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Stand Up for Righteousness

Stand Up For Righteousness - Part 3

December 12, 2021 • Samuel Lopez • 2 Corinthians 10:5, Jude 3, Romans 16:17–18, Ephesians 5:6–13, 2 Corinthians 10:4–6

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, to those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend (fight) for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. (Jude 1:3) Many Christians have an aversion to standing up for righteousness because they believe we should be focused on loving everyone. This leads to compromising God’s word and defeat in the spiritual war we are engaged in. We are commanded to engage in this combat. The enemy has corrupted this truth. THE BATTLEFIELD Attack on Authority Movement to defund the police Physically harming police Attack on Marriage & Identity Redefining Marriage Fluid Sexuality Destroying God’s family order Two Fronts: People’s Gender The Country’s heritage Attack on Life Abortion (all stages) On day of birth Escalation of acceptance Attack on Education Redefine History Hate America Critical Race Theory Attack on Freedom Freedom to speak God’s truth (Bible) Freedom to gather and worship Attack on Christianity Weaponizing IRS against non-profit organizations Legal challenges to businesses and organizations who exercise religious beliefs through their business and organization’s practices Intimidating people who exercise Christian values We need to choose our leaders wisely. Choose those leaders who follow God’s word and will work for the good of His Kingdom. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by food words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17-18) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:6-13) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) Satan’s strongholds are designed to keep the Gospel out and to keep people bound in their sins. Know your weapon! The weapons of our warfare are more powerful than we can ever imagine. Recognize the power of our spiritual weapons. They are enough! The bible is what we use to measure every idea or movement we encounter in the world. Bringing into captivity literally means to take someone prisoner at the point of a spear. It is a warfare term indicating you must be aggressive to destroy the lies of the adversary. How do we win? Elect leaders who are aligned with God’s Word and will work for God’s Kingdom. We destroy arguments (not the person saying it) and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God. (2 Cor. 10:5) (We must identify these ideologies, the danger they pose, and dismantle them.) We take every thought captive to obey Christ being ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete (when believers obey God will avenge them of their adversary.) Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect 1 Peter 3:15 Change the trajectory of today’s youth back toward God. Know what you believe, why you believe it and be able to communicate it in an effective manner.

New Year: Stand Up for Righteousness - Part 2

December 5, 2021 • Elias Ozuna • 1 Peter 3:14, Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 1:9, Matthew 5:13–16, Matthew 5:6

Main Point: Standing up for righteousness in 2021 is the best investment the church can ever make. Blessing, joy, and peace these are some fruits of righteousness. Pastor’s Thoughts: What is an investment? People give into something in hopes for a return. In could be an investment of money or an investment of time or effort. If we could all see the return of an investment ahead of time you would go all in and invest. For example, if I told you that if you invested your money into this bank you are guaranteed to double your money in one year. How many would be willing to sacrifice for that deal? For Christians, we are guaranteed blessings, peace and joy when we surrender to God’s righteousness. The investment/blessing opportunity is huge. If you invest in righteousness you will be soooo blessed. When we are obedient to God’s word and we shine the light of righteousness to the world then God’s word is clear that you are heading for some great blessings. Scriptures about Righteousness bringing blessings: Psalm 106:3. Blessed are those that observe righteousness. 1 Peter 3:14. Even if we suffer for righteousness, do not fear, you will be blessed. Matthew 6:33. Seek first God’s righteousness and blessings will follow. Hebrews 1:9. Righteousness brings blessing/joy. Pastor’s Thoughts: The truth is that standing up for righteousness is not easy. In this world that teaches people sin is righteous. Sin like abortion, like drunkenness, like homosexuality or adultery. When we stand up it gets attention. And the enemy begins to persecute people standing up for righteousness. Do we care what people say or do we care what God says. Be bold. Be strong. Be courage’s. If Christians rise up in courage and begin to stand up for righteousness with clarity and wisdom, then I know God will honor that and bless the church and the nation, families, etc... If we are guaranteed great blessings, then let’s go all in 2021. If God is telling us to stand of for righteousness in 2021, then let’s go all in. Let’s be blessed, let’s be people of joy and gladness and peace. Jesus stood for righteousness and he wants us to stand for righteousness Matthew 5:13-16. We are the light and salt of the world. We must shine righteousness on the world. Matthew 5:6. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are filled. They are at peace, have joy. Etc…

New Year: Stand Up for Righteousness - Part 1

November 28, 2021 • Elias Ozuna • Psalm 106:3, 1 Peter 3:14, Matthew 6:33, Acts 5:28–39

Main Point: The church must stand up for righteousness. A church that stands up for righteousness will be instruments of God’s power. Foundation Scripture: Acts 5:28-39. Peter chose to obey God not man. Peter trusted God. Gamaliel’s advice to the religious leader was to let Peter go and let God deal with them. If they are of God, nothing can stop them. Scriptures about Righteousness bringing blessings: Psalm 106:3. Blessed are those that observe righteousness. 1 Peter 3:14. Even if we suffer for righteousness, do not fear, you will be blessed. Matthew 6:33. Seek first God’s righteousness and blessings will follow. Pastor’s Thoughts: Salvation comes from faith (followed by actions) that show we have accepted the death and resurrection of Christ as our salvation. So why should we live right and do right if these actions don’t save us? Because if you Love God you will have a passion for righteous. What the church needs at this time is to stand up for righteousness so that God can begin to bless and empower the church. Standing up for what is right, according to God’s word is not easy. It is getting harder and harder for Christians to even speak about sin without offending people. But church, we must stand up for righteousness, according to God’s word. Here are some examples on what the world considers ok, but that is not ok/righteous according to God’s word. Abortion Sexual Intimacy outside of marriage Homosexuality Drunkenness Worry/Stress Fear Rebellion/Stubbornness Disobedience It is time for the church to stand up for righteousness. What the bible says is clearly unrighteous or sin, is not up for debate. Even though society will pressure the church to accept sin or compromise with sin, the church must stand up for righteousness according to God’s word.