Summerfield Church - Fishtown

It was time to take a break from the principles and get down to the nitty-gritty.

Here's a list of things we need to do in our lives which God laid on my heart this past week, and which I preached on - despite it not being a typical topic for baptism, confirmation, and new members!

This is the rough outline. I cleaned it up a bit for the sermon itself, and I'll clean it up a bit more later.

#1 Be holy, because God's holy.
"Be holy, as I am holy" (Lev 11:44)

#2 Avoid the sin of being easily offended.
"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." (Proverbs 19:11)

#3 Tithe. Test God and see how he blesses you!
Bring all the tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. And test Me now with this. (Mal 3:10 )

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." (Matthew 23:23)

#4 Work to Support Yourself and Your Family!
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." (2 Th 3:10)
A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,". (Prov 24:33)

#5 Don't be unequally yoked.
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)

#6 Honor the pastor/leaders/teachers.
"Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, and are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other" (1 Thess. 5:12-13)

#7 Not many should be eager to be a pastor/leader/teacher - judged more harshly.
You will be judged more harshly then the rest of the believers, because you are the teachers. (James 3:1 NIV)

#8 Be Slow to Get Angry
"Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20)

#8-1/2 Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger
"In your anger do not sin". Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (Eph 4:26)

#9 Avoid the Appearance of Evil
(Eph 5:3)

#10 Control what you say.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (James 1:26) (James 3:6)
Watch your joking/humor. (Eph 5:4)
"I was just joking" (Proverbs 26:19)