4) Be strong (krataioo; to increase in vigor/empower)
God has always wanted his people to be strong.
Joshua 1:6-9 "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Courage and being strong go hand and hand. It takes courage to follow God's Will. Joshua was instructed not to turn away from God's commands, neither to the right or to the left.
Today it is imperative that we do not turn to the right or the left from God's commands. Notice for Joshua, how this is accomplished; "but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it."
Every Christian needs to be strong in the Lord. We need strong Elders in the church that are willing to stand against false teaching within the church and that are more afraid of God than man.
We need strong deacons who are willing to serve boldly in the capacity that has been given to them.
We need strong preachers within the church. Preachers who are willing to preach the whole council of God and not watered down versions.
Too many preachers today stay away from those topics which step on people toes and all they will preach are lesson that have very little scripture in them.
Finally all the rest of the members of Christ should be strong for lord by be committed to him looking for ways that you can glorify God almighty. If you are going to be strong in the Lord you must be a willing student of the Bible and in prayer.
Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
If you want to be strong in the lord you must be willing to leave the milk behind and go on to the solid food. I like to say at times, bring your shovel so we can dig together into God's Word. Let's Go deeper!!!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Christian Duty #3 Be Brave
The KJV reads, "quit you like men." (Gr. andrizomai)
The idea behind this word from the Greek is to grow up and be like men. Be manly;
Every Christian, whether male or female, should strive and struggle and have growing pains, in order to grow into Christian maturity.
Too many Christian today are content to be living on the milk of the Word of God. They don't want to grow or learn more; they just want to know the most basic principles of the word and stop there.
However notice what Paul says to the Ephesians that should be the result for those who are daily striving to grow in the Lord in unity.
Ephesians 4:14-15 "that we should no longer be children, (simple minded) tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (15) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ –"
If you are not growing then that means you will be susceptible to every wind of doctrine; you will never be able to be brave or be like a mature man or woman that God desires; you will be like a child who can be easily manipulated and deceived.
1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things."
Finally Paul says 1 Corinthians 14:20, "Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature."
Every Christian should strive/struggle/have growing pains, to be more mature in the God's Words.
The idea behind this word from the Greek is to grow up and be like men. Be manly;
Every Christian, whether male or female, should strive and struggle and have growing pains, in order to grow into Christian maturity.
Too many Christian today are content to be living on the milk of the Word of God. They don't want to grow or learn more; they just want to know the most basic principles of the word and stop there.
However notice what Paul says to the Ephesians that should be the result for those who are daily striving to grow in the Lord in unity.
Ephesians 4:14-15 "that we should no longer be children, (simple minded) tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (15) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ –"
If you are not growing then that means you will be susceptible to every wind of doctrine; you will never be able to be brave or be like a mature man or woman that God desires; you will be like a child who can be easily manipulated and deceived.
1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things."
Finally Paul says 1 Corinthians 14:20, "Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature."
Every Christian should strive/struggle/have growing pains, to be more mature in the God's Words.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Christian Duty #2
2)Stand fast in the faith; remember our text;
1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love."
Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (methodeia; method) of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle (pale; palay) against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
This is how we stand fast in the faith; we put on the whole armor of God and Paul goes on to describe how that is to be done.
Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints –"
If want to stand in the faith you must immerse yourself in God's Word; you must make prayer a part of your life everyday.
The armor of God will not do you any good if you don't ever put it on; and it certainly will not be good at defending yourself against the devil if you don't practice using God's Word everyday.
Let us never forget the source of our strength to stand in the faith.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Let us always to strive/struggle to take a stand for the Lord.
1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love."
Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (methodeia; method) of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle (pale; palay) against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
This is how we stand fast in the faith; we put on the whole armor of God and Paul goes on to describe how that is to be done.
Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints –"
If want to stand in the faith you must immerse yourself in God's Word; you must make prayer a part of your life everyday.
The armor of God will not do you any good if you don't ever put it on; and it certainly will not be good at defending yourself against the devil if you don't practice using God's Word everyday.
Let us never forget the source of our strength to stand in the faith.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Let us always to strive/struggle to take a stand for the Lord.
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