0478 365 219
0 Comments
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Most Christians are ashamed and embarrassed to share their faith with others. This is for a number of reasons: 1. Fear of man Some Christians are afraid of what other people would think of them; others are afraid of what would happen to them, and there are some that are afraid of what they will lose. Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” The reality is that many Christians will be evil spoken of; physical abuse may take place, or even the loss of loved ones. However, God is with the Christians even unto death. 2. Lack of courage/boldness Courage must be evident in the life of a witnessing Christian, and courage is found in God and His Word. Seek God in prayer and search His Word for Strength. Acts 4:29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,” 3. Lack of love for the Lord Jesus challenged His disciples by saying “If a man love me, he will keep my words.” The same is true for 21st Century Christians; if we love the Lord then we will tell others about Him without shame. Let Christ Jesus’ love move you to live for Him by telling others. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 4. Lack of Understanding The Gospel of Christ is the “Good News”, it’s not bad news. Do not allow the bad reaction of those that do not want to believe on the Gospel influence you to think that what you’re sharing is bad news. Telling someone how to get to Heaven is the best thing you can ever share. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” It is also the poer of God unto Salvation to those who believe. God’s power over sin, death and hell, It is not limited in its invitation, it is offered to all. Committing your life for the Gospel’s sake is not in any way a waste, but rather the most profitable eternal cause anyone can have. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel because he knew who he was serving - the greatest God in the universe and in Heaven above. Paul knew His God! 2 Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” Remember, it was God who hung naked on that Cross. Why should we be ashamed of the one that took our shame? Proverbs 18:24 “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Having friends is a blessing in life. There are different kinds of friendships people form; school, work, close, and best friends. However, some people find it hard to make friends. This may be caused by some thinking they are too good to make friends with others. Others are waiting for people to be friendly to them. It is common today to hear people from schools, churches, and in the work place say, “They are not friendly.” Notice what the Bible says, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:” A person that has a friend must be a friend to them. ~ Here are a few ways to be a Friend ~ 1. Demonstrate True Forgiveness Proverbs 17:9 “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” 2. Be Open and Truthful When a need arises, approaching your friend with the truth may be difficult, but it is better than not saying anything at all. Proverbs 27:5-6 “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Vs 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” 3. Give Biblical advice in a Loving Manner It is a good thing to give good counsel from God’s Word, but it is better when it is done in a loving tone and a timely manner. “…speaking the truth in love…” Proverbs 27:9 “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.” 4. Trust your Friend At times people will try to break up good friendships, marriages, and the unity of a Church by gossip, etc. Proverbs 16:28 “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” 5. Stand by your Friend in the Tough Times A good, faithful friend loves in good times and bad times; they will not leave them for dead. Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” 6. Be an Encourager Friends are to be encouraging one another when they are discouraged. “For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow…” ~ Ecclesiastes 4:10 A true friend will build others up, and not tear them down. They will help them grow closer to Jesus Christ. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” 7. Introduce your Friend to the Greatest Friend If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior & Friend, then the best thing that you can do for your friends is to introduce them to Jesus. Mark 5:19 (Jesus Said) “…Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” C Haddad The Lord is my shepherd
That’s relationship! I shall not want That’s supply! He maketh me to lie down in green pastures That’s rest! He leadeth me beside the still waters That’s refreshment! He restoreth my soul That’s healing! He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness That’s guidance! For His name’s sake That’s purpose! Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death That’s challenge! I will fear no evil That’s assurance! For thou art with me That’s faithfulness! Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me That’s shelter! Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies That’s hope! Thou anointest my head with oil That’s consecration! My cup runneth over That’s abundance! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life That’s blessing! And I will dwell in the house of the Lord That’s security! For ever That’s eternity!
