United Church of God

Are You a Balanced Christian?

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Are You a Balanced Christian?

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MP3 Audio (9.65 MB)

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Are You a Balanced Christian?

MP3 Audio (9.65 MB)
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We live in a world that often seems to have forgotten the concept of "balance". As Christians should we go along with this world trend or are we to do otherwise?

Sermon Notes

A partial list of scriptures: 1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. Tit 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. Tit 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. BALANCE, A CONDITION OF NOT FALLING OVER, STEADFASTNESS. Can't be hypocritical about who you are but be balanced in EVERY area of our lives!!! What areas of your life do you need to balanced about in your life so you do not fall off the path? 1 - WORK. 2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 2Th 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 2Th 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. TSK:walk: 2Th_3:6 working: 1Th_4:11; 1Ti_5:13; 1Pe_4:15 Fourth commandment for Balance; work hard, but NOT so hard that other responsibilities are neglected. Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exo 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: Exo 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 2 - CHILD REARING On one hand some give benign neglect ... on the other hand others appear to be living their lives through them and the kids can't live their own life. If you rescue them from every error and mistake... that is a 'BIG' Mistake!!! Let them work out their own ways to fix their problem. Guide them and let them work at it. Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Pro 13:25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. Shepherd rod... to guide, direct the sheep, more than wacking them... God's Instruction TSK: Pro_3:12, Pro_8:36, Pro_19:18, Pro_22:15, Pro_23:13-14, Pro_29:15, Pro_29:17; Luk_14:26; Heb_12:6-8 Balance in Childrearing... 3 - Treat friendships in a balanced way. What kinds of friends do you have and HOW do you relate to them? Pro 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Ecc 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Ecc 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Great value in friends... yet BALANCE here again is critical. Some "friends" are like social vampires, clingy and whimpy and give us no breathing space. Too much closeness, can lead us astray by UNDUE influence of them over us. 4 - FINANCES AND MONEY Luk 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 70% spent in entertainment is NOT balanced, NOT good, NOT workable... Some people just "have to have it" .... whatever it is.. ... ... 5 - GROW in KNOWLEDGE Balance, means broad sampling of Subjects. Not just a Biblical WizzKid and ignorant about everything else. Ruling with Christ means lots of knowledge on lots of areas... Are you preparing for ruling a countryside with 20, 50 million people? Are you learning all you can about finances, agriculture, logistics, industry? 6 - PHYSICAL APPEARANCE Balance in this area seems out the window nowadays... Neither stiff Amish BLACK... nor garish and ultra-colorful in color, style, and ways. Eze 44:20 Neither shall they shave their heads nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads. 7 - HEALTH, FOOD AND EXERCISE Some disregard their health, food, exercise... on the other end some become a "HEALTH NUT"... Exercise can be an OBSESSION... FOOD also can become an obsession... there is a BALANCE to be had. Ecc 7:16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 8 - ??? 9 - Authority. Some think there should be NO authority. Only Servants. No authority in Church, so No authority in the home... or anywhere. Chaos ensues. Balance once again required both in Authority and in obeying "authority"... Seek to be balanced in all things. Seek the Mind of Christ so you can. Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.