Michael's Blog

D-now Kick-off (Dead or Alive?)

(These notes are for me, so they are kind of rough, not meant for publishing)

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

Inhabit… What does it mean to inhabit?

It means to live in something.

Physically, you inhabit the earth, more specifically Morgan County Alabama.

Spiritually, Christ is inhabiting your life if you are a Christian.

The four lessons of INHABIT will examine how to be loyal to God’s Kingdom while remaining in the world.   Maintaining holiness, but not escaping from the world…

Let me draw your attention to something.  This is a coffin of course.

The dead are buried in it.

Many of you are walking around as spiritual zombies today.   You appear to be alive, but in all reality, spiritually, you are as dead as someone buried in a coffin.

You are living for today.  Trying to be happy, but the problem is that you probably are not happy if you are living for the world.  Maybe you are mr or ms popular, the party girl, the deliberate outcast and fringe person, maybe you are the clown, jock, nerd.  Whatever your path, you act happy, but you are tired and sick.  YOU ARE DEAD!  You live for the world and Christ does not dwell in you/

Tonight we are going to look at scripture about death and life.

Death is an inevitable part of life.  We are essential born as dead individuals.  We do not know real life.  Sure we walk and talk and breathe, but are we really, really alive?  No, because we have a sin nature when we are born.

Do we have to remain dead?  No!

Look with me at Hebrews 9:27-28

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in  Christ Jesus our Lord.

You will die at some point and time in your life… Maybe early in life, maybe late, but it will happen.  No combination of good works, honest living, giving to charity, church, or even summer missions will get you into heaven.  You can’t buy or bribe your way into heaven.  It all depends on whether you are alive or dead?

Are you living?

ROMANS 6:1-14

1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,  that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

In this section of scripture you see the difference between life and death as seen through the eyes of Christ.

• We are baptized into Christ’s death
• We live a new life as a result of this death
• Our old self was crucified on the cross with Christ
• When this happens we are freed from sin
• WE ARE ALIVE, WHEN WE ARE SAVED!  A new and imperishable life!
• We are not to serve sin anymore

Galatians 2:17-21

17“If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

NO LONGER LIVE – CHRIST LIVES IN ME….  This means dying to the death body and living in your new life in Christ,

Philippians 1:18-27

8 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.  20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

The writer understands something here.  the only life worth living is a spirit filled life for Christ.  Anything else in insufficient.  He doesn’t say, to live is Christ, to live bigger is a nice car, even better yet is popularity.  No, he says life is Christ and then if he has to die physically, much better, her will be with Christ then.

We always think we can do one better than what God can do for us.  We have the world at our fingertips with technology and have lost communication with our creator!

So tonight if you were to leave in one of these instead of your car… Where would you go?  Are you alive in Christ or are you a spiritual zombie?   This is not a decision that anyone else can make for you!  It is yours.   It is a decision that is easy as ABC

A – admit that you are a sinner – Romans 3:23

B – believe in the Lord Jesus – Acts 16:31

C – confess him as your savior – Romans 10:9

Eternal Security

I was listening to Total Axxess last night and the subject of eternal security of salvation came up.  It was not a direct topic but a topic that was the result of a caller who called and asked if her friend, who had committed suicide, and who was a Christian at the time of her death would go to heaven.  This topic always gets me frustrated when I here it discussed publicly, because those uneducated about how salvation works go on a rant about how the person could not repent after they murdered themselves, so they are going to hell.  WHAT?

Ok, let me get this straight… So now our salvation is the result of our works “repentance” and not the grace of God?  Yes, you are supposed to repent at the time of salvation, but our eternal destiny is determined by our works as a result of our repentance?  Really?  I always thought that God held my salvation, not me… Stupid me!  Wait, hold on… I just remember something… Ephesians 2:8-9  ”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” So my eternal security is not up to me after I am saved!  Hurray…  I know, so people will say that is not enough proof enough, but you see something.  Our salvation is an act of grace by God alone, also it is not of ourselves.  Also, you see that it is not of works.  Salvation is of God and by his work.

Need more proof?  Look at Romans 8… “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine ornakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I am not sure about you, but when the Bible says that none of these things (powers, angels, demons, anything in creation) can separate us from the love of Christ, I am inclined to think that nothing can keep me from the Love of Christ or take away my salvation.  So, I would dare say that someone who dies with sin on their lives, but Christ in their lives is still going to heaven, otherwise, we are putting the power of salvation on us and not on God’s grace.

My 2 cents for today!

