[RISE Weekly] Seek God's Reward!
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 6:1
Dear Parents,
Godly VS Worldly Series is coming to an end!
We have spent the last month discussing the fact that the worldly living and godly living are two very different things. We discussed real and practical areas in the students’ lives where they are not living as God expects from them, but they are living as the world expects them to.
We began our sermon series by discussing the topic of obedience. Colossians 3 tells us that the worldly obey their authority and submit to those above them to avoid consequence and to recieve earthly rewards. The godly obey their authority because they know that by obeying their authority- they are submitting themselves to God. The godly are obedient because they honor God in their submission.
From there, Joe Levis walked drew a contrast between worldly fear and godly fear. Proverbs 1-3 make it clear that the worldly fear man, others’ opinions, and seek their approval. And Proverbs says that a fear of man results in destruction. Godly fear, however, is not concerned about the opinion of man, but is a fear of the Lord. The godly person only fears God, what God might think of them, and how they can glorify God with their lives.
Last week we spent the night working through 2 Corinthians 7 which is an incredible passage that shows the difference between worldly and godly repentance. Paul makes it clear that all men feel sorrow and guilt over their actions, but the sorrow of the world doesn’t bring about change, and thus leads to death- not just in this life, but eternal death. In contrast, godly sorrow results in repentance- a turning from our sin and a turning towards God and his plan for our lives - which does result in a change of living. This change, as the passage says, “leads to salvation.” Repentance is the foundation of the Christian life. We must first recognize our sin, cry out to God for salvation, and then live for Him.
Tonight will be our final night in this sermon series, and we are discussing worldly vs godly Christianity. We will be working through Matthew 6 and taking note of the contrast that Jesus draws between external religion and an internal devotion to the Lord. Jesus mentions the hypocrite and sinner than pray, fast, and tithe just so that others might see them and praise them for their so-called holy living. Whereas the righteous is devoted to glorify God when nobody is looking. Our left hand should not know what our right hand is giving, we should pray when no one is looking, and no one should know when we are fasting. For we seek to glorify and honor the Lord, and not to recieve praise from man. The question tonight that the students will be reflecting on tonight is whether they live their Christian lives to glorify God, or to recieve praise from man for their “holiness.”
This sermon series has been such a blessing for me and my own heart, and I’ve heard of many great discussions! Up next, we will be working through 1 Timothy 4:12 and what it means to be an examplary Christian in our speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity!
Youth is back on tonight!
TONIGHT, and EVERY Wednesday night we will meet at FAITH BIBLE CHURCH (23580 Glazebrook Rd, Wildomar, 92595)! Join us from 6:30–8:30 PM in the Youth Room! There will be games, gaga ball, praise, a sermon, and time in small groups!
Tonight is our FOURTH and FINAL night in our sermon series called “Worldly VS Godly”! Every believer knows that the world and God do not agree on many things. The kingdom of heaven is what is often referred to as “an upside down kingdom,” where the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Where the God of the universe becomes man, not to be worshipped or praised, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.
Tonight will be our final night in this sermon series, and we are discussing worldly vs godly Christianity. We will be working through Matthew 6 and taking note of the contrast that Jesus draws between external religion and an internal devotion to the Lord. Jesus mentions the hypocrite and sinner than pray, fast, and tithe just so that others might see them and praise them for their so-called holy living. Whereas the righteous is devoted to glorify God when nobody is looking. Our left hand should not know what our right hand is giving, we should pray when no one is looking, and no one should know when we are fasting. For we seek to glorify and honor the Lord, and not to recieve praise from man. Matthew 6:1 says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” The question tonight that the students will be reflecting on tonight is whether they live their Christian lives to glorify God and recieve an eternal reward, or if their sole ambition is to recieve approval and praise from man. It will be a great night, and I hope to see you and your students there!
See you tonight!
In Christ,
Johnny