Thursday, July 30, 2009
Power To the People
Many people complain about what is going on in Washington D.C., but few actually do anything about it. I must admit, I have been guilty of doing more complaining than anything else. This evening I decided to quit complaining and take action about some issues that concerned me. I wrote to my representative in the US House and my senators in the US Senate. My message may not make a big difference, but if enough people contact their representatives about the issues that concern them, maybe it will make a difference. Of course, we should always take our concerns to the Lord, and pray for our leaders.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
REAL FAITH PREVENTS PREJUDICE
It has been said that 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America. Many people across our land meet to worship God on Sunday morning, but few worship with people of different socio-economic groups. There are white churches, black churches, Hispanic churches, rich churches, poor churches, traditional churches, contemporary churches, even cowboy churches, but few churches really blend these various groups together. Why not? There are many reasons, but the primary reason is prejudice. We don’t want to be around certain types of people – and they don’t want to be around us either. At the very least, we want to be around people like us.
What does the Bible have to say about that? The answer is found in the stern words found in James 2:1-13. Just like today, people in ancient times had problems with prejudice. James, the brother of Christ, writing through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit addresses this problem.
In short, there is no room for prejudice in the Christian faith. In the opening verse of this passage, James says, “…do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ…with partiality.” He goes on to explain why throughout the remainder of the passage. In the passage, we see that prejudice is incompatible with the Christian faith because:
It displaces God.
It displeases God.
It dismisses God.
First, prejudice is incompatible with the Christian faith because:
It displaces God. (vv. 2-7)
Prejudice displaces God from His rightful position in our lives in three ways:
It is a violation of God’s reign. In verses 2-3 James illustrates his point with the story of a rich man coming to church and being treated with honor, and a poor man coming to church and being treated badly. They judged someone based on their social status alone. In verse four he says that believers who do such a thing have “shown partiality among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts.” Those who show partiality have made themselves judges in the place of God.
It is a violation of God’s ruling. In verse five, James asks a rhetorical question: “Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” Those who show partiality have gone against God’s own choice, and replaced it with their own choice of who is worthy of honor.
It is a violation of God’s reputation. In verses 6-7 James states that they had honored the people who had mistreated God’s people and blasphemed His name. They had honored those who dishonored God.
Imagine if you came home and found that your family members had invited someone into the house, let him sit in your chair, with your remote control, and let him drink your sweet tea and eat your food. You wouldn’t like seeing that person in your place.
God doesn’t like it when we show partiality, because in doing so we usurp God’s role as Judge of mankind. It is one thing to judge a person’s actions based on what God has said in His word – we simply repeat what God said about it. It is another thing to judge a person’s worth as an individual – we are not authorized to do that.
Second, prejudice is incompatible with Christianity because…
It displeases God. (vv. 8-11)
Prejudice displeases God because it violates His law.
The law fulfilled: When you “love your neighbor as yourself” you fulfill God’s law and “do well.”
The law forsaken: Showing partiality violates the command to love ones neighbor as himself and makes that person a transgressor of the law. Clearly, prejudice is against God’s law. It is reasonable to say, He is not pleased with such behavior.
The law fused: If a person breaks one part of the law he is guilty of breaking it all. The law is the law – each commandment is one part of the whole.
If a parent asks his/her child to do something, and the child refuses to do it, the parent will not be pleased. Likewise, if a cild breaks the house rules, the parents will not be pleased.
Surely, God is not pleased when we flagrantly break the second greatest commandment – the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is more than just a personal preference.
Third, prejudice is incompatible with Christianity because…
It dismisses God. (vv. 12-13)
When we show partiality we are dismissing the seriousness of the situation before God, and by doing so dismissing God.
Jurisdiction: We need to remember that we are the ones who will be judged. God is the one who will do the judging. Judging people is His jurisdiction, not ours.
Justice: Those who show no mercy will receive none. Mercy wins over judgment – the merciful will receive mercy.
An heirloom is passed on to children or grandchildren. It is something that was given to one person with the expectation that that person will pass it on to others. To fail to pass on the heirloom would dishonor the intended recipient and the one who originally gave the heirloom.
God has given us mercy, as a precious heirloom, meant to be passed on to others. It can be given to anyone, and may be given again and again.
How should we react to this teaching about prejudice?
Understand that God loves you, no matter who you are. Receive His love.
Understand that God loves others, no matter who they are. Share His love.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-26-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
What does the Bible have to say about that? The answer is found in the stern words found in James 2:1-13. Just like today, people in ancient times had problems with prejudice. James, the brother of Christ, writing through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit addresses this problem.
In short, there is no room for prejudice in the Christian faith. In the opening verse of this passage, James says, “…do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ…with partiality.” He goes on to explain why throughout the remainder of the passage. In the passage, we see that prejudice is incompatible with the Christian faith because:
It displaces God.
It displeases God.
It dismisses God.
First, prejudice is incompatible with the Christian faith because:
It displaces God. (vv. 2-7)
Prejudice displaces God from His rightful position in our lives in three ways:
It is a violation of God’s reign. In verses 2-3 James illustrates his point with the story of a rich man coming to church and being treated with honor, and a poor man coming to church and being treated badly. They judged someone based on their social status alone. In verse four he says that believers who do such a thing have “shown partiality among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts.” Those who show partiality have made themselves judges in the place of God.
