FBC Clarion Podcast: Recent Episodes
First Baptist Clarion
Pastor Jason Hunter brings the word of God to us each week at First Baptist Church in Clarion, Pennsylvania
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Pastor Jason Hunter
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Pastor Jason Hunter
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Pastor Jason Hunterfbcclarion.comWorship LIVE with FBC Clarion Sundays @10:30 AMCCLI Copyright License# 373183CCLI Streaming License# 20171130
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Pastor Jason Hunter
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Pastor Jason brings us a message on John 8:31-32 - Abiding in His word brings us Freedom.
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Will you make room for Jesus to come in and make changes in your this year?
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Draw near to God
Hold fast to faith
Stir up one another
Learn how....
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Message by Jarrett Furnish & Candlelight Service
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Christmas sermon series 2023fbcclarion.com
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How do we abide in Christ?
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Who is Holy Spirit and what does he do for us?
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Worship Service every Sunday at 10:30AM
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Pastor Jason helps us understand our Relationship with God!
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Pastor Jason talks about allowance, but not the kind you give your kids each week! How can we live in unity with those around us when they don't believe the same things?
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How do we love others? What does God have to say about it?
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What does Jesus say about loving others? And how do we do that?
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How can we be peacemakers?
Randy Leadbetter
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How do we love our enemies?
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Who is the Body of Christ?
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There are many lists in the Bible... this is another important one!
Check out the whole list at fbcclarion.com/3ddevelop
We talked about the Discipline portion before, but today we're rewinding back to pick up the action steps that go with discipline. What can WE DO to follow and listen to God better?
What is Love? What does the Bible have to say about how should we treat one another? What is the difference between brotherly love and other types of love?Find out today with Randy Leadbetter!
What is the cure to Pride? Humility. Learn more today with guest preacher - Barry Whitworth - our PA/SJ Baptist Resource Network Executive Director
Why should we deny ourselves? What did Jesus say that makes it important to live selflessly?
We need to understand DISCPLINE before we dive into discipline(s). We will come back to the spiritual disciplines later... for now... what is discipline? Is it always painful or harsh? The answer is NO! Why?
Link to the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Language-Salvation-Discovering-Riches-Means/dp/1941337090
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Living Righteous moves in a process.. we realize who God is... we realize our problem.. and then we realize God's solution -- GRACE! Thank God for that!
Join us for this Holy Week service where we think about what Jesus walked through on the days leading up to his death and resurrection.
We're on week 7 of the 3D Disciples journey. Today we get to talk about Sin -- and how is this related to Palm Sunday?fbcclarion.com
We're on week 6 of the 3D Disciples journey. We did have some technical difficulties today... this is the recording from service!fbcclarion.comWorship LIVE with FBC Clarion Sundays @10:30 AMCCLI Copyright License# 373183CCLI Streaming License# 20171130
We're in week 5 of the 3D Disciples journey! Find everything you need at the Hub: fbcclarion.com/3D
We're in week 4 of our 3D Disciples journey. Find everything you need here: fbcclarion.com/3D
3D Disciples Journey Sermon discussing the role of the church. What is the church really for?
What does it mean when Paul says he shows his faith BY his works? I thought our salvation was free?
This is the final installment of Foundations. What does it mean to be your Brother's Keeper?
We're in Matthew 14:22-33 this morning. Join our guest speakers Rob & Lynn in asking this question: "When worshiping Jesus costs us something; will we still worship Him?"
Cliff Jenkins is our guest speaker today... What is Juneteenth, Why should we celebrate it, What does this have to do with scripture?
ACTS 15
The big THEOLOGICAL ISSUE today:
"Grace plus _________ equals salvation"
------ different people fill the blank with different theologies
------ such as grace + baptism = salvation
PROBLEMS WITH SAMEISM (when everyone thinks, acts and believes the same way)
- neglects growing room
"God gets to determine when and how someone grows and matures"
- assumes righteousness
"If we ever get to a place where we think we have God (the infinite, all-knowing creator) figured out, maybe we can execute more humility."
-
concentrates on externals
-
motivated by jealousy
"when we demand them to bear the burdens I have...we are jealous they have liberty or a freedom in Christ we may not have"
--- is there ever a time to part ways? yes (sadly) -----
WHY?
- serious theological teaching is debated
HOW?
- carefully and patiently considered
[be slow to anger and quick to listen] John 1:19
- receive representative counsel
(including those who don't agree with you - in Acts 15, everybodys got a say)
- biblical and holy spirit evidences
NEVER
- when an "-ism" occurs. reference last few weeks of sermons at FBC Clarion (meism, heroism, themism, etc.)
What does Paul say we should continue doing? Let’s listen to Jarrett Furnish bring the word from Colossians 4:2-6!
Jesus Christ was announced to many people before and after his birth. How did the hearer respond?
Jesus Christ was announced to many people before and after his birth. How did the hearer respond?
Jesus Christ was announced to many people before and after his birth. How did the hearer respond?
Jesus Christ was announced to many people before and after his birth. How did the hearer respond?
Jesus Christ was announced to many people before and after his birth. How did the hearer respond?
-Randy Leadbetter
How do you THRIVE in Babylon... not just survive?
Sermon Notes (Printable)
Jason Hunter
Question: Will we know each other in heaven?
Jason Hunter
We worshipped at the Farm yesterday. If you missed it, we missed YOU! Take a look and plan to join us next time! Our Worship Service is ready for you to view!
Question: I have been wondering about something you said previously. You indicated that we should pray to only the Father but then this week was about Jesus and Him being God and the Holy Spirit being our earthly heavenly helper. I am confused.
Question: Standing up during the Public Scripture Reading, why do we not stand for the entire service in a sense because that is God's Word being declared. It seems sensible. Why aren't we invited to stand as is done when worship begins, or when the bride is walking down the aisle. I know you said you wanted it to catch on and people to do it of their own accord but perhaps it needs a bit of explanation and contextualization. I know in a sense it is a minor issue but I thought I would ask anyway.
Jason Hunter
2 Timothy 2:15
Everyone is a ___________________
Everyone needs to be a __________________________
______________________ of Biblical Interpretations
1-There is __________________ and ___________________
2- Avoid ______________ Do Not miss __________________
3- ____ ________ Not _________________
4- God is Not trying to _____________________
5- God _______________ Faith Not ____________________
______________________ of Biblical Interpretations
1___________________ ______________ ________________
2___________________ ______________ ________________
3 __ ___ ___ ___
4_______________Words = BIG __________________
5 Finally - Avail yourself of ____________________
Jason Hunter
Silent Wolf 3 - Acts 20:25-27
**Omission 3= _______________________
Hedonism = the doctrine that ___________ or _____________ is the highest good.
Christian Hedonism = the belief that a relationship with God
is the means to having your every _____________ or _____________ met
Sacrifice - the voluntary ___________ of one’s desires,
rights, assets, possessions, or ______________________
_______________ is instrumental to being a ___________________
3 Heart Issues that require Sacrifice form a Jesus Follower
1= ______________________
Self-Denial is the Heart of ___________________ :Matthew 16:24
2= _____________________
Love is the Heart of ____________________ :1 John 4:8
-
Sacrifice is ______________ of Love :Ephesians 5:1-2
-
Sacrifice is ______________ of Love :John 15:12-14
-
Sacrifice is ____________
of ______________ Love :John 2:15-16
3= _____________________
Service is Heart of ___________________ :Matthew 20:26-28
The church is supposed to exist for those __________________
as much as it does for those __________________**
Jason Hunter
Silent Wolf 2
Acts 20:25-27
Omission 2 = _______________________ _____________is a reality of life. John 16:33 Romans 8:18
_____________is a reality of believers. Psalms 34:19 2 Tim. 3:12
When we omit the Biblical teaching of suffering it handicaps us in dealing with the ___________________________________
The Problem of Evil = How can a _________ _________ and _________ ______________ God allow _________ to Exist?
We can’t mistake the ___________ of God as either _____________ or ______________________
When we omit the Biblical teaching of suffering we miss the ___________________________________
1_________________________________ Hebrews 12:7-11 2
_________________________________ 1 Peter 1:6-7 3
_________________________________ 2 Corinthians 1:3-9 4
_________________________________ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
When we omit the Biblical teaching of suffering we sidestep the ___________________________________
We are being transformed to…..
1 _____________ of the things of Jesus Luke 23:34
2 __________ the _________ of Jesus Hebrews 5:7-10
3 _______________ the ______________ as Jesus did John 15:18-21 Hebrews 11:32-38
Keith Hastings
1 Thessalonians 5 NIV
https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/1-thessalonians/5/nvi/
3 Defining Qualities of a Christian
The Love of God and Others - Mark 12:29-31 - Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these
Selfless love I Corinthians 13:4-6 - Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth
The Christian Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Holy Spirit is a marker your assurance of salvation.
Time to keep growing and to shine as we have never shined before. Be more and more Christian
Book of Hebrews - Jesus is better – stick with him. – Keep on Growing – Don’t Stop
Hebrews 12:1-3 –Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Picture of a lady named Kayla Montgomery – long distance runner. She has MS and she can’t feel her legs when she runs. Her coach has to help her stop and then she regains the feeling of her legs. This is a picture of the Christian race. It is painful. When we finish the race we collapse into the arms of Jesus. Jesus carries you off the field. This is the image of the writer of Hebrews. We have to give it our all. No matter what obstacles we face.
- Look back and around - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses – Hebrews 11 is the Hall of fame of the faithful. Don’t give up. Our history and legacy are important to us. Who is in your stadium? Sports events – how are the athletics going to play and no one be in the stadium. Their dad and mom are watching them play. Will they give it their all? As a Christian will you give it your all? A W Tozer was a personal favorite.
- Look in - let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, He is writing to Christians. Without repentance we can’t run very well. Have you gotten rid of all the sin out of your life? Catastrophic and cancerous sins. Catastrophic – big damage, sins tend to be physical, not easy to hide then cancerous – termites – do damage but slower, sins tend to be with the mind, easy to hide.
- Look Forward - let us run with endurance the race that is set before us – If you are going to run a race you always focus on the finish. All eyes are forward. You can’t look backwards. Where are you going? Heaven Colossians 3:1-2 - If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Be heavenly minded because we want more people to be there.
- Focus on Jesus - looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, an
Randy Leadbetter
What is your most important day? Is it the day you got married? The day you had children? The day you got your degree? What in the past are we missing? Those were the good old days. In the 30’s, times were tough – there were mobsters, soup lines, several blocks long, dust ball came through our country. There were no showers, went outside to go to the bathroom. In the 40’s, millions killed during the war. Would freedom reign? In the 50’s we had the fear of the atomic bomb. We thought we would be okay under our desk. In the 60’s there was great music – The Beatles, The Stones, but our President was killed. President Kennedy and his brother both murdered. Vietnam War – Detroit was burned down In the past we reminisce that there were 12 kids in every classroom, VBS was full. There was pain in the past. Regrets. Can’t get on to today. History of the Church – Israelites – in the wilderness they grumbled and complained – spent 40 years in the desert. What in the future do we have our minds set on? Is the future the best life ahead? The future ruins today’s goals? If I can only get past high school, then it will be real living. If I can get that job, life will be better. If I get married, things will be great. I really want children, then I will have a real family. Can’t wait until the kids move out of the house, then my spouse and I will travel, especially when we retire. The only thing was that person died before retirement. True contentment, true joy – Only God Knows Are we dwelling too much on the future? Don’t know future – it is overwhelming. So overwhelming that it ruins today. Are you living a life of fear? Paul in Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We miss today because we dwell so much on the future or on the past. Today is the day we have. In II Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. I Corinthians 9:24 - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Luke 12:16-20 - And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? What am I going to do today for HIM? Matthew 6:25 - Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Our focus needs to be on today. How can I be like Jesus today? Corrie Ten Boom - Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. What can we do? Spend time with the Lord Spend time in The Word Quality time with spouse and kids Encouraging others Show kindness to others Give compliments Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. What is the most important day? Today is the most important day to give Honor and Glory to God
**Jason Hunter
6 THINGS WE CAN DO TO DAMAGE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT**
- People can Lie to the Holy Spirit
- People can Grieve the Holy Spirit
- People can resist the Holy Spirit
- People can Quench the Holy Spirit
- People can Blaspheme the Holy Spirit
Matthew 12:31-32 Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is completely ignoring or discrediting the Work of the Spirit
Three Warning signs …. You may be on a Blasphemous course:
- Psalm 81:11-12 – But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
Stubbornness against the things of God
- Romans 1:24, 26, 28 – Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another; Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones; Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done
Desire for things not of God ….. The world
- 1 Timothy 4:1-2 – The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. Adoption of Non-Godly (non-Biblical) teaching
Treat Blasphemy like the Grand Canyon
- People can Mistreat the Holy Spirit
Hebrews 10:29 - How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
Two ways we mistreat the Spirit in the church setting
- When we ignore what the Spirit IS saying
John 15:26 - When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
- When we credit the Spirit with saying something He IS NOT saying
- When we attach the Spirit’s direction without consultation
- When we attach the Spirit’s direction to something non-biblical. Especially to get our own way
- When we attach the Spirit’s direction to our personal preferences.
Jason Hunter
John 16:7
7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you
Point one = The Spirit did not just arrive
Point two = The Spirit is a “Person”
He is Person
He is Personal
He is where/how we connect with God
He is in our hearts
He reacts to us in a real relationship
Point three = The quality of the connection depends on the quality of the relationship
How does the Spirit react when we damage the relationship?
The Silent Treatment
6 things we can do to damage our relationship with the Holy Spirit
1-People can Lie to the Spirit
Acts 5:1-11
The Heart of the lie is they wanted to seem more pious, religious, or spiritually mature than they actually are
Why is it so egregious?
John 16:13 - But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Romans 8:27 - And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
4 Ways we lie to the Spirit
1- When there is no consistency between church life and public life
Matthew 6:1 - Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Matthew 23:27 - Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness
Romans 2:3 - So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
2- When we taught our belief in the Bible BUT disregard it instructions
1 John 2:4 - Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
Luke 6:46 - Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Real Life -EXAMPLE
John 13:13-14,17 - You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
3- Anytime we lack love
1 John 4:20-21 - Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
4- Anytime we become Self-Righteous /Judgmental
1 John 1:10 - If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his
Holy Spirit – Your spirit that indwells us. Fill us with your Spirit – Give us ears to hear the Spirit
John 16:7 – I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.
Basic Faith – The Spirit did not just arrive on the day of Pentecost – He has always been here. We looked at the Old Testament and the New Testament, how the Spirit is eternal. Our First Baptist Church Statement of Faith says God: we believe that the scriptures teach that there is one God, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; who exists eternally in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in divine perfection.
Today to look at the Holy Spirit – the Holy Spirit is a person.
https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Clarifying-the-Trinity-God-the-Father-Son-and-Holy-Spirit
The Trinity – God is 3 persons – Father is God, Son is God, Spirit is God
Father is not the son, the Son is not Spirit, and Spirit is not Father. Uniqueness of the person of the trinity – they have their own identity. How do we relate to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Father is who we want to honor and bring glory to, fear and justice, we relate to the Father, we want to be His children. Son is kind of our big brother, He understands the Father better than we ever could, and He is there to help us, guide us and be an example for us. He willingly took our place and received that wrath on Him so that we could be spared the wrath. He is there to protect us. The Spirit, I didn’t concentrate much on. I need to dedicate myself. I know He is called the Helper. Today to look at the Spirit and how we relate to Him. 5 facets of the person of Holy
- The Spirit is a He, not an it. He is a person – they have pronouns – He or She. Much of my life, we refer He was referred as the Holy Ghost. Ghost are commonly thought of as someone less than a person. The echo of a person. Holy Spirit is a person of God Himself. We need to embrace the person He is. Basic faith of the Bible. Inspiration of the Bible. God presents Himself as a He. Father, Son – using male words. Throughout the Bible presents Himself as a He. My faith is that God wrote the Bible exactly when He wanted it to be. That is how He wanted to be presented. These are Basic Faiths of the Bible.
- The Spirit is personal. In the 70s the Star Wars movie changed things. May the Force be with you. More people thought of the Spirit more of a force. The problem with the Spirit being a force makes it cold and un-personal. No connection, lifeless. The Bible uses the word comforter, a very personal kind of person. A child scrapes his knee and the mom uses a cold cloth to help it be comfortable. The relationship between child and mom makes it better. Same with the Spirit we have someone who cares about us. Spirit cares for you personally. The Spirit prays for you personally. It is with the Spirit we personally connect to God. He is a personal God. Christianity is more a relationship than a religion.
- The Spirit is how we personally connect with God. We have heard will you invite Jesus into your heart. Revelation – Behold I stand at the door – the knock. The rest of the Bible doesn’t talk about Jesus coming into your heart. It is actually the Spirit Galatians 4:6 – And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying “Abba Father”. God comes to us. The Spirit that indwells us and connects us to God. Romans 5:5 – and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. I Corinthians 3:16 – Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? When we give our life to Christ – somet
Jason Hunter
20th Century of the Holy Spirit
Learning about the Holy Spirit more – trying to personally grow in myself –
- Spirit is crucial to his disciples and us – the spirit connects us to God. God is the engine, we are the wheels, the drivetrain gets the power to the wheels (The Holy Spirit) He connects us to the power of God.
- Spirit is actively working constantly. He is always around us. He is constantly there with us. He indwells us. The problem is we often don’t recognize the Spirit. What did I hear? What should I do with what I heard? Who will I tell?
- Jesus has an amazing view of the Spirit Himself. It is to your advantage that I go away. The helper, the Spirit, will come to you. If Jesus has that high of opinion about the Spirit, should not we? It is worth exploring.
- There is more to the Spirit that I have known or experienced. I realize I need a desire to grow in this area. The Spirit did not just arrive. Even 2,000 years ago on the day of Pentecost. He has always been here. Part of the Trinity. Acts 1:4 – To wait for the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit. Day of Pentecost, we see the spirit.
The Spirit in the Old Testament
- Active in Creation Genesis 1:2 – the Spirit was there hovering over the waters at the beginning. Genesis 6:3 – Ez 36:37 – I will put my spirit within you. Guide them into righteousness. Restrain evil. My spirit won’t do this forever. Then the Flood.
- Empowered People to do God’s Will - Joshua – Spirit on him to be an effective leader and take the people into the Promised Land. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon so he could take a small band of warrior’s and defeat a much larger army, accomplishing the will of God. Even Samson, the Spirit came on him and gave him supernatural power and strength to defeat the Philistines. King Saul was filled by the Spirit so that he could become King. And later on, the spirit was taken away when Saul disobeyed.
- Called and gave messages to the prophets. Spirit was active agent to give the messages. Ez 2:3-4; Is 61:1 Spirit working and calling the prophets messages.
