Archives for 2019

Good morning,

This week we will learn how to walk in Christ. We will look at the heavenly focus (1-4), how to live a holy life (5-17), and living the Christian life in all relationships. We will be encouraged and challenged as we study Colossians 3.

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (3:17)

The Bible tells us to live holy lives. Paul gives us principles, teaching us what holiness looks like. Holiness is not passive. We will see action words. Things we must do to bring us closer to the example Jesus Christ set for us. Chapter 3, verses 5-17, challenges us to live as Christ lives.

How to live a holy life (5-17)

Mortify (5-7)

⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: ⁶ For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Put off (8-9)

⁷ In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. ⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. ⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Put on (10-15)

¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: ¹¹ Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. ¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. ¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

The word of God (16)

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (17)

¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Paul starts by telling the Colossians to mortify, kill, members, energies and activities of the old man. He continues by telling them to “put off” the activities of the “old man”.  Then to counteract the activities of the “old man”, they are to “put on” the activities of the “new man”. These activities are to be bound by charity and love. Having “put on” the activities of the new man, Paul encourages the Colossians to be thankful, allowing the word of Christ to dwell within them, to teach the fellow believers in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Although there is no magic formula to holiness, these verses give us some steps to get there.

Tomorrow, we will see how these principles play out in our individual personal relationships with others?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will learn how to walk in Christ. We will look at the heavenly focus (1-4), how to live a holy life (5-17), and living the Christian life in all relationships. We will be encouraged and challenged as we study Colossians 3.

COLOSSIANS 3-STANDARDS OF CHRIST

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (3:17)

Heavenly Focus (1-4)

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Chapter 2 taught us that we are complete in Christ. Christ shed His precious holy blood for our sins. He forgave all our sin and nailed it to His cross. With those things in mind, He wants us to “…seek those things which are above…” and “…Set your affection on things above…”.  Is that we strive to do or is our affections still on earth.

Unfortunately, we forget that our home is NOT on earth, but is heaven. The way we live our lives should demonstrate to whom we belong.

Tomorrow we will learn how to live a holy life.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

How to Treat Outsiders (12:17-21)

¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

CONCLUSION

• Present your body a living sacrifice
• Be not conformed to this world
• Renewed mind
• One body, many functions
• Christian responsibilities
• Treat others well

These verses go against everything the world teaches us. Live peaceably with all men. What a challenge. Allow God to execute vengeance. Feed your hungry enemy. This is radical stuff.

Verse 21 sums up how we are to act when we have been wronged. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

This is how our world could be changed from wickedness to righteousness.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

Christians Love and Fellowship with Other Christians (12:9-16)

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; ¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; ¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; ¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. ¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

God has given us gifts. He expects us to use them. We may use our gifts to love others, do good, preferring others before ourselves, hardworking, serving God, rejoicing, patient, giving, blessing others even when we have been persecuted.

How has God gifted you? Are you allowing God to use you to lead others to Christ, bless others, meet their needs, pray for them, or simply love them?

Why not?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

ROMANS 12

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (12:1)

INTRODUCTION

1) The Christian’s Body a Living Sacrifice (12:1-2)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² 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.

2) Christians are Members of the Same Body (12:3-8) Read 1Corinthians 12:12-31

³ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: ⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; ⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; ⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many.¹⁵ If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?¹⁶ And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?¹⁸ But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where were the body?²⁰ But now are they many members, yet but one body.²¹ And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. ²² Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:²³ And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.²⁴ For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked.²⁵ That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.²⁶ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.²⁷ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.²⁸ And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?³⁰ Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?³¹ But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

3) Christians Love and Fellowship with Other Christians (12:9-16)

⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; ¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; ¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; ¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. ¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

4) How to Treat Outsiders (12:17-21)

¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

CONCLUSION

• Present your body a living sacrifice
• Be not conformed to this world
• Renewed mind
• One body, many functions
• Christian responsibilities
• Treat others well

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

Christians are Members of the Same Body (12:3-8) Read 1Corinthians 12:12-31

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

The body of Christ is a body. It has multiple parts that must work with other parts to make everything run smoothly. God has given each Christian a gift to encourage the body. These gifts are not intended for private use. They are intended to make the body work properly.

