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YOU SHOULD NOT REGRET
LUKE 9: 57 - 62
57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
I tell you these men will regret they did not follow Jesus.
Luke believed Matt. 6:33 That Christ must be first.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
When we put Christ first in our lives we will have no regrets. We will follow him and not look back at the things he has forgiven us and remembers no more.
I. You Should Not Regret Sharing Brotherly Love in The Lord.
A. Eph. 4: 29 – 32 Be kind, forgiving, edifying as Christ has forgiven you. Have you forgiven others that have wronged you?
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Who could regret being kind, tenderhearted, forgiving? Who could not be a better person without bitterness, anger, evil, or malice to stumble over.
B. Titus 3: 8 Even the devil knows the strength and power in good works.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
It is hard to regret doing good or receiving good. Maintain good works.
C. 1 Cor. 13: 4 Paul tells us True love is kind.
4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
True love is everlasting and seeketh not for it self, but for others.
D. 2 Peter 1: 7 As we grow as a Christian Peter says we will add brotherly kindness.
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.
This takes time and is often harder for some than others. Because it is hard to do does not make it less necessary. Brotherly kindness often come at a price. We have to put aside pride to be kind to one another.
II. You Should Never Regret Taking Time For Your Family in The Lord.
A. Eph. 6: 1 – 3 Children have responsibility to their parents in God’s sight.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Young people you will never regret that you obeyed your parents in the Lord. You will one day thank them and God, that you did. Many regret they did not, but never regret that they obeyed them in the Lord.
B. Eph. 6: 4 Fathers have a responsibility to God and their children.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Nurture is to nourish as with food that one might receive good from it.
Nourishing them spiritually. Nurture your grandchildren and great grandchildren.
1. Col. 3: 21 Responsible to teach and encourage them.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
What Christian father would discourage their child in the Lord?
2. 1 Tim. 5: 8 Fathers have a responsibility to the whole family to provide for them. Not only physically, but also spiritually.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
A father has never regretted he ever taught his children about God and Christ. Even one that deserts God would not think of regretting they taught their children about God. Many regret that they did not.
C. Eph. 5: 25 Husbands have a responsibility to their wives.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
What man with a loving Christian wife could regret he loved her. Some have loved and not been loved in return, but even then it is hard to regret you truly loved them. For you were honest and sincere even if they were not.
D. 1 Peter 3: 1 – 2 Wives have a responsibility to their own husbands.
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
You may be the only hope your husband has to see Christ in your life and want to obey the gospel. If a wife acts like the devil what kind of influence will she have on her husband.
1. 1 Peter 3: 5 – 6 A wife not only adorns herself for her husband she respects him as head of the family. If your wife does not respect you something is wrong.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
2. 1 Peter 3: 7 Why was Sara so submissive to Abraham? Because Abraham obeyed God, honoring her with respect and love.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
A wife will never regret she loved her husband nor a husband his wife if they love one another as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Their children as well as others will wish they had a marriage like theirs.
At Freed-Hardeman one speaker asked what husband treats his wife as he did when they were dating. I wanted to raise my hand. Vickie nudged me and said raise your hand. Hearing it from her was greater than raising my hand. I learned it the hard way, but if you do not love than more than you did back then something is wrong. A wife once told her husband when we were dating you sat right next to me as close as you could. He sat behind the staring wheel and said I never moved. Love should grow.
III. You Should Not Regret You Reverenced God.
A. Prov. 1: 7 Godly fear is the beginning.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
To many today despise wisdom and instruction and they are most foolish. A wise person knows they learn from the wise by following their directions and example. You listen, watch and learn. A new show is on TV. It is the boss that goes undercover as a new employee to see how things are actually done. It sure opens some owners eyes.
B. Prov. 3: 5 – 6 Find favor, trust and knowledge in God.
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
What roofer would not check the weather before tearing off a roof?
What farmer would plant his crop out of season?
Only a fool would say there is no God.
What Christian would not seek God’s direction from the Bible?
C. Ecc. 12: 13 Solomon says it is summed up in two things.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Godly respect and obedience.
1. John 14: 15 Jesus plainly said it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
What love does one show by their disobedience?
2. Matt., Mark and Luke all recorded it. Matt. 22: 37 - 38
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
3. James 1: 12 James says one is blessed if…
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
What did we read in John 14: 15?
If you love, keep my commandments.
James said:
He shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
You should never regret you reverenced and obeyed God. One day a place in heaven will be given to you.
You should never regret you shared brotherly love with one another in the Lord. One day a place in heaven will be given to you.
You should never regret you took time for your family in the Lord. One day a place in heaven will be given.
You will regret if you disobey God for you will be lost eternally for ever and ever and ever, with the devil and his angels.
You will regret if you hate you brother for you will be lost eternally for ever and ever and ever in torment.
You will regret if you neglect your family and provide not for them far more than just material things for ever and ever and ever, for you will be lost, separated from God. You can be lost for neglecting one or all of these. But as sure as God has promised if you love him with all your heart, soul and mind you will never forsake him, your family, or your brethren the church.
Do you need to obey Christ today in baptism? Do you know you are lost in sin but don’t know what to do? Do you want to give your life to Jesus? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God? The devil believes and is afraid. He will not obey God, will you?
Are you a Christian that needs to repent and come back home? Do you know you are once again lost in sin? Will you come back to Jesus today? Don’t regret you passed up the invitation.
Will you come forward as we stand and sing?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
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