Istrouma Baptist Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jeff Ginn
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jun 8, 2025 ========== June 8 - These Words Changed My Life Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "Repent and Get Back In the Game" John 21 John 21:1-25 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. 1. Peter wasn't doing anything WRONG, he just wasn't doing WHAT HE WAS CALLED TO DO! vs. 3 2. Jesus gives Peter a GENTLEREMINDER of his PURPOSE. vs. 4-14 3. Jesus RESTORES Peter to his RIGHTFUL PLACE- as a DISCIPLEMAKER! vs. 15-17 4. Peter shows us the most common PITFALL to REPENTANCE - COMPARISON and RATIONALIZATION. vs. 20-23
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jun 8, 2025 ========== June 8 - These Words Changed My Life Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo June 8, 2025 - Micah Cating HUMILITY + UNITY = LOVE Philippians 2:1-11 “Everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:35 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 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. 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. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 ESV If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20 ESV UNITY IS ROOTED IN HUMILITY “Complete my joy by being of the same mind” Two distinguishing characteristics of a Christian community are humility and unity. SELFISHNESS CAN DESTROY THE UNITY OF A CHURCH HUMBLE PEOPLE FOCUS ON OTHER PEOPLE Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts… Luke 20:46 JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE OF A HUMBLE SERVANT HUMILITY IS ROOTED IN UNITY WITH JESUS “Everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:35 HUMILITY + UNITY = LOVE Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jun 1, 2025 ========== June 1 - These Words Changed My Life Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "The Good Shepherd" Psalm 23 Psalm 23:1-7 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 1. The Good Shepherd will provide for our needs. 2. The Good Shepherd will protect us. 3. The Good Shepherd will pursue us.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jun 1, 2025 ========== June 1 - These Words Changed My Life Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo June 1, 2025 - David Brickner TANAKH AS TORAH, NEVI’IM, AND KETUVIM PSALM 22 THE PSALM OF THE CROSS FAITH IN THE MIDST OF DOUBT FAITH IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING K’ARI - Like a Lion K’ ARU - They dug or they pierced FAITH THAT TRIUMPHS THE RABBI’S DILEMMA ISAIAH 53 THE APPEARANCE OF THE SERVANT THE AGONY OF THE SERVANT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE SERVANT DEATH SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 25, 2025 ========== May 25 - These Words Changed My Life Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 25, 2025 - Ryan Rice "Good God, Provider and Sustainer" Psalm 23 (CSB) 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. Psalm 23:1-6 CSB THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES- vs 1 Jesus is adequate for every need the sheep may have as they are in the pasture- W. Wiersbe THE SHEPHERD LEADS vs 2 THE SHEPHERD GIVES LIFE- vs 3 THE SHEPHERD GLORIFIES HIMSELF- vs 3 THE SHEPHERD IS WITH US- vs 4 THE SHEPHERD PROTECTS US- vs 5 THE SHEPHERD HAS HIS HAND ON US - vs 6 Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) May 25, 2025 ========== May 25 - These Words Changed My Life Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "The Love of God" John 3:16-17 John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 1. A conversation about salvation. 2. Salvation originates in the character of God. 3. He offers salvation not condemnation.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 18, 2025 ========== May 18 - Anxiety Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 18, 2025 - Jay Spivey "Rest" Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -- Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB) I. The Invitation: Come to ME! A. What does it look like to come to Jesus? 1. Take up my Yoke - Submit to his Lordship as King 2. Learn from Me - Become a Disciple II. The Promise: Rest Exodus 33:12-17- 12 Moses said to the Lord, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with me.’ 13 Now if I have indeed found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so that I may find favor with you. Now consider that this nation is your people.” 14 And he replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 “If your presence does not go,” Moses responded to him, “don’t make us go up from here. 16 How will it be known that I and your people have found favor with you unless you go with us? I and your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth.” 17 The Lord answered Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor with me -- Exodus 33:12-17 (CSB) Colossians 2:16-17 saying “Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ.” Rest isn’t found on a certain day of the week or in a place, but in a person. III. The Justification: Why does Jesus give rest? A. Because Jesus is a Good Master Philippians 2:5-11 — Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth —and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. B. He Offers a Better Yoke Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) May 18, 2025 ========== May 18 - Anxiety Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "Rest for the Anxious Soul" Matt 11:28-30 Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” What you accomplish in a twenty-four hour period Your heart beats 103, 689 times Your blood travels 168 million miles You breathe 23,040 times You inhale 438 cubic feet of air You eat 3 pounds of food You drink 3 quarts of liquid You lose a pound of waste You speak 25,000 words You move 750 muscles You exercise 7 million brain cells You may be weary/anxious quiz - Irritability/hypersensitivity - Restlessness - Compulsive overworking - Emotional numbness - Escapist behaviors - Disconnected from identity and calling - Not able to attend to human needs - Hoarding energy - Slippage in our spiritual practices 1. Jesus invites everyone to rest. 2. There is no coming to Jesus for rest without discipleship. Rhythms of Discipleship - Daily - Weekly - Annually
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 11, 2025 ========== May 11 - Anxiety Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 11, 2025 - Micah Cating "Fight for your Family" Nehemiah 4:14 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. Nehemiah 2:17–18 NIV 6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. 7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. 11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” 13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. Nehemiah 4:6–9, 11, 13 NIV RECOGNIZE THE OPPOSITION BUILD WITH COURAGE 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14 NIV REMEMBER THE LORD · Prayer · The Word · Church FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families… FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY · Teach Biblical Truth at Home · Guard the Gates · Stand Firm in a Shifting Culture 15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. Nehemiah 6:15–16 NIV Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) May 4, 2025 ========== May 4 - Anxiety Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Jesus and Anxiety Matthew 6:24-34 Matthew 6:24-34 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. “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? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 1. Trust the Lord because life is more important than what you are anxious about. Slide V25 -Finances - Food - Fashion - Future 2. Trust in the character of our heavenly Father. 3. Trust is better than anxiety. 4. Trust in God's divine order.
Mark Clifton, Guest Preacher
Host of Revitalize & Repland, North American Mission Board
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Apr 20, 2025 ========== April 20 - Easter at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 20, 2025 - Mark Clifton Luke 19:28-40 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ” So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: “ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Apr 13, 2025 ========== April 13 - Words of Jesus on the Cross Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 13, 2025 - Tim Keith John 19:28-30 I'm Thirsty Psalm 69:21 - Instead, they gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Psalm 22:15 - My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You put me into the dust of death. It is Finished The Pain of Salvation was Finished The Pain The Shame Hebrews 12:2 *The Blame Matthew 27:46 2 Corinthians 5:21 The Plan of Salvation was Finished Hebrews 10:10-14 The Payment of Salvation was Finished 1 John 4:10 Romans 6:23 On the same night in which He was betrayed, Jesus took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is broken for you: Do this in remembrance of Me. 1 Cor. 11:23-24 Jesus said, “I am the Living Bread which came down out of Heaven – any who eat of this Bread shall live forever.” Jn 6:51 And in the same way, He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1 Cor. 11:25 Jesus said, “This is My blood which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Mt. 26:28 Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 16, 2025 ========== March 16 - Words of Jesus on the Cross Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 16, 2025 - Chad Glover "5 Truths of Heaven that will change your life" Luke 23:43 43 And Jesus said to him,“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me inParadise.” Paradise, paradeisos, an old Persian word for garden. It’s a synonym for heaven. Revelation 21:1 - Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. No more sea is a reference to the fact that God will remove every threat to His redeemed people. TRUTH #1: HEAVEN IS 2 Then I,John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. TRUTH #2: HEAVEN IS 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. TRUTH #3: HEAVEN IS THE PLACE OF GOD’S PRESENCE In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” TRUTH #4: HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF HEALING 5 ThenHe who sat on the throne said,“Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”6 And He said to me,“It is done!I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, andI will be his God and he shall be My son. TRUTH #5: HEAVEN IS OUR HOME Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 23, 2025 ========== February 23 - Missions Sunday Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 23, 2025 - Tim Keith John 17:18, Jesus said "In the same way that you gave Me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world." John 20:21, Jesus said, "As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you." Acts 1:8 – “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Compassion for people locally v.8 – “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem” Matthew 9:36 --- “When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” 83% of new people came because of a simple INVITE by a friend or family member. Daily prayer: Lord, put people in my life that I can INVITE to church and point toward you. Compassion for people globally v.8 – “be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth” Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21) “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Lord, give me compassion like Jesus. Help me to invite ___________ to a church service or church event between now and Easter. Lord, give me a heart for the nations. Help me to get involved by praying, going, and giving. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Feb 23 – 25, 2025 ========== 23 de Febrero, 2025 INVITAR Lucas 14.1-24 ========== S. Lucas 14:1-24 Aconteció un día de reposo, que habiendo entrado para comer en casa de un gobernante, que era fariseo, estos le acechaban. Y he aquí estaba delante de él un hombre hidrópico. Entonces Jesús habló a los intérpretes de la ley y a los fariseos, diciendo: ¿Es lícito sanar en el día de reposo? Mas ellos callaron. Y él, tomándole, le sanó, y le despidió. Y dirigiéndose a ellos, dijo: ¿Quién de vosotros, si su asno o su buey cae en algún pozo, no lo sacará inmediatamente, aunque sea en día de reposo?, Y no le podían replicar a estas cosas. Observando cómo escogían los primeros asientos a la mesa, refirió a los convidados una parábola, diciéndoles: Cuando fueres convidado por alguno a bodas, no te sientes en el primer lugar, no sea que otro más distinguido que tú esté convidado por él, y viniendo el que te convidó a ti y a él, te diga: Da lugar a este; y entonces comiences con vergüenza a ocupar el último lugar. Mas cuando fueres convidado, ve y siéntate en el último lugar, para que cuando venga el que te convidó, te diga: Amigo, sube más arriba; entonces tendrás gloria delante de los que se sientan contigo a la mesa. Porque cualquiera que se enaltece, será humillado; y el que se humilla, será enaltecido. Dijo también al que le había convidado: Cuando hagas comida o cena, no llames a tus amigos, ni a tus hermanos, ni a tus parientes, ni a vecinos ricos; no sea que ellos a su vez te vuelvan a convidar, y seas recompensado. Mas cuando hagas banquete, llama a los pobres, los mancos, los cojos y los ciegos; y serás bienaventurado; porque ellos no te pueden recompensar, pero te será recompensado en la resurrección de los justos. Oyendo esto uno de los que estaban sentados con él a la mesa, le dijo: Bienaventurado el que coma pan en el reino de Dios. Entonces Jesús le dijo: Un hombre hizo una gran cena, y convidó a muchos. Y a la hora de la cena envió a su siervo a decir a los convidados: Venid, que ya todo está preparado. Y todos a una comenzaron a excusarse. El primero dijo: He comprado una hacienda, y necesito ir a verla; te ruego que me excuses. Otro dijo: He comprado cinco yuntas de bueyes, y voy a probarlos; te ruego que me excuses. Y otro dijo: Acabo de casarme, y por tanto no puedo ir. Vuelto el siervo, hizo saber estas cosas a su señor. Entonces enojado el padre de familia, dijo a su siervo: Ve pronto por las plazas y las calles de la ciudad, y trae acá a los pobres, los mancos, los cojos y los ciegos. Y dijo el siervo: Señor, se ha hecho como mandaste, y aún hay lugar. Dijo el señor al siervo: Ve por los caminos y por los vallados, y fuérzalos a entrar, para que se llene mi casa. Porque os digo que ninguno de aquellos hombres que fueron convidados, gustará mi cena. 1. Buscar a los necesitados “Ve por los caminos y por los vallados” 2. Buscar con urgencia “y fuérzalos a entrar” 3. Buscar para edificar “para que se llene mi casa” Luke 14:1-24 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” And they could not reply to these things. Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you,none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” 1. Seek out those in need . 2. Search urgently . 3. Seek to edify. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Feb 23, 2025 ========== February 23 - Invite, Invest, Increase Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo An Invitation to Receive and Extend Slide Luke 14:12-14 Luke 14:12-14 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” 1. The self-serving 2. The presumptuous 3. The priorities of the Kingdom
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 16, 2025 ========== February 16 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 16, 2025 - Tim Keith Daniel 12:1-4 At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape. Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to disgrace and eternal contempt. Those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. “But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.” A Time of Distress A Time of Escape The Time of the End Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 16, 2025 ========== February 16 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 16, 2025 - Tim Keith Daniel 12:1-4 At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape. Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to disgrace and eternal contempt. Those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. “But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.” A Time of Distress A Time of Escape The Time of the End Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Feb 16 – 18, 2025 ========== 16 de Febrero, 2025 El Destino de la Humanidad: Decisión y Consecuencia Daniel 12:2-3 ========== Daniel 12:2-3 Y muchos de los que duermen en el polvo de la tierra serán despertados, unos para vida eterna, y otros para vergüenza y confusión perpetua. Los entendidos resplandecerán como el resplandor del firmamento; y los que enseñan la justicia a la multitud, como las estrellas a perpetua eternidad. 1. Propósito eterno. 2. Perspectiva divina. 3. Permanencia gloriosa. Daniel 12:2-3 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 1.Eternal purpose. 2. Divine perspective. 3. Glorious permanence. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 9, 2025 ========== February 9 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 9, 2025 - Tim Keith Daniel 9:1-3 In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, a Mede by birth, who was made king over the Chaldean kingdom #— # in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah that the number of years for the desolation of Jerusalem would be seventy. So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. The prayer that is heard is the one prayed directly from God’s word. Daniel 9:1-3 Jeremiah 29:10-14 Daniel 9:17 Daniel 9:19 The prayer that is heard is the one prayed directly from God’s word. 1 John 5: 14 This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will(WORD), he hears us.15 And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him. John 15:7 – Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.” The prayer that is heard is the one prayed directly from God’s word. When my failure meets God’s compassion, hope is restored. Daniel 9:4 Daniel 9:9 Daniel 9:18 When my failure meets God’s compassion, hope is restored. 1 Corinthians 1:27 -- God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. Daniel 9:23 Know what God has done, then ask Him to do it again. Daniel 9:15 >The prayer that is heard is the one prayed directly from God’s word. >When my failure meets God’s compassion, hope is restored. >Know what God has done, then ask Him to do it again. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Feb 9, 2025 ========== February 9 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Visions Daniel 7-9 A. The Vision of the 4 GREAT BEASTS: 1. There is a COMMON THEME with all apocalyptic writing: · God’s people are in CAPTIVITY. · The RULERS are EVIL. · God is in CONTROL. · He will DELIVER US. · God will CRUSH our ENEMIES. 2. Common symbols in apocalyptical writing: · Water was always associated with EVIL. · HYBRID animals were repulsive- remember Lev. 19:19 · Clean and nonclean animals were determined if they were NORMAL to their ENVIRONMENT. · Any animal that took on HUMAN attributes (like STANDING) would be alarming. B. The vision of the RAM and GOAT. · This happened in BELSHAZZAR’S 3rd year. Several years before it Babylon’s defeat. · Persia (Iran) and Medes (Kurds) were not POWERFUL NATIONS when Daniel saw the vision. C. Daniel’s RESPONSE to these two visions is PRAYER. 1. There was URGENCY in his praying. · First he FASTED - withholding FOOD to PRIORITIZE something else. · SACKCLOTH – a rough material that would IRRITATE the skin, represented the marks of REPENTANCE. · ASHES - symbolize COMPLETE RUIN - Spiritual BANKRUPTCY. 2. Parts of his prayer: · The prayer of CONFESSION. 4-14 · The prayer of RESTORATION & PETITION. 15-18 · The prayer of REPENTANCE. Vs.19
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 2, 2025 ========== February 2 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 2, 2025 - Tim Keith Daniel 6:10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:16-24 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you! ” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. “Daniel, servant of the living God,” the king said, “has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue you from the lions? ” Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God. The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel , were brought and thrown into the lions’ den #— #they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. The Lions’ Den may not be Punishment, it might be Preparation First: The Lions’ Den may not be Punishment 1 Peter 5:8 - Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Second: it might be Preparation -God Cares -God is in Control Jeremiah 32:17 - “Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You.” Your greatest problem isn’t what’s going on around you, it’s what is going on inside of you! Third: You may be in the Lions’ Den for somebody else to see God. Daniel 6:25-27 Daniel 6:26 The Lions’ Den may not be Punishment, it might be Preparation. You may be in the Lions’ Den for somebody else to see God. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Feb 2, 2025 ========== February 2 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Faith to Face the Lions Daniel 6:1-3 Daniel 6:1-3 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 1. Distinguished in character 2. Disdained by conspirators 3. Delivered by his God Slide “O, King, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me." (6:22a) Slide (present one at a time on same slide) Personal – "God of Daniel.” Eternal – "The living God, enduring forever.” Sovereign – “His kingdom shall never be destroyed.” Faithful – "He delivers and rescues." Works miracles – "He works signs and wonders." Savior – "He who has saved Daniel." Slide Takeaways Don't be surprised by persecution. God delivers. Pre-decide to follow Jesus. - prioritize prayer - believe his Word and promises
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 19, 2025 ========== January 19 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 19, 2025 - Tim Keith Daniel 2:47-49 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court. James 3:1-30 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water. Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email I know God is able. V.17 - "He is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire" I believe God will rescue. V.17 - "He will rescue us from the power of you, the king" I will trust Him no matter what. v.18 – “but even if He does not rescue us… we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Jan 19 – 21, 2025 ========== 19 de Enero, 2025 Dios camina contigo en el fuego Daniel 3 ========== Daniel 3:1-30 El rey Nabucodonosor hizo una estatua de oro cuya altura era de sesenta codos, y su anchura de seis codos; la levantó en el campo de Dura, en la provincia de Babilonia. Y envió el rey Nabucodonosor a que se reuniesen los sátrapas, los magistrados y capitanes, oidores, tesoreros, consejeros, jueces, y todos los gobernadores de las provincias, para que viniesen a la dedicación de la estatua que el rey Nabucodonosor había levantado. Fueron, pues, reunidos los sátrapas, magistrados, capitanes, oidores, tesoreros, consejeros, jueces, y todos los gobernadores de las provincias, a la dedicación de la estatua que el rey Nabucodonosor había levantado; y estaban en pie delante de la estatua que había levantado el rey Nabucodonosor. Y el pregonero anunciaba en alta voz: Mándase a vosotros, oh pueblos, naciones y lenguas, que al oír el son de la bocina, de la flauta, del tamboril, del arpa, del salterio, de la zampoña y de todo instrumento de música, os postréis y adoréis la estatua de oro que el rey Nabucodonosor ha levantado; y cualquiera que no se postre y adore, inmediatamente será echado dentro de un horno de fuego ardiendo. Por lo cual, al oír todos los pueblos el son de la bocina, de la flauta, del tamboril, del arpa, del salterio, de la zampoña y de todo instrumento de música, todos los pueblos, naciones y lenguas se postraron y adoraron la estatua de oro que el rey Nabucodonosor había levantado. Por esto en aquel tiempo algunos varones caldeos vinieron y acusaron maliciosamente a los judíos. Hablaron y dijeron al rey Nabucodonosor: Rey, para siempre vive. Tú, oh rey, has dado una ley que todo hombre, al oír el son de la bocina, de la flauta, del tamboril, del arpa, del salterio, de la zampoña y de todo instrumento de música, se postre y adore la estatua de oro; y el que no se postre y adore, sea echado dentro de un horno de fuego ardiendo. Hay unos varones judíos, los cuales pusiste sobre los negocios de la provincia de Babilonia: Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego; estos varones, oh rey, no te han respetado; no adoran tus dioses, ni adoran la estatua de oro que has levantado. Entonces Nabucodonosor dijo con ira y con enojo que le trajesen a Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego. Al instante fueron traídos estos varones delante del rey. Habló Nabucodonosor y les dijo: ¿Es verdad, Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, que vosotros no honráis a mi dios, ni adoráis la estatua de oro que he levantado? Ahora, pues, ¿estáis dispuestos para que al oír el son de la bocina, de la flauta, del tamboril, del arpa, del salterio, de la zampoña y de todo instrumento de música, os postréis y adoréis la estatua que he hecho? Porque si no la adorareis, en la misma hora seréis echados en medio de un horno de fuego ardiendo; ¿y qué dios será aquel que os libre de mis manos? Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego respondieron al rey Nabucodonosor, diciendo: No es necesario que te respondamos sobre este asunto. He aquí nuestro Dios a quien servimos puede librarnos del horno de fuego ardiendo; y de tu mano, oh rey, nos librará. Y si no, sepas, oh rey, que no serviremos a tus dioses, ni tampoco adoraremos la estatua que has levantado. Entonces Nabucodonosor se llenó de ira, y se demudó el aspecto de su rostro contra Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, y ordenó que el horno se calentase siete veces más de lo acostumbrado. Y mandó a hombres muy vigorosos que tenía en su ejército, que atasen a Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, para echarlos en el horno de fuego ardiendo. Entonces estos varones fueron atados con sus mantos, sus calzas, sus turbantes y sus vestidos, y fueron echados dentro del horno de fuego ardiendo. Y como la orden del rey era apremiante, y lo habían calentado mucho, la llama del fuego mató a aquellos que habían alzado a Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego. Y estos tres varones, Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, cayeron atados dentro del horno de fuego ardiendo. Entonces el rey Nabucodonosor se espantó, y se levantó apresuradamente y dijo a los de su consejo: ¿No echaron a tres varones atados dentro del fuego? Ellos respondieron al rey: Es verdad, oh rey. Y él dijo: He aquí yo veo cuatro varones sueltos, que se pasean en medio del fuego sin sufrir ningún daño; y el aspecto del cuarto es semejante a hijo de los dioses. Entonces Nabucodonosor se acercó a la puerta del horno de fuego ardiendo, y dijo: Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, siervos del Dios Altísimo, salid y venid. Entonces Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego salieron de en medio del fuego. Y se juntaron los sátrapas, los gobernadores, los capitanes y los consejeros del rey, para mirar a estos varones, cómo el fuego no había tenido poder alguno sobre sus cuerpos, ni aun el cabello de sus cabezas se había quemado; sus ropas estaban intactas, y ni siquiera olor de fuego tenían. Entonces Nabucodonosor dijo: Bendito sea el Dios de ellos, de Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, que envió su ángel y libró a sus siervos que confiaron en él, y que no cumplieron el edicto del rey, y entregaron sus cuerpos antes que servir y adorar a otro dios que su Dios. Por lo tanto, decreto que todo pueblo, nación o lengua que dijere blasfemia contra el Dios de Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, sea descuartizado, y su casa convertida en muladar; por cuanto no hay dios que pueda librar como este. Entonces el rey engrandeció a Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego en la provincia de Babilonia. 1. El Poder que oprime. (Daniel 3:1-7) 2. El Pacto que sostiene. (Daniel 3:16-18) 3. El Protector que salva. (Daniel 3:24-25) Daniel 3:1-30 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. 1. The Power that oppresses. (Daniel 3:1-7) 2. The Covenant that Sustains.(Daniel 3:16-18) 3. The Protector who saves. (Daniel 3:24-25) [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jan 19, 2025 ========== January 19 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Be Convicted & Be Courageous Daniel 3:1-6 Daniel 3:1-30 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. 1. Forced idolatry 2. Scheming snitches 3. Convicted and courageous saints
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 12, 2025 ========== January 12 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 12, 2025 - Tim Keith "Staying Faithful in an Unfaithful World" Daniel 1:1-21 In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar , of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. The Lord handed King Jehoiakim of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God. Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon, , to the house of his god, and put the vessels in the treasury of his god. The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility #— # young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to attend the king. , Among them, from the Judahites, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief eunuch gave them names; he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah. Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself. God had granted Daniel kindness and compassion from the chief eunuch, yet he said to Daniel, “I fear my Lord the king, who assigned your food and drink. What if he sees your faces looking thinner than the other young men your age? You would endanger my life with the king.” So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief eunuch had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king’s food, and deal with your servants based on what you see.” He agreed with them about this and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to attend the king. In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times , better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom. Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. Determine to Honor God Do What You've Determined James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works #— #this person will be blessed in what he does. Worship Guide Poll Please let us know your thoughts http://poll-maker.com/poll5375483x6A57440a-161 Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jan 12, 2025 ========== January 12 - Daniel Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "A Case Study in Faithfulness" Daniel 1:1-7 1. God is present and active in and over world history. 2. God is present and active in and over personal history. 3. God is and will be present and active in your life today and tomorrow. Daniel 1:1-7 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
Istrouma en Español Jan 12 – 14, 2025 ========== 12 de Enero, 2025 Decisiones que Definen tu Fe Daniel 1.1-21 ========== Daniel 1:1-21 En el año tercero del reinado de Joacim rey de Judá, vino Nabucodonosor rey de Babilonia a Jerusalén, y la sitió. Y el Señor entregó en sus manos a Joacim rey de Judá, y parte de los utensilios de la casa de Dios; y los trajo a tierra de Sinar, a la casa de su dios, y colocó los utensilios en la casa del tesoro de su dios. Y dijo el rey a Aspenaz, jefe de sus eunucos, que trajese de los hijos de Israel, del linaje real de los príncipes, muchachos en quienes no hubiese tacha alguna, de buen parecer, enseñados en toda sabiduría, sabios en ciencia y de buen entendimiento, e idóneos para estar en el palacio del rey; y que les enseñase las letras y la lengua de los caldeos. Y les señaló el rey ración para cada día, de la provisión de la comida del rey, y del vino que él bebía; y que los criase tres años, para que al fin de ellos se presentasen delante del rey. Entre estos estaban Daniel, Ananías, Misael y Azarías, de los hijos de Judá. A estos el jefe de los eunucos puso nombres: puso a Daniel, Beltsasar; a Ananías, Sadrac; a Misael, Mesac; y a Azarías, Abed-nego. Y Daniel propuso en su corazón no contaminarse con la porción de la comida del rey, ni con el vino que él bebía; pidió, por tanto, al jefe de los eunucos que no se le obligase a contaminarse. Y puso Dios a Daniel en gracia y en buena voluntad con el jefe de los eunucos; y dijo el jefe de los eunucos a Daniel: Temo a mi señor el rey, que señaló vuestra comida y vuestra bebida; pues luego que él vea vuestros rostros más pálidos que los de los muchachos que son semejantes a vosotros, condenaréis para con el rey mi cabeza. Entonces dijo Daniel a Melsar, que estaba puesto por el jefe de los eunucos sobre Daniel, Ananías, Misael y Azarías: Te ruego que hagas la prueba con tus siervos por diez días, y nos den legumbres a comer, y agua a beber. Compara luego nuestros rostros con los rostros de los muchachos que comen de la ración de la comida del rey, y haz después con tus siervos según veas. Consintió, pues, con ellos en esto, y probó con ellos diez días. Y al cabo de los diez días pareció el rostro de ellos mejor y más robusto que el de los otros muchachos que comían de la porción de la comida del rey. Así, pues, Melsar se llevaba la porción de la comida de ellos y el vino que habían de beber, y les daba legumbres. A estos cuatro muchachos Dios les dio conocimiento e inteligencia en todas las letras y ciencias; y Daniel tuvo entendimiento en toda visión y sueños. Pasados, pues, los días al fin de los cuales había dicho el rey que los trajesen, el jefe de los eunucos los trajo delante de Nabucodonosor. Y el rey habló con ellos, y no fueron hallados entre todos ellos otros como Daniel, Ananías, Misael y Azarías; así, pues, estuvieron delante del rey. En todo asunto de sabiduría e inteligencia que el rey les consultó, los halló diez veces mejores que todos los magos y astrólogos que había en todo su reino. Y continuó Daniel hasta el año primero del rey Ciro. 1. "Decidió ser fiel por encima de su posición" (Daniel 1:8) No permitió que el privilegio de la mesa del rey comprometiera su relación con el Rey de reyes. 2️. "Defendió su identidad por encima de la presión" (Daniel 1:12-13) Su lealtad a Dios no dependía de su entorno, sino de su convicción. 3️. "Depositó su confianza en Dios por encima de las circunstancias" (Daniel 1:17) Sabía que Dios respalda a los que son fieles, incluso en medio de sistemas opresivos. Daniel 1:1-21 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my Lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus. 1. "He decided to be faithful above his position" (Daniel 1:8) He did not allow the privilege of the king's table to compromise his relationship with the King of kings. 2️. "He defended his identity above the pressure" (Daniel 1:12-13) His loyalty to God did not depend on his surroundings, but on his conviction. 3️. "He placed his trust in God above the circumstances" (Daniel 1:17) He knew that God supports those who are faithful, even in the midst of oppressive systems. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma en Español Jan 5 – 7, 2025 ========== 5 de Enero, 2025 ¡Este Año Sí! Hebreos 12:1-2 ========== Hebreos 12:1-2 Por tanto, nosotros también, teniendo en derredor nuestro tan grande nube de testigos, despojémonos de todo peso y del pecado que nos asedia, y corramos con paciencia la carrera que tenemos por delante, puestos los ojos en Jesús, el autor y consumador de la fe, el cual por el gozo puesto delante de él sufrió la cruz, menospreciando el oprobio, y se sentó a la diestra del trono de Dios. 1. ¡Este año sí vamos a dejar atrás los obstáculos! 2. ¡Este año sí vamos a estar comprometidos! 3. ¡Este año sí vamos a estar enfocados en Jesús! Hebrews 12:1-2 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, 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. 1. This year we are going to leave the obstacles behind! 2. This year we are going to be committed! 3. This year we are going to be focused on Jesus! [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 5, 2025 ========== January 5 Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 5, 2025 - Tim Keith Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by his Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them. There were a great many of them on the surface of the valley, and they were very dry. Then he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live? ” I replied, “Lord God, only you know.” He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Lord God says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live. I will put tendons on you, make flesh grow on you, and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you so that you come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” So I prophesied as I had been commanded. While I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. As I looked, tendons appeared on them, flesh grew, and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man. Say to it: This is what the Lord God says: Breath, come from the four winds and breathe into these slain so that they may live! ” So I prophesied as he commanded me; the breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, a vast army. Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’ Therefore, prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, my people, and lead you into the land of Israel. You will know that I am the Lord, my people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I have spoken, and I will do it. This is the declaration of the Lord.’ ” Hear the Word Pray the Word https://istrouma.org/resources Acts 2:37 "When the people heard(God’s word), they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jan 5, 2025 ========== January 5 Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo A Big God & A Big Prayer Psalm 139:1-16 Psalm 139:1-16 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Are you a big "Godder" or a little "godder?" "What comes into our minds when we think of God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer 1. The Omniscient God who loves us. a. Conduct You search my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all of my ways. v. 3 b. Contemplations You discern my thoughts from afar. v2b c. Conversations Even before a word is on my tongue you know it all together. v.4 d. Character 2. The omnipresent God who is with us. 3. The omnipotent God who made us. "God saw us and loved us before He made us as he made us.” -Danny Akin A Big Prayer
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Dec 15, 2024 ========== December 15 - Advent Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Christmas = Love 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 1. The necessity of love. 2. The characteristics of love. - Love is patient. - Love is kind. - Love does not envy. Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. - Love does not boast. - Love is not arrogant. - Love is not rude. - Love is not self-seeking. - Love is not irritable. - Love is not resentful. - Love does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. - Love bears, believes, hopes, and endures for others. 3. The preeminence of Love.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 15, 2024 ========== December 15 | Advent Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 15, 2024 - Tim Keith Advent: LOVE 1 John 4:7-11, 19-21 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice , for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister. Look At What God Did For You 1 John 4:10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice , for our sins. 1 John 3:16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Romans 5:8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 1 John 4:11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. Let Go Of Bitterness 1 John 3:24 The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us. Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. Forgive Quickly Forgive Completely Learn From God's Purpose 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. 1 John 4:9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 2 Corinthians 13:7 But we pray to God that you do nothing wrong #— #not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail. Ephesians 4:32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 8, 2024 ========== December 8 | Advent Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 8, 2024 - Tim Keith PEACE Isaiah 8:22 Isaiah 9:2 Isaiah 9:6-7 Through Jesus Find peace when you are worried. Philippians 4:6-7 Through Jesus Find peace when you are weary. Matthew 11:28 Psalm 121 Through Jesus Find peace when you are wondering. Romans 5:1 John 14:6 Luke 2:14 John 14:27 John 16:33 Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Dec 8, 2024 ========== December 8 - Advent Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo The Gift of Peace Isaiah 9:6-9 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. Is. 9:6a The Prince of Peace came to offer us peace with God so he could give us the peace of God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 Peace offered is not necessarily peace received. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Col. 1:19-20 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13 God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace.” Ephesians 3:13-14a As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all). Acts 10:36a And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14 And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:1
Istrouma en Español Dec 8 – 10, 2024 ========== 8 de Diciembre, 2024 Paz que no caduca Isaías 9:6-7 ========== Isaías 9:6-7 Porque un niño nos es nacido, hijo nos es dado, y el principado sobre su hombro; y se llamará su nombre Admirable, Consejero, Dios Fuerte, Padre Eterno, Príncipe de Paz. Lo dilatado de su imperio y la paz no tendrán límite, sobre el trono de David y sobre su reino, disponiéndolo y confirmándolo en juicio y en justicia desde ahora y para siempre. El celo de Jehová de los ejércitos hará esto. 1. Paz Prometida. "Porque un niño nos es nacido, hijo nos es dado, y el principado sobre su hombro; y se llamará su nombre Admirable Consejero, Dios Fuerte, Padre Eterno, Príncipe de Paz." (Isaías 9.6) 2. Paz Proclamada. "Lo dilatado de su imperio y la paz no tendrán límite, sobre el trono de David y sobre su reino..." (Isaías 9.7ª) 3. Paz Permanente. “Disponiéndolo y confirmándolo en juicio y en justicia desde ahora y para siempre. El celo de Jehová de los ejércitos hará esto." (Isaías 9.7b) [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 1, 2024 ========== December 1 | Advent Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 1, 2024 - Micah Cating ADVENT IS A SEASON OF WAITING GOD’S PAST FAITHFULNESS GIVES US HOPE FOR THE FUTURE Matthew 2:1-12 ESV Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. THE WISE MEN LOOKED BACK BEFORE LOOKING FORWARD ISAIAH 9:6-7 ESV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. WE HAVE EVEN MORE HOPE THAN THE WISE MEN 1 PETER 1:3 ESV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. GOD’S PAST FAITHFULNESS GIVES US HOPE FOR THE FUTURE ADVENT RESOURCES: istrouma.org/advent Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Nov 24, 2024 ========== November 24 | Thankful Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo November 24, 2024 - Tim Keith Matthew 6:19-24 “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. God's Priority Invest in What is Eternal God's Principle Your Heart Follows Your Treasure Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. God's Promise He Will Provide Everything You Need Action Steps: - Give to the "Thankful Offering" - Consistently Invest in the Eternal - Trust God Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Oct 27 – 29, 2024 ========== 27 de Octubre, 2024 Alguien espera Tu mensaje Romanos 10:14-15 ========== Romanos 10:14-15 ¿Cómo, pues, invocarán a aquel en el cual no han creído? ¿Y cómo creerán en aquel de quien no han oído? ¿Y cómo oirán sin haber quien les predique? ¿Y cómo predicarán si no fueren enviados? Como está escrito: ¡Cuán hermosos son los pies de los que anuncian la paz, de los que anuncian buenas nuevas! 1. Predicar: La Tarea principal de la Iglesia 2. Proclamar: La Urgencia del mensaje de la Iglesia 3. Participar: La Responsabilidad De la Iglesia [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Oct 27, 2024 ========== October 27 l Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo What's Our Excuse? Romans 10:13-17 Romans 10:13-17 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 1. God sends us. 2. God sends us; we share. 3. God sends us; we share; people hear. 4. God sends us; we share; people hear; they believe. 5. God sends us; we share; people hear; they believe; they call. 6. God sends us; we share; people hear; they believe; they call; God saves.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Oct 27, 2024 ========== October 27 | Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo October 27, 2024 - Tim Keith Romans 10:14-15 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. Let’s go to those we can... and help send others to those we cannot. 1. Every person needs Jesus. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; Romans 5:8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 10:9, 13 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? (Romans 10:14) 2. Every Christian has a mission. And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15) John 17:18, Jesus said, "As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." John 20:21, Jesus said, "As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you." Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 3. Every mission of every Christian is to tell every person about the good news of Jesus. And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. (Romans 10:15) Acts 20:24, Paul says, "my purpose/mission is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” Why haven’t they heard? > Do Nothing > Give Generously > Go Courageously > Pray Constantly Let’s go to those we can... and help send others to those we cannot. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Oct 20, 2024 ========== October 20 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Seeing & Doing Matthew 9:35-38 Matthew 9:35-38 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 1. What did he see? 2. What did he do? 3. What did he say? Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Oct 20, 2024 ========== October 20 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo October 20, 2024 - Ryan Rice Glorify God & Advance the Gospel Together Philippians 1:1-11 God is glorified when we live with a Christ centered purpose. THANK GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE- VS 1-5 The Saints of God worship, grow and advance the Gospel together. PRIASE GOD FOR ALL HE IS DOING- VS 6-8 THE GOSPEL UNITES THE SAINTS GLORIFY GOD FOR ALL HE WILL DO VS 9-11 “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is kowing the difference between right and almost right.”—C.H. Spurgeon Believers that are pursuing the Lord prioritize a love for Jesus, a love for others and a life that glorifies Him. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Oct 13, 2024 ========== October 13 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo TBC: Now it's Us Acts 28:28-31 Acts 28:28-31 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. 1. Look to serve 2. Live sent 3. Love sacrifically
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Oct 13, 2024 ========== October 13 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo October 13, 2024 - Tim Keith Acts 2:2 – And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting INVITE INVEST INCREASE We invite everyone to invest everything to see the Kingdom of God increase everywhere. 30x30 Strategy: Our strategy is to come alongside North American and International partners to expand God’s kingdom locally and globally through the planting of new churches, expansion of existing churches, and the revitalization of struggling churches. Acts 28:23-24 After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. Acts 28:30-31 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. INVITE INVEST Serve https://istrouma.org/serve Give https://istrouma.org/give INCREASE Lord, give me an opportunity to invite someone to Istrouma this week. Lord, as you guide me and help me, I will invest my life in Your church and Your mission. Lord, open my heart to say “YES” to Your direction in my life. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Oct 6, 2024 ========== October 6 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Suffering in the Storms Acts 27 Our trust in God's providence is the fuel for glorifying him in the pain. 1. He displays trust in God's word Acts 27:24-25 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 2. He prays for help Acts 27:29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 3. He gives thanks Acts 27:35-36 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. Our trust in God's providence is the fuel for glorifying him in the pain.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Oct 6, 2024 ========== October 6 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo October 6, 2024 - Tim Keith Acts 23:11 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.” Acts 27:20 For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope was fading that we would be saved. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Through Difficulty – We Learn to Depend upon God Acts 27:21-25 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me. Romans 5:3-4 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. Through Failure – We Learn to Forgive Others Acts 27:33-37 When it was about daylight, Paul urged them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and going without food, having eaten nothing. So I urge you to take some food. For this is for your survival, since none of you will lose a hair from your head.” After he said these things and had taken some bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all of them, and after he broke it, he began to eat. They all were encouraged and took food themselves. In all there were 276 of us on the ship. Through Suffering – We Learn to Share Jesus Acts 28:8-10 Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him. After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Oct 6 – 8, 2024 ========== 6 de Octubre, 2024 Derribado para levantarte Hechos 26:12-23 ========== Hechos 26:12-23 Ocupado en esto, iba yo a Damasco con poderes y en comisión de los principales sacerdotes, cuando a mediodía, oh rey, yendo por el camino, vi una luz del cielo que sobrepasaba el resplandor del sol, la cual me rodeó a mí y a los que iban conmigo. Y habiendo caído todos nosotros en tierra, oí una voz que me hablaba, y decía en lengua hebrea: Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues? Dura cosa te es dar coces contra el aguijón. Yo entonces dije: ¿Quién eres, Señor? Y el Señor dijo: Yo soy Jesús, a quien tú persigues. Pero levántate, y ponte sobre tus pies; porque para esto he aparecido a ti, para ponerte por ministro y testigo de las cosas que has visto, y de aquellas en que me apareceré a ti, librándote de tu pueblo, y de los gentiles, a quienes ahora te envío, para que abras sus ojos, para que se conviertan de las tinieblas a la luz, y de la potestad de Satanás a Dios; para que reciban, por la fe que es en mí, perdón de pecados y herencia entre los santificados. Por lo cual, oh rey Agripa, no fui rebelde a la visión celestial, sino que anuncié primeramente a los que están en Damasco, y Jerusalén, y por toda la tierra de Judea, y a los gentiles, que se arrepintiesen y se convirtiesen a Dios, haciendo obras dignas de arrepentimiento. Por causa de esto los judíos, prendiéndome en el templo, intentaron matarme. Pero habiendo obtenido auxilio de Dios, persevero hasta el día de hoy, dando testimonio a pequeños y a grandes, no diciendo nada fuera de las cosas que los profetas y Moisés dijeron que habían de suceder: Que el Cristo había de padecer, y ser el primero de la resurrección de los muertos, para anunciar luz al pueblo y a los gentiles. 1. El encuentro con el Señor. (26:12-15) 2. El Mandato del Señor. (26:16-18) 3. El llamado a obedecer del Señor (26:19-23) [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma en Español Sep 29 – Oct 1, 2024 ========== 29 de Septiembre, 2024 Una conciencia limpia en un mundo turbio Hechos 24:16 ========== Hechos 24:16 Y por esto procuro tener siempre una conciencia sin ofensa ante Dios y ante los hombres. 1. Propósito Claro. "Por esto procuro..." 2. Pureza de Corazón. "Tener siempre una conciencia sin ofensa..." 3. Paz Interior. "Ante Dios y ante los hombres." [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Sep 29, 2024 ========== September 29 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo When You’re in a Holding Pattern Acts 26:13-20 Acts 26:13-20 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 1. We are servants 2. We are witnesses Takeaways - Remain steadfast as a servant. - Holding patterns are for preparation. - Listen to the focus of your prayers. - Be prepared for ridicule and disrespect. - Rely on the help that comes for God.
