Praise ye the Lord
How to praise God - from Psalm 150.
Praise speaks of our joyful delight. Our word comes from the Latin, meaning ‘to prize’. We praise what we value. What we honour. Our Lord is worthy of honour and glory. We are created to praise and glorify Him! Isa.43:7 God says, "For I have created him for my glory." It’s our highest purpose.
Psalm 150 captures praise and what it’s all about.
WHERE should we praise God? Psalms 150:1-6 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise Him everywhere. In the sanctuary – where God’s people gather. Praise him in the firmament of his power. Heaven is a place of praise. There is actually NO place we should NOT proclaim His praise!
Let praise fill your everyday life. As David says, Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart…
WHEN should we praise the Lord? Psalms 113:2-3 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. Praise Him, every waking moment! Make praise your way of life.
Psalms 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth… 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
It’s always the right time to praise the Lord. Psalms 146:2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
Psalm 150 reads on: 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. WHY should we praise God? For what He does. For His mighty acts. For the great things He has done.
The greatest work of God is our salvation. Praise Him for his acts:
His work of creation.
His deliverance of Noah at the flood.
He saved Lot from Sodom.
He set His people free from Egypt.
He gave them manna from heaven and water from the rock.
He saved those who looked upon the lifted up serpent of brass.
The walls of Jericho fell at God’s command.
Praise Him for the wonder of the incarnation and the provision of Calvary, and the glorious resurrection.
If you thank God after the fact, that’s gratitude. If you thank God before it happens, that’s faith.
God’s will is that we worship Him.
Praise brings victory – as in the story of Jehoshaphat. God miraculously defeated the enemy because of the people’s obedience to praise Him. Praise is first in the battle. As they began to sing and to praise, the invading enemy was defeated 2 Chron. 20:22. Praise defeats the enemy.
Give praise for the works of God – and give praise also for His character. For WHO He is. Praise God for His excellent greatness.
HOW should we praise God? With everything we have.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
There’s a crescendo of praise here. Praise Him, with the whole orchestra. It’s like God wants His church to be. It’s spontaneous. It’s joyful. Unreserved. Enthusiastic. It’s loud. It’s energetic. Powerful.
There is joy here. We enjoy God. Praise is joyful. Our praise helps us overcome our spiritual apathy and lukewarmness. As David said: Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
David was overwhelmed with praise. Praise Him without reservation. May we give Him our highest praise.
WHO should praise God? Every living thing. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
As long as you are breathing you should be praising the Lord. “God is to be praised everywhere we are, because of everything He is and with everything we have by everyone and everything.”
God is looking for worshippers. The only qualification for praising God is that you breathe.
Every third word in this psalm is a command to praise God! God has purposed that creation will honour Him – It’s His purpose for us. Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Make praise your priority. Determine to praise. Make it deliberate. Put on the garment of praise. Isaiah 61:3 …the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness… Be clothed with praise.
There’s a melody that’s heart deep. Ephesians 5:18-19 …Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Praise is something truly beautiful. Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. There is therapy in praise. It will bless your soul.
Praise ye the Lord!
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Church For You Live Stream - service @ Church4u Elizabeth Park, South Australia-SOUND problem midway
Our Sunday AM service from 4th September 2022
How to get peace
People are looking for true peace and wholeness in their lives.
Peace is Possible. It is offered to all. It’s a Promise from God. The Gospel is "the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15). The message of Peace with God. This Peace is not from some mystical ritual, or some guru. It is the Peace of God through Christ Jesus. He is the source of it.
It’s been said: NO GOD - NO PEACE. KNOW GOD - KNOW PEACE.
The Peace of God comes from knowing God. First, Paul talks of
1. PEACEFUL PRAYING
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Stop being anxious. Don't worry about anything - pray about everything.
Instead of fretting and worrying, pray. We can bring our every need to Him.
Prayer is one of Paul's solutions to finding peace. Instead of anxious care - use prayer.
Paul also calls us to:
2. PEACEFUL THINKING
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
His Peace is like nothing else. God's Peace will protect your heart and your thoughts. God's Peace will guard the gates of your hearts and minds.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Colossians 3:15 …let the Peace of God rule in your hearts.
The average person has 10,000 separate thoughts each day. That works out to 3.5 million thoughts a year.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true… honest… just… pure… lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
How are your thoughts? Your thought life? What do we fill our minds with?
We can control our thoughts. Let your mind dwell on these things.
What are we absorbing? What is our mind processing? - Apply God’s filter. Philippians 4:8.
Right thinking leads to right living.
3. PEACEFUL LIVING
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Paul urges the Philippians to do right - to live right. Put your faith into action. Paul offers himself as a living example of a godly life. Paul urges them to live a holy and faithful life. God’s peace walks with us.
Paul says:
• what I have taught
• what you have heard me say and
• seen me do...
Practice these things.
If you live like this... the God of Peace shall be with you. Not just the Peace of God. But the God of Peace.
"He is our Peace"; Ephesians 2:14. He Himself. Our Peace is a Person. He is the Author and Maintainer of Peace. The Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace - Are you His royal subject? Peace is a Person.
Do you have this peace? He is the One who brings Peace to people's acheing, broken lives through the Blood of His Cross. Colossians 1:20.