The Spirit in the New Testament
- Spirit confirmed Jesus’ baptism. Luke 3:21-22 – Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. Seal of God on his baptism.
- Spirit Lead Jesus. Luke 4:1 – led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The temptation was important – in all ways he was tempted like us, he was proven as a spotless lamb. Spirit leads and helps him to use scripture.
Spirit doesn’t change – actions he continues to do
- New Creation – born of water and of Spirit – about the time when Jesus spoke with Nicodemus. Born of the Spirit – Spirit makes it new 2 Cor 5:16-17 – a new creation – old has passed away the new has come.
- Guide into Righteousness – John 16:8-11 – help us understand and fight against sin. Conviction of the Holy Spirit. Is it similar as the days of Noah – how long will I
- Spirit empowered people to do God’s will. – He does that for you and me - 1 Cor 7:7 Romans 12:6 – Gifts of the spirit – so that we can serve him. I Cor 12:4-7 – manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. I Peter 4:10 – use it to serve one another
- Called People and gave them the message – Luke 12:12 Make disciples – bring good news – gospel of Jesus. The Spirit will help you to know what to say. Just open yourself up.
- Confirmation of Baptism Acts 2:37-38 – confirmation of the Holy Spirit – What shall we do? Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins – you will receive the Holy Spirit. If you are a true believer – you have the spirit of God in you. Romans 8:9 – anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
- Spirit leading followers - John 16:13 – Spirit of truth will guide you. Romans 8:14<
Jason Hunter
Faith in the Bible – Three I for believing in the Bible
- Inspiration –God breathed – condensation of God’s breath. 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Spirit of God took the Biblical writers and inspired them to write the Bible - Matthew 4:4 –Jesus said it is written that that man shall live by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.
- Inerrancy – to be without error – infallible – incapable of error - Hebrews 6:17 – it is impossible for God to lie/ God cannot tell a lie. Titus 1:1-2; Matthew 12:40, 19, 24:38 – accurate on history, accurate on future events. Luke 2:44-46 same with Jesus’ return – it will happen – must happen
- In-lightment - seed itself in your memory. Jesus teaches us about in-lightment - Illumination – comforts people – Jesus will ask the father to send the comforter, even the spirit of truth – John 14:16-17 – the night of the last supper – Jesus is trying to prepare them for what will happen. The Spirit of Truth dwells with you and within you. We have the Spirit of truth in us to help us to understand the scriptures. 18-24 – if you love me, keep my commandments. V 26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” The promise that the Spirit will help you. Holy Spirit helped men write scriptures, helps disciples. The spirit will teach you all things. John 16:13-14 – When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth for he will not speak on his own authority but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Paul prays for In-lightment for the church in Ephesians 1:16-18 – I do not cease to give thanks to you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you – preaching, teaching word of God.
We can rely on the Bible Ephesians 4:
Action Steps/Attitudes
- Approach Bible like it’s all red letter – it is all from God
- Adopt Bible as Primary Truth Source – Matthew 19:4 – Jesus used Bible as primary truth source
- Pray each time you read the Bible – “Lord give me ears to hear” –Revelation 3:22 as the inspired infallible word of God
Be humbled by thought of his care for us. Don’t neglect the Bible – cherish it and honor it. Ask forgiveness when we have failed. Hunger for your word. Scriptures to guide our decisions. Give us ears to hear you!
Come in the spirit
Expose yourself in scripture
Spirit communicates – you hear from God
What shall I do? Tell someone what you heard from the Bible
Jason Hunter
Acts 1:6-11 - So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
God’s ultimate plan to take creation to its state before the fall takes another dramatic step. He ascends to heaven.
Jesus promises He will return when He ascends to heaven.
Jesus is Coming Again Colossians 1:28 – We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. The idea is to gain disciples to give to Jesus when He returns. We consider all we do to right living because we are going to see Jesus again. Even the sacrament of communion is rooted into Jesus’ return.
11 Corinthians 5:9-10 – So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 11:26 – For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Correct Attitudes of Basic Faith – right attitude
Philippians 2:5-8 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! God despises pride and arrogance.
- Humility – God despises pride and arrogance. I don’t have it all figured out, but there is no requirement in the Bible to understand the end times and how it will unfold for them to be saved and assured of a place in the kingdoms of God. Salvation is through Grace and that through faith and not of works. Not even of works of understanding.
- Personal Diligence – It is extremely profitable to ponder the return of Jesus. There are concepts in our faith where there is some room for individual conclusions. This is what the Bible refers to as freedom. Instructions on this freedom is found in Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. I encourage you to study, research and conclude what you believe on these issues. This is a way to personalize your faith, so that it is yours, with the aid of the Holy Spirit. This is keeping with Philippians 2:12 - Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Two things – study and be captivated by debates, you will only find debates – remember what it says in Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your path. You might be right and you might not be right because you are human trying to figure out God – Almighty God!!
- Complete Trust in God – Acts 1:7 - He s
Jason Hunter
Fruitful Christians in a day of famine
Christians are not to be:
Not to be afraid, worried or selfish
We don’t live by not doing things. Need to consider replace the things in our lives we don’t want there.
How to replace those things that don’t shine our light brightly for Christ. To bring God the Glory.
Gratitude was one attribute I mentioned last week.
John 15:5 – 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Disaster – the economy is tanking – great time for the Christians to be fruitful
Galatians 5 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Characteristics of a single fruit – consider the watermelon round green red has seeds is soft sweet – descriptions of one fruit. Christians should have all the fruits of the spirit.
Bible is about context – exercise those principles – how to display the fruit of the spirit at this time.
- Love – produced by the Holy Spirit in their life – a) continue being the church in our faith- keep assembling together b) contact phone calls emails texts mailing. Go to someone else’s and blow the horn. We do well – call others – call your neighbors – call someone you never called before. Let them know you care about them. Share the love. C) Considerations of grace – be gracious to people. Because people are afraid. Many of them have no hope beyond this world. Let’s share the love of God with them. Be a good listener – just listen and love on them
- Joy – descriptive to those connected to the living vine – consciously look for – mined dug out – like gold mining. a) Look at things from God’s perspective – He is seeing his children 1 Peter 1:7 James 1:2-4 this time God is looking down as we go through a testing time. I am joyous seeing that you are passing this test well. You have joy and peace and passing it on b) He is also looking at the world) Matthew 9:35-38 Fruitful time of harvest – sharing the Gospel to those who need to hear it. That He is involved and active. It brings me joy to know that He has a plan according to His good and perfect will. Find someone to serve during this time. There is always joy when you care for and serve someone else. Do things that impact eternity. What can I do to impact my own eternity – read bible encourage another in their reading or share the Gospel. Do something that lasts forever. Crisis evaluate what truly has value. Invest yourself in those things. Spend time well.
- Peace – John 14:27- Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Two types of peace
- Peace that is absence of war - Colossians 1:19-20 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.1 Timothy 2:5- For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Romans 5:1 - Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is most important peace there is. Peace agreement between us and God. This is the peace that conquers all fear. Surrender to Jesus – way to surrender to this peace. If you want this peace, simply talk to Jesus – I surrender Lord Jesus – I believe in you, I am done fighting and rebelling against God – Jesus forgive me and he will
- Peace - Sense of security – All things people put in this world for security is an
The thing I want is gratitude!
I love the scriptures, I want to obey the scriptures
I want to live by the Bible
Especially when it is challenging.
So today as I sit here recording a message when I'd much rather be anticipating delivering it in person. While the doors of our church's building are closed and our church is spread out over the county. When things are not as I wished them to be, I am asking you to decide along with me
I will be thankful
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
How do we find gratitude when we experience things we never experienced before?
1st have to realize it is an act of the will
John 14:1 - Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
Don't let your heart be troubled, Jesus said. Don't let that happen.
Two things to do
1 Recite - Meditate - Scripture - I have made scriptures and put on a key chain and can pull them out and read throughout the day.
- Choose to find things to be thankful for
Some of the things I have chosen to be thankful for.
I am thankful for a greater appreciation for Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
I have preached this and believed this passage for a long time. But if I'm honest there are scriptures that did not seem really applicable at times. Book of Leviticus for example
Leviticus 13 - Bible says if someone is suspected of having a contagious disease they should be isolated for two weeks.
Wow the very thing we are considering has a Biblical precedence
That brought me comfort
And caused me to realize there are things in the scripture that
are profitable. We just haven't lived in a time when their wisdom has come to light.
Personal Example
Scriptures of Fatherhood meant less until I became a father.
I am thankful The Bible gives instruction for difficult situations
Romans 13:1-7 - Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
I am grateful that while leading a church through something I have never experienced before that there are some practical Biblical advice for me to hang on to in making decisions.
Two Side Notes
What is the meaning of life?
Are you a creationist?
It is all about the Creator over creation
Recognizing a creator gives 5 responsibilities to a meaning-full life!
- Authority - 1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Reaction: Love and Obey God
- Humility - Matthew 22:37-40 - And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.
Reaction: Deny Self- Jesus washed his disciple's feet. Be humble, serve others.
- Purpose - Psalm 139:13 - For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
Reaction: He has a purpose and plan for your life.
- Value - Luke 20:24-25 - Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
Reaction: Image bearers of God. Everyone is just as valuable. Humans are the currency of heaven.
- Hope - Micah 6:8 - He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Reaction: Live Life with Hope.
We live in a world of "Bad News" - We Can Pray
Truth 1
God's People are partly responsible for the good of the land.
Matthew 5:13-16 = "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:13:44-45 - But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
What is the "IF part" - If My people - God's people have not been doing what we are commanded to do
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Humble Themselves - Romans 12:3 - For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
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Pray- Do we have talks with God?
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Seek God's Face - to be in His presence
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Turn from Wicked ways - Call to believers to repent - we always mention somebody else's sin. We need to look at our own. Pride, gossip, complaining, etc.
Devote 180 - to praying for 3 minutes of the revival of the church and salvation of the lost.
What is the "Then?"
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Hear - takes all four of the above to Hear - Humility, Pray, Seek God's Face, Repent and turn from our wicked ways.
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Forgive - Promise 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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Heal the Land - Everybody reaps the benefits
Truth 2
Revival proceeds Evangelism
What would revival look like?
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Devotion to the Word - Say I know the Bible says AND this is what I am going to do.
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Devotion to Fellowship - Being accountable to one another
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Devotion to the Table - today sincere self-evaluation before coming to the communion table
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Devotion to Prayer - Pray out loud, pray with others, write your prayers, Grow in prayer. Practice makes perfect.
I have questions:
- Can I Change God's mind?
- Close Eyes bow head?
- Why am I not interested?
- Does prayer work?
- In His will?
- Can I really move a mountain?
- Is more better?
- If God knows everything, why pray?
- Is praying together necessary?
- Didn't Jesus pray in private?
- Persist or not?
Don't let anything stop you from playing! Commanded by scripture to pray.
Philippians 4:4-7 - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I can pray. Just like Jesus, he prayed
Luke 3:21 - Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened.
Praying private, but his disciples were with him.
Prayer is simply talking to God. Sin separates us from God.
Matthew 4:23 - And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Luke 9:18 - Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
Tip #1 Be Real. Talk to him from your heart.
Tip #2 Pray from God's Perspective
Tip #3 Wrong Motives and Sin are a barrier to God answering my prayers.
- Wrong Motives 2. Malice/Sin in heart 3. Understanding way
- Doubt 5. Reject God's Word
Tip #4 Pray with the Bible.
Tip #5 Pray alone and with others.
Prayer may be the best spiritual mirror.
Do you ever just let God love you?
Will you devote to pray? Devote 180
The Prayers - Acts 2:42 - And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
One Teaching
One Fellowship
One Breaking of Bread
Multiple Prayers
Multiple Types of Prayers
1 Timothy 2:1 - First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people
- Supplications
- Prayers
- Intercessions
- Thanksgiving
Multiple Times of Prayers
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Multiple Things to Pray For
- Revival of Church - Revival means bring back to life
- Salvation of Lost
Devote 180 - spend 3 minutes a day to devote to pray for Revival of Church and Salvation of Lost
The Breaking of Bread
What is The Breaking of Break? It's The Lord's Supper - The Table
What is devotion to the Table?
Love for it = Luke 22:15-16
Need for it = 1 Timothy 1:15
Proclamation of it = 1 Corinthians 11:26
Submission to it = Ephesians 5:22-33
The Table plays vital roles in the Life of a growing church!!
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Should Stimulate self-examination = 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
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Invigorate a gospel remembrance = 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:4-8
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Encourage Christian Exhortation Hebrews 3:12-14
The Table is intended to be a powerful means of exhortation Matthew 18:15-20
Acts 2:42 - And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
The Fellowship - noun - a particular kind of fellowship
What is The Fellowship?
The "One-Anothers"
(Mark 9:50) (John13:14) (John 13:34) (John 13:35) (John 15:12) (John 15:17) (Romans 12:10) (Romans 12:16) (Romans 13:8) (Romans 14:13) (Romans 15:7) (Romans 15:14) (Romans 16:16) (1 Corinthians 11:33) (1 Corinthians 12:25) (1 Corinthians 16:20) (II Corinthians 13:12) (Galatians 5:13) (Galatians 5:15) (Galatians 5:26) (Galatians 6:2) (Ephesians 4:2) (Ephesians 4:32) (Ephesians 5:19) (Ephesians 5:21) (Philippians 2:3) (Colossians 3:9) (Colossians 3:13) (Colossians 3:16) (1 Thessalonians 3:12) (1 Thessalonians 4:9) (1 Thessalonians 4:18) (1 Thessalonians 5:11) (Hebrews 3:13) (Hebrews 10:24) (Hebrews 10:25) (James 4:11) (James 5:9) (James 5:16) (I Peter 3:8) (I Peter 4:8) (I Peter 4:9) (I Peter 4:10) (I Peter 5:5) (I Peter 5:14) (I John 3:11) (I John 3:23) (I John 4:7) (I John 4:11) (I John 4:12) (II John 5)
Why The Fellowship?
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We are created to belong - community is important
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We are commanded to love. Love the Lord - Love others - deny self.
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It is crucial to life of a church. - Growing is essential. We are called God's Sheep.
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Encouragement - Hebrews 12:1
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Idol - destruction - idol of self
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Correction - Matthew 18-15-20
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Defense - Lion Food - Matthew 7 - be careful of false prophets.
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Provisions - Acts - Meeting nees of the brethren.
Devoted - caring, concerned, devout, faithful, loving, affectionate, dear, steadfast, loyal, true, dedicated, ardent, constant, fond, committed, admiring.
Which sounds better? He is committed to his wife. He is devoted to his wife.
Love one another 13x commanded to love one another. Serve, Greet one another. Be devoted in Love.
Humility - Prefer one another, serve one another, wash feet, be subject, be clothed in humility toward one another.
Don't Judge, bear one another's burdens, speak truth, encourage one another, stimulate one another in love and good deeds. Be hospitable.
Forgive one another, confess sins to one another, tolerate one another, don't challenge one another.
Jason Hunter
Acts 2:42 - And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Devoted to one another. Giving our lives to one another
2 Timothy 3:16 - 4:5 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
4 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
The word of God is able to make the People of God ready to do the work of God
How to be God's Equipped People
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Teaching = Formal Education
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Reproof = Convincing
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Correction = Restoration to right state
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Training in Righteousness = Child Rearing
Who is to Do God's work? = I solemnly charge you
How to Do God's Work?
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Reprove = Convince
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Rebuke = Correct
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Exhort = Urge Implore
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Preach = Teach
What is God's Work
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Salvation/Faith in Jesus
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Warning of Hell (Hades)
Contemporary Issues
2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Jason Hunter
Basics of Church
1 = People
2 = Proclaiming The Gospel
Preaching = to tell and explain
Exhorting = to urge, caution, and advise
Heart-Breaking Gospel
The real heart break is
3 = Response to the Gospel
Repentance = Change of mind
Baptism = Change of Life
4 = Production & Replication
5 = Holy Spirit
Jason Hunter
It matters to have church membership
similar to marriage is church membership - committed - belonging - attending
Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
A Soul Shepherd
Matthew 18:15-17 -
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Discipline - looking out for one another. Being responsible and accountable
Ephesians 4:16 - from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
I Corinthians 12
Repsonsibilities - We need you
Acts 2:46-47 - And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Together had things in common.
Community or Common Unity
Jason Hunter
Luke 13:1-9 – Great Expectations
Self-Examination is the key to growing
The Owner = God
The Tree = God’s People - Psalm 1
The Gardener = Holy Spirit- brings conviction
The Expectation = Fruit – produce fruit – God’s people
What fruit does God expect from His people?
God expects repentance (first)
“Weeding” the Garden – Dig
I Repent of ________________
I Repent of ________________
I Repent of ________________
Adding “Fertilizer”
I will ______________________
I will ______________________
I will ______________________
“Grow” – checklist – Is my life showing any evidence of bearing fruit, good deeds.
God’s primary concern is Godly Character. Philippians 2:5 – Jesus humbled himself, became obedient to death on a cross.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control - I Corinthians 13
Humility, Obedience – God Values these
Jason Hunter
Luke 2:8-14 – The Same Old Message
Don’t Be Afraid because…
The Bible is about the Coming of God
Progressive Realization – The gradual unveiling of God’s Plan
The Bible is about the Coming of God and the
Coming together of God and Humanity
The Bible is One Big “Advent” Story
What has Come
What is Here
What is To Come
Luke 2:8-14 – Jesus coming as THE Savior
Christmas is the Coming of The Savior
Jesus Coming as the Prince of Peace
Coming of Salvation – We live in the days of Salvation
Coming of Holy Spirit
Jesus Coming as the Judge
Jesus Coming as the King
Advent – Jesus Came – Jesus is Coming
Matthew 24:4-6 Numbers 2:13-14
God wants us to work advancing His Kingdom. It will be uncomfortable
Luke 2:1-7 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
God is in Control - Whether you realize it or not
He often uses unGodly people to accomplish His goals. Caesar thought himself as a God
He often uses unGodly circumstances to accomplish His goals - Mary probably had to walk to Bethlehem.
John 7:40-44 - When some from the crowd heard these words, they said, “This truly is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some said, “Surely the Messiah doesn’t come from Galilee, does he? 42 Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Messiah comes from David’s offspring and from the town of Bethlehem, where David lived?” 43 So the crowd was divided because of him. 44 Some of them wanted to seize him, but no one laid hands on him.
Without Christ there is no Christmas
Without Bethlehem there is no Christ
What if you are integral to God's plan?
John 6:31-40 - Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” 32 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, Moses didn’t give you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again. 36 But as I told you, you’ve seen me, and yet you do not believe.
