Moving Closer To The Lord In 2006
Part 1: God Wants His Word To Move Us Closer
2 Timothy 3:16 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Ezra 7:10 10For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
INTRO: Today I want to start a series. Moving Closer To The Lord In 2006. If we ever need to move closer to the Lord it is today. We need to have a closer walk with the Lord. This is what God wants for us and what He expects us to seek. Will He make us, force us, twist our arms, or even worse to "make" us serve Him better? No, I think not. But He will speak to us through His Spirit. He will speak to us through His Word. He will speak to us through other's lives and godly example. The choice is yours this day.
Last week in the first message o the New Year, part of my message was that God wants truth in our lives for the year 2006. That Truth is His Word. I want to remind you of my points about that before I get into the message.
God wants truth in our lives for 2006
This needs to be the year that you dive into God’s Word
This needs to be the year that you apply God’s Word
This needs to be the year that you live God’s Word
This needs to be the year that you examine and line up with His Word
(throw out the excuses and get the weights and sins out of our lives)
Understanding that if we are to move closer to God this year…
God Wants His Word To Move Us Closer
To do that…
We need to hunger for God's Word in our lives.
Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Hunger should be obvious like a baby or young animal - automatic.
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Brings strength to the body.
Begins growth that is healthy.
Psalms 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Bestows great happiness.
(better than chocolate and ice cream together)
We should thirst for God's Word as a way of life.
1 Corinthians 10:4 4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Psalms 63:1 1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Just like good water, God's Word…
Satisfies like no other drink (touches deep).
Isaiah 58:11 1And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Stabilizes like God intended (water can save our lives).
Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Systematically removes harmful sin from us.
We should desire to seek God's Word for our lives.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
It teaches us how we should walk for Him.
Psalms 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
It is a treasure of great worth.
It is tidings form a loving Savior - "Jesus."
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
It takes our path from darkness
We should gladly share God's Word with others for their lives.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Psalms 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
When we share God's Word…
We share a gift that endures.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
We share a gift that brings needed change.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
We share a gift that brings protection.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints
We share a gift that is discerning.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
We share a gift that flows with hope.
Are you filled with His Word today? Yes □ No □
Do you want more of God's Word in your life?
Yes □ No □Do you know the hope that God's Word brings to us through His Son, Jesus?
Yes □ No □Will you call upon Him this day for salvation? ? Yes
□ No □Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 010806am