It’s a Mad Mad World!

It’s a Mad Mad World!

2004046

Topic # 1233

Introduction:

A. Christians must become totally dedicated to a change existence.

1. We must choose God. Must seek to be imitators of Him. Eph. 5:1\

a) God must become a powerful, consuming, “every moment” influence in our life!

2. We must change the way we think, feel, act, words, etc.

3. Eph. 4:30 – Don’t grieve the Spirit.

a) In other words – we must encourage God’s presence in our lives – not give God grief by the things we think, say, do.

b) 4:17-29 – practical instructions on how not to grieve the spirit.

B. 1 Thess. 5:19 – Don’t quench the Spirit.

1. ‘Quench” used in connection w/a person putting out a fire.

a) If we DSG – we will b/c an increasingly godly person.

b) Paul…it is possible for us to resist God to the point that we make his influence upon us impossible.

2. We might classify 5:16-22 in this way – do the kinds of things that help you grow closer to God.

3. We’re not our own.

4. Through the word, God can influence us to grow closer and closer to God.

5. The key – is maintaining our “want to” to where this carries over outside the church.

C. Where we run into problem – separate secular from the spiritual.

1. As long as we go to church – we tend to separate the rest of our lives from the religious part.

2. Danger of living 2 lives is real!

3. How to avoid? How to set the best possible example out in the world?

I. Remember Who You Are!

A. We’ve been purchased w/a price! 1 Peter 1:18-19

1. You are a Christian – you have clothed yourself w/Christ. Gal. 3:26-27

2. You made a public confession of faithfulness!

a) 1 Tim. 6:12-14

b) Confession is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment that Jesus is Lord, but a commitment to accept His Lordship!

4. We place ourselves on record – before witnesses – that we intend to be true to Jesus!

B. Rev. 2:13 – Antipas – my witness, my faithful one.

1. This man willing to die – rather than renounce his testimony & be unfaithful to what he confessed!

2. To be successful on the job, in the community, at school, we must work to develop this kind of faith!

C. Paul spoke of obedience to our confession – 2 Cor. 9:13

1. Heb. 4:14; 10:23 – Hebrew writer speaks of holding fast our confession.

D. People are always looking for hypocrisy in the Christian to justify their own behavior.

II. Watch what you say.

A. Perhaps the easiest way to “slip up.”

1. Eph. 4:29 – a commandment from the HS.

2. Speak in a way that edifies – not tear down.

3. Do we speak well of others? Do we keep our mouths shut when necessary?

4. Do we work to control gossip? Or assume the worst in people?

B. Col. 4:6 – need to know how to respond to each person.

1. Got a person that presses your buttons?

2. Think in advance as to how you respond. Preparing your mind/discipline can work wonders!

C. Js. 3:1-12 – requires constant effort.

III. Keep a lid on your anger!

A. Eph. 4:26 – be angry and do not sin.

1. Few things are harder to deal with, excused so often, or lead us to sin quicker – than a feeling of anger.

2. Anger can stay in one’s heart and can affect joy/health.

3. Damages influence – Christians failure to control anger on job, at school, has turned many away from Christ.

B. So when wronged – return good for what you think is evil.

1. Hard – but Rom. 12:21 speaks to us. Use time of strife not as an opportunity to sin – but as a time to glorify Jesus!

2. Which way He more glorified? Lashing out? Good example?

C. Js. 1:25 – expend effort on your part to get the problem dealt with.

1. Don’t just talk about it.

2. Do it – no matter how painful.

3. Remember God’s way is the best way to handle this.

IV. Respect those who have authority over you.

A. Christian has responsibility to honor all men – 1 Peter 2:17

1. Eph. 6:5-8 – applies today in the work relationship.

2. Applies to those in the classroom.

3. Need to do what is expected of us.

4. Need to do our job w/o complaining or whining.

B. Back talk; disloyalty is not behavior befitting a Christian! Titus 2:9-10

C. Must cast off the spirit of criticism & fault finding at school & in the work place.

1. Do not pursue an adversarial relationship!

D. Eph. 6:9 – a message to those in authority.

V. Move with humility.

A. World at large is selfish. You can stand miles above others by living with humility.

1. Phil. 2:1-5

2. Rom. 12:16

B. Mt. 5:3 – Jesus taught about the need for humility.

C. Seeking God increases our humility.

1. Not that we draw attention to ourselves – but that we learn to depend upon God.

2. 1 Peter 5:5-7

Conclusion:

