A Mother's Day
Joe R. Price

Today is the annual day for honoring mothers – something mothers deserve more of than they receive. Children should hold their mothers in high regard and respect. The tragic irony in America is that children are told to honor their mothers while our laws tell mothers they may abort their children! Should not mothers also honor their children by giving life to those they choose to conceive? Absolutely.

There are still mothers who honor life, love their children and devote themselves to training their children in the ways of God. They should be held up and honored every day. We thank God for these mothers. Without your dedication and sacrifice the next generation is ill-prepared for life and unprepared to live by faith.

Mothers of faith instill faith in their children and are praised by God for their godly service (2 Tim. 1:5). As we honor our mothers today, please notice some of the things with which a mother’s day ought to be filled.

A mother’s day is…

…a day of joy. The day of giving birth to new life is a great day of joy and gladness (Jno. 16:21). Yet, even while motherhood brings joy it is also attended with sorrow. Mary, the mother of Jesus, had great sorrow as she witnessed her son Jesus being horribly mistreated (Lk. 2:34-35).

…a day of love. Godly mothers seek the welfare of her children before herself. She “watches over the ways of her household” with love (Prov. 31:27). Blessed is the family whose mother wraps her children in the security of warm affection and constant care (Titus 2:4).

…a day of instruction. Mothers are daily teachers of the next generation. Her words, values and character are instilled in the hearts and lives of her children. Mothers, be careful to teach your children “with wisdom” and the “law of kindness” (Prov. 31:26).

…a day of devotion. Hannah devoted herself to giving her son Samuel to the Lord (1 Sam. 1:11, 22, 27-28). Your children will not be Christians by accident. Mothers, you have a tremendous part in the faith of your children. If you are not devoted to God it is unlikely your children will be. Set them a godly example every day. They will “rise up and call (you) blessed” (Prov. 31:28).

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Redeeming the Time
Bobby Witherington

Eph. 5:15-16 See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.

   Col. 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Thayer: redeeming: buy up for one’s use, exerting necessary effort to buy up.)

   Jas. 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

   Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.

   Psa. 9:16 The Lord is known by the judgment which He executeth; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. vs. 9 The Lord also will be a refuge in time of trouble for the oppressed.

   Psa. 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. vs. 9 For all our days ae passed away in Thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

   Prov. 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

I. HOW TO USE LIFE PROPERLY:

   Acts 17:24-25 (ONE GOD) God that made the worlds and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with man’s hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.

   Gen. 2:7 And the Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 

   A living soul, very precious, given to each as a trustee who holds title of another for the benefit of the other (God).  We are stewards of our lives; we are accountable to God for the use we make of our lives.

II. OPPORTUNITIES.

   Gal. 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all (men), especially unto them that are of the household of faith.

   Opportunities are brief and fleeting, we must be alert to recognize and take advantage of them. Opportunity knocks, then goes busily onward.

   Eph. 6:1 and 4 give admonition to both children and parents. These opportunities are not popular, not COOL, take time and effort, but the time is short. Opportunities to teach are soon gone.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Preparing for Worship

1. Worship is the expression of honor, adoration & praise unto God.
2. Prepare ourselves to benefit from worship & avoid vain worship (Psa. 100).
3. It is observable that worship becomes less than joyful for some Christians.
4. Things to be / do as a “prelude to praise.”

I. MUST APPROACH WORSHIP WITH A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT IS, THEN DO IT.

  A. “The Act of Paying Reverence, Adoration, or Homage to God.”
    1. proskuneo: “To kiss the hand towards;” make obeisance, do reverence, act of homage.
    2. sebomai: Revere, feeling of awe, Mt. 15:9
    3. latreuo: Render religious service, Phil. 3:3
    4. eusebeo: To act piously towards, Ac 17:23
Worship in TRUTH (Matt. 15:7-9).

II. MUST APPROACH WORSHIP WITH A PROPER “MIND SET” (Heart), Psa. 111:1.

  A. True Worship is in SPIRIT, Jno. 4:24); 1 Cor. 11:17, 27-29.
  B. Preparing our Hearts to Worship, Psa. 122:1 (Matt. 5:23).

