RAISE THE BAR
(Sermon dated: Jan 31, 2022) God kept the title “ RAISE THE BAR OF YOUR LIFE” in my mind, while meditating on it God gave me what I have to share with His people. We have lived a status-quo life for long and some are mighty thrilled to stay there – with no proper Bible reading schedule, no fasting or committed prayer life. This kind of life is as good as DEAD, anybody listening to me; however, not many give heed to what we have to stay, as long as the train is running they keep moving – COVID or no COVID does not bother them on bit. Nevertheless, this is what God has to say to the Body of Christ, God wants increase not just in the pockets but also in each of our souls.
INCREASE IN FAITH & LOVE:
2 Thessalonians 1:3”….. your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever increasing…”
Increase that Apostle Paul is talking about here is not increase in money, promotion or property but ‘increase in love’, isn’t this awesome? The more we get closer to God, the more we grow in faith, the more we should also love one another – there should be no room for enmity, animosity hostility or hatred, we got to strive hard to live peacefully with all. Romans 12:18”If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Easier said than done, I do know the complexity that goes with it; however, we should understand that when God says ‘love one another’, then He will also supply the necessary ‘love’ to do this. John 15:5, “…apart from Jesus we can do nothing.” Anybody listening to me?
The book of Ephesians is an awesome book to read for people who need deliverance from pain and hurts, Ephesians 1:7 says, “in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
Peter talks about INCREASE in other areas as well, read:
2 Peter 1:5 “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Apostle Paul said:
Colossians 4: Fellow Workers
EXCELLENCE IN OUR ATTITUDE :
1. Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
If our attitude towards our friends, colleagues, workers and staff is going to be mean and nasty, despite carrying a big fat Bible then our experience is futile. Being a Principal at our Abide School run for the poor, after my salvation, I strive hard and plead to God to give me compassion, confidence and concern while running the affairs of our School. I do not compromise on rules and regulations with my staff, I demand discipline, quoting scriptures and I make it known to them that I want ‘excellence’.
PRAYER LIFE:
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
Our prayer life should go to the next dimension of praying for the nation, world and many other important matters. Raise the bar of your prayer life, and move on from ‘bless me stage’. Join with fellow believers and pray for greater and higher things.
WISDOM:
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
James rightly said:
James 1: 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Yes, our wisdom should increase more and more, today there is a hot pursuit of worldly wisdom and knowledge that can catapult
people to fame and give them huge harvest of gain. Why are parents over anxious
to put their kids in schools that demand obnoxious amount of donations? They
trust these institutions to give their kids the wisdom and knowledge that is required
to live in this aggressively competitive world. Many fail to understand (Christians
inclusive)that worldly wisdom would perish but only God can give divine wisdom.
Amen.
Proverbs 2: 6,7 “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come
knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a
shield to those who walk in integrity..” Friend, you cannot ignore God, His Word
and His Church and expect to live life wisely, people drastically fail and fall because they have put God behind. Are you listening?
Joseph was brought from the prison to explain the dream of king Pharaoh and all his servants who heard the revelation and the meaning as explained by Joseph, were all not just pleased but floored! They were thunderstruck by the wisdom! Pharaoh was so astonished that he said,” Can we find a man like
this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" Pharaoh goes on to say ”God has shown you
all this and there is none so discerning and wise as you are!”-
Genesis 41:37”This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants.38 And Pharaoh
said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" 39
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so
discerning and wise as you are.”
cause they have put God behind. Are you listening?
Pharaoh and all his servants who heard the revelation and the meaning as ex-
plained by Joseph, were all not just pleased but floored! They were thunderstruck
by the wisdom! Pharaoh was so astonished that he said,” Can we find a man like
this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" Pharaoh goes on to say ”God has shown you
all this and there is none so discerning and wise as you are!”
GRACIOUS SPEECH
6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
With so much of talking, chatting and discussions going on around us in the form of talk-shows, reality shows and what not…..this topic of controlling our mouth sure needs attention, today you can become popular and you can earn a lot of bucks if you have the gift of the gab! Isaiah cried: “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5) Mark the words, “I dwell in the midst of unclean lips!”
The Bible says: Proverbs 17:27”He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. “ The devil loves to provoke us, so that we spill words! Caution! So much is happening around us in India, trying to choke us; however, stay calm. This is the time to pray! Avoid talking or posting information about ‘sensitive issues’ on social networks that would stir arguments and debates. Stay away from such disputes. Remain silent and pray for Christians to stay firm and committed to Jesus in the midst of such storm.
Friend, let your speech be ‘golden!’ Avoid offensive jibe, harsh language, coarse language, deceit, hurtful words, bitter words, boastful words and cunning words. Let your words be pleasant ! “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24) It requires an endless supply of energy, a massive amount of patience and iron will to control our unbridled tongue in this world. Let’s do it anyways!