Istrouma en Español Sep 22 – 24, 2024 ========== 22 de Septiembre, 2024 DESARROLLANDO COFIANZA EN LA ADVERSIDAD Hechos 23 ========== Hechos 23:1-17 Entonces Pablo, mirando fijamente al concilio, dijo: Varones hermanos, yo con toda buena conciencia he vivido delante de Dios hasta el día de hoy. El sumo sacerdote Ananías ordenó entonces a los que estaban junto a él, que le golpeasen en la boca. Entonces Pablo le dijo: ¡Dios te golpeará a ti, pared blanqueada! ¿Estás tú sentado para juzgarme conforme a la ley, y quebrantando la ley me mandas golpear? Los que estaban presentes dijeron: ¿Al sumo sacerdote de Dios injurias? Pablo dijo: No sabía, hermanos, que era el sumo sacerdote; pues escrito está: No maldecirás a un príncipe de tu pueblo. Entonces Pablo, notando que una parte era de saduceos y otra de fariseos, alzó la voz en el concilio: Varones hermanos, yo soy fariseo, hijo de fariseo; acerca de la esperanza y de la resurrección de los muertos se me juzga. Cuando dijo esto, se produjo disensión entre los fariseos y los saduceos, y la asamblea se dividió. Porque los saduceos dicen que no hay resurrección, ni ángel, ni espíritu; pero los fariseos afirman estas cosas. Y hubo un gran vocerío; y levantándose los escribas de la parte de los fariseos, contendían, diciendo: Ningún mal hallamos en este hombre; que si un espíritu le ha hablado, o un ángel, no resistamos a Dios. Y habiendo grande disensión, el tribuno, teniendo temor de que Pablo fuese despedazado por ellos, mandó que bajasen soldados y le arrebatasen de en medio de ellos, y le llevasen a la fortaleza. A la noche siguiente se le presentó el Señor y le dijo: Ten ánimo, Pablo, pues como has testificado de mí en Jerusalén, así es necesario que testifiques también en Roma. Venido el día, algunos de los judíos tramaron un complot y se juramentaron bajo maldición, diciendo que no comerían ni beberían hasta que hubiesen dado muerte a Pablo. Eran más de cuarenta los que habían hecho esta conjuración, los cuales fueron a los principales sacerdotes y a los ancianos y dijeron: Nosotros nos hemos juramentado bajo maldición, a no gustar nada hasta que hayamos dado muerte a Pablo. Ahora pues, vosotros, con el concilio, requerid al tribuno que le traiga mañana ante vosotros, como que queréis indagar alguna cosa más cierta acerca de él; y nosotros estaremos listos para matarle antes que llegue. Mas el hijo de la hermana de Pablo, oyendo hablar de la celada, fue y entró en la fortaleza, y dio aviso a Pablo. Pablo, llamando a uno de los centuriones, dijo: Lleva a este joven ante el tribuno, porque tiene cierto aviso que darle. 1. EN LA ADVERSIDAD MANTENER NUESTRO COMPROMISO 2. LA ADVERSIDAD PUEDA INTENTAR IMPEDIR LA OBRA DE DIOS EN NUESTRA VIDA 3. LA ADVERSIDAD ES UNA OPORTUNIDAD PARA ESCUCHAR LA VOZ DE DIOS. 4. EN LA ADVERSIDAD DIOS SIEMPRE SALDRA EN NUESTRO ENCUENTRO SI APRENDEMOS A ACEPTAR SU VOLUNTAD [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Sep 22, 2024 ========== September 22 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo September 22, 2024 - Tim Keith Acts 24:24 Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. Acts 24:25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.” Acts 24:27 After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison. Ephesians 4:17-25 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. But that is not how you came to know Christ, assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Take Off the Old Ephesians 4:22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, Renew Your Mind Ephesians 4:23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind(it’s continual), so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Question: What do you put in your mind? Put on the New Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. Question What is one area in your life that you need to take off the old and put on the new? Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Sep 22, 2024 ========== September 22 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo The Faith of Felix Acts 24:22-27 Acts 24:22-27 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. 1. Accurate knowledge Matthew 6:21-23 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 2. Inquiring mind 2. Inquiring mindRomans 3:21-22a 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Acts 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” 3. Convicted heart
Istrouma en Español Sep 15 – 17, 2024 ========== 15 de Septiembre, 2024 Escogido Hechos 22:14 ========== Hechos 22:14 Y él dijo: El Dios de nuestros padres te ha escogido para que conozcas su voluntad, y veas al Justo, y oigas la voz de su boca. 1. Escogido para conocer su voluntad. El Dios de nuestros antepasados te ha elegido para que conozcas sus planes. 2. Escogido para ver a Jesús. Él quiere que veas a Jesús, quien es justo, 3. Escogido para escuchar su voz. y que oigas su voz. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Sep 22, 2024 ========== September 22 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo September 22, 2024 - Tim Keith Acts 24:24 Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. Acts 24:25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.” Acts 24:27 After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison. Ephesians 4:17-25 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. But that is not how you came to know Christ, assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Take Off the Old Ephesians 4:22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, Renew Your Mind Ephesians 4:23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind(it’s continual), so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Question: What do you put in your mind? Put on the New Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. Question What is one area in your life that you need to take off the old and put on the new? Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Sep 22, 2024 ========== September 22 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo The Faith of Felix Acts 24:22-27 Acts 24:22-27 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. 1. Accurate knowledge Matthew 6:21-23 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 2. Inquiring mind 2. Inquiring mindRomans 3:21-22a 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Acts 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” 3. Convicted heart
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Sep 8, 2024 ========== September 9 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Three Questions Acts 22:6-16 Acts 22:6-16 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ 1. Who are you, Lord? Isaiah 53:11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Acts 22:14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; Isaiah 53:5-7 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2. What do you want me to do? 3. What are you waiting for?
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Sep 8, 2024 ========== September 1 | Acts (2) Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo September 8, 2024 - Tim Keith Colossians 4:5-6 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. Be Careful in How You Act The World is Watching Acts 21:27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd, and seized him, Colossians 4:5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. The World is Waiting Acts 21:40 After he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in Aramaic: Colossians 4:5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Be Compassionate in How You Speak The World is Wounded Acts 21:31 As they were trying to kill him, word went up to the commander of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in chaos. Acts 4:6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family. Luke 4:22 They were all speaking well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from his mouth; yet they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” The World is Wondering 1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. - Tell Your Story - Tell His Story - Invite Them to Church Question: Who will be in Heaven because of you? Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Sep 1 – 3, 2024 ========== 1 de Septiembre, 2024 Camarón Que Se Duerme Hechos 20:7-38 ========== Hechos 20:7-38 El primer día de la semana, reunidos los discípulos para partir el pan, Pablo les enseñaba, habiendo de salir al día siguiente; y alargó el discurso hasta la medianoche. Y había muchas lámparas en el aposento alto donde estaban reunidos; y un joven llamado Eutico, que estaba sentado en la ventana, rendido de un sueño profundo, por cuanto Pablo disertaba largamente, vencido del sueño cayó del tercer piso abajo, y fue levantado muerto. Entonces descendió Pablo y se echó sobre él, y abrazándole, dijo: No os alarméis, pues está vivo. Después de haber subido, y partido el pan y comido, habló largamente hasta el alba; y así salió. Y llevaron al joven vivo, y fueron grandemente consolados. Nosotros, adelantándonos a embarcarnos, navegamos a Asón para recoger allí a Pablo, ya que así lo había determinado, queriendo él ir por tierra. Cuando se reunió con nosotros en Asón, tomándole a bordo, vinimos a Mitilene. Navegando de allí, al día siguiente llegamos delante de Quío, y al otro día tomamos puerto en Samos; y habiendo hecho escala en Trogilio, al día siguiente llegamos a Mileto. Porque Pablo se había propuesto pasar de largo a Éfeso, para no detenerse en Asia, pues se apresuraba por estar el día de Pentecostés, si le fuese posible, en Jerusalén. Enviando, pues, desde Mileto a Éfeso, hizo llamar a los ancianos de la iglesia. Cuando vinieron a él, les dijo: Vosotros sabéis cómo me he comportado entre vosotros todo el tiempo, desde el primer día que entré en Asia, sirviendo al Señor con toda humildad, y con muchas lágrimas, y pruebas que me han venido por las asechanzas de los judíos; y cómo nada que fuese útil he rehuido de anunciaros y enseñaros, públicamente y por las casas, testificando a judíos y a gentiles acerca del arrepentimiento para con Dios, y de la fe en nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Ahora, he aquí, ligado yo en espíritu, voy a Jerusalén, sin saber lo que allá me ha de acontecer; salvo que el Espíritu Santo por todas las ciudades me da testimonio, diciendo que me esperan prisiones y tribulaciones. Pero de ninguna cosa hago caso, ni estimo preciosa mi vida para mí mismo, con tal que acabe mi carrera con gozo, y el ministerio que recibí del Señor Jesús, para dar testimonio del evangelio de la gracia de Dios. Y ahora, he aquí, yo sé que ninguno de todos vosotros, entre quienes he pasado predicando el reino de Dios, verá más mi rostro. Por tanto, yo os protesto en el día de hoy, que estoy limpio de la sangre de todos; porque no he rehuido anunciaros todo el consejo de Dios. Por tanto, mirad por vosotros, y por todo el rebaño en que el Espíritu Santo os ha puesto por obispos, para apacentar la iglesia del Señor, la cual él ganó por su propia sangre. Porque yo sé que después de mi partida entrarán en medio de vosotros lobos rapaces, que no perdonarán al rebaño. Y de vosotros mismos se levantarán hombres que hablen cosas perversas para arrastrar tras sí a los discípulos. Por tanto, velad, acordándoos que por tres años, de noche y de día, no he cesado de amonestar con lágrimas a cada uno. Y ahora, hermanos, os encomiendo a Dios, y a la palabra de su gracia, que tiene poder para sobreedificaros y daros herencia con todos los santificados. Ni plata ni oro ni vestido de nadie he codiciado. Antes vosotros sabéis que para lo que me ha sido necesario a mí y a los que están conmigo, estas manos me han servido. En todo os he enseñado que, trabajando así, se debe ayudar a los necesitados, y recordar las palabras del Señor Jesús, que dijo: Más bienaventurado es dar que recibir. Cuando hubo dicho estas cosas, se puso de rodillas, y oró con todos ellos. Entonces hubo gran llanto de todos; y echándose al cuello de Pablo, le besaban, doliéndose en gran manera por la palabra que dijo, de que no verían más su rostro. Y le acompañaron al barco. 1. Pasión por la cruz (v. 7-12) 2. Propósito en la Misión (v. 17-24) 3. Perseverancia en las Pruebas (v. 25-38) [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Sep 1, 2024 ========== September 1 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo September 1, 2024 - Matt Cate Acts 21:3-26 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home. We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem. Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. 1. Paul had COURAGE in the CONVICTIONS that the Holy Spirit moved in him. (20:22-23) 2. There will always be others who DON'T UNDERSTAND your convictions. a. First in TYRE (21:4) b. Then in CAESAREA, where Agabus provides VISUAL AIDS. (21:10-12) 3. The PURPOSE of his CONVICTIONS: a. To REPORT to James and the elders what GOD HAD DONE among the GENTILES. (21:20) b. To give the OFFERING from the Gentile belivers. 4. Paul demonstrates "ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE" mentality. (1 Cor. 9:19-23) 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Sep 1, 2024 ========== September 1 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo When God's Will is Puzzling Acts 21:3-14 Acts 21:3-14 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” 1. Paul's Plan Acts 19:21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 2. Mixed Messages - Listen to wise council but always compare it to scripture and God’s revealed will for you. - Following Jesus may be controversial. 3. Discerning God's will - Be saved - Love Him - Be Sanctified - Begin with the Word - Be Spirit filled - Get wised counsel - IYKYK - IYKO
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Aug 25, 2024 ========== August 25 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo August 25, 2024 - Tim Keith Acts 20:17-27 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. When they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. You know that I did not hesitate to proclaim anything to you that was profitable and to teach you publicly and from house to house. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again. Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God. Acts 20:36-38 After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. There were many tears shed by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. Are you willing to go anywhere the Lord leads you? Acts 20:22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, Are you willing to face anything to obey Jesus? Acts 20:23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. Are you willing to give up everything to serve Jesus? Acts 20:24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 21:13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. In a world full of broken dreams Where the truth is hard to find For every promise that is kept There are many left behind Though it seems that nobody cares It still matters what you do Cause there's a difference you can make But the choice is up to you Will you be the one To answer to His call Will you stand When those around you fall Will you be the one To take His light Into a darkened world Tell me, will you be the one? Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Aug 25 – 27, 2024 ========== 25 de Agosto, 2024 Ser o no Ser. ¡Esa es la cuestión! Hechos 19:1-20 ========== Hechos 19:1-20 Aconteció que entre tanto que Apolos estaba en Corinto, Pablo, después de recorrer las regiones superiores, vino a Éfeso, y hallando a ciertos discípulos, les dijo: ¿Recibisteis el Espíritu Santo cuando creísteis? Y ellos le dijeron: Ni siquiera hemos oído si hay Espíritu Santo. Entonces dijo: ¿En qué, pues, fuisteis bautizados? Ellos dijeron: En el bautismo de Juan. Dijo Pablo: Juan bautizó con bautismo de arrepentimiento, diciendo al pueblo que creyesen en aquel que vendría después de él, esto es, en Jesús el Cristo. Cuando oyeron esto, fueron bautizados en el nombre del Señor Jesús. Y habiéndoles impuesto Pablo las manos, vino sobre ellos el Espíritu Santo; y hablaban en lenguas, y profetizaban. Eran por todos unos doce hombres. Y entrando Pablo en la sinagoga, habló con denuedo por espacio de tres meses, discutiendo y persuadiendo acerca del reino de Dios. Pero endureciéndose algunos y no creyendo, maldiciendo el Camino delante de la multitud, se apartó Pablo de ellos y separó a los discípulos, discutiendo cada día en la escuela de uno llamado Tiranno. Así continuó por espacio de dos años, de manera que todos los que habitaban en Asia, judíos y griegos, oyeron la palabra del Señor Jesús. Y hacía Dios milagros extraordinarios por mano de Pablo, de tal manera que aun se llevaban a los enfermos los paños o delantales de su cuerpo, y las enfermedades se iban de ellos, y los espíritus malos salían. Pero algunos de los judíos, exorcistas ambulantes, intentaron invocar el nombre del Señor Jesús sobre los que tenían espíritus malos, diciendo: Os conjuro por Jesús, el que predica Pablo. Había siete hijos de un tal Esceva, judío, jefe de los sacerdotes, que hacían esto. Pero respondiendo el espíritu malo, dijo: A Jesús conozco, y sé quién es Pablo; pero vosotros, ¿quiénes sois? Y el hombre en quien estaba el espíritu malo, saltando sobre ellos y dominándolos, pudo más que ellos, de tal manera que huyeron de aquella casa desnudos y heridos. Y esto fue notorio a todos los que habitaban en Éfeso, así judíos como griegos; y tuvieron temor todos ellos, y era magnificado el nombre del Señor Jesús. Y muchos de los que habían creído venían, confesando y dando cuenta de sus hechos. Asimismo muchos de los que habían practicado la magia trajeron los libros y los quemaron delante de todos; y hecha la cuenta de su precio, hallaron que era cincuenta mil piezas de plata. Así crecía y prevalecía poderosamente la palabra del Señor. 1. Convicción Correcta. 2. Conversión Completa. 3. Confianza Constante. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Aug 25, 2024 ========== August 25 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Marks of a Successful Christian Acts 20:18-24 & 33-35 Acts 20:18-24 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:33-35 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1. Faithfulness in his Character a. Humble Acts 20:18-19 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; Acts 20:33-34 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. b. Authentic Acts 20:20-23 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. c. Compassionate Acts 20:34-35 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 2. Faithfulness to his calling a. Make disciples Mark 1:17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Luke 9:23-24 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. b. Use his gifts for the church 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: c. To gospel truth Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Aug 11, 2024 ========== August 11 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Dealing with Discouragement Acts 18:1-11 Acts 18:1-11 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 1. Paul's discouragement 1 Corinthians 2:2-5 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 2. God's providence Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Romans 8:35-38 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Aug 11, 2024 ========== August 11 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo August 11, 2024 - Tim Keith Acts 14:19 Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. Romans 16:22-23 I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you. Acts 17:5 But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. Acts 17:13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and upsetting the crowds. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power. Acts 18:9-11 The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.” He stayed there a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them. Life is going to make you weary. Life is going to make you fearful. When you are weary, rest in God's Presence. Acts 18:9-10 The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.” When you are fearful, trust in God's Protection. Acts 18:9-10 The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.” James 2:17-18 In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jul 28, 2024 ========== July 28 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo July 28, 2024 Matt Cate Acts 16:11-40 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left. 1. WHERE to START when there isn't a CHURCH. Vs. 13 - Lydia becomes the first Christian convert in Europe! - Her home becomes the church in Philippi. 2. WHAT TO DO when FALSELY ACCUSES. vs. 16-21 3. WHEN FAITH and ACTION meet the results are LIFE CHANGING. vs. 28-33 4. Remember WHO gets the GLORY. vs. 37 The rest of the story: - The church in Philippi becomes a key contributor to the church in Jerusalem during the Famine around 46 AD. (Romans 15:26) - All of this is why Paul could remember this church with joy and praise. Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Jul 28 – 30, 2024 ========== 28 de Julio, 2024 Ve y Diles — Tres Requerimientos Importantes (Hechos 17:1-15) ========== Hechos 17:1-15 Pasando por Anfípolis y Apolonia, llegaron a Tesalónica, donde había una sinagoga de los judíos. Y Pablo, como acostumbraba, fue a ellos, y por tres días de reposo discutió con ellos, declarando y exponiendo por medio de las Escrituras, que era necesario que el Cristo padeciese, y resucitase de los muertos; y que Jesús, a quien yo os anuncio, decía él, es el Cristo. Y algunos de ellos creyeron, y se juntaron con Pablo y con Silas; y de los griegos piadosos gran número, y mujeres nobles no pocas. Entonces los judíos que no creían, teniendo celos, tomaron consigo a algunos ociosos, hombres malos, y juntando una turba, alborotaron la ciudad; y asaltando la casa de Jasón, procuraban sacarlos al pueblo. Pero no hallándolos, trajeron a Jasón y a algunos hermanos ante las autoridades de la ciudad, gritando: Estos que trastornan el mundo entero también han venido acá; a los cuales Jasón ha recibido; y todos estos contravienen los decretos de César, diciendo que hay otro rey, Jesús. Y alborotaron al pueblo y a las autoridades de la ciudad, oyendo estas cosas. Pero obtenida fianza de Jasón y de los demás, los soltaron. Inmediatamente, los hermanos enviaron de noche a Pablo y a Silas hasta Berea. Y ellos, habiendo llegado, entraron en la sinagoga de los judíos. Y estos eran más nobles que los que estaban en Tesalónica, pues recibieron la palabra con toda solicitud, escudriñando cada día las Escrituras para ver si estas cosas eran así. Así que creyeron muchos de ellos, y mujeres griegas de distinción, y no pocos hombres. Cuando los judíos de Tesalónica supieron que también en Berea era anunciada la palabra de Dios por Pablo, fueron allá, y también alborotaron a las multitudes. Pero inmediatamente los hermanos enviaron a Pablo que fuese hacia el mar; y Silas y Timoteo se quedaron allí. Y los que se habían encargado de conducir a Pablo le llevaron a Atenas; y habiendo recibido orden para Silas y Timoteo, de que viniesen a él lo más pronto que pudiesen, salieron. 1. "Ve y Diles" Requiere Predicar el Evangelio. (Hechos 17:1-4) - Poderoso - Puro - Prioridad Romanos 1:16 Porque no me avergüenzo del evangelio, porque es poder de Dios para salvación a todo aquel que cree; al judío primeramente, y también al griego. Gálatas 1:8-9 Mas si aun nosotros, o un ángel del cielo, os anunciare otro evangelio diferente del que os hemos anunciado, sea anatema. Como antes hemos dicho, también ahora lo repito: Si alguno os predica diferente evangelio del que habéis recibido, sea anatema. 1 Corintios 15:1-5 Además os declaro, hermanos, el evangelio que os he predicado, el cual también recibisteis, en el cual también perseveráis; por el cual asimismo, si retenéis la palabra que os he predicado, sois salvos, si no creísteis en vano. Porque primeramente os he enseñado lo que asimismo recibí: Que Cristo murió por nuestros pecados, conforme a las Escrituras; y que fue sepultado, y que resucitó al tercer día, conforme a las Escrituras; y que apareció a Cefas, y después a los doce. 2. "Ve y Diles" Requiere Entereza. (Hechos 17:5-9) Juan 15:18-19 »Si el mundo los odia, recuerden que a mí me odió primero. Si pertenecieran al mundo, el mundo los amaría como a uno de los suyos, pero ustedes ya no forman parte del mundo. Yo los elegí para que salieran del mundo, por eso el mundo los odia. Juan 16:1-3 »Les he dicho estas cosas para que no abandonen su fe. Los expulsarán de las sinagogas, y llegará el tiempo en que quienes los maten pensarán que están haciendo un servicio santo para Dios. Eso se debe a que nunca han conocido ni al Padre ni a mí. Romanos 5:3-5 Y no solo en esto, sino también en nuestros sufrimientos, porque sabemos que el sufrimiento produce perseverancia; la perseverancia, entereza de carácter; la entereza de carácter, esperanza. Y esta esperanza no nos defrauda, porque Dios ha derramado su amor en nuestro corazón por el Espíritu Santo que nos ha dado. 3. "Ve y Diles" requiere un Estudio piadoso de las Escrituras. (Hechos 17:10-15) 2 Timoteo 3:16-17 Toda la Escritura es inspirada por Dios, y útil para enseñar, para redargüir, para corregir, para instruir en justicia, a fin de que el hombre de Dios sea perfecto, enteramente preparado para toda buena obra. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1714053307093.jpg Campamento Familiar 2024 https://onrealm.org/Istrouma/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NGZhOWQ4MjEtZGU2Ni00ODlhLWJhMWEtYjE1NTAwZjJhY2E4 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jul 28, 2024 ========== July 28 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Acts 17:1-9 Acts 17:1-9 After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, and Jason has welcomed them. They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king — Jesus.” The crowd and city officials who heard these things were upset. After taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. Luke 9:23-24 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. The Gospel Transforms Who You Are and How You Live 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace. The Gospel Transforms Who You Are and How You Live 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace. The Gospel Motivates You To Go and To Keep On Going NAMB.net BillyGraham.org The Gospel Motivates You To Go and To Keep On Going Acts 17:10 As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Share the Gospel Show the Gospel
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jul 21, 2024 ========== July 21 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "The Founding of the Church at Philippi" Acts 16:11-40 ACTS 16:11-15 ESV So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. GOD IS AT WORK EVERYWHERE ACTS 16:16-24 ESV As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. OUR FOCUS IMPACTS WHAT WE SEE ACTS 16:25-34 ESV About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. FAITH + ACTION = CHANGED LIVES Self-sacrificial action often opens the door for Gospel-sharing moments. ACTS 16:35-40 ESV But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. GOD IS AT WORK EVEN IN OUR TOUGHEST MOMENTS
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jul 21, 2024 ========== July 21 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo July 21, 2024 Justin Woodall Acts 15:16-36 “ ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’— things known from long ago. “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord. Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” WHAT PLAN WILL YOU FOLLOW? “Authentic turning points in history are few, but surely among them that of the Macedonian vision ranks high. Momentous days like when Columbus set sail from Spain, or when Vasco da game discovered the sea route west of the Indies, but those were of little significance compared to this great event! The Macedonian call happened and completely redirected Pauls ministry , but staying in line with Gods big plan”. Genesis 12:1 The lord said to Abram go from your country. Vs4. So Abram went as the lord had told him Exodus 3:10 "So now go. I am sending you to pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt". Chapt 4 Moses went. Judges 6:14 Speaking to Gideon. “The lord turned to him and said “Go in strength you have and save Israel out of midians hand. Am I not sending you” Matthew 28 "Go and make disciples of all nations".. What did they do? They went…. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Jul 21 – 23, 2024 ========== 21 de Julio , 2024 La Urgencia De Proclamar El Evangelio HECHOS 16:16-40 ========== Hechos 16:16-40 Aconteció que mientras íbamos a la oración, nos salió al encuentro una muchacha que tenía espíritu de adivinación, la cual daba gran ganancia a sus amos, adivinando. Esta, siguiendo a Pablo y a nosotros, daba voces, diciendo: Estos hombres son siervos del Dios Altísimo, quienes os anuncian el camino de salvación. Y esto lo hacía por muchos días; mas desagradando a Pablo, este se volvió y dijo al espíritu: Te mando en el nombre de Jesucristo, que salgas de ella. Y salió en aquella misma hora. Pero viendo sus amos que había salido la esperanza de su ganancia, prendieron a Pablo y a Silas, y los trajeron al foro, ante las autoridades; y presentándolos a los magistrados, dijeron: Estos hombres, siendo judíos, alborotan nuestra ciudad, y enseñan costumbres que no nos es lícito recibir ni hacer, pues somos romanos. Y se agolpó el pueblo contra ellos; y los magistrados, rasgándoles las ropas, ordenaron azotarles con varas. Después de haberles azotado mucho, los echaron en la cárcel, mandando al carcelero que los guardase con seguridad. El cual, recibido este mandato, los metió en el calabozo de más adentro, y les aseguró los pies en el cepo. Pero a medianoche, orando Pablo y Silas, cantaban himnos a Dios; y los presos los oían. Entonces sobrevino de repente un gran terremoto, de tal manera que los cimientos de la cárcel se sacudían; y al instante se abrieron todas las puertas, y las cadenas de todos se soltaron. Despertando el carcelero, y viendo abiertas las puertas de la cárcel, sacó la espada y se iba a matar, pensando que los presos habían huido. Mas Pablo clamó a gran voz, diciendo: No te hagas ningún mal, pues todos estamos aquí. Él entonces, pidiendo luz, se precipitó adentro, y temblando, se postró a los pies de Pablo y de Silas; y sacándolos, les dijo: Señores, ¿qué debo hacer para ser salvo? Ellos dijeron: Cree en el Señor Jesucristo, y serás salvo, tú y tu casa. Y le hablaron la palabra del Señor a él y a todos los que estaban en su casa. Y él, tomándolos en aquella misma hora de la noche, les lavó las heridas; y en seguida se bautizó él con todos los suyos. Y llevándolos a su casa, les puso la mesa; y se regocijó con toda su casa de haber creído a Dios. Cuando fue de día, los magistrados enviaron alguaciles a decir: Suelta a aquellos hombres. Y el carcelero hizo saber estas palabras a Pablo: Los magistrados han mandado a decir que se os suelte; así que ahora salid, y marchaos en paz. Pero Pablo les dijo: Después de azotarnos públicamente sin sentencia judicial, siendo ciudadanos romanos, nos echaron en la cárcel, ¿y ahora nos echan encubiertamente? No, por cierto, sino vengan ellos mismos a sacarnos. Y los alguaciles hicieron saber estas palabras a los magistrados, los cuales tuvieron miedo al oír que eran romanos. Y viniendo, les rogaron; y sacándolos, les pidieron que salieran de la ciudad. Entonces, saliendo de la cárcel, entraron en casa de Lidia, y habiendo visto a los hermanos, los consolaron, y se fueron. 1. EL EVANGELIO ES URGENTE PARA PERSONAS QUE AMAN A DIOS. 2. EL EVANGELIO ES URGENTE PARA AQUELLOS QUE ESTAN ATORMENTADOS 3. EL EVANGELIO ES URGENTE PARA AQUELLOS TODAS LAS FAMILIAS. Acts 16:16-40 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. 1. THE GOSPEL IS URGENT FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOD. 2. THE GOSPEL IS URGENT FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN TORMENT. 3. THE GOSPEL IS URGENT FOR ALL FAMILIES. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1714053307093.jpg Campamento Familiar 2024 https://onrealm.org/Istrouma/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NGZhOWQ4MjEtZGU2Ni00ODlhLWJhMWEtYjE1NTAwZjJhY2E4 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jul 14, 2024 ========== July 14 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo “Christ-centered and Gracious” Acts 15:22-35 Acts 15:22-35 Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers. They wrote: “From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts, we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth. For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision — and ours — not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements: that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things. Farewell.” So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message. After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord. 1) The Division - Cultural Differences Self-Righteousness 2) The Decision Led by the Spirit Loyal to the Gospel Gracious to the Church 3) The Direction The Kingdom Advances What kind of church will we be?