Matthew 2 & Luke 1
Do you want to experience something new or greater from and with God? (Really consider this)
Experience movement of God. New and greater things. Transformed and amazed. Crisis of faith. See God working and join Him there. It will be uncomfortable, challenging and scary.
Then you need to be prepared to be troubled!
3 Examples of people who were "Troubled" by God
"Troubled" - fear
God's Activity - Birth of Jesus Christ
- King Herod Matthew 2:1-5
The Greatest Idol in Existence = MEMYSELFANDIism
He Reacted with selfish Interest. He didn't like that there would be another King. So he had babies slaughtered.
- Zechariah the High Priest Luke 1:10-20
Served the Lord in the Temple. He was troubled by Good News from the Angel Gabriel
He reacted with doubt
That
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He Can
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He will
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He wants to
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Mary - Luke 1:26-38
Mary was Greatly troubled, but was willing to do God's will despite the Cost
She reacted with courage and willingness. She reacts the best
If you really want to see God active, deal with this scripture
"BEHOLD, I am the servant of the Lord; Let it be to me according to your word."
Deal with means
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Meditate
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Journal
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Memorize
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Pray
Philippians 4:4-7 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Christ followers should be the most peaceful people on Earth – we should be the light!!
Recipe for peace – pecan pie
- Rejoice Always – be thankful even in the hard moments – Jesus chose to rejoice in the cross
Hebrews 12
Philippians 1:18, 2:17, 18, 28, 3:1, 4: 4, 10
- Realize Faith is on display – people are watching us - Let our faith look inviting
Acts 8:32-35 - This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus
- Rely on the Promise – The Lord is near
Matthew 28:19-20 - 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Re-Act with Prayer
Matthew 26:36-46 - Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
- Exercise your faith with Thanksgiving
Job 1:20-22 – At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mothe
I Corinthians 9:19-23 - 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
What's in it for me?
v.22 I do all things for the sake of others
2 things we will have to embrace that will be uncomfortable
Millennials-We need to show love and respect.
Churches die when they fail to meet the next generation 20 to 40 years old.
Gen Z are relational - they want to change the world. They want their lives to have an impact.
Don't stick your head in the ground.
Missional Mindset
Want to reach the lost 150,000 people die every day without Christ.
We need to understand others
v 20 To the Jews, I became a Jew
Preference deferred to others
Willing to change for others
I became
over
you become
What We will NOT / Can NOT Change
- God
Malachi 3:6 - God is always willing to accept our repentance. That does not change!
Numbers 23:19 - God is always Truthful. That does not change.
1 Samuel 15:29 - God's promises & plans will always be kept
James 1:13-17 - Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Psalm 102:27 -but you are the same, and your years have no end.
Psalm 18:30 - This God-his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
- Gospel - our message
The Gospel is Grace to you and peace from God
Galatians 1: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
There is only one Gospel
Galatians 1: 6 - I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Danger - Do not change the Gospel!
Galatians 1:8-9 - But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Don't try to please man. Please God!
Pleasing God should be more important than pleasing people.
What can and must change.
Our Method! - Jesus is the living water!
God calling me in youth
In high school John Madden mentored in youth group
God preparing me when I was in Hickory NC
Youth Position available - in 3 days I had a job
Spent 5 years - God calling me to overseas mission
My Pastor friend from Liebenzell
2 openings
1 to Ecuador - where I would have to learn the Spanish language
2 to Zambia - English British spoken there. That's me. God called me there. I said yes to God and in 6 months God provided all that I needed to go.
When I got there, after getting off the plane, I thought I'd like to go back now- Thank God I did not.
At Amano Christian School in Zambia I was called to youth ministry and missions. God worked it all out.
While there, we got to see God changing lives for the better. You can't say I am too old. God has a calling, a purpose and a plan.
In Exodus 3: 1-4, 7, 11 - God called to Moses out of a burning bush. Moses said "Here I am".
God gets our attention.
Will we have an excuse or fear?
God had a purpose for Moses. God still used him and gave him a helper when Moses felt he couldn't speak well.
God's calling
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Emotional Investment in the work. Help His people to receive.
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God affirms a person through others. Challenging but encouraging.
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God gives person mentors
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God builds on person's strengths and backgrounds. Forming a good character.
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God often refines person's character. God chisels out those things we need to work on. Nothing is off limits to God. He takes His time to help us.
6. God instills in person value of hard work. It takes prayer, seeking God, hard work, abilities and talents to Glorify His Name.
- God sustains person, powerful vision continuing to seek God's will.
8. God brings others beside them to compensate for our weaknesses. In NC Rob came alongside me. He helped me check my attitude. My coworkers in Zambia helped each other. To encourage one another, to help one another in areas where we fail, but they were good in those areas.
Romans 8:28 - We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.
Continue to run to Him. Every day, seek His calling. Don't fear.
What is your calling? You think you are too old? Moses was 80. Don't say I am done. Be called to the end.
One of the greatest obstacles we face when it comes to moving forward into our future is
Mark 1:27-28 -27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority!
Why we Hate Change
- We honor the past.
Philippians 3:13-14 - 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 11: 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
The most pervasive and common thread of our autopsies was that the deceased churches lived for a long time with the past a hero.
- We Desire Comfort
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
- We Long for Control
John 21:18-22 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." 19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said* to him, "Follow Me!"
Letting Go of Control means we must Trust
- Bible - Romans 10:9 - because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Look for the plain things.
II Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Reading God's word - expect Him to change us, encourage us, lead us to repentance and to action to do kind things for others.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Commit to reading the Bible - start with the Gospels - Ephesians, Philippians, Proverbs and the Psalms. As you read look for God's character, power and kindness.
Matthew 4:4 - But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
- Prayer - Matthew 6:7-13 -
And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."
When you pray, pray for a good attitude, peace.
- Praise - Heart of gratitude to the Lord. Christians should be the most optimistic people.
I Peter 3:3-9 -
John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Grace & Truth = equals = Jesus
John 8:1-11 - but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
Grace & Truth is based in the recognition of one's own sing
Grace & Truth is neither condemning or condoning
Mark 10:17-22 - And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Grace & Truth
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Honest about situation - Jesus hit the heart of the man's weakness.
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Allows individual to decide - Rich man makes bad choice but God gives grace to let him make a bad decision
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Accepts that Choice - God accepts that choice
Matthew 23:13-34 -
God wants us to be Unified... What will it take for us to give God what He wants?
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Presence - we need presence of God in our lives - The Holy Spirit
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That we each NEED each other in unity
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It will require Effort - Unity just doesn't happen.
NOW - The nuts and bolts of unity
- Humble in Spirit - 1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Humility is the Key to Unity
Humility is paramount to being a Jesus Follower
- Forgiveness - Colossians 3:13-14 - bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Forgiveness is the self-denial of a justifiable right.
- Acceptance - Romans 12:3, 16 -For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
- Trust - 1 Corinthians 13:7 - Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Lack of suspicion
- Contentment - Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. James 3:16 - For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Lack of ambition
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Self-lessness - Philippians 2:3-4 - Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
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Grace of Space - Romans 14:1, 12 - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Give space for them to work it out
Give space for growth
Give space for God
Growing TOGETHER in Grace and Truth
God wants us to be Unified Together
It is important to Him
It is important For Him
What will it take for us to give God what he wants?
3 Requirements for us to live in unity. 7 more next week
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Presence of God - John 17:22-23 - The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
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Recognize the NEED - 1 Corinthians 12:21 - The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you".
We need one another
- Effort - Ephesians 4:3 - eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
What is the base for our unity?
What is our Common Union?
Ephesians 2:16-17 - and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
Ephesians 4:14 - so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Where have you grown?
Where are you growing?
Where do you need to pursue growth?
Growing - Together
Our growth is best when it is together
Hebrews 10:25 - not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Question? What is the Difference between being Judgmental and being Discipler’s?
It depends on if you are speaking to a follower or a non-follower
We are our Brother's keeper!!
Galatians 6:1-2 - Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Matthew 18:15-17 - If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
James 5:19-20 - My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
4 Aspects of Christian Accountability
- Encouragement - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 - For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
- Reminder - 2 Timothy 2:14 - Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
- Pushing - Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
- Correcting - Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Application
The problem is we have a truth & Grace Inversion
What's Next?
- Fill out card - Let's get together
- Find Accountability
- Start a Growth Group <
2 Peter 3:8-18 - But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen
Growth is motivated by the end
We should live life looking forward
Philippians 3:10-14 - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Growth requires Effort
Philippians 2:12 - Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth
What will you DO?
Growth is intended in scripture v. 15
1 Thessalonians 3:12; Philippians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Ephesians 4:13
Growth is for our protection
Growth has a particular Goal – Jesus
John 1:14
Growth Advances God’s Glory outside and inside v. 18
Where have you grown?
Where are you growing?
Where does growth need to be pursued?
What is your next step?
Markers that we respond to
Lord, I'm yours
Growing together with grace and truth
Prayer
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Praise / worship God for who He is
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Consider why He is - matters to us
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Recognize sinful results for missing who He is
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React by properly aligning our lives to Him
God is Glorious - He is to be feared
God is Great - power - character - He is in control
God is Gracious - Trust
God is Good - I can be content - God is enough
Confession - from being disobedient
My slate is cleaned
Dedicate God - give Him complete control of my life
I assure myself of eternal salvation
I want to reestablish my faith and dedication by putting my trust iin Jesus.
Grace is Amazing
Grace is NOT Permission Given
Romans 6:1,5; Joel 2:13; Exodus 34:6; Psalm 111:4
Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Cheap Grace - https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/423945-cheap-grace-means-grace-sold-on-the-market-like-cheapjacks
Grace Does NOT Cancel Consequences
Examples
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Adam & Eve - Removed from the Garden
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King David - Begged his baby will live, but did not
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Children of Israel - wandered in wilderness for 40 years
God is Good all the time, All the time God is Good.
God is the Definition of Good
If God is not good
He is a Sadist - enjoys cruel things
He is a Tyrant - using power unjustly
He is a Egomaniac - selfish
God's Goodness is at the Heart of every sin.
"My way is better than God's"
God is Good to all - Psalm 145:1 Matt 5:45
God is Good companion - Gen. 2:18
God is Good Encourager - Psalm 27:13
God is Good Provider - Matthew 7:11
God is Good Rest - Psalm 23
God is Good instructor - Psalm 119:68
God is Good Giver - James 1:7
God is Good Protector
What happens if we miss that God is Good
We start to look for other providers for the "good" we need or provide for myself.
Why does it Matter? - How can it impact my Life? - If God is Good, then I don't need to look for satisfaction anywhere else! God can be enough.
How do we Align our lives to God's Goodness?
Trust - It's for our good
Obey - His way is better
Contentment
God is Glorious means more than
Glorious Encounters
Isaiah 6:1-6 - In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
2 Chronicles 7:1-5 - As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord's house. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the Lord.5 King Solomon offered as a sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
Exodus 24:13-17 - So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.” 15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
Luke 2:8-9 - And in
Psalm 145:1-12 - I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Praise God for who He is
Consider why he matters to us
Recognize sinful results for missing Him
React by properly aligning our lives to Him
God is Great!
1 Preeminent in Position
Higher than us - Isaiah 55:9 - His ways are higher than our ways - For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Higher than priests - Hebrews 10:21 - Great Priest - and since we have a great priest over the house of God
Higher than gods - Psalm 95:3, 135:5 - Above all gods - For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods
- Superior in Character
- Love - I John 3:1 - See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him
- Faithfulness - Lamentations 3:22-23 - The steadfast love of the Lordnever ceases;his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness
- Patience - Romans 9:22 - What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction
- Mercy - Nehemiah 9:31 - Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God
- Righteousness - Job 37:23 - The Almighty—we cannot find him;
he is great in power;justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate - Judgments - Psalm 36:6 - Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O Lord - Powerful in Ability
Power of Nature & Kingdoms - Exodus 18:11 - Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people
Power of Life & Death - Ephesians 1:18-20 - having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places
Power of Creation - Romans 1:20 - For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse
It matters because ...If God is Great then I don'
Luke 18:1-8 Don’t take “No” for an Answer
Luke 18:1-8 - One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes. 2 “There was a city judge,” he said, “a very godless man who had great contempt for everyone. 3 A widow of that city came to him frequently to appeal for justice against a man who had harmed her. 4-5 The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she got on his nerves. “‘I fear neither God nor man,’ he said to himself, ‘but this woman bothers me. I’m going to see that she gets justice, for she is wearing me out with her constant coming!’” 6 Then the Lord said, “If even an evil judge can be worn down like that,7 don’t you think that God will surely give justice to his people who plead with him day and night? 8 Yes! He will answer them quickly! But the question is: When I, the Messiah, return, how many will I find who have faith and are praying
The Parable – Persistent Widow
Reason – Keep Praying
Characters
- The Widow – most needy/helpless person in society
- The Judge – didn’t care about God or people
The Encouragement is based on contrast between Judge & God
The “No” of God may come in things we want or request
- Healings
- Protections
- Provisions
- Plans
Things God wants are areas for us to persist in. Keep Praying, Keep Praying, Keep Praying!!!
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Salvation – 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. 2 Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth: 5 That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together,6 by giving his life for all mankind. This is the message that at the proper time God gave to the world. 7 And I have been chosen—this is the absolute truth—as God’s minister and missionary to teach this truth to the Gentiles and to show them God’s plan of salvation through faith
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Repentance – 2 Peter 3:9-10 -He isn’t really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent. 10 The day of the Lord is surely coming, as unexpectedly as a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the heavenly bodies will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be burned up.
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Forgiveness – Matthew 6:14-15- Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if yourefuse to forgive them, he will not forgive
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Reconciliation – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - All these new things are from God who brought us back to himself through what Christ Jesus did. And God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him. 19 For God was in Christ, restoring the world to himself, no longer counting men’s sins against them but blotting them out. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. <
Acts 12:1-19
Aaccepting God's No has to be one of the greatest challenges to our faith.
Our Reactions
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Disappointment
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Grief
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Doubt
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Wrong Feelings
1 Peter 1:6-7 - So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.
7 These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.
3 Aides to taking "No" for an answer.
- An Abandonment to "In Your Name"
2 Elements 1. God's Glory 2. God's Will
- A True Desire for "Your will be done". If you could change God's mind, would you really want to?
Isaiah 55:8 - This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours.
Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is the most deceitful thing there is and desperately wicked. No one can really know how bad it is.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. 6 In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
- A Trust / Faith that decides to continue. Just continuing is a great act of Faith.
Action Steps
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What area of faith do you need to continue in?
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What "No" do you need to "accept"?
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Pray til you don't care?
Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus!
A mind that is Committed to God
A mind that is Convinced of the Goodness of God
A mind that Corresponds to God's
A mind that is content with God
Psalm 27:4
Is God enough? How content are you?
A mind that communes with God
Luke 22:39 Matthew 14:23 Luke 5:16 Psalm 119
Communing with God is where Jesus found strength. How much time do you spend with God?
A mind that is confident in God.
Acts 24:14-15
Will you be resurrect? Yes No
Big Question.......Then What?
A mind that celebrates God!
Psalm 103:1-5
I Praise God for ___________________
Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
What was Jesus' life like?
How was it similar to yours?
A mind that is committed to God
Jesus is LORD!
A mind that is convinced of the goodness of God
Sin is often trying for a good thing
just not God's way
A mind that corresponds with God
What does God think about people?
A mind that is content with God
A mind that communes with God
A mind that is confident with God
A mind that celebrates God
Bad News - We all have sinned or missed the mark
Romans 6:23a for the wages of sin is death
Worse News - We all should die
Revelation 21:8
Romans 6:23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
Good News
There is a gift and it is Eternal Life
Romans 5:8 - God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us
More Good News
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God Loves You - Great News
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Not when we are "good" - He still loves us. His love is not dependent on me.
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Christ Died for us - erases all those missed marks.
Ephesians 1:7 - In Christ we have redemption
Hebrews 9:22 - without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness
Romans 10:9, 10 - Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Agree about Sin - 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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This is sin
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I should go to hell
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I CANNOT make up for it - Jesus I need you
Believe about Jesus - John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Question? Is Jesus the Only Way?
Romans 10:13 - For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved".
Live by Faith
Asking you to have a Dedicated Time of Prayer this 4th of July.
Our country is in need of a Moses again. Be set free of sin. A return to dependence on God. We need God for us to worship.
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God Is Aware - v 7, 8, 9 - He knows what is going on in America, in our churches, in our homes, and in our lives.
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God Gives an Amazing Opportunity - v 14 - God changed His mind from disaster, but He had planned to give Moses an opportunity to intercede for the people. It changes God's mind. The people are rescued because of Moses prayer.
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Intercession is Self-Denying - thinking about others first. It has to be about others. v. 10 "Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you." God offers Moses the great opportunity to replace Abraham.
v.13 "Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” Moses denies himself, don't worry about me, and remember those you have already promised too. Denied himself and praised others.
JOY - thinking about Jesus, Others, Yourself not YOJ - yourself, Others, Jesus. When we pray for revival, do we want lost to be spared? For them to be saved from God's wrath? Do we pray to be more comfortable or do we really care about others and eternity? Do we want our sensibilities not to offend? Longing for others and not our own comfort.
- A Word of Caution - v. 19 - And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.
Moses' anger got the best of him. Anger of man doesn't accomplish much. Anger of God is just and right.
Two Questions - v 25 - Does Aaron still some responsibility ? Does the church carry some of responsibility of the condition of the church today? The church may have lost some of its salt and light.
Who is for the Lord - come to me? Time for revival. Whose side will you be on? Are you on the Lord's side? v 26 - then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord's side? Come to me.” A Challenge- v. 31 - So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold.32 But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.
Moses goes back to pray again for the people. Would you please forgive them? If not, take me out of your book. Like Paul, care for his brothers was on his heart. He was willing to give us his salvation for the sake of others. Have that kind of compassion for others. King David praying for Absalom. If only I would have died instead of you. That kind of heart for others. That kind of sacrifice. 30 minutes of prayer. What are you willing to pay? How passionate are you wanting to see the United States
Set a time of prayer:
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Thank God that He knows - there is comfort that He is not caught off guard. I can rest in God and His knowledge.
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Admit in prayer your trust in God - He understands.
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Praise God for His faithfulness and patience. For 243 years He is faithful and patient with US.
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Thank God He in
Hear what the Lord says:
Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
2 Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the Lord,
and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the Lord has an indictment against his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
3 “O my people, what have I done to you?
How have I wearied you? Answer me!
4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt
and redeemed you from the house of slavery,
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
5 O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised,
and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
What Does the Lord Require?
6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Lord put people on trial - charge against Israel - Lord is broken hearted? O my people what have I done to you. How have I wearied you?
Sin - repent from our sins. He grieves over our sins.
