First General Baptist: Recent Episodes
First General Baptist Trumann
Message: One Week Till Easter
Text: Luke 22:39-46
Salvation is free and very expensive
Palm Sunday
Jesus drives the money changers from the temple
The Greatest Commandment
Passover leads to Last Supper
Jesus prays for His disciples (you)
Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus is arrested and tried
Jesus is crucified as payment for our sin
Joseph & Nicodemus lay His body in a tomb
Easter is coming!
Prayer struggle believing that the intensity of our desires is the same as God’s will.
John 6:63
Prayer struggle for souls.
Acts 26:18
Message: Two Weeks Till Easter
Text: Mark 14:3-11
Extravagant Worship
Mark 10:32-34
Rich young ruler
Zacchaeus
Bartimaeus
Mary of Bethany
Watching
Wasting
Waiting
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:46-50
Loving Jesus
Romans 5:8
1 John 4:19
Philippians 2:13
Romans 5:5
Luke 11:13
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:43-45
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Replacing the bad with the good. The bad always wants to come back.
Ephesians 5:18
John 16:13-14
Matthew 16:24
Filled is Following
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:38-42
There was Jesus
Jesus in the people around you.
Matthew 25.
Jesus in you.
2 Corinthians 12.
God’s testing is His training.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:38-42
There was Jesus
Jesus in the people around you.
Matthew 25.
Jesus in you.
2 Corinthians 12.
God’s testing is His training.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:33-37
Hide & Seek
1 Samuel 13:14
God is after someone whose heart will be after His.
Philippians 3:12
1 Samuel 16:6-7
1 Samuel 17:28
Killing a giant with a slingshot seems impossible to those who have never done it.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:31-32
Forgiven
John 16:7-11
The unpardonable sin is the sin you see no need of pardon for.
This is not what God cannot do, this is what you will not do. It is not a sin He cannot forgive, it is a sin you will not confess.
Careless Conscience:
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
1 John 1:9
1 Peter 1:18-19
Hebrews 10:29
Condemning Conscience:
Hebrews 6:1
1 John 1:9
Your spirit will train your body.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:31-32
Forgive Me
John 16:7-11
The unpardonable sin is the sin you see no need of pardon for.
This is not what God cannot do, this is what you will not do. It is not a sin He cannot forgive, it is a sin you will not confess.
Careless Conscience:
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
1 John 1:9
1 Peter 1:18-19
Hebrews 10:29
Condemning Conscience:
Hebrews 6:1
Your spirit will train your body.
1 John 1:9
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:22-30, 33
With Me
Neutral, halfway, nominal, all in or all out.
Bruce Willis, "People go to the movies to watch people giving it everything they've got."
Whether fruit on a tree is good or bad is obvious to everyone who sees it.
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:15-21
All Nations
All nations, peculiar, aliens, outcasts, estranged, prejudiced against, wrong side of the wall, Gentiles…
John 14:2
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 12:1-14
You are His
Grain, Sabbath (day of the week) bread, synagogue (church house) sheep…
Rules, traditions, ways of life, nations, empires, cultures…
You are more important to Jesus than any-thing.
Real love is not love because it is deserved, it is just love.
“Love complicates the life of God the way it complicates every life.”
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus in you
Jesus said for you to come to Him, not the other way around.
You put on Jesus’ yoke, He doesn’t put on your yoke.
Getting over yourself
Timing, pace, weight
Complete faith in the total sovereignty of Jesus
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 11:28-30
Come:
Why didn’t Jesus say He would come to you?
Why does He say that you have to come to Him?
To Me:
Not to anyone else, or anything else.
Message: Messiah is Coming—
You will meet Jesus
Text: 1 Corinthians 13:12
Philippians 2:9-11
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Revelation 20:11-15
Eagerly, not dreadfully or fearfully
Open hands, not clenched fists
“The thing about life is that it ends.”
Message: Messiah is Coming—
Joseph & Mary meet Jesus
Text: Luke 2:1-11
Savior, Christ, Lord
Isaiah 59:2
Romans 5:1, 8-10
Message: Messiah is Coming—
A Samaritan woman meets Jesus at Jacob’s well
Text: John 4:4-26
Her husbands—people
Her water—things
John 6:63
A life of if only…
When did simply worshiping Jesus become not enough for you?
Ray Ortlund, "If I have You (Jesus) I have everything worth having, whatever else I may lack. If I do not have You, I have nothing worth having, whatever else I may possess."
C.S. Lewis, "God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."
Message: Messiah is Coming--
Paul meets Jesus on the Damascus Road
Text: Acts 9:1-18
The Compelling: “I Am Jesus…”
Philippians 3:7-14
The Gain: “I Am Jesus…”
Message: Finding God's direction for your life
Isaiah 55:8-9
Colossians 1:15-17
1. God is always providing direction, it's up to us to look for, listen
to, and follow it.
Proverbs 3:5-6
**2. There will be distractions, roadblocks and detours.
James 1:2-4**
**3. He is always leading us toward the same place
1 Thessalonians 5: 12-18**
“As God is exalted to his rightful place in our lives, a thousand problems are solved all at once.” AW Tozer
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 11:20-27
Patient Leadership
Judgment according to opportunity
A.W. Tozer, "Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will be judged not by how much I have done but by how much I could have done."
C.S. Lewis, "For in it (judgment, Mt 25) the goats are condemned entirely for their sins of omission; as if to make us fairly sure that the heaviest charge against each of us turns not upon things he has done but on those he never did…"
James 4:17
2 Timothy 2:24-26
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 10:21-31
Don’t fear…trust
“Fear Him, you saints, and you will then have nothing else to fear.”
“Whatever I…tell…you…”
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 10:9-20
The Work:
Don’t worry
Vs 9-10
Don’t worry about money
Vs 11-16
Don’t worry, there will be people to help you, and people who will not heed you.
R.T. France, “They were to look for someone able and willing to accommodate them, and this would normally be someone open to their message, though not necessarily already committed to their cause.”
Vs 17-20
Don’t worry about push back. Keep pushing outward.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 10:9-20
The Work:
Don’t worry
Vs 9-10
Don’t worry about money
Vs 11-16
Don’t worry, there will be people to help you, and people who will not heed you.
R.T. France, “They were to look for someone able and willing to accommodate them, and this would normally be someone open to their message, though not necessarily already committed to their cause.”
Vs 17-20
Don’t worry about push back. Keep pushing outward.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 10:1-8
The Work:
Giving
One positive: You can only give what you have been given.
First negative: You should only give what you have been given.
“I don’t always know when the Holy Spirit is, but I sure know when He aint.”
Second negative: Jesus turns water into wine, Sauls into Pauls, your negatives into positives.
Slavery into salvation
Joshua 24:4
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 9:35-10:1
Love in Action
Sometimes you are the answer to your own prayer.
Look out!
Compassion is more than pity, it is love in action.
Luke 10:33
Jesus saw everyone as sheep…having no shepherd.
We are currently meeting: Sunday school 10:00am; Sanctuary worship 11:00am; The Chosen-life of Jesus series 5:00pm Sunday nights; Ladies Discerning the Voice of God 9:00am Mondays; Small group Bible for all ages Wednesdays 6:30…Invite who is not here!
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 9:32-34
Give & Take
1 Peter 5:8-9
John 10:9-10
1 Peter 5:6-7
James 4:6-7
Psalm 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 9:27-31
Action Faith
Asking Faith
Message: Deliverance
Text: Exodus 12:21-27, 13:3-10
I am through complaining about the present because I remember my deliverance in the past.
I am through worrying about the future because I remember my deliverance in the past.
I will not go backward, but keep going forward in faith.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 9:18-26
Eternal Life
Where is heaven?
Luke 7:14
John 11:43-44
Compassion for who?
Luke 7:13
All are alive to Jesus.
John 11:11-14, 25-26
Luke 20:38 (NIV)
You have an eternity with Jesus waiting for you.
You have a short time left here.
1 John 5:12-13
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 9:18-22
Approaching Jesus
The touch-two ways.
Standing, bowing, kneeling, crawling.
He asks for his daughter. She asks for herself.
He can talk about it. She can’t.
Immediate need. Long term need.
I ask for my daughter’s life back. I ask for my life back.
Incredible faith. More desperation than faith.
“Faith stretched thin is thick enough.”
Pride is an enemy of faith. Need is a great destroyer of pride.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 9:14-17
The Old and The New
G Campbell Morgan, “This is Christ’s defense of the right of His people to be joyful; and that right to be joyful is the fact that He is with them. If that be true, then we have the right to be joyful always.”
As you go forward with Jesus there will always be someone or something pulling you backward and downward.
Psalm 40:1-3
Romans 10:9
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 9:9-13
Why Them?
The self-righteous, “Why are you eating with sinners?”
- Self-righteous people don’t eat with sinners, we’re too good for them.
- The sinners may rub off on you.
- We’re uncomfortable with those who aren’t our kind.
Jesus, “Why aren’t you eating with sinners?”
- I left the glory of heaven to ransom all people, not some people.
- You may rub off on the sinners.
- The cross was a very uncomfortable place.
So, why aren’t you eating with sinners?
Vs 9
“…he arose…”
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 9:1-8
First Thing First
What are the priorities in this story?
For the people it is the physical.
For Jesus it is the spiritual.
Isaiah 59:2
Does it seem that God is not responding, and even ignoring, what you believe is your need right now?
Nothing is more important to God than you, and solving the sin issue that separates you from Him.
1 John 1:9
Matthew 9:8
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 8:28-34
“Go.”
Observations:
Demons know Jesus when they see him, before He says a word. Up to this point in Matthew, only devils call Jesus, “Son of God.”
You may have doubts about Jesus? Demons never do.
Demons know something about how much time they have left. Revelation 12:12.
Demons like to inhabit and/or work thru someone. Ephesians 6:12
Paul Levertoff, “All down the ages the world has been refusing Jesus because it prefers its pigs.”
Everyone else avoids these demon possessed men, Jesus sails toward them.
If there’s not some satanic oppression, some spiritual challenge or temptation-you’re not doing something right.
Without a spiritual fight of some kind, your life will be spiritually irrelevant-you will make no eternal difference.
Do demons know you? Acts 19:15
“Go.” Matthew 8:32, 28:19
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 8:23-27
The new impossible
Leper, centurion’s servant, Peter’s mother in law, many others-healed. Demons cast out.
The disciples cry out to Jesus for help then are shocked when He does.
Have you reserved an area that you still see as impossible for God?
It matters to Jesus that you believe He can. Why?
Vs 25
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 8:18-22
Three Followers
The Crowd:
Jesus left the crowd. He is not interested in entertaining or impressing a crowd or being impressed by a crowd.
Serious people step out of the crowd when they see Jesus is serious.
The Scribe:
This is a very accomplished person who is not used to the uncomfortable, the inconvenient and the unknown.
The Disciple:
Legitimate problems to overcome. Actual issues to deal with and real choices to make.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 8:14-17
Evil exalts itself
Accelerated demon activity.
Revelation 12:12
Anything that is exalted above God is satanic.
Genesis 3:4-5
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
1 John 3:8
Message: Father’s Day
Text: Genesis 18:16-19
(Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-17)
Generous
It is what you give to someone else, then what they give to someone else, then what they give to someone else…
What keeps us from being generous?
- We think what we have is ours.
- We think if we give it away we will have less.
Generous with: possessions; yourself; grace…
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 8:1-13
Will You?
Similarities: Both believed Jesus can, recognizing His authority; Both asked; Both were desperate, unable to help themselves or others; Both were outcasts from Jewish society.