Istrouma en Español Jul 14 – 16, 2024 ========== 14 de Julio , 2024 Viendo según la vision de Dios Hechos 16:6-10 ========== Hechos 16:6-10 Y atravesando Frigia y la provincia de Galacia, les fue prohibido por el Espíritu Santo hablar la palabra en Asia; y cuando llegaron a Misia, intentaron ir a Bitinia, pero el Espíritu no se lo permitió. Y pasando junto a Misia, descendieron a Troas. Y se le mostró a Pablo una visión de noche: un varón macedonio estaba en pie, rogándole y diciendo: Pasa a Macedonia y ayúdanos. Cuando vio la visión, en seguida procuramos partir para Macedonia, dando por cierto que Dios nos llamaba para que les anunciásemos el evangelio. 1. La Preparación para la Visión (v. 6-8) 2. El Proceso de la Visión (v. 9) 3. El Propósito de la Visión (v. 10) Acts 16:6-10 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 1. Preparing for the Vision (v. 6-8) 2. The Vision Process (v. 9) 3. The Purpose of the Vision (v. 10). [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1714053307093.jpg Campamento Familiar 2024 https://onrealm.org/Istrouma/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NGZhOWQ4MjEtZGU2Ni00ODlhLWJhMWEtYjE1NTAwZjJhY2E4 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jul 14, 2024 ========== July 14 | Kids Sunday Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo July 14, 2024 Tim Keith Mark 10:17-27 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. 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.” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were astonished at his words. Again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” Truth 1 Good is Not Good Enough (v.18) Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. Exodus 20:3 “Have no other gods before Me” Truth 2 The law is not the solution; it only reveals the problem (v.19-22) Mark 10:19 “You know the commandments…” Truth 3 You cannot serve two masters; you must choose one (v.21-22,25) Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 8:36 For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life? 2 Corinthians 5:20 “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jun 23, 2024 ========== June 23 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Faithful to the Task Acts 14 1. Persecuted Acts 14:1-3 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 2. Venerated Acts 14:11-13 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 3. Terminated Acts 14:19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. Acts 14:20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jun 23, 2024 ========== June 23 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo June 23, 2024 Micah Cating Paul’s First Missionary Journey Acts 14 ACTS 14:1-7 ESV Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE GIFTED FOR MINISTRY OPPOSITION REQUIRES A RESPONSE ACTS 14:8-18 ESV Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. CULTURE SHAPES WORSHIP KNOWING GOD SHOULD PUSH US TOWARDS THOSE FAR FROM HIM Romans 1:18-20 ESV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 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. ACTS 14:19-28 ESV But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples. OPPOSITION IS PERSISTENT What you think about, you will care about. What you care about, you will chase. -Ben Stuart THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ALWAYS INCREASING Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Jun 23 – 25, 2024 ========== 23 de Junio , 2024 La Respuesta del Evangelio Hechos 14 ========== Hechos 14:1-28 Aconteció en Iconio que entraron juntos en la sinagoga de los judíos, y hablaron de tal manera que creyó una gran multitud de judíos, y asimismo de griegos. Mas los judíos que no creían excitaron y corrompieron los ánimos de los gentiles contra los hermanos. Por tanto, se detuvieron allí mucho tiempo, hablando con denuedo, confiados en el Señor, el cual daba testimonio a la palabra de su gracia, concediendo que se hiciesen por las manos de ellos señales y prodigios. Y la gente de la ciudad estaba dividida: unos estaban con los judíos, y otros con los apóstoles. Pero cuando los judíos y los gentiles, juntamente con sus gobernantes, se lanzaron a afrentarlos y apedrearlos, habiéndolo sabido, huyeron a Listra y Derbe, ciudades de Licaonia, y a toda la región circunvecina, y allí predicaban el evangelio. Y cierto hombre de Listra estaba sentado, imposibilitado de los pies, cojo de nacimiento, que jamás había andado. Este oyó hablar a Pablo, el cual, fijando en él sus ojos, y viendo que tenía fe para ser sanado, dijo a gran voz: Levántate derecho sobre tus pies. Y él saltó, y anduvo. Entonces la gente, visto lo que Pablo había hecho, alzó la voz, diciendo en lengua licaónica: Dioses bajo la semejanza de hombres han descendido a nosotros. Y a Bernabé llamaban Júpiter, y a Pablo, Mercurio, porque este era el que llevaba la palabra. Y el sacerdote de Júpiter, cuyo templo estaba frente a la ciudad, trajo toros y guirnaldas delante de las puertas, y juntamente con la muchedumbre quería ofrecer sacrificios. Cuando lo oyeron los apóstoles Bernabé y Pablo, rasgaron sus ropas, y se lanzaron entre la multitud, dando voces y diciendo: Varones, ¿por qué hacéis esto? Nosotros también somos hombres semejantes a vosotros, que os anunciamos que de estas vanidades os convirtáis al Dios vivo, que hizo el cielo y la tierra, el mar, y todo lo que en ellos hay. En las edades pasadas él ha dejado a todas las gentes andar en sus propios caminos; si bien no se dejó a sí mismo sin testimonio, haciendo bien, dándonos lluvias del cielo y tiempos fructíferos, llenando de sustento y de alegría nuestros corazones. Y diciendo estas cosas, difícilmente lograron impedir que la multitud les ofreciese sacrificio. Entonces vinieron unos judíos de Antioquía y de Iconio, que persuadieron a la multitud, y habiendo apedreado a Pablo, le arrastraron fuera de la ciudad, pensando que estaba muerto. Pero rodeándole los discípulos, se levantó y entró en la ciudad; y al día siguiente salió con Bernabé para Derbe. Y después de anunciar el evangelio a aquella ciudad y de hacer muchos discípulos, volvieron a Listra, a Iconio y a Antioquía, confirmando los ánimos de los discípulos, exhortándoles a que permaneciesen en la fe, y diciéndoles: Es necesario que a través de muchas tribulaciones entremos en el reino de Dios. Y constituyeron ancianos en cada iglesia, y habiendo orado con ayunos, los encomendaron al Señor en quien habían creído. Pasando luego por Pisidia, vinieron a Panfilia. Y habiendo predicado la palabra en Perge, descendieron a Atalia. De allí navegaron a Antioquía, desde donde habían sido encomendados a la gracia de Dios para la obra que habían cumplido. Y habiendo llegado, y reunido a la iglesia, refirieron cuán grandes cosas había hecho Dios con ellos, y cómo había abierto la puerta de la fe a los gentiles. Y se quedaron allí mucho tiempo con los discípulos. 1- Compartieron el evangelio y formaron discípulos. 2- Consolidaron a los hermanos en la fe 3- Constituyeron y organizaron iglesias. 4- Comunicaron informes y dieron cuentas a la iglesia. Acts 14:1-28 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel. Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples. 1- They shared the gospel and formed disciples. 2- They strengthened the brothers in the faith. 3- They created and organized churches. 4- Communicated reports and gave accounts to the church. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1714053307093.jpg Campamento Familiar 2024 https://onrealm.org/Istrouma/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NGZhOWQ4MjEtZGU2Ni00ODlhLWJhMWEtYjE1NTAwZjJhY2E4 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jun 9, 2024 ========== June 9 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo June 9, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 13:1-12 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off. So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant. When they had traveled the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (that is the meaning of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul — also called Paul — filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at Elymas and said, “You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery, you son of the devil and enemy of all that is right. Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord? Now, look, the Lord’s hand is against you. You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Then, when he saw what happened, the proconsul believed, because he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” WHY MISSIONS? All people without Christ are lost. Only the Gospel can save the lost. Every Christian is called to share the Gospel with the lost. Psalms 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves. JESUS: I have come to seek and save those who are lost… Come, follow Me, and the Holy Spirit will empower you to go make disciples of all nations, and teach them that I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Me. Look out on the fields, they are ready for harvest. But too few workers are answering the call to go into the harvest. Come, deny your selfish ways. Why do you call Me Lord, but do not obey My commands? Come, take up your cross, and follow Me. And, when you follow Me, I will make you fishers of people. Now, go make disciples of all nations, and remember, I am with you always. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jun 2, 2024 ========== June 2 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo June 2, 2024 Tim Keith Baptism: Following the Example of Jesus Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized. When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” Why was Jesus baptized? Matthew 26:36-39 (Garden of Gethsemane) Matthew 26:36-39 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” How was Jesus baptized? “He went up out of the water”(Mark 1:10) “buried with Him in baptism”(Colossians 2:12) “baptizo” = to dip, plunge, immerse Baptism: Following the Command of Jesus Matthew 28:19-20 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 26, 2024 ========== May 26 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 26, 2024 Matt Cate Acts 12:1-24 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. Acts 12:1-24 - "The Unstoppable Gospel" Thesis Statement for Acts is found in 1:8 - "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 2:42-6:7 - Growth of the Church in Jerusalem 6:8 - 12:24 - Growth of the Church in Judea & Samaria 13:1 - 28:31 - Growth of the Church in the Gentile World I. Persecution of the Saints - 12:1-2 II. The Miracle of Peter's Deliverance - 12:5-11 III. The Believer's Response to Answered Prayer - 12:12-17 IV. The End of a Dynasty of Tyranny - 12:18-24 8 times in 12 chapters Luke give a report of "The Word of the Lord continued to spread and flourish". (2:41; 2:47; 4:4; 6:7; 9:31; 11:21; 11:24; 12:24) Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 19, 2024 ========== May 19 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 19, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 11:19-30 Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord. Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius. Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11:19-30 Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord. Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius. Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul. INVITE EVERYONE TO INVEST EVERYTHING TO SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD INCREASE EVERYWHERE. Invite Invest Increase They gave the Gospel. v.20 They gave Encouragement. v.23 They gave Time. v.26 They gave Money. v.29-30 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español May 12 – 14, 2024 ========== 12 de Mayo, 2024 Madres Que Marcan La Diferencia Éxodo 2:1-10 ========== Éxodo 2:1-10 Un varón de la familia de Leví fue y tomó por mujer a una hija de Leví, la que concibió, y dio a luz un hijo; y viéndole que era hermoso, le tuvo escondido tres meses. Pero no pudiendo ocultarle más tiempo, tomó una arquilla de juncos y la calafateó con asfalto y brea, y colocó en ella al niño y lo puso en un carrizal a la orilla del río. Y una hermana suya se puso a lo lejos, para ver lo que le acontecería. Y la hija de Faraón descendió a lavarse al río, y paseándose sus doncellas por la ribera del río, vio ella la arquilla en el carrizal, y envió una criada suya a que la tomase. Y cuando la abrió, vio al niño; y he aquí que el niño lloraba. Y teniendo compasión de él, dijo: De los niños de los hebreos es este. Entonces su hermana dijo a la hija de Faraón: ¿Iré a llamarte una nodriza de las hebreas, para que te críe este niño? Y la hija de Faraón respondió: Ve. Entonces fue la doncella, y llamó a la madre del niño, a la cual dijo la hija de Faraón: Lleva a este niño y críamelo, y yo te lo pagaré. Y la mujer tomó al niño y lo crio. Y cuando el niño creció, ella lo trajo a la hija de Faraón, la cual lo prohijó, y le puso por nombre Moisés, diciendo: Porque de las aguas lo saqué. Hebreos 12:24-27 a Jesús el Mediador del nuevo pacto, y a la sangre rociada que habla mejor que la de Abel. Mirad que no desechéis al que habla. Porque si no escaparon aquellos que desecharon al que los amonestaba en la tierra, mucho menos nosotros, si desecháremos al que amonesta desde los cielos. La voz del cual conmovió entonces la tierra, pero ahora ha prometido, diciendo: Aún una vez, y conmoveré no solamente la tierra, sino también el cielo. Y esta frase: Aún una vez, indica la remoción de las cosas movibles, como cosas hechas, para que queden las inconmovibles. Números 26:59 La mujer de Amram se llamó Jocabed, hija de Leví, que le nació a Leví en Egipto; esta dio a luz de Amram a Aarón y a Moisés, y a María su hermana. 1. Enseñó a sus hijos a tener Confianza en Dios (2:3-4) 2. Enseñó a sus hijos A tener Convicciones firmes (2:5-6) 3. Enseñó a sus hijos a tomar Correctas Decisiones (2:7-10) Exodus 2:1-10 Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” Hebrews 12:24-27 and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Numbers 26:59 And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister. 1. She taught her children to have Confidence in God (2:3-4). 2. She taught her children to have firm Convictions (2:5-6). 3. She taught her children to make Right Decisions (2:7-10). [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1714053307093.jpg Campamento Familiar 2024 https://onrealm.org/Istrouma/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NGZhOWQ4MjEtZGU2Ni00ODlhLWJhMWEtYjE1NTAwZjJhY2E4 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 12, 2024 ========== May 12 | Mother's Day Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 12, 2024 Tim Keith Love Never Fails 1 Corinthians 13:6-8 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 1. Love Covers For You 2. Love Believes In You 3. Love Sees God In You 4. Love Stays Beside You LOVE NEVER FAILS Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) May 12, 2024 ========== May 12 l Mother's Day Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "The High Calling of Motherhood" Luke 2:37-38 Luke 2:37-38 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 1. Began in disgrace 2. They were poor 3. Her son was hunted
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 5, 2024 ========== May 5 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 5, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 10:34-42 Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him. We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree. God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen, not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. Believe in Jesus for Forgiveness of Sins Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.” Acts 3:19 says, "Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out" Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and declaring the greatness of God. Then Peter responded, Ephesians 1:13-14 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession Be Baptized with Water Acts 10:47-48 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days. Colossians 2:12 when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Matthew 28:19-20 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español May 5 – 7, 2024 ========== 5 de Mayo, 2024 Juntos, Pero No Revueltos Hechos 10:34-48 ========== Hechos 10:34-48 Entonces Pedro, abriendo la boca, dijo: En verdad comprendo que Dios no hace acepción de personas, sino que en toda nación se agrada del que le teme y hace justicia. Dios envió mensaje a los hijos de Israel, anunciando el evangelio de la paz por medio de Jesucristo; este es Señor de todos. Vosotros sabéis lo que se divulgó por toda Judea, comenzando desde Galilea, después del bautismo que predicó Juan: cómo Dios ungió con el Espíritu Santo y con poder a Jesús de Nazaret, y cómo este anduvo haciendo bienes y sanando a todos los oprimidos por el diablo, porque Dios estaba con él. Y nosotros somos testigos de todas las cosas que Jesús hizo en la tierra de Judea y en Jerusalén; a quien mataron colgándole en un madero. A este levantó Dios al tercer día, e hizo que se manifestase; no a todo el pueblo, sino a los testigos que Dios había ordenado de antemano, a nosotros que comimos y bebimos con él después que resucitó de los muertos. Y nos mandó que predicásemos al pueblo, y testificásemos que él es el que Dios ha puesto por Juez de vivos y muertos. De este dan testimonio todos los profetas, que todos los que en él creyeren, recibirán perdón de pecados por su nombre. Mientras aún hablaba Pedro estas palabras, el Espíritu Santo cayó sobre todos los que oían el discurso. Y los fieles de la circuncisión que habían venido con Pedro se quedaron atónitos de que también sobre los gentiles se derramase el don del Espíritu Santo. Porque los oían que hablaban en lenguas, y que magnificaban a Dios. Entonces respondió Pedro: ¿Puede acaso alguno impedir el agua, para que no sean bautizados estos que han recibido el Espíritu Santo también como nosotros? Y mandó bautizarles en el nombre del Señor Jesús. Entonces le rogaron que se quedase por algunos días. 1. Nueva Identidad en Cristo. (Hechos 10:34-35) 2. Nueva Comunidad en Cristo. (Hechos 10:36-43) 3. Nueva Esperanza en Cristo. (Hechos 10:44-48) Acts 10:34-48 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. 1. New Identity in Christ (Acts 10:34-35). 2. New Community in Christ (Acts 10:36-43). 3. New Hope in Christ (Acts 10:44-48). [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1714053307093.jpg Campamento Familiar 2024 https://onrealm.org/Istrouma/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NGZhOWQ4MjEtZGU2Ni00ODlhLWJhMWEtYjE1NTAwZjJhY2E4 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) May 5, 2024 ========== May 5 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "The Gospel Does Not Discriminate" 1. Accusation Acts 11:1-3 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 2. Explanation Acts 11:4-16 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 3. Celebration Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” 4. Application - Acknowledge our sinful nature - Repent when necessary - Practice hospitality - Elevate the 3rd race What will you do with your Joppa moment?
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Apr 28, 2024 ========== April 28 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "A Soft-Hearted Seeker and a Hard-Hearted Saint" Acts 10:1-8 Acts 10:1-8 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 1. A soft-hearted seeker 2. A hard-hearted saint Acts 10:33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” Acts 10:36-43 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
strouma Baptist Church (BR) Apr 28, 2024 ========== April 28 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 28, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 10:1-48 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God. About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius.” Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?” The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon. He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.” Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven. While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, right away the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there. While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and go with them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.” Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?” They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.” Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up and said, “Stand up. I myself am also a man.” While talking with him, he went in and found a large gathering of people. Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean. That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So may I ask why you sent for me?” Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Just then a man in dazzling clothing stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight. Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’ So I immediately sent for you, and it was good of you to come. So now we are all in the presence of God to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.” Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him. We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree. God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen, not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and declaring the greatness of God. Then Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days. Galatians 2:11-14 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. For he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?” Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. ACCEPT Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. APPRECIATE Ephesians 4:29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Apr 28 – 30, 2024 ========== 28 de Abril 2024 Una Fe Sin Fronteras Hechos 10:1-33 ========== Hechos 10:1-33 Había en Cesarea un hombre llamado Cornelio, centurión de la compañía llamada la Italiana, piadoso y temeroso de Dios con toda su casa, y que hacía muchas limosnas al pueblo, y oraba a Dios siempre. Este vio claramente en una visión, como a la hora novena del día, que un ángel de Dios entraba donde él estaba, y le decía: Cornelio. Él, mirándole fijamente, y atemorizado, dijo: ¿Qué es, Señor? Y le dijo: Tus oraciones y tus limosnas han subido para memoria delante de Dios. Envía, pues, ahora hombres a Jope, y haz venir a Simón, el que tiene por sobrenombre Pedro. Este posa en casa de cierto Simón curtidor, que tiene su casa junto al mar; él te dirá lo que es necesario que hagas. Ido el ángel que hablaba con Cornelio, este llamó a dos de sus criados, y a un devoto soldado de los que le asistían; a los cuales envió a Jope, después de haberles contado todo. Al día siguiente, mientras ellos iban por el camino y se acercaban a la ciudad, Pedro subió a la azotea para orar, cerca de la hora sexta. Y tuvo gran hambre, y quiso comer; pero mientras le preparaban algo, le sobrevino un éxtasis; y vio el cielo abierto, y que descendía algo semejante a un gran lienzo, que atado de las cuatro puntas era bajado a la tierra; en el cual había de todos los cuadrúpedos terrestres y reptiles y aves del cielo. Y le vino una voz: Levántate, Pedro, mata y come. Entonces Pedro dijo: Señor, no; porque ninguna cosa común o inmunda he comido jamás. Volvió la voz a él la segunda vez: Lo que Dios limpió, no lo llames tú común. Esto se hizo tres veces; y aquel lienzo volvió a ser recogido en el cielo. Y mientras Pedro estaba perplejo dentro de sí sobre lo que significaría la visión que había visto, he aquí los hombres que habían sido enviados por Cornelio, los cuales, preguntando por la casa de Simón, llegaron a la puerta. Y llamando, preguntaron si moraba allí un Simón que tenía por sobrenombre Pedro. Y mientras Pedro pensaba en la visión, le dijo el Espíritu: He aquí, tres hombres te buscan. Levántate, pues, y desciende y no dudes de ir con ellos, porque yo los he enviado. Entonces Pedro, descendiendo a donde estaban los hombres que fueron enviados por Cornelio, les dijo: He aquí, yo soy el que buscáis; ¿cuál es la causa por la que habéis venido? Ellos dijeron: Cornelio el centurión, varón justo y temeroso de Dios, y que tiene buen testimonio en toda la nación de los judíos, ha recibido instrucciones de un santo ángel, de hacerte venir a su casa para oír tus palabras. Entonces, haciéndoles entrar, los hospedó. Y al día siguiente, levantándose, se fue con ellos; y le acompañaron algunos de los hermanos de Jope. Al otro día entraron en Cesarea. Y Cornelio los estaba esperando, habiendo convocado a sus parientes y amigos más íntimos. Cuando Pedro entró, salió Cornelio a recibirle, y postrándose a sus pies, adoró. Mas Pedro le levantó, diciendo: Levántate, pues yo mismo también soy hombre. Y hablando con él, entró, y halló a muchos que se habían reunido. Y les dijo: Vosotros sabéis cuán abominable es para un varón judío juntarse o acercarse a un extranjero; pero a mí me ha mostrado Dios que a ningún hombre llame común o inmundo; por lo cual, al ser llamado, vine sin replicar. Así que pregunto: ¿Por qué causa me habéis hecho venir? Entonces Cornelio dijo: Hace cuatro días que a esta hora yo estaba en ayunas; y a la hora novena, mientras oraba en mi casa, vi que se puso delante de mí un varón con vestido resplandeciente, y dijo: Cornelio, tu oración ha sido oída, y tus limosnas han sido recordadas delante de Dios. Envía, pues, a Jope, y haz venir a Simón el que tiene por sobrenombre Pedro, el cual mora en casa de Simón, un curtidor, junto al mar; y cuando llegue, él te hablará. Así que luego envié por ti; y tú has hecho bien en venir. Ahora, pues, todos nosotros estamos aquí en la presencia de Dios, para oír todo lo que Dios te ha mandado. 1. La Visión de Dios. (10:1-8) 2. La Misión de la Iglesia. (10:9-23) 3. La Transformación a través del Espíritu Santo. (10:24-33) Acts 10:1-33 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” 1. The Vision of God (10:1-8). 2. The Mission of the Church (10:9-23). 3. The Transformation through the Holy Spirit (10:24-33). [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1714053307093.jpg Campamento Familiar 2024 https://onrealm.org/Istrouma/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NGZhOWQ4MjEtZGU2Ni00ODlhLWJhMWEtYjE1NTAwZjJhY2E4 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma en Español Apr 21 – 23, 2024 ========== 21 de Abril 2024 “Influencer” de la Fe Hechos 9:19-31 ========== Hechos 9:19-31 Y habiendo tomado alimento, recobró fuerzas. Y estuvo Saulo por algunos días con los discípulos que estaban en Damasco. En seguida predicaba a Cristo en las sinagogas, diciendo que este era el Hijo de Dios. Y todos los que le oían estaban atónitos, y decían: ¿No es este el que asolaba en Jerusalén a los que invocaban este nombre, y a eso vino acá, para llevarlos presos ante los principales sacerdotes? Pero Saulo mucho más se esforzaba, y confundía a los judíos que moraban en Damasco, demostrando que Jesús era el Cristo. Pasados muchos días, los judíos resolvieron en consejo matarle; pero sus asechanzas llegaron a conocimiento de Saulo. Y ellos guardaban las puertas de día y de noche para matarle. Entonces los discípulos, tomándole de noche, le bajaron por el muro, descolgándole en una canasta. Cuando llegó a Jerusalén, trataba de juntarse con los discípulos; pero todos le tenían miedo, no creyendo que fuese discípulo. Entonces Bernabé, tomándole, lo trajo a los apóstoles, y les contó cómo Saulo había visto en el camino al Señor, el cual le había hablado, y cómo en Damasco había hablado valerosamente en el nombre de Jesús. Y estaba con ellos en Jerusalén; y entraba y salía, y hablaba denodadamente en el nombre del Señor, y disputaba con los griegos; pero estos procuraban matarle. Cuando supieron esto los hermanos, le llevaron hasta Cesarea, y le enviaron a Tarso. Entonces las iglesias tenían paz por toda Judea, Galilea y Samaria; y eran edificadas, andando en el temor del Señor, y se acrecentaban fortalecidas por el Espíritu Santo. 1. Comparte con emoción tu compromiso por Jesús (9.19-22) 2. Conquista tus fracasos con Dios (9.23-25, 29-30) 3. Cuenta con un amigo en el viaje (9.26-28) Acts 9:19-31 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 1. Share with emotion your commitment for Jesus (9.19-22) 2. Conquer your failures with God (9.23-25, 29-30) 3. Count on a friend on the journey (9.26-28) [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700504078.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Apr 21, 2024 ========== April 21 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "Two Miracles and their Message" Acts 9:32-43 Acts 9:32-43 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. 1. Jesus heals Aeneas Lydda 2. Jesus raises Tabitha Joppa
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Apr 14, 2024 ========== April 14 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "Saved Saul" Acts 9:17-25 Acts 9:17-25 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. 1. Shares the gospel. 1 Peter 1:5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Hebrews 4:14 & 16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession…Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." 2. Suffers for the gospel 2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 3:13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 3. Grows in the gospel
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Apr 14, 2024 ========== April 14 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 14, 2024 Tim Keith Question: Who have you given up on? Who have you given up on? God hasn't. Acts 9:1-2 Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Galatians 3:13-14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith. Acts 9:3-9 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink. In Stephen, Saul would hear incredible facts. (6:10) Saul would see an unforgettable face. (6:15) Saul would watch an unshakable faith. (7:60) Acts 22:19-20 “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in you imprisoned and beaten. And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’ Acts 9:10-31 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” “Here I am, Lord,” he replied. “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. And after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time. Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plot. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. Who have you given up on? (Pray for them now.) Who can you go to? (Ask God now.) Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Apr 7, 2024 ========== April 7 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 7, 2024 Micah Cating "Jesus at work through Peter" Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. ACTS 9:31 NIV EMPOWER THE CHURCH “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ACTS 1:8 NIV ENCOURAGE THE CHURCH 32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. ACTS 9:32-35 NIV EXPAND THE CHURCH 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. ACTS 9:36-43 NIV ESTABLISH HIS AUTHORITY 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat. MARK 5:35-43 NIV Be Like Peter: 1. Look for people in need 2. Meet the needs you see 3. Rely on Jesus’ power and not your own when you are serving others 4. Talk about the goodness of God and not “your goodness” when God uses you Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Apr 7, 2024 ========== April 7 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "The Most Unlikely Convert" Slide Acts 9:1-9 Acts 9:1-9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. The Most Influential People of all Time. 1. Jesus Christ 2. Muhammad 3. Moses 4. Albert Einstein 5. Martin Luther King Jr. 6. Abraham Lincoln 7. Nikola Tesla 8. Mahatma Gandhi 9. Isaac Newton 10. Wright brothers 50. The Apostle Paul 1. Confrontation Acts 9:4b-6 “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” And I said, Who are you Lord? And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 2. Transformation Acts 15:3-8 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 3. Dedication 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Istrouma en Español Apr 7 – 9, 2024 ========== 7 de Abril 2024 DIOS NOS LLAMA CON PROPOSITO Hechos 9:1-19 ========== Hechos 9:1-19 Saulo, respirando aún amenazas y muerte contra los discípulos del Señor, vino al sumo sacerdote, y le pidió cartas para las sinagogas de Damasco, a fin de que si hallase algunos hombres o mujeres de este Camino, los trajese presos a Jerusalén. Mas yendo por el camino, aconteció que al llegar cerca de Damasco, repentinamente le rodeó un resplandor de luz del cielo; y cayendo en tierra, oyó una voz que le decía: Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues? Él dijo: ¿Quién eres, Señor? Y le dijo: Yo soy Jesús, a quien tú persigues; dura cosa te es dar coces contra el aguijón. Él, temblando y temeroso, dijo: Señor, ¿qué quieres que yo haga? Y el Señor le dijo: Levántate y entra en la ciudad, y se te dirá lo que debes hacer. Y los hombres que iban con Saulo se pararon atónitos, oyendo a la verdad la voz, mas sin ver a nadie. Entonces Saulo se levantó de tierra, y abriendo los ojos, no veía a nadie; así que, llevándole por la mano, le metieron en Damasco, donde estuvo tres días sin ver, y no comió ni bebió. Había entonces en Damasco un discípulo llamado Ananías, a quien el Señor dijo en visión: Ananías. Y él respondió: Heme aquí, Señor. Y el Señor le dijo: Levántate, y ve a la calle que se llama Derecha, y busca en casa de Judas a uno llamado Saulo, de Tarso; porque he aquí, él ora, y ha visto en visión a un varón llamado Ananías, que entra y le pone las manos encima para que recobre la vista. Entonces Ananías respondió: Señor, he oído de muchos acerca de este hombre, cuántos males ha hecho a tus santos en Jerusalén; y aun aquí tiene autoridad de los principales sacerdotes para prender a todos los que invocan tu nombre. El Señor le dijo: Ve, porque instrumento escogido me es este, para llevar mi nombre en presencia de los gentiles, y de reyes, y de los hijos de Israel; porque yo le mostraré cuánto le es necesario padecer por mi nombre. Fue entonces Ananías y entró en la casa, y poniendo sobre él las manos, dijo: Hermano Saulo, el Señor Jesús, que se te apareció en el camino por donde venías, me ha enviado para que recibas la vista y seas lleno del Espíritu Santo. Y al momento le cayeron de los ojos como escamas, y recibió al instante la vista; y levantándose, fue bautizado. Y habiendo tomado alimento, recobró fuerzas. Y estuvo Saulo por algunos días con los discípulos que estaban en Damasco. 1. PROPOSITOS RELIGIOSOS 2. PROPOSITOS PERSONALES 3. PROPOSITOS ETERNOS. Acts 9:1-19 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 1. RELIGIOUS PURPOSES 2. PERSONAL PURPOSES 3. ETERNAL PURPOSES [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700504078.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 31, 2024 ========== March 31 | Easter at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 31, 2024 Tim Keith Mark 5:1-15 They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. As soon as he got out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs and met him. He lived in the tombs, and no one was able to restrain him anymore — not even with a chain — because he often had been bound with shackles and chains, but had torn the chains apart and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains, he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and knelt down before him. And he cried out with a loud voice, “What do you have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you before God, don’t torment me!” For he had told him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” “What is your name?” he asked him. “My name is Legion,” he answered him, “because we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the region. A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged him, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.” So he gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned there. The men who tended them ran off and reported it in the town and the countryside, and people went to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Leviticus 16:8-10 After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other for an uninhabitable place, he is to present the goat chosen by lot for the Lord and sacrifice it as a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot for an uninhabitable place is to be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement with it by sending it into the wilderness for an uninhabitable place. Hebrews 10:1-4 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Matthew 27:16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” Acts 2:23-24 Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 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. Romans 10:9-10 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” God Has A Plan. Jesus is His Plan. What is Your Plan? Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Mar 31, 2024 ========== March 13 l Easter at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "The Characters Before the Crucifixion" Matthew 27:11- 20 Matthew 27:11-20 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 1. The politician who capitulates. 2. The criminal who is pardoned. 3. The King who is condemned.
