To The Work! To The Work! Exhortations to Christians

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As soon as a wrong thought pops into your mind, you confess it and turn from it. A survey of American pastors revealed that 20 percent view pornographic material at least once a month Leadership [Winter, ], p. I believe that a man who yields to viewing pornography at least once a month should not be in leadership until he gains victory. Purity in thought and deed is essential for ministry. Thus your walk with Christ is the necessary basis of any work you do for Christ. Since the Lord wants every member of His body to function in serving Him, pay attention to your walk.

But you do need to be growing in each area, bringing every aspect of your life into submission to the lordship of Christ. Then, as you relate to others, you slop over what you have of Christ to them; you are ministering. It requires attention and work as well:. Note the importance of the ministry of the Word in the church assembly: Paul exhorts Timothy not to neglect his gift 4: There is much more that could be said, but I want to point out five things concerning spiritual gifts:.

You have not been left out. God has gifted you to serve Him.

Normally, believers receive a spiritual gift at conversion. Of course God can bestow other gifts subsequent to salvation as He deems necessary to equip a person for a specific ministry. So they laid hands on Timothy, prayed for him, and he received the gift of teaching for his task see 2 Tim. God does not normally reveal your gift supernaturally. As you grow in Christ and get involved in serving Him, other believers begin to confirm your gift.

Even though Timothy received his gift in a rather dramatic fashion, he had to work at developing it. Note the words Paul uses to exhort Timothy to exercise and develop his gift 4: The fire was dying out. The spiritual muscle can atrophy from non-use. You must make a commitment to fulfill the ministry God has given you: As you do certain things, you will narrow down your field of interest and ability until you discover your area of gift.

Then concentrate primarily on your area of gift, while remembering that every Christian is responsible to serve in most areas.

But you focus in your area of gift. You work hard to develop your ministry skills in that area. A common mistake many pastors make, especially as a church grows, is neglecting the ministry of the Word. They start doing everything else, or often become more like the manager of a company, and the teaching ministry suffers. As I emphasized already, giftedness must be accompanied by godliness.

To the Work! to the Work! Exhortations to Christians

Timothy was a timid fellow. Perhaps he was threatened by the older Ephesian elders. Maybe he felt inadequate ministering in the shadow of a man like Paul. Maybe he was afraid of people. It refers to an order passed down a military chain of command. Perhaps this especially applies to the gift of teaching. It confronts sin and selfishness. Hugh Latimer, who later was martyred by Bloody Mary used to say to himself before he preached at the royal court: Be careful what thou sayest.

But Latimer, Latimer, remember thou art also about to speak before the King of kings and Lord of lords. Take heed thou dost not displease Him. But it also applies to every spiritual gift when the person is growing in godliness. We should never do it with arrogance or confidence in ourselves. But the point is, God wants to use you to impart something of Christ to others.

A HOLY LIFE, THE BEAUTY OF Christianity.

Paul obviously is not talking about being saved by works. We are saved by grace through faith apart from works Eph.

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But there is also a future aspect to salvation. Those who are saved will persevere and they will influence others to be saved as well. This may apply more to those with gifts of teaching or evangelism, but it also applies to someone with the gift of helps or giving or showing mercy. As you grow in godliness and exercise your gift faithfully as unto the Lord, He will use you in the eternal salvation of lost people. So long as thy constitution-sin remains, as winked at by thee, so long thou art an hypocrite before God; let thy profession be what it will: Besides, do what thou canst, so long as thou remainest thus, thou wilt be of a scandalous life.

No honour is brought to religion by such. Again, As they that name the name of Christ should depart from their constitution -sin: This is a sad thing, and yet so it is. Take heed of these, lest having fled from thine own sins, thou shouldest be taken with the sins of others. Dost thou profess the name of Christ, and dost thou pretend to be a man departing from iniquity? This was a trick that Israel plaid of Old: Hence they were said to return, but not to the Most High.

This is a grand deceit, and a common one too, a deceit of a long standing, and almost a disease Epidemical among professors. Hypocrisie would do a while ago, but now Debauchery. Youth is for Pride and wantonness, Middle age for cunning and craft, Old age for the world and Covetousness. Take heed therefore of deceit in this thing. Some do depart from iniquity, as persons in wrangling fits depart from one another; to wit, for a time, but when the quarrel is over, by means of some intercessor, they are reconciled again.

