Romans: Framework of Faith – Dead or Alive | May 6, 2012 Service

Post by Ron Moore on May 6th, 2012

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 

Romans 6:1-14
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Think of it! God has given us everything we need to live a life that honors him. We don’t have to sin; we have been empowered to live a life that honors and pleases. Here are five truths we need to remind ourselves of every day.

1. God has unplugged my heart (control center of my life) from the power source of my sinful nature (6:1-2).

Paul says that I am “dead to sin.” That means that I have been separated from the power source of my sinful nature.

2. God has plugged my heart (the control center of my life) into the power source of Jesus Christ resulting in new life (6:3-5).

When I trusted in Jesus and his work for me on the cross, God identified me with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This resulted in new (resurrected) life.

3. Through the work of Jesus on the cross, God has freed me from the control of my sin nature (6:6-8).

My old self was “crucified” with Jesus. It has been rendered useless freeing me from the power of sin.

4. God has freed me from the control of my sin nature so that I can live for him (6:8-10).

My new life in Christ—unplugged from my old sin nature and plugged into the power source of Jesus—enables me to live life with him…a life that brings honor to God.

5. Every day I remind myself that I have been given new life—unplugged from the power source of my sinful nature and plugged into the power source of Jesus Christ (11-14).

Every day I need to “count [myself] dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” My new life in Christ comes with the responsibility to stay away from my old master—the sinful nature—and follow hard after Jesus.

Click here for more information on services at The Bible Chapel.
 
 

0 Comments

Great Things for God | Nehemiah 2:17-18

Post by Ron Moore on May 6th, 2012

Nehemiah 2:17-18
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

Nehemiah’s compassion for his fellow Israelites led him to action. At great risk, he spoke to the king and was granted leave to lead in the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s broken down walls. After surveying the damage and determining the size of the project, Nehemiah stood before the discouraged people and inspired them to begin the process. Notice that the people were encouraged by two things Nehemiah said.

First, Nehemiah explained that God had graciously saved his life. A sad cupbearer not only lost his job; he lost his head. But when Nehemiah had been unable to hide his sadness for Jerusalem in the king’s presence, God graciously spared him. Second, the king was willing to participate in the rebuilding project. He gave Nehemiah timber from the royal forest and sent army officers and cavalry to ensure safe arrival. When the people heard how God had worked, they said, “Let’s start building.”

It’s amazing how God works. He moved the heart of a pagan king to supply materials for rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. And He normally uses people in His great projects. Nehemiah was willing to risk his life. What are you and I willing to risk in order to do great things for God?

Father, thank You for the privilege of allowing us to be involved in Your work. Give us the courage and willingness to be involved. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Nehemiah 1-2

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Galatians 4:21–5:12

 

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

0 Comments

Great Compassion | Nehemiah 1:3-4

Post by Ron Moore on May 5th, 2012

Nehemiah 1:3-4
They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

What’s the most important characteristic of a leader? Vision? Perseverance? Inspiration? All those are important, but from the great leader Nehemiah, we learn that one characteristic leads the way. In today’s passage, note the great compassion Nehemiah had for his fellow Israelites.

As cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah had it made. But when he heard that his kinsmen were in “great trouble and disgrace” and that the protective wall of Jerusalem had been demolished, he sat down and wept. His great compassion led to mourning, fasting, and prayer. Nehemiah was a man who lived beyond himself. He was willing to leave the comfort of the palace in order to serve those in need.

Today, we need strong leaders who are willing to stand firm even if they have to stand alone. We need leaders who possess and communicate God’s vision that inspires people to get on board. But most of all, we need leaders who are not in it for themselves, but are willing to make needed sacrifices to help others. We need leaders–like Nehemiah–with great compassion.