Istrouma en Español Mar 31 – Apr 2, 2024 ========== 31 de Marzo 2024 La Cruz de Barrabas Marcos 15:1-14 (leeré desde el v.6) ========== S. Marcos 15:1-14 Muy de mañana, habiendo tenido consejo los principales sacerdotes con los ancianos, con los escribas y con todo el concilio, llevaron a Jesús atado, y le entregaron a Pilato. Pilato le preguntó: ¿Eres tú el Rey de los judíos? Respondiendo él, le dijo: Tú lo dices. Y los principales sacerdotes le acusaban mucho. Otra vez le preguntó Pilato, diciendo: ¿Nada respondes? Mira de cuántas cosas te acusan. Mas Jesús ni aun con eso respondió; de modo que Pilato se maravillaba. Ahora bien, en el día de la fiesta les soltaba un preso, cualquiera que pidiesen. Y había uno que se llamaba Barrabás, preso con sus compañeros de motín que habían cometido homicidio en una revuelta. Y viniendo la multitud, comenzó a pedir que hiciese como siempre les había hecho. Y Pilato les respondió diciendo: ¿Queréis que os suelte al Rey de los judíos? Porque conocía que por envidia le habían entregado los principales sacerdotes. Mas los principales sacerdotes incitaron a la multitud para que les soltase más bien a Barrabás. Respondiendo Pilato, les dijo otra vez: ¿Qué, pues, queréis que haga del que llamáis Rey de los judíos? Y ellos volvieron a dar voces: ¡Crucifícale! Pilato les decía: ¿Pues qué mal ha hecho? Pero ellos gritaban aún más: ¡Crucifícale! 1. Barrabas era un pecador. 2. Barrabas era culpable. 3. Barrabas merecía el castigo. 4. Barrabas deseaba ser libre. 5. Barrabas descubrió la redención Mark 15:1-14 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 1. Barabbas was a sinner. 2. Barrabas was guilty. 3. Barabbas deserved punishment. 4. Barrabas desired to be free. 5. Barrabas discovered redemption [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma en Español Mar 24 – 26, 2024 ========== 24 de Marzo 2024 Siguiendo A Jesús, Mi Decisión Sobre El Bautismo Hechos 8:26-40 ========== Hechos 8:26-40 Un ángel del Señor habló a Felipe, diciendo: Levántate y ve hacia el sur, por el camino que desciende de Jerusalén a Gaza, el cual es desierto. Entonces él se levantó y fue. Y sucedió que un etíope, eunuco, funcionario de Candace reina de los etíopes, el cual estaba sobre todos sus tesoros, y había venido a Jerusalén para adorar, volvía sentado en su carro, y leyendo al profeta Isaías. Y el Espíritu dijo a Felipe: Acércate y júntate a ese carro. Acudiendo Felipe, le oyó que leía al profeta Isaías, y dijo: Pero ¿entiendes lo que lees? Él dijo: ¿Y cómo podré, si alguno no me enseñare? Y rogó a Felipe que subiese y se sentara con él. El pasaje de la Escritura que leía era este: Como oveja a la muerte fue llevado; Y como cordero mudo delante del que lo trasquila, Así no abrió su boca. En su humillación no se le hizo justicia; Mas su generación, ¿quién la contará? Porque fue quitada de la tierra su vida. Respondiendo el eunuco, dijo a Felipe: Te ruego que me digas: ¿de quién dice el profeta esto; de sí mismo, o de algún otro? Entonces Felipe, abriendo su boca, y comenzando desde esta escritura, le anunció el evangelio de Jesús. Y yendo por el camino, llegaron a cierta agua, y dijo el eunuco: Aquí hay agua; ¿qué impide que yo sea bautizado? Felipe dijo: Si crees de todo corazón, bien puedes. Y respondiendo, dijo: Creo que Jesucristo es el Hijo de Dios. Y mandó parar el carro; y descendieron ambos al agua, Felipe y el eunuco, y le bautizó. Cuando subieron del agua, el Espíritu del Señor arrebató a Felipe; y el eunuco no le vio más, y siguió gozoso su camino. Pero Felipe se encontró en Azoto; y pasando, anunciaba el evangelio en todas las ciudades, hasta que llegó a Cesarea. 1.¿Oyes La Voz De Dios? Hechos 8:26-29 2.¿Entiendes la voz de Dios? Hechos 8:30-35 3.¿Obedeces la voz de Dios? Hechos 8:36-40 Acts 8:26-40 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. 1. Do you hear the voice of God? Acts 8:26-29 2. Do you understand the voice of God? Acts 8:30-35 3. Do you obey the voice of God? Acts 8:36-40 [Image] No te pierdas nuestro servicio de Pascua el proximo Domingo a las 10:30 am! Te esperamos! https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1711252986459.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700504078.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 24, 2024 ========== March 24 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 24, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 8:1-8 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison. So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. God is Always at Work Acts 8:4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. God is Always Looking to Use Your Story Acts 8:5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. Acts 8:5-8 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:8 So there was great joy in that city. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 24, 2024 ========== March 24 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 24, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 8:1-8 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison. So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. God is Always at Work Acts 8:4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. God is Always Looking to Use Your Story Acts 8:5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. Acts 8:5-8 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:8 So there was great joy in that city. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 17, 2024 ========== March 17 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 17, 2024 Dwayne Pitre Acts 8:26-30 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 1. When we least expect it. 2. When it's inconvenient. 3. When it's uncomfortable. Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Acts 8:32-33 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Mar 17 – 19, 2024 ========== 17 de Marzo 2024 A los que a Dios aman todas las cosas ayudan para bien Hechos 8:1-25 ========== Hechos 8:1-25 Y Saulo consentía en su muerte. En aquel día hubo una gran persecución contra la iglesia que estaba en Jerusalén; y todos fueron esparcidos por las tierras de Judea y de Samaria, salvo los apóstoles. Y hombres piadosos llevaron a enterrar a Esteban, e hicieron gran llanto sobre él. Y Saulo asolaba la iglesia, y entrando casa por casa, arrastraba a hombres y a mujeres, y los entregaba en la cárcel. Pero los que fueron esparcidos iban por todas partes anunciando el evangelio. Entonces Felipe, descendiendo a la ciudad de Samaria, les predicaba a Cristo. Y la gente, unánime, escuchaba atentamente las cosas que decía Felipe, oyendo y viendo las señales que hacía. Porque de muchos que tenían espíritus inmundos, salían estos dando grandes voces; y muchos paralíticos y cojos eran sanados; así que había gran gozo en aquella ciudad. Pero había un hombre llamado Simón, que antes ejercía la magia en aquella ciudad, y había engañado a la gente de Samaria, haciéndose pasar por algún grande. A este oían atentamente todos, desde el más pequeño hasta el más grande, diciendo: Este es el gran poder de Dios. Y le estaban atentos, porque con sus artes mágicas les había engañado mucho tiempo. Pero cuando creyeron a Felipe, que anunciaba el evangelio del reino de Dios y el nombre de Jesucristo, se bautizaban hombres y mujeres. También creyó Simón mismo, y habiéndose bautizado, estaba siempre con Felipe; y viendo las señales y grandes milagros que se hacían, estaba atónito. Cuando los apóstoles que estaban en Jerusalén oyeron que Samaria había recibido la palabra de Dios, enviaron allá a Pedro y a Juan; los cuales, habiendo venido, oraron por ellos para que recibiesen el Espíritu Santo; porque aún no había descendido sobre ninguno de ellos, sino que solamente habían sido bautizados en el nombre de Jesús. Entonces les imponían las manos, y recibían el Espíritu Santo. Cuando vio Simón que por la imposición de las manos de los apóstoles se daba el Espíritu Santo, les ofreció dinero, diciendo: Dadme también a mí este poder, para que cualquiera a quien yo impusiere las manos reciba el Espíritu Santo. Entonces Pedro le dijo: Tu dinero perezca contigo, porque has pensado que el don de Dios se obtiene con dinero. No tienes tú parte ni suerte en este asunto, porque tu corazón no es recto delante de Dios. Arrepiéntete, pues, de esta tu maldad, y ruega a Dios, si quizá te sea perdonado el pensamiento de tu corazón; porque en hiel de amargura y en prisión de maldad veo que estás. Respondiendo entonces Simón, dijo: Rogad vosotros por mí al Señor, para que nada de esto que habéis dicho venga sobre mí. Y ellos, habiendo testificado y hablado la palabra de Dios, se volvieron a Jerusalén, y en muchas poblaciones de los samaritanos anunciaron el evangelio. 1. Esteban, el Mártir. 2. Saulo, el Enemigo. 3. Felipe, el Servidor. 4. Simón, el Mago. Acts 8:1-25 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. 1. Stephen, the Martyr. 2. Saul, the Enemy. 3. Philip, the Servant. 4. Simon, the Magician. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700504078.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Mar 17, 2024 ========== March 17 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Acts 8:1-25 Acts 8:1-25 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison. So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and amazed the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God.” They were attentive to him because he had amazed them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he followed Philip everywhere and was amazed as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed. When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. After they went down there, they prayed for them so that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because he had not yet come down on any of them. (They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness.” “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” So, after they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they traveled back to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. God is Always at Work Acts 8:4 So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word. God is Always Looking to Use Your Story Acts 8:5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. Acts 8:5-8 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Acts 7:59-60 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Mar 10, 2024 ========== March 10 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Enduring Church Growth Acts 6-7 Acts 6:1-8 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 1. Hangry widows Acts 6:2b "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables." 2. Humble servants Acts 6:7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 3. A hero for the ages Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 7:55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:59-60 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 10, 2024 ========== March 10 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 10, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 6:1-15 In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 7:51-60 “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.” When they heard these things, they were enraged and gnashed their teeth at him. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep. Acts 8:1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. Acts 7:59 While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Faith to Overcome Suffering Acts 7:60 He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep. Forever to Overcome Saul Acts 7:60 He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep. Acts 8:1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. Acts 22:19-20 “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in you imprisoned and beaten. And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’ Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Mar 10 – 12, 2024 ========== 10 de Marzo 2024 La iglesia bajo ataque Hechos 6.1-7 ========== Hechos 6:1-7 En aquellos días, como creciera el número de los discípulos, hubo murmuración de los griegos contra los hebreos, de que las viudas de aquellos eran desatendidas en la distribución diaria. Entonces los doce convocaron a la multitud de los discípulos, y dijeron: No es justo que nosotros dejemos la palabra de Dios, para servir a las mesas. Buscad, pues, hermanos, de entre vosotros a siete varones de buen testimonio, llenos del Espíritu Santo y de sabiduría, a quienes encarguemos de este trabajo. Y nosotros persistiremos en la oración y en el ministerio de la palabra. Agradó la propuesta a toda la multitud; y eligieron a Esteban, varón lleno de fe y del Espíritu Santo, a Felipe, a Prócoro, a Nicanor, a Timón, a Parmenas, y a Nicolás prosélito de Antioquía; a los cuales presentaron ante los apóstoles, quienes, orando, les impusieron las manos. Y crecía la palabra del Señor, y el número de los discípulos se multiplicaba grandemente en Jerusalén; también muchos de los sacerdotes obedecían a la fe. 1. Sensibilidad a las necesidades. (Hechos 6.1-2) Por aquellos días, al multiplicarse el número de los discípulos, surgió una queja de los creyentes que hablaban griego se quejaban de los que hablaban hebreo diciendo que sus viudas eran discriminadas en la distribución diaria de los alimentos. De manera que los Doce convocaron a todos los creyentes a una reunión. 2. Sabiduría al afrontar desafíos. (Hechos 6.3) Por tanto, hermanos, escoged de entre vosotros siete hombres de buena reputación, llenos del Espíritu Santo y de sabiduría, a quienes podamos encargar esta responsabilidad. 3. Sostenidos mediante su palabra. (Hechos 6.7) Y la palabra de Dios crecía, y el número de los discípulos se multiplicaba en gran manera en Jerusalén, y muchos de los sacerdotes obedecían a la fe. Acts 6:1-7 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 1. Sensitive to the needs. 2. Wisdom in facing challenges. 3. Sustained by their word. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700504078.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Mar 3, 2024 ========== March 3 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Trust, Obey, and Preach the Gospel Acts 5:17-40 Acts 5:17-40 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 1. When facing a difficult command. Acts 5:17-21 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. John 20:30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Acts 4:29-30 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 2. When facing fear and opposition. Acts 5:28-32 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 3. When facing suffering and punishment. Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 25, 2024 ========== February 25 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 25, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 4:32-37 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:1-16 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the land for this price?” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things. Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them. Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers — multitudes of both men and women. As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Unity led to Community (and Generosity) Deception led to Death Fear led to Faith Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 25, 2024 ========== February 25 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 25, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 4:32-37 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:1-16 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the land for this price?” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things. Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them. Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers — multitudes of both men and women. As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Unity led to Community (and Generosity) Deception led to Death Fear led to Faith Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Feb 11, 2024 ========== February 11 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo No Other Name Acts 4 Persecution Begins John 15:20-21 Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they don’t know the one who sent me. Luke 21:12-15 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to bear witness. Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Peter’s Boldness Mark 14:70-72 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean.” Then he started to curse and swear, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Acts 4:7-12 After they had Peter and John stand before them, they began to question them: “By what power or in what name have you done this?” Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man, by what means he was healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead — by him this man is standing here before you healthy. This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Undeniable Truth Acts 4:15-16 After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 11, 2024 ========== February 11 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 11, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 4:1-22 While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening. But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family. After they had Peter and John stand before them, they began to question them: “By what power or in what name have you done this?” Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man, by what means he was healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead — by him this man is standing here before you healthy. This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition. After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” So they called for them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done. For this sign of healing had been performed on a man over forty years old. The Gospel brings Salvation. Acts 2:40-41 With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. Acts 3:19-20 Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. Acts 4:4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Acts 4:8-10 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man, by what means he was healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead — by him this man is standing here before you healthy. Acts 4:21 After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done. The Gospel brings Confrontation. Acts 4:1-3 While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected. John 12:42-43 Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than praise from God. The Gospel brings Transformation. Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Feb 4, 2024 ========== February 4 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo The Sign and the Sermon Acts 3 1. The sign 2. The sermon A. Jesus is alive and healed the man Acts 3:11-21 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Acts 3:14-16 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. B. Jesus was who he said he was. Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. Luke 24:44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Isaiah 53:3-8 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? Isaiah 53:11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 3. What does it mean for us? Acts 3:17-19 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 4, 2024 ========== February 4 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 4, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 3:11-21 While he was holding on to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astonished, ran toward them in what is called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied before Pilate, though he had decided to release him. You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer released to you. You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this. By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Jesus has given him this perfect health in front of all of you. “And now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your leaders also did. In this way God fulfilled what he had predicted through all the prophets — that his Messiah would suffer. Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. Heaven must receive him until the time of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about through his holy prophets from the beginning. 1. God Requires Us To Repent Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, God’s not looking for your apology, He’s looking for your repentance. “godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) Acts 26:20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. 2. God Provides Us The Opportunity To Repent 3:12 – “When Peter saw this, he addressed the people… “ 3:21 – “until the time of the restoration of all things” 3. God Rewards Us When We Repent Acts 3:19-21 Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. Heaven must receive him until the time of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about through his holy prophets from the beginning. Question: Once we repent, how do we continue to live in this repentance? Answer: God's Word and God's People Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Romans 2:4 God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance Matthew 5:30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 28, 2024 ========== January 28 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 28, 2024 Tim Keith Acts 2:36-47 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. 1. A Great Church Will Always Stay Together. Acts 2:44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. Acts 2:46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 2. A Great Church Will Always Proclaim Jesus. (v.36) – “Jesus is Lord" Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else[only Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized in the name of 3. A Great Church Will Always Obey the Truth. V. 22 says, “…Listen to these words… “ V. 37 says, “When they heard… what should we do?” V. 41 says, "So those who accepted[obeyed] his message..." V. 42 says, “they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching” Follow the G.P.S. Go Encourage Proclaim Jesus Stand for Truth Ephesians 4:29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. Colossians 2:2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery — Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Jan 21 – 23, 2024 ========== 21 de Enero, 2024 El poder transformador de Pentecostés Hechos 2:1-41 ========== Hechos 2:1-41 Cuando llegó el día de Pentecostés, estaban todos unánimes juntos. Y de repente vino del cielo un estruendo como de un viento recio que soplaba, el cual llenó toda la casa donde estaban sentados; y se les aparecieron lenguas repartidas, como de fuego, asentándose sobre cada uno de ellos. Y fueron todos llenos del Espíritu Santo, y comenzaron a hablar en otras lenguas, según el Espíritu les daba que hablasen. Moraban entonces en Jerusalén judíos, varones piadosos, de todas las naciones bajo el cielo. Y hecho este estruendo, se juntó la multitud; y estaban confusos, porque cada uno les oía hablar en su propia lengua. Y estaban atónitos y maravillados, diciendo: Mirad, ¿no son galileos todos estos que hablan? ¿Cómo, pues, les oímos nosotros hablar cada uno en nuestra lengua en la que hemos nacido? Partos, medos, elamitas, y los que habitamos en Mesopotamia, en Judea, en Capadocia, en el Ponto y en Asia, en Frigia y Panfilia, en Egipto y en las regiones de África más allá de Cirene, y romanos aquí residentes, tanto judíos como prosélitos, cretenses y árabes, les oímos hablar en nuestras lenguas las maravillas de Dios. Y estaban todos atónitos y perplejos, diciéndose unos a otros: ¿Qué quiere decir esto? Mas otros, burlándose, decían: Están llenos de mosto. Entonces Pedro, poniéndose en pie con los once, alzó la voz y les habló diciendo: Varones judíos, y todos los que habitáis en Jerusalén, esto os sea notorio, y oíd mis palabras. Porque estos no están ebrios, como vosotros suponéis, puesto que es la hora tercera del día. Mas esto es lo dicho por el profeta Joel: Y en los postreros días, dice Dios, Derramaré de mi Espíritu sobre toda carne, Y vuestros hijos y vuestras hijas profetizarán; Vuestros jóvenes verán visiones, Y vuestros ancianos soñarán sueños; Y de cierto sobre mis siervos y sobre mis siervas en aquellos días Derramaré de mi Espíritu, y profetizarán. Y daré prodigios arriba en el cielo, Y señales abajo en la tierra, Sangre y fuego y vapor de humo; El sol se convertirá en tinieblas, Y la luna en sangre, Antes que venga el día del Señor, Grande y manifiesto; Y todo aquel que invocare el nombre del Señor, será salvo. Varones israelitas, oíd estas palabras: Jesús nazareno, varón aprobado por Dios entre vosotros con las maravillas, prodigios y señales que Dios hizo entre vosotros por medio de él, como vosotros mismos sabéis; a este, entregado por el determinado consejo y anticipado conocimiento de Dios, prendisteis y matasteis por manos de inicuos, crucificándole; al cual Dios levantó, sueltos los dolores de la muerte, por cuanto era imposible que fuese retenido por ella. Porque David dice de él: Veía al Señor siempre delante de mí; Porque está a mi diestra, no seré conmovido. Por lo cual mi corazón se alegró, y se gozó mi lengua, Y aun mi carne descansará en esperanza; Porque no dejarás mi alma en el Hades, Ni permitirás que tu Santo vea corrupción. Me hiciste conocer los caminos de la vida; Me llenarás de gozo con tu presencia. Varones hermanos, se os puede decir libremente del patriarca David, que murió y fue sepultado, y su sepulcro está con nosotros hasta el día de hoy. Pero siendo profeta, y sabiendo que con juramento Dios le había jurado que de su descendencia, en cuanto a la carne, levantaría al Cristo para que se sentase en su trono, viéndolo antes, habló de la resurrección de Cristo, que su alma no fue dejada en el Hades, ni su carne vio corrupción. A este Jesús resucitó Dios, de lo cual todos nosotros somos testigos. Así que, exaltado por la diestra de Dios, y habiendo recibido del Padre la promesa del Espíritu Santo, ha derramado esto que vosotros veis y oís. Porque David no subió a los cielos; pero él mismo dice: Dijo el Señor a mi Señor: Siéntate a mi diestra, Hasta que ponga a tus enemigos por estrado de tus pies. Sepa, pues, ciertísimamente toda la casa de Israel, que a este Jesús a quien vosotros crucificasteis, Dios le ha hecho Señor y Cristo. Al oír esto, se compungieron de corazón, y dijeron a Pedro y a los otros apóstoles: Varones hermanos, ¿qué haremos? Pedro les dijo: Arrepentíos, y bautícese cada uno de vosotros en el nombre de Jesucristo para perdón de los pecados; y recibiréis el don del Espíritu Santo. Porque para vosotros es la promesa, y para vuestros hijos, y para todos los que están lejos; para cuantos el Señor nuestro Dios llamare. Y con otras muchas palabras testificaba y les exhortaba, diciendo: Sed salvos de esta perversa generación. Así que, los que recibieron su palabra fueron bautizados; y se añadieron aquel día como tres mil personas. 1. La Presencia del Espíritu Santo en la Iglesia (Hechos 2:1-12) ¡Cuando el Espíritu Santo nos llena, la gente debería notarlo! 2. El Poder Transformador del Espíritu Santo (Hechos 2:13-21) ¡El Espíritu Santo nos da poder para ir y contarles! 3. La Respuesta a la Obra del Espíritu Santo (Hechos 2:22-41) ¡Cuando hablamos de Jesús, las vidas cambian! Acts 2:1-41 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 1. The Presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church (Acts 2:1-12) When the Holy Spirit fills us, people should notice! 2. The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:13-21) The Holy Spirit empowers us to go and tell! 3. The Response to the Work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:22-41) When we talk about Jesus, lives are changed! 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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 14, 2024 ========== January 14 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 14, 2024 | Tim Keith How To Make A Big Decision Acts 1:12-26 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem — a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters — the number of people who were together was about a hundred twenty — and said, “Brothers and sisters, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David foretold about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst, his body burst open and his intestines spilled out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, “Field of Blood”). “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his dwelling become desolate; let no one live in it; and Let someone else take his position. “Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us — beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us — from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection.” So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know everyone’s hearts; show which of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry that Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias and he was added to the eleven apostles. When you don’t know what to do, you W.A.I.T. Walk in Obedience Acts 1:4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem — a Sabbath day’s journey away. Attend Church Acts 1:13-15 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters — the number of people who were together was about a hundred twenty — and said, Philippians 2:2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Increase Your Prayer Cover Acts 1:14 They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. Acts 1:24 Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know everyone’s hearts; show which of these two you have chosen Trust God’s Sovereignty Acts 1:26 Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias and he was added to the eleven apostles. Trust God’s Love for You Luke 24:36-49 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jan 21, 2024 ========== January 21 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo The Greatest Day in the History of the Church Acts 2:1-13 Acts 2:1-13 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” 1. The occasion 2. The outcome Acts 2:17-18 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. Numbers 11:24-25 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it. Numbers 24:2-3 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, 2 Samuel 2:3 And David brought up his men who were with him, everyone with his household, and they lived in the towns of Hebron. Ezekiel 11:5 And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and he said to me, “Say, Thus says the Lord: So you think, O house of Israel. For I know the things that come into your mind. Luke 1:15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. Luke 1:41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, Luke 1:67-68 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 3. The impact Acts 2:36-37 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jan 14, 2024 ========== January 14 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo What To Do While You Wait Slide Acts 1:12-20 Acts 1:12-20 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ 1. Obey what you already know. Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 2. Devote yourself to prayer in community. Acts 1:14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. Matthew 13:54-56 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 3. Do your due diligence. Acts 1:23-25 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” Acts 1:16-17 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” Acts 1:20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. 4. Trust in the sovereignty of God. Acts 1:26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 14, 2024 ========== January 14 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 14, 2024 | Tim Keith How To Make A Big Decision Acts 1:12-26 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem — a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters — the number of people who were together was about a hundred twenty — and said, “Brothers and sisters, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David foretold about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst, his body burst open and his intestines spilled out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, “Field of Blood”). “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his dwelling become desolate; let no one live in it; and Let someone else take his position. “Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us — beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us — from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection.” So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know everyone’s hearts; show which of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry that Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias and he was added to the eleven apostles. When you don’t know what to do, you W.A.I.T. Walk in Obedience Acts 1:4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem — a Sabbath day’s journey away. Attend Church Acts 1:13-15 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters — the number of people who were together was about a hundred twenty — and said, Philippians 2:2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Increase Your Prayer Cover Acts 1:14 They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. Acts 1:24 Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know everyone’s hearts; show which of these two you have chosen Trust God’s Sovereignty Acts 1:26 Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias and he was added to the eleven apostles. Trust God’s Love for You Luke 24:36-49 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Jan 14 – 16, 2024 ========== 14 de Enero, 2024 En la “Sala de Espera” Hechos 1:12-26 ========== Hechos 1:12-26 Entonces volvieron a Jerusalén desde el monte que se llama del Olivar, el cual está cerca de Jerusalén, camino de un día de reposo. Y entrados, subieron al aposento alto, donde moraban Pedro y Jacobo, Juan, Andrés, Felipe, Tomás, Bartolomé, Mateo, Jacobo hijo de Alfeo, Simón el Zelote y Judas hermano de Jacobo. Todos estos perseveraban unánimes en oración y ruego, con las mujeres, y con María la madre de Jesús, y con sus hermanos. En aquellos días Pedro se levantó en medio de los hermanos (y los reunidos eran como ciento veinte en número), y dijo: Varones hermanos, era necesario que se cumpliese la Escritura en que el Espíritu Santo habló antes por boca de David acerca de Judas, que fue guía de los que prendieron a Jesús, y era contado con nosotros, y tenía parte en este ministerio. Este, pues, con el salario de su iniquidad adquirió un campo, y cayendo de cabeza, se reventó por la mitad, y todas sus entrañas se derramaron. Y fue notorio a todos los habitantes de Jerusalén, de tal manera que aquel campo se llama en su propia lengua, Acéldama, que quiere decir, Campo de sangre. Porque está escrito en el libro de los Salmos: Sea hecha desierta su habitación, Y no haya quien more en ella; y: Tome otro su oficio. Es necesario, pues, que de estos hombres que han estado juntos con nosotros todo el tiempo que el Señor Jesús entraba y salía entre nosotros, comenzando desde el bautismo de Juan hasta el día en que de entre nosotros fue recibido arriba, uno sea hecho testigo con nosotros, de su resurrección. Y señalaron a dos: a José, llamado Barsabás, que tenía por sobrenombre Justo, y a Matías. Y orando, dijeron: Tú, Señor, que conoces los corazones de todos, muestra cuál de estos dos has escogido, para que tome la parte de este ministerio y apostolado, de que cayó Judas por transgresión, para irse a su propio lugar. Y les echaron suertes, y la suerte cayó sobre Matías; y fue contado con los once apóstoles. 1. Los discípulos obedecieron. (Hechos 1.12) 2. Los discípulos permanecieron en unidad y comunión. (Hechos 1.13-14) 3. Los discípulos permanecieron en oración. (Hechos 1.14) 4. Los discípulos permanecieron en las Escrituras. (Hechos 1.15) 5. Los discípulos permanecieron haciendo la voluntad de Dios. (Hechos 21-22) Acts 1:12-26 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 1. The disciples obeyed. (Acts 1:12) 2. The disciples remained in unity and communion. (Acts 1.13-14) 3. The disciples remained in prayer. (Acts 1:14) 4. The disciples remained in the Scriptures. (Acts 1:15) 5. The disciples remained doing the will of God. (Acts 21-22) [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jan 7, 2024 ========== January 7 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Christianity - The Movement Acts 1:1-11 Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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.” 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. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.” 1. The origin and purpose of the movement Acts 1:1-2 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. Luke 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 24:44-49 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 2. The power of the movement Luke 2:44-45 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. Acts 1:8 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.” 3. The people of the movement Acts 1:8 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.” 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. BLESS Begin with pray Listen to others Eat together Serve generously Share your story
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 7, 2024 ========== January 7 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 7, 2024 | Tim Keith Acts 1:1-14 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem — a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. His Purpose We are His Witnesses Acts 1:8 His Power We have His Spirit Acts 1:8 His Promise We believe in His Return Acts 1:11 Acts 1:11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.” His Plan We unite in Prayer Acts 1:14 Acts 1:14 They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. Compassion Acts 1:3 "After He had suffered..." Matthew 9:36 When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Courage Acts 1:8 "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you..." Acts 1:11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.” John 4:35 Jesus said: “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” Commitment Acts 1:13 "They all were continually united in prayer..." 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. John 20:19-22 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Revelation 22:20-21 He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Jan 7 – 9, 2024 ========== 7 de Enero, 2024 Nuestra Identidad Hechos 1:1-11 ========== Hechos 1:1-11 En el primer tratado, oh Teófilo, hablé acerca de todas las cosas que Jesús comenzó a hacer y a enseñar, hasta el día en que fue recibido arriba, después de haber dado mandamientos por el Espíritu Santo a los apóstoles que había escogido; a quienes también, después de haber padecido, se presentó vivo con muchas pruebas indubitables, apareciéndoseles durante cuarenta días y hablándoles acerca del reino de Dios. Y estando juntos, les mandó que no se fueran de Jerusalén, sino que esperasen la promesa del Padre, la cual, les dijo, oísteis de mí. Porque Juan ciertamente bautizó con agua, mas vosotros seréis bautizados con el Espíritu Santo dentro de no muchos días. Entonces los que se habían reunido le preguntaron, diciendo: Señor, ¿restaurarás el reino a Israel en este tiempo? Y les dijo: No os toca a vosotros saber los tiempos o las sazones, que el Padre puso en su sola potestad; pero recibiréis poder, cuando haya venido sobre vosotros el Espíritu Santo, y me seréis testigos en Jerusalén, en toda Judea, en Samaria, y hasta lo último de la tierra. Y habiendo dicho estas cosas, viéndolo ellos, fue alzado, y le recibió una nube que le ocultó de sus ojos. Y estando ellos con los ojos puestos en el cielo, entre tanto que él se iba, he aquí se pusieron junto a ellos dos varones con vestiduras blancas, los cuales también les dijeron: Varones galileos, ¿por qué estáis mirando al cielo? Este mismo Jesús, que ha sido tomado de vosotros al cielo, así vendrá como le habéis visto ir al cielo. 1. El Poder del Espíritu Santo “Pero cuando venga el Espíritu Santo sobre ustedes, recibirán poder…” 2. El Papel del Pueblo de Dios “…y serán mis testigos…” 3. El Plan Global de Dios “…tanto en Jerusalén como en toda Judea y Samaria, hasta en los confines de la tierra.” [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1704597111578.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Dec 31, 2023 ========== December 31 l A Faithful God Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo “A Faithful God” 1 Kings 19:14-18 1 Kings 19:14-18 “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies,” he replied, “but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.” Then the Lord said to him, “Go and return by the way you came to the Wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. You are to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu. But I will leave seven thousand in Israel — every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” Elijah’s Past - Announces a Famine ( 1 Kings 17) - Elijah and the Widow - Raised the Widow’s Son to Life - Elijah Opposes Ahab and Baal ( 1 Kings 18) Elijah’s Fear 1 Kings 19:14 “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies,” he replied, “but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.” God’s Faithfulness 1 Kings 19:18 But I will leave seven thousand in Israel — every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Istrouma en Español Dec 31, 2023 – Jan 2, 2024 ========== 31 de Diciembre, 2023 Palabras de Afirmación para el Año Nuevo ========== Isaías 43:1-5 Ahora, así dice Jehová, Creador tuyo, oh Jacob, y Formador tuyo, oh Israel: No temas, porque yo te redimí; te puse nombre, mío eres tú. Cuando pases por las aguas, yo estaré contigo; y si por los ríos, no te anegarán. Cuando pases por el fuego, no te quemarás, ni la llama arderá en ti. Porque yo Jehová, Dios tuyo, el Santo de Israel, soy tu Salvador; a Egipto he dado por tu rescate, a Etiopía y a Seba por ti. Porque a mis ojos fuiste de gran estima, fuiste honorable, y yo te amé; daré, pues, hombres por ti, y naciones por tu vida. No temas, porque yo estoy contigo; del oriente traeré tu generación, y del occidente te recogeré. 1. Enfrentaré todo lo que viene sin temor. 2. No permitiré que el desánimo invada mi vida. 3. Mantendré una actitud de aprendizaje. 4. Decidiré que la Palabra del Señor sea la guía para todas las decisiones de mi vida. Proverbios 31:25-31 Fuerza y honor son su vestidura; Y se ríe de lo por venir. Abre su boca con sabiduría, Y la ley de clemencia está en su lengua. Considera los caminos de su casa, Y no come el pan de balde. Se levantan sus hijos y la llaman bienaventurada; Y su marido también la alaba: Muchas mujeres hicieron el bien; Mas tú sobrepasas a todas. Engañosa es la gracia, y vana la hermosura; La mujer que teme a Jehová, esa será alabada. Dadle del fruto de sus manos, Y alábenla en las puertas sus hechos. Salmos 11:1-4 En Jehová he confiado; ¿Cómo decís a mi alma, Que escape al monte cual ave? Porque he aquí, los malos tienden el arco, Disponen sus saetas sobre la cuerda, Para asaetear en oculto a los rectos de corazón. Si fueren destruidos los fundamentos, ¿Qué ha de hacer el justo? Jehová está en su santo templo; Jehová tiene en el cielo su trono; Sus ojos ven, sus párpados examinan a los hijos de los hombres. 2 Corintios 4:8-9 que estamos atribulados en todo, mas no angustiados; en apuros, mas no desesperados; perseguidos, mas no desamparados; derribados, pero no destruidos; Salmos 34:17-19 Claman los justos, y Jehová oye, Y los libra de todas sus angustias. Cercano está Jehová a los quebrantados de corazón; Y salva a los contritos de espíritu. Muchas son las aflicciones del justo, Pero de todas ellas le librará Jehová. Efesios 4:22-32 En cuanto a la pasada manera de vivir, despojaos del viejo hombre, que está viciado conforme a los deseos engañosos, y renovaos en el espíritu de vuestra mente, y vestíos del nuevo hombre, creado según Dios en la justicia y santidad de la verdad. Por lo cual, desechando la mentira, hablad verdad cada uno con su prójimo; porque somos miembros los unos de los otros. Airaos, pero no pequéis; no se ponga el sol sobre vuestro enojo, ni deis lugar al diablo. El que hurtaba, no hurte más, sino trabaje, haciendo con sus manos lo que es bueno, para que tenga qué compartir con el que padece necesidad. Ninguna palabra corrompida salga de vuestra boca, sino la que sea buena para la necesaria edificación, a fin de dar gracia a los oyentes. Y no contristéis al Espíritu Santo de Dios, con el cual fuisteis sellados para el día de la redención. Quítense de vosotros toda amargura, enojo, ira, gritería y maledicencia, y toda malicia. Antes sed benignos unos con otros, misericordiosos, perdonándoos unos a otros, como Dios también os perdonó a vosotros en Cristo. Deuteronomio 28:1-14 Acontecerá que si oyeres atentamente la voz de Jehová tu Dios, para guardar y poner por obra todos sus mandamientos que yo te prescribo hoy, también Jehová tu Dios te exaltará sobre todas las naciones de la tierra. Y vendrán sobre ti todas estas bendiciones, y te alcanzarán, si oyeres la voz de Jehová tu Dios. Bendito serás tú en la ciudad, y bendito tú en el campo. Bendito el fruto de tu vientre, el fruto de tu tierra, el fruto de tus bestias, la cría de tus vacas y los rebaños de tus ovejas. Benditas serán tu canasta y tu artesa de amasar. Bendito serás en tu entrar, y bendito en tu salir. Jehová derrotará a tus enemigos que se levantaren contra ti; por un camino saldrán contra ti, y por siete caminos huirán de delante de ti. Jehová te enviará su bendición sobre tus graneros, y sobre todo aquello en que pusieres tu mano; y te bendecirá en la tierra que Jehová tu Dios te da. Te confirmará Jehová por pueblo santo suyo, como te lo ha jurado, cuando guardares los mandamientos de Jehová tu Dios, y anduvieres en sus caminos. Y verán todos los pueblos de la tierra que el nombre de Jehová es invocado sobre ti, y te temerán. Y te hará Jehová sobreabundar en bienes, en el fruto de tu vientre, en el fruto de tu bestia, y en el fruto de tu tierra, en el país que Jehová juró a tus padres que te había de dar. Te abrirá Jehová su buen tesoro, el cielo, para enviar la lluvia a tu tierra en su tiempo, y para bendecir toda obra de tus manos. Y prestarás a muchas naciones, y tú no pedirás prestado. Te pondrá Jehová por cabeza, y no por cola; y estarás encima solamente, y no estarás debajo, si obedecieres los mandamientos de Jehová tu Dios, que yo te ordeno hoy, para que los guardes y cumplas, y si no te apartares de todas las palabras que yo te mando hoy, ni a diestra ni a siniestra, para ir tras dioses ajenos y servirles. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697560739997.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 31, 2023 ========== December 31 | Take a Mulligan! Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 31, 2023 | Tim Keith TAKE A MULLIGAN! Forgive Yourself Philippians 3:13-14 “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN! Focus on God's Word It keeps a good connection: Psalm 119:130 “The opening of Your word gives light, imparting understanding to the simple.” It breaks a bad habit: Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Romans 6:12,14 “do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. For sin shall not be your master” GRANT A "GIMME!" Forgive Somebody Else Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Dec 24 – 26, 2023 ========== 24 de Diciembre, 2023 Mujeres que iluminan la Navidad Navidad desde los ojos de María Mateo 1:16 | Lucas 2:1-7 ========== S. Mateo 1:16 y Jacob engendró a José, marido de María, de la cual nació Jesús, llamado el Cristo. S. Lucas 2:1-7 Aconteció en aquellos días, que se promulgó un edicto de parte de Augusto César, que todo el mundo fuese empadronado. Este primer censo se hizo siendo Cirenio gobernador de Siria. E iban todos para ser empadronados, cada uno a su ciudad. Y José subió de Galilea, de la ciudad de Nazaret, a Judea, a la ciudad de David, que se llama Belén, por cuanto era de la casa y familia de David; para ser empadronado con María su mujer, desposada con él, la cual estaba encinta. Y aconteció que estando ellos allí, se cumplieron los días de su alumbramiento. Y dio a luz a su hijo primogénito, y lo envolvió en pañales, y lo acostó en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón. 1.) María escuchó a Dios. 2.) María creyó a Dios. 3.) María obedeció a Dios. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697560739997.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 24, 2023 ========== December 24 | Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 24, 2023 | Tim Keith John 3:16-17 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Galatians 4:4-5 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Romans 5:8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. Revelation 3:20 See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Psalms 29:2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. John 14:3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. Luke 2:10-12 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Dec 24, 2023 ========== December 24 l Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Mary's Faith Journey Luke 1:26-38 1. An unlikely messenger 2. An unconceivable message Luke 1:31-33 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Luke 1:38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:41-45 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” 3. An overwhelming response to grace Luke 1:46-50 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 17, 2023 ========== December 17 | Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 17, 2023 | Tim Keith Matthew 1:5-6 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered King David. David fathered Solomon by Uriah’s wife, Ruth’s Situation Deuteronomy 23:3 No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the Lord’s assembly; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, may ever enter the Lord’s assembly. John 3:36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the Romans 5:9 How much more then, since we have now been justified by Jesus’ blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. Ephesians 6:7-8 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap,8because the one who sows to his flesh(sinful nature) will reap destruction from the flesh (sin)… Ephesians 2:12 At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, (Empty) John 3:16-18 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.17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18Anyone who believes in him is not condemned... Ruth’s Proclamation Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth replied: Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to return and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me, and do so severely, if anything but death separates you and me. "Your God is now My God" Ruth 1:16 Ruth’s Salvation * God’s Family * God’s Forgiveness * God’s Future Ruth 4:9-17 Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi everything that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to perpetuate the deceased man’s name on his property, so that his name will not disappear among his relatives or from the gate of his hometown. You are witnesses today.” All the people who were at the city gate, including the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is entering your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built the house of Israel. May you be powerful in Ephrathah and your name well known in Bethlehem. May your house become like the house of Perez, the son Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the Lord will give you by this young woman.” Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. He slept with her, and the Lord granted conception to her, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name become well known in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. Indeed, your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a mother to him. The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Dec 17, 2023 ========== December 17 l Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo From Ruin to Redemption Ruth 1-5 1. Ruin Ruth 1:8-10 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” Ruth 1:16-18 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. 2. Relatives Ruth 2:1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. Ruth 2:2-3 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech. Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. 3. Redemption Ruth 4:14-15 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Ruth 4:18-21 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed,
