Hebrews 12:14-17
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
1. Bitterness Is Planted in Our Lives.
2. Bitterness Blames Other People.
3. Bitterness Blames God.
4. Bitterness Will Defile You.
Because He Lives
Colossians 3
1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is seated on the right hand of God. 2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3. For ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
1. I HAVE A CRUCIFIED POSITION.
VS. 3 “For you are dead”
2. I HAVE A RESURRECTED POSITION.
VS. 1 “If you then be risen with Christ” “Where Christ is seated on the right hand of God”
3. I HAVE AN AFFECTIONATE POSITION.
VS. 1 “Seek those things which are above” VS. 2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
4. I HAVE A PROTECTED POSITION.
VS. 3 “Your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
5. I HAVE A VICTORIOUS POSITION.
VS. 4 “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory.
The Ultimate Answer
2 Chronicles 7:14
I. The Ultimate Answer Is Found In God’s People.
A. God’s People Are Going To Stand Out.
B. God’s People Are On A Mission.
C. God’s People Are Very Important People.
II. The Ultimate Answer Is Found In God’s Conditions.
A. “If My People Will Humble Themselves.
B. “If My People Will Pray.”
C. “If My People Will Seek My Face.”
D. “If My People Will Turn From Their Wicked Ways”
III. The Ultimate Answer Is Found In God’s Promise.
(A) God Would Love To Hear From You.
“I Will Hear From Heaven”
(B) God Would Love To Forgive Your Sins.
“I Will Forgive Your Sin”
(C) God Would Love To Heal Your Situation.
“I Will Heal Your Land”
The High Cost of Unbeleif
1 Kings 12:26-30
1. Unbelief Often Clothes Itself In Being Smart.
Caution: “We use cleverness to cover the tracks of our lack of faith.”
Caution: “In the church today, we are still busy inventing new religions as Jeroboam did. The new models are just as logical and user friendly.”
2. Unbelief Talks to Itslef Instead of Talking to God.
Caution: “Unbelief will cause you to drift away from God and His word.”
Caution: “If you are headed in the wrong direction, you can always find a few cronies who will pat you on the back and agree with you.”
3. Unbelief Loves to Paint The Bleakest Picture it Can.
Caution: “When you’re walking in unbelief, you get out of bed saying, “Oh, no! is this the day I’m going to lose it all” The glass is always half-empty.”
Caution: “Unbelief is at the heart of our lack of commitment to God!”
Aren’t You Ready To Declare War On Your Unbelief?
“Unbelief sees God through Circumstances…but FAITH puts God between Itself and Circumstances and looks at them through Him”
F. B Meyer
Discovering the Attitude that makes the Difference
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
I. The Attitude of Love Will Make A Difference.
1. God has taught us to Love One Another.
2. God has taught us to Love Everyone.
3. God has taught us to Excel in His Love.
II. The Attitude of Peaceful Living Will Make A Difference.
1. Lead a Quiet Life. This will solve the problem of worry and anxiety.
2. Mind your own business. This will solve the problem of being nosy.
3. Work with your own hands. This will solve the problem of laziness.
III. The Attitude of Impact Will Make A Difference.
1. You become a Witness to the Lost.
2. You become Stable in an Unstable World.