“Important Values To Live By.” Pt. 2

“IMPORTANT VALUES TO LIVE BY.” Pt. 2.

Intro

Currently, we live in dishonorable times. We no longer expect or demand our leaders to be truthful. We no longer expect our leaders to operate by the rules. Our expectations of universal morality have sunk so low, we now are accepting of personal behavior from our leaders that would be unacceptable for our children!

We must endeavor to cement our hearts in those values which shape genuine Gospel character Eph 4:1

Ephesians 4:1 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

The current moral and ethical condition of our society is poor, sad, and extremely disappointing. It is imperative that we live lives that genuinely represent gospel values.

In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation…. It is critical that we lead lives that demonstrate—there is a better way to communicate with each other; to treat each other; and to live among one another.

There is no greater guiding force full of wisdom and truth that can help us in this endeavor besides the wisdom of God.

He calls upon us not just to proclaim his wisdom but to demonstrate it daily!

Rom 12:1-2

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Matthew 5:13–16 ESV

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Philippians 2:13–16 ESV

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 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.

What do we do when our National foundations fail us…? Psa 11:3

Psalm 11:3 (ESV)

if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

WE CONTINUE TO STAND UP FOR GOD’S WILL FOR ALL PEOPLE, AND MAKE DISCIPLES!

Key Values To Pursue and Demonstrate 2 Pet 1:3-7

2 Peter 1:3–7 (ESV)

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

They Must Be Planted In Sincere Faith:

2 Peter 1:5 ESV

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

Heb 10:22

Hebrews 10:22 ESV

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

VIRTUE. (excellence) was used by Greek writers to describe the sum of all desirable character qualities

Proverbs 31:10 (ESV)

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

Courageously live up to all the Biblical Christian values!

KNOWLEDGE. What type of knowledge really drives me? What is my wisdom

based upon?

James 3:13–18 (ESV)

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Knowledge feeds and develops faith (conviction)

SELF-CONTROL. Discipline, To be master over one’s whole being!

Think and behave with calm wisdom, not emotion or lust.

Society preaches the opposite Jude 1:1-8

Jude 1–8 (ESV)

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

We must lead disciplined lives

1 Timothy 1:18–20 ESV

18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Thes 4:1-5

1 Thessalonians 4:1–5 ESV

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

The Beginning of Discipline

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Stop Being So Distracted!

Give yourself time to ponder over the things that really matter in life

1 Peter 1:13 ESV

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.