Are you comfortable in your own skin? By that I mean, are you contented with how God has made you, what you are, what you have and what you don’t have? If the answer is a resounding "no" then I have good news for you from the Apostle Paul. If you will open your Bible to Philippians 4: 9-23, you will read some great truths from Paul.
The key is verse 11, where he writes, "... I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." That is truly a remarkable statement, especially when you consider the heartache, suffering, trials which this great man endured. Contented with being wrongfully-jailed Paul? Yes.
Contented with being beaten with many stripes Paul? Yes. Let’s hear the secret of this contentment. As we look into this wonderful subject for the next few weeks, we’ll begin today with a few introductory truths.
1. Instead of having spiritual ups and downs, as his circumstances changed, Paul went on his way steadily serving Christ.
2. He was not the victim of his circumstances, but the victor over his
circumstances.
3. He teaches us that contentment is not complacency. Complacency leads to lack of concern for others, while a contented person shares his blessings.
4. Two words in verse 11 are critical to the subject: the word "learned" means learned by experience, and the word "content" literally means contained, or have resources within.
Next week, we’ll learn the first of Paul’s three wonderful spiritual resources which he reveals in this portion of the Bible. Stay tuned!
I think of oft-times, as the night draws nigh,
Of an old house on the hill,
Of a yard all wide and blossom-starred,
Where the children played at will.
And when the night at last came down,
Hushing the merry din,
Mother would look around and ask,
"Are all the children in?"
The years have come and gone since then,
And the old house on the hill
No longer echoes to childish shout,
And the spacious yard is still.
But I see it all, as the shadows creep
Where old memories merge and blend,
And I seem to hear her ask again,
"Are all the children in?"
I wonder if when the nightshades fall
On the last short earthly day,
When we say good-bye to the world outside
All tired with our childish play,
When we reach the shore of that other land
Where the folks so long have been;
Will mother ask, as she did of old,
"Are all the children in?"
Psychologists have long known that every person has two great longings and inward needs. The first is to be loved, and the second is to love. But when pressures and heartaches come into our lives, many give up any hope of ever finding love.
The tragedy is that we often look in the wrong place to fill this deep, deep need and longing. Some substitute lust for love. Others pursue material things or superficial relationships - all in the futile attempt to fill a God-shaped vacuum in the human heart. Sadly, it's our sinful natures that separate us from God and from fulfilling our deepest needs and longings.
But there is good news! There is a love worth finding and a love worth sharing. The Bible says that "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Here on the cross of Christ, God's mighty love was revealed and offered unconditionally to all who would be saved.
Do you long to know this mighty love? Then I need to ask you the most important question you'll ever be asked: do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you, that your sins are forgiven, and that you are saved and on your way to heaven?
The great news is, you can know!
Admit your sin.
Abandon your efforts.
Acknowledge Christ's payment.
Accept Christ as your Saviour.
(Adrian Rogers)
I had walked life's way with an easy tread,
Had followed where comfort and pleasures led,
Until one day in a quiet place
I met the Master face to face.
With station and rank and wealth for my goal,
Much thought for my body, but none for my soul,
I had entered to win in life's mad race,
When I met the Master face to face.
I met Him, and knew Him and blushed to see
That His eyes full of sorrow, were fixed on me;
And I faltered and fell at His feet that day,
While my castles melted and vanished away.
Melted and vanished and in their place
Naught else did I see but the Master's face.
And I cried aloud, "Oh, make me meet
To follow the steps of Thy wounded feet."
My thought is now for the souls of men,
I have lost my life to find it again,
E'er since one day in a quiet place
I met the Master face to face.
(Author: Unknown)
One of the most important, and difficult decisions a believer is called upon to make, is knowing what the will of God is in a specific situation. While it is true that nobody else can tell us what is right for us, there are, nevertheless,some biblical principles which will help us.
GOD PROMISES THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO KNOW HIS WILL
“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17.
