Celebrating Independence
Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 | Preacher: Pastor Ken | Series: Abiding in the Lord
Independence: freedom from control or influence of another or others
Abiding: unceasing; “an abiding belief”; “imperishable truths”; “Abiding connection”
(Princeton.edu)
Taps On The Walls
So, despite the threat and the reality of pain, we tapped on the walls. The tap code became our lifeline, our means of passing along information and words of encouragement to one another.
GBU “John Borling”
Abiding requires us to discuss and meditate on the word
Ps 119:148 My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.
Acts 2:41-43 …and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
You cannot be free from the slavery of sin without abiding in Jesus
Colossians 1:9-14 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
You cannot be free from the slavery of sin without abiding in Jesus
Colossians 1:9-14 Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
You cannot abide in Jesus without the Holy Spirit
John 14:15-18 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
You cannot have the Holy Spirit when continuing in or abiding in known sin
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
You cannot have the Holy Spirit when continuing in or abiding in known sin
1 John 1:5-10 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
You cannot abide in the Holy Spirit when continuing in un-forgiveness
Matthew 6:9-15 …And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
… “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
You cannot abide in the Holy Spirit when continuing in un-forgiveness
Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Abide in Jesus by knowing and keeping His word in your heart
Ps 119:9-16
How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word. …
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.…
I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways….
Abide in Jesus by knowing and keeping His word in your heart
Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Ps 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
Abide in Jesus by knowing and keeping His word in your heart
John 17:14-19 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
Abide in Jesus by being responsible to pass your faith & knowledge along
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 …”Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, …