Istrouma en Español Dec 10 – 12, 2023 ========== 10 de Diciembre , 2023 Mujeres que iluminan la Navidad A través de la Ventana de Rahab Mateo 1 ========== S. Mateo 1:1-25 Libro de la genealogía de Jesucristo, hijo de David, hijo de Abraham. Abraham engendró a Isaac, Isaac a Jacob, y Jacob a Judá y a sus hermanos. Judá engendró de Tamar a Fares y a Zara, Fares a Esrom, y Esrom a Aram. Aram engendró a Aminadab, Aminadab a Naasón, y Naasón a Salmón. Salmón engendró de Rahab a Booz, Booz engendró de Rut a Obed, y Obed a Isaí. Isaí engendró al rey David, y el rey David engendró a Salomón de la que fue mujer de Urías. Salomón engendró a Roboam, Roboam a Abías, y Abías a Asa. Asa engendró a Josafat, Josafat a Joram, y Joram a Uzías. Uzías engendró a Jotam, Jotam a Acaz, y Acaz a Ezequías. Ezequías engendró a Manasés, Manasés a Amón, y Amón a Josías. Josías engendró a Jeconías y a sus hermanos, en el tiempo de la deportación a Babilonia. Después de la deportación a Babilonia, Jeconías engendró a Salatiel, y Salatiel a Zorobabel. Zorobabel engendró a Abiud, Abiud a Eliaquim, y Eliaquim a Azor. Azor engendró a Sadoc, Sadoc a Aquim, y Aquim a Eliud. Eliud engendró a Eleazar, Eleazar a Matán, Matán a Jacob; y Jacob engendró a José, marido de María, de la cual nació Jesús, llamado el Cristo. De manera que todas las generaciones desde Abraham hasta David son catorce; desde David hasta la deportación a Babilonia, catorce; y desde la deportación a Babilonia hasta Cristo, catorce. El nacimiento de Jesucristo fue así: Estando desposada María su madre con José, antes que se juntasen, se halló que había concebido del Espíritu Santo. José su marido, como era justo, y no quería infamarla, quiso dejarla secretamente. Y pensando él en esto, he aquí un ángel del Señor le apareció en sueños y le dijo: José, hijo de David, no temas recibir a María tu mujer, porque lo que en ella es engendrado, del Espíritu Santo es. Y dará a luz un hijo, y llamarás su nombre JESÚS, porque él salvará a su pueblo de sus pecados. Todo esto aconteció para que se cumpliese lo dicho por el Señor por medio del profeta, cuando dijo: He aquí, una virgen concebirá y dará a luz un hijo, Y llamarás su nombre Emanuel, que traducido es: Dios con nosotros. Y despertando José del sueño, hizo como el ángel del Señor le había mandado, y recibió a su mujer. Pero no la conoció hasta que dio a luz a su hijo primogénito; y le puso por nombre JESÚS. Josué 2:1-24 Josué hijo de Nun envió desde Sitim dos espías secretamente, diciéndoles: Andad, reconoced la tierra, y a Jericó. Y ellos fueron, y entraron en casa de una ramera que se llamaba Rahab, y posaron allí. Y fue dado aviso al rey de Jericó, diciendo: He aquí que hombres de los hijos de Israel han venido aquí esta noche para espiar la tierra. Entonces el rey de Jericó envió a decir a Rahab: Saca a los hombres que han venido a ti, y han entrado a tu casa; porque han venido para espiar toda la tierra. Pero la mujer había tomado a los dos hombres y los había escondido; y dijo: Es verdad que unos hombres vinieron a mí, pero no supe de dónde eran. Y cuando se iba a cerrar la puerta, siendo ya oscuro, esos hombres se salieron, y no sé a dónde han ido; seguidlos aprisa, y los alcanzaréis. Mas ella los había hecho subir al terrado, y los había escondido entre los manojos de lino que tenía puestos en el terrado. Y los hombres fueron tras ellos por el camino del Jordán, hasta los vados; y la puerta fue cerrada después que salieron los perseguidores. Antes que ellos se durmiesen, ella subió al terrado, y les dijo: Sé que Jehová os ha dado esta tierra; porque el temor de vosotros ha caído sobre nosotros, y todos los moradores del país ya han desmayado por causa de vosotros. Porque hemos oído que Jehová hizo secar las aguas del Mar Rojo delante de vosotros cuando salisteis de Egipto, y lo que habéis hecho a los dos reyes de los amorreos que estaban al otro lado del Jordán, a Sehón y a Og, a los cuales habéis destruido. Oyendo esto, ha desmayado nuestro corazón; ni ha quedado más aliento en hombre alguno por causa de vosotros, porque Jehová vuestro Dios es Dios arriba en los cielos y abajo en la tierra. Os ruego pues, ahora, que me juréis por Jehová, que como he hecho misericordia con vosotros, así la haréis vosotros con la casa de mi padre, de lo cual me daréis una señal segura; y que salvaréis la vida a mi padre y a mi madre, a mis hermanos y hermanas, y a todo lo que es suyo; y que libraréis nuestras vidas de la muerte. Ellos le respondieron: Nuestra vida responderá por la vuestra, si no denunciareis este asunto nuestro; y cuando Jehová nos haya dado la tierra, nosotros haremos contigo misericordia y verdad. Entonces ella los hizo descender con una cuerda por la ventana; porque su casa estaba en el muro de la ciudad, y ella vivía en el muro. Y les dijo: Marchaos al monte, para que los que fueron tras vosotros no os encuentren; y estad escondidos allí tres días, hasta que los que os siguen hayan vuelto; y después os iréis por vuestro camino. Y ellos le dijeron: Nosotros quedaremos libres de este juramento con que nos has juramentado. He aquí, cuando nosotros entremos en la tierra, tú atarás este cordón de grana a la ventana por la cual nos descolgaste; y reunirás en tu casa a tu padre y a tu madre, a tus hermanos y a toda la familia de tu padre. Cualquiera que saliere fuera de las puertas de tu casa, su sangre será sobre su cabeza, y nosotros sin culpa. Mas cualquiera que se estuviere en casa contigo, su sangre será sobre nuestra cabeza, si mano le tocare. Y si tú denunciares este nuestro asunto, nosotros quedaremos libres de este tu juramento con que nos has juramentado. Ella respondió: Sea así como habéis dicho. Luego los despidió, y se fueron; y ella ató el cordón de grana a la ventana. Y caminando ellos, llegaron al monte y estuvieron allí tres días, hasta que volvieron los que los perseguían; y los que los persiguieron buscaron por todo el camino, pero no los hallaron. Entonces volvieron los dos hombres; descendieron del monte, y pasaron, y vinieron a Josué hijo de Nun, y le contaron todas las cosas que les habían acontecido. Y dijeron a Josué: Jehová ha entregado toda la tierra en nuestras manos; y también todos los moradores del país desmayan delante de nosotros. 1. El Fundamento de su fe 2. La Naturaleza de su fe 3. La Recompensa de su fe [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697560739997.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 10, 2023 ========== December 10 | Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 10, 2023 | Tim Keith Matthew 1:5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse, Joshua 2:8-21 Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan. When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. Now please swear to me by the Lord that you will also show kindness to my father’s family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death.” The men answered her, “We will give our lives for yours. If you don’t report our mission, we will show kindness and faithfulness to you when the Lord gives us the land.” Then she let them down by a rope through the window, since she lived in a house that was built into the wall of the city. “Go to the hill country so that the men pursuing you won’t find you,” she said to them. “Hide there for three days until they return; afterward, go on your way.” The men said to her, “We will be free from this oath you made us swear, unless, when we enter the land, you tie this scarlet cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your father’s family into your house. If anyone goes out the doors of your house, his death will be his own fault, and we will be innocent. But if anyone with you in the house should be harmed, his death will be our fault. And if you report our mission, we are free from the oath you made us swear.” “Let it be as you say,” she replied, and she sent them away. After they had gone, she tied the scarlet cord to the window. Joshua 6:20-25 So the troops shouted, and the rams’ horns sounded. When they heard the blast of the ram’s horn, the troops gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. The troops advanced into the city, each man straight ahead, and they captured the city. They completely destroyed everything in the city with the sword — every man and woman, both young and old, and every ox, sheep, and donkey. Joshua said to the two men who had scouted the land, “Go to the prostitute’s house and bring the woman out of there, and all who are with her, just as you swore to her.” So the young men who had scouted went in and brought out Rahab and her father, mother, brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel. They burned the city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the Lord’s house. However, Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, her father’s family, and all who belonged to her, because she hid the messengers Joshua had sent to spy on Jericho, and she still lives in Israel today. Obeying God doesn’t mean your walls will never fall down. Joshua 6:20 So the troops shouted, and the rams’ horns sounded. When they heard the blast of the ram’s horn, the troops gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. The troops advanced into the city, each man straight ahead, and they captured the city. The Savior of the world was coming for ALL. Matthew 1:5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse, 2 Samuel 22:28 You rescue an oppressed people, but your eyes are set against the proud — you humble them. Isaiah 66:1 This is what the Lord says: Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. Where could you possibly build a house for me? And where would my resting place be? Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 1 Peter 5:5-6 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 1 Peter 5:5-6 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, Joshua 6:22-25 Joshua said to the two men who had scouted the land, “Go to the prostitute’s house and bring the woman out of there, and all who are with her, just as you swore to her.” So the young men who had scouted went in and brought out Rahab and her father, mother, brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel. They burned the city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the Lord’s house. However, Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, her father’s family, and all who belonged to her, because she hid the messengers Joshua had sent to spy on Jericho, and she still lives in Israel today. Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed. James 2:24-26 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Tell God’s story – it saves lives! Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Dec 10, 2023 ========== December 10 l Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo A Scandalous Sorority - Rahab Joshua 2:8-21 Joshua 2:8-21 Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall. And she said to them, “Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.” The men said to her, “We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.” And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 1. A saving faith Joshua 2:9-11 and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. James 2:24-26 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 2. A sharing faith 3. A staying faith 1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,
Istrouma en Español Dec 3 – 5, 2023 ========== 3 de Diciembre , 2023 Mujeres que iluminan la Navidad Tamar: El secreto mejor guardado Mateo 1 ========== S. Mateo 1:1-25 Libro de la genealogía de Jesucristo, hijo de David, hijo de Abraham. Abraham engendró a Isaac, Isaac a Jacob, y Jacob a Judá y a sus hermanos. Judá engendró de Tamar a Fares y a Zara, Fares a Esrom, y Esrom a Aram. Aram engendró a Aminadab, Aminadab a Naasón, y Naasón a Salmón. Salmón engendró de Rahab a Booz, Booz engendró de Rut a Obed, y Obed a Isaí. Isaí engendró al rey David, y el rey David engendró a Salomón de la que fue mujer de Urías. Salomón engendró a Roboam, Roboam a Abías, y Abías a Asa. Asa engendró a Josafat, Josafat a Joram, y Joram a Uzías. Uzías engendró a Jotam, Jotam a Acaz, y Acaz a Ezequías. Ezequías engendró a Manasés, Manasés a Amón, y Amón a Josías. Josías engendró a Jeconías y a sus hermanos, en el tiempo de la deportación a Babilonia. Después de la deportación a Babilonia, Jeconías engendró a Salatiel, y Salatiel a Zorobabel. Zorobabel engendró a Abiud, Abiud a Eliaquim, y Eliaquim a Azor. Azor engendró a Sadoc, Sadoc a Aquim, y Aquim a Eliud. Eliud engendró a Eleazar, Eleazar a Matán, Matán a Jacob; y Jacob engendró a José, marido de María, de la cual nació Jesús, llamado el Cristo. De manera que todas las generaciones desde Abraham hasta David son catorce; desde David hasta la deportación a Babilonia, catorce; y desde la deportación a Babilonia hasta Cristo, catorce. El nacimiento de Jesucristo fue así: Estando desposada María su madre con José, antes que se juntasen, se halló que había concebido del Espíritu Santo. José su marido, como era justo, y no quería infamarla, quiso dejarla secretamente. Y pensando él en esto, he aquí un ángel del Señor le apareció en sueños y le dijo: José, hijo de David, no temas recibir a María tu mujer, porque lo que en ella es engendrado, del Espíritu Santo es. Y dará a luz un hijo, y llamarás su nombre JESÚS, porque él salvará a su pueblo de sus pecados. Todo esto aconteció para que se cumpliese lo dicho por el Señor por medio del profeta, cuando dijo: He aquí, una virgen concebirá y dará a luz un hijo, Y llamarás su nombre Emanuel, que traducido es: Dios con nosotros. Y despertando José del sueño, hizo como el ángel del Señor le había mandado, y recibió a su mujer. Pero no la conoció hasta que dio a luz a su hijo primogénito; y le puso por nombre JESÚS. 1. Los planes de Dios son más grandes que tus _____________. 2. No se trata de tu pasado sino de tu futuro. 3. Tamar está en la familia de Jesús. ¡Tú También lo estas! [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697560739997.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Dec 3, 2023 ========== December 3 l Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Jesus' Checkered Pedigree - Tamar Genesis 38:11-14 & 24-26 Genesis 38:11-14 & 24-26 11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Go back to your parents’ home and remain a widow until my son Shelah is old enough to marry you.” (But Judah didn’t really intend to do this because he was afraid Shelah would also die, like his two brothers.) So Tamar went back to live in her father’s home. 12 Some years later Judah’s wife died. After the time of mourning was over, Judah and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went up to Timnah to supervise the shearing of his sheep. 13 Someone told Tamar, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” 14 Tamar was aware that Shelah had grown up, but no arrangements had been made for her to come and marry him. So she changed out of her widow’s clothing and covered herself with a veil to disguise herself. Then she sat beside the road at the entrance to the village of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. 24 About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has acted like a prostitute. And now, because of this, she’s pregnant.” “Bring her out, and let her be burned!” Judah demanded. 25 But as they were taking her out to kill her, she sent this message to her father-in-law: “The man who owns these things made me pregnant. Look closely. Whose seal and cord and walking stick are these?” 26 Judah recognized them immediately and said, “She is more righteous than I am, because I didn’t arrange for her to marry my son Shelah.” 1. The Characters a. Character 1 – Judah b. Character 2 – Tamar 2. The context in Scripture Genesis 43:9 I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 3. The connection to Christmas Genesis 43:9 I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 3, 2023 ========== December 3 | Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 3, 2023 | Tim Keith Matthew 1:1-17 An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers, Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Aram, Aram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered King David. David fathered Solomon by Uriah’s wife, Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, Abijah fathered Asa, Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, Joram fathered Uzziah, Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, Ahaz fathered Hezekiah, Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, Amon fathered Josiah, and Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel, Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, Abiud fathered Eliakim, Eliakim fathered Azor, Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, Achim fathered Eliud, Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, Matthan fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, fourteen generations. Jesus is the Christ Matthew 1:1 An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Jesus came for everybody Matthew 1:3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Aram, Jesus came for you Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Nov 26 – 28, 2023 ========== 26 de Noviembre, 2023 SED AGRADECIDOS 1 TESALONICENSES 5:18 ========== 1 Tesalonicenses 5:18 Dad gracias en todo, porque esta es la voluntad de Dios para con vosotros en Cristo Jesús. 1. AGRADECER EN LOS MOMENTOS DIFICILES Y COMPLICADOS DE LA VIDA. PORQUE? - Porque es alli donde aprendemos a confiar y a depender de Dios. cuando las situaciones son dificiles. es alli donde vamos a crecer en la fe, es alli donde estaremos creciendo, si no pasamos por las dificultades entonces no creceremos. - Es alli donde aprenderemos las mejores y mayores lecciones de fe y, es esperanza, es un aprendizaje, de los errores se aprende, de las caidas nos levantamos. - Es alli donde realmente aprenderemos a valorar lo que Dios nos ha Dado. todas las bendiciones que hemos recibido cada uno de nosotros, todos los beneficios reciibidos 2. AGRADECER EN LOS MOMENTOS AGRADABLES QUE DIOS NOS DA. Tiempos con mi familia Tiempos con los hermanos en la iglesia Fuerzas para trabajar Milagros recibidos Lucas 17:16 y se postró rostro en tierra a sus pies, dándole gracias; y este era samaritano. 3. QUE EL AGRADECIMIENTO SEA UN ESTILO DE VIDA EN NOSOTROS Estilo Ingrato 2 Timoteo 3:1-2 También debes saber esto: que en los postreros días vendrán tiempos peligrosos. 2 Porque habrá hombres amadores de sí mismos, avaros, vanagloriosos, soberbios, blasfemos, desobedientes a los padres, ingratos, impíos,... etc. Por lo general es Amargado, no ve lo bueno que lo rodea, ve mas facilmete los errores y los problemas que las cosas positivas. siempre esta quejandose y olvida facilmente los favores recibidos de otros y sobre todo los favores de Dios sobre su vida. Estilo Agradecido Por lo general es una persona positiva, ( hasta podria decirse mas feliz) es generoso, puede ver las virtudes de otros y puede apreciar todo lo que lo rodea. Tiene un corazon sano y trata a los demas con respeto y con buena actitud. Se alegra por sus logros y por los logros de otros. CONCLUSION: QUE NUESTRA VIDA SEA UN REFLEJO DEL AMOR DE DIOS, DIOS HA SIDO BUENO CON CADA UNO DE NOSOTROS, PORQUE TARDAMOS EN RENDIRNOS A EL, PORQUE NOS CUESTA TANTO SI SABEMOS QUE EL HIZO LA MAYOR ENTREGA POR NOSOTROS. SALMO 103:1 “Bendice, alma mía, a Jehová, Y bendiga todo mi ser su santo nombre. 2 Bendice, alma mía, a Jehová, Y no olvides ninguno de sus beneficios. 3 Él es quien perdona todas tus iniquidades, El que sana todas tus dolencias; 4 El que rescata del hoyo tu vida, El que te corona de favores y misericordias; 5 El que sacia de bien tu boca De modo que te rejuvenezcas como el águila.” [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697560739997.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Nov 26, 2023 ========== November 26 l Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Searching Matthew 2:1-12 CSB Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was — the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. 1. Man's Pursuit - Purpose - Power 2. God's Plan - Hope in Exile - A Heart for the Nations 3. God's Provision - Immediate - Eternal
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Nov 26, 2023 ========== November 26 | The Lord's Supper Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo November 26, 2023 | Tim Keith Mark 14:12-26 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?” So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. When evening came, he arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me — one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him one by one, “Surely not I?” He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve — the one who is dipping bread in the bowl with me. For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.” As they were eating, he took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Remember - The Bread - The Juice Prepare Exodus 12:14-15 “The Passover is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance. Examine - Test Your Desires Luke 22:15 “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you Luke 22:24 “A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be - Test Your Relationships Romans 12:18 “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Matthew 5:23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, - Test Your Faith 1 Corinthians 11:28 “… you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.” The Lord's Supper John 6:51 Jesus said, “I am the Living Bread which came down out of Heaven – any who eat of this Bread shall live forever.” Matthew 26:28 Jesus said, “This is My blood which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Nov 19 – 21, 2023 ========== 12 de Noviembre, 2 Nada Ni Nadie Romanos 8:31-39 ========== Romanos 8:31-39 ¿Qué, pues, diremos a esto? Si Dios es por nosotros, ¿quién contra nosotros? El que no escatimó ni a su propio Hijo, sino que lo entregó por todos nosotros, ¿cómo no nos dará también con él todas las cosas? ¿Quién acusará a los escogidos de Dios? Dios es el que justifica. ¿Quién es el que condenará? Cristo es el que murió; más aun, el que también resucitó, el que además está a la diestra de Dios, el que también intercede por nosotros. ¿Quién nos separará del amor de Cristo? ¿Tribulación, o angustia, o persecución, o hambre, o desnudez, o peligro, o espada? Como está escrito: Por causa de ti somos muertos todo el tiempo; Somos contados como ovejas de matadero. Antes, en todas estas cosas somos más que vencedores por medio de aquel que nos amó. Por lo cual estoy seguro de que ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni ángeles, ni principados, ni potestades, ni lo presente, ni lo por venir, ni lo alto, ni lo profundo, ni ninguna otra cosa creada nos podrá separar del amor de Dios, que es en Cristo Jesús Señor nuestro. 1. Quién puede estar en contra nuestra? - ¡Nadie! Dios, no nos negó a su propio Hijo, nos dará todas las cosas. 2. Quién puede acusarnos? - ¡Nadie! ¡Dios, nos ha justificado! 3. Quién puede condenarnos? - ¡Nadie! ¡Cristo Jesús es el que murió e incluso resucitó y está a la derecha de Dios e intercede por nosotros! 4. Quién puede separarnos de Dios? - ¡Nadie! ¡Porque Cristo nos ama! [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697560739997.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Nov 12, 2023 ========== November 12 l Romans Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo More Gospel Goodness Romans 8:12-19 Romans 8:12-19 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 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. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 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!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 1. Obligation Romans 8:12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 2. Identification Romans 8:15 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!” Romans 8:17 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. Hebrews 1:2-3 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:13-14 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. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 1 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. 3. Glorification Romans 8:17-18 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. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. 1 Corinthians 2:9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Nov 12, 2023 ========== November 12 | Thankful Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo November 12, 2023 | Tim Keith Luke 17:11-19 While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed. But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.” 1. Jesus comes to where you are · His Presence Leviticus 13:45-46 45 “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp. 2. Jesus shows you who He is · His Power Luke 17:14 When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed. 1 Corinthians 15:58 … be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Colossians 1:6 All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing… 3. Jesus changes you from who you were -His Promise Luke 17:15-19 But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.” Romans 5:5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Because of what Jesus has done, our hope gives us the promise that everything will turn out okay, even if everything doesn't appear to be okay, right now. Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. George Washington, 1789 "By the President of the United States of America. A proclamation: Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and "Whereas, Both Houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me `to recommend to the people of the United States a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God. . .’ "Now, Therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the benevolent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be..." John 17:3 This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent — Jesus Christ. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Oct 22, 2023 ========== October 22 | Romans Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo October 22, 2023 | Tim Keith Romans 7:14-25 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me. So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me. For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin. “People are slaves to whatever controls them.” 2 Peter 2:19 1. What is Your Sin? 7:15 2. How Does Your Sin Affect You? It fools you. 7:19 It steals your hope. 7:18 It hurts your relationships. 7:24 3. How Can You Have Victory Over Your Sin? 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man, and God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Get honest with God and Others 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.” James. 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. ” Text CONNECT to (225) 425-7773 Rely on God and His Word Romans 8:2-3 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. Psalm 119:11 “I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.” Scripture is poison to your sin! If you’re not willing to put more of God’s word into your mind, then you’re not willing to fight for victory over your sin. Galatians 5:16 “I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Oct 22, 2023 ========== October 22 | Romans Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo October 22, 2023 | Tim Keith Romans 7:14-25 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me. So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me. For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin. “People are slaves to whatever controls them.” 2 Peter 2:19 1. What is Your Sin? 7:15 2. How Does Your Sin Affect You? It fools you. 7:19 It steals your hope. 7:18 It hurts your relationships. 7:24 3. How Can You Have Victory Over Your Sin? 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man, and God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Get honest with God and Others 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.” James. 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. ” Text CONNECT to (225) 425-7773 Rely on God and His Word Romans 8:2-3 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. Psalm 119:11 “I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.” Scripture is poison to your sin! If you’re not willing to put more of God’s word into your mind, then you’re not willing to fight for victory over your sin. Galatians 5:16 “I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Oct 15, 2023 ========== October 15 l Romans Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo How Do You Handle the Truth About Salvation Romans 6:1-7; 11-18 Romans 6:1-7 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:11-18 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 1. Understand truths of salvation Romans 6:3-4 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 2. Appropriate truths of salvation Romans 6:11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:1-3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 3. Apply truths of salvation Romans 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:3-5 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 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.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Oct 15, 2023 ========== October 15 | Romans Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo October 15, 2023 | Tim Keith Romans 6:1-10 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over him. For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God. Don't Trust How You Feel... Trust What God Has Declared Romans 6:11-14 So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace. Don't Trust How You Feel... Trust What God Has Declared Romans 6:15-23 What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not! Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey — either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over, and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness. So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? The outcome of those things is death. But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification — and the outcome is eternal life! For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Forgiveness - victory over death Freedom - victory over sin Forever - victory over hell Don't Trust How You Feel... Trust What God Has Declared Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Oct 15 , 2023 ========== 15 de Octubre, 2023 Nueva Identidad Romanos 6:1-13 ========== Romanos 6:1-13 ¿Qué, pues, diremos? ¿Perseveraremos en el pecado para que la gracia abunde? En ninguna manera. Porque los que hemos muerto al pecado, ¿cómo viviremos aún en él? ¿O no sabéis que todos los que hemos sido bautizados en Cristo Jesús, hemos sido bautizados en su muerte? Porque somos sepultados juntamente con él para muerte por el bautismo, a fin de que como Cristo resucitó de los muertos por la gloria del Padre, así también nosotros andemos en vida nueva. Porque si fuimos plantados juntamente con él en la semejanza de su muerte, así también lo seremos en la de su resurrección; sabiendo esto, que nuestro viejo hombre fue crucificado juntamente con él, para que el cuerpo del pecado sea destruido, a fin de que no sirvamos más al pecado. Porque el que ha muerto, ha sido justificado del pecado. Y si morimos con Cristo, creemos que también viviremos con él; sabiendo que Cristo, habiendo resucitado de los muertos, ya no muere; la muerte no se enseñorea más de él. Porque en cuanto murió, al pecado murió una vez por todas; mas en cuanto vive, para Dios vive. Así también vosotros consideraos muertos al pecado, pero vivos para Dios en Cristo Jesús, Señor nuestro. No reine, pues, el pecado en vuestro cuerpo mortal, de modo que lo obedezcáis en sus concupiscencias; ni tampoco presentéis vuestros miembros al pecado como instrumentos de iniquidad, sino presentaos vosotros mismos a Dios como vivos de entre los muertos, y vuestros miembros a Dios como instrumentos de justicia. Romanos 6:1-13 ¿Qué concluiremos? ¿Vamos a persistir en el pecado para que la gracia abunde? ¡De ninguna manera! Nosotros, que hemos muerto al pecado, ¿cómo podemos seguir viviendo en él? ¿Acaso no saben ustedes que todos los que fuimos bautizados para unirnos con Cristo Jesús en realidad fuimos bautizados para participar en su muerte? Por tanto, mediante el bautismo fuimos sepultados con él en su muerte. De modo que, así como Cristo resucitó por el glorioso poder del Padre, también nosotros andemos en una vida nueva. En efecto, si hemos estado unidos con él en una muerte como la suya, sin duda también estaremos unidos con él en su resurrección. Sabemos que nuestra vieja naturaleza fue crucificada con él para que nuestro cuerpo pecaminoso perdiera su poder, de modo que ya no siguiéramos siendo esclavos del pecado; porque el que muere queda liberado del pecado. Ahora bien, si hemos muerto con Cristo, confiamos en que también viviremos con él. Pues sabemos que Cristo, por haber sido levantado de entre los muertos, ya no puede volver a morir; la muerte ya no tiene dominio sobre él. En cuanto a su muerte, murió al pecado una vez y para siempre; en cuanto a su vida, vive para Dios. De la misma manera, también ustedes considérense muertos al pecado, pero vivos para Dios en Cristo Jesús. Por lo tanto, no permitan ustedes que el pecado reine en su cuerpo mortal ni obedezcan a sus malos deseos. No ofrezcan los miembros de su cuerpo al pecado como instrumentos de injusticia; al contrario, ofrézcanse más bien a Dios como quienes han vuelto de la muerte a la vida, presentando los miembros de su cuerpo como instrumentos de justicia. “Como yo ya soy salvo, Cristo me ama. Mi alma ha sido redimida, y no importa que viva en pecado”. “Si puedo cumplir las reglas al pie de la letra, Dios me va a bendecir, por eso yo me estoy esforzando." Enemigos de la Gracia - Satanás - Mundo - Carne Santidad - Posicional - Practica - Perfecta 1. Debemos Conocer (mente) v. 3, 6, 9 2. Debemos Considerar (corazón) v. 11 3. Debemos Comprometer (voluntad) v.13 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1692502591679.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Oct 8, 2023 ========== October 8 l Romans Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo The Blessings of Salvation Romans 5:1-11 Romans 5:1-11 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 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. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 1. Peace with God Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:19-20 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 2. Access to grace Romans 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3. Rejoice in the promise of heaven Romans 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 4. Rejoice in our present suffering Romans 5:3-5 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 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. 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Oct 8, 2023 ========== October 8 | Romans Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo October 8, 2023 | Tim Keith Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD Romans 5:2 We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. WE HAVE ACCESS TO HEAVEN Romans 5:3-4 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. WE HAVE HOPE EVEN DURING SUFFERING -Tests over what you have -Trials over what you don’t have -Tragedies over what you lost Every mess has a message! Romans 5:5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Sep 17, 2023 ========== September 17 | Romans Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo September 17, 2023 | Tim Keith Romans 2:1-11 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. Do you think — anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same — that you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. He will repay each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness. There will be affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For there is no favoritism with God. Ephesians 2:8-9 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast. James 2:6 Yet you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the rich oppress you and drag you into court? Matthew 7:15-20 “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. Romans 2:13 For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified. James 1:22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Romans 2:14-29 So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law, do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse them on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus. Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law, and boast in God, and know his will, and approve the things that are superior, being instructed from the law, and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth in the law — you then, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal” — do you steal? You who say, “You must not commit adultery” — do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So if an uncircumcised man keeps the law’s requirements, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart — by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Sep 10, 2023 ========== September 7 | Habits Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo September 10, 2023 | Tim Keith Romans 1:16-32 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen. For this reason God delivered them over to disgraceful passions. Their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. The men in the same way also left natural relations with women and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error. And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right. They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful. Although they know God’s just sentence — that those who practice such things deserve to die — they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them. Leviticus 18:22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Sep 3, 2023 ========== September 3 | Habits Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo September 3, 2023 | Micah Cating Psalm 46:10-11 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 1) Silence & Solitude give us space to encounter God’s presence. 2) Silence & Solitude allow you to refocus your attention on God in the middle of the noise of life. Mark 1:35 ESV And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Luke 5:15-16 ESV 15 “But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” 3) Silence & Solitude are a source of strength. Matthew 3:16 – 4:3a ESV 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came… Tips to embrace silence and solitude this week: · Find little solitudes throughout your day. · Create a place in your home or find a spot in the community to practice silence and solitude. · Limit your phone usage. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Aug 27, 2023 ========== August 27 l Habits Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "The Habit of Service" Matthew 20:20-28 Matthew 20:20-28 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 1. Serving others defines greatness Philippians 2:4-8 ESV 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 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. 2. We serve others because of who we are John 13:12-15 ESV 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 3. Serving others results in blessings John 13:17 ESV If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Aug 20, 2023
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August 20 | Habits
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
August 20, 2023 | Tim Keith
Luke 18:1-8
Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up. “There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect people. And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ “For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so that she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’” Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them? I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Pray Always
Philippians 4:6-7
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
James 1:6-7
“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.”
John 5:14-15
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
Don't Give Up
Psalm 55:16-17
“I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”
God May Answer Your Prayer:
Immediately
A Little Later
Even Better
With A "No"
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Give Online
Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to:
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Our Website
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Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC)
Aug 20, 2023
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August 20 l Habits
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
"The Habit of Prayer"
Luke 18:1-8
Luke 18:1-8
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
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A destitute widow
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A dirtbag judge
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Developing the habit of prayer
a. Dependently
b. Boldly
c. Persistently
Istrouma en Español
Aug 20 , 2023
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20 de Agosto, 2023
La Oración no es importante
Lucas 11.1
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S. Lucas 11:1
Aconteció que estaba Jesús orando en un lugar, y cuando terminó, uno de sus discípulos le dijo: Señor, enséñanos a orar, como también Juan enseñó a sus discípulos.
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Jesús oraba al iniciar y terminar el día.
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Jesús oraba de varias maneras.
3.Jesús oraba en diferentes circunstancias.
- Jesús oraba por distintas razones.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC)
Jul 30, 2023
==========
July 30 l Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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The Parable of the Soils
Matthew 13:1-9
Matthew 13:1-9
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”
-
The haters
-
Our hearts
a. Hard vv. 18-19
b. Shallow vv. 20-21
c. Divided v. 22
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
2d. Fruitful v. 23
- Our hope
Isaiah 55:10-11
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 30, 2023
==========
July 30 | Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
July 30, 2023 | Tim Keith
Consequences of a Greedy Heart
Luke 12:1-13
Meanwhile, a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were trampling on one another. He began to say to his disciples first, “Be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. “I say to you, my friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will show you the one to fear: Fear him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear! Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God, but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.” Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
CONSEQUENCES OF A GREEDY HEART:
-
You give credit to the wrong person. (v. 16-19a)
-
You make plans for the wrong reason. (v. 17-18)
-
You place faith in the wrong belief. (v. 19)
James 4:13-16
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring — what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
CONSEQUENCES OF A GREEDY HEART:
- You spend time on the wrong pursuit. (v. 20)
Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God.”
- You live life with the wrong focus. (v. 21)
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Istrouma en Español
Jul 30 , 2023
==========
30 de Julio, 2023
Calla y escucharas, escucha y aprenderás
Lucas 8:4-15
==========
S. Lucas 8:4-15
Juntándose una gran multitud, y los que de cada ciudad venían a él, les dijo por parábola: El sembrador salió a sembrar su semilla; y mientras sembraba, una parte cayó junto al camino, y fue hollada, y las aves del cielo la comieron. Otra parte cayó sobre la piedra; y nacida, se secó, porque no tenía humedad. Otra parte cayó entre espinos, y los espinos que nacieron juntamente con ella, la ahogaron. Y otra parte cayó en buena tierra, y nació y llevó fruto a ciento por uno. Hablando estas cosas, decía a gran voz: El que tiene oídos para oír, oiga. Y sus discípulos le preguntaron, diciendo: ¿Qué significa esta parábola? Y él dijo: A vosotros os es dado conocer los misterios del reino de Dios; pero a los otros por parábolas, para que viendo no vean, y oyendo no entiendan. Esta es, pues, la parábola: La semilla es la palabra de Dios. Y los de junto al camino son los que oyen, y luego viene el diablo y quita de su corazón la palabra, para que no crean y se salven. Los de sobre la piedra son los que habiendo oído, reciben la palabra con gozo; pero estos no tienen raíces; creen por algún tiempo, y en el tiempo de la prueba se apartan. La que cayó entre espinos, estos son los que oyen, pero yéndose, son ahogados por los afanes y las riquezas y los placeres de la vida, y no llevan fruto. Mas la que cayó en buena tierra, estos son los que con corazón bueno y recto retienen la palabra oída, y dan fruto con perseverancia.
-
Escuchar Su Palabra, es Dios llamándonos.
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Escuchar su Palabra, es una lucha espiritual.
-
Escuchar Su Palabra, es recibir más de Dios.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 23, 2023
==========
July 23 | Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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July 23, 2023 | Matt Cate
Mark 4:1-20
Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “ ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ ” Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”
-
The CONTEXT of the SCRIPTURE
-
The CALL to LISTEN
-
The CONDITION of the SOILS
a. The Hard Heart
b. The Shallow Heart
c. The Divided Heart
d. The Fruitful Heart -
The CASTING of the SEEDS
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Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC)
Jul 23, 2023
==========
July 23 l Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
Consequences of a Greedy Heart
Luke 12
Meanwhile, a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were trampling on one another. He began to say to his disciples first, “Be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. “I say to you, my friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will show you the one to fear: Fear him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear! Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God, but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.” Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
CONSEQUENCES OF A GREEDY HEART:
-
You give credit to the wrong person. (v. 16-19a)
-
You make plans for the wrong reason. (v. 17-18)
-
You place faith in the wrong belief. (v. 19)
James 4:13-16
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring — what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
CONSEQUENCES OF A GREEDY HEART:
- You spend time on the wrong pursuit. (v. 20)
Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God.”
- You live life with the wrong focus. (v. 21)
Istrouma en Español
Jul 23 , 2023
==========
23 de Julio, 2023
El Rico Insensato
Lucas 12:13-21
==========
S. Lucas 12:13-21
Le dijo uno de la multitud: Maestro, di a mi hermano que parta conmigo la herencia. Mas él le dijo: Hombre, ¿quién me ha puesto sobre vosotros como juez o partidor? Y les dijo: Mirad, y guardaos de toda avaricia; porque la vida del hombre no consiste en la abundancia de los bienes que posee. También les refirió una parábola, diciendo: La heredad de un hombre rico había producido mucho. Y él pensaba dentro de sí, diciendo: ¿Qué haré, porque no tengo dónde guardar mis frutos? Y dijo: Esto haré: derribaré mis graneros, y los edificaré mayores, y allí guardaré todos mis frutos y mis bienes; y diré a mi alma: Alma, muchos bienes tienes guardados para muchos años; repósate, come, bebe, regocíjate. Pero Dios le dijo: Necio, esta noche vienen a pedirte tu alma; y lo que has provisto, ¿de quién será? Así es el que hace para sí tesoro, y no es rico para con Dios.
-
EL CUIDADO QUE TODO CRISTIANO DEBEMOS TENER ENTRE EL SABER GUARDAR Y SER AVARICIOSO.
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EL CUIDADO QUE TODO CRISTIANO DEBEMOS TENER EN CONSULTAR A DIOS Y SOMETER NUESTROS PLANES Y ANHELOS DELANTE DEL SENOR.
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EL ENTENDIMIENTO QUE TODO CRISTIANO DEBEMOS TENER EN RECONOCER QUE TODO LO QUE HEMOS RECIBIDO HA SIDO DADO POR DIOS Y NO SE DEBE OLVIDAR DE AGRADECERLO DE TODO CORAZON.
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LA PASION QUE TODO CRISTIANO DEBEMOS TENER POR COMPARTIR DE LO QUE TENEMOS Y SOBRE TODO LA PASION POR INVERTIR EN EL REINO DE DIOS.
CONCLUSION:
El Señor nos hace un llamado a la reflexion con esta parabola, como todas ellas, nos llama a pensar en cuales son nuestras prioridades, hacia donde apuntan nuestro planes y proyectos y que espera Dios de cada uno de nosotros que decimos ser hijos suyos.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC)
Jul 16, 2023
==========
July 16 l Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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The Compassionate Father: Part Two
Luke 15:1-2
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
Luke 15:25-32
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
- A celebration
Luke 15:1-2
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
- A conversation
Luke 15:1-2
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
- An invitation
Istrouma en Español
Jul 16 , 2023
==========
16 de Julio, 2023
Remiendo Nuevo en Vestido Viejo
Mateo 9:16
==========
S. Mateo 9:16
Nadie pone remiendo de paño nuevo en vestido viejo; porque tal remiendo tira del vestido, y se hace peor la rotura.
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No podemos continuar viviendo bajo la ley y la gracia.
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No podemos remendar nuestra vida y esperar lo mejor.
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Para que Dios haga algo nuevo, debemos ser hechos nuevos.
Dios no está interesado en remendar nuestra vida.
Él quiere hacer de nosotros …una nueva persona.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 16, 2023
==========
July 16 | Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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July 16, 2023 | Tim Keith
Luke 15:25-32
“Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ “‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 9, 2023
==========
July 9 | Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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July 9, 2023 | Tim Keith
"Parable: The Prodigal Son"
Luke 15:11-24
He also said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! ’ So they began to celebrate.
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GOD WANTS YOUR ATTENTION
(15:14-17) -
GOD REQUIRES YOUR ACTION
(15:18-20a) - Admit Your Sin (v. 18-19)
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Leave Your Sin, and Go to God (v. 20a)
-
GOD CELEBRATES YOUR RETURN
(15:22-24)
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Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC)
Jul 9, 2023
==========
July 9 l Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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The Compassionate Father: Part One
Luke 15:1-24
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
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A rebellious runaway
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A ruined life
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A restored son
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC)
Jun 25, 2023
==========
June 25 l Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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"A Righteous Plot Twist"
Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people — greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner! ’ I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The Righteous
The Pharisee v. Tax Collector
The Reason
Outward v. Inward
The Response
Pride v. Humility
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jun 25, 2023
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June 25 | Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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June 25, 2023 | Dwayne Pitre
"Kingdom Responsibilites"
Luke 17:1-10
And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
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Self vs Others
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Faithlessness vs Faithfulness
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Pride vs Humility
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Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC)
Jun 11, 2023
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June 11 | The World's Greatest Problem
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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June 11, 2023 | Dr. Paul Chitwood
The World's Greatest Problem
Romans 3:9-18
What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin, as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Lostness is the world’s greatest problem
Lostness is an eternal problem
Lostness is a universal problem
Romans 3:9-12
What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin, as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.
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.
The gospel is the only solution
Genesis 3:13-15
So the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
John 3:14-15
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
strouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jun 11, 2023
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June 11 | The World's Greatest Problem
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
June 11, 2023 | Dr. Paul Chitwood
The World's Greatest Problem
Romans 3:9-18
What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin, as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Lostness is the world’s greatest problem
Lostness is an eternal problem
Lostness is a universal problem
Romans 3:9-12
What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin, as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.
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.
The gospel is the only solution
Genesis 3:13-15
So the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
John 3:14-15
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
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Istrouma en Español
Jun 11 – 13, 2023
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11 de Junio, 2023
El Poder del Reino
Lucas 13:18-21
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S. Lucas 13:18-21
Y dijo: ¿A qué es semejante el reino de Dios, y con qué lo compararé? Es semejante al grano de mostaza, que un hombre tomó y sembró en su huerto; y creció, y se hizo árbol grande, y las aves del cielo anidaron en sus ramas. Y volvió a decir: ¿A qué compararé el reino de Dios? Es semejante a la levadura, que una mujer tomó y escondió en tres medidas de harina, hasta que todo hubo fermentado.
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El Crecimiento externo del Reino de Dios (13:18-19)
a. Un comienzo pequeño
b. Un crecimiento poderoso
c. Un beneficio para las naciones -
El Crecimiento interno del Reino de Dios (13:20-21)
a. El poder del reino es grande
b. El poder del reino viene desde adentro
c.El poder del reino afecta todo lo que toca
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Istrouma en Español
Jun 4 , 2023
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4 de Junio, 2023
El Reino es Nuestro Tesoro
Mateo 13:44-46
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S. Mateo 13:44-46
Además, el reino de los cielos es semejante a un tesoro escondido en un campo, el cual un hombre halla, y lo esconde de nuevo; y gozoso por ello va y vende todo lo que tiene, y compra aquel campo. También el reino de los cielos es semejante a un mercader que busca buenas perlas, que habiendo hallado una perla preciosa, fue y vendió todo lo que tenía, y la compró.
- El Reino es de un valor incalculable.
- El Reino no se ve a simple vista.
- El Reino es un asunto personal.
- El Reino es la fuente del gozo.
- El Reino es para todos, aunque no lo busquen.
- El Reino tiene un alto precio.
¡El Reino de Dios es por lo único que vale la pena dejar todo!
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Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC)
Jun 4, 2023
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June 4 l Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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"The Value of the Gospel"
Matthew 13:44-46
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The kingdom of heaven is not simply like a treasure, The kingdom of heaven is like the situation of finding the treasure, valuing it properly, and acting appropriately.
