Many preachers
believe the purpose of preaching is to explain the Bible, or to interpret the
text, or to help people understand God’s Word. But these all fall short of what
it really is. Paul gives us God’s purpose of preaching in Ephesians 4:11-13
(NIV): “Christ gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for
works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Jeremiah 6:16 The LORD said to his people, "Stand at the
crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and where the best road is. Walk
in it, and you will live in peace."
But they said, "No,
we will not!"
When the Lord has His day
of vengeance, no sinners of any age or rank or of either sex will escape. Be
careful not to set your mind (life) upon the world, and be carried away by the
love of it. Judge your sin by God's word and do not give into it. Who are our
worst and most dangerous enemies, those who flatter us in a sinful way! Pray
that we are wise for our souls! Ask for the old paths; the way of godliness and
righteousness has always been the way God has owned and blessed. Ask for the
old paths in the written word of God. When you have found the good way, go in
it, you will find abundance at your journey's end. But if you do not obey the
voice of God and flee to his appointed Refuge, it will plainly appear at the Day
of Judgment, that you are ruined because you reject God's word.
Jeremiah 31:31 The LORD says, "The time is coming when I will
make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32
It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I
took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. Although I was like a husband
to them, they did not keep that covenant. 33 The new covenant that I will make
with the people of Israel will be this: I will put my law within them and write
it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
The people of God shall
become numerous and prosperous. The covenant made with the disciples of Jesus
Christ is not a new law; for Christ came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil
it; but the law shall be written in their hearts by the Spirit. The Lord will,
by his grace, make his people willing people in the day of his
power. All shall know the Lord; all shall be welcome to the knowledge of God,
and shall have the means of that knowledge. There shall be an outpouring of the
Holy Spirit, at the time the gospel is published. No man shall perish, but for
his own sins; no one who is willing to accept of Christ's salvation will perish.
Romans 8:28 “We know that in all things God works for good with
those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.” Read
Romans 8:28 to end of chapter.
Every Godly blessing leads
to the spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking us off from sin,
bringing us nearer to God, weaning us from the world, and fitting us for
heaven. When the saints act out of character, corrections will be employed to
bring them back again. And here is the order of the causes of our salvation, a
golden chain, one which cannot be broken. 1. Whom he foreknows, he also did predestine
to be conformed to the image of his Son. In this life we are in part renewed,
and walk in his steps. 2. He called us from self and earth to God, and Christ,
and heaven, as our end; from sin and vanity to grace and holiness, as our way.
This is the gospel call. The love of God, ruling in the hearts of those who
once were enemies to him, proves that they have been called according to his
purpose. 3. Whom he called, them he also justified. No one is justified but
those who are called - those who stand with the gospel call. 4. Whom he
justified, them he also glorified. The power of corruption being broken in the
calling, and the guilt of sin removed in justification, nothing can come
between that soul and glory. This encourages our faith and hope; for, as for
God, his way, his work, is perfect. The apostle speaks as one amazed, and
swallowed up in admiration, wondering at the height and depth, and length and
breadth, of the love of Christ, which passes all knowledge. The more we know of
other things, the less we wonder; but the further we are led into gospel
mysteries, the more we are affected by them. While God is for us, and we keep
in his love, we may with holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness.
So let us walk as great
people – being fixed on things above and not on things below – there will
always be strife on earth – let us as God’s people walk in His holiness.
Remember;-
Great
minds discuss ideas;
Average
minds discuss events,
Small
minds discuss people.
I would like to finish tonight with a few thoughts for
each of us;-
When
living out your dreams, always remember what is most important.
It is
not having everything go right; it can be facing what is going wrong;
It
will not be without fear; most important is having the determination to go on;
It’s
not where you are at; it’s the direction you are going in.
You
will have bad moments; Remember you are bigger than moments and
God
has equipped you with everything you need to overcome;
You
cannot take away all injustices;
But you can rise above them to see the
righteousness of the Christ in this world;
Remember
to live this day and do not take todays troubles into tomorrow.
Everyday
ends and brings exiting new things tomorrow. Love where the Lord has placed you
And
be the best person you can be for God, and always remember God can make your
dreams come true.