Father, raise up leaders who are willing to make personal sacrifices in order to build others up. Raise up leaders like Nehemiah. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Nehemiah 1-2

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Galatians 4:21–5:12

 

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

0 Comments

Family Devotions

Post by Ron Moore on May 4th, 2012

I write to parents with children at home. Singles, married without children, empty-nesters – don’t misunderstand, you are important too. But for this post, allow me to narrow the audience. And don’t stop reading. Singles and married without children, my words may soon apply directly to you. And empty-nesters, we need your prayerful support and help.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY. OK – read it again. This is the key passage on parenting in Scripture. Although this passage is rich in teaching and application, let me drive home this one point: God has given parents the primary and ultimate responsibility for spiritual training. The headquarters for Christian is not the Christian School, the Sunday School, the Pioneer Clubs, or Youth. The headquarters is the home. Parent(s), the responsibility lies on your doorstep. The spiritual life must be taught and exemplified in the home.

PLAN. As you plan for business meetings and big meals, so plan for family devotions. Parents, spend time discussing what important truths you would like to convey. Determine in advance how to convey these truths. Pray that God will help you communicate effectively. Set a specific starting time and stick to it. There are many excellent resources available to you.

PROTECT. Protect your time together. Turn the television off. Require all your children to be present. Homework is not a viable excuse. Allow your telephone answering machine to do its job.

PERSEVERE. Initially there will be resistance. Satan will be sure to provide distractions. You may feel like you are not “getting through.” But even in the midst of all the distractions the Spirit of God will do His work, if you don’t give up.

PLEASURE. Make it fun!!! ”It is a crime to bore someone with the Word of God.” Laugh. Sing. Act out parts of scripture. One December we acted out the Christmas story at our home. Our children made sure we went through it five times so everyone could play a different part. I must say I made a much better Joseph than I did a Mary or the baby Jesus. Videotape singing or the drama and play it back. As your children watch it on TV, they are hearing the message again. Or how about a videotape testimony from a godly grandparent who lives a distance away? Come together with relatives and grandparents who live nearby. Periodically, share a meal and devotions with another family. By all means make this an enjoyable experience.

UNBELIEVING PARTNERS. Wives, some of you are married to men who have not yet placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Be sensitive. Prayerfully propose a time of reading the Bible and praying together as a family. But don’t push. Continue to live as a godly example before your children. Prayerfully read and apply 1 Peter 3:1-6.

PRAY. Pray that God will give you the boldness to apply Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Pray for discipline and perseverance. Pray that he will bring about eternal results.

I am convinced that if families will accept the leadership challenge and prayerfully persevere, American families will see true revival and we will truly be a “city set on a hill.”

 

0 Comments

True Confession | Ezra 10:1

Post by Ron Moore on May 4th, 2012

Ezra 10:1
While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites–men, women and children–gathered around him. They too wept bitterly.

True confession is not a flippant, “I’m sorry.” Neither is it a regretful, “I’m sorry I got caught.” It begins with an understanding that our sin is in direct opposition to the Heavenly Father, who loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us on the cross. It includes a deep remorse for knowing what God said to do and refusing to do it, or knowing what He said not to do and doing it anyway.

Notice the emotion of today’s passage. Ezra was praying, confessing, weeping, and throwing himself on the ground prostrate before God. His sorrow for the sins of the people was deep, heartfelt, and visible. Israel’s sins had led them to captivity. Now, after many had returned to rebuild the Temple, Ezra wanted the people to restart with a clean slate.

What about you? Anything you need to bring before God in true confession? God is waiting with open arms for you to come with a heart of true confession.

Father, thank You for not only providing the remedy for our sin but also a way to confess our sins before You and keep a clean slate. Thank you for the promise that if we confess our sins to You, You will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Ezra 9-10

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Galatians 3:26–4:20

 

Today on The Journey: Can I Understand God? (God in Balance). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

0 Comments

Teaching God’s Word | Ezra 7:10

Post by Ron Moore on May 3rd, 2012

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

For years, I have claimed today’s passage as my life verse. Let me share with you why this verse is so meaningful to me.

Devoted. I do not want to live a half-baked Christian life. Ezra was all in and going all out to do what God called him to do.

Study. All effective teachers of God’s Word have to put in the hard work of understanding the passage. Our study cannot be shoddy.

