On Walking Worthy of the Lord
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding—that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. . .”
Colossians 1:9-10a
When we start looking Upward instead of inward or backward, we’ll find what we’re looking for.
“That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.”
Is that your desire today, Pilgrim? If God would give you some type of spiritual magic wand and you could wave it, would you want to be able to live a life that’s “worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing”?
“Yes!” someone says with a note of exasperation in his/her voice.
“That’s what I want in my life—to know His Will, be filled with all wisdom and spiritual understanding so I can live in a way that glorifies and pleases my dear Savior in all I do and say.”
If that’s your answer, read on, Pilgrim.
This Manna’s for you.
Did you realize Jesus, the Risen Lord, Who lives in your heart if you’ve been born again, has been “praying for you since that day (Heb. 7:24-25) and desires you to live that way”?
“He does?” the same desperate disciple asks.
Yes. Right at this minute His Holy Spirit is “perfecting your prayers and praying God’s Will for your life with groaning that cannot be put into words” (Rom. 8:26).
Sermon Illustrations About Repentance and Second Coming of Christ
Repentance, one of the most important things that all people should learn. It is turning away from sins. It is all about forgetting the past and moving forward. It is all about taking off the old clothes and putting on new one.
But there are still many Christians who find it hard to repent. There are many people who still lived in their old way of life. May these illustrations be a blessing to each one.
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Shake It Off and Step Up!
A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the
farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule braying and went to the site.
After assessing the situation the farmer sympathized with the mule but
decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.
Instead he called his neighbors and asked them to bring their shovels and
bury the poor mule and put him out of his misery.
The mule seemed hysterical. When the dirt struck his back he shook it off.
As the farmer and his friends continued to shovel a thought struck the
farmer. After each shovel of dirt was thrown onto the mule he said, “Shake
it off and step up.” The mule did what he asked, after every shovel of dirt.
After a time the old mule stepped triumphantly out of the well. What seemed
to bury him actually became his road to freedom.
There is an alternative to every impossible situation. The way is not always
visible to us. But our task is not to work miracles, that is up to God. Our
responsibility is to prepare the way, committing every ounce of energy we
have to the possibility of the transforming power of God, remembering that a
single act of kindness can bring hope to generations yet to come.
Keith Wagner, Possibilities Unlimited
Knowing His Will
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”
Colossians 1:9
It’s all about knowing Him. Knowing Him (Phil. 3:8a, 10).
Glimpses of Grace. That’s all we have in this Pilgrimage of Faith as we “peer through a glass darkly” (I Cor. 13:12a). Like a smoke-smudged window, so is the lens of faith, though we may do our best to try and clean it.
This process begins when Grace enters our heart at the new birth. Our faith is fresh and His Joy overflows within us. Like a kid with a new toy, we rejoice in sins forgiven and a Home in Heaven. We begin studying God’s Word and “hide it in our hearts so we’ll know how to keep from sinning against Him” (Ps. 119:11).
Then something happens.
We or a loved one becomes ill. Our finances fall apart. Others who profess to be a brother- or sister-in-Christ treats us worse than an infidel would.
And, we become discouraged. Disillusioned. Depressed. Despairing.
We look around us and the world seems hell-bent on destruction.
Sermon About Spiritual Gifts
Biblical Teachings About Spiritual Gifts
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Introduction
Last time, we talked about the Lord’s supper. We have learned the Lord’s Supper is a Christian practice, which also has become a tradition instituted by Christ himself. And this practice is not to be taken lightly. Doing this in an unworthy manner makes us guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, we will be talking about another area where sometimes we put Christ to the test. One of the major divisions that we have in our world today is due to what we call “Pentecostalism”. There are various groups of pentecostals that practices the so called “giftings”. Actually, all Christian churches practice this, however, the highlight comes between the “supernatural” and the “natural” practices of giftings.
Pentecostals are more inclined in the supernaturals while people like us are more inclined to the natural things that God gave. At first, boom of this movement, almost everybody accepted it. But, years after, a schism broke out and great disputes between Christians arises. All that because of the practice of these giftings.
Today, we will be learning the principles given by Paul here in 1Corinthians, addressing to this issue. And perhaps you may also be wondering why there are people like the pentecostals who practice the giftings, and there are people like us who prefers to be living in a natural way. May this sermon be a blessing to each one of us as we also increase in wisdom in Christ.