Take heed therefore, O professor: For there is danger of this, and the height of danger lies in it. And I think that Satan, to do this thing, makes use of those sins again, to begin this rejoynder, which he findeth most suitable to the temper and constitution of the sinner. These are, as I may call them, the Master sins; they suit, they jump with the temper of the soul: To help this, take heed of parlying with thy sins again, when once thou hast departed from them: In this be like the deaf Adder, stop thine ear, plug it up, to sin: There are sins that may be called the iniquity of the day.

It was thus in Noahs day, it was thus in Lots day, and 'twas thus in Christs day; I mean in the days of his flesh: Hence 'tis said of Noah that he was a just man, and perfect in his Generations.

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The same I say of Lot, he kept himself from the sin of Sodom: The other must die before, and not be permitted to the mercy of the Ark, nor to see the new world with Noah. But the Priests, the Levites the sons of Zadok that kept the charge of my Sanctuary, when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near unto me, to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God.

They shall enter into my Sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge. Great complaints have we now among professors, of deadness in duties, barrenenss of the ministry, and of the withdrawing of God from his people; But I can tell you a cause of all this, namely, the sin of the day is got into the Church of God, and has defiled that holy place. This is the ground and cause of all these things: If any should ask me what are the sins of our day. Yea, they have got the boldness to plead for them, and to count them their enemies that seek to reform them.

All tables are full of Vomit and filthiness. And for Pride and Covetousness for loathing of the Gospel, and contemning holiness, as these have covered the face of the Nation: And I say again, when you find out a professor that is not horribly tainted with some of these things, I exclude not the Ministers nor their families let him be as a Beacon upon an Hill, or as an Insign in our Land. But say one, would you have us singular? As for the Godly-wise you speak of, let them manifest themselves to be such by departing from iniquity.

I am sure that their being tainted with sins of the day, will not prove them godly-wise. Behold, I have taught you, said Moses, Statutes and Judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me; that ye should do so in the Land whither ye go to possess it. There is an house-iniquity ; an iniquity that loves not to walk abroad, but to harbor within doors. This, as I said, is an iniquity that loves not to walk abroad, but yet it is an horrible plague within doors.

So it also standeth in Chambrings and wantonness. But, it is a shame to speak of those things that are done of some in secret: Such an evil thing is house-iniquity in the eyes of the God that is above. Where now adays shall we see children that are come to men and womens estate, carry it as by the word they are bound. I say, where is the honour they should put upon them? Is it not common now adays for Parents to be brought into bondage, and servitude by their children? Nor doth this sin go alone in the families, where it is: This is a common sin, and a crying sin, and to their shame be it spoken that are guilty; a sin that makes men vile to an high degree, and yet it is the sin of professors.

This sin also is, I fear, grown to such a hight in some, as to make them weary of their Parents, and of doing their duty to them. Disorders of Servants, is also an house-iniquity, and to be departed from by the godly. When the Servant learns his vileness of his Master, or of her Mistress.

When the extravagancies of Servants are not discountenanced, and rebuked by their superiors, and the contrary taught them by word and life. But now what a man is at home, that he is indeed.

And a good report from those most near, and most capable of advantage to judge, is like to be truer than to have it only from that which is gotten by my observers abroad. When, within doors may be bad enough. Secondly, As the best judgment is made upon a man from his house: But to pass these, and to come to other things. This is plain from the Text last mentioned: The which to be sure, thou canst by no means do, if iniquity, to the utmost, be not banished out of thy house.

There is pride instead of humility, and heighth and raillery instead of meekness and holiness of mind. He looked for an house full of Vertue, and behold, nothing but Spiders-webbs. Bless me, saith such a servant, are these the religious people! I took him to do my work, not to train him up in religion.

Well, suppose the soul of thy servant be thus little worth in thine eyes: Yet what wilt thou say for thy children, who behold all thy ways, and are as capable of drinking up the poyson of thy footsteps, as the Swine is of drinking up swill: I say, what wilt thou do for them? Children will learn to be nought of Parents, of professing Parents soonest of all: I say, what wilt thou say to this? Or art thou like the Ostrich, whom God hath deprived of wisdom and has hardned her heart against her Young? This may be called part of the iniquity of the house: This is an iniquity now on foot in this Land, and ought to be departed from.

Secondly, There is an iniquity that attends the Closet, which I may call by the name of vacancy.

When men have a Closet to talk of, not to pray in; a Closet to look upon, not to bow before God in; a Closet to lay up Gold in, but not to mourn in for the sins of my life. A Closet, that could it speak, would say, my owner is seldom here upon his knees before the God of Heaven: Thirdly, Then also a man is guilty of Closet-iniquity, when though he doth not utterly live in the neglect of duty, he formally, carnally, and without reverence and godly fear performs it.

The Closet is by God appointed for men to wait upon him in, and to do it without hypocrisie. And how can a man that went last time out of his Closet to be nought, have the face to come thither again? It is a great thing to be a Closet-Christian, and to hold it: When I say, a Close-Christian, I mean one that is so in the hidden part, and that also walks with God. Many there be that profess Christ, who doe oftener in London frequent the Coffee-house than their Closet ; and that sooner in a morning run to make bargains, than to pray unto God, and begin the day with him.

Colossians – Exhortation to Put on Christ as a New Way of Life - Alan Knox

He that runs from God in the morning, will hardly find him at the close of the day: Nor is this a thing new, and of yesterday. It has been thus almost in all ages of the Church of God, and that not only in things small, and indifferent, but in things fundamental, and most substantial. I need instance in none other for proof hereof, but the doctrine of faith, and holiness. If faith be preached as that which is absolutely necessary to Justification ; then faith-fantastical, and loosness and remisness in life with some are joyned therewith.

What is the cause? But what unbecoming language is this for the Children of the same Father, members of the same body, and heirs of the same glory to be accustomed to? And to help thee in this thing: Sometimes, so much iniquity is mixed with good opinions that it prevails, not only to hurt men in this world, but to drown them in misery everlasting. The more a man stands upon his points to justifie himself, and to condemn his holy brethren: And it is the wisdom of God to let it be so, that flesh might not glory in his presence.

But what is the sentence of God concerning those? Why, these are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. The which thou wilt in no wise be able to shun, unless thou beest clothed with humility. So that here is a great iniquity to be parted from, an over-spreading iniquity. So that here is, for the keeping of thy soul upright and sincere, more than ordinary diligence to be used.

It is a sin that dares it with God.

Effective Christian Leadership Ephesians 2:10-2:10 Introduction: ‘We are...

It is a sin that saith, God is ignorant, or that he delighteth in iniquity. It is a sin that flattereth, that dissembleth, that offereth to hold God, as it were, fair in hand about that which is neither purposed nor intended. It will make a man preach for a place, and praise, rather than to glorifie God and save souls; It will put a man upon talking that he may be commended; It will make a man, when he is at prayer in his Closet, strive to be heard without doors; It will make a man ask for that he desireth not, and shew zeal in duties, when his heart is as cold, as senseless, and as much without savour, as a clod: It will make a man pray to be seen and heard of men, rather than to be heard of God.

It will make a man strive to weep, when he repenteth not, and to pretend much friendship, when he doth not love. Believe that Gods eye is always upon thy heart to observe all the ways, all the turnings, and windings of it. Believe that he observeth all thy ways, and marks thy actions.

Believe that there is a day of judgment a coming, and that then all things shall be revealed and discovered as they are. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness, shall be heard in light, and that which ye have spoken in the ear in Closets, shall be proclaimed upon the house tops.

Though his exellency reach up to the heavens, and his head reacheth unto the clouds: Of all sins, the sin of Hypocrisie bespeaks a man most in love with some lust, because he dissembleth both with God and man to keep it. These licentious and evil times, wherein we live, are full of iniquity, nor can we though we never so much love God do our duty as we are injoyned, if we do not know it. The law is cast behind the back of many, when it should be carried in the hand, and heart, that we might do it to the end, the Gospel, which we profess, might be glorified in the world. Let the law, I say, be with thee, not as it comes from Moses, but from Christ; for though thou art set free from the law, as a Covenant for life, yet thou still art under the law to Christ, and it is to be received by thee, as out of his hand, to be a rule for thy conversation in the world.

And when ought shall come into thy mind to be done, and thou art at a stand, and at a loss about the lawfulness, or unlawfulness thereof, then betake thy self to the law of thy God, which is in thy hand, and ask if this thing be good, or to be avoided. But how little of this is found among men? No, though the salvation of their own souls are endangered thereby; and how then should these forbear things that are lawful, even of godly tenderness to the weakness of their neighbour?

Art thou a professor? If so, I ask, dost thou according to the exhortation here, Depart from iniquity. I say, examine thy self about this matter, and be thou faithful in this work: Deceive thy self thou maiest, but beguile God thou shalt not. From the deceitfulness of mans heart, which will flatter him with promises of peace and life, both now and hereafter, though he live in iniquity, while he professeth the name of Christ.