A. We can set a great example for Jesus!

1. Mt. 5:14-16

2. You can do a great job DSG outside the church building!

B. Don’t separate the spiritual from the secular!

C. Don’t live two lives!

1. Don’t grieve the Spirit – Eph. 4:28. Don’t quench the Spirit – 1 Thess. 5:19

2. Do the kind of things that help you grow closer to God!



It’s a Mad Mad World! 2004046 Topic # 1233 Introduction: A. Christians must become totally dedicated to a change existence. 1. We must choose God. Must seek to be imitators of Him. Eph. 5:1\ a) God must become a powerful, consuming, “every moment” influence in our life! 2. We must change the way we think, feel, act, words, etc. 3. Eph. 4:30 – Don’t grieve the Spirit. a) In other words – we must encourage God’s presence in our lives – not give God grief by the things we think, say, do. b) 4:17-29 – practical instructions on how not to grieve the spirit. B. 1 Thess. 5:19 – Don’t quench the Spirit. 1. ‘Quench” used in connection w/a person putting out a fire. a) If we DSG – we will b/c an increasingly godly person. b) Paul…it is possible for us to resist God to the point that we make his influence upon us impossible. 2. We might classify 5:16-22 in this way – do the kinds of things that help you grow closer to God. 3. We’re not our own. 4. Through the word, God can influence us to grow closer and closer to God. 5. The key – is maintaining our “want to” to where this carries over outside the church. C. Where we run into problem – separate secular from the spiritual. 1. As long as we go to church – we tend to separate the rest of our lives from the religious part. 2. Danger of living 2 lives is real! 3. How to avoid? How to set the best possible example out in the world? I. Remember Who You Are! A. We’ve been purchased w/a price! 1 Peter 1:18-19 1. You are a Christian – you have clothed yourself w/Christ. Gal. 3:26-27 2. You made a public confession of faithfulness! a) 1 Tim. 6:12-14 b) Confession is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment that Jesus is Lord, but a commitment to accept His Lordship! 4. We place ourselves on record – before witnesses – that we intend to be true to Jesus! B. Rev. 2:13 – Antipas – my witness, my faithful one. 1. This man willing to die – rather than renounce his testimony & be unfaithful to what he confessed! 2. To be successful on the job, in the community, at school, we must work to develop this kind of faith! C. Paul spoke of obedience to our confession – 2 Cor. 9:13 1. Heb. 4:14; 10:23 – Hebrew writer speaks of holding fast our confession. D. People are always looking for hypocrisy in the Christian to justify their own behavior. II. Watch what you say. A. Perhaps the easiest way to “slip up.” 1. Eph. 4:29 – a commandment from the HS. 2. Speak in a way that edifies – not tear down. 3. Do we speak well of others? Do we keep our mouths shut when necessary? 4. Do we work to control gossip? Or assume the worst in people? B. Col. 4:6 – need to know how to respond to each person. 1. Got a person that presses your buttons? 2. Think in advance as to how you respond. Preparing your mind/discipline can work wonders! C. Js. 3:1-12 – requires constant effort. III. Keep a lid on your anger! A. Eph. 4:26 – be angry and do not sin. 1. Few things are harder to deal with, excused so often, or lead us to sin quicker – than a feeling of anger. 2. Anger can stay in one’s heart and can affect joy/health. 3. Damages influence – Christians failure to control anger on job, at school, has turned many away from Christ. B. So when wronged – return good for what you think is evil. 1. Hard – but Rom. 12:21 speaks to us. Use time of strife not as an opportunity to sin – but as a time to glorify Jesus! 2. Which way He more glorified? Lashing out? Good example? C. Js. 1:25 – expend effort on your part to get the problem dealt with. 1. Don’t just talk about it. 2. Do it – no matter how painful. 3. Remember God’s way is the best way to handle this. IV. Respect those who have authority over you. A. Christian has responsibility to honor all men – 1 Peter 2:17 1. Eph. 6:5-8 – applies today in the work relationship. 2. Applies to those in the classroom. 3. Need to do what is expected of us. 4. Need to do our job w/o complaining or whining. B. Back talk; disloyalty is not behavior befitting a Christian! Titus 2:9-10 C. Must cast off the spirit of criticism & fault finding at school & in the work place. 1. Do not pursue an adversarial relationship! D. Eph. 6:9 – a message to those in authority. V. Move with humility. A. World at large is selfish. You can stand miles above others by living with humility. 1. Phil. 2:1-5 2. Rom. 12:16 B. Mt. 5:3 – Jesus taught about the need for humility. C. Seeking God increases our humility. 1. Not that we draw attention to ourselves – but that we learn to depend upon God. 2. 1 Peter 5:5-7 Conclusion: A. We can set a great example for Jesus! 1. Mt. 5:14-16 2. You can do a great job DSG outside the church building! B. Don’t separate the spiritual from the secular! C. Don’t live two lives! 1. Don’t grieve the Spirit – Eph. 4:28. Don’t quench the Spirit – 1 Thess. 5:19 2. Do the kind of things that help you grow closer to God!