Observance. A seminary professor was fond of saying, “You cannot impart what you do not possess.” Or as another has said, “You can be in the Word without the Word being in you.” The teacher cannot miss the critical step of personal application.

Teaching. Teaching God’s Word is a great privilege and responsibility. But for the person with the gift of teaching, there is no greater thing than to stand and say, “Open your Bibles and turn to….” God promises that when His Word goes forth it never comes back empty. It always accomplishes His purpose.

Father, on behalf of all those reading this who have the gift of teaching…we thank You. We thank you for the privilege of opening Your inerrant Word to children, youth, and adults. Thank You for the promise that Your purpose is always accomplished when your Word goes forth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Ezra 7-8

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Galatians 3:1-25

 

Today on The Journey: Three Gods in One? (God in Balance). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

0 Comments

Parents Perspective

Post by Ron Moore on May 2nd, 2012

Parents are exhausted these days. Life is busy. Let me share with you an experience I had when our kids were younger…

I had been moaning about how busy things were. My job. The new baby. Soccer, softball, and baseball practices and games. School stuff. Yard work. And on and on. But God was clear. These are the best of times. I have blessed you with another miracle. Your children are at an age when they want to be with you and want you involved in their lives. Too soon these will all be memories. Enjoy it while you can!” Then He spoke in a letter of encouragement and recollections from my mother. “Believe me,” she wrote. “I remember the pee wee ball games of [yours]. At the time they were time consuming, but now I have so many good memories. [It was] also nice because I had dad here to share all of good times. Time goes by so fast, enjoy all these times.”

Don’t waste time on temporal stuff. How much time do we spend on things that don’t count? How much energy do we spend piling up straw that one future day will not survive the final evaluation (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Life is about eternal things. The present is about the future. We must live each day knowing that an account will be given to God.

Don’t sacrifice the future for a moment of pseudo-pleasure. I have seen too many fall to sexual temptation to make the mistake of saying, “It could never happen to me!” That day God reminded me just how much I have to lose. The love, respect, and trust of those I love the most could be shattered in a moment. The beautiful love of a beautiful wife; the hugs and kisses and respect of four gifts of God, the fun of wrestling on the living room floor; laughter at the dinner table; nicknames for each have sworn to card board games: “party nights” by the fireplace with popcorn and videos—-just being with those I love the most could be lost in a moment of irrational disobedience that I am protected from only by the grace of God.

May God continue to use all the things that make up life to remind to stand firm in His grace.

You and I will no doubt cry the tears that parents cry as our children grow. But by His grace we can enjoy these busy days; invest in things that count for eternity: and be a part of our children’s futures instead of living alone some day in the desert land of remorse and regret.
 

0 Comments

Know What God has Called You to Do | Ezra 4:4

Post by Ron Moore on May 2nd, 2012

Ezra 4:4
Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.

Whatever you set out to do, someone will work to stop you. When God puts something in your heart, someone will try to convince you that you’re mistaken. When God calls you to a great task, naysayers come out of the woodwork.

Years after God’s people were overthrown and taken captive, God moved in the heart of the Persian King to let the Israelites return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. But, of course, there was opposition. People set out “to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid.” They even “hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans.”

Some things never change. Whenever God calls you to do something, get ready for the opposition. The pessimists will show up to let you know that it can’t be done. The cynics will call to challenge your motives. The worrywarts will share their fear. But when God is for us who can stand against us? Know what God has called you to do and get ‘r done!

Father, You call us to do great things for You. And we want to do those great things. So please help us when people come to discourage us and cause us to be afraid. We follow and depend on You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Ezra 4-6

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Galatians 2

 

Today on The Journey: Opening Your God Box (God in Balance). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

0 Comments

Page 12345678910
Free
<em>More Than Words</em>

More Than Words

This devotional booklet on prayer walks us through the tough questions like, “Why weren’t my prayers answered?”, “How can I pray with faith and submit to God’s will at the same time?”. It walks through the tension of the “already, but not yet” dynamic of the Christian life. More Than...

Request Now

Get Ron’s Free Daily Devotional