Be

Be

 

  1. Be      Kind
      2.   
    1. Ephesians       4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one       another, as God in Christ forgave you.

                       i.      This is opposite of what Paul talks about in Ephesians 4:31 - Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 

1.      Kindness has no room for anger and being hurtful to others.

                                                            ii.      Being kind includes being tenderhearted.

1.      Merriam Webster defines tenderhearted as - easily moved to love, pity, or sorrow.

2.      The ability to associate with others. We are no better than any one else.

                                                          iii.      Being kind includes forgiving as Christ forgave us,

1.      Is being forgiving difficult?

2.      Is it costly?

 

  1. Be      Sober
      2.   
    1. Being       sober not only means not drinking so much that you get drunk. One can be       distracted without being drunk, on pain medication, or high.

                                                              i.      Take for example Peter, James, and John. Jesus takes them into the Garden of Gethsemane with him, but were they sober?

1.      In the sense that they were not drunk yes, but they were distracted/not focused, and they slept while Jesus went through one of the roughest times of His life.

        
    1. 1 Peter 5:8 - Be       sober-minded; be       watchful. Your adversary       the devil prowls       around like a       roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

                                                              i.      Satan attacks when we are distracted.

1.      Ex. Dave Ramsey – Murphy moves into your bedroom and sets up shop  a lot less when you have an emergency fund – Reality you are prepared for life’s curveballs, and they don’t wipe you out financially.

2.      Satan can wipe us out spiritually if we aren’t watchful and prepared.

3.      It is not a matter of IF Satan attacks, but WHEN.

4.      Get ready, 1 Peter 1:13 - Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

  1. Be Content
      2.   
    1. Philippians       4:11 - 11Not that I       speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,       therewith to be content.

                                                             i.      Whatever situation I find myself in, I am content.

                                                           ii.      Paul was writing from a prison cell that he was content.

1.     Prison was a dungeon. No free education, warm meals, etc.

        
    1. Contentment       is a hard thing for us Americans to understand.

                                                             i.      The more we get the more we want.

                                                           ii.      Nothing is ever enough.

        
    1. 1       Timothy 6:8 – But  if we have       food and clothing, with these we will be content.

                                                             i.      Give us this day our daily bread.

1.     We have lost touch with that.

a.      Our prayer is more like, give us this day our Mercedes-Benz.

        
    1. Contentment       help us be thankful.

                                                             i.      Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

1.     What a promise.

a.      God is on my side.

b.     He is there every step of the way.

c.      I don’t have to worry! Does that mean I don’t have to work things will just fall in my lap? No.

  1. Be Strong
      2.   
    1. Before       telling about the Christian armor Paul said, Be strong in the Lord       (Ephesians 6:10).
      2.   
    2. Our       strength comes from God. I can do all things through Christ who       strengthens me.
      3.   
    3. We       must be strong to keep from falling. 1 Corinthians 16:13 - Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like       men, be strong.

 

  1. Be Ready
      2.   
    1. Ready       means to be prepared.
      2.   
    2. Now       is the time to get ready for Christ’s return.

                                                             i.      Matthew 25: Example of the five foolish virgins.

1.     Matthew 25:10 - And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. (No more chances. Even though they later came and knocked, He would not let them in.

        
    1. We       must be ready to defend God’s word.

                                                             i.      1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

        
    1. Be       ready to work.

                                                             i.      Titus 3:1 - Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work

  1. Be faithful.
      2.   
    1. Revelation       2:10 - Be faithful unto death,       and I will give you the crown       of life

                                                             i.      The importance of being faithful.

1.     Heaven depends upon it.

        
    1. 2       Timothy – Paul was ready. He saw the finish line and the goal – The crown       of life.