Help, I Want to Change.

Once again I want to make available to you all my rough notes for the Sunday sermon.  Again, these are not fully edited, nor are they a substitute for the actual sermon.  Quite often, the sermon will differ from the outline presented.

I am preaching this message today as many are wanting to start the new year with an ambition to do better.  Unfortunately, we are still sinners in the redemption process, and we fail.  This sermon is to help us all strive to glorify God and enjoy HIm forever.  It deals with our justification and sanctification.

If you need prayer, you can email me at perseveringpastor@gmail .com

If you need help you can find free biblical counseling in your local area through the trusted organizations of NANC and IABC.
http://www.nanc.org/Find-a-Counselor
http://www.iabc.net/pages.asp?pageid=105832

 

 

Dying for Change, Galatians 5:16-25/ Colossians 3:1-17

 

Salvation is not just going to Heaven when you die.  Salvation encompasses justification and sanctification.

Justification- I am saved (A legal declaration, as a gift of God, made possible by Christ upon the cross)

Sanctification- Being saved (Process of change by the working of the Holy Spirit)

Salvation liberates us from sin in order to be worshippers of God in spirit and in truth.

It is not a get out of Hell free card.

 

I pray for your conviction.  It is a great blessing to be grieved unto repentance.  Anything else winds up being a hardness of heart that removes us from His presence. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

 

True believers treat salvation accordingly.  It is precious and the central influence of their lives. They hold fast to Christ, not out of fear of losing salvation, but out of admiration.   We recently went over “How do I know I am saved” on Sunday nights.

 

Today, is the first Sunday of the new year.

I am challenging you to

·         Read the Bible in a year.

·         Memorize 50 verses

·         Attend Sunday School and worship

·         Pray daily

·         And get a spiritual pal to grow with, as iron sharpens iron.

Last week, we covered 2 Corinthians 5:17; that we are new creations.  Yet change is not easy.

 

We are commanded, as new creations to be

·         Separate from the world

·         To deny self, take up our cross, and follow, on a daily basis

·         To be transformed by the renewing of our mind.  (Romans 12:1-2)

·         Be holy as He is holy.

Many scriptures tell us to be radical in our fleeing of sin.

·         Cutting off hand and foot or eye, (Matt 5:30)

·         Put on/put off  (Colossians 3:1-17)

·         Walk in the Spirit and not the flesh, (Galatians 5:16-25)

The Bible is given that we flee sin and become abiding worshippers of God.

 

So here is a simplified list of some TO DO’s and how they work in our putting off and putting on

·         Confess your sin and repent.

·         Begin a habit of praying without ceasing.  Pray specifically about your sin and seek the Holy Spirit’s help in these matters.

·         Cut off temptation.  You may need internet filters, cancel your subscriptions, or new friends.

·         Put off the old sin (Have a list of verses that support this)

·         Put on a new behavior in replacement.  This is why we have homework.

·         Seek God in Homework 1, have reminders that keep you focused.

·         Seek God in Homework 2, Have a Bible study that prepares you to defeat sin with the word of God.  Ex: Thieves should stop stealing

·         Seek God in Homework 3, Have a Bible study that prepares you to replace the bad behavior with one that is a glory unto God.  Ex: Thieves should now work to give and pay back.

·         Seek God in Homework 4, Engage in activities beyond the other homework that assist in doing what is right.  Ex: Become someone who is content with what they have and actually give to the needy.

·         Worship God.  Be reminded of from whom your success comes from.  Daily worship is a must.  Worshipping with the saints is a command.

·         Make daily devotions an imperative.

·         Engage weekly, or more, with a prayer and accountability partner.

 

If you are having difficulty.

·         HSBC offers free counsel.

·         Counsel can help you better understand God, the scriptures, and how to grow.

·         Don’t give up.

·         Fix what steps you are missing. You need the whole recipe, not just ingredients.

 

Christ died to bring you salvation.  He is for your victory, but He must get the glory.  To continue to live in our old ways is to spurn His blood.  The New Testament is written that we might have life and have it abundantly, not being weighed down by the burdens of the world, but in Christ liberated, resurrected, and ambassadors for the Kingdom of Heaven.