Mark 8:34b-36
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
Mark 8:37-38
For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
The kingdom of heaven is not simply like a treasure, The kingdom of heaven is like the situation of finding the treasure, valuing it properly, and acting appropriately.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jun 4, 2023
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June 4 | Parables of Jesus
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
June 4, 2023 | Tim Keith
The Priceless Kingdom
Matthew 13:44-46
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Course
Follow Jesus
The Cost
Everything
The Condition
Faith
The Conclusion
Joy
Matthew 13:44-46
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 28, 2023 ========== May 28 | The Lord is My Shepherd Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 28, 2023 | Tim Keith The Lord is My Shepherd Psalms 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. FEAR Fear comes when I don’t see God as my provider and protector. Fear will cause you to miss out on the promises of God. FAITH Only FAITH fixes fear. Faith is about God being first. Faith will take you to the promises of God. Psalms 23:4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me. Jeremiah 1:12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I watch over my word to accomplish it.” FAVOR Psalms 23:4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me. FAVOR Favor means God is there. Psalms 23:6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) May 28, 2023 ========== May 28 l Life is Tough, God is Good Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "Life is Tough, God is Good" Psalm 100:1-5 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. 1. What does it mean to worship? Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 2. Why worship the God of the Bible? a. Because of who He is b. Because He is good c. Because of what He has done
Istrouma en Español May 21 , 2023 ========== 21 de Mayo, 2023 ¡Nunca se rindan! 1ra. Crónicas 28.9-10 ========== 1 Crónicas 28:9-10 Y tú, Salomón, hijo mío, reconoce al Dios de tu padre, y sírvele con corazón perfecto y con ánimo voluntario; porque Jehová escudriña los corazones de todos, y entiende todo intento de los pensamientos. Si tú le buscares, lo hallarás; mas si lo dejares, él te desechará para siempre. Mira, pues, ahora, que Jehová te ha elegido para que edifiques casa para el santuario; esfuérzate, y hazla. 1. Reconoce a Dios 2. Sirve a Dios 3. Busca a Dios ¡Esfuérzate y hazlo! [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226694364.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226805860.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226816619.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226841223.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226824643.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 21, 2023 ========== May 21 | Challenges and Choices Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 21, 2023 | Tim Keith Challenges and Choices Numbers 13:30-33 Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!” But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t attack the people because they are stronger than we are!” So they gave a negative report to the Israelites about the land they had scouted: “The land we passed through to explore is one that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are men of great size. We even saw the Nephilim there — the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim! To ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and we must have seemed the same to them.” 1. God Has A Challenge “Will you trust Me” Numbers 13:1-2 “The LORD spoke to Moses: “Send men to scout out the land of Canaan (challenge) I am giving to the Israelites; (promise)” Faith is - totally relying on God because you know that He won’t let you down. God is more interested in your BELIEF than He is in your RELIEF! 2. We Have A Choice FEAR Numbers 14:1-4 Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron, and the whole community told them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.” Numbers 14:33 Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years and bear the penalty for your acts of unfaithfulness until all your corpses lie scattered in the wilderness. Numbers 14:28-30 Tell them: As I live — this is the Lord’s declaration — I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. Your corpses will fall in this wilderness — all of you who were registered in the census, the entire number of you twenty years old or more — because you have complained about me. I swear that none of you will enter the land I promised to settle you in, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 2. We Have A Choice FEAR *FAITH Joshua 2:23-24 Then the men returned, came down from the hill country, and crossed the Jordan. They went to Joshua son of Nun and reported everything that had happened to them. They told Joshua, “The Lord has handed over the entire land to us. Everyone who lives in the land is also panicking because of us.” Joshua 6:16, 20 After the seventh time, the priests blew the rams’ horns, and Joshua said to the troops, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city. So the troops shouted, and the rams’ horns sounded. When they heard the blast of the ram’s horn, the troops gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. The troops advanced into the city, each man straight ahead, and they captured the city. God doesn’t guarantee that the journey will be easy, but He does guarantee that when you arrive at your destination, it will be the Promised Land. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) May 21, 2023 ========== May 21 l This Way to Happiness Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "This Way to Happiness" Psalm 1:1-6 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. 1. Two Paths 2. Two Pictures 3. Two Destinies
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) May 14, 2023 ========== May 14 l Mother's Day Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo "Women Heroes" 1. Esther How to seek God and be courageous. Esther 4:15-16 ESV 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish. 2. Hannah How to see God and prioritize God. 1 Samuel 4:1-8 ESV 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” 3. Deborah How to obey God and help others be courageous. Judges 4:4-6 & 8-9a 4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun... 8 Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” 9 And she said, “I will surely go with you."
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 14, 2023 ========== May 14 | Mother's Day Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 14, 2023 | Tim Keith Mother's Day Live Out What You Want Your Kids to Value. Isaiah 38:19 "Parents tell their children about God's faithfulness." What you don’t prioritize, your kids will see as optional. What your kids see as optional, your grandkids will see as unnecessary. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tell Your Kids: “I’m Proud of You.” Matthew 3:17 “This is My Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” Love Your Spouse. Proverbs 31:10-12 Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español May 7 , 2023 ========== 7 de Mayo, 2023 Mentalidad de Reino Romanos 12:1-2 ========== Romanos 12:1-2 Así que, hermanos, os ruego por las misericordias de Dios, que presentéis vuestros cuerpos en sacrificio vivo, santo, agradable a Dios, que es vuestro culto racional. No os conforméis a este siglo, sino transformaos por medio de la renovación de vuestro entendimiento, para que comprobéis cuál sea la buena voluntad de Dios, agradable y perfecta. 1. Completa consagración. 2. Completa separación. 3. Completa transformación. Examen de comprobación: 1. Que dice la Biblia? 2. Glorifica a Dios? 3. Afecta mi crecimiento espiritual? 4. Afecta mi relación familiar? 5. Tengo paz en mi corazón? [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226694364.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226805860.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226816619.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226841223.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226824643.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) May 7, 2023 ========== May 7 l Kingdom Culture Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Is Science Opposed to Faith? Hebrews 11:1-3 Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. “Let us be blunt. While it may appear open-minded, modest, and comforting to many, this conciliatory view is nonsense. Science and religion are diametrically opposed at their deepest philosophical levels. And, because the two world views make claims to the same intellectual territory — that of the origin of the universe and humankind’s relationship to it — conflict is inevitable.” Norman Hall & Lucia Hall, Is the War Between Science and Religion Over? “It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid or insane (or wicked, but I’d rather not consider that)” Stephen Hawking, The New York Times, April 9. 1989. “The world needs to wake up from the long nightmare of religion. Anything we scientists can do to weaken the hold of religion should be done, and may in fact be our greatest contribution to civilization” Stephen Weinberg, New Scientist, Issue 2578, 18 Nov. 2006. 1. The nature of explanation I have in mind such questions as: “How did everything begin?” “What are we all here for?” “What is the point of living?” Peter Medawar, Advice to a Yong Scientist. 2. How did the universe begin? The Kalam Argument If something had a beginning, it must have had a cause. The universe had a beginning. Therefore the universe had a cause. The Cause Must Be Outside of time Outside of space Non-material Incredibly powerful Intelligent Personal 3. Anthropic Fine-Tuning (design) "It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us.” Stephen Hawing, A Brief History of Time. Alan Sandage, is considered the father of modern astronomy. He discovered quasars. He said, “I find it quite improbable that such order came out of chaos. There has to be some organizing principle. God to me is a mystery but is the explanation for the miracle of existence –why there is something instead of nothing.” Alan Sandage, New York Times, 12 March 1991, p B9. 65% of Nobel Prize Winners (1901-2000) Identify as Christian 78% in Peace 65% in Physics 62% in Medicine 54% in Economics 49% in all Literature awards Baruch Aba Shalev, 100 Years of Nobel Prizes (1900-2000), 2005. 4. Objective Moral Law "Everyone knows certain principles. There is no land where murder is virtue and gratitude is vice.” -J Budziszewskie “You are right in speaking of the moral foundations of science, but you cannot turn around and speak of the scientific foundations of morality.” - Albert Einstein 5. Love and Beauty 6. The Faith of Atheists "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing,” - Stephen Hawking, The Grand Design. “They produce no events: they state the pattern to which every event ….must conform, just as the rules of arithmetic state the pattern to which all transactions with money must conform – if you can get hold of any money." - C. S. Lewis, Miracles. "Why is there something rather than nothing? If not God, then what?" Martin Heidegger, ISIS December 2007, 815. John 1:1-4 ESV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:14 ESV 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. John 1:12-13 ESV But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 7, 2023 ========== May 7 | Kingdom Culture Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 7, 2023 | Matt Cate "Is Science Opposed to Faith?" Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 1. Faith Based in REALITY. Vs. 1 2. Faith Based on HISTORY. Vs. 2 From 1901- 2000: 65% of Nobel Prize winners are professing Christians. 64% of Physics Winners 65% In Medicine Winners 74% in Chemistry Winners If you exclude Nobel Prizes going to "Organizations" and just consider individuals: 78% are Christians 11% are Jewish 4% are atheist 2% are Buddhist 2% are Muslim 1% are Quakers 1% are Shinto That is 96% of all Nobel Prize winners in the 20th Century are believers in God! 3. Faith Based on KNOWLEDGE. vs.3 Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Conclusion: The reality is most people do not reject God based on science, they reject God based on the actions of His followers! Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Apr 30, 2023 ========== April 30 Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 30, 2023 | Tim Keith "Marriage: Created by God" Matthew 19:3-9 Some Pharisees approached him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” “Why then,” they asked him, “did Moses command us to give divorce papers and to send her away?” He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning. I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.” God Created Mankind Matthew 19:4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, God Created Marriage Matthew 19:5-6 and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Marriage is a relationship where one man and one woman enter into a lifetime covenant before Creator God. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her Ephesians 5:28 In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:31-33 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Apr 23, 2023 ========== April 23 l Kingdom Culture Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo That Day Acts 2:36-41 Acts 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 2:36-41 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 1. What did they hear? Acts 2:22-24 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Acts 2:32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 2. How did they respond? Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Istrouma en Español Apr 23 – 25, 2023 ========== 23 de Abril, 2023 Ciudadanos del Cielo en la Tierra Daniel 1:1-8 ========== S. Juan 17:15-16 No ruego que los quites del mundo, sino que los guardes del mal. No son del mundo, como tampoco yo soy del mundo. Daniel 1:1-8 En el año tercero del reinado de Joacim rey de Judá, vino Nabucodonosor rey de Babilonia a Jerusalén, y la sitió. Y el Señor entregó en sus manos a Joacim rey de Judá, y parte de los utensilios de la casa de Dios; y los trajo a tierra de Sinar, a la casa de su dios, y colocó los utensilios en la casa del tesoro de su dios. Y dijo el rey a Aspenaz, jefe de sus eunucos, que trajese de los hijos de Israel, del linaje real de los príncipes, muchachos en quienes no hubiese tacha alguna, de buen parecer, enseñados en toda sabiduría, sabios en ciencia y de buen entendimiento, e idóneos para estar en el palacio del rey; y que les enseñase las letras y la lengua de los caldeos. Y les señaló el rey ración para cada día, de la provisión de la comida del rey, y del vino que él bebía; y que los criase tres años, para que al fin de ellos se presentasen delante del rey. Entre estos estaban Daniel, Ananías, Misael y Azarías, de los hijos de Judá. A estos el jefe de los eunucos puso nombres: puso a Daniel, Beltsasar; a Ananías, Sadrac; a Misael, Mesac; y a Azarías, Abed-nego. Y Daniel propuso en su corazón no contaminarse con la porción de la comida del rey, ni con el vino que él bebía; pidió, por tanto, al jefe de los eunucos que no se le obligase a contaminarse. 1. Presión para cambiar mi forma de pensar sobre el mundo (Daniel 1:3-8) Podemos ser diferentes... Negándonos a comprometer nuestra integridad. 2. Presión para cambiar la forma de vivir mi fe (Daniel 1:5, 8) Podemos ser diferentes... al ajustarnos a las Escrituras, no a la cultura. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226694364.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226805860.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226816619.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226841223.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1682226824643.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Apr 23, 2023 ========== April 23 Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 23, 2023 | Tim Keith Text: CONTACT to (225) 425-7773 Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end. 1. God created you and me to live forever. 2. God created 2 forever places. John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. Matthew 25:41 “Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! 3. You choose your forever place. Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 4. You must make your choice now. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; For all have sinned Ephesians 2:8-9 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The wages/payment of sin is death How can a sinful person enter Heaven where God allows no Sin? Romans 5:8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Christ died for us Romans 10:9-10, 13 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. A commitment is required - Confess - Believe - Receive How to receive Christ: - Realize your sinfulness – (Romans 3:23) - Realize sin’s penalty – (Romans 6:23) - Realize what Jesus did for you – (Romans 5:8) - Receive Jesus as your Savior & Lord – (Romans 10:9-10) Text: CONTACT to (225) 425-7773 Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
April 16 l Kingdom Culture Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 9, 2023 | Micah Cating Can I Trust the Church? 7 Signs of a Trustworthy Church Acts 2:42-47 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 1) Preaching and Teaching They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching — Acts 2:42 2) Fellowship They devoted themselves to… fellowship. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts — Acts 2:42, 46 3) Membership All the believers were together. — Acts 2:44 4) Stewardship They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. – Acts 2:45 5) Worship Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Acts 2:46, 47 6) Obedience They devoted themselves— Acts 2:42 7) Mission Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. — Acts 2:43, 47 Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
April 16 l Kingdom Culture Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Can I Trust the Bible? Hebrews 10:23-25 Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 1. The Bible is RELIABLE. 2 Peter 1:21 * The UNIQUENESS of the Bible. * The HISTORICAL ACCURACY of the Bible. * There are HISTORICAL SECULAR writers that confirm the events of Scripture. 2. The Bible is INSPIRED by God. 2 Timothy 3:16 * The INERRANCY of the Bible. * The PROPHECIES of the Bible. 3. The Biblical church was ESTABLISHED by God! * Hold to the HOPE we PROFESS. * INSPIRE one another to LOVE & GOOD DEEDS. * Congregate to ENCOURAGE one another.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Apr 9, 2023 ========== April 9 l Easter at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 9, 2023 | Tim Keith Acts 2:22-24 “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. Acts 2:32-41 “God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. Acts 2:24 God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. Matthew 28:13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him while we were sleeping.’ They Were Eye Witnesses Acts 1:3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 15:6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. They Were Transformed John 20:19-20 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. The Tomb Was Empty Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Save Event April 2 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. Locations & Times Expand Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo April 2, 2023 | Tim Keith ShareCopy To G.R.O.W. in Christ, you will have to: Go through trouble Resist temptation Open your heart to forgiveness Walk with Jesus and His people Walk with Jesus and His People ShareCopy Luke 4:16 CSB 16 He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read.
ShareRead Matthew 28:19-20 CSB 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
ShareRead Acts 4:12 CSB 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
ShareRead Baptism Jesus - Our Example ShareCopy Matthew 3:13-17 CSB 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” 15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized. 16 When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
ShareRead Matthew 26:36-39 CSB 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
ShareRead "baptizo"means to dip, plunge, immerse Baptism Jesus - His Command ShareCopy Matthew 28:19 CSB 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
ShareRead 2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
ShareRead John 14:15 CSB 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.
ShareRead DROP YOUR NETS, and... * Follow Me (Matthew 4:19) ShareCopy DROP YOUR NETS, and... * Remain in Me (John 15:5) ShareCopy Reading Plan
http://www.istrouma.org/NTreadingplan Prayer Guide
http://www.istrouma.org/prayerguide DROP YOUR NETS, and... * G.R.O.W. more like Me (Galatians 2:20) ShareCopy Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
https://istrouma.org/email Give Online
Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to:
https://istrouma.org/give Our Website
https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Apr 2 , 2023 ========== 2 de Abril, 2023 Pasando La Fe a La Próxima Generación 2 Timoteo 2:1-7 ========== 2 Timoteo 2:1-7 Tú, pues, hijo mío, esfuérzate en la gracia que es en Cristo Jesús. Lo que has oído de mí ante muchos testigos, esto encarga a hombres fieles que sean idóneos para enseñar también a otros. Tú, pues, sufre penalidades como buen soldado de Jesucristo. Ninguno que milita se enreda en los negocios de la vida, a fin de agradar a aquel que lo tomó por soldado. Y también el que lucha como atleta, no es coronado si no lucha legítimamente. El labrador, para participar de los frutos, debe trabajar primero. Considera lo que digo, y el Señor te dé entendimiento en todo. 1. Esforzándonos en vivir el evangelio (1) 2. Esforzándonos en trasmitir el evangelio (2) 3. Esforzándonos en permanecer en el evangelio (3-7) [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1674944131131.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Apr 2, 2023 ========== April 2 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Bear Fruit John 15:1-8 John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 1. We bear fruit when we display His character a. Love b. Joy c. Peace d. Patience e. Kindness f. Goodness g. Faithfulness h. Gentleness i. Self-control 2. We bear fruit when we are devoted to His mission
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 26, 2023 ========== March 26 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 26, 2023 | Tim Keith To G.R.O.W. in Christ, you will have to: Go through trouble Resist temptation Open your heart to forgiveness Walk with Jesus and His people Open your heart to forgiveness. When others FAIL US, we can learn FORGIVENESS. Matthew 27:39-44 "The people passing by (looking at Jesus on the cross) shook their heads and hurled insults at Jesus…and the elders made fun of Him…Even the bandits who had been crucified with Him insulted him in the same way.” Luke 23:34 “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing’”. 1 Pet. 2:23 “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to God who judges justly.” Forgiveness is NOT saying it didn't hurt or that it's okay. Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?” “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven. “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle accounts, one who owed ten thousand talents was brought before him. Since he did not have the money to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. “At this, the servant fell facedown before him and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything.’ Then the master of that servant had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan. “That servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him, started choking him, and said, ‘Pay what you owe!’ “At this, his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he wasn’t willing. Instead, he went and threw him into prison until he could pay what was owed. When the other servants saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened. Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And because he was angry, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. So also my heavenly Father will do to you unless every one of you forgives his brother or sister from your heart.” 1. Remember how much God has forgiven you. (v.24) Romans 5:8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 2. Recognize the unforgiveness in your life. (v.34) 3. Release the anger/bitterness. (v. 34) How do you release the bitterness? Forgive first -- Forgive completely 4. Realize God’s purpose (v.27) 2 Corinthians 13:7 “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Mar 26 – 28, 2023 ========== 25 de Marzo, 2023 Perseverando como seguidores de Jesús Hechos 4:1-4 ========== Hechos 4:1-4 Hablando ellos al pueblo, vinieron sobre ellos los sacerdotes con el jefe de la guardia del templo, y los saduceos, resentidos de que enseñasen al pueblo, y anunciasen en Jesús la resurrección de entre los muertos. Y les echaron mano, y los pusieron en la cárcel hasta el día siguiente, porque era ya tarde. Pero muchos de los que habían oído la palabra, creyeron; y el número de los varones era como cinco mil. 1. Hablando a la gente de Jesús. 2. Orando con los santos. 3. Regocijándonos juntos. LOS CRISTIANOS QUE SUFRIERON NO PROTESTARON NI SE QUEJARON NO PIDIERON SER LIBRADOS DE LA PERSECUCION SINO QUE PIDIERON VALENTIA PARA PROCLAMAR LA PALABRA. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1674944131131.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Mar 26, 2023 ========== March 26 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Enduring as Christ Followers Acts 4:1-10 & 17-22 Acts 4:1-10 & 17-22 4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. 23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 1. Speaking to the people about Jesus 2. Praying with the saints Acts 4:23-24 23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.” Acts 4:29 & 30 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness…31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 5:17-21 17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Acts 5:27-29 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:40 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 3. Rejoicing together Acts 5:41-42 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Istrouma en Español Mar 19 , 2023 ========== 19 de Marzo, 2023 "Aprendiendo a Crecer" Marcos 6:30-44 ========== S. Marcos 6:30-44 Entonces los apóstoles se juntaron con Jesús, y le contaron todo lo que habían hecho, y lo que habían enseñado. Él les dijo: Venid vosotros aparte a un lugar desierto, y descansad un poco. Porque eran muchos los que iban y venían, de manera que ni aun tenían tiempo para comer. Y se fueron solos en una barca a un lugar desierto. Pero muchos los vieron ir, y le reconocieron; y muchos fueron allá a pie desde las ciudades, y llegaron antes que ellos, y se juntaron a él. Y salió Jesús y vio una gran multitud, y tuvo compasión de ellos, porque eran como ovejas que no tenían pastor; y comenzó a enseñarles muchas cosas. Cuando ya era muy avanzada la hora, sus discípulos se acercaron a él, diciendo: El lugar es desierto, y la hora ya muy avanzada. Despídelos para que vayan a los campos y aldeas de alrededor, y compren pan, pues no tienen qué comer. Respondiendo él, les dijo: Dadles vosotros de comer. Ellos le dijeron: ¿Que vayamos y compremos pan por doscientos denarios, y les demos de comer? Él les dijo: ¿Cuántos panes tenéis? Id y vedlo. Y al saberlo, dijeron: Cinco, y dos peces. Y les mandó que hiciesen recostar a todos por grupos sobre la hierba verde. Y se recostaron por grupos, de ciento en ciento, y de cincuenta en cincuenta. Entonces tomó los cinco panes y los dos peces, y levantando los ojos al cielo, bendijo, y partió los panes, y dio a sus discípulos para que los pusiesen delante; y repartió los dos peces entre todos. Y comieron todos, y se saciaron. Y recogieron de los pedazos doce cestas llenas, y de lo que sobró de los peces. Y los que comieron eran cinco mil hombres. 1. Dios tiene compasión de todas las personas (30-34). 2. Cuando Dios te pide que hagas algo, ¡tú puedes hacerlo! (35-38). 3. Puedes hacer cualquier cosa con Dios (39-44) [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1674944131131.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Mar 19, 2023 ========== March 19 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo How God Grows Us Mark 6:30-44 Mark 6:30-44 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. 1. Excited and tired 2. Inconvenienced to exhausted 3. Tested and exasperated
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 19, 2023 ========== March 19 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 19, 2023 | Tim Keith To G.R.O.W. in Christ, you will have to: Go through trouble Resist temptation Open your heart to forgiveness Walk with Jesus and His people GO THROUGH TROUBLE John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Trouble 1. Tests - over what you have 2. Trials - over what you don’t have 3.Tragedies - over what you lost Romans 5:3-4 “…trouble produces patience, and patience produces character, and character produces hope”. Every mess has a message! Mark 14:34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Mark 14:36 “Father, everything is possible for You. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet, I want Your will, not My will!” RESIST TEMPTATION Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Matthew 4:1 “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” Temptation Temptation is not a sin Everybody battles temptation Temptation always tests your loyalty Philippians 4:8 “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right and pure.” Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, “Faith in God offers no assurance against tragedy, but in every case, suffering offers an opportunity for us to display God’s work”. - Philip Yancey Romans 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” Philippians 2:5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 12, 2023 ========== March 12 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 12, 2023 | Tim Keith John 15:1-8 John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples. When Jesus says "Remain in Me" Who is Jesus talking to? “every branch in Me” v.2 What does He mean? Stay close to Me v.7 When do I remain in Jesus? Every Day Where do I remain in Jesus? Everywhere Why Remain in Jesus? God's Blessing (v.2) Be Fruitful (v.2 & v.5) * God's Glory (v.8) * Your Joy (v.11) How do I remain in Jesus? * Keep going back when you stray (John 21:7) * Keep reading His word and praying (Istrouma.org: Devotion and Prayer Guide) * Remove Distractions Why do we spend so much time trying to grow fruit that isn’t going to remain? Is your fruit going to remain? Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Matthew 3:8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. Psalms 3:3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Mar 12, 2023 ========== March 12 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Abide in Me John 15:1-5 John 15:1-5 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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. 1. Companions with Jesus John 12:49-50 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 1. Companions with Jesus a. Prayer b. Engaged in the Word c. Silence & Solitude d. Fasting 2. Committed to the local church 3. Characterize Jesus a. Answered prayer b. Keep His commandments c. Joyful d. Love others
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Mar 5, 2023 ========== March 5 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo He Called Them Matthew 4:18-22 Matthew 4:18-22 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 1. Who's calling? 2. What's He asking me to do? 3. What's my answer?
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Mar 5, 2023 ========== March 5 l Drop Your Nets Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo March 5, 2023 | Tim Keith Matthew 4:18-22 Are You A Fan Or A Follower? Matthew 4:18-22 As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, preparing their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. WHEN JESUS SAYS "FOLLOW ME" (Matthew 4:18-22) Who is it for? Everyone who knows Jesus (4:18) Luke 5:1-11 As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, he was standing by Lake Gennesaret. He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then he sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.” When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’s knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. “Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him. What does He want? Focus on living out the message of salvation (4:19) When do I respond? Immediately, if not sooner. (4:20) Where do I go? Go with Jesus --> wherever He leads… (4:20) Why do I go? It’s Jesus calling… Revelation 19:16 And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How do I respond? Be willing to leave everything. Drop your nets (4:20) Look at what they left... - their comfort and safety - their careers and possessions - their families and friends - their sin and selfishness Mark 8:34-37 Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it. For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life? What can anyone give in exchange for his life? What if they would have asked, “Should we do it?” What am I holding on to too tightly? What am I doing that only makes sense in light of the Gospel? Looking at my life, how do I know that I’m a follower of Jesus? What is God calling me to do? The call is not to sit, it is to go! To be a follower of Jesus is not about making decisions, it’s about making disciples! Luke 14:33 In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Feb 26 – 28, 2023 ========== 26 de Febrero, 2023 ¿ESTAS DENTRO? Corre la Carrera ========== 1 Corintios 9:24-25 ¿No sabéis que los que corren en el estadio, todos a la verdad corren, pero uno solo se lleva el premio? Corred de tal manera que lo obtengáis. Todo aquel que lucha, de todo se abstiene; ellos, a la verdad, para recibir una corona corruptible, pero nosotros, una incorruptible. 1. … Con Pasión. 2. … Con Propósito. 3. … Con Perseverancia. [Image] Inscribete ya! https://talltimbersbcc.org/retreats/enlace-global-2/ https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1673739549498.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1674944131131.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 26, 2023 ========== February 26 l Are You In? Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 26, 2023 | Tim Keith 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law — though I myself am not under the law — to win those under the law. To those who are without the law, like one without the law — though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ — to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings. Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified. INVITE (v. 19-22) INVEST (v. 23) INCREASE (v. 23) We INVITE everyone to INVEST everything to see the Kingdom of God INCREASE everywhere. ARE YOU IN? (v. 24-25) INVITE Pray --> Invite --> Pray INVEST -Show Up -Serve Others -Study God's Word INCREASE God is Faithful “My journey … to find the Lord started with a simple invitation from a friend… you never know what impact a simple invitation can have on someone.” - Scott Plaisance istrouma.org/areyouin Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 19, 2023 ========== February 19 l Are You In? Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 19, 2023 | Tim Keith We INVITE everyone to INVEST everything to see the Kingdom of God INCREASE everywhere. INVEST: Read The New Testament New Testament Info: 7,957 verses 27 books 9 authors 50 years Greek language Central theme: Jesus the Messiah Hebrews 4:11-13 Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience. For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. 1. God's Word Brings Dead Sinners to Life 1 Peter 1:23 “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” John 20:31 “these [signs] have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” 2. God's Word Brings Daily, Renewed Life to God’s People Convicts me Hebrews 4:12 Guides me Psalm 119:105 Refines me Jeremiah 23:29 Washes away my impurities Ephesians 5:26 Nourishes me 1 Peter 2:2 God’s Word “heals most completely, where it wounds most deeply” -- J. B. Lightfoot 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. Hebrews 4:13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. istrouma.org/NTreadingplan Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Feb 19 – 21, 2023 ========== 19 de Febrero, 2023 ¿ESTAS DENTRO? INVERTIR Hebreos 4:12-13 ========== Hebreos 4:12-13 Porque la palabra de Dios es viva y eficaz, y más cortante que toda espada de dos filos; y penetra hasta partir el alma y el espíritu, las coyunturas y los tuétanos, y discierne los pensamientos y las intenciones del corazón. Y no hay cosa creada que no sea manifiesta en su presencia; antes bien todas las cosas están desnudas y abiertas a los ojos de aquel a quien tenemos que dar cuenta. 2 Timoteo 3:16 Toda la Escritura es inspirada por Dios, y útil para enseñar, para redargüir, para corregir, para instruir en justicia, 1 Tesalonicenses 2:13 Por lo cual también nosotros sin cesar damos gracias a Dios, de que cuando recibisteis la palabra de Dios que oísteis de nosotros, la recibisteis no como palabra de hombres, sino según es en verdad, la palabra de Dios, la cual actúa en vosotros los creyentes. S. Mateo 24:35 El cielo y la tierra pasarán, pero mis palabras no pasarán. 1. La Palabra de Dios es VIVA 2. La Palabra de Dios es EFICAZ 3. La Palabra de Dios es CORTANTE 4. La Palabra de Dios DISCIERNE 5. La Palabra de Dios es PENTRANTE [Image] Inscribete ya! https://talltimbersbcc.org/retreats/enlace-global-2/ https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1673739549498.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1674944131131.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Feb 19, 2023 ========== February 19 l Are You In? Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo ALL IN - INVEST Hebrews 4:12-13 Invite - People to Church - People to Jesus Invest - Worship - Serve - Grow 1. What does "the word of God" mean? a. The written word. 2 Peter 3:15b-16 (ESV) Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 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. 1 Timothy 5:18 (ESV) For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” The quotes are from Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7. b. The incarnate word. John 1:14 (ESV) 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. 2. What is the word of God like? a. Alive b. Active c. Discerning Istrouma.org/serve
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Feb 12, 2023 ========== February 12 l Are You In? Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Are You In? 1 Corinthians 9:22b-23 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 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. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Invite - People to Church - People to Jesus Invest - Worship - Serve - Grow Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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. 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: Istrouma.org/serve
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 12, 2023 ========== February 12 l Are You In? Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 12, 2023 | Tim Keith Mark 10:43-52 Mark 10:43-52 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many warned him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all the more, “Have mercy on me, Son of David!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up; he’s calling for you.” He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Rabboni,” the blind man said to him, “I want to see.” Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road. Jesus was Available to Serve We Get Too Busy We Lie to Ourselves Ecclesiastes 11:4 One who watches the wind will not sow, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap. We Chase the Wrong Success Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” SHOW UP Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. SERVE OTHERS Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. istrouma.org/serve Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Feb 5, 2023 ========== February 5 l Are You In? Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Are You In? 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Matthew 18:16-20 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. 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. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 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. 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. 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. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1. Biblically mandated 2. Local expression 3. Personal participation
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Feb 5, 2023 ========== February 5 l Are You In? Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo February 5, 2023 | Tim Keith 1 Corinthians 9:19-25 Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-25 Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law — though I myself am not under the law — to win those under the law. To those who are without the law, like one without the law — though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ — to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings. Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. INVITE (v. 19-22) INVEST (v. 23) 1 Corinthians 9:23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings. INCREASE (v. 23) 1 Corinthians 9:23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings. Invite everyone to invest everything to see the Kingdom of God increase everywhere. Are You In? (v. 24-25) 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. Istrouma will INVITE and INVEST. God will bring the INCREASE. Three Things: 1. Remember - 162,000 - 80% 2. Pray - for yourself and your church - join the prayer team 3. Invite - Invite someone to Istrouma this week - turn in a prayer card afterward Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 29, 2023 ========== January 29 l Heaven's Hope Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 29, 2023 | Tim Keith Revelation 22 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/114859815-1674671533056.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/114859815-1674671543540.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/114859815-1674671552452.jpg Revelation 22:1-21 Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever. Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” Then he said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy still be filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; let the holy still be holy.” “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely. I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, which are written about in this book. He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen. Revelation 21:6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. Tells us what we are (v. 11) Tells us where we are (v. 12-15) Tells us whose we are (v. 16) Three last things we see 1. The Last Welcome (v. 17) 2. The Last Warning (v. 18-19) Luke 13:3 "Unless you repent, you will all perish." 3. The Last Word (v. 20-21) 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. Your view of Heaven will determine how you live on Earth! Revelation 17:14 “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers”. 2 Corinthians 12:10 “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong”. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jan 29, 2023 ========== January 29 l Heaven's Hope Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo What Now? Revelation 22:6-17 Revelation 22:6-17 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 1. Trust and obey Revelation 22:6-7 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 2. Receive and rejoice Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 3. Listen and respond Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 22, 2023 ========== January 22 l Heaven's Hope Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 22, 2023 | Tim Keith Revelation 21 Revelation 21:8 But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars — their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Matthew 25:41 -- “Jesus said, ‘Then He [God] will say to those on His left ‘Depart from Me you who are cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” Why does Hell exist? - sin and evil Romans 3:23, “All people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Genesis 6:5 -- “The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil all the time.” Why does Hell exist? - Sin and evil - God is holy and just. Habakkuk 1:13, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; You cannot tolerate wrong.” Psalm 27:13: “I would have despaired if I hadn’t believed in the goodness of God.” Psalm 98:9 “For the Lord is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the nations fairly and with truth. How long will heaven and hell last? Matthew 25:46, "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español Jan 22 , 2023 ========== 22 de Enero, 2023 Esperanza La de la Nueva Jerusalén Apoc. 22:1-8 ========== Apocalipsis 22:1-8 Después me mostró un río limpio de agua de vida, resplandeciente como cristal, que salía del trono de Dios y del Cordero. En medio de la calle de la ciudad, y a uno y otro lado del río, estaba el árbol de la vida, que produce doce frutos, dando cada mes su fruto; y las hojas del árbol eran para la sanidad de las naciones. Y no habrá más maldición; y el trono de Dios y del Cordero estará en ella, y sus siervos le servirán, y verán su rostro, y su nombre estará en sus frentes. No habrá allí más noche; y no tienen necesidad de luz de lámpara, ni de luz del sol, porque Dios el Señor los iluminará; y reinarán por los siglos de los siglos. Y me dijo: Estas palabras son fieles y verdaderas. Y el Señor, el Dios de los espíritus de los profetas, ha enviado su ángel, para mostrar a sus siervos las cosas que deben suceder pronto. ¡He aquí, vengo pronto! Bienaventurado el que guarda las palabras de la profecía de este libro. Yo Juan soy el que oyó y vio estas cosas. Y después que las hube oído y visto, me postré para adorar a los pies del ángel que me mostraba estas cosas. 1. UN RÍO QUE CORRE DESDE EL TRONO DE DIOS (V.1) a. Un río limpio de agua de vida b. Resplandeciente como cristal c. Del trono de Dios y del Cordero 2. EL ÁRBOL DE LA VIDA (V.2) a. El árbol de la vida b. Que produce doce frutos, dando cada mes su fruto c. Las hojas del árbol eran para la sanidad de las naciones 3. ¿CÓMO SERÁ EL CIELO Y QUÉ HAREMOS ALLÍ? (V.3-5) a. No habrá más maldición b. Sus siervos le servirán c. Verán su rostro d. Su nombre estará en sus frentes e. No habrá allí más noche f. Reinarán por los siglos de los siglos 4. A QUIÉN ADORAR? (V.6-8) CONCLUSIONES 1. TODO ESTO ES PARTE DE UNA RECOMPENSA QUE DIOS DA A LOS QUE VENCIEREN 2. NO HAY NADA MAS MARAVILLOSO QUE LO QUE DIOS HA PREPARADO PARA SUS SIERVOS 3. TODO ESTE TIEMPO MIENTRAS SUCEDA TODO ESTO DEBERIAMOS ESTAR PREPARANDONOS PARA ADORAR AL SEÑOR PORQUE ALLA EN SU PRESENCIA ESTAREMOS ADORANDO Y SIRVIENDO A DIOS POR SIEMPRE. [Image] Inscribete ya! https://talltimbersbcc.org/retreats/enlace-global-2/ https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1673739549498.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Heaven's Hope Hebrews 2:14-15, "so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." Revelation 21 Heaven is an ACTUAL Place (Jn. 14:2-4) & (Rev. 21:9-21) John 14:3, Jesus told the disciples, "I will come back and take you to be with Me that you may also be where I am." Heaven is an AMAZING Place (Jn. 14:1) & (Rev. 21:2-4) Heaven is an ADVANCING Place (Revelation 21) Heaven is an AVAILABLE Place (John 14:6) & (Rev. 21:7-8,27) Matthew 7:13-14: 13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jan 8, 2023 ========== January 8 l Heaven's Hope Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo January 8, 2023 | Tim Keith Revelation 21 Revelation 21:1-27 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars — their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” He then carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, arrayed with God’s glory. Her radiance was like a precious jewel, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. The city had a massive high wall, with twelve gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates. There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. The city wall had twelve foundations, and the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb were on the foundations. The one who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out in a square; its length and width are the same. He measured the city with the rod at 12,000 stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which the angel used. The building material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold clear as glass. The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of jewel: the first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates are twelve pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life. Genesis 3:8: “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” - No more sickness or suffering or death - No more sadness - No more sin Jude 24: “[All glory] To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” 1. Don’t be distracted by temptation. 1 Peter 1:13-15 - “So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.” 2. Don’t be discouraged by trouble. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 - “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 3. Desire what matters most Phil 3:14 -- “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
As 2022 comes to a close, we’re grateful for opportunities to share the love of Christ with the world around us, and grateful for each of you. We’re excited about a new year of serving our community and beyond, and we’re looking forward to partnering with you in 2023!
