Learn to be Content

Learn to be Content
Philippians 4:10-13

by Estelle Nazary

The joy letter... Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter of Philippians.

I. Negative
1. We should never be content with our achievements. God always has something for us to do.
2. We should never be content with our level of education.
3. We should never be content with our Christian maturity. Life can never be what it ought to be without some sense of contentment.

II. Paul said he had learned to be content.
1. Realistic view of life. People expect more of themselves than they can produce. We need to know what our limitations are. We expect more of others than they can produce. All of us have feet of clay.
2. A proper order to life's priorities. There is more in life than we can possibly do. Determine most important things in life. Approve--to put to the test. Excellent--the very best. Use your life for the best things. Planned neglect...Determine to do the best things first - ex. Martha is always busy in New Testament - Luke 10.
3. We must practice the Lord's presence. (We are never alone. He will never leave me)
"In Christ"
I've found confidence, joy, peace, hope in Christ. We received strength in Christ. I felt God's presence. I heard God's voice. Jesus is right here. "Another comforter or counselor to be with you." Always - "Thou art with me"

Forgiveness

Forgiveness
Matthew 18:21-35

by Estelle Nazary

Forgiveness is not easy. The Christian life is very difficult. It is not easy to forgive someone who has wronged us. It is hard to go to someone we have wronged. However, it is impossible to be right with God and not have our sins forgiven. It is impossible to be right with God be wrong with our fellow man.

Learning how to forgive!!!
There are 6 words in the Bible that mean forgive-
1. to send something away - "scapegoat"
2. to lift a burden
3. to cover or cleanse, to cancel
4. to blot out
5. to lift from my heart a heavy burden and send it away - I John 1:9 "to admit what God already knows" confess
6. grace - Ephesians 4:32 - to treat someone graciously as God in Christ has treated us. Christ is our example!

We are so unkind to one another!

I. The first thing involved in forgiveness is gracious treatment. Makes a great deal of difference. Our sins do make a great difference and it does matter.

II. Reconciliation - restoring a broken relationship. Sin digs a ditch. Sin separates. Isaiah 59
Joseph - ego - brothers hated him then the famine in Genesis 45 a reconciliation with his brothers. If there has not been a reconciliation there has not been complete forgiveness. Some people will not live at peace. God always forgives us when we ask Him.

III. Forgetfulness
God knows everything.
God will not hold sin against us when we as for forgiveness. We don't have a resurrection service for sins. We forgive and forget our sins when we confess.

Matthew 18:23-35
Peter's question - How often shall I forgive my brother?
7 times
70 times 7 = limitless times of forgiveness - no ending

1. Parable teaches us what we have done against God is so much worse than anything anybody has done against us. Unpayable debt...

2. God is so much more gracious to us than we are to each other.

3. We are to forgive because God has forgiven us. Unforgiving is unforgiven because he is unforgivable.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

The Christian Race

The Christian Race
Hebrews 12
Philippians 3:1-14

Sermon by Jack Nazary - Colonial Hills Church 1966, 1968;
Fellowship Baptist 1994

Introduction: The Christian life compared to:
Putting off old clothes and on new
Fighting the good fight of faith
Following Jesus
Walking in the Light
Running a Race

1. The Christian Race
-a new race
-a race in which there will be testing
-a race with challenging opportunities
-a race with adequate provisions: faith, God's help, encouragement, & interest, The Bible, Holy Spirit's power and wonderful Christian examples of yesterday and today.
-a race with many uncertainties ahead: wealth, health, friendships, honor, etc.
-a race with wonderful certainties such as: Jesus Christ - the same, Church - the gates of heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1 - "For we know that if our earthly house"), Love, Hope, Faith.

Christian warfare - a certainty
Enemy is - the prince of the power of air
Press toward the mark
Run with persistence

II. The Christian race has much to offer.
1. It furnishes us with a beginning again.

I wish there was some wonderful place
In the land of beginning again
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches
And all our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door
and never be put on again

2. It furnishes safeguards that human hands cannot provide. We will have trials, conflicts, losses, and disappointments, but he can make all things work together for good.

3. The privilege of earning eternal rewards

III. Some incentives for running the race well
1. The purpose of God for me
2. The host of witnesses
3. The needs of men
4. The glory of God
5. The love of Christ constrains

IV. Some unnecessary things that need to be discarded.
1. weights
2. sins
3. lack of purpose
4. eyes off the world
5. "Those things behind"

V. How to run this race well - Hebrew 12
1. According to God's instructions
2. With eyes upon Jesus - 12:2
3. With patience - endurance - 12:1
4. With assurance of wonderful victory - 12:12

Who is on the Lord's Side?

Who is on the Lord's Side?
Exodus 32:25-26

by Estelle Nazary

Who is on the Lord's side...Come unto Me...

I. Moses recognized that not everyone is on the Lord's side.
Not everyone here is on God's side -
tither, workers, worshippers
For him or against Him..
Pretend to be on God's side when they are really not -
Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter into the Kingdom of God.

II. Moses couldn't tell who is on the Lord's side and who is not
A Christian is to be different, and that difference is distinguishable.
Jesus requires us to live a life of holiness.
Live differently, have different attitudes and disposition as a Christian. Demonstrate by the way we live that we have been with Jesus.

III. Everyone of you should be - whoever is on the Lord's side, come to me...
1. Being on the Lord's side teaches us how to live. Medical profession can help a man to walk, but only God can teach a man to live.
2. God wants the best for each of us. God will not bless sin. He will bless us, if we confess sin.
3. Only by being on God's side can we meet Him someday. We will stand before Him and give account of our lives. There is nothing to hold on to, but Jesus. If you are not on the Lord's side, you will have nothing to hold on to when you die and through eternity.

Peace of God

Peace of God
Philippians 4:1-11

Sermon by Jack Nazary at 16 different churches from 1984-2003

Imagine a life where there is never worry, never upset, never loses his cool, do not get intimidated, always rejoice and are happy, nothing goes wrong. It's possible! The Bible says so!!

"Keep" - to stabilize and keep it level - emotions and mind - to all be born again!

Conditions to be met - result in Peace of God

Read the Word, pray, witness, gives, attendance, love each other...

I. Consistency (4:1) - "Continue steadfast in apostles doctrine"
Vance Havner said, "Most of God's people are so subnormal that if they ever got normal, we think they are abnormal."

"Steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" I Corinthians 15:58 - More than conquerors

Roller Coaster lifestyle - devil and demons mess up our lives by getting us disobedient to the word of God.

II. Unity (4:2) Euodias, Syntyche
"Do good unto all men, especially unto those of household of faith"

III. Service (4:3) Go to work for God - use your spiritual gifts that have been given to you. Romans 10:17 - Faith cometh
God expects us to work, serve, and minister.
Let's get up and go to work as long as we have life!
All men are hungering for God - none that doeth good Romans 3:10-19. We are saved by good pleasure of God's will.

IV. Praise (4:4)
Do it whether you feel like it or not. God is not as interested in our sincerity as our obedience.
The steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord.

V. Moderation (4:5)
"The Lord is at hand"
Gentleness, goodness, kindness - what is your home like?

VI. Thanksgiving (4:6)
Difference in giving thanks and being thankful. In everything give thanks, then you'll get thankful.

II Corinthians 3:17 - "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty"

The Bliss of the Sufferer for Christ

The Bliss of the Sufferer for Christ
Matthew 5:10-12

by Estelle Nazary

Jesus came not to make life easy, but to make men great.

I. First Christians had to suffer

1. Their Christianity might well disrupt their work.
A. Suppose a man was a stone mason. His firm received a contract to build a temple to one of the heathen gods. What was that man to do?
B. A Christian was a tailor who was asked to produce robes for heathen priests. What would he do?
c. There was hardly any job which a man might not find a conflict between his business interests and his loyalty to Jesus.
D. Tertullian answered a man with this problem, "What can I do? I must live?" "Must you?," asked Tertullian.
E. If it came to a choice between a loyalty and a living, the real Christian never hesitated to choose loyalty.

2. Their Christianity would certainly disrupt their social life.
A. Most feasts were held in the temple of some god. Could a Christian share in these?
B. Even an ordinary meal began with a cup of wine poured out in honor of the gods.
C. The Christian must cut himself off from his fellows rather than by his presence give approval to such a thing. A man had to be prepared to be lonely in order to be a Christian.

3. Worst of all, their Christianity was liable to disrupt their home life.
A. Often the door was shut for ever in the face of the one who had accepted Christ.
B. It was literally true that a man might have to love Christ more than he loved father or mother, wife, or brother or sister.
C. Christianity involved a choice between a man's nearest and dearest and Jesus Christ.

4. Penalties which a Christian had to suffer were terrible beyond description.
A. Christians were flung to the lions or burned at the stake.
B. Nero wrapped the Christians in pitch and set them on fire as living torches to light his gardens.
C. Nero sewed them in the skins of wild animals and set his hunting dogs upon them to tear them to death.
D. Eyes were torn out. Parts of their bodies were cut off and roasted before their eyes.

II. Why the Romans persecuted the Christians?

1. Certain slanders were spread about the Christians.
A. Christians were accused of cannibalism - The words of the Lord Supper "This is my body" "blood"
B. Christians were accused of immoral practices.
C. Christians were accused of being incendiaries.
D. Christians were accused of tampering with family relationships.

2. The great ground of persecution was political.
A. The worship of the Emperor was compulsory - This the Christian refused to do - Christ was Lord.
B. The only crime of the Christan was that he set Christ above Caesar; and for this loyalty they died by the thousands and faced torture.

III. The Bliss of the Blood Stained Way

1. To have to suffer persecution was an opportunity to show one's loyalty to Jesus Christ.

2. To have to suffer persecution is, as Jesus Himself said, the way to walk the same road as the prophets and the saints and the martyrs have walked.

3. To have to suffer persecution is to share in the great occasion.
A. When a man suffers for his Christianity that is always a crucial moment. It is a great occasion.
B. It is the clash between the world and Christ.

4. To suffer persecution is to make things easier for those who are to follow. We enjoy liberty and freedom because men were willing to shed blood, sweat, and tears.

5. No man ever suffers persecution alone. Christ will be nearer to him than at any time. This is closest possible companionship to Christ.
Illustration of Shadrach, Mashach, and Abed-nego who refused to move from their loyalty to God.

IV. Why is this persecution so inevitable?
1. It is inevitable because the church when it really is the Church is bound to be the conscience of the nation and the conscience of society.

2. Where there is good the church must praise; where there is evil the church must condemn, and inevitably men will try to silence the troublesome voice of conscience.

3. It is not the duty of the individual Christian to find fault, to criticize, to condemn, but it may well be that his every action is a silent condemnation of the unchristian lives of others and he will not escape their hatred.

4. Insult awaits the man who insists on Christian honor.

5. Mockery awaits the man who practices Christian love and Christian forgiveness

6. Christ still needs his witnesses.

7. Christ needs those who are prepared not so much to die for Him as to live for Him.

8. The Christian struggle and the Christian glory still exist.

Some Things I Remember about Brother Wood

Some Things I Remember about Brother Wood
by Jack Nazary

(From Aunt Nell's book- "The Ups and Downs of our Lives" by Ora Rachel Gregg Wood and William Henry Wood)

Not long after Estelle and I met, I learned that she loved her dad very dearly. Then after I was around him, I learned something of his devotion to our Lord and his desire to serve and glorify Him. And I came to love, trust, and appreciate him, too!

Soon after (just days), I returned from overseas duty in the infantry at the close of World War II, I became convinced of God's call upon my life to preach His word. Estelle and I were in one of the rooms away from the family. She and I talked, shared, and prayed about God's calling me to the ministry. I asked her to get her dad to come and pray with us.

There, that night in the parsonage at Hephzibah Baptist Church, I came to know God's will concerning my life's work, and I have never doubted it since. God made His will so plain to me ant that conviction has stayed with me these fifty-one plus years.

After Estelle and I met at Clarke College and her dad learned of my sensing God's call into the ministry, he invited me to come and preach in one of his churches. I really did not know for sure that was what I should do, but I accepted the invitation to his church to preach on Sunday morning. Apparently, the church did not know that he was expecting me to speak, but when he went to the pulpit, among other things, he told the people what a great preacher I was going to be in the future.

Upon reaching the pulpit and reading some Scripture, I spoke - Yes - and what a message it was! I spoke for a least five or ten minutes and told a joke that fell flat. I wanted to run or fall through the floor.

