As we read through the first part of Christ's SERMON ON THE MOUNT, this week in Matthew 5, you might be startled by how the chapter ends: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." How can that be? I understand that my heavenly Father is perfect, but how can I be perfect?
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After further study, it is encouraging to know that He is saying here:
"Be mature...be equipped...be complete...grow up!"
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This is a summary of a chapter with some very hard teachings. In other words, Jesus is telling the huge crowd that following Him in these teachings will mature them in their christian walk, equip them for the journey, and complete in them what He designed them to be via his teachings of the Be Attitudes, salt, light, loving one another...even our enemies...even when it seems too hard...
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In October of last year, my husband Steve spoke to the church here in Pitman on being equipped for this christian life:
- Lesson 1: Equipped through Jesus Christ
- Lesson 2: Equipped through Holy Spirit Grace Gifts
- Lesson 3: Equipped through Suffering
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In the 3rd lesson, Steve used two major illustrations: one of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and one of my cousin, David Watkins, who I told you about yesterday.
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GOD, equipped my cousin David through great suffering. As a young man, David's father had to have a heart transplant and his mother had many health challenges. Then David's own health challenges came and then went into remission for a while. Here David is posing for a picture for Steve in front of his mantle. Not long afterward, he found that he was no longer in remission.
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- "He gave us LIFE. He gave us HIS life. He gave us His LIFE. Thank you, LORD."
- "Who is that man standing in the corner?"
- "Crown...crown!"
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You can hear Steve's whole or partial sermon online by going to http://www.cochrist.org/ and clicking:
- online sermons
Then, scroll down to October 28, 2007. Click on it to listen to the whole 23 minute sermon OR fast forward to minute 20:00 and listen to the last 3+ minutes. I believe it will be something that may encourage you for the rest of your life. Whichever way you choose to listen to it...here are some of the power point slides that will give you some of what we saw as Steve talked.
THE PLAN:
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...The Father equipped the Son...
Mark 1:11-12, 35; Hebrews 5:7-10
...The Son equipped the Apostles...
Matthew 5:48; Mark 1:17; John 17:4-8
...The Apostles equipped the disciples...
Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 1:28-29
...The disciples (evangelists, pastors, teachers) equip the church...
Ephesians 4:11-16
...God through Jesus equips us...
Hebrews 13:20-21; Ephesians 4:8-10
3 comments:
Hmmm....we have a quiet group this week. Well I just want you to know that God woke me up this morning. I had moved up to bed with Ria, hoping that would help her sleep better and later, but there are no clocks up there. When I woke up to the sunrise and to go potty, of course, I came on downstairs to make sure Sherwin had gotten off as he needed to, but he had apparently put rice in the microwave and fallen back asleep. It was 6:25 and he was supposed to leave before 6:30 to make it to his oath-taking this morning! Thank you, God, for waking me up so I could help get him out the door! I'm still praying, with faith, for God's quick and safe transport of my husband to this important ceremony. But the other thing He woke me for was to get this blog listened to while my kids are still sleeping. Thank you, God!
I want to take this opportunity to share a bit of news, too. I saw my dr yesterday and he is estimating the baby at 8 1/2 pounds already! I'm not dilated, though. So I'll have another ultrasound today and he wants to see me Monday after he gets the results. Please pray with me that the baby will come at the right time. Next week Sherwin is scheduled for overtime on Monday and Thursday, so he won't get home till almost 8pm. Tuesday he has a 6pm dentist appointment, and most of you will be out of town next week, so I really need prayers that the baby will come after all of that, but that the week will pass quickly for me. I need distractions, but I also need rest. All of you who will be travelling are in my prayers, too. I'll miss you! And I love you all!
PS: I guess it's okay that you're all being quiet. I'm talking enough for all of you!
Patti,
Awesome to hear from you on my blog. Shoot me a note @ trush@memorialdrive.org please.
I love you today!
I started this day needing some extra support and I've found it here. God hears our prayers and meets every need.
A friend sent me this Casting Crowns video and I love it. It's unique! See if you can spot what happens when they sing the words "Catch me when I fall"....Praise God!
http://www.mychurch.org/blog/30635
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