Differences: The leper was asking for himself, the centurion for someone else; Jesus touched the leper, but spoke for the centurion/servant.
Desperation changes your prayer life.
When Jesus says no.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
Message: Communion
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-19, 27-28, 33
Romans 15:1
Matthew 5:14-16
Let your light shine!
I don’t care to believe it.
It’s hard to believe it.
David Hume, the Scottish philosopher and skeptic, was once challenged as he was seen going to hear George Whitefield preach:
“I thought you do not believe in the gospel?”
Hume replied, “I don’t, but he does!”
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 7:24-29
Two Houses
Similarities: All houses face storms; Everyone is building; Building any house is lot of work; Both hear what Jesus said.
One builds on what Jesus said and who He is, one does not.
Why are you: Doing it; Saying it; Singing it; Thinking it; Wanting it; Praying it; Needing it?...
Who or What are you: Depending on; Trusting in; Trying to impress; Nervous about; Real honest with; Intimidated by?...
Admit
Repent
Create change
Message: Temptation
Text: Genesis 1-2
Genesis:
2:8
2:15-17
A steward: to maintain and improve.
3:1-5
Tempted by what God has not given you.
3:1, 6
Alone time.
Message: Come and Go
Text: Matthew 28:5-20
Come:
Matthew 11:28
John 6:44
Philippians 2:13
Go:
Matthew 28:5-20
Acts 1:8
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 7:21-23
Two Declarations
The issue is never the good things we have done, but the bad things we have done.
Genesis 3:4-6
Satanic deception is making the bad look good.
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:9
Two men went to the temple to pray…
Luke 18:10-14
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 7:15-20
Two Trees
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Life and Message
Patience. Fruit only comes one season per year, wait for it.
The inward can be hidden until people begin to do something, to produce something, then it can be seen.
Beware of pretending. Imitating a Spirit filled, fruitful life.
To produce good fruit a tree must give of itself. Selfishness and self-centeredness are key to being unfruitful.
Oswald Chambers, “Pious pretense is a desperately sincere effort to be right when we know we are not.”
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 7:13-14
Two Gates
2 gates
2 paths
2 destinations
2 crowds
John 10:9
1 Timothy 2:5
It is not hard to find Jesus, it is hard to lose ourselves.
Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress, “I remember what my mother told me: that going to hell is like walking down a gentle slope and that going to heaven is like climbing a ladder. I think I will keep climbing.”
Message: He is going before you
Text: Matthew 28:5-10
Luke 2:11-12 The angels and the shepherds
John 4:4 The woman at the well
Matthew 28:5-10 The women at the tomb
John 21:4, 9 The apostle Peter
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 7:12
Do
Others have taught what may seem close to what Jesus taught, can you see the difference?
Socrates, “What stirs your anger when done to you by others, that do not to others.”
Confucius, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Matthew 28:19
You go first!
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 7:7-11
Humility
Ask:
You do not have what you need and/or you do not know the answer.
Seek:
You do not see the way, you do not know how.
Knock:
You cannot open the door, Someone must open it for you.
Psalm 139:7-12
Acts 17:27
Message: Do This
Text: Acts 9:3-6, 1 Corinthians 11:24-26
Have you received Jesus as your savior?
Adrian Rogers, "If Christ didn't die on a cross, wasn't buried in a tomb, and doesn't live today, nothing matters. If Christ did die a horrible death on a cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and did rise again on the third day, nothing else matters."
Do you know what Jesus wants you to do?
Search the Word.
Search in prayer.
What are you drawn to?
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 7:1-6
Clear Eyes
To judge is to realize the difference.
To be judgmental is to believe you are superior because of the difference.
Oswald Chamber, “Whenever you are in a critical temper, it is impossible to enter into communion with God. Criticism makes you hard and vindictive and cruel, and leaves you with the flattering idea that you are a superior person…a critical spectator…I never met a person I could despair of after realizing all that lies in me apart from the grace of God.”
To be able to judge works both ways. Which is more obvious, the speck or the plank?
Let us all have clear eyes.
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 6:33-34
Seek the King
Remember who you were
Remember what God has done
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 6:25-32
Believe God
Do you see the difference in believing in God and believing God?
James 2:19
Psalm 14:1
Hebrews 11:6
God can love more or less, do you believe He loves you more?
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 6:19-24
Choose
Wealth or the lack of it, is neither good nor bad. It is what you make of it.
How do you know?
*When you have time to think, what do you think about most?
*Have I learned to be content, do I know when I have enough?
*Do I own things or do they own me?
*Am I selfish, afraid to give things away for fear I won’t have enough?
*Do I know why I keep trying to acquire more?
What controls you?
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 6:16-18
Fasting, and other strange things.
Acts 13:1-4
Inward
Outward
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 6:1-9
Giving & Praying
Giving:
You are only a steward.
We are tempted to not give because we are afraid we will have less.
Prayer:
Tell your Father what you need.
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:38-48
The Impossible
*Murder
*Adultery
*Divorce
*Oaths
*Retaliation
*Love
1) Live as you were created to be…like Jesus.
2) Love…makes us do the craziest things.
Message: The 100th Sheep
Text: Luke 15:1-7
Reach them or complain about them, but you can’t do both.
Bernard of Clairveaux:
1) Loving ourselves for our own sake.
2) Loving God for our own sake.
3) Loving God for God's sake.
4) Loving ourselves for God's sake.
For Jesus’ sake
Who is the next person for you to reach?
The next one.
Message: God so loved
Text: John 3:16
There are degrees of love…for everyone.
Caution, handle with care.
God loves you more than you love Him.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:21-48
The Impossible
*Murder
*Adultery
*Divorce
*Oaths
*Retaliation
*Love
N.T. Wright, “Extra words, especially strong ones, call into question the speaker’s basic truthfulness. If you need to add them, maybe we can’t trust you at all.”
George Sala, "It is difficult not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."
Pause before you speak, so you can mean what you say.
Before you speak, ask yourself is it:
Truthful?
Helpful?
Inspiring?
Necessary?
Kind?
James 4:13-16
Curves
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:21-48
The Impossible
*Murder
*Adultery
*Divorce
*Oaths
*Retaliation
*Love
Vs 27-30
Adultery-the root of adultery is lust. The root of lust is getting.
Vs 31-32
Divorce
Message: Communion
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34
Vs 33-34
Wait for each other.
Vs 27-32
Examine yourself.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:21-48
The Impossible
Exodus 14:16, Luke 1:31, Acts 27:24
*Murder
*Adultery
*Divorce
*Oaths
*Retaliation
*Love
Murder (Anger)
Vs 21-22
Adultery (Lust)
Vs 27-30
Divorce
Vs 31-32
Message: The Spirit gives life
Text: John 6:63
The Truth:
Genesis 1:1-2
Genesis 1:27
Genesis 2:7
John 20:22
Romans 8:5-6
Galatians 5:16-17
Romans 1:25
Pray about the truth:
Psalm 51:10-12
Psalm 23:3
Message: Put Jesus First
Text: Matthew 6:33
Over your worries
Over your needs
Seek Him:
Some do
Some don’t
Some-times
William Law, “If you haven’t chosen the kingdom of God first, it will make no difference in the end what you have chosen instead.”
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:17-20
Are you more righteous than a pharisee?
There is:
Righteousness of the hands.
Righteousness of the heart.
Righteousness of doing.
Righteousness of being.
Luke 18:9-14
Christianity is one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread.
Matthew 14:30-31
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:13-16 (Msg)
Shake the salt and shine the light
You:
This is disciple’s work, there is no one else to do it.
Are:
You are not really ministering until you are ministering of yourself. You are not really giving until you are giving of yourself. You cannot separate yourself from your ministry…you are the ministry.
The:
There is no other salt, there is no other light. There is no other hope but Jesus.
John 14:6
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:10-12
Persecuted
Make a difference
If you are always the same as everyone around you, how can you make a difference?
Righteousness/holiness makes the unrighteous uncomfortable.
Your light exposes the darkness. In seeing you they see themselves.
For the serious disciple, Jesus is always preparing you for something, as you go from test to test.
Opposition produces: purifying, direction, focus, maturing (the opposite of petty)
With every little bit of difference you are making, comes the opportunity to make more difference.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:9
Peacemaker
“Satan kindles the flames of contention then stands there and warms himself by the fire.”
Peace for you:
2 Corinthians 5:18
The affect the Holy Spirit in you has on others around you.
Peace for me:
1 Timothy 2:5
Romans 5:1
Colossians 1:20
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:8
Pure in heart
A pure heart is more about the attitude than the action. Motive.
A good translation for pure is whole. A whole heart or an undivided heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
Psalm 51:10
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:7
Mercy
Mercy is helping someone who may or may not deserve it. Or, withholding judgment from someone who may or may not deserve it.
This Christian life is about the journey, not just the destination.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:6
Hunger and Thirst
Living out the righteousness we have received from Jesus.
Grace-the power to save from sin
Ephesians 2:8
Grace-The power to defeat sin
Romans 6:14
Titus 2:11-12
Everything begins with a thought
2 Corinthians 10:5
Romans 8:5
This righteousness will be painful for you (hunger & thirst) and for some others around you.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:5
Meek
Meekness is choosing humility.
It is not acting as you could, but as you should.
Matthew 26:53
There is a greater good that you can’t see.
Psalm 116:15
Message: The Lord’s Supper
Text: Luke 22:14-20
Do This
Christmas is the birth of Jesus
Easter is the resurrection of Jesus
The Lord’s Supper is the death (sacrifice) of Jesus
1 Peter 1:18-19
Message: The Philippian Jailer
Text: Acts 16:25-34
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:9-10
Do you believe in Jesus?
John 1:12
The Philippian jailer’s belief made a difference in other people’s lives.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:4 (The Message)
Loss
Mourning is grieving the loss of something or someone who has been taken from you somehow.
All mourning is painful, or it’s not really mourning. That is why Jesus offers comfort.
Job 1:21
You can refuse Jesus but you cannot lose Jesus.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 5:3
Spent
Spirit-
Poor-
John 15:5
You are not needed, you are wanted.
Matthew 11:28-29
The poorness of your spirit and the greatness of His Spirit.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 4:23-5:1
Uphill
Teaching-instructing the mind, order, how to.
Romans 7:18
Preaching the gospel-reaching the heart and soul. An announcement, a proclamation, not a discussion.
Preaching calls for a response, a decision.
Healing the body and soul-peace, contentment, joy, hope.
Hopefully you will not experience demon possession but every serious Christian will likely contend with demon oppression.
Uphill-Everything that is good is uphill.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 4:23-25
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.”
Teaching-instructing the mind, order, how to.
Romans 7:18
Preaching the gospel-reaching the heart and soul. An announcement, a proclamation, not a discussion.
Preaching calls for a response, a decision.
Healing the body and soul-peace, contentment, joy, hope.
Hopefully you will not experience demon possession but every serious Christian will likely contend with demon oppression.
Martin Luther, “When I go to my study and shut the door and open my Bible, the devil meets me there.”
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 4:18-22
Applications:
1) This is a new level of discipleship
2) Those who weren’t called…yet, or to this ministry
Acts 1:21-22, John 21:22
3) From something to something
4) So, they had to choose. Salvation is free, discipleship/ministry costs us something.
5) People over projects.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 4:18-22
Applications:
1) This is a new level of discipleship
2) Those who weren’t called…yet, or to this ministry
Acts 1:21-22, John 21:22
3) From something to something
4) So, they had to choose. Salvation is free, discipleship/ministry costs us something.