I decided that day that I would never attempt to bring a message again until I knew for sure I had a call from God to preach His word. I stuck to that too!

Almost four years later, as mentioned, I became convinced and assured of His call. Brother Wood believed in me, encouraged me, and asked me to preach in both of his churches that week -- Hephzibah and Oakvale. I don't know what I preached about, but I did have the assurance that I'd been called and sent! I'm grateful to God that Brother Wood trusted me again (after I'd failed so miserably previously) and asked me to preach in both churches.

When I was called to pastor the Chapel Hill Baptist Church a few weeks later and was needing to be ordained, I asked Brother Wood to preach my ordination sermon. He graciously did the job and did it well!

Through the years until his death, we had a good fellowship together. Prior to his death, he asked if I would see that the arrangements for his funeral, which were made by him, were carried out. I assured him that I would. He had the place of burial, the preacher - Brother Compere, the songs to be sung - all written down and I followed his instructions.

Brother Wood was to help me in a revival at Calvary Baptist Church west of McComb, Mississippi, but was unable to come because of sickness. A few weeks later, God called him home.

Estelle grieved so very much upon his departure, but about two weeks after his death, she shared with me these words, "I miss him so very much, but I would not call him back if I could. He's out of his suffering and with the Lord. It would be selfish for me to want him back suffering as he did." Yes, he was at home with the Lord.

Brother Wood was a good man, a good husband and father, a lover of his wife and children, a committed Christian, a faithful servant of the Lord, and a loyal, devoted, endowed preacher of the Word.

Prescription for Blessedness

Prescription for Blessedness
Matthew 5:3-10

by Estelle Nazary

The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These seemed basic rights to the Founding Fathers and surely without them we would be miserable.

Happiness is a sometime thing, here today and gone tomorrow. God offers us something far better - that includes all the good we could hope for in achieving happiness and infinitely more, a permanent joy that is not affected by the ups and downs of life - a condition called blessedness.

In Matthew 5:3-10, we have a prescription for blessedness from Jesus. We must first experience the new birth, regeneration, repentance and faith in redemptive work of Christ of the cross. When we have this experience and forgiveness of sins, we share this experience with others and are a blessed person. In order for this blessedness to reach its peak and become a unique experience we must fulfill certain conditions. Christ gives us 8 steps that we must climb in order to reach the summit of heavenly blessedness upon this earth. We must aim at growth, maturity, and a full expression of dormant qualities that lie within.

What the Lord is giving us here is guidance on how to grow to that mark He has set before us even though we cannot fully attain it down here.

Blessed - Here is the way to blessedness

The degree of our blessedness is determined by our meeting of the conditions laid down by Jesus here. They tell of the natural consequences of our attitudes as Christian in this life. Persian legend - certain king needed a faithful servant and had to choose between 2 fine men. They each had fixed wages and where to fill a basket of water from the well. He would inspect work in the evening. One decided it was useless and quit. Other worked all day until he drained the well. Looking down he saw something shiny - a beautiful diamond - "Now I see the use of pouring water in a basket. If the bucket had brought up the ring before the well was dry, it would have been in the basket. Our work was not useless - Remember when God's blessings does not coincide with your expectations wait until the well is dry. Think twice every time when you ask God to bless you. You are asking for his promises to be fulfilled in your life and they bring both sunshine and rain. Both are needed.

There are no accidents in our lives just providence and whatever touches us touches Him first.
--Great Christian injured in auto accident regained consciousness, nurse said don't talk you've been in a frightful accident. He said, "There are no accidents in the life of a Christian, just incidents of God's work within"

Theodore Roosevelt had 2 pair of glasses because he was near-sighted and he carried them in a heavy steel case. When he went to Milwaukee and was shot, the bullet was slowed by the case and his manuscript. He had always considered the case a burden to carry and here it saved his life.

We may need to thank God for some failure, loss, and sickness in our life. It may be more of a blessing than we realize. It may be that God is working within you instead of the devil working against you. To be blessed is to live in a dark world with the light of Christ within...

1. All Christians are to be like this:
Read Beatitudes and you will find description of what every Christian is meant to be. Jesus never intended that a chosen few should reach this height of the Christian life and the rest of us meant to live on the dull plains. We are all meant to exemplify everything contained in the Beatitudes.
2. All Christians are meant to manifest all of these characteristics. It is not that some would manifest one characteristic and some another...No, every Christian is meant to be all of them and to manifest all of them at the same time.
3. None of these descriptions refers to what we may call a natural tendency. Each is produced by grace alone and the operation of the Holy Spirit upon us. These are not natural tempers, but given to each by the Holy Spirit. We are born differently, some are born aggressive, others are quiet, some are alert and fiery, others are slow. We find ourselves as we are, but God's spirit can help us grow and develop each of these characteristics.
4. These descriptions indicate clearly the essential utter difference between the Christian and the non-Christians. The difference between the two has become blurred, the world has come into the church and the church has become worldly. The line is not as distinct as it was. Our ambition should be to be like Christ, the more like Him the better, and the more like Him we become the more we shall be unlike everybody who is not a Christian. Find out what each of us is seeking and what we really want and it will tell where we stand with God. We must be consistent.
5. The Christians and the non-Christians belong to two entirely different realms. 1st and last Beatitude promise the same reward, "for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven," Our Lord starts and ends with it because we must realize we belong to a different kingdom.

Do we belong to the kingdom? Are we ruled by Christ? Is He our King and our Lord? Are we manifesting these qualities in our daily lives?

Verse 3 - Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
This is key to all that follows, definite order in the Beatitudes. There is a spiritual logical sequence here. This one must come at the beginning for good reason that there is no entry into the Kingdom of heaven apart from it - There is no one in the Kingdom of God who is not poor in spirit. It is fundamental characteristic of Christian and all others are a result of this one. This one is an emptying, while the others are a manifestation of a fullness. We cannot be filled until we are first empty. Conviction always precedes conversion.

Poor in spirit does not mean nervous, retiring, weak, or lacking in courage. It's not those who stand in the background. I am a nobody, I don't count - not one who makes great sacrifice, nor retires out of life and its difficulties and responsibilities.

