20
Jun '24
It’s All How You Look At It
20
Jun '24
Introduction: Does it feel like the OUTSIDE is wearing out? Aches & pains… what don’t hurt, don’t work!! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand our bodies are decaying… but God is strengthening our inner being by His Spirit, according to Paul’s writing. Somebody said, “I’m at the place, where my belt won’t buckle but my knees will!”
There are (3) reasons for believers to rejoice:
1. Bad & Good News that gives us REASONS to REJOICE! (2 Cor 4:16) – ” For this cause we faint not; But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
The word “faint” means to lose courage.
• Our old body has a Limited warranty
• Our new body has a Guarantee through eternity
• Our old body has a Limited warranty
• Our new body has a Guarantee through eternity
2. Bad & Good News that gives us REASONS to REJOICE! (2 Cor 4:17) – “For this light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
The word “affliction” is thlipsis, which means pressure.
• Troubles seem to last
• Troubles & trials turn into Testimonies
• Troubles seem to last
• Troubles & trials turn into Testimonies
3. Bad & Good News that gives us REASONS to REJOICE! (2 Cor 4:18) – “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
• What you see is not what you get
• What you DON’T see is what you get
• What you DON’T see is what you get
Conclusion: If Paul is right, and he is, then this body comes with a LIMITED WARRANTY! Sorry. While that’s a sobering reality, it’s also true that we have an UNLIMITED WARRANTY with what’s on the inside (the Spirit will take on a glorified body – 1 Cor 15:37-56).
That gives HOPE & COMFORT during this life, giving us REASONS to REJOICE!
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese
21
May '20
The Key to Contentment
21
May '20
Text: Philippians 4:1-11
“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil 4:11).(“content” – Greek word – autarkes- means independent of external circumstances)
Introduction: Why are so many people unhappy? Discontented? Are you CONTENT? Satisfied? How can we get to a place of contentment? While in prison chained to a Roman guard, Paul is given by God (3) KEYS to CONTENTMENT that the Philippian believers needed, and we do as well.
1. Have we discovered we can’t CHANGE PEOPLE, only God can? (Phil 4:1-3)
” Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved….stand fast in the Lord…I beseech Euodias, and Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”
• Philippian’s division
• God’s provision
” Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved….stand fast in the Lord…I beseech Euodias, and Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”
• Philippian’s division
• God’s provision
2. Have you discovered that you can’t fix all of your PROBLEMS, but you can Win the War of Worry? (Phil 4:4-7)
“Rejoice in the Lord always….Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known unto God. And the peace of God, that passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
(“Careful” – full of care, “Keep”- garrison – guard)
• Remember reasons to rejoice
• Practice prayer as a priority – the cure for care = prayer
“Rejoice in the Lord always….Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known unto God. And the peace of God, that passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
(“Careful” – full of care, “Keep”- garrison – guard)
• Remember reasons to rejoice
• Practice prayer as a priority – the cure for care = prayer
3. Have you discovered that you can’t help when your emotions run away, but you can bring your THOUGHTS under CONTROL? (Phil 4:8)
” Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, ….honest, …just, …pure, …lovely, …good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
• Fear, Negative thoughts, Bad attitude
• Faith, Positive, Good attitude
” Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, ….honest, …just, …pure, …lovely, …good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
• Fear, Negative thoughts, Bad attitude
• Faith, Positive, Good attitude
Conclusion: What a prescription for our modern day ills! This worry-free pill needs to be taken daily…. sometimes by the minute. Winning the war over worry, trying to change people, and thinking negative thoughts, all weigh us down. But praise the Lord, He gives us keys to unlock the door to CONTENTMENT!
“Hand me the keys.”
Love y’all,
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
06
May '20
Reasons to Rejoice
06
May '20
Text: Psalm 33:1-21
“Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.”
Introduction: Are you a creature of habit? Do you like interruptions? We’ve had some lately…. What should our response be? During a national crisis, like ours today, the author David (or Asa, Jehoshaphat, or Josiah), inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:19-21), gives us (4) REASONS to REJOICE in the LORD:
1. Because of WHO HE is! (Psa 33:1-5)
” Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright…Sing unto him a new song; ….For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth….the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”
• REJOICE in the word of the Lord (v 4)
• REJOICE in the work of the Lord (v 4)
” Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright…Sing unto him a new song; ….For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth….the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”
• REJOICE in the word of the Lord (v 4)
• REJOICE in the work of the Lord (v 4)
2. Because of WHAT HE has done! (Psa 33:6-9)
” By the word of the Lord the heavens were made… let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.”
• Creator God (v 6, 7)
• Sustainer God (v 8, 9)
” By the word of the Lord the heavens were made… let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.”
• Creator God (v 6, 7)
• Sustainer God (v 8, 9)
3. Because of HOW HE is in CONTROL! (Psa 33:10-19)
” The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought… The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
• “Counsel”- Heb, etsah-means advice (v 10)
• “Counsel of heathen nought”- God frustrates
• His “Counsel stands forever”- Heb-olam (v 11)
• His Heart to all “generations” (v 11)
• God BLESS AMERICA! – make her BLESSABLE! (v 12)
” The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought… The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
• “Counsel”- Heb, etsah-means advice (v 10)
• “Counsel of heathen nought”- God frustrates
• His “Counsel stands forever”- Heb-olam (v 11)
• His Heart to all “generations” (v 11)
• God BLESS AMERICA! – make her BLESSABLE! (v 12)
4. Because of WHY HE is our HELP! (Psa 33:20-22)
“Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and shield…our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.”
• Help us to wait (v 20)
• Help comes from the Lord (v 20)
“Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and shield…our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.”
• Help us to wait (v 20)
• Help comes from the Lord (v 20)
Conclusion: Have you made a CHOICE to REJOICE? Or will you CHOOSE to LOSE? During this interruption, we are reminded that our GOD is still IN CONTROL even though it appears things are spinning OUT of CONTROL.
Yet, for the TRUE believer like David, in a time of trouble, we can find REASONS to REJOICE!
Yet, for the TRUE believer like David, in a time of trouble, we can find REASONS to REJOICE!
Will you?
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese