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FBC QUIZ: WHAT IS A WORD IN THE BIBLE THAT MOST CHRISTIANS LIKE TO HEAR? . “YOU ARE….”. “BLESSED” . WHAT IS ANOTHER WORD IN THE BIBLE THAT MANY CHRISTIANS LIKE TO HEAR? . “YOU WILL…”. “PROSPER” . THE BLESSED MAN . PSALM 1. Walk..stand..sit in the seat of mockers.
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FBC QUIZ: WHAT IS A WORD IN THE BIBLE THAT MOST CHRISTIANS LIKE TO HEAR? “YOU ARE….”
WHAT IS ANOTHER WORD IN THE BIBLE THAT MANY CHRISTIANS LIKE TO HEAR? “YOU WILL…”
THE BLESSED MAN PSALM 1
…his delight is in the law of the Lord… • Walk..stand..sit in the seat of mockers.
…his delight is in the law of the Lord… …like a tree planted by streams of water… • Walk..stand..sit in the seat of mockers.
…his delight is in the law of the Lord… …like a tree planted by streams of water… • Walk..stand..sit in the seat of mockers. • Like chaff that the wind blows away.
…his delight is in the law of the Lord… …like a tree planted by streams of water… • Walk..stand..sit in the seat of mockers. • Like chaff that the wind blows away. • ..the wicked will not stand in the judgment…
…his delight is in the law of the Lord… …like a tree planted by streams of water… …the Lord watches over the way of the righteous • Walk..stand..sit in the seat of mockers • Like chaff that the wind blows away • ..the wicked will not stand in the judgment…
A PSALM OF CONTRAST WAY OF LIFE 1 WAY OF LIFE 2 …his delight is in the law of the Lord… …like a tree planted by streams of water… …the Lord watches over the way of the righteous • Walk..stand..sit in the seat of mockers • Like chaff that the wind blows away. • ..the wicked will not stand in the judgment…
THE BIBLE-A BOOK OF CONTRAST WAY OF LIVING 1 WAY OF LIVING 2 SHEEP NARROW ROAD NARROW GATE BAD TREE/BAD FRUIT WHEAT BAD FISH SEED ON BAD SOIL • GOATS • BROAD ROAD • WIDE GATE • GOOD TREE/GOOD FRUIT • WEEDS • GOOD FISH • SEED ON GOOD SOIL
Popular view of being a “Christian” • It’s ok to be a nominal “Christian”. • So long we do occasional good “deeds” for God, we can live any way we want. • We have too many issues in our lives to be able to be “good Christians”.
Common understanding of the parable of the Sower ( Matt 13v1-23 ) • There are 4 types of soil. • They describe 3 types of Christians, and 1 type of non-Christian. • You can be a “shallow Christian” ( rocky soil ), a “worrying Christian” ( soil with thorns ) or an ideal Christian ( good soil ).
Parable of the Sower (Matt 13v1-23) has only 2 types of soil. Bad soil Good soil Seed that fell on good soil which produces a crop • Seed sown along the path • Seed that fell on rocky places • Seed that fell among the thorns
There are only 2 ways to live. Which way are we living?
Blessed are we when we choose to live in a way that pleases God
WHAT IS A WORD IN THE BIBLE THAT MOST CHRISTIANS DON’T LIKE TO HEAR? “YOU MUST..”
“OBEY” “FOR WHAT I DO IS NOT THE GOOD I WANT TO DO; NO, THE EVIL I DO NOT WANT TO DO- THIS I KEEP ON DOING” ( APOSTLE PAUL, ROMANS 7V19 )
CONTRASTING AND DEEPENING EMPHASIS Verse 1b Verse 3 A tree planted by streams of water Yields its fruits in season Whose leaf does not wither. • Walkin the counsel of the wicked • Stand in the way of sinners • Sit in the seat of mockers.
LEARN LOVE
LEARN LOVE OBEY
LEARN GOD’S WORD. LOVE GOD’S WORD. OBEY IT’S EASIER THEN TO GOD.
TO GROW AS CHRISTIANS…. • Takes TIME ( like a tree -v3a ) • Develop deep roots to tap on God’s strength (we need streams of living water-v3a ) • Be fruitful for God, even though there will be periods of barrenness (v3b) • Persevere and do not wither, let our vitality be evident through the seasons of life (v3c)
PROSPERS “WHATEVER HE DOES PROSPERS…” ( PSALM 1v3b )
Blessed are we when our lives prosper and are successful for God. • A tree prospers as a tree. • A Christian prospers as a Christian. • Are we prospering for righteousness or for ungodliness?
Are we prospering as… • Soldiers for His Kingdom • Ambassadors for Christ • Members of a Royal Priesthood • Stewards of God’s assets
Or are we prospering as… • Businessmen • Corporate movers and shakers • Respected people in society/church • Secured retirees enjoying the good life • Contented middle class indifferent people
We are prosperous and successful when…. • We don’t let the world’s definition of success influence us ( “they are like chaff that the wind blows away”, v4 ) • Despite our circumstances we strive to prosper and be successful for God ( “ ..leaf does not wither”, v3c ) • We are aware of how we can be a blessing for God’s Kingdom ( “..yields it’s fruit in season”,v3b )
WE CAN MISS OUT ON PROSPERING FOR GOD DUE TO OUR OWN PRIDE AND STUBORNESS. “”I thought that he would surely come out to me..call on the name of the Lord…and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel?” ( Naaman, angry with Elisha over how the prophet proposed to cure him of leprosy. 2 Kings 5v11-12)
GOD’S WILL IS FOR US TO ALSO SEEK THE PROSPERITY OF THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN, DESPITE SOME OF OUR GRIEVENCES. “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the City to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29v7
THE CHURCH IS MADE UP OF DIFFERENT TREES BY STREAMS OF LIVING WATER
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