Old Times At New Beginnings Church
Part 2 - Hats Off At New Beginnings
Eph 6:10-19 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
INTRO: Last week we started a theme for the month of October. We recognized our fantastic seniors that are part of our fellowship and affirmed the strength of time proven service of the Lord along the "Old Ways." We looked at why they are so special to us, both individually and corporately as a church or body of believers. I thank God for our "Old Timers." They truly are good timers not just old timers!
Today is Old Hat Day." When we talk about something that is "old hat" we are talking about something that is routine. I never want our worship of the Lord to be "old hat." I never want our service for Him to be "old hat." I never want our love for each other to be "old hat." I never want New Beginnings to be just "old hat." Our love for the Lord, His House, His People should always be special in our eyes.
I know today is "Old Hat Day." The only thing I want to be routine is the fact that we go to God's House today. All these other things I mentioned, need to be forever special in our lives.
Let me get into the message. I want to use for a thought today, "Hats Off At New Beginnings." I have five major points or hats that I want to look at today. Hats do play an important part in our lives. They serve us in life well. I want to compare how we use them and how certain "hats" if you would, help us in our everyday and spiritual lives.
First, we have a…
Hat of Protection
Hats are used in our everyday life to protect us from the elements, sun, falling objects, projectiles, etc.
God wants to protect us from…
Satan's Wiles - Eph. 6:12
Sin's grip
Satan's tricks - Rom. 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Satan's ideas
God wants us to have a…
Hat of Hiding
People use hats as a way of hiding in everyday life. Some seek to be just another person of non-importance or unseen. Some try to use a hat to hide their bald head. Our soldiers and hunters might use their hat to hide from sight.
God wants us to be hidden from the…
Paws of Satan - 1 Pet. 5:8,9 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.Penalty of sin - Romans 6:23 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Partition of sin - separates from God, friends, family, brethren
Pain of sin - ruined lives, disease, broken homes, etc.
Also I think God wants us to have a…
Hat of Identity
People use hats as a way to identify themselves.
Red's fans wear a Cincy hat
Supporters of their kids wear a team hat
Gang members wear certain hats and even certain ways
Good guys wear white hats
And bad guys wear black ones
A worker will wear a specialized hat, as will soldiers, a hunter, or an athlete
Of course you got guys like "Goober" who contort their hats
And let's not forget those few that have had to wear a Dunce cap or hat
(ever notice that they only fit guys?)
Now this part is important, "How does God want us to identify ourselves?
He wants us to be identified with…
Christ - 2 Tim. 2:11 11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
Righteousness - Eph. 6:14 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Godliness - 2 Pet. 3:11 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Each other (fellow believers) - Heb. 11:25 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
And the fact that I am identified with New Beginnings is a reason for me to celebrate, which brings me to my next point or hat, God wants us to use a…
Hat of Celebration - Acts 2:46, 47 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.Most people do not think of using hats to celebrate, but we see it all the time. Just watch the athletes. The wining teams of a big tournament often have hats made up ahead of time. Watch the top draft picks in NFL as they show up ion a stage with their perspective team's hat on. When you attend High School graduations, and see all the mortarboards on their heads, know they are celebrating.
So, I ask the question, what do we have to celebrate today as we don our hats of celebration?
We can celebrate…
Our forgiveness - Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Others' forgiveness - Acts 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
Our victory in Jesus - Acts 26:22,23 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
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That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.His amazing grace - Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
His future return - 1 Thes. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
And last I want to consider how we take our hats off. By this, I am referring to the statement, "Our hats are off to…" We use this to mean we honor something or someone.
God also has for us a…
Hat of Honor
Our hats are often off to hard workers, people that persevere, people that survive or even win in difficult circumstances, people that better themselves. Our hats are certainly off for special heroes like those brave firemen and police officers that helped so many on 911. We could go on, but I want to look at how we take our hats off for Godly things. We…
Honor God - Ps. 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Honor God's Son - Rev. 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Honor His house - attending and worshipping Him there -
Ps. 26:8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
Honor our parents - Eph. 6:1 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honor His people, (each other) - Phil. 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
My hat is off to you at New Beginnings. My many thanks and great honor to who and what you are. I am so thrilled to be part of our fellowship. Part of the family of God yes, but part of a great group of believers at New Beginnings Church. Part of a people that desire to share the love of Christ. Part of a people that want to be protected by the Lord, and hidden from the ways of Satan. I believe you are a people that want to be identified as God's Children. I believe you are a people that have much to celebrate in the Lord, after all He is truly worth rejoicing about. And I know you are worthy of many honors today.
My hat is off to you. God Bless.
May God bless you and our work for the Lord.
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 101004am