Anselm Bible Fellowship Sunday Worship

Anselm Home Church / The Sunday Sermon: 9-20-09

Galatians 5:13-18

"The Difference Is; WHEN THE MOTIVE IS LOVE"

POINT: Why do we behave the way we do?  Are there motivating factors for our Christian

behavior?  What is the key to our Christian success?

• How can one live the successful Christian experience in a world that seems to be falling apart?

• Where does one find that place to look beyond themselves and desire the disposition to not merely obey; but to remain transparent as we live like Christ?

POINT: In a world that is controlled by the superficial, the true church needs an eternal gauge from which it operates.

POINT:  "When Love Is The Motive" the Christian experience takes on a brighter meaning.

• Without this time and effort as we engage in human exchange; there is no meaning in what we do.

• This Bible lesson shall be one of the most important ones that you will ever hear.

• I personally believe that without these characteristics; there is really no need for us to call ourselves born of God.

• Personally; I cannot live without manifesting these characteristics.

• The living of this lessons shall equip us to not only live in racial harmony; it will; can; and must transform us within or all shall be lost.

POINT:  The verses in today’s text of Galatians chapter five provides for us the catalyst for our behavior.

I. THE CHRISTIAN CALL TO FREEDOM IS A CALL TO SERVE BY MEANS OF

    LOVE: V.13a

            *A.  "We are called to freedom"; Gk: El-Yoo-Ther-ee-ah

                        1. We have the liberty to do, license to do as one pleases.

                        2. You are not one who is enslaved or unrestricted or bound to any ethical

                             religious system. (elaborate)

POINT: When the Believer feels that he or she is bound to keep religious standards without a

             inward sense of no strings attached, that Believes is hindered in their service for God.

            *B.  Paul says that we are "Called" Gk: Kaleo  We are given a name > commanded to;

                        1. The call implies duty to perform.

                        2. The call carries with it responsibility.

                        3. The call was for a purpose of Divine service.

POINT: If we do not see the Divine purpose in our calling we walk in darkness. (Spiritual)

• What can I do in order to be more of what God has in store for me?

• Am I suppose to get better; or am I doomed to be the same king of individual I am now; today?

• I ought to ask myself; “is this all that there is to being a Christian?

            C.  Paul now speaks the "Caution" of the call; V. 13b  "Opportunity" Gk; Af-or-May

POINT: Some definitions are now called in place as we determine our status;

                        1. Don't provide an place in the life from which evil attacks can be make on our

                            lives. (If indeed we know what is required; and we perform it not? What Value?

                        2. We must strive to make ourselves useful for Christ’s Service.

                        3. We need to make all of our useful sources available. (I'm Free For Service)

            D.  Paul says that we must fight the flesh;  Gk; Sarx  (What is he referring to)

                        1. The sensual part of the human experience that draws us back from God's will

• That part that whispers in our heads that only we count for anything.

• During difficult times we think of protecting ourselves; whereas the Christian faith teaches us that we are to walk in love; “This is A Banner That Is Placed Over Us”  See; Song Of Solomon 2:4; Every Blood bought Believer exercises in this manner.

                        2.  That animalistic disposition that sets apart the Divine nature from the human.

POINT: God would have us to understand that freedom is consistent with a rational spiritual

             disposition. (elaborate)

POINT: If our energies are absorbed by our continuous battling of the flesh, how much time

             do you think we have to give t our cultivating of the spiritual life?

            E.  Paul says that "Love Is The Motive" V.13c

1. He emphasizes that it is only through a pure love for one another that the Church can truly

    function as a body with purpose. (elaborate)

2. Without love there is no service, there is only communion for the sake of community. (e)

            F.  The question that we must ask is; WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF SERVE: 

1. Doing service while submitting in the heart for the sake of the other person.

2. The tense is PRESENCE: A simple statement of fact which takes place NOW!

3.  ACTIVE: The subject of the letter is the one that is to do or perform the action.

4.  IMPERATIVE: This is a command that is to be performed!

POINT: In a world that demands it's rights and freedom, we are called to serve.

POINT: Who are the ones that the church is to serve in love?  If "'Love Is The Motive" then WHO

(1)  We are to offer a genuine love unto God our father:

            Deut. 11:1,  Psalm 18:1-3,  Psalm 91:14-16,  Psalm 97:10-12, 

 (2)  We are to offer this genuine love unto Jesus As Lord of All:

            Matthew 10:37-40,  John 8:42,  John 14:15,  John 20:20;

(3) We are to offer this great love and service unto ONE ANOTHER:

            Lev. 19:18, How does one complete this task?  Was God being ridicules?

