The Christian Life

The Christian Life would be a wonderful devotional reading for anyone seeking the wisdom and knowledge of God on these matters as revealed and given in the scriptures. This is in addition to the practical and personal suggestions given to their right purposed application by the author.

 

Donnie Buford

Elder, South Irvine Baptist church, Irvine, KY

1Peter 4:7-11

The Christian Life

Genesis 29:31-30:24; Discord in the Family

Two things present themselves in this passage: 1.) God is involved in the lives of His people, and 2.) people are by nature sinners: jealous and self-interested. What should we learn from this, what instruction has this same God given us in our day? Unity, not uniformity. Serving one another, not self. Keeping our focus on glorifying the Lord in all we do and say. And yet we see in Scripture, saints falling prey to the same selfish ambition revealed in our passage.

 Diversity in gifting for unity in service; this is our calling in Christ. Not diversity in perversity for celebrating debauchery; this is the call of the world.

The world tells us we need to think and speak as the world or we are hateful bigots. The Lord Jesus says don't think too highly of self but also to hate evil and love truth. This is why the world hated Him and will hate us.

We are to outdo one another in love, which covers a multitude of sins. This does not mean we white wash sin; it means we do not focus on sins against us but on loving one another in spite of personal offenses. Forgive 7x70. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ - He bore our burdens on the cross!

1 Corinthians 1: A Love that Requires Action.

When the children of God bite and devour one another, they are behaving as if they are still in the flesh and not alive in the Spirit. Sadly, this is all too common among us who claim Christ. We did not learn Christ this way and He would have us STOP IT!

Paul's first letter to the Corinthian saints has the theme of their being beloved by God, engaged in grievous sin, and being exhorted to repent and walk in love. Chapter 1 is a preview to the letter.

I Corinthians 1 - the Problem and the Provision.

Greetings: vs 1 – 9: Paul declares His love for the saints.

Problem: vs 10 – 17: Paul engages them in their sin.

Provision: vs 18 - 31: Paul shows them the way back to peace.

Conclusion
If you have been accepted by Christ, then for the glory of God, accept one another. If you have been accepted by Christ, then you are able to accept one another. If you have been accepted by Christ, you will WANT to accept one another.

The sermon can be heard here.

Unity in the local church

The evening message at Heritage Baptist was to encourage unity within the local body of Christ. So many petty things divide saints, we need to be reminded who we are and what our Lord commands and equips us to do.

The audio for this sermon is here.