Pastor Rick Jackson
When something is truly settled, there is no reason to whine
about it or try to change it. The best thing to do is rejoice in it and learn
to accept it and move forward. Many years ago, when it became apparent our
automobile was going to give up the ghost the Lord opened the door for us to
get the truck we now drive. We wanted to surprise the girls so for several
weeks we didn't tell them. Then we made a scheduled trip to Pensacola and
surprised them. What good would it have done them to say, "No, I like the
old car." Or, "I wanted you to get a lime green vehicle."? None.
It was settled. We had the truck, we traded in the car, we got the color we
wanted... they only thing to be done is what they did, rejoiced for us,
accepted it, and moved on!
Well, we got something much better than a new vehicle and
brother, it's settled! And it's settled in three different tenses. And once
again, the Bible is practical for our lives.
I. IT'S PAST AND IT'S
SETTLED! [v. 1-3]
1. Set your sights [v. 1] Seek "actually means having an urgency and a desire and an
ambition" -JVM (like an Olympic athlete)
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his
hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for
the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
2. Set your affections [v. 2] phroneo to set one's mind to a
thing
Mt. 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your
treasure is, there will your heart be also.
3. Set your reality [v. 3] it's real, it's done, it's
settled, reckon it, count on it, act like it!
Think about it! Hid in Christ! If a person was hidden in a
bomb shelter built to withstand a nuclear attack they would survive a hit
though the "duck and cover" people wouldn't. We are hid in Christ, to
hurt us something would have to hurt Him and of course, now, nothing can!
II. IT'S FUTURE AND
IT'S SETTLED! [v. 4]
1. Christ is our life now and forever [v. 4, Philippians
1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.]
2. Christ will appear [v. 4]
Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of
man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall
see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that,
when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at
his coming.
3. Christians will appear with Him in glory
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth
not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we
shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied
of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
III. IT'S PRESENT AND
IT'S SETTLED! [v. 5-9]
1. We need to mortify [v. 5-6] "put to death",
like a bad appendix must be removed
-fornication- porneian, general term for sexual sins
-uncleanness- impurity, includes thoughts, words, looks,
gestures, jokes
-inordinate affection- uncontrolled passion or lust, violent
emotions, unlawful impulses, a state of mind that excites passion
-evil concupiscence- evil desires, a passionate desire for
things God has set as off-limits (Rm. 1:26)
-covetousness- which is idolatry
2. We need to 'member- we've moved! [v. 7]
3. We need to modify [v. 8-9]
-anger- 0ver the wrong things, may be a covert attitude,
habitual attitude
-wrath- unforgiving spirit of anger erupting
-malice- congealed anger, nursed along even after anger
& wrath "I don't get mad, I get even"
-blasphemy- misrepresenting God or others with our speech
-filthy communication- abusive and/or filthy speech, coarse
language
-Lying- misrepresentation of the truth, implies an intent to
deceive
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