 Matthew 5:41-47,  Luke 6:31-35,  John 13:14-15

 POINT: If we do not offer this love and service, we indicate that we are not free:  HOW SO?

 1.  If we do not demonstrate by our love for God a faithfulness to His call we are nominal

     Believers at best; (Elaborate)

2. How can we dare say that we have love for Jesus and do not demonstrate by our lives?

3. If is as impossible to share our love for others if they can not see this love in activity by

            (a) Getting involved in their getting acquainted with the Master through INTRODUCTION

            (b) After INTRODUCTION, there comes the process of INDUCTION. (elaborate)

            (c) Lastly EDUCATION, by means of the proper Christian education.

II. The Ethical Reaction Identified: V.14

1. When a Christian loves others even during difficult times, he or she fulfills all of the requirements of the law.

2. This is the ruling principle of our Christian faith. Deut. 6:5

III. True Christian Ethics Forbids Inappropriate Behavior: V.15

1. Paul uses the imagery of a wild animal; Are we to live as such in our lives; NO!

   • This is not a suggestion on our behalf.  This is nothing less than a manner of our lives.

   • This verse depicts the results of a human life when all of God in Christ is absent.

2. To see in the real the emotional hatred that can come from us is something our society has been hailed in as a successful venture when compared to others nations in our world.

POINT:  Not withstanding the government treatment of other nations; peoples; and basic human right infringements.

IV. A Way To Survive A Failing Human Survival Effort: V.16

1. It appears to be a lackadaisical effort but when looking deeper we see something else. See; Romans 8:9

2. It is much more than in intellectual effort; it takes place from deep down with each of us as Christians; See; 1^st Corinthians 6:19-20

3. The term to “walk” Speaks of a continual action on the behalf.

   • We cannot break off from the life that he has placed in each of us.

   • We must see the relevance of this continuation of habit unto the very end of our lives.

   • It is not contingent upon our fully realizing the ramifications of the result of our lives; Witness is what is sought after in these verses.  No Exceptions will be allowed!

   • Walking also speaks volumes as the idea here is progress.  On And On!

   • The true believer therefore freely submits to these idea; See; Romans 8:13, Ephesians 5:18, Colossians 3:16

CONCLUSION: Who Wins The battle For The Survival of Love? Vrs. 17-18

            1.  Believe it or not;  One does not have to search for the meaning of love when the

                 Believer is free enough to demonstrate with his or her life the ability to live CHRIST.

`           2.  Believe it or not;  Service comes easy to those who are dedicated to the Master's will.

            3.  Believe it or not;  Others recognize what true spiritual freedom is.

NO SERVICE, NO LOVE, NO CHRISTIANITY, BONDAGE

 

March 19, 2006 10:AM

By Pastor John E. Coleman Of Ram Radio Live The Web Cast

“The Severe Consequences Of Unbelief”

Deuteronomy 1:26-37 / Hebrews 3:15-19

Introduction: The Lord is not a Divine heavenly father who can be controlled by our selfish motivation.   He is one that demands of His followers the Holiest of living and obedience on a daily basis.   He is never affected by our whims or disposition of rebellion unto justification.   He is a Lord that is so high and Holy above any and all other thoughts that our coming to Him ought to be preference by an attitude of contriteness.

POINT: Ours is a day and age that is like unto those days of old when God’s chosen has made up minds to rebel with intent and overt justification.

POINT: We are a people that has progressed so far beyond the biblical frame of reference that the man of God now calls each of us to consider afresh our relationship with Jesus as we look at others that denied their God without facing the consequences of outright defiance towards the God that calls each of us to a life of obedience.

• Either we believe the biblical story or we do not.

• We must never come to the text living in a state of confusion.

• Ours is to fully look at every intention of the Lord as He speaks to us about our individual lives for eternities sake.

• We cannot toy with the writ as if it were just some trite explanation of an age past without connecting to our currant situation in life.

• As early as the start of this kind of belief; we see Jesus giving the challenge; John 20:26-27

• Paul the Apostle reminds us of this important factor of our faith; Romans 15:4

Definitions:  Although Christians live under the New Covenant and are not under the authority of the Old Covenant, God’s moral law has not changed and all Scripture is of spiritual benefit (1 Corinthians 10:6, 10, 11;)  2 Peter 1:20, 21).

• Paul’s description of the benefits of Scripture certainly includes the NT, but speaks primarily about “the sacred writings”—or the OT (2 Timothy 3:15–17).

• Thus we see the seriousness of paying close attention to all that the scriptures declare unto those of us that profess to be called of the Lord.

