| | | | The Gift of New Life: Protection & Provision - John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
This week we're looking at ten things that Christians have been given as a result of the new life that we have in Jesus Christ (you can read part 1 HERE, part 2 HERE, and part 3 HERE). Today we'll be looking at number 4 & 3 in our countdown - Protection and provision.
#4 - Protection
We live in a fallen world that is daily becoming more antagonistic against the children of God. We are quite literally surrounded by evil, yet through our new life in Christ, we can rest in the fact that we have the strong arm of God as our protection. First, He protects us personally...
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. 2 Timothy 4:18
The bible teaches us that our very days have been numbered...
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. Ps 139:16 (NRSV)
...which means that as God's children we are immortal and invincible until the time that God has chosen to bring us home to His glory!
Second, God also protects His church...
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
No matter what evil schemes may be cast upon her, the church of Jesus Christ will stand, and as this scripture indicated, it will literally tear down the gates of hell! This should give us confidence as we reach out to bring light to a dark and dying city. And history has proven that the more the church is persecuted, the brighter her light shines, and the greater her numbers grow!
#3 - Provision
First, we have been given practical provision: We all have to eat, we all need shelter and clothing, we all have basic needs, and as a part of our new life in Christ, God promises that He will meet our needs:
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matt 6:26
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19
But we also have purposeful provision: Through this new life we're no longer slaves to the sin that ruled our lives, but by grace have been set free....
...knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Rom 6:6-7
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Rom 6:14
According to 2 Peter 1:3, our new life in Christ has provided everything we need for godly living:
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
But all of this protection and provision comes to us with an expectation (Ha! I knew there was a catch!) The expectation is this: That we would live our lives with purpose… which is what we'll be discussing tomorrow.
But for today, take some time to thank the Lord for the protection and provision you have as a result of your new life in Christ!
Pastor Clay
(By the way, if you're reading this and you'd like to have the new life that Jesus promised, CLICK HERE to find out how you can start a relationship with God.) | | | | | | | |
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