5) People over projects.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 4:12-17
Repentance is a change of mind which leads to a change of direction.
Romans 2:4
“A mind changed against its will is of the same opinion still.”
Repentance must be chosen, it must be wanted.
Message: It’s time to move on
Text: Exodus 14:5-14
What/who is chasing you?
What/who is leading you?
Letting go
William Inge, “Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it becomes due.”
Message: Father’s Day-A good shepherd
Text: John 10:1-5, 10-15
The sheep know the shepherd’s voice because they know him.
The sheep know the shepherd loves them enough to die for them.
Why does the shepherd love the sheep so much?
Amos 3:12
Psalm 23:1
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew Text: Matthew 4:1, 5-7
Jesus
Others
You
What am I doing?
Why do I really want to do it?
Who am I doing it for?
All 3 temptations will culminate again at the cross of Jesus Christ.
Used by God.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew Text: Matthew 4:8-11
Communion-Our sins are paid for
John 10:10
Sin Creates Debt
Romans 7:14
Romans 6:23
Because of the justice of God, we are not just forgiven, our sins have been paid for.
1 Peter 1:18-19
1 Corinthians 6:20
John 8:44
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew Text: Matthew 4:2-4
Is this what God made you for?
What has God said to you?
There is nothing wrong with fruit or bread…if that is what God has said.
Luke 19:10
1 John 3:8
Temptation again--Matthew 27:39-43
Is this what God made you for? (Prodigal son)
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew Text: Matthew 4:1
Trust and Obey
Success is sometimes our greatest challenge.
Job 1:8
Where God sees tests, the devil sees temptation.
James 1:2-4, 13
The devil’s hatred of Jesus and you is so strong he cannot control himself.
Revelation 12:12, 17
Luke 22:3-6
The devil did not take Jesus as far as He could go, Jesus took the devil as far as he could go. Jesus did not give up, the devil did.
Message: When I Remember You
Text: 2 Timothy 1:1-7
Paul to Timothy:
I remember you in my prayers-constantly.
I remember your tears (sadness, weakness, burden, humanness)
I remember your genuine faith.
You, remember your gift.
Genuine faith (Amplified), “The leaning of your entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness.”
Message: The Servant
Text: 2 Kings 6:13-17
2 Corinthians 4:18
Philippians 2:5-8
Ephesians 6:12
My friend is not my enemy.
Where has Elisha seen horses and chariots like this before?
How did Elisha learn to divide a river?
Message: Making a difference
Text: 2 Kings 6:12-17
2 Corinthians 4:18
The Enemy
John 10:10
Ephesians 6:12
We can’t win:
We can’t lose:
The Servant
Acts 19:15
Message: “Master, what shall we do?”
Text: 2 Kings 6:8-23
2 Corinthians 4:18
“Master, what shall we do?” Direction or Desperation?
Acts 9:6
We are always walking in on what God is already doing. The work of God did not start with you and it will not end with you.
You don’t get to see angels out of curiosity, you see them out of need.
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 3:13-17
Humility
Our humility before God is seeing who He is, seeing who we really are and never forgetting our need.
Philippians 2:5-8
God’s humility toward us is identifying with us and our sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Galatians 3:13
Real ministry is identifying with those you are trying to reach.
We are loved by virtue of whose we are, not what we have done.
Romans 2:4
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 3:11
Immersed in the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:4-8
Water baptism is an event. Spirit baptism is a life long process.
Water baptism done slowly leads to death. Spirit baptism done slowly leads to death.
Being baptized in The Spirit is not about you getting more of the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit getting more of you.
John 15:5
Romans 8:5
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 3:1-10
What difference does it make?
Who has God called you to be? Who has God called you to reach?
Not everyone will respond.
You can’t lead them if you need them.
They need you to be you…not them.
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 3:1-12
God’s Ministers
You will minster from your brokenness, not your strength. From your repentance not your pride.
You will never minister to other people if you just go to watch other people—if you feel superior to them.
Be careful when you think the story no longer concerns you.
Luke 18:10-13
Message: The Gospel according to Matthew
Text: Matthew 2:19-23
God’s Guidance
Psalm 119:105
Acts 2:17
God is not staying just ahead of evil, but rather, evil cannot keep up with God.
“Experiencing God”-Henry Blackaby
~God’s Word
~Prayer—John 10. A voice that at times, sounds like yours. A voice that sounds like The Shepherd.
Beware of just an emotional response.
A strong impression upon the soul that is consistent and persistent.
~Circumstances
~The Church (wise, Godly counsel)
Message: Enough is Enough Text: John 6
What is your need?
What is your desire?
What is enough?
What is your prayer?
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 2:1-8
Who are you?
The wise men: I warn you, Jesus is not after a little of you, but all of you. He doesn’t own something, He owns everything.
Herod: Who is really the King of my life?
Chief priests & scribes: A religion that no longer moves you. You’re content to watch the wise men seek Jesus while you’re not.
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 2:9-11
Supplies
God is always ahead, waiting for you.
Take it, you will need it.
Put it to work, put it to use.
“Generosity is giving more than you can afford. Pride is taking less than you need.”
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 2:1-16
Contrast
Homage & Hatred
Wise men & Wicked men
Levels of obedience
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 1:22-25
“God with us.”
The widow of Nain
Jairus’ daughter
Lazarus
(John 11:35)
Psalm 23
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 1:21
Saved from our sins
God never guesses or second guesses.
His people…
100 sheep, 10 coins, 2 sons
Their sins…
2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13
Jesus has paid for our sins and saved us because we cannot and who else could?
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 1:18-20
Joseph & Mary-the Holy Spirit in someone else’s life
Virgin birth-Jesus is fully man and fully God
What Joseph has been worrying about for days/weeks/months, God reveals in one night in one dream.
Joseph is not asked to believe Mary, but to believe God.
Mary was told what will happen.
Joseph is told what is happening, the Holy Spirit is already working.
“Do not worry…this is of the Holy Spirit.”
Message: The Gospel According to Matthew
Text: Matthew 1:1-17
(Vs 1-2, 5-6, 16-17 Galatians 4:4)
At the right time
Rahab the sinner
Ruth the outsider
Mary the saint
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:25
Grace for all
Grace is Jesus doing for you what you can’t do.
John 3:16
Hebrews 2:9
2 Peter 3:9
John 1:17
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 1:12
Acts 2:17, 21
Acts 10:14
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:22-24
All of us
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Jeremiah 38:
You are Jeremiah’s friends
You are Jeremiah
Message: Communion
Text: Hebrews 9:1-15
Relationship instead of Religion
Religious acts, traditions: there is nothing wrong with it, but not enough to it.
Relationship:
~No one loves you like Jesus does, unconditionally.
~No one understands you like Jesus does.
~No one accepts you like Jesus does.
~Jesus never gives up on you.
The unbeliever wants this to be true, the believer knows this is true.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:20-21
Equipped to work
Ephesians 2:10
Genesis 2:15
Acts 9:6
Philippians 2:13
Timing
Galatians 4:4
Country preacher, “I don’t always know when the Holy Spirit is, but I sure know when He aint.”
Spiritually aware
Acts 17:22-23
Message: Perspective + Priority = Purpose
Text: Mark 2:1-12
What is perspective?
What is your priority?
We can have ______ and enjoy life!
Focusing on forgiveness
Henry Ford, “Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.”
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:18-19
Pray for us…
Philippians 1:19
Romans 15:30
Colossians 4:3
James 5:16
1 Thessalonians 5:25
“Generosity is giving more than you have. Pride is taking less than you need.”
I need God’s help.
I need your help to get God’s help.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:17
Accountable
Project or People?
People are not a means to an end. They are the end.
Accountable. Under authority
Luke 7:8
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:15-16
Sacrifice
Sacrificial Speaking
Sacrificial giving
Job 13:15
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:10-14
Let us go forth to Him
Colossians 1:16
Psalm 139:13-18
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:8-9
One verse messages
Vs 8
Change indicates something can be better or worse. Can be more or less.
Genesis 1:1
Romans 8:29
Romans 12:2
Vs 9
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:5-7
One verse messages
Vs 5-6
Covetousness – More
Contentment – Enough
C.H. Spurgeon, “It is not possible to satisfy the greedy.”
____________ is not my source.
Jesus is my source.
Vs 7
Spiritual Leadership: Remember
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 13:1-4
One verse messages
Vs 1
“Let the family continue to care for one another.”
Vs 2
Vs 3
Vs 4
Ephesians 5:25, 33
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 12:18-29
God is great, God is good
Acts 17:23-31
Lord of heaven and earth:
Stephen Hawking, “We now know that our galaxy is only one of some hundred thousand million that can be seen using modern telescopes, each galaxy itself containing some hundred thousand million stars.”
Lord of each one of us:
As of August 2022, there are 7.97 billion of us.
Desperate to save each of us:
John 3:16
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 12:12-17
Be Careful
When you are tired/discouraged/depressed:
~Be careful how you let it affect and change you.
~Pursue peace & purity. Look out, look up, don’t look in (too much)
Matthew 11:28-29
The problem: this race is tiring you out.
The answer: get back in the race-the right way.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 12:5-11
Disciplined Training
Discipline: To punish. To Instruct, to train
~Philippians 4:11-12
Learned contentment
~Philippians 1:23-24
Heaven and earth
~Philippians 4:4-7
Peace you can’t explain
Growth always comes thru difficult times, not our easy times.
Message: Desperation leads to Jesus
Text: Luke 8:40-55
Your desperation:
“Millions of people are happy without Jesus.”
Desperation of others:
Matthew 25:34-40
How do you get close to Jesus?
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 12:1-2
Weight Loss
The Sin:
“Sin is always a form of insanity.”
1 Corinthians 6:12
The Weight:
Weight of others
Philippians 3:7-14
Weight of things
Weight of yourself
2 Corinthians 12:9
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 12:1-4
No Greater Love
What is Jesus’ joy?
John 15:9-13
Consider Him in comparison
George MacDonald, "Because you don't see what can be done, you say God can do nothing--which is like saying there cannot be more within His scope than there is within yours."
John 15:5 and Philippians 4:13
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 12:1-4
Your Journey…
Aware but focused
Instead of just aware of what is going on around us, we’re focusing on that.
The discipline of not allowing the unGodliness and unfaithfulness of others discourage us.
This race isn’t against each other. We each have our own course.
Instead of just aware of ourselves, we’re focusing on ourselves.
Ephesians 6:12
I’m very aware of what is going on around me and in me, so I stare at Jesus.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:40 (Msg, NLT)
Your Journey…
Someone is anxious to see you!
People are waiting for you:
1 Corinthians 11:33
Henri Nouwen, "A man can keep his sanity and stay alive as long as there is at least one person who is waiting for him. The mind of man can indeed rule his body even when there is little health left. A dying mother can stay alive to see her son before she gives up and struggle, a soldier can prevent his mental and physical disintegration when he knows that his wife and children are waiting for him. But when nothing and nobody is waiting, there is no chance to survive in the struggle for life."
Revelation 21:3-5
Jesus is waiting for you:
Psalm 116:15
Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-10, John 1:12
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:32-40
Your Journey…
Success is Obedience
Our view of success is often achieving desired results.
God’s view of success is obedience. His desired result is always eternal.
Our view and God’s view are often very different.
Luke 2:10-11
The gospel is an announcement, a proclamation…not a debate topic.
Acts 9:15-16
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:30-31
Your Journey…
Crazy Faith
Crazy faith of the Israelites:
“Not one word!”
