Discipleship

The Truth about Self-Gratification

February 25, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

In a recent sermon, David Platt asked, “Will we live for self-gratification or God-glorification?” Those are our only two options. We will live for God or we will live for ourselves. Living for ourselves is a more palatable way of saying we will live to glorify Satan. That sounds harsh and shocking. We don’t want to think in those terms, which is why we mask it with words like selfishness and self-gratification.

self-gratification,commitment,discipleship,selfishness,Matthew 6:24,cannot serve two masters,Mark 9:40,either for us or against us

But know this, there are only two powers in the spiritual realm: God and Satan. Jesus spoke plainly when He said we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). We will love the one and hate the other. Every time we say no to Jesus, we say yes to the devil. This is the uncomfortable truth that applies to every decision we make, word we speak, or action we take.

Trust God’s Word

February 22, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

Early in the book of Genesis, there’s a familiar passage that’s one of those that is easy to gloss over because it is so familiar, or we fail to see its relevance in our world. Genesis 15:6 says, “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it Him as righteousness.” Abram simply believed what God told Him, trusted it would come to pass, and as a result, God blessed Him and considered Abram to be His friend (James 2:23; Isaiah 41:8).

trust God's Word,faith,discipleship,commitment,surrender,God's Kingdom,Genesis 15:6,Abram believed God,James 2:23,Abram God's friend,Isaiah 41:8,Abram God's friend,Romans 8:28,all things work together for good,John 15:14-15,I have called you friends,John 14:15,if you love me obey my commands,John 1:1-3,in the beginning was the Word,friend of God,Kingdom of God,

It was a simple interaction. God spoke to Abram, Abram believed God, Abram received God’s blessing, and his relationship with His Creator flourished. When God speaks to us, do we believe Him? Do we trust He will do what He says He will do? As we read through Scripture, do we trust God’s Word, or do we only hope or wish it to be true?

[Read more…] about Trust God’s Word

Others First

February 18, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

Jesus demonstrated an “others first” model throughout His life. He exemplified this mindset in His death. Even today, Jesus continues His other’s first mentality by constantly advocating on our behalf with the Father. Living a life that puts others first is central to the message and character of Christ. The New Testament, and indeed the entire Bible, is saturated with stories of self-sacrifice and putting the needs of others before their own. This is how we are to live.

others first,commitment,love,humility,discipleship,selfishness,selflessness,Philippians 2:3,consider others more important than yourself,Philippians 2:4,interests of others,look out for others

But living for others is in stark contrast to modern Western thinking. For us, it’s about getting ahead, acquiring all we can, and considering ourselves a little better than those around us. In His letter to the Philippians, Paul admonishes them to do everything in humility and to always consider others more important than themselves (Philippians 2:3). It’s a far cry from how we live our lives today.

[Read more…] about Others First

Be Alert

February 11, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

We don’t know when Jesus will return, but we know He will. As the days and years roll by, there is a temptation to grow complacent as we wait for Him to come and take us home. It becomes easy to believe that it won’t happen in our lifetime. But Jesus warned us to be alert because His coming could occur at any moment (Mark 13:35-37). In the same passage, He warns us not to be found sleeping.

We are to remain vigilant, always doing the work of the Kingdom. There is no time to relax, no excuse for laziness in serving Christ. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want the return of Christ to catch me off-guard. This should affect every action we undertake and every decision we make.

[Read more…] about Be Alert

Finding Life

February 4, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

Where are you finding life today? We seek satisfaction in many things, but none of them will last, and none are worthy of your life. It’s no wonder why those who don’t know Christ would chase after so many things trying to find some meaning or to make sense of this life. But for followers of Jesus, we’ve got to recognize our pursuit of anything other than Jesus is futile.

God created us to glorify Him. Too often we buy into the lie that the story is about us. We ask questions like, “What does God want me to do with my life?” It’s a terrible question, flawed at its premise. There is no “my” life. It belongs to God. A better question would be, “How can I best glorify God and manifest His Kingdom today?”

[Read more…] about Finding Life