THE SINS OF MY YOUTH

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Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭6-7‬ (NKJV) Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Have you ever done something that you regretted?  I know I have – many times! Everyone of us has.  And, to be honest, it seems that our memory never lets those sins of our past go.  Those sins of our youth often haunt us again and again.

Someone approach me this week about an offense they made toward me around 12 years ago.  After all those years it still is fresh upon their memory.  I don’t even remember it but to them – it was very real.

I’m glad that God has the ability to forget and remember no more.  The Bible tells us that He puts our sins in the Sea Of Forgetfulness and He also puts them behind our back and He remembers them no more.

Psalm 25 is a tender portion of scriptures to remind us of God’s ability to forgive and release us from the the guilt of sin.

I’m reminded of a New Testament Story in Luke 15.  It is a story of a son who left his father’s house in anger and ended up living in much sin.

He went away and wasted all the inheritance money on wild living. He ended up broke, hungry and miserable in the mud and mess of a hog pen. When he came to his senses, he confessed to God that he had sinned and he headed home. 

As he came home the Bible states that the father was looking for him and he saw him, he ran to meet him. The Father embraced his son and showered him with kisses and gave him a great party.

Who among us doesn’t relate to that story?  Who doesn’t need to be reminded that our heavenly Father is able and willing to forgive us of our dumb decisions of our past.

Years ago, I heard an amazing story that may be true or it may be a parable, but it’s a great story. There was a wealthy man who had one son, whom he loved dearly. His wife died in childbirth and he never remarried. He was a lover of art and he taught his son to love fine art. Because he was wealthy, he and his son worked to amass a valuable private collection of priceless works of art.

When he was old enough, the son joined the Marines and was sent to Vietnam. He was killed in action and the father’s heart was broken. A few months after he buried his only son, a man knocked on his door. He had a large wrapped package in his hands. When the father opened the door he said, “Sir, I knew your son. We were in the same platoon, and he was my best buddy. I’m an amateur artist, so we had many discussions about art. It’s not very good, but I painted a portrait of your son from a photograph I took, and I’d like for you to have it.” The man was touched and tried to pay the artist, but he refused any payment. He said, “I painted him because he was my friend.” Although the picture wasn’t that good, the proud father displayed it in a prominent place.

Several years later, the wealthy man died, and his works of art were to be auctioned off. There was millions of dollars worth of art to be sold. Art dealers crowded the home wanting to bid on the Van Goghs and the Monets. The soldier-artist was there, as well, but he was too poor to bid.

The lawyer announced to the crowd that before any of the valuable pieces of art were auctioned off, the deceased had left instructions that the portrait of his son must be auctioned off first. The impatient art dealers complained and said “Get on with it. Get that picture out of the way so we can bid on the real art!”

The auctioneer held up the painting and said, “Who’ll you give me $100 for the picture of the son?” No one replied. Finally, the soldier friend who painted the portrait said, “I’ll give you $20 for it.” The auctioneer said, “$20 once, $20 twice, sold for $20.” The artist bought back his own painting because he still felt a great fondness for the man’s son.

At that moment, the rich man’s attorney stepped to front and announced to the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, there will no more bidding. My client left secret and specific instructions that whoever bought the painting of his son would receive all the other works of art at no additional charge. So, the gentleman who bought the picture of his son also receives the other pieces of art. To quote the words in his last will and testament, he wrote, ‘Whoever chooses my son, gets it all.’ This concludes the auction.”

If you choose the son today – you get it all.  You get forgiveness of your past sins and you get the help of a God who has been waiting on the porch for you to come home.

His forgiveness covers all your sins – even the sins of your youth.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

LIVING A BLAMELESS LIFE

I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? (‭Psalm‬ ‭101‬:‭1-2 NIV)

One of the troubling things as a Christian is that we still live in the world and we still deal with the realities of sin on a daily basis.  It doesn’t matter how strong you are for the Lord – the fact is this – until we get to heaven – WE STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH SIN.

I heard this story that illustrates this point: A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. So he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 100 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES." 

When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note. "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION."

