Benefits versus Responsibilities Part 3

March 26, 2009

Here are some additional benefits and responsibilities of believers. (Neither list is exhaustive)

#3.  Additional Blessings God pours out on His people.

Acceptance before God through Jesus Christ
Insight into God’s will
God’s mercy and love
An eternal inheritance
Wisdom and Knowledge
Spiritual life
The promise of eternal kindness (Eph 2:7)
The knowledge of God’s plan for us (Eph 2:10)
Unity with believers
Peace

#4. Responsibilities of believers

To grow and mature
To put away the old (Eph 4:17-24; 5:2-14)
To speak honestly and truthfully
To imitate God
To walk in love
To be good stewards (time, finances, relationships, etc…)
To be filled with the spirit (Eph 5:18)
To submit to one another
To have marriages that honor God
To demonstrate integrity in the workplace
To stand strong against the forces of evil

When I read the above list of benefits {blessings} I get excited and want to praise God. When I read the list of responsibilities it is a little overwhelming.

It is the grace and mercy of God that provides us with all of the blessings, and gives us strength to accomplish the responsibilities.

One final thought on the responsibilities: It takes work and diligence to be successful in the responsibilities of the Kingdom.  The responsibilities can be difficult at times, or inconvenient others, but we must be stead fast in our pursuit of the Kingdom.

The book of Matthew provides us with great wisdom and insight when we compare the benefits and responsibilities.

Matthew 6:33

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness is done through understanding and walking out the responsibilities of being a believer.

Thoughts?

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Benefits versus Responsibilites Part 2

March 24, 2009

Today I want to continue discussing the benefits (blessings) and the responsibilities of believers.

2. God pours out His blessings – Our responsibility (call) to spiritual warfare.

Many Christian can testify of the blessings that God has poured out in their lives. Many of us could spend hours describing the abundance of grace and mercy alone.  In addition, many believers live a life amazing peace, financial prosperity, maturing & genuine relationships,  and the ability to grow in godliness.

I know I can praise God and thank Him for the blessings of my wife, our children, our church family, and many, many more things that He poured out into my life. I am very thankful!

When someone receives Christ or rededicates their life to following Jesus as their Lord and Savior they begin to experience the blessings that God pours out on His children.

During that same transition period it is important for new believers to understand their responsibility to walk in accordance with His heavenly calling  in Christ Jesus and encourage the body of Christ to maturity in Him.

Even though the Christian is blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), spiritual warfare is still the daily experience of Christians while in the world. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

The spiritual world is real and it makes an impact on more than is obvious to most believers. Paul offers insight and direction for not being taken unaware in the midst of the invisible battle around us.

Many times we struggle with things that are hard to explain or have a rough day at work, or just feel that intense pressure or weight on our shoulders, yet seemingly nothing is really wrong or needed to be done.  Not all, but many of these instances in my life have been due to spiritual warfare, and a need to go to my prayer closet and seek God.

In Ephesians 6 Paul describes the weapons of warfare that I  have turned to during these times.  Paul offers insight and wisdom in these verses, and describes the weapons of prayer, and God’s Word. It is in the tongue that brings power and life to the Word of God. I will read scripture out loud or quote some verses that pertain to my situation. The spoken Word of God has power to change things.

Then in my prayers I will seek God and ask Him for the breakthrough or victory that I need, while thanking Him for the victory that was won on the Cross.

I will close with this, His Word coupled with our Faith — changes things — it changes everything!

Next time you are experiencing one of the amazing blessings from God, remember to spend a few moments thanking Him and praying for other situations in your life, and for those struggles in others lives.

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Benefits versus Responsibilites Part 1

March 23, 2009

I know people in the church are always talking abou the blessings (benefits) of living a Christian life, and how coming into a life giving church can radically change your life.  HONESTLY SEEING THAT CHANGE NEVER GETS OLD!

The one thing I do not hear a lot of Christians or churches talking about is the responsibilities that come with those blessings. When someone enters into the Kingdom of God they recieve the full benefits of living in the Kingdom, however they also recieve all of the responsibilities of living in the Kingdom.

Many things in life operate in this same manner, yet we simply do not aply this practical reality to the church, especially to God’s Kingdom.

So this week I want to spend sometime on discussing the benefits (blessings) and the responsibilities of believers.

1. Accepted into the famiy — use our abilities for the church’s benefit

Very few believers would argue that there are major benefits and blessings that begin to manifest in thier lives as they begin to plug into a community of believers where they are welcomed, wanted, and accepted. It is a SECOND FAMILY that accepts them with open arms.  The blessings that come from this are too numerable for me to list.

Ephesians 4:7-13 that as believers we are to use our abilities for the churches benefit. Ephesians 4:12 specifically says, ” for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”.

In too many churches in America today the believers believe that it is the “paid” pastor’s responsibility to do ministry, and to carry out all the “work” of the church.

According to scripture that is the furthest thing from the truth. It is the pastor’s job to equip the saints for the work of ministry.  It is my belief that everyone should doing ministry. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is for every believer and not just for the “paid” pastor or the elders of the church.

A final take away here today is that it is amazing and wonderful when people begin to be adopted into the family, but with that comes the responsibility to use your abilities to benefit the family.

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Posted by kevinjbradford