Crazy faith of Rahab and all her family:
Choosing to leave the unbelieving for the believing.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:23-29
Your Journey…
Two Friends
An amazing this is that God loves you, a real amazing this is that God likes you. God does not need you, but He wants you.
(Exodus 32:7, 11, 33:13)
Exodus 33:11
*Leaving, forsaking, choosing, turning your back…
*Time
God is always the initiator
Philippians 2:13
Philippians 3:10
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:20-22
Your Journey… Links in a Chain
The link before us: There is something wrong with all of us, we are all dysfunctional. But we won’t let that stop us.
Matthew 6:33
It’s the kingdom that’s important, not just my small part of the kingdom.
The link after us:
“Yes you can!” Amazing how much we complain about the people we are called to minister to.
Philippians 4:13
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:17-19
Your Journey…
There was Jesus
See God the Father in Abraham
See Jesus the Son in Isaac
The Great Reversal: now see yourself in Isaac and see Jesus in the ram.
Jesus not only sees what you are going through, He enters it with you. You are never alone.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews (Father’s Day)
Text: Hebrews 11:7
Your Journey…
Noah: more afraid not to
John Maxwell, “Mistakes mark the road to success. He who makes no mistakes makes no progress. Make sure you generate a reasonable number of mistakes.”
1 John 2:20 (KJV)
You don’t really believe until you act. Go out and make some good mistakes.
How did Noah condemn the world?
11:7 The Message
- God saw him
- His family saw him
- The world saw him
Message: Communion-wait for each other
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:33, Revelation 12:12, 17, 2 Timothy 3:13, Matthew 24:12
Passover is a family meal. Jesus’ disciples have become a family, the family of God.
“Lawlessness”—rampant sin, wickedness, iniquity, overwhelming spread of evil.
Evil and hatred lead to indifference. Evil around you can lead to indifference in you.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:8-16
Your Journey…
Seeing afar off
Tests of faith:
*Leaving when you’re not told where to go
*Hard to leave, you feel like you’re losing what you have gained.
*Abraham was a foreigner, stranger, pilgrim, no permanent home. Never felt at home.
*No matter what, Abraham kept looking toward his heavenly home.
“Seeing afar off”
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:7
Your Journey…
Noah: more afraid not to
John Maxwell, "Mistakes mark the road to success. He who makes no mistakes makes no progress. Make sure you generate a reasonable number of mistakes."
1 John 2:20 (KJV)
You don’t really believe until you act. Go out and make some good mistakes.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:5-6
Your Journey…
The Great Reversal
Please—to gratify entirely
You exist because God does. If God is not random, neither are you.
Colossians 1:16
1 John 4:19
The way to make any relationship better is to change yourself.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:4
Your Journey…
Mother’s Day
Levels of caring…
Levels of love…
John 15:13
Judas, Peter, other apostles, John, Mary
Loving someone more than yourself.
Douglas John Hall, "God's problem is not that God is not able to do certain things. God's problem is that God loves. Love complicates the life of God as it complicates every life."
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:3
Your Journey…
By faith we understand…
Romans 1:19-20
Genesis 1:1,3
John 1:1-4
There is the Creator or the created. You can be one but you can’t be both.
You only need faith, when you need faith.
Are you overthinking it?
Leave the results with God.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 11:1-2 (40)
Your Journey…
Part of faith is hope: Romans 5:4
Biblical hope is based on what God has done, what you have seen Him do.
Part of faith is what you have not seen God do yet
What is your purpose? Why did God make you?
What is your goal? Where are you going?
The journey to do what Jesus made you for and where He wants you to be requires faith, because faith is a journey.
40 years wandering around:
Life without faith—just killing time, filling time, no point.
Life of faith—Direction, a goal, doing things that really matter.
Message: Not in the Tomb
Text: John 20:3-9
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Romans 10:9
John 1:12
Message: In the Garden
Text: Matthew 26:33-46
Look up. Now look over.
Look up:
You feel like no one understands…because they don’t.
1 Samuel 30:6
Look over:
Mark 15:31
2 Corinthians 12:9
Message: In the Upper Room
Text: Luke 22:15
Ministry like Jesus: John 13:34-35
Ministry like Jesus has disappointment built in: John 6:63-69
I love more people than there are people who love me.
Oswald Chambers, "…for we shall often meet with more ingratitude from men than we would from a dog; but if our motive is love to God, no ingratitude can hinder us from serving our fellow men."
Franklin Roosevelt, "Helping people is one of the hardest things you will ever do."
Focus on those you love and those who love you.
Too many people spend a lifetime stealing time from those who love them the most, trying to please the ones who care about them the least.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 10:32-39
The End Game
Do you believe in heaven…really believe?
To us, faith is often about believing God for what we want.
Instead of believing God can work thru us what He wants.
Through your suffering, testing, and need of faith is where you will be used by God.
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Learn more Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 10:26-31
All In.
This is deliberate and persistent sin. “It’s wrong and I don’t care.”
There is: right and wrong, good and bad, heaven and hell, final judgment.
Deliberate and persistent Godliness. “It’s right and I care very much.”
Jesus did not give some of Himself, but all of Himself.
Jesus is not after some of you, but all of you.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 10:24-25
Why do you gather together for church?
Self-centeredness is the foundation of boredom.
Giving people are rarely bored. Why?
Ron Hutchcraft, "Me-centered Christianity is ultimately boring, unchallenging, and just not enough to satisfy our eternity-starved soul."
“The Day” when time comes to an end and eternity begins.
Are you paying enough attention to see that Day approaching?
Message: Communion
Text: John 14:1-3
Keep your head up!
“Let not your heart be troubled…Believe”
Jesus is working on a plan for you right now.
Mark 9: 22-24, 29
Levels of need lead to levels of belief.
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Learn more Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 10:15-23
Bold…not brash
“Let us draw near…”
“Let us hold fast…” (Philippians 3:12)
Respond to Jesus like He responds to you. We love Him because He first loved us, but not vice versa.
Degrees of truthfulness (boldness) according to relationship.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 10:11-14
Jesus,“You must be born again…”
When is your birthday? Do you know the minute/hour you were born?
Being born again is a one time, immediate salvation experience. Sanctification is a life long salvation experience.
On the cross Jesus said, “It is finished.” Not, “I am finished.”
If you have been born again, that is finished. But you are not finished.
John 15:1-5
“I am not working to be saved. I am working because I am saved.”
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 10:1-10
Reminder of Sin
~You keep reminding yourself of your sins.
You keep reminding yourself of what you said and did, instead of what Jesus said and did.
1 John 3:18-21
1 John 1:9, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 10:10
Replacement thinking because this is replacement living.
~Satan keeps reminding you—and everyone who will listen—of your sin.
Revelation 12:10, Zechariah 3:1-2 (NIV)
The devil’s not wrong about your sin, but he is wrong about the cure for your sin.
Satan’s obsessed with the sins of others…don’t you be.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 9:27-28
These two verses are the two ways everyone will leave this earth and enter eternity.
When Jesus comes a second time, there will be no more dealing with sin, it will all be about enjoying salvation for those who are in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
We’re not waiting for the “appointment.” We’re waiting for Him.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 9:22-28
An appointed time:
Acts 17:31, Job 14:5
God isn’t going to give you more than your appointed time. Your time is right now.
~Let heaven affect you as much as possible.
~Spend the rest of the time you have affecting heaven as much as possible.
Revelation 12:12 Satan understands an appointed time.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 9:15-22
Testament and testator is the same as our last will and testament.
Old Testament law, before that the Passover, before that God used an animal to cover Adam and Eve’s sin.
Death is the consequence of sin and death is the payment for sin.
Blood is not the issue. An animal couldn’t just be injured for the blood, it had to die. Blood that leads to death is the payment for sin.
We must never forget: good is not the issue, bad is the issue.
In an unexpected twist, Satan wants good to be the issue. In a very superficial way, he wants you to do good in order to not think about the bad.
Only Christians teach that God is reaching down to man. Everyone else tends toward man reaching up to God.
John 20:27 NIV
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 9:14-15
Sin is work
Sin brings separation, Isaiah 59:2
So we need a mediator, 1 Timothy 2:5
Sin brings death, Romans 6:23
Sin brings debt, that’s what redemption means
Physical law, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 9:1-14
Conscience: the depths of our personality; the center of who we are, the inner man; a part of our heart/soul/spirit/body
The Good: Light and Bread
The Problem:Not everyone was welcome, and, no one’s conscience was completely cleared.
Ritual should lead to relationship. When relationship fails, we fall back to ritual & rules.
“Should do” leads to “want to.”
Relationship rather than just ritual:
Realization of something missing
Time
Message: “I know…you.”
Text: Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“I know…”
Psalm 119:105
The Word of God: reading, listening, watching…
In that order.
“…you.”
Jeremiah 1:5
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Colossians 1:16,“by Jesus and for Jesus.”
What you are called to, what you were made for, should eventually become the most important thing in life. That ‘s where meaning, purpose, love…everything comes from.
Message: At just the right time
Text: Galatians 4:4
Luke 2:1-7
Caesar Augustus—The first Roman emperor. The beginning of emperor worship, the emperor as divine, the emperor as god.
Quirinius—The first census, not the second.
Matthew 2:1, 16
Herod the king, Herod the Great, “Herod the butcher”
Caesar Augustus, “It is safer to be Herod’s hog than his wife.”
John 3:16 At just the right time
Message: Communion
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:26
If you read this about anyone else it would seem strange, and others would think you strange if you wrote it.
What can learn from the verse?
- Jesus died.
- But, Jesus is not dead. Death is not the end of Jesus, it’s the beginning of new life.
- Jesus is coming. This is the end of all temporal things. The coming of Jesus is when His church can finally stop…until then we always have work to do.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Backtrack 2, Acts 10:34-43
Achieve:vs 35
It can no longer stop here, because we can’t do it
Discipleship:vs 36
“Not so, Lord” “He is Lord of all”
Receive:vs 43
Acts 4:12, John 1:12
The thing that saves us, keeps us saved.
Grace never was fair and never will be. Praise the Lord!
A.B. Simpson, "Learn this secret: that you are not sanctified for all time so that there will be no more need for grace and victory; but you have grace for this moment and the next moment and by the time life is spent, you shall have had a whole ocean of His grace."
Ron Hutchcraft,"Any longtime Christian who does not still find God's grace amazing needs to take an honest look at his or her own sinfulness."
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 8:1-13 (10)
(Backtrack to a couple weeks ago: the story of Cornelius and Simon Peter, Acts 10)
Cornelius is religious and lost. Peter is religious and prejudice.
Yesterday…the day before.
Whatever question you are asking God, He could often turn around and ask you.
Does the amount that God uses us correlate to the amount that we are willing to be used…the amount we are willing to change to be used.?
What might need to change?
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 8:1-13
To go from trying to obey the Godly law that is written down to trying to obey the Godly law that is written on your heart.
To go from knowing things about Jesus to knowing Him personally, is a huge change in relationship and spiritual life.
Analogy: When most of us started attending church we came to get, but a huge change takes place in our spiritual life when we start attending church in order to give…and we actually receive so much more!
Philippians 3:7-10
Before the spiritual change: “What’s wrong with it?”
“How far away can I get?”
After the spiritual change: “What’s right with it?”
“How close can I get?”
John 14:15
Philippians 3:11-12
1 John 4:19
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 8:1-13
This Hebrew/Christian pastor quotes heavily from Jeremiah, who had what looks like 40 years of failure. God’s people were no longer listening to the law, the Word, or the prophets.
