This sermon, titled “Eat This Book: It’s a Literal Meal,” navigates the complex dialogue between viewing the Bible as the literal word of God versus interpreting it with a blend of literalism and symbolism. It confronts the declining belief in the Bible as the literal word of God in the U.S., presenting statistical data to frame the conversation around modern perceptions of biblical authority.
Sermon Notes:
2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known
to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of
His majesty.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because
when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not
as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, …
Rule #5: All of the Bible is about Jesus
Rule #6: The Bible not only has to be Read, It has to be Interpreted
Rule #7: “A Text Taken out of Context is a Con”
Rule #8: Let the Bible interpret Bible
Rule #9: There is a Progressive Revelation in the Bible
Rule #10 Scripture is to be understood in its literal, normal, and natural sense.
Headline: Fewer in U.S. Now See Bible as Literal Word of God
20% of all U.S. adults believe it is the actual word of God
25% of Christian adults believe it is the actual word of God
49% of all U.S. adults belive it is the inspired word of God
58% of Christian adults believe it is the inspired word of God
29% of all U.S. adults believe it is an ancient book of fables
16% of Christian adults believe it an ancient book of fables.
30% of Protestants say that the Bible is literally true, compared with 15% of Catholics.
A record-low 20% of Americans now say the Bible is the literal word of God,
down from 24% the last time the question was asked in 2017, and down from 30%
of what it was in 2011.
This marks the first time significantly more Americans have viewed the Bible as
not divinely inspired than as the literal word of God.
1. THE BIBLE IS NOT AN ANCIENT BOOK OF FABLES.
2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known
to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of
His majesty.
Dear Dr Gott:
An infinitely wise God placed in Adam and Eve’s environment everything that
that was needed for optimum health. Because He did not place a rifle in Adam’s
hand or teach Eve how to build a trap, how did these two people capture moving
creatures to eat? It’s highly un- likely that Adam and Eve obtained enough vitamin
B12 from their skimpy diet of fruits and vegetables, Could they have suffered
vitamin deficiences?
Dear Reader:
Sure, anybody who fails to eat a well-balanced diet can suffer malnutrition and
vitamin deficiency. But don’t you think you are carrying this Adam and Eve thing
too far? It doesn’t take a theologian to conclude that much Biblical material is
symbolic not literal. No one has the faintest idea of what Adam and Eve ate
and that information is probably not important if, as I suspect the original man
and woman are symbols of an unsophisticated and primitive tribe that existed
without sin until its numbers became more human by obtaining knowledge–
a revolutionary and dangerous turn of events for the shaman and leaders
of such a culture.
Bill O’Reilly: “If you believe in Adam and Eve, there are a number of other things you
have to believe. You have to believe in incest because the race had to procreate
off the children that Adam and Eve had. If you believe in Adam and Eve, you
have to reject the science of evolution and carbon dating.”
Matthew 19:4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who
made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’
1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.”
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
1 Timothy 2:13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses …”
Exodus 20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Exodus 20:10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God …”
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea,
and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed
the Sabbath day and hallowed it
2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as
a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day
John Schneider says “It’s time to face facts: There was no historical Adam and Eve,
no serpent, no apple, no fall that toppled man from a state of innocence.
Evolution makes it pretty clear that in nature, and in the moral experience of human
beings, there never was any such paradise to be lost, so Christians, I think, have
a challenge, have a job on their hands to reformulate some of their tradition about
human beginnings.”
2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known
to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of
His majesty.
2. THE BIBLE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD, BUT NOT
EVERYTHING IN IT SHOULD BE TAKEN LITERALLY.
Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a
great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon
his heads.
Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did
cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready
to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
When the Bible uses the name Adam, it means a literal person named Adam and
not just a symbolic representative of the human race.
When the Bible uses the word “days” it means a literal 24-hour day and not a
symbolic representation of an era or an extended period of time.
When the Bible uses the word “devil” or “:Satan” it means a literal devil and not just
a symbolic representation of evil.
