Month: September 2025

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LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (PART 4)

LIVING A HOLY LIFE – 2PETER 1:3; 3:11, 14

INTRODUCTION

Christians are called to live a life of holiness in an ungodly society. This is a big task because a godly life is always an object of attack from the enemies of the cross (2Timothy 3:12).

KEYS TO LIVING A LIFE OF HOLINESS

1 .Ask For The Power To Live a Holy Life (2Peter 1:3).

Christians are not living by their power but by the power of God through their union with Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:20).

▪︎ This divine power has given everything needed to live a godly life in an ungodly society (2Peter 1:3).

▪︎ The word “given” in 2Peter 1:3 means that the divine enablement is a gift from God. It must therefore be received (through the knowledge of Christ- Hosea 4:6) before it can become useful for believers.

God’s Power Enables Christians With:

▪︎ Ability to walk according to His calling (Ephesians 3:20-21; 4:1; Philippians 2:13).

▪︎ Ability to live a godly life (1Thessalonians 4:7).

▪︎ Ability to fulfil their God-given assignment (Philippians 4:13).

▪︎ Ability to go through life without being corrupted by the world (John 17:15).

▪︎ Ability to overcome sin and all forms of temptation (1John 3:6).

2. Live The Right Lifestyle of a Believer (2Peter 3:11)

Life on earth will not continue forever, it is destined to come to an end.

▪︎ The second coming of Jesus Christ will terminate the worldly system and all the activities on earth suddenly (2Peter 3:10).

▪︎ Peter used the certainty of Christ’s second coming and the looming judgment upon the earth to admonish and motivate his readers to be cautious of the way they live.

Reflection: Discuss some of the practices and doctrines of different denominational churches today. Are they pointing to the kind of Church Jesus Christ is coming for upon His return?

3. Live a Holy Living

Holy living is a life that is set apart from the world and reserved for service and glory of God. A life offered to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1-2).

▪︎ Christians are in the world but not of the world. They must not conform to the pattern of the world.

Reflection: Mention some of the things Christians do today that are in conformity with the pattern of the world.

4. Be Motivated For Holy Living

Believers must be motivated to live a holy life because:

▪︎ It is the nature of God (Revelation 4:8).

▪︎ It is a life that pleases and honours God (1Peter 1:16).

▪︎ It qualifies Christians for fellowship with God and empowers them for service (Psalm 24:3; Hebrews12:14; Romans 12:18).

▪︎ It prepares Christians for heaven (Romans 21:27).

▪︎ It keeps Christians away from the pollution of the world (Romans 14:1,4).

▪︎  It enlarges the dominion of God and the impacts of believers (Matthew 5:13-14).

5. Stay in Godly Living

Godliness refers to a life that is rooted in the Word of God and conforms to the mind of God. A godly person is one whose life is devoted to pleasing God in whatever situation. Consider Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 1Tim 4:16.

Christians can Cultivate and Remain in Godly living through:

(i) Intimacy with Christ

▪︎ True godliness springs from Jesus Christ. Intimacy with Christ demands self-denial, cross-carrying,  and daily walk with Him (Mark 8:34; 1Timothy 3:16).

(ii) Spiritual Training and Exercise

▪︎ Christians must engage in spiritual exercises/disciplines such as Bible reading and meditation, fasting, and prayer. These should not be taken as godliness but as a path or means to godliness (1Timothy 4:7-8).

(iii) Knowledge of The the Truth – Jesus Christ.

▪︎ The truth concerns Jesus Christ- who He is as Christ (Titus 1:1; John 8:31-32).

▪︎ The knowledge of Christ and growth in that knowledge empowers Christians for godly living (John 14:6).

(iv) Making effort to be spotless and blameless (2Peter 3.13-14)

▪︎ Spotlessness is often about moral cleanliness while blamelessness is of those who cannot be accused of wrongdoing before people or God. Jesus is the perfect example (1Peter 1:19).

▪︎ Animals with defects are unfit and unacceptable for sacrifice (Malachi 1:8). Compare Romans 12:1-2.

Reflection: What practical steps can be taken by Christians to be free of stain, especially those working in offices where ungodly polices and practices are the norms?

CONCLUSION

God promised not to leave us alone nor forsake us, and all things are possible with Him. With the presence of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, a life of holiness is possible for all Christians. It guides and helps us to be free from all the schemes of false teachers.

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GRACE FOR SUPPORT AND SUSTENANCE- Isaiah 46:3–6; 2 Corinthians 9:8

Introduction

Beloved, we are gathered under a profound theme today: “Grace for Support and Sustenance.”

