Title: Spiritual Refresher’s Course
Scripture: Acts 3:19 (AMP), "So repent - change your mind and purpose; turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing - of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air - may come from the presence of the Lord;"
Intro: Some times we get caught up in the craziness of this world and often forget who we are and let the world system cause major distractions and cause us to slip in our Spiritual mentality. Then some-times we let little areas slip and then before we know it, we have fallen back more than we were aware of.
In the professional field there are times when refresher courses are required. Each year my wife must attend a refresher course in CPR to keep her certification. The scripture that I have chosen tonight can be one that can be called a Spiritual Refresher! With this in mind I want us to think on the subject of simply a "Spiritual Refresher Course!" In this brief course tonight I want us to consider . . .
I. REPENTANCE--"So repent - change your mind and purpose; turn around and return [to God],"
A. Secret sins must be repented of . . . Psalm 90:8 (NLT), "You spread out our sins before you-our secret sins-and you see them all."
B. Spiritual Slothfulness must be repented of . . . Hebrews 6:12, (NLT), "Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience."--Acts 17:11, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."--1Thes 5:17, "Pray without ceasing."
C.Succumbing to the Worldliness Philosophy must be repented of . . . 1 John 2:15-16 (NLT), "Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world."
· REPENT FOR REFRESHING-"that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean),"-1 John 1:9
II. REMEMBER . . .
A. We’re Forgiven--Col 2:13-14, "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
B. We’re Accepted--Eph 1:6, "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
C. We’re Worth Much to God----3 John 1:4, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
III. REKINDLE YOUR SPIRITUAL PASSION
TOWARDS THE LORD-"that times of refreshing - of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air - may come from the presence of the Lord;"
A. Communing in Prayer-(1 Sam. 2:1-10 . . .
B. Concentrate in Bible Mediation-- Josh 1:8, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
C.Caring for Others--1Thes 5:11, "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