To lead a sinless life is hard for any person. If it’s not impossible, it’s next to impossible, but of course, there are certain things we can do to help us lead a better life.

I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. (‭Psalm‬ ‭101‬:‭2‬ NIV)

So… how can I live a blameless life?  There are 3 ways:

1- Focus on the Lord
2- Have nothing to do with evil
3- Cast away pride

I. FOCUS ON THE LORD

I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. (‭Psalm‬ ‭101‬:‭1, NIV)

I love to sing loud (sometimes too loud for others around me).  But its not just singing – its singing about and to the Lord.

The Psalmist was focusing on the Lord while singing.

Ephesians 5:19-20 “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Any time you sing to the Lord from your heart, no matter how it sounds, it is pleasing to Him and will increase your devotion to Him and help you to lead a better life.

There is more than one way, of course to focus on the Lord.

Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

We focus on the Lord by studying His Word and by praying! Many people believe in the inspired Word of God but they don’t read it or study it!

As I write this – I have worship songs playing in the background and I have my Bible open because I want to focus on God.

An African woman was asked if she enjoyed reading her new Bible. She replied, “Sir, I am not reading this Book. This Book is reading me!” 

God’s Word does that and even more.

Golf immortal Arnold Palmer recalls a lesson about overconfidence: “It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said "Congratulations." I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus.” 

DON’T LOSE YOUR FOCUS! Keep your eyes on the Lord through scripture, prayer and singing.

II. HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EVIL

I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; Iwill cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord. (‭Psalm‬ ‭101‬:‭3-4, 8‬ NIV)

Thomas Carlyle: “The greatest security against sin is to be shocked at its presence.” 

But the problem in America is that we are no longer shocked by the presence of sin. Anything goes in America and it’s on TV, the internet, at the movies, etc. What was once only seen at the movie show and rated “R” is now almost every day viewing on TV. It’s no wonder that kids get bad ideas and do bad things today. It’s all glorified on TV as being normal behavior: drinking, drugs, pre-marital sex, the gay lifestyle, shooting, killing, etc.

I Thessalonians 5:22 “Avoid every kind of evil.” 

If we want to stay as blameless as possible in the sight of God then we must avoid evil wherever it is and every kind of evil.

III. CAST AWAY PRIDE

Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. (‭Psalm‬ ‭101‬:‭5, 7‬ NIV)

Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

One man said he owed his success to something learned from his Dominicker rooster. That rooster was a powerful fighter. He could fly higher and cut deeper than any other rooster in the neighborhood. But he often lost fights against weaker roosters. His trouble was that right in the middle of a fight, he’d stop to crow. Any time we stop to crow about ourselves in life we’re headed for certain trouble.

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” 

People who are totally sold on themselves often find themselves falling into some kind of trouble after a period of time.

I Peter 5:5 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Preacher Dwight L. Moody said: “God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.”

Augustine said: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”

John Newton who wrote the song, “Amazing Grace” had the right attitude. He said, “When I get to heaven I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be, to see many people there whom I did not expect to see—the second wonder will be, to miss many people whom I did expect to see; and the third and greatest wonder of all, will be to find myself there.”

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. Can’t we all honestly say those words and sing that song? And this is also the way we should live.

Blameless doesn’t mean perfection because we can never reach perfection. If there is any perfection, it is in Christ. And our perfection is in Him.

Because of Christ, we stand blameless before God. But while we live in the flesh we must strive to live a blameless life as much as possible.

We must work hard to: 1- Focus on the Lord 2- Have nothing to do with evil 3- Cast away pride

THE SEASONS OF LIFE

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1-8‬ NIV)

A number of years ago (late 1950’s) the singing group THE BYRDS sang a song written by Pete Seeger called TURN! TURN! TURN!  It became  an International hit that topped the music charts for a long time.

It is interesting - the last verse of that song was taken word for word from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 about the seasons of life that we must all go through.

As I look back on the fact that I have more years behind me than I do in front of me I can say with great confidence that there are many seasons that we must all go through in our journey called life.  There are no short-cuts and there are no free passes.  It is a mandatory requirement that no one is exempt from.

Sometimes there are distinctions between the seasons and sometimes there are times of overlap of being in two seasons at once.

