My sermon from last Sunday has been posted.
Are you in Christ? This message (linked below) has everything to do with reaping the benefit of His presence now in you: His love, His joy, His peace, His patience, His kindness, His goodness, His gentleness, His faithfulness, His self-control. From our perfect position in Christ, our best approach to the needs of relationships all around us, and specifically to marriage, is to be undivided in devotion to the Lord and relatively unconcerned with meeting the needs of those around us. How can that be?
This approach, first advocated by the apostle Paul, allows Jesus to produce His life in and through us, even His love for our spouse.
1 Corinthians 7:29-35 reads: “What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;...35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”
This lack of concern for others while being “undivided” in our devotion to Jesus (which is where we are—in Christ) puts us in direct trust of Christ now in us. He has more love and power for everyone and everything than you could ever imagine. And wouldn’t it be nice to start getting used to it? Through this approach He can produce what He is like in us, and we will find Him capable and perfect for everyone and everything around us. This is the life of trust and of awe you’ve always wanted and for which God has set you up. You’ll be thrilled with Him.
This message was given at Grace Life Church, in Woodstock, Georgia, where Ralph had been speaking for several days prior to this final, Sunday morning message.
Go to http://web.mac.com/ralphandsarah/LifeCourseMinistries/Downloads/Downloads.html
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Love it!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteAmen and Amen, this is great Ralph, thank you
ReplyDeleteGreat message Sunday Ralph! I learned a lot!
ReplyDeleteHow else would life be described as rest except that as He fills us with who He is the overflow is what we give others. Thanks Brother
ReplyDeleteGod's life in us really is found effortlessly, or without effort which so often fouls everything up. If we think we must manifest a "Christianly attitude," then that's what we'll attempt. It will capture our attention and force our effort. If we believe that knowing God, the Spirit now in us, is a higher prize, then He will produce what He is like in and through us.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's really good!