Many
preachers believe the purpose of preaching is to explain the Bible, or to
interpret the text, or to help people understand God’s Word. But these all fall
short of what it really is. Paul gives us God’s purpose of preaching in
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV): “Christ gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets,
some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s
people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we
all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become
mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Jeremiah
6:16 The LORD said to his people, "Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask
for the ancient paths and where the best road is. Walk in it, and you will live
in peace."
But
they said, "No, we will not!"
When
the Lord has His day of vengeance, no sinners of any age or rank or of either
sex will escape. Be careful not to set your mind (life) upon the world, and be
carried away by the love of it. Judge your sin by God's word and do not give
into it. Who are our worst and most dangerous enemies, those who flatter us in
a sinful way! Pray that we are wise for our souls! Ask for the old paths; the
way of godliness and righteousness has always been the way God has owned and
blessed. Ask for the old paths in the written word of God. When you have found
the good way, go in it, you will find abundance at your journey's end. But if
you do not obey the voice of God and flee to his appointed Refuge, it will
plainly appear at the Day of Judgment, that you are ruined because you reject
God's word.
Jeremiah
31:31 The LORD says, "The time is coming when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like
the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand
and led them out of Egypt. Although I was like a husband to them, they did not
keep that covenant. 33 The new covenant that I will make with the people of
Israel will be this: I will put my law within them and write it on their
hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
The
people of God shall become numerous and prosperous. The covenant made with the
disciples of Jesus Christ is not a new law; for Christ came not to destroy the
law, but to fulfil it; but the law shall be written in their hearts by the
Spirit. The Lord will, by his grace, make his people willing people in the day
of his power. All shall know the Lord; all shall be welcome to the knowledge of
God, and shall have the means of that knowledge. There shall be an outpouring
of the Holy Spirit, at the time the gospel is published. No man shall perish,
but for his own sins; no one who is willing to accept of Christ's salvation
will perish.
Romans
8:28 “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him,
those whom he has called according to his purpose.” Read Romans 8:28 to end of
chapter.
Every
Godly blessing leads to the spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking
us off from sin, bringing us nearer to God, weaning us from the world, and fitting
us for heaven. When the saints act out of character, corrections will be
employed to bring them back again. And here is the order of the causes of our
salvation, a golden chain, one which cannot be broken. 1. Romans 8:30; Whom he
foreknows, he also did predestine to be conformed to the image of his Son. In
this life we are in part renewed, and walk in his steps. 2. He called us from
self and earth to God, and Christ, and heaven, as our end; from sin and vanity
to grace and holiness, as our way. This is the gospel call. The love of God,
ruling in the hearts of those who once were enemies to him, proves that they
have been called according to his purpose. 3. Whom he called, them he also
justified. No one is justified but those who are called - those who stand with
the gospel call. 4. Whom he justified, them he also glorified. The power of
corruption being broken in the calling, and the guilt of sin removed in
justification, nothing can come between that soul and glory. This encourages
our faith and hope; for, as for God, his way, his work, is perfect. The apostle
speaks as one amazed, and swallowed up in admiration, wondering at the height
and depth, and length and breadth, of the love of Christ, which passes all
knowledge. The more we know of other things, the less we wonder; but the
further we are led into gospel mysteries, the more we are affected by them.
While God is for us, and we keep in his love, we may with holy boldness defy
all the powers of darkness.
So
let us walk as great people – being fixed on things above and not on things
below – there will always be strife on earth – let us as God’s people walk in
His holiness.
Remember;-
Great
minds discuss ideas;
Average
minds discuss events,
Small
minds discuss people.
I
would like to finish tonight with a few thoughts for each of us;-
When
living out your dreams, always remember what is most important.
It
is not having everything go right; it can be facing what is going wrong;
It
will not be without fear; most important is having the determination to go on;
It’s
not where you are at; it’s the direction you are going in.
You
will have bad moments; Remember you are bigger than moments and
God
has equipped you with everything you need to overcome;
You
cannot take away all injustices;
But you can rise above them to see the
righteousness of the Christ in this world;
Remember
to live this day and do not take today's troubles into tomorrow.
Everyday
ends and brings exiting new things tomorrow.
Love
where the Lord has placed you
And
be the best person you can be for God,
and
always remember God can make your dreams come true.
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