Jesus says, John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The peace that Jesus gives won’t be taken away. He won’t let you down.
Our Lord Jesus wants to give us true joy beyond anything else in the world. It is not a false kind of peace.
This kind of Peace is a real, new purpose in life - a brand new start in life.
Christ is the only true and reliable source of Peace in our world today. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… I will give you Peace - “for your souls” (Matt. 11:30).
Christ's call to you is still the same. Let Him bring His Peace to your heart and life.
What a Promise! the God of peace shall be with you - The God of Peace Himself shall be with you. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you made peace with God - or are you still fighting against Him? John 20:26 Then came Jesus… and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
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A Business Man's Mistake
He was wealthy. Prosperous. It seemed like he had everything going so well. The man was successful in business. This man was sensible with his money. He was careful about the future. He was a smart investor. He was sharp with how he used his land and his investments well. His land was very productive. He had run out of places to store his grain.
Money is not the root of all evil. The LOVE of money is. Riches can be useful if used wisely. But the man in Luke 12 seemed only concerned with the getting of wealth. It was his religion - his church.
"What shall I do?" he cries out! But… he left God out. His plans didn’t include God. He didn’t say, "Lord what wilt THOU have me to do?" He was directing his life without God. His life was without purpose because it was without GOD.
We need to seek to know and do God's will. "Seek ye the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you".
The man was self-centered - he was all caught up with himself.
He considered his things HIS OWN: My fruits, my barn, my goods, even my soul. We see a number of awful mistakes that he made…
He was only concerned with stowing money away. He didn’t ask how to serve God with the use of his money.
He was a big shot, with big plans. He was interested in tearing down and building new and bigger barns, to find how he could store all his grain. He looked like he had it made.
He made big plans. He wanted to be prepared for the future. BUT - he failed to plan and prepare for eternity.
The man seems to think that his riches will be a comfort to him when he has hoarded them. But they became only a care and a burden. His love and longing for peace and comfort, joy, security, satisfaction, and fulfilment was actually failing - because he had left out the fundamental ingredient - God.
Money shouldn’t be our aim in life. Otherwise it owns us - instead of us owning it. His only goal in life was to sit back, take life easy, eat, drink, and be merry. He was a greedy man, living in a needy world.
The man takes little thought for God, who made and owned him. He seems to only think of his body and its needs, forgetting the needs of his soul.
The business man’s mistake was also that he thought he had plenty of time. He thought he had many years ahead of him. But he wasn’t going to see one more sunrise. He planned for time, but not eternity.
BUT GOD. God came and filled the barn-builder’s soul with dread. We see the man’s awful awakening.
THOU FOOL - a fool is a person who is mindless - senseless. He seemed so smart and prepared - but he was really foolish and unprepared.
One day, God shall require thy soul. Our God is a consuming Fire. He shall send those who reject Christ to Hell.
“Things” are Temporary. "We look not at things which are seen, . . . for things are temporal (temporary)" (II Cor. 4:18). Everything you buy will not last.
It is all right to have things, but realise God's ownership of all things and your responsibility to use things wisely. Do we give our things to God? Do we manage our time, talents and treasure for God?
He accumulated wealth, but does not use it wisely. He hoards his money and only plans to make more money.
Death is coming for you. Christ challenges us: "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul?" The same God that gave us the breath we breathe, can come along and snatch that breath away.
1 Tim 6:17 Don't trust in: UNCERTAIN RICHES, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. You can’t depend on riches.
The man longed for security - BUT he never found it. REAL security can only come from something that will always be there for you. God can provide for our needs. God gives us the security that money can never provide. He never changes. He will never leave us. He provides for us and protects us, both in this life and through all eternity.
The man longed for satisfaction. True satisfaction only comes from God. The Bible says, "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4,5).
The man longed for a life of ease and relaxation. Without an inward peace we cannot enjoy real rest. The Lord says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).
Are we prepared for when He comes to us, and says, THIS NIGHT thy soul is required?
Security, Satisfaction, and Rest is not found in chasing the almighty dollar, but in surrendering ourselves - giving our lives to the Saviour.
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The Throne of His Grace
Of the throne of God's grace, and prayer.
You have an invitation from the throne. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore…
GET BOLD. Come boldly unto the throne of grace.
We have…
• A throne to come to
• A mercy seat to flee to
• A gracious king to speak with.
The word “come” or approach is in the present tense, indicating that we are to approach God in prayer regularly. The high priest in the Old Testament was allowed in the holy of holies only once a year, but the believer may approach God at any time.
Christ is our high priest – Who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities…
• Feels the grief
• Feels the pain
• Feels the suffering
• He knows the hurting, your wounds
It can be hard to make your doctor understand what the pain is like… Words don't seem to convey it. As much as you may try to explain… Yet this doctor knows. He knows all about it.
He listens
He cares
He understands
Go to the throne. Enter by faith. He extends grace there.
We have admission into His presence. We have One Who opens the door.
We have access. Free access. Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Accepted - in the arms of his grace. It speaks of a wonderful privilege and blessing. To be the object of divine love!
God’s great heart of love is there, at the throne. We can enter into prayer with an assurance and boldness. We are not, of course, to confuse boldness with arrogance. There is a right kind of boldness in prayer. Our God wants bold prayers from humble Christians.
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
GET MERCY. That we may obtain mercy… It speaks of His compassion.
Consider, the tenderness of Jesus. God knows what you’re going through, and how you feel. He is affected with our infirmities, He feels them, He is touched with the feeling of them. Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us… Notice - He is rich in mercy.
We see God’s mercy. His…
• Pardon
• Forgiveness
GRACE = God DOES give us what we DON'T deserve.
MERCY = God DOESN'T give us what we DO deserve.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
GET GRACE. There is Grace to help. There is a supply of grace for you. Go to the throne of His grace.
To the lost sinner, God's throne is a throne of judgment, but to the believer, it is a throne of grace, to which he or she can come for help with all our burdens and needs.
Grace made the throne.
Grace reigns at that throne.
And the throne is where He dispenses His Grace.
The throne is the centre of power. Power is at the throne. Provision is at the throne.
What a blessing is this - our access to the grace of the King of kings! You will never be denied access.
Tap into His grace. It is the throne of grace.
God’s throne is the source of unlimited power.
Find grace to help - in time of need.
In time of need He’s here
• A shelter in the time of storm
• A shade from the heat
Psalm 46:1 …God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
He is very present.
He is ever present.
There’s not a time He will not be there for you.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Draw near, in prayer. Prayer is your supply line. Pour out your heart before Him.
This throne we can flee to is the throne of our father. You have the privilege of entering the throne room of Heaven. Come to Him and keep on coming to His throne, without fear or doubt.
Notice, it says the riches of his grace. He is 1 Peter 5:10 …the God of all grace… And 2 Corinthians 1:3 …the God of all comfort.
The power of His throne is available to you. A throne represents the power of an entire kingdom. The throne represents our King’s authority and dominion.
Hebrews 10:19-23 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…
Do we enter in? Or do we hold back?
We hesitate. We feel unworthy. We doubt Him. Let us draw near.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
In time of need, there is help.
It’s at the throne.
The throne of grace.
He extends His gracious invitation. He says, Come… Come, that you may obtain.
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How to get Zeal
Our Lord demonstrated zeal. And He also calls US to zeal. John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
The Lord challenges the Lukewarm Church - to be zealous: Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
God loves the Laodiceans enough to rebuke and chasten them. Our Lord challenges us: Shake off your complacency, your lethargy! Leave the comfort zone!
Zeal in the Bible refers to spiritual truth. Christianity has been described as ‘The Truth on fire’.
The Bible talks about God’s people being sheep, but the unsaved are pictured as goats. Goats will swallow anything. In some churches the pastors are starving the sheep, but feeding the goats.
Some have a zeal that is misguided. Romans 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Knowledge speaks of spiritual truth and insight.
Sadly, there is a lot of deception around. There’s a falling away from the truth. The Lord says, ‘My people perish for lack of knowledge.’
People don’t want truth. When we are saved, the spiritual truth that we have leads us to service – to labours more abundant – Good Works.
Activate your faith – put your spiritual overalls on. Romans 12:1 Not slothful in business. fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.
Galatians 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing... Zeal is good - if it’s for a good purpose.
God calls us to be … a peculiar people zealous of good works Titus 2:13. People with a zest for good works - eager to do right.
Paul says, Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men… ye serve the Lord Christ.
Are we active and busy – or inactive? Or do we settle for a second-rate, second best? Let us press through for Heaven’s best.
Zeal in the Bible refers also to Spiritual Gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way. Covet them. In other words, set your heart on them.
We need to be Spirit-empowered. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to he edifying of the church. We need a holy zeal, that is empowered by the Holy Spirit – His truth, His service, His gifts.
What are the characteristics of a zealot? Focus, Fight, and Fire.
Focus. We want our Lord Jesus to be the focal point of all that we do.
Is Christ and pleasing Him a focus in our lives or just a casual interest?
When someone has a focus… They…
• Talk about it – they don’t tire of it.
• Study it – to learn and know – think of a fan’s knowledge – they know their stuff, back to front and inside out.
• Live it – they eat it, drink it, breathe it, sleep it; they are addicted.
• Love it
• Spend – devote time on it, money to it – they won’t care about the costs; they Give - devote effort – take pains and make great effort.
• Work at it – There are three kinds of people – those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; and those who wonder what happened. Let’s be among those who make things happen.
• Hunger for it – they have a desire. An eagerness, craving… a willingness/earnestness – a willing mind and heart.
Satan will try and distract, deter, discourage… we must maintain our focus.
Our motivation, our burden, our work. Make Christ your focus.
Fight. When you think of someone with zeal they are like a fan who strongly barracks for their team. They defend and support their team.
Where has the fight gone? A believer can be aggressive, uncompromising, unbending. Jude 1:3 …ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Stand up. Fight against all the odds.
Fire. John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
Let the Lord set us afire with the zeal of God. Let us take Baxter’s dying words as our motto: “Lord, what Thou wilt, where Thou wilt, and when Thou wilt.”
John Knox cried out in his earnestness: “Give me Scotland or I die!”
