ISDAMan
04-06-01, 11:01 PM
Friday Night Sermon -- Online Bible Study
From: www.NailScarred.net (http://www.NailScarred.net?sciforums.com)
Are You Ready For Some Action?
Part 13 Of A Study In 2 Corinthians
I'd just like to start this week by praising God for just being God. He knows each and every one of us in every way that we just can't hide. The amazing thing is that He loves us anyway. He loves us enough to provide the very air we breath, the food we eat, to give us a system of financial gain, and best of all, to save us from the very sin that He loves us in spite of. He sent the Christ, God come as man to save us! AMEN?!?! That's a GREAT GOD isn't it? I'm ashamed for those times when I turn away. I look back after and wonder how and why I ever could. Still, I'm like every man. I do. All the while, God has still been there working on my behalf to bring me back. God can freshen us up, down, side to side, and inside and out no matter how far we've dredged into the mire and filth of sin. Our God has power over every kind of sin. If you're reading this and you are living the life of someone that has decided to go the other way, in stead of God's way, the bumper sticker says it right. God allows U-Turns! As for the rest of us, I have no doubt in my heart that we each know of someone that is choosing to live a life of sin after having professed to trusting Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Perhaps that person never was saved. Perhaps that person was just faking it to themselves and everyone else. That's something for God only to truly know. We, though I know it is hard, must avoid judging the heart of the person, while, at the same time, bringing judgement on the person's sin by raising the plight of that person up to Christ, our Almighty advocate, in Heaven. Love the person. Pray for the person. Be kind to the person. Don't regard the person just as some old derelict out in the street that you're not even willing to step over so you just go around the other way. Regard the person as someone starving for the filling Word of God. I know it can be difficult because that same person is also often a person that has caused us personal pain. Being kind puts us in a position where we can be hurt again and again. I know this personally. I'm learning this lesson too. Nevertheless, share with that person as you would share with anyone else. In doing so, you may see your own prayers for that person put into action. You may be surprised to find God using you to bring that lost one back. Lastly, no matter what's gone on before, it's never too late to start!
KJV
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 1-2
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
NLT
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 1-2
1 And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.
2 We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that.
Do I have any other Marines here? Do you remember your General Orders? These two verses here are like the General Orders for any Christian that plans to live his or her life outside of a cave. Christians Never say die!!! No matter how big and bad that opposition may be, and I mean every kind of evil thing that can stand against us, I, a Child Of God, am empowered to do the Will of God and cannot be hindered from doing so as I trust in Christ Jesus who strengthens me! Moreover, Christians are charged to never lie, cheat, or steal and are always to be above board and transparent. The Christian that can keep their general orders is a Christian that will never loose their ministry to those around them.
We are not like cults that have to recreate their own history in order to create some sense of belonging in society. God founded us and He has even given a 100% accurate historical and scientific record in the Bible. None who believe in anything other than the Christ who is God come as man can ever prove anything close to that. We are not like the pagans that run rampant throughout the Earth doing whatever they will and seeking self first. We don't have to be a bunch of bleeding hearts willing to do wrong in hopes that we will see good come about. We are not fearful of the truth. For, it is the truth of God that has set us free!
We are all graduates of the same order, drilled in the same knowledge of Salvation, and wielding the same sword which is the Word of God. We are set as effective solders to do battle against the spiritual strongholds of Satan in the individual lives of men one life at a time. Our God is a God of order. Chaos and incompetence come by way of neglect. God has not saved us to a life without a goal! The work of the enemy is clearly seen in the lives of the people we are fighting for.
KJV
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 3-4
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
NLT
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 3-4
3 If the Good News we preach is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that they are perishing.
4 Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don't understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
One thing that we must be truly careful of is to remember that the lost are not the ones that are the targets in the war we wage against Satan. Pure military doctrine says to smash the enemy completely and the problem is gone. God, on the other hand says to Love our enemies and to even have pity on them. You cannot forcibly whip a man's heart into submission. No amount of bombs or snipings will make the baby killers crave less abortions. I think God showed us a valuable lesson with Pharaoh that's often overlooked. God smacked some serious plagues down on that man, his, land, and his people. Though at times, his heart would quiver for a moment and he would, by reason of the plague upon him submit to the will of God, it was not long after that he turned again to his sin like a dog returning to his vomit and rebelled against the God he knew was righteous and mightier than he. Not only did God teach us how He set His people free, He also taught us about the sinful heart of man. The power of sin over men must be broken by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
KJV
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 5-7
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
NLT
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 5-7
5 We don't go around preaching about ourselves; we preach Christ Jesus, the Lord. All we say about ourselves is that we are your servants because of what Jesus has done for us.
6 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But this precious treasure – this light and power that now shine within us – is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.
Lastly, God is not confronted by your flaws. Know that He knew you were flawed when He chose you. God has power over every sin and He has power over every flaw. God will shame the self-righteous and the mighty with the weak and foolish to be preaching Christians that stick to their General Orders. Never say Die! Never Cheat or Lie!
Christian website of the week: CHRISTIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE (http://www.equip.org?www.nailscarred.net-ChristianSiteOfTheWeek04-06-01)
God Bless Us All! Share Christ!,
ISDAMan
From: www.NailScarred.net (http://www.NailScarred.net?sciforums.com)
Are You Ready For Some Action?
