Faith and Maintenance Hand in Hand

Slide 2: 

Notice how the title of this mornings message arcs upward! You and I each day that we live and walk by faith is a day the LORD has made; just for us to CLIMB HIGHER and HIGHER in HIS perfect plan and will for our lives! See yourself this morning climbing those stairs of life and WITH EACH STEP SHAKING OFF one more lie of the enemy! WORK OR WORKS are mentioned 8 times here in the book of Titus where we are getting our opening text!

Is MAINTENANCEImportant? : 

Is MAINTENANCEImportant? 3 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

Is MAINTENANCEImportant? : 

Is MAINTENANCEImportant? 4 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY A 5 member Air Force panel has finished its investigation into the crash of an F-117A. Better known as the Stealth fighter, one of these state-of-the-art jets literally came apart in the sky on September 14, 1997. The pilot parachuted to safety and no one in the Baltimore suburb where the plane crashed was hurt. The specific fighter in question had been repaired and checked out thoroughly in January of 1996. As part of that maintenance check, the wings were removed and reinstalled. THE INSPECTORS APPARENTLY FAILED TO INSTALL FOUR OF THE FIVE BOLTS THAT HOLD PART OF THE WING ASSEMBLY IN PLACE. Two later maintenance checks missed the same problem. One of those checks was prompted when a pilot who had flown the jet reported there was too much “flex” in the wing. Col. John Beard, head of the investigative panel, said, “It is my opinion the accident was caused by UNINTENTIONAL MAINTENANCE OVERSIGHT.” For the lack of four fastener bolts, a $42-million Stealth fighter crashed. Because of careless maintenance, the life of a pilot was nearly lost. On account of someone's “UNINTENTIONAL” oversight, dozens more on the ground were put in jeopardy. It seems like a terribly high price for so trivial a thing as four bolts.

Is MAINTENANCEImportant? : 

Is MAINTENANCEImportant? 5 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

Titus 3:8 : 

Titus 3:8 8This is a FAITHFUL (sure) saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be CAREFUL (to exercise thought) TO MAINTAIN (to stand before) GOOD WORKS. These things are good and profitable unto men. 6 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

Titus 3:8 - “affirm” : 

Titus 3:8 - “affirm” The word “affirm” is the same word used of the false teachers, it means to strongly affirm. Affirm that believers are to maintain good works. *1 Timothy 1:7 says 7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, NOR WHEREOF THEY AFFIRM. 7 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

SURE THING??? : 

SURE THING??? This is a FAITHFUL (sure) saying, 8 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

SURE THING??? : 

SURE THING??? This is a FAITHFUL (sure) saying, DON’T PLACE YOUR FAITH – YOUR CONFIDENC – YOUR LIFE IN THIS WORLD! There is no such thing as a “SURE THING” in and from this world! For those of you who are not sports fans: 9 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

SURE THING??? : 

SURE THING??? This is a FAITHFUL (sure) saying, QB Ryan Leaf (Washington State) Drafted by: Chargers, first round, No. 2 overall, 1998The Chargers gave up plenty to move up one spot to select Leaf, who many felt was a better prospect than Tennessee QB Peyton Manning. With a lifetime 4-17 record as a starter with the Chargers (4-14) and Cowboys (0-3), Leaf threw 14 TD passes and 36 interceptions and was sacked 65 times in 25 games in four NFL seasons. Meanwhile, Manning reportedly is doing well with the Colts. QB Art Schlichter (Ohio State) Drafted by: Colts, first round, No. 4 overall, 1982The former Buckeyes star played in just 13 games, throwing three TD passes and 11 interceptions in parts of three seasons. But Schlichter's off-the-field gambling issues are what he is best known for. Just one year later (1983), the Colts were forced to use another first-round pick on a quarterback (QB John Elway), and that didn't turn out well for totally different reasons. 10 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

BELIEF = ACTION : 

BELIEF = ACTION (these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have BELIEVED IN GOD might be careful to maintain good works.) James 2:17 EVEN SO FAITH, IF IT HATH NOT WORKS, IS DEAD, being alone. Christ Walked by FAITH! 11 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

FAITH & WORKS : 

FAITH & WORKS (these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have BELIEVED IN GOD might be careful to maintain good works.) John 6:28 Then said they unto him, WHAT SHALL WE DO, THAT WE MIGHT WORK THE WORKS OF GOD? 12 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

FAITH & WORKS : 

FAITH & WORKS (these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have BELIEVED IN GOD might be careful to maintain good works.) John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT. 13 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

FAITH & WORKS : 

FAITH & WORKS 14 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY These people don’t understand what is going on in these verses of scriptures! Here Jesus Christ offered to give them eternal life and they wanted to know what to do. CHRIST ANSWERED THAT THE WORK OF GOD WAS TO BELIEVE ON HIM. THE WORK IS NOT SOMETHING MAN DOES FOR GOD, BUT IT IS THE ACT OF RECEIVING WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR MAN. The Jews ask for a sign to prove that they should believe on him. In their minds they knew that Christ had made more bread out of already existing bread and their claim was that Moses had done greater miracles than Christ; HE HAD BROUGHT BREAD FROM HEAVEN. Now, if Christ wanted these Jews to believe on him, He had better perform a greater sign than Moses.

