Remembering The Perks

16, January 2004

Dakota Community Church

Remembering the Perks

Introduction:

We have spent a lot of time the last little while going over things like soldiering and depression and other Christian responsibility type issues.

Every now and again we need to be reminded that there are many benefits to being Christians; it is not only about discipline.

Psalm 103: 1-2

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits

What are some of the benefits of serving God?

1. He will enable you to become the person you really want to be.

Philippians 1: 4-6

I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The phrase, “until the day of Christ Jesus” implies an on going work.

2Peter 1: 3-4

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

- He has given us all we need

- To participate in the divine

- To escape the corrupt

You do not have to be who society says you will be.

You do not have to be who doubting authority’s say you will be.

You do not have to be who your own evil desires say you will be.

You can become who you want to become – Who God says you will be!

If you faithfully serve God you won’t be the same person you are now in 10 – 15 years.

You won’t be battling the same problem your whole life.

2. He will give your life purpose and direction.

Psalm 16: 11

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Proverbs 2: 1-9

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path.

I have always felt confident that my life matters and that I am doing what I am supposed to do.

- In my life as a husband and father

- In my ministry

These discoveries did not come through receiving “words” or through sermons or through dreams. They came through walking in relationship with God.

Psalm 119: 105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Nothing compares with knowing you are at the right point on the right path and now is the right time!

Have you gotten off track? Simply repent and get back on.

3. He will give you peace and security.

Proverbs 14: 26

He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

Psalm 91: 1-10

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.