The Profound Encouragement of God
God grants his profound encouragement and strength as we turn our attention to the truth regarding his greatness and our life-changing redemption detailed in his word.
Romans
Dealing With The Discouragers
During the present age we must always be vigilant and courageous enough to break fellowship with any who obstinately and selfishly undermine the unity of the church.
Encouraging the Encouragers
God wants us to purposefully, thoughtfully and specifically express kindness to Christians who encourage us and faithfully serve his church.
The Encouragement of Mutual Support
We must be eager to fulfill our responsibility to materially and spiritual meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Encouragement of Extending God's Kingdom
We should be greatly encouraged when we see God using us to bear fruit through our efforts in evangelism and discipleship.
Learning to Encourage One Another
We have the privilege and the responsibility to support, correct & encourage one another, utilizing God’s truth and employing pure & selfless motives.
The Encouragement of Being a Part of God's Plan
We should be greatly encouraged that God has chosen to graciously include us in his indomitable plan to forgive and eternally bless a remnant of people for his own glory.
The Encouragement of a Unified Church
We all need the strength and support that is derived from being a part of a church that values the nature, function and limits of Christian unity.
The Encouragement of the Scriptures
The Bible is God’s tool to provide us with an encouragement that brings us great confidence and assurance as it guides us to live a life pleasing to God.
Keeping a Clear Conscience
Even when all the other criteria are met, God will consider our decisions about gray areas to be sinful if we are conflicted with feelings of guilt or doubt.
Working Harder At Love & Unity
We must lovingly anticipate the potential negative impact our “gray area” decisions might have on others, and always be willing to sacrifice our freedom for their spiritual good.
Choosing To Be Done With Selfish Living
Christianity assumes and requires that Christians are consciously and purposefully living for the glory, honor and benefit of God – not themselves!
Living In Light of Our Coming Judgment
All of our decisions about “gray areas” need to be carefully and soberly considered in light of our future accountability at the bema seat of Christ.
Sorting Out God’s Orders from Our Opinions
We must learn from the first century church to thoughtfully identify our own debatable issues and never confuse them with God’s clear statements of right & wrong.
Exemplifying Christ
We should pursue progress in our sanctification by imitating Christ’s forceful and strategic response to sin and temptation.
Envisioning The End
A thoughtful focus on the imminent return of Christ will serve as a major motivation for Christians in their fight against sin and their pursuit of holiness.
Aiming at Love
We can simplify our Christian duty to keep God’s moral laws by consciously seeking to love and serve others as Christ did.
Obedience, Honor & April 15th
While earthly governments are far from what they should be, we must respectfully obey their laws and dutifully pay our taxes as an act of devotion to Jesus Christ.
When Earthly Kingdoms Clash
As Christians we must recognize that though the Church does not thrive or survive by means of military action, earthly governments in the present age necessarily do.
Human Laws & Christian Conduct
As long as obedience to Christ is not made impossible, we must respectfully obey the laws of our government (& they would do well to remember their divine stewardship).
God’s Surprising Use of Governments
Because our perfect God uses imperfect governments to accomplish his goals in the world, we should affirm their authority and seek to live peaceably under their rule.
Working to Rest in God's Justice
When treated unjustly we must patiently entrust our situation to a just and loving God who promises that one way or another he will settle the score on every sinful act.
Caring About Christ's Reputation
When we are mistreated we must respond strategically not emotionally, being more concerned about Christ?s reputation than the satisfaction of personal revenge.
Empathy for God’s Embattled People
As God’s children we are required to selflessly band together to support, encourage and strengthen one another when any of us are suffering, persecuted or attacked.
Learning Counterintuitive Responses
Knowing God will either graciously convert or justly judge those who mistreat us, we must be ready to respond to them with counterintuitive prayers and acts of kindness.
Excelling In Generosity
God does not allow his people to “keep to themselves,” instead he requires that we get actively involved in meeting the needs of our brothers & sisters in Christ.
When You Feel Like Slowing Down
God forbids his people to be lazy and lethargic, instead he commands and enables us to always serve the body of Christ with zeal, passion and perseverance.
Sincerely Loving God's People
“Sold-Out Servants” must care for their fellow congregants with a selfless, Christlike love which is full of respect and genuine concern for the others’ good.
Making Our Church Stronger
God requires that every Christian enthusiastically utilize the variety of personal investments that he has made in each of us to advance his cause and care for his church.
Serving Without Pride
As God begins to utilize us as his sold-out servants we need to vigorously fight our prideful tendency and see ourselves and all Christians as products of grace.