LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN

From Romans chapter 12, a chapter on working together: Verses 4 & 5, 9-12

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. . . . . Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.

Those who have found the truth, obeyed and have thus been added to the Lord's Church as promised in Acts 2:47 have found something very special in the Church. Because it is God's word which has been obeyed there is the satisfaction that right has been done -- that God's will has been accomplished. The Church as the pillar and ground of truth declares through the ages that God rules and that there is righteousness. The joy found in the peace, gratification, and splendor of being part of the truth and God's family, in his kingdom, -- being among his people is the greatest joy that can be found. When one knows, understands and follows truth he knows that without truth, nothing else matters.

14 Oh Spread The Tidings 'Round - Verses 1 & 3

433 I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord - Verses 1, 2, & 3

143 Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken - Verses 1, 2, & 3

Humans, even those of us who are Christians, have our faults that sometimes get us into trouble. Even as citizens of Christ's kingdom, Christians must continue to live in this world . . . and this world is filled with many woes, sorrows, and calamities which can discourage us. We know that God is on our side when we are doing right and is there to help us when we mess up. God has provided that Christians have each other which is a great source of strength when problems arise. Psalms 142: says

I cry out to the Lord with my voice;

With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.

I pour out my complaint before Him;

I declare before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,

Then You knew my path.

In the way in which I walk,

They have secretly set a snare for me.

Look on my right hand and see,

For there is no one who acknowledges me;

Refuge has failed me;

No one cares for my soul.

I cried out to You, O Lord:

I said, "You are my refuge,

My portion in the land of the living.

Attend to my cry,

For I am brought very low;

Deliver me from my persecutors,

For they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison,

That I may praise Your name;

The righteous shall surround me,

For You shall deal bountifully with me."

Learning to overcome disappointments, disasters, and failures is a big challenge for each of us, but, it is in these times when we are challenged that we realize that we are not alone and we learn to pick up the pieces of broken lives and efforts and march onward as a good soldier. We, in these times, develop great concern for others and deep appreciation for those who have also fought the battles, endured the pain and marched forward inspite of hardships both in this world and as a Christian. We become keenly aware of our own unworthiness when we realize how much we have been blessed to have aboundant help from our Father, our Savior, the word of God, the examples of others who have overcome and the abundant love of all in God's family.

275 Am I A Soldier Of The Cross? - Verses 1, 2, 3, & 4

113 Where No One Stands Alone - Verses 1 & 2

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR GOD, JESUS AND THE CHURCH AND FOR HELP THAT WE MAY SERVE FAITHFULLY IN HIS KINGDOM

John in I John 1:7 tells us that by

walking 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.

It is this fellowship, serving God together, that we realize the greatness of the kingdom and the grandure of our calling.

522 For Christ And The Church - Verses 1, 2, & 3

415 To Christ Be True - Verses 1, 2, 3, & 4

The longer we serve, the greater our love grows and and the more His love overwhelms us. As we give up all self-righteousness and realize that we are saved sinners, we start living in exceedingly great thankfulness. Ephe 2:4-10 says

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

295 Christ Receiveth Sinful Men - Verses 1, 2, & 3

545 His Grace Reaches Me - Verses 1 & 2

Having turned to Jesus, our lives become wrapped up in his care. Our lives, as expressed by the apostle Paul in Colossians 1:1-3, are hidden in Him. The more of self that we put off, the more splended and grand our lives become. Our hope becomes something we live for because just as Jesus, our hope, lives by his resurrection, we also live having been delivered from death. Romans 6:20-23 says:

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I Peter 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.

441 Christ Liveth In Me - Verses 1, 2, & 3

139 Deeper And Deeper - Verses 1, 3, & 4

PRAYER THAT OUR LIVES WILL BE FILLED WITH CHRIST SO THAT WE MAY BE HIDDEN IN HIM

Finally having come to grips with all those problems, disasters, calamities, heartaches, troubles and woes we praise God together for his glory and his greatness. In the Kingdom, Christ's church, among God's people we are triumpant. The victory is ours. All praise to God and our Savior, Jesus. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

34 Worthy Art Thou - Verses 1 & 2

32 Awake My Tongue - Verses 1 & 4

22 He Is In Our Midst - Verses 1 & 2

500 The Kingdoms Of Earth Pass Away - Verses 1, 2. & 3

As we have sung in the final verse of the last song, there is a welcome and pardon for all who will turn to the Lord. It is the Lord who makes us what we are and in him we are special. If you have not obeyed the gospel as taught by the apostle Peter, and recorded in Acts 2, that you repent and be baptised for the remission of sin, won't you come to do that now as we stand and sing.

330 Just As I Am - Verses 1, 2, 3, & 4