Sam Jones was a preacher who held revival services, which he called "quittin' meetings." His preaching was directed primarily to Christians, and he urged them to give up the sinful practices in their lives. Sam's messages were very effective, and many people promised to quit swearing, drinking, smoking, lying, gossiping, or anything else that was displeasing to the Lord.
On one occasion Jones asked a woman, "Just what is it that you're quittin'?" She replied, "I'm guilty of not doing something -- and I'm going to quit doing that too!" Even though she had no bad habits to give up, she wasn't actively living to please God.
Let us give up inactivity and seek God for a holy zeal to live actively for Christ.
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The Unspeakable Gift
The Bible tells of Three Unspeakable Things.
2 Corinthians 9:15 - THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT.
This gift is from God. It is unspeakable. Nothing can compare with it! It’s a Gift too wonderful for words. Beyond description. Words cannot describe it.
1. You CAN'T BUY IT or PAY FOR IT. We simply have to receive it. We're talking about the greatest gift ever…
• The gift of salvation
• The gift of everlasting life
God is the Giver
• There is no greater Gift
• No greater treasure
• No greater Giver
Salvation is priceless. It's a Costly Gift - of Great Value.
1 Peter 2:7 Unto you …which believe he is precious… Christ was given for sinners. To be the sinner’s Friend. What a fabulous gift! The Lord Jesus is the gift of God to man.
2. You CAN'T WORK FOR IT. It is not something we can earn - it's been paid for. Salvation is always by grace - through faith. Salvation is the free gift from God.
Eternal life is a FREE GIFT – salvation and forgiveness - an absolutely free gift from God.
3. You CAN'T DESERVE IT. We are not worthy of it. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. It's not something we gain by good works. Not something that we are worthy of. Salvation is a GIFT. NOT something we can buy, work for, or deserve. The good news, though, is…
4. You CAN RECEIVE IT! Salvation is God's gift to us, when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Christianity is spelt DONE. God has done all that needs to be done. Salvation is God's forever gift of eternal life to us.
God freely gives salvation unto us. 1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
HE IS THE GIFT. The unspeakable gift.
Paul tells, also, 2 Corinthians 12:4 of UNSPEAKABLE WORDS... Referring to Heaven. (I knew a man who…) was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words... Paul caught a glimpse - of the great beyond - and he couldn’t describe it.
We can’t imagine it! We just can’t put it into words! Heaven will be more than we can dream about. Best of all, our loving Saviour will be there. The only thing on earth a man can absolutely gain is Heaven.
We tell of an unspeakable gift - It’s Christ - His salvation… And when we receive this Gift then another unspeakable thing happens…
This is the third unspeakable thing.
We can know an UNSPEAKABLE JOY: 1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
JOY to the world- Luke 2:10-11 - these were the tidings of great joy at His first coming. There’s JOY in believing. Joy in the GIFT He gives to us - Salvation. JOY in the HEAVENLY HOME He gives to us. And, also, there's JOY in the fulfilled life we can live, in the here and now - and in the hereafter…
You just can’t fully describe the joy of salvation by faith and trust in Jesus Christ! Real joy is finding peace with God. There’s life-transforming joy in Jesus today.
Consider this One who is the unspeakable gift… He GAVE HIMSELF. Titus 2:14 WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY…
He gave His Life…
His HEAD, to wear the thorns, for me (John 19:2)
His EYES, to weep tears for me (Hebrews 5:7)
His CHEEK to be smitten, for me (Isa 50:6)
His TONGUE, to pray for me (John 17:20)
His SHOULDERS to bear the burden, for me (Luke 15:5)
His BACK, to be ploughed, for me (Psalm 129:3)
His HANDS and His FEET, to be pierced, for me (Psalm 22:16)
His EARS, to hear my cry (Psalm 91:15)
His precious BLOOD, to cleanse away my sin (1 John 1:7)
He gave up all His RICHES and became poor for me (2 Cor. 8:9)
He gave His LIFE, as a ransom, for me (Gal. 1:4)
The wages of sin is death; but the gift - the charisma - of God… Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Church For You Live Stream - service @ Church4u Elizabeth Park, South Australia
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Bible Baptism #shorts
Baptism - what does the Bible say? #shorts Acts 8:35-38 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptised? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him.
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Church For You Adelaide
Who are Church For You - and what's it all about?
Church For You is a Bible believing church which is in fellowship with other like-minded independent Baptist churches within Australia. The Church upholds Bible truth and declares the soul-saving Gospel of Christ.
Church For You is founded for the glory of God, as a Christ-centred, Bible-based ministry. It started in February 1999, with eight people at its first service at a school in Craigmore. We’ve been meeting at our present home in Elizabeth Park, South Australia, since October 2001.
The church has various outreach and fellowship opportunities. In all things our aim is to bring honour to the Lord Jesus Christ in sharing the Gospel with our community. There are ministries for families, men, women, youth, and children.
Church For You is committed to reaching the world by all scriptural means, and being a caring family of believers together. We present the Lord Jesus Christ and His wonderful saving Message. We love to preach the Good News of God's grace found in the precious pages of the Holy Bible, which is what leads us in faith and life. You can know personally this vital message for life of Christ’s wonderful work of salvation, by God's grace, through faith.
