Let God In

Intro:

Allowing Christ In

Intro:

Good morning all and God bless you this morning. If you would, please turn over to as we continue our study in the book of know I promised we might get through this chapter but it looks like it might be one more week. There is just too much good stuff here in chapter 3 for us to rush through. And it is no different for where Paul tells the people this: Read

Pray

An elderly lad was well known for her faith and boldness talking about it. Every night she would stand her front porch and proclaim, “Praise the Lord!” However next door lived and atheist and he was getting pretty tired of her nightly proclamation and one night he cried out, “Their aint no Lord!” The lady, being on hard times went out on her porch and praised God and asked “Lord I need groceries and don’t have the money, please provide, Praise the Lord!” The next morning, she came out on her porch and there was a sack of groceries and she cried out, “Praise the Lord!” But just then the man jumped out form the bush and says, “Ha! I told you there wasn’t any God, I bought those groceries for you!” The lady started jumping and dancing and singing, “Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord he delivered the groceries and made the Devil pay for them!”

I don’t know about you but I want a faith like that; I want the peace of Christ to rule in my heart so that even in my hardest struggles I might find peace. God always provides, that is a promise he makes to us in . However to participate in this provision we must let Him in and be a part of our lives. Do you realize you have that kind of control over your life, that God, even God Alighty, gave us the power to accept Him in or reject Him. That’s what Paul is trying to tell us here in when he says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

I. Let

A. The Peace – vs 15

1. Have to allow it

2. Christ does not force himself in –

3. Rule

a. First reaction to any situation

b. Looking to be peaceful

c. going to take everything from 12-14

4. What does it look like

a. Jesus example

b. Personal example

5. Be thankful

a. Good way to be peaceful

b. Realize how much Christ has already done

c. Remember this is about honor God, not me

d. Jesus gave thanks –

e. Share your thanksgivings – psalm 35:18

B. The message -vs 16

1. Have to allow it

a. First step is to actually be a part of it

b.

2. Put them into practice

a.

b. To just hear and “believe” doesn’t work

3. Putting it into practice – Also in Chapter 2 (Reiteration)

a. Proclaim

b. Admonish

c. Teach

4. Methods

a. Message (Word)

b. Wisdom

c. Psalms, hymns and songs –

i. Soothing

ii.

iii. Makes a huge difference

iv. Why such division on music

v. ;

f. The Spirit -

i. Gratitude

ii. Second time

5. This will bring about conviction – story about Andrea/me

a. The Spirit Convicts

b. People raising hands

i. Video

d. People sitting and praying

f. Music is powerful

II. Do it all for God’s Glory – vs 17

A. Whatever you do

1. Word

a. Speak with Joy

b. Speak peace

c.

d. For what we say will be judged

i.

2. Deed – Jam 4:26

a. Actions have to match words

b. Match our faith

c. Match our lives

d. Don’t put on the mask

B. Do in the Name of the Lord

1. As if working directly for him

a. Because we are

b. Are we showing people, Christ

c. Are we representing

2. Can you put Jesus name on your work

a.

b. Is it good enough

c. Would Christ approve

C. Give thanks

1. Through Him

2. Realize His sacrifice is our grace

Conclusion:

Honoring His sacrifice and the grace we receive mean letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. We have to be open to Him, he will never force His will upon our lives. He wants us to come to this peace; it is the result of openness and obedience. This all comes from letting the message rule in our lives as well. Opening up our Scripture and allowing His Word to change our lives. We do all of this so that in everything we do, whether in word or in deed we do in the name of Jesus. This means the way we treat people and the way we act and what we do to bring them to Christ. Can Jesus put His stamp of approval on what we do and on what we say, that is the measure we take. So that we remember that all we do is in thanksgiving for all that He has done for us. So this week, lets go show the word our word and deeds, lets shine that light of Christ for all to see. Lets put Jesus seal of approval on all we do and say because it is by grace that we are able to do these things.