How then shall we live?

English Standard Version Chapter 24

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Intro: Jesus spoke in the book for Mathew about these things. This is a turbulent time in our nation and in the world. This new year will bring with it new challenges. It will bring with it new hopes. It will bring change. But there is one thing that it wont change. The unaltered word of the living God and his commands to his people .

Live from the source of the living God

do all things - This must take place from the source of life. Salt water cannot come from fresh water (James 3:11). You wake up, and he is there. He is the reason that we live and move. He is the reason we will rise or fall. He is the rock that we hold onto in the tempest of life, for He will never change.

without grumbling- being satisfied in him, we will not want. (Psalm 23:1-3). Feast on his word, pray , give thanks Unchangin source, we wilkl not grumble about the changing circumstances

or disputing- Receiving live from Him direct our affections to unity

2. Live holy and set apart

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish- having christ as your source of life satisfies you, but also sets you apart!

in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation- The world is bent on death and evil. Holiness is not abstaining from the world, but the evil it practices. Be in the world and not of it. This does mean standing against injustices. Racial, class, abortion, etc.... but not by the social justice ethic. Social justice is not the gospel. A byproduct of the gospel going forth in equality in Christ!

among whom you as lights shine in the world- There will be a noticeable difference between us an d the world. But keep in mind, shining as a light inst always what we think it is. “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 3:19–21). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3. Live in his word, and teach others to do so.

holding fast to the word of life- hold on to his word. be fastened to it. Do not move beyond it! This is the very thing that the culture will seek to do, move you from the word of God as being authoritative and perfect. The is the foundation for which we interpet all things in culture and life. We cannot change the word, rather we must let the word change us.

Conclusion:

so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Php 2:16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

We receive life from the vine

We will be holy ( set a apart)

We will hold to his word

WE WILL TEACH OTHERS TO DO THESE THINGS- All of us are minister of reconciliation. All of us are ment to make disciples who make disciples. The problem is, so many of us are trying to get people to know a Jesus that we don’t know very well. This is the call. If you and I are not doing this we arr not fully living up to the word of Christ.

Receive from Christ, Do as he says, teach others to do the same. If we do this church, the lord is with us, and if the lord is with us, who can stand against us?!?