Quality Christians -2 Peter 1:5-11

Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 16 Quality Christians

Verses-

2 Pet 1:5-11

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(NIV)

Quality Christians

A man was driving on a country road when he notice a chicken running beside his car. He sped up and so did the chicken. As he went faster the chicken went faster until they both were going 80 MPH. Then the chicken makes a quick right in to a farm yard. The man went to the farmer to inquire about this amazing four legged chicken. "It’s a new bred I'm going to get rich selling drumsticks" How do they taste?" "I don't know. Haven't been able to catch one yet."

Many times we plan something and it doesn't work out the way we planed. We might be unaware of facts that are important to consider.

Last week we began devotions from 2nd Peter. He reminded the Gentile believers of privileges that were theirs as children of God. In addition to faith, and grace and peace they experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of God and the promises that are ours for all eternity. All of this comes from God because of his righteousness and active love. God has provided all we need for our salvation and sanctification. We are now destined to become partakers of the divine nature.

But maybe there is a factor that we have missed or overlooked in this process. We might wonder if God has made me a Rolls Royce how come I still feel like a pair of roller skates? There seems to be things missing in my life.

Like a benefactor who pays our way for college it is purchased, but it isn't doing us much good unless we study and prepare and be diligent in apply what that gift represents. I have seen so many defeated Christians because they are not using the qualities needed for further and deeper knowledge of God. There is something more than simply increasing our “intellectual" knowledge of Jesus Christ! Peter is talking about growing in a full and personal knowledge of Jesus Christ! This is what is described in the passage we want to study this week.

What makes a Quality Christian? Several characteristics identify maturity, but it is not stagnant. There are daily challenges that with time begin to allow the light of Jesus shine in us.

As you look at the list in the above passage what character traits do you sense needs work in your life at this time. Pray that you will grow in knowledge and power provided to look and act more like Jesus from within, not just on the outside.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 18 Growth

Verses- 2 Peter 1: 5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

A quality Christian is committed to Growth

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith certain qualities. For what very reason? The reason that is mentioned in vs. four, "He has given us very great and precious promises so we can participate in the divine nature and escape corruption in the world."

Because God has given to us Himself, His power, His Holy Spirit now don't just sit there. Get growing! And now in case you don't get it, Peter is saying the Christian life is going to take some effort. It will take diligence; it will take work on our part to keep growing. Where do we begin? With faith. After faith what's next?

He mentions 7 things to add to your very precious faith. I comment on some today and some tomorrow. The first character quality mentioned is goodness. KJV says virtue. NAS says moral excellence. In other words be work at being moral in a bold an courageous manner. Stand up for what is right. When people all around us say, "it really doesn't make any difference how you live", realize that is not what God's word teaches. It does make a difference how you live. There is a responsibility to live our lives different than non Christians live their lives.

In the day in which Peter is writing there was tremendous persecutions. Christians needed courage to do what is right even if we have to pay for it. To the Jewish people being a Christian was regarded as renegade, an apostate, unpatriotic, and profane. To the Greek people a Christian was regarded as a fool and fanatic. There are many in our culture who think its a good thing to go to church, but lets not go overboard in lifestyle. To live with goodness means living morally pure; it means not cheating on tests, it means not to lie to make sales, it means to be a person of integrity. It means to be moral and do what is good and right.

Secondly he mentions knowledge. This means practical knowledge, not just facts. Don't stop learning about Jesus and what is in his word. We grow as we get into this book and as the Holy Spirit causes us to mature in full knowledge of Christ. Phil 4:8 think on what is pure, lovely, good, gracious and the peace of God will rule inside.

This book is to be read more than by the preacher or SS teacher on Sunday mornings. Read it as part of daily practice and pray about that you read and how to apply it. God will use this spiritual diet to cause you to grow in your faith. Even if it is just a few verses to think about it will help you.

One person was having trouble comprehending what he read. His pastor advised him to pick a small book or few chapters and read them over again regularly for one month. The man took his advice. He couldn't believe all the things God wanted to show him. Some things he didn't pick up until the 10th reading, others later. Pray that the Holy Spirit would enlighten your mind, and practice what he shows you.

Thirdly, Add to your knowledge, self control. We live in the midst of passion and selfishness society. Lots of emphasis is placed on individual gratification and lustful pleasures. We all need a good dose of self control. It is so easy to let our emotions and desires control us instead of our minds and spirits controlling our desires. I am blogging in my copes computer tomorrow about my battle with self control in my eating habits. If you want to read that email me and I’ll send it on, unless you already get it.

I talked to a young man who filed bankruptcy because spending got so out of hand. It wasn’t because of the losing a job or the economic downturn, it was a lack of self control. He and his wife kept up the habit of spending more than what they could take in. When they went shopping they had a hard time saying no to purchases they could not afford. Soon debt overwhelmed them and they couldn’t pay their creditors. Self control when it comes to finances is learning to say no to spending what you want if you do not have the money. Impulsive buying is a lack of self control. So are fits of anger, drunkenness, chemical abuse, sexual immorality, wagging tongues, poor habits are all related to lack of self control.

I am not sure any of us can score 100% on feeling we have completely arrived in character of goodness, knowledge, and self control. But are you allowing God to work on those traits in your life? Are you trying on your own? What steps are you taking to grow in these areas? We need the encouragement of one another on this journey.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 19 Change

Verses- 2 Peter 1: 5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

A quality Christian Persists in Change

As we looked at the first part of the qualities for a growing Christian yesterday, so we continue to look at these traits for change. Hopefully God continues to change us as we commit ourselves to His best.

Add to self control perseverance. Perseverance is also part of self control but has a different flavor to it. Wait for the Lord. In our society of instant gratification it is so hard to wait. I've got down making popcorn in 2 minutes in the microwave and believe it or not the commercials aren't quite long enough to run up pop it in and get down without missing some of the program.

If something doesn't work right instantly we get irritated, instead of keeping at it to get it right. Waiting and taking time to do something well is really hard in our time conscious society. I served on the Indian Ministries Committee of the Conference. Working on the reservation for years before you see fruit, converts, and churches established seems like such a long wasted time, but God bless the missionaries that can persevere realizing it take a long time in that culture to develop the soil for revival of the spirit. Their faithfulness with or without results is what keeps them focused on God's call in their life. There are lessons that some people only learn when they are in a period of their life God calls them to wait.