Over the centuries the church has developed different ways of identifying and describing the set of experiences which seem inevitably to come to a congregation.  This became known as the church calendar.

They identified six basic seasons.  It is important to know that the church calendar was made to adapt to man and not man adapting to the church calendar.

All of us  need to look at our personal life through the lens of the church calendar. Understanding this calendar will also help us to understand the events that are taking place in our own life.

1st Season - ADVENT - Looking forward to the birth of Christ.

Nothing happens in the Church or in the Christian life unless the people want and expect something to happen.

This is the reason the church calendar begins with this season.This is the season of expectant preparation and search.  Example – of when expectant couples are preparing to have a baby.

Some of the words and themes which describe the meaning of this season are: preparation, expectancy, hope, searching.

The first advent season came into the humdrum of existence of a depressed people.  But something happened that put a shudder within them and caused them to begin to make preparation.  They felt an expectancy - a hope.

We have the advantage of looking back and knowing what it was - the coming of the Messiah.  They weren’t so sure. The wise men followed their hope to find the baby Jesus.  God saw their longing and responded to them, but not in the way that they expected.

2nd Season - CHRISTMAS - The birth of Christ.

You know it’s going to happen. God will always come through to those who search after Him.  However, sometimes the gifts are not what we expect and we don’t recognize the answer.

Even John the Baptist did not recognize him.  He probably lived around him for 30 years.  They began their ministries side by side and he still did not recognize him.

Words and themes used to describe the experience of Christmas are: gift, surprise, joy, birth, incarnation.

3rd Season - EPIPHANY - The celebration that Christ was not sent just to the Jewish people.

The gift of Christ is to be shared with the whole world.  You are like a sponge during this time.  You can’t get enough of God, Bible, teaching, etc.

Words and themes which describe this season are: light, life, manifestation, call mission.

CHRISTMAS ALWAYS LEADS TO EPIPHANY.

When you get such a gift from God, how do you send an appropriate “thank you” note?

You do that by telling others of the good news.  The church needs to go into all the world and say, “Look, what I have.  Isn’t it amazing, we want to share it with you also.”

Matt 28:19  ""Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (NKJ)

4th Season - LENT - The season of breaking and dying.

This is the dark season of our lives.

We go through depression, discouragement, and even death sets in.  People tend to fight over minors and insignificant issues during this time.

As Christmas leads into Epiphany, Epiphany leads into lent.

We begin to feel unworthy of the gift given to us, the task ahead of us.  We grow tired from all the good work.  We have cared for the world, we have neglected to care for ourselves.

When we are tired and we easily become discouraged.  We begin to withdraw from the work and become introspective.

Some of the words and themes which describe lent are: denial, loneliness, discouragement, depression, desperation, repentance, suffering, and death.

It begins with a tiredness that leads to depression.  The depression leads to despair.  Finally, there is alienation, brokenness and death.

The church has worked itself to death.  It has sown all its seed (Epiphany).

Now the seed must lie silently in the ground and rest awhile, getting ready for the great multiplication miracle of harvest.

John 12:24  ""Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. (NKJ)

We don’t understand why God ordains it to be this way, but the doorway to life is death.  Unless there is a breaking, there can be no multiplying (Mark 6:41).

Unless all the seeds we plant; all our hopes, our efforts, our programs are finally surrendered up to God to the point of death, they will remain a single seed.

We may keep it alive but it will never multiply.

The truth is that God leads the church through Lent in order to give it new life.  Don’t run from this important season in your life.

5th Season - EASTER - The season of resurrection life

The season of tiredness, despair, alienation and death leads to God’s second surprising gift; new life, resurrection life, eternal life.

This is the time of which we know that God comes and breathes life out of death.

Just when they thought it was over, just when they were gathering the spices to embalm their dreams, just as they were coming to say their final goodbyes - they discovered that the stone blocking the way to immortality had been rolled away.

Words and themes which describe te Easter experience are: resurrection, new life, redemption, triumph.

6th Season - PENTECOST - The season of harvest and celebration.

This is the wonderful experience of when the harvest begins to come in.  It is the season of Pentecost.