Randy as a young man made a mistake. If he were more mature he would have said to his mother, what can I do to make up for this? He thinks his mother would have responded - care for me love me respect me. Do the things I raised you to do.
- 8-10 He has shown you what is good.
Act Justly - Jesus reinforced same concept. Act according to God's standard. Question your identity - who do I belong to? Act like Jesus - fair and good to all. Champion those who are not treated fairly.
Love Mercy - Remember mercy received. Enjoy being like the Lord - the giver of mercy.
Walk Humbly With your God - Take importance off of self and put importance onto God. Measured discerning circumspect, self-reflective - comparing our actions and attitudes to God's standards. Why? The goal is to be like Jesus.
Banal - commonplace
Those who made the crimes against humanity - when on trial - didn't look like someone who would do such a thing.
Thing I see today is that people are not thinking for themselves. Look at our country today and in the past - we enslaved millions of people, killed millions of unborn children, let millions of people go hungry. These things came from sin - manifested into evil.
If you are humble he will lift you up. Worship Him, Give Generously, Read our Bible, Christian discipleship. God wants your heart. Receive His gift - His Son. I need a savior. I need to trust Him. To Act Justly, Love Mercy and to Walk Humbly with my God.
The world needs people who are people of Purpose
Daniel taken captive by Babylonians. The king was looking for youth who were good looking and strong. They wanted to teach them their way and serve the King. They were talk the Chaldean language. They had to eat the food of the king. Daniel and his 3 friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not want to eat the king's food. The Jews had restrictions on their diet. Daniel disposition was humble, respectful and he had compassion that even the guards respected Daniel and let him eat his diet and not the kings. Daniel asked for 10 days that they be granted to eat not the king's food. After the 10 days they looked better than other youth and had better knowledge and understanding. Daniel could explain visions and dreams. No one was found better than Daniel and his friends, so he was asked to serve the king. Like Joseph, Daniel prospered. Daniel was a person of integrity
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Daniel was a person of purpose - tested but loyal to God. Always obey God and God granted him favor. Seek 1st Kingdom of God, no matter the circumstances.
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Daniel was a person of principle - Daniel refused to compromise his convictions. A person of conviction is attractive (trusted). When in trouble, often people turn to a person of principle.
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Daniel was a person of purity - In Daniel 6, he was faultless. He was in charge of governors and the governors wanted to find some fault in Daniel so he would be thrown in the lion's den. They couldn't find any fault. Daniel prayed 3 x a day - gives thanks to God - That was his penalty-praying to God and not the King.
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Daniel was a person of prayer - He prayed 3 x a day and praised him and asked for help. Gave thanks despite his trouble. Because he talked with God often he was given long life. He was thrown in the lion's den and God kept him safe. He didn't burn.
Dare to be like Daniel. Purpose, principle, purity and prayer.
The presence of the Holy Spirit brings Hope
Romans 8:18-30 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Hope for NOW- You are not alone Matthew 28:20 - teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Hope for LATER - It won't always be like this. Next life even better.
Hope of HELP - John 16:7 - Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Hope of a PLAN / PLANNER
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Hope of a HERO - JESUS
Romans 8:31-39 - What then shall we say to these th
3 Spirit Mindsets for Victory over our Flesh
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i Can v. 5-10 - For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
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i Must v.12-14 - So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
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i Am v. 15-17 - For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
The identity in Christ of the disciple is one of the most difficult realities for the disciple to embrace.
Not cognitively understand or comprehend - but to embrace
You are a saint if you are a believer in Christ!!
Romans 1:7 - to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints; Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthinans 1:2 - to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
2 Corinthians 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of Go
These topics need to be handled with grace and truth.
John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Dealing with 4 Culturally Prevalent Sexual immoralities
The Easy one = Adultery - both the church and the world agree that this one is cheating.
The Angry one = homosexuality
The forgotton one = fornication - sex outside of marriage - accepted norm of the day - cohabitation - 2 people can agree to sin
The ignored one = Pornography v. 18 - flee from sexual immorality - sin against his own body. We need to glory God in our bodies.
1 in 3 are affected by pornography - it is easily hidden.
What do we need??
The Gospel - it still applies
Romans 3:22-25 - the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
God's design to reveal Himself to the world.
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Grace
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Salvation
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Training
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God's Glory
Appetites are External things
Often seeking pleasure, comfort, peace
Lead to sins of greed, gluttin, drunkenness, etc.
Yearnings are internal things
Examples Acceptances, significance, popularity, success, power, importance, appreciation, respect, love
The problem is we look to people to satisfy our yearnings either others or ourselves
Lead to sins of Fear of man or self-centeredness
We make...
The idols of others
Proverbs 29:25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
3 Examples
The idols of self
Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
James 3:16 - For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice
1Corinthians 13:4-5 - Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.
The Answer is JESUS
2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:3 - His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.
and Right Worship
Galatians 5:16-21 - Cravings
James 1:14-15 - Lust
James 4:1-3 - Passions
1 Peter 2:9-12 - Desires
Appetites - external - Things that are outside our body/life that we want to bring into or add to our body/life. Food, Drink, things that we desire.
Two recations to control our Appetities
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Self Control
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Self - Denial
Deny self- take up cross and follow Jesus
Application Question
Where is my battle?
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Pray - will you reveal to me what I battle?
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Be Courageous - it is painful process - deny myself for the Glory of God through the power of the Holy Spirit
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Rely on God - we are more than conquerors through Christ/ Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.
Attitude - determines Outcome
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I deserve leads to defeat - outcome is already set Genesis 3:4
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I am Dead - leads to Victory- Dead people don't want anything
Romans 6
Ephesians 4:17-32 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
There is a marked difference between how a Jesus Follower and a non-Christian live!
Romans 5:1 - Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Anger is a Reality
Anger requires great caution
- It is often not profitable
James 1:19-20 - Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
It leads to greater danger
3 points from James - War is about Control
- Control of your mouth is a BIG deal. v. 5 - So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
Matthew 12-34 - You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
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What we say sets a course for life. v. 3 - If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
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A disciple of Jesus should expect victory in the battle of the mouth. v. 13 - Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. Do it - control your mouth.
6 enemies to conquer for control of the mouth.
- Filth - Cursing and Crudeness
Ephesians 5:4 - Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
- Lying - Leviticus 19:11 - You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.
John 8:44 - You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Proverbs 12:22 - Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
Revelation 21:8 - But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
- Gossip - Definition - Talk about the personal or private affairs of another. Romans 1:28-31 - And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
Hearsay (so and so told me) and Truth (telling the truth in the form of prayer requests - give me more info)
- Malice - Matthew 5:22 - But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Example - Hate speech. Old phrase - sticks and stones - words do hurt one another.
- Dissension
Easter is a Receipt – payment for something accepted
Easter is a Savings Bond – Look forward to; full of possibilities
Beyond the Third Day
Look forward to Personal Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:6 Jesus appeared to 500 brothers, James, the Apostles and to Paul 3 to 4 years after the resurrection
Three things happen. v. 12
We are prepared for life in the Kingdom. We rush out to meet the King. He enters in victory.
Look forward to next triumphal entry
Revelation 19:11 King of Kings; Lord of Lords; just be ready
What happens next?
He defeats the enemy. He takes His place on the throne. Life in His Kingdom begins. – Completion of prophecies. (On the throne every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord)
Look forward to Life without flaw.
Revelation 21 and 22 read often
What if June 12 you would know that Jesus is coming back? What would you do? Would it change how you live? It could be imminent. Imminent -
| synonyms: | impending, at hand, close, near, approaching, fast approaching, coming, forthcoming, on the way, about to happen, upon us, in store, in the offing, in the pipeline, on the horizon, in the air, in the wind, brewing, looming, looming large |
What to do now:
Share faith with one person
Attend church regularly
C- Group
Meet with 1 person to read the Bible
Forgive that person
Accept Christ – Dedicate Life to Him
Stop Sin – that God has convicted you.
Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19;28-44; John 12:12-19
5 Significant Details in Palm Sunday
1 - God's perfect Timing
Zachariah 9:9-10 - King coming on a donkey - prophecied hundreds of years before Jesus came.
Romans 5:6 - While we were weak, Christ died at the right time
Rest in God's Sovereignty
God has a plan - Christ came at right time and He will come again.
God is in control. Jesus came at the right time. As Jesus comes in to Jerusalem for the last time, the crowd is out buying lambs. You have 1/2 million people buying lambs for their sacrifices. Jesus comes - it is perfect timing. The crowd lay down palm branches and their coats.
2 - What people wanted
Hosanna
1. Be propitious - Make us right with God
I John 2:2 - propitiation - Jesus appeased God's wrath
2. Save us now
3 - Gentle Entry
Matthew 5:5 - the gentle/meek will inherit the earth, 11:29 - My Yoke is easy and burden I Peter 3:4 - gentle quiet spirit - humility of God
God will not force His way in
Revelation 3:20 - I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.
Jesus is always coming to us. He came to Adam & Eve. He came to people in the wilderness. He came in the form of His son. We run from Him but He chases us.
He will come again. Praise God. He will come again!!
4 - Sad Realization - Jesus is brokenhearted - Jesus on a donkey crying over the city.
Who do you lament over? in Luke 19:41 - Jesus wept over Jerusalem and the people who did not recognize who He was. The King coming on a donkey for the sins of the world.
This week, write a lament - are we broken hearted over things that matter. Be broken, but celebrate because we can look to the next coming.
5 - Prophetic Vision
John 3:18 - Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
People who miss Jesus - nothing is worth more than being separated from Jesus.
War with the Flesh / Ephesians 6:10-20
Preparing for Battle - Putting on the King's Armor
5 Essentials for fighting Spiritual battles
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Truth
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Desire for Righteousness - Romans 8:6-7
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Understanding of the Gospel of Peace - peace with God -
John 3:16-18
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Faith - No matter what comes - Hebrews 11:16
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Reliance in Salvation - is secure in Jesus, not in you. Romans 1:5
5 Practices as you prepare for fighting Spiritual battles
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Diligence of the Word of God - 2 Timothy 2:15
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Dependence on the Spirit - Trainer
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Dedication to Prayer
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Alertness of Mind - be ready all the time
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Encouragement of Comrades - Back up Others - Not Along - we don't have to fight Alone.
James 1
Types of Spiritual War
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Discouragement - Satan wants us to be discouraged.
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Doubt - Peter walking on waves - takes his eyes off of Jesus and sinks. He doubted Jesus and so do we
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Distress - Paul and Silas in Prison. Our enemy wants us to be hopeless
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Darkened - Pharisees couldn't see the light - Jesus - their eyes were darkened.
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Defamation - Fight with flesh. King David and Bathsheba. Defaming of God - when we lose a battle, it is not about us. It is about God and how we defame his name. We make Him look bad.
Today we are going to look at Defaming God.
It is sin
Sin is wrong because...
It violates the image and character of God. It either does not display and mis-displays Him. We need to share God to the world. We are His image bearers - a reflection like a mirror. Help us not to distort that image.
Satan wants to defame God - this is why we fight - Romans 1:5 - through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.
Satan wants God's followers to fall.
James 1:13-17- Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
The fight comes from within. v. 13 We blame God and do not see the weakness in our self. The war is ours. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. - God does provide a way to escape.
It starts with a desire v. 14 - We get an urge within of our own evil desires. We are tempted. I want _____.
Then there comes and enticement v. 14 There is an enemy without stoking the fire of enticement. He says "You deserve that", "You need that", "You have a right to have that". We become like Eve - Desire - eat the fruit. If we are like Eve, we didn't take the way out God gave us.
Giving in is sin v. 15 We miss the mark. We don't like to call it sin. We use other words. I am weak in this area of my life. But it is sin.
Allowed to Mature brings death. Sing brings distruction to the name of God. Siege - fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
There is always a deception v. 15 It is based in this lie. Birth to sin - sin followers - brings forth death.
Like a Fish - Fish like to eat creepy crawling things
The Fishermans - deceives the fish. He has bait that is enticing to the fish
The Bit
War with the Flesh / Ephesians 6:10-12 - Satan
Two Strategies to watch out for
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Demonstrations of "Power"
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Delusions of Denial - False belief or opinion - in USA people don't think that Satan exists
We have a REAL enemy - Satan and his minions
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He is ParaNormal - Para - beyond - we do not see
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Personal - our struggle, Satan hates you, wants to destroy you
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Powerful
He has ONLY extreme EVIL intent
1 Peter - prowls like a roaring lion
He is a Master of deception
John 8 - Father the devil - he is a liar and the father of lies. He destroys
II Corinthians 2 - angel of light
We are behind enemy lines
1 John 5:9 - If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
1 Cor 4:4 - For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord.
Eph 2:2 - Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.
Acts 26:18 - To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Should we just surrender?
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Are we going to turtle up - go into our shell? Are we going to surrender?
Are we going to fight?
Romans 8:37 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us
John 16:33 -These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
2 Corinthians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
I John 5:4 - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
I Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
War with the Flesh 2/ Romans 8:5-9
Overview = Romans 8:1-17
Verses 1-2 = Freedom in Christ
Verses 3 = The Gospel – Preach the Cross
Verses 4-9 = The Combatants
Verses 10-11 = The Question is which side are you on?
Verses 13-17 = Encouragement – refocus on goal
The Combatants
- The Flesh
The opposing capacity of the human spirit toward sin, weakness, and rebellion in relationship to God
- The Spirit
The capacity to submit, obey and follow the leading and desires of God
Application 1 Ez. 36:24
Respond with grace & truth toward those enslaved
Application 2
Take responsibility for ourselves
Application 3
Answer the big IF
Application 4
Expect Victories
War With The Flesh
Reality of the situation
Verses 14-22 - For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
Ever felt this way? This is Good news
Recognize the Frustration
Verse 24 - Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Wrong Reactions
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Be a traitor - Give in
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Surrender - Give up
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Comdemnation - Self - Friendly Fire
Recognize the War
Verse 23 - but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members
Recognize the Opponents
Verse 25 - Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Recognize the Goal
Romans 1:5 - through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
We are not fighting for our salvation
BUT
His Reputation - that is something worth fighting for
Hang with Jesus Part 2 / Hebrews
The Issue = Persecution - the Jews were turning back to Judaism
The Concern = Turning Away
The Reasons = Jesus is better/greater
Jesus is Greater than the Prophets - Hebrews 1:1-3
Jesus is Greater than the Angels - Hebrews 1:4
Jesus is Greater than Moses - Hebrews 3:1-6
Jesus is Greater than the Priesthood - Hebrews 4:14, 5:1-6
Jesus is Greater than Abraham - Hebrews 7:4-7
Jesus establishes a Greater Covenant - Hebrews 7:22
Jesus Ministers in a Greater Tabernacle - Hebrews 9:11
Jesus Offers a Greater Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:14-23
Jesus comes from a Greater Sinai - Hebrews 12:18-24
Hebrews 10:19-24
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The Message = Therefore, Let us
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Draw Near
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Hold Fast - Don't give up
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Spur Others - encourage one another
What it requires to "HOLD FAST"
- Faith - Hebrews 11 - Hall of Faith filled people - By Faith Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us
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Partners Hebrews 12:1A
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Repentance Hebrews 12:1B
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Endurance Hebrews 12:1C
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Inspiration Hebrews 12:2 -looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God
Hold Fast - Jesus is better!!
Hang with Jesus
What circumstances in your life now or in the past has made you doubt your faith? Count the cost of following Jesus and wonder is it worth it? Pulled you to drift away from your faith in Jesus the Christ?
The issue of the security of the believer is what is being addressed here.
So what we should do
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Be Humble
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Avoid making it more than it should be
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Wrestle
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Do not take it personal - be humble
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See the Bottom line - We need to encourage others to stick to Jesus making a decision to confirm their salvation.
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Focus on winning the soul rather than the debate
The Concern = Turning away
Do you know someone? Are you struggling with the gravity of this world? sin
The Reason = Jesus is better/greater in every way than:
Hebrews 1:1-3 - Jesus is greater than the prophets - in these last days he has spoken to us in His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power.
Hebrews 1:4 - Jesus is better than angels - Having become much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus is better than Moses - For He (Jesus) has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus is better than priesthood - Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 5:1-6 - Jesus is better than Aaron - You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek. v 10 - being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:4-7 - Jesus is better than Abraham - Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
Hebrews 7:22 - Jesus is a better covenant - So much more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Hebrews 9:11 - Jesus is a better tabernacle - But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation.
Hebrews 9:14-23; 10:10 - Jesus is a better sacrifice - How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
10 - By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 12 18-24 - Jesus is better than Sinai - and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
Understanding this, the writer's explanation that they have come to a better mountain than Sinai makes sense: "You have not come to a mountain that can be touched." Zion, to which they had come, is a spiritual mountain, whereas Sinai was a physical mountain that could be touched only at pain of death.
Today Jesus is still better.
Prep for Worship = Psalm 51
Do you remember when you were saved?
How did you feel then? How have you growns since then?
Are you more or less excited about your faith? ... Why?
Confess = To acknowledge or avow to; own up or admit to
Confess (Biblical) = same word - say the same thing or to agree with
Confess with your mind
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Lunatic
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Liar
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Legend
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Lesser
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LORD
Confess with your life - There is a big difference between believing in Jesus and following Jesus
Confess to others
1 = Baptism - Jesus did it, Jesus told his followers to do it
2 = Evangelism - Confession of our faith - tell your story
The Evangelism - Discipleship - witnessing - faith sharing
Romans 10
Communion, Common - Union, Community
Why is Community so important?
Because people were created for community. Genesis 2:18
Community means Responsibility
Romans 12:4-5 Tells us about a church's
Unity
Diversity
Mutuality
We respond individually to an invitation to live corporately
Community means Accountability
Hebrews 10:24-25
We are to act in the best interest of those with whom we fellowship.
Community means Growing Disciples. Acts 2:42-47
God designed Communal living for everyone's best.
Communion
Who do you want to see at the Lord's table?
C- Group
Who could you find to join you?
When could you get togehter with someone?
What would you like to learn?
Will you be part of a growing discipleship?
Community Groups (C-Groups)
Ephesians 4:11-13 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
Steps to Start a C-Group
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Find at least one other person to join you. consider inviting someone outside the church as well as those inside - pray for an opportunity to invite a non-disciple to join your C-Group
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Decide on place, time, and frequency of "get together". This way you can find a time to meet their busy schedules.
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Choose a resource - suggest using RightNow Media. You can base your group on a particular study or topic, ie a study on Mark, parenting, finances, etc.
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Inform the Church of your C-Group. This will enable us to pray for your C-Group. We also can help connect other people to your group. This will let us promote groups through our various resources as well as continue to encourage and minister to the groups of our church.
