THE TEST OF OUGHT --- WHAT IS THE LEGACY I AM LEAVING?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) (This is a several part lesson.)
When I was a child we sang a song, Everybody ought to read their Bible, the Bible. The men and women, the boys and the girls, everybody ought to read their Bible. Everybody ought to praise the Lord, praise the Lord, the men and the women and the boys and the girls, everybody ought the praise the Lord. Etc. We would discuss: WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO… Today spiritual life has become optional: THERE IS NO “OUGHT!”
TODAY WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT FEELS THERE IS NO DUTY OR OBLIGATION TO ANYTHING. THE WORDS HAVE TO: YOU HAVE TO DO THIS OR IT IS RESPONSIBILITY TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE --- REQUIRED OR EXPECTED TO JUSTIFY ACTIONS AND DECISIONS. HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO SOMETHING
*OUGHT: moral obligation, expected, required, obligation, necessity, BOUND duty, correctness, probable, desirable, should, need to.
*THOMAS AQUINAS SAID: THREE THINGS ARE NECESSARY FOR THE SALVATION OF MAN: TO KNOW WHAT HE OUGHT TO BELIEVE; TO KNOW WHAT HE OUGHT TO DESIRE; AND TO KNOW WHAT HE OUGHT TO DO.
*POPE JOHN PAUL SAID: FREEDOM CONSIST NOT IN DOING WHAT WE LIKE, BUT IN HAVING THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE OUGHT. TO DO WHAT WE OUGHT AS OPPOSED TO WHAT WE WANT OR SHOULD.
WE LOOK AT DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE TO FIND: OUGHT APPEARS BETWEEN 100 AND 125 TIMES IN THE BIBLE. WE OUGHT TO KNOW THE VALUE OF A LOVING SACRIFICE AND GIVE THE BEST WE CAN GIVE. WE OUGHT TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER.
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
We need to conform to the life style that pleases Jesus. WE NEED TO SERVE OTHERS ---WALK --- TO PERFORM DUTY, TO HELP DO WORK, TO PRESENT FOOD OR DRINK, TO SUPPLY THE NEED, TO DELIVER.
1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
WE OUGHT TO LOVE GOD AND ALL PEOPLE. GOD MADE US TO LEARN, TO LEAN AND TO LOVE. WE OUGHT TO LOVE IN FAITH, WORD AND DEED… LOVE IS MORE THAN A WARM FUZZY FEELING… WE OUGHT TO LOVE AS A CHOICE, AS ACTION AND TO REFLECT JESUS.
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
WE OUGHT TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER. OUGHT TO AND TALK TO OUR FATHER THROUGH HIS SON. PRAYER IS THE KEY TO OPEN HEAVENS PLANS FOR US.
WE FACE MANY CHALLENGES. LET US PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE CONSISTENT ATTITUDE OF PRAYERFULNESS. WE MUST, OUGHT TO BE IN PERSISTENT PRAYER, PRAYER CAN HELP KEEP US FROM FAINTING.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
WE OUGHT TO WIN SOULS, WIN THE LOST AT ANY COST.
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY, WE OUGHT TO HELP THE WEAK. TO HELP THE WEAK MUST BE PART OF GOD’S PLAN FOR US.
In any group there are those that run out ahead. There are those run as best they can. Then that are those that lag behind. We must try to keep the group in unity together.
*WEAK: TO LACK STRENGTH, no energy, no vigor, something that is feeble, fragile, lack intensity.
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Romans 15:1(MSG) Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. 2 Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" 3 That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it.
WE OUGHT TO GIVE THANKS, PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO THE LORD. SEEMS WE HEAR SO MUCH COMPLAINING, GRIPING AND MURMURING. WE HAVE A STANDING INVITATION TO SING AND PRAISE THE LORD. WE OUGHT TO DO THIS. DAVID CLOSES OUT HIS BOOK OF PSALM TELLING EVERYONE WE OUGHT TO PRAISE THE LORD.
Psalm 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100:1 (MSG) A thanksgiving psalm On your feet now—applaud GOD! 2 Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. 3 Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. 4 Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. 5 For GOD is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
WE OUGHT TO GUARD OUR MOUTHS.
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.
WE OUGHT NOT WORRY AND LIVE IN FEAR.
We ought not worry and live in fear. We ought to release and quit worrying
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6 (MSG) Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD NOT MAN NOR HUMAN NORMS.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Authority, Obedience, submission, wisdom.
1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
WE OUGHT TO GIVE THANKS, PRAISE AND WORSHIP THE LORD. SEEMS WE HEAR SO MUCH COMPLAINING, GRIPING AND MURMURING. WE HAVE A STANDING INVITATION TO SING AND PRAISE THE LORD. WE OUGHT TO DO THIS. DAVID CLOSES OUT HIS BOOK OF PSALM TELLING EVERYONE WE OUGHT TO PRAISE THE LORD.
Psalm 150:6 Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100:1 (MSG) A thanksgiving psalm On your feet now—applaud GOD! 2 Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. 3 Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. 4 Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. 5 For GOD is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
GOD REFUSES TO HEAR OUR PRAYERS UNTIL WE HAVE BURIED THE HATCHET AND NOT IN W=EACH OTHERS HEAD. WE OUGHT TO RECONCILE. WE OUGHT TO MAKE AMENDS.
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
WE OUGHT TO FORGIVE.
2 Corinthians 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
WE OUGHT TO BE KIND TO OUR FAMILIES. LOVE BEGINS IN THE HOME.
Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
WE OUGHT TO LISTEN AND COMMUNICATE, WE HAVE TWO EARS AND ONE MOUTH. LISTEN --- BE A CAREFUL LISTENER.
Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
James 1:19 (MSG)
19 Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.
WE OUGHT TO EDUCATE OURSELVES TO KNOW HOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
WE OUGHT TO WALK, REGULAR PACE, GUIDE , TO SUPPORT, THE WAY SOMEONE LIVES.
1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
WE OUGHT TO HELP AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS.
3 John 1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
3 John 1:8 (MSG) So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
WE OUGHT TO SET OUR PRIORITIES TO ALIGN WITH GOD’S WORD.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
CONFESSION
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
WE OUGHT TO SUBMIT TO GOD’S WILL.
James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
WE OUGHT TO DO OUR BEST TO REACH HIGHER. ARE WE WILLING TO GIVE OUR DREAMS AND HOPES TO JESUS? LET US MAKE A LIVING SACRIFICES
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Romans 12:1(ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
WE OUGHT NOT FAINT, WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO QUIT.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 18:1 (ESV) And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
CONCLUSION: Our Christian journey would be so much better if we did what we ought, not out of compulsion but with the motive of compassion and a desire to please God. Let us focus on doing what we ought to be doing because we desire to please God and stand upon his word. I want to put for a greater effort to do the things that I ought to be doing.
Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
Please go to YouTube and see the sermons. This is a several part lesson.
