Jesus sees Christian integrity as simple and plain. Let your statement be yes yes or no no. The reason why people find this simple approach to honest challenging and unrealistic is that they have lost sight of why we exist and for what purpose God provided redemption for His people. Moreover, Jesus also reveals to us the deep spiritual issue that exists in the matter of dishonesty. He speaks the truth to us so that we would be absolutely sure that we are fighting on the right side of the spiritual warfare and that we are indeed advancing the cause of the Lord, the God of truth, not the cause of Satan, the father of lies. May the Lord evermore grow us in Christian integrity as we learn from Him and His book what it means to be honest men and women of God.
Matthew 5:33-37, Principles for Christian Integrity
The LORD is the God of truth. In a world full of lies, we find the oasis of truth in our triune God who is Himself the truth. As His people, then, it is our privilege and duty to be truthful in all our ways, both in what we say and. how we keep our word. Our Good Shepherd guides us in this path of righteousness toward a lifestyle of honesty. In this part one of our study, we consider two of the four principles for Christian integrity: 1) give up the devices of deception, and 2) wake up to the presence of the Lord. May the Holy Spirit teach us and encourage us to live each day coram deo, in the presence of God.
Matthew 5:29-30, Battle Strategy For Sanctification (Part 2)
Jesus knows what sort of excuses we might make about dealing with the stumbling blocks in our lives. He silences us from saying “it’s too hard” and “it’s not worth it.” The Lord knows us and imparts to us the wisdom to properly and practically deal with the avenues of temptation and sin into our lives. May the Lord evermore grant to us the wisdom to believe His word and repent from sin as He calls us to. In addition to the need to accept the cost of sanctification, we also look at the other side of sanctification, to send the reinforcements of the word of God and the fellowship of God’s people.
Matthew 5:29-30, Battle Strategy For Sanctification (Part 1)
The Lord Jesus Christ who loves His people out of His great concern for their well-being gives a stern warning in this passage. Sin is perilous and we are to deal aggressively with the stumbling blocks in our lives. May the Holy Spirit Himself sanctify us as we seek to be holy as He is holy and strive to continue on in our fight against sin and unholiness.
Matthew 4:18-20; 5:14-16, From Fishing to Glory (Part 2)
True salvation brings about a real likeness to Christ that enables His disciples to shine brilliantly like Him in the dark world of sin. The Holy Spirit then uses our changed lives to draw others to repentance and reconciliation with God so that they, too, might become worshippers of God who glorify Him. May the Spirit of our God mightily use us as the brightly shining light of the world to call sinners to Christ and bless them with the joy of heaven!
Matthew 4:18-20; 5:14-16, From Fishing to Glory
Jesus called ordinary fishermen to become something beyond their wildest dreams, to become fishers of men who will lead sinners to repentance and reconciliation to God and to eternal life. In this sermon series, we examine two passages in which Jesus shows us what it means to be a witness for Him in the dark world around us. We are fishers of men and the light of the world as His followers and imitators.
Matthew 4:12-17, The Blessing of Repentance (Part 3)
Jesus’ call to repentance is a message of healing for the soul. What John the Baptist could not do, Jesus does. He gives (“baptizes in”) the Holy Spirit. Jesus can transform people from inside out as John could never do. This is the wonderful blessing for all those who repent and trust in Christ: Jesus gives the healing for their souls to live fruitful lives for the glory and honor of God we could never do on our own. He is indeed the great Physician of our souls (Luke 5:31), the sun of righteousness that arises with healing in its wings (Mal. 4:1).
Matthew 4:12-17, The Blessing of Repentance (Part 2)
Jesus’ call to repentance is a message of hope. it is like light dawning upon the darkness of the shadow of death. It offers the hope of the kingdom of heaven. God’s kingdom awaits all who take heed to its message. The kingdom is near; it can arrive at any time. May the Holy Spirit enable all who hear to be ready for its arrival, and may we be faithful announcers of its glad tidings.