Istrouma en Español Dec 18 , 2022 ========== 18 de Diciembre, 2022 El Nacimiento de la Esperanza (Lucas 2:1-7) ========== S. Lucas 2:1-7 Aconteció en aquellos días, que se promulgó un edicto de parte de Augusto César, que todo el mundo fuese empadronado. Este primer censo se hizo siendo Cirenio gobernador de Siria. E iban todos para ser empadronados, cada uno a su ciudad. Y José subió de Galilea, de la ciudad de Nazaret, a Judea, a la ciudad de David, que se llama Belén, por cuanto era de la casa y familia de David; para ser empadronado con María su mujer, desposada con él, la cual estaba encinta. Y aconteció que estando ellos allí, se cumplieron los días de su alumbramiento. Y dio a luz a su hijo primogénito, y lo envolvió en pañales, y lo acostó en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón. 1. En un tiempo exacto. Y aconteció en aquellos días que salió un edicto de César Augusto, para que se hiciera un censo de todo el mundo habitado.2 Este fue el primer censo que se levantó cuando Cirenio era gobernador de Siria. 3 Y todos se dirigían a inscribirse en el censo, cada uno a su ciudad. (Lucas 2:1-3) ¡Dios hace las cosas en Su tiempo!, ¡Él siempre llega a tiempo! 2. Obediencia absoluta. 4 Y también José subió de Galilea, de la ciudad de Nazaret, a Judea, a la ciudad de David que se llama Belén, por ser él de la casa y de la familia de David, 5 para inscribirse junto con María, desposada con él, la cual estaba encinta. 6 Y sucedió que mientras estaban ellos allí, se cumplieron los días de su alumbramiento. (Lucas 2:4-6) José eligió obedecer, ¡aunque no entendía! 3. Oportunidades desperdiciadas. 7 Y dio a luz a su hijo primogénito; le envolvió en pañales y le acostó en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón.(Lucas 2:7) Es triste que luego de 2000 años, ¡aún no hay lugar para Él! [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1670129075411.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178078340.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662178099944.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 18, 2022 ========== December 18 l Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 18, 2022 | Tim Keith Revelation 20 Revelation 1:19 – “Write what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later.” [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/114859815-1671326993467.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/114859815-1671326999837.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/114859815-1671327006143.jpg Revelation 20:1-15 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven holding the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the thousand years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time. Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea. They came up across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed them. The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. They realize a Terrifying Truth v.11 They see a Frightening Figure v. 11 They are part of a Condemned Crowd v.12-13 Hebrews 10:26-27,31 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 31It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 2 Peter 3:9-10,15 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare…. 15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation… Hebrews 12:25 25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? Revelation 6 “hide us from the wrath of the lamb” Revelation 9:20-21 20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. Revelation 16:9,21 9 “They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. 21From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.” Revelation 20:15 And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 22:12-17 “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 11, 2022 ========== December 11 l Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 11, 2022 | Tim Keith Revelation 19 Luke 22:14-18 When the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Luke 22:29-30 I bestow on you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Revelation 19:1-21 After this I heard something like the loud voice of a vast multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God, because his judgments are true and righteous, because he has judged the notorious prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality; and he has avenged the blood of his servants that was on her hands. A second time they said, Hallelujah! Her smoke ascends forever and ever! Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who is seated on the throne, saying, Amen! Hallelujah! A voice came from the throne, saying, Praise our God, all his servants, and the ones who fear him, both small and great! Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters, and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying, Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!” He also said to me, “These words of God are true.” Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who hold firmly to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he called out in a loud voice, saying to all the birds flying high overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of military commanders, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and of their riders, and the flesh of everyone, both free and slave, small and great.” Then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against his army. But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with it the false prophet, who had performed the signs in its presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds ate their fill of their flesh. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Dec 4, 2022 ========== December 4 l Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo December 4, 2022 | Tim Keith Revelation 16-18 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/114859815-1670110418819.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/114859815-1670110428533.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/114859815-1670110437066.jpg Revelation 16:1-22 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” The first went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and severely painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped its image. The second poured out his bowl into the sea. It turned to blood like that of a dead person, and all life in the sea died. The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. I heard the angel of the waters say, You are just, the Holy One, who is and who was, because you have passed judgment on these things. Because they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, you have given them blood to drink; they deserve it! I heard the altar say, Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and just are your judgments. The fourth poured out his bowl on the sun. It was allowed to scorch people with fire, and people were scorched by the intense heat. So they blasphemed the name of God, who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent and give him glory. The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues because of their pain and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they did not repent of their works. The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the east. Then I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming from the dragon’s mouth, from the beast’s mouth, and from the mouth of the false prophet. For they are demonic spirits performing signs, who travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for the battle on the great day of God, the Almighty. “Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.” So they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. Then the seventh poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done!” There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. And a severe earthquake occurred like no other since people have been on the earth, so great was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the Great was remembered in God’s presence; he gave her the cup filled with the wine of his fierce anger. Every island fled, and the mountains disappeared. Enormous hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God for the plague of hail because that plague was extremely severe. Revelation 17:1-18 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the notorious prostitute who is seated on many waters. The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.” Then he carried me away in the Spirit to a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls. She had a golden cup in her hand filled with everything detestable and with the impurities of her prostitution. On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Detestable Things of the Earth. Then I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the ten horns, that carries her. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come. This calls for a mind that has wisdom. “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. They are also seven kings: Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for only a little while. The beast that was and is not, is itself an eighth king, but it belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of Lords and King of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.” He also said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The ten horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his plan by having one purpose and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman you saw is the great city that has royal power over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 18:1-24 After this I saw another angel with great authority coming down from heaven, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. He called out in a mighty voice: It has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen! She has become a home for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, and a haunt for every unclean and despicable beast. For all the nations have drunk the wine of her sexual immorality, which brings wrath. The kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from her sensuality and excess. Then I heard another voice from heaven: Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues. For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Pay her back the way she also paid, and double it according to her works. In the cup in which she mixed, mix a double portion for her. As much as she glorified herself and indulged her sensual and excessive ways, give her that much torment and grief. For she says in her heart, “I sit as a queen; I am not a widow, and I will never see grief.” For this reason her plagues will come in just one day — death and grief and famine. She will be burned up with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is mighty. The kings of the earth who have committed sexual immorality and shared her sensual and excessive ways will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke from her burning. They will stand far off in fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the mighty city! For in a single hour your judgment has come. The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo any longer — cargo of gold, silver, jewels, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; all kinds of fragrant wood products; objects of ivory; objects of expensive wood, brass, iron, and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; wine, olive oil, fine flour, and grain; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and slaves — human lives. The fruit you craved has left you. All your splendid and glamorous things are gone; they will never find them again. The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand far off in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, dressed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls; for in a single hour such fabulous wealth was destroyed! And every shipmaster, seafarer, the sailors, and all who do business by sea, stood far off as they watched the smoke from her burning and kept crying out, “Who was like the great city?” They threw dust on their heads and kept crying out, weeping, and mourning, Woe, woe, the great city, where all those who have ships on the sea became rich from her wealth; for in a single hour she was destroyed. Rejoice over her, heaven, and you saints, apostles, and prophets, because God has pronounced on her the judgment she passed on you! Then a mighty angel picked up a stone like a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, In this way, Babylon the great city will be thrown down violently and never be found again. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again; no craftsman of any trade will ever be found in you again; the sound of a mill will never be heard in you again; the light of a lamp will never shine in you again; and the voice of a groom and bride will never be heard in you again. All this will happen because your merchants were the nobility of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery. In her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all those slaughtered on the earth. 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions — is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Nov 27, 2022 ========== November 27 l Christmas at Istrouma Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo November 27, 2022 | Matt Cate Revelation 13-15 Apocalyptical Literature: Isaiah 24:27 – Captives of Assyria Jeremiah 33 Ezekiel 38-39 Daniel 7-12 – Captives of Babylon Revelation 4-22 – Captives of Rome The gist of all Apocalyptical Literature is simply: 1. Keep the Faith 2. God will deliver His REMNANT 3. He will Crush and Judge His enemies 4. God wins and His people will Reign Chapter 13: The Antagonist The Dragon (ch 12) The Sea Monster (Leviathan: Job 41:1; Psalms 74:14; Isaiah 27:1) – Political Evil The Land Monster (Behemoth: Job 40:15) – Religious Evil Mark of the Beast – It is the antithesis of the pious Jews who wore phylacteries on their foreheads and left hands. Chapter 14: The Protagonist 144,000 (the Remnant) and the Lamb- set in the heavens 3 angels with a message- set in the sky 1 angel harvest of God’s people 2 angels Judgment of the wicked- Trampled like a wine press Chapter 15: The Final Exodus. (Parallels Exodus 15:9-13 and the Song of Moses) Just as God used 10 plagues to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, God uses 7 plagues of His perfect judgment. And with it His wrath on Evil is complete. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Istrouma en Español
Nov 20 – 22, 2022
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20 de Noviembre, 2022
"El Ultimo Round"
Apocalipsis 12
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Apocalipsis 12:1-17
Apareció en el cielo una gran señal: una mujer vestida del sol, con la luna debajo de sus pies, y sobre su cabeza una corona de doce estrellas. Y estando encinta, clamaba con dolores de parto, en la angustia del alumbramiento. También apareció otra señal en el cielo: he aquí un gran dragón escarlata, que tenía siete cabezas y diez cuernos, y en sus cabezas siete diademas; y su cola arrastraba la tercera parte de las estrellas del cielo, y las arrojó sobre la tierra. Y el dragón se paró frente a la mujer que estaba para dar a luz, a fin de devorar a su hijo tan pronto como naciese. Y ella dio a luz un hijo varón, que regirá con vara de hierro a todas las naciones; y su hijo fue arrebatado para Dios y para su trono. Y la mujer huyó al desierto, donde tiene lugar preparado por Dios, para que allí la sustenten por mil doscientos sesenta días. Después hubo una gran batalla en el cielo: Miguel y sus ángeles luchaban contra el dragón; y luchaban el dragón y sus ángeles; pero no prevalecieron, ni se halló ya lugar para ellos en el cielo. Y fue lanzado fuera el gran dragón, la serpiente antigua, que se llama diablo y Satanás, el cual engaña al mundo entero; fue arrojado a la tierra, y sus ángeles fueron arrojados con él. Entonces oí una gran voz en el cielo, que decía: Ahora ha venido la salvación, el poder, y el reino de nuestro Dios, y la autoridad de su Cristo; porque ha sido lanzado fuera el acusador de nuestros hermanos, el que los acusaba delante de nuestro Dios día y noche. Y ellos le han vencido por medio de la sangre del Cordero y de la palabra del testimonio de ellos, y menospreciaron sus vidas hasta la muerte. Por lo cual alegraos, cielos, y los que moráis en ellos. ¡Ay de los moradores de la tierra y del mar! porque el diablo ha descendido a vosotros con gran ira, sabiendo que tiene poco tiempo. Y cuando vio el dragón que había sido arrojado a la tierra, persiguió a la mujer que había dado a luz al hijo varón. Y se le dieron a la mujer las dos alas de la gran águila, para que volase de delante de la serpiente al desierto, a su lugar, donde es sustentada por un tiempo, y tiempos, y la mitad de un tiempo. Y la serpiente arrojó de su boca, tras la mujer, agua como un río, para que fuese arrastrada por el río. Pero la tierra ayudó a la mujer, pues la tierra abrió su boca y tragó el río que el dragón había echado de su boca. Entonces el dragón se llenó de ira contra la mujer; y se fue a hacer guerra contra el resto de la descendencia de ella, los que guardan los mandamientos de Dios y tienen el testimonio de Jesucristo.
- Satanás trata que el Hombre dude de Dios (Edén)
3 Y la serpiente era más astuta que cualquiera de los animales del campo que el Señor Dios había hecho. Y dijo a la mujer: ¿Conque Dios os ha dicho: «No comeréis de ningún árbol del huerto»? 2 Y la mujer respondió a la serpiente: Del fruto de los árboles del huerto podemos comer; 3 pero del fruto del árbol que está en medio del huerto, ha dicho Dios: «No comeréis de él, ni lo tocaréis, para que no muráis». 4 Y la serpiente dijo a la mujer: Ciertamente no moriréis.
Genesis 3:1-5
- Satanás trata que Dios dude del Hombre (Job)
8 Y el Señor dijo a Satanás: ¿Te has fijado en mi siervo Job? Porque no hay ninguno como él sobre la tierra, hombre intachable y recto, temeroso de Dios y apartado del mal. 9 Respondió Satanás al Señor: ¿Acaso teme Job a Dios de balde? 10¿No has hecho tú una valla alrededor de él, de su casa y de todo lo que tiene, por todos lados? Has bendecido el trabajo de sus manos y sus posesiones han aumentado en la tierra. 11 Pero extiende ahora tu mano y toca todo lo que tiene, verás si no te maldice en tu misma cara. 12 Entonces el Señor dijo a Satanás: He aquí, todo lo que tiene está en tu poder; pero no extiendas tu mano sobre él. Y Satanás salió de la presencia del Señor.
Job 1:8-12
- Satanás ataca al Dios – Hombre (Jesús)
4 Entonces Jesús fue llevado por el Espíritu al desierto para ser tentado por el diablo. 2 Y después de haber ayunado cuarenta días y cuarenta noches, entonces tuvo hambre. 3 Y acercándose el tentador, le dijo: Si eres Hijo de Dios, di que estas piedras se conviertan en pan. 4 Pero Él respondiendo, dijo: Escrito está: «No solo de pan vivirá el hombre, sino de toda palabra que sale de la boca de Dios». 5 Entonces el diablo le llevó a la ciudad santa, y le puso sobre el pináculo del templo,6 y le dijo: Si eres Hijo de Dios, lánzate abajo, pues escrito está: «A sus Ángeles te encomendará»,y:«En las manos te llevarán,no sea que tu pie tropiece en piedra». 7 Jesús le dijo: También está escrito: «No tentarás al Señor tu Dios». 8 Otra vez el diablo le llevó a un monte muy alto, y le mostró todos los reinos del mundo y la gloria de ellos, 9 y le dijo: Todo esto te daré, si postrándote me adoras. 10 Entonces Jesús le dijo: ¡Vete, Satanás! Porque escrito está: «Al Señor tu Dios adorarás, y solo a Él servirás». 11 El diablo entonces le dejó; y he aquí, ángeles vinieron y le servían.
Mateo 4:4-11
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Nov 20, 2022
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November 20 l Revelation
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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November 20, 2022 | Tim Keith
Revelation 12
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Revelation 12:1-18
A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in labor and agony as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: There was a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven crowns. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and hurled them to the earth. And the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she did give birth it might devour her child. She gave birth to a Son, a male who is going to rule all nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, to be nourished there for 1,260 days. Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels also fought, but he could not prevail, and there was no place for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was thrown out — the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole world. He was thrown to earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; for they did not love their lives to the point of death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great fury, because he knows his time is short. When the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, so that she could fly from the serpent’s presence to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time. From his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river flowing after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth helped the woman. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river that the dragon had spewed from his mouth. So the dragon was furious with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring — those who keep the commands of God and hold firmly to the testimony about Jesus. The dragon stood on the sand of the sea.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Oct 16, 2022
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October 16 l Revelation
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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October 16, 2022 | Tim Keith
"The Church Age"
Revelation 1:19
Revelation 1:19
Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Revelation 2:1-7
“Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Matthew 22:37-38
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command.
Matthew 22:39
The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Remember (v.5)
Repent (v.5)
Acts 4:31-33
When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly. Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.
Acts 5:14
Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers — multitudes of both men and women.
Who is going to be in Heaven because of you?
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Sep 25, 2022
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25 de Septiembre, 2022
La Gracia de Dar || 2 Corintios 8 y 9
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2 Corintios 8:1-5
Asimismo, hermanos, os hacemos saber la gracia de Dios que se ha dado a las iglesias de Macedonia; que en grande prueba de tribulación, la abundancia de su gozo y su profunda pobreza abundaron en riquezas de su generosidad. Pues doy testimonio de que con agrado han dado conforme a sus fuerzas, y aun más allá de sus fuerzas, pidiéndonos con muchos ruegos que les concediésemos el privilegio de participar en este servicio para los santos. Y no como lo esperábamos, sino que a sí mismos se dieron primeramente al Señor, y luego a nosotros por la voluntad de Dios;
2 Corintios 9:6-8
Pero esto digo: El que siembra escasamente, también segará escasamente; y el que siembra generosamente, generosamente también segará. Cada uno dé como propuso en su corazón: no con tristeza, ni por necesidad, porque Dios ama al dador alegre. Y poderoso es Dios para hacer que abunde en vosotros toda gracia, a fin de que, teniendo siempre en todas las cosas todo lo suficiente, abundéis para toda buena obra;
- Dar es bendición para otros (9.1-5)
"Porque me es por demás escribirles acerca de esta ayuda a los santos; 2 pues conozco vuestra buena disposición, de la que me glorío por…”
- Dar es bendición para nosotros (9.6-11)
"Pero esto digo: Él que siembra escasamente, escasamente también cosechará; y el que siembra abundantemente, abundantemente también cosechará."
- Dar es bendición que Glorifica a Dios (9.12-15)
"Porque la ministración de este servicio no solo suple con plenitud lo que falta a los santos, sino que también sobreabunda a través de muchas acciones de gracias a Dios."
- Dar es un privilegio (8:4)
- Dar surge del compromiso (8:5)
- Dar es una acción voluntaria (8:8)
- Dar tiene propósito (8:13–16)
- Dar tiene consecuencias personales (9:6)
- Dar tiene que ver con la mente y el corazón (9:7)
- Dar tiene resultados espirituales y materiales (9:12)
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Sep 25, 2022
==========
September 25 l Healthy Church
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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September 25, 2022 | Tim Keith
"Generosity"
2 Corinthians 9:6-13
2 Corinthians 9:6-13
The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. As it is written: He distributed freely; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone.
It's Okay, Give It Away
(v.6)
2 Corinthians 9:6
The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
When It Comes to Your Treasure, Give It with Pleasure
(v.7)
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.
Let Go of Greed, and God Will Provide All You Need
(v.8)
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.
Giving is not actually about giving.
It's about faith.
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Sep 18 , 2022
==========
18 de Septiembre, 2022
“El bueno, el malo y el feo”
1 corintios 3.1-4
Así que yo, hermanos, no pude hablaros como a espirituales, sino como a carnales, como a niñosen Cristo.2 Os di a beber leche, no alimento sólido, porque todavía no podíaisrecibirlo. En verdad, ni aun ahora podéis,3 porque todavía sois carnales. Pues habiendo celos y contiendasentre vosotros, ¿no sois carnales y andáis como hombres?4 Porque cuando uno dice: Yo soy de Pablo, y otro: Yo soy de Apolos, ¿no soissimplementehombres?
- El hombre
"Pero el hombre natural no percibe las cosas que son del Espíritu de Dios, porque para él son locura, y no las puede entender…" (I Cor. 2:14).
- El hombre
"En cambio el espiritual juzga todas las cosas…” (I Cor. 2:15).
- El hombre
“Así que yo, hermanos, no pude hablaros como a espirituales, sino como a carnales, como a niñosen Cristo.” (I Cor. 3.1)
Istrouma Baptist Church
Pastor Tim Keith
Title: Spiritually Mature
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
1. Listen to the Right Leader (3:1-4)
The voice of Jesus says…
"in humility consider others as more important than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3)
The voice of Jesus says…
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29)
2. Serve for the Right Success (3:10-13)
3. Walk in the Right Wisdom (3:18-20)
Read the Word
Pray the Word
Memorize the Word
Live the Word
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Click the Tab: Devotion and Prayer Guide
Istrouma en Español
Sep 11 , 2022
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11 de Septiembre, 2022
Una familia unida || 1 corintios 1:10-31
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1 Corintios 1:10
Os ruego, pues, hermanos, por el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que habléis todos una misma cosa, y que no haya entre vosotros divisiones, sino que estéis perfectamente unidos en una misma mente y en un mismo parecer.
- La Causa
Definición de Orgullo:
“Exceso de estimación hacia uno mismo, valoración de uno mismo por encima de los demás.”
-
Las Consecuencias
-
La Cura
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Sep 11, 2022
==========
September 11 l Healthy Church
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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September 11, 2022 | Tim Keith
"A United Church"
1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 26-31
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe’s people, that there is rivalry among you. What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world — what is viewed as nothing — to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence. It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us — our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption — in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
Disunity: The Cause
Pride (v. 26-31)
Pride is when your Preferences come first and your Prayers come last.
Disunity: The Consequences
We Fight (v.11)
We Fail (v.26)
Disunity: The Cure
Proclaim the Gospel (v.17)
Humble yourself in prayer (v.2,19)
Surrender your preferences over to Christ (v.10,31)
Romans 12:18: “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Sep 4, 2022
==========
September 4 l Jonah
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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September 4, 2022 | Tim Keith
"Joy For The Journey"
Jonah 3:10 – 4:11
Joy comes when our focus is on the promises of Heaven and not on the pleasures of earth.
Jonah 3:10
God saw their actions — that they had turned from their evil ways — so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it.
Jonah 4:1-11
Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. He prayed to the Lord, “Please, Lord, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster. And now, Lord, take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” The Lord asked, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah left the city and found a place east of it. He made himself a shelter there and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city. Then the Lord God appointed a plant, and it grew over Jonah to provide shade for his head to rescue him from his trouble. Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, and it withered. As the sun was rising, God appointed a scorching east wind. The sun beat down on Jonah’s head so much that he almost fainted, and he wanted to die. He said, “It’s better for me to die than to live.” Then God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “Yes, it’s right!” he replied. “I’m angry enough to die!” And the Lord said, “You cared about the plant, which you did not labor over and did not grow. It appeared in a night and perished in a night. So may I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than a hundred twenty thousand people who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, as well as many animals?”
Jonah was Selfish
Jonah was Angry
Jonah was Double-minded
Jonah was S.A.D.
Joy comes when you make a commitment to God’s way in your life, no matter what.
James 1:11
For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
John 15:8-11
My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
Hebrews 12:2
keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew 10:39
Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.
If God always “healed” your situation, there are so many people who would miss out on the benefit of your testimony.
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Sep 4 , 2022
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4 de Septiembre, 2022
La Compasión de Dios y la nuestra… || Jonás 4
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Jonás 4:1-11
Pero Jonás se apesadumbró en extremo, y se enojó. Y oró a Jehová y dijo: Ahora, oh Jehová, ¿no es esto lo que yo decía estando aún en mi tierra? Por eso me apresuré a huir a Tarsis; porque sabía yo que tú eres Dios clemente y piadoso, tardo en enojarte, y de grande misericordia, y que te arrepientes del mal. Ahora pues, oh Jehová, te ruego que me quites la vida; porque mejor me es la muerte que la vida. Y Jehová le dijo: ¿Haces tú bien en enojarte tanto? Y salió Jonás de la ciudad, y acampó hacia el oriente de la ciudad, y se hizo allí una enramada, y se sentó debajo de ella a la sombra, hasta ver qué acontecería en la ciudad. Y preparó Jehová Dios una calabacera, la cual creció sobre Jonás para que hiciese sombra sobre su cabeza, y le librase de su malestar; y Jonás se alegró grandemente por la calabacera. Pero al venir el alba del día siguiente, Dios preparó un gusano, el cual hirió la calabacera, y se secó. Y aconteció que al salir el sol, preparó Dios un recio viento solano, y el sol hirió a Jonás en la cabeza, y se desmayaba, y deseaba la muerte, diciendo: Mejor sería para mí la muerte que la vida. Entonces dijo Dios a Jonás: ¿Tanto te enojas por la calabacera? Y él respondió: Mucho me enojo, hasta la muerte. Y dijo Jehová: Tuviste tú lástima de la calabacera, en la cual no trabajaste, ni tú la hiciste crecer; que en espacio de una noche nació, y en espacio de otra noche pereció. ¿Y no tendré yo piedad de Nínive, aquella gran ciudad donde hay más de ciento veinte mil personas que no saben discernir entre su mano derecha y su mano izquierda, y muchos animales?
-
La Queja de Jonás (1-5)
“Pero esto desagradó a Jonás en gran manera, y se enojó…” -
La Lección de Dios (6-8)
“Y el Señor Dios dispuso que una planta creciera sobre Jonás…” -
La Meta de Dios (9-11)
“¿y no he de apiadarme yo de Nínive, la gran ciudad?”
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Istrouma en Español
Aug 28 – 30, 2022
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28 de Agosto, 2022
¿Es posible una segunda oportunidad? || Jonás 3:1-10
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Jonás 3:1-10
Vino palabra de Jehová por segunda vez a Jonás, diciendo: Levántate y ve a Nínive, aquella gran ciudad, y proclama en ella el mensaje que yo te diré. Y se levantó Jonás, y fue a Nínive conforme a la palabra de Jehová. Y era Nínive ciudad grande en extremo, de tres días de camino. Y comenzó Jonás a entrar por la ciudad, camino de un día, y predicaba diciendo: De aquí a cuarenta días Nínive será destruida. Y los hombres de Nínive creyeron a Dios, y proclamaron ayuno, y se vistieron de cilicio desde el mayor hasta el menor de ellos. Y llegó la noticia hasta el rey de Nínive, y se levantó de su silla, se despojó de su vestido, y se cubrió de cilicio y se sentó sobre ceniza. E hizo proclamar y anunciar en Nínive, por mandato del rey y de sus grandes, diciendo: Hombres y animales, bueyes y ovejas, no gusten cosa alguna; no se les dé alimento, ni beban agua; sino cúbranse de cilicio hombres y animales, y clamen a Dios fuertemente; y conviértase cada uno de su mal camino, de la rapiña que hay en sus manos. ¿Quién sabe si se volverá y se arrepentirá Dios, y se apartará del ardor de su ira, y no pereceremos? Y vio Dios lo que hicieron, que se convirtieron de su mal camino; y se arrepintió del mal que había dicho que les haría, y no lo hizo.
-
La Oportunidad
“Vino palabra del Señor por segunda vez a Jonás” (Jonás 3.1) -
La Obediencia
"Y Jonás se levantó y fue a Ninive conforme a la Palabra del Señor" (Jonás 3.2) -
El Resultado
“Y los habitantes de Nínive creyeron en Dios” (Jonás 3.5)
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Aug 28, 2022
==========
August 28 l Jonah
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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August 28, 2022 | Tim Keith
"There's No Way!"
Jonah 3:1-10
Jonah 3:1-10
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you.” Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the Lord’s command. Now Nineveh was an extremely great city, a three-day walk. Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be demolished!” Then the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth — from the greatest of them to the least. When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he issued a decree in Nineveh: By order of the king and his nobles: No person or animal, herd or flock, is to taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink water. Furthermore, both people and animals must be covered with sackcloth, and everyone must call out earnestly to God. Each must turn from his evil ways and from his wrongdoing. Who knows? God may turn and relent; he may turn from his burning anger so that we will not perish. God saw their actions — that they had turned from their evil ways — so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it.
A Difficult Declaration
v.4
A Remarkable Repentance
v.5-9
A Tremendous Turnaround
v.10
Jeremiah 18:7-8
At one moment I might announce concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will uproot, tear down, and destroy it. However, if that nation about which I have made the announcement turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the disaster I had planned to do to it.
Jeremiah 18:11-12
So now, say to the men of Judah and to the residents of Jerusalem, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look, I am about to bring harm to you and make plans against you. Turn now, each from your evil way, and correct your ways and your deeds.’ But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless. We will continue to follow our plans, and each of us will continue to act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’”
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Istrouma en Español
Aug 21 – 23, 2022
==========
21 de Agosto, 2022
El Jonás que todos llevamos dentro || Jonás 2
==========
Jonás 2:1-10
Entonces oró Jonás a Jehová su Dios desde el vientre del pez, y dijo: Invoqué en mi angustia a Jehová, y él me oyó; Desde el seno del Seol clamé, Y mi voz oíste. Me echaste a lo profundo, en medio de los mares, Y me rodeó la corriente; Todas tus ondas y tus olas pasaron sobre mí. Entonces dije: Desechado soy de delante de tus ojos; Mas aún veré tu santo templo. Las aguas me rodearon hasta el alma, Rodeome el abismo; El alga se enredó a mi cabeza. Descendí a los cimientos de los montes; La tierra echó sus cerrojos sobre mí para siempre; Mas tú sacaste mi vida de la sepultura, oh Jehová Dios mío. Cuando mi alma desfallecía en mí, me acordé de Jehová, Y mi oración llegó hasta ti en tu santo templo. Los que siguen vanidades ilusorias, Su misericordia abandonan. Mas yo con voz de alabanza te ofreceré sacrificios; Pagaré lo que prometí. La salvación es de Jehová. Y mandó Jehová al pez, y vomitó a Jonás en tierra.
-
El Confinamiento de Jonás.
a. Un lugar aterrador para estar.
b. Un lugar agradable para aprender. -
La Comunión de Jonás.
a. Recordó la palabra de Dios.
b. Se rindió a la palabra de Dios -
La Confesión de Jonás.
a. Reconoce su llamado.
b. Renueva su compromiso
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Aug 21, 2022
==========
August 21 l Jonah
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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August 21, 2022 | Tim Keith
"Second Chances"
Jonah 2:10 - 3:10
Jonah 2:1-2, 7-10
Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish: I called to the Lord in my distress, and he answered me. I cried out for help from deep inside Sheol; you heard my voice. As my life was fading away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, to your holy temple. Those who cherish worthless idols abandon their faithful love, but as for me, I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Jonah 3:1-10
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you.” Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the Lord’s command. Now Nineveh was an extremely great city, a three-day walk. Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be demolished!” Then the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth — from the greatest of them to the least. When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he issued a decree in Nineveh: By order of the king and his nobles: No person or animal, herd or flock, is to taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink water. Furthermore, both people and animals must be covered with sackcloth, and everyone must call out earnestly to God. Each must turn from his evil ways and from his wrongdoing. Who knows? God may turn and relent; he may turn from his burning anger so that we will not perish. God saw their actions — that they had turned from their evil ways — so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it.
-
God Gives Second Chances
(3:1-2) -
God Requires Repentance
(2:9, 3:8)
Repentance is CONVICTION that leads to CONFESSION that results in a CHANGE in your actions.
We focus more on our guilt than on our sin.
Psalms 32:3-5
When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.Selah
Psalms 51:17
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.
God’s not looking for your apology, He’s looking for your repentance.
Romans 2:4
Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
- God Gives Forgiveness and Mercy
(3:10)
Jonah 3:10
God saw their actions — that they had turned from their evil ways — so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it.
God is not looking for your apology, He’s looking for your repentance.
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Aug 14 – 16, 2022
==========
14 de Agosto, 2022
Puedes correr pero no puedes esconderte || Jonás 1
==========
Jonás 1:1-17
Vino palabra de Jehová a Jonás hijo de Amitai, diciendo: Levántate y ve a Nínive, aquella gran ciudad, y pregona contra ella; porque ha subido su maldad delante de mí. Y Jonás se levantó para huir de la presencia de Jehová a Tarsis, y descendió a Jope, y halló una nave que partía para Tarsis; y pagando su pasaje, entró en ella para irse con ellos a Tarsis, lejos de la presencia de Jehová. Pero Jehová hizo levantar un gran viento en el mar, y hubo en el mar una tempestad tan grande que se pensó que se partiría la nave. Y los marineros tuvieron miedo, y cada uno clamaba a su dios; y echaron al mar los enseres que había en la nave, para descargarla de ellos. Pero Jonás había bajado al interior de la nave, y se había echado a dormir. Y el patrón de la nave se le acercó y le dijo: ¿Qué tienes, dormilón? Levántate, y clama a tu Dios; quizá él tendrá compasión de nosotros, y no pereceremos. Y dijeron cada uno a su compañero: Venid y echemos suertes, para que sepamos por causa de quién nos ha venido este mal. Y echaron suertes, y la suerte cayó sobre Jonás. Entonces le dijeron ellos: Decláranos ahora por qué nos ha venido este mal. ¿Qué oficio tienes, y de dónde vienes? ¿Cuál es tu tierra, y de qué pueblo eres? Y él les respondió: Soy hebreo, y temo a Jehová, Dios de los cielos, que hizo el mar y la tierra. Y aquellos hombres temieron sobremanera, y le dijeron: ¿Por qué has hecho esto? Porque ellos sabían que huía de la presencia de Jehová, pues él se lo había declarado. Y le dijeron: ¿Qué haremos contigo para que el mar se nos aquiete? Porque el mar se iba embraveciendo más y más. Él les respondió: Tomadme y echadme al mar, y el mar se os aquietará; porque yo sé que por mi causa ha venido esta gran tempestad sobre vosotros. Y aquellos hombres trabajaron para hacer volver la nave a tierra; mas no pudieron, porque el mar se iba embraveciendo más y más contra ellos. Entonces clamaron a Jehová y dijeron: Te rogamos ahora, Jehová, que no perezcamos nosotros por la vida de este hombre, ni pongas sobre nosotros la sangre inocente; porque tú, Jehová, has hecho como has querido. Y tomaron a Jonás, y lo echaron al mar; y el mar se aquietó de su furor. Y temieron aquellos hombres a Jehová con gran temor, y ofrecieron sacrificio a Jehová, e hicieron votos. Pero Jehová tenía preparado un gran pez que tragase a Jonás; y estuvo Jonás en el vientre del pez tres días y tres noches.
Jonás corrió:
a. Recibió la palabra de Dios.
b. Resistió la palabra de Dios.
Dios salvó:
a. Dios desató un fuerte viento.
b. Dios puso un gran pez.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Aug 14, 2022
==========
August 14 l Jonah
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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August 14, 2022 | Tim Keith
"What's Your Assignment?"
Jonah 1:1-17
Jonah 1:1-17
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me.” Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence. But the Lord threw a great wind onto the sea, and such a great storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart. The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his god. They threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel and had stretched out and fallen into a deep sleep. The captain approached him and said, “What are you doing sound asleep? Get up! Call to your god. Maybe this god will consider us, and we won’t perish.” “Come on!” the sailors said to each other. “Let’s cast lots. Then we’ll know who is to blame for this trouble we’re in.” So they cast lots, and the lot singled out Jonah. Then they said to him, “Tell us who is to blame for this trouble we’re in. What is your business, and where are you from? What is your country, and what people are you from?” He answered them, “I’m a Hebrew. I worship the Lord, the God of the heavens, who made the sea and the dry land.” Then the men were seized by a great fear and said to him, “What have you done?” The men knew he was fleeing from the Lord’s presence because he had told them. So they said to him, “What should we do to you so that the sea will calm down for us?” For the sea was getting worse and worse. He answered them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea so that it will calm down for you, for I know that I’m to blame for this great storm that is against you.” Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they couldn’t because the sea was raging against them more and more. So they called out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, don’t let us perish because of this man’s life, and don’t charge us with innocent blood! For you, Lord, have done just as you pleased.” Then they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. The men were seized by great fear of the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
-
We've been given an assignment from God
1:1-2 -
We get too comfortable in our disobedience
1:4-6
There will always be a ship ready to take you away from God's plan.
- We can choose to obey
2:9
Jonah 2:9
but as for me, I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Jonah 2:8
Those who cherish worthless idols abandon their faithful love,
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Aug 7, 2022
==========
7 de Agosto, 2022
Un corazón limpio
==========
S. Mateo 5:1-9
Viendo la multitud, subió al monte; y sentándose, vinieron a él sus discípulos. Y abriendo su boca les enseñaba, diciendo: Bienaventurados los pobres en espíritu, porque de ellos es el reino de los cielos. Bienaventurados los que lloran, porque ellos recibirán consolación. Bienaventurados los mansos, porque ellos recibirán la tierra por heredad. Bienaventurados los que tienen hambre y sed de justicia, porque ellos serán saciados. Bienaventurados los misericordiosos, porque ellos alcanzarán misericordia. Bienaventurados los de limpio corazón, porque ellos verán a Dios. Bienaventurados los pacificadores, porque ellos serán llamados hijos de Dios.
-
Bienaventurados los de limpio corazón:
a. Pureza moral interior.
b. Un corazón sincero. -
Porque ellos verán a Dios:
a. Puede ver a Dios en la naturaleza.
b. Puede ver a Dios en la Escritura.
c. Puede ver a Dios en su familia. -
¿Cómo se purifica el corazón?
a. Arrepentimiento
b. Obediencia.
c. Renovación del entendimiento.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Aug 7, 2022
==========
August 7 l Freedom From Your Addiction
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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August 7, 2022 | Tim Keith
"Freedom From Your Addiction"
Romans 7:14-25
Hebrews 2:18 -- Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 4:15 -- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.
Romans 7:14-25
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me. So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me. For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin.
2 Peter 2:19 - People are slaves to whatever has mastered them.
What Is Your Addiction?
Romans 7:15
For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.
How Does Addiction Impact Your Life?
-
You Lose Sight of What is Happening (v.19)
-
You Lose Your Will to Fight (v.18)
-
You Lose What is Important (v.24)
How Can You Be Rescued From Addiction?
1. Get Honest with God and Others (v.19)
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.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
Email: pastor@istrouma.org
Text: CONTACT to (225) 425-7773
Websites: https://www.veritascc.org/
https://brchristiancounseling.com/
Lighthouse Network: (844)543-3242
How Can You Be Rescued From Addiction?
2. Rely on God's Power (8:2-3)
Romans 8:2-3
because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering,
How Can You Be Rescued From Addiction?
3. Change Your Mindset (8:5-6)
Romans 8:5-6
For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.
Memorize God's Word
Hebrews 4:12 - (God's Word) is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.
Scripture is poison to your addiction!
Study God's Word with God's People
Obey God's Voice... Immediately!
Galatians 5:16
I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Romans 8:1-11
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 31, 2022
==========
July 31 l The Lord's Supper
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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July 31, 2022 | Matt Cate
"Do This In Remembrance of Me"
1 Corinthians 11:23-36
1 Corinthians 11:23-36
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
Jesus is calling them to remember what he did PERSONALLY in their lives
1. Matthew remembers that Jesus LOVED and ACCEPTED the lonely.
Jesus is calling them to remember what he did PERSONALLY in their lives
2. James remembers that Jesus helped FOCUS his PASSION.
Jesus is calling them to remember what he did PERSONALLY in their lives
3. John remembers how Jesus turned AGGRESSION into LOVE.
Jesus is calling them to remember what he did PERSONALLY in their lives
4. Peter remembers how Jesus MET HIM WEHRE HE NEEEDED Him most.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 24, 2022
==========
July 24 l Blessings
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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July 24, 2022 | Tim Keith
"Persecuted”
Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus is the only way to Heaven.