![]() John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The greatest love ever demonstrated was the Love of Jesus Christ. He lived to love others. He spent His life on earth helping those that needed help. He taught truth to them; He washed their feet; He invested His time and life in serving and caring for others. To top it off, He would give His life for those that envied Him and wanted Him dead. Then he shocked the world with his amazing statement when He hung on that rugged cross, “Father forgive them…” Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7 “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.” It is a rare incident that one will give his life for a good and upright man; perhaps one would think twice about it. But what are the chances of a person giving his life for those that were ungodly, unthankful, disrespectful, lying, wicked, and sinful? I would say no chance. Not so with our God. His Love is beyond human comprehension, further from this world, His Love is Divine, and is demonstrated in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ! Romans 5:10 “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” The story is told of a woman who left her husband. The husband called the police and filed a “missing persons report.” A few weeks later the police found her a few counties over. They asked him if he wanted them to take him to her. By now the husband had realized how poorly he had treated his wife. He decided to write to his wife, and he kept writing for months. Finally, Christmas came, and he went to see her (she was in a run-down hotel). He asked her to come home and she did. On the way home he said, “I’ve written to you for months, why did you come home so easily now?” She replied, “Because those were just letters, this time you came in person.” Christ came in person to save us and demonstrate to us His love. In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 "Charity never faileth..." 1 Corinthians 13:8 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 207 Maryland Dr, Maryland I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services ![]() The Bible speaks about two kinds of love. The first comes from the Greek word “phileo” which means to be a friend or to befriend, to be fond of, to have affection for, and to approve of. The second type mentioned in the Bible is “agapao” that is to love dearly and unconditionally. The detailed definition of this true love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. What is true love? - Continued… 10. Rejoices not in iniquity - 1 Corinthians 13:6 - Not happy about sin and wrongdoings. - Love takes no pleasure in or with evil works. 11. Rejoices in the truth - 1 Corinthians 13:6 - Happy about the truth and righteousness - Love takes pleasure in what is right according to God’s Word. 12. Bears all thing - 1 Corinthians 13:7 - To cover, to endure, to suffer - Love does not give up, but continues with 13. Believes all things - 1 Corinthians 13:7 - To have faith in the truth, - Gives the benefit of the doubt - Love is to trust 14. Hopes all things - 1 Corinthians 13:7 - To have an expected confidence - Love is to have assurance 15. Endures all things - 1 Corinthians 13:7 - To remain, to keep on, - To abide in, to bear with - Love perseveres and does not give in 1 Corinthians13:8 “Charity never fails...” This unconditional love mentioned does not at any time or in any way ever fail, give way, or drop off. “Love ever gives, forgives, outlives, and ever stands with open hands, and while it lives, it gives, For this is love’s prerogative To Give, and give, and give, and when it hurts to give some more” - Unknown The greatest love ever demonstrated was the life and death of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ, gave of Himself in every sense of the word, He laid down His life willingly; He joyfully endure the cross for others that they may live, and in doing so no guile or complaint was ever heard from Him. What make this love so amazing is that He was not required to do it, but He did because GOD is LOVE, and that is who He is. “Compassion can’t be measured in dollars and cents. It does come with a price tag, but that price tag isn’t the amount of money spent. The price tag is love.”—J. C. Watts Jr. John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 "Charity never faileth..." 1 Corinthians 13:8 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 207 Maryland Dr, Maryland I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services ![]() The Bible speaks about two kinds of love. The first comes from the Greek word “phileo” which means to be a friend or to befriend, to be fond of, to have affection for, and to approve of. The second type mentioned in the Bible is “agapao” that is to love dearly and unconditionally. The detailed definition of this true love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. What is true love? 1. Suffers long - 1 Corinthians 13:4 - Bears along with, is patient - Longsuffering, does not give up 2. Kind - 1 Corinthians 13:4 - To be useful and act courteously - To be thoughtful and caring - The opposite of rude 3. Envies not - 1 Corinthians 13:4 - A strong burning zeal, covet, a longing desire - To be heated up with envy with the intent to hurt - Love is content and hopes for the best in others 4. Vaunteth not itself - 1 Corinthians 13:4 - To boast, to lift up one’s self - Love is modest 5. Is not puffed up - 1 Corinthians 13:4 - To swell up, haughty - To blow up, to be proud - Love is humble 6. Does not behave itself unseemly - 1 Cor 13:5 - Unbecoming, unfitting, out of place - To be improper or inappropriate - Love is good and proper 7. Seeks not her own - 1 Corinthians 13:5 - Seeks others welfare before self - Esteems others better than self - Love is not self-seeking 8. Is not easily provoked - 1 Corinthians 13:5 - To sharpen by, to arouse in anger - To stimulate, stir up, kindle - Love is calm, peaceful and patient 9. Thinks no evil - 1 Corinthians 13:5 - Takes inventory of harmful, immoral, bad, wrong, and wicked things. - Love ponders on right and wholesome things To be continued next week with verses 6 and 7 To love in this way is to know God through Jesus Christ, and to walk in His Spirit. God is love, and the fruit of the Spirit is love. True Love is Found in Christ Jesus! In Christ Alone, C Haddad - Galatians 2:20 "Charity never faileth..." 1 Corinthians 13:8 W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889 Meeting: 207 Maryland Dr, Maryland I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services |
Categories
All
Archives
June 2024
|