February 22 2015 How Can I Display Christianity Under Pressure

/ Great Plains Community Church/

How Can I Display Christianity Under Pressure

1 Peter 1:13-16

I. The setting of our scripture

Verse 16 – Be Holy, because I am Holy.

Therefore:

II. Four helps to Holy living

1. You need a well ordered mind.

Verse 13 – Prepare you mind for action.

Exodus 12:11 – And thus shall you eat, with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, your staff on your hand, and ye shall eat it in haste.  It is the Lord’s Passover.

Three Hebrew children:

2. Have a well disciplined life.

Verse 13 – Be self-controlled.

Two things this means:

  1. Be alert to potential dangers.
  2. Be aware of who you are.

3. Have a well defined goal.

Verse 13 – Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Definition of “set”.

I John 3:2 – When He appears we shall be like Him.

1 John 3:3 – Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure.

4. Have a well established conversion.

Verse 14 – As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

Obedience is the process of walking in the Light.

Verse 16 – Be Holy because I am Holy.

Five factors that motivate us to Holiness:

1. The character of God.

2. He’s called us.

3. It’s God’s command.

4. The consistency of God.

5. It’s the choice of God.

Romans 12:1 – In view of God’s mercy, offer yourselves as living sacrifices to God.

March 13 2011 The Word Of Assurance

/ Great Plains Community Church/

THE WORD OF ASSURANCE

(Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.")

(Luke 23:43 – Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

(Isa. 53:12 – He was numbered with the transgressors.)

1. This Promise Includes a true confession

(Verse 42 – Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom.)

(John 1:29 – Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.)

Paul – He became sin for us on the cross.

2. We see a Promise Of conversion.

(Verse 43: - Today you will be with Me in Paradise.)

(Isa. 53:12 – He bore the sin of many.)

3. The Promise sees A change.

(Verse 42 – Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.)

(Acts 26:17 & 18 – I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of satan to God.)

4. Promise Of a hopeful conclusion.

(Verse 43 – You will be with Me in Paradise.)

John 14: 1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled, if you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions, and I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am there you may be also.

Four Important Truths:

  • It is Immediate
  • It is Certain
  • It is A relationship
  • It is A place

(Romans 10:13 – Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.)