Part 13 Of A Study In 2 Corinthians
I'd just like to start this week by praising God for just being God. He knows each and every one of us in every way that we just can't hide. The amazing thing is that He loves us anyway. He loves us enough to provide the very air we breath, the food we eat, to give us a system of financial gain, and best of all, to save us from the very sin that He loves us in spite of. He sent the Christ, God come as man to save us! AMEN?!?! That's a GREAT GOD isn't it? I'm ashamed for those times when I turn away. I look back after and wonder how and why I ever could. Still, I'm like every man. I do. All the while, God has still been there working on my behalf to bring me back. God can freshen us up, down, side to side, and inside and out no matter how far we've dredged into the mire and filth of sin. Our God has power over every kind of sin. If you're reading this and you are living the life of someone that has decided to go the other way, in stead of God's way, the bumper sticker says it right. God allows U-Turns! As for the rest of us, I have no doubt in my heart that we each know of someone that is choosing to live a life of sin after having professed to trusting Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Perhaps that person never was saved. Perhaps that person was just faking it to themselves and everyone else. That's something for God only to truly know. We, though I know it is hard, must avoid judging the heart of the person, while, at the same time, bringing judgement on the person's sin by raising the plight of that person up to Christ, our Almighty advocate, in Heaven. Love the person. Pray for the person. Be kind to the person. Don't regard the person just as some old derelict out in the street that you're not even willing to step over so you just go around the other way. Regard the person as someone starving for the filling Word of God. I know it can be difficult because that same person is also often a person that has caused us personal pain. Being kind puts us in a position where we can be hurt again and again. I know this personally. I'm learning this lesson too. Nevertheless, share with that person as you would share with anyone else. In doing so, you may see your own prayers for that person put into action. You may be surprised to find God using you to bring that lost one back. Lastly, no matter what's gone on before, it's never too late to start!
KJV
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 1-2
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
NLT
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 1-2
1 And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.
2 We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that.
Do I have any other Marines here? Do you remember your General Orders? These two verses here are like the General Orders for any Christian that plans to live his or her life outside of a cave. Christians Never say die!!! No matter how big and bad that opposition may be, and I mean every kind of evil thing that can stand against us, I, a Child Of God, am empowered to do the Will of God and cannot be hindered from doing so as I trust in Christ Jesus who strengthens me! Moreover, Christians are charged to never lie, cheat, or steal and are always to be above board and transparent. The Christian that can keep their general orders is a Christian that will never loose their ministry to those around them.
We are not like cults that have to recreate their own history in order to create some sense of belonging in society. God founded us and He has even given a 100% accurate historical and scientific record in the Bible. None who believe in anything other than the Christ who is God come as man can ever prove anything close to that. We are not like the pagans that run rampant throughout the Earth doing whatever they will and seeking self first. We don't have to be a bunch of bleeding hearts willing to do wrong in hopes that we will see good come about. We are not fearful of the truth. For, it is the truth of God that has set us free!
We are all graduates of the same order, drilled in the same knowledge of Salvation, and wielding the same sword which is the Word of God. We are set as effective solders to do battle against the spiritual strongholds of Satan in the individual lives of men one life at a time. Our God is a God of order. Chaos and incompetence come by way of neglect. God has not saved us to a life without a goal! The work of the enemy is clearly seen in the lives of the people we are fighting for.
KJV
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 3-4
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
NLT
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 3-4
3 If the Good News we preach is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that they are perishing.
4 Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don't understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
One thing that we must be truly careful of is to remember that the lost are not the ones that are the targets in the war we wage against Satan. Pure military doctrine says to smash the enemy completely and the problem is gone. God, on the other hand says to Love our enemies and to even have pity on them. You cannot forcibly whip a man's heart into submission. No amount of bombs or snipings will make the baby killers crave less abortions. I think God showed us a valuable lesson with Pharaoh that's often overlooked. God smacked some serious plagues down on that man, his, land, and his people. Though at times, his heart would quiver for a moment and he would, by reason of the plague upon him submit to the will of God, it was not long after that he turned again to his sin like a dog returning to his vomit and rebelled against the God he knew was righteous and mightier than he. Not only did God teach us how He set His people free, He also taught us about the sinful heart of man. The power of sin over men must be broken by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
KJV
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 5-7
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
NLT
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 4 ,Verses: 5-7
5 We don't go around preaching about ourselves; we preach Christ Jesus, the Lord. All we say about ourselves is that we are your servants because of what Jesus has done for us.
6 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But this precious treasure – this light and power that now shine within us – is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.
Lastly, God is not confronted by your flaws. Know that He knew you were flawed when He chose you. God has power over every sin and He has power over every flaw. God will shame the self-righteous and the mighty with the weak and foolish to be preaching Christians that stick to their General Orders. Never say Die! Never Cheat or Lie!
Christian website of the week: CHRISTIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE (http://www.equip.org?www.nailscarred.net-ChristianSiteOfTheWeek04-06-01)
God Bless Us All! Share Christ!,
ISDAMan