“Thief of Hearts” – Page 4 - 2/19/2012
1. Giving in to sin has always unintended consequences.
2. Watch over your own heart.
3. The sooner we admit and confess our sins, the better off we are.
4. Tremendous potential doesn’t always mean tremendous spiritual success. Absalom had much. Yet, he must have squandered it. And the LORD Jesus said this about those who have a lot.
Luke 12:48 “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: ...” Yet, with all that Absalom was given, his heart was not yielded to the LORD. So, we see him squandering his blessings. And, looking back on this man’s life from the perspective of the NT, here’s what we see. The key to a man’s true success is not what he’s blessed with outwardly, but the position he takes with what he is blessed. If there was one thing that would quote “saved” Absalom’s life, it is this. Absalom should have taken on the role of a servant to others.
Everyone here has had great difficulties to face; some have had to face things much more difficult than others. Yet, we’ve all been blessed with much. And how should be then live? We live before God as servants of God and servants of men. It’s far too easy to swallow the world’s teaching that we simply deserve more because of who we are. Absalom, remember, was the son of the king. But had he used his position as a means furthering others and of meeting their needs, I am convinced; he may not have had his life cut short. Our relationships are part of what we leave behind. The fractured relationship between David and his son Absalom might have been rectified had Absalom chosen to serve rather than be served. The same holds true, of course, with King David.
And how are we any different?
1. We all know there’s power in the pleasures of sin.
2. We all must watch over our hearts lest we fall into temptation.
3. There is always a huge benefit in the confession of our personal sins.
4. We’ve all been blessed both outwardly and inwardly. And therefore we need to see ourselves as servants of both God and man.
So, what will you do with God’s word this week? Will you be blessed in your doing of God’s will? Or, like the man of James 1:25, will you be a forgetful hearer? James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
Aren’t you glad God is Who He is and that God is just as the Bible says He is? David, Absalom, and you and I are no different, are we? The most wonderful truth ever preached is this. Jesus went to the Cross, not for His sins, but for yours and mine. Will you repent of your sins today and receive Him as your Savior and LORD? If not, why not?
Here’s the simple and wonderful Good News. We are sinners by nature, by choice, and by habit. Yet, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Will you repent and believe today?
“I Repent” = “I change my mind about truth, God, Christ, my sin, and God’s free gift of salvation.”
“I Believe” = “I simply trust Jesus Christ alone as the One Who paid the entire penalty for my sins.”
“LORD, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you that Your forgiving me is full and complete and never half. Thank you for the work of Jesus Your Son who paid the entire debt so that I can enjoy the full debt cancelled. Now, I choose this day to fully forgive those who have sinned against me. All for Your honor. Amen
Then, as a child of God, the prayer of surrender is always in order.
Prayer of Surrender: “LORD, right now I submit all that I am to you, my spirit, my soul, and my body. Do with me what is most pleasing to you. Work out Your will upon me today. Amen”
2. Watch over your own heart.
3. The sooner we admit and confess our sins, the better off we are.
4. Tremendous potential doesn’t always mean tremendous spiritual success. Absalom had much. Yet, he must have squandered it. And the LORD Jesus said this about those who have a lot.
Luke 12:48 “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: ...” Yet, with all that Absalom was given, his heart was not yielded to the LORD. So, we see him squandering his blessings. And, looking back on this man’s life from the perspective of the NT, here’s what we see. The key to a man’s true success is not what he’s blessed with outwardly, but the position he takes with what he is blessed. If there was one thing that would quote “saved” Absalom’s life, it is this. Absalom should have taken on the role of a servant to others.
Everyone here has had great difficulties to face; some have had to face things much more difficult than others. Yet, we’ve all been blessed with much. And how should be then live? We live before God as servants of God and servants of men. It’s far too easy to swallow the world’s teaching that we simply deserve more because of who we are. Absalom, remember, was the son of the king. But had he used his position as a means furthering others and of meeting their needs, I am convinced; he may not have had his life cut short. Our relationships are part of what we leave behind. The fractured relationship between David and his son Absalom might have been rectified had Absalom chosen to serve rather than be served. The same holds true, of course, with King David.
And how are we any different?
1. We all know there’s power in the pleasures of sin.
2. We all must watch over our hearts lest we fall into temptation.
3. There is always a huge benefit in the confession of our personal sins.
4. We’ve all been blessed both outwardly and inwardly. And therefore we need to see ourselves as servants of both God and man.
So, what will you do with God’s word this week? Will you be blessed in your doing of God’s will? Or, like the man of James 1:25, will you be a forgetful hearer? James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
Aren’t you glad God is Who He is and that God is just as the Bible says He is? David, Absalom, and you and I are no different, are we? The most wonderful truth ever preached is this. Jesus went to the Cross, not for His sins, but for yours and mine. Will you repent of your sins today and receive Him as your Savior and LORD? If not, why not?
Here’s the simple and wonderful Good News. We are sinners by nature, by choice, and by habit. Yet, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Will you repent and believe today?
“I Repent” = “I change my mind about truth, God, Christ, my sin, and God’s free gift of salvation.”
“I Believe” = “I simply trust Jesus Christ alone as the One Who paid the entire penalty for my sins.”
“LORD, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you that Your forgiving me is full and complete and never half. Thank you for the work of Jesus Your Son who paid the entire debt so that I can enjoy the full debt cancelled. Now, I choose this day to fully forgive those who have sinned against me. All for Your honor. Amen
Then, as a child of God, the prayer of surrender is always in order.
Prayer of Surrender: “LORD, right now I submit all that I am to you, my spirit, my soul, and my body. Do with me what is most pleasing to you. Work out Your will upon me today. Amen”