Look at the life of the Lord Jesus. He became a man. He was God, but he decided while on earth to live as a man though He was still God. He said, "I can do nothing of myself." I am utterly dependent upon the Father. Look at his prayer life. It is as you watch Him praying and realize hours he spent in prayer and you see his poverty of spirit and his reliance upon God. That is what is meant by poor in spirit. It means a complete absence of pride, a complete absence of self-assurance and of self-reliance. It means a consciousness that we are nothing in the presence of God. It is nothing that we can produce, it is nothing that we can do in ourselves. We look to God in utter submission to Him and in utter dependence upon Him and his grace and mercy. To experience what Isaiah did "Woe is me. I am a man of unclean lips."

The way to become poor in spirit is to look at God. Look at Jesus and his book. "Lord increase our faith" as the apostles prayed. You cannot truly look at Him without feeling your absolute poverty and emptiness.

Learn How to Live!!

Learn How to Live!!
Luke 11:1-13

by Estelle Nazary

Learn how to pray!
Jesus is our authority!

We need to learn how to pray-
Pray with me!
Pray for me!
Jesus intends for us to pray..

Four E's

I. Example of prayer
Disciples were impressed by Jesus' prayer life. they discovered Jesus in position and posture of prayer.
1. Jesus is our example in conduct
2. Jesus is our example in circumstances of life. He prayer life was normal and relaxed.
3. Jesus is our example in confidence. He knew God would answer his prayers. "I thank you, Father, that you have already heard me." Jesus prayed at Lazarus death.

II. The essentials of prayer life
Jesus gave us the model prayer.
1. Reverence - "Our Father, hallowed be thy name." Isaiah - temple - Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts. Know who you are talking to!!!
2. Express concerns
"Thy Kingdom come" - Rule of God in our hearts
3. Expression of needs
Body - daily bread
Spirit - forgive our sins
God is concerned about us and our needs. - Philippians 4:6-7, 19

III. Earnestness of prayer
Man on outside knocking - Importunity - Keep on asking.

IV. Expectations of prayer
Ask, Knock, seek... God is good and He will answer prayers.

15 Steps to Financial Freedom

15 Steps to Financial Freedom
Sermon by Jack Nazary

Introduction: More about finances in the Bible than any other subject because of the connection between heart and treasure. (Matthew 6:21)

I. Transfer ownership to God (Rights vs. Responsibilities)
1. "no place to lay your head" I Corinthians 6:19-20

II. Tithe as a reminder with offerings above
1. To God - Malachi 3:10 (Tithe...Prove me..Windows...Blessing...Devourer)
2. To Saints - Romans 12:13 (Distributing to necessity of the Saints)
3. To Poor - Proverbs 19:17 (Giveth...Lendeth...Given...He will Repay)
4. Result will be - Luke 6:38 (Give...Given)

III. Make life goal to present Jesus and gear expenditures to that end. Matthew 6:33

IV. With above (Glory of God) in mind, control spending with 3 considerations:
1. Sales resistance (Proverbs 20:14)
2. Shopping (Proverbs 31:16)
3. Prompt Payment (Proverbs 3:28)

V. Give God a chance to provide it before you buy it
1. To demonstrate His power (II Chronicles 16:9) in providing it.
2. To allow God to answer prayer (Philippians 4:6)
3. To confirm direction (Philippians 4:19)

VI. Avoid tempting God (Matthew 4:6-7)

VII. Get out of debt (Romans 13:8 "owe no man anything but to love..." Proverbs 22:7 - "The borrower is servant to the lender") Debt: liabilities exceed assets condition
1. list expenditures in priority
2. discontinue all "not necessary"
3. sell depreciating items owed on
4. begin buying on a cash basis
5. eliminate credit cards
6. consider additional work

VIII. Never borrow on depreciating items (home not included)
1. presumes on future (James 4:13, 17)
2. places in bondage to man (Proverbs 22:7)
3. produces pressure (I Timothy 5:8)
4. limits God in providing (II Corinthians 9:8-11)
5. limits God in withholding (Isaiah 55:8-9)

IX. Never co-sign a note (Proverbs 6:1-5, 11:15, 17:18, 20:16, 27:13, 22:26)
1. Pray - give what God allows - no loan - no co-signing

X. Never loan for non-essentials, but give to basic needs. Proverbs 19:19
Romans 12:31 - distribute to necessity to saints

XI. Develop sales resistance - get the best buy. Proverbs 20:14

XII. Develop skills for home maintenance

XIII. Determine God's reasons for lack of funds

XIV. Discern needs and wants - I Timothy 6:6-10

XV. Prepare for financial breathing - Philippians 4:12 "Know how to abound and suffer need"
Prearranged schedule of priorities

XVI. Be sensitive to God's direction in giving.
a. Is organization communicating a message true to Scripture?
b. Are people responding positively to its message?
c. Are the lives of leadership illustrations of its message?
d. Is organization reproducing itself?
e. Is there a standard of excellence along with freedom of waste?

What it means to be financially free!!!

Financial freedom is:
1. Realizing that true prosperity comes from God. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
2. Committing ourselves to God's purposes for money. (Matthew 6:30)
3. Recognizing and rejecting false financial concepts. (I Corinthians 7:22) Concept - "Be your own boss"
4. Responding to God's reproofs for wrong financial decisions (Haggai 1:9) (Riches with sorrow or the devouring of our assets)
5. Choosing to serve God rather than money (Matthew 6:24) "No man can serve"
6. Giving God's tithes and offerings (Proverbs 3:9-10)
7. Keeping out of debt (Proverbs 27:1) "Boost not thyself of tomorrow"
8. Learning how to abound and to suffer need (Philippians 4:12)
9. Having sales resistance (I John 2:16)
10. Recognizing and rejecting swindlers (Proverbs 2:12, 16)
11. Keeping accurate and useful records (I Corinthians 4:2)
12. Getting the best buy (I Timothy 6:6)
13. Refusing to lend or co-sign (Proverbs 6:1-3)
14. Developing full potential of home (Proverbs 31:10) Early Education, medical recovery, care of elderly family members, partial production of food and clothing...The key - a wise, Godly, and virtuous woman.
15. Choosing a good name rather than great riches (Malachi 31:10) When Israel experience famine King David discovered and removed it - I Samuel 21
16. Knowing how to receive funds through prayer (II Chronicles 7:13-14; Ephesians 3:20)
17. Having the courage to avoid partnerships (Daniel 1:8) Purposed to do right
18. Detecting and conquering slothfulness (II Thess. 3:10; Genesis 3:17-19) Work for life of ease Luke 12:19 - "Take thine ease, eat drink and be merry)
19. Listening to the cautions of your wife (Proverbs 1:5)
20. Knowing how to pass on an inheritance (Proverbs 13:22; Proverbs 20:21)




Boy, if this does not get you to thinking. I believe my Granddaddy lived this out in his own life. Of course, we all made fun of him for being so "tight". I feel he was only trying to follow God's word on finances. He thankfully taught me a few things about being a good steward. I am not quite as bad as he was about spending money, but I can now happily proclaim by the grace of God I am debt free. I learned from the best who learned from the ultimate best - the good Lord!

