miGraceChurch

The Christmas story offers HOPE to the world by proving that...

1. God Lives

2. God Speaks

3. God Saves

IV. Stay the Course with Certainty - this will only happen with intentionality. Paul would encourage us all to...

A. Run Your Race

B. Compete with an Eternal Perspective

C. Make your One Life Count

D. Remain Qualified for Life

Christians - those set free to love - best display this love when they...

I. Submit to Biblical Authority

II. Share their Resources Willingly

III. Serve all Peoples Sacrificially - A. Develop your Method B. Discern you Motive and C. Delight in the Mission

"May the Lamb who was slain receive the reward of His suffering."

www.migracechurch.com

Christian Love is best displayed when we...

I. Submit to Biblical Authority

II. Share our Resources Willingly (3-18)

A. Paul made the case for taking good care of ministers of the gospel (3-10)

B. Paul made the application for taking good care of ministers of the gospel (11-12a)

C. Paul waived his rights for being well taken care of as a minister of the gospel (12b-17)

D. Paul looked to his reward as a minister of the gospel (18)

Christians have been set free to LOVE. This is best displayed when we...

I. Submit to Biblical Authority (vv.1-2) - Paul understood his identity and mission but both of these were under attack from adversaries in Corinth.

A. The significance of Paul's identity - He was free, an apostle, he was an eyewitness of the risen Lord Jesus Christ and the Corinthians were his workmanship in Christ Jesus.

B. The significance of Paul's mission - the attacks against him threatened the gospel mission but his answer affirmed the gospel mission. The Corinthians who came to faith in Jesus were proof enough of his authority and authenticity as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

Remember that, no matter how helpful our conscience may be, it is not infallible! Our conscience will not be entirely right on every “gray” issue. Hold disputed positions in a posture of gentleness and grace – this is our goal!

4 Considerations when you encounter a debatable issue…

I. Consider the ISSUE under the light of the TRUTH (vv.4-8) – Paul agreed with the “knowledgeable” Corinthians about certain truths that are “KNOWN” or fundamental…

A. Idols are "nothings"

B. The Triune-God reigns and rules over all and there is no other God

C. The purpose of our life and the purpose of all things is bound up in this Everlasting God

D. Neither eating nor abstaining from certain foods will bring anyone closer to God

II. Consider the ISSUE within the context of RELATIONSHIPS (vv.7-8)

A. Christians are at different levels of spiritual maturity

B. Some new Christians still struggle with the guilt of their life before Christ

III. Consider your RESPONSE with regards to potential DANGER (vv.9-12)

A. Abuse of Christian liberty might lead a brother or sister "for whom Christ died" to a point of - Stumbling, Falling, or Ruin

B. Abuse of Christian liberty results in the person with "supposed knowledge" to - sin against their brethren and thus sin against Christ

IV. Consider your RESPONSE within the framework of PAUL’S CONCLUSION (v.13) – “Therefore…”

A. If food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat

B. Paul loved weak brethren (new converts) more than his personal preferences and he maintained a concern for the church's witness to the world

“In essentials UNITY, in non-essentials LIBERTY, in all things CHARITY.”

Corporate worship is a longed for and prioritized desire among the godly – it always has been. The Lord is building His church and it is comprised of true worshipers who worship in spirit and in truth. In the face of adversity the people of God have been able to sing the songs of others and at times, write their own expressions of praise, confession, adoration, and petition.

VI. The Prophet’s Song of Worship (3:17-19) – Habakkuk knew the songs of Israel; however, a new song, his song, his personal expression of God’s faithfulness and his response was in order.

IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD, WE MUST ALL, LIKE HABAKKUK, COME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GOD ALONE IS WORTHY OF…

A. My Release (v.17) – “LORD, HELP ME TO YEILD MY WILL TO YOUR SOVEREIGN WILL.” For Habakkuk, he finally reached the place where Israel’s economy, freedom, and prosperity became secondary/submitted to God’s sovereignty. This was international dilemma, this was a national crises, and this was a personal problem for the man of God.

B. My Resolve (v.18) – “LORD, HELP ME TO CHOOSE TO REJOICE IN YOU AT ALL TIMES.” - When we choose to sing praises to God in the middle of trials we are choosing to see trials in the light of the greatness and goodness of God rather than losing sight of God because of great trials.

C. My Reliance (v.19) – Whatever may come, I will trust in the LORD! The song reaches it’s apex in magnifying the person and work of Yahweh – Habakkuk declares that Yahweh’s certain victory is his own certain victory! Because the LORD reigns we also will reign! HE IS OUR ETERNAL REWARD and so we can REST in Him and fully RELY upon the Lord our God to keep every promise! The Prophet’s Song of Worship is set within the framework of Scripture and the covenant history of the God who saves. The language looks back to the covenant promises of a nation, land and throne without end (Exodus 15 – Moses’ song; Deut 33 – Moses’ blessing; and Psalm 18 – written when God delivered the kingdom out of Saul’s domain into the family of David forever) AND the prophet is looking FORWARD to God’s ultimate reign in the DAVIDIC KING, when the curse is reversed.

Conclusion: although Habakkuk was shaken to his core, he came to the place where he was able to accept and to trust, not in his own desires and preferences, but in the sovereign word of the LORD who faithfully reigns over everything.

A right response to seeing God revealed in Scripture is to come by way of the cross before Him humbly with CONFESSION, ADORATION, PETITION and THANKSGIVING. This worship involving prayer and singing to God privately and corporately is how we are transformed in the process of trials into the very image God desires for us – “TRUST THE PROCESS” – better than that, TRUST THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE LIVING GOD!

V. The Prophet’s Prayer of Surrender (3:1-16) – Habakkuk’s response in prayer is here recorded and forever preserved for the People of God.

D. THANKSGIVING (3:3-16)

1. RESOLVE TO GIVE THANKS

2. REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

3. RESPOND IN REVERENCE - The One and ONLY Right Response (16) – be HUMBLE Before Him.

A right response to seeing God revealed in Scripture is to come by way of the cross before Him humbly with CONFESSION, ADORATION, PETITION and THANKSGIVING.