It is a violation of God’s ruling. In verse five, James asks a rhetorical question: “Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” Those who show partiality have gone against God’s own choice, and replaced it with their own choice of who is worthy of honor.
It is a violation of God’s reputation. In verses 6-7 James states that they had honored the people who had mistreated God’s people and blasphemed His name. They had honored those who dishonored God.
Imagine if you came home and found that your family members had invited someone into the house, let him sit in your chair, with your remote control, and let him drink your sweet tea and eat your food. You wouldn’t like seeing that person in your place.
God doesn’t like it when we show partiality, because in doing so we usurp God’s role as Judge of mankind. It is one thing to judge a person’s actions based on what God has said in His word – we simply repeat what God said about it. It is another thing to judge a person’s worth as an individual – we are not authorized to do that.
Second, prejudice is incompatible with Christianity because…
It displeases God. (vv. 8-11)
Prejudice displeases God because it violates His law.
The law fulfilled: When you “love your neighbor as yourself” you fulfill God’s law and “do well.”
The law forsaken: Showing partiality violates the command to love ones neighbor as himself and makes that person a transgressor of the law. Clearly, prejudice is against God’s law. It is reasonable to say, He is not pleased with such behavior.
The law fused: If a person breaks one part of the law he is guilty of breaking it all. The law is the law – each commandment is one part of the whole.
If a parent asks his/her child to do something, and the child refuses to do it, the parent will not be pleased. Likewise, if a cild breaks the house rules, the parents will not be pleased.
Surely, God is not pleased when we flagrantly break the second greatest commandment – the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is more than just a personal preference.
Third, prejudice is incompatible with Christianity because…
It dismisses God. (vv. 12-13)
When we show partiality we are dismissing the seriousness of the situation before God, and by doing so dismissing God.
Jurisdiction: We need to remember that we are the ones who will be judged. God is the one who will do the judging. Judging people is His jurisdiction, not ours.
Justice: Those who show no mercy will receive none. Mercy wins over judgment – the merciful will receive mercy.
An heirloom is passed on to children or grandchildren. It is something that was given to one person with the expectation that that person will pass it on to others. To fail to pass on the heirloom would dishonor the intended recipient and the one who originally gave the heirloom.
God has given us mercy, as a precious heirloom, meant to be passed on to others. It can be given to anyone, and may be given again and again.
How should we react to this teaching about prejudice?
Understand that God loves you, no matter who you are. Receive His love.
Understand that God loves others, no matter who they are. Share His love.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-26-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
SOW IN TEARS
[Play the video found here.] The third part of NAMB’s GPS strategy is, “Sowing: Every lost person receiving a witness.” Jesus likened sharing the Gospel to sowing. (John 4:35-38) How should we sow the Gospel?
There are many methods of sharing the Gospel around today, but on a more basic, yet profound level we sow the Gospel by sowing and reaping.
Sowing and reaping are mentioned in Psalm 126:5-6. These are the last verses of Psalm 126, which is a “Song of Degrees.” This was one of the Psalms which were sung as people approached Jerusalem to worship God. This particular psalm praises God for delivering His people from captivity. The Jews had been in captivity for 70 years before they were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild. Psalm 126 uses sowing and reaping to illustrate the joy because God rescued His people from captivity.
God is still rescuing people from captivity today – the captivity of sin and death. God’s plan for redeeming His people involves:
Sowing
Reaping
First, God’s plan for redeeming His people involves:
Sowing
In this passage we find several important things about sowing.
Sowing is done by people. Seeds don’t sow themselves. People must sow the seed.
Sowing involves sorrow. The Psalmist speaks of sowing with “tears” and “weeping.” It is not a walk in the park.
Sowing requires diligence. The psalmist speaks of one who “continually goes forth.” In the original language, there is one word that is repeated for emphasis. The sower is going and going to sow the seed.
Sowing requires work. The sower goes forth “bearing,” or lifting seed. This was done by hand in ancient times – very hard work.
Sowing is costly. The “seed for sowing” is translated “precious seed” in the King James Version. There is an investment that must be made to plant a field.
When these verses are read, one can picture an old-fashioned farmer. He is out in the hot sun day after day. He has a heavy bag of seed tied around his shoulders. He is making his way through the field, which he has already plowed. As he goes through the field he keeps reaching in the bag, taking out seed and planting it in the field. His back aches from the hard work, yet he keeps on working. As the sweat runs down his brow and into his eyes, tears begin to form. He would love to quit, but he knows that this is the only way to plant his crops. It has to be done during the right season, or his family will starve, so he keeps going.
Jesus told His disciples, “The sower sows the word.” (Mark 4:14) It is our duty to plant the Gospel in the hearts and minds of people. This is hard work. There are many obstacles along the way. It can be discouraging, especially if the results are not seen right away. Don’t give up! The souls of men and women hang in the balance. We must make sure that every person in our community hears the Gospel message. What are you doing to get the word out?
Not only does God’s plan for redeeming His people involve sowing, it also involves…
Reaping
There are several important things about reaping mentioned in the passage.
Reaping is done by people. Just like sowing, the crop doesn’t reap itself. People must do it.