The heart therefore is not to be trusted, for it will promise a man peace in the way of death and damnation. I doubt not but many are under this fearful judgment to this day. Let as many therefore as would examine themselves about this matter have a jealous eye over their own heart, and take heed of being beguiled thereby: For by the Verdict of the word, thou must stand and fall, both now, at Death, and in the day of Judgment. Take the word with thee, and by the word do thou examin thy self.

It is urged from the cunning of Satan. Can he help it, thou shalt never find out the iniquity of thy heels. Wherefore take heed of him, for he will be ready at thy side when thou goest about this work. Now for thy help in this matter, set God, the Holy God, the All-seeing God, the sin-revenging God, before thine eyes; for our God is a consuming fire. This will be thy help in this thing, that is, if thou usest it faithfully; also this will be thy hindrance, if thou shalt neglect it, and suffer thy self to be abused by the Devil.

Wouldest thou examin thy self, then make not the lives of others any rule to thee in this matter. First, The iniquity that cleaveth to men that profess, if they cast it not away, but countenance it, will all prove Nettles and Bryers to them: And I will assure thee, yea, thou knowest, that Nettles and Thorns will sting and scratch but ill-favouredly. And lo, it was all grown over with Thorns, and Nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

Suppose a man were, after work all day, to be turned into a bed of Nettles at night: For look as they cover the face of his Vineyard through his sloth now, so will they cover the face of his conscience, in the day of judgment.

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If a man then shall make profession without conscience of Gods honour in his conversation, his profession and conscience will meet in the day of his visitation. This will sting worse, tear worse, torment worse, kill worse. Therefore look to it. I search the reins and the heart, saith he, to give unto every one of you according to his ways. He alloweth them not now to call him Lord.

The reason is, for that such do but profane his name, and stave others off from falling in love with him and his ways. He regardeth not their prayers. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer. And if so, then what ever thou hast at the hand of God, thou hast it, not in mercy, but in judgment, and to work out farther thine everlasting misery. He will not regard their soul, but at the last day will cast it from him, as a thing abhorred by him. Therefore let me exhort thee again to examin thy self, if thou hast, and dost, since thou professest that name depart from iniquity.

And here I would distinguish, for there is two parts in iniquity, to wit, the guilt, and filth. There are that call evil good, iniquity good, and that of professors too: And come, now thou art going about this work, let me help thee in this matter. There is a soul-polluting evil in iniquity,. There is a soul-damning evil in iniquity. And untill thou comest experimentally to know these things, thou wilt have neither list, nor will, to depart from iniquity. Thus was Moses sick of sin, thus Jabez was sick of sin, and thus was Paul sick of sin.

You know that those that are sensible of a sickness, will look out after the means to be recovered; there is a means also for this disease, and dost thou know what that means is, and hast thou indeed a desire to it? For the more grace any man has, the more is he sick of sin; the greater an offence is iniquity to him.

So then, there is nothing can cure this disease but glory: And dost thou desire this Medicine. I know that there are many things that do make some even wish to die: And doth the hope of this strike arrows into the heart of thy lusts, and draw off thy mind, and affections, yet farther, from iniquity. Has God commanded by the mouth of his holy Apostles and Prophets, that those that name the name of Christ, should depart from iniquity: But what sinners are these? Jordan Nisly rated it liked it Apr 11, Amy Greenwood rated it really liked it Jun 17, Greg Garvie rated it it was amazing Jan 13, John Sheehan rated it liked it Sep 24, Andrew wippler rated it really liked it Jun 09, Andy rated it really liked it Jan 01, Marianne rated it it was amazing Jan 07, Josey rated it really liked it May 01, Michael Crary rated it liked it Jun 21, Andy rated it really liked it Oct 29, Claude rated it really liked it Jun 07, Fre rated it really liked it Feb 18, Brian Mahon rated it liked it Apr 20, Ann rated it it was amazing Feb 04, Timothy Adam Plumley rated it it was amazing Feb 27, Geibah rated it really liked it Jan 07, Judith Noameshie rated it it was amazing Apr 13, Rachel rated it it was amazing May 02, Brenda rated it it was amazing Jun 22, There are no discussion topics on this book yet.

Dwight Lyman Moody was a predominant evangelist, author, and publisher. Raised on a farm in Massachusetts, he moved first to Boston, where he converted to evangelical Christianity in , and then to Chicago, where he prospered in business. He gave up business in and engaged in missionary work with the YMCA He founded Moody Church and preached in the slums, emphasizing literal inte Dwight Lyman Moody was a predominant evangelist, author, and publisher.

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