Guarded By The Power of God - Part Two

Guarded By The Power Of God - Part Two

The Bible teaches the security of the believer. No one can snatch a believer out of the hand of God - Jn 10:28-29 "and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands," Nothing can separate a believer from the love of Christ - Ro 8:35-39 "Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? It is exactly as the Scriptures say, "For you we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way to be butchered." In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!" -- But note carefully: these promises are for one who is a believer! The Bible also teaches a believer may become an unbeliever - He 3:12 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God." A believer can develop "an evil heart of unbelief". In so doing, such a person "departs from the living God"’ -- When a believer becomes an unbeliever, the promises of security for the believer are no longer applicable! This explains the many warnings in the Scriptures to remain faithful - Re 2:10 "Don't worry about what you will suffer. The devil will throw some of you into jail, and you will be tested and made to suffer for ten days. But if you are faithful until you die, I will reward you with a glorious life."

The Christian’s responsibility is to take to heart the many admonitions in Scripture:
To take heed - 1 Co 10:12 "Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall."

Gird up the loins of your mind - 1 Pe 1:13 "Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"

Discipline yourself - 1 Co 9:27 "I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won't lose out after telling the good news to others."

Root yourself in Christ and His love - Ep 3:17 "and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love."; Co 2:7 "Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful."

Put on the armor of God, that you might stand - Ep 6:10-18 "Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit. Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people."

Be strong in the grace of the Lord - 2 Ti 2:1 "Timothy, my child, Christ Jesus is kind, and you must let him make you strong."

Stand fast in the faith - 1 Co 16:13 "Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong."

Resist the devil - Ja 4:7 "Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you."; 1 Pe 5:8-9 "Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord's followers are suffering just as you are."

Take advantage of activities conducive to remaining faithful:
Daily prayer
Daily Bible study
Frequent association with fellow Christians
Attendance at the congregational assemblies
Development of personal usefulness to the Lord
Involvement in the work of the Lord
Acceptance of correction, and repentance as necessary

Yes, the significance of being a Christian is that one is "Guarded By The Power Of God"...
In the spiritual warfare that we face, we can stand strong "in the power of His might" - Ep
6:10-13. In resisting the devil, God will "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle" us - 1 Pe 5:9-10. But never lose sight of the importance of our faith. Our resistance must be "steadfast in the faith" - 1 Pe 5:9. We are "kept by the power of God through faith" - 1 Pe 1:5. If we seek to enjoy being "Guarded By The Power Of God", then let us not forget the admonition of our glorified Lord: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Re 2:10)
Are you remaining faithful to the Lord?

May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of "The Significance Of Being A Christian", and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of "A Person Reborn" That "Belong’s To The Lord", "living by faith", being "Consecrated To God" then we need to repent and take advantage of the wonderful blessings from our Lord and Savior. Then we can be "Guarded By The Power Of God". Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Would you like to be reborn in Christ to be a new creature with a new life? If you have not responded to the gospel message and would like to do so, by all means please contact me directly at: jimnewy@classicnet.net

This material is from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2002