Colossians 1:27
Holy Spirit speaking to you:Romans 8:16
Old Country Preacher,“I don’t always know when the Holy Spirit is, but I sure know when He aint.”
Matthew 28:18-19Watching for stop signs along the way.
Acts 16:6-10
If you think it’s wrong, stop immediately. If you think it’s right, tread forward carefully.
Holy Spirit speaking to others:
Acts 10Simon Peter and Cornelius
Cornelius first by a vision and an angel
Simon Peter next by Jesus, a vision, and Holy Spirit.
Whoever the Holy Spirit sends you to, He always goes ahead of you.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 7:23-28
“To the uttermost.” – completely, perfectly, finally, for all time and eternity.
From – To
From:Getting past your past.
What you have done.
What others have done to you.
Replacement discipline.
To:Now and to the end of time
Jesus is praying for you.
Others are waiting for you…and others are depending on you.
Robert McCheyne, "If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me!"
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 7:11-22
What is wrong with the priesthood? What is wrong with keeping the law?
The law is perfect, there is nothing wrong with the law…there is something wrong with me!
Will the Holy Spirit lead you to something He knows you will fail at?
Galatians 3:24-25 (KJV)
Learning real dependance often comes from failure, finally getting that I’m not able to do it on my own.
John 15:4-5
Get better at obeying the inner impulse that is the Holy Spirit.Immediate obedience,* because delayed obedience is disobedience. This is the difference between a law written on paper or written on your heart.
*Honestly, why are you doing it? What is your motive? We can do a good thing for a bad reason.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 7:1-4
The shadow of the cross falls backward and forward.
Can you see Jesus in people?
Jesus is not like Melchizedek. Melchizedek is like Jesus.
Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Isaiah, Daniel…
John 8:56-58
Matthew 25:31-37, 40 Notice anything about this list? How are the lists alike, the common theme?
Can you see Jesus in the times?
Romans 8:18-22
Can you see the clock speeding up?
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 7:1-10
Can you see Jesus?
The shadow of the cross falls backward and forward.
Jesus is not like Melchizedek. Melchizedek is like Jesus.
Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Isaiah, Daniel…
John 8:56-58
Giving to Jesus:
“If you will not give according to how you have been blessed. Then may you be blessed according to how you give.”
All any of us have to give is from what God has already given us. Do you think God is going to run out?
Receiving from Jesus:
Humble enough to recognize your need. Humble enough to let someone pray for you.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 6:12-20
Consider: who you imitate, who you look to, who you depend upon.
Consider: If hope is the anchor of your soul, what is your hope?
Faith is almost always what God is going to do. Hope is what God is going to do based on what God has done and what He has said.
Some of us need to:
1) Find our hope. We’re adrift
2) Change our hope. We’re off course. Our boat is too small for the anchor.
3) Trust our hope. Stay the course.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 6:9-13
The work did not start with you and will not end with you.
Have done…
Am doing…
Willdo…until the end
Imitate those who have gone before you who are worthy of imitation. And be worthy of imitation to those who are coming after you.
The cycles of life
Breaking the downward cycle of: addiction, dysfunction, unfaithfulness.
~Desire to make the future better than the past.
~Desire to give more than take
~Desire for people to want to imitate you as a positive influence for Jesus.
On the desk of president Harry Truman, “The Buck Stops Here”
Start the upward cycle: not, continue the flat, straightline cycle.
Every generation will face new, unique challenges.
I can’t imagine the challenges Abraham faced, and Abraham couldn’t imagine the challenges I face.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 6:4-8
Persistent, unrepentant sin.
When approaching the Word with no preconceived notions, the obvious reading of scripture is often the accurate one.
This isn’t God saying no, this is people saying no. The word impossible is not what God can’t do, but whatyou won’t do. It is impossible to renew someone to repentance who will not repent.
Romans 10:9
1 John 1:9
The insanity of sin
1 Samuel 15:13-21
Dennis DeHann, "Sin is so dangerous because it is blind to itself."
Charles Colson, "If there is anything worse than our sin, it is our infinite capacity to rationalize it away."
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 6:1-3
Believing God at His Word:
Romans 10:9
1 John 1:9
Fenelon, "Satan is the one who torments us with trivialities. And he often transforms himself into an angel of light, and bothers us with endless self-examinations and an over-sensitive conscience which allows us no peace."
Holy Spirit convicts, Satan condemns. If you don’t move on, you have gone from conviction to condemnation.
Act on what you know to be true.
Thomas Merton, "It seems to me the most absurd thing in the world to be upset because I am weak and distracted and blind and constantly make mistakes! What else do I expect!"
What is the worst restaurant meal you have ever had? What is the biggest mistake you have made in the kitchen?
Romans 2:4, It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. Not His anger, judgment, discipline…
Message: Communion—The cycle of service
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
James 1:17
Luke 22:27
God is: always the Initiator, Giver, Sustainer, Provider…feeding you and pouring into you.
We are: always needy, receiving, (need to be) thankful, acknowledging, returning…
Patiently wait your turn. Can you see it coming?
Jacqueline, "I think of myself as having a spiritual disability now--I have to rely on God all day long every day. I can't count on myself because I failed myself."
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 5:9-14
Teaching and reaching others
How long have you been a Christian? How’s it going?
When was the last time the Holy Spirit revealed something new to you in His Word? What is the last new thing you have learned from The Word?
Matthew 14:28
Luke 10:34-35
2 Corinthians 10:16
What is your reason for not teaching and reaching anyone?
Use the Word of God to put you to use!
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 5:1-9
Ministry: Aware of your weakness before you can help the weakness of others. Aware of your sin before you can help the sin of others.
Vs 9, often in scripture “perfect” means mature, complete, finished. In this verse perfect is used as “completely qualified” as Jesus is our perfect High Priest, the only One qualified to do so…meeting all the qualifications
Vs 8, Suffering teaches obedience
Hebrews 2:10
When the Father says “No”
Obeying God even though…
Obedience and faith are easy when God is doing everything you want
Acts 9:15-16, Habakkuk 3:17-18
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 4:14-16
Hold on to your confession/profession of faith.
(Romans 10:9)
Public confession/profession is when things start happening, things get done, things start to change.
Why public? So others can hear you say it. So you can remember you said it to others.
Hold on to your prayer.
Never stop asking, because you will never stop needing.
Hold on to Jesus.
Jesus knows what temptation feels like but He does not know what sinning feels like. He understands the desire to quit but He does not know what giving up feels like because He never did. Jesus conquered sin for you because He knows that you can’t.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 4:12-13
The spoken and written Word of God through, by and for Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God.
Bible Study:
Genesis 1:1-3, John 1:1-5
1 Peter 1:20-23
Hebrews 1:1-2
The Word of God is a “He,” not an “it.”
Application:
Living Word—There is no where that He is not.
Abraham Kuyper, "There is not one square inch of the entire creation about which Jesus Christ does not cry out, "This is mine! This belongs to me!"
(And you are more than one square inch!)
Powerful Word—Matthew 28:18
~Almost all your spiritual growth will be tied in some way with your growth in the sovereignty of Jesus.
~”Hang On!” two ways.
If Christianity is boring to you, you’re not doing it right.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 4:12-13
The spoken and written Word of God through, by and for Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God.
Bible Study:
Genesis 1:1-3, John 1:1-5
1 Peter 1:20-23
Hebrews 1:1-2
The Word of God is a “He,” not an “it.”
Application:
Living Word—There is no where that He is not.
Abraham Kuyper, "There is not one square inch of the entire creation about which Jesus Christ does not cry out, "This is mine! This belongs to me!"
(You are more than one square inch!)
Powerful Word—Matthew 28:18
Sharper Word—There is nothing about you that Jesus does not know. He knows what is wrong with you, and He knows what is right with you.
What is wrong with you?
What is right with you?
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 4:1-11 (NIV)
Belief + Trust = Faith
Do you believe? So trust…rest.
Mathew 11:28
“Today!” Breaking the cycle from yesterday!
Generations—breaking the cycle of ungodliness and dysfunction.
Personally—breaking the cycle of ungodliness and dysfunction.
N.T. Wright, “Once you stop believing either in the God who called you, rescued you and guides you, or in the future He has promised you, you may simply go round and round in the wilderness and never get anywhere.”
Best message title ever—Joyce Meyer, “Haven’t We Seen This Mountain Somewhere Before?”
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 3:14-19
Rest: Now…and then
Life is the great temptation to not rest, to not trust. Our culture is not an easy place to find rest.
Belief + Trust = Faith
Do you believe? So trust. So rest.
A test of rest:
1) Our circumstances are screaming everything but rest.
2) Because you went thru and passed previous tests of faith, doesn’t always make this one easier.
Matthew 11:28. “Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
1 Peter 5:7,“Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.”
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 3:7-14
“The deceitfulness of sin”—That somehow it’s OK to not trust God, and somehow it’s OK to not obey God.
Deceit:
~Sin is not really that bad. What’s the big deal?
~Slavery wasn’t really that bad. Going back is better than going forward.
~10 to 2. That somehow it’s OK to be one of the 10 instead of one of the 2.
“The will of God isn’t hard to know, it’s hard to do.”
“You only believe the part of the Bible that you do.”
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 3:7-14
Heart: the seat of who you are, what you love, what you trust in, what you think about most…what has you?Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 6:21, Proverbs 3:5
Hard heart: Stiff, not flexible, not easily moved, no longer care.Matthew 3:9 The anger/emotion of Jesus.
Straying heart: This life is not a sprint but a long distance journey. Straying is wanting to go back, not forward, where everything is familiar and seems safer. Back, not forward.
Evil heart of unbelief: Amazing unbelief!
R. Kent Hughes, “The unbelief of God’s people is even more amazing than belief!”
Forgetting what God has done. The long journey takes a toll.
Instead of back to the way things were, let’s go on to the way things can be. Because of what God has done, we look forward to what He will do.
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 3:7-14
Heart: the seat of who you are, what you love, what you trust in, what you think about most…what has you?Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 6:21, Proverbs 3:5
The sarcasm of Isaiah: Isaiah 44
Idol—Something you have to carry.
Jesus—Someone who carries you.
Psalm 95
Max Lucado, "Worship is when you're aware that what you've been given is far greater than what you can give."
A.P. Gibbs, "Broadly speaking, prayer is the occupation of the soul with its needs; praise is the occupation of the soul with its blessings; but worship is the occupation of the soul with God Himself."
Message: A saving, restoring influence
Text: Luke 15:11-32
Father—went to both sons
Younger son—wild, reckless, wasteful
Older son—narcistic, self-righteous, unforgiving
Prostitutes—they are what they are
Employer—heartless, taking advantage of younger son’s need
Younger son’s community—heartless, couldn’t care less
Hired servants—well taken care of. Helped prepare the feast and joined in the celebration. They were happy for the younger son and the father
Older son’s friends—different than everyone else’s friends
Some roles were negative, some were neutral, some were helpful but none would/could fill the role of the father.
You are not one of many!
As Jesus is not One of many!
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 3:1-6
The builder and the house; the servant and the Son…not the same thing, not even varying degrees of the same thing.
Moses—law
Jesus—love
Moses—religion
Jesus—relationship
Moses—institution
Jesus—Person
Jeremiah 31:33, Matthew 22:37-40
The law is easier at first, but weaker in the end—it’s not enough to keep you because you can’t keep it.
Love is harder at first, but stronger in the end.
Law—conduct
Love—character
Law—doing
Love--being
Message: Communion
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:24-26
24-25 Always remembering back:
Don’t forget what Jesus did for you, because of what you were. Don’t ever forget what you were and still could be. Remind yourself often.
