1John 2:3-6 Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. Whoever says, "I have come to know him," but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, “I abide in him," ought to walk just as he walked.
Now this morning, I would like to lift up ABIDE IN CHRIST since some of us have completed the Daniel Fast and we have been fasting, praying and reading scriptures so that we might become closer to God. Obedience to God's commandments tests whether we know God, and measures the perfection (completeness) of our love of God. "Abide in Him": Abiding is habitual obedience. It has the idea of settling down in Christ or resting in Him. It is evidenced by a life modeled after Christ. The scripture that’s just been read tells us if we say that we have come to know Christ but do not keep his commandments then we are liars. When we said that we abide in Christ then we should walk in his light. Each day, we are confronted with countless opportunities to serve God and to follow in the footsteps of Christ, but, we might be faced with feelings of being overworked, overcommitted, and overwhelmed that causes us to stumble. Today brothers and sisters, this is the day to provide an opportunity to place yourself in the service of the One who is the Giver of all blessings. Today seek His will, trust His Word and walk in the footsteps of His Son Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And if we walk as He walks as we are believers in Christ, we are called to share the good News of Jesus with our families, with our neighbors, and with the world. So with whom will you choose to walk today? Will you walk with shortsighted people who honor the ways of the world, or will you walk with the Son of God? Hopefully, you will choose to walk with Christ today and everyday. When you embrace God's love, your life's purpose is forever changed. When you embrace God's love, you feel differently about yourself, your neighbors, your family, and your world. When you embrace God's love all things are possible. When you embrace God's love you can tell mountains in your life to move out of your way. When you embrace God's love when the adversary thinks he has a hold of you, you can say I have a Savior that loves me and you can not have my soul. Then you can share God's message and His love with others. When we worship God with faith and assurance, when we place Him at the absolute center of our lives, we invite His love into our hearts we then know who is the head of our lives.
Now this morning, I would like to lift up ABIDE IN CHRIST since some of us have completed the Daniel Fast and we have been fasting, praying and reading scriptures so that we might become closer to God. Obedience to God's commandments tests whether we know God, and measures the perfection (completeness) of our love of God. "Abide in Him": Abiding is habitual obedience. It has the idea of settling down in Christ or resting in Him. It is evidenced by a life modeled after Christ. The scripture that’s just been read tells us if we say that we have come to know Christ but do not keep his commandments then we are liars. When we said that we abide in Christ then we should walk in his light. Each day, we are confronted with countless opportunities to serve God and to follow in the footsteps of Christ, but, we might be faced with feelings of being overworked, overcommitted, and overwhelmed that causes us to stumble. Today brothers and sisters, this is the day to provide an opportunity to place yourself in the service of the One who is the Giver of all blessings. Today seek His will, trust His Word and walk in the footsteps of His Son Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And if we walk as He walks as we are believers in Christ, we are called to share the good News of Jesus with our families, with our neighbors, and with the world. So with whom will you choose to walk today? Will you walk with shortsighted people who honor the ways of the world, or will you walk with the Son of God? Hopefully, you will choose to walk with Christ today and everyday. When you embrace God's love, your life's purpose is forever changed. When you embrace God's love, you feel differently about yourself, your neighbors, your family, and your world. When you embrace God's love all things are possible. When you embrace God's love you can tell mountains in your life to move out of your way. When you embrace God's love when the adversary thinks he has a hold of you, you can say I have a Savior that loves me and you can not have my soul. Then you can share God's message and His love with others. When we worship God with faith and assurance, when we place Him at the absolute center of our lives, we invite His love into our hearts we then know who is the head of our lives.
Ephesians 3:17-19 says, That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Life is often challenging, but as Christians, we should not be afraid. God loves us, and He will protect us. In times of hardship, He will comfort us; in times of changes, He will guide our steps. when we are troubled or weak or sorrowful, God is always with us. We must build our lives on the rock that cannot be moved... The old Saints sings On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand - All other ground is sinking sands, My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. Hebrews 10:23 says, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And, John 15:4 says Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me... By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, "I abide in him," ought to walk just as Christ walked. I like to leave with you this morning from the focus scripture that no matter what is going on in your life make sure you stay in prayer with God and obey his commandments. As you walk in the light of Jesus – abiding in Christ, the naysayers will be knocking you on every side: the naysayers of unemployment, the naysayers of broken marriages, the naysayers of illness, the naysayers of trying to lead your children astray, the naysayers of trouble on your job, the naysayers in the church, yes in the church, the naysayers of everyday living and problems, but keep holding onto your faith in the Lord and He will not leave you or forsake you. I know because the scripture tells us whoever obeys His word the love of God has reached the highest and with this we are in God and God is in us. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.
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