It is my pleasure to stand before you sharing the word of God. It is a living word, a word, which gives life, a word that gives understanding, a word which knowledge, a word which gives anything good, which you can think of. "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" Matthew 4:4.He who eat the word of God will not hungry or thirst for the wordily things. The church and the world are distinctly separate institutions with aims, tastes and attachments essentially different. For members of the church to be conformed to the worldly by the way of the dress, socials, shows, fairs and such worldly amusements is sinful. And be not conformed to this word: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and asseptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, this is not of the Father, but is of the world.1John 2:12.
Dear church we are called out from the world. Jesus said to His disciples. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15: 19. The main duty of the church is to glorify God, to fear God, and to keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Read Ecclesiastes 12: 13 and you will hear it for you selves. What should we do to fill our duty, we must seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Church
The church is the body of Christ composed of those who have been born again and joined the visible church through Jesus Christ. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: Ephesians 4:4This body of Jesus Christ is made up of converted people, Holy Spirit filled and who work harmoniously without division. Its ultimate goal is to be ready, watching and waiting for the return of the LORD. And, behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:12.God’s people should be pure, holy and not yielding to the lust of the flesh. Purity includes purity of the thought, of the heart, of life, of the speech and of every Christian virtue. Dear church we should not end there but to be free from every form of ungodliness. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Only the pure and holy who have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb shall stand in the presence of God.
Purity of speech: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt Colossians 4:6. Idle words, bywords, slang phrase, joking, vulgar language, profanity, gossiping and rehearsing stale yarns do not belong to pure speech. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. Matthew 12:36
Purity of heart: Out of the abundance of the mouth speaketh Matthew 12:34. If the heart is kept pure, the thoughts and speech will be pure. If thoughts, speech and heart are pure Life will be pure.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. IF any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.1John 2: 15 - 16.
Pride: Pride is an abomination in the sight of God. Humility and contrition characterize God’s people in who is not found a haughty, overbearing spirit. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased: and he that humbleth himself shalt be exalted. Luke 14: 11. Pride goeth before destruction. Proverbs 16:18. Exaltation and pride caused Satan’s downfall, read Isaiah14: 12 -13.The LORD hates a proud look. There are those who justify themselves with the thought that we must have a little pride and don’t realized that the Bible nowhere it speaks of pride approval, but it only condemns it. The BIBLE points out pride as something GOD resists and it is something to be shunned. GOD resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Christian people should abstain from the use of intoxicants, tobacco, and kindred carnal habits. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 20:1
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess: but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5; 18.
All Christian people should earnestly resist and flee from covetousness. It is idolatry. We should beware of greediness and honestly with all men, never take advantage of anyone, ever abstain from usury. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor’s. Exodus 20:17Love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, meekness. 1Timothy6: 10 -11.As I will be closing, let us look at the Word of God. But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Ecclesiastes 11:9b.Amen.