This is the other side of Epiphany - a time in which you see your rewards for your work.

Ps 126:5  Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. (NKJ)

But after the harvest is all in there comes a time when the church begins to say, “Our buildings are built, our mortgages are burned, our ministries are fruitful beyond their wildest dreams.  Now what?

And with that question the church moves forward into Advent and begins its journey through the seasons all over again.

A lesson to all of us - WHATEVER SEASON YOU FIND YOURSELF IN, THIS TOO, SHALL PASS.  YOU WON’T BE THERE FOREVER.  One season leads to another and God grows you during whatever season you may be in – even if it is lent.

Don’t give up.  Don’t be in despair.  God’s got a plan for you and it good.  He will bring you completely through whatever you are going through.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ NIV)

THE SIN OF GOSSIP

“Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” (‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭22‬ NIV)‬‬‬‬‬‬

Recently a woman made an appointment with me to tell me some gossip about a certain pastor that I was acquainted with.  Immediately all sorts of red flags begin to rise within me and I graciously shut her down and helped her to the door.  I was both grieved that someone would do this me and that I actually heard some of the things that she wanted to bring out.

Sadly, this type of activity goes on way to often!  We are so eager to bring others down because it makes us feel better about our own misery.

Random House College Dictionary: "Idle talk or rumor, esp. about the personal or private affairs of others."

This is talking  about a person (true or not!) showing them in a less than positive light!  Even if it is true – we must be careful about who we share certain information with.  We must always be careful about how we talk – especially when that person is not around at the time!

The Hebrew word for "slander or gossip" simply means "bad report."  

People will say to me “I’m going to tell you something and I don’t want you to tell anyone else.” (In other words – I don’t want you to help them but I just want you to know this piece of juicy gossip or that bad report.”

The NT has two interesting words regarding this sin of the tongue.

The first is Katalaleo ("slander") and the second Psithuristas ("gossip"; KJV--"whisperers"). 

The only difference between "gossip" and "slander" is one of degrees. Suppose you wanted to kill someone. There is more than one way to do it. Take a shotgun, walk right up to their face, announce that you're going to shoot them, and then blow them away. That's slander. Or, you could take a rifle with a scope. Attach a silencer to it, hide yourself a safe distance away, kill them from long-distance. They will never know what hit them. That's gossip.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭29-32‬ NIV)‬‬‬

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ NIV)‬‬‬

I like the following poem about gossip and slander:

Wouldn't this old world be better
If folks we meet would say,
I know something good about you!
And then treat you that way?

Wouldn't it be fine and dandy,
If each handclasp warm and true
Carried with it this assurance,
I know something good about you! 

Wouldn't life be lots more happy
If the good that's in us all,
Were the only thing about us,
That folks bothered to recall?

Wouldn't life be lots more happy,
If we praised the good we see?
For there's a lot of goodness
In the worst of you and me.

Wouldn't it be nice to practice
That fine art of thinking too?
You know something good about me!
I know something good about you!

 Ann Landers column--"Gem of the Day": "People of high intelligence talk about ideas. People of average intelligence talk about things. People of no intelligence talk about other people. Where are you in the lineup?"

Here are some practical suggestions for overcoming gossip:

If you can't say something good about someone, say nothing (Rom. 12:10).

Keep private matters private (Prov. 11:13; 25:9-10).

Let me admonish you today to stay free from gossip or slander – especially about pastors and God anointed leaders.  Let us resolve together to be people who choose the high road rather than the low road when it comes to slander or gossip about another person.

What is the golden rule?

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬ NIV)‬‬‬

My prayer is this: May God help us to always speak of that person in the best possible light. May God put a watch on all of our tongues so we may avoid the sin of gossip and thereby become a better person in this journey called “Life.”

A NOVEL IDEA - CHRISTIANS GETTING ALONG WITH ONE ANOTHER

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. (Psalms 133:1-3 NLT)

This is one of those feel-good passages that talk about the blessings of "getting along with one another."

David is the author of this psalm, and the best one to appreciate the blessing of unity. Under David’s leadership the twelve tribes of Israel were united. 

