Jesus. He played a significant role in the brutal violence aimed at Christians and, in his own words, was the "chief" of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15 kjv). Nothing he did deserved God's love.
Divine grace led the Almighty to reach down and forgive this hateful zealot who blasphemed Jesus' name. God lovingly transformed him into a man who dedicated himself to sharing the gospel message. Paul's life illustrates grace beautifully.
We are unable to do enough good deeds to earn our way to heaven. Salvation is possible only because by grace, Christ died on the cross. The one who took the punishment for our sin deserves all credit for our redemption.
Jesus' death covered the sins of the entire world. There is no transgression too great for Him to forgive. We can add nothing to His act of atonement; all we can do is receive this free gift. If we repent (turn away from sin) and trust in Christ as Savior, God will save us, making us His children forever.
Our lives are hopeless without God. We are born with a "flesh" nature and continue to choose wrong paths throughout our lives. The penalty for sin is death and eternal separation from God. No one is exempt from this biblical truth. And there is nothing that any of us can do to change the situation.
Enter God's grace, His unmerited favor toward us. We can't do anything to earn it. He blesses us according to His goodness, apart from anything we have done.
Consider the apostle Paul, whose original intent was to persecute anyone claiming the name of Jesus. He played a significant role in the brutal violence aimed at Christians and, in his own words, was the "chief" of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15 kjv). Nothing he did deserved God's love.
Divine grace led the Almighty to reach down and forgive this hateful zealot who blasphemed Jesus' name. God lovingly transformed him into a man who dedicated himself to sharing the gospel message. Paul's life illustrates grace beautifully.
We are unable to do enough good deeds to earn our way to heaven. Salvation is possible only because by grace, Christ died on the cross. The one who took the punishment for our sin deserves all credit for our redemption.
Jesus' death covered the sins of the entire world. There is no transgression too great for Him to forgive. We can add nothing to His act of atonement; all we can do is receive this free gift. If we repent (turn away from sin) and trust in Christ as Savior, God will save us, making us His children forever.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Alienated
Atheists attest to the fact that their spirit (their God-conscious part) is dead. They know God exists intellectually—because of their conscience and creation—but they are not aware of His omnipresence because they are dead spiritually. They are like a fish in the ocean that is not aware of the ocean.
“We are born dead in trespasses and sins, alienated, cut off, detached from the life of God. The day that man believed the devil’s lie (which is sin), he forfeited the life that distinguished him from the animal kingdom—the life of God. When sin came in, the life went out.” Ian Thomas
Ephesians 4:18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
“We are born dead in trespasses and sins, alienated, cut off, detached from the life of God. The day that man believed the devil’s lie (which is sin), he forfeited the life that distinguished him from the animal kingdom—the life of God. When sin came in, the life went out.” Ian Thomas
Ephesians 4:18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
Overcoming Discouragement
Read | Psalm 42:5-11
Whenever you're feeling down, the best place to turn is the Psalms. In today's passage, the writer asks: "Why are you in despair, O my soul?" (v. 5). Surprisingly, this question is the first step in overcoming discouragement.
Look within. Before you can deal with your despair, you need to know what is causing it. If you're not sure, ask the Lord to help you figure out what's going on inside you.
Look up. The next step is to lift up your eyes to the Lord and place your hope in Him. Remember, discouragement comes to everybody at one time or another, but it doesn't have to stay. In the course of time, you "shall again praise Him for the help of His presence" (v. 5).
Look back. Despair has a way of erasing our memory of all the good the Lord has done for us over the years. Instead of wallowing in our present misery, we must make an effort to remember His past care and provision. Then our faith will overpower discouragement (v. 6).
Look Ahead. Knowing that God's plans for us are good, we can look forward to what He going to do in the future. His lovingkindness will support us by day and bring comfort by night as we trust Him to work all things out for our good (v. 8).