GOD PROMISES TO GIVE US WISDOM IN KNOWING HIS WILL
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally, and without reproach, and it shall be given to him.” James 1:5
GOD PROMISES US HELP FINDING HIS SPECIFIC WILL
God's will can be divided into His general will and His specific will. His general will is always clear. We find His general will clearly revealed in Scripture. It is the determining of God's specific will that is most stressful for the majority of believers.
In determining God's specific will there are some absolutes that never change: 1. God doesn't use burning bushes or fleeces any more to communicate with His people. He uses His Word and His Spirit.
2. Every decision must meet at least two criteria:
a. it must be compatible with God's Word (see Psalm 119:105).
b. it must be compatible with personal convictions.
c. God will not lead in a direction that will violate His principles.
The first step for us to take when seeking His will in any situation is to make sure we are willing to do His will, whatever it is. John 7:17
Ephesians 4:30
We have now come to the fourth and last in this series of articles on the important subject of grieving the Holy Spirit. In the first article we noted that it is possible for a believer to commit this sin. Then in the second article we described how it happens, and last week we looked into the sad results of grieving the dear Holy Spirit. Now today, as we finish, we will look at the way a Christian can stop grieving Him.
It is important to note that we are not talking about a sin which results in a truly born again Christian to lose his salvation. That is secure. Paul says, in verse 30 "....by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." We are referring to the loss of fellowship, of getting answers to prayer. But that is still a very sad and serious state for any believer to be in. So we need to ask- How does one stop grieving Him?
After the warning us not to grieve the Spirit, in Ephesians 4:30, Paul goes on to tell us that we do not need to continue to practice our sins. He gives us several clearly stated steps:
1. First we are told what not to do. We are to "put away" all bitterness, wrath, anger clamour and evil speaking with all malice. Step one is that the believer is to take the initiative and turn from these known actions. To persist is to disobey God. While it is not possible for us to do this ourselves, we should remember that what God orders, He pays for. Back of all of His commands, He puts His omnipotent power. He has promised, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." So you and I have no excuse for continuing with a hateful unforgiving attitude toward others.
2. Then we are told what to do. As is so often the case, when God asks us to step away from wrong-doing, He gives us something to take its place. In verse 32 of this fourth chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul was inspired to give believers a list of what to do. Here they are:
A. Be kind to one another. B. Be tenderhearted. C. Forgive one another.
Then Paul tells us the reason we should take these steps when He writes," ...even as God in Christ forgave you."
Have you been grieving the Holy Spirit? Have you been doing it without even realizing it? Then I urge you to turn from it. To do so causes harm to the work of God, His church. So please,STOP IT. in the strength of the Lord, and become a kind, tenderhearted, forgiving person. When you do, you'll enjoy sweet fellowship with the Lord and others, and God will be able to answer your prayers again. God bless you.
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...." Ephesians 4:30
In this column two weeks ago we noted what it means to grieve the Spirit of God, then in last Sunday's post, we looked into the causes of grieving Him. Now this morning we take another step in this subject.
THE TRAGIC RESULTS OF GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
First, we must face the fact that grieving the dear Holy Spirit is sin. And if that sin is not confessed, there is immediately a broken fellowship with the Lord. This means then that our prayers are not answered, because Psalm 66:18 tells us, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."Or, if I see sin in my life and look upon it favourably, God turns His back and does not listen to me, even when I pray. When any one of us grieves the Spirit, though we do not lose our salvation, for that is guaranteed, we have cut ourselves off from the Lord and His blessings. We will make it into heaven, but we will not enjoy His grace on the journey.
Second, when we show bitterness, anger, wrath and speak evil of others, that is an indication that we have not forgiven those who may have wronged us. And the price of unforgiveness is very high. In Matthew 6: 15, Jesus said, "...if you do not forgave men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." This does not mean that unforgiveness results in one's losing his or her salvation. But what it does mean is that though we are saved, and we have been promised eternal life, if we as believers refuse to forgive others who may have offended us, the Lord will not forgive us of our daily sins. That means then that we are out of fellowship with Him and when we sin, or sin is not forgiven. What a tragic life that is, living with unforgiven sins.