They put aside tribal jealousy in a spirit of cooperation and became a united kingdom. This enabled David to strengthen the nation and establish the capital in Jerusalem. 

Some Christians compete with one another as if they were on opposing teams. We need to be team-players.


The two images that  are given in this passage paint a beautiful analogy of what true unity looks like - even in today's world: It is like oil coming down the beard of Aaron.  And, it is like the refreshing dew coming down from Mt. Hermon onto the lower hills of Mt. Zion.

The first is kind of messy - oil flowing down Aaron's beard - even to the border of his robe.

When I anoint the sick - I usually just put a little oil on the tip of my finger and place my hand on their forehead.  In this picture - it's almost as if they pour a bucket on his head.

The second is a refreshing picture of this massive mountain in the middle of a desert sending it's dew toward the lower hills.  (To be honest, words cannot explain how beautiful this really is.)

We need the dew of fellowship if we’re to flourish in our faith. Unity cannot be manufactured by human effort; it is a gift produced by the Spirit. Unity is ours in Christ. Jesus prayed beneath the shadow of the cross that we “may all be one” (Jn 17:22). 


Dew is a symbol of blessing. When Isaac blessed his son Jacob, he stated, “May God give you of heaven’s dew” (Gen 27:28), meaning the resource of prosperity. 

In contrast, Isaac told Esau that his “dwelling will be away from the dew of heaven” (vs 39). Moses prayed that his teachings would “descend like dew” (Deut 32:2). 

Proverbs describes the favor of a king “like dew on the grass” (19:12). Isaiah compares dew to the resurrection of our bodies (26:19). 

And God declares in Hosea, “I will be like the dew to Israel, which will blossom like a lily” (14:5). 

Blessings descend to us, but we ought to receive them together. We are blessed individually and collectively.

What dew and oil have in common is that they are both flowing down. David focuses on the source and direction of these blessings. They come down from above upon God’s people. 

“Unity” is a gift of grace, and “Life forevermore” is the ultimate blessing, salvation. When we live together in harmony as God’s people, we get a foretaste of eternal life. We are part of a “forever family”. 

As we look around our church we see people we’re going to spend eternity with in heaven. Why not get to know them better now? 

If we want a bit of heaven on earth, we can start now by uniting with fellow believers every way we can.


When Jewish pilgrims sang this psalm as they journeyed to Jerusalem, they did not sing solo or travel alone. They came to the feasts and holy days from many different walks of life, regions, and tribes. No matter how hard the pilgrimage conditions were, the fellowship of God’s people made the journey refreshing. 

We too are pilgrims; we have a destination, our heavenly home, and we are traveling together. It’s foolish to try to be a believer in isolation. 

The moment we become Christians, we become part of a body of believers, the Body of Christ. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Our community with one another consists in what Christ has done for us.” 

Christ is the basis of our fellowship. We are a family in Christ. No Christian is an only child. We can’t thrive in isolation. We need to see our identity in the Body of Christ. 

We form together the visible shape of what God is like.

We are a community rooted in relationship. 

This doesn’t mean that we’re always one big happy family: “To dwell above with saints we love, oh that will be glory! To dwell below with saints we know…that’s a different story.” 

When we trust Christ we gain resources to live godly lives, but we do not stop being sinners. Our personalities do not change. If we were quiet, analytical, unemotional before conversion to Christ, we’re not going to suddenly become touchy-feely extroverts. 

We are who we are. God wants us to appreciate the diversity within His family. We may not think alike, but we should work together. We need to unconditionally accept one another and treat each other with dignity and respect. 

The fact that we are all unique is an advantage. We’re visibly together when we worship, and we should remain in relationship through the week. We’re missing out if we only see each other on Sunday.



Philip Yancy writes, “Christianity is not a purely intellectual, internal faith. It can only be lived in community.” 

So the question is not, “Am I going to be part of a community of faith” but “How am I going to live in this community of faith?” 

We can pretend that we’re on our own, but eventually we realize how much we need each other. 

If it is not visible that we care about one another, it is doubtful whether we love one another. 

