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Vineyard Church North Phoenix | Living Excellent Lives Morally (4 of 5)

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Living Excellent Lives Morally (4 of 5)

"From time to time I would think, “Why are so many bad people flourishing, or at least appearing to be? Why are so many moral scoundrels succeeding, or at least appearing to be?” Have you ever thought those kinds of things? And then we all see on the flip side of this some fully devoted followers of Christ, who are experiencing incredible trials and difficulties in their life - - financial hardships, marital breakdowns, rebellious children, medical problems, etc. And that makes all of us wonder from time to time, “Does fully following Christ really pay? Are there real benefits associated with leading a clean, moral life?"

October 14-15, 2006
Living Excellent Lives Morally
Series: Living Excellent Lives
Speaker: Brian T. Anderson

Download Notes (PDF)

  1. Introduction
    1. Mal. 3:14-15 (NLT) 14“You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins? 15From now on we will say, “Blessed are the arrogant.” For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.’”
    2. Ps. 1:1-4 (NAS) 1How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
    3. Ps. 73:3-5 (NLT) 3For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4They seem to live such a painless life; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5They aren’t troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else.
    4. Ps. 73:13-14 (NLT) 13Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? 14All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
    5. Ps. 73:16-20 (NLT) 16So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! 17Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. 18Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19In an instant they are destroyed, swept away by terrors. 20Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When you arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life.
  2. Two principles of life
    1. The slippery rock principle.
      1. Ps. 73:18-20 (NAS) 18Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19In an instant they are destroyed, swept away by terrors. 20Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When you arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life.
    2. The final destination principle.
      1. Mal. 4:1 (NLT) The LORD Almighty says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. The arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw on that day. They will be consumed like a tree—roots and all.”
      2. Mal. 4:2 (NLT) “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
  3. Conclusion
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