The church upholds orthodox Biblical doctrine. We uphold the authority of the Bible, as the inspired, inerrant, eternal Word of God. We believe in the one God, manifested in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christ is God manifest in the flesh - fully God and fully man. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment. He regenerates men and sanctifies the believer for a holy life.
The local New Testament Church is an assembly of believers gathered together in worship, prayer, and fellowship. We are actively engaged in the proclamation of the Gospel. The church opposes worldliness and apostasy.
We believe in a blessed Heaven for the saved, and a dread Hell for the lost. Mankind has fallen into sin, and our only way for forgiveness and salvation is wholly of the grace of God through Jesus Christ's shed blood and substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is freely offered to all mankind. Believers are called with a holy calling - holiness is God's standard of living for His people. Christ's coming is the believer's sure hope. It is an incentive to holy living and faithful service, to be ready to meet Him when He comes.
Come and find a place of fellowship with God’s people!
We invite you to consider being a part of this local family of believers and serve our Lord together, and reach out, so that others also may come to know and trust the Lord.
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Flee from the Wrath to come!
People love scarey movies that frighten them - with monsters and terror. Yet, talk to someone about the Judgment of Almighty God which is about to fall on an unbelieving world, and they don't want to know. This sermon is a shocker. I pray it will stir and awaken souls.
The Bible warns us of coming judgment. Noah warned the people and they just laughed at him. Luke 17:27 says the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Judgment will come, suddenly. Why not be prepared? Find out how you can be saved from God's righteous judgment.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. On the one hand is grace. On the other is wrath. Flee from the wrath to come – flee to the arms of grace.
God is Angry. The Wrath of God abideth on him who does not believe. Judgment Day is coming: Revelation 20:15 …whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Psalms 7:11 …God is angry with the wicked every day.
Why is God angry? Many are playing games – they are grown cold, casual and compromising. They are afflicted with a dread infectious disease called apa-thitis. Some churches are more like a nightclub. There’s a flippancy – a lightness, a carelessness. Preachers must speak up and warn. Not like the so-called watchmen like dumb dogs that won’t bark (Isaiah 56:10).
Darkness prevails. Yet many pulpits are silent… 125,000 innocent precious lives of unborn babies are snuffed out every day. The media routinely mocks Christian faith and values. Christian morality cannot be taught in schools, but atheistic immorality can. Divorce is taking about one of every two marriages. The number of children living in broken homes is becoming a majority. Australians are the worst gamblers in the world – South Australians lose $2m per day on the pokies. And the pulpits are silent.
What is God’s anger? His anger is expressed in Hell. He offers life but men choose death. Unsaved sinner, you shall be turned in there. Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God.
As long as heaven lasts, Hell will last! Never shall you rest again! There is no hope. No power can rescue you. The arm of God Almighty will turn you into Hell!
I warn you, decent and respectable sinners, you shall be turned into Hell. That dread place of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. You will have no light (John 11:10), No life (John 6:53), no hope (Ephesians 2:12), no excuse (John 15:22).
You have an appointment you must keep. Death.
Psalms 11:6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
The Bible tells of Fire and Brimstone in Hell: Great fire, continual fire, unquenchable fire, everlasting fire. The fire of God's anger and wrath will burn fiercely. Mark 9:44 - the worm of your conscience will never die, and the fire of Hell will never go out. The smoke of your torment will ascend up forever and ever.
There is yet hope. If, by faith, you trust yourselves to the Lord Jesus you shall not perish but have eternal life. BUT - if you live and die in unbelief, it will be impossible for you to escape. Soon God's ear will be shut, and the doors of mercy shut against you forever.
Consider the nearness of this punishment of Hell. The sands of your life are running swiftly. How are we to escape God’s anger? Thankfully, God’s anger IS avoidable. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess 5:9). We can know …Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come (1 Thess 1:10). Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him (Romans 5:9).
The greatest danger for mankind is not climate change. The great problem is that there is no fear of God before their eyes. Australia has lost the fear of God. Instead they worship the gods of materialism – the Almighty Dollar, the ego-self, the idols of secular societies. Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. He deserves our trust; our faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…
I urge you, Call on His mercy today. Are you ready?
You can actually know joy, blessing, and fulfilment, in fearing God. Psalm 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
As we fear the Lord we can rightly worship our holy God… Psalm 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
By God’s grace, give Him your heart. May we know an all consuming desire to live for Christ. Know His grace today.
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The Body of Christ is us
What is a good church? The church is not a building, but what happens IN the building. It is a family, a living body, healthy body.
God’s church is the body of Christ. He is the head, Ephesians 4:16, From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
What does a healthy body look like? It is JOINED TOGETHER.
From whom the whole body fitly JOINED (closely united, knitted, welded)together and compacted (held together, strengthened) by that which every joint supplieth (contributes). It’s joined together, to the head, and all the parts are joined together.
We encourage people to be like interconnected parts of a body. Ephesians talks about the unity of the faith (4:13), and the unity of the Spirit (4:3). A healthy human body is one closeknit inter-connected whole. The Body of Christ is meant to be interdependent, in harmony, in cooperation, in coordination, united under the Lordship of Christ.
Secondly, a healthy body has all its parts WORKING TOGETHER.