3. THE BIBLE IS THE ACTUAL WORD OF GOD AND IS TO BE
TAKEN LITERALLY, WORD FOR WORD.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because
when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not
as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, …
Genesis 3:1 “… the serpent said to the woman, “Has God said?”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “… as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively
works in you who believe.
This sermon delves into the profound concept of living a resurrection life—a life transformed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It underscores the significance of living not for ourselves, but for Jesus, who sacrificed Himself for our redemption. The message draws on various Scriptures to explore the multifaceted implications of a life lived in the light of Christ’s resurrection.
Sermon Notes:
2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be
well pleasing to Him.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that
if One died for all, then all died;
2 Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for
themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
One is to live as if Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning and is coming back tonight!
Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ
the Lord.
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior
of the world.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus came to save us from sin.
Matthew 1:21 NLT And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he
will save his people from their sins.”
Jesus came to save us from death.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus came to save us from judgment.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from
the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
1. RESURRECTION LIFE SAVES US FROM LIVING FOR SELF.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for
themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
County Common Pleas Court Judge Brendan Sheehan told Candelario (quote)
” You left your child trapped in a tiny prison for days while you were out having a good
time and you committed the ultimate betrayal by leaving your daughter alone without
food. Just as you didn’t let Jailyn out of her confinement, so too you should spend
the rest of your life in a cell without freedom. The only difference will be, the prison
will at least feed you and give you liquid that you denied her.”
At the sentencing, lead detective T.J. Powell wrote a poem he read:
J is for the justice that will be received today.
A is for the angel wings she earned on that dreadful day.
I is for the incremental repetition buildup of suspense for a … death that clearly
makes no sense.
L is for the lack of love while alone for 11 days.
Y is for a young life that was taken away.
N is for new eternal life Jailyn gained on that day. No child should ever have to die this way.
2. RESURRECTION LIFE MEANS LIVING FOR JESUS.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for
themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
John 10:10 “… I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly.”
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ
lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that
just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life.
3. RESURRECTION LIFE MEANS PLEASING JESUS.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be
well pleasing to Him.
John 8:29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I
always do those things that please Him.
4. RESURRECTION LIFE EMBODIES LOVING JESUS.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us …”
1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
5. RESURRECTION LIFE SIGNALS A NEW VIEWPOINT OF OTHERS.
2 Corinthians 5:16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view.
At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently
we know him now!
2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a
new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
6. RESURRECTION LIFE EXPLAINS BEING CRAZY FOR JESUS.
2 Corinthians 5:13 (NIV) If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God;
2 Corintians 5:13 (NLT) If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
Acts 26:24 (NLT) Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study
has made you crazy!”
Mark 3:21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away.
“He’s out of his mind,” they said.
John 10:’20 And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen
to Him?”
1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,
a peculiar people;…”
A.W. Tozer writes in The Root of the Righteous (quote p.156)
” A real Christian is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom
he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see, expects
to go to heaven on the virtue of Another, empties himself in order to be full,
admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up,
is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when
he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so
he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible …”
Adrian Rogers said, “I may be a nut, but I’m fastened to a good bolt, the Lord Jesus
Christ.”
Love makes people do crazy things.
William Borden, 1887-1913.
The epitaph at the bottom of William Borden’s tombstone ends with the phrase,
“Apart from faith in Christ, there is no explanation for such a life.”
2 Corinthians 5:15 And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for
themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Isaiah 46:9
Deut 28:29
Prov 4:18
2 Peter 1:19
Rev 1:1
Deut 29:29
Isaiah 46:9
Gal 4:4
Isaiah 30:18
Genesis 1:26
Psalm 2:7
Psalm 51:11
Romans 1:7
John 1:1
Acts 5:3-4
1 John 5:7
Proverbs 4:18
Psalm 119:133
Psalm 17:5
John 3:19-20
2 Peter 1:19
Jeremiah 17:9
1 Peter 1:19
Psalm 119:105
Rev 22:16
Luke 21:26-27
Matt 7:21-23
Sermon Notes
Isaiah 46:9 (NIV) “… I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none
like me.
