“Apply These Virtues” By Brother Kennth Ray May 9th,
2010
On
Mother’s Day we always talk about the virtuous woman, but those virtues
apply
to more than just women. Genesis
2:21-23
…she shall be called Woman…
What
did God form, after He made woman? Nothing.
She was His crowning achievement.
In Genesis 4:1, it becomes clear that woman is the
source of life. They
are God’s tool to bring life into the
world. Mothers add
a source of life to
the household, a source of joy. There
is
a joy missing when mom is not there. Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father and they mother…
We
put moms in a special place in Virtues of mothers: Selflessness—Mothers have children and raise them just to let them go. Kindness—hugs, love and cookies. Wisdom—My mom taught me to be myself. I was the youngest of six brothers, so, a lot of times, I would try to act like my older brothers. Mom said, “Just be yourself.” Strong Prayer Life—I had a praying mom and grandmother. They taught me to have a strong relationship with God. Strong Character—Moms sometimes say, “I
didn’t raise you that way,”
or, “People will think I didn’t raise you right.” Romans 8:28 …all things work together for good…
Now
I’m going to ask my Gatorade question:
“Is
it in you?” The
same qualities that we
admire in a mother should be found in us. A
virtuous woman will raise virtuous children. 2 John 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in the truth… The children of this elect lady honored both their mother and God by walking in the truth. They didn’t just know the truth, they walked in the truth. Remember earlier I said that mothers were a tool that God used to bring life. These virtues should be in you: Selflessness—First, love God; second, love thy neighbor as thyself. Kindness—Render not evil for evil, but overcome evil with good. Wisdom—Exercise Understanding. Strong Relationship with God—understand
your place, your worth,
your limits, your victory, your joy, and your potential. A lot of people have a
strong relationship
with church, but not with God. I’m
the
Fellowship Leader. Sometimes
it’s not
good to have a title. I
like football; I
like fishing; I like hanging out; I like to take a nap once in a while.
None of those
things are wrong, in and of
themselves, but none of them are spiritual either. It’s
all in what you do with them. Luke
6:46
“Why call ye me, Lord,
lord, and do not the things which I say?” I have to ask today, “Are you sitting in church, or walking in the truth?” Ask yourself these questions: Do I know the Word of God? Do I know how to use it? Do I apply it to the encounters of my life? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then apply yourself and see the answer change to yes. God and your mother didn’t spend all that time being an example for nothing. You and I have tools to use and to pass on to another who is in need of the very same things that we are in need of. Are you filling someone else’s cup? That’s mom’s job; no, that’s your job. Be the tool that God can use to teach others. Matthew
11:29
…learn of me… Jesus spoe these words; He commanded us to learn of Him. He also said: Revelations
1:8
I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end… If we begin and end with Jesus, He’ll hear us, sit with us, listen to us, answer our questions and He’ll teach us. King David inquired of God. If you let Him, He will lead, guide and direct you. Behold, all things are made new… Matthew
4:1-11
…when the tempter
came to Him… When Jesus was tempted, He applied scripture, and then the devil had to leave. You may be asking yourself, “How do I apply that?” Our lives may seem like a collection of different scenes, but we do not live a scripted life. There’s not one answer that will always be right, but, if you start with God, and stay to the end, He can direct you and speak through you. You can (and should) have the same virtues as mom, and the people around you, and Jesus. Sermon notes by Pete Shepherd |
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