The EFFECTUAL working (active power, operative power, energy, activity) in the measure of every part (each different part properly does its work/its respective function).
A sign of a healthy body is that all the parts are functioning like they should. For a body to grow it must have a stretching. God wants every part functioning and taking on a role in the Body of Christ. That each one finds and grows in their own gifts and callings. Let us reach our full potential in God, and be a church which is characterised by action, not stagnancy.
Place yourself at God’s disposal. Be willing to be challenged, to be teachable, to be humble, and gladly serve as needed. Be willing to do that which is unrewarded. Unrecognised.
A healthy body is connected, working, and a healthy body is every part GROWING TOGETHER.
Maketh INCREASE (continually making, growth) of the body unto the EDIFYING of itself (builds itself up, constructs) in LOVE.
A healthy body is not only whole, interconnected, and every part functioning, but it also is thriving and keeping healthy and growing stronger. This growth is is an upbuilding, a building up in love.
As a church, let’s show God’s love to one another. Let us Be spiritual. Not carnal. 1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Be mature. No longer children. Eph. 4:14. The best kind of growth we want to see is when God brings real fruit and spiritual progress, one life at a time. Where individual believers are growing spiritually, each one of us.
God is building His church, you and me. He’s putting us together with the mortar of His love. The body is joined, working, and growing, all with the one goal, the one mission, as He leads.
Let’s widen our horizons… The harvest fields are all around. Let’s pray for a bigger vision, every one of us. What do we see as we look ahead?
- The Gospel Uplook: Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35).
- The Prayer Uplook: “In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:3).
- The Blessed Hope Uplook: “Look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).
God’s will for the healthy body - His body - is increase. We have to want it, believe Him for it, ask for it: Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. Paul prayed, 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.
God talks about a church that was blind. Revelation 3:17… The church of Laodicea was “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”. We must open our eyes and catch the vision God wants for our lives. Do we see things from God’s point of view?
We can believe God. It’s the Dimension of Faith. Vision is seeing Him who is invisible. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It goes beyond what we can see with our eyes. Let’s believe God, as we reach our world.
God is leading us forward. As the children of Israel followed the fire and the cloud. Vision is seeing the future. Where are we headed? Where are we going? It must be the Lord Who directs and guides our way forward.
What is the MASTER’S PLAN for this body, His church? We’re going to need to believe God to do His will. “Abraham believed God” despite what seemed impossible (Genesis 15:6).
Our Vision must be of Christ; magnifying Him; lifting Him up. We live in a day of opportunity. The mission is still the same: To reach people for Christ The fields are still white unto harvest.
Let us be a church that honours God in all that we do, and how we do it. Grow up into Him.
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A Citizen and an Ambassador
The Bible tells how God makes us citizens of Heaven and He shows us how to behave as one.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
What country do you belong to? Are you looking for a better country? Philippians 3:20 For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Where is your citizenship? Where are your loyalties? This word conversation here refers to our community – it includes our rights, privileges and responsibilities – all are in heaven. As a citizen of Heaven our destination changes. God’s values change our lives. There’s a difference:
We’ve a different COMPANY.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Are you willing to stand out from the crowd?
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
We have a new country, a new king, a new family. The household, the family of God.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Friendship with the world is a hateful thing towards God. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
We also have a different CULTURE - and CONDUCT.
As a Christian your culture is different. We are citizens of a different kingdom… It impacts our mindset, thoughts, attitudes, our heart, our behavior, our priorities, entertainment… How we speak, our lifestyle
We also have a different COMMITMENT. A different loyalty and allegiance.
A different motivation, purpose, and priorities. May we take the same stand as Moses: Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (26) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
Not only are we made CITIZENS of Heave,n, we are also called to be AMBASSADORS.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…
An ambassador represents his nation in a foreign land – and gives his king’s message. This is our privilege - to be chosen and commissioned by the King, sent to carry His Message – His good news – to a foreign land…
An ambassador takes the place of the sovereign – the king in a foreign land. He represents another culture – another way of life. As a Christian, we represent the government of God – the kingdom of God.
Ambassadors do not come with their own agenda. They do not come on their own authority. An ambassador speaks for his country as if the sovereign is speaking. He holds the honour of his country in his hands.
An ambassador is a full time responsibility. As a Christian you are a representative of Jesus Christ all of the time. In every situation. At all times. Everything we do and say reflects on Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. A faithful ambassador brings healing… We bring God’s message of peace… of reconciliation. This message has been committed to us.
For the Christian the church is like the 'Embassy' of heaven on planet earth. An embassy is a place where fellow countrymen can meet and gain help. An embassy shows people who want to emigrate to the country how they can apply.
Our message is that our King offers a treaty to His enemies… a message of peace… As believers God sends us into a world at war with God, to offer terms of peace… You have an important assignment…
Our message is: Verse 20… Be reconciled to God… We plead with people as a witness... We urge them. To come to Christ. To accept His peace treaty. To “Unconditional surrender”.
How are we going as ambassadors?
Do we faithfully serve? Do we fulfil our responsibilities? Do we follow our King’s instructions? Do we live in a way that honours the Lord?
