02/19/2023 Church service

周日礼拜

视频

 扫码加美国牧师麦克的微信 Pastor Mike's WeChat：

欢迎扫码或者点击原文详情进入教堂网址了解详情

加入中美Bible Study与我们一起学习圣经（中英文）

视频脚本 Script

 

CORRECTION
2 Tim 3:16,17
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

“Some Assembly Required.”

All my life I have had the opportunity to assemble things. So have you.

First it might have been a model airplane.

I remember when my cousins were young I got to assemble al their cool Star Wars toys that got for Christmas gifts. I was too old to get them, but certainly not too old to enjoy them.

“Some Assembly Required.”

Unless I get really desperate, I try to put things together with at least minimal reference to the directions.

I remember assembling a gas grill that seemed like it had 1,000 pieces to screw together.
It wasn’t until I was almost finished that I found out I had put the base upside down. I decided it looked better that way.
No way was I going to take it all apart again after literally hours of assembly time.

Our lives are always under construction.

Unlike me making the grill work despite the glaring error in assembly, when we ignore the issues in our lives that need fixing, they don’t just fade away on their own.

We need the corrective direction that comes from God’s Word and from the Godly wisdom of trusted mentors in the Body of Christ.

It takes honesty and humility to submit ourselves to such correction.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

“When your life is possession centered, the important thing is what you have; when it is principle centered, the important thing is who and what you are.”

A few decades ago I used to watch a show on MTV called “Cribs,” where music celebrities would take the viewer on a tour of their multi-million dollar homes.

They would usually brag about how wild their parties were and all of the unspeakable things that went on behind their closed doors, but for many of these celebrities, inevitably the tour would end at their front door where there would be a big ol’ Family Bible on a table.

Knowing the obvious contrast and apparent conflict between their riotous lifestyle and the sacred Word of God, they would follow up by saying things like, “Only God is my judge. No one can judge me but God”

Now, maybe we’ll never be on a show like “Cribs” and have our private life on global display, but do we also find ways to dismiss our own failings?

“That’s just the way I am.”

God’s Word has the power to shine a light on those things that we need to let go of

Last Week: Acts 3:19 - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

Although it is true we are no longer under condemnation, we are under construction.

Repenting is an act of acknowledging we are off course, and that we are willing (with God’s help) to do something about it

James 1:21: Put out of your life all that is unclean and wrong…
…humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

God’s Word is the mirror that we look at our lives with and we see the loving correction of our Creator

Job 5:17: Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

Jesus said: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.”

Condemnation and Conviction are not synonymous

God’s love does not condemn us, but Holy Spirit will convict us to show us where we need to make an adjustment – or maybe even a U-Turn.

This can feel like those labor pains we talked about last week

Something needs to change

Change happens sometimes after the harsh reality that it is desperately needed

Labor pains - where we are no longer comfortable in our lukewarm walk with God and we know it is time to get up and move forward.

Wake-up calls are not always pleasant

When this occurs, we need to bring those weaknesses before God in humility and in submission to His Word and His Will for us.

J I don’t know anyone who likes to be “shussed”

It never fails to aggravate and irritate. (we take it personally)
…and yet, especially sometimes in the workplace, it is very necessary.

So, too, we need the corrective direction that comes from God’s Word and from the Godly wisdom of trusted mentors in the Body of Christ.

Can we accept a bit of Godly guidance from our brothers and sisters?

Gal 6:1: Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted.

Are you willing to let your weaknesses be pointed out for the sake of them being shored up?
You see, God is not just the God of your strengths. He’s the God of your weaknesses too!

Thomas Merton: “Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.”
Prov 12:1: Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Someone indirectly said something to me last week that forced me to examine my behavior. At first I felt defensive, but as I examined my life in the mirror of truth, I had to humbly accept that it really was me who needed to change.

Today, if someone confronts you about a weakness you have (in truth and love,) don’t get defensive. Receive correction. Be wise.
Let the temporary “ouch” of being corrected lead to a fantastic harvest later down the line!

Heb 12:11 - No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

We don’t enjoy discipline when we get it. It is painful. But later, after we have learned our lesson from it, we will enjoy the peace that comes from doing what is right.

Don’t beat yourself up about the weaknesses you have. It’s an opportunity for God’s strength and power to be demonstrated in you.

2 Cor 12:9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Make the decision now to remove what’s blocking your growth

Will you confront it – or will you walk away unchanged today?

James 1:23,24 - Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.



 

 Archives

Hillside United Methodist Church
3739 US 80
Phenix City  AL  36870
United States
Pastor: Mike J Koger

How to get here 教堂位置
点击这里进入谷歌地图：谷歌GPS导航
You can use the church's neighboring shop address for your Google GPS navigation 你如果直接在谷歌地图上直接输入教堂地址找不到我们，建议你输入教堂旁的餐厅地址: T-Bones Steakhouse, 3747 US-80 W, Phenix City, AL 36870
You're giving to our  ministry， you can send those gifts to:
(奉献发送地址:)
PO Box 8513
Columbus, Georgia 31908