OceanSide church of Christ

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THE CHRISTIAN’S DAY

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.      At the beginning of time, God created the 24-hour day.

1.       Genesis 1:5

 

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.  And the evening and the morning were the first day.

 

2.       Genesis 1:14

 

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.

 

B.      As we live our lives, each of us is given a 24-hour day in which to live.

1.       Our goal should be that which was expressed by Paul in Philippians 1:21.

 

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

2.       In this lesson, we want to give us some things that we can do in order to help us live our lives each day.  The title of our lesson is:  “The Christian’s Day.”

 

I.                   THE START OF THE DAY

 

A.      When we wake to our day, we should open our eyes with gratitude and express that in prayer to God.

1.       We are alive.  We can serve in His kingdom.  We will have challenges to face.  We will have blessings to reap.

2.       Psalm 5:3

 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

 

B.      We should rise with a positive attitude about the day.

1.       Three verses:

a.       Psalm 118:24

 

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

 

b.       Philippians 4:4

 

Rejoice in the Lord alway:  and again I say rejoice.

 

c.        Philippians 4:13

 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

2.       Quotes:

a.       “Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character (Albert Einstein).

b.       “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference (Winston Churchill).

c.        “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes.  That is the day we truly grow up” (John C. Maxwell).

 

II.                THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY

 

A.      Those around us need to see our CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE.

1.       At some point, others around will know that we call ourselves Christians and that we attend the OceanSide church of Christ.

2.       Those who come into contact with us need to see Christ living in us.

3.       Paul’s words should become our words (I Cor. 11:1).

 

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

B.      Commit to DOING YOUR BEST in everything assigned to you.

1.       Two passages:

a.       Ecclesiastes 9:10

 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.

 

b.       Colossians 3:23

 

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

 

2.       Some thoughts about being excellent.

a.       When we do things right the first time, we do not have to do them over.

b.       The secret to joy in one’s work is contained in the word “excellence.”

c.        To truly grow in the things you are doing, you must seek to be the best you can be.

 

C.      Show KINDNESS to others.

1.       Ephesians 4:32

 

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

 

2.       The definition of kind.

a.       Gracious, mindful, pleasant (as opposed to harsh, sharp, bitter)

b.       Fit for use, useful to others

3.       True kindness does not stop at the face-to-face meeting.  We should remain pleasant and useful to others even behind their backs.

 

D.     FIGHT TEMPTATION that comes our way.

1.       When we are in our daily lives, we are functioning within an evil world (I John 5:19).

 

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

 

2.       Our responsibility is to fight the temptations.

a.       We must abhor that which is evil (Rom. 12:9).

b.       We must flee youthful lusts (II Tim. 2:22)

c.        We must not make provision for the flesh (Rom. 13:14).

d.       We must watch our companions (I Cor. 15:33).

e.        We must look for God’s way of escape (I Cor. 10:13).

f.         We must put on the Christian graces (II Pet. 1:5-11).

g.       We must put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-19).

 

E.      We must face our problems, challenges, difficulties, and sufferings with faith, optimism, courage, and endurance.

1.       James reveals the attitude we must have in our afflictions (James 1:2-4).

 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.

 

2.       Job is a wonderful example of a man who patiently endured in his sufferings.

a.       He is only mentioned once in the New Testament by name (James 5:11).

 

Behold, we count them happy which endure.  Ye have heard of the patience of Job…

 

b.       Statements made about Job and by Job in his affliction.

1)      Job 1:20-22

 

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither:  the Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

 

2)      Job 2:10

 

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh.  What?  Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?  In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

 

3)      Job 13:15

 

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:  but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

 

F.      Seek opportunities to SHARE THE GOSPEL with others.

1.       Paul spread the gospel while chained between Roman guards (Phil. 1:12-13).

 

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places.

 

2.       There are many ways that we can influence those around us with the gospel:  tracts, DVDs, CDs, passages of Scripture, questions, and invitations to meetings, classes, VBS, and worship services.

 

III.             THE END OF THE DAY

 

A.      When we come home, we need to try to leave as many of our problems at the door as we possibly can.

 

B.      At home, we need to make good use of our time (Eph. 5:15-16).

 

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 

1.       Things we do that waste our time.

a.       Anger and fighting

b.       TV

c.        Electronic devices

2.       Using time wisely

a.       Upkeep of the home

b.       Building relationships

c.        Serving others

d.       Developing a relationship with God:  worship, study, prayer, etc.

 

C.      Close our day with prayer to God (Ps. 55:17).

 

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:  and he shall hear my voice.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.      At the end of the day, we need to be able to lay our heads on our pillows with no regrets, no worries, and no sins.

 

 

B.      When we close our eyes in sleep, we should being prepared for the following.

1.       Another day

2.       Death (James 4:13)

 

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow:  for what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

 

3.       The Lord’s return (Matt. 24:4)

 

Therefore be ye also ready:  for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.