Being CAREFUL! (to exercise thought) : 

Being CAREFUL! (to exercise thought) Psalms 119:97-98 O HOW LOVE I THY LAW! IT IS MY MEDITATION (REFLECTION; BY EXTENSION DEVOTION)ALL THE DAY. 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 15 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

Being CAREFUL! (to exercise thought) : 

Being CAREFUL! (to exercise thought) George Mueller once said: It is a common temptation of Satan to make us give up the reading of the Word and prayer when our enjoyment is gone; as if it were of no use to read the Scriptures when we do not enjoy them, as if it were no use to pray when we have no spirit of prayer. WHILE THE TRUTH IS, IN ORDER TO ENJOY THE WORD, WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO READ IT, AND THE WAY TO OBTAIN A SPIRIT OF PRAYER IS TO CONTINUE PRAYING; FOR THE LESS WE READ THE WORD OF GOD THE LESS WE DESIRE TO READ IT, AND THE LESS WE PRAY THE LESS WE DESIRE TO PRAY. MEDIATION - #7881 (see-khaw’’) REFLECTION; BY EXTENSION DEVOTION: - meditation, prayer. From #7879 (see'-akh) a contemplation; by implication an utterance. *Psalms 1:1-3 says Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD; AND IN HIS LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 16 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

Being CAREFUL! (to exercise thought) : 

Being CAREFUL! (to exercise thought) Psalms 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: FOR THY TESTIMONIES ARE MY MEDITATION. 17 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

Being CAREFUL! (to exercise thought) : 

Being CAREFUL! (to exercise thought) “UNDERSTANDING” is very important, please consider the following illustrations: #1 A grandmother and her 5-year-old grandson who were taking a walk in the country just after the first heavy frost of the season had dyed the foliage and given it a brilliantly colored crazy quilt appearance. "Just think," the grandmother marveled, gazing at a scarlet and gold-tinted hillside, "God painted all that." "Yes," the grandson agreed, "and He even did it with His left hand." "What do you mean 'He did it with His left hand?'" she asked, somewhat puzzled by the remark. "Well," the boy replied reasonably, "AT SUNDAY SCHOOL, THEY TOLD US THAT JESUS IS SITTING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD!" 18 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

MAINTENANCEBy GRACE : 

MAINTENANCEBy GRACE (TO MAINTAIN (to stand before) GOOD WORKS. ) Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 19 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

MAINTENANCE By GRACE : 

MAINTENANCE By GRACE (TO MAINTAIN (to stand before) GOOD WORKS. ) Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity (singleness & liberally); HE THAT RULETH, WITH DILIGENCE (speed & eagerness)… 20 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

MAINTENANCE By GRACE : 

MAINTENANCE By GRACE (TO MAINTAIN (to stand before) GOOD WORKS. ) Same Greek word we’re looking at that’s translated “TO MAINTAIN ” in Titus 3:8. “MAINTAIN” #4291 (pro-is'-tay-mee) to stand before, that is, (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practice: - maintain, be over, rule. This Greek word is used in teaching the qualifications for the bishops, deacons and the elders! 21 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

MAINTENANCE By GRACE : 

MAINTENANCE By GRACE (TO MAINTAIN (to stand before) GOOD WORKS. ) 22 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

MAINTENANCE By GRACE : 

MAINTENANCE By GRACE (TO MAINTAIN (to stand before) GOOD WORKS. ) Look at these 2 images: the people are skiing! BUT THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AND SKIING TO THE MAX! WE are to “TO MAINTAIN (to stand before – TO PRACTISE) GOOD WORKS” to the max by God’s grace! Get up and get out of your comfort zone and into God’s glory position (the place that HE gets ALL the praise and glory because your doing what you and everybody else knows you can’t accomplish on your own! ) 23 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

MAINTENANCEis LEARNED : 

MAINTENANCEis LEARNED Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn (to learn by use and practice) TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS for necessary uses (employment), that they be not unfruitful (barren). 24 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

MAINTENANCEREVEALS Our VISION : 

MAINTENANCEREVEALS Our VISION Titus 2:13 LOOKING FOR that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 25 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

MAINTENANCEREVEALS Our VISION : 

MAINTENANCEREVEALS Our VISION Hubble Telescope & a dime images – it travels 5Miles Per Second or 17,500 MPH– orbits the earth every 97 minutes IT CAN FOCUS A BEAM OF LIGHT ON A DIME IN SAN FRANCICO AND NEVER DEVIATE OFF THE COIN’S DIAMETER!! The Hubble space telescope is a satellite orbiting the earth at a height of 353 miles above the earth's surface. It is in orbit at this height so that it can see the light from other planets, stars and galaxies with no distortion from the earth's atmosphere. WE MUST BE LIKE THIS TELESCOPE GET ABOVE THE FALSE LIGHT OF THIS WORLD SO WE CAN SEE THE TRUTH! 26 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

MAINTENANCEREVEALS Our VISION : 

MAINTENANCEREVEALS Our VISION Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that HE MIGHT redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS. 27 MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY

Today Makes Tomorrow : 

Today Makes Tomorrow MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY 28

Slide 29: 

A partially deaf boy came home from school one day carrying a note from school officials. The note suggested that the parents take the boy out of school, claiming that he was "too stupid to learn." The boy's mother read the note and said, "My son, Tom, isn't 'too stupid to learn.' I'll teach him myself." And so she did. When Tom died many years later, the people of the United States paid tribute to him by turning off the nation's lights for one full minute. You see, this Tom had invented the lightbulb - and not only that, but also motion pictures and the record player. In all, he had more than one thousand patents to his credit. JUST LIKE THOMAS EDISON, EVERY CHILD IS CAPABLE OF LEARNING MORE THAN HE OR SHE KNOWS TODAY. EVERY CHILD IS ABLE TO FIND A NEW AVENUE OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION. Let’s seek the Lord and LEARN today and make tomorrow (if HE tarries) the best it can be in HIM! MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY 29

Slide 30: 

MAINTENANCE is my RESPONSIBILITY 30