29 Jun Comfort And The Cross
Preacher Huijun - 3 July 2014
Understanding Christian Paradoxes
Often, it seems that we are rejected by the world. Why is it that after becoming a Christian, knowing the word of God, we seem to be unable to fit in this world? The desire, inclination and fondness of things seem to change. As a result, we can no longer live peacefully in this world and enjoying what we used to enjoy. If children of God want to have victory in this world, it is not to live in congruent with the world's mindset but to stand firm in the truth of God, especially in paradoxical situations. Although uncomfortable, the struggle we experience is pleasing in God's eyes because its very presence proves that there’s a new person inside us who wants to follow and submit to God. To the world, Christians may seem to lose all things when they follow God; but to children of God, it is when they obey God that they receive the greatest freedom and joy that surpass all earthly transient and momentary things.
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1. The traps of Comfort.
- “Suffering”: Abstract
- The problem of “not having problems”
- Resistant to even little inconveniences
- Stay in comfort zones
- <Lk 9> 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
- Spiritual battles faced in comfort:
- People proud toward God (no need for Him)
- God-loving spirit put to sleep
- Flesh is stirred up
2. Be intentional about carrying the cross in the midst of comfort.
- [one slide] Cross and Comfort: Opposites or Correlated?
- If we do not carry cross intentionally:
- Devil will get us
- World will consume us
- Many things other than God will influence us
- Accusations grow
- Get listless about “God-stuff”
- Evangelism becomes non-urgent
- People who want to live by the truth will remain in a constant state of battling and tension
- Carry the Cross: Centre on God, Gospel and Kingdom
3. The importance of gatherings.
- <Heb 10> 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- <Mt 18> 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
- Value creates Momentum
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