Laying it all down for the kingdom

One of the things that I taught on last night was martyrdom.  When the time comes for our faith tires to hit the road, are we ready to face any and all of life’s circumstances.  Martyrdom in it’s most literal sense is facing death for one’s faith.  I think martyrdom for many of us can be emotional as well.  Are we ready to face death in a emotional sense for the kingdom?  Are we ready to face death in a popularity sense for the kingdom?  Are we ready to face death even of life’s wealth and riches and status for the kingdom?  Many of us quickly say that we would not betray our faith even if we face a knife, gun, spear, or whatever when the trying of our faith could mean the end of our life… The problem comes though when it comes to other forms of martyrdom… Death of riches, fame, popularity, emotions, or other things.  Sacrificing these for the kingdom seems much harder!

Here is the nuts and bolts of this though.  We need to be ready to lay it all down.  All we have on this earth for the one who has saved us!   We need words of comfort to be ready to do this though.  This psalm has meant alot to me this week as I have struggled through our recent trials.  The prospect of losing it all is hard, but we must remember, “He alone is my rock and my salvation!”

Psalm 62

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1      My soul finds rest in God alone;

my salvation comes from him.

2      He alone is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3      How long will you assault a man?

Would all of you throw him down—

this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4      They fully intend to topple him

from his lofty place;

they take delight in lies.

With their mouths they bless,

but in their hearts they curse.

Selah

5      Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from him.

6      He alone is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7      My salvation and my honor depend on God ◙ ;

he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8      Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your hearts to him,

for God is our refuge.

Selah

9      Lowborn men are but a breath,

the highborn are but a lie;

if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;

together they are only a breath.

10      Do not trust in extortion

or take pride in stolen goods;

though your riches increase,

do not set your heart on them.

11      One thing God has spoken,

two things have I heard:

that you, O God, are strong,

12and that you, O Lord, are loving.

Surely you will reward each person

according to what he has done.

Unshakable Faith

A video of last night’s message… From Act 6-7 & Psalm 62

Prayer Request

Ok, so like over the past 3 months, we have had 3 wrecks.  Not a very good streak that we have going right now and it needs to end now as well, so I am calling on all of my friends, blog readers, students, church members and anyone else to please pray for us.  We need to keep insurance, we need to have fully functioning cars, and we need a house!  This is a lesson in slowing down and I understand that.  This is probably a lesson is patience as well.  I understand.  This is also a lesson in trust and I trust that God will take care of us.  We frankly cannot afford any more accidents!  Please pray for us.  Pray that this will be the end of the accidents, deductibles, and all the rest of the mess!  Thank you!

LOVE IS….

LOVE

Everyone loves love, because everyone wants to be loved.

Everyone wants their family to love them

Everyone wants their friends to love them

Everyone eventually wants to find that special person to love them.

The concept of Love is from God and thus takes love to a whole different level when captured properly from the perspective of God.

We are going to look at characteristics of love tonight.

Not your typical phileo, agape, and other different kinds of love, but what love produces in an individual.

So what characteristics does Godly love produce in an individual.

Look no further than:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Cor 13:4-8

Romans 3:10 (NIV) As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one;

• Love is patient
  • Proverbs 15:18
    • A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

• Love is kind
  • Proverbs 12:25
    • An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
  • Ephesians 4:32
    • Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

• Love does not envy
  • Proverbs 23:17
    • Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

• Love does not boast
  • Psalm 10:2-3
    • In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

• Love is not proud
  • Proverbs 11:2
    • When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:30
    • If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

• Love is not rude
  • This verse was kind of difficult to find another verse to dive deeper, but I found this one that sums it up.  Rudeness is essentially doing what you know is evil.  It is doing evil in your attitude. so,,,
    • James 4:17 (NIV)
      • Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

• Love is not self-seeking
  • Romans 15:1-3
  • We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

• Love is not easily angered
  • James 1:19,20
    • My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
  • Ephesians 4:31,32
    • Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

• Love does not keep record of wrongs
  • Mark 11:25
    • And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
  • Colossians 3:13
    • Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

• Love does not delight in evil
  • 1 John 1:5
    • This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

• Love always rejoices with the truth
  • John 4:23-24
    • Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
  • Psalm 119:141-142
    • Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.

THE ONLY TRUTH IN LIFE IS THAT WHICH CONFORMS TO THE WORD OF GOD.  ANY THING ELSE DOES NOT PASS THE TEST!

• Love always protects
  • Protect your family and loved ones, because you love them dearly, but also…
  • Protect your heart
    • Philippians 4:6-7
      • Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  • Protect the weak
    • Psalm 82:3-4
      • Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

• Love always trusts
  • Psalm 13:5
    • But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
  • Romans 9:33
    • As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

• Love always hopes
  • Psalms 31:24
    • Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
  • Romans 12:12
    • Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
  • 1 Peter 1:21
    • Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

• Love always perseveres
  • 2 Timothy 4:7
    • I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
  • Philippians 1:6
    • Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

• Love never fails
  • Romans 8:35-39
    • Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.