Reaping follows sowing. There will be no reaping until there has been sowing. This passage states it emphatically. “Those who sow in tears shall reap…” “He who continually goes forth…bearing seed…shall doubtless come again…bringing his sheaves.” (Emphasis mine.) The words “doubtless come again” is also a repitition of one Hebrew word. Just as he was going and going, he is now coming in and coming in bringing the sheaves.
Reaping requires work. The psalmist speaks of the sower “bringing” his sheaves. In the Hebrew language, this is the same word that was translated “bearing” earlier. Just as he had to work to plant the crop, he must work to reap it.
Reaping is rewarding. The sower is now bringing sheaves with him. The crop has produced, and he brings in the fruits of his labor.
Reaping is joyful. The sower “reaps in joy.” He comes again “with rejoicing.” The harvest is a joyful time. All that hard work has paid off.
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the US every year. It began as a celebration of thanksgiving to God for providing the harvest. Most people think of the Pilgrims who braved a hard winter in the new world, and were thankful for a good harvest the following year. They celebrated with a feast. Today, we still hold a feast on Thanksgiving Day and thank God for His provision throughout the year. The harvest is in. It is time to celebrate.
When the spiritual harvest comes in, it is time to celebrate! We know that God is the one who saves, just as He is the one who makes the crops grow. However, He chooses to let us be a part of His work. What a wonderful feeling it is to see someone you have been praying for and witnessing to get saved. All of the effort is worth it. We spend a lot of time, energy and money in this church to share the Gospel with our community. Seeing souls saved is worth every bit of it!
How can you get involved in God’s plan?
Receive the seed. Hear the Gospel and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. See the link about following Jesus below.
Carry the seed. Learn to share your faith and seek opportunities to share it.
Sow the seed. Be intentional about sharing your faith with others.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-26-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
There are many methods of sharing the Gospel around today, but on a more basic, yet profound level we sow the Gospel by sowing and reaping.
Sowing and reaping are mentioned in Psalm 126:5-6. These are the last verses of Psalm 126, which is a “Song of Degrees.” This was one of the Psalms which were sung as people approached Jerusalem to worship God. This particular psalm praises God for delivering His people from captivity. The Jews had been in captivity for 70 years before they were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild. Psalm 126 uses sowing and reaping to illustrate the joy because God rescued His people from captivity.
God is still rescuing people from captivity today – the captivity of sin and death. God’s plan for redeeming His people involves:
Sowing
Reaping
First, God’s plan for redeeming His people involves:
Sowing
In this passage we find several important things about sowing.
Sowing is done by people. Seeds don’t sow themselves. People must sow the seed.
Sowing involves sorrow. The Psalmist speaks of sowing with “tears” and “weeping.” It is not a walk in the park.
Sowing requires diligence. The psalmist speaks of one who “continually goes forth.” In the original language, there is one word that is repeated for emphasis. The sower is going and going to sow the seed.
Sowing requires work. The sower goes forth “bearing,” or lifting seed. This was done by hand in ancient times – very hard work.
Sowing is costly. The “seed for sowing” is translated “precious seed” in the King James Version. There is an investment that must be made to plant a field.
When these verses are read, one can picture an old-fashioned farmer. He is out in the hot sun day after day. He has a heavy bag of seed tied around his shoulders. He is making his way through the field, which he has already plowed. As he goes through the field he keeps reaching in the bag, taking out seed and planting it in the field. His back aches from the hard work, yet he keeps on working. As the sweat runs down his brow and into his eyes, tears begin to form. He would love to quit, but he knows that this is the only way to plant his crops. It has to be done during the right season, or his family will starve, so he keeps going.
Jesus told His disciples, “The sower sows the word.” (Mark 4:14) It is our duty to plant the Gospel in the hearts and minds of people. This is hard work. There are many obstacles along the way. It can be discouraging, especially if the results are not seen right away. Don’t give up! The souls of men and women hang in the balance. We must make sure that every person in our community hears the Gospel message. What are you doing to get the word out?
Not only does God’s plan for redeeming His people involve sowing, it also involves…
Reaping
There are several important things about reaping mentioned in the passage.
Reaping is done by people. Just like sowing, the crop doesn’t reap itself. People must do it.
Reaping follows sowing. There will be no reaping until there has been sowing. This passage states it emphatically. “Those who sow in tears shall reap…” “He who continually goes forth…bearing seed…shall doubtless come again…bringing his sheaves.” (Emphasis mine.) The words “doubtless come again” is also a repitition of one Hebrew word. Just as he was going and going, he is now coming in and coming in bringing the sheaves.
Reaping requires work. The psalmist speaks of the sower “bringing” his sheaves. In the Hebrew language, this is the same word that was translated “bearing” earlier. Just as he had to work to plant the crop, he must work to reap it.
Reaping is rewarding. The sower is now bringing sheaves with him. The crop has produced, and he brings in the fruits of his labor.
Reaping is joyful. The sower “reaps in joy.” He comes again “with rejoicing.” The harvest is a joyful time. All that hard work has paid off.
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the US every year. It began as a celebration of thanksgiving to God for providing the harvest. Most people think of the Pilgrims who braved a hard winter in the new world, and were thankful for a good harvest the following year. They celebrated with a feast. Today, we still hold a feast on Thanksgiving Day and thank God for His provision throughout the year. The harvest is in. It is time to celebrate.