When believers come together, something supernatural happens; Jesus promises, “Where two or three come together in My Name, there am I with them” (Mt 18:20). 

The author of Hebrews urges, “Let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (10:25). 

We are not solitary saints. We are incomplete until we find fellowship with others who share our faith.

Jesus modeled community with His disciples. 

They lived out their faith in connection with one another. They shared a common purpose, united around their Teacher. 

The disciples didn’t always get along. There was some bickering and competitiveness. 

Jesus had to remind them (and us) that we are all brothers, not rivals. Together we can all transformed the world around us.

How you treat other Christians really matters and has an impact on whether people are going to come to Christ or not.


SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOT TO TALK TO YOURSELF

Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV) ¹  Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. ²  Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- ³  who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, ⁴  who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, ⁵  who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Have you ever got down and needed a pep talk?  I know I have – many times.  The problem lies in the fact that sometimes there just isn’t anyone around to talk to.

In this Psalm David has to tell himself – “Praise The Lord!”  In the midst of our problems we need to give praise to God and learn to praise His name.  

Sometimes... we just  need to give ourselves a “pep” talk and talk to ourselves.

Notice that David reminds himself “and forget not all his benefits.”  We often forget to give thanks to God for all he has done.  We become enamored in our problems and we forget how God took care of us in the past.

We have a tendency to take things for granted and forget where our blessings actually come from.

Abraham Lincoln said, “We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us. Our supreme folly was that we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.”

David was giving thanks to God for the personal blessings. He had been forgiven of all his iniquities. God had healed him from all his diseases. God had redeemed his life from destruction. God had crowned him with loving kindness and tender mercies.  God had satisfied his mouth with good things. And…God had renewed his strength as an eagle.

There is a passage of scripture that talks about David and all the problems he was having – his city had been burned and destroyed – his wives and children were taken captive. 

Notice how David felt and what he did…

1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV) 6  David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

“David found strength in the Lord his God.” One translations states that he “encouraged himself in the Lord.

Sometimes… there is no one around to talk to and you just need to talk to the Lord. 

Discouragement and hardships will come.  Sometimes there is no one who is capable or able to talk you through.  Sometimes words wouldn't help anyway. 

It is then that we learn the true source of our help – it is from the Lord.  Instead of calling everyone you know and speaking to those who will listen – why not just go to God first.  Crawl up on his lap and allow him to encourage you and give you the direction that you need. 

He is waiting for you.

FIVE PRINCIPLES TO GROW SPIRITUALLY

John 15 is one of the last teachings that Jesus gave his disciples before his death.

Use your imagination for a bit and imagine the disciples and Jesus walking through the vineyards that surrounded Jerusalem.  While they  are walking Jesus turns to his disciples and begins to teach them about vineyards - not in the physical sense but in the spiritual.

In vvs. 1-11 Jesus gives them FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR THEM (and for us) TO GROW SPIRITUALLY.

PRINCIPLE #1 - THE PRINCIPLE OF KNOWING GOD

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 

There are many pictures of God in the Bible but this picture is one of Him being a gardener.

Interesting. The Greek word for gardener is "earth worker."  In a real sense - that is what God is to us - an earth worker.

So one has to ask what a gardener does.

A gardener must be willing to...

- Work the soil
- Fertilize it
- Break it up
- Develop irrigation
- Be willing to get his hands dirty
 - Be willing to sacrifice His time and energy and resources
- Know where each plant should be planted
- Know that different crops have different seasons
- How much space is needed between plants
- Must keep out the weeds or it will choke the plants
- Must make sure there is enough  water
- Eliminate bugs/ pests
- Protect the plants from the birds
- Build support limbs under limbs of plants as they grow so that the won’t topple
- Prune often – remove dead or sick fruit – make room for the healthy vines
- Save some seed for the next planting season

The sooner that we realize who God is in our lives and allow Him complete control - the faster we will grow.

PRINCIPLE #2 - THE PRINCIPLE OF PRUNING 

John 15:2  "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

This branch is a shoot which comes from the central vine.  Its life and growth depend on the trunk of the grapevine.

“In me…” signifies the vital union of the believer and Christ together in order to bring forth fruitfulness.

