Sermon Outline: How We Can Be Worthy of God's Calling (I Corinthians 4:13)

How Can We Live Worthy of His Calling

(Ephesians: 4: 1-13)

by: Jun Gravoso



Introduction

All Christians are called. We are called to be the light and salt of this world. It is a special calling.

That means we have to live worthy of His calling.

We can live worthy of His calling:



I. By having a good attitude (verse 2)

A. with humility (verse 2a)
B. with perseverance (verse 2b)

II. By being at peace with one another (verse 3)

A. by loving others (verse 2c)
B. through the spirit (verse 3)

III. By using our spiritual gifts (verses 11-13)

A. for ministry work (verses 11-12a)
B. for edification of the church (verse 12b)



Conclusion:

It is really hard to live a Christian life if we will rely on ourselves. But with God’s help we can live a life that will show to others that our God is a living God. A God that can change the lives of people.

We also have to examine ourselves. Are we living a life worthy of His calling? A life that will also bring others to the saving power of Christ?

A Doctor's Nightmare

I feel that I am a doctor's nightmare.



First, I am now limping for reason I cannot fathom. In fact, I was crawling when I went to the toilet the other night. I've seen three doctors and they all have different diagnoses. The first doctor said I had a gout. The second doctor said that it is simple case of wear and tear of muscles. The third doctor said that it is because of my weight. He said that I am overweight and my feet cannot support my weight.



Second, I am half-blind now probably because of cataract. My students often notice it when I read in front of the class.



Third, I am a diabetic.



My colleagues, perhaps, are wondering why it seems that I am not bothered by my health. And yes, it is true that I am not bothered by it.



Definitely not primarily because I've learned to accept my situation.



I am not bothered by my health simply because it reminds me that I am human. It reminds me that I should really depend on God.



I thank Him because this is an opportunity to exercise my faith.



As the song says, "I don't know what the future holds." I don't know if I will be crawling to go to university tomorrow.



I know, though, that God will not forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). I also know that if I ask anything according to His will He hears me; and that if He hears me I know that my request will be granted." (I John 5:14-15 Right now, I am asking that God allows me to go to my class regularly.



I am also not bothered by my health now because I always look at the future. My God promised me a glorious future in heaven. In fact, He reserved a place for me in heaven. (John 14:2)



What I am experiencing now is temporal pain. In heaven, there is no pain. There is no sufferings. In heaven, I will no longer need to drink my maintenance drug to regulate my blood sugar.



And I am anxiously awaiting for that day.



"I don't know about tomorrow,

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from it's sunshine,

For it's skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future,

For I know what Jesus said,

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead."

- from the hymn of "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"

Taong Grasa

Ewan ko ba? I wish I can do more! Sana mas marami pa akong magawa para sa mga taong hindi pinapansin ng lipunan. Biro mo naman, kanina habang nakasakay ako sa jeep papuntang Jaro ay may nakita akong "taong grasa". Dumugo na naman ang puso ko. Tinanong ko, bakit ganoon? Bakit may mga taong grasa na palaboy-laboy lang sa kalye? At bakit parang bale-wala lang sa mga tao? Walang pumapansin sa kanya? Hindi ba nila naiisip na tao din siya at bilang kapwa-tao ay dapat nilang isipin ang kalagayan ng iba? Siguro, kagaya ko rin silang hopeless. Siguro, kagaya ko rin silang nanghinawa na dahil parang walang nangyayari sa pagtulong. Parang sayang lang ang lahat ng ginagawa sa buhay. Pero hindi dapat ganito ang attitude. Dapat ay hopeful tayo. Kaya nating mabago ang mundo. Iyan ang dapat nating isipin.

Noon, kapag may nakikita akong ganoon ay bumababa ako ng jeep at inaabutan ko ng biskuwit. Pero ngayon ay hindi na. Ewan ko ba. I searched myself at nalaman ko na para bang desperate na rin ako at sa tingin ko ay wala ring mangyayari sa pagtulong. Sa tingin ko kasi ay parang walang gumagawa. O kung meron man ay kakaunti.

Isa na lang talaga ang pag-asa. Ang pagdating ni Kristo. Sana dumating na si Kristo. Pagdating ni Kristo ay wala nang sakit. Wala nang paghihirap. Wala nang prublema.

Sana.

Sana.

Sana.

Domestic Violence in Christian Homes

A friend and I discussed domestic violence in Christian homes. That discussion triggered my action to write about domestic violence in christian homes.

The one that you will be able to read now is not the final paper since I desire to develop this thesis everyday maybe for a month.

The questions that will be answered here are:

1. What does the Bible say about violence at home?

2. Should the battered wife just allow the batterer to inflict pain on her in view of Galatians 5:23-24?

3. What should be the response of the church if her member is a victim of the proponent of violence at home? Should we just advise the victim to accept pain because the Bible teaches full submission to husband?

I’ve been reading the Bible and trying to know what it says about violence at home. I am also doing some research about it.

But here is my initial stand about it:

1. We should look at Galatians 5:23-23 in the light of the "whole" Scripture.

2. Our body is the temple of God. Therefore, we should not allow others to destroy our body.

3. Obeying doesn’t mean agreeing. We may disagree with the batterer and yet follow the Bible.

4. Up to what extent should the wife obey the husband? Is it absolute? (this is the most common argument)

5. The Bible also teaches that we should obey the government. The Family Code of the Republic of the Philippines says that domestic violence is a crime.

More about this next time!