A Few Good Men—by Jacques Genis
October 16, 2022
Sermon summary:
Romans 15:4 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us."
1 Cor 10:11 "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us."
1 Kings 15:8 Asa — king of Judah. Son of Abisha. Did right in the eyes of the Lord. He dealt with sin and idolatry. He wasn't sentimental.
It's easy to coexist with sin and idolatry in our lives, ignoring the danger, and treating it like a pet.
- Are you a spiritual analyst (thinking you can handle sin in your life—maybe it's an attitude towards someone, coexisting with them but not united)?
- Maybe it's an action that you've not dealt with. Mark 9:42–47 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off.
- Ephesians 5:3–5 There shouldn't even be a hint. Collossians 3:3–5 Put to death what belongs to your earthly nature. These letters were written to disciples of Jesus. We need to have the same attitude as Asa. Repentance is painful. It requires outside help. Don't back out when someone tries to help you; don't give up.
- 2 Chronicles 14:8–11 Asa fully depended on God. He felt powerless despite what he had going for him. He asked God not to let mere mortals win. Psalm 33 The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him. Remember we are powerless. Let your faith be rooted in humility—before making decisions, and to implore God on behalf of others.
- 2 Chronicles 16:1–13 It's not about starting well but finishing strong. Past faithfulness doesn't guarantee future faithfulness. If you don't remain humble and hungry nothing is guaranteed.
The warning: It doesn't have to be that way. We canl finish strong.
Watch the full sermon here (it starts at 37mins)
The Holy Spirit gives guidance and direction in our missionary work. Are we doing the work the Spirit has set aside for each one of us to do? He knows the time, place and person to reach out to. Are we listening and obeying when he nudges us? The Holy Spirit forms Christ in all of us and it's a lifetime journey. Seek to be filled. Listen to his voice. Step out boldly.
Giving is an act of trust. It is also not an obligation but an act of worship. Give from the heart, not as a duty, but as a way to express gratitude. Giving is about unity in the church, it is motivated by grace, not guilt, and a spiritual act of joyful worship. Jesus demonstrated sacrificial giving through his actions, leaving us an example to follow.
To embrace Jesus's mission, I must first clothe myself with Jesus and have his character formed in me. He must become greater, I must become less. Then I"ll be able to do as Jesus did.
God's grace is with me. We need each other. Grace is a gift.