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The Power Of Being A Proactive Christian

Romans 12:1-3

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.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

– Being proactive describe a person who get things done. If you are proactive, you make things happen, instead of waiting for them to happen to you. Active means “doing something.” The prefix pro- means “before.”

– a sacrifice is an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.

– Renew means to re-establish (a relationship).repeat (an action or statement).

– it is vital that we learn that we must establish a daily habit of re-establishing our love and commitment to God by how we plan our daily lives. Look at what you’ve done today and see if anything showed God 1st.

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

– What we put in our heart by a proactive spiritual life will reflect who we are. On the other side of the coin, what we do not do also speaks just as much. We must learn to be just as committed to God to serve him with obedience as we are faithful to believe he is able.

Psalm 37:4-5

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

If we can learn to renew ourselves on a daily basis than there is no time for things to get stagnant. And if things do not have a chance to spoil then the enemy cannot continue to come after something that you are guarding!

Here are a few examples:

  • Make time, set an alarm in the evening to remind you of time to read
  • Set out positive materials, lay out scripture and books out that will engage your spiritual thinking
  • Create a place where you can go to God in secret and feel comfortable doing so
  • Take time to listen to spiritual songs to give yourself time to worship and honor God
  • Find yourself good friends that are willing to encourage you back and talk of God.
  • Lay aside things that you know good and well will hinder you. And if you feel better when it’s gone keep it gone.
  • Allow time to sit and relax or rest to give your mind and body time to recharge
  • Don’t always feel like you have to do everything everyone tells you. Seek God and he will give you the times to say yes and the times to say no. everyone needs a break from time to time!

The Sufferings Of The Passion

 

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The passion of Jesus Christ stands alone as the most important event creation has ever known. The Bible tells us that long before the world began, God had planned that the crucifixion of Jesus would be the method and payment for sin – the only payment that would reconcile sinners to a holy and loving God.

There were 21 prophecies that were fulfilled related to the Passion:

 

Each and every part of the suffering of Christ was for us. Every part was necessary so that we would not only be free from our sins but also to have a new place that we could dwell for eternity.

Prior to these punishments Jesus had already been betrayed and sold out for 30 pieces of silver. He was also tried and condemned for doing evil, yet He had done none. Rejected for a murderer, the final phase of the Passion was set into motion.

Isaiah 53:7 – He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Stripped and Whipped

John 19:1 – Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

The Romans believed that 40 lashes (Scourges) is the maximum number of lashes required to kill a person and that 39 is the default number for such punishment…prolonged punishment

Isaiah 53:5 – But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Christ being scourge was for our healing…not only for physical ailments but for the multitude of things that leave us ill from living a normal life.

The Reed, Crown of thorns and Scarlet Robe

John 19:2 – And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

John 19:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

The crown of thorns

The crown is said to be made from the branches of a Jujube tree, a deciduous tree found near Jerusalem, with thorns measuring an inch long or more. Thorns were a product of the fall of man in the days of Adam, a consequence of the entrance of sin into the world. God cursed the ground, declaring that it would forever produce thorns and thistles. (Genesis 3:18) The crown of thorns represented that part of the curse that Jesus took upon himself in his crucifixion. There truly was no part of humanity and its ruin that he did not experience.

The purple robe

The Tabernacle’s only entrance faced east and was a wide curtain colored blue on one end and red on the other end. The colors blended in the middle to make purple. Likewise, the Veil in the Temple that tore at Jesus’ crucifixion had the same color scheme: Blue for sky was the color for deity; red for the red Judean hills was the color for mankind. Being blended to purple represented the God-Man who, by his death, became the Door, our only Access to the Father. Jesus said in John 14:6, “No man cometh to the Father but by me.”

The mockery and weakness of man

As the bowed and mocked him in their outfit they had placed upon the beaten and bloodied Messiah, they send him back to Pilate as their plan for his death continued. As Pilate feels the pressure of the Romans and religious, he feigns to the weakness of holding political power and esteem and ultimately gives the release of Christ for the final moments of his life.

Carrying The Cross and being nailed upon it with theives

Carrying the cross

By carrying the cross and being weak as man, man was then called to help bear the load. This shows the foretelling of the future fellowship with the sufferings of Christ. That if we would be willing to bear our beliefs in Jesus through witness and obedience we would have the crown of life!

