The Love Series (others centered)

I think if there is one thing that kills our Christian love, it's gotta be selfishness. Selfishness quenches and sometimes extinguishes the fire of God's love in our lives. Someone has said that, "Selfishness is putting your self first while stepping on another." When Paul was writing to the Philippians he told them, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Phil 2:3, 4 Oh, how important it is to put God first, others second, and ourselves last. Imagine how much of an impact we would have on the world? We would literally turn the world up side down. God in his great love for us was willing to send His only begotten Son to the world to die on the cross for us. That was love in the greatest of ways. God wants us to show that same kind of love. A love that is marked with humility and obedience. God help us, to be a Church who is willing to put others before our own lives. If we do this, we will no doubt show the God kind of love to the world around us.

The Love Series (lasting)

Many people today are looking for love in all the wrong places. They look to money, fame, relationships in an attempt to find lasting happiness, or lasting love. The problem with that is that it doesn't last. It is only a temporary fix to an even bigger problem. God's love is a lot different than our love. Love that comes from man is often based on what someone does for you. Most people will love as long as someone is giving them something in return. God's love is the opposite. God's love is not dependent on what we do, but rather what he did. Romans 5:8 says that, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Love that is lasting has to start with God. Because God is love. God's agape love is sacrificial and the kind of love that we need in our life.

The Christian that's Content

Someone has said that, "Contentment is a state of the heart wherein we are fully satisfied in the Lord and His goodness." Contentment for many believer's is the un-fought battle. Many Christians don't view contentment as important and think that its no big deal. Nothing can be further from the truth. When Paul was writing to Timothy he said, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." 1Tim6:6 Contentment is great gain because it produces a trust and satisfaction with all that the Lord has given to you. Now, godliness without contentment isn't really godliness. If a person has a godly attitude than there will be an automatic contentment that is expressed in the life they are living. Paul himself from a Roman prison said that he had learned in whatever state he was in to be content. Can you and I say that today?

Cheated

Have you ever been cheated? Years ago, I was invited to attend a home bible study with a couple of guys. I felt honored and privileged to be invited to this study and gladly welcomed the invitation. As the leader began to teach I noticed that he was emphasizing too much on works. Was this legalism? I thought. Oh yeah, it was definitely legalism and even me as a baby Christian knew that something was wrong. At the end of the study he began to tell me that I wasn't really a disciple of Jesus Christ. I said, Now wait a minute, I love Jesus Christ and I have freely received His salvation! Well, I walked away that night not feeling like I wasn't believer, but feeling like I had been cheated. Someone has said that, "legalism is a lie, that comes like a law, that leads to lifelessness." That is exactly what I witnessed that night. The Apostle Paul writing to the Colossian Church said, "Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility" Col 2:18 When someone tries to come at you and question your salvation. Remember, that you have been justified freely by His grace!!!

Possition Problems

One of the most common problems in our Churches today is the attempt to try to earn a leadership position. People love the idea of being in charge and having some kind of recognition from others. People will come knocking on the Pastor's door explaining to him how skilled they are at playing the guitar, teaching a bible study, and preaching a sermon. I don't recall ever hearing of someone telling the Pastor how skilled they are at cleaning the Church facility, folding bulletins, or taking out the Churches trash. This is because most people would like to hurdle over everyone else in order to get to the front of the line. Someone has said that. "Before you give a man the podium, you should first give him the plunger." I would have to agree with that. Jesus said, "if anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." God's church needs more humble servants. The work of God needs to get done without pride dwelling in the hearts of His people. God help us to remember the words of our Lord, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."