Message from the Pastor

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Be Your Own Boss
1 Cor. 9:24-27
Intro: There is something in human nature about wanting to be our own boss- shows up in toddlers, children, pre-teens and teenagers, even in adults (We want to be our own boss- we want our own home and family; we want to be our own boss in regard to finances, making decisions, even in matters connected with Church).
     Well, Jesus made it clear that if a person will be a Christian, a true disciple and follower of the Lord, he must Deny Himself- Take up his Cross and follow Jesus- Willing to say, Not MY Will, but Thy Will be done.
     Still, as Christians we do have much control over our own lives on this earth- We must learn to Exercise Self Control over our human nature, for it fights against God and the Holy Ghost; our “old man” tries to over ride and over come our “new man.” So it is true for all true believers; all genuine Christians; you must Be Your Own Boss. You must bring your body, your flesh, your human nature, your carnal mind under the influence and control of the Spirit of God.

I. Discipline your Devotions
               Prayer
     Paul said, I will that men pray everywhere...
     Jesus taught us to pray not only in the church (his house is to be a house of prayer) but also to pray in secret or in our private lives; that God would reward us openly.
     1 Thess 5:17- Pray without ceasing;
      Eph. 6:18- Praying always with all prayer & supplication in the Spirit. (Prayer is part of our victory not only over the flesh but also over Satan and evil principalities)                Study of God’s Word
     2 Tim 2:15- Study to show thyself approved UNTO GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
     Peter said that we are to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.”
     Study of the Bible is necessary for us to Grow in the Lord; grow in knowledge; grow in understanding; grow in obedience; grow in relationship.
               Attending Church
     Ps. 111:1  I will praise the Lord with my whole heart IN The assembly of the upright and in the congregation. We are told in Heb. 10:25 not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much more as we see the day approaching.
       Be Your Own Boss! Discipline your Devotions. Discipline your Prayer life; Discipline your Bible study; your Church attn; and all the things that pertain to deepening your relationship with the Lord.

II. Discipline Your Desires
     Col. 3:2- SET your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.
     1 John 2:15- LOVE NOT the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
      Col. 3:5 Mortify your members upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, & covetousness which is idolatry.
          Mortify- (nekroo) to destroy the strength of; to deprive of power; So we are take control of our members on this earth; we are to deprive fleshly desires of their power and destroy their strength.
          Fornication- (Porneia) includes all sexual relations outside of marriage; also includes all perversions such as homosexuality; also includes pornography.           Uncleanness- moral impurity
          Inordinate affection- improper, unholy passion
          Evil concupiscence- evil “lust”; immoral desire
          Covetousness- greed, desire that is never satisfied
                Be Your Own Boss! Discipline Your Desires.

III. Discipline Your Duties
     We are told in Eph 5:16 to Redeem the time because the days are evil. That means we are to use our time to its Best Advantage; not to waste it on trivial matters; to make Wise and Holy Use of every opportunity to do Good. Are you the Boss of your time? Are you allowing Demands of Life to Drive You?
     Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying...that they which have believed in God might be Careful to maintain Good Works.
     1 John 2:17- The world passes away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
     Mat. 7:21- Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that Doeth the Will of my Father which is in heaven.
     This statement of Jesus highlights the ETERNAL Ramifications of being faithful in our Spiritual Duties. Also reminds us of that fact that Excuses for Unfaithfulness in our spiritual duties will not be accepted by God. This matter of faithfulness in our Spiritual Duties is a matter of PRIORITIES.
     We all have the same amount of time; some have more money; more resources; more influence but no one has more time.
     We always have time for what we put First.
     We will be judged not by Intentions but by Completions; Judged not by what I Meant to do but what I Actually Did.
     Be Your Own Boss! Don’t let the devil boss you around; don’t let your human nature boss you around; don’t let your flesh or carnal mind boss you around.
     Discipline your Devotions; Your Desires; your Duties.
           Rom. 8:13- For If you live after the flesh, you will die; but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body you will Live.