We think it would greatly benefit everyone to be a part of a C-Group! The care and depth of relationships formed this way is true fellowship. The opportunity to engage with the Bible where you ask questions and seek answers is so important. Intimate prayer takes place as the group starts opening up. Accountability is fostered in a group setting that really grows a person's discipleship, and the sense of belonging is so crucial to faith development. Please pray and consider either starting or joining a C-Group.
Salvation is Free Ephesians 2:8 - For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift
Discipleship is Not - It is Costly
Unrequited love = Means unreturned love
1 John 4:19-21 - We love because He first loved us.20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not seen. 21 And we have this command from Him: The one who loves God must also love his brother.
The Question is .... Do we love God in return?
Costs of Discipleship
Cost of Change - expectation of change
II Corinthians 5:4 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
Ezekiel 36:26 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh
Cost of Good Relationship with God
- Time - Give God time
Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know I am God
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Communication - Luke 5:16 - Jesus - Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.
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Attention - In a relationship you talk to them, make them feel important, You are my priority.
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Sacrifice (compromise) John 3:16 - For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
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Self-Denial - Luke 9:23 - Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me
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Material - Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Cost of Broken Relationships (when you turn to Christ)
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Suffering - John 16:33 - In the world you will have tribulation.
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Rejection - World hates those who follow Christ
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Ridicule - made fun of
With God
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Suffering - He promises a paradise
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Rejection - He gives acceptance - we are adopted by God
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Ridicule - We receive God's Love
The wounded victor - protoevangelism
Acts 4:12 - There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.
1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God
and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human - Messianic Promise
Genesis 3:15 - I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.
This promise is made to satan but for our benefit.
Romans 16:20 - The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you
The Provision for their sin
God makes garments of skin - sacrifice shedding of blood - covers their nakedness
Galatians 3:26-27 -
for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ like a garment.
Hebrews 9:22 - According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Ephesians 1:7 - We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
The Predicament
God's severe Grace
Ephesians 2:1, And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
Ephesians 2:4 - But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us
Ephesians 2:8 - For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift
Dead in your sins - God rich in grace and mercy. His great love, Gift of God
Two kinds of people? Those who address predicament - look to provision
Dead with predicament - those who ignore it
Line up our will with God's will.
What do you want? / Mark 10 and 2
We want a genie - who grants all our wishes
We want personal gain - prosperity Gospel
Follow Me - Jesus ultimate goal was sacrifice
We want provision for our needs - at least our perceived needs
physcial needs - this world - spiritual needs
An Example to Follow
1. Recognize spiritual Need
2. Relentlessly seek Jesus
3. React in Faith
Jesus wants to forgive us of our sins
What do I want??? Does my want line up?
Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, John 14:12-15
The Command
Matthew 28:19-20 We are to be Disciplers
The Method
We are to be witnesses
What has the positive change been in your life?
12 disciples were hiding - 3 days later they go out - boldly
The Places
We are to Go
The Prayers - whatever you ask in my name that I will do if you love me - keep my commandments
What does "In my Name" mean?
It is not he magic word.
2 Elements to "In My Name"
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Glory & Honor to God
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Lines up with God's will
So will you THIS YEAR pray for?
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Salvation 2 Peter 3:9
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Opportunities - Make us aware of opportunities
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Ability
For yourself and others? Go
The Most Important Thing / 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Gold represents heaven and from there God chose to create everything.
Green represents Humanity and they chose to disobey.
Black represents sin and God chose to send the Christ.
White represents Jesus The CHRIST and He chose to obey & sacrifice.
Red represents crucifixion and I choose to believe the story.
Pink represents faith and I choose to follow Jesus.
The most important thing is the Gospel v. 3
Believers need to be reminded of the Gospel.
Gospel Progress in a person's life
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Heard It
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Received It
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Stand on It
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Saved
The Passion is the Hear of the Gospel v. 3, 4, 5, 6
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Death
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Burial
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Ressurrection
The Gospel is based in Grace v. 10
The Gospel is to be Received and Given v. 9-11
The Christ Incarnate John 1:1-14
Christmas is a celebration of Incarnation - to be human, both God and man
Hypostatic Union = Jesus is God and Man 100% God 100% Man go to carm.org - more information
Jesus as God Jesus as Man
He is Worshipped He worshipped the Father
Matthew 14:33 John 17
He was prayed to He prayed to the Father
Acts 7:59 John 17
He is Sinless He was tempted
1Peter 1:22 Matthew 4:1
He knows all things He grew in Wisdom
John 21:17 Luke 2:52
He gives Eternal Life He died
John 10:28 Romans 5:8
All the fullness of diety dwells in Him He has a body- flesh & bone
Colossians 2:9 Luke 24:39
5 Personal Impacts of the incarnation
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Assurance - God Loves You
-
Access to God Himself
Ephesians 2:17-18
- Mediation between God & Man
1 Timothy 2:5-6
- Understanding from God
Hebrews 4:14-16
- Future Reincarnation
Prophecies as Proof of Christ/Messiah
1 out of 1 x 1017
Matthew's Gospel has 12 prophecies fulfilled Matthew references the Old Testament. Jews for Jesus Website gives examples.
https://jewsforjesus.org/answers/top-40-most-helpful-messianic-prophecies/
in Total there are about 300
Christmas Prophecies (Birth Prophecies)
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Virgin = Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22
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Out of Egypty = Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:15
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Massacre of Innocents = Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 2:15-18
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The Nazarne = Matthew 2:22-23
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The Family Line = Luke 3:22-38
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Seed of Woman = Genesis 3:15
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Born in Bethlehem = Micah 5:1-12 Luke 2:4
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Shepherds & Kings = Psalm 72:9-10
Prophetic Problem
Zechariah 9:9-10 Quietly / Zechariah 14:2-4 Warrier
Genesis 49:10 Everlasting Kingdom / Psalm 22:16-18 Suffering Messiah
Is there 2 messiahs?
Messiah ben Joseph
Messiah ben David
Christ is both!
The Christ Is / Isaiah 9:6
We celebrate Christmas because it is the coming of the Christ
The Christ is Son of God (only begotton) - The only one like God
John 3:16-18 - Special one sent
The Christ is Son of Man (humanity)
Luke 19:10 Daniel 7:13-14 - vision of Danel - I am the Messiah Jesus claiming to be the son of man.
The Christ is Savior (purely Christian concept) - no basis in Jewish roots - Luke 2:11 - Who is Christ the Lord
The Christ is King of Kings - Revelation 17:14 - Jesus King & Lord
The Christ is Great High Priest - Hebrews 4:14 - Son of God - Titles build and relate to one another.
The Christ is Lamb of God - John 1:29 - Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Christ fills multiple roles, priest, king and a sacrifice (perfect & unblemished) Sacrificial sacrifices would stop after Jesus came. - The perfect sacrifice.
The Christ is Judge (Privilage who is Appointed by God and to be judge of living & the dead) Acts 10:42-43 - Jesus is My Judge. Luke 12:5 - Fear the one who can cast you in hell.
The Christ is Mediator (brings 2 parties who are at odds at one another into peace) 1 Timothy 2:5 - 1 God 1 Mediator bewteen God and Man - the man Christ Jesus. Romans 5:1 Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace
The Christ is Resurrection (We serve a risen Lord) Precious to us and gives us a great hope. John 11:25 - I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me will live even though he dies. We serve a risen Lord! We believe in the risen Christ - The Christ who walked out of the grave.
The Christ is Head of Church - Ephesians 1:22 - And he put all things in subjection under his feet & gave him as head over all things to the church. Which is His body and the fullness of him who fills all things in every way. We follow the Christ, we worship the Christ, we advance the Christ goals, we honor Christ as God. All we do and say should advance Him. We are a Christian church. Foundation of all that we are. We are called out of the world to serve the Christ. Jesus is the Christ!!!
Celebrate THE CHRIST / Luke 2:8-11
Gospel Candles
Gold Represents God who is Eternal
Keeping Christ in Christmas
Christmas is a shortened version of Christ Mass
Christ is a Title, not a name
Title has powers & privileges EX President - His title has all encompassing privileges and powers
Christ equals Messiah - 531 x in NT Messiah is named
Christ/Messiah means Anointed One
Christ/Messiah means God's special Anointed One
Christ/Messiah is exclusive Luke 2:1 - The one and only Christ
Today's Application - refer to him as Jesus My Christ
Luke 15:1-2 (NIV)
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Many don’t understand the deep, deep, love of the Father.The deep, deep, love of His Son, Jesus.
A.W. Tozer (Knowledge of the Holy)
God self-existent - His love had no beginning.
God is eternal, His love has no end
He is infinite, His love has no limit
He is holy, His love is the perfect example
God is immense, His love cannot be fully understood, vast, bottomless, shoreless sea.
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean. In its fullness to me.
Prodigal
Definition.
- Spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.
- Having or giving something on a lavish scale.
Luke 15:10 (NIV)
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
Outline
- Sick of home
- Sick
- Home sick
- Home
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
You can leave the Father without leaving the Farm!
Because He is immense
God’s love is immense
Too much of a Good Thing / Titus 2:11-15
For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people,12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.
15 Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Two cliffs
Forgotten Grace – Legalism and human effort – I should have done that better
Grace taken for granted – license & lack of responsibility
Religion Says – I Obey therefore I am accepted
Christianity says – I am accepted therefore I obey – While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me. Grace is motivation for us to be Godly and obey. Grace is motivation for us to stay in the middle. Not go over the cliff on either side.
Grace Awakens Gratitude – Salvation to all men
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
What are you thankful for?
Grace Establishes a Relationship
God is my Father – we need to be His people. Father has authority – we want to please Him. He wants to have a relationship with us too. No other God’s before me
Grace Grants a Helper
The Holy Spirit
Grace produces a return
Repentance – turn towards God, deny self – repent - Romans 6:1 - What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?
What makes the Good news Good!
GRACE
Grace Needed
Grace gets forgotten when
We become performance driven
Christianity becomes behavior modification
Rules are more important than relationships
Pride and Self Righteousness grow
Grace is Unmerited favor of God
What do we do when Grace gets forgotten?
Redouble our efforts.
Rely on appearances.
Retreat
Retreat
Because we doubt the Grace of God
We doubt the Grace of Others
Live Graciously
Receiving and Giving
Love People who:
Don't do what they should do.
Don't act as they should.
Who break the rules
Then we all can say
We are loved!!
Perspective - The lost tool of communication
I am 6' 7" tall so I see everything from a different perspective.
When telling others about Christ, we have to know what we believe and also see what they believe.
Paul, the apostle, was traveling to Athens. While there he paid attention to what the people believed there.
- We must enter into their world. Paul saw Athens was a city full of idols - trying to understand them and what they believed.
In the UK in the 1800 a missionary Hudson Taylor went to China. Most missionaries would stay near the coastland, but Hudson went to the towns and villages to meet the people where they were. He spoke and dressed and became like the people there. In I Corinthians 10:31 to 11:1
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32) Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; [in other words, adapt as much as you can in non-sinful ways] 33) just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved. [That's the same as 9:22, "I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." Then comes the answer to our question, in 11:1.] Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
a. Understand worldview without judgment. Care for them.
b. Understand what they care about .
c. Love them for who they are.
- Speak thoughtfully through their world view
Paul reasoned (10x in Acts the word reasoned) Paul points out alter to an unknown God. He quotes their poet "we are His offspring."
We need connected to Gospel, bridge to who they are to the Gospel. That is what Jesus did - he spoke to fishermen - says "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men". He made a connection to where they are.
- Everyone we speak to will respond differently.
v. 32 some were mocking Paul. Expect that, but some wanted to hear more.
v. 34 some believed Paul.
Last week we were imagining Heaven. Jesus face to face. Invest in people with dignity and respect, with care & love - open their life to a more intimate place to talke more and share Gospel. If they can't speak our language, then we need to speak their language.
We should want to share the Gospel - it is not about me. It is about Loving God and Doing His Will.
Challenge - Take time - die to self - tell God He can use me.
Mortality - Life after Death
Is it proper to Focus on Heaven? Yes
Colossians 3:1-2 Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things
Hebrews 11:13-16
Proper Use of Imagination? Yes
To imagine something does NOT mean it is imaginary.
ex: I am going on a cruise. I can imagine what it will be like. I have not been on a cruise, but I have been on a boat.
Proper Fuel for our imagination?
= Bible
Verbal Plenary Inspiration = means words authority breathed out by God
God chose the exact words He wanted to use in order to communicate with us. (Words have meaning)
3 Encouraging things the Bible says about Heaven
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It is Earth! v.21 New heaven and New earth. God has always had a plan to come and be with us
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it is Life! Eternal life - no death
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It has no Curse Revelation 22:3 - and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves will serve Him.
a. No suffering = no pain, no sadness - all joy!!
b. No sparring = no fighting - we all get along
c. No striving = no sweat of our browl - the lion and the lamb will be beside one another
d. No separation = our body and soul are separated when we die, but we will have a resurrected body and soul
No separation from God if you are a believer!
Mortality 4 = Death of Death
How is Death Destroyed?
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Resurrection
-
Jesus'
2 Timothy 1:8-11 -
So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the powerof God.
9 He has saved us and called us
with a holy calling,
not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace,
which was given to us in Christ Jesus
before time began.
10 This has now been made evident
through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,
who has abolished death
and has brought life and immortality to light
through the gospel.
11 For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, 12 and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.
- Jesus Followers
I Corinthians 15:54-88 -
When this corruptible is clothed
with incorruptibility,
and this mortal is clothed
with immortality,
then the saying that is written will take place:
Death has been swallowed up in victory.
55 Death, where is your victory?
Death, where is your sting?
56 Now the sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ!
58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
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Removal
Mortality = The Moment After Death
Luke 16:19-31 Is a story that Christ told, not a parable.
Helps us to see a little of what happens after death.
What does not happen!
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Cease to Exist - Hebrews 9:27 And in as much as it appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.
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Fall Asleep - Hebrews 2:16 - For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
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Transform into something else - Do not have a set of wings
What does happen!
Death is
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Immediate - Luke 23:43 - Jesus says "Today you will be with me in paradise" to the one nearby on the cross who said, "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom."
-
Irreversible - don't get another chance
Luke 16:26 - Between heaven & hell there is a great chasm that has been fixed.
- Imcomplete - 2 Peter 3:10-14 - But day of the Lord is like a thief. An end is coming. Jesus is the ark for the next judgment. God has something better than the present heaven. The new heaven will be in its completion when God comes back.
Mortality – The Day of Death / Hebrews 9:11-28
Verses 11-12 = Explains the picture God painted
Verses 13-14 = Jesus is better than the sacrificial system
Verses 15 = Good News – Jesus’ death gives us redemption
Verses 16-24 = Death is necessary – blood sacrifice
Verses 25-26 = Jesus’ death was the “perfect” death
Verses 27-28 = Reality of our death – Christ bore our sins – will
Appear a 2nd time – He will save those who eagerly await for Him!
3 Biblical Affirmations about Death
It is Set
Psalm 139:16 – All our days were written Job 14:5 our days are determined
It is Coming Quick
James 4:14- You will not know what tomorrow will bring
Job 7:7 – Remember life is a breath
Psalm 39:5 Life exists but a breath
Psalm 144:4 - Life is a passing shadow
It is not the end
Life – something beyond death ! Cor. 5:19 if we in Christ we have hope
In this life, we of all people most to be pitied.
Action Plan
Get Ready, get prepared Be the officials – tell to get ready, be the people – get ready, rescue others – help them
Plan for Evacuation
Where are you going?
Settle your destination – Put faith in Jesus Christ
Inform others where you will be – share you faith
Give direction on how to get there.
Invest wisely while you wait
Spend time on things that matter. Our life is 70 to 80 years
Eternity is forever
Store up with anticipation Matthew 6:19 Store up treasures in heaven
Mortality - The Grace of Death
Goals for the series
-
Anticipation of heaven -set our minds on things above. Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
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Realize part of my duty to talk about death. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
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These people were unafraid to die. Hebrews 1:14 - Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Death is necessary for change. 1 Corinthains 15:50-57
The Beginning of death. Genesis 3:22-24 - And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us,knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the groundfrom which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming swordflashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
Pastor's Thoughts
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The human body is a miraculous test to our creator.
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Humans were made to live forever.
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No such thing as a natural death. Death is not naturally part of the creation God had planned.
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Death reveals a more serious problem. Not physical, but sin is the problem. Romans 5:12 - Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned. Romans 6:23
What is Worse than death? Spiritual Death / Separation from God.
Cherubim - special heavenly creatures seen in the presence of God.
Man was created to be with God forever. Sin separates us from God.
Luke 12:5 - But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Revelation 20:14-15 - Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
The Good News about Death
Redemption begins too
Two Giant Clues of what God has planned:
- The Promise - Genesis 3:15 -
Hebrews 11:8-19
John 14: 1-2
#1 Immediate Response - Faith responds immediately
Genesis 12:1
#2 A Faith that Requires Patience
#3 A Faith that learns the Power and promises of God
#4 Abraham developed this kind of faith over time - Our faith needs to grow over time
"The Cart" - Our Love For Others
"The Horse" = God's Love
Love Comes from God God is Love
God's love is revealed God's Love is the cause
We Love because He first Loved us - v 19
The Meaning of Love
Good Deeds - Hebrews 10:24-25; James 2:16
Obedience to God
Exodus 20
Righteous stands
Matthew 18:15-17 Galatians 6:1-2 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Our Love for Others
- is sourced - God is our source of Love - love comes from God
verse 7
- is exemplified - The Gospel is our example
verse 9
a. By Choice b. Take the Initiative c. Sacrificially - God loved us when it hurt
- is for show
verse 12 - His love is perfected in us
So others see Jesus in us
- is empowered - He has given us His Spirit
verses 13 & 14
God Empowers us to love but He won't overpower us to.
God gives us the resources - we have to do our part - we are partners with Him.
5. is reassuring
verses 15 -18 -love difficult people
- is evidence - We love because He first loved us.
verses 19 & 20
II Corinthians 13:5 Soul Exam
Grasping the Verse
Paul’s concern = unconverted people in the church
Paul’s Advice = Examine yourself first
Paul’s method = see if you are of the faith? Do I see Jesus “in me”?
Paul’s reason = He is coming to visit
3 ways to examine (test) yourself for faith
- Conviction AND Repentance
John 16:7-8 Acts 2:37-38
- Understanding AND Obedience
Romans 6:16-18 I John 5:3
- Faith AND Behavior
II Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 5:19-21
Ephesians 2:1-3 Colossians 1:9-12
The Examiners
- Paul the Pastor
- Jesus the Lord AND Judge
The Invitation
Jason
Randy
The Excuses
- Fear
- Knowledge
- Accountability – we need someone to hold us accountable
Goals
-
Retake Ground
-
Recognize - God's instructions - He has a rightful place
-
Refocus - our energies concern for humanity - Body & soul
Constitution of Humanity
- Body - Material 2. Soul - intellect, emotions, etc. We are stewards of both.
