Learn to Live Godly

 Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

Jesus came not only to die for our sins and give us salvation, but He also came to change the lives of people. Changing our lifestyle, denying worldly lust and all sin does not make us righteous in the eyes of God. All our works and righteous living are but filthy rags in God’s sight. But His salvation in our heart does cause us to live differently. If such salvation does not cause one to turn away from their sinful ways, then one would have to ask if that person really repented of their sins and truly accepted Jesus into their heart. Or one may wonder if they have fully surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, and continue to live in their sinful ways. Salvation through Christ will radically change the way we live. The transformation of the heart is done instantly, but learning to live godly is a process and taught as we follow the teaching of the Bible. Only God truly knows the heart and can rightly judge a person's relationship with Jesus. But the Bible speaks of those who were pretending to be followers of Christ, and the Holy Spirit bore witness that they were not of God. Paul warns us to be aware of those who are cunning and deceitful. Speaking of false teachings of Christ. “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”.(Eph 4:14) Jesus says they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Mat 7:15). Though we do not judge one’s heart, we can discern one’s spirit by the fruit they bear. Do they live soberly, righteously, and godly in the world we live in today? There is a state in our relationship with God that we can be perfect in heart toward the things of God. We fall short in our humanity, but a true follower of Christ will seek to live in obedience to Christ and desire to live godly in this present world.

God Alone

Isaiah 37:20 “…You are the Lord, You alone.”-

There is only one God and He is Lord of all. God alone created heaven and earth, God alone took man from the clay of the earth and formed him into His image. God alone is all we need when life gets stressful and the worries of life load us down. When trouble comes are way, God alone is able to make a way through and help us walk the path before us. The problems we face are real and there are many who have fallen because they have failed to trust God alone. They have relied on their own strength or earthly means to help them. They failed to pray and seek God alone. In the dark times, when we cannot see our way through, we can turn to God who is Lord of all, and He alone will be there to meet our every need.

Following Jesus

Luke 9:59 “And He said unto another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.”-

Following Jesus is not just a metal consent of your mind that Jesus is God, or that God is real. To follow Christ is to let go of all former relationships and make Him Lord of your life. He is now the focus of your life, where He leads you, you will go. Following Him take priority over family and friends. This may lead to some misunderstanding among those who are not following Christ. To those who know the Savior, they understand that following Jesus and living in His word is the most important thing in life. When we follow Him first, He give us perspective on how to treat others and it is only then that we can truly have a relationship with others that will glorify God.

Tormenting Locust

Revelation 9:1-12

These are days foretold by John that should cause all men to fall to their knees and acknowledge Christ as Lord of all. But, even with this warning, many will still deny the power of Christ to rule in their lives. For those who refuse to come under His Lordship, great torment will be afflicted. The pit of hell will open up and bring forth creatures that will cause the ungodly to seek death, but in vain, they will not find it. Woe unto those who call good evil and evil good, judgment is coming and all sinners shall see the wrath of God to come.

Four trumpets- events proceeding the fifth trumpet

• First trumpet- hail, fire, blood
• Second trumpet- a burning mountain-meteor
• Third trumpet- fallen star- meteor- bitter waters
• Fourth trumpet- stars, moon, sun- little light

Fallen Star – I saw a star fall from heaven

• Angel of God

• Satan cast to earth
• Christ- holds the keys- From Savior to Judgment

Furnace and Smoke- the smoke of a great furnace

• Bottomless pit- the Abyss- hell fire
• Smoke caused darkness- evil proceeds from darkness

Fierce Locust – and there came out a smoke of locust

• Body of a horse- with armor of protection- ready for battle
• Tail like a scorpion- The sting of pain and suffering
• Head of a man with long hair and a gold crown, teeth like a lion
• Intelligent, ferocious, victorious, and conquer

Fear and Torment – tormented for 5 months

• Fear will grip the heart of me- just looking at them
• Their focus was to inflict pain- not death
• Men and women will seek a place to hide

Faithful Spared –except for those who have the seal of God

• 144,000 Jews- The protection of Israel- Passover

• No indication that Gentiles will be included
• God will protect His own- In His providence

Futility of Men– shall me seek death and not find it

• Death is alluded
• A glimpse of hell- pain and suffering

Future Woes

• The wrath of God is poured out against the ungodly