26 Always looking ahead:
Acts 13:25 John the Baptist
Gospel Touches
“Who is the most important person for you to reach?”
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 2:17-18
“He had to be…” Why did Jesus have to be made like us?
Vs 17 From God’s perspective:
“Merciful” – the mercy of God
“Faithful” – the truth, the justice of God (Romans 6:23)
Grace – where the mercy and justice of God meet John 1:17
A Redeemer who satisfies the merciful heart and the righteousness of God all at once. Who else could do that, who else can fill that role? Acts 4:12, Revelation 5
Vs 18 From our perspective:
If Jesus is to be sinless, His sinlessness must first be tested by temptation.
Tempted to: back up; give in and quit; lighten up; choose an easier path; stay angry; stay hurt; stay frustrated…
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 2:14-16
John 10:10The devil can’t create sin but he does manipulate our fears, inclinations, personalities and takes advantage of our circumstances. The devil can’t create sin, so he works at creating the situation where sin can thrive.
In Jesus, there is nothing to fear:
Revelation 1:17-18
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Revelation 21:4
Isaiah 26:3
Pilgrim's Progress, "I must continue, for to go back means nothing but death. To go forward is the fear of death, but beyond it is life everlasting. I'll keep going forward."
Michael E. Wittmer, "If death was no big deal, then there would be no reason to be a Christian."
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 2:11
Sanctification: “To be set apart as holy.”
How is sanctification different from salvation?
Salvation isRomans 10:9, sanctification is Romans 8:29. Salvation leads to sanctification as being born again is to lead to Christian maturity.
So what? What’s the point? Why is it important?
John 17:17-19
How many of us were led to Jesus by no one? How many of us have grown in Jesus by influence from no one?
~How many people are more faithful to Jesus because of your faithfulness?
~How many people are less faithful to Jesus because of your lack of faithfulness? Or, how many people would be more faithful to Jesus if you would be?
~Are you affecting anyone at all by your faith?
Message: I can’t get you out of my mind
Text: 2 Timothy 1:3-7
Vs 5 –First: Do you really have it?
Next: Pass it on to someone.
Pass it on…
Vs 3-4 –Willie Nelson, “You Were Always On My Mind.”
Vs 5, 7 – Your faith when they have lost faith in themselves. Apostle Paul’s facebookaccount.
Vs 6– Fan into flames the inner fire.
- How many people are more faithful to Jesus because of your faithfulness?
- How many people are less faithful to Jesus because of your lack of faithfulness? Or, how many people would be more faithful to Jesus if you would be?
- Are you affecting anyone at all by your faith?
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 2:10
“Perfect” means complete, mature, finished.
When did Jesus’ suffering begin?
When did your suffering begin?
Shaping to the perfect fit.
Abraham Lincoln, "The purposes of the Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance.We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this, but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise…we must work earnestly in the best light He gives us, trusting that so working still conduces to the great ends He ordains.Surely He intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no mortal could make, and no mortal could stay."
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 2:6-9
What is man?...
From telescope to microscope
Psalm 8 David studying the universe
Psalm 139 David studying himself
Why man?...
There is something wrong with each of us, and Jesus knows what that is. So why us?
Your worth is not what you are, but whose you are.
Why Jesus?...
Jesus is not watching you, He wants to be with you.
“But we see Jesus.”
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 2:1-4
“Driftaway” is a nautical/mariner term—a boat slowing drifting away, almost unnoticeable.
What is the ultimate goal of your life? Where is your life leading you, where are you going?
“Neglecting” is not rejecting, it is indifference. It’s the point where you no longer care that you don’t care.
C.S. Lewis, “And as a matter of fact, if you examined a hundred people who had lost their faith in Christianity, I wonder how many of them would turn out to have been reasoned out of it by honest argument? Do not most people simply drift away.?”
Take back control of your boat!
“Moreearnest heed” (More close attention) Not less, not the same, but more.
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Learn more Message: Between the cross and resurrection
Text: Luke 24:19-27
Interruptions: Our problem is we can only see the interruption, not the whole plan. It is intentionally withheld from us, God has reserved that for Himself. So, we must live and walk by faith. We don’t know, so we trust that God knows.
1 Corinthians 15:12-20 We may see death as the last interruption, but God sees it as part of His plan.
Billy Graham, "All the tomorrows of our lives have to pass Him before they get to us!"
Eugene Peterson, "With God, we are always coming in on something that is already going on."
Philip Yancey, "From God's point of view, the future has already been determined, and the prophets spell out the future state in glowing detail: swords beaten into plowshares, a lamb recumbent beside a lion, a banquet feast. That is what God wants for this earth and that is what God will accomplish on this earth. The end is settled. What remains is whether we will live believing it."
A.W. Tozer, "To the child of God, there is no such thing as an accident. He travels and appointed way…Accidents may indeed appear to befall him and misfortune stalk his way; but these evils will be so in appearance only and will seem evils only because we cannot read the secret script of God's hidden providence."
Message: The Letter to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 2:5-9
The curse and the cure of sin—death
Genesis 2:16-17, Romans 6:23
The only way Jesus could suffer death is to be made like us, who are under the curse of death, because of our sin.
The application first…
Your life is the most you have. No one can give more than their life, or their death. Life and death is the ultimate. The death of Jesus takes away the lesser options.
Reconsider casual Christianity
Justice + Mercy = Grace.
Justice was poured out on Jesus. Grace is poured out on us. Grace isn’t fair…that’s the point.
Jesus is always reaching down, waiting for you to reach up.
Message: The Epistle to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 1:1-14
Jesus is better than…
Jesus is: 1) By inheritance, the owner of everything. Everything is His. 2) The creator of everything. 3) The very image of what God is.4)The sustainer of everything (it’s one thing to create it, it’s more to keep it going once created) 5) The savior of everyone who will receive Him 6) His saving work was finished on the cross.
Jesus is better than…the angels.
The best is not always replaced by the worst, but more gradually, by the good.
So, Jesus is better than ________?
Message: The Epistle to the Hebrews
Text: Hebrews 1:1-2
This letter was written—and probably spoken—to a group of Hebrew Christians who had never seen Jesus. Because of persecution they were being tempted to go back to Judaism, this letter encourages them to go forward with Jesus, not back.
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
Jesus is God’s final Word to man. He has spoken!
The Word is God breathed—it’s what God thinks, it’s who He is. Nothing can change the Word…ever!
God has spoken to us through Jesus Christ, what did He say? Seeing Red
Message: The Lord’s Supper
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-33
11:17-26, 33 Look around you…
“The character of a society can be measured by how they treat the weakest among them.”
The fast wait for the slow, the strong wait for the weak.
Did you come today to get or to give?
Who is the slowest person here today?
Who is the weakest person here today?
11:27-32 Look within you…
One day that slowest…weakest person may be you.
Ridding yourself of self.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Recap
Luke 8:40-56 (48, 50)
Hope! / Not sure of hope / Hope! / No hope / Hope!
“He is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27)
Luke 8 Jairus’ daughter
Luke 7 Widow’s son
John 11 Lazarus
Jesus came for you!
Luke 2:10-11
Luke 15 Lost sheep / Lost coin / Lost son
Luke 19:10
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 24:50-53 The End (And The Beginning)
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question: What is the chief end of man?
Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
(106 more questions)
For every generation worship is a work in progress…every generation learns again what it means to worship and praise.
Worship: When you see yourself for who you really are and you see Jesus for who He really is and you see the difference.
It’s hard to worship If: you are haughty, proud, self centered, self satisfied.
It’s hard to worship if: you are bitter, vengeful, angry, disappointed in Jesus.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 24:46-49 (Acts 1:4-8)
Repentance/remission of sins—Witnesses—Waiting on the Holy Spirit
Witnesses: (Timing)
Courtroom term.
Why does a lawyer in court call a witness? Why doesn’t the lawyer just say what the witness will say? Why not just read a written testimony of the facts?
Waiting on the Holy Spirit: (Timing)
Wait on direction then wait on timing.
The Holy Spirit is waiting on you to wait.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 24:46-49
Repentance/remission of sins—Witnesses—Waiting on the Holy Spirit
Repentance/remission of sins:
Remission (46-47)—“Forgiveness, freedom”
The Message, “Total life change thru forgiveness.”
What do you think would make the top 2 prayer requests?
What do you think would make the top 3 spiritual/Biblical questions people have?
I am only a beggar telling other beggars where to find bread.
The only difference between a lost person and myself is Jesus.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 24:44-46
I’m not Moses, so I read what Moses wrote.
Isaiah 30:8
Jeremiah 36:1-2
We’re not waiting on God to speak as much as He is waiting on us to listen. He has spoken!
Listening to the Word—turning points
God has, is, and will speak thru The Word, which will always lead us to Jesus. John 1:1, Colossians 1:16
Harriet Beecher Stowe, (Uncle Tom's Cabin) "Having learned late in life, Tom was but a slow reader, and passed on laboriously from verse to verse. Fortunate for him was that the book (Bible) he was intent on was one which slow reading cannot injure, nay, one whose words, like gold, seem often to need to be weighed separately, that the mind may take in their priceless value."
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 24:36-43
1 John 3:2, “…we shall be like Him…”
Keep comparing Jesus’ resurrection and yours to everything else you have to deal with.
We’re going somewhere else, so keep reminding yourself that everything here is temporary, transitory.
Get a grip!...or not.
Billy Graham, "Too many Christians let themselves get bogged down by the cares and routines of daily living. Don't let that happen to you. Ask God to help you live each day with eternity in view…How easily the events of the moment crowd out the promise of eternity!"
David Roper, "We'll never be home free until we get Home!"
C.S. Lewis,"God gives us many resting places on our journey home, but He never allows us to mistake them for home."
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 24:33-37
And: Mark 16:9-14
He’s standing right there…and they don’t recognize Him!
(Hebrews 13:2, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”)
The resurrected Jesus appears:
Mary
Misses Peter and John
Some of the women with Mary
Two Emmaus disciples—Cleopas and a friend
Eleven apostles with a few other disciples
Paul mentions 500 at one time
God parts the Red Sea and people walk across it on dry ground. The next week they are complaining because they ran out of watermelons and onions.
Jesus brings Lazarus back to life after being dead for four days, the next week people are plotting to kill Jesus.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 24:21, 25-35
Jesus, teach us to pray, Part 2
The two parts of God’s revelation…What is God’s will?
- Jeremiah 29:13 Your part “God won’t help you quote a verse you haven’t read.”
- Luke 24:31-32 Jesus’ part
It takes Two to peel an onion.
The Emmaus disciples are telling Jesus how defeated they feel and He listens already knowing His victory.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 24:12-27
Vs 16, compared to Mark 16:12…appeared in another form.
What does this encounter Jesus has with 2 of His disciples remind you of? Something that a lot of us do everyday?
Vs 19, Jesus joins up with you and takes part in what you’re already talking about, what you’re already thinking about. Jesus got them to say what He already knew.
Vs 21, They were hoping for something that wasn’t in God’s Word or God’s will.
Vs 25-26, “foolish, slow of heart to believe.”
Amplifed Version, “Sluggish in mind, dull of perception…find it so hard.”
Believing what we want to believe just because we want to believe it.
Jesus, teach us to pray.
Message: ”…You are with me.”
Text: Ruth 1:1-7, 22:2:1, 4:13-17 Luke 2:1-7
Micah 5:2, Isaiah 11:1, 10
(Ruth was written about 1000 BC, Isaiah was written about 700 BC)
Matthew 1:22-23 (Isaiah 7:14)God with us!
