Subtopic: The New Ambition Of My Rededication
Text: Ezek. 36:26-27 " A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.(vs. 27)And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them".
Phi. 3:7-15 "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.(vs8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.(vs9) And be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is of God by faith: (vs10) That I might know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (vs11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.(vs12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.(vs13) Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,(vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.(vs15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you".
Premise
The Pulpit Commentary page 119 on Phi.3:12-14 "The most advanced Christian is always the humblest. The nearer we draw to Christ, the more we feel our own unworthiness. The light of Christ's holiness, manifested in the heart of his saints, brings into clearer light the exceeding sinfulness of sin. But he is striving after perfection. The Christian knows his own weakness and sin, but he knows also that he is really following Christ. If we are doing so, we must know it; we must be conscious of real effort in the spiritual life. This very sense of imperfection urges the Christian to sustained effort. He is never satisfied with himself, therefore he presses onwards. He does not dwell with complacency on his own attainments, but forgets the progress he has made; in view of the far greater height which remains to scale, he throws himself into the work with ever-increasing energy".
Text: Ezek. 36:26-27 " A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.(vs. 27)And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them".
Phi. 3:7-15 "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.(vs8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.(vs9) And be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is of God by faith: (vs10) That I might know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (vs11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.(vs12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.(vs13) Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,(vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.(vs15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you".
Premise
The Pulpit Commentary page 119 on Phi.3:12-14 "The most advanced Christian is always the humblest. The nearer we draw to Christ, the more we feel our own unworthiness. The light of Christ's holiness, manifested in the heart of his saints, brings into clearer light the exceeding sinfulness of sin. But he is striving after perfection. The Christian knows his own weakness and sin, but he knows also that he is really following Christ. If we are doing so, we must know it; we must be conscious of real effort in the spiritual life. This very sense of imperfection urges the Christian to sustained effort. He is never satisfied with himself, therefore he presses onwards. He does not dwell with complacency on his own attainments, but forgets the progress he has made; in view of the far greater height which remains to scale, he throws himself into the work with ever-increasing energy".
"Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips." Hosea 14:2
Definition
Ambition is defined as "a status or condition strongly desired or sought after".
Dedication is defined as "a setting apart or being set apart for a sacred or solemn purpose."
Exposition
1. The Old Ambition (why we need a new thing in our lives) Eph.2:1-3 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (vs2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (vs3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
2. It Is Time To Let God Do a New Thing By Rededicating Myself To Him By or Thru:
a. Repentance---Hosea 14:2 "Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips."
b. Participation in Prayer as a Corporate Body--- 2 Chron. 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
c. By Developing a New Attitude Toward God's Grace and Mercy With Respect To My Sin--- Psa.51: 1-4; 9-13 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my trangressions. (vs2) Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (vs3) For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. (vs4) Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.(vs9) Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. (vs10) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.(vs11) Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.(vs12) Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (vs13) Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."
d .By Accepting and Embracing the Spiritual Truth That I Am Not My Own--- 1 Cor. 6: 19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (vs20) for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
e. By Embracing and Coming to Terms With My Discipleship--- St.Matt.16:24-26 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (vs25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.(vs26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
f. By Embracing the Understanding of the Personal Sacrifice That is Required in My Life---Rom. 12:1-2 "I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (vs2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
g. By Embracing the Understanding Of My Purpose As Being One of God's People---1 Peter 2:9-10 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (vs10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."
Ambition is defined as "a status or condition strongly desired or sought after".
Dedication is defined as "a setting apart or being set apart for a sacred or solemn purpose."
Exposition
1. The Old Ambition (why we need a new thing in our lives) Eph.2:1-3 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (vs2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (vs3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
2. It Is Time To Let God Do a New Thing By Rededicating Myself To Him By or Thru:
a. Repentance---Hosea 14:2 "Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips."
b. Participation in Prayer as a Corporate Body--- 2 Chron. 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
c. By Developing a New Attitude Toward God's Grace and Mercy With Respect To My Sin--- Psa.51: 1-4; 9-13 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my trangressions. (vs2) Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (vs3) For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. (vs4) Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.(vs9) Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. (vs10) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.(vs11) Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.(vs12) Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (vs13) Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."
d .By Accepting and Embracing the Spiritual Truth That I Am Not My Own--- 1 Cor. 6: 19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (vs20) for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
e. By Embracing and Coming to Terms With My Discipleship--- St.Matt.16:24-26 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (vs25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.(vs26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
f. By Embracing the Understanding of the Personal Sacrifice That is Required in My Life---Rom. 12:1-2 "I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (vs2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
g. By Embracing the Understanding Of My Purpose As Being One of God's People---1 Peter 2:9-10 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (vs10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."
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