The Gospel That Divides

Matthew 10:34-39

34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, 36 and a man's enemies will be the members of his household. 37 "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life because of me will find it.

The Sword: Hebrews 4:12

  1. The Gospel divides      universally.
      2.  
    1. Romans 5:1
  2. The Gospel divides      intentionally.
  3. The Gospel divides      domestically.
  4. The Gospel divides      demandingly.
  5. The Gospel divides      permanently.

Kingdom Workers

1 Peter 4:10

The Lord's Laborers

Mark 10:44-45

and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

  1. Labors in Love
      2.  
    1. 1 Thessalonians       1:3 because we recall in the presence of our God and Father your work of       faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. Labors not in vain
      3.  
    1. 1 Corinthians       15:58 So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved!       Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is       not in vain in the Lord.
  3. Their Labor is known by      Christ
      4.  
    1. Revelation 2:2
      2.  
    2. 'I know your works as well       as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil.       You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles       (but are not), and have discovered that they are false.
  4. Knows that God does not      forget
      5.  
    1. Hebrews 6:10 For       God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have       demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the       saints.
  5. Relies on internal power
      6.  
    1. Colossians 1:29       Toward this goal I also labor, struggling according to his power that       powerfully works in me.
  6. Desires to be obedient
      7.  
    1. 2 Corinthians 5:9       So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please       him.
  7. Knows that it has to be done      together
      8.  
    1. 1 Corinthians 3:9       We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God's field, God's building.
  8. There is not an end
      9.  
    1. Luke 10:2 He said       to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.       Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his       harvest.

God's Wrath Revealed

Romans 1:18-25

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, 19 because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Man's wasted opportunity

  1. We ignore God's revealed      truth
      2.  
    1. Life is short
      2.  
    2. Eternity is forever
      3.  
    3. Sin is black
      4.  
    4. Hell is real
      5.  
    5. Heaven can be yours
  2. We suppress God's revealed      truth v21
  3. We twist God's revealed      truth      v22
  4. We change God's revealed      truth v23-25

 

The God Who Watches Over Us

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct and teach you about how you should live. I will advise you as I look you in the eye.

Principles we need to implement for this to work:

  1. Relax
      2.  
    1. Psalm 46:10
      2.  
    2. God's will is not your       responsibility, its God's. It's God's responsibility to reveal it to you.       It's your responsibility to respond to it.
      3.  
    3. "Trust in the Lord with       all your heart"
  2. Be willing to obey God in      advance
      3.  
    1. You choose to do       God's will even before you know it. It is a prior attitude of commitment.      
  3. Make sure you are in      fellowship with God.
      4.  
    1. You must       establish Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life first.
  4. Search the Scriptures
      5.  
    1. God's will is       found in God's word. God's will never contradicts God's word.
  5. Pray for God's wisdom
      6.  
    1. "If anyone       lacks wisdom, let him ask God, and it shall be given." James 1:5
  6.  Get the facts
      7.  
    1. "Get the       facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense you can       get." Proverbs 23:23
  7. Consider your desires
      8.  
    1. Ask yourself,       "what do I really want?" and "Why do I want it?"
  8. In Faith, make a decision
      9.  
    1. I believe the       Bible teaches that God would rather have you make a mistake in faith than       sit and do nothing in doubt.
  9. Let circumstances confirm      God's will
      10.  
    1. I'm talking about       the fact, after you've made the decision, after you've stepped out in       faith.

 

Why Is The Church Important?

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matt 16:13-19

Soul searching questions

  1. Do you love your church?
  2. Do you really understand the      importance of the church?
  3. If the strength if the church      was dependant solely on you, how strong would your church be?
  4. What are you doing to make      your church strong?
  5. Have you ever said or done      anything to hurt your church or give your church a black-eye?

Why is the church important?

  1. Because we are to make sure      Christ is exalted.
      2.  
    1. "You are the       Messiah, the son of the living God."
  2. Because the church is the      heartbeat of Christ and it was His idea.
      3.  
    1. "On this       rock I will build my Church"
  3. Because Christ is counting on      us to be the builders.
      4.  
    1. "On this       rock I will build my Church."
  4. Because Christ said we should      not allow anything to stop us or His church.
      5.  
    1. "The gates       of hell will not overcome it."
  5. Because Gods people have been      equipped with authority. Authority that we should be using.
      6.  
    1. "I will give       you the keys of the kingdom of heaven."