An ambassador is a temporary resident. He has different customs from the people of the land. An ambassador can dress and talk differently from the people in the land they serve in. Do we live as an ambassador – with a different way of living – as a foreigner in the world? Or - have we adopted the thinking and culture of this world so much that you wouldn’t know that we are Christians?
Whether we realise it or not we are ambassadors for Christ… When we’re not even aware of it… You are an ambassador to the people you meet…To the people around you. May we represent our king and His kingdom faithfully.
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Build That Wall!
In Nehemiah's day God’s people were defeated, the city was open to the enemy’s attacks. The walls of Jerusalem was broken down, and its gates burned with fire (Nehemiah 1:3).
Nehemiah wept, fasted, and prayed. The walls were the protection for the city and its people. They provided separation from what was outside. He determined to rebuild the walls.
The walls around the people of God are broken down today; the walls of separation from the world. We need to rebuild the walls of righteousness and truth.
The gates protected the entrances into the city. At the gates the elders would give oversight of the city business, administration, and justice. This was all missing.
There are gates in our lives – openings - ways that truth or error can come into and out of our lives – such as: ear gate, eye gate, mind gate. Points that need to be guarded from enemy attack.
The ten gates of Jerusalem signify spiritual truths: The Sheep Gate – speaks of the Lamb of God and salvation. The Fish Gate represents witnessing, as we are to be “fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). The Old Gate represents truth. The Valley Gate represents humility. The Dung gate speaks of confession and cleansing from sin. The Fountain Gate represents the Holy Spirit. The Water Gate is symbolic of the Word of God. The Horse Gate is symbolic of battle, of warfare. We are to do battle against the forces of darkness. Then comes the East Gate – it faced the rising sun. It was the gate of hope. Likewise we have anticipation of the blessed hope - the return of Christ. The tenth gate is the Examination gate where judgment was conducted. As believers we have need of self examination, and readiness for the judgment seat of Christ.
Nehemiah’s building project illustrates principles for us – as to how we can strengthen our spiritual life.
Before he laid the first brick, Nehemiah prayed. He prayed and fasted for four months. Nehemiah was convicted, and was moved to action. He urged the people to pray – to watchfulness. Nehemiah 4:9 …we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch...
Nehemiah said, come and let us build up the wall. He encouraged action.
He faced much opposition and discouragement. When doing God’s will, you can expect resistance. Opposition came from those OUTSIDE the walls, and from INSIDE. Don’t be surprised if you face opposition. Keep on building.
The work continues today. The important work of building God's kingdom.
Nehemiah never quit building - he kept doing what he knew was right.
Nehemiah set some priorities that made his building program a success. And in all of this, it was for the glory of God…
Nehemiah worked with families - he placed the families in units – as a united force. Each family unit was committed – to work and to be prepared to fight.
The family is a priority. As men we have a God-appointed responsibility of leadership for our family. As believers we each have a duty to set godly standards – walls of separation around our families.
Nehemiah set the people tasks. There was a unity and a cooperation. A fellowship of God’s people. Everyone had a station at the wall, each had a part to play in the building project… There were 41 teams with different parts to take care of.
The people had a desire to work. Nehemiah 4:6 …the people had a mind to work. And in just 52 days the wall was completed (6:15).
The worship and godly order was re-established. God’s people regained their spiritual life as they returned to fellowship and service.
The church of God is separated from worldly evil. Its purity and character needs to be guarded. The walls need to be rebuilt around biblical fellowship, and in upholding the godly unity of the church of God.
In Nehemiah 8:1 they called for the Book - God’s Word: “bring the book”.
There was a priority to family, to fellowship, and to take a station in the combat zone, if necessary, to fight for what is right, against that which is wrong. Nehemiah and his band show us how to hold fast what God has committed to us, and to refuse all compromise with the unholy spirit of the age in which we live.
Being a wall builder means laying some 'Bricks':
Prayer – let the Lord lead your effort
Persistence – let the Lord strengthen your resolve
Priorities - let the Lord guide your devotion of energies…
The walls need to be built which means… our…
• Family – God is interested in the family unit
• Fellowship – God wants us welded into His Body
• Fight – God wants us in combat mode. The walls are needed because we have a real and active enemy on the war-path.
The walls both:
(1) protect those inside and
(2) make a separation between them and the enemy.
The walls represent the separation of a believer from all that is evil and unscriptural.
How are the walls today? In…
• Your life
• Your home
• Your church?
Do we guard the gates in our lives as to what we allow into our lives? Are we separate from the world and evil?
It's never too late for a new beginning. It’s time to rebuild the walls!
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Church For You Live Stream - service @ Church4u Elizabeth Park, South Australia
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The Judgment Seat of Christ
The Bible tells of coming judgment. The lost face judgment at the Great White Throne; Revelation 20. The believer faces judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
We read of the Judgment Seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Also, Romans 14:10-12 …we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
This Judgment involves a…
1. REVEALING
Salvation is not the issue here. Nothing about our good works saves us or gives us any merit for Heaven. Yet our Lord examines and rewards the believer for his works – his service to the Lord.
It will be a REVEALING process, likened to FIRE. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Verse 15 talks of a loss – it is a loss of rewards, not of salvation. The quality of every believer’s work will be tested - “every man's work shall be made manifest” - the nature of it will be revealed.
