Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 24, 2021
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Is Excited about Their Message!
There are two ways to stop bad behavior.
First with negative consequences.
A two-year-old who is having a tantrum in the grocery store, might (not always) stop if you say, “If you don’t stop crying, you’ll miss out on the ice cream cone I promised you when we are done.”
Much motivation to do what is right is motivated by the threat of negative consequence. You break the speed limit, you get a ticket. You cheat on a test, you fail the course. You rob a bank, you go to jail.
Bad behavior reaps bad rewards. A pattern of crime ends in prison time. A pattern of selfishness leads to broken relationships. A pattern of deception leads to a loss of employment.
The threat of these consequences can change behavior. Ultimately, the threat of God’s law can be a motivator as well. A sinful nature left unchecked eventually leads to an eternity apart from God in hell.
Jesus would rather motivate a change in our life and lifestyle by good news and the blessings that come from a life living with the Lord Jesus.
It was the heart of Jesus’ message: “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
Jesus could have come with the message, “Repent or go to hell!” But rather the message of good news, the Gospel, is what he calls us to believe. The good news to believe our sins are forgiven and sin is not a life worth living.
Jesus changes our hearts with the power of his Spirit and the compelling content of the good news he promised, proclaimed and procured.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1)
Perhaps these verses from Galatians 5:19-25 put forward what Jesus is calling us from and what the good news compels us to enjoy:
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Jesus wants us to enjoy the blessings of life with him. He gives his love, joy, peace, forgiveness and eternal life. He connects blessings to following his will as we live in the world. No wonder he calls us to repent (turn from sin) and to believe the good news (turn to Jesus).
The good news is so good it turns us from bad behavior.
Apply: Consider areas of life that are “bad behavior.” How is it working for you? Repent and believe the good news. Find joy in turning from sin to the blessings and forgiveness Jesus gives to you!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for doing all for my forgiveness. Give me your Spirit to compel me to turn from sin to trust in you and live for you each and every day!
Passage and Prayer for the Ministry of Cross & Crown
Wednesday – January 27 – Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.”
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we do not seek to build anything apart from You. We seek your protection and your guidance. We do not want any glory for ourselves, or any success of man’s invention. Let us not waste our effort! Align our work to your design.