Oct 2014
New Things
19/10/14 20:16 Filed in: 2 Corinthians 5
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NASB)
We can easily get so attached to something that we have invested much in
Because Christians possess life, let us reveal new things.
1. Christians posses life in Christ
• if we really have eternal life in Christ, what do we have to be concerned with in the present life?
2. Christians posses life after death
• if we are truly a Christian we have had a death of our old self
• even if we hand over such things as relationships (marriages, kids, etc.) over to God, we will discover a new way to love them even more than we do now through Christ
3. Christians posses life beyond our plans
• when we have the way we expect things to happen, we often tend to take matters into our own hands
• we are uniquely made by a creative God; He is shaping us differently than anyone else, which is best for us
Are our actions revealing our relationship to Christ?
Is our life truly in Christ?
Do we allow the old to die?
Do we expect life to emerge beyond our plans?
Read More...
We can easily get so attached to something that we have invested much in
Because Christians possess life, let us reveal new things.
1. Christians posses life in Christ
• if we really have eternal life in Christ, what do we have to be concerned with in the present life?
2. Christians posses life after death
• if we are truly a Christian we have had a death of our old self
• even if we hand over such things as relationships (marriages, kids, etc.) over to God, we will discover a new way to love them even more than we do now through Christ
3. Christians posses life beyond our plans
• when we have the way we expect things to happen, we often tend to take matters into our own hands
• we are uniquely made by a creative God; He is shaping us differently than anyone else, which is best for us
Are our actions revealing our relationship to Christ?
Is our life truly in Christ?
Do we allow the old to die?
Do we expect life to emerge beyond our plans?
Read More...
Treasure in Cracked Pots
12/10/14 20:10 Filed in: 2 Corinthians 4
2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10
Transient = Temporary, lasting for a short time
Since this life is transient, let us invest in eternity...
1. Invest despite our temporary loss (v.7-12)
• our difficulty can be used by God
• as we become unable to do things, God's power can do more through us
2. Invest for eternal gain (v.13-18)
• when our treasure is in Heaven, we must be patient
• compared to eternity, our struggles are just momentary
3. Invest on certain outcomes (v.1-10)
• what we do in this life matters even in our eternity
How are we investing our transient life?
What are we willing to lose in this temporary life in order to gain eternal rewards?
Are we ready to meet Jesus?
Read More...
Transient = Temporary, lasting for a short time
Since this life is transient, let us invest in eternity...
1. Invest despite our temporary loss (v.7-12)
• our difficulty can be used by God
• as we become unable to do things, God's power can do more through us
2. Invest for eternal gain (v.13-18)
• when our treasure is in Heaven, we must be patient
• compared to eternity, our struggles are just momentary
3. Invest on certain outcomes (v.1-10)
• what we do in this life matters even in our eternity
How are we investing our transient life?
What are we willing to lose in this temporary life in order to gain eternal rewards?
Are we ready to meet Jesus?
Read More...
Out of Darkness
05/10/14 08:42 Filed in: 2 Corinthians 4
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
v.5-6 - Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God’s glory which shines from Christ’s face. (God's Word Translation)
~ It is God who qualifies us for ministry
~ God creates life out of darkness and nothing
~ Since its not ourselves who qualifies us for ministry, our past, no matter how dark, doesn't disqualify us from doing God's work
Since God can bring light out of darkness, let us engage in ministry...
1. Let us engage sincerely (v.1-2)
• We realize it's not us who has earned this ministry, but God who has blessed it to us.
2. Let us engage confidently (v.3-4)
• There will always be people not interested in the message of Christ, yet that doesn't mean they will always be non-interested.
• For this reason we can't give up on sharing the message.
3. Let us engage meekly (v.5-6)
• We have to keep our heart humble if we want to continue in the ministry.
"How often is that which is hailed as a successful ministry little more than success in winning a personal following"
Is His light shining from us?
Are we sincere in our efforts?
Are we confident in God's power?
Are we certain of our goal? Read More...
v.5-6 - Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God’s glory which shines from Christ’s face. (God's Word Translation)
~ It is God who qualifies us for ministry
~ God creates life out of darkness and nothing
~ Since its not ourselves who qualifies us for ministry, our past, no matter how dark, doesn't disqualify us from doing God's work
Since God can bring light out of darkness, let us engage in ministry...
1. Let us engage sincerely (v.1-2)
• We realize it's not us who has earned this ministry, but God who has blessed it to us.
2. Let us engage confidently (v.3-4)
• There will always be people not interested in the message of Christ, yet that doesn't mean they will always be non-interested.
• For this reason we can't give up on sharing the message.
3. Let us engage meekly (v.5-6)
• We have to keep our heart humble if we want to continue in the ministry.
"How often is that which is hailed as a successful ministry little more than success in winning a personal following"
Is His light shining from us?
Are we sincere in our efforts?
Are we confident in God's power?
Are we certain of our goal? Read More...