Sunday, November 25, 2012

Contentment

Philippians 4.4-13

How to be content

Many pursue this all their lives and never attain it.
Very challenging in Philippi and on Long Island today as well as many places on the earth.
Tool of advertisers to make us feel the lack of it.
Living among a consumer driven culture and the rabble can affect us.
Our own sinful nature can come through in envy and jealousy.

Contentment

Not to be confused with complacency.
Holy discontent not bad, by itself discontentment is a miserable dead end, it is a terminal disease of the soul if not directly dealt with. It eats away the good things and finds companionship with the bad.

What is contentment?
*sufficient for one's self, strong enough or possessing enough to need no aid or support. The ability to stand alone. Not needing things to prop me up.
*independent of external circumstances
*at peace and accepting one's lot, with one's means, though the slenderest. Explains why poor people can be the most content.


How do I become and remain content?

1. Rejoice Always
In the LORD
He will never leave you.
Your name is written down in heaven.
Jesus Never Fails!
Lit. Be exceedingly glad / inappropriately cheerful

Independent of external circumstances- Look for the good in the adversity, the pain. Look for the rainbow in the storm. Dance in the rain!
Thomas Edison's factory fire.

Thomas Edison's laboratory was virtually destroyed by fire in December, 1914. Although the damage exceeded $2 million, the buildings were only insured for $238,000 because they were made of concrete and thought to be fireproof.
Much of Edison's life's work went up in spectacular flames that December night. At the height of the fire, Edison's 24-year old son, Charles, frantically searched for his father among the smoke and debris.
He finally found him, calmly watching the scene, his face glowing in the reflection, his white hair blowing in the wind.
"My heart ached for him," said Charles.
"He was 67 - no longer a young man - and everything was going up in flames. When he saw me, he shouted, "Charles, where's your mother?"
When I told him I didn't know, he said, "Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives."
The headlines the next day read:
EDISON SEES HIS VAST PLANT BURN; Inventor and Wife Direct Salvage Work as Ten Buildings Go in $7,000,000 Fire. Explosion in Film Factory at 5:20 o'Clock Followed by Others as Blaze Sweeps On. All of 7,000 Employes to Report Today and Rebuilding to Begin.


We long for perfection because we were created in God's image. We live with imperfection because of sin in the world. In our current situation rejoicing always is therapeutic! One day perfection will come!
Romans 8.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons,

I Corinthians 13.9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears




2. Be Gentle Outwardly
Keep your mouth shut.
Keep your heart in tune with Jesus. Gentle Shepherd
Keep your focus on God's Kingdom.


3. Do Not Worry About Anything.
To be troubled with cares
Jesus told us not to worry about food and clothing. Paul adds anything.

We have to cast our cares upon Christ or we will be troubled by them.


4. Pray About Everything
WithThanksgiving!
when we come before God in the hour of trouble, remembering his great goodness to us in the past, and therefore thanking him, we ought to have faith enough to believe that the present trouble, about which we are praying, is sent in love.

God's peace
Transcends all understanding
Guarding hearts
Guarding minds
In Christ Jesus


5. Think Wholesomely.
The joy of a good conscience.
The gladness of God's just.

6. Live Realistically
Know what it means to live in plenty
Know what it means to live in want

7. Remember where your strength comes from!


V.13 endynamoō
Psalm121 The Whole Psalm

So many blessings
Such grateful hearts
Contentment with godliness is great gain.



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks

Because of strep throat and all its symptoms I was not able to conduct the Thanksgiving Service last evening at our church. While I am still wobbly this morning this has not diminished my gratitude one iota!

Like many holidays, Thanksgiving evokes memories in my heart as far back as I can remember. One of those memories are when our church fed the homeless of our community. This was long before the Main Street area became the place to eat with all sorts of restaurants. Back 20 years ago it resembled a bombed out area, with many street people and people just getting by. A group from our church would put on an extraordinary dinner each year. Other churches helped. One of those, Calvary Chapel, now carries on this work in their area. Last year over 2,000 people were fed a hot turkey dinner.

I remember my Dad being home on that Day. Even though he went to heaven a few months ago, the memory of that man, his love for his family, his God and his country and life itself remain very much in our hearts.

In my life over the past 8 years, new places have to e set around our table. Our family is growing. How thankful I am for my grandchildren!

I'm thankful that the LORD called me to be a pastor. I enjoy serving Him and His flock in this way. Over thirty years ago, in a little upstate church, a lady named Lee Milligan, put together a food pounding for my family forThanksgiving. While she and many of those dear folks are with Dad in heaven today, that act of love still resounds in my heart and mind.

May each of you have a very blessed Thanksgiving! May you make some wonderful memories! God bless you!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Being Thankful For The Greatest Blessing



Philippians 3.20-21

Phone call from Jay Bergers this week, his prayer, thankful for our family, for God's family, for good health, but more than anything that we know You Jesus!

Our country's heritage has in it a Day dedicated to giving thanks to the LORD God Almighty.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. We give thanks for our country today and pray that God might heal its every flaw.

Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of the heavenly lights (James 1.17)
As we sang this morning, knowing you Jesus, there is no greater thing!
There are so many blessings associated with knowing Jesus!
We only have time to look at a few this morning.

As we thank God for His Indescribable Gift, let us be thankful that as believers in Christ Jesus:

1. Our Citizenship is in Heaven.

We have been born from above. It is now our home country.

Our names are written down there!

Politeuma Grk word, politics are at the forefront of the news. Jesus is LORD! This world is not our home.