When the spiritual harvest comes in, it is time to celebrate! We know that God is the one who saves, just as He is the one who makes the crops grow. However, He chooses to let us be a part of His work. What a wonderful feeling it is to see someone you have been praying for and witnessing to get saved. All of the effort is worth it. We spend a lot of time, energy and money in this church to share the Gospel with our community. Seeing souls saved is worth every bit of it!
How can you get involved in God’s plan?
Receive the seed. Hear the Gospel and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. See the link about following Jesus below.
Carry the seed. Learn to share your faith and seek opportunities to share it.
Sow the seed. Be intentional about sharing your faith with others.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-26-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
REAL RELIGION PRACTICES PERSEVERANCE
Knowing how perseverance is produced in our lives is important; but what does it look like in a person’s life? How can I put it into practice in my daily life?
James gives us the answer to these questions in James 1:19-27.
We practice perseverance through:
Interaction
Integrity
First, we practice perseverance through…
Interaction (vv. 19-20)
James lists three ways to demonstrate perseverance by the way we interact with people:
Be swift to hear – Always be ready to listen to people. Sometimes listening takes great perseverance.
Be slow to speak – Don’t be so quick to get your two cents worth in. Make sure you temper what you say. Besides, it’s hard to listen when you’re talking.
Be slow to anger – Just calm down. Don’t get ticked off so easily. Learn to let things slide.
We’ve all seen something like this before: A man buys something at the store and brings it home. On the box is printed, “Some assembly required.” The man opens the box and proceeds to try to assemble the product without reading the instructions. The man’s wife says, “Don’t you think you should read the instructions first?” He replies, “No, I don’t need the instructions.” Before long, the man cannot get the thing together, and is yelling and screaming at the pieces. He “lost his religion” so to speak.
Be swift to hear – listen to people.
Be slow to speak – some things are better left unsaid.
Be slow to anger – watch your temper
All of these things require patience and perseverance.
Second, we practice perseverance through…
Integrity (vv. 21-27)
James lists several ways to demonstrate perseverance through a life of integrity.
Lifestyle – laying aside sin. You can’t serve the Lord and live for the devil at the same time. A sinful life is a sign of faulty faith, that has not held up over time.
Beliefs – receiving and practicing the word. No religious cherry-picking; you either believe it or you don’t. If you don’t try to live it, you really don’t believe it in the first place.
Speech – bridling the tongue. A foul mouth is an indicator of a sinful heart. If Jesus is in your heart, He will clean up your vocabulary.
Ministry – helping the afflicted. Those who love Jesus will love those Jesus loves. Even the worst infidel knows that it is good to help those who are in need.
Purity – unspotted by the world. We should help the world without becoming like the world. We should influence the world, and not let the world influence us.
There are pastors who use crude language in the pulpit in order to be "relevant." In trying to engage the world, they have become like the world.
Your walk has to match your talk. Your lifestyle, beliefs, speech, ministry and purity must match. If Jesus is in your heart and your faith is real, these character traits should be evident in your life.
How real is your religion? Has your faith persevered? Does your interaction with others show your faith? Do you show your faith by living with integrity? If not, go to God, and ask Him for a faith-lift today.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-19-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
James gives us the answer to these questions in James 1:19-27.
We practice perseverance through:
Interaction
Integrity
First, we practice perseverance through…
Interaction (vv. 19-20)
James lists three ways to demonstrate perseverance by the way we interact with people:
Be swift to hear – Always be ready to listen to people. Sometimes listening takes great perseverance.
Be slow to speak – Don’t be so quick to get your two cents worth in. Make sure you temper what you say. Besides, it’s hard to listen when you’re talking.
Be slow to anger – Just calm down. Don’t get ticked off so easily. Learn to let things slide.
We’ve all seen something like this before: A man buys something at the store and brings it home. On the box is printed, “Some assembly required.” The man opens the box and proceeds to try to assemble the product without reading the instructions. The man’s wife says, “Don’t you think you should read the instructions first?” He replies, “No, I don’t need the instructions.” Before long, the man cannot get the thing together, and is yelling and screaming at the pieces. He “lost his religion” so to speak.
Be swift to hear – listen to people.
Be slow to speak – some things are better left unsaid.
Be slow to anger – watch your temper
All of these things require patience and perseverance.
Second, we practice perseverance through…
Integrity (vv. 21-27)
James lists several ways to demonstrate perseverance through a life of integrity.
Lifestyle – laying aside sin. You can’t serve the Lord and live for the devil at the same time. A sinful life is a sign of faulty faith, that has not held up over time.
Beliefs – receiving and practicing the word. No religious cherry-picking; you either believe it or you don’t. If you don’t try to live it, you really don’t believe it in the first place.
Speech – bridling the tongue. A foul mouth is an indicator of a sinful heart. If Jesus is in your heart, He will clean up your vocabulary.
Ministry – helping the afflicted. Those who love Jesus will love those Jesus loves. Even the worst infidel knows that it is good to help those who are in need.
Purity – unspotted by the world. We should help the world without becoming like the world. We should influence the world, and not let the world influence us.
There are pastors who use crude language in the pulpit in order to be "relevant." In trying to engage the world, they have become like the world.
Your walk has to match your talk. Your lifestyle, beliefs, speech, ministry and purity must match. If Jesus is in your heart and your faith is real, these character traits should be evident in your life.