4 Principles Underlying Spiritual Gifts
* .No one say “Jesus Is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit (v.3)
* There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit, different kinds of service but the same Lord, different kinds of working but the same God. (v.4-6)
* Each one was given different kinds of manifestation of his gifts for common good (v.7-10)
* He gave each one different gifts just as he determines (v.11)
God’s Gifts of Grace
“To all the saints and faithful brethren in Christ, which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have to all the saints, for the Hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, whereof you heard in the Word of the Truth of the Gospel.”
Colossians 1:2-5
When Jesus comes to live within our hearts, He brings everything He is and has with Him so He can share them with us.
Through the years there’s been much debate on whether or not it’s “sola scriptura” (Scriptures only), “sola fide” (faith only), “sola gracia” (grace only), etc. Likewise, much debate and division has occurred between the adherents of Calvinism (everything is “predestined”) and Arminianism (everything is “free will”).
Consequently, any serious-minded Bible student has often found himself shaking his head, becoming increasingly perplexed (often to the point of despair) and wanting to throw up his hands and quit.
But, today’s Manna helps us gain new perspective on it all. And, we’d do well to anchor our souls (and faith) here and then move on with renewed vigor.
What is this simple Truth?
Sola Christo.
Christ alone.
Or, another way to put it is the way Watchman Nee did one time in a message that became a book: Christ, the Sum of All Spiritual Things.
Alas Bro. Eddie Villanueva Filed His COC for 2010 Elections
The most awaited filing of the Bangon Pilipinas Movement, the filing of certificate of candidacy of Bro. Eddie Villanueva. I can’t help but to congratulate Bro. Eddie Villanueva for being so brave in filing his candidacy along with his running mate Perfecto Yasay and some other people like Kata Inocencio and Alex Tinsay.
This “PURE” political party has no money, lacks man power, and lacks some preparation. None the less, they will be meeting the rest of political parties in the battle field of politics.
The group is composed of undefiled new politicians who aims to bring a PURE government, a godly nation, and a dignified people in the government. I would say that Bangon Pilipinas Movement is the “Dream Team” politicians of the Filipinos.
The big question however remains, HOW WILL THE FILIPINOS ACCEPT THIS DREAM TEAM? As of now, Bro. Eddie is still at the tail of surveys. The cause is pure, the goal is clear, the vision is at hand, but will they win the election?
There is a pressure in terms of political strategy for the Bangon Pilipinas. But as far as I assessed these people, Bro. Eddie along with his fellow candidates are not hungry for power so as they are totally different from the rest of politicians who runs under the opposition and under the administration.
The Father’s Good Gifts
“If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father, which is in Heaven, given good things to them that ask Him?”
Matthew 7:11
A gift is that which is freely given
From one person to another;
There are no strings attached or a hook inside
When given by a friend or brother.
No, gifts are given to express one’s love
To someone who may not deserve them;
They’re given on purpose by the one who gives,
Not because of pressure or momentary whim.
Illustrations About Mothers
The collection of illustrations today is all about mothers. This collection can be used during Mother’s day celebrations or if you have a church program for mothers. You can also use this collection in making sermons about mothers.
Mothers
If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper–not a homemaker. If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness – not godliness. Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys. Love is present through the trials. Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive. Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood. Love is the key that opens salvation’s message to a child’s heart. Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God’s perfection of my child.
As a mother, there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is love.
Author Unknown
Heart-Treasure
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Matthew 6:21
Investments there lessen cares here.
Rising costs. Diminishing returns. Exorbitant interest rates. Escalating taxes. Deceptive lending practices. Defective products. Inferior materials and workmanship. Worthless warranties and guarantees.
Sound familiar?
If so, it’s likely their mere mention either causes high blood pressure or deepening despair—especially if our true “treasure” is earthly, not Heavenly.
The Lord Jesus knew very well our hearts accompany our treasure. That’s why it’s important we invest in those things eternal, not that which soon will succumb to “rust, rot and robbers” (Mt. 6:19-20).
Yes, He knew moths in closets care little about what labels are on a dress, coat or pair of pants. They are “equal opportunity eaters.” Likewise, He knew rust cares naught for how expensive the pipe or fender; give it time and opportunity and it’ll eat a hole through it. The same is true with thieves—for they care only about what they can steal from another, even if it means “breaking through and stealing” (Jn. 10:10b).