  • In a world marked by uncertainties, delays, and disappointments, God’s grace remains the unshakable pillar that upholds us from the womb to our grey hairs. The foundational scriptures today reveal both the nature of God and His commitment to those who are His.
  • Let us journey through Isaiah 46:3–6 and 2 Corinthians 9:8 to see how God, who made us, continues to bear, carry, and deliver us through all seasons of life.

Definition:

Support:

  • bear all or part of the weight of; hold up.
  • a thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright.

Sustenance/Sustain:

  • to keep (a person, the mind, the spirits, etc.) from giving way
  • Divine’s self – sufficiency – “Dododanwa”

1. God’s Voice Is Foundational (Isaiah 46:3a)

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob…”

  • The first call in Isaiah 46 is not an action but an instruction to listen. God’s voice is the beginning of all sustenance. He spoke the world into existence; He upholds the world by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).

Implication: Hearing and obeying God positions you to access His grace. Support begins with divine instruction.- Job 33:14-16; Isaiah 30:21; Rom 10:17

Application: Many are sustained not because of resources but because of relationship. Tune your ears to the Shepherd’s voice–Psalm 23:4-5

2. God’s Grace Is Exclusive to His Children (Isaiah 46:3b; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 9:8)

“…all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by Me from before your birth.”

  • Grace for support is not universal in application. It is specific to the redeemed.
  • Those who are in Christ are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17), and God’s grace is made to abound toward them (2 Cor. 9:8).

Implication: The starting point of sustained grace is new birth.

Application: If you are born again, God’s grace is your inheritance. If not, today is the day of salvation.

3. God’s Intimate Knowledge of You Qualifies Him to Support You (Isaiah 46:3c; Psalm 139:13–14)

“I have made you, and I will carry you.”

  • He made you. He knows your design. He formed your inward parts- Psalm 139:13-14; He even numbers your hairs (Luke 12:7).

Implications:

  • God is not an experimental sustainer. He has the blueprint of your life.- Gen 2:7; Psalm 8:4-5
  • His support is custom-built, not mass-produced.

Application: Trust God’s detailed support system. No burden escapes His notice.

4. God’s Personal Sustaining Promise (Isaiah 46:4)

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

  • Nothings is so certain as God’s personal involvement in your life as Your Father- The I am that I am
  • Sustaining grace: This verse shows God’s grace in all seasons—from youth to old age.
  • Supportive grace: God carries and delivers, not just passively watches.
  • Covenantal grace: God’s care is based on His covenant relationship, not your condition.
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Implications:

  • “I am He” (Hebrew: Ani Hu) — a declaration of God’s unchanging identity and eternal presence.
  • “Even to hoar hairs will I carry you” — “Hoar hairs” = old age, grey hair. “Carry” (Hebrew: ‘esbol’) — to lift up, sustain, bear burdens.
  • “I have made, and I will bear” — Creator and Sustainer. What He makes, He takes responsibility for. He doesn’t outsource His care
  • “Even I will carry, and will deliver you” — A threefold assurance: Carry, Bear, Deliver.

Application: No matter your age or stage, God is your unchanging help.

5. Biblical Harmony on Grace

Theme                Isaiah 46:4                  2 Corinthians 9:8

Divine Source      “I am He… I have made you”         “God is able…”

Sustenance“I will carry… sustain… rescue” “All sufficiency in all things”

Continuity“Even to old age and gray hairs” “Always having all sufficiency”

Purpose of GracePreservation and rescue Abounding in good works

Nature of GraceTender, faithful, personal Overflowing, enabling, generous

6. Grace Is Not Seasonal

From birth to old age, God remains constant. He does not abandon His own when they are weak, frail, or aged. This reality is emphasized in both Isaiah and Corinthians.

Each day walk with Christ is anchored on Grace- Philippians 2:13; Proverbs 18:1; John 15:5

Implication: Grace does not expire. God does not run out of strength or mercy.

7. Grace Is Covenant-Based

God’s sustaining power comes from a place of relationship and ownership.

  • Isaiah: “I made you”
  • Paul: “God is able”

Implication: God’s ability flows from His nature. His commitment flows from His covenant.

Conclusion: He Is Our God Forever (Psalm 48:14)

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death.”

  • Let this sink in: You are never alone. In Christ, you have unending grace for unrelenting support.
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Reflection

Are you relying on your own strength?

Are you born again and truly walking with Christ?

Are you facing a stage in life where support seems distant?

Come back to the God who carries, supports, and sustains.

Prayer Uproar for Divine Support

  • Lord, help me to recognize and rest in Your sustaining grace.
  • Root me deeper in Christ that I may never fall.
  • Carry me through every season of my life.

Let your grace abound in every area of my need.