Persevering faith is giving God your best regardless of the circumstances. Don't give up; Isn't it interesting that those of us who have all eternity before us can't be a little more patient with the minutes and hours and days and years.

Add to perseverance Godliness - That is god like ness. It means having the same mind as Jesus Christ, to view things from a Divine perspective. It is to have a right view of God in our living and the right view of others in our relationship with mankind. Of one ancient saint it is written "He was so pious and devoutly religious that he would take no step apart from the will of heaven; so just and upright that he never did a trifling injury to any living soul; so self controlled, so temperate, that he never at any time chose the sweeter instead of the better, so sensible, so wise, and so prudent that in distinguishing the better from the worse he never erred"

Add to Godliness, brotherly love. Philadelphia is the Greek word for brotherly love, they same as the Pennsylvania city. The point Peter is making is compassion, togetherness and love is needed be demonstrated among believers. Kindness begins in the family and also in the family of God. That doesn't mean we can be unkind to those who are no believers, but in we have the spirit of God their should be more reasons to encourage one another instead of tearing one another down. I am always surprised when certain Christians and certain Christian groups forget who the enemy is. I don't agree with some of my Christian brothers and sisters in the faith. We don't always think alike. But some of the most bitter, unforgiving, and unkind words are expressed to people who claim to be Christians.

Lastly Peter mentions the deepest form of love. The Greek is agape' love. That is the self-giving, self-sacrificing love that just isn't in us to have unless it is given from above.

Jesus did not say all men will know you are my disciples if you grow big churches, if you pass just laws, if you restore decency to the family and environment; They will not know you are Christians if you clean up pornography and make TV and Computer use more wholesome, but rather they will know you are Christians by your love. That is the key people see.

Now these 8 qualities are important for us to keep with effort and diligence adding to our faith in growing measure. Get Growing.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Jan 20 Effectiveness

Verses 2 Peter 1: 8 ,9 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

A quality Christian is committed to Effectiveness

The qualities Peter mentioned earlier will cause us to grow and not be ineffective. The opposite is effectiveness as a Christian. What does that mean? You will be producing spiritual fruit in Christian works and personal knowledge of the Lord. You will have a deeper personal knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ which is the spark that keeps us going and glowing.

Looking at it from the reverse- if you do not pursue these qualities then the result is spiritual short sightedness and blindness to eternal things and to God. Instead of "fixing our hope" on the spiritual and eternal certainties which God has promised and provided for us, we see only in the present. No wonder this generation has been called the "now generation." If you are near sighted then you do not have God's perspective.

Peter is saying an effective Christian knows where he is going spiritually and sees the way. The nearsighted Christian is looking only at what is happening day by day and fails to see and revealing the handiwork of God all around them. It is like going to the Grand Canyon missing the grandeur all around us because you are focused on the gum on your shoe. Many are so wrapped up in the immediate situation they do not see the workings of God.

Martha was worried about the meal; Mary wanted to be with Jesus. The Temple officials wanted profits from the money changers in church, and disciples wanted to see the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. The rich young rulers could only see his pocketbook. Jesus wanted him to see his very soul for all eternity.

An effective Christian is one who desires to make a difference. But a defeated Christian looks at the circumstances the problems the others around them instead of God. A defeated Christian is one who lives under the weight of never being good enough, feeling like they are never loved, having the burden of not feeling forgiven for sins.

I was listening to a sermon by John Claypool who reminded his congregation that there is original sin, but there is also original love. It was the love of God that acted before the sin of man. It was the love of God that allowed you to be conceived and love of people that allowed your birth; it was the love of parents, and teachers, and friends that influenced your life. But in everyone's life there is also the bad, the evil, and the hardships. Where is your main focus? You do not have to ignore reality, but you don't have to live in the muck either. You have things that have been forgiven. An effective Christian put those things behind knowing Christ has dealt with sin on the cross. Maybe you didn't come from the best home, or were abused, or did have horrible arguments and name callings but as a believer He has also given you blessings that you are not seeing. Open your eyes to grace.

Claypool told the story of his son in a new restaurant and motel and spilled the plate of food on a brand new carpet. Everyone, workers and patrons alike looked at him. Many came to help clean it up so it wouldn't be the first stain on the carpet. He felt like crawling in a hole and dying. He said it was the worse day of his vacation.

He was in a better mood the next day. His dad asked him if he was able to put it behind him. Then he confessed, "I began to think of this trip and count the good things that happened that day. When I realized I enjoyed 30 things and had only one bad, I began to be grateful. That changed his whole attitude.

When we put into practice what God gives us we too change into a quality Christian and become more effective for Him and others.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Jan 21 Certainty

Verses- 2 Peter 1: 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A quality Christian is committed to Certainty

This passage has been debated by theologians for years. Let’s realize what it says in context. After making an important point about the certainty, or confidence of our faith related to the righteousness of Christ (vs. 1-4) you know Peter then is not contradicting himself. He is not saying that you will lose your salvation if you don't keep growing. He is not saying that if you practice these qualities you will get saved. But he is reminded them since they are called and elected by God live up to your calling. You have these tremendous benefits granted to you, now use them to honor Him. We do not work to be saved; we work because we have been saved. A living faith works.

Yes God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. His plan is not to save you in order for you to live a selfish and sinful life or to have you sit on your duff. We have fewer doubts about our relationship with God when we live in accordance with the principles of the faith.

Even though I was raised in a church my religious activity was like all the other religions until the day God convicted my spirit that I was lost and unholy. I asked God to save me and just to be sure I asked him to save me several times afterwards. But it wasn't until I stopped asking for salvation and continued to grow in my understanding and in obedience that my doubts lifted. I was saved by faith in the gift of God, but by trusting in the works of Jesus Christ. But my awareness of the riches that are mine came as I let Christ live in me in an growing manner. Now I have certainty.