Some works are likened to gold, silver, and precious stones. Such works stand the test of fire. Are we living out the fruit of the Spirit?
The Lord will burn up the unacceptable works, likened to wood, hay, and stubble. They are not worthy of reward.
The Lord will reveal:
• our Words
• our Thoughts
• our Secrets
• our Motives
How have we used our time, money, and our God-given abilities? Have we lived with perseverance and self control? How have we managed relationships, our witness, and our faithfulness to God’s Word?
Not only will there be a Revealing of Works, there will be a…
2. REWARDING
Our Lord Jesus gives eternal life as the great reward – the gift for all who believe. Not a reward of works.
There is an aspect, however, where the Lord recognises how a believer has lived for the Lord. We are commended to seek for heavenly treasures (Matthew 6:20) and the Lord gives recognition of faithful stewardship (Matthew 25:21).
We read of five crowns:
(1) The Incorruptible Crown - 1 Cor 9:23-27 - this crown is given for faithfulness in the race; alike to a committed athlete.
(2) The Crown of Rejoicing - 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 - this is the Soul Winner's Crown.
(3) The Crown Of Life - James 1:12, Revelation 2:10 - this is the crown for stedfastness; for patiently enduring trials and testing.
(4) The Crown Of Righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:7-8 - this crown is given for those who love His appearing. And,
(5) The Crown Of Glory - 1 Peter 5:1-4 - this crown is given for shepherds who faithfully tend, lead and nourish the flock.
The Word tells us of a principle of...
REAPING
Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
We can expect a return, a result, a harvest, a process of REAPING.
Sadly, some believers will be ASHAMED about what they have sown in their lives… 1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Let us be encouraged to want to live well-pleasing to the Lord in all things. Let’s aspire to live by faith, to walk in His glorious power and life, with a spiritual readiness, in preparation for His coming.
Of course it is not that we NEED rewards to want to live right for God. Our motivation as a believer is our love for our Lord, and our wanting to give Him glory in our life.
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What's so special about the Bible?
There’s all kinds of books – but ONE Book stands above all. Why is the Bible so special?
Hebrews 4:12 …the word of God is quick, and powerful… The Bible is the Word of God. Sadly, it is a missing book. There’s a Bible famine. Many …shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables 2 Timothy 4:4.
The Bible is God’s message for you. Over a quarter of the Bible is prophecy; about one-third yet to be fulfilled.
The Bible has authority. This is God’s plumbline - how we measure what is right.
There’s Life in this Book. It’s called the Word of Life. We hold it forth - as a lifeline to dying men… Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life… Sadly, the living dead refuse the word of life.
The Bible can make alive, those who will receive its message. It is God’s Manual for Life. The Maker’s Instructions. John 6:63 …the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. God’s Spirit makes men live. These Words are life. God’s life is in this book. Eternal life.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure… We believe that. These are words of life - that we must impart: Acts 11:14 …words, whereby thou …shall be saved.
The Word of God is quick and powerful. If you neglect the Bible you will not have the power.
The Bible is life transforming.
This two edged word can do a Heavenly work in you. When they heard… Acts 5:33 they were cut to the heart… Acts 5:33, 7:54, …pricked in their heart… Acts 2:37.
This is God’s Life-giving Book. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
It is an eternal book – a salvation book. A Soul-Saving Manual. This is a life-giving seed. This message, if received, germinates and makes us alive unto God.
It is a life changing book. By it we can have everlasting Life! 2 Tim 3:15 …the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Read the Bible. There’s a free gift inside!
Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? As a fire it purifies hearts and lives. It is like a hammer that works to bring conviction to the hardest heart.
The Word is alike to a purifying stream. Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Like a lamp it guides us. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
No other book has this unique message. There is no other so-called holy book like it.
The Word of God is life sustaining. God’s Word sustains His people. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable… It is profitable.
• For doctrine - for learning, teaching - LEARNING WHAT IS RIGHT
• For reproof – rebuking - CONVICTING ABOUT WHAT IS NOT RIGHT
• For correction - for setting straight - GUIDING - HOW TO GET RIGHT
• For instruction in righteousness - Training and nurture - TRAINING IN HOW TO STAY RIGHT.
We can be throughly furnished unto all good works. Completely equipped for service - for a life that pleases God.
Jeremiah 15:16 …thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart… There is heartfelt joy as we open God’s love letter to us.
There is true guidance for us. Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
The Word of God is life sustaining. We live by the Word. Matthew 4:4 …Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Something Supernatural happens when we read this special Book and act upon its message.
Psalms 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them… Wholeness comes when we yield to God’s Word.
The Bible breaks hard hearts and heals broken hearts. It points us to life in Christ. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Receive the Word. Acts 17:11 …they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily... James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Feed your soul. Feed your faith. It is by the Word of God we can be nourished spiritually, and grow. 1 Peter 2:2 ...desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: There is no error in the Word of God. It is absolutely reliable and true. Don’t neglect your Bible. Psalms 19:10-11 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Why is the Bible is so special?
It is The Word of God - the Word of Life.
It is life transforming, with its unique message.
It is life giving, as a seed.
It is life changing, showing us how to be born again.
It is life sustaining, as we walk in its truth.
It is a life saving book.
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