LIVING GODLY AT ALL TIMES 2 Timothy 3:12 INTRODUCTION: Notice the words all that will these words mean all who desire, all who are so minded. Paul said (paraphrased) in fact anyone and everyone that wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. The Biblical principle of this verse is seen throughout the New Testament. Matt 10:22-23 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Phil 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 1 Pet 4:12-13 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Someone has said that a Christian life that is easy is probably not to godly. I’m not saying that if you are not going through what Paul went through that you are not living right, but I am saying there ought to be some sort of opposition in your life. A godly life will always attract the devil’s attention, the world’s attention, and displease the flesh. They always war against the Spirit. I read where that if a frog is dumped into a pail of hot water it will immediately leap out. But if placed in cold water that is heated gradually it will remain and be boiled to death. I’m afraid a lot of us are relaxed in lukewarm water. We are not cold, we are not hot, but lukewarm. Lukewarm water will relax you and put you to sleep. We that are believers are to witness to the grace of God in Jesus and to be as salt of the earth, making the presence and the power of God known among men. This verse ought to cause we that are saved: I. TO EXAMINE OURSELVES All that will A. OUR DESIRES Do we still have the desire to see sinners saved? Do we still have the desire to serve the Lord? Do we still have the desire to be found in the house of God on the Lord’s Day B. OUR DETERMINATION Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Stop getting discouraged and tired of doing good. Don’t retreat in battle. Don’t give up the fight. We shall reap, if we faint not. If we do not get relaxed, let down, become exhausted and faint. C. OUR DEVELOPMENT Where would you be right now if God had not saved you! The Christian life is a life of growth and maturity. You should be farther along the older you get, than when you were first saved. Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. A Christian is one in whom Christ lives. Christ is our life. Some of us will say one day if only I would not have retreated in battle. If only I would have let Christ live through me like He wanted to. There would have been more of my loved ones in heaven. Second this verse ought to cause us: II. EXPOSE OURSELVES Matt 5:13-16 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Salt penetrates, light exposes. Salt hinders the spread of corruption. Salt creates thirst. Salt brings out the flavor. If salt ever loses its flavor there is no way to restore the true natural taste. Jesus is the source of the light, Christians are the reflection of His light. As the moon reflects the glory of the sun. We Christians are to reflect the glory of the Son on a lost and dying world. We elevated above our surroundings, a city that is set on hill cannot be hid. Gal 1:15-16 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mothers womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: The Samaritan women said come see a man wich told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Thirdly this verse ought to cause us: III. TO EXPRESS OURSELVES Ps 40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. Notice the words, all those that seek Ps 22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. Ps 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Ps 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; We need to express ourselves through: A. OUR CONVERSION Took me out of a horrible pit of sin. Broke the chains of sin that had me bound. Brought me out of the darkness, into light. B. OUR CALLING What you do All to the glory of God C. OUR CHURCH I was glad when they said unto me let us go unto the House of the Lord. When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way When we do His good will He abides with us still If only we trust and obey
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 18:46:51 +0000
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