Organs of the Body Used to Dishonor God

Organs of the Body Used to Dishonor God
Romans 3:1-23
by W. H. Wood

Prepared in his study at the Hepzibah Baptist Church on June 14, 1946

I. The throat is a place to gather and hold filth and unholy things.

II. The tongue of the unsaved person is used to speak things that are fraud and untrue.
1. The slanderer injures himself. "The tongue defiles the whole body"
2. Slander is uncontrollable. "The tongue can no man tame." It "sets on fire the wheel of birth;" that wheel "which catches fire as it goes, and burns with a fiercer conflagration as its own speed increases, you may tame the wild beast; but you can not arrest the progress of that cruel word which you utter carelessly; that will go on slaying, poisoning, burning, beyond your own control, now and forever.
3. Slander is unnatural. "These things ought not so to be." It is a contradiction to nature, as much as for a fig tree to bear olives, or for a fountain to produce both fresh and salt water.
4. Slander is diabolical - outrageously wicked in character. "The tongue is set on fire of hell." The very name of Satan is "the slanderer".

III. Poison is gathered under the lips of some so called Christians.

IV. The mouth is filled with cursing and bitterness.

V. The feet are used to dishonor God.

VI. Such people do not know the way of peace in God.

Worry

Worry
by Cindy Jones

I have a disease commonly known as being a certifiable worry wort. I can't stop it seems. I try, but the key word in that statement is "I". I can't stop by myself. After reading grandmother's devotional on worry, it really got me to thinking about exactly what the bible says well commands about worry. Simply put - Don't do it - Do not worry. It doesn't say it is okay sometimes just when you feel like it or you just can't help it - I mean really what else can you do sometimes if you don't have anything to worry about just think you might actually have peace. I suffer from the worst type. I have long since crossed the line between concern and worry. My imagination is a deep pit full of anxieties of the unknown, unsaid, and unbelievable. I have the uncanny ability to worry myself to death. I say all that to say this - I am slowly being cured of this pretentious disease. I have to constantly repeat it all day every day, but it is finally sinking in my very heart. Do not worry! Do not worry! I think all this means is I am not capable of handling anything apart from Jesus. I need him and he can take it all. He wants to, but I am stubborn and try desperately in my mind not to bother him. But...He says Do not worry and that should be enough for me. Which brings me to my next thought about the whole chapter in Matthew 6. Birds..."Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" Matthew 6:26. To continue he adds - "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" I think when we worry we actually decrease our hours because our bodies were not designed or equipped to handle the misery we constantly put on them by worry and stress. God designed us to rely on Him! We can't possible handle life without Him!

Today, we went to the Hummingbird migration festival at Strawberry Plains in Holly Springs. It was extremely cool. In fact, we watched them get banded and Olivia actually held one in her hand. It was so neat to watch this small, fragile creature rest for what seemed like minutes in her hand before embracing his freedom. It made me think of how all of God's creatures are so intertwined. And how God provides for us all... Even this precious bird whose heart was beating roughly 250 beats a minute as he laid so peacefully for those moments in her hand. But even minutes after he flew away, she could still feel his heartbeat in her hand. Amazing stuff! God has us in his hands if we just allow ourselves to rest peacefully before we fly off into the unknown world that awaits us. We are so quick to fly away. He doesn't want us to fly away but stay safely in his hands - in his arms where He takes our worries and burdens and we can truly rest knowing that He is with us always. He can feel our heartbeat in his hands forever because we have left it there with Him. We are no longer in control if we would just surrender ourselves - our hearts - our lives to His hands!

Worry - How not to Worry

Worry - How Not To Worry
Matthew 6:25-34

by Estelle Nazary

O ye men and women of little faith!

Jesus always used examples...
Jesus goes from lesser to greater...

15 tons of aspirin are taken by Americans every day. Worry - what to wear, eat, do, worry because they are not married, others worry because they are married, etc.

I. Definition of Worry---
What is worry?
1. Worry is not the act of taking life seriously.
There is nothing about life that is unimportant.
2. Worry is not the act of considering the future.
Thinking ahead proves you have one.
3. Worry is not the act of being upset or disturbed.

Jesus said "Do not be anxious"
Anxious means to be filled with care. Being concerned means we are taking action. Worry renders us powerless! Men worry about things of the world - the downward pull of the world.

II. Declarations about worry
1. Worry is foolish
2. Worry usually has no foundation.
3. Worry never solves anything.
4. It is sin because it hurts - It will give you ulcers, heart attack, nervous system problems, etc. It will shorten life. - verse 27 - cubit is 18 inches.
5. It will not undo the past.

Worry is characteristic of lost people.

III. Defeat of worry
A child does not worry - knows mom and dad will take care of his/her needs.
1. We must re-direct our thinking. Philippians 4 - Paul said whatsoever is true, pure, good, etc. think of these things!
2. Live well in the present (TODAY) This is the day God has given us, use it well - Ephesians.
3. We must exercise the privilege of prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 - Worry about nothing, Pray about everything, Thank God for anything = PEACE.

Worry cannot live in a close and rarefied position with the Lord.

Matthew verse 6:33 - Seek first the Kingdom of God!!!!!!

Stewardship Lesson

Stewardship Lesson
by Estelle Nazary

I. Basic Stewardship Principles
A. God is the Creator, owner, and sustainer of the Universe as well as the giver of all things. He gives life, time, abilities, wisdom, possessions, and opportunities. Genesis 1:1; Nehemiah 9:6; I Chronicles 29:14; Colossians 1:16.

