Scripture reference: Romans 13:1-7, sermon emphasis on verses 6 & 7 (KJV)

1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Obey civil law

“We, the people” founded our country on the Word of God. All people are equal in His eyes. The country’s founding fathers gave the citizens the authority to choose our own leaders. Those leaders in turn pass civil laws they expect us to follow. Some laws are made to keep us safe, like speed limits, seat belts, and traffic lights. Some laws our leaders make are good, while others are not, like allowing parents to decide a child’s gender instead of relying on the child’s biology. We are commanded to respect our leaders and follow civil laws if they do not contradict God’s law (also see 1 Peter 2:13-17, Titus 3:1-2, 1 Timothy 2:1-3, Matthew 22:15-22).

God’s first law, found in Exodus 20:3 and restated in Deuteronomy 5:7 states, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” We, the people, have violated this fundamental law by following false religions. We have no one to blame but ourselves for the mess our nation is in today. We are electing leaders because of their money and influence instead of letting God guide our decision making.

Bad choices lead to bad circumstances. Look at King Saul, for example. God wanted to be Israel’s king, but the people begged for an earthly king like the other nations had. God allowed Saul to be crowned Israel’s first human king, and Saul started out as a good one with Israel prospering under his leadership. But Saul got caught up in the world and started doing things his way instead of God’s way, so God’s Spirit left him.

Before we choose leaders, we need to take a long, hard look at them. Are they Christians? Are they living righteously? Will they pass laws that violate or contradict God’s law? What we do now affects generations to come. If we pray and ask God’s guidance, He will show us who to choose to lead us.

Scripture reference: Proverbs 31:26

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

What is kindness?

The world’s definition of kindness and God’s definition of kindness are totally opposite. The world thinks kindness is doing good deeds or giving financial support. While there is nothing wrong with doing those things, Christians are commanded, “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31)

Kindness is more than being friendly or polite. Kindness means actively serving others with empathy and compassion. Being kind doesn’t just help the recipient; it blesses the giver as well. We Christians must find out what the true need is and where it lies, then actively put others before ourselves to address that need.

Kindness and compassion used to be common behaviors, like in schools for example. Teachers and staff members used to protect their students from harm and meet their needs with kindness. Now we see many turning a blind eye to things like bullying instead of trying to help solve the problem.

In Proverbs 31:26 we see an example of a wise mother teaching her family about kindness. The mother has a caring heart and shares kindness with her family who in turn go out into the world and fulfill the needs found there.

Remember, always serve others with a loving heart and with compassion.

Scripture Reference: Romans 12:3-5

Spiritual gifts come from God. Every saved person has a spiritual gift. The Holy Spirit is a spiritual gift from God. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to each believer to be used to glorify God. Let the Spirit work through us.

Talents are different from spiritual gifts. Talents are a blessing from God but we have them from birth. Give glory to God when you use your talents. It may take awhile to develop your talents. We must accept them then use them to glorify God. Jesus will guide you, lead you and instruct you so that you can use your talents for His kingdom. He will, in turn, bless you.

If everyone in the church would use their talents, the the church will prosper and God’s kingdom will prosper. The church is one body with many members.

Use your spiritual gifts and talents to glorify God!

Scripture reference: Matthew 7:1-6 1

1)Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Judging Others

The world is a very judgmental place. Everywhere you look you see judgments passed by food critics and product reviews. The world isn’t getting any better because Christians are conforming to it, and we are all guilty of judging others at some point.

In Jesus’s time very few of the religious leaders agreed with Him. Many of them were hypocritical and judgmental not only of Jesus but of other people as well. They wanted to lift themselves up above everyone else. Jesus reminds us not to tear down another to lift ourselves up.

We need to keep our eye on evil so we can expose it. There are ways to talk about evil without being judgmental about it. If evil is not exposed, it continues to go on and on. God’s laws tell us what is right and wrong. People who break those laws need to be held accountable. Verse 1 does not mean we should let lawbreakers go unpunished.

In verses 3 – 5 Jesus warns we need to practice deep self-reflection by asking ourselves why we are judging others when we may be guilty of the same thing. We should always check our motives before passing any kind of judgment on others.

In verse 6 Jesus is addressing the Jews who wanted to keep Gentiles out of the Temple. Many Jews thought the Gentiles were defiling the Temple just like having swine in the Temple would do. Jesus made it clear that was wrong because the Gentiles are God’s children too. Everyone who truly wants to worship should be welcome in the Lord’s house.

In conclusion, we should not turn a blind eye to evil but should be willing to let God work through us to resolve issues. Look into God’s Word, search your heart, and ask God what the right thing to do is. He will show you the right steps to take, if you’ll just ask Him.

Scripture reference: James 4:7-10

7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Do you really have faith in God?

“Religion” is one reason faith in God has gone by the wayside. The world believes just being a member of a church guarantees salvation. The world seeks fame and wealth and has broken Jesus’s “love thy neighbor” command. Unfortunately, some Christians have forgotten that command as well.

How many of us have really submitted ourselves to God? Faith in God gives us strength through His gift of the Holy Spirit. God will provide everything we need and will lead us down the right path while Satan will do everything in his power to lead us away from God.

James shares five ways we can overcome Satan:

1. Submit to God (v. 7) – make a commitment to God and stick to it

2. Resist Satan (v. 7) – resist his temptations and enticements

3. Cleanse our hands and purify our heart (v. 8) – be faithful to God and His laws

4. Truly seek God by expressing to Him what we are feeling, even if it’s sorrow (v. 9) – keep our thoughts on God, draw near to Him and He will draw near to us

5. Humble ourselves before the Lord (v. 10) – don’t pray haphazardly but instead be humble in prayer at God’s altar

Remember, God is for you and can stop all evil that comes against you, and He will always love you.

Scripture reference: 1 Peter 3:13-17

13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

What is suffering for Christ?

There’s a reason the world is in a mess. Believers are not doing what we are supposed to be doing which is suffering for Christ.

People of the world are willing to suffer for their wants but are not willing to suffer for Christ. They sacrifice to gain earthly possessions, and often their entire family is made to suffer. The world thinks suffering for Christ gains us nothing, but that is not true! Believers who suffer for Christ gain everything. Treasures of the world are temporary, but life with Christ in Heaven is eternal.

Many people are greedy, selfish, and prideful because they haven’t heard the Gospel. Believers are not witnessing and sharing the Gospel of Christ. We need to witness in person and not rely on those seeking the truth to find it on their own.

We also need to remember good works do not equate to witnessing, or even to our personal salvation. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus said: “21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

How to witness:

o Accept Jesus as your Savior and you will be filled with the Holy Spirit. If we are born again, no one can harm us. (1 Peter 3:13-14)

o Let the Holy Spirit guide your speech. In Matthew 10:19 Jesus said: “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.”

o Be merciful and respectful. (1 Peter 3:15)

o Keep a good conscience. (1 Peter 3:16)

o Be willing. Serving the Lord requires us to get out of our comfort zone.

* * My apologies everyone. I forgot to record the sermon this morning. I did my best to take notes (our normal note taker was away today). –John S.

2 Thessalonians 3:4–18 (KJV)

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Don’t stop working while waiting for the LORD.

1. Take the attacks from Satan seriously and pray to God for help and strength to overcome.
2. Study your Bible.  You have to know God’s word so you’ll know what to do when Satan is attacking.
3. Spend time with fellow believers.  Go to church.  Fellowship.
4. Share the word of God.  Tell others what you learn.  Tell people about Jesus.
5. Listen to what God tells you.  

How do you know what’s true?  Read and study your Bible.  Share what you learn.

Scripture reference: John 15:1-11 (KJV) with the main emphasis on verse 11

[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Do you have true joy?

Many people believe the happiness the world sees is joy, but it’s not. The world is physical but true joy is spiritual, and it only comes from God. The only way the world will realize true joy is for Christians to go out and share it.

Jesus is speaking about the vine and the branches (John 15:1-8). The vine is the root and is what gives life. The branches are what produce the fruit. When the branches don’t produce fruit, He cuts them off. The Church of Jesus Christ is not producing fruit because if it was, we wouldn’t see all the crazy ideas in the world today. God’s Word tells us what is coming if the branches do not produce fruit.

Joy is very special and you need to have it. True joy comes from the heart. If you are born again and washed in the blood of the Lamb, that joy comes from the Holy Spirit that dwells within you.

There are three ways joy helps us:

The joy of success – This joy is not what the world thinks it is. It is not making a billion dollars, living in a mansion, or having everything the world thinks you should have. The joy of success comes from helping others and seeing successful results in what you are doing. What do we have we can share with someone? For example, our church finances belong to God and He commands us to use them to benefit others. If a church doesn’t do that, the people don’t see joy.

