Balanced Living as God Teaches.
HANDOUT FOR SERMON: LEARNING BALANCED LIVING AS GOD’S PEOPLE.
March 12th, 2023, Manchester, TN. 9:30 a.m. service
Introduction: Life can be difficult for all of us, adults as well as children. Do you find yourself
really stressed over things in life. Do you feel out of balance? In today’s lesson we will consider
some basic Biblical principles that are needful in order to live a balanced life.
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:16-18, Philippians 4:5, 2 Timothy 2:9
Define the word balance: a state of equilibrium, characterized by cancellation of all forces by
equal opposing forces, the power to decide, stability, the ability to retain one’s balance.
Define the word moderation: avoiding extremes or behavior or expression, to lesson the
intensity or extremeness, calm, temperate, not severe, or intense, limited in scope or effect.
Examples of people out of balance: Luke 10:35-42 Martha & Mary, Luke 10:28-37 The men in
the story of the good Samaritan, Luke 12:15-19 The rich farmer, Proverbs 29:15 Child left to
raise himself. Being out of balance is a very common issue for all of humanity.
Lesson: DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF OUT OF BALANCE?
Finding balance in life with God’s help.
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, Romans 12:15, Ecclesiastes 8:5, Colossians 4:5-6, Ephesians 5:15-
16, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
GOD’S DESIRE FOR HIS CHILDREN, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 God’s desire for His children is that
we live tranquil, peaceful and rewarding lives in this world. The main points about life for God’s
people: Brotherly love and love for others, tend to our own business, work with our own hands
and interact properly with those who are NOT God’s people. In order to do so, we MUST have a
proper value system for our lives.
THE PROPER VALUE SYSTEM:
1.GOD IS TO BE THE CENTER OF OUR LIFE.
Scripture: Acts 17:24-29 Build a proper relationship with deity, God the Father, Jesus the Son of
God and the Holy Spirit of God. It is all about growing closer to God. Because of my closer and
intimate relationship with God I: do certain things, avoid certain things and behave a certain
way. Good habits are important but they alone do not build a closer relationship with God. If
God is in and on your heart then He will be on your lips and in your life and we will establish
healthy habits! God becomes the foundation for your BALANCE and stability.
Ephesians 1:13-19 Notice all the interaction God has in our lives: sealed with the Holy Spirit of
promise (13) , redeemed & a purchased possession to His glory(14) , faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ (15), God gives us a spirit of wisdom and knowledge of Him (17), eyes of understanding
enlightens (18), recipients of His power which works in us (19-20). This is all about relationship
building with God.
2. MY FAMILY. (Parents, spouse, children, grandchildren, son & daughter in law
Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-30 Ephesian 6:1-4, Psalm 127:1-5 & 128:3. We all should ask
ourselves: “How are we treating our families?” This is a choice we all do make.
God tells us the value and importance of children by described as a heritage, arrows, olive
plants. Remember we do not have our children that long so we must invest in them while we
can. Find balance even with your physical family.
3. THE BRETHREN. We are to consider the Manchester Church and brethren beyond. Brethren
everywhere! We must ask ourselves: “Am I a profitable fellow-believer?” Are you of value and
profit to other brethren? Remember that we are the “hands and feet” of Jesus. We do this
together as the body is one but we are many members. All of us must be doing our part. So
what are you actually doing for other brethren?
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, Philippians 2:1-5. As believers, we have one purpose and we
all must work to maintain the “attitude” or “mind” of Jesus Christ.
4. THE LOST/EVERYONE ELSE. For the followers of Jesus we must understand that no matter
who “crosses” our path in life, that person is someone I can influence in a good way. In doing
so, you have the heart of Jesus, the compassion of Christ. Let us stop being so selfish and selfcentered that we are blind to the opportunities that God is putting in our walk through life. You
can show them the love of Jesus. You become light to shine in order to draw others to Christ
and NOT to us! It is all about Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Luke 10:25-37
What we are striving to do is have compassion for someone we do not even know, that is what
the good Samaritan did. Can we do the same? How can we do this, feel this way? Jesus’
message to us is “go do the same.” Goodwill, kindness, charity, investment and love shown
towards those God puts in our lives, that is our mission in life. Why am I still here on this earth?
It is to help love and bring others to Jesus Christ. Our purpose from God is to love and serve
others.
APPLICATION: Back to our 4 circles! Do you notice what is NOT IN THESE CIRCLES?
THINGS. The circles only have other people in it. There are not things, there is no money,
favorite vacations, large properties, etc. As a believer “my things” are always subject to God and
the service of God and others who are in the other 3 circles.
MYSELF. We live in such a selfish society today. We often justify our own “selfishness.” Today’s
world is raising children to be self-centered, pampered and all about themselves. This should
never be the case among God’s people.
We all need healthy relationships: Our relationship with God comes first, then my family, then
my Church family, and then the lost in the world. This is what will make you feel good about
yourself. Let us work on these relationships and find BALANCE in our lives and the Lord will bless
you for it