III. MUST HELP CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO TRUE WORSHIP.

  A. A Setting that Promotes Reverence, Heb. 12:28; Psa. 89:7; Hab. 2:20 (Zeph. 1:7); 1 Cor. 11:20-22.
  B. Decency & Order, 1 Cor. 14:40 (23-25).
  C. Avoid Merely Appearing to be Reverent, Mal. 1:6-8, 13 (Matt. 15:8-9; 23:5-7).

IV. NEVER LET YOUR WORSHIP BECOME COMMONPLACE. cf. Psa. 122:1

  A. Avoid Ritualism by being involved in Private Devotion, Meditation, Prayer, Study, etc.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

God Works in our Lives

1. Question: Is it God working or man working when truth is believed & obeyed; when Christ is followed & God is feared? 
2. Ans. Both occur, Eph. 2:5-10 (faith is a work we do, Jno. 6:27-29; 1 Jno.3:23); Jno. 15:4-8; Phil. 4:13.

I. YES, GOD WORKS IN THE LIVES OF CHRISTIANS.

  A. “The Power that Works in Us,” Eph. 3:20-21 (14-19); Col. 1:9-11; Phil. 2:12-13; Heb. 13:20-21.

II.   HOW GOD WORKS IN OUR LIVES.

  A. Through the Gospel, Rom. 1:16; Acts 2:37, 39; 16:13-15; Jno. 6:44-45; Acts 10:34-35 (1 Tim. 2:3-4); 1 Ths. 2:13.
  B. Through Human Agents, Rom. 10:14; Acts 8:30-39; 1 Cor. 3:9; Eph. 4:11-13; 2 Cor. 6:1 (Matt. 25:34-40).
  C. Through Prayer & Providence, Matt. 7:7, 11; Jno. 15:7 (1 Jno. 3:22); Matt. 6:25-34 (Phil. 4:19).

III. WE MUST DO GOD’S WORK IN THEIR LIVES, Jno. 6:27-29; 9:4.

  A. Faith is a Work we Must do (a command we must obey, 1 Jno. 2:23; Phil. 2:12-13).
  B. False Notions we must Carefully Avoid:
    1. Any “work” is earning salvation (merit) (Eph. 2:9; Jas. 2:24).
    2. Any “work” denies grace (Acts 10:34-35).
    3. Any “work” is of human origin (Eph. 2:10).
    4. Any “work” denies God’s power (Phil. 2: 12-13).

Conclusion

1. We must allow God to work in our lives. God works in our lives through faith (which comes from the word of God).
2. When we live by faith, God is working in us to produce what pleases Him (Heb. 13:21)

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What Jesus Has Done for Us
Joe R. Price

He descended to earth that we might ascend to heaven, Jno. 6:38; 14:3

He became poor that we might become rich, 2 Cor. 8:9; Jas. 2:5

He was born that we might be born again, Jno. 3:3-5; 1 Jno. 3:2

He became a servant that we might become sons, Phil. 2:7; Gal. 4:6-7

He had no home on earth that we might have a home in heaven, Matt. 8:20; Jno. 14:2

He was hungry that we might be fed the bread of life, Matt. 4:2; Jno. 6:50

He was thirsty that we might drink the wells of salvation, Jno. 19:28; Isa. 12:3

He was wearied that we might find rest, Jno. 4:6; Matt. 11:29

He was stripped of His robe that we might be clothed, Matt. 27:28; 2 Cor. 5:4

He was the man of sorrows that we might be sons of rejoicing, Isa. 53:3; Phil. 4:4

He was bound that we might be free, Matt. 27:2; Jno. 8:35-36

He was made sin that we might be made the righteousness of God through Him, 2 Cor. 5:21

He died that we might live, Jno. 19:33; 5:24-25

He will come down again that we might be caught up to eternity, 1 Ths. 4:16-17

Author Unknown, modified

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