Genesis 2:7 - Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
-
God formed from dust of the ground - building material - physical action with physical substance
-
Breath of Life - supernateral part - wind or spirit - John 3:7-8 born of the spirit
-
Man became a living being -
Which is more import? - Exodus 3:14 - God replied to Moses, “I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you. Matthew 10:28 - Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Joni Eareckson Tada is an example of a soul is shining and alive and her physical body is broken.
Which should we care for?
-
Both body and soul - feed it right - God doesn't make mistakes
-
Exercise - acts of faith - pray, exercise our faith meditations on God & His will and His Word
-
Consult Dr. - examine ourselves - go see pastor - for spiritual doctoring
Which did Jesus die for? 1 Corinthians 15:35-46 - Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. (v. 43)
Where is our focus? Body or soul
We see in scripture a level of importance on both physical and spiritual!
Come Follow Me
Matthew 4:19, 11:28, 21:38, 22:4, 25:34
The prerequisite of a Jesus Follower is repentance
It is change of mind, that leads to a change of heart, that leads to a change in action. This change involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.
The invitation to be a Jesus Follower
Come and Follow
Come Part - Come unto Me - Jesus will meet people where they are, but he won't leave them there. He said to Come to Him, Just as I am.
To NOT stay where you are
Follow Part
Do what Jesus Did/Taught
Follow the Leader
Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
WWJD - What Would Jesus Do.
The responsibility of a Jesus follower
Fishers of Men
My personal salvation is not the end God had in mind!
He had someone for you to reach in mind. Not just for us, but every tribe and tongue all over the world to follow Jesus.
Who are you "fishing" for?
The Challenge of a Jesus Follower
Sacrifice - Simon and Andrew left their Father to follow Jesus and to fish for men.
John 21:12 - Jesus said come and have breakfast. None of the Disciples dared ask Him "Who are you?" - They knew it was the Lord!!
I hear Him
Seek First is a prescription for anxiety
Why is there a "but", because there is a comparison.
What is the Comparison?
The difference between 2 sets of people
-
Gentiles - sinners
-
God's Children - Jesus Followers
What is the Difference?... Priorities
-
They strive for their desires first (basic needs)
-
Followers strive for God's desire first
Why is there a difference?... Faith
-
Faith in self - I am in charge - prideful person
-
Faith in God - Deep abiding Love of God - God cares about you.
What is the outcome?
-
Self reliance leads to anxiety
-
Faith leads to contentment - the Apostle Paul in
Philippians 4:11-13 says: 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Matthew 5:38-42
3 Humiliating Retaliations to the abuse of others
When others Insult = Endure
Verses 38-39 - You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. For to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing from God.
When others Accuse = Indulge
Verse 40 - If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
Proverbs 15:1 - a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
When others Use = Insist
Verse 41-42 - Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
1st Century Jerusalem, a roman soldier could demand anyone to carry a burden for them. We see this on Jesus' way to the cross. Simeon was forced to carry Jesus' cross.
Go the extra mile. Do more with a cheerful heart!
Endure, indulge and insist
Jesus endured - I Peter 2:23
Jesus - they accused Him - Matthew 27:11
Jesus - they used Him - they expected a miracle and he healed them anyway.
We hear Jesus confront the pharisee's pride (our pride) which is revealed by who and how they (we) relate to others
Defining the lowly
Those who have nothing to return
Those who make us uncomfortable
Those we view as "those people"
Defining associate
By Word ~ Associate = Carried away with, walk with them through life
By Action ~ receives = Welcoming, excited, longing
Parable of the lost sheet, coin, son
Jesus explains why the lost are valuable
One Conclusion - Avoid being the older brother
Application
Who are "those people" here? Clarion, lost, pagans, people who view life vastly different.
In your life?
What could we do?
-
Deny self - not about me - It is His will
-
Seek to serve = love another
-
Associate = build relationships
I HEAR HIM – Seek to Serve / Matthew 20:20-28
Jesus followers’ service aid in the war against pride/self
Jesus followers’ service aid in the war against pride/self
Philippians 2:3
Great Faith and Pride can coexist
Two Types of Humility required for service
Humility to be aware of the other – Look to others
Humility to allow the other
Jesus followers’ service is the method of advancement
To serve and not be served
Focus on the “other” through love, humility, selflessness
Jesus followers’ service is modeled “just as” John 13:12-15
Jesus followers’ service has a greater end in mind salvation
1 John 3:16—28
How can you serve?
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much
You care.
Deny Yourself
A Progression of Authentic Discipleship
- Conclusion of who Jesus is (v. 27-30)
5 L's
1. Luniatic 2. Liar
3. Legend 4. Lesser
5. Lord
2. Comprehension of what Jesus accomplished (v. 31-33)
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
3. Calculate the cost of being Jesus' follower (v. 34-38)
3 Conditions to Discipleship
1. Deny Self
2. Take Up the Cross
3. Follow Jesus
Christianity: The most difficult thing in the world!
Because
Consider What is Most valuable thing to you?
Death eternal
Life eternal
Final Warning
Ashamed of Me
Ashamed of My Word
4 Whoever
Which whoever are you?
Come to ME
Jesus said "Come to Me"
Why?
Jesus has all authority
Jesus knows the Father - He has a deep, abiding relationship
Jesus reveals the Father
All who are weary and heavy - laden
Weary - burdens and stress we put on ourselves
Heavy Laden - Pressures from others
What is on your back?
Burden of Life (Living - Why am I here, what's my purpose?)
Burden of Sin - Pilgrim's progress
Burden of Religion - Based on our performance, I hope I have done enough.
And I will give you Rest
Take My Yoke
1 Learn from Me
2 Trust Me - I am gentle
3 Rest - it is easiet this way
Rest for your Souls
Burden of Sin = Forgiveness - Jesus on the Cross I Peter 2:24
Burden of Life = 1 Purpose for Life - Advance my King's will
2 Place in Life - Child of God
3 Provision for Life - John 14:1-4
Burden of Relifion = Accomplished - Roman 8:1-3 - Jesus did what was needed to be done. Jesus said "It is finished"
Jeremiah 6:16 - This is what the LORD says: "Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, 'No, that's not the road we want!'
One Question remains........ Will You walk on that road?
Hearing God’s Voice
Gentle Whisper
What are you doing here? God is asking the question, not because He does not know. He wants us to process the question
In I Kings 19:9-15 God did not speak in the wind, or the earthquake or the fire, but He spoke with a gentle whisper. Listen to God - Jesus said – Listen to voice of God
Important future – Hearing, understanding & obeying the voice of God when He speaks to you.
He doesn’t speak because of your:
Background
Color of your skin
Education
Your experiences
Opinions of other’s reputation
Prerequisites of Hearing God
- Repent
- Obey
- Motivation
- Know His love for you
- Understand He wants you to have wisdom – things that are good
- Stop talking, starting listening – be quiet (Be Still and know I am God)
God speaks through
- The Bible
- Holy Spirit
- Prayer
- Circumstances
- Conscience
- My pastor
- My Small Group
- My Church
George Muller – English Pastor
Prayed
- Heart in state no preference – not my will but God’s will
- No impression or feeling – because we can’t trust our feelings
- Seek will of Holy Spirit connection with Bible – Word of God
- Providential circumstances
- Continue in prayer until God Answers
God will give you peace!
Cultivate a close relationship with Jesus: Spend time, talk, invest, and learn about Him.
Are we serious enough to hear?
June 3, 2018 Choosing to Rejoice, Always
God has joy– Adam/Eve had joy in the Garden and Satan came and steals their joy.
It is a command to “Be Joyful”
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
James 1:2 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
John 16:24 - Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Proverbs 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always,pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-9 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Paul wrote these words while in prison and soon to be executed.
We will have struggles but we can still be filled with joy.
Paul said that in verse 11 - for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Verse 12 to 13 -I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
In Psalm 22 the psalmist is in despair - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.
In Psalm 23 – the psalmist is full of joy
Joy is not a feeling, but a command – It is obedience to God to be joyful.
Joy is a choice! An attitude to practice it. We make that decision to be joyful. I will obey Jesus or I will let my feelings control me.
Rejoice always – focus on the hope we have in Christ. Despite trouble, my soul is find because Jesus and His Spirit control us.
How do I obey this command to be joyful?
- Examine your relationship with Jesus – Trust Him to save you
- Walk with Jesus – Think about Him, ask Him to help you. Determine to be like Him. Be obedient to Jesus.
- Think about the big picture – eternity – Magnify God – troubles get smaller.
- Take care of strained relationships ASAP. Forgive people quickly
- Praise God. Magnify God.
- Don’t withdraw – get busy serving the Lord. Bring Glory to His name.
- Think about God every day. He will bring you Joy.
- Say I am not going to live by my feelings, rather by my faith in the Lord Jesus. I really do trust Him.
- Do you know joy? It is available.
Do you want joy? Decide I’m going to be joyful.
John 3:1-21 Numbers 21:4-9
Pattern of Salvation from SnakeBite
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The Bite
-
The Faith-Act
-
The Results
Rebirth = The Answer to the Unspoken Question
Jesus Confirms Earthly things
Jesus Confirms Heavenly things
Rebirth = Why it is necessary
It changes our default destination
Rebirth = How???
1 Bite
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Do you understand your need?
2 Faith - Act
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see
What do you believe? -- what action has it prompted?
3 Results
John3:17-21 - For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God
What results are you seeing in your life?
Matthew 7:13-14
IHH = Enter the Narrow Gate = Prayer / Matthew 7:13-14
Why would anyone least of all most people follow the wide way?
Attractions………………………………………………………………Hurdles
- Our Evil ……………………………………………………………..Diligence
Matthew 7;11 Proverbs 8:17
- Exclusiveness……………………………………………………..Denial
Proverbs 14:12 John 14:6
Denial of Inclusivism
Denial of Relativism
Denial of Self-ism
- Ease……………………………………………………………………Difficult
Psalm 79:12 John 16:33
-
Everyone Else…………………………………………………….Different
-
“E”mmediate……………………………………………………..Delay
Hebrews 11:13
When you Fast
The discipline of fasting should be held in the same regard as the disciplines of giving and prayer.
Why the Vacuum
1. Past Custom on Jesus Day
-
Shhh! It's supposed to be a secret
-
It hurts (my flesh)
Why Fast - Simple 3 rule
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Did Jesus Fast? Yes for 40 days and nights Matthew 4:1-2
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Did Jesus teach fasting? Yes Luke 5:35
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Did Jesus' followers fast? Yes Acts 13:2-3
Fastings is NOT
-
to be impressive - not attention seeking
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To be Coercive - not strong arming God Matt 7:11
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To be Self improvement - it's not a diet
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To be a burden Matt 11:29
-
To be reserved - everyday discipline for all
Some Advice
-
Seek God's Guidance - Let God call you to fast - pray and listen
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Research/Study it
-
Try it
Practical Steps
-
Plan - be serious - start time to end time, Pray read Bible
-
Purpose - what do you want to accomplish - visit people - prayer
-
Progress patiently - source of worship to God
-
Place your trust in God - He will be faithful to you. Father will reward you.
Matthew 6:1-4
God's Provision is given presently so we have something to return in the future
The Big Question
What does God want returned from His provisions?
The set up
Matthew 24:3 - As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?
Matthew 24:36 - But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:44 - So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 24:45-46 -
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
The Parables
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Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13 = The prepared servant
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The Talents - Matthew 25:14-30 = The diligent servant
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The sheep & goats - Matthew 25:31-46 = The ministering servant
Does God want more money? Yes & No
Matthew 22:19-22 -
Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
People are The currency of Heaven
Does God want more buildings? Yes & No
1 Corinthians 3:16 - Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
Matthew 6:1-4
God's provision is given presently so we have something to return in the future.
It is not only to sustain us, but also to enable us.
Where does our material resources come from?
-
Earnings
-
His gifts
God appears to care little about the amount of success
What should our goal be?
-
Our successes
-
His reward
What caused the downfall?
Fear
Why is there fear?
-
There is risk
-
It doesn't make sense
(listen and note what stands out to you in this section)
What is always the answer to fear?
Faith
Faith that
-
God will bless our efforts
-
God will reward our results
-
God will meet our needs
-
God will remain faithful - even when we mess up
Sermon Notes
Jesus' followers should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1
Talking, listening and spending time with God is the most important thing you can do each day.
If I struggle to find time to spend with God, I don't have a scheduling difficulty, I have a relationship problem.
Define Prayer: Spending time focusing on God. This may involve talking, listening, or just sitting quietly in His presence. A time where I am enjoying God.
God is not like the judge. He is good, kind & caring.
We are not like the widow. We have a helper.
When to pray: morning, noon, night, read Bible Devotion
Why Pray: Makes God Happy, Allows Him to speak to me, Permits Him to demonstrate His Love; The means to know God better.
Prayer Shows: He is very important to us, That we need Him, That we want His will to be done, That I am looking forward to seeing Him in person.
Results of prayer: I learn how to forgive; I can demonstrate my gratitude; I get good advice on how to live my life and live it well; I get filled (controlled) by the Spirit; I get comforted and strengthened; I find peace and joy.
Protect your relationship with God
No matter how stressful your day, find a sanctuary where you can spend a few minutes of quietness with the Lord.
Jesus will be faithful. He is ready to have this kind of relationship with you. It is up to you!!
Matthew 6:7
Pray – Matthew 6:7
Jesus points out two pitfalls of prayer
- Pride
- Cohersion
The Answer is humility
Of Focus
In Public
Practical Application
8 Pitfalls in the practice of prayer to avoid
- Thoughtless Prayers
Pray Thought out, heart felt prayers
- Earthly focused prayers
Pray priority on spiritual focused prayers
- Unspoken Prayers
Pray vulnerable transparent prayers with someone
- Convenient Prayers
Pray sacrificially dedicated to prayer
- Desperate Prayers
Pray regularly all types of prayer
- Acceptable prayers
Pray difficult challenging prayers
- Gossip Prayers
Pray servant to other prayers
- Point Making prayers
Pray God conversation Prayers
LET US PRAY – I DESIRE TO PRAY MORE
Matthew 18:21-35
Two Dimensions to a Jesus Follower's Forgiving
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Unlimited
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Un bounded
Revoked Forgiveness or an Oxymoron?
There should be no such thing as an unforgiving servant
When to Practice forgiving
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Asked for
-
Un-asked for
Practical considerations
Forgiveness is NOT
-
A feeling
-
Excusing
-
Forgetting
Forgiveness is
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Obedience
-
Freeing
-
Challenging
Luke 20:1-18 / The Conclusion of Following Jesus
“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. – Luke 9:23-24
The cross requires a conclusion
Who will be the authority?
We have the freedom to conclude
Things to consider when reaching your conclusion.
Who planted the vineyard?
- Is there an authority
- Who were the slaves
Who were the slaves?
- Prophets of old
- Personal prophets
Or others…
What about the son?
Did Jesus …………………yes or no
Is there a risk analysis involved?
- Heaven
- Hell
I have concluded…..
Luke 10:1-20 – The Blessed Responsibility of Following Jesus
The Responsibility is
Go and prepare the way of the Lord
Step One = Pray
Who would you pray for? Lost
Step Two = Go
Where do you go? In the streets, in the market, by the river, wherever people are – we need to be light in this dark world.
Bad News = we will be Lambs among the wolves Luke 10:13
Good News = Encouragements to follow in order to Keep going
Go Trusting for God’s Provision
What do you need? Nothing, Jesus will provide
Go looking for those who are receptive verses 7-11
Where do you see God working?
Go overcome with Compassion verses 12-14
What is their FOREVER future? In heaven or in hell
Go Exercising personal humility verse 16
What if you don’t “succeed” – our job is to Go & prepare the way. They are rejecting Jesus, don’t take it personally.
Go Rely on God for Courage verse 17-19
What fear do you face? Our fears hamper, but Jesus is on our side.
Go motivated by Grateful hearts verse 20
What are you grateful for? Your name recorded in heaven.
Luke 9:23-24 - If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Free and Costly -- Is it worth it????
The Value of what we receive from God so far exceedingly surpasses anything we do or could ever do to "pay" for it that it is truly a gift.
Isaiah 50:7 - “For the Lord God will help Me;
Therefore I will not be disgraced;
Therefore I have set My face like a flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.
Following Jesus requires Resolve - verse 51
Luke 14:27 He who does not bear my cross cannot be my disciple
Cross Bearing
Long definition - Personal sacrifices and self denials required to follow, accomplish, and obey God's will for us as it relates to His plans and purpose
Short definition - The cost of being a Jesus Follower
Following Jesus will cost our comfort zone - verse 52
Following Jesus will cost our security - verse 53
The opposition
1 Spiritual -- Secular
2 Open -- Hidden
3 Severe -- Light
Following Jesus will cost our Rights - verse 54, 55
Following Jesus will cost us Personally - verse 57-62
1 Physical comfort & ease
2 Relationships
3 Priorities - Jesus is the priority
The command is to Remember JESUS
Jesus transfers the mandate to remember Passover to a command to remember ME. Exodus 12:14 - Feast of the Passover - Jesus is the Passover.
Remember His Birth
Luke 2:11 - Christ the Lord
Matthew 1:21 - Save From Sin
Hebrews 2:17 - High Priest - Salvation
Remember His Life
Acts 2:22 - Proof of who He WAS - IS
Hebrews 4:15 - Sinless life - Perfect Lamb without blemish
Remember His Death - Sacrifice for US
Hebrews 9:22 - shedding of blood; I Corinthians 15:3 - Christ Died for our sins; Isaiah 53:5 - By His wounds we are healed; 1 Peter 3:18 - Christ died for our sins to bring us to God; 2 Corinthians 5:21 - God made Jesus, who had no sin, to be sin for us.
Remember His Heart/Passion
Luke 19:10 - Seek and save the Lost
John 3:17 - Be saved through Him
Remember His Message - Great I AM
John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth & the Life
John 10:9 - Jesus is the gate-all who enter through Him will be saved.
Remember His Promisse
John 14:3, 28 - I will come again - will receive you to myself
Revelation 22:12 - Behold I AM coming soon.
Holy Means = Set Apart / Moral Righteousness
1 Peter 1:17; Ephesians 4:1-2; Philippians 1:27-28; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12
Holy is a family trait.
Psalm 22:3; Psalm 99:3; 1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 6:3
Holy is pursuing a Relationship
Holy is a desperate Need
Joshua 24:19; Hebrews 12:14; Romans 6:22
Holy has Substitutes
1 = Happiness. The truest happiness is found in realizing your purpose in a relationship with the Holy one!!