Immediately he identifies two types of branches – fruitless and fruitful.  This is indicative of two types of believers – those that produce fruit and those that don’t.

Jesus points out his two-fold in v.2...

1. Eliminate vines that are unfruitful
2. Pune vines that remaining vines to be more fruitful.

“He cuts off every branch…” – Gr. “He lifts up – he removes it.”

Pruning is a drastic process. Jesus is clearly teaching us here that this is what the Father will do in our lives – to make us bear more fruit.

HE WILL DRASTICALLY CUT BACK OUR LIVES IN A CLEANSING PROCESS.

In a vineyard – pruning also removes dirt, cobwebs, dried leaves and any disease that a vine has collected.

Pruning is sometimes painful.  We all go through seasons of pruning in our lives.

We all have experiences like this – times of sorrow, disappointment, failure, a sense of weakness or hurt.  We feel cast off or rejected.

We need to remind ourselves that this is only the work of our loving father who does it so that we may “bear more fruit.”

PRINCIPLE #3 - THE PRINCIPLE OF ABIDING

John 15:4  "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

We are expected to do something.  He says “Abide, Remain, Follow Him.”

To “abide in Christ” is to experience an unbroken fellowship and personal communion with Him.

The word “abide” means to remain or to stay.  He is saying “Keep close to me.” In other words, “Follow me,”  “do what I say,”  “obey my commands,”  “search the scriptures,” “allow the Spirit to transform you by the renewing of your mind.”

It also comes through prayer.  This is a discipline of life.  We can never be Christlike unless we discipline our life – initiating habits of searching the Scriptures, praying with others, loving each other, forgiving one another, worshipping together.

PRINCIPLE #4 - THE PRINCIPLE OF KNOWING OURSELVES

John 15:5  "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (NKJV)

I am because He is.

It is interesting - the Latin word for branch is "footprint or pedigree."  We are to have His DNA and to be a reflection of Him.  He is my source and resource.

PRINCIPLE #5 - THE PRINCIPLE OF FRUITFULNESS

John 15:2  "… and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:5  "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (NKJ)

“Much fruit” – this only comes by abiding.  The greek indicates much abundance – prosperous.

This the  “yada” factor.  "Yada" is the Hebrew word "to know or to be intimate."  Notice these two verses that will help you understand this principle...

Dan 11:32  "… but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

Gen 4:1  Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived ..."

The more that you are intimate with Him the more you will be strong and bear much fruit.

4 EVIDENCES OF FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE

1. ANSWERED PRAYER

John 15:7  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

You see results in what you are trying to accomplish. What you asked is granted.

2. GOD IS GLORIFIED IN YOUR LIFE

John 15:8  "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

You become an effective witness.

Here it is again – “Much Fruit.” When Christ comes into my life – I change.  I will bear “much fruit.” Even the world can see the difference in your life.

3. MORE LOVE

John 15:9  "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
John 15:10  "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

This is one of the strongest admonitions in the Bible.  It is the answer to many of problems today. It is the message that in itself will bring much fruit in your personal lives and in your churches. It is what brings meaning to people’s lives.  It is what brings healing the feelings of worthlessness. It is what heals people of their insecurities and feelings of hopelessness. The way to feel worthwhile is to realize that God loves you.  You belong to Him – He belongs to you.

There is a story about a man name Karl Barth – a great theologian – who was once asked “What is the most profound truth you have ever discovered in the Scripture?”

This man, who has been called the greatest theologian of the twentieth century, said, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

Jude 1:21  keep yourselves in the love of God,

4- MORE JOY

John 15:11  "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

What is joy?

Heb 12:2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What is it that filled the heart of Jesus with joy, as he faced the cross, and the terrible suffering that he went through? It was the knowledge that he was in obedience to the Father and the earth would be redeemed and set free by His death.

In other words… HIS JOY WAS THAT HE WAS BEING USED BY GOD. That is the greatest joy any man can know – that we are being used by God.

Be happy that you have the privilege of “serving” others for the sake of God.

You can have everything this world offers and still be without joy.  Joy comes from being in union with the Father – by keeping His commandments and abiding in His love.