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Sermons PREACHED BY JOHN GAINES |
P. E. A. C. E.
1. Since last Lord's Day, we have undergone experiences unlike any in our memory. It is natural for us to feel anxiety and frustration. Some have been very afraid that the terrorist activities would spread all over the country; reasonable precautions have been taken. Some of those necessary precautions resulted in great inconveniences which, in turn, tested our patience. The common feeling is that some kind of effective retribution is necessary to stop such acts from happening again. We feel that an act of war has been committed against us and that we must defend ourselves in that war. Recognizing that military action is likely, we naturally feel anxious about the safety of friends and family members who might be involved.
2. Last Wednesday night, we had a prayer service. We should continue to pray earnestly about these concerns.
3. This is also a time to take stock of the blessings showered on us by God. God knows everything that happens in our lives [Matthew 10:29-31 (NKJV) "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 "Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.]
4. Using the letters of the word PEACE, let us notice five great blessings which God gives to His children. In times of national anxiety, we should not forget or take these blessings for granted.
I. P -- PROSPERITY
A. Our material blessings are great. The wealth of America is matched by few, if any, other nations in the history of the world. While few of us would describe ourselves as rich, we enjoy a high standard of prosperity compared with other peoples.
B. Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV) The blessing of the LORD makes one rich. . . .
1. All of God's blessings are not material in nature. Some people are rich in God's blessings, but have little money or material possessions.
2. God gives material blessings regardless of one's spiritual condition. [Matthew 5:45 (NKJV) "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.]
3. He reserves all spiritual blessings for those who are IN CHRIST [Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,]
4. If you are prospered with spiritual wealth, you are indeed wealthy. No terrorist or earthly enemy can take that prosperity away from you.
II. E -- ENCOURAGEMENT
A. People need encouragement.
1. God's word gives us encouragement in times of uncertainty [1 Peter 5:12 (NASB) Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!] The word translated exhorting is "encouraging" in the NIV.
2. Our encouragement also comes from our confidence in God's promises [Hebrews 6:18 (NASB) in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.]
B. God wants us to be encouragers of one another.
1. Barnabas is the great New Testament example of an encourager. The apostles gave Joses of Cyprus the name Barnabas because it means "Son of Encouragement."
a. Barnabas stood up for Saul when all the disciples were suspicious of him since he had persecuted them before his conversion [Acts 9:27 (NKJV) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.]
b. Barnabas argued with Paul as he defended John Mark who had deserted them on their first missionary journey. Barnabas wanted to give Mark another chance. He was proven right for Paul later called Mark "profitable" or "useful" to the ministry [2 Timothy 4:11].
2. Some people today have a special talent for giving encouragement. All of us should develop our interest in encouraging one another. Find something positive and helpful to say to spur others on. Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV) says, And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, Encouragement is stirring up love and good works!
III. A -- ACCEPTANCE
A. God accepts those who fear Him and work righteousness [Acts 10:34-35 (NKJV) Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.]
B. Our acceptance is accomplished by means of God's grace [Ephesians 1:6-7 (NKJV) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace]
C. When God accepts us into His family, we become His adopted children [Romans 8:15 (NKJV) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."]
IV. C -- CONSOLATION
A. Our consolation abounds through Christ [2 Corinthians 1:5]. Consolation refers to comfort and strength given to us by God.
B. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NKJV) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
C. We receive consolation from one another because of the love we have for each other [Philemon v. 7 (NKJV) For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.]
V. E -- ETERNITY
A. God created us to live forever.
B. Great blessings await those who choose to be faithful disciples [Luke 18:29-30 (NKJV) So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 "who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life."] There are blessings in the here-and-now for those who give all for Christ. But much more importantly -- in the age to come -- they have eternal life.
C. Likewise, eternal condemnation awaits those who reject Christ and His way.
1. Matthew 25:46 (NKJV) "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
2. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 (NKJV) in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
CONCLUSION
Copyright ©2001 by John Gaines. May be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided this notice accompanies any use.
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LEONARD STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST |
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