last week, we learned that if you want to be a power packed Christian
· you have to do what Jesus did
· and that means you have to clean house
· and get rid of the junk in your life
see, its only once we’ve got cleaned up
· and we’ve begun to pray about some stuff
· that we get released into power
So we started to consider a famous passage in Galatians 5
· And this is where Paul shows us a really clear test of our Christianity.
if you like, this a list of core values for Christians
· It’s what Christian people is supposed to look like
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
See, these characteristics are an essential part of the Christian experience!
· they may develop at different rates in different people,
· but they all must be developing!
If the “fruit of the Spirit” is not growing in your life,
· then there is a major problem with your faith!
To be a Christian means that you’ve taken on board a new belief system
· and that means that the new things that you believe in
· should produce new behavior patterns:
Now I’m saved, I shouldn’t be messing around with the old stuff anymore
· Now I’m saved I shouldn’t be thinking the same old way
· Now I’m saved, I shouldn’t be treating the people around me like I used to
See, there’s a link between what I believe and what I do
Jesus made the point in Matthew 7
7:16-17 (NLT) You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don’t pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles. A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit.
You were created to be a dwelling place for the Spirit of God.
· Without Him in your life things quickly get out of hand,
See, the Fruit of the Spirit affects every relationship that you are involved in,
· including your relationship with God.
Now anybody can do anything they put their mind to for short time
· But to consistently live this kind of life is impossible
· without the power of the Holy Spirit on the inside
· and that’s why Jesus promised the Holy spirit
see living in the power of the Holy spirit
· isn’t just about speaking in a new language
· or by being used of God for creative miracles
· its also being empowered to live the way that the Fruit is made manifest in our lives
So while the secret to successful living
· starts with a relationship with Jesus
· it’s empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life
John 15:4 (KJV) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
What’s Jesus saying here?:
· You can’t do it your way!
· You need me
· You need to be connected to me
· And to be connected to me, you might well have to break some other connections…..
In my substance abuse groups, I tell the people all the time
· Y’all need to make some new connections
· You need to take a pair of scissors and cut out some of the relationships in your old lifestyle
· You can’t go back there
· You have to go forward – no matter who or what you have to leave behind
And it’s the same with Jesus
· If you want life to turn around for you
· You need to break the connection with some stuff and make a connection with Him
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
Now we’ve talked about Love before, so what about the other stuff?
· The joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
· gentleness, and the self-control
See, these are all things that are demonstrated or portrayed in our relationships
· now people get uncomfortable talking about their “relationships,”
· but that’s where our Christianity is lived out –
· in our relationships with God,
· in our relationships with family and friends,
· and in our relationships and with others.
Here’s the deal: I’m not known as a Christian on the basis of what I believe,
· but by the fruit that other people see in my life
· and in the way that I relate to the people around me.
So its all about our relationships and the fact is,
· even the best of relationships goes through ups and downs.
· You're not going to be happy all the time in any of your relationships.
See, You married a human being;
· you’re friends with a human being
· and you work for a human being.
People get sick,
· we argue,
· we have misunderstandings,
· sometimes we're inconsiderate,
· sometimes things just don't go right.
Life is not a constant honeymoon.
· Some days, are just a complete disaster.
Whenever we look at the expectations we have for our relationships,
· whether it's in a marriage or a friendship,
· people say, "I just want to be happy."
And there's nothing wrong with that on face value
· But tonight I want to talk about something far better than happiness.
· See , what you need in your relationships is not happiness;
· what you need is joy.
· And Joy is vey different to happiness
Most people think, “If only I could …do this”
· or “If only someone else would … do that”
· then I could be happy!
People like that have got what I call DESTINATION DISEASE.
But life’s not a destination,
· it is a journey!
· You’ll never “arrive!”
The problem comes when people realize that they are unhappy
· they make drastic changes in their relationships
they walk away from marriages,
· they quit decent jobs,
· they switch careers,
· they move across the country,
· build a new house,
· buy a new car,
· or get a great promotion,
and after they’ve done all that
· they still have to live with THEMSELVES,
· SO THEY’RE STILL UNHAPPY!
