So you finally began a New Year
Many people determine at the New Year to make changes in their lives
Some, who are already believers, determine to live more fully for Christ
Some, after deciding to examine Christianity, have actually become believers
For everyone, once a decision is made, what does that actually look like?
I want to do better but what does that actually mean in my everyday walk?
This is another chance for you to be perfect
Perfect? That isn’t even possible!
Before we get to the topic of perfection, let’s look at vs 44-45
In these verses we are called to do something that is not natural
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
The world would say NO!
Look again at verse 45
This is possible through our Father in Heaven
Understand that this verse means that God loves ALL people, even your enemies
Perhaps, when we strive to love them and pray for them, we will learn about them
Maybe they shouldn’t be our enemies, but we haven’t given them a chance
Maybe they are our enemies because of something we have done
Maybe they have never felt the love of God that you know
When we decide that we need to make a change, the place we start is with us!
But I’m a nice person, just ask any of my friends
See, being nice and loving those who love you is easy
It is really truly striving to LOVE those who persecute you, that is so HARD
This is how you make that change that you decided to make.
This is your first step as a new believer and as a believer that wants to live better
We must strive to be perfect by living like our Father in heaven, not the world
This verse is clear, we are to be perfect, even if, as humans, we know that is impossible
The perfect that we need to be, is to live like Jesus every day
In our own strength, it is not possible, but God’s love is perfect, so will you live in that love every day?
Every day is another chance to be perfect. Will you take that opportunity every day?
First, you must give your life to the perfect Father.
Will you take that step today?
- Jan 9, 2022Another Chance To Be Perfect
Another Chance To Be Perfect
So you finally began a New Year
Many people determine at the New Year to make changes in their lives
Some, who are already believers, determine to live more fully for Christ
Some, after deciding to examine Christianity, have actually become believers
For everyone, once a decision is made, what does that actually look like?
I want to do better but what does that actually mean in my everyday walk?
This is another chance for you to be perfect
Perfect? That isn’t even possible!
Before we get to the topic of perfection, let’s look at vs 44-45
In these verses we are called to do something that is not natural
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
The world would say NO!
Look again at verse 45
This is possible through our Father in Heaven
Understand that this verse means that God loves ALL people, even your enemies
Perhaps, when we strive to love them and pray for them, we will learn about them
Maybe they shouldn’t be our enemies, but we haven’t given them a chance
Maybe they are our enemies because of something we have done
Maybe they have never felt the love of God that you know
When we decide that we need to make a change, the place we start is with us!
But I’m a nice person, just ask any of my friends
See, being nice and loving those who love you is easy
It is really truly striving to LOVE those who persecute you, that is so HARD
This is how you make that change that you decided to make.
This is your first step as a new believer and as a believer that wants to live better
We must strive to be perfect by living like our Father in heaven, not the world
This verse is clear, we are to be perfect, even if, as humans, we know that is impossible
The perfect that we need to be, is to live like Jesus every day
In our own strength, it is not possible, but God’s love is perfect, so will you live in that love every day?
Every day is another chance to be perfect. Will you take that opportunity every day?
First, you must give your life to the perfect Father.
Will you take that step today?
- Jan 2, 2022Another Year Another Chance
Another Year Another Chance
What does a New Year make you think of?
All the things you didn’t do last year that you wanted too?
All the things you want to strive for in the new year?
It always makes me think about a chalk board
No matter how many things are written on it, they can always be erased; and you are left with a brand new space
Old things have passed away and all things are now New
As a believer in Christ, there is a verse that comes to my mind
The old has passed away and the new things have come; just as 2021 is gone and 2022 is here.
The great thing about a new year, is that it hasn’t been written yet. Everything you do is the first time this year.
Now look at verse 18-19“Now ALL things are from God”
“who gave us the ministry of reconciliation”
I’m sure that I’m not the only one that made mistakes last year
This is a new year for us to be reconciled again with God, and for us to reconcile with others because of God
One of the greatest barricades to destroying racism is the unwillingness to reconcile with the past
In order to be better this year, we need to be purposeful about reconciling with others
This means we must use the power that God gave us if we are ever to get there
He gave us the word of reconciliation, and, as we are reconciled with Him, we lead others to do the same
The only hope that we have for this world of ours is to show everyone Jesus is the ONLY answer
It is another year and another chance to be an ambassador for Christ
Did any of you men ever participate in RAs as a child?RA stands for Royal Ambassadors for Christ
You see, what we have another chance to do this year is be the child of the King that we are supposed to be
We can serve as an ambassador to show every person the way to the King and eternal salvation
He became sin that we might become righteousness
Another year means another chance to lead people to Christ
Last year and the year before that I challenged you to strive to lead just one person to Christ
In order to lead one, you have to talk to many
I wonder how many actually met the challenge and led someone to Christ.
Another year, another chance
Last year, in this church, the baptismal pool remained dry
Let’s be His ambassadors this year and see that pool full often.
You can’t be His ambassador if you haven’t committed your life to Him yet