B. Man is God's special creation. Genesis 1:26

C. We (Christians) belong to God by creation (Gen. 1:1), by redemption (I Peter 1:23), and by preservation (I Peter 1:5); John 10:27-30.

D. All that we have has been entrusted to us by God - I Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17. We must give an account of our Stewardship to God. Colossians 3:23-24; I Peter 4:10; Romans 14:12.
1. How we earn it
2. How we spend it
3. How we save it
4. How we give it

II. Some good stewards and some poor stewards
Good -
Zacchaeus - Luke 19:8-9
The Early Christians - Acts 4:32-35; Acts 2:43-46
Barnabas - Acts 4:36

Poor -
Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1
Rich Farmer - Luke 12:16-20
Rich Young Ruler - Mark 10:17-22

III. Bible teaching about Tithe
1. Leviticus 27:30-31
2. Deuteronomy 14:22-23
3. Numbers 18:20-30
4. Matthew 23:23
5. Luke 11:42
6. Malachi 3:8-10

IV. Blessings of Tithing
1. The approval of conscience
2. Setting a good example
3. A worthy sharing in God's work through his church
4. Helping to win a lost world to Christ
5. Laying up treasures in heaven
6. Putting first things first
7. A partnership with God
8. Hearing His welcome and approval at last. "Prove me"

V. Motives for Giving
The love motive - John 14:15; II John 6
The fear motive - Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 16:6; Numbers 32:23
The blessing motive - Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38
The duty motive - Luke 17:10
The "prove your love motive" - II Corinthians 8:8
The "will of God motive" - II Corinthians 8:5
The "abounding in the Grace of giving motive" - II Corinthians 9:6
The "bountiful reaping motive" - II Corinthians 9:6
The "glorify God" motive - II Corinthians 9:13
The "example of others" motive - II Corinthians 8:8
The "Thanksgiving unto God" motive - II Corinthians 9:12
The "Need" motive - II Corinthians 8:4

VI. Quality of giving
Joyful - II Corinthians 8:2
Willing - II Corinthians 8:12
Purposeful - II Corinthians 9:7
Enthusiastic - II Corinthians 9:7
Sincere - II Corinthians 8:8
Sacrificial - II Corinthians 8:3

VII. Method of giving
Periodic - I Corinthians 16:2
Personal - I Corinthians 16:2
Provident - I Corinthians 16:2
Proportionate - I Corinthians 16:2

Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord. Malachi 3:10

The CTC Bible Club

The CTC Bible Club
by Cindy Jones

In this negative, seemingly hopeless world, something miraculous has happened at my school. It is so easy to believe all the things you hear about all the bad in the world. However, not everything is bad in my world. Of course, I work in a public school as a counselor and frankly hear daily sad hopeless stories. It would be easy to focus entirely on the negative of this world until something reminds you that God is still ever present in this world. That he still is calling us to Him.

I guess this all started about a month ago when a student from Independence expressed her disappointment that she had to miss Bible Club at her school to come to the Career Tech Center. She said her grandmother told her she should start one at the center. She was telling me this almost jokingly when I said why not?! She said, "I could!" And that was just the beginning... The CTC Bible club is now in the 3rd week and we have already had to move into a bigger room with over 50 students showing up each week to fellowship together and learn more about Jesus. I am sure some just come to miss a few minutes of class or eat the homemade brownies, but they are there. Hearing the word of God! I did forget to mention that these are students from all the 4 high schools in the county. Our slogan at the center is "Bringing Students Together" - I think we have truly met that expectation. What a blessing it is to be a part of such a diverse group of young people who have so many issues, heartaches, etc., but come together each Wednesday to hear the Word!

Pretty cool that her grandmother suggested she start a Bible Club! Aren't grandparents the absolute best?!!!

Midnight Alarm

Midnight Alarm
Matthew 25:6-13

Sermon by Jack Nazary
Apparently one of his favorites:
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Elkin, NC - 1983
Calvary Baptist Corinth, MS - 1984
Biggersville - 1984
West Jackson Baptist - 1987
Midway Baptist - 1992
West Carthage Baptist Mission - 1995
West Carthage Baptist Church - 1997
Ebenezer Baptist Church - 2005

Introduction: Engagement, Betrothal, and marriage (meaning of oil - Holy Spirit; works, faith) need to be:
1. Spiritually alert, ready...
2. Some things you cannot borrow:
a. knowledge
b. skills
c. repentance
d. faith
e. salvation
f. character
3. Confrontation with God (Matthew 25:34-40) You may meet God today - Suddenly!

I. Not all persons are saved who may think they are (Matthew 7:21-23)
Example - Luke 6:46-49

II. Not all persons are saved who my want to be - Virgins - verse 11

III. Not all persons are saved who may ask to be. - Lord, Lord - open to us, but the door shut - verse 10-12

IV. More to be lost than saved. Matthew 7:13-14

V. No one saved after death (Luke 16:19-24) This could be your last chance to be saved!

VI. Those not ready will be shut out.

VII. Those who are ready will enter in with HIM. "they that are ready went in with Him to the marriage" Matthew 25:10

Conclusion:
2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us"

3 Fold Message of Bible about Burdens

3 Fold Message of Bible about Burdens
by Estelle Nazary

People everywhere have burdens. Come sooner or later to us all!
Sometimes to be seen and known of all - sometimes to be borne which outside world knows nothing about! You are sitting beside someone who is bearing burden which you have never dreamed -weighty! The Bible teaches us lessons of patience, restraint, tolerance, charitableness, love, careful of our words, actions, and attitudes.

3 Things about Burdens

1. Every man shall bear his own burden. Galatians 6:5
2. Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
3. Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee. - Psalm 55:22

Whole story in the Bible...
1. Burdens are non-transferable
Born alone - die alone
Between cradle and grave much of life is alone. Duty is personal. Responsibility is personal. Repentance is personal. Sin is personal. Faith is personal. Salvation and judgement is personal. Each must give account of himself - No one can take your place. Obedience is personal. Christ sees the individual - the one - We must never loose ourselves in the crowd.
Jonathan Edwards: "Resolve that every man should live at this best always and everywhere for God and resolve whether anybody else does it, I will."
Behavior is personal.