We belong to heaven. Our actions should reflect where our citizenship is.
We are getting ready for heaven.
That is our goal.


2. We Eagerly Await A Savior From There.

Look for.
Look up! Luke 21.28

Expect. Looking for Jesus to come soon.
We purify ourselves. I John 3.3

With the turmoil in the Middle East (God's Time clock) we realize that the LORD foretold this, our hope is in Him.


3. He Will Bring Everything Under His Control.
He is control. Sin still rampant.
He does ride out His purposes on sin's results.
Ex/ grief group, Hurricane Sandy, erc.
Be careful not to share this with others this before they have discovered it themselves.

Maybe you are down this morning over the situation in the nation or the world. Things seem out of control? He will bring everything under His control!

4. We Shall be Like Him!
One Day!
I John 3.2
Soon.
Revelation 22.20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!






Sunday, November 11, 2012

Working Out your Salvation



Philippians 2.12-13

Working out your salvation, the ongoing work of God's Spirit within these jars of clay, these earthen vessels.

Working out your salvation. Each of us has a path to Christ and a personal walk with the LORD after salvation that obviously needs attention. In fact so much that we are to do it with fear and trembling! We all have dark sides to our souls which need restoration. We all have had similar experiences and at the same time unique experiences which are ours alone.

Working out your salvation is the most important thing you can do. It concerns me that many people who say they are Christians are not giving it the priority it deserves... That their walk with Christ is so fruitless and they don't seem to be bothered by it.

What does it mean to work out your salvation with fear and trembling?


1. Obedience to Christ
Following His Spirit, being led by the Spirit. Romans 8.12-14
Keeping in step with His Spirit. Galatians 5.25
Living By the Spirit Galatians 5.16

This is an inner surrender.
Often difficult, always rewarding.

Obedience is sweet.
Obedience is peace.
Obedience is joyful.

Continuing to love the LORD with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself. This will be going on until we meet Jesus.


2. With Fear and Trembling
Work= bring it to completion
Consider what is at stake! We are talking eternity here. We are talking destiny. How horribly entangled one can get caught up in current events, in the worries and cares which have not a wit to do with eternity, with those besetting sins.

Work out your own salvation: What Paul does mean is he calls the Philippians to put forth real effort into their Christians lives. This is not to work their salvation in the sense of accomplishing it, but to work out their salvation - to see it evident in every area of their lives, to activate this salvation God freely gave them.
“The believer must finish, must carry to conclusion, must apply to its fullest consequences what is already given by God in principle . . . He must work out what God in His grace has worked in.” (Muller)


3. Allowing God To Do His Work in You.
Cooperating with the LORD
Illus- Dr. Prescribing medicine. We must cooperate by taking it.
What has God prescribed for us?
Reading His Word
Books of Substance Paul to Timothy, "bring me the parchments."
II Timothy 4.13
Encourage us
Challenge us
to take risks, to be daring, to humble us, talk to people, Stephanie, the medical student. Peter, the man looking for a job in Burger King Thursday morning. We need to be around other believers but we need to engage lost souls. Souls for whom Christ died. Tony, at Peter Pan this week.
It is God Who gives me the desires, and then the capacity to fulfill the desires.

Spurgeon:
If I meet with any man who says, "I have no need to examine my self any more, I know I am saved, and therefore have no need to take any further care," I would venture to say to him, "Sir, you are lost already. This strong delusion of yours has led you to believe a lie." There are none so cautious as those who possess full assurance, and there are none who have so much holy fear of sinning against God, nor who walk so tenderly and carefully as those who possess the full assurance of faith. Presumption is not assurance, though, alas! many think so. No fully assured believer will ever object to being reminded of the importance of his own salvation and the need to continue to work it out.

The Author of souls is the Author of our salvation. He is the only One Who can speak peace and help us. God is the Enabler. It is His work alone.
To live more like Christ.
Use every effort! Labor earnestly with meticulous reverence.


Obey the LORD. Pray, Search me O God.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Allow God to complete His work in you.
God help us to be faithful.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

God Speaks In The Storm

God Speaks In The Storm

Psalm 29

A fascinating Psalm, written by David
David was a lover of nature. This Psalm speaks of the destructive force nature can unleash. We saw this in Hurricane Sandy.

What is God's Word saying?

1. The LORD God Almighty is powerful. vs.4, 7-9

Breaks the cedars of Lebanon. Last night I brought a turkey breast that had thawed out to my daughter's, Theresa, home for her to cook. We had a mini Thanksgiving Dinner! Sort if a precursor to the Day we celebrate in 3 1/2 weeks. My son-in-law was a Boy Scout. He made a fire pit in their yard with some beautiful stones that he got from a job south of Montauk Highway. He had Tristan and bring him wood from the wood shed he built in the back yard. He split some of these pieces into smaller ones to use as a base. There was oak and a beautiful lighter wood with a familiar fragrance. It was cedar! Solomon used the cedar of Lebanon in building the temple. They brought them into the port  of Joppa then hauled them across the Plain of Sharon and up into the Judean hills to Jerusalem. I told my grandson how wonderful God was in providing wood for us to enjoy, even in making fire! No record of cooking until after the fall of man but God is so powerful,  He provided in His creation, the ability for us to cook! He is the LORD God Almighty!

2. The LORD God is in control. v.10
Over the remnants if the storm!
I love the relief efforts the church, the people of God are doing. Our denomination, independent churches (Kevin Henesy), Samaritan's Purse here.

Over heaven and earth forever!

3. The LORD God is with us. v.11
Strength
Blesses us with peace

There are special blessings for those who are here this morning.