Psalm 127:4
A powerfull warior of God always walks in obedience.
1 Samuel 15:22 says; "To obey is better than sacrifice"
Obedience in the Bible is threefold;
1. Obey God before anything else
2. Obey God's institution on earth (The church and its leaders, The family unit and the headship of the family as God instituted)
3. Obey civil leaders and laws.
If we want our arrows to hit the target of obedience, there are four things we must do;
1. Practice
2. Work hard
3. Be determined
4. concentration on the target which is obedience
A bow and arrows were used in this messege for illustration purposes:
1. The bow represents the power of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.
2. The sights on the bow represent vision.
3. The arrows represent the purpose of God.
4. The quiver where the warrior keeps the arrows represents the heart where the purposes of God are kept.
(Selected obedience is not obedience at all but convenience)
#1. The arrow of truth
(Psalm 91:4) "He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler."
· Truth protects us from the attacks of the enemy;
· It protects us from accusations
· It protects us from slander or anyone pointing the finger at us.
· The worst testimony that a Christian can have is being a lyre
· We are encouraged in the scriptures to seek Gods truth (Psalm. 25:5), David said; "Lead me in the truth and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation
The Knight's Pledge; In a book about the knights of
· This is a great motto for the Christian? He must live a pure life, which means a holy one;
· He must speak the truth and do what he can to right conditions that are wrong.
· And above all, he must follow the King, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Truth is a concept for which the ot has no distinct word.
The word generally used means 'constant, permanent, faithful, reliable.
· People are admonished to judge truly, and the lack of truth is lamented,
· "WE ARE TO ALWAYS SPEAK TRUTH"
- When something or someone is true it will stand up under testing
Jesus said;" If you nabide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. 32And you shall know the otruth, and pthe truth shall make you free."[1]
- This freedom doesn't come from intellectual knowledge or from anything that we can acquire in the earth but from having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
------------ What are the Effects of truth in the Christian life?
#1. Truth makes us free. John 8:31, 32. Jesus said to all those that believed; "IF YOU ABIDE IN MY WORD YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES INDEED. AND YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE"
#2. Sanctification LOOK AT John 17:17-19
#3. Purification of our souls 1 Pet.
#4. We are established by the truth. Eph.
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#2. The arrow of Faith and trust- Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel."
What is the difference between Fact and Faith? "That you are sitting before me in this church,", "is fact. That I am standing, speaking from this pulpit, is fact. But it is only faith that makes me believe anyone is listening."
· The object of saving faith is revealed Word of God. One accepts what the word of God says by faith and is saved by it.
· The special act of faith which unites to Christ has as its object the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John
Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil.
· When something is true. It can be trusted
· Our salvation depends in our trust that the word of God is true.
· That He is who He is and that what He says about His Son is true.
- Faith is the result of hearing the word of God. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God".
- Faith includes the act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding. You cannot say that you have faith and not act on it because than it becomes dead faith.
· The natural man makes decisions based on what feels and seems right. This leads to death.
· The spiritual man on the other hand basis his decisions on what the word of God says regardless of the consequences.
#3. The arrow of stewardship(LUKE
"Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food 8in due season? 43Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 kTruly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has." 4[2]
A family sat down at the dinner table following church one Sunday.
"The sermon was boring today," said the teenage son.
"Yeah, could you believe how the pastor stumbled over the reading of the Scripture?" said the sister.
"I've got to admit it was not touched at all," said Mother. "The worship team was horrible."
Finally, the father, showing his leadership, said, "Hush, you guys. Quit complaining. What did you expect for a quarter?"
How much Time do I give in church?
To spend 1½ years in church in a relative life span of 70, one must, on the day of his birth, begin to spend five minutes of each morning and every evening in devotions, plus three hours per week in church.
Parable of Pig and Cow
A rich man said to his minister, "Why is it everyone is always criticizing me for being miserable, when everyone knows that I have made provision to leave everything I possess to charity when I die?"
