20
May '20
Saved to Serve
20
May '20
Text: Acts 18:2, 26; Romans 16:3-5
-Acts 18:2 “And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.”
-Acts 18:26 “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
-Romans 16:3-5 ” Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.”
Introduction: Did you know that God’s got a CALL on your life? What is it? Maybe not a full time ministry call but nevertheless, the Lord has CALLED us to FOLLOW Him! How are we doing? Have you ever heard of Aquila & Priscilla in the Bible? Both Luke in the book of Acts and Paul in the book of Romans reveal (4) key ways to check up & see if we are really fulfilling our CALLING:
1. If we are going to fulfill our CALLING, we’ve got to MAKE time with our Lord DAILY! (Acts 18:2)
“Paul departed…and came to Corinth: And found a certain Jew named Aquila…from Italy, with his wife Priscilla…they were tentmakers.”
• Time management
• Spiritual disciplines
“Paul departed…and came to Corinth: And found a certain Jew named Aquila…from Italy, with his wife Priscilla…they were tentmakers.”
• Time management
• Spiritual disciplines
2. If we are going to fulfill our CALLING, we’ve got to be AVAILABLE for our Lord REGULARLY! (Acts 18:26)
“A certain Jew named Apollos…an eloquent man, mighty in Scriptures…fervent in the spirit…knowing only of the baptism of John…Aquila and Priscilla had heard, took him..and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
We all need to remain TEACHABLE!
• Discipleship
• Mentoring
• Discipleship
• Mentoring
3. If we are going to fulfill our CALLING, we’ve got to put to death the “OLD MAN” and put on the “NEW MAN” DELIBERATELY! (Rom 16:3-4)
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila….who have for my life laid down their own necks.”
• Death to SELF
• LIFE to Holy Spirit Power
• Death to SELF
• LIFE to Holy Spirit Power
4. If we are going to fulfill our CALLING, we’ve got to SERVE the Lord with a good ATTITUDE PURPOSEFULLY! (2 Tim 4:19) “Salute Prisca and Aquila.”
• Paul is in prison
• Priscilla & Aquila – TEAM PLAYERS in the work of God
• Paul is in prison
• Priscilla & Aquila – TEAM PLAYERS in the work of God
Conclusion: Are we answering the Lord’s call today? These (4) keys: spending devotional time daily, being available regularly, putting off the flesh but putting on the new man deliberately, and serving the Lord purposefully, will make a difference as we answer God’s CALL and FOLLOW JESUS!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
19
May '20
Becoming a Man or Woman of God
19
May '20
Text: Philemon
“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”
Introduction: Are you facing challenges? How about time management? Balancing demands of life? Keeping priorities in line? Don’t you want to be known as a man or woman of God? Here are (6) marks of measurement that Paul articulates to Philemon that act as a mirror to see if we are known as a man or woman of God:
1. A man or woman of God has FAITH & LOVE for the LORD JESUS & all the SAINTS! (Philemon 5a)
“Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward the saints.”
• Understanding the times – Faith in God
• Unconditional love for all of God’s people
• Understanding the times – Faith in God
• Unconditional love for all of God’s people
2. A man or woman of God is LIVING out his or her FAITH in JESUS by the power of the Holy Spirit! (Philemon 6)
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
• Living out!
• Pouring in!
• Living out!
• Pouring in!
3. A man or woman of God REFRESHES others! (Philemon 7)
” For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee brother.”
• Love gives
• Love receives
” For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee brother.”
• Love gives
• Love receives
4. A man or woman is willing to go beyond the CALL of DUTY! (Philemon 21)
“Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.”
• Just getting by?
• Going above & beyond!
• Just getting by?
• Going above & beyond!
5. A man or woman of God learns to EXERCISE FORGIVENESS! (Philemon 18)
“If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.”
“Wronged” is in the aorist tense- meaning past event – with Onesimus.
“Oweth ” is in the present tense- meaning still owes.
• 2 Wrongs
• Don’t make a Right
“Wronged” is in the aorist tense- meaning past event – with Onesimus.
“Oweth ” is in the present tense- meaning still owes.
• 2 Wrongs
• Don’t make a Right
6. A man or woman of God believes & practices the POWER of PRAYER! (Philemon 22)
” …for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.”
• Praying for others
• Needing them to pray
• Praying for others
• Needing them to pray
Conclusion: Staying the course set by a PROVIDENTIAL God is challenging! Do you agree? Look back on your life….
Hills, bumps, curves and plenty of u-turns can be expected along the way. Although not always pleasant, to be a man or woman of God is the ultimate calling. One last note; our Lord Jesus’ measuring stick can be found in the little book of Philemon.
Hills, bumps, curves and plenty of u-turns can be expected along the way. Although not always pleasant, to be a man or woman of God is the ultimate calling. One last note; our Lord Jesus’ measuring stick can be found in the little book of Philemon.
Thanks for being “A MAN & WOMAN” of God!
Love y’all,
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
12
May '20
Fulfilling God’s Call On Your Life
12
May '20
Text: 2 Samuel 5:1-25
6″And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. 12 And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.”
Introduction: When you are riding in a boat, do you like to sit in the BACK and see where you’ve been, or do you like to sit in the FRONT and see where you’re going? Both are important. It’s been said, “Older men look backward…. younger men look forward… and middle age men look terrible!” Anyway, while observing David’s life, God gives us (3) ways to use our influence with our family and friends… and FULFILL our calling:
1. In order to FULFILL our calling, we need more FORESIGHT! (2Sam 5:6-10)
“And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land… and took the strong hold of Zion… the Lord God of hosts was with him.”
By following God’s will and way, David saw the need for Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel.
• Do you look AHEAD?
• Do you have God-given goals?
“And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land… and took the strong hold of Zion… the Lord God of hosts was with him.”
By following God’s will and way, David saw the need for Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel.
• Do you look AHEAD?
• Do you have God-given goals?
2. In order to FULFILL our calling, we need more INSIGHT! (2Sam 5:8)
” And David said on that day, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites…. he shall be chief captain.”
” And David said on that day, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites…. he shall be chief captain.”
Because of prior preparation, David knew a secret entrance to get on to the Temple Mount and overthrow the enemy.
• Do you look around?
• Do you count the costs?
• Do you look around?
• Do you count the costs?
3. In order to FULFILL our calling, we need more HINDSIGHT! (2Sam 5:9-12)
“So David dwelt in the fort and called it the city of David… the Lord had established him king over Israel.”
• Do you look behind?
• Do you see the Lord’s blessing?
• Do you look behind?
• Do you see the Lord’s blessing?
Conclusion: When God is up to a work in our life (like David’s), He gives FORESIGHT, INSIGHT, and HINDSIGHT. What is He up to in your life? There’s ground to be taken, enemies to be defeated, and glory to God to be given, if we are going to FULFILL our calling!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese