1 Peter 1:17-19
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
We don't belong here!
You know, we can get caught up in all sorts of things in this world. We get ourselves caught up in sports or politics....music, hobbies, our jobs, American Idol... They are interesting distractions, but also lead to emptiness. Peter says this world is not my home.
We may live here. We may own a home here. We may raise our children here. We may taxes here. But, hey, can I just tell ya something? As the old song says, "This world is not my home... I'm just passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue."
Hey! Can I just tell ya something? As Christians, WE DON'T BELONG HERE! This world has different priorities. This world has a different morality. This world has a destination and I don't want to go there! Do you?
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives." - 2 Peter 3:10-11
Why would I want to invest myself so heavily in something that is not going to last? Why would I want to build my family's ideals and priorities on the things of this world?
I love that Jesus didn't beat around the bush. "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" - Mark 8:36
We have a responsibility to teach our families these principals:
- This world is not our home
- This world ultimately has nothing to offer us
- The blood of Jesus is our ONLY Hope
This entry is taken from the sermon: "Blinders, Blinkers, & Winkers". Click the link to listen to the entire sermon. This is the first sermon in a series by the same name. The entire series is available here:
1 Peter 1:17-19
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Our Spirituality Should Be Built On The BLOOD Of Jesus
The spirituality of our HOMES should be built on the BLOOD of Jesus.
Rules and regulations are certainly important elements in a strong family. Numerous studies have shown that the strongest homes and families were religiously conservative or authoritarian in nature. Some of those same studies also found that the fathers in those homes were more involved with their kids than the fathers in more liberal or secular homes.
Certainly discipline can set the tone of morality in the home. AND, it's important to remember that God expects obedience from us. That IS what He expects. Therefore, I believe, when we expect less from our children, we are simply "teaching" them to be sinners.
However, we also need to realize that rules and regulations can fall seriously short if that's all we rely on. Rules and regulations are like walls. They may provide protection and security in a home. But, hey can I just tell ya something? Without the influence of Jesus in our homes, those walls will NOT keep the world out!
Our spirituality should be built on the blood of Jesus. The spirituality of our homes should be built on the blood of Jesus. Stressing the importance of the blood of Jesus in our lives and in our homes is what it takes to keep the world from gaining a foothold in our family.
This entry is taken from the sermon: "Blinders, Blinkers, & Winkers". Click the link to listen to the entire sermon. This is the first sermon in a series by the same name. The entire series is available here:
1 Peter 1:17-19
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Our spirituality ought to be based on our relationship with Jesus.
Can I just ask you a question? When your spouse looks at you, does she/he see Jesus? Should they? Is that a bizarre idea?
Now, maybe you would say, "Why on earth would they see me as Jesus?"
Well, doesn't scripture tell us one of our objectives, as Christians, is to become more like Jesus? Aren't we part of God's family? When folks look at us... Hey! They ought to see a family resemblance!
I keep a hand-written list of questions in my bible which help keep me in check. I don't remember where I got them. They're are written on the back of an envelope. I have read over this list hundreds of times. It goes a little something like this...
1. Is my mate closer to God or more distant from Him BECAUSE OF ME?
2. Can my family see that doing God's Will is the most important priority IN MY LIFE?
3. Do the members of my family take a few minutes each day to read God's Word?
4. Do all the family members pray together at least once per day?
5. Is our family ministering to others who are needy, lonely, and struggling, or are we self-sufficient and isolated from those whom Christ came to serve?
6. Does our family talk to one another in loving tones as though we appreciate and value each other?
Now, notice that Peter stresses, that as Christians YOU must live YOUR lives in a certain way. He didn't soften it up by saying WE must live OUR lives this way. He says YOU must do it. I suspect he did that because your spirituality has got to start with YOU.
Hey, can I just tell ya something? It's about YOU and Jesus. The spirituality in your home has got to start with YOU.
This entry is taken from the sermon: "Blinders, Blinkers, & Winkers". Click the link to listen to the entire sermon. This is the first sermon in a series by the same name. The entire series is available here:
