OceanSide church of Christ
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TEN THINGS CHRISTIANS SHOULD DO DAILY
Bible Study, 5-6-20
Victor M. Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A. There are many things that we do on a daily basis: eat, shower, talk and text on our cell phones, exercise, sleep, read, watch TV, and on the list could go.
B. Daily activities show us either the necessity of these things in our lives, the importance of these things to our lives, or the value we place on these things in our lives.
C. As we examine our spiritual lives, there are some things that we need to do on a daily basis.
1. We know that the first century church did some things daily.
a. Acts 2:46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.
b. Acts 5:42
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
c. Acts 6:1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2. With this thought in mind, let’s look at “Ten Things Christians Should Do Daily.”
I. PRAISE GOD
A. God. This being, not just the word, should be in our minds constantly as His children (I John 3:1).
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.
B. God, the Creator of the Universe
God, the Governor of the nations
God, the Sustainer of life
God, the Lord of hosts
God, the Protector of man
God, the Savior of the lost
God, the Judge of all the earth
C. The Eternal God, that is, the I AM
The Omnipotent God, that is, the Almighty
The Omniscient God, that is, the one who is all wise
The Omnipresent God, that is, the one who is all present
The Omnibenevolent God, that is, the one who is all good
D. This God should be praised every day by the Christian.
1. Psalm 148:13
Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
2. Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.
II. STUDY GOD’S WORD
A. In our introduction, we mentioned that eating was a daily activity for most of us. We do this in order to give nourishment to our physical bodies.
B. In like manner, our inner man needs to be nourished.
1. Jesus said: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).
2. The Bereans understood the importance of daily Bible study (Acts 17:11).
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
C. Studying the Word of God is not just reading the Word each day.
1. The word “study” is defined as “the application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge” and “to examine or investigate carefully and in detail” (www.dictionary.com).
2. In II Timothy 2:15, we are commanded to study.
a. In the American Standard Version, the word “study” is translated “give diligence.”
b. This indicates that study involves effort and toil on the part of the student.
D. When we study, we are doing several things.
1. We are searching for the original meaning of the text.
2. We are searching for all of the lessons the text contains for our lives.
3. We are searching to refute all perversions and false theories surrounding the text.
4. We are searching to see God more clearly.
5. We are searching to learn to live as Christ lived.
III. PRAY TO THE FATHER
A. Most children, especially young children, long to see and speak with their parents every day.
1. They have experiences to tell them.
2. They have questions that need answered.
3. They have hurts they want comforted.
4. They have requests. Boy, do they have requests.
B. As children of God, we should long to constantly speak to our heavenly Father on a daily basis.
C. Several examples:
1. The psalmist (Ps. 86:3)
Be merciful unto me, Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
2. The prophet Daniel was in prayer daily. In fact, he prayed three times a day (Dan. 6:10).
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being opened in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
3. Again, hear the psalmist (Ps. 55:17).
Evening, and morning, and noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
D. Daily prayer does several things for us.
1. It keeps us close to the presence of God.
a. The world and all it has to offer is constantly around us.
b. In prayer, we close our eyes to the world and walk into the throne room of our loving heavenly Father.
2. It keeps our hope alive.
a. The Bible tells us that hope is something that we cannot see (Rom. 8:24-25).
b. When we pray, we pray to the invisible God who sits in the third heaven which our eyes cannot see.
c. Our prayers center us upon those things that lie beyond.
3. Prayer provides blessings for our lives.
a. God has every resource we could possibly imagine at His disposal.
b. When we approach God in prayer, He can release these blessings into our lives.
c. Matthew 7:11
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
4. Prayer yields our will to the will of our heavenly Father.
a. In our prayers, we do ask God for things that we desire much like Jesus did. “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matt. 26:39).
b. However, our desires always yield to the Father’s will. “…nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:39).
c. We know that God knows what is best.
We trust God to work what is best for our lives.
We willingly submit to His providence in all things.
IV. SHUN TEMPTATION AND SIN (See Heb. 3:13)
A. As Christians, we are members of “the church.”
1. The term church means “the called out ones.”
2. We have been called out of the world into a place apart to be used for a special purpose unto God.
3. Paul told the church at Thessalonica that they had been called unto “holiness” (I Thess. 4:13).
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
B. As Christians, as saints, as holy people, we should shun temptation and sin every day.
1. The Bible tells us to resist, that is, stand opposed to Satan (James 4:7; I Pet. 5:9).
2. We are to flee evil things (I Cor. 6:18; 10:14; I Tim. 6:11; II Tim. 2:22).
3. Too, we are to abstain, that is, hold ourselves off from things that would pollute our godly lives (Acts 15:20; I Thess. 4:5; 5:22; I Pet.2:11).
4. We are not to love the world, nor the things that are in the world (I John 2:15).
C. Joseph is a notable example of a man who shunned temptation on a daily basis.
1. He was made the steward of Potiphar’s house in Egypt (Gen. 39:5-6).
2. Potiphar’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and tempted him saying: “Lie with me” (Gen. 39:7).
3. Moses writes that she did this day by day, and Joseph resisted day by day (Gen. 39:10).
And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
D. Satan is a relentless foe. If he departs from us, it is only for a season. We must put on the whole armor of God in order to stand against the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:10, 13).
V. CONFESS OUR SINS
A. We are not always successful in fighting temptation. When we yield, we sin (James 1:14-15a).
But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin…
B. When we sin, we separate ourselves from God (Isa. 59:2).
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
C. It is essential for us to go to God and confess those sins and ask for them to be forgiven.
1. The promise (I John 1:9)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. Two examples:
a. David (Ps. 51:1-4a)
Have mercy upon me, O god, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of they tender mercies blot our my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is every before me. Against, thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight…
b. Simon (Acts 8:22-24)
VI. SERVE OTHERS
A. Jesus tells us: “For the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister…” (Matt. 28:20).
1. Minister
a. Strong (1247): to be an attendant, to wait upon (menially or as a host)
b. Thayer: to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon
2. Jesus came to render service to others.
B. Service should be one of the focal points of every Christian.
1. Galatians 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
2. Jesus demonstrated what service is in John 13:4-5.
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
a. Service is a lonely task.
b. Service is a lowly task.
c. Service is a dirty task.
d. Service is a thankless task.
C. Jesus motivates us to a life of service with His words recorded in Matthew 20:26-27.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.
VII. SEEK THE LOST
A. One of our primary missions as Christians should be to actively seek and teach the lost.
B. The early church sets this example for us (Acts 5:42).
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
C. All anyone has is today (James 4:14).
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.
1. We may have only today to teach others.
2. The lost may have only today to hear the gospel.
3. Yes, we plan on having tomorrows, but they are not promised. Remember the rich man (Luke 12:16-21, esp. v. 20).
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided.
VIII. TAKE UP OUR CROSS (Luke 9:23)
A. Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
B. The phrase, “and take up his cross,” has always intrigued me. What does this mean?
1. For Jesus, the taking up of a cross was a literal action. However, it was an action that was commanded by His heavenly Father.
2. Taking up our cross, therefore, simply means being willing to obey whatever command God gives to us, even a command that could result in in death.
C. Obedience to God’s will involves three things:
1. Denial of self: What God wants from me is not always what I will.
2. Taking up the cross: Doing exactly what God has commanded me to do.
3. Following Jesus: If we do the first two things, this naturally follows.
D. As a Christian, our obedience to God, that is, our cross-bearing should be a daily activity.
IX. SET THE PROPER EXAMPLE
A. Paul exhorted the young evangelist, Timothy, to be an example to others (I Tim. 4:12).
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
B. Definition of example:
1. Lexicons
a) Strong (5179): a model for imitation
b) Thayer: an example to be imitated
c) Vine: a pattern
2. Dictionary.com: pattern or model, something to be imitated
C. Every day Christians should live in such a way that they can tell others: “Follow me, and I will take you to heaven.” Paul did (I Cor. 11:1).
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
D. This is a daunting obligation.
1. Can I honestly say that I am willing to tell others to follow me because I am following Jesus and His will as I should?
2. Can I honestly tell another to person to follow me and I will take that person to heaven with me?
X. BE PREPARED FOR JESUS
A. Jesus said that we do not know the day nor the hour when the Son of God will come again.
1. Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
2. Matthew 24:44
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
3. Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
B. Questions:
1. Can you be certain the Lord will not come back next month?
2. Can you be certain the Lord will not come back next week?
3. Can you be certain the Lord will not come back tomorrow?
4. Can you be certain the Lord will not come back in an hour?
5. The answer to all of these questions is: “No, I cannot be certain.”
C. If we cannot be certain, then we need to be ready.
D. One of the saddest things that can happen to a person is to not be ready when our Lord comes again (Matt. 25:10-12).
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
1. Do your feel sorry for these five virgins who missed the coming of the bridegroom and the wedding feast?
2. Can you imagine how one will feel when the Lord comes and the individual is not ready?
CONCLUSION
A. We have looked at ten things Christians should do on a daily basis.
B. At first, the task seems daunting. However, if we make these things a permanent part of our lives, they will be part of who we are.
C. Paul summed up how our lives are to be lived in Philippians 1:27.
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…