The Promise Of Change

Happy Resurrection Day. We had another full house for our service and were blessed with a Spirit led sermon. Our scripture reading was 1 John 3:7-10. We looked into the importance of Jesus' resurrection. It is the foundation of our Christian faith(1 Corinthians 15:13-17). With the resurrection of Jesus fulfilled, we now have the gift of the Holy Spirit, and a promise of change. Prior to our salvation we were not acceptable to God. Romans 8:1 tells us that after we accept Jesus in our hearts we are now acceptable to God. He gives us peace through Him (Romans 5:1), Eternal life with Him (John 10:28-29), He renews our mind (Romans 12:2), and protects us from the evil one (John 17:15). When we accept Jesus into our heart we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9), it is the "Seal" of God (Ephesians 1:13-14 & 2 Corinthians 1:22), but we must live in the Spirit and not fall to temptation (Ephesians 4:30), for if we do, it effects our relationship with God. A personal relationship with God begins the moment we accept Jesus into our heart and it means we should include God in our daily lives. We need to Pray, Read His Word, Meditate, and most of all Seek His Wisdom. Believe in your heart that He will sustain you and remember He Lives In You. Now there are three kinds of Faith. "Little Faith", "Weak Faith", and "Strong Faith". I gave examples of each kind of faith. "Little Faith" is a mixture of faith and unbelief. Mark 7:26 gives us a good example of this. The woman was from Syria, she didn't believe Jesus was the messiah, but sought Him to cast out the demons from her daughter. "Weak Faith" is when your belief is expressed as mere legalism. Romans 14:1 is a good example of this kind of faith. You accept Jesus as your savior but you would rather just settle for the "vegetables" and not All that He has to offer. "Strong Faith" is rooted in the promises of God (Romans 4:20-21). Someone with "Strong Faith" gives All the Glory to God. As Christians mature so should their faith. We looked at Abraham as an example of someone who grew in faith. He had "Little Faith" in God in Genesis 12:10-20. He told his wife to tell the Egyptians that she was his sister so they wouldn't kill him. He didn't trust in God enough to tell the truth. But look at how Abraham's faith grew as he walked with God. In Hebrews 11:17-19 we see that Abraham was so "Strong in Faith" that he was willing to sacrifice his only son because God told him to. I asked everyone to examine their faith and think about where they were. The reasons we need to change our way's is so that we may grow in faith. Why do we need to change? To have life, and to have it to the full (John 10:10), to demolish strongholds and arguments against God's word, and to be obedient (2 Corinthians 10:4-5), to be joyful, patient, and fruitful (Romans 12:12), to set aside the old, to be new in attitude, to be like God in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24). When we do these things the God of Peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9). We will gain attributes that will end strife, arguments, ill will, bad attitudes, and the temptation of sin. What an awesome promise that is. Is Jesus Christ in your head or your heart? Are you weak in faith or strong? Have you changed your old way's? Are you willing to change or do you just want to settle for the vegetables? Reach out to God and go for the gift's He so desperately wants to give to you. We shared in Holy Communion then fellowship afterward. Phil and his wife blessed us by bringing a cake. Thank you to everyone who made this glorious day so memorable. Till next week, may God Bless everyone.