CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH (PART 1)

This week we begin a Five Part series about Embracing Righteousness as a Lifestyle.  In a world where every lifestyle is accepted and embraced except the Christian lifestyle it is fitting that we title this series Can You Handle The Truth.   Remember Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life.

Romans 1:18-20 NASB  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  (19)  because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  (20)  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

The unrighteousness of man brings a rejection of truth.  Paul goes on to tell that truth is learned from creation.  God has revealed Himself in everything He created.  All one must do is look around to see God.  

This is something that David was very aware of in Psalms 19:1 NASB  The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

All you need to do is take a drive out into the country.  I mean out where there is no buildings or street lights to hide the night sky.  The heavens are testimony to the glory of God.

Paul says that man has no excuse for not knowing that God is God.  Man has a built in instinctive sense of right and wrong.  Every culture, even the ones man has labeled as uncivilized have a list of right and wrong.  But even in their cultures people choose to reject the truth.

It is simple Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life.  Society wants God to fit into its mold.  I would argue that God is Alpha and Omega and holds the world in His hands. 

Should we be trying to make Him fit our lifestyle?  Or, should we be living a life dedicated to pleasing Him and keeping His WORD.

Christmas In July II

Luke 1:26-31 NASB  Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,  (27)  to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.  (28)  And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."  (29)  But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.  (30)  The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  (31)  "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

If you will recall from last week we studied that Christmas Love Originated in the Heart of God and that Christmas Love was Directed Toward the Needs of Man.  Now in this week’s lesson we see first:

Christmas Love Called for the Birth of Christ.
No other could reconcile God and Man. The separation was too great.  There was no sacrifice that could completely atone for the sins of man so God provided the sacrifice.  The precious baby boy born in Bethlehem is the same Jesus that was beaten and tortured on Calvary.  

Christmas Love Calls for the Salvation of Man

God says whosoever believes in Him should not perish. 

Hebrews 2:3   How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Christmas is all about love, God’s love for the world.  Today the world view of Christmas is about getting all you can get. It’s all about the newest things to come down the pike.  Some try to make it about family and being together.  I would agree this is a good way to spend Christmas.  However, we must always remember the gift that God gave to man.  He gave Jesus to be the Savior of world.

It is now July and Christmas seems to be so far away.   I ask that you think of the best gift you ever received for Christmas.  Now compare that gift to the gift that God gave.  How does it measure up?

My prayer for you is that you ask Jesus Christ to come into your today.  So when Christmas 2012 arrives you will truly be able to celebrate God’s give to the world.

Christmas in July

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

This verse is certainly one that we all have heard to describe the birth of Jesus.  You see the scriptures in Luke are very similar to the verse from Isaiah.  So we can see that Christmas did not begin in Bethlehem.  Christmas is and always has been about gifts and the most perfect gift is Jesus Christ our savior.  No, Christmas Love originated in the heart of God.  God was telling Abraham about Christmas in

 

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Christmas was not an afterthought.  The Bible teaches for God so loved the world and that has always been the key.  Christmas love was directed toward the needs of man.  Paul tells us this in:

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Yes that wonderful little baby boy that Mary carried and held and loved is God’s gift to the world.  Jesus Christ is truly the gift that keeps on giving and that is why it is so appropriate to celebrate Christmas in July.

Come back next as we continue with Christmas in July. 

Six Things About Giving

2Co 8:1-5 NASB  Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,  (2)  that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.  (3)  For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,  (4)  begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,  (5)  and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

Give Graciously

Paul was taking up an offering for the Christians in Jerusalem.  He wanted the church at Corinth to know how these people had given.  They were poor, but gave beyond their means.  They gave freely and wouldn’t take no for an answer.  The ultimate motivation for giving is the work of God’s grace in our lives.

Give Diligently

In spite of difficult circumstances, these people gave even when most would not have expected it.  In spite of financial limitations, they did found a way to give.

Give Joyfully

These people wanted to give.  If it hurts you to give, then don’t.

Give Generously

They gave beyond their power.

Give Proportionately

Paul is not asking the church at Corinth to give beyond their means.  What matters to the Lord is what‘s in your heart.  If we possess willing minds and generous hearts then the amount will work itself out.

Give Worshipfully

They did far more then Paul had hoped.  The first thing they gave was their selves to the Lord.  God was the priority in their lives.  This is why they wanted to do all they could for their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem.

Examine you giving habits.

Do you give reluctantly out of a sense of obligation?

Do you give exultantly, seizing the opportunity to share from your abundance?

Do you give expecting something in return?

Do you give because you have first given your whole heart to God?

We must always be a good a faithful steward of the things God has given us.