Isaiah 46:10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what
is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things
which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all
the words of this law.
Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and
more unto the perfect day.
2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to
heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star
rises in your hearts;
Rule #5: All of the Bible is about Jesus.
Rule # 6: The Bible not only has to be Read, It has to be Interpreted
Rule #7: “A Text Taken out of Context is a Con”
Rule #8: Let the Bible interpret Bible
Rule #9: There is a Progressive Revelation in the Bible
Progressive revelation simply put is the unfolding of God’s revelation.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His
servants—things which must shortly take place.
Now the whole Bible is Jesus being revealed and He is the one doing the revealing
The whole Bible is God’s Revelation not just the Book of Revelation
Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things
which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all
the words of this law.
I. GOD’S PROGRESSIVE REVELATION COMES THROUGH INFORMATION.
Isaiah 46:9 “… For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none
like Me,
Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things
that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’
Isaiah 46:9 (NIV) “… I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none
like me.
Isaiah 46:10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what
is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
(1) Later revelation interprets earlier revelation.
(2) The New Testament interprets the Old Testament,
It has been said: “The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed;
the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.”
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son,
made of a woman, made under the law,
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you …
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…
Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son;
this day have I begotten thee.
Psalm 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit
from me.
The Father is God
Romans 1:7 …Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Son is God
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
The Holy Spirit is God
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the
Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
Acts 5:4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it
not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You
have not lied to men but to God.”
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word,
and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
II. GOD’S PROGRESSIVE REVELATION COMES THROUGH ILLUSTRATION.
Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and
more unto the perfect day.
The truth does get truer.
Psalm 119:133 Order my steps in your word: and let not any iniquity have
dominion over me.
Psalm 17:5 Hold up my goings in your paths, that my footsteps slip not.
The light recieved increases light
The light refused increases darkness.
Vance Havner once said, “A man is judged not on the basis of how much sin he
commits, but on the basis of how much light he rejects. ”
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light,
lest his deeds should be exposed
III. GOD’S PROGRESSIVE REVELATION COMES THROUGH ILLUMINATION.
2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to
heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star
rises in your hearts;
2 Peter 1:19 (NLT) You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words
are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning
Star shines in your hearts.
1 Peter 1:19 (KJV) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do
well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day
dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
1 Peter 1:19 “… until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
1 Peter 1:19 “… until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things
in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and
morning star.
We sing a hymn about it “The Lily of the Valley”
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star.
Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
flooding my soul with glory divine:
hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
singing His praises, Jesus is mine.
Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those
things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Luke 21:27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and
great glory.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
Matthew 7:23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness!’
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender
mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone
has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of
perfection.
Here’s some Mom wisdom for Mother’s Day
* It’s not easy being a Mom. If it were, Dad would do it!
* Moms are the only ones who know the true meaning of 24/7.
* I smile because I’m your mother, but I laugh because there’s nothing I can do
about it.
* We have the perfect mother-daughter relationship. You’re my daughter, and
I’m perfect!
* Mom, on helping the kids with their math homework:
Dear Math, grow up and solve your own problems.
* Silence is golden. Unless you have kids, then silence is suspicious.
* Why is a computer so smart? Because it listens to its motherboard.
* Why is Mother’s Day before Father’s Day? So kids can spend their Christmas
money on Mom.
*I hate when I’m waiting for Mom to cook dinner and then I remember I am the
Mom and I have to cook dinner.
* Nothing is really lost until Mom can’t find it.
* Home is where your mom is.
How to dress for success — always dress like your boss.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
on Christ.
Fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language and lies
I. GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, …”
Ephesians 1:4 Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these:
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, … put on
Colossians 3:12 (Amp) Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones
Isaiah 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with
the robe of righteousness, …”
II. GOD’S CHOSEN QUALITIES.
WE DRESS FOR SUCCESS —
1. BY PUTTING ON THE CHRIST-LIKE QUALITY OF MERCIES.
Colossians 3:12 “… put on tender mercies, …”
WE DRESS FOR SUCCESS —
2. BY PUTTING ON THE CHRIST-LIKE QUALITY OF KINDNESS.
Colossians 3:12 “put on … kindness…”
Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance
and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
WE DRESS FOR SUCCESS —
3. BY PUTTING ON THE CHRIST-LIKE QUALITY OF HUMILITY.
Colossians 3:12 “put on … humility …”
“The Book of Virtues” by William Bennett.
https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347849686i/883340._UY630_SR1200,630_.jpg
Matthew 20:28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, …”
Philippians 2:7 But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself …”
WE DRESS FOR SUCCESS —
4. BY PUTTING ON THE CHRIST-LIKE QUALITY OF MEEKNESS.
Colossians 3:12 “put on … meekness…”
1 Peter 3:4 “… the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God
is of great price.
The Horse Whisperer
https://is3-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/_KjX8B5BZu7lKucYOxucMg/1200×630.jpg
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.
WE DRESS FOR SUCCESS —
5. BY PUTTING ON THE CHRIST-LIKE QUALITY OF LONGSUFFERING
Colossians 3:12 ” put on … longsuffering;
1 Timothy 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus
Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe
on Him for everlasting life.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord … is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance.
WE DRESS FOR SUCCESS —
6. BY PUTTING ON THE CHRIST-LIKE QUALITY OF FORBEARANCE
AND FORGIVENESS.
Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone
has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
D.L. Moody used to picture the Lord saying to Peter,
“Hey, Peter, go hunt up the man who put the crown of thorns on my head and
tell him that I love him. Tell him he can have a crown in my kingdom and it doesn’t
have any thorns. Find the man who spat in my face and preach the gospel to him.
Tell him that I forgive him and that I died to save him. And find the man who
thrust the spear into my side and tell him there’s a quicker way to my heart”
WE DRESS FOR SUCCESS —
7. BY PUTTING ON THE CHRIST-LIKE QUALITY OF LOVE.
Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of
perfection.
Worldwide nearly 800 women a day die due to pregnancy or childbirth.
The Valiant by Poet Mark DeWolf speaks about the risks mothers take:
Not for the star crowned heroes
The men who conquer and slay
But a song for those who bore them
The mothers braver than they
With never a blare of trumpets
With never a surge of cheers
They march to the unseen hazards
pale, patient volunteers.
Sermon Text:
Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:
fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the
sons of disobedience,
Colossians 3:7 In which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath,
malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man
with his deeds,
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who created him,
Romans 3:11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no
influence on society.”
Colossians 3:1 “… seek those things which are above, where Christ is,..”
Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
I. OUR ERADICATION: PUT TO DEATH SEXUAL SINS.
Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:
Colossians 3:5 (NLT) So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.
Deitrich Bonhoeffer (quote) ‘When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.’
Colossians 3:5 “… fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service.
The complaint report states:
“The decision to smear Pastor Johnny’s reputation with these accusations has
led him to suffer substantial economic and other damages. He has lost (his) job
and income; he has lost current and future book deals; and he has lost the
opportunity to generate income through speaking engagements.”
Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not
be once named among you, as becometh saints;
2 Samuel 12:14 “… by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies
of the Lord to blaspheme …”
II. OUR MOTIVATION: THE COMING WRATH OF GOD.
Colossians 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the
sons of disobedience,
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows,
that he will also reap.
Colossians 3:7 In which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Colossians 3:7 (NLT) You used to do them when your life was still part of this world.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
III. OUR ELIMINATION: PUT OFF SOCIAL SINS.
Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these:anger, wrath,
James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow
to speak, slow to wrath;
James 1:20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Colossians 3:8 “… malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man
with his deeds,
IV. OUR TRANSFORMATION: TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST.
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who created him,
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good
work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have
put on Christ.
Romans 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Lyrics You Are My All In All
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all.
Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
John 11:43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice,
Lazarus, come forth!
John 11:44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes,
and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let
him go.”
The grave clothes of the old you
Fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language and lies
