The Church is the people, not the steeple. And the One who holds them together and makes them one is the Holy Spirit of God. Remembering this, we work to build up people rather than places or programs. God’s strategy for the Kingdom is making disciples.
When the enemies of God hear there is a new work being planted, they often volunteer to help. One of the most dangerous ploys of the evil one is disguised as an offer of assistance. It’s tempting to accept because a new ministry is nearly always lacking in both people and financial resources. This sense of desperation can lead to accepting an infiltration that hinders the new ministry from within. The returning exiles to Jerusalem wisely refused to fall for this trap. Of course, their refusal merely unmasked the enemy’s true motivations. The enemies of God then began an external attack. We shouldn’t be surprised that enemies come against us in ministry. But we can wisely avoid being unequally yoked with those who would destroy from within.
It is God’s plan that the “message of the cross” should enliven human hearts, yet it is also that which certifies that others are already dead. We often try human wisdom to reason and persuade, but it is the gospel alone that saves. And it is the gospel that reveals others to be lost. Only the message of the cross has the power to show we are already dead in our sins before making us alive in Christ. This message is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others, but to us who believe it is the very power of God.
What a wonderful life goal David had! To live in the Lord’s house, to delight in His perfections and to meditate on Him. It is the fulfillment of this goal that Christ promises to make possible in John 14:1-3 when He speaks of preparing a place in the Father’s house for us. Some people wonder what they would do in this eternal abode, but David didn’t. He understood the eternal and ever-engaging nature of God’s “perfections” and looked forward to spending eternity delighting and meditating on them. If we can spend lifetimes considering God’s creation, then what wonders must await those who dwell in the Creator’s home and delight in Him.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. I’m going to second service today to hear my son preach and to to publicly praise the Lord! God is good!
Christ is “my rock:” He is my firm foundation and anchor. Christ is “my fortress:” He is my shelter when storms come and fears set in. Christ is “my Savior:” He is my sacrifice and sure salvation, the sweet fragrance that pleases God and saves me. Christ is my all. He is mine and I am his. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.
We don’t serve God by following a checklist, but by living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Legalism does not please God as it only reveals our unrighteousness and prideful hearts. This “new way” of living is not about effort or earning, but believing and receiving. Those who have found the “new way” have the law once inscribed in stone, now written on their hearts. This “new way” frees us to truly serve God.
“Consider yourselves” dead to sin. Not trying, nor working, but counting yourself dead to that sin which once enslaved you. And in the same breath consider yourself “alive to God.” Calling upon the Name of Jesus who paid the price for your adoption, be filled with the Spirit and walk in His power. Stop wearing the grave clothes. Arise, come forth! Put on clothes of righteousness and live!
What David taught Solomon is what every father and mother should teach their children: How to know God. Notice the verbs: “Learn, worship, serve.” This is a great 3-part course in training your child to know God. Also notice the way that David wants Solomon to act on these three imperatives: 1) know God “intimately,” 2) worship God “whole heartedly,” and 3) serve God “willingly.” Are you teaching your children these things? Have you learned them yet?
When there was no physical or circumstantial reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping in God’s promise. What is hope? It is the feeling of expectation that a desirable outcome will take place in the future. But Abraham had more than just a positive feeling. He had hope in God. Having his hope anchored in God’s promises and God’s goodness, Abraham never stopped believing, in fact his hope and faith increased as the years went by.