“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4, ESV
SOME EXCERPTS AND LESSONS FROM TODAY’S MESSAGE
MORNING SERMON
SERMON FOCUS: “THE INJUNCTIONS OF REJOICING AND WEEPING WITH OTHERS”
Text: Romans 12:14-16
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
- THE SPECIFIC ORDER
- THE TWO ASSUMPTIONS
– In reality, it is harder to rejoice with those who rejoice than to weep with those who weep.
– The ultimate problem with all of us men – is the problem of self and pride. Along with this is the problem of jealousy and envy.
– Envy is the desire to tear down another person because of what they have or who they are. It is not necessarily because we want what they have but because our concern is self.
“Envy is a spirit of dissatisfaction and/or opposition to the prosperity and happiness of others”
Jonathan Edwards
– Only when the Holy Spirit oversees us that we can truly rejoice with those who rejoice.
– The gospel teaches us about regeneration. We are not only delivered from self but we are also identified in Christ and with Christ’s body – the Church
– How are we going to test the reality of the doctrine? Upon evaluation of what happens to us in our daily conduct and behavior. May the sense of selfishness, envy, and pride be overcome by us.
– Envy and jealousy destroy a family or organization faster than anything else making it impossible to fully love the objects of this jealousy.
“The basis of which this exhortation rests is the shared life and organic unity believers possess among themselves with the body of Christ”
Max Doner
AFTERNOON MESSAGE
SERMON FOCUS: “THE AFFLICTED: WENT ASTRAY. GOT HURT. THEN FOLLOWED.”
Text: Psalm 119:67
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.”
- BEFORE
- THE AFFLICTED WAS HURT
- BUT NOW
– The Christian life is characterized by these two words: Before and After
– The afflictions are instruments of God by His mercy to transform and strengthen a believer.
– A true believer who went astray will not lose his salvation. He was lost because of his weakness.
– As sheep are prone to go astray, we are prone to get cold.
– Going astray from the right path starts with small infractions.
– These punishments are not destructive in nature but corrective one.
– No Christian is exempted from afflictions. We need to examine ourselves as we go through these afflictions
“Whipping will not turn a rebel into a child of God, but for the true child, a touch of the rod is a sure means of correction.”
C.H. Spurgeon
Blessed LORD’s day, dear saints!
To God alone be the glory!
HERALD OF GRACE COVENANT BIBLE CHURCH OF CAVITE 