The joy of salvation – This joy comes from what someone bears for you. What did Jesus bear for you? The Cross at Calvary is what He bore for you. This joy gives you a deep sense of relief and safety. It means knowing your future is secure and your life has the ultimate meaning. Our lives have meaning if we are born again and we have value to Jesus when we share the Gospel of Christ. Too many people depend on the happiness of the world and that makes them miserable and worried. Jesus tells us not to worry because it is a waste of time. If you have the joy of salvation, you need to share it, so your time is not wasted. Joy, strength, and love all come from the Father through Jesus Christ. Share the gifts God blessed you with.

The joy in the sovereignty of God the Father – This is the deepest joy. God gives us the choice to spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. God doesn’t send any person to Hell; He gives us the choice. If we have the joy of salvation we will sin less, we will share more, and we will receive that ultimate eternity. It comes from loving that higher power, God. God loves you just for who you are. If you succeed in the world, you are seeking a reward from the world, but a good servant of God is working for the glory of God.

Do you have the true joy of God, or do you have what the world calls joy? The joy of our salvation begins in 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.” Whosoever means everyone is important to God. Let God have his way in your life and you will have joy.

Scripture reference: Hebrews 10:23-25 (KJV)

23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not 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.

What is the purpose of fellowship?

Fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ is very, very important. Christian fellowship is not some big party, like the world thinks of fellowship, and it’s not just showing up for church services because you feel obligated. Neither is participating in the Lord’s Supper fellowship. The Lord’s Supper is a solemn and special time for us to thank almighty God for what he did for us.

God calls us to connect with Himself and with others; that is what true Christian fellowship is all about. But many believers have forgotten or never learned how to have genuine Christian fellowship. We need to lift each other up. When we enjoy something, like a song the music minister chooses or a dish at the latest potluck, we need to let those people know. Fellowship is like growing a garden – the better you care for it, the more it grows and produces.

There are reasons we need to have Christian fellowship:

· Fellowship helps us to learn. We learn about God and how He helps us through tough times. Each of us has a story that blesses others who hear it. Our stories help others understand how to live a life of faith.

· Fellowship unites us as one body in the Spirit. It is a time of joy that keeps us together. Isolation leaves us open to temptation and drifting away from God.

· Fellowship lets us show support and love for one another. It’s a way we can use our time and talents to help others who are in need. Genuine Christian fellowship is the unifying factor in spreading the Word of God. People see that Jesus can, and will, take care of them and their needs, and they in turn give praise where it’s due, to God.

God gave us the same Spirit He gave Jesus, and He expects us to unite in Christian fellowship showing love the same way Jesus did.

Scripture reference: Luke 3:10-14 (KJV)

10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

Are you letting the world lead you?

At the time of John the Baptist, there had been no prophets in Israel for 400 years. The people had been relying on the religious leaders to show them the way to salvation, but the leaders had been giving them false information. The leaders were corrupt and told the people all that was needed was to be a descendant of Abraham. Sadly we see the same pattern of behavior today. Many people believe if they are members of a particular religious denomination, or there is a certain name on their church door, they have an automatic ticket to Heaven. Not so! We must believe Jesus is The Way to salvation, confess we are sinners, and ask Him into our hearts. That’s our ticket to Heaven!

John the Baptist was born full of the Holy Spirit and was a forerunner of Jesus Christ. Many people came to hear John speak because he was filled with the Holy Spirit and told them what God wanted them to do. John taught a message of treating others with kindness and being satisfied with what we have. When we share what we have with others, God will provide for all our needs.

In verses 10 and 11, the people ask John what they should do; he answered share what you have. When we see a need in our community, we need to meet it.

Verses 12 and 13 show the “publicans” (tax collectors) asking John what they needed to do. John answered don’t cheat the people by charging more than what they owe. Publicans were hated by the people because they were notorious for making themselves wealthy by overcharging the people on their taxes.

Even the “soldiers” (the Temple guards) got in on the conversation by asking in verse 14 what they should do. John answered, don’t be violent, don’t falsely accuse anyone, and be content with your pay.

How selfish are we? When we receive a blessing from God, do we keep it all to ourselves or do we share it with others? What does our selfishness cost? Look closely and you will see hungry and homeless children all around you. God commands us to share when we see a need.