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?⁶ I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.⁷ So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)

We can not live for Christian life alone. We need others to be successful as we walk through life. Ministry for Christ is never done without support. It takes all the members working together for souls to be reached for Christ!

Will you do your part?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

 The Christian’s Body a Living Sacrifice (12:1-2)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 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.

We live in a fallen world. We are conformed to the thinking of this world. If we do not change, we will do all the wicked things of this world.

How do we renew our minds? By reading, applying, and obeying, God’s word, the Bible, to our lives. The Bible is God’s instruction manual on how to live in this wicked world. It gives God’s truth. It contradicts the wisdom of this world and gives us God’s wisdom.

This challenges us to think about our lives. Are we living as “living sacrifices”? The Old Testament sacrifices were dead before they were offered. The blood was sprinkled on the altar and once a year in the Holy of Holies.

We have the opportunity to make a positive difference for God. As living sacrifices, we have the ability to invoke life into others. Through a gospel witness, encouragement, exhortation, or just a positive attitude. The unsaved world and the church are watching what kind of sacrifice we are.

What kind will we be?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will look at Grace Gem devotionals.

His Providence is wisely designed and sovereignly sent for our good!

(Don Fortner)

As a wise, skilled pharmacist mixes medicine–so our heavenly Father wisely mixes exactly the right measure of bitter things and sweet, to do us good. 

Too much joy would intoxicate us. 
Too much misery would drive us to despair. 

Too much sorrow would crush us. 
Too much suffering would break our spirits. 

Too much pleasure would ruin us. 
Too much defeat would discourage us. 

Too much success would puff us up.
Too much failure would keep us from doing anything. 

Too much criticism would harden us. 
Too much praise would exalt us. 

Our great God knows exactly what we need. 

His Providence is wisely designed and sovereignly sent for our good!

Let God send and do whatever He wills–by His grace, if we are His, we will face it, bow to it, accept it, and give thanks for it. God’s Providence is always executed in the ‘wisest manner’ possible. We are often unable to see and understand the reasons and causes for specific events in our lives, in the lives of others, or in the history of the world. But our lack of understanding does not prevent us from believing God.

“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 
  ~  ~  ~  ~ 
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will look at Grace Gem devotionals.

Tis but a taste!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“A pledge of our inheritance.” Ephesians 1:14

Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart–is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone. 

Yet the realization which we have of Christ’s preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, “Tis but a taste!” We have but tasted “that the Lord is gracious,” but we do not yet know how good and gracious He is. We know somewhat of His sweetness, and this makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the first fruits—and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fullness of the heavenly vintage. Here on earth, we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eschol–there we shall be in the vineyard!

We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the first lettersof the alphabet, we cannot read wordsyet, much less can we put sentencestogether. As one says, “He who has been in heaven but five minutes–knows more than all the theologians on earth combined!”

We have many ungratified spiritual desires at present–but soon every wish shall be satisfied; and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy.

O Christian, within a very little time you shall be rid of all your trials and your troubles. 
Your eyes which are now suffused with tears, shall weep no longer.
You shall gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits on His glorious throne. 
Nay, more–you shall sit with Him upon His throne! 

The triumph of His glory shall be shared by you! His crown, His joy, His paradise–these shall be yours! 
You shall be co-heir with Him who is the heir of all things! 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–reserved in Heaven for you!” 1 Peter 1:3-4 
    ~  ~  ~  ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

This week’s sermon is critical to how Christians live, work, and minister together. We will be challenged to determine whether we are walking in the flesh or the Spirit.

Flesh vs. the Spirit

Ephesians 4:13-5:21

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;²¹ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:18-21)

INTRODUCTION Living together as believers in Christ

1) Working together in unity (4:13-16)

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

2) Put off/Put on (4:17-29)

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,¹⁸ Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: ¹⁹ Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.²⁰ But ye have not so learned Christ;²¹ If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:²² That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.²⁵ Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.²⁶ Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:²⁷ Neither give place to the devil.²⁸ Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. ²⁹ Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

3) Be kind one to another (4:30-32)

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.³¹ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:³² And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

4) Walk in love (5:1-17)

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;² And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.⁵ For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them.⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:⁹ (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

5) Be filled with the Spirit (5:18-21)

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

Conclusion

Unity, kindness, love, and being filled with the Spirit, gets things done