Psalm 23:4“…You are with me.”
Philip Yancey, "In Jesus, God came close."
Henri Nouwen, "There is no journey to God outside of the journey that Jesus made."
Henry Blackaby, "When you are struggling to believe, that is not the time to avoid Christ or to be ashamed of your struggle. You will never increase your faith by not going to Jesus!"
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 24:1-12
Remember how He spoke to you?
Faith is a Word issue. Romans 10:17, John 20:31 The only reason to read/hear it is to believe it.
Read the stories… Study the Word… so you can hear/remember what He spoke to you, and then believe what He spoke to you.
When God is at work—Matthew 28:8, Mark 10:32
Is this just me or is this from God?— Matthew 14:28
Love—1 John 4:19
Oswald Chambers, "The danger with us is that we want to water down the things that Jesus says and make them mean something in accordance with common sense; if it were only common sense, it was not worthwhile for Him to say it."
Message: The Family of God
Text: John 6:47-51, 14:20, 23
The temple veil was torn in two, top to bottom…Jesus to you, Jesus for you, Jesus in you.
The sign of the cross, vertical then horizontal.
Communion is about Jesus in you and you in the family of God.
Who is your greatest obstacle?
Ephesians 6:12
Our enemy is not each other.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "In a word, live together in the forgiveness of your sins, for without it no human fellowship, least of all a marriage, can survive. Don't insist on your rights, don't blame each other, don't judge or condemn each other, don't find fault with each other, but accept each other as you are, and forgive each other every day from the bottom of your hearts."
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 23:52-24:2
That stone…is a problem
The stone: Why do you need the stone moved? If you’re doing it for yourself, you need to stop. If you’re doing it for Jesus, you need to not stop.
2 Corinthians 5:7 Continuing to take forward steps of faith.
This is a turning point in discipleship. You are now depending on God to the point that He has to come thru some way.
The guards: There are more problems than you can see. Fortunately you don’t see them.
Beth Moore, "The stand of faith is so much easier than the walk of faith. Those who stick to a stand rather than move in a walk of faith may adhere to certain doctrines but never experience the adventure--or the vulnerability--of a vital relationship with God. Those who stand can afford to be smug. They never have to question their beliefs because they've never risked enough to take them. They believe God for little because they don't want to be disappointed or feel stupid"
Message: Scatter! Text: Acts 8:1-5
“God created you for someone…for Jesus.”
The 24/7 church. Ministry as we gather, and as we scatter
Ministry as we gather: Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together; as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
We are here to give, and therefore we receive.
Ministry as we scatter: Take the gospel with you wherever you go.
Who is the most important person for you to reach/help?
The church is the only organization in the world that exists for those that are not yet members of it.
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 23:50-53
All eyes on each other; all eyes on Joseph.
How long do you keep trying to help/reach someone? When do you give up?
All eyes on each other; all eyes on you.
Where are you on your discipleship journey? Are you on a journey?
Never base your faithfulness on the faith-less-ness of others.
Jim Elliot, "We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the 20th century does not reckon with. But we are harmless and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle to the death with principalities and powers in high places…We are sideliners--coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us--we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous."
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 23:47-49 (11-1-20)
I wish I would not have…
There isforgiveness and there is repentance. Mark 1:15, Acts 3:19
Henry Blackaby, "Repentance indicates a decisive change, not merely a wishful resolution. We have not repented if we continue in our sin! Repentance involves a radical change of heart and mind in which we agree with God's evaluation of our sin and then take specific action to align ourselves with His will. A desire to change is not repentance."
The Holy Spirit gives you the power to do it, but does not make your decision to do it.
I wish I would have…
Watching but never doing. (Simon of Cyrene, Joseph of Arimathea)
Matthew 25:44-45, “Lord, when did we see you…?”
Work on being blind and you won't see
Work on being deaf and you won't hear
Work on being care-less and you won't hurt
Guard your heart and it won't break
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 23:44-46
The temple veil represented separation—the holy from the unholy. Isaiah 59:2. Jesus tore the veil from top to bottom, from God to you. 1 Timothy 2:5.
The end game…then no more end.
“It is finished.” Not, “I am finished.” John 17:4-5, 13
What ends here is not the end. You’re on a journey home to the Father, everything is about this for you. God the Father already sees it, do you?
Rick Warren, "At death you won't leave home- you'll go home."
Vonette Bright, "This life is just preparation for the next. We don't stop living; we just stop living here."
Vance Havner, "God's people are not citizens of earth trying to get to heaven, but citizens of heaven trying to get through this world."
Roger Palms, "The work of God didn't start with us; it will not end with me. We are part of a larger plan."
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 23:39-43
“One of the criminals”: What you think about eternity changes everything…changes everything you think about everything.
I can’t think of anything more pointless than atheism.
C. S. Lewis, "Don't you think that all you atheists are strangely unsuspicious people?"
“The other”: Nothing could be better for this criminal than Jesus, and nothing could be better for Jesus than this criminal. Ministry has disappointment built in, but every so often a praying criminal comes along.
Mozart, "Remember, merciful Jesus, that I am the cause of your journey."
“My God, My God, why…?” You are why.
First General Baptist teaches, preaches and believes strongly in the security of the believer. “You will be with Me…”
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 23:32-38
Look at vs 36, then Luke 1:31-33
Father forgive…they don’t see what they’re doing. 1) an example for us 2) a reminder to us “All sin is a form of insanity.”
Saving yourself seems to be the thing to do!
Philippians 2:5-8
You’re not happy because you’re trying to be happy. Stop trying to make yourself happy and start trying to make someone else happy…and you will be happy.
Happiness is sneaky and slippery; hard to find and harder to hang onto when found.
Mother Teresa, "Love demands sacrifice. But if we love until it hurts, God will give us His peace and joy…Suffering in itself is nothing; but suffering shared with Christ's Passion is a wonderful gift." (CBS correspondent Dan Rather interviewed Mother Teresa and commented that she was the happiest person he had ever met…and couldn’t figure out why.)
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 23:27-31
2 Timothy 3:13, Luke 17:26 For this world, this isn’t going to end well. We know that but it still surprises us while we are seeing it.
Acts 17:31 We are all heading toward an appointed day.
So, what do we do as we live out the reality of our faith?
Matthew 10:22
Genesis 6:22
Andy Rooney: "I don't know what's wrong with me anyway but there aren't many days when I don't think about the end of the world."
Pilgrim's Progress, "This I've resolved to do--to run when I can, to walk when I can't run, and to crawl when I can't walk."
Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI, on the suggestion that her 2 daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, be evacuated to a safer location during the WWII bombing of London by Germany, "The children won't go without me. I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave."
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 23:26
Simon of Cyrene
Depending on how well you know someone, it is either: “I get to,” or, “I have to.” Attitude is everything.
Jesus is being led out of Jerusalem, at the same time Simon is coming from the country into Jerusalem, he is just passing by; the soldiers compelled Simon; his name is very specific, “Simon of Cyrene,” not some other Simon; his sons are named; at the time that Matthew, Mark and Luke are writing, the church knows who Simon and his sons are.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Everything in this life and in the life to come hinges on how well you know Jesus.
J.I. Packer, "When we walk along a clear road feeling fine, and someone takes our arm to help us, as likely as not we shall impatiently shake him off; but when we are caught in rough country in the dark, with a storm getting up and our strength spent, and someone takes our arm to help us, we shall thankfully lean on him."
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 23:13-25
I am Barabbas…I can be the Chief Priests/people…I don’t want to be Pilate
Leaders who don’t lead anymore…they have given up.
Spiritual Leadership:Agents of positive change; reject crowd mentality (Acts 19:32); First to stand up, first to speak up…first. So, leaders stop looking around but rather look up.
True spiritual leaders know what the right thing is, they know in their heart what should be done. But they’re not the only ones who know. Someone in your life is waiting for you to lead, they need you to lead.
Harry S. Truman, "I wonder how far Moses would have gone if he'd taken a poll in Egypt? What would Jesus Christ have preached if he'd taken a poll in Israel? It isn't polls or public opinion of the moment that counts. It's right and wrong."
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 22:17-19
Lord’s Supper
Passover for the Jews, the Lord’s Supper for us, is meant to be a reminder, a chance to reset…
Almost every list of what we are thankful for will be important things, but mostly temporal things.
What Jesus has done for us changes everything we have and everything we have to look forward to.
Gave thanks and broke the bread…Gave thanks and passed the wine…
Adrian Rogers, "If Christ didn't die on a cross, wasn't buried in a tomb, and doesn't live today, nothing matters. If Christ did die a horrible death on a cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and did rise again on the third day, nothing else matters."
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 23:13-25
We can be the chief priests…and the people.
It was hatred of Jesus, not love of Barabbas, that set Barabbas free.
Chief Priests: Anger that leads to hatred that leads us too far. (vs 21-22) In relationships, you can do and say things you won’t recover from. Know anyone who enjoys being angry?
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 23:13-25
I am Barabbas…
Real love is not based on behavior:
Isaiah 53:6
Romans 5:6-8
Real love does not wait to be asked, real love goes first:
Revelation 3:20
A.W. Tozer, "Nobody ever got anything from God on the grounds that he deserved it. Having fallen, man deserves only punishment and death. So if God answers prayer it’s because God is good."
Grace is everything for nothing to those who don't deserve anything.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 23:1-12
Jesus taken to Roman authorities—Pilate and Herod
Vs 23:1, “…led Him to Pilate.” Why?
Galatians 4:4
Romans 13:1-2
Matthew 28:18
Winston Churchill 1874
Franklin Roosevelt 1882
Adolph Hitler 1889
God created you for Jesus…for someone.
Colossians 1:16
Romans 8:29
Luke 19:10
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 22:63-71
How do you speak to God? What do you talk about?
Amazing how many questions God does not answer, could it be because of the questions?
Isaiah 59:1-2
How do you hear from God? What does He talk about?
Ray Pritchard, "God ordinarily will not show you His will in order for you to consider it. He won't show you His will so you can say, 'Maybe I will…maybe I won't.' If you want to know God's will, you have to choose to do it before you know what it is."
Why should God answer you if you’re not going to believe it anyway?
We want what we want so badly we can’t believe it’s not what God wants.Important, difficult lesson: God doesn’t care about some of the things you care about so deeply. So, you have made some things more important than they actually are.
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 22:54-62
Simon Peter’s denial of Jesus—Jesus is not observing us in our pain, He enters our pain with us
Vs 57 Walking in Jesus’ shoes“Woman, I do not know Him.”
Vs 58 Walking in the apostle’s shoes“You also are of them.”
Vs 61-62 Walking in Simon Peter’s shoes.“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.” How could Peter know Jesus was looking at him?
We can repent of our sins but we can’t atone for our sins…that’s what Jesus did. The apostle Paul said that if it’s of works it’s not of grace—we can’t have it both ways, either we’re saved by grace or we’re not saved.
We can repent of our sins, because Jesus paid for our sins.
Timothy Keller, "…the prerequisite for receiving the grace of God is to know you need it. If you want God's grace, all you need is need, all you need is nothing."
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 22:47-54
The Arrest of Jesus
What is the last recorded act of Jesus physically healing someone? What is the last recorded act of Jesus spiritually healing someone?
No need of swords, on either side. In Gethsemane Jesus made His choice, now everyone else has to make their choice, and they are free to choose.
We never lose the power to choose.
Love, by definition, is choice. A discipleship relationship with Jesus based on love, not duty/rules.
John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
Jesus, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”
Albert Einstein, "I believe that love is a better teacher than a sense of duty."
