Be Not - M O V E D

10.19.08 Sermon.Be Not-Moved

By William Akehurst, HSWC

1 Thessalonians 3:7-9

Philippians 1:27

For the last 2 weeks, we were looking to scriptures regard what it was to be a Christian, and what we were to be...

Be Kind, Joyful, Patient, Loving, Gracious, Forgiving, Forbearing

In Acts we read: ‘In Him we live and move and have our being’

I will BE

To BE a Christian, we must BE-LIEVE

But, this morning I want to look at another be… and this time, what something we must not be, in order to be…

Shakespeare said it…to be or not to be, that is the question.

And I will say it this way - to be ____ is to be not ____

This morning, I want to look at what we are to be not.

NEGATIVE VS POSITIVE

We can think of the negative be nots: be not lying, cheating, stealing, hateful, etc.

But I want to look at the positive BE NOT...

HOLD ON, HANG ON TIGHT

I remember growing up around the nursery and greenhouses. We used tractors, wagons, and other equipment around the property. I remember my father driving the tractor and I would ride in the bucket, or on the scraper on the back of the tractor.

“Hold on, or Hold On Tight”, he would say.

I remember riding on the back of the pickup truck with the tailgate down. “Hang on” Hold on tight.

Military Directive: Hold your - position

IMPORTANT WORDS FOR TODAY

I think these words are vitally important for us today. The world as we know it…is changing. Not only are we are experiencing financial and economic strife in this country, but our entire globe, worldwide, has taken a downturn. We see economic systems all impacted and in decline.

NEW LEADERSHIP

In the next few weeks, we will be taking part in electing new leadership for our country.

My prayer is that our leaders will be those who love, seek and know the one and only LORD GOD.

We are not above going through turmoil and pain. We as a country, have been spared much because of the LORD’s hand of protection on our country.

Billy Graham’s daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her ’How could God let something like this happen?’

(regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, ’I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?’

We need God’s protection. We can’t deny the LORD and expect everything to be OK. We must remain fixed on HIM, personally, and as a country. Our country, government and nation were founded on the LORD GOD HE IS ONE.

As we go through these changes in our world.

We must remember who we are, and what our purpose is.

We must keep to the principles of the WORD of GOD.

We must remain Strong

As the World Changes, We as a people of the LORD, must stay the course.

If we face persecution, affliction and distress, we must remain constant.

In my fathers words…HOLD ON

To BE a BE LIEVER - WE MUST NOT BE_____

I will NOT BE - M O V E D

Our world is changing, but we must remain steady

THE BIBLE USES WORDS LIKE Stand Firm, Steadfast, Fixed, Focused, Purposed, Rock Steady

We must NOT BE MOVED by the changes of this world. We must REMAIN FIXED, HOLDING ON, NOT MOVING from what we know is the truth, from what we know as the WORD OF GOD.

We must STAND FAST, in the LORD

1 Thessalonians 3: 7-13 (7-9)

7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.