When your focus is right, you'll respond correctly to discouragement. The key is to fix your eyes on the Lord. Circumstances may cause you to think He's forgotten about you (v. 9), but His Word promises that He's there and will bring you through the valley. Even if you feel lonely, you're never alone.
Whenever you're feeling down, the best place to turn is the Psalms. In today's passage, the writer asks: "Why are you in despair, O my soul?" (v. 5). Surprisingly, this question is the first step in overcoming discouragement.
Look within. Before you can deal with your despair, you need to know what is causing it. If you're not sure, ask the Lord to help you figure out what's going on inside you.
Look up. The next step is to lift up your eyes to the Lord and place your hope in Him. Remember, discouragement comes to everybody at one time or another, but it doesn't have to stay. In the course of time, you "shall again praise Him for the help of His presence" (v. 5).
Look back. Despair has a way of erasing our memory of all the good the Lord has done for us over the years. Instead of wallowing in our present misery, we must make an effort to remember His past care and provision. Then our faith will overpower discouragement (v. 6).
Look Ahead. Knowing that God's plans for us are good, we can look forward to what He going to do in the future. His lovingkindness will support us by day and bring comfort by night as we trust Him to work all things out for our good (v. 8).
When your focus is right, you'll respond correctly to discouragement. The key is to fix your eyes on the Lord. Circumstances may cause you to think He's forgotten about you (v. 9), but His Word promises that He's there and will bring you through the valley. Even if you feel lonely, you're never alone.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Strengthen yourself in The Lord
Read | 1 Samuel 30:1-8
After an exhausting three-day journey, David and his men finally arrived home to find a scene of devastation. Their homes were burned to the ground, and their families were missing. Utter despair engulfed them, but David's distress soon increased when his men's grief turned into bitter anger and they spoke of stoning him.
Most of us won't experience this extreme a situation, but we can identify with David's discouragement. Sometimes despair follows a personal tragedy or loss, but it can also result from the weariness of ongoing daily pressures. Family problems, unemployment, financial difficulties, and health issues may make discouragement a constant companion. The same can happen with emotional struggles over feelings of unworthiness, failure to overcome an addictive habit, the pain of criticism, or fear of inadequacy.
Despair can grip anyone unexpectedly, but the Lord doesn't want us to stay in a fog of depression. We often can't avoid the situations that lead us into discouragement, but we do have a choice whether to stay in that condition. Instead of caving in to misery, David chose to strengthen himself in the Lord. He recognized that God was the only one who could give him the proper perspective on the problem and provide the guidance he needed.
When you're discouraged, where do you turn? Perhaps the last thing you want to do is read Scripture and pray--at first, the passages may seem like meaningless words and your prayers might feel empty. But if you persist in crying out to God, you'll eventually find His comforting strength.
After an exhausting three-day journey, David and his men finally arrived home to find a scene of devastation. Their homes were burned to the ground, and their families were missing. Utter despair engulfed them, but David's distress soon increased when his men's grief turned into bitter anger and they spoke of stoning him.
Most of us won't experience this extreme a situation, but we can identify with David's discouragement. Sometimes despair follows a personal tragedy or loss, but it can also result from the weariness of ongoing daily pressures. Family problems, unemployment, financial difficulties, and health issues may make discouragement a constant companion. The same can happen with emotional struggles over feelings of unworthiness, failure to overcome an addictive habit, the pain of criticism, or fear of inadequacy.
Despair can grip anyone unexpectedly, but the Lord doesn't want us to stay in a fog of depression. We often can't avoid the situations that lead us into discouragement, but we do have a choice whether to stay in that condition. Instead of caving in to misery, David chose to strengthen himself in the Lord. He recognized that God was the only one who could give him the proper perspective on the problem and provide the guidance he needed.
When you're discouraged, where do you turn? Perhaps the last thing you want to do is read Scripture and pray--at first, the passages may seem like meaningless words and your prayers might feel empty. But if you persist in crying out to God, you'll eventually find His comforting strength.
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