Monday, April 22, 2013

Lolipops and Gundrops Sermon




 
As Christians we think everything is all lollipops and gumdrops and that no matter what we do, things will always be that way and we will always be seen in a Godly light.





Then someone comes along and tells us “Hey did you know what your doing is wrong and it is a sin.” Our world is then turned upside down. We think “How dare this person judge me? How dare they tell me that I’m sinning?”
Have you ever gotten a feeling deep inside that whatever you are/were doing seemed wrong? Would you still do that same thing if Jesus was physically standing next to you? If your first answer is yes, and your second answer is no; then guess what? You are sinning my friend.

I’m not the type of person that is self righteous or condemning, I too have felt that feeling of conviction in my life a time or two. So I know where you stand. No one likes to be told your sinning, I think this is the one word that cuts like a knife straight to the heart. And, honestly that I think that is what it is suppose to do. 
Sin is just that, Sin. Here is a different way to look at it if you will.

Lets say you are enjoying a lollipop while out and about with your friend. You drop your lollipop on the
ground and it lands in some lose dirt. You think, “oh the 5 sec rule, I’ll  just wipe it off, because that lollipop is so tasty.”

But, what if that same lollipop landed in some dog poop, would you still think about that 5 sec rule? Or would you leave it there and just go on your way or go buy a new one.(I would pray you would choose the first verses the later.) But, if you really look at it, no matter where your lollipop lands it is now dirty. It doesn’t matter which version is dirtier than the other. They are both the same, your lollipop is now dirty.
(Matthew 18:15 ~ If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.)

Well, if you take this same view to sin; you will see that sin is sin. All sin is wrong, no matter if it is just a little white lie or if it is robbing someone/someplace. God does not like sin, he wants us as his children to walk the straight and narrow path so we can join Him in Heaven one day.
 Romans 6:10-15 ~ For the death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lust. And do not present your members as instrument of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from dead, and your members as instrument of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!)

There are some sins though that do not receive forgiveness. No one ever wants to be told that a sin they have commented can not be forgiven, but the Bible says it. (Mark 3:29 ~ but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation ) If it is in the Bible it is true, for that is God’s word. (Luke 15:18 ~ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ), (John 8:21 ~ Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”)

Ask for forgiveness and turn from your sins. Go back to the walk on the straight and narrow path with God. (Acts 2:38 ~ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.)



Friday, March 29, 2013

The Chicken Sermon



We are all like this chicken.



Until we allow God to do his will, we will always taste and be plain, dry, ordinary chicken. We will look like the rest, we won't stand out.
But, if we take our Bibles and open them up and start letting God's word work on us then we can become a whole lot more than just plain, dry, ordinary chicken.



By reading God's word we are using his sword. (Hebrew 4:12 ~ For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.) With every scripture we read. We are cutting deeper into our soul where God needs to be.






Once we have given our soul over to God, He will then begin to season us to his taste. When you let God in fully and have been washed by the blood of his son, (1 John 1:7 ~ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.; Acts 22:16 ~ And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.) then you are ready to take on what he as set for you.





God will take his word and use it to put the Holy Ghost in you. (Acts 2:38 ~ Then Peter said to them. "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.)



Then as you dig deeper into his word and let the Holy Ghost take hold on your life, you will sense new things happening. (Romans 10:8 ~ But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach)
You will begin to see that your no longer like the other chickens around you. (Colossians 3:16 ~ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord)

Your no longer plain, dry, ordinary chicken. Those around you start noticing.


You start liking the way your feeling. So you keep reading God's word, you get closer than ever with God. He then cleanses you and makes you pure. (2 Corinthians 7:1 ~ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.)


 Once God has purified you and set you apart from this World. (Malachi 3:3 ~ He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.) your no longer plain, dry, ordinary chicken. You are a gourmet meal. You are seasoned by His word, you are tied and anchored by His spirit, you are cleansed and made completely new by His blood.

So, today/tonight do you want to continue to be plain, dry, ordinary chicken?
Or do you want to become a gourmet meal?

Written March 16, 2013 at 5:30am