I don't have to worry about going to hell. I do not have to worry about losing my salvation. The more I know about God and his word the more I understand my freedom in Christ and the more I understand the more I experience his closeness and the more I experience his closeness the less I want with sin. That is Christian maturity by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If one lives in sin, and there is no evidence of new spiritual birth then God said do not lie to yourself, you still walk in darkness. (1 John) For people who do not have certainty I dare say that have not trusted, or not obeyed. To be happy in Jesus is to trust and obey. Trust saved us and obedience is letting his power grow in us with certainty and confidence.

One preacher asked this question, "If being a Christian was illegal in your society would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you in court? If not, why not?" Give up your doubts, live in the confidence of your faith. Put one foot ahead of the other and apply these graces into your life.

Why do people want to be saved by the skin of their teeth? Peter is saying don't be that way. If God has saved you and gave you the power for effective living, if you have the resources of living for His glory then great is your reward. For the Christian who pursues holiness, there is an entrance in the presence of God we eagerly anticipate. It is an entrance abundantly supplied to us. This is the reward of diligently seeking to confirm our calling and election.

Have you been born again? If you have not been born again, then you do not have life in Jesus Christ, and thus you cannot expect to grow spiritually. Peter is writing to those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. I urge you to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved from your sins.

Second, I must ask you who are Christians, are you really growing? That is a different question from asking how long you been a believer. For young people maturity often happens by waiting. We grow up. But for Christians, maturity does not grow automatically. Growth and maturity are not merely matters of time. They are matters of disciplined, diligent effort, of discipleship with yielding to the power of the Spirit. If you are not growing in Christian character, then you are becoming blind and forgetful and unfruitful.

Let these qualities be ours and increase so that we may be useful and fruitful, not blind or short sighted, forgetting our purification from former sins, but making certain of His calling and choosing, for as long as we practice these things we will never stumble, and in this way, our entrance into the eternal kingdom will be supplied to us.

Pastor Dale

Christian Benefits 2 Peter 1:1-4

Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 10

Verses 2 Pet 1:1-4

1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Christian Benefits

I was sitting with a good friend during her dying days. She was lying in a bed in the nursing home. Her breathing was belabored, her eyes were mostly closed. She could not talk. But when Judi and I walked into the room she sat up the best she could and smiled a toothless smile.

As we sat with her watching her struggle for life I reminded her of times we shared together in Wisconsin. I reminded her of how much a help she was to Judi and me and Judi’s sister, Marti years ago. I reminded her of Jesus whom she loved and served and in whose presence she will shortly go. I reminder her of the faith she had and the promises of God.

We begin a new sermon series from the Book of 2 Peter. It is a book of reminders to the believers of the things they possess because they also have faith in Jesus Christ. Instead of them being on a death bed, as it were, Peter writes as if it is last and indeed it was the last Scripture he wrote. He wanted to cut right to the core of the matter as he told them to remember what they had as believers in Christ.

As I watched my friend suffering physical limitations, Peter watched these people suffer spiritual persecution. His first letter was to a suffering church and he wanted to encourage them to keep the faith, and teach them about God's perspective. Now he writes to what is probably Gentile believers, Keep your lives pure for three very important reasons.

His message in chapter one is because you belong to God and He has called you to Holiness. In the second chapter he reminds them there are many false prophets and teachings that if you do not remind pure and close to the Word of God you will be deceived not only in your life style but salvation itself. And Chapter three he shares because the Day of the Lord is coming to judge and to redeem keep faithful. There is both the promise and the warning.

I want to remind us of these benefits in the weeks ahead and the privileges that are ours as believers saved by Christ.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 11-

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

Believers Have Privileges

Because of my job as pastor I have certain privileges that others do not have. As a minister I have the privilege of a parsonage. No one else here has a parsonage. It is privilege granted to me as part of my position and responsibility. As an ordained minister in the United States I can take housing expenses taken off from State and Federal income tax and not be included as salary. That is a privilege allowed by the law.

When I thought about privileges I remember being at camp as a high school with the position of a Counselor in Training. I had responsibilities, but I enjoyed the privileges that came with some responsibility. I could go to the kitchen anytime when I wasn't working for drinks and snacks. When the kids were in bed the counselor stayed with them and the CITs could have late night freetime. There were privileges granted to me because of my position. After they were all asleep and we returned to the cabins the counselors took off for relaxation.

I saw the lower part of the Metrodome for the first time couple when I served as an evangelism counselor at Promise Keepers. I got a badge and could go where the other men couldn't go. I could buy refreshments more cheaply, as well as get some food for free. I had some privileges because I had a badge.

Peter begins his second letter by acknowledging his authority and responsibility of a privilege granted him by God Himself through Jesus Christ, God’s Son. I am a servant (that is his responsibility) I am an apostle (that is granted privilege and responsibility). Those are his credentials allowing him to be authoritative to the readers of his letter.

But privileges are granted to us all who are in a relationship with God. What is most important in anyone's life is their faith, and on that score Peter is on a level plane with the church. No matter how much authority a believer is given by Christ, he should never forget that the great joy of his life should be that he is saved by faith like all the other saints. No pastor, no apostle, no prophet, no King, no one else has any different privilege of sonship that you or I do because it is faith that is the same. Grace saves sinners.

It is precious. That is the word he wants to use to describe faith. It means priceless with highest honor. It is greater privilege than faith in money, faith in the economy, faith in our nation, faith in our president, faith in our car, faith in our church, faith in the locks on your doors, faith in our doctors. There is a precious faith that is granted to us as believers when it is given to us by God because it is in Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Lord.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 12 –

Verse 2 Peter 1: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Believers have Peace

Grace and Peace are often coupled together in greetings among Christians in the first century. These truths are reminders of the gifts from God. Eph 2 It is by grace that we are saved which is a gift of God not of works so we have nothing to boast about.

Have you received this gift of God? That gift puts you into a relationship with the living God saving from sin and all its consequences and purchasing for you living everlasting with Christ in heaven. It is precious, marvelous, nothing can compare to it.