News Flash: nowhere in the Bible does God ever advise us to pursue happiness
· Why?because happiness is not a Biblical concept!
The word “happiness” is only used 22 times in the Bible
· (NT – 6X, OT – 16X),
· and it NEVER means what we’ve been brainwashed into thinking today!
In the Bible, “happy” doesn’t mean, “having everything go my way.”
· It means, “blessed or favored by God.”
But we base our happiness of temporal things
If our happiness is wrapped up in or based on people it’s insecure
· because sooner or later - people let us down.
If our happiness is Happiness is based on what you’ve got – its unsure
· because material goods deteriorate and depreciate.
Happiness based on our health is unreliable
· because time takes its toll on all of us.
Happiness grounded in what you’ve achievement is unpredictable
· because sooner or later a new superstar will come along and eclipse you!
Everything in this world that we build our happiness on
· eventually double-crosses us!
That’s why the world is full of cynical and discouraged people;
· People have tried everything to attain happiness, and it never lasts!
Now - In contrast to happiness,
· the Bible uses the words JOY, JOYFUL or REJOICE over 160 times.
· And it teaches us that joy
· only comes from the Spirit of God living within us!
· This is how it works:
Happiness is external | Joy is internal |
Happiness is temporary | Joy is permanent |
Happiness is based on chance | Joy is based on choice |
Happiness is based on circumstances | Joy is based on Jesus |
Almost anytime you're having problems in a relationship
· The issue will be one or more of 3 things.
· These 3 things are guaranteed to always kill the joy in any relationship.
#1. SELFISHNESS
· Selfishness says, “I want what I want.”
James 4:1-2 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?
2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.
Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.
The root problem of relationship difficulties is a power struggle
· between two selfish, insecure people.
· For a lot of us, to solve the relational problems we're in right now,
· the simple solution is to grow up
· and stop being so self-centered.
James 3:16 (NLT) For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.
In other words, you can't be joyful and jealous at the same time.
· Selfishness undermines relationships.
· Get the focus off yourself!
#2. RESENTMENT
Resentment says, "I won't forgive you."
· We hurt each other in relationships,
· sometimes intentionally,
· and sometimes unintentionally
· it’s a fact of life.
But It’s what you do with that hurt that makes a difference
· whether you're joyful or you're miserable.
· Nothing destroys a relationship faster than resentment.
Hebrews 12:15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
Resentment eats up all your emotional energy,
· because you spend all your time resenting the fact that someone hurt you.
Proverbs 11:29 (LB) The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left.
In other words, if you refuse to forgive, you're only hurting yourself.
· Resentment steals joy!
#3. FEAR
Fear says "I don't trust you anymore."
· When fear builds up in your life, the joy goes out of your relationships.
Proverbs 12:25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
(NKJV) Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
Fear causes us to build walls between us instead of bridges.
· When you're full of fear there’s no room for emotional intimacy,
· and when there is no emotional intimacy there’s no joy.
1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
Fearful people can’t give love and can’t receive love
· because they're always afraid of being hurt again.
See Fear makes me DEFENSIVE.
· I won't admit it when I'm wrong.
By the way,
· these are the 3 basic problems that interfere in our relationship with God too!
o Selfishness,
o resentment and
o fear.
Most people try to do something to bring “happiness” into a troubled relationship,
o but that’s only a temporary fix
o What you need is JOY! And that only comes from God’s Spirit!
JOY IN A RELATIONSHIP DOESN’T COME FROM RECEIVING,
o IT COMES FROM GIVING!
Humanly speaking, you are wired to receive.
o But the Fruit of the Spirit “rewires” you to give!
Acts 20:35 You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
The first key to joy in a relationship is
o you've got to focus on somebody else rather than on yourself.
But the problem is as relationships grow,
o we don't put as much emphasis into maintaining them as we did to start it.
Joy doesn't come from making me happy,
o it comes from making other people happy.
o God designed it that way!
o And that's why you need Jesus on a daily basis.
o And that's why you need His power to give you joy
o when your human energy runs out.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
How is it possible to always be joyful?
o When Paul wrote this he was in prison.
o He was about ready to be executed.
