Leverage... In A Dark World
God has given the world four (4) great lights.
1. Creation
2. Conscience (The law of God written up the hearts of men.)
3. Church (The people of God, with the word of God and a witness that testifies to His redeeming grace in Christ Jesus.)
4. Christ Jesus
Three of these lights can only condemn... only one can point to a specific Redeemer and ONLY one can deliver.
There are FIVE (5) things we need and will find... somewhere. They're all connected and can be pure or corrupted:
LOVE:
Feelings of belonging and affection that are shaped by others and what you feel for others. Feelings that are molded by the love you affection and deep fondness you understand. (Phil 1:9-11) *some woman think they are loved when they are abused and misused by others. Because that's how they feel... that's what they were shown (and it's corrupt love). Some only feel loved when they are given things and make life all about themselves... because that's how they were shown.
LIGHT:
Insight or instruction, truth, promises to believe in that you can see physically or by faith.
(example of eating manna or instructions from a parent: it teaches us the ends and outs of life and increases our capacity for fruitfulness or failure (depending upon the light we have.)
LEVERAGE:
Hope (is influence used to achieve a desired result.)
LEADERSHIP:
Examples (something or someone to follow.)
LOYALTY:
To someone or set of ideals, even if that loyalty is to ourselves or someone else.
We’ll focus in for the time being on LEVERAGE. We all need some sort of leverage.
We need LEVERAGE in a dark world to fulfill our assignment.
Paul gives us insight on His leverage.
What was it?
He, Who Cannot Lie (Titus 1:1-3)
Titus 1:1-3 (Paul’s identity, intent, impact, inspiration, and influence)
Who he is. (Bondslave, apostle)
What he does. (Proclaims God’s eternal and transformational message)
How he does it. (In Hope of what God promises)
Why he keeps doing it. (He’s Committed)
Called for transformation:
To persuade God’s elect through preaching that transforms WHO they love and Who they love for.
To practically influence and guide God’s elect through teaching the truth of God in Christ that transforms HOW they love and live, as they are obedient to the faith.
To patiently endure to be an example of WHY we continue love and live (HOPE)
2 Timothy 2:10
I endure all things for the sake of the elect that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
1. God made a promise (a promise that covered the entire scope of eternal life before time began).
2. God manages His own promise (He manages it on both sides of time and performs it in time).
3. God manifested His promise in time (a promise that He made before time and managed through time to make good on His promise when time is no more).
4. God makes good on His promise both now and forever.
God’s eternal salvation, in Christ Jesus, is everlasting. If ever saved, forever saved... for God’s salvation is revealed in time, but it is in no wise limited by time nor is it limited by men, who are limited to time. His saving grace is granted, guarded and guaranteed eternally. It rest on both sides of time... therefore, I can rest in Him and His promise of eternal life. Glory!!! (2 Timothy 1:8-10 ; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21).
Some things are just nasty and hard to face... like this picture. Look past it if you need to, but don't look past what I'm about to share with you about how God sees the best we have to offer..
If our absolute best (yours, mine and everyone else's) is like a nasty•filthy•funky rag, defiled and stained by the depravity that regularly oozes out of us... imagine what our worst looks like to Him.
This is how He describes our righteousness (what is done apart from Him and without grace)... "But we are ALL like an unclean thing, and ALL our righteousnesses are like filthy rags..." (Isaiah 65:6).
If we were good, right and perfect, as we are, there would've been no need for Jesus... but we aren't, therefore, God sent His Son, because we ALL stand in need of Jesus and His righteousness... the only righteousness that His grace offers to a fallen world.
A world without Jesus, depending upon their "best" to be "good enough" is like this nasty spider... carrying around what started out as "parasite" and became its own "animal" within, called SIN.
SIN is an deadly problem all humanity has inherited... that consumes us from within, a problem that we can't do anything about on our own. It's ugly and nasty and filthy and funky... and only the life and sacrifice of Jesus can deliver us from it's grip, guilt, shame and price. Jesus, and only Jesus, can take the vilest of vile and eradicate it at the cross... where He became sin for us the we could become the righteousness of God. Only His blood can cleanse our sin, and only through His blood can He offer us forgiveness and reconciliation and a place in His kingdom and glory. Nothing can equal or replace His blood... for it's the ONLY offering God will accept. I encourage you to give Him your life, your best and worst, and entrust yourself to His mercy and grace, while you still can.
Check out Pastor Nick’s corresponding audio message, “Leverage... In A Dark World” posted on March 6, 2019.
Thank you for your time,
Pastor Nick
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