What You Believe Matters

In a recent survey, 60% of Americans said their reli­gious beliefs are very meaningful to them and make a difference in how they live. With the remaining 40% of the country guided only by what seems right in their own eyes, is it any wonder we allow the death of millions of babies, tolerate the devalua­tion of marriage, and turn a blind eye to violence in the home?

Our belief system governs our lifestyle and choices, it is the foundation from which we form our opinions and make decisions. For Christians, it is absolutely essential to know what we believe and why. Many people inherit their convictions from their parents and simply absorb those ideas without really investigating them. For instance, we hear, "My dad supported the union so I support the union," "My mother was Republican so I am Republican," and so on. But to be certain our system of thinking is accurate, we must base it on the Word of God and not on habit, culture, or even family heritage. A belief system is like a mental grid through which all outside informa­tion must pass. If our mental grid has been built on the truth of the Bible, then we can detect false doctrine and philosophy.

We need to learn to develope our Philosophy from our Theology

Forgiveness

I want to discuss a vital doctrine from the Word of God today. Without this doctrine there could be no redemption. No atonement. No salvation. The doctrine of forgiveness. “Father, Forgive Them.”

Forgiveness is a mighty word. It has the power to spare the life of a convicted death row killer. It has the power to remove one's debt to another. It has the power to free one from any obligation or responsibility.

For the Father to enact the request of the Son, “Father, forgive them”, lies in the decision of the Father alone, but for man to be the benefactor of this forgiveness we must also forgive those whom have sinned against us.

Luke 6:14&15, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses. your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye, forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses." We must forgive to be forgiven. This is more than being willing to forgive. Being willing to forgive doesn’t forgive. Willingness only relys on being forgiven first.

WILL SALVATION LAST?

Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Intro: Paul makes a bold statement regarding the salvation of the Philippian believers. His statement makes it clear the a person can enjoy absolute assurance of salvation. Assurance not just that we are saved, but that the Lord will maintain that condition forever. Assurance is one of the greatest blessings in life! To know that one is saved and that regardless of what happens in life, nothing will ever be able to change that fact is a blessing without compare! Everyone needs this level of assurance, but sadly, many do not possess it.

In this verse, Paul offers three statements regarding salvation that can help us reach that place of peace. So, I ask the question: Can we be sure salvation will last? Let's investigate these statements by Paul and find out. (Ill. Notice his statement regarding the:

I. COMMENCEMENT OF SALVATION (he which hath begun a good work in you.)
A. A Work Of God
B. A Work Of Grace
C. A Work Of Glory

II. CONTINUATION OF SALVATION (will perform it) - Salvation is an ongoing work!
A. The Process
B. The Plan
C. The Power

III. COMPLETION OF SALVATION (until the day of Jesus Christ)
A. God's Plan
B. God's Promise
C. God's Performance

Con: Can we be sure that salvation will last? Consider for a moment the thrust of this verse. Salvation is in the hands of God from start to finish. Salvation is, therefore, in good hands and we can have confidence in God's power to save us and to keep us saved. When you boil all the junk away, all we had to do with our salvation was to come to God by faith when He called us. The rest is in His hands! And, those are hands that I can rest in!

Holding Faith

1Tim 1:18-20 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Our society is suffering from what has been described as the Smorgasbord Factor. Differing beliefs, views, and values are displayed to the public. Then each person is encouraged to pick and choose those that appeal to him, to experiment with that which is new and trendy, and above all, to never pass judgment on anything which he finds to be personally distasteful. It may offend his moral or intellectual taste buds, but satisfy someone else's. Exercising the freedom of choice is a priority, and we are to be tolerant of those who choose to believe and behave differently.

Not surprisingly, this trend has dramatically affected Christianity. Doctrine and convictions often take second place to diversity and choice. And as choices increase, commitment to an absolute standard of truth decreases. Almost anything passes for Christian beliefs these days; almost anything is permitted as Christian behavior. Ordaining women to the ministry? Mother God? A fallible Jesus? Homosexual ministers? In the absence of a definitive standard, anything becomes possible.

The forces that Timothy battled were different from those we fight today, but their objective was the same: to cause Christian leaders like Timothy to weaken their convictions about the Word of God and its influence on Christian beliefs and behavior. In these verses, Paul encourages Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words he had learned from Paul, to faithfully adhere to the doctrinal truths he had received.

Leadership in Action

Leadership in Action

True leaders in our government, churches, and families have never been more needed than today. What are the characteristics of a true leader? If an EKG or an X-ray would show one’s leadership traits, what traits would be desirable? Here are just a few of the most important ones:

¨ Enthusiasm: Including optimism & hope
¨ Trustworthiness: Honest & transparent
¨ Discipline: To study, pray, give, & go
¨ Confidence: Faith in God
¨ Decisiveness: Not a procrastinator
¨ Courage: Never capitulating to fear
¨ Loyalty: Steadfastness & Faithfulness
¨ Unselfishness: Others first
¨ Humor: A contagious smile & sense of humor
And, most of all
¨ COMMITMENT! - The key to all the above

Leadership does not come naturally for most. Nor are their “10 Easy Steps” to leadership. Merely emulating someone else will not do it. We must daily commit ourselves to spiritual growth and to maturity in leadership. God has given everyone of us influence over people and situations. May He grant us the leadership graces to fulfill His will for our lives