Third- Imagine the hypocrisy of Christians serving in a local church who continually ignore this important warning "...do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God." When this is happening, and so often we are not even aware of it, or we try to pretend it is not happening, we continue to go through the motions of "serving the Lord." What a mockery, pretending to be serving our Heavenly Father, but grieving His Spirit with the result that He does not hear us, and He does not forgive us.
Next week we will look into the way out of this awful pit we have dug for ourselves, and see how to stop grieving the Holy Spirit. Please read this column next Sunday. It could change your life.
"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour and evil speaking be put a way from you with all malice."Ephesians 4:31
In the last post, I began this article on Paul's strong warning for believers not to "grieve" the Holy Spirit. When this happens, we as God's children run the risk of hurting the very work of God of which we are a part. You may recall that I outlined four important points we will think about. The first was what it meansto "grieve" the Holy Spirit. Now today we will take a second step in this important truth, as we considerhow we, as believers may grieve the blessed Holy Spirit. In verse 31, Paul gives us six ways in which this sad act may be committed. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed.
1. By "bitterness." This means resentfulness, harshness. We are to rid our lives of all manner of bitterness.
2. By "wrath" which is a violent outbreak of anger boiling up and then soon subsiding again. 3.By "anger" This is not "righteous indignation" but simply human passion here.
4. By "clamour" which is loud or vehement shouting or noise. It is the outward manifestation of anger.
5. By "evil speaking." This is slanderous or injurious speech about another person. Paul says these five instruments of grieving the Holy Spirit in a Christian's life are to be "put away." Then he adds,
6. By all "malice" or having a desire to harm or cause difficulty to others.
These attitudes, actions or traits are dangerous characteristics of our sinful nature. They are common in the world, but with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, they should not be a part of a believer's life and testimony. If we permit them to be present in our lives, we "grieve" the dear Holy Spirit, and harm the work of God. Let us beware! In next week's post, we will deal with the third part of our discussion- What is the result of grieving the Holy Spirit? Please stay tuned.
Pastor Alex Rockwell
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...." Ephesians 4:30
Please read Ephesians 4:30 again. Paul was inspired to write it to believers, then and now about our relationship to the third person of the godhead, the Holy Spirit. Please take note of a few points with me:
1. Only a person can be grieved. You can't grieve an inanimate object.
2. The Holy Spirit is a person who can be grieved.
3. A person can only be grieved by a friend or loved one, not by a stranger. Only Christians can grieve the Holy Spirit.
Today, and in the next few weeks in this column we will attempt to answer several important
questions. We will only have space to deal with one of them today.
They are as follows:
1. What does it mean to "grieve" the Holy Spirit?
2. What causes one to grieve the Holy Spirit?
3. What is the result of grieving the Holy Spirit?
4. How does a believer stop grieving the Holy Spirit?
What Does It Mean To Grieve the Holy Spirit?
The word grief means deep or intense sorrow. So the word "grieve" means to cause deep or intense sorrow. Because we are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit, it means that because we are loved by the Lord, we can grieve Him. That is a sobering thought isn't it? So what Paul is saying to us clearly means that there are certain thoughts, attitudes, or actions a Christian
can have that grieves the Holy Spirit. We'll be looking into that next week. Since we as a congregation are on the verge of making serious decisions on a new Pastor, on a children's ministry and other matters, we could hurt the work of God if we are in a state of grieving the Holy Spirit. We really need to pay attention, lest we hurt the work of God here in Georgetown. Stay tuned! (Pastor Alex Rockwell)
Walter explained to his friend, Arthur, that the uninhabited piece of land they were looking at would one day be valuable. He urged Arthur to buy some of the acreage surrounding his project. He explained, "I want you to have the first chance at this surrounding acreage. In the next five years, it will increase in value several hundred times."
Arthur thought that his friend was dreaming. So he didn't buy. And so it was that Art Linkletter turned down the opportunity to buy the land that surrounded what became Disneyland, which his friend, Walt Disney, had offered to sell him.
Sadly, sometimes when we are offered the opportunity to invest for eternity and a right relationship with God, we foolishly sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate, and see it as only a silly dream. Today, opportunity knocks. Tomorrow, it may be gone. (Pastor Alex Rockw
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