The nails

Isaiah 33:20

Look upon Zion; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be dispersed; the stakes thereof shall never be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be pulled away

By the nail however on which anything is hung, is signified affixing and adjoining. Jesus was forever adjoined with our sins and sufferings that through his sacrifice we could be free from the penalty and power of sin

Christ was then adjoined with the Cross, with death itself at the place of the skull. Only one thing remained to occur.

The giving up of the Ghost and the earthquake

Matthew 27: 40-42

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

As the religious defended their temple by mocking the man who said He could build it back up, little did they know that they were standing by the temple that would be no more.

Matthew 27:50-54

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were do

As Jesus gave forth his life and spirit, the forthcoming events began to demonstrate the power that was not used for revenge, noteriety or pride. The power came forth bringing the temple of old down and establishing the temple within.

And as this temple was established, we then read of when we would receive this same spirit and power:

The promise of Christ within us (Holy Ghost) and it’s fulfillment

The promise

Luke 24:44-49

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The fulfillment of the promise, the filling of the inner temple

Acts 2:1-4

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

What You Face Is For You

 

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Ephesians 6:10-12

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We should remember and be good to never forget that the forces of evil are arrayed against us, raging as a roaring lion to devour us.

We are not here just to:

  • Preach and teach
  • Raise Money
  • Build a building
  • Run a program

We are here to do battle against a very real and present enemy:

  • Eternal life is at stake
  • Souls hang in the balance
  • The standards of righteousness are being compromised
  • Foundations of decency are crumbling

The good news today is that we are equipped to win this battle through Christ!

Romans 1:16-21

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

We possess the power of the gospel; it is the great message that can mend all hurt and repair the broken pieces of a persons’ life:

  • Forgiveness from our sin
  • Deliverance from our bondage
  • Lifting of the weights of the cares of life
  • All will sincerely believing in the love that was shown us by God through the sacrifice of God’s son, Jesus Christ (now that’s powerful!)

Ephesians 3:8-21

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
[11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
[12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
[13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
[14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
[15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
[16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
[17] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
[18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

We have the power of the Holy Spirit

You are given the spirit of God to have boldness, access and confidence by faith, to faint not at life’s tribulations:

  • To know we are his, to know we are named means everything
  • To strengthen our inner selves with might and spirit
  • Be rooted and grounded in love
  • To know the love of Christ
  • Be filled with the fullness of God

Ephesians 6:13

[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We have the armor of God

I Corinthians 15:57-58

[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Ultimate victory is certain for whom will believe

The Purpose of a Trial

 

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1 Peter 4:12-14

[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

A Christian’s life begins with a spiritual birth (John 3:3-5)

[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
[4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

  • God’s plan is birth, growth and maturity
  • God uses the bible, the church and other believers to bring growth
  • God uses trials bring us into maturity (spiritual perfection)

So why do we as Christians have trials? (v. 12)

“Think it not strange”

  • Christians have trials because we live in a sinful world
  • We live in a world of turmoil and natural disasters
  • We live in a world of crime, sickness and death
  • We are a part of a straying generation (Romans 3:10-18)

[10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
[11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
[12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
[13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
[14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
[15] Their feet are swift to shed blood:
[16] Destruction and misery are in their ways:
[17] And the way of peace have they not known:
[18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Christians have trials because of the power of Satan

  • Satan is our adversary
  • Consider his attack on Job
  • He is as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8)

[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Christians are on a collision course with the world

  • Jesus warned us of this conflict (John 15:18-20)

[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] 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.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

  • Many have suffered and died for Christ (Hebrews 11:36-40)

[36] And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
[37] They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
[38] (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

What makes our trials different? Why would they be worth making it through? (v. 13)

  • We do not suffer alone (Hebrews 13:5-6)

[5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
[6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

  • We become partakers of Christ’s sufferings (v. 13)
  • We can even find joy in jeopardy (Acts 16:25-32)

[25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
[26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
[27] And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
[28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
[29] Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
[30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
[32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

  • There is a design in our difficulties (Romans 8:28-29)

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

  • And after it is all said and done our trials will come to glory (Romans 8:17-18)

[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.