• Try as one might; we cannot escape from the truth of what the scriptures teach.

“The Consequences Of Unbelief”

I. As Seen In God’s Sure Blessings Being Cast Aside As Dung By His People: V. 26

Defining The History Of This Text: Joshua and Caleb had already spied out all of the lands that God had dictated to Moses; He would give them as land flowing with milk and honey.  Numbers 13:17-20

A.     What was the way in which Israel responded to all of God’s Promises?:

1.      Israel, at Kadesh Barnea, deliberately and defiantly refused to respond  to God’s command to take the Land.

2.      Those in that day refused; just as many of us that profess to know Him do the same.

B.     See Psalm 106:24-25;  Isaiah 63:10, Acts 7:51

POINT: We see first of all that rebellion as a symptom of great anger against God yet persist until this day; even in the hearts of many that profess to be God’s children.

POINT: There is no change in the nature of humans for these many thousands of years.

POINT: In the very same way; there is no change in God; he is the same God that acted in the time of the Old Testament times; His nature has not changed; See; Malachi 3:6

Also See; Hebrews 13:8  What do we learn in this verse?

(1)   The impossibility of God differing in His nature in anyway.

(2)   His sureness of expression is of such that change would only mar His attributes.

(3)   That His holy endeavors only entreat us to substantiate His divine will in our lives

(4)   If we do not comply; we immediately realize that He is angered and retribution follows all such behavior.

The Most Confident Belief In Us Is Seen In That;

·        We love Him to the degree that our worship is governed by our obedient life.

·        That our relationship with Him is marred to the degree that He will not hear us when we pray or seek Him in audience.

·        Our life is forfeited by our rebellious disposition; we (though some of us are saved) will be beaten with many strips; unbearable to undertake in a continual state of practiced sin.

·        If we are sinners plagued by our false confession; no chastening will follow; only more rebellion towards a total hatred of God who we have grown to overtly hate with passion.

Ø      When God’s promises are cast aside as filth by those that have experienced His hand in deliverance or compassion; step away from that person.

Ø      Run for a hiding place.

Ø      Look not back as Mrs. Lot did; for judgment will catch you too as you oppose Him.

Ø      Learn a lesson well and quick’ God will judge; He will repay and in such a fashion that all who see it will wag their heads in awe; See; Jeremiah 18:16; Lamentations 2:14-16; Zephaniah 2:15

POINT: You and I do not want to be alive to see this happen in the life of any that laughs at God; nor denies Him in any way. 

II. As Seen In How They Lied On God: V.27

A. The aspect of this verse is that those Jews were unthankful for anything that God had ever done for them.

1. Let us never come to the point of our lives when we would speak such things of our Lord.

2. We ought always keep in our frame of biblical reference that the Lord is Holy.

We should practice abeyance and homage to His name alone everyday of our lives.

3. We ought realize that it is God; our invisible Lord who cares for us; and provides for us everything we receive.

4. We must forbade the spirit that causes us to look unto ourselves in anger at His divine providence.  He Is The Lord God Almighty!  He deserves To Be Praised! 

III. Their Excuses Which Was Faithlessness; V.28-31

What are the excuses that we use today that assist us in our personal rebellion?

What are the words that we find so easy to sputter in His face as we justify us?

Have we thought out deeds or action before we approach a Holy Lord who will judge us for everything we’ve ever said or done?

IV.Their Sin Defined; V.32

POINT: It was not any other sin other then they would not believe.

Ø      This is the typical fate of many that go by the name Christian.

Ø      They do not believe enough to live out what they know to be true.

Ø      Our sins are defined in this one way; we effuse to believe in all that the bible teaches on obedience.

Severe Questions For The Serious Saints:

(1)   Why should the Lord allow us into heaven if we do not believe in all that He has said?

(2)   What was the result of these Israelites who refuse to obey?  See; V. 35-37

Some things that we note in these verses:

That the Lord was angry with His people.

Only those that truly believed in all of His words were allowed to enter into the promise of God’s blessings. 

God has not changed from yesterday; Only Those That Believe In Him Today Also. 

Only those that have a relationship with Him in Jesus Christ through a life of obedience will enter into the heavenly kingdom.  (No WILL BE  no special preference given) 

Conclusion:  Starting right now; each of us can rectify our ill treatment of Christ by way of rebellion and non-belief in all of His commands.  Lets go to the Old Testament to see How our Lord would end this important message to a failing church;

See; Isaiah 55:1-3 & Isaiah 55:6-7 & Isaiah 55:11-12