“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
SOME EXCERPTS AND LESSONS FROM TODAY’S MESSAGE
MORNING SERMON
SERMON FOCUS: “LIVING PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN: THE DEBT TO AVOID AND THE DEBT TO CONTINUE”
Text: Romans 13:8-10
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”
- THE DEBT TO GENERALLY AVOID
- THE DEBT TO CONTINUE
– George Mueller believes that no one has the right to give if he or she is in debt. However, in other passages, (Matthew 5:42); there are forms of debt that God allows.
– As a general policy, a Christian should be debt free.
– In Proverbs 22:7; we are not to be in debt to just gratify our flesh.
– Debt is a symbol of an insatiable lust for material things and covetousness.
– Debt is an issue of self-control to instantly crave what is pleasing to the eyes.
– The context of Romans 13:8 tells us to pay what is owed to whom it is due. For us to take care of our obligations. (The context governs our interpretation)
– We have a continuing duty to satisfy every debt and fulfill our obligations.
– It is not a prohibition but it is a regulation to acquit ourselves of all obligations.
– We need to practice a lifestyle within our means.
– The command is NOT to continue in debt except LOVE.
– ref. Romans 1:14-15; Paul recognized that he is indebted to proclaim the gospel
– We are indebted to proclaim the gospel to the world.
– We received the gospel for free, Thus, we are indebted to share it with others.
– True love has precise content. Love is specified in God’s word. God tells us what love is.
“We are not to regard love as dispensing with law or as displacing law as if what has misleadingly been called ‘the law of love’ has been substituted under the gospel for the law of commandments or precepts. Paul does not say that the law is love but that love fulfills the law and law has not in the least degree been depreciated or prescribed for his sanction.”
– John Murray
AFTERNOON MESSAGE
SERMON FOCUS: “GOD IS GOOD”
Text: Psalm 119:68
“You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.”
- GOD IS GOOD: A DECLARATION AND RECOGNITION OF THE CHARACTER AND NATURE OF GOD
- GOD DOES GOOD: THE DECLARATION AND RECOGNITION OF THE WORK OF GOD.
- THE CONCLUDING REQUEST: TO BE INSTRUCTED BY GOD HIMSELF.
– ‘Good’ is commonly defined based on what they will benefit from it.
– Most people are interested in the goodness they get from God but not with God Himself.
– Psalm 84; God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk in His path
– We cannot just say God is good all the time – God also does good all the time.
– If God is good why is there evil in this world? The reality is that we experience difficulties, trials, and discomfort yet Scripture says that ALL things work together for good to those who love God.
– God’s plan is to conform us to the image of His son. This is the good that God has in store for us.
– Because He is a good and just God, then His judgment is always good.
– To be taught by God himself is altogether a different story.
– The Psalmist did not say, “teach me to be good” but instead: “teach me thy statutes”.
– Most people agree that God is good but are not ready to hear what God is saying.
– We can only learn from God by hearing from the Word of God
– [As Christians] We are to hear and follow God’s instructions and statutes. (e.g. marriage is only reserved for man and woman, honor and protect people’s property, affirming bad culture, honoring our words and promises, honor God by being content with what we have)
– Being a good God and a God who does good, He did not lack in giving us instructions for living. The word of God is enough and endures forever.
– Everything good that we can think of is of God.
God is good of himself, good in himself, yea, good itself. There is none good above him, or besides him, or beyond him; it is all from him and in him, if it be good. He is primitively and originally good, αὐτάγαθος, good of himself, which nothing else is; for all creatures are good only by participation and communication from God. He is essentially good; not only good, but goodness itself: the creature’s good is a superadded quality; in him it is his essence. He is infinitely good; the creature’s goodness is but a drop, but in God there is an infinite ocean and sea, or gathering together of goodness. He cannot be better, he is summum bonum—the chiefest good; other things are good in subordination to him, and according to that use and proportion they bear to him. He is not good as the means, but as the end. Things good as the means are only good in order, proportion, measure, and respect; but God is absolutely good; beyond God there is nothing to be sought or aimed at; if we enjoy him, we enjoy all good to make us completely happy. He is eternally and immutably good, for he cannot be less good than he is; as there can be no addition made to him, so no subtraction, or aught taken from him.”
– Thomas Manton
Blessed LORD’s day, dear brethren!
To God alone be the glory!
HERALD OF GRACE COVENANT BIBLE CHURCH OF CAVITE 