2. Many burdens are social - Bear ye one another's burdens. Galatians 6:2
Paul saw a life out of its proper place - limb out of joint - don't restore it harshly - do it gently - spirit of meekness. Tomorrow you may have the burden...
* Sympathy for sorrowing
* Weighty burdens
* Heavy responsibility
Help lighten the burden by good cheer, sympathy, love, prayer, reinforcement...Help people in 2 ways:
a. live right ourselves - one good person with right attitude (spirit) all the time, everywhere can change a community or group in time.
b. make it a point to constantly encourage people. No person has a right to discourage others. Encourage - there's a way out of this burden - there's a way up the hill - Come on and let's go together - Speak like that all the time. Barnabas - son of consolation.

3. Cast thy burden upon the Lord. Psalm 55:22
I want to run away from it all. Where will you go? If you do go, you still have to live with yourself - memory, conscience, discord, troubles, burden, pressure... You can't run away from burdens. We must face them full fledged - straight forward.
Still small voice of God saying you don't have to face this by yourself. Take God into your plan! God is alive and He loves! He lives! Cast thy burden upon the Lord.
Personal burden which is heaviest of all - domestic burdens which is heart-breaking. Financial burdens, mental anguish, emotional illness, disconcerted plans, broken promises, disappointment in people, children, family members, and spouse, ill health - yourself or one dearer to us than life...Bring them to the Lord and He shall sustain thee!

How? One of 2 ways:
Either one will do..He may take it away. He may make you well or your loved one well. He may lift you out of the trouble. He may take it away. He may not - Then what?
"I will sustain you" - I'll help you through it! I'll take the bigger end of the load! I'll take all the load that is not best for you to take! He will overrule, sustain, and help!

Paul's thorn in flesh - messenger of Satan to buffet me - 3 times he prayed - No! I'm going to leave it, sanctify that experience. It will make a bigger man of you, better, wiser man, more sympathizing man.

He will take it away or He will sustain you to make you better, greater, more useful. Sanctify it to help you so you can help others! Whatever comes, God's will be done and in that moment peace is won!

One set of footprints.. God carried you through the troubles! Safe in the arms of Jesus..

Reflection:
1. Where is God? What would be your answer?
2. Why do people (especially Christians) suffer?
3. In what way and to what degree is God responsible for suffering?
4. If sin is the cause of suffering, Whose sin is it - the sin of the sufferer or of someone else? John 9:3; Romans 3:10, 23
5. Should we expect God to shield or protect us in some miraculous way from suffering or sorrow? Can we pray this without praying it for others? Can we become selfish in our praying?
6. Does God ever prevent or relieve suffering in some miraculous way?
7. What should we let God do for us and through us because of our suffering?
8. When a burden comes and a person is bitter, how can you overcome this bitterness? How can you give love? How can you give yourself?

Burdens or suffering will make us better or bitter. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, and shouts in our pain.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-31

Sermon by Jack Nazary - Midway Baptist 1991

Proverbs 23:7 - "For as he thinketh in his heart so is he!"

You are not what you think you are; but what you think, you are! "Let this mind be in you" Philippians 2:5

Perhaps more than any other passage in the New Testament - this story in Matthew 18 sets forth clearly, unmistakeably and concisely the law of forgiveness on your part and mine.

Let's look at the story....

Should you not have had pity, compassion, and mercy? Should you not have forgiven him just like I forgave you? There Jesus put the clincher on the whole thing. That is what my heavenly father is going to do for you! Notice verse 31

That is an amazing story! The bottom line is: If you and I are not willing to forgive those who have wronged us, God will not forgive us!

The ugliest sight on earth is a Christian full of animosity and bitterness toward a fellow christian. It is a soul-destroying practice to have an unforgiving attitude! The Worst!

I'm convinced that one of the first things to show up at the judgement seat of Christ is that ugly unforgiving spirit.

I. Forgiveness is the basic principle upon which the Christian faith is founded.
Two distinguishing marks of a Christian are "giving and forgiving". In the garden of Eden when sin entered the human race immediately God offered a plan for man's redemption. It is based on forgiveness! He promised to send His son to die on a cross and all who believe in Him will be forgiven. So Jesus came, lived, died and offered forgiveness to every man. To reconcile, or reconciliation is mentioned several times in the scripture. Usually it means two people at odds moving simultaneously together coming for forgiveness - coming together. In II Corinthians 5:18-19, this context and in these verses it is different. Here you and I are - sinful, stubborn, rebellious, antagonist, full of iniquity and shame, at odds with and at a distance from God. Here God in the person of His son came to reconcile. We did not reach up to God. It was not two parties moving simultaneously toward coming together. It was God moving toward man reconciling us to himself. So God has forgiven our sins. God loved..so God forgave. From the cross, our Lord cried out, "Father forgive them" To repeat, forgiveness is the basic principle upon which the Christian faith is built.

II. The second thing about forgiveness: Forgiveness must be in accord with biblical principles
3 questions to be answered:

1. What should I forgive?
If someone - knocks me down, spits in my face, accuses me of being illegitimate, pulls out my beard, curses me, hits me in the face, lied about me, criticizes me....
What did they do to Jesus? Jesus on the cross prayed "Father forgive". Now if someone has hated you, lied about you, cheated you, you can and you should forgive him! Forgiveness must be carried out according to biblical guidelines.

2. How often should I forgive?
Read Luke 17:34, Look at the text in Matthew 18:21 - Seven - 7th - divine computation - seven spirits of God in Revelation, seven eyes, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven churches... Until 70x7 - 490 times. Am I to take that number literally?! 487,488,489, just one more time 490 and I can sock him on the nose! May I say, if you are counting, you are not forgiving. 70x7 is an indefinite number of times - on and on.. We are to forgive. If you and I are not willing to continue unending, unceasingly to forgive those who have wronged us, we should not expect to be forgiven.

3. Who is to take the initiative in forgiveness? When the injury began on his part, the forgiveness begins on ours. One person - you are to initiate the reconciliation = That is what God did! II Corinthians 5:19 What better example to follow! To err is human, to forgive divine! Ephesians 4:32 - and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you!
Example - Revival meeting
2 men nearing the end of the 2nd week, no lost saved, no Christians moved. 2 men at odds - come to hear word every night, sat on opposite sides of building, they go to the same church, sang same songs, worshipped in the same place - so mad they would not speak! 2nd night before revival was over, go things fixed, a revival came because two stubborn, hard-headed, backslidden, Christians decided they were no longer going to act like the devil, but start acting like Christ and learn to forgive.