2 = Complacency or comparison. Is it much easier to rely on God's grace than to apply ourselves to holiness?
3= Grace. Holiness is not being satisfied with taking care of the "Big" sins.
Growing Holiness - Luke 13:6-9; Romans 6:22
1 = Till
2 = Fertilize
3 = Weed
Pray!
The Command is to love and pray
or to 1 Do The Best
2 Ask The Best
Our Enemies are produced by
-
Our own fallen nature
-
Our Faith and following of Jesus
4 Compensations for loving our enemies
1 We get to mimic God
2 We get to Display God's Love
3 We get to Remember God's Love
4 We get to Test/Grow our trust-factor
The Great Challenge
Neither
Condoning ................................ Condemning
Two Cliffs to Avoid
1 Avoid defensive reasoning
2 Avoid complacent acceptance
Two Guard Rails
1 Clear Biblical Direction
2 Tne of respect and care
The command is NOT... a manddate to remain opionless and silent about the attitudes and behaviors of others.
Jesus talked about making good judgments in Matthew 7. We need to be wise and listen to the scripture and not foolish where we won't follow Jesus.
Two False ideas
God expects us not to Judge. If we use lax standards we will receive lax standards.
The Command is to be EXTREMELY care-full when dealing with others and their sin.
Pearl - help each other, follow Christ, speak truth in others
The CARE-FULL Points
- Humility verse 3
3 Test for proper Humility
1. Recognize own see - see the log in own eye
2. Ready to receive - get specks out
3. Reservation - don't be excited to get speck out of his eye.
- Relationship verse 3, 4, 5
Am I my brother's keeper? Yes - he is my brother
3. Right Standards verse 2 - God's standard
What standard should we use? Romans 1:32-2:5
4. Committed Involvement verse 5
Get Close, Be Gentle, Engage (be there)
An Example - John 8:1-8 Adultery
Two Mindsets to Live it
The Church is a hospital (for sinners)
We are nurses - to clean, to comfort, to nurture alongside the Great Physician, follow Jesus' order, rely on His commands, He will make the prescriptians
Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The command is to do Good Deeds
2 Notes on Christian Good Deeds
They are prepared - Ephesians 2:10
They are Anticipated - James 2:17
The command is Be obvious
Public Deeds verses Private Disciplines
Private
-
Giving - Matthew 6:4
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Praying - Matthew 6:6
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Fasting - Matthew 6:17
Public
-
Actions - Ephesians 4:17-31
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Attitudes - Philippians 2:5; Ephesians 4:1-3
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Acts of Kindness - Luke 10; Matthew 25
The command is Glorify God
John 15:8 - My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples
God's Glory Statements
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Thanks Statements - Thankful to God because He has forgiven me.
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Gospel Statements - Jesus paid my debt, so I will thank Him.
-
Identifying Statements - Jesus died for me, so I am glad he put me here to help you in this small way. God receives glory.
The Command is ..... Love others
Luke 10:25-28
Who are we to love? Be a neighbor to everybody
Luke 10:29
Love Everyone/Anyone
Anyone who comes across our path that you can help.
What makes loving others so challenging?
1. We do - we are selfish - no parent teaches their child how to be selfish - it comes naturally to them.
Philippians 2:3-6 - Humble self - look out for others
Romans 12:10 - Show love
Ephesians 5:21 - Submit
1Peter 3:8 - Be tender hearted, be humble
- They do - People can be hard to get along with
Luke 6:27-28 - Love your enemies - bless & pray for them
Romans 12:14 - Bless those who persecute you
Acts 7:60 - Lord do not hold this sin against them
Luke 23:34 - Jesus said on the cross, Father forgive them, they know not what they are doing.
What does God mean by love - loving others?
John 13:34 - love one another - new command you must love one another - meaning don't just love in a way you love yourself
Love as Jesus loved - Just as I have loved you! - His love is not self centered, it is a selfless love
How has Jesus Loved you?
Psalm 103
-
Forgives all my sins
-
Heals your diseases
-
Faithful Love
-
Patient
-
Lord is compassionate & gracious
How do we do this? - Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind ~ Love your neighbor as yourself.
Start with the source
1 John 4:16 - And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
Let His love flow
Luke 6:45 - A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
Matthew 12:34 - Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
Let God's love flow through you and to all those around you.
Love Whole Hearted / Matthew 22:34-38
4 Areas (Chambers) to Love Whole Hearted
Whole Hearted love calls for obedience
Chamber of Control
John14:15 I John 5:3
Whole Hearted love calls for Priority
Chamber of Order/ Arrangement
Luke 14:26 Deuteronomy 6:4 & 5
Whole Hearted Love calls for Selflessness
Chamber of Motivation
Philippians 2:3-6
Whole Hearted Love calls for Self – Dying
Chamber of Identity
John 15:13 Matthew 16:24-25
Application
Let God be Your Love interest
Admire God
Psalms 8, 19, 23, 24, 67, 99, 117, 150 (read these aloud)
Pursue God
Psalm 63:1-3 Jeremiah 29:13
Luke 10:25 - 28
John 14:1 & 27
I Hear Him = Be Calm
The Command = Be Calm
The How = Belief in God
5 primary Beliefs that enable a Jesus follower to be calm in a world of chaos.
1. Belief in Heaven - verses 2 - 4
Colossians 3:2 Hebrews 11
2. Belief in Supreme Diety of Jesus - verses 10, 11
Romans 8:31
3. Belief in Complete Provision from God - verses 11 - 13
Luke 11:13 James 4:32 Timothy 3:16-17
4. Belief in Holy Spirit's Aid - verse 16
Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:10-12; I Timothy 1:12
5. Belief in God's Love- verses 21 - 23
John 3;16-17
Matthew 4:17
Why is Repentance First
The forerunner preache it = Matthew 3:2
First thing Jesus preached = Matthew 4:17
The First Disciples preached it = Mark 6:7, 12
The First sermon preached it = Acts 2:38
why Repentance is so Important
- The Great Encouragement to Repent Luke 15:7, 10
Heaven notices and applauds Revelation 3:19-20
Repentance is a desired response to the Love of God - AND - it fosters a relationship with Him.
- The Great Gravity of Repentance Luke 13:1-5 & Luke 16:27-30
Repentance is key to salvation and eternal life. Repentance opens the door.
What is Repentance Acts 3:19 Revelation 2:5
Repentance = Is a turning of the heart that leads to a change in actions/life.
The Foundational Step = Turn Your Heart
Psalms 51
4 Practical Steps
Recognize = Name it
Resistance = Prepare
Replace = What will I do
Re-Adjust = Don't give up
FBC Sunday 12-31-2017
Matthew 28:16-20 / Beginning with the End
Beginning with the end of the Gospel
Make a choice
Jesus: resurrected or that's ridiculous.
Beginning with the Last Command - 19Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age
-
Baptize Disciples
-
Teach Commands
a. This command is addressed to us all
b. This command enables us all
c. This command requires us all
The difficult element to any command is not understanding as much as it obedience
Obedience has little or nothing to do with God's love for us, but everything to do with our love for God.
John 14:15 - If you love Me, you will keep My commands.
Beginning with Answer before the question.
Will you give Jesus your yes
Beginning with Hope at the end.
Romans 6:5 II Corinthians 4:8
Jason Hunter Matthew 2:1-12 Who were the Magi (some Biblical facts) 1. They show up later than we typically think. 2. We are unsure of the number of Magi 3. They were magicians, wizards, & astrologers 3 Important points from the Magi's story 1. - There is another prophetic Fufillment Matthew 2:15 2. It again displays God's for reaching love. 3. A true lesson as we consider their predicament Who are the kings in the passage? There is King Jesus and King Herod (Herod didn't want to share his kingship and tried to have baby boys killed) What did the Magi do to show which king they recognized 1. Worship - they travelled over 900 miles to worship Jesus 2. Sacrifice / Gift - Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh 3. Obey - the word of the Lord and did not go back to Herod Who is your king? I choose King Jesus
Jason Hunter Luke 2:8-20 Angels are Messengers Angels are Warriors Matthew 26:53 Ephesians 6:12 The Warrior's Message Jesus is 1. Saviour 2. Christ 3. Lord Title of Diety Title of Allegiance *Title of Authority And the brings Peace John 14:27 Romans 5:1 1 Timothy 2:5 If you could would you want to be an Angel? Why/Why not? The Good News is to Mankind Hebrews 2:16-18
Jason Hunter Luke 2:18-20 Who the Shepherds were - Dispised, lowly servants Why the Shepherds 1. God Loves everyone 2. Jesus born - Lamb of God What the Shepherds heard 1. Savior is born 2. Christ 3. Lord Title of Deity Title of Allegiance Title of Authority What the Shepherds did 1. Heard - Listened - comprehended- applying right away 2. Saw - experienced the message of an abundant life 3. Told - Go and Tell all who heard it - wonder
Jason Hunter Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13-15, 19-23, Luke 1:26-38 Mary - Abandoned Mary was abandoned to God's will, not her own. She said "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word." What does abandoned to God mean? Joseph = Obedient Joseph had an immediate response to the word of the Lord. What is the price of obedience? Not always comfortable Testing of Faith Difficulties
Psalm 96 - Praise Him for His Greatness
Thinking about God is hard work. We will have to think hard!
v. 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
v. 8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come into His courts.
v. 9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness, tremble before Him, all the earth!
God is Infinite
Infinite in Power - Omnipotent - No limit to His power
Infinite in Space - Omnipresent - God is everywhere
Infinite in Knowledge - Omniscient - God knows everything
Infinite in Time - God is eternal - He has no time limits like we do.
Use your imagination - the vast nothingness that existed before God created everything!
Infinite in Perfections/Attribules/Characteristics - Because He is infinite, lhe is complete and undivided.
When our wrath/anger goes up, love and compassion go down.
When our compassion rises, justice and wisdom fade.
When God's wrath/anger shows, so does love and compassion.
When God's compassion rises, so does justice and wisdom.
God's characterists are perfect - God is Love, God is Patient, God is Just, - God is Righteous, God is Merciful.
God is Self -Existent - God has no need. He does not need us...sounds harsh...or mean, doesn't it. But this is a good thing - He can desire a relationship with no strings attached, no coercion, no bribe. He does what is best for us. John 5:26 - For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
God actions are completely selfless - God has amazing, unconditional Love for us.
God is Creative - Everything fits together
God is Love - Laid down yourself for others (JESUS)
God is True - God is not in competition as the world is.. He humbled himself. (be overwhelmed by who God is)
The Lord is Great and greatly to be praised!!
God is ...? (What would you put there?)
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Jason Hunter Psalm 66 Glory to God Through suffering - causes us to turn to God again & again. Suffering & Praising God - collide 1. God is in control 2. God keeps His promises 3. Constantly Praise God 4. Trials are for our Spiritual good. 5. Come and hear what the Lord has done. - Passionate thanks in good times and in bad times. God's priase in Old Testament 1. Crossing of the red sea. 2. Joseph in prison. 3. David and Goliath 4. Daniel and the Lion's Den 5. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and Jesus in the midst God comes through in the worst moments. God sized hole so deep we cry out for a savior. No where else to turn but to him. Personal Examples In Crisis - Brittany shares her story of a recent accident. In Sickness - Keith shares his story of a recent illness. In Death - Randy shares his story of death of his wife, Sherri.
Jason Hunter 1. Be Aware Mis-Leading Messages - Check what people tell us about God with the Bible Mis-Leading Messiahs 2. Be Courageous - Faith in Jesus is where lasting courage comes from. Our Faith in Jesus overcomes = 1 John 5:4 3. Be Expecting - New world to come - John 16:33 1 Peter 4:12-14 God knows that bad things are happening 4. Be Discerning - many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Be ready. Matthew 24:42-44 5. Be Faithful - most people's love will grow cold Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one. Make Jesus your number 1 Love - Keep HIM #1 6. Be Resolute - The one who endures to the end will be saved. Be Ready 2 Timothy 4:5-6 I will not give up, no matter how bad it gets. Stick with Jesus, no matter what. 7. Be Vocal Matthew 24:45-46 - Gospel will be preached - Tell others the "Good News" - Jesus Saves What is the Good News about Jesus?
Jason Hunter Joys of Suffering / James 1:1-4 Book of James has 59 Instructions written to Jewish Christians that were dispersed and persecuted. Christian Joy is Insane Example – Paul & Silas – in jail – singing hymns and praising God – They had joy in the midst of suffering! Philippians 1:27-30 Do you want the Joy of Jesus??? Hebrews 12:2 - looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Christians can have joy no matter what they face. Jesus understands us when we hurt. Christian joy comes from the heart of a servant. Jesus is Lord. James, a bond-servant of God. I am His slave. Do to me as you will. Beware of the pride of expectation - I expect, I deserve, I demand Jesus, I need you to __________ for me, but we should be praying Jesus I Need You! Philippians 2:5-8 - 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Jesus is our example how to live in this world. I Peter 3:17 - For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. Jesus taught discipline – in our culture we see it as punishment, but in the Bible it is seen as education – training. Jesus learned to obey through suffering. Christian joy comes from a refining process. Establish Faith Testing/Develops endurance – serve Jesus – stick with Him no matter what Endurance grows into maturity Be encouraged Acts 15:21-22-Acts 14 – Encourage to continue in faith through many tribulations Discipleship – student in Christ – God uses our difficulties to make us like Jesus. Christian joy comes from the final product. The joy of today comes from reality of tomorrow. Romans 5:3 Rejoice in suffering James 1:12 1 Crown of Life Peter 1:6-7 End game Remembering how good Heaven will be will help us deal with the troubles we face. Jesus is Lord
Jason Hunter Living in a Messed Up World 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 Rabbit Trail 1 = The Bible never said … God won’t give you more than you can handle – that is a myth. Genesis 50:19-20 But Joseph said to them “Do not be afraid, for I am in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” God is so amazing He makes Good come from suffering Equipped to comfort others by God 4 Receive Comfort from the Helper (Holy Spirit) Word – Living Word – Jesus & Written Word -Bible Psalm 119:76; John 14:16 Pass it on. II Corinthians 7:6-7 What have you been / are you being equipped for? God wants us to help others. Kid Note: God helps us through Jesus’ example & Bible’s instruction Reliance and return to God 8 9 Trust in God Focus on the Gospel everyday – Keep relying on God – return to God – Kid Note: When things are hard we can turn to God – He wants us to! Rabbit Trail 2 = Catastrophic Christianity – only turn to God in a catastrophe – then when things are better turn away from God. Rev 3:15-16 Glory given to God 11 How can you thank God in the middle of suffering? Kid Note: God deserves thanksgiving even when things don’t go the way you want. Rabbit Trail 3 = Is there such a thing as unanswered prayer? No there is not. Sometimes God’s answer is no. Good books to read: Foxes Books of Martyr’s by John Fox & Jesus Freaks dc talk Martyrs What can you thank God for today? Positive – Negative – TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!
Jason Hunter Theodicy 1 = Isaiah 55:8-9 The problem of Evil = God is aware of evil God is able to destroy evil God is loving SO Why is there still evil? Kid Note: Why does God allow bad things to happen? Biblical considerations for forming a Theodicy 1 - God chose for choice Matthew 16:24-25 - Act of faith to follow Jesus 2 - Far Reaching effects of the fall Hewbarews 11:13, 16 = We live for the curse to be moved 3 - Splash zone of sin - Example - a lie - no sin is in a vacuum but sin splashes on me and others. Our sin hurts others and their sin hurts us. 1. Affects and Consequences Affects can be obvious or obscure Consequences can be natural or ordained Ephesians 4:31-32- Let all bitterness be put away from you. Be kind, forgive Colossians 3:13- bearing with one another - forgive 4. Increasing Distance from God - when God seems far away, guess who moved away. James 4:8= Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Psalm 73:28 = But as for me the nearness of God is for my good.
Scott Underhill Ephesians 4:11-32 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. The New Life 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ! 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. God is good. 4 Areas of His Goodness Hear the Good News – Good Shepherd died for us Grow in Good Word Go and do good works Follow the Good Shepherd Equip- This is for everyone to We need to be FAT Faithful Available Teachable Equip the Body of Christ. Unified together in Faith – purpose for each individual part. Build each other up Ephesians 4:25 – Put away Lying – Speak the Truth Keeping your commitments Being real – serving others and helping other people – ministry gets messy Ephesians 4:29 – No foul language from your mouth. That means don’t gossip about others. If you have an issue with someone go to them, don’t go to others. We need to use words that build others up, not tear down. If someone is having a terrible day – replace the negative with God’s truth. The truth is that God uses all things for good to those who love the Lord. Speak truth and praise God that He is with us. Ephesians 4:26 – Godly anger – be angry but don’t
Jason Hunter. Looking back on all the weeks we discussed Up words: I John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 1. Fellowship with Others - God has given us other christians for help. 2. Sin sensitive - God wants us to keep the relationship with him strong (sin breaks that relationship) - so seek repentance 3. Obedience - Doing God's word - Obeying God is how we love Him. 4. Anti-secularism- Be against this world James 4:4 - The world we live in is against God 5. Futurist - Attitude Jesus' return- set our minds on things above - The world to come when Jesus returns is going to be great! 6. Loving - John 13:34 - Love One Another! How we love other people shows how we love God. 7. Sanctification - decreasing in sin, increase in reightousness - God works within us to be like Jesus. 8. Spirit - Filled - Do you recognize the Spirit of God? He talks to me and I love praising and thanking HIM. The Spirit of God lives in us when we believe in Jesus. 9. Prayer - See answers to prayer- spirtual focused - God wants us to talk with Him like our best friend! 10. Discerning - understand spiritual things. - God helps us understand the Bible. 11. Fearless - God is ONLY thing to fear Hebrews 9:27 12. Faith-filled - recognize faith - I believe the Bible - All of it! Faith is trusting in God and He rewards those who have Faith in Him. 13. Idol-ware - Being aware those things that take God's place. - We must watch out for things that would take God's place as #1.
