Guiding Question

What does it look like for Christianity to transform our lives in real ways?

Summary

Dr. Robert Lewis challenges Christians to move beyond mere theology and live lives marked by spiritual transformation. Drawing on Ephesians 4:25–32, he identifies five clear indicators that the life of God is present in us:

1. Promptly resolving anger

2. Rejecting sin and resisting Satan’s foothold

3. Working to give rather than simply get

4. Speaking words that build up others

5. Extending forgiveness as we have been forgiven

Through vivid anecdotes—such as the pastor’s personal struggle with unresolved anger and domestic statistics—and practical reflections, Dr. Lewis urges us to ask: is our Christianity evident in our daily actions?

Outline

1. Ephesians 4:26 – “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

   • Acknowledge righteous anger but resolve it daily to prevent bitterness.

2. Ephesians 4:27 – “Do not give the devil an opportunity.”

   • Reinforces the danger of unresolved conflict as a foothold for evil.

3. Ephesians 4:28 – “Let him who stole steal no longer… so he may have something to share.”

   • Introduces a proactive ethic of work used to bless others.

4. Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no unwholesome talk proceed from your mouth… good for edification.”

   • Contrasts decayed speech with timely words that uplift and heal.

5. Ephesians 4:31–32 – “Forgiving each other… just as in Christ God forgave you.”

   • Calls us to live forgiven lives by forgiving others, reflecting the cross.

Key Takeaways

• Unresolved anger poisons relationships and opens the door to deeper sin and spiritual attack.

• Generosity, not self-centered labor, is the hallmark of a Christian work ethic.

• Words have power—they either groom community or corrode it.

• Forgiveness is non-negotiable for Christians; if we’ve been forgiven so much, we must forgive in return.

• Transformation matters—a faith that doesn’t change us remains merely theoretical.

Scriptural References

• Ephesians 4:25–32

• 1 Timothy 6:17–19

• Proverbs 15:23

• James 2:17

Recorded on 2/15/81

How can we find lasting meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life amidst its fleeting nature and inevitable struggles?

This message explores the fundamental human struggle with meaning, purpose, and direction in life. Drawing from the wisdom of Moses in the Psalms, it reveals the emptiness and futility of life lived apart from God, marked by fleeting achievements, adversity, and ultimate regret. It calls listeners to recognize the limitations of worldly pursuits and encourages them to seek a life anchored in God — a life characterized by a lasting perspective, a lasting relationship, and lasting labor. The message emphasizes that only through God can we find a truly fulfilling life that endures beyond this temporal existence.

Outline:

1. The Reality of Life’s Decline and Futility

   • Life’s days “decline” like a sigh, full of sorrow and labor (Psalm 90:9-10).

   • Without God, life ends with regret, lost glory, and forgotten achievements.

   • The irony that people fail to connect life’s emptiness with being apart from God.

2. Moses’ Prayer for a Lasting Perspective (Psalm 90:12)

   • Asking God to teach us to number our days wisely.

   • The importance of seeing life through God’s truth rather than worldly illusions.

   • Perspective governs our priorities and how we live.

3. Moses’ Prayer for a Lasting Relationship (Psalm 90:13-15)

   • All human relationships are temporary; only God offers a limitless relationship.

   • God’s promise to return to those who return to Him (Malachi 3:7).

   • The daily satisfaction that comes from experiencing God’s lovingkindness like manna.

4. Moses’ Prayer for a Lasting Labor (Psalm 90:16-17)

   • The desire for work that has eternal significance, not just temporal success.

   • The problem of busy lives focused on fleeting, self-centered tasks.

   • The call to invest in God’s kingdom and people, producing fruit that lasts beyond our lifetime.

5. Conclusion and Invitation

   • Encouragement to reflect on one’s life epitaph—will it say “this was not it” or “everlasting life”?

   • Call to stop “playing church” and to live a real, committed Christian life.

   • Invitation for those feeling lost to seek God’s lasting fulfillment.

   • Closing prayer for transformation through God’s presence.

