This past Sabbath, Pastor Catron gave a presentation on symbolism in common logos of today.
Being Aware of Who You Are Part 1
1 John 3:1-14
In verse 2, it says we shall be like Him. What does this mean? Who is being addressed? This particular letter was not addressed to any one group, but the specific use of the phrase little children denotes that at least it was addressed to believers of the faith in Christ Jesus. Also the fact of the author addressing the reader and himself as “sons of God” further validates this. Although we do not know specifics about what we will be like, when we see Him at the appointed time, we will know.
Verses 4-6 are very significant because they define what sin is. Sin is going against the law of God. What is the law of God? The 10 Commandments given at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17) Everything else a part from the 10 is commentary on the ten. The 10 are our basis and structure for what is right and wrong in the eyes of God.
Verses 7-9 say that we should not be deceived. A person who does righteously is righteous. If sin is the transgression of the law, then living out, practicing, and doing the law is what is defined as righteousness. If we sin (break the law) we are of Satan. This is why Christ was introduced to destroy the works of Satan (sin).
This message will continue next week…until then!
Abiding in God’s Will & Word for Your Life
John 15:1-7, Psalms 121, Psalms 127
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:1-7
Abiding in Jesus means who you use to be becomes what He is now. You must do his will the way He wants you to do it. You cannot do your own things in His name, and expect Him to approve of it. Abiding in him means doing things His way.
We are creatures of impatient nature. We are always wondering when Jesus is coming. Well, He’s coming whenever he gets ready! We must have patience in waiting for his move; dealing with situations that are out of our control; in getting whats for us. He will do what He will do, when He feels you are ready.
Many times we do things out of desperation, because of our impatience. Then we go back and blame God. You have to have patience. Patience works faith. In all thy getting, get an understanding. We need as Children of God to have patience. As you abide in Him, you will learn patience. When you ask God, when you study His word, when you pray before Him, He will see your diligence and make a way for you.
He is the vine. We get our knowledge and wisdom from Him, not our own understanding. So we should wait for him. Its easy to say you can wait…until an hour goes, a day goes, a week goes. Then you start stressing, sinning. Patience will give you wisdom.
Psalm 121
When we realize our help comes form the Lord, and we abide in Him, He will give us the strength we need to go through. If we stop stressing we can hear from God, if we stop worrying we can hear from God, if we give Him our problems and stop taking them back, He can resolve all things.
Psalm 127
If you think you can build the house of God, or build your ministry, then you are not allowing God in. Only He can build His own house, only He can lead you on how to build your ministry. A ministry can’t go anywhere unless he does it, your life can’t go anywhere unless He directs it. You have to abide in Him. If you aren’t abiding in the vine, you aren’t producing fruit, therefore you must be purged.
Abide in Jesus, be obedient to His will, and trust Him in faith.
How do you know that you love God? Send your response.
The Conflict of Your Christian Life
James 2:1-26, James 3:1-18
We constantly have some sort of conflict that takes place in our lives; jobs, neighbors, families, etc. As believers in Christ we are constantly conflicting. The Easter holiday is upon us, and as Christians we are conflicting with each other concerning whether or not Easter is a valid and biblical holiday to celebrate. On one end of the spectrum we believe Easter has direct ties to Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. On another end of the spectrum, we believe that Easter is steeped in extra biblical traditions that have infiltrated the biblical Feast days of Passover and Unleavened Bread. As believers, we have to get back to what is Biblical.
Who is a Christian, who isn’t a Christian? James 2:1-15 says we should not have respect of persons, yet we do. We should give the needy what they need, yet we don’t. If we have the necessities for ailing people, we should provide them. Yet, we’d rather pray that they get food, or clothes, when we have food and clothes ready to give to them. Then on the other hand, we turn around and ask God for something. Do you think He’ll give us what we’ve asked for if we can’t help the needy for necessities that we have readily? Further, do you think the person you are praying for will even turn their mind to think on Jesus? This becomes a conflict of your salvation and puts your compassion in question.
Faith without works is dead.
These two can not exist a part from on another. If you are a believer, then why are you doing things opposite of what a Child of God does? Here are a list of things that Christians may go through in their walk that cause them to have conflicts:
1) Christian behavior Romans 13
2) Sin Romans 6:1
3) To live holy or not, that is the question, James 2:1-26, 3:1-18, James 4:1-17
4) Flesh and spirit, Romans 8:1,2,4-14
5) The voice of Jesus, People have conflict with this because they can’t determine if its Jesus or not talking to them. Matthew 16:17, John 10:27, Act 9:1-18, Job 1-7
6) Lust, James 1:14-15, Ephesians 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:22, Titus 3:1-4, James 4: 1-10
7) To pray or not to pray, Matthew 6:7, Mark 11:24, Luke 18:1, Luke 22:40-46, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
The word conflict means war or clash. The greek word for conflict is athlesis, which means a combat, struggle or fight.
Peace Breakers and Promise Shakers
Peace Breakers
Psalms 12:1-8
Peace: A state of calm and quiet, freedom from disturbing thoughts or emotions. The hebrew word for peace is Shalom.
Shalom means complete welfare and health.
The verb of the word Shalom is Shelem which means to be complete, and sound.
In 1 Kings 9:25, there is a display of a peace offering up to God. This was shalam. Shalam means to make peace. Proverbs 16:7 has an example of this as well.
Christ came not send peace on this earth but a sword as in Matthew 10:34. Jesus is concerned about our personal peace because through individual peace does one obtain unified peace. Before individual peace can take place you must first rebuke those things that cause you not to have peace. In Mark 4:39, Christ rebuked the wind and sea and it stopped.Then you need to operate the same as Christ did against all situations that come your way to disturb your peace. You need to tell that situation to be at peace. You have to, in your mind, look at that situation and speak peace and calmness into it. Your making up scenarios in your own mind of things that haven’t even happened, causing your inner being to be at war with itself. Sometimes you just have to say “mind be quite, be still, be at peace.” Christ will rush in and stop the chaos right then and there.
Ephesians 2:14, “for he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” The second chapter of Ephesians talks about being at peace. God is our help, our glory, and our need…HE IS. When you are in your moments alone, ask yourself, why am I going thorugh all these thoughts in my mind? Because your not at peace. You are at peace when your mind is stayed on Christ. But when your on every situation you can’t reslove by your own power, you’ll allways be worried, fearful, and upset.
Philippians 4:6-7, “be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Promise Shakers
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” There are people who like to shake your world, but as in Hebrews 12:26-27, we’re reminded that no matter how people treat us, no matter what people say should not shake us. Because the world is coming to an end, that should not shake you. If that disturbs you, you need to sitt back and think about where you are in Christ. We can not be soon shaken by what people say, how they receive us, or whether they love us, or for any situation.
Promise means a pledge to do or not to do. The greek word for promise is epan-gelia. It is a law term which denotes a summons. Shake means to move or cause to move or disturb emotionally. There are people who will distrub you emotionally and mentally, and take your peace. By taking your peace they disturb your relationship with God. The author of the confusion of peace is Satan; You will be moving yourself in to his realm, therby enabling him to cause others to destroy your peace and your relationship with God. You need to watch where and what you place your attention and emotions on. Fear will cause your peace to be distrubed, anger will cause your peace to be distrubed. Satans main job is to cause you to loose it and delay God’s promise for your life.
Always be reminded of Hebrews 12:14, “follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”