Faith must begin with knowledge. Without knowledge there can be no faith. "How can they call on one in whom they have never believed? How can they believe in one of whom they have never heard? and how can they hear unless someone proclaims Him?" "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10

Grace and peace are indeed privileges. Because of the gift of God which is grace we have peace with God having accepted His free gift. That is more than just a spiritual greeting in a letter. It was heart felt prayer and hope from Peter that we all will experience more of God's grace and more of God's peace. Grace includes the benefits that are ours without earning them, only knowing about them. And now we need to just realize what it is so we don't remain stagnant in our Christian lives. If you want to enjoy God's peace and be the aroma of his grace in the world, your knowledge of him has to grow.

Grace is a power that leads to godliness and eternal life; The channel of God's great grace is knowledge of God. Through the reading of the Bible comes the knowledge of God and through that grace and peace are multiplied as privileges to us.

People long for a peace with God and often don’t know how to get it. Many people who want to know the Lord have had no one clearly explain to them the truth. Pray that God give you the boldness and opportunity of telling someone this year about grace and peace through Jesus Christ. Give them your faith story. Yes, there might be some people who will rebel against God, and others who will argue, and others who will seem offended about religion, but don't bother with those folks if that bothers you. Ask God to lead you to the people who are ready to know more and want to respond but just haven't had the opportunity. Our job is to let folks know the privileges of grace and peace which can be theirs for the asking and is yours right now for the taking.

I think of the story of a hobo in South Western United states who inherited land with oil on it. Only he continued to live off the streets and eat from garbage cans, because he was unable to be contacted. When people would ask about him to inform him of his good fortune, he thought they were after him, so he ran and hid. He had tremendous benefits, but didn't know it.

I wonder for how many that is how it is?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Jan 13

Verse- 2 Pet 1: 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Believers have Power

An additional privilege for the sons and daughters of God is the gift of divine power. This power is Gods' which gives us everything we need for life and for godliness. Peter is aiming at eternal life and godliness; moral and spiritual transformation now and hope for life in the age to come. And there is a close connection for Peter between godliness and eternal life. You can't have the one if you reject the other.

God has given us the power to do what He wants us to do. You might think "I want the power to walk on water, just like Peter had." Why? Why was it given to Peter? To increase his faith to trust Jesus.

How many times did Peter walk on water? He certainly didn't try it afterwards. It even says after Jesus resurrection he yelled to the disciples to fish on the other side. When they caught so many fish Peter jumped into the water and swam ashore to be with Jesus. Why didn't he walk or run on the water to Jesus? Didn’t he have enough faith? That was not what God wanted him to do. He only had an original audience of 12 during the storm. God did not want him to use it to show off, for convenience,or for evangelism, he wanted Peter to walk on water to show him to trust Christ to provide whatever Christ wanted to give him to do whatever Christ called him to do.

Christ has the power to give you what you need for life and godliness. If he wants to use you in a great way to give He'll give you money, or the ability to make it. If He wants you to speak He’ll give you words? If to love, he'll give you people. If to show acts of mercy he'll give you hurting people. You have been given the gifts of the Spirit by this divine power. You will even been given the power to perform miracles if that is your calling by Christ, but not everyone is going to have the gifts to do the same things.

Peter saw how the Lord met physical needs on a daily basis. He personally saw the power of God displayed before his very eyes. The Lord took him out on a boat on the Sea of Galilee and taught him how to handle storms. Jesus is the master of stormy situations in our lives. He fed him and others when they were hungry. He broke bread when there was no bread to be had. He taught the disciples that he is the One who knows about their need. And throughout those three and a half years the apostles learned to trust and obey.

I was feeling rather inadequate as a pastor (and still do). I know my limitation more than anyone. We often don't need to point out other's inadequacies, we already know them and try to pretend we don't have them. So I was complaining to God one day explaining that He made a mistake. There are so many more capable people who have gift and abilities that I do not have. Do you know what he told me in my pity party?

"You're right! You are not capable of being the pastor of Stanchfield. You are not gifted in ways you want to be gifted. But I will give you what you need for what I want you to do. If I called you, then I will work through you. You don't have what it takes, but I do”

Peter, James and John didn't have what it took to be an apostle but Christ did. Moses didn't have what it took to lead the people into the promise land, but God did. Faith is allowing God's power to work in you.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Jan 14-

Verse- 2 Peter 1: 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Believers have Promises

There are not only things that we have right now for what God wants us to do to live for Him, but He has promises for the future. Very great and precious promises! It is to participate in the divine nature and escape corruption in the world. Wow.

Some versions translate that to partake in the nature of God which is to begin to take on the characteristics of God. That is, to love as God loves, to have joy as God has joy, to know peace as God knows peace, to exercise self-control as God exercises self-control. Hebrews 10:12 refers to become a partaker of His holiness. We may sum up by saying that to share in the divine nature is to "become more like Christ (Gal. 2:20)

There will be a day coming when this goal which has started will be complete. The world can't begin to understand the fanfare that will introduce the second coming of Jesus Christ. The world can't begin to understand the horrors of destruction our evil desires lead it to. Some benefits of saved people is they will never have to experience hell. They will never have to be bondage to Satan. They will never have the consequences of sin. They will never have to be captive to the repercussions of victimizations by others. That freedom is yours now when you grow in the knowledge of God.

Don’t misunderstand this verse. There is only one God and I know I'm not Him. This does not teach the New Age belief that we are all gods in ourselves to partake in the divine nature. But we have God in us by the power of the Holy Spirit! Abraham didn't have that privilege, Moses didn't have that privilege, King David didn't have that privilege, Even John the Baptist, the greatest of all prophets, didn't have that privilege. The Holy Spirit may have come upon them for various tasks but not dwell within them as it true for you and me today. We have God in us that hope of our glory. We have the word which gives us instruction that spirit that brings it on home to us. We have the advocate who intercedes for us in words we do not understand.

Madeline L'Engle said "It is a good thing that we are not God: we do not have to understand God's ways, or the suffering and brokenness and pain that sooner or later come to us all. But we do have to know in the very depths of our being that the ultimate end of the story, no matter how many aeons it takes, it going to be all right."

That confidence comes in the growing knowledge of God and belief in his promises that affects how we live today.