(John 14:6)
(Mt. 7:13-14)
(John 3:36)
Life begins at conception.
(Jeremiah 1:5)
(Psalm 139:13)
(Genesis 1:27)
God created male and female.
(Mark 10:6-9)
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness…” (Matthew 5:10)
Genesis 3:1 “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden?’”
Genesis 3:4 “No, you won’t die, instead, you’ll be like God.”
Matthew 5:1-12
When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Persecution – Why?
1. How we live
2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
James 1:20
for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
1 Peter 4:12-16
Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.
Persecution – Why?
2. Who Jesus is
John 15:18-20
“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Persecution – How?
1. They insult you
-
They persecute you
-
They lie about you
Persecution – What?
1. Live with joy
Matthew 5:12
Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
Acts 5:41
Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.
Persecution – What?
2. Live with love
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 10, 2022
==========
July 10 l Blessings
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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July 10, 2022 | Tim Keith
"Pure in Heart”
Matthew 5:8
Matthew 5:1-8
When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Open Your Heart
Cleanse Your Heart
Positional Purity
Conditional Purity
We can’t see God clearly when our hearts are stained by sin.
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
Psalm 24:3-4
Guard Your Heart
Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, your body is also full of darkness. ”
Luke 11:34
Proverbs 4:20-27
My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.
“Let us behave properly in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality.”
Romans 13:13
But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you.
Ephesians 5:3
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to God’s word.”
Psalm 119:9
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Psalm 51:10.
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**Istrouma en Español
Apr 17 – 19, 2022
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17 de Abril, 2022
El Día que Cambió Todo || Domingo de Resurrección
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S. Juan 20:19-22
Cuando llegó la noche de aquel mismo día, el primero de la semana, estando las puertas cerradas en el lugar donde los discípulos estaban reunidos por miedo de los judíos, vino Jesús, y puesto en medio, les dijo: Paz a vosotros. Y cuando les hubo dicho esto, les mostró las manos y el costado. Y los discípulos se regocijaron viendo al Señor. Entonces Jesús les dijo otra vez: Paz a vosotros. Como me envió el Padre, así también yo os envío. Y habiendo dicho esto, sopló, y les dijo: Recibid el Espíritu Santo.
-
La Tristeza de la Pascua.
19 entonces, al atardecer de aquel día, el primero de la semana, y estando cerradas las puertas del lugar donde los discípulos se encontraban por miedo a los judíos -
El Gozo de la Pascua.
Jesús vino y se puso en medio de ellos, y les dijo: Paz a vosotros 20 y diciendo esto, les mostró las manos y el costado. Entonces los discípulos se regocijaron al ver al Señor. -
El Obsequio de la Pascua.
21 Jesús entonces les dijo otra vez: Paz a vosotros; como el Padre me ha enviado, así también yo os envío. 22 después de decir esto, sopló sobre ellos y les dijo: Recibid el Espíritu Santo.
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Apr 17, 2022
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April 17 | Easter Sunday
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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April 17, 2022 | Tim Keith
"The Greatest Question Ever Asked"
What should I do with Jesus?
His own Strife:
Matthew 27:18
For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over.
His own Wife:
Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves!”
John 18:37-38
“You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” “What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him.
He was afraid of other’s opinions:
Matthew 27:20
The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus.
He was afraid of losing his possessions:
John 19:12
From that moment Pilate kept trying to release him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”
He was afraid of making the decision:
He tried to Do Nothing:
John 18:31 --- “you take him and judge him”
He tried to Defer to someone else:
Luke 23:7 --- “he sent him to Herod”
He tried to Declare something positive:
Luke 23:14-15
2 Corinthians 5:21
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Luke 23:39
Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
Luke 23:40-43
But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
-
He loves everybody / He came for everybody
-
The ONLY way to come to Jesus is to understand that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
-
You must answer the question: What will I do with Jesus?
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Feb 13, 2022
==========
February 13 | Have You Been Buried?
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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February 13, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Have You Been Buried?"
Colossians 2:8-15
Acts 4:12
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
Acts 3:19
Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out,
Luke 13:3
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well.
Colossians 2:8-15
Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.
- Baptism by the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 1:13-14
In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
- Baptism by Water
Colossians 2:12
when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Jesus' Example of Baptism
Matthew 3:13-17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized. When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
Matthew 26:36-39
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Mark 1:10
As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
"baptizo" = to dip, immerse
Jesus' Command for Baptism
Matthew 28:19-20
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
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**Istrouma en Español
Feb 13 – 15, 2022
==========
13 de Febrero, 2022
Una Esperanza Gloriosa
==========
1 Tesalonicenses 4:13-18
Tampoco queremos, hermanos, que ignoréis acerca de los que duermen, para que no os entristezcáis como los otros que no tienen esperanza. Porque si creemos que Jesús murió y resucitó, así también traerá Dios con Jesús a los que durmieron en él. Por lo cual os decimos esto en palabra del Señor: que nosotros que vivimos, que habremos quedado hasta la venida del Señor, no precederemos a los que durmieron. Porque el Señor mismo con voz de mando, con voz de arcángel, y con trompeta de Dios, descenderá del cielo; y los muertos en Cristo resucitarán primero. Luego nosotros los que vivimos, los que hayamos quedado, seremos arrebatados juntamente con ellos en las nubes para recibir al Señor en el aire, y así estaremos siempre con el Señor. Por tanto, alentaos los unos a los otros con estas palabras.
1 Tesalonicenses 5:1-11
Pero acerca de los tiempos y de las ocasiones, no tenéis necesidad, hermanos, de que yo os escriba. Porque vosotros sabéis perfectamente que el día del Señor vendrá así como ladrón en la noche; que cuando digan: Paz y seguridad, entonces vendrá sobre ellos destrucción repentina, como los dolores a la mujer encinta, y no escaparán. Mas vosotros, hermanos, no estáis en tinieblas, para que aquel día os sorprenda como ladrón. Porque todos vosotros sois hijos de luz e hijos del día; no somos de la noche ni de las tinieblas. Por tanto, no durmamos como los demás, sino velemos y seamos sobrios. Pues los que duermen, de noche duermen, y los que se embriagan, de noche se embriagan. Pero nosotros, que somos del día, seamos sobrios, habiéndonos vestido con la coraza de fe y de amor, y con la esperanza de salvación como yelmo. Porque no nos ha puesto Dios para ira, sino para alcanzar salvación por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, quien murió por nosotros para que ya sea que velemos, o que durmamos, vivamos juntamente con él. Por lo cual, animaos unos a otros, y edificaos unos a otros, así como lo hacéis.
ÁNIMO Y CONSOLACIÓN:
1. La Esperanza de la Vida después de la muerte
2. La palabra de esperanza es que Cristo es la Resurrección y la vida
3. La Esperanza y el llamado
ESPERANZA DEL REGRESO GLORIOSO Y SORPRENDENTE DE NUESTRO SEÑOR:
1. Alentados a estar a la espera de la promesa
2. Llamados a una vida de fe, amor y esperanza
3. Llamados a compartir nuestra fe
Enlace Global Alabama 2022
Te invitamos a Enlace Global del 17 al 19 de Marzo, puedes seguir el siguiente link para ver más información sobre el evento:
https://ibhalabama.org/event/enlace-global-alabama-2022/
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Istrouma en Español
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Feb 6, 2022
==========
February 6 | Lasting Hope
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
February 06, 2021 | Tim Keith
"What do you do when you can stand it no longer?"
1 Thessalonians 3 & 4
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God — as you are doing — do this even more. For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
You Keep Going...
(3:1)
You Keep Serving
(3:2-3)
You Keep the Faith
(4:1-2)
1 Thessalonians 3:8
For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
James 2:17-18
In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.
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30 de Enero, 2022
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jan 16, 2022
==========
January 16 | Lasting Hope
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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January 16, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Finish-Line Focus"
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers. We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you for your benefit, and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
- They Lived It Out With FAITH
(v. 3,8,9)
1 Thessalonians 1:6
and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.
- They Shouted It Out With LOVE
(v. 3, 8, 9)
v.8 – the Lord’s message rang out from you…
John 13:35, Jesus said, Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.
- They Waited It Out With HOPE
1 Thessalonians 1:3
We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
*The Rapture
*The Resurrection
*The Rescue
Hope Changes Your Focus.
A Finish-Line Focus brings clarity to all of life.
Psalm 121:1-8
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 8 He will watch over my coming and going both now and FOREVERMORE.
A Finish-Line Focus brings clarity to all of life.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jan 9, 2022
==========
January 9 | Lasting Hope
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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January 9, 2021 | Tim Keith
"The Gospel Changes Everything"
Acts 17:1-9
Acts 17:1-9
After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, and Jason has welcomed them. They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king — Jesus.” The crowd and city officials who heard these things were upset. After taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them.
1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace.
Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes”
Luke 9:23-24, “If anyone wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily (die daily), and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it.”
The Gospel Transforms Who You Are (v.1b)
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
The Gospel Transforms How You Live (v.1b)
“THE church at Thessalonica…”
The Gospel Motivates You To Go and Tell
Acts 17:1-4
After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.
The Gospel Motivates You To KEEP Going
Acts 17:10
As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Share HOPE this week!
Share the Gospel
Learn "The Bridge to Life" or "The Bridge Illustration"
(navigators.org or youtube.com)
Purchase some gospel tracts
(nambstore.com)
Show God's love to people during difficult times
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Jan 2, 2022
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January 2 | A Year To Live!
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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January 2, 2022 | Tim Keith
"A Year To Live!"
Matthew 22:36-40
Psalms 90:10
Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away.
A great commitment to the great commandments and the great commission will make a great year!”
Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
- Heaven Is Your Home
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Matthew 22:36
“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?”
Matthew 22:37
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
- Heaven is Your Friends' Home
Matthew 22:39
The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Jesus is Your Priority
Matthew 22:37
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Heart
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Soul
Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
Mind
1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Go to Istrouma.org and click on "Devotion and Prayer Guide."
[Image]
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30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders
Prayer of Commitment
“God, in 2022, I want my life to be Yours completely.
I give you my heart through all of my possessions and finances. They belong to You, and I will use them for Your glory.
I give you my soul through prayer. I will grow in my prayer life this year.
I give you my mind through the study of your word. I will make a plan to read and study it.
And God, help me to tell my friend, __________, about You real soon.
Thank You, Lord, for helping me to make 2022 the best year yet.”
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Dec 26, 2021
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December 26 | Church at Home
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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December 26, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Gifts under God's Christmas Tree"
Romans 5:1-11
Romans 5:1-11
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.
When we open the "big box" of salvation, we find God's gifts:
CROSS
ERASER
FRISBEE
KEY
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Dec 19, 2021
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December 19 | The Characters of Christmas
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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December 19, 2021 | Tim Keith
"The Message of Christmas"
Luke 2:1-20
Luke 2:1-20
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 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, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
Why did God send the angel to the shepherds?
The Good Shepherd was coming
John 10:7-9
Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The Lamb of God was coming
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
The Savior of the world was coming for ALL
“You save the humble, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.” 2 Sam. 22:28
“This is what the Lord says: ‘This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:1
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Mt 23:12
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. – 1 Peter 5:5-6
What can we learn from the shepherds?
Go to Jesus (Now!)
Luke 2:15-16
When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.
Tell the Christmas story
Luke 2:17-18
After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Rejoice in the goodness of God
Luke 2:20
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Dec 12, 2021
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December 12 | The Characters of Christmas
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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December 12, 2021 | Tim Keith
"When God Shows Up"
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 1:18-25
The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.
-
He Gets Your Attention
v. 20-21 -
He Changes Your Plans
v.21-23 -
He Tests Your Faith
v.24-25
Hebrews 11:6
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
- He Blesses Your Life
v.21
1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived — God has prepared these things for those who love him.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Dec 5, 2021
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December 5 | The Characters of Christmas
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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November 28, 2021 | Tim Keith
"God Always Makes A Way"
Luke 1:6-7
Luke 1:12
When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.
Luke 1:6-7
Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
- Seeking God doesn’t keep you from the difficulties of life
(v. 7)
Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.
- God’s promises are true, but you must be obedient.
(v.24)
Malachi 4:5-6
Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
Luke 1:16-17
He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”
Luke 1:18
“How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
Luke 1:65-66
Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.
- God’s discipline is to draw you closer to Him. He loves you.
(v.20)
Luke 1:20
Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
- Your story is not about you.
(v.31, 76)
Luke 1:31
Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
Luke 1:76
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Nov 28, 2021
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Novermber 28 | The Characters of Christmas
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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November 28, 2021 | Dwayne Pitre
"The Characters of Christmas"
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
-
A disturbed response
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him (v3). -
A disinterested response
…and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel’” (vv4-6). -
A devoted response
And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh (v11).
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Nov 21, 2021
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Novermber 21 | Let's Give Thanks!
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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November 21, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Let's Give Thanks!"
Psalm 100:1-5 (CSB)
Declaration of Independence
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights . . ." Declaration of Independence
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights . . ."
". . .with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
George Washington 1789
"By the President of the United States of America. A proclamation: Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and
"Whereas, Both Houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God. . .’
"Now, Therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the benevolent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be..." "Whereas, Both Houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God. . .’
Psalms 100:1-5
Let the whole earth shout triumphantly to the Lord! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are his— his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations.
SING
v. 2b
Psalm 98:4 "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord."
SHOUT
v. 1
SERVE
v. 2a
Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me."
SURRENDER
v.3
SHOW THANKS
v.4-5
Psalm 103:10 "He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:10 "He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities.”
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Nov 14, 2021
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Novermber 14 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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November 14, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Ephesians: A Final Word"
Revelation 2:1-7 (CSB)
Revelation 2:1-7
“Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Matthew 22:37-38
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command.
Matthew 22:39
The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Remember
Survey – Thom Rainer: “Why do you think many churches aren’t as evangelistic as they once were?” Survey – Thom Rainer: “Why do you think many churches aren’t as evangelistic as they once were?”
-
Christians have no sense of urgency to reach lost people.
-
Church membership today is more about getting my needs met rather than reaching the lost.
-
Our churches are no longer houses of prayer equipped to reach the lost.
-
Our churches have too many activities; they are too busy to do the things that really matter.
Repent
Acts 4:31-33
When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly. Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.
Acts 5:14
Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers — multitudes of both men and women.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Nov 7, 2021
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Novermber 7 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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November 7, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Sword of the Spirit"
Ephesians 6:17 (CSB)
Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Read the Word
Psalms 119:11
I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
1 Peter & 2 Peter
8 Chapters / 8 Weeks
Believe the Word
John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
The Bible's Harmony
1,600 years
40 authors
3 languages
The Bible's Publishing
6 Billion copies sold
3 Bibles printed every second
The Bible's Translation
New Testament in 2,000+ different languages
Use the Word
Logos
Rhema
Anger
Ecclesiastes 7:9 – Anger abides in the heart of fools
Greed
1 Timothy 6:10 – the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil
Worry
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Lust
Galatians 5:16 – Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh
Bible Memory App
or
BibleMemory.com
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Istrouma en Español
Oct 31 , 2021
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31 de Octubre, 2021
El Yelmo de la Salvación
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Efesios 6:10-18
Por lo demás, hermanos míos, fortaleceos en el Señor, y en el poder de su fuerza. Vestíos de toda la armadura de Dios, para que podáis estar firmes contra las asechanzas del diablo. Porque no tenemos lucha contra sangre y carne, sino contra principados, contra potestades, contra los gobernadores de las tinieblas de este siglo, contra huestes espirituales de maldad en las regiones celestes. Por tanto, tomad toda la armadura de Dios, para que podáis resistir en el día malo, y habiendo acabado todo, estar firmes. Estad, pues, firmes, ceñidos vuestros lomos con la verdad, y vestidos con la coraza de justicia, y calzados los pies con el apresto del evangelio de la paz. Sobre todo, tomad el escudo de la fe, con que podáis apagar todos los dardos de fuego del maligno. Y tomad el yelmo de la salvación, y la espada del Espíritu, que es la palabra de Dios; orando en todo tiempo con toda oración y súplica en el Espíritu, y velando en ello con toda perseverancia y súplica por todos los santos;
I. ¿Qué Es El Yelmo de la Salvación?
II. ¿Por qué es importante El Yelmo de la Salvación?
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October 31 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
Locations & Times
Istrouma BR Campus
10500 Sam Rushing Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM, Sunday 10:30 AM
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October 31, 2021 | Tim Keith
"The Helmet of Salvation"
Ephesians 6:17a (CSB)
1 Thessalonians 5:8 CSB
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.
Justification
Sanctification
Glorification
Romans 8:18 CSB
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
The Bread
Luke 23:46 CSB
46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last.
The Wine
His Blood Is Perfect
2 Corinthians 5:21 - Paul tells us that Jesus NEVER sinned. But, He took our sin upon Himself.
His Blood is Pure
Hebrews 9:14 – Jesus offered Himself UNBLEMISHED to God
His Blood is Perpetual
Hebrews 7:27 -- … Jesus sacrificed for our sins once for all when He offered Himself.
His Blood is Powerful
Revelation 12:11 – they OVERCAME Satan by the blood of the Lamb
His Blood is Permanent
1 John 1:7 - We don’t wash it away as a stain but, instead, it WASHED AWAY our stain of sin!
Psalms 103:12 CSB
12 As far as the east is from the west,so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Get Ready
1 Corinthians 11:28 CSB
28 Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.
1 Corinthians 11:31-32 CSB
31 If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
THE LORD'S SUPPER
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 CSB
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
John 6:51 CSB
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
1 Corinthians 11:25 CSB
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Matthew 26:28 CSB
28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Oct 24, 2021
==========
October 24 | Go Global
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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October 24, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Go Global Sunday"
Matthew 28:19-20 (CSB)
Matthew 28:19-20
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 4:18-20
As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
How Can You Get Involved?
Pray
Give
Go
Psalms 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Oct 10, 2021
==========
October 10 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
October 10, 2021 | Tim Keith
"A Strong Foundation"
Ephesians 6:15 (CSB)
Ephesians 6:15
and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
Listen To The Word
Ephesians 1:13
"In Christ, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you listened to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed."
Ephesians 1:13
“Faith comes through hearing the word of God”
Romans 10:17
“...he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God”
Deuteronomy 17:19
Learn The Word
Ephesians 5:10
“… learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:10
Study it
Memorize it
Meditate on it
Live The Word
Ephesians 4:1
"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
Ephesians 4:1
Truth is the Foundation for Life Transformation.
“When the people heard this {Peter proclaiming the Word of God}, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Acts 2:37
"Father, sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.”
John 17:17
“You no longer are conformed to the world, but you are transformed by the renewing of your mind”
Romans 12:2
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Istrouma en Español
Sep 19 – 21, 2021
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19 de Septiembre, 2021
“La Guerra ha terminado, pero la batalla continúa”
==========
Efesios 6:10-13
Por lo demás, hermanos míos, fortaleceos en el Señor, y en el poder de su fuerza. Vestíos de toda la armadura de Dios, para que podáis estar firmes contra las asechanzas del diablo. Porque no tenemos lucha contra sangre y carne, sino contra principados, contra potestades, contra los gobernadores de las tinieblas de este siglo, contra huestes espirituales de maldad en las regiones celestes. Por tanto, tomad toda la armadura de Dios, para que podáis resistir en el día malo, y habiendo acabado todo, estar firmes.
-
Sea fuerte
“Por lo demás, fortaleceos en el Señor y en el poder de su fuerza.” (6.10)
¿Cómo puedes ser fuerte en el señor?
-Estudiando la Palabra de Dios -
Esté protegido
“Revestíos con toda la armadura de Dios para que podáis estar firmes contra las insidias del diablo.” (6.11)
¿Cómo puedes estar protegido por la armadura de Dios?
-Obedeciendo la Palabra de Dios -
Esté alerta
“Porque nuestra lucha no es contra sangre y carne, sino contra principados, contra potestades, contra los poderes de este mundo de tinieblas, contra las huestes espirituales de maldad en las regiones celestiales. Por tanto, tomad toda la armadura de Dios, para que podáis resistir en el día malo, y habiéndolo hecho todo, estar firmes.” (6.12-13)
¿Cómo puedes estar alerta?
-Recordando la Palabra de Dios
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Sep 19, 2021
==========
September 19 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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September 19, 2021 | Tim Keith
"BATTLE READY: The War is Over, but the Battle Rages On"
Ephesians 6:10-13 (CSB)
Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
"Satan and his forces have a plan to terrorize your soul, to render you powerless as a believer, to make you worthless to the cause of Christ and to make your life one of misery and spiritual defeat." - James Motley in Spiritual Warfare
THREE Keys to Victory
1. Be Strong (6:10)
“I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone… who believes.”
Romans 1:16
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22
OBEDIENCE COMES BEFORE VICTORY!
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Luke 11:28
Web Resource
"How to Study the Bible" - Tony Evans
http://tonyevans.org/how-to-study-the-bible/
Book Resource
"Understanding the Bible"
by Max Anders
THREE Keys to Victory
2. Be Protected (6:11)
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8
“God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
THREE Keys to Victory
3. Be Alert (6:12-13)
How Can You Be Strong in the Lord?
· Studying His word
How Can You Be Protected by God’s Armor?
· Obeying His word
How Can You Be Alert to Who You are Fighting?
· Remember God's word
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Sep 12, 2021
==========
September 12 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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September 12, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Let's Get to the Heart of the Matter"
Ephesians 5:15-17 (CSB)
Ephesians 5:15-17
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Examine Your Heart
v.15
Ephesians 5:1-17
Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Therefore, do not become their partners. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth — testing what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made visible, for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Purify Your Heart
v. 16
Psalms 24:3-4
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not appealed to what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Guard Your Heart
v.16-17
Luke 11:34
Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, your body is also full of darkness.
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
Proverbs 4:23-27
Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.
Ephesians 5:4
Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.
Ephesians 5:3
But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints.
Psalms 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word.
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**Istrouma en Español
Sep 12 – 14, 2021
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Una nueva sociedad
==========
Efesios 5:21-32
Someteos unos a otros en el temor de Dios. Las casadas estén sujetas a sus propios maridos, como al Señor; porque el marido es cabeza de la mujer, así como Cristo es cabeza de la iglesia, la cual es su cuerpo, y él es su Salvador. Así que, como la iglesia está sujeta a Cristo, así también las casadas lo estén a sus maridos en todo. Maridos, amad a vuestras mujeres, así como Cristo amó a la iglesia, y se entregó a sí mismo por ella, para santificarla, habiéndola purificado en el lavamiento del agua por la palabra, a fin de presentársela a sí mismo, una iglesia gloriosa, que no tuviese mancha ni arruga ni cosa semejante, sino que fuese santa y sin mancha. Así también los maridos deben amar a sus mujeres como a sus mismos cuerpos. El que ama a su mujer, a sí mismo se ama. Porque nadie aborreció jamás a su propia carne, sino que la sustenta y la cuida, como también Cristo a la iglesia, porque somos miembros de su cuerpo, de su carne y de sus huesos. Por esto dejará el hombre a su padre y a su madre, y se unirá a su mujer, y los dos serán una sola carne. Grande es este misterio; mas yo digo esto respecto de Cristo y de la iglesia.
Efesios 6:1-9
Hijos, obedeced en el Señor a vuestros padres, porque esto es justo. Honra a tu padre y a tu madre, que es el primer mandamiento con promesa; para que te vaya bien, y seas de larga vida sobre la tierra. Y vosotros, padres, no provoquéis a ira a vuestros hijos, sino criadlos en disciplina y amonestación del Señor. Siervos, obedeced a vuestros amos terrenales con temor y temblor, con sencillez de vuestro corazón, como a Cristo; no sirviendo al ojo, como los que quieren agradar a los hombres, sino como siervos de Cristo, de corazón haciendo la voluntad de Dios; sirviendo de buena voluntad, como al Señor y no a los hombres, sabiendo que el bien que cada uno hiciere, ese recibirá del Señor, sea siervo o sea libre. Y vosotros, amos, haced con ellos lo mismo, dejando las amenazas, sabiendo que el Señor de ellos y vuestro está en los cielos, y que para él no hay acepción de personas.
-
Imitando a Dios, en mi familia. (5.21-6.4)
a. Imitando a Dios, con mi cónyuge.
b. Imitando a Dios, con mis hijos.
c. Imitando a Dios, con mis padres. -
Imitando a Dios, en mi Trabajo / Escuela. (6.5-9)
a. Imitando a Dios, con mi jefes / maestros.
b. Imitando a Dios, con mis compañeros.
c. Imitando a Dios, con mis empleados / alumnos.
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**August 22 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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August 22, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Talk the Walk"
Ephesians 4:25-32 (CSB)
Ephesians 4:25-32
Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity. Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Your Words Are Like A Weapon
v. 25-29
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Your Words Are Like A Window
v. 29
Luke 6:45
A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
Your Words Are Like A Waterfall
v. 31-32
Proverbs 15:4
The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.
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**Istrouma en Español
Aug 22 – 24, 2021
==========
Agosto 22, 2021
Una vida que agrada al Señor
==========
Efesios 4:29-32
Ninguna palabra corrompida salga de vuestra boca, sino la que sea buena para la necesaria edificación, a fin de dar gracia a los oyentes. Y no contristéis al Espíritu Santo de Dios, con el cual fuisteis sellados para el día de la redención. Quítense de vosotros toda amargura, enojo, ira, gritería y maledicencia, y toda malicia. Antes sed benignos unos con otros, misericordiosos, perdonándoos unos a otros, como Dios también os perdonó a vosotros en Cristo.
Deuteronomio 7:6
Porque tú eres pueblo santo para Jehová tu Dios; Jehová tu Dios te ha escogido para serle un pueblo especial, más que todos los pueblos que están sobre la tierra.
¿Cómo agradar a Dios y como no entristecerlo?
1.- Manteniendo mi identidad como pueblo de Dios en la forma de hablar con otros.
-Palabras no corrompidas.
-Palabras edificantes.
-Palabras que agraden.
2.- Manteniendo mi Identidad como pueblo de Dios en mis emociones y sentimientos.
-Evitar que la amargura nos invada.
-Evitar que los enojos nos lleven a niveles de descontrol.
-Evitar lo que imite al enemigo ma
3.- Manteniendo mi identidad como pueblo de Dios en mis acciones.
-Inclinándonos hacia la benignidad.
-Inclinándonos hacia la misericordia.
-Inclinándonos hacia el perdón.
S. Mateo 25:40
Y respondiendo el Rey, les dirá: De cierto os digo que en cuanto lo hicisteis a uno de estos mis hermanos más pequeños, a mí lo hicisteis.
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Agosto 8, 2021 La Moda del Cielo Locations & Times Expand Efesios 4:17-24 RVR1960 Share Read Sign in to add your private notes… 1. Deja ir al viejo tú. “que, en cuanto a vuestra anterior manera de vivir, os despojéis del viejo hombre, que se corrompe según los deseos engañosos”. (Efesios 4.22) Share Copy Sign in to add your private notes… 2. Cambia tu forma de pensar. “y que seáis renovados en el espíritu de vuestra mente.” (Efesios 4.23) Share Copy Sign in to add your private notes… 3. Abraza tu nuevo yo. “y os vistáis del nuevo hombre, el cual, en la semejanza de Dios, ha sido creado en la justicia y santidad de la verdad.” (Efesios 4.24) Share Copy Sign in to add your private notes… Nuestro Facebook
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strouma Baptist Church (BR)
Aug 15, 2021
==========
August 15 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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August 15, 2021 | Jeff Ginn
"Make This Job a Joy"
Hebrews 13:17
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
- Respect the authority
“Obey your leaders and submit to them . . .” (13:17a).
1a. Listen to your leaders
1b. Limits on your leaders
- Recognize the accountability
“. . . since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account . . .” (13:17b).
2a. The watch that falls to a pastor
2b. The weight that falls to a pastor
- Remember the advantage
“. . . so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (13:17c).
3a. Gladness for the pastor
3b. Good for the people
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**August 8 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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August 8, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Dress For Success!"
Ephesians 4:17-24
Ephesians 4:17-24
Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. But that is not how you came to know Christ, assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
Take Off the Old
v. 22
Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Renew Your Mind
v. 23
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Put On the New
v. 24
Colossians 3:9-10
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.
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Istrouma en Español
Aug 1 – 3, 2021
==========
Agosto 1, 2021
Dignos del llamado
==========
Efesios 4:1-6
Yo pues, preso en el Señor, os ruego que andéis como es digno de la vocación con que fuisteis llamados, con toda humildad y mansedumbre, soportándoos con paciencia los unos a los otros en amor, solícitos en guardar la unidad del Espíritu en el vínculo de la paz; un cuerpo, y un Espíritu, como fuisteis también llamados en una misma esperanza de vuestra vocación; un Señor, una fe, un bautismo, un Dios y Padre de todos, el cual es sobre todos, y por todos, y en todos.
Efesios 4:14-16
para que ya no seamos niños fluctuantes, llevados por doquiera de todo viento de doctrina, por estratagema de hombres que para engañar emplean con astucia las artimañas del error, sino que siguiendo la verdad en amor, crezcamos en todo en aquel que es la cabeza, esto es, Cristo, de quien todo el cuerpo, bien concertado y unido entre sí por todas las coyunturas que se ayudan mutuamente, según la actividad propia de cada miembro, recibe su crecimiento para ir edificándose en amor.
A. El carácter del Creyente. (Efesios 4.1-3)
1. La humildad.
2. La mansedumbre.
3. La paciencia.
4. El amor.
5. La unidad.
Debemos vivir conforme al evangelio
B. Las creencias del Creyente. (Efesios 1.4-6)
1. Un cuerpo.
2. un Espíritu.
3. Una esperanza.
4. Un Señor.
5. Una fe.
6. Un bautismo.
7. Un Dios y Padre de todo.
En Cristo, somos uno.
C. La conducta del Creyente. (Efesios 4.14-16)
1. Cristo es la Cabeza de la iglesia.
2. La iglesia es el Cuerpo de Cristo.
Ayudándonos y edificándonos unos a otros en amor.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Aug 1, 2021
==========
August 1 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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August 1, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Walk the Talk"
Ephesians 4:1-6, 14-16
Ephesians 4:1-6, 14-16
Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head — Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.
Goal
Honor Christ With Your Life
Strategy
Live Your Life Focused On Others
How?
Make every effort
Be Humble
Be Gentle
Be Patient and Forgiving
Definition of Pride
Putting our preferences before our prayers
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Istrouma en Español
Jul 25 – 27, 2021
==========
Julio 25, 2021
La Oración
==========
Efesios 3:14-21
Por esta causa doblo mis rodillas ante el Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, de quien toma nombre toda familia en los cielos y en la tierra, para que os dé, conforme a las riquezas de su gloria, el ser fortalecidos con poder en el hombre interior por su Espíritu; para que habite Cristo por la fe en vuestros corazones, a fin de que, arraigados y cimentados en amor, seáis plenamente capaces de comprender con todos los santos cuál sea la anchura, la longitud, la profundidad y la altura, y de conocer el amor de Cristo, que excede a todo conocimiento, para que seáis llenos de toda la plenitud de Dios. Y a Aquel que es poderoso para hacer todas las cosas mucho más abundantemente de lo que pedimos o entendemos, según el poder que actúa en nosotros, a él sea gloria en la iglesia en Cristo Jesús por todas las edades, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
-
La postura correcta.
“Por esta causa, pues, doblo mis rodillas ante el Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo…” (3.14)
a. Humildad.
b. Dependencia. -
La petición correcta.
“que os conceda, conforme a las riquezas de su gloria…”(3.16a)
a. la fortaleza del Espíritu.
b. El amor de Cristo.
c. La plenitud de Dios. -
El propósito correcto.
“a Él sea la gloria en la iglesia…” (3.21a)
a. La Gloria de Dios en la iglesia.
b. La Gloria de Dios en mi vida.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 25, 2021
==========
July 25 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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July 25, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Prayer Matters!"
Ephesians 3:14-21
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Process of Prayer:
the right posture
the right prayer
the right purpose
Promise of Prayer
John 14:13-14
When we pray according to the will of God, asking for it in the name of God, and desiring to bring glory to God, Jesus says:
“I WILL DO IT!”
Problem with Prayer
We're Not Asking
Proposal for Prayer
WE MUST PRAY
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Y - Yield
Prayer Guide
https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2465/a_pattern_for_prayer.png?1627157292932
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 18, 2021
==========
July 18 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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July 18, 2021 | Tim Keith
"Before and After"
Ephesians 2:1-10
Ephesians 2:1-10
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
Remember Who You Were
Ephesians 2:1-3
Rejoice In Who You Are
Ephesians 2:4-9
Do What You Were Created To Do
Ephesians 2:10
Who is going to be in Heaven because of you?
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Istrouma en Español
Jul 18 , 2021
==========
Julio 18, 2021
El antes y el después
==========
Efesios 2:1-10
Y él os dio vida a vosotros, cuando estabais muertos en vuestros delitos y pecados, en los cuales anduvisteis en otro tiempo, siguiendo la corriente de este mundo, conforme al príncipe de la potestad del aire, el espíritu que ahora opera en los hijos de desobediencia, entre los cuales también todos nosotros vivimos en otro tiempo en los deseos de nuestra carne, haciendo la voluntad de la carne y de los pensamientos, y éramos por naturaleza hijos de ira, lo mismo que los demás. Pero Dios, que es rico en misericordia, por su gran amor con que nos amó, aun estando nosotros muertos en pecados, nos dio vida juntamente con Cristo (por gracia sois salvos), y juntamente con él nos resucitó, y asimismo nos hizo sentar en los lugares celestiales con Cristo Jesús, para mostrar en los siglos venideros las abundantes riquezas de su gracia en su bondad para con nosotros en Cristo Jesús. Porque por gracia sois salvos por medio de la fe; y esto no de vosotros, pues es don de Dios; no por obras, para que nadie se gloríe. Porque somos hechura suya, creados en Cristo Jesús para buenas obras, las cuales Dios preparó de antemano para que anduviésemos en ellas.
-
Nuestro pasado: Separación (2.1-3)
a. Desobediente
b. Condenado -
Nuestro presente: Salvación (2.4-9)
a. Lo que hizo
b. Porque lo hizo -
Nuestro futuro: Santificación (2.10)
a. Fuimos equipados
b. Para producir frutos para El
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 11, 2021
**Pastor Tim Keith
==========
July 11 | Understand Overcome
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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July 11, 2021 | Tim Keith
"In Christ? It’s Forever!"
Ephesians 1:11-23
PROMISES WE HAVE IN CHRIST
Our Inheritance
Our Assurance
Our Abundance
4 Reasons Why We Doubt Our Salvation
1. Salvation is Missing (Matt. 7:21)
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
4 Reasons Why We Doubt Our Salvation
2. Satan (John 8:44)
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out 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 tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Revelation 12:9-10
So the great dragon was thrown out — the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole world. He was thrown to earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.
James 4:7
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
4 Reasons Why We Doubt Our Salvation
3. Sin (Psalm 66:18)
Psalms 66:18
If I had been aware of malice in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
Psalms 38:3-4
There is no soundness in my body because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have flooded over my head; they are a burden too heavy for me to bear.
4 Reasons Why We Doubt Our Salvation
4. Silence (Revelation 3:20)
Revelation 3:20
See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Psalms 32:3-4
When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.Selah
Psalms 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands. I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
PROMISES WE HAVE IN CHRIST
Our Inheritance
Our Assurance
Our Abundance
OUR ASSURANCE
God Promises Us
John 3:16
Romans 10:9,13
Romans 8:38-39
1 John 5:11-13
OUR ASSURANCE
God Holds Us
John 10:27-30
Hebrews 13:5
Hebrews 7:25
OUR ASSURANCE
God Seals Us
Ephesians 1:13-14
PROMISES WE HAVE IN CHRIST
Our Inheritance
Our Assurance
Our Abundance
Ephesians 1:22-23
And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
In Christ? It’s Forever!
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**Istrouma en Español
Jul 11 – 13, 2021
==========
Julio 11, 2021
Elegidos por Dios
==========
Efesios 1:11-23
En él asimismo tuvimos herencia, habiendo sido predestinados conforme al propósito del que hace todas las cosas según el designio de su voluntad, a fin de que seamos para alabanza de su gloria, nosotros los que primeramente esperábamos en Cristo. En él también vosotros, habiendo oído la palabra de verdad, el evangelio de vuestra salvación, y habiendo creído en él, fuisteis sellados con el Espíritu Santo de la promesa, que es las arras de nuestra herencia hasta la redención de la posesión adquirida, para alabanza de su gloria. Por esta causa también yo, habiendo oído de vuestra fe en el Señor Jesús, y de vuestro amor para con todos los santos, no ceso de dar gracias por vosotros, haciendo memoria de vosotros en mis oraciones, para que el Dios de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, el Padre de gloria, os dé espíritu de sabiduría y de revelación en el conocimiento de él, alumbrando los ojos de vuestro entendimiento, para que sepáis cuál es la esperