“…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth.
It shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11, ESV
SOME EXCERPTS AND LESSONS FROM TODAY’S MESSAGE
MORNING SERMON
SERMON FOCUS: “THE CALL TO BLESS AND STOP CURSING OUR ENEMIES”
Text: Romans 12:14
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
- THE MERCIES OF GOD CALL US TO BLESS OUR ENEMIES
- THE MERCIES OF GOD CALL US TO STOP CURSING OUR ENEMIES
– We are to be reminded in the proper context on how one can bring the fruits of Paul’s exhortation. ref. Romans 12:1-2
– When we are transformed in the renewing of the mind – when we are surrendered, the Holy Spirit will produce love and there will be a radical change. The love of God will manifest.
– “Bless those who persecute you…” – Rom 12:14 From Greek ‘εὐλογέω’ “eulogeō” (yoo-log-eh’-o) which means to pronounce good things about them.
– This is only thru the mercies of God. The mercies of God call us to bless those who persecute us.
– The most practical way is to speak well for them in front of God. Pray for them
“When we bless person or things, we invoke God’s blessing upon them”
John Murray
– Christians, for the most part, are not tempted to swear, the temptation for Christians is to pray to God that God will bring terrible things to our enemies.
– It is not enough to bear persecution by ignoring it, we should pray for the benefit that God will bless our enemies.
Therefore:
– God did not curse us when we are worthy of His curse
– It is one thing NOT to curse our enemies, but it is entirely another thing to pray for their blessing.
– It’s not our place to curse. God alone has the right to curse. It is our responsibility to bless and pray for those who persecute us.
“The command [to bless] therefore is, that, so far from wishing or praying that evil may overtake our persecutors and enemies, we must sincerely desire and pray for their good. It is not sufficient to avoid returning evil for evil, nor even to banish vindictive feelings; “
Charles Hodge
AFTERNOON MESSAGE
SERMON FOCUS: “TRUE SOURCE OF JOY”
Main Proposition: What kind of hope does the Messiah bring?
Text: Isaiah 9:3-5
“You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.”
- AN OVERFLOWING JOY
- A TRIUMPHANT JOY
– The author wrote that God multiplied the nation and multiplied their joy.
– The ultimate joy of God’s people takes place in the presence of God.
– It is a joy that is overflowing. The unspeakable true joy of God’s people is found in Him alone and can be experienced in His presence.
– Let’s not entrust our joy in temporal things but entrust our joy from God who is eternal.
– The great joy is triumphant and worthy of exhilarating joy because it is won by the power of God alone.
– The joy that the Savior brought is something that the world cannot give.
– There is no true joy if you don’t know that you were freed from the slavery of sin.
– Our joy is a triumphant joy because our Savior triumphed over our greatest enemy.
“What the world needs from us [Christians] is our unshakeable joy in Jesus in the midst of suffering and sorrow.”
John Piper
Therefore:
1. We need to keep rejoicing even when it seems there is no reason found around us.
2. Let us draw daily grace from God’s Word as our source of joy
3. Let us show the world the joy that we have in Christ.
Blessed LORD’s day, dear saints!
To God alone be the glory!
HERALD OF GRACE COVENANT BIBLE CHURCH OF CAVITE 