Jesus said, "In this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the world" It is the realization of what Jesus has done that gives us confidence of the promises will hold true of what he will do.

C. S. Lewis said, "Men down through the ages when they have needed courage might cry out Billy Budd, help me! and nothing very significant happens. Or if they need wisdom they might cry out "William Shakespeare, help me!" and nothing very significant happens. But down through the centuries men in times of deep and desperate need have cried out "Lord Jesus, help me!" and they have found he never fails."

But we have to remember that we have a destiny that reaches far beyond the few years of life we have in these bodies. God is preparing us for eternity by teaching us now how to walk in dependence upon Him. This means achieving our full potential must wait until we are transformed into the likeness of Jesus himself. In the mean time, weare learning, growing, changing --standing on the promises of our Lord and discovering (sometimes to our utter amazement!) that He is able to keep us from falling. We are learning to escape the corruptible thing sand focus on eternal things. We are sharing in the very life and nature of God as He lives out His life through ours. And we have no excuse for growing to our full potential in Jesus, for when He gave us the Holy Spirit, he gave us everything we need for life and godliness.

Pastor Dale

Preparing for Prayer Matthew 6:5-8

Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 3 – Preparing for Prayer

Verses- Matt 6:5-8

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Preparing for Prayer

A few years ago our conference commissioned a prayer commission. Its purpose was to pray and to call our conference to prayer. For awhile at each annual meeting they reserved the day before the conference for a special time of prayer. We were led in prayer through various concerns of the world and at home. Sometimes I thought the procedures didn't exactly fit my style of praying and seemed artificial to me. Yet others found the differing styles to be meaningful. How do we make something personal or corporate real instead of ritual?

This is prayer week at Stanchfield and I have the same problem of seeking to encourage people to grow in their next step in their prayer life, whatever that might be. That is my goal also that I might have insight and learn from the Lord how to re-vitalize my prayers. But what I find meaningful may not fit someone else’s preference.

The disciples were so busy doing ministry as recorded in Acts 6 they didn't have time to pray as they wanted, so they formed a task force and called them deacons. The apostles then could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. This was an unbending commitment of the apostles to preserve time for prayer.

The apostles were saying "No matter how urgent the pressures are to spend our time doing good deeds, we will not forsake our chief work. We will seek to persist in prayer. If the work we are to give up is a work which requires great spiritual depth and power, then how much more crucial and demanding must be the work of prayer?

There is a movement in our country were 1,000s of people gather in the cities for concerts of prayer. People from various denominations burdened for our country and for the world. They seek revival. They cry for confession. They are praying that God cause a movement of his spirit in an unusual way again. Spiritual awakenings, both historical and present day, point to prayer in humility and faith.

We cannot be effective as a church in prayer unless we are praying at home. How is your own personal prayer life? Jesus gives us some instructions about our Prayer Life. This week we sill look at some things to consider in the above verses. But begin with asking God to lead you into a deeper prayer life in 2011. Then as things come to your mind or heart throughout the day, stop and pray about them.

Although we will not look specifically at the Lords prayer at this time I find the ACTS method a good place to start or continue in your prayers – A- Adore (praise) C- Confess T-Thanksgiving S- supplications .

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 4 Public Prayer

Verse Matt 6:5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Considering Public Prayer.

Jesus accused others of killing prayer because they prayed for the purpose of being seen by others. Jesus tells us do not pray like the hypocrites who love to be seen by men. Prayer is conversation with God. It was common for people to go to the temple to pray and some attended at 9 , 12, and 3 o'clock. It was easy for man to be at a busy street corner, or in a crowded city square so that all the world might see with what devotion, dedication and commitment he prayed. It was easy for a man to halt on the top steps of the entrance to the synagogue and pray lengthily and demonstratively so that all people might admire his piety. He would stay with hands stretched out, palms upward, head bowed. Such prayer that seemed to impress people is not prayer at all. It is play acting. If he gets praised by men for all his piety that his all the reward he will get.

I remember growing up there was one pastor that made it a practice coming out of his study to the platform Sunday mornings. He would get on his knees at his chair pray before the service. I always thought he was very devout, much more godly than the previous pastors because he prayed on his knees before all the people. He also ran off with our church secretary.

Now do not misunderstand. Jesus is not teaching that Public prayer is wrong. Indeed there are many examples of public prayer in the Bible, including Jesus. Corporate prayer is prayer offered to God in the hearing of believers, who can agree and affirm it. It can bring us to unity as one represents the people in their prayer. It enlarges the vision of what we are praying toward. Others learn to pray by listening to others. Passion is contagious.

But the problem with public prayer is that people often are not really praying to God on behalf of the people, but rather for others. Many fear praying publicly because they might say the wrong words. People are afraid they might not do it right. Hence there is the problem that you are praying for men instead of talking to God on behalf of others. Praying public prayers, like the hypocrites, makes it easy to drift into flowery, abstract language that prayer has almost no substance. Some pray for the infirmities of an anguishing and distraught humanity rather than Mrs. Brown and her broken rib.

When you pray in public or with others, allow those around you to listen in on your conversation with the Lord but keep your attention on Him. When you are with others affirm in their prayers what you are thinking and feeling, and if you have other thoughts and concerns use that time in your quiet prayer to talk with Him.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 5 – Personal Prayer

Verse Matt 6: 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Considering Personal Prayer

Notice the center of concentration is on God. He is the focus of our prayers. Jesus uses the word Father. That term for God is a personal one as we have a relationship with Him. This is not a prayer for non-Christians. If a person has not been born again he cannot approach the throne of God calling him Father.

Just as a young child is dependent on his father, so effective praying is focused on our Father. We are completely dependent upon Him.

An unsaved woman once told a minister that she had no need to go to church or read the Bible She did acknowledge, however that before she went to bed at night she would pray this simple prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep..." Noting the preacher's surprise, she explained, "I can take care of myself when I'm awake, but I want protection when I'm asleep."

Many Christians would never say that but by their practice that is what they do. Whenever things are going well they feel self-sufficient and seldom pray more than token prayers. When circumstances are out of their control, they cry out to the Lord for help.

The Lord finds pleasure in listening to His children who come to Him in a spirit of humble dependence.

