GOD'S SPIRITUAL STIMULUS PLAN – RIGHTEOUSNESS (9 OF 14)
by Steve Jones
Scripture: Philippians 4:1-23
This content is part of a series.
God's Spiritual Stimulus Plan – Righteousness (9 of 14)
Series: God's Spiritual Stimulus Plan
Steve Jones
Philippians 3
INTRODUCTION: Thomas Benjamin preaches at a church in Indianapolis and begins each service with the following: "I am a child of God. I may be black, I may be white, I may be free, I may be uptight, but I'm a child of God. I may be fat, I may be thin, I may be out, I may be coming on in, but I'm a child of God. I may be rich, I may be poor, I may be exciting, I may be a boor, but I'm a child of God."
The point of that little diddy has to do with assurance. For a Christian, whatever else is true of us, this much is true – we are children of God – and therein lies our joy. The joy of Christianity is rooted in the assurance of salvation. When Jesus' disciples had returned from a successful preaching tour in which they had healed the sick and exercised authority over demonic forces, they were excited and joyful, and rightfully so. However, Jesus cautioned them saying: "Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20)." Assurance of salvation is a primary source of Christian joy. If you're a Christian today I'd like to ask you a question that Christians sometimes like to spring on unsuspecting non-believers. If you died today are you confident that you would be in paradise with Jesus as opposed to being in torment with the devil and his demons? If you can answer, "yes, I'm confident" to that question, and I'm sure that most of you can, then you have reasonable grounds for great joy in your life no matter what else is taking place. If you can't answer "yes" then you probably live under a cloud of apprehension that robs you of joy.
I'm in a sermon series based upon Paul's letter to the Philippians. I've entitled the series "God's Spiritual Stimulus Plan" because we're looking at the provisions that God has made to keep our spirit's strong and healthy, even if our ec ...
Series: God's Spiritual Stimulus Plan
Steve Jones
Philippians 3
INTRODUCTION: Thomas Benjamin preaches at a church in Indianapolis and begins each service with the following: "I am a child of God. I may be black, I may be white, I may be free, I may be uptight, but I'm a child of God. I may be fat, I may be thin, I may be out, I may be coming on in, but I'm a child of God. I may be rich, I may be poor, I may be exciting, I may be a boor, but I'm a child of God."
The point of that little diddy has to do with assurance. For a Christian, whatever else is true of us, this much is true – we are children of God – and therein lies our joy. The joy of Christianity is rooted in the assurance of salvation. When Jesus' disciples had returned from a successful preaching tour in which they had healed the sick and exercised authority over demonic forces, they were excited and joyful, and rightfully so. However, Jesus cautioned them saying: "Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20)." Assurance of salvation is a primary source of Christian joy. If you're a Christian today I'd like to ask you a question that Christians sometimes like to spring on unsuspecting non-believers. If you died today are you confident that you would be in paradise with Jesus as opposed to being in torment with the devil and his demons? If you can answer, "yes, I'm confident" to that question, and I'm sure that most of you can, then you have reasonable grounds for great joy in your life no matter what else is taking place. If you can't answer "yes" then you probably live under a cloud of apprehension that robs you of joy.
I'm in a sermon series based upon Paul's letter to the Philippians. I've entitled the series "God's Spiritual Stimulus Plan" because we're looking at the provisions that God has made to keep our spirit's strong and healthy, even if our ec ...
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