In or on what is your identity based? Possessions, position, status, accomplishments? All of these will lost, altered, or outdated; only in the unchanging Christ will you find a solid sense of worth and identity.
What are the foundations of life upon which the righteous may build with confidence? In this sermon are five basic premises of the Christian faith, each one dependent upon the previous one. Satan attacks these five foundations, but they cannot be destroyed!
Do you have an enemy? Does your Christianity enable you to respond to him in a supernatural way, instead of with a natural, carnal, vengeful reaction? With His power, you will be able to forgive him, and even WANT to feed him.
I asked because...well, you seem reluctant to talk about Jesus at work. If I ask you a question about your religion, you act embarrassed. Sometimes you get mad. You seem to enjoy off-color jokes. So, I am wondering: are you saved?
Jesus chose to use a child to teach His disciples. What do we learn when a child is our teacher? We observe them and learn humility, obedience, teachableness, faith, generosity in giving, forgiveness, dependence, innocence, transparency and adoration. Let us become as little children!
Chastisement is to bring change—change that is needed. Do you know when chastisement happens? Does it come with varying intensity/levels? Does the Bible offer any hope that we might outgrow our need for chastisement? Listen, and be encouraged to accept the loving chastening of the Lord.