A Message by Rev. Greg
Moser
Given to
November 8, 2009
LIVING LIKE YOU’RE LEAVING
ROMANS 13:8-14
·
If you knew
that you only had one month to live, what would you change about how you’re
living?
·
These passages
give us a blueprint of how to live like we’re leaving.
I.
LIVE WITH AFFECTION
FOR HIS COMMANDS
A.
LOVE’S OBLIGATION (v. 8)
·
He is not
stating that we can’t have any type of debt (mortgages/rent, phone bills, power
bill, gas bill, water bill, etc.).
·
Basically, pay
your debts on time (credit cards!).
·
Don’t get in
debt with NONESSENTIALS!
·
Practice
financial responsibility by living modestly and within our means—Don’t spend more than you make!
·
“except”: It is ok to be in debt in one area…LOVE!
·
“Love” (agape): a deep, unselfish, superhuman
affection one has for another;
Undeserved by the recipient; shown to friends AND enemies
o
It manifests
itself in giving—sacrificial giving (John 3:16)
o
Primarily of
the will rather than emotions.
o
It’s a choice
because we are commanded to do it!
o
Can only be
exhibited by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
o
The debt of
love is always owing—never paid off.
B.
LOVE’S OPERATION (v. 9)
·
What do these
four commands have in common? They’re
all self-centered! Love of SELF over
love of OTHERS!
·
Jesus condensed
the Ten Commandments to two:
“Which
commandment is the most important of all? Jesus answered, the most
important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength.
The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no
other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31
·
Jesus
emphasized the heart of the commandments by emphasizing love rather than law.
·
Our love for
our neighbor is revealed in what we DO rather than what we SAY.
C.
LOVE’S OBJECTIVE (v. 10)
·
Golden
Rule: “Treat others like you would want
to be treated.”
·
Love is a
fruit of the Spirit—it’s a supernatural work.
·
Just like we
must yield to the Holy Spirit for the other “fruits/workings”
·
“the fulfillment of the law”:
Jesus said, “Do not think that I
came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to
fulfill.”
Matthew 5:17
·
John 3:16
·
Are we giving
of ourselves that others may find eternal life?
II.
LIVE WITH ANTICIPATION OF HIS
COMING
A.
WATCH EAGERLY (v. 11)
·
“awaken”: Did
you ever have someone violently wake you while you were sleeping? WAKE UP!!
Jesus “gave Himself for our sins
to rescue us from the present evil age…” Galatians 1:4
·
Do you
understand and realize that this world is hostile to God, the things of God,
and the people of God?
·
“awaken from sleep”: spiritual
lethargy/apathy
o
What are some
signs that we are lethargic?
§
Failure to
consume God’s Word regularly
§
Focused on
entertainment (TV, computer games, parties, etc.)
§
Failing to
witness
§
Disinterest in
mission of the church
§
Spending more
on self than others/mission
§
Failing to
invest God’s Word in your children
§
Sacrificing
time with family to waste it on hobbies/selfish pursuits
§
Voting for
politicians who you think will help you economically instead of those who will
protect biblical morality
·
WAKE UP,
CHRISTIANS!
·
“salvation”: glorification
·
Can you recall
times when you could hear someone approaching/hear their footsteps?
·
The Lord’s
footsteps are getting close to the door!
·
Christians are
not to be living FOR THIS world, but for the NEXT!
·
Yet, we need
not focus on the future so much that we become of no good in the
present—BALANCE!
·
Jim
Elliott: “He is no fool who gives what
he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
B.
WAR BOLDLY (v. 12)
·
Watching
sights the enemy, praying fights the enemy.
·
“lay aside…put on”:
·
ILLUS: Young man reporting to the Army receives complete
uniform; First
inspection next morning; He’s still
wearing civilian clothes—What will happen?
Once he’s in the Army, he is to be through with the old dress
once-for-all.
·
From then on,
he is to be identified by his clothes!
·
“armor of light”:
practical, godly living
brings protection
·
Read 1 John
2:28-3:3.
·
As we battle,
remember 1 John 4:4!
C.
WALK DECENTLY (v. 13)
“Walk by the Spirit (continuous action), and
you WILL NOT carry out the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
·
How many of
you want to have victory over the desires of the flesh (mind, will, emotions)?
·
What you do
shows what you believe!
·
Walk what you
talk!
D.
WAIT TRIUMPHANTLY (v. 14)
·
“put on/clothe yourselves”: to
put something on is to display it outwardly
·
ILLUS: How many have gotten sunburned from not putting on
sunscreen?
·
Put on “SONscreen”!
·
What does God
mean by “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”?
Put Off Put
On
Bitterness Forgiveness
Selfishness Self-denial
Rebellion Submission
Disrespect
for authority Honor
authority
Immodesty Modesty
Cheating Honesty
Impatience Patience
Anger/Losing
temper Self-control
Wrath Soft
Answer
Hatred Love
Critical
spirit Kindness
Evil
thoughts Pure thoughts
Laziness Diligence
Worry Trust
Greed Contentment
Lust Pure
desires
·
How do you “make provision for the flesh”?
o
Purchase
things associated with temptation (alcohol, cigarettes, food, magazines/books,
etc.)
o
Put yourself
in compromising situations (parties, opposite sex, TV, etc.)
o
Dwell on past
hurts
o
Regularly
receive counsel from those who either don’t know Christ or they are immature in
their faith
o
You hang out
with those who don’t have a desire to follow after God/things of God (1 Cor.
15:33)
o
By giving
higher priority to the physical rather than the spiritual
o
Fail to battle
the flesh with the Word of God (“be transformed by the renewing of your mind”)
·
If Christ
appeared today, is there any lifestyle, thought, or activity that I would be
ashamed to have brought into His presence?
·
Are you living
like you could be leaving at any time?