"Well," said the minister, "let me tell you about the pig and the cow. The pig was lamenting to the cow one day about how unpopular he was. "People are always talking about your gentleness and your kindness," said the pig. "You give milk and cream, but I'm going to give even more someday. I will give bacon and ham-I will give pig's feet and pig ears and pork chop but to them I'm just a pig. Why is this?" The cow thought a minute, and then said: "Well, maybe it's because I give while I'm still living. You are always talking about giving but first you have to die."
All these things have one thing in common; they all say something about stewardship
What is the Meaning of Stewardship?
Psalm 24:1 says; "The earth is the Lords and the fullness there of. Also the world and they that dwell in it".
Psalm 50:10, "For every beast of the forest in mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills".
Hag. 2:8, "The silver is mine and the Gold is mine saith the Lord of hosts"
· Steward ship means that we understand that nothing that we have really belongs to us. Every thing actually belongs to God and he has made us His administrators.
· 1
· turn your bibles to: (Luke
· David understood this, he said; "Everything in heaven and in earth is yours, oh Lord. And even wealth and honor come from you. You are the ruler of all things"
· Kirk Nowery in his book; "THE 33 LAWS OF STEWARDSHIP SAYS THAT; "PERSPECTIVE GOVERNS LIFE IN REMARKABLE WAYS"
· Perspective is the way that we tend to look at things.
· If your perspective is that Gods share is only 10% or 5% or whatever you think it is you will do with the rest whatever you please.
· But if God owns everything you will ask Him for direction.
· A Christian doesn't decide to become a steward when he starts making more money, He should be a good steward no matter how much they are making.
A survey done a few years ago shows that Higher Income Means Lower Giving
· The Russell Sage Foundation several years ago published the results of a survey.
· In the United States, families with a net income of less than $3,000 a year gave more than 60% of all the money donated to charity;
· Families whose income was less than $5,000 donated 82% of all the money donated to charity.
· Families with an income between $10,000 and $20,000 a year gave only 1.9% of all the money donated to charity.
· According to an Internal Revenue Service analysis, Americans who itemize their deductions give less than 3% of their adjusted gross incomes to church and charity.
That's why God says; if you can't be faithful with little you will not be faithful with much.
· A faithful Christian's use of his possessions, time and talents is governed by New Testament principles.
Extraordinary promises and revelations have to do with stewardship.
1. "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over," Luke
2. "It is more blessed to give than to receive," Acts
3. "He who soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully," 2 Cor. 9:6
4. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love," Heb.
5. "With such sacrifices God is well pleased," Heb. 13:16.
6. As Christians distribute to the necessities of saints, Rom.
7. with simplicity, (liberally, RV), Rom. 12:8,
8. To the glory of God, 1 Cor.
9. Money is to be set aside on the first day of the week as God has prospered us, 1 Cor. 16:2. SAYS; "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him".
10. It is to be used to bring people to God through missions, schools, churches, Luke 16:9-13.
11. Faithfulness is required of stewards, whether or not their gifts are large, 1 Cor. 4:2; Luke 21:1-4.
Stewardship in the Christian life demands that a man take good care of his financial affairs because he has been commissioned by Christ to manage those affairs for the Lord.
· It is based on the fact that everything that he has has been entrusted to him by an almighty God. Nothing that he possesses belongs to him.
# 4 and #5 go together
.#4 is the arrow of consecration which is being separated for God
#5 is The arrow of Christ likeness or being like Christ
#4) The arrow of consecration
A Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks; a heart through which Christ loves; a voice through which Christ speaks; a hand through which Christ helps. [3]
Consecration - the devoting or setting apart of anything to the worship or service of God.
· Jesus is called the Christ or The Anointed One (The separated one)
· In the old testament it was The Messiah
· In the old testament when a person was separated for God's use they anointed them with oil.
· The race of Abraham and the tribe of Levi were consecrated (Ex. 13:2, 12, 15; Num.
· The Hebrews devoted their fields and cattle, and sometimes the spoils of war, to the Lord (Lev. 27:28, 29).
