Sermons

“REAL STABILITY DOESN’T COME FROM HAVING THE RIGHT ANSWERS BUT ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS” – JSM

Someone once said the un-examined life is not worth living.
We are called to examine ourselves to evaluate the condition of our faith.

2 Co 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you–unless indeed you fail the test?

1 Co 11:28-29 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
For you and I to become the spiritual rocks we are called to be we must be self-aware as the Holy Spirit discerns.

1 Peter 1:13-25 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you

The apostle Peter taught this and this Sunday I have made His words into seven daily questions.

If you are serious about becoming the most stable version of yourself be sure to come Sunday and bring someone along.  

Blessings
Joe

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

1. HOW DOES PREPARING AHEAD OF TIME KEEP YOU FROM FREAKING OUT OR FAILING LATER? 
   

   1 Peter 1:13-14 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,

   Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

   Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

2. WHY IS SELF CONTROL ESSENTIAL TO BEING STABLE?
   

   1 Peter 1:13-14 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. DO YOU ASK WHAT IS BEST NOT JUST AVAILABLE? As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,

3. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HOLY?
   

   1 Peter 1:15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.

   1 John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

4. WHAT DO YOU FEAR LOSING?
   

   Peter 1:17-21 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you; who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

5. IN OUR CULTURE OF POLITICAL AND THEOLOGICAL ARGUING IN THE MEDIA AND IN FAMILIES HOW CAN WE BE STABLE LOVING WITNESSES?  
   

   1 Peter 1:22  Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,

   2 Ti 2:14  Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

6. CAN SOME ONE BE QUARRELSOME AND BE A STABLE SERVANT OF JESUS? 
   

   2 Ti 2:23-26  Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,  and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

7. WHY IS BUILDING YOUR LIFE ON GODS WORD MORE IMPORTANT THAN CURRENT WORLD CONCERNS?
   

   1 Peter 1:23-25  for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.  For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,  BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you.