Ned Holmgren, former pastor here at Stanchfield, wrote on prayer in the Standard a number of years ago. I liked the way he made it so personal.

"Oh to feel the urgency of prayer! Like watchmen placed High atop the city wall, High enough to sound the call, While Godward to plead Persistently to plead- in Prayer.

Oh, to know intimacy in prayer; With Jesus kneel, Sharing deeply in his love, Crying out to Him above, With longing feel The Masters closer touch- though prayer.

Oh to find Creativity in prayer, With every thought Growing, shaping in the mind. In the Holy Spirit find God's answer brought, Effective and complete- by prayer.

Oh, to learn Authority in prayer Through the unleashed power of the risen Lord. Power none can e'er afford, Save in deceased Authority of self- by prayer.

Oh, to shape A constancy in prayer, By sheer resolve, coupled with a growing love For the living Lord above, Thus to involve consistently each day -More prayer. "

How's your personal prayer life? Is it an intimate discussion with a friend? Intimacy of communion with Christ needs to be recaptured in personal quiet times. Call it what you want quiet time, personal devotions, morning watch, individual worship. These holy minutes explain the inner secret of Christianity. Without it there is little vitality in the relationship.

From Moses to David Livingston, Amos to Billy Graham every person who ever sought to serve God mightily needs to spend times alone with God. Use a devotional like this one to start if that helps. But I also find just taking the Bible and meditate on His word brings to my mind things to pray about. I do have prayer lists so I might tract the results of prayer and remember people and situations I want to regularly pray about. What do you find most helpful in your walk with the Lord

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Jan 6 Private Prayer

Verse Matt 6: 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Considering Private Prayer

The best preparation for praying in public is, of course, praying in private. It is there that a person really gets on speaking terms with his Lord. Prayer can flow naturally when God is not a stranger.

I am not as concerned over the one who has private prayer and never prays in public as I am for the one who has public prayer but never prays in private. The idea of the closet or the room is a time of private time each of us needs to spend with God. There is value in husbands and wives praying together, there is need for family prayers, there are times when the church body comes together and prays, there are times when 2 or 3 gather in the name of Jesus and agree together in prayers. But there is also a time when God wants time with you privately. This is a time to reflect over your life, make confession, express praise and thanksgiving, intercede for others, to pour out your heart, to tell Him of your love and talk about the things that concern you for the day.

The point of Jesus’ remarks is contrasting sincere prayer from public display before men. Secret prayer is special because of the relationship that is personal. It is special because one knows of the work of God in one’s own life. There are things that only God knows and some things that ought to be prayed that only God hears.

Someone sent to me these comments, "Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads ones heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your dislikes that He may help you to conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him that wounds of your heart, that He may heal them; lay bear your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell Him how self love makes you unjust to other, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and to others.

If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subjects of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God." Francios Fenelon 17th Century.

It is such meditations of the private heart that we grow.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Jan 7 Pretentious Prayer

Verses- Matt 6: 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Considering Pretentious Prayer

It is easy to think if God wants us to pray then the longer the prayer time the better he will think of us. The length, the place and the position of our praying is not as important as the manner and the intention. Short prayers, if real, honor God. One man prayed, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” And went away justified.

Yet Jesus spent all night in prayer. But you can bet it wasn’t a ritual, it was real.

As a chaplain I saw an older man spend much of his day praying the rosary and counting his beads repeating his prayers. He was worried that God would not forgive him his sins, so the more he prayed the more he was seeking to justify himself. Penance is not going over a formula repeatedly. If there is ever a problem with misunderstanding of prayer it is in vain and continuous repetitions that many practice. Buddhists have a prayer wheel, Catholics uses beads, some think they are praying have a cross in their pockets, some have repeated table graces.

I remember for me it was a humorous incident when I was by myself carrying out duties around the house and I was conversing in my mind and heart with the Lord. You know you can also pray that way. While you drive or work or do dishes, just open your heart and mind to God and talk things over with him while your work. It certainly makes the time fly quicker too.

I was fixing breakfast and talking with the Lord all the while. As I sat down, I caught myself saying, "Excuse me Lord, I need to say table grace then I'll be right back." I bowed my head and started to pray. Then I was by myself laughing. Here I am talking to God while preparing breakfast enjoying personal communion with Him while working, but I had to stop communicating to say a table grace. That was babbling and although is could have been a good habit, it meant nothing since it was a ritual without heart. I wondered as I ate how many times I said grace and never talked to God because the words were babbling repetitions. Liturgy can be meaningful it can also be meaningless.

God listens to the heart, not to the words. If we are afraid of not saying the right things or saying something wrong God isn't the least bit afraid. Say it! Don't worry about your words. Use wrong grammar, make mistakes, and don’t worry about putting your personal, private prayer in special terms. But be sincere.

Wise professors will recognize that verbiage doesn't necessarily mean a thing when they read papers. God is neither ignorant so that we need to instruct him nor hesitant that we need to persuade him. He is our Father who loves and knows our needs even before we ask. We are changed. He wants us to talk with Him. He wants to talk with us. Beware of pretense in praying.

Pastor Dale

Like a Tree Psalm 1

Sermon Nuggets Mon Dec 27 Like a Tree Planted

Verses

Ps 1:1-6

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Like a Tree Planted

What brings happiness? One wealthy woman had a nanny for her young child. She heard her youngster crying for something and kept it up. Finally wanting silence the woman shouted to the Nanny. “Give that child whatever she wants.” The Nanny protested. “You heard me, give the child whatever it is that she is crying for.” After a moment the child was really wailing, for she had been given the bumble bee she wanted to pet.

So often people think things they want will bring happiness. Some will participate in sinful behavior thinking this will bring happiness. Later they find a bitter sting. Many seek pleasure in homes, jobs, recreation, hobbies, drugs, sex, and money. So often though there is a gnawing feeling that something is missing.

In the Movie, Bruce Almighty, who is given divine powers for a week is so fed up with all the requests that people pray for that he decides to answer yes to every one of them. All the people got what they prayed for. He discovers why it’s impractical and unhealthy for God to grant every request. The selfish lusts of people lead to being out of control. For instance 1,000s of people are praying to win the lottery but are very unhappy when they only get $17.00 a piece. People who get what they want don’t necessarily get what they need and what they think brings happiness produces the opposite.