· According to the Mosaic Law the first-born both of man and beast were consecrated to God.
· In the New Testament the Holy Spirit comes in at the moment that we make Jesus Lord of our lives and seals us for God's purpose. This is your anointing.
· Every body has a measure of anointing. The more consecrated and devoted you become to God the more your anointing and effectiveness in God's service.
Christians are regarded as consecrated to the Lord (1 Pet. 2:9) says; "but you are a chosen generation" As such the church is the generation of people that has been called to bring the Gospel to the entire world,
1. Royal priesthood. A priest is recognized as the person that represents God.
· He intercedes for others.
· He is recognized as someone that brings a word from God.
· He is recognized as Gods servant
2. Holy nation. You can't be a nation by yourself. "NO MAN IS A NATION".
· The church is recognized as Gods institution on earth. (SEPARATED FOR GODS USE) and you are part of it.
3. His own special people. You are special because God could have chosen anyone but He chose you.
Ephesians 1:4 says that; "He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world, that we should be Holy and without blame before Him in love."
Jesus said in John 15:16; "You did not choose me but I have chosen you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the father in my name He may give it to you."
#5. The arrow of Chrislikenes or being like Christ
(2 Corinthians 3:12-18)
"Therefore since we have much hope, we use great boldness of speech.
Unlike Moses who put a veil over his face so that the children of
But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. \
But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.
Never the less when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding aas in a mirror bthe glory of the Lord, care being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as 2by the Spirit of the Lord"[4]
1. This verse talk's about our new position in Christ.
- As we are occupied with the glory of the risen, ascended, exalted Lord Jesus Christ, we are being transformed into the same image.
- The secret of Christlikenes is occupation with Christ.
- Not occupation with self; that brings only defeat.
- Not occupation with others; that brings disappointment.
- But by occupation with the glory of the Lord, we become more and more like Him. [5]
· Changed into the same image. This transformation takes place by the abiding presence of the Spirit of God.
- This marvelous, transforming process takes place from glory to glory, that is, from one degree of glory to another.
- It is not a matter of instant change. "We are being transformed into His image"[6] by the Spirit of God.
- Christ likeness is the goal of the Christian walk.
When are we Christ like?
When we act like Jesus
- Before you act. Ask yourself, What would Jesus do in this situation that I am going through?
- If someone is mean to you. Think of how Jesus acted on His way to the cross as they accused Him.
- When you are rejected. Think about how Jesus conducted Himself when His own disciples rejected Him. When others rejected him.
- When ministering to others. Think about how Jesus did it.
#6. The arrow of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)
1. Therefore-Greek, "For this cause": Because we have the liberty-giving Spirit of the Lord, and with unveiled face behold His glory (2Co
Seeing we have this ministry-"The ministration of the Spirit" (2Co 3:8, 9): the ministry of such a spiritual, liberty-giving Gospel: resuming 2Co 3:6, 8.
Received mercy-from God, in having had this ministry conferred on us (2Co 3:5). The sense of "mercy" received from God, makes men active for God (1Ti
We faint not-in boldness of speech and action, and patience in suffering (2Co 4:2, 8-16, &c.).
2. Renounced-literally "bid farewell to."
Of dishonesty-rather, "of shame." "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" (Ro
Handling . deceitfully-so "corrupt" or adulterate "the word of God" (2Co
Commending-recommending ourselves: recurring to 2Co 3:1.
To-to the verdict of.
Every man's conscience-(2Co
In the sight of God-(2Co
3. But if-Yea, even if (as I grant is the case).
Hid-rather (in reference to 2Co
"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men"
Fishing in a glass or in a bathtub is compared to fishing in the church
Likened to a mustard seed, Matt. 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-33; Luke 13:18, 19; good seed, Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43; leaven, Matt. 13:33; a pearl of great price, Matt. 13:45, 46; Luke 13:20, 21; a treasure hidden in a field, Matt. 13:44; a householder, Matt. 20:1-16; a feast, Luke 14:16-24.
