Get in the Game!

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." ~ Teddy Roosevelt

Sensing the Spirit’s Movement

Jonathan Edwards said, "The task of every generation is to discover in which direction the sovereign Redeemer is moving, then move in that direction."

1 Chronicles 12:32 says, “The sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.”

How to be Blessed

Hearing God minus Obedience equals Deceived (James 1:22)

Hearing God minus Obedience equals Danger (Matthew 7:24-27)

Hearing God plus Obedience equals Blessed (John 13:17)

Consider the shallowness of saying, “I went to church today.” Making this claim sounds like the summon bonum is church attendance. While attending a place of worship is certainly desirable, let us acknowledge that merely hearing a sermon is not enough. In fact, if once listens to a Bible-based message without putting it into practice they are kidding themselves and putting themselves at risk.

Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

God’s word should be put into our minds and mouths, and then into put into action!

Staying Enthused in Your Impossible Ministry

According to 1 Peter 5 a preacher, in addition to standing up front and presiding, is to simultaneously do two things

  1. Take care of the people of God, this is the essence of a pastor

    • The flock near you

  2. Keep an eye on the big things, a guardian, keeper, this is the meaning of overseer

    • Watch out for danger

    • Guide them to good pastures

Peter then instructed the pastors how to do the impossible task of service and leadership, being a helper and a leader.

  1. Show enthusiasm (willingly and eagerly). But how can I be passionate? Remember the following:

    • We serve the the flock that belongs to God

    • We serve the church that was purchased with the blood of Jesus, Acts 20:24

    • We serve the church where the Holy Spirit has appointed us

    • We serve the church for which we will be judged

  2. Set the example

    • Good shepherds lead from the front

    • We are to serve the church like Jesus serves us, 1 Peter 2:25

Conclusion

  • We have a divine calling

  • We have a divine stewardship

  • We will have a divine judgment

  • We have divine inspiration

Four Ways to Feel Good about Yourself

Matthew 3 ends with the Heavenly Father announcing, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus probably felt good about Himself. He had been baptized and was about to launch His public ministry. Then in chapter 4 the devil came crashing in with his temptations. Here are four ways to feel good about yourself, three devilish and one divine.

  1. PLEASURES, v 3

  2. POWER, v 6

  3. POSSESSIONS, v 8-9

  4. PROMISES, v 17

Worldly substitutes are short-lived (1 John 2:16-17). Jesus rejected the devil’s temptation. He knew the best and most enduring way to feel good about oneself is take God at His word and believe what He has said about you.