How real is your religion? Has your faith persevered? Does your interaction with others show your faith? Do you show your faith by living with integrity? If not, go to God, and ask Him for a faith-lift today.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-19-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
ENGAGE YOUR WORLD
[Play video found here.] The second element of NAMB’s GPS Strategy is “engaging: every believer sharing as a trained witness.” If we are to reach our world for Jesus Christ, each of us must learn to share our faith with others.
Our call to share our faith with others is stated in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. The Apostle Paul, in defending his own ministry, demonstrates that all believers should be ready to share their faith.
In this passage we learn important truths about our own salvation, and God’s plan to offer salvation to the world. If we are to engage our world, we must understand and follow God’s:
God Himself is the model we should follow. He is engaged in bringing salvation to the world.
God reconciles us. Specifically Paul and the believers at Corinth; by extension, all Christians.
God reconciles the world. Everyone. God offers salvation to the world.
God reconciles through Christ. He is the only way of salvation. (John 14:6) Although salvation is offered to the world, it can only be received through faith in Jesus Christ.
God reconciles, forgiving trespasses. Salvation involves the forgiveness of sins, through faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
Modeling appropriate behavior is an important part of raising children. They watch what their parents do and imitate it. If the parents demonstrate good behavior, the children will imitate good behavior. If the parents demonstrate bad behavior, the children will imitate bad behavior.
God, our heavenly Father, has demonstrated a desire and willingness to reach out to our lost and dying world. He wants us to follow His example.
Second, if we are to engage our world, we must understand and follow God’s:
Mode of Engaging the World (vv. 18-20)
God has a plan to reach our world, and it involves us.
God reconciles through ministry. Paul said that He “… has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” He has given us an assignment to help people become reconciled to God. We accomplish this individually and through the ministries of the church.
God reconciles through the word. Paul said that He “… has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” He has entrusted us with His Gospel, which has the power to reconcile people to God. We have to get the Word out.
God reconciles through ambassadors. Paul said that “…we are ambassadors [representatives] of Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore [beg] you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” We represent Jesus. We are to plead with people to get right with God. We cannot be too proud or too timid to aggressively pursue people for Christ.
Ambassadors are sent to negotiate on behalf of his/her country. The ambassador cannot be too proud or timid to aggressively pursue the interests of his/her country. Also, they must not do anything that would reflect poorly on the country, and hinder negotiations. Ambassadors are well trained in the language and customs of the people they are to deal with, and in the proper methods of negotiation.
We are Christ’s ambassadors. We represent Him in our world. We should get the best training we can to share our faith with others. We should always be sure to maintain a good testimony in the community. We should boldly go out and minister in our community on Christ’s behalf.
Third, if we are to engage our world, we must understand and follow God’s:
Means of Engaging the World (v. 21)
God reconciles, placing our sin on Christ. Paul said, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…” Jesus paid the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross. He literally died in our place.
God reconciles, placing His righteousness on us. Jesus took our sins on Himself “…that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” He took our sins on Himself and placed His righteousness on us. When we believe in Him, we trade our sin for His righteousness.
Could you imagine if someone saw his neighbor’s house on fire with the neighbor inside, and he calls the neighbor and says, “I really care about you and have a wonderful plan for your life. Just come over to my house and I’ll tell you all about it.” How ridiculous! That neighbor needs someone to tell him, “Your house is on fire! Get out before it’s too late!”
When it comes to a person’s eternal destiny, we can’t tip-toe around the issue. A person has to know what he/she is being saved from – sin. We need to tell them, “Your house is on fire! Get out before it’s too late!”
Be reconciled to God! Now is the time for you to be reconciled to God. God is pleading with you. I am pleading with you on His behalf. Be reconciled to God.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-19-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Our call to share our faith with others is stated in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. The Apostle Paul, in defending his own ministry, demonstrates that all believers should be ready to share their faith.
In this passage we learn important truths about our own salvation, and God’s plan to offer salvation to the world. If we are to engage our world, we must understand and follow God’s:
Model of Engaging the World
Mode of Engaging the World
Means of Engaging the World
First, if we are to engage our world, we must understand and follow God’s:
Model of Engaging the World (vv. 18-19)
Mode of Engaging the World
Means of Engaging the World
First, if we are to engage our world, we must understand and follow God’s:
Model of Engaging the World (vv. 18-19)
God Himself is the model we should follow. He is engaged in bringing salvation to the world.
God reconciles us. Specifically Paul and the believers at Corinth; by extension, all Christians.
God reconciles the world. Everyone. God offers salvation to the world.
God reconciles through Christ. He is the only way of salvation. (John 14:6) Although salvation is offered to the world, it can only be received through faith in Jesus Christ.
God reconciles, forgiving trespasses. Salvation involves the forgiveness of sins, through faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
Modeling appropriate behavior is an important part of raising children. They watch what their parents do and imitate it. If the parents demonstrate good behavior, the children will imitate good behavior. If the parents demonstrate bad behavior, the children will imitate bad behavior.
God, our heavenly Father, has demonstrated a desire and willingness to reach out to our lost and dying world. He wants us to follow His example.
Second, if we are to engage our world, we must understand and follow God’s:
Mode of Engaging the World (vv. 18-20)
God has a plan to reach our world, and it involves us.
God reconciles through ministry. Paul said that He “… has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” He has given us an assignment to help people become reconciled to God. We accomplish this individually and through the ministries of the church.