Jason Hunter Understanding Idolatry Definition of Idol Anything (other than God) you cling to for purpose, security or significance. The Appeal of Idols It is Tangible or Real Hebrews 11;1, 6 The Origin of Idols Human Heart (crooked) Implications of Idolatry 1. True & False = 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 1 Thessilonians 1:9 2. Choice = Joshua 24:14-15 Seriousness of Idolatry Ezekiel 14:6-8 Abominations Guarding Against idolatry Step 1 = Identify danger areas Step 2 = Recognize truths Step 3 = Turn to God
Jason Hunter UpWords = Faith ~ 1 John 5:1-13 What the Christian Faith is in Jesus is The Christ Jesus is Divine Faith A system of morality or religion A deeply held belief Hebrews 11:1-2 What the Christian Faith is About Overcoming this world. The Christian has much Less comfort in this world than in the world to come Hebrews 11:13, 35b-40 James 1:2-4 What the Christian Faith is Founded on Witness of the water – Jesus’ beginning of earthly ministry Witness of the blood – Jesus’ end of earthly ministry Witness of the Spirit – Where spread of gospel to all people started 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 9-14 Witness of God – is the greatest 1 John 1:1-4 What is your faith? Systems fail, Jesus doesn’t
Jason Hunter Spiritual Discernment I John 4:1-6 Assertions of a Test That right and wrong Exist Areas to Test 1. Outside - for false prophets 2. Inside - for faulty preferences 2 Corinthians 13:5 2 Timothy 4:3-4 Assessments used to Test Divine Jesus John 1:1 In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Divine Guidance The Spirit Confirms Jeremiah 17:9 The Spirit never contradicts The Spirit callaborates. Divine source = The Bible is all we need if used right. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Evidence of the Spirits discerning action in your life 1. Conviction - able to hear what you don't want to hear Proverbs 9:7-9 2. Conscience - an internal sense of right and wrong. 3. Confirmation - reassurance that you are doing what is right. 4. Comfort - Peace regardless of condition, even joy in persecution especially standing for truth. Matthew 5:11-12 1 John 4:1-6 - Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error
Jason Hunter Prayer: I John 5:13-17 How we approach prayer is another indicator of rebirth Mistakes with Prayer Zone time = Think - Active Prayer Admire time = Admire the one who we are praying to Rote time = Say same thing over Move time = Give God His time It is a great privilege to speak to God 3 approaches to effective (living) prayer Approach with confidence when we pray Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 3:11-13 Approach with the right concerns when we pray Matthew 6:9-10; John 4:34, 6:38; Psalm 40:8 Prayer should change us - I delight to do your will, not mine. Approach with the appropriate concentration when we pray A.C.T.S.S. Adoration = Good things about God Confession = things I need to say I'm sorry about Thanksgiving = Thank God for all things He does for me. Supplication Others = Things other's need - ask humbly Supplication Self= Things I need
Jason Hunter UPWORDS - Spirit Filled - 1 John 3:24, 4:13 Presence of the Spirit Acts 19:1-7 The Spirit is a litmus test for salutations Romans 8:9 - However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. When does the Spirit come? Ephesians 1:13-14 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Do you recognize the Spirit in Your Life? Ministries of the Spirit 1. Conviction = John 16:8 2. Love = Galatians 5:22-23 3. Comfort = Acts 9:31 4. Guidance = Luke 4:1; Romans 8:14 5. Education = 1 Corinthians 2:13; John 14:26 Hampering the Spirit Ephesians 4:30 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Where is your sail? Blessing of the Spirit John16:7 - But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. You are never alone.
Jason Hunter 1 John 3:4-10 UW = Sanctification Sanctification = A decreasing pattern of sinning and an increasing pattern of living righteousness. 7 Realizations of our Sainthood 1. Realize you are a Saint Romans 1:7 1 Corinthians 1:2 Colossians 1:2 Jude 1:3 Ephesians 6:18 Called to be saints Adopted by the King = 1 John 3:1 Galatians 4:4-7 Adopted as sons 2. Realize the source of your sainthood Verse 5 Jesus is the source. 3. Realize the results of your sainthood Jesus takes away sin's punishment Jesus takes away sin's power (to enslave) John 8:36 Romans 8:2 Galatians 5:1 Free Indeed - Free in Christ - Christ has set us free. 4. Realize the limits of your sainthood Limited completeness 1 John 3:2 We shall be like Him. 5. Realize your sainthood shouldn't be abused Verse 7 6. Realize the progression of your sainthood Verse 8-9 Seed - grow toward the sun 7. Realize assurance comes from your sainthood Verse 10
Jason Hunter 1 Corinthians 13 UW = Love The context Chapter 11 = Communion-Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Chapter 12 = Unity/Diversity-Each one to do their part Chapter 13 = Congregational Love-Members be committed to one another Chapter Breakdown Verses 1-3 = Essential to Love Verses 4-7 = Explanation of Love Verses 8-12 = Enduring Love So now faith, hope and love abide, but the greatest of these is love! Loves Eros = Not used in the Bible (sexual love) Storge = Family affection Phileo = Brotherly Love Agape = Born again Love - Have Godly love for one another! Four Qualities of Agape 1. Faith-filled = patient - long suffering, - kind Judges Lamentations 3:22-23 2 Timothy 2:13 Our Fight is with - suspicion 2. Focused on other = humble - God's love is other focused! Psalm 8:4-6 1 John 4:10 John 3:16 Our Fight is with - self-centeredness 3. Forgiving = FR = FG Colossians 3:13 Ephesians 4:32 Matthew 6:14-15 Our Fight is with - grudges, bitterness, remembering 4. Fixed = Committedd Romans 8:38-39 John 10:27-29 Hebrews 6:17-19 Our Fight is with - doubt, fear & casual
Jason Hunter I John 2:7-11, 3;14-18, 4:7-11, 4:20-21 The Birthmark The Paramount evidence of our spiritual rebirth is LOVE. Four Nonnegotiables on Love Old and New John 13:34-35 Love for others is a Mandate ~ Command Somebody is going to die John 15:12-13 Other Gospels = Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 14:25-27, Mark 8:34-35 Who will it be? Old me or New me Ephesians 4:22-24 Love for others is a meekness I see Love ~ I am Loved ~ I love God's Love = Agape We must Learn it We must choose to do it Love for others is mimicked The Equation of Love ~ BL=GL Brother-ward Love = God-ward Love Love for others is a measure I John 2:7-11; 3:14-18; 4:7-11; 4:20-21 7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shinging. 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
Jason Hunter I John 2:28 - 3:3 / UPwords 6 = Futurist Futurist = Someone with a focus, preoccupation, or fixation on future events. Jesus is Coming Again = Acts 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 11:26 Our Responses to the Second Coming reveal much about our understanding and acceptance of Salvation! Consider your Disposition v. 28 How do you feel, think, respond? Are you afraid or secure? Are you concerned or confident? Are you worried or wonder filled? Joel 2:31 Consider your Production v. 29 John 15:4-5, Galatians 5:22-23 Consider your Motivation v. 3:1 Constant fight in the war against the world. Where is Home? God in Heaven Devil - Ruler of the World Consider your Relations v. 3:2 The real key to looking toward the future return of Jesus with secure confidence is in our relationship with HIM! Consider your Preparation v. 3:3 Prepare your Character 2 Peter 3:11-13 Prepare your Minds Colossians 3:1-2 Prepare your Investments Matthew 6:19-21 Am I a Futurist? Revelation 22:12-20
Jason Hunter I John 2;15-17 / UPwords 5 = Anti-Secularism pt. 2 From the Battle to the War - The Bigger Biblical View of the Christians Relationship with the World. The Raging War = We are in a fight Ephesians 6:12 I Peter 2:11 The Problem with a relationship with the World = It means Enmity with God James 4:4 The Reality of our relationship with the World = Hatred - Don't be surprised. John 15:18-19 The Danger of relating to the World = The World assaults the Word Matthew 13:20-22 The Attitude we need toward the World = We don't belong. Hebrews 11:13-16 The reason for Remaining in the World = The Lord's Sending John 17:13-21 The Final Word on Warring with the World = Victory John 16:33 1 John 4:4b
Jason Hunter I John 2:15-17 / Upwords 5= Anti-Secularism Part 1 The Two polar extremes to avoid = Total Exclusion … or Total Inclusion The War of Words verse 15 World – Everything that opposes Christ Love = Two requirements for Love 1 = Dedicated Desire 2 = Commitment of Resources Four Main Resources: Time Material Possessions Mental Energies Emotional Energies God Loves us 1. His long – standing desires to us. The investment of his limited Resource – One and Only Son, Jesus The Battle Lines with the World verse 16 Lust of the Flesh Lust = a consuming Desire Flesh = Corrupted human nature Lust of the Eyes Pride of Life The Warrant for Warring with the World verse 17 Brevity verses Eternity Hebrews 11:24-25 Jim Elliot = He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
Jason Hunter 1 John 2:3-6 UPwords 4 = Obedience The extreme importance of Obedience! Obedience is crystal clear evidence of Regeneration Obedience is one of the highest priorities of the Bible The Benefit of Obedience, It offers protection Strategy of Satan = Doubt God - and - rely on Self Root of sin then is pride and unbelief Cure is Obedience because it requires trust and humility Obedience Protects against Self-doubt The 2 Gretest Knowledges of all humanity 1. To Know God 2. To Know Eternal Life Obedience Protects against Self-Deception It is possible = 1 John 1:8, James 1:22, Proverbs 14:12 Obedience Protects against Self- Devotion Love for God or Love for Self ( that is the question) Matthew 6:24 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Obedience Protects against Self-Direction Proverbs 3:5-6 Matthew 7:24-27 The Test of Obedience Find something in scripture you don't want to do and guage your reaction 1. Obey 2. Excuse
Jason Hunter Personal Points From a Growing Pastor I John 1:9 I Timothy 1:12-17 Sunday, June 18, 2017 - Point 1 The seven deadlier sins are those that are part of my life. Point 2 The Follower's position with sin is set = forgiven. Romans 8:1 Point 3 The sin in our lives can kill the effects of our salvation. 1. They kill my joy. 2. They kil my witness 3. They kill my awareness of the spirit. 4. They kill my assurance. 5. They kill my fellowship. Point 4 Although our position is et our plight with sin is not over. 1. Penalty of sin = forgiven Romans 6:23 2. Power of sin = free Romans 6:12-15 3. Presence of sin = remains Ephesians 2:1-2 4. Pattern of sin = broken Romans 7:19-20 Point 5 The right motivation to confront/repent sin is gratitude. Want your best life now? Draw closer to God James 4:7-8 Romans 2:4 Point 6 Put God on Display Show the world what He has/can do so that they may have hope.
Randy Leadbetter Hebrew word for Benefit is Camel Camels can go a long distance without water and carry heavy burdens. Jesus carries the weight of the burden Loving Kindness - chalked full of benefits Heart of Love. Even King David had to exhort himself to remember the Lord in His Blessings. God is so faithful: To Forgive all iniquity Heals all your diseases Redeems your life from the pitt. He crowns you with fiathful love and compassion We are never alone. His help has no limit He satisfies you with good things. Your youth is renewed like the eagle Appreciate, marvel at His wonders The Lord exedcutes acts of righteousness. God loves us. He enjoys us - Let us enjoy Him. Say yes to Him. Choose Christ!
Jason Hunter 2nd UPword = Confession 1st Proof/Pursuit = Fellowship with God and Other Followers 2nd Proof/Pursuit = Sensitivity to SIN Sin Sensitivity = HONESTY Sin Sensitivity = AGREEMENT Confession does NOT mean = To admit to something Confession does mean = Agreeing with God about SIN 3 Agreements with God about Sin Agree what is sin Agree on results of sin Agree on remedy for sin Sin Sensitivity = CONFRONTATION Romans 6:12-15; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7 Confrontation of sin is= repentance Sin Sensitivity = ASSURANCE Lamentations 3:22-23 My sin is a sponge. God's forgiveness is an ocean. Sin Sensitivity = Gratitude
Jason Hunter Compare John 20:30-31 to 1 John 1:5:13 The Gospel = John The Letter = John Verse 1 and 2 = of John 1 Proof / Pursuit = Fellowship with us and God Fellowship is expected Conversion connects us to one another we are integral to one another's faith Fellowship Defined 1. In Influence 2. Inquiries 3. Incautious Fellowship's companions God Others Fellowship Prohibited 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Fellowship's effects 1 Corinthians 15:33 Proverbs 22:24-25 James 4:4 Proverbs 13:20 Proverbs 12:26 Hebrews 10:24-25 My Fellowship Who do you long to be around / avoid? Who do lyou let "IN" = influence/Inquiries/Incautious
Jason Hunter May 14, 2017 - Why should we ask ourselves if we are OK? 1. What must I do to be saved? 2. Am I really saved? 3. Test yourselves to see if you are saved. Milestones Leading to Salvation 1. Circumstances for Salvation Re: death, catastrophe, medical issues or positive circumstance: job, marriage, birth of a child 2. Confrontation of Human Conditions (mortality, what is after this life) Reactions = 1. Deny the need for salvation. 2. I need a Savior. 3. A Cry For Help - Romans 10:13 - for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved 4. Communication Of Gospel - The Gospel of Jesus - John 3:16 5. Crisis of Faith - Crossroads - Will I believe in God or Will I not believe in God. - Creator - he sets the standards - We violated God's Standards - I am spiritually bankrupt - Turn to Jesus - He is the answer for salvation. 6. Commitment Of Heart The difficulty is in Heart issues. There is a difference between head belief (be religious) and heart belief (be changed) Look at the fruit in your own life. Wheat - good fruit Tares - bad fruit 7. Confirmation of Conversion by a changed life/Living Ask yourself - Do I know I have eternal life? Jim Elliot - "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
Jason Hunter Two reasons to pursue an upward relationship. 1. Since we have confidence to come before God 2. Since we have a great High Priest - JESUS Then... 1 - Let us draw near to GOD 2. - Let us hold fast 3. - Let us consider one another to love and good deeds Three thoughts on our connection with each other. 1. Amazing Thought We can play a part in each other's sanctification 2. Sobering Thought We are charged to help one another (it is a command from God) 3. Uncomfortable Thought We are responsible for each other. Give and receive aid from one another. Romans 10:24 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Romans 10:24 1. Consider = Think through, careful diliberation. Whom can I help? 2. Stimulate = Prod, spur on, don't allow to stop, stir someone up, irritate, make someone uncomfortable. 3. Love = Love God, Agape Love, God gives and receives love. Hebrews 6:10 4. Good Deeds = Useful, suitable, commendable, deeds, results, tasks, behavior to the Glory of God ~ especially as you see the Day drawing near. a) Be ready; b) Treat every day as if it's that Day This should be an urgency and priority! * Pray *Address the Excuses * Choose to trust God and His plan and commands
Jason Hunter. April 30, 2017 - The Ascension gives the Christian (follower of Jesus) all the encouragements necessary to continue living on purpose with purpose. The Ascension testifies to forgiveness. All my sins are forgiven. Encouragement of Purpose: Live in - Freedom, repentance, joy and blessing. The Ascension reassures us of a living. Jesus lives and is alive in eternity. Encouragement of Purpose: Live in - with eternal perspective The Ascension opens the way for The Holy Spirit. You are / will never be alone. Encouragement of Purpose: Live in - confidence, conviction, comfort, and direction. The Ascension highlights Jesus' rule and reign. Jesus is Lord! Encouragement of Purpose: Live in - Obedience Advancement. The Ascension reminds us of Jesus' activities. Jesus 1 Intercedes 2 Advocates Encouragement of Purpose: Live in - Perseverance. The Ascension builds anticipation for Jesus' Return. Encouragement of Purpose: Live in - Hope, resurrection, ascension, reunion, entrance to Heaven.
Randy Leadbetter April 23, 2017 - On the Road to Emmaus 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus. 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. Jesus Appears to the Disciples 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you." 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
April 16, 2017 - Easter Worship - Jason Hunter What would You do? Is today the most important day in History? Why was the tomb Empty? Swoon Theory Mark 15:43-45 John 19:34 Jesus was dead. Wrong Tomb Theory Matthew 27:62-66 Grave Robber Theory Romans/Jews did it. John 20:1-2 The disciples did it. Matthew 28:11-15 Did they live and die for a lie? An empty tomb makes a huge difference. It makes all the difference I Corinthians 2:13-14
Jason Hunter April 9, 2017 It's a Love Gift 1 = Love Demonstrated - Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 2 = Love Secure = Romans 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 = Love Complete = John 19:30 - When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. It's a free Gift = Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Two kinds of free 1 = Without Cost = Acts 20:28 - Keep watch over yourselves and all of the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with His own blood. 2 = Un-Earned = Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. It's a reproductive Gift Jesus is our example John 13:15 - I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 15:9, 12 - As the Father has loved me so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Cross Bearinig is Dying to self - Mark 8:34 - Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. It's a Responsive Gift
Jason Hunter Help people stop avoiding Jesus... by having Holy conversations. Truth on Trial = Verse 38 John 14:6 ~ I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. Do you trust Jesus? Authority on Trial = Verse 19 James 2:19 ~ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that -and shutter. Have you given Jesus Authority over your life? Allegience on Trial = Verse 36 1 Samuel 8:4-7 James 4:4 ~You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Whose Kingdom are you living for? Courage on Trial = verse Matthew 10:32-33 ~ Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in Heaven. Will you stand for Jesus? Is JESUS your King?
Jason Hunter Praying was habit of Jesus = Jesus = Luke 22:39 Praying was priority of Jesus = Matthew 21:13 Praying continues for Jesus = Hebrews 7:24-25 The Obedient King = Verses 39-42 Hebrews 5:5-9, John 15:10, Philippians 2:5-9 Jesus is our Example of obedience..even when it is difficult! The understanding King = Verses 40-41 Jesus understands! = Hebrews 4:14-16 The Forgiving King = Verses 41 Romans 7:14-15, 21-24...8:1-2 Jesus Forgives The Betrayed King = Verses 45-50 The Peaceful King = Verses 51-53 Romans 5:1 John 14:27 Jesus is the Prince of Peace The Prophesied King = Verses 54-56 Jesus is Lord - King of Kings
Jason Hunter Purpose of the New King Establish His Kingdom / Luke 9:2, 11:2, Matthew 4:7 Be Kingdom minded Propehcy of the New King Zechariah 9:9 The New King is Humble Praise offered of the New King The New King doesn't demand worship He does accept it, He does deserve it. The People's reaction to the New King 1. Disciples - Followers 2. Pharisees - Enemies 3. Crowd - multitudes - Revelation 3:15-16 The new King's heart The New King is selfless Let us follow Jesus if He is our KING Show His Heart .... Live for His purpose ... Obey His instruction
Jason Hunter Three points about our love 1 - Our Love is implanted 1 John 4:7
2 - Our Love is reciprocal 1 John 4:19
3 - Our Love is Proportionate Ephesians 3:14-19
Love is like a 3 legged milking stool Leg one: Responsibility Jeremiah 29:11 Romans 12:2
- Ministry - Ephesians 4:12, 16
- Live for Christ - 2 Corinthians 4:14-6
- Bringing God Glory - Matthew 5:14-16
Leg two: Affection 1 Peter 5:6-7 Too much affection turns love into selfishness 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Leg three: Discipline Hebrews 12:4-6, 10-11 God uses difficult people and difficult circumstances to train us into Christ's image. Pick one: How would you live that out? How would it affect you?