Guarding What God Gives
Alan Martin emphasizes the vital importance of faithfully guarding and abiding in God's commands as the foundation for a genuine relationship with Him and spiritual fruitfulness.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the word of God, but also guarding it carefully in our hearts and lives. It highlights the consequences of neglecting God's commands, using examples from Solomon's life and the parable of the sower to illustrate the impact of how we hear and apply God's word. The key message is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that everything else will be added when we prioritize God's ways.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Importance of Guarding What God Gives
- Teaching through Ephesians as a foundation
- The necessity of retaining and guarding spiritual truths
- The biblical warning of having eyes but not seeing
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II. Solomon’s Failure to Guard God’s Commands
- Solomon’s wisdom and blessings
- His disobedience in accumulating wealth, horses, and foreign wives
- The consequences of not guarding God’s covenant
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III. Abraham as a Model of Faithful Guarding
- God’s commendation of Abraham’s faithfulness
- Abraham as the friend of God
- The connection between guarding God’s commands and relationship with Him
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IV. Guarding God’s Word in the New Covenant
- Jesus’ teaching on abiding and guarding His word
- The necessity of continuing in Jesus’ commands to be His disciple
- The impact of guarding God’s covenant on future generations
Key Quotes
“Nothing I teach, nothing that's said in Sunday school, not a conversation that you have here in church will do you any good unless you retain it.” — Alan Martin
“If you abide in me and my words abide in you... If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just like I keep my father's commands and remain in his love.” — Alan Martin
“By this, we know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.” — Alan Martin
Application Points
- Be intentional about retaining and guarding the spiritual truths you receive through teaching and Scripture.
- Evaluate your life regularly to ensure you are continuing in Jesus’ commands as evidence of genuine discipleship.
- Pass on the importance of guarding God’s covenant to your family to impact future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'guard' God's commands?
To guard God's commands means to carefully keep, protect, and remain faithful to what God has entrusted to us, not letting it slip from our sight or heart.
Why is Solomon used as an example in this sermon?
Solomon is used as an example of someone who was given great wisdom but failed to guard God's commands, leading to the loss of his special relationship with God.
How does guarding God's word relate to being a disciple of Jesus?
Jesus said that to be His disciple, one must continue in His word, meaning actively guarding and obeying His commands as evidence of genuine discipleship.
Can failing to guard God's commands affect future generations?
Yes, if we do not guard and pass on God's commands, our children and grandchildren may not learn or follow them, impacting their spiritual lives.
What is the significance of Abraham in this context?
Abraham is highlighted as a faithful guardian of God's commands and is called God's friend, demonstrating the blessing of guarding God's covenant.