Paul wasn’t counting on his circumstances to bring him happiness;
o he was counting on the Holy Ghost to give Him joy!
Psalm 16:11 (KJV) Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
When I don't have joy
· it's a warning light that I don’t have God’s presence in my life!
The Bible says, "the fruit of the Spirit is joy."
o That means joy is not something you can manufacture on your own.
o But it is the natural by-product when you let Jesus in and through you!
John 16:24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy
So the question becomes how do I get there?
John 15:10-11 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil 4:4,NIV)
Rejoicing is a decision & The Right Reaction
Life is 10% action, and 90% reaction.
o It is 10% what happens to you,
o and 90% how you handle what happens to you.
Paul shared the correct response to life while he was locked up in a Roman jail.
o His formula – Rejoice, and let me say it again, rejoice!
let‘s read a little further.
Philippians 4:4-9: Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
For those of you that can’t sleep and are worried
o and caught up in the pressures and turmoil of life,
o the Word of God has an answer for you.
o A 3 phase strategy
1. Right praying
2. Right thinking
3. Right living
You’ve heard it all before,
o but you’ve got to see that there’s a pattern involved.
o You can’t go to step 2 before step 1;
o But we always jump to step 3. (right Living)
o We know there can be wrong thinking & wrong living,
o but wrong praying?
James 4:3 - And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
Right Praying
Philippians 4:6 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Paul tells us not to worry about anything!
o In one broad stroke, he shows us how to ‘stop sweating the small stuff’’
o But his instructions are no good for the non Christians
This is one area where we Christians have
· a tremendous advantage over non Christians
· He gives us a specific instruction
· which is unavailable to persons outside the faith
· Paul says simply: "Pray about everything!"
Paul’s saying that worry just isn't worth the effort.
· put your energy where it can really do some good.
o Pray passionately about whatever it is that’s bugging you!
o Don’t be anxious about stuff.
o Don’t worry,
o turn your worries into prayers.
o If you feel yourself starting to worry, stop and pray.
PRAYER IS NOT OUR FIRST OPTION – its OUR EVERY TIME OPTION!
o The promise for those who pray right – is the peace of God that passeth all understanding -
Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
You can have my understanding, or yours –
o or you can have God‘s peace.
Daniel: he wasn‘t embarrassed about praying,
o and the opinions and actions of others didn‘t affect how he prayed.
Daniel 6: He prayed and gave thanks to God even after he knew that it could get him arrested.
o Sure, he had to go in the lion‘s den –
o but nestling in the mane of lion must be pretty comfortable.
o Daniel slept soundly while the king who put him there didn‘t get any sleep
Right Thinking
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. - Isaiah 26:3
Quit playing the ‘what-if’ game;
II Cor. 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ
Talk to yourself –
o train your mind to think biblically,
o and reign in your emotions
Ps. 42 - David talked to himself
o At a time when everyone was ready to stone him,
o he encouraged himself.
o He applied faith, reason, and biblical thinking
It happens to everyone – Even The Father of Faith - Abraham - had moments of doubt
Worry Meter
How much never happens?
Things that never happen…………...….. 40%
Things that can‘t be changed by worry… 35%
Things turn out better than expected…… 15%
Petty insignificant fretting……………… 8%
Legitimate cause for concern…………… 2%
TOTAL…………………………………100%
Philippians 4:8 - And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise
Right Living
Philippians 4:9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
You can‘t separate outward action and inward thinking.
o Sin is always the result
BUT even in the midst of turmoil,
o the Christian can have the peace that passeth all understanding
What we’ve talked about is only for believers
o The scriptures that we dealt with are for those who already have a relationship with the jesus
Before you can apply these principles,
o Have to be in relationship first
o There are many promises that are only activated thru relationship with Jesus
Before you can have the peace of God, you must have peace with God.
If you’re in a war with God right now, just know you’re gonna lose.
o So, why keep fighting?
No comments:
Post a Comment