Sunday Northfield VT – 07/28/2013

Click here to listen to the service or Download as MP3 (right click & save as):

Please note there was an echo in the audio for a few seconds at the beginning of the file.

Speakers:

• Steven Atherton
• Charles Hocker

Scriptures used:

• Mark 7
• Philippians 3

Subject:

• We like to be justified in the flesh.
• Walk in His justification, not ours.
• If we walk in our own justification we have no part in the Lord.
• Attitudes and issues come up and we try to justify ourselves and run with it.
• Justification robs us of joy and brings us into bondage.  The Lord’s joy can’t be there when we justify ourselves.
• Joy comes from what Jesus did and believing what He did for us.
• The songs we sing:  “Get All Excited”: it’s about the promise of a new life without this cursed flesh.
• We should be demonstrating that Jesus Christ is King every day of our lives.  The flesh justifies our rebellion and unbelief.
• By nature we don’t do what the Lord would have us do.  We have to put on the mind of Christ.  Put off the old man.  It won’t go away and always seeks to justify itself.
• Christians look like they have a fantasy faith, and that turns people away from seeking Him through the churches.
• The songs we sing ask us to step out and do these things:  We are to “Be Bold”, “Love One Another”, “There is Therefore Now No Condemnation”, “Build Your House On The Rock”.  Do we do these things?
• We have to choose to do these things.  It is a choice.  Put off the carnal mind thoughts that come to us.  We are lying to ourselves.
• Epaphroditis almost died because of the church’s lack of service to Paul.
• We press – this is an action word.  Realize you are the one who is wrong.  Instead of justifying yourself, humble yourself, acknowledge you are wrong.  Don’t compare yourself amongst yourselves.
• You don’t want to have to believe God, it’s too hard.
• The Pharisees thought they were something but were nothing.  Paul had to deal with them.  Paul lost everything and counted it as dung.  This was the opposite of the high minded people he had to deal with.  With the loss of it all he came to God.  He then walked in the hope for everyone.
• Once we know Him, who else is worth knowing?  Keep going back to Him for instruction.
• Paul didn’t have his own righteousness.  You can’t be a friend of the world and the friend of God.  Make your choice.  We have to stop being in our own justification and having Him justify us.
• We need to want to know Him more.  If we really want to know Him we will seek Him.  Labor against unbelief.
• If we believe we’re fine, look at Paul – where he said he “might attain”.  Notice the difference in the attitude.  We think we’re just and that’s why our growth in Christ is stunted.
• What we have done in the past doesn’t help.   What matters is right now.
• God is the “I AM”, not the “I was”.
• Press toward the mark – not as though you have already attained.