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day." -Noelle, age 7
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 22:39-46
~Jesus’ struggle with the Father’s will.
~My struggle with the Father’s will.
Who is present: (Jesus) Satan, Father, an angel, disciples
Vs 46 It isn’t to escape temptation, but to not enter it (overcome, overpower, give in, fall into)
Why is it so important that we pray? Because we need to sleep.
The devil doesn’t just want you to do some bad things. John 10:10
Someone knew an angel was there…
Worrying…thinking…assuming, is not praying.
Satan's demons always have a hand on you, pressed either against your chest or your back. Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit always has His hand on you, pressed either against your chest or your back.
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 22:39-46
~Jesus’ struggle with the Father’s will.
~My struggle with the Father’s will.
Who is present: (Jesus) Satan, Father, an angel, disciples
In Gethsemane the human part of Jesus is struggling with God the Father as every human struggles with God over our will versus God’s will. What were they struggling over…or who were they struggling over?
These struggles always involve choice, in this instance the choice to love…to love someone else more than yourself. Jesus loves you and had to choose to love you again.
Luke 22:34 Father forgive them…
vs 35 the rulers
vs 36-37 the soldiers
vs 39 one criminal
Do you know anyone who is worthless? Jesus’ love for you has nothing to do with what you do, it is for what you are, you are His!
The cross is the measure of God’s love for you…nothing else.
Message: Job as a father Text: Job 1:1-5
The book of Job is one of the earliest Bible stories written. Israel as a nation and the priesthood had not happened yet. Job is the priest/pastor of his home, nothing changes that. The priesthood/pastorate were designed to help the larger community, not take the place of the father in the home (Esau and his birthright)
According to the number of them all—a sacrifice for each of his children, individually (Susanna Wesley)
See how busy Job’s life must be, but he’s up early in the morning sacrificing for his children. This is important to him, his children are important to him and their relationship with his God is important to him. Job does not join them and they do not join him. (The Prodigal Son)
Message: The gospel according to Luke Text: Luke 22:31-34
The devil doesn’t get it:
Satan has asked for you by name (Job, Sceva’s sons)
Martin Luther, “Whenever I enter my study, close the door, and open my Bible, the devil meets me there.”
“You can tell the character of a man by looking at his enemies.”
We don’t get it:
No one knows themselves like they think they do.
Matthew Henry, "The stronger the temptation to sin is, the stronger the resolution must be against it."
Beware of “self righteousness” which is technically an oxymoron.
We need to do what we can, only problem with that is John 15:5.
Jesus gets it:
Satan asked and Jesus said yes.
We grow thru our tests. Our failures make us more than our successes.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 22:21-30
Vs 24 Who is the worst? Who is the greatest?
No one really changes grudgingly, but by the calling of Jesus.
The calling: A strong impression upon the soul; A still small voice like a whisper over your shoulder—Isaiah; A Shepherd’s Voice—Jesus.
Worldly discontent—not content until we have more of the same.
Godly discontent—more of the same no longer contents us at all. God has something else for us, something more, but it’s not of this world.
I Corinthians 16:15, “…they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.”
Vs 15 “This Passover…” Why is this Passover so special?
A Tale of Two Cities—Charles Dickens
Vs 19-20 Passover has always been a meal of remembrance. The Lord’s Supper is still a meal of remembrance…remember something new God has done. Passover pointed backward and forward. The Lord’s Supper points backward and forward. Backward to the cross, forward to…what?
Teresa of Avila, "Check them by remembering that your kingdom is not of this world, and that everything comes quickly to an end, and that there is nothing in this life that goes on unchangingly."
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 22:1-6 (3, 5)
The devil doesn’t get it:
Genesis 1:27 Every human is created in the image of God.
Romans 3:12, James 1:17 That’s where our good comes from.
Philippians 2:13, 1 John 4:19 Christians ramp it up a notch.
Satan’s temptation of Eve: he tempts her to be like God (more than the image of God) Why? Because he wants Eve to be like him and he wants to be like God…Satan wants to be God.
Satan’s temptation of Jesus: he wants Jesus to worship him. Why? Satan despises our worship of Jesus and craves our worship of himself probably more than anything else. Satan wants to be worshiped as if he were God.
Satan is the ultimate prejudiced bigot and the ultimate narcissist. He hates everything and everyone who is not him; he wants everything to worship him; he wants everything and everyone to revolve around him.
…and you’re not like that and he doesn’t get it! Satan can’t fathom your love and repentance.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 22:1-6
Chief priests, scribes, Judas, captains—the devil and his angels. Ephesians 6:12 The devil loves to work thru people…people just like you and me. Has the devil ever used you?Those who are in the most danger of being Satan’s tool are those who don’t think he is or can use them.
Satan didn’t really understand God’s plan, he still doesn’t.1 Peter 1:12. The cross didn’t surprise him, but the resurrection did!
Did the devil’s plan work? ______
Romans 8:29. “God takes what the enemy means for evil and turns it for good.” But no one can see it at the time.
John Stott, "The wiles of the devil take many forms, but he is at his wiliest when he succeeds in persuading people that he does not exist."
Message: Mother’s Day. Faith may seem like the scariest thing but it’s actually the safest thing.
Text: 1 Kings 17:9-16 Elijah and the widow of Zarephath
Vs 12, They don’t have anything to lose, they’re on a path to death anyway
Vs 13, “First” give it to God. There is an order to things in God’s economy and life doesn’t work until we get the order right. Giving back to God “first” is where the test of faith is.
Faith may seem like the scariest thing but it’s actually the safest thing.
~The best thing you can do for your “son” is to put Jesus first, then let Jesus take care of your “son.” You are giving your “son” to Jesus to care for.
~The worst thing you can do for your “son” is to put your “son” first. You are then trying to remove your “son” from Jesus’ care and depending on your own care for him.
Replace “son” with whatever ________, the test of faith might be for you.
When the widow of Zarephath obeyed God’s Word she opened the way for God to take care of her son. Faith, love, obedience to God’s Word opens the way for God to get involved in your life and your son’s life.
Text: Luke 21:5-36
2nd Coming of Jesus, 21:27-28, 36
70AD, destruction of Jerusalem/temple, 21:5-6, 20
Stand--Luke 21:36, “…stand before the Son of man.”
Postures:
Stand--Romans 14:9, “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
Kneel--Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Fall--Revelation 4:10, “the 24 elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne…”
We can approach Jesus out of fear or out of love.
Love instead of fear (want to instead of have to)
1 John 4:17-19, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”
Message: The gospel according to Luke (4-5-20)
Text: Luke 20:27-38
Believing faith…
Romans 10:9, “If you will confess with your mouth…”
Romans 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing…”
then growing faith that builds a strong hope by experience.
The most important second in your life.
Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for...”
Romans 5:4, “Tribulation, patience, experience, hope.” (KJV)
Hope for the present and future is built on what God has done in the past. He is still building hope in you thru experience.
What are you hoping for?
The most important second in your life.
Message: The gospel according to Luke (4-5-20)
Text: Luke 20:27-38
Believing faith…
Romans 10:9, “If you will confess with your mouth…”
Romans 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing…”
then growing faith that builds a strong hope by experience.
The most important second in your life.
Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for...”
Romans 5:4, “Tribulation, patience, experience, hope.” (KJV)
Hope for the present and future is built on what God has done in the past. He is still building hope in you thru experience.
What are you hoping for?
The most important second in your life.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 20:20-25
Taxes: honor/respect the governing authority.
Consequences and the “arm chair quarterback.”
Tithes: Ps 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” Job 41:11, “…everything under heaven is Mine.”
Like a river flowing into the ocean.
Tithing pays for doing God’s work.
Your stuff is already God’s stuff, so God doesn’t need more stuff.
Jesus wants you.
Jesus likes you.
Jesus has come to you. So, come to Him.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 20:1-8
Matthew 28:18, “All authority is given unto Me…”
You:
~Most of the time authority for us is a control issue, who has control?
~Psalm 24:1, Job 41:11
~Jesus doesn’t have to ask anyone, needs no permission, doesn’t have to explain Himself, and doesn’t have to answer to anyone…so He usually doesn’t.
Others:
~Daniel 4:17, 34-35King Nebuchadnezzar
~Jesse, David, Nebuchadnezzar, Quirinius, Caesar Augustus, Joseph, Mary, Bethlehem
Romans 8:28
Text: Luke 20:41-47
“You only believe the part of the Bible that you live.”
Matthew 22:42, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.”
Text: Luke 20:41-44
Luke 20:42, LORD (Jehovah) – Lord (Adonai) (Gen 15:2)
John 8:24 (NIV) “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”
Text: Luke 20:45-47
They love: the best things, the best places, taking other people’s things, what people think about them…they love themselves.
Colossians 1:16, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
He does not exist for us, we exist for Him
Life like a jigsaw puzzle
~13 in an upper room
~Garden, scattered, (fear, turning point)
~Cross, (fear)
~Resurrection (fear, turning point, preaching point)
~Acts 1, 120 in an upper room
~Acts 2, 3,000
~Acts 4, 5,000
~Acts 8:4, persecution, spread worldwide (the fish)
~1 Peter 1:6-7Pure faith
~James 1:3-4Perfect (mature) faith
All comfort does for the church is make us comfortable.
During the testing of your faith, that’s where your turning point will be.
Acts 8:4, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.”
1 Peter 1:6-7, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Pure faith
James 1:3-4, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Perfect (mature) faith
Message: The Lord’s Supper
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
(2 Corinthians 11:3) “The simplicity that is in Christ.”
Corporately-FGBC:
“This do…Go, make disciples, baptize, teach”
Individually:
Love, trust, obey…Jesus
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 19:41-48
The emotions of God: Sadness, grief, anger—the passion and urgency of God.
Time is still running out, and people are already lost so what more do they have to lose?
Shane Rosenthal,"The Jesus we preach is so kind, gentle, and loving, it is a wonder that He was ever crucified."
The emotion of God inspires emotion in us.If Jesus were with us in the flesh today, would someone still kill Him?
If you won’t stand up for Jesus when there is no real consequence, why would you stand up when there is a real consequence?
Living divisively, living decisively
Drawing a bolder line in my life and with my life.
A Hand on my back and a hand on my chest. Matthew 28:19 & Zechariah 3:1
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 19:28-40
~Have you ever sat on a colt that has never been sat on before?
~What is spontaneous worship by the disciples was planned by God. We don’t create the wave, we just ride the wave…if we want to. If you want to ride a wave, you better jump on while it is passing by.
There is always someone who is opposing our worship
~It is wrong to not worship the Lord.
~It is wrong to keep worship to ourselves.
~Satan hates our worship and praise to Jesus
~So, my silence is pleasing to Satan
~So, my hesitancy to worship Jesus is pleasing to Satan.
~Jesus is serious enough about worship that He is willing to make stones talk if you won’t.
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 19:10-27
Fearful:
~Fear of failure instead of fear of the king. The 3rd servant completely misunderstands his King…the King is not angry with mistakes, He is angry with nothing.
~The business of FGBC is Jesus and people. (vs 10)
~A scenario and an empty chair. Finding some does not slack God’s sense of urgency forall, 2 Peter 3:9
Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 19:11-27
Faithful:
~Dr James Dobson—2 weeks
~Old country preacher—“I don’t always know when the Holy Spirit is, but I shore know when He aint.”
~Rev Andy Stanley, “Do what you want.”
Joyce Meyer, “Eat what you want and still lose weight.”
~Psalm 139:1-4, 16—It doesn’t matter.
Jim Elliot in an airplane.