• Life apart from God is ultimately futile and marked by regret.

• We need God to teach us a lasting perspective to live wisely and purposefully.

• A true, lasting relationship with God is the only permanent human relationship.

• Our work and labor should aim for eternal significance, building God’s kingdom.

• Daily satisfaction and fulfillment come from recognizing and embracing God’s lovingkindness.

• It is never too late to turn to God and find a life that truly lasts.

• Reflecting on the legacy we leave behind should motivate us to pursue what matters eternally.

• Psalm 90:1-17 — The entire passage of Moses’ prayer, focusing on life’s brevity, human frailty, and God’s eternal nature.

• Malachi 3:7 — God’s promise to return when His people return to Him.

• John 8:32 — “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

• Ecclesiastes 12:1 — “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.”

• Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand.”

• Jeremiah 9:23-24 — “Let him who boasts, boast in this: that he understands and knows Me.”

Recorded 12/28/80

How can Christians face doubt, maintain assurance in their faith, and grow spiritually through intentional community and perseverance?

This message addresses the natural experience of doubt among Christians and emphasizes that doubt itself is not wrong. What matters is how one deals with doubt—whether one faces it, seeks answers, and allows it to strengthen faith or lets it weaken assurance. Drawing on the example of Francis Schaeffer, the speaker shows that even radical doubters can emerge with a radical faith when they confront their questions head-on.

The message exhorts believers to “draw near to God” and “hold fast” to the hope and promises of the Christian faith, especially amid the pressures and challenges of everyday life. It warns against a lukewarm, half-assured faith that holds back full commitment.

The speaker highlights the vital role of Christian community in this process. True spiritual growth happens not just in isolated worship but in regular gatherings where believers encourage, stimulate, challenge, and hold one another accountable. The Christian assembly is characterized by consideration, stimulation (even irritation), and encouragement, all aimed at producing love and good deeds.

Without this intimate fellowship, spiritual life becomes impaired, and the subtlety of sin can harden the heart. Finally, the message calls listeners to examine their lives, seek assurance through Christ, and commit to both a personal and communal expression of their faith.

1. Acknowledging Doubt in the Christian Life

   • Doubts are normal and common

   • Importance of addressing doubts rather than ignoring them

   • Example of Francis Schaeffer’s journey through doubt to assurance

2. Assurance of Faith and Holding Fast

   • The necessity of full assurance to live confidently in faith

   • The promises of God and the pressures of the world

   • The call to “draw near” and “hold fast” to God and His promises

3. Christian Community: Meeting to Minister

   • The purpose of Christian assemblies: consideration, stimulation, encouragement

   • The dangers of isolated faith and superficial meetings

   • The role of accountability, intimacy, and mutual challenge

   • The balance between loving encouragement and necessary correction

4. Application and Challenge

   • Are you meeting regularly in meaningful fellowship?

   • Are you allowing others to stimulate and encourage you?

   • Reflect on your assurance and relationship with God

   • Invitation to accept Christ and enter confidently into God’s presence

• Doubt is natural, but must be confronted to avoid spiritual stagnation or erosion of faith.

• Full assurance in God’s promises is crucial to living a confident and committed Christian life.

• Christianity is either true and effective or it is not; believers must test their faith honestly.

• Holding fast means tenaciously clinging to God’s promises despite worldly pressures.

• Regular, intimate Christian fellowship is essential for spiritual health, accountability, and growth.

• Christian meetings are not just routine gatherings, but opportunities to stimulate and encourage each other toward love and good deeds.

• Spiritual growth requires both encouragement and challenge within community, not just passive attendance.

• If you haven’t accepted Christ or feel unsure, the way to assurance is through faith in Jesus’ work on the cross.

• Hebrews 10:22-25 (drawing near to God, holding fast the confession of hope, meeting together to encourage)

• Psalm (implied reference to worship in nature)

• Various references to the promises of God (forgiveness, power, new purpose)

• Hebrews 3:13 (encouragement to encourage one another daily, lest any be hardened by sin)

Recorded 12/07/80