Why no revival? It may be because you have a deep seated, hatred, bitterness or unforgiving spirit toward somebody. God can't and won't bless a situation like that! Until we can shake hands, smile and say I love you, I forgive you. We will hinder the blessings of God. Forgiveness must be carried out along biblical guidelines.

III. Serious consequences
The heart of the whole matter is a failure to forgive results in serious consequences.
a. you cannot have a good sound, healthy body if you have resentments, hatreds and grudges in your heart.
b. you cannot have the freedom to face the people against whom you have grudge.
- see a person - blood boils, your temper flares, crosses street to keep from meeting and speaking to him!
- attend funeral of person you have said unkind things about or mistreated pains of conscience keep on gnawing with every word.
- Two boys, hospital room = John and Bill = to nurse - that Bill is a meany. I will never forgive him as long as I live. Nurse said, "John, it's not right for you to feel that way, suppose you die in the night, you would be sorry you never forgave Bill." For a few moments John thought about it very seriously then said, "well, all right, if I die in the night, I'll forgive him, but if I don't die, Bill had better watch out in the morning!"

Strange how religious some get on their death beds - must forgive while you are living! A forgiving Christian never need to feel two-faced - when meeting anyone anywhere.. Bury the hatchet - SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

a. Matthew 5:23-24 - No freedom to worship until we are willing to forgive!
b. Mark 11:25-26 - No freedom to pray if you're not willing to forgive!
I Peter 3:7 - Husbands, wives
c. Matthew 6:14-15 - No freedom to ask God to forgive you - Luke 6:37 - If you do not forgive, God will not!

4 steps - a spiritual exercise
1. Pretend there is no one here but you
2. Clear your mind of all thoughts; just put your brain in neutral
3. Take 60 seconds to think if you know of any person anywhere toward whom you have any animosity, ill feelings because of wrongs
4. Resolve this moment that you are going to make things right with that person as soon as possible.

If you are not willing to do that, you are worse off for having heard this message today!

Powerful Lives

Powerful Lives
by Estelle Nazary

There was once a sculptor who had a piece of marble. As he examined this marble he saw only flaws. He felt that he could not use it, so he tossed it aside. For many months it lay beside the road gathering dust. One day Michelangelo came along and saw this piece of marble. As he examined it, he did not see the flaws but the great beauty of it. He took it home and after four long, hard years of labor, he came out with a masterpiece, a statue of David. It was truly a masterpiece.

Jesus is seeking to make a masterpiece of each of our lives. He has the power available for us. He said in Matthew 28:18b, "all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." His great power is available for our lives as we yield ourselves to Him.

Often times we are prone to say, "There is nothing I can do. I have no special talent." But there are three areas of our lives, in which each of us may excel, if we allow the power of God to flow through us.

First, there is prayer power. Prayer power. You cannot do more than pray until you have prayed; you can do more than pray after you have prayed. Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; prayer is taking hold of God's eager willingness. Prayer is winning the victory over the devil; service is gathering up the results of that victory after you have already won it.

Walking along the road, chopping a typewriter, working in the kitchen, doing anything that comes into the regular round of the day affords moments when we can commune with God and talk to him without speaking words. This is the type of prayer the Bible refers to when we are enjoined to "pray without ceasing". It is understanding God, enjoying his presence, sharing his love, feeling close to him, and being aware of his will.

Each of us can have this power flow through our lives if we are willing to pay the price.

Second, there is tongue power. You have a wonderful opportunity of meeting dozens of people in one day, many who are discouraged, depressed, lonely, or even sick, and only a cheerful word from you may give them a lift. I remember on one occasion, I went to the Poindexter Branch, feeling very despondent because the doctor had just told us our little daughter could not live. There was no hope for her. It was of necessity that I went to the bank that morning for I certainly did not feel like seeing anyone. The young lady at the window was so pleasant, cheerful, with such a lovely voice, it lifted my spirits. I went back home to Brenda with my heart a little lighter because of her happy spirit. Many are the opportunities we have of using this tongue power for our Lord.

Third, there is example power. Paul said on one occasion, "Be thou an example". If only our lives could be examples of Christian living, how marvelous would be our testimony for our Lord. Jesus is our example and we must pattern our lives from his, in love, in word, in action - It's difficult at times to be an example in every phase of our lives, but Jesus said his power is available for us.

The decision is ours, if our lives shall be powerful or not. Once there lived an old man who was supposed to be the wisest man who ever lived. People everywhere came to ask the old man questions and he could answer them every one. Once there were two little boys who decided they were going to stump the old man. They would ask him a question he could not possibly answer. They were in the garden plotting and planning what they would ask him when on little boy ran and caught a bird. He said, "now we'll go to the old man and I'll say, Old man, what do I have in my hand. And he'll say, a bird. I'll then say, is he dead or alive? If he says its alive, I'll squeeze it tight until its dead. If he says it's dead, I'll open my hand and it will fly away. Then we'll have the old man. He can't possibly answer this question. They went to the old man knowing he couldn't possibly answer their question. The little boy said, "Old man, what do I have in my hand?. The old man replied, "A bird". The little boy asked, "Is he dead or alive?" The old man looked into the face of each little boy before he replied. - Then he said, "As you will my son."

Even so, as you will, so can your life be. It can be powerful if you're willing to let the power of Christ flow through your life. May power of our Christ flow through your life to each person you meet.

Make Peace with God

Make Peace with God
by Estelle Nazary

To Make peace with God:
1st step - Stop fighting God! Christ said, "My peace I give unto you." Just give up to God!

2nd step - Surrender to God. Stop being offensive. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God"

3rd step - Serve Him

These steps will be motivated by Faith and mingled with love.

We are made partakers of the fruit of the Spirit - To all who surrender to Him and serve Him, He gives the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Peace.

Then we can become peace makers - From God to others - From God to you - From you to others is a channel of peace.

2 deacons at an old line fence - One deacon can't read because he doesn't have his glasses. The other deacon says "Take mine". Through tears as he handed back the glasses - "Jim, that old line fence looks different through your glasses."
When we have the peace of God, we can see things through other fellows glasses and by doing that we can make peace. To be a peacemaker, you must know the Peace Giver.