1. ABSTAIN
• We as Christians are to ‘stay away’ from sin
• Abstain: In a general sense, to forbear, or refrain from, voluntarily; but used chiefly to denote a restraint upon the passions or appetites; to refrain from indulgence.
• Fleshly lusts include:
a. Adultery
b. Covetousness
c. Incest
d. Lasciviousness
e. Sensuality
f. Sodomy
• Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
• Though we may seek to do the will of God in the spirit, we cannot unless we put aside the will of the flesh we will not be able to please God
• Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
• Sacrifice is part of our service to God
• When serving God, we must have faith. It is by faith that we are able to see God’s direction and travel the road to effective Christian Service
• Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
• Hebrews 11:6 indicates to us that in order to truly please God we must seek him in all that we do.
• Webster’s Dictionary describes the word diligently as using ‘steady application and care; with industry assiduity; not carelessly; not negligently
• In other words, it is no accident that we serve God with everything we have and it is something that takes work and steadfastness
2. ADVERTISE (V12, 15-16)
• When speaking with the world our conversation must be pleasing unto God
• Ephesians 2:3-5 “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
• Our conversation before we were converted was that of the world, but after the change comes an opportunity to share what God has done for you
• When speaking with the world our conversation must be pleasing unto God
• Ephesians 2:3-5 “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
• Our conversation before we were converted was that of the world, but after the change comes an opportunity to share what God has done for you
• Luke 7:22 “Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.”
• We are commanded to tell the world of the wonderful work that the Lord is performing in our lives.
• “Bombeck’s Rule of Medicine: Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died”
• The point is that people won’t go where there is no excitement or where there is a lack of joy.
• If people don’t see the love of God in our hearts and the excitement that goes along with it they won’t want to be a part of it.
3. ADHERE (V13,14)
• We must submit to those appointed over us
• Matthew 22:21 “…Whose is the image and superscription?” “They say unto him, Caeser’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caeser the things which are Caesar’s: and unto God the things that are God’s.”
• Jesus told Peter to go and get the coin out of the fish in order to pay taxes.
• Obedience to those who have been elected over us shows our obedience to God
• Titus 3:1 “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
• Even though we have a responsibility to obey those who are elected officials, those who are elected are as equally responsible for those they serve
• Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
4. ABOUND (V17)
• A word meaning: ‘To have or possess in great quantity; to be copiously supplied; followed by with or in; as to bound with provisions; to abound in good things.’
• When we abound in God we are better able to preach the gospel
• Romans 5:20 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”
• Even though sin is always present, the grace of God is much more effective and victorious
• Where God is, His glory is evident
• John 1:1-5
• Practicing these things help us prosper as a testimony for Christ
• Fear God or keep his commandments
• How do we ‘Abound in God’?
• STUDY:
a. II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
i. Studying helps us to ‘discern’ or test the spirits, to help us to know the will of God and help us stand against the devil
• PRAYER:
a. I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
b. Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
c. James 5:16 “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
• SEEK
a. Luke 11:9 “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.”
b. Luke 12:31 “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