As we begin a new year this coming weekend, it is good to go back to the basics as to what will make your new year happier. It focuses on the truth for the Word of God. We will look at some of the details of Psalm 1 as a recipe from the Bible for happiness.

Make is a resolution that you will have some type of daily and personal devotions that includes Bible reading. Some may be challenged to read the Bible through during the year. You can do that by commitment 15 minutes a day. I took the challenge, but preferred to spend more time in thought and notes and read it through actually in two years as I decided to read it through chronologically instead of starting through since some of books are not in chronological order. Pick a method that is right for you so you can listen and read what God has inspired.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Dec 28 Happiness

Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

Happiness Excludes some things.

In the Hebrew language happiness and blessing are used interchangeably in translation. The Psalmist David tells us we exclude 3 things that hinder happiness.

First keep from walking in the counsel of the ungodly. I prefer the KJV translation ungodly which broadens the definition of only a wicked or evil person. Wicked people are certainly to be shunned. However the ungodly are not just evil people but rather people without God. Most people are ungodly. Most folks live without including God at all.

Now we are not talking about going to a mechanic who doesn’t know the Lord. He might give great advice on how to fix my car. An unsaved doctor might know a lot about fixing a broken leg. When the Bible talks about walking in ungodly counsel it refers to going by a different worldview or way of looking at life.

Friends, there are two different worlds that surround us. There are two different kingdoms. To walk in one is to turn your back on the other. To attempt to walk in both leads to destruction from within! How many decisions you make without seeking Gods’ will? How many personal goals to do you have for which you have not even thought of God’s direction? People will not be happy when counsel and life exists without the one who brings real happiness.

Our society exists without any concern or even awareness of God. The Park Service of the Grand Canyon made plans to return 3 bronze plagues of Psalms to the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, who donated them over 40 years ago to recognize the awesomeness of God. These plaques have inspired many of the awe-struck beholders to admire and acknowledge the Creator of this majestic landscape spread before their eyes. It is another example of a state trying to deny the existence of God. In order not to offend ungodly people increasingly functions as if God has no place outside of church.

The more we look to man made solutions alone to face the problems of the world unhappiness results. People have trusted man centered politics to give them a better world. Scientists can claim insight in how the world was created without any appreciation of a creator. Education has not liberated us from crime, pollution, poverty, racism and war. Relativism is the philosophy that says you do what you want and I’ll do what I want and we’ll respect each other’s truth. That is ungodly counsel.

It is wisdom from the world controlled by Satan and our society buys it hook line and sinker, but friends the Bible says it will lead to unhappiness.

Godly counsel seeks to be founded on the Word of God. Let that be your guide in the coming New Year.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Dec 29 way of the sinners

Verse- Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

Stand in the way of Sinners

To be happy or blessed from the Psalmist’s point of view excludes some things. W are also to exclude being one who stands in the way of sinners. Do not take your stand with sinners. It will not bring happiness. The company we keep affects how we live. It is not saying we cannot live in this world, but taking our stand with those who sin puts us in their camp. Do not act like the crowd.

If “walking in the counsel of the ungodly” demonstrates buying into the philosophies and the mindset and worldview of the kingdoms of this world, to stand in the way of sinners is speaking of the practical ways in which we live. Sin will always destroy us no matter how much fun it may seem at the time. Ignoring God’s laws may not have any immediate consequences, but we pay for it later and wonder how we could be so foolish. We can prevent so many mistakes by saying no to sin.

A recent study came out on happiness in relationships. Does it surprise you that according to research those who have been married to the same man or woman and not had any affairs or divorces were happier contented people than those who were never married but lived with boyfriends or girl friends and had sexual relationships with various people? God created us for love in a married relationship and people wonder why they feel so empty used and abused when they did what they felt like doing. There are people within the church that take their stand in sin and their walk with God suffers. Doing things our way instead of God’s way.

Then we also need to exclude sitting in the seat of the mockers. Notice the digression- the one who “sits” with the scornful, or the sinner has become acclimated to the world system on some level. He is “comfortable” and able to “hang out” with the ungodly, turning a deaf ear to those who scoff at the things of God.

The mockers are all people in rebellion against God. In our day mockers or scoffers seem to be becoming more and more plentiful. On many television sitcoms and other shows, Christianity is ridiculed. They are people who laugh at religion, who joke over the sacred, who scoff at morality and decency. People enjoy it and are entertained by it instead of becoming ashamed and convicted. The world finds this very clever and witty but it’s a symptom of those who have rejected the law of God as the guiding principle of life. Such a person has a negative, critical, gossiping, ridiculing, sarcastic, attitude tearing down others. If you want to be unhappy then sit with those people.

We need to realize how evil that is because those people are not just making fun of us, they are often making fun of God. Bruce Almighty represented most folks that see God as their personal gum-ball machine. They live self-filled lives and rebuke and mock God when they want the magic genie to make life just the way the want it to be. The roads are lead to money, sex, and power and folks are surprised when they come to the dead end.

Friends, rebellion against God will not bring happiness in this life and certainly will not bring it in the next. This is not the path that we want to take if we are looking for happiness, and we should not join people who are going in that direction.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Dec 30- Bible

Verses- Psalm 1: 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Happiness Includes some Things.

Sometimes we may read the passage and think that is some type of monk or religious fanatic. Blessing comes to the one who has learned to delight in the law of the Lord. He is speaking of God’s inspired word. He is thinking about the ways of God and the revelation of the word of God and he is filled with joy that is different than enjoyment in outside things.

He takes his DELIGHT in the Law of the Lord..,it is a constant source of encouragement and peace, of wisdom and instruction. How can anyone take delight in the Law of the Lord? Aren’t laws about rules and regulations? Aren’t laws repressive and punitive?

The "Law of the Lord" in David’s day referred to the whole counsel of scripture which was had been delivered by God at that time, primarily the Pentateuch, the law of Moses.

The Psalmist tells us that in the scriptures, he receives a completely different view of life than in the world. He receives the very mind of God, the counsel of the holy. This view of life is diametrically opposed to the counsel of the ungodly, they way of sinners and the seat of the scornful!

Not only does God’s Word give the man the truth about his life, it gives him the power to live in the counsel of God. It shows him that he is powerless, and that the power to live is available to him in the Holy Spirit! The "law of the Lord" is freedom! The Law of the Lord, the Counsel of the Holy is the path to life. (Heb 4:12-13)

He meditates on it day and night. I’ve never met anyone who reads the Bible constantly, twenty-four by seven! I’ve never met anyone who wears headphones all day long listening to scripture readings! But when the Word of God dwells in you, it means that you guide your life, your parenting, your work, your recreation by the principles of God’s truth. You live what you say you believe. You find out more how to turn all areas of your life over to God.

Jesus is referred to in John’s gospel as the Word. He is the Word incarnate. We have the blessing of not only the scriptures but the life and example of Jesus. Add to that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit since Pentecost. He guides, leads, illuminates the Bible for the believer.

Solomon reminds us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

Next week during prayer week we are emphasizing the importance of experiencing a daily fellowship with God by prayer and reading of the Bible. Jeremiah said “I ate thy words, O God and they were unto me joy and the rejoicing of my heart.” So the ingredient after knowing God is to study his word. That is why we need to meditate on it day and night and think about it. Realize it teaches us about life and how we might apply God’s principles to our particular situations in life. It talks about finances, communication, relationships, it speaks of a proper understanding of government, of science, sociology, psychology. The Bible allows us to understand truth from lies, and by his Spirit’s protection from the evil one.

Disciples of Jesus have discovered that one who knows God and walks with him intimately can give the truth that comes not from within ourselves but from above.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Dec 31 – Fruit

Verses – Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Happiness Concludes some things

A person becomes a Christian by faith in Jesus, trusting in His atoning sacrifice on the Cross. Just as a tree can’t plant itself, so a person becomes a Christian, not by doing good or trying to improve oneself, but by God’s action of planting His Spirit in us as we come to Him in repentance and faith. He compares a tree by the river to chaff. Three results of the person who seeks to live by the book.

Ray Steadmen tells of a conversation he had with a young man as they were sitting under a tree talking about doubts. He asked him “What do you see in this tree?” “Strength and beauty” why? Because of the root system. He got the point. If you want strength and beauty in your life it comes from the roots, which you can’t see. It comes from what God is doing inside you, but that food comes from him. We conclude first then like a tree you will be strong as you feed on what God has provided for your spirit.

Your soul will be nourished. You will have purpose in your life you will be full and not empty.

Secondly, you will demonstrate character traits that are characterized by the fruit of the spirit. It will show. John 15 speaks of Jesus as the vine, we are the branches. All we must do is remain in Him. There we will be watered and cultivated. Christian, don’t give up! Take heart! The One who began that work in you, He is faithful to complete it! Keep your eyes on him, and far away from this present world of darkness!

We conclude that like a healthy tree bring forth fruit according to the type of tree it is and the season that it is in. A good tree has evidence of life. Many Christians are not producing because they are not nurturing themselves. Fruit is the fruit of the spirit (love joy peace patience goodness, kindness, etc.) We don’t have those qualities innate within us, but God does and He produces them by His spirit. It takes time, practice, and trust.

A third conclusion is a leaf does not wither, whatever he does shall prosper. Some trees die quickly. If you are planted by the waters and taking nourishment you will thrive even in times of draught. And you will not wither and dry up only for short season, but consistently. Prospering refers to happiness that extends beyond the material prosperity or the riches of those around us. Spiritual prosperity reminds us you still cannot take it with you. Prosperity is not the one with the most toys at death wins. It is inward peace.

Another main conclusion is that the ungoldy are NOT SO. Those two words make a very big difference. They do not have that root system they do not have fruit, they do wither, there is no inner prosperity. Indeed they are described like chaff. They don’t have security and substance. There is nothing to them, the wind blow them away. They don’t have that comfort and stability and peace that the godly have.

That person is not only "chaff" but also "like chaff that the wind blows away." One can visualize a pile of chaff but then a puff of wind comes and it’s blown away. The psalmist is telling us that sin has so distorted mankind that there’s no governing principle to life. Unlike a tree, a heap of chaff has no roots, it’s formless, it’s insecure. The Apostle Paul found the same thing when preaching to the sophisticated people at Athens. They "spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas" (Acts 17:21). Nothing has changed over the years - if it’s not Eastern Mysticism, then it’s New Age religion or experimenting with drugs.

There’s one more important contrast between a tree and chaff. There’s no life in chaff, it will never change, grow and produce fruit. Human beings have been on this planet for thousands of years. Yes, there’s progress in learning and amazing developments in technology but it’s done nothing to cure our sinful nature.

The Psalmist ends with the truth of reward and judgment. For after all is said and done the final word on the matter is God’s will prevails. People can protest all they want God’s will prevails. The Justice system can pass all kinds of verdicts, but God’s ways prevail. There can be popularity polls, and dictatorships, there can be riches obtained legally and riches obtained illegally, but in the end there is judgment and there is reward. But praise to God the end has not come yet and if you are outside of Jesus Christ, don’t be foolish. If you are not living for God, don’t be foolish. If you are living a defeated life don’t be foolish.

Friends, we need to stop allowing ungodly people to influence our thinking and actions. As a pastor, it disturbs me when I see good Christian people walking in the counsel of the ungodly. I know Christians whose opinions on various issues have been formed by watching Oprah, reading Time Magazine, listening to a college professor, or talking to a next-door neighbor. Am I saying that Christians should isolate themselves and not listen to any of these? Of course not. What I am saying is that because these are often not godly sources of counsel, we need to screen them very carefully before we allow them to shape the attitudes of our hearts and minds. As Christians, we need to make sure we have a biblical worldview. The way we look at reality, our opinions on all sorts of issues, should not simply reflect that we are part of 21st Century American culture, but should show that we are people to whom God speaks through His Word and who desire to honor Him in what we think, say, and do.

Happy New Year

Pastor Dale