1. A QUESTION FOR GOD’S PRIESTS (v10-13) Which is contagious – holiness or unholiness? Answer: UNHOLINESS 2. AN APPLICATION TO GOD’S PEOPLE (v14) The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart 3. THE MESSAGE OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE (v15-18) God disciplines to restore, not punish Obedience is better than sacrifice 4. THE PROMISE OF…
1) A PLAGUE! (v14, 16-18) The infection of false teaching: quarrelling, ruining, babbling, infecting, swerving, upsetting 2) A PLEDGE! (v19) God’s firm foundation: invisible & visible 3) A PLEA! (v15, 20-26) Be diligent (v15) Be clean (v20-22), Be quiet (v23) Be humble (v24-26)
1. Don’t Look To the Past (v1-3) Negative Nostalgia Don’t despise the day of small things Unfavourable comparisons between the present and the past undermine all incentives to persevere. 2. Hear God’s Promise in the Present (v4-5) Be strong! I am with you! This is My work – so it matters! You have the presence…
1) RESOLVE! (v1-3) a) Be strong in grace b) Pass on the torch 2) RESPOND! (v3-7) a) As a soldier (v3-4) b) As an athlete (v5) c) As a farmer (v6) 3) REMEMBER! (v8-13) a) The Person of Christ b) The word of the Lord c) Our eternal salvation d) The promise of blessing
1. THE CHALLENGE Consider Your Ways Prioritise With God 2. THE RESPONSE Corporate Obedience Corporate Reverence Corporate Action
1) A CALL! (v6-14) a) Fan the flame (v6-7) b) Don’t be ashamed (v8) c) Share in the suffering (v8-10) d) Be persuaded (v12) e) Follow the pattern (v13) f) Guard the Gospel (v14) 2) A COLLAPSE! (v15) Of followers and leaders (“All who are in Asia turned away from me..”) 3) A COMFORT! (v16-18)…
1) SOVEREIGNTY! Our God is on the throne and He will remember His own 2) SYMPATHY! He caringly works all things together for the good of His people 3) SECURITY! There is purpose in our pain
1) THE PRISONER! (v1) His name, his authority, his calling, his message 2) THE PREACHER! (v2) Paul’s beloved son in the faith, pastor and preacher at Ephesus 3) THE PRAYER! (v3-5) Thankful, genuine, persistent, affectionate, confident
How to run the race – Keep your focus on Jesus 1. Asa acted decisively with idolatry – (2 Chronicles 14: 2-5; 15:1-15) 2. Asa prayed dependently and expectantly – (2 Chronicles 14:11) 3. Asa foolishly failed to rely on the Lord – (2 Chronicles 16:7-8) God willingly offers and strongly supports those who run with dedication…
1) REMEMBER! The great cloud of witnesses 2) RESOLVE! To lay aside To run with endurance To fix your gaze 3) REJOICE! After the pain comes the prize The joy of heaven awaits