Keys: Part 7

We continue with the message “Keys to the Good Life.” We have covered six keys to the good life. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3). Don’t play God. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4). Be real. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). Stop insisting on your own way. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled, i.e. saturated (Matthew 5:6). Satisfy yourself with God. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7). Have mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). Come clean and stay clean.

God blesses those who resolve conflicts (Matthew 5:9). “Peacemakers” are people who actively work for unity. They negotiate differences, resolve strife and reconcile relationships. Peacemakers are hard. They are not avoiders and they do not compromise. Peacemakers do not gossip or slander others, they do not lie, they do not do evil and they hunt for peace (Psalm 34:12-14).

True peace only comes from Jesus Christ (John 14:27). You will never find peace on earth. Jesus came to give a sword, not peace. The sword is there to protect us (Romans 13:1). All authority is from God. Authority is power. Evil only knows force. The force should be in the hands of the righteous.

Peace from God came so that we can have peace with God in order to enjoy the peace of God. “Peace from God” is Jesus Christ. To have “peace with God,” it has to be on his terms. The “peace of God” is beyond our understanding. It has to come in our spirit. You cannot compromise and have peace (Colossians 3:15). To “rule” means to not compromise. We have the peace of God, if we use it.

For those who are in Christ, the weapons that the enemy forms against them will not prosper (1 John 3:8). It is impossible to live life without opposition. Peacemaking is learning to fight the good fight of faith against everything that comes against us. Faith is living out the Word of God (1 John 5:1; 4).

Keys: Part 6

Keys to the Good Life
Come Clean!

So far in this study, we’ve received five keys to enjoying life. For review:
First key: Don’t play God. Become poor in spirit, in other words, God blesses those who know they have no righteousness of their own to offer God.
Second key: Be real. You realize you’re powerless without Christ, or as Jesus said, “mourn.”
Third key: Stop insisting on your own way.
Fourth key: Satisfy yourself in God; make God your treasure. God blesses those who crave to be right with Him. They aren’t just satisfied with themselves.
Fifth key: Have mercy. God blesses those who are caring, and have a heart. You have to give in order to receive. God lives in forgiveness.
These keys unlock the fortunes of God. Jesus said it this way, “…blessed are those poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Now, and in the time to come.

Question on forgiveness from the congregation: “How do you know when you’ve truly forgiven someone? I understand that I can will to remember no more, however is it ever appropriate to discuss the offense with others?” My answer is No. The Bible says to go to the person directly. If they don’t come clean, take someone else to testify. The next step is to approach church leadership for assistance. The final recourse is to treat that person as if they aren’t born again. You know you’ve forgiven someone when you decide to forgive them.

Key number six: Come clean and stay clean (Matthew 5:8). Think refreshing. Blessed are the pure in heart because they will see God.
God blesses those who are sincerely devoted to Christ.
Pure in heart = a single minded commitment to God which purifies thoughts and motives to produce a person of purity, honesty, and integrity. It’s an attitude. If you are zeroed in on God, everything else falls away and you mind won’t be divided. Only God can purify your thoughts and motives. Pure is the opposite of contaminated. This attitude allows God, with the person’s cooperation and obedience, to keep out undisciplined and evil affections and lusts.
Psalm 51:10 – you cannot clean your own heart. A person’s heart is vile.
Jeremiah 17:9, 10
Proverb 17:3 – Metal like silver or gold must first be purified; then what comes forth is something useful. The Lord purifies the heart with His judgment. Don’t be afraid of God’s proving and testing by fire; it will cleanse and purify you. The enemy wants to con and deceive you through your heart.
Psalm 19:14 –But if you want to see God as your redeemer, stop playing! Only then will God demonstrate Himself to you. Faith is acting on what you believe. Your actions declare your faith.
2 Corinthians 5:17, 18 – this passage is a fulfillment of the Old Covenant. Christ came to lead people back to God.
Ezekiel 36:26 – Why should God take away your heart if it’s so clean? The first thing God does is a heart transplant. Cursed are the corrupt in heart for they can’t stand to see God.
Proverb 19:3
Ephesians 2:10; 2:8 – How are we made a new creation? As an act of faith. Grace is God’s ability and builds the tunnel of faith through which you can now go through to be saved.
We must keep our purity to stay close to God.
There are two types of clean in the Bible: The outward, physical, ceremonial washing. The other is inward cleaning.
John 15:3 – Jesus’ followers were washed because they allowed the Word into their heart. They were truly purified. We are called to walk with Christ, but we are walking in dirt and must “wash our feet.”
1 John 1:9; 2:1 – Confess your sins.

Celebrate Life!

Celebrate Life!
Pastor Robert L. Thomas, Jr.

As Pastor Rick enjoys a well deserved family vacation, Pastor Robert L. Thomas, Jr. of Vine Life Christian Church (aka “Pastor Bob”) blessed us with this message. He opened by asking the congregation to share with one another what their “guilty pleasures” are. All G-rated, some private enjoyments included eating a tub of ice cream or an entire box of popsicles, shoe shopping, watching the same television program twice, or attending a concert on a Sunday afternoon instead of attending service.

John 10:10 – The thief comes only to kill, steal, and to destroy life from you. Jesus came so that we may enjoy life to overflowing. It’s ok to enjoy life’s “guilty pleasures.” I pose this question to you: Are you enjoying your life? One of the things the enemy tries to do is to steal dreams, ambitions, goals, and joy. If you find yourself unable to enjoy life, then someone has stolen your “mojo!” The one thing most valuable to a child of God is the joy of the Lord, which gives you the power to enjoy life. It is the power you need to enjoy life. In life when you fall, you get right back up. Your relationship with God isn’t about crossing all the “t’s” and dotting all the “i’s.” If you fall down, brush yourself off and get back up again, and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ to do the same. Don’t forget about the grace and mercy of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13, 22 – Enjoying the fruits of your labor is your portion in its proper perspective! I ask again, are you enjoying your life? Enjoy the children in your life. Give thanks for your job, many people aren’t working. Stop hating on people trying to enjoy their life. Start enjoying your portion. In order to get more, you must work with what you already have. Be faithful.

Matthew 6:26 – Consider the birds. Our Heavenly Father takes of the birds, how much more so will He care for you? The enemy wouldn’t come for you if you and your life weren’t valuable.

2 Corinthians 4:3, 7 – Get your shine on! Let your light be seen by all. The joy of your life is the cure for your condition.