God reconciles through the word. Paul said that He “… has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” He has entrusted us with His Gospel, which has the power to reconcile people to God. We have to get the Word out.
God reconciles through ambassadors. Paul said that “…we are ambassadors [representatives] of Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore [beg] you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” We represent Jesus. We are to plead with people to get right with God. We cannot be too proud or too timid to aggressively pursue people for Christ.
Ambassadors are sent to negotiate on behalf of his/her country. The ambassador cannot be too proud or timid to aggressively pursue the interests of his/her country. Also, they must not do anything that would reflect poorly on the country, and hinder negotiations. Ambassadors are well trained in the language and customs of the people they are to deal with, and in the proper methods of negotiation.
We are Christ’s ambassadors. We represent Him in our world. We should get the best training we can to share our faith with others. We should always be sure to maintain a good testimony in the community. We should boldly go out and minister in our community on Christ’s behalf.
Third, if we are to engage our world, we must understand and follow God’s:
Means of Engaging the World (v. 21)
God reconciles, placing our sin on Christ. Paul said, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…” Jesus paid the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross. He literally died in our place.
God reconciles, placing His righteousness on us. Jesus took our sins on Himself “…that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” He took our sins on Himself and placed His righteousness on us. When we believe in Him, we trade our sin for His righteousness.
Could you imagine if someone saw his neighbor’s house on fire with the neighbor inside, and he calls the neighbor and says, “I really care about you and have a wonderful plan for your life. Just come over to my house and I’ll tell you all about it.” How ridiculous! That neighbor needs someone to tell him, “Your house is on fire! Get out before it’s too late!”
When it comes to a person’s eternal destiny, we can’t tip-toe around the issue. A person has to know what he/she is being saved from – sin. We need to tell them, “Your house is on fire! Get out before it’s too late!”
Be reconciled to God! Now is the time for you to be reconciled to God. God is pleading with you. I am pleading with you on His behalf. Be reconciled to God.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-19-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
REAL RELIGION PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE
One of the marks of real religion is perseverance – sticking with it, no matter what.
James, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us about real religion in James 1:1-18.
In this passage we see, when real religion produces perseverance:
There is rejoicing in times of trials.
There are resources in times of trials.
There are rewards as a result of trials.
There is a realization of the source of trials.
First, when real religion produces perseverance…
There is rejoicing in times of trials. (vv. 2-4)
We can rejoice in times of trials if we have:
The right perspective – “…count [consider] it all joy when you fall into various trials,”(v.2)
The right knowledge – “ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience [perseverance/endurance].”(v.3)
The right results – “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete [fully mature in each and every part], lacking nothing.”(v.4)
You’ve heard the saying, “No pain, no gain.” The phrase is often used by athletes who are in training. The exercises are painful, but the results are stronger bodies and better performance. The athletes who train well, win the game. You must go through the pain to get the gain.
The same thing is true spiritually. The trials of life provide resistance. Overcoming that resistance builds strength. When we face trials, we should rejoice in the knowledge that God is building our faith.
Second, when real religion produces perseverance…
There are resources in times of trials. (vv. 5-8)
God has given us resources to help in times of trials.
Ask God.
Ask for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” (v.5) When you don’t know what to do, ask God.
Ask in faith. “…who gives to all…” (v.5) He promises help. “…let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” (v.6-8) We must believe, even when things look grim (perseverance).
It is very aggravating when someone asks for your advice and proceeds to argue with you when you give them the advice. You want to ask the person, “If you don’t think I know what I’m talking about, why did you ask?”
I’m sure the Lord must be aggravated with us at times when we fail to ask Him for help (even though He tells us to), or when we ask Him for help, but do not believe He will do anything about it.
Ask God for help with everything, no matter how big or small. When you ask Him for help, trust Him. He will not give you something that is outside His will – such things would not be good for you anyway. He will give you anything you ask for that is His will. The key is to discover what God’s will is in the situation. If you don’t know, ask.
Third, when real religion produces perseverance…
There are rewards as a result of trials. (vv. 9-12)
James tells us about those rewards
Rewards are not based on circumstances. “Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation…” (v.9) God rewards the lowly in spite of their circumstances.
Rewards are not based on success. “…but the rich in his humiliation…” (v.10-11) The things of this world will fade away.
Rewards are for those who endure. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation…he will receive the crown of life…” (v. 12) True faith endures to the end. God will give the crown of life to those who persevere.
In the Olympic games, winners of the events receive medals: gold for first place, silver for second place, bronze for third place. Modern Olympic games are modeled after the ancient Olympic games. In the ancient Olympic games, winners of the events would receive a laurel wreath – a crown.
There are crowns that are promised to those who persevere in the Christian life. One of those crowns is the crown of life. Real faith will not fail in the midst of trials. Those who have real faith are those who are saved. They will receive eternal life.
Fourth, when real religion produces perseverance…
There is a realization of the source of trials. (vv. 13-18)
It is easier to endure trials when we know the source.
We are not tempted by God. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God…’” (v.13) God is not the source of your temptation. Any trial He allows is designed to strengthen you. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” (v.17)
We are tempted by our desires. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” (v.14) Temptation plays on our own sinful nature. Yielding to temptation leads to sin, and sin leads to death.
We are saved from our trespasses by God’s grace. (v.18) God offered us salvation as a gift, when we were still His enemies.