GOSPEL. Called Gospel of the Kingdom, Matt. 4:23; 24:14; Gospel of God, Rom. 1:1; 15:16; 1 Thess. 2:8; 1 Tim. 1:11; 1 Pet. 4:17; Gospel of Jesus Christ, Mark 1:1; Gospel of Christ, Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 9:12, 18; Gal. 1:7; Phil. 1:27; 1 Thess. 3:2; The Dispensation of the Grace of God, Eph. 3:2; The Grace of God, Acts 20:24; Gospel of Salvation, Eph. 1:13; Gospel of Peace, Eph. 6:15; The Kingdom of God, Luke 16:16; Glorious Gospel of Christ, 2 Cor. 4:4; Preaching of Jesus Christ, Rom. 16:25; Mystery of Christ, Eph. 3:4; Mystery of the Gospel, Eph. 6:19; Word of God, 1 Thess. 2:13; Word of Christ, Col. 3:16; Word of Salvation, Acts 13:26; Word of Reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5:19; Word of Truth, Eph. 1:13; 2 Cor. 6:7; Word of Faith, Rom. 10:8; Word of Life, Phil. 2:16; Ministration of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3:8; Doctrine According to Godliness, 1 Tim. 6:3; Form of Sound Words, 2 Tim. 1:13. Likened to a mustard seed, Matt. 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-33; Luke 13:18, 19; good seed, Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43; leaven, Matt. 13:33; a pearl of great price, Matt. 13:45, 46; Luke 13:20, 21; a treasure hidden in a field, Matt. 13:44; a householder, Matt. 20:1-16; a feast, Luke 14:16-24.
#7. The arrow of discipleship and fellowship
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. -Hebrews 10:25
lAnd they continued steadfastly in the apostles' 5doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and mmany wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and nhad all things in common, 45 and 6sold their possessions and goods, and odivided 7them among all, as anyone had need.
46 pSo continuing daily with one accord qin the temple, and rbreaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And sthe Lord added 8to the church daily those who were being saved.
Three elements appear:
(1) Signs and wonders (Acts
Question: Can I be a Christian without joining the church?
Answer: Yes, it is possible. It is something like being:
· A student who will not go to school.
· A soldier who will not join an army.
· A citizen who does not pay taxes or vote.
· A salesman with no customers.
· A seaman on a ship without a crew.
· An author without readers.
· A tuba player without an orchestra.
· A parent without a family.
· A football player without a team.
· A scientist who does not share his findings. A bee without a hive.
"Everybody has a reason for staying home from church"
. Some people think a 30-minute sermon is too long, so they substitute a 300-column Sunday paper.
. The reason why people miss church when it rains is the reason why we have church. So that people get wet.
. Wanted: Men, women and children to sit in slightly used pews Sunday morning-Saratoga Congregational Church.
-In "Wanted" section of
- A certain congregation had dwindled in size so much that when the minister said "Dearly Beloved," the maiden lady in the front row thought he was proposing.
Luke 14:25-33 says; 25Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 k"If anyone comes to Me land does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, myes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And nwhoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For owhich of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you pdoes not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
· A "disciple" is a learner, one who attaches himself or herself to a teacher in order to learn a trade or a subject. Perhaps our nearest modern equivalent is "apprentice," one who learns by watching and by doing.
· The word disciple was the most common name for the followers of Jesus Christ and is used 264 times in the Gospels and the Book of Acts.
· Jesus seems to make a distinction between salvation and discipleship. Salvation is open to all who will come by faith, while discipleship is for believers willing to pay a price.
· Salvation means coming to the cross and trusting Jesus Christ, while discipleship means carrying the cross and following Jesus Christ.
· Jesus wants as many sinners saved as possible ("that my house may be filled"), but He cautions us not to take discipleship lightly; and in the three parables He gave, He made it clear that there is a price to pay.
· Our love for Christ must be so strong that all other love is like hatred in comparison. In fact, we must hate our own lives and be willing to bear the cross after Him.