If you have a leak in your house, you have to find the source of the leak before you can fix it. You can replace pipes all day, but the leak will still be there until you find the source of the leak.
If we are to overcome temptations in life, we must know where they come from. God does not tempt us with evil. Blaming God will not help. We are tempted by our own carnal desires. We need God’s help to overcome the desires of the flesh.
What trials are you facing?
We all face trials in life. It is during those times of trials that we find out if our faith is real. What trials are you facing right now? How is your faith holding out?
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-12-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
James, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us about real religion in James 1:1-18.
In this passage we see, when real religion produces perseverance:
There is rejoicing in times of trials.
There are resources in times of trials.
There are rewards as a result of trials.
There is a realization of the source of trials.
First, when real religion produces perseverance…
There is rejoicing in times of trials. (vv. 2-4)
We can rejoice in times of trials if we have:
The right perspective – “…count [consider] it all joy when you fall into various trials,”(v.2)
The right knowledge – “ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience [perseverance/endurance].”(v.3)
The right results – “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete [fully mature in each and every part], lacking nothing.”(v.4)
You’ve heard the saying, “No pain, no gain.” The phrase is often used by athletes who are in training. The exercises are painful, but the results are stronger bodies and better performance. The athletes who train well, win the game. You must go through the pain to get the gain.
The same thing is true spiritually. The trials of life provide resistance. Overcoming that resistance builds strength. When we face trials, we should rejoice in the knowledge that God is building our faith.
Second, when real religion produces perseverance…
There are resources in times of trials. (vv. 5-8)
God has given us resources to help in times of trials.
Ask God.
Ask for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” (v.5) When you don’t know what to do, ask God.
Ask in faith. “…who gives to all…” (v.5) He promises help. “…let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” (v.6-8) We must believe, even when things look grim (perseverance).
It is very aggravating when someone asks for your advice and proceeds to argue with you when you give them the advice. You want to ask the person, “If you don’t think I know what I’m talking about, why did you ask?”
I’m sure the Lord must be aggravated with us at times when we fail to ask Him for help (even though He tells us to), or when we ask Him for help, but do not believe He will do anything about it.
Ask God for help with everything, no matter how big or small. When you ask Him for help, trust Him. He will not give you something that is outside His will – such things would not be good for you anyway. He will give you anything you ask for that is His will. The key is to discover what God’s will is in the situation. If you don’t know, ask.
Third, when real religion produces perseverance…
There are rewards as a result of trials. (vv. 9-12)
James tells us about those rewards
Rewards are not based on circumstances. “Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation…” (v.9) God rewards the lowly in spite of their circumstances.
Rewards are not based on success. “…but the rich in his humiliation…” (v.10-11) The things of this world will fade away.
Rewards are for those who endure. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation…he will receive the crown of life…” (v. 12) True faith endures to the end. God will give the crown of life to those who persevere.
In the Olympic games, winners of the events receive medals: gold for first place, silver for second place, bronze for third place. Modern Olympic games are modeled after the ancient Olympic games. In the ancient Olympic games, winners of the events would receive a laurel wreath – a crown.
There are crowns that are promised to those who persevere in the Christian life. One of those crowns is the crown of life. Real faith will not fail in the midst of trials. Those who have real faith are those who are saved. They will receive eternal life.
Fourth, when real religion produces perseverance…
There is a realization of the source of trials. (vv. 13-18)
It is easier to endure trials when we know the source.
We are not tempted by God. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God…’” (v.13) God is not the source of your temptation. Any trial He allows is designed to strengthen you. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” (v.17)
We are tempted by our desires. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” (v.14) Temptation plays on our own sinful nature. Yielding to temptation leads to sin, and sin leads to death.
We are saved from our trespasses by God’s grace. (v.18) God offered us salvation as a gift, when we were still His enemies.
If you have a leak in your house, you have to find the source of the leak before you can fix it. You can replace pipes all day, but the leak will still be there until you find the source of the leak.
If we are to overcome temptations in life, we must know where they come from. God does not tempt us with evil. Blaming God will not help. We are tempted by our own carnal desires. We need God’s help to overcome the desires of the flesh.
What trials are you facing?
We all face trials in life. It is during those times of trials that we find out if our faith is real. What trials are you facing right now? How is your faith holding out?
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-12-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
"PRAY FOR ALL MEN"
[Play video found here.] North American Mission Board's GPS Strategy: 1st element is to pray for the lost.
Does the Bible teach us to pray for the lost? Yes. One biblical passage which teaches us to pray for the lost is 1 Timothy 2:1-5.
In this passage we learn 4 important truths about praying for people:
How we should pray
Who we should pray for
What we should pray for
Why we should pray
The first important truth about praying for people is…
How we should pray (v.1)
Paul lists four specific ways to pray for people:
Supplication – to make a petition (for them)
Prayer – public oratory/prayer to God
Intercession – to request on behalf of another (about them)
Thanksgiving – to give thanks to God
There was a lady in another church who had a husband who was lost. She prayed for him for years. She requested prayer for him at church. Eventually, her husband was saved and became an active member of the church.
We need to do that for people we know, especially for the lost. Lift them up to God in prayer, asking Him to convict them of their sin and draw them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The second important truth about praying for people is…
Who we should pray for
Paul tells us we should pray for:
All men (v.1) Everyone
Authority figures (v.2) Pray for our leaders.
On Wednesday nights, we gather for Prayer Meeting. We pray for our leaders. We also pray for the church, and many prayer needs that we are aware of. We pray for our sister churches and missionaries. We do our best to pray for all men. Throughout the week our prayer chain is ready to pray for emergency needs.
Pray for all men in your personal prayer time. Join us as we pray together for all men.
The third important truth about praying for people is…
What we should pray for
Paul tells us what we should ask God for when we pray:
A peaceful life (v.2) – Ask for “…a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
Salvation (v.4) – God “desires all men to be saved…” So should we.
Knowledge of the truth (v.4-6) – God also desires all men to “come the knowledge of the truth.” Just because God desires all men to be saved, does not mean that they are. Salvation is found in Christ alone.
On September 23, 1857 Jeremiah Lanphier prayed alone at a noon prayer meeting in New York City. Six months later, fifty thousand people were meeting in New York, and thousands more were meeting across the country. Thousands were saved in what would be known as the Layman’s Prayer Revival.[i]
If we want people to be saved, we need to pray about it. God saves people. We need to ask Him to.
The fourth important truth about praying for people is…
Why we should pray
Paul explains the proper motivation for praying for people.
It is part of spiritual warfare. (1 Tim. 1:18-2:1) This passage about prayer is part of Paul’s instructions to Timothy about fighting the good fight.
It is urgent. (v.1) Paul urged [“exhort”] Timothy to pray for people. It is urgent.
It is good and pleasing to God. (v.3) “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…”
In a car, leather seats are optional. An engine is not optional; the car will not run without it.
Prayer is not optional for the Christian. If you want to please God, get the Devil off your back and see souls saved, you must pray.
When should we pray?
Now! There is no time like the present.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
[i] Malcolm McDow and Alvin L. Reid, Firefall: how God shaped history through revivals (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1997), 251-273.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-12-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Does the Bible teach us to pray for the lost? Yes. One biblical passage which teaches us to pray for the lost is 1 Timothy 2:1-5.
In this passage we learn 4 important truths about praying for people:
How we should pray
Who we should pray for
What we should pray for
Why we should pray
The first important truth about praying for people is…
How we should pray (v.1)
Paul lists four specific ways to pray for people:
Supplication – to make a petition (for them)
Prayer – public oratory/prayer to God
Intercession – to request on behalf of another (about them)
Thanksgiving – to give thanks to God
There was a lady in another church who had a husband who was lost. She prayed for him for years. She requested prayer for him at church. Eventually, her husband was saved and became an active member of the church.
We need to do that for people we know, especially for the lost. Lift them up to God in prayer, asking Him to convict them of their sin and draw them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The second important truth about praying for people is…
Who we should pray for
Paul tells us we should pray for:
All men (v.1) Everyone
Authority figures (v.2) Pray for our leaders.
On Wednesday nights, we gather for Prayer Meeting. We pray for our leaders. We also pray for the church, and many prayer needs that we are aware of. We pray for our sister churches and missionaries. We do our best to pray for all men. Throughout the week our prayer chain is ready to pray for emergency needs.
Pray for all men in your personal prayer time. Join us as we pray together for all men.
The third important truth about praying for people is…
What we should pray for
Paul tells us what we should ask God for when we pray:
A peaceful life (v.2) – Ask for “…a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
Salvation (v.4) – God “desires all men to be saved…” So should we.
Knowledge of the truth (v.4-6) – God also desires all men to “come the knowledge of the truth.” Just because God desires all men to be saved, does not mean that they are. Salvation is found in Christ alone.
On September 23, 1857 Jeremiah Lanphier prayed alone at a noon prayer meeting in New York City. Six months later, fifty thousand people were meeting in New York, and thousands more were meeting across the country. Thousands were saved in what would be known as the Layman’s Prayer Revival.[i]
If we want people to be saved, we need to pray about it. God saves people. We need to ask Him to.
The fourth important truth about praying for people is…
Why we should pray
Paul explains the proper motivation for praying for people.
It is part of spiritual warfare. (1 Tim. 1:18-2:1) This passage about prayer is part of Paul’s instructions to Timothy about fighting the good fight.
It is urgent. (v.1) Paul urged [“exhort”] Timothy to pray for people. It is urgent.
It is good and pleasing to God. (v.3) “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…”
In a car, leather seats are optional. An engine is not optional; the car will not run without it.
Prayer is not optional for the Christian. If you want to please God, get the Devil off your back and see souls saved, you must pray.
When should we pray?
Now! There is no time like the present.
To learn more about how to follow Jesus, click here.
To find a good church where you can grow in your faith, click here.
[i] Malcolm McDow and Alvin L. Reid, Firefall: how God shaped history through revivals (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1997), 251-273.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 7-12-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.
Get Real! Authentic Christianity for Today
Presented at
Click on the links below to read a brief synopsis of each sermon as it is posted.
REAL RELIGION PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE
REAL RELIGION PRACTICES PERSEVERANCE
REAL WISDOM EXPRESSED IN WORDS
REAL WISDOM EXPRESSED IN WORKS
REAL CHARACTER, CONQUERED DESIRE
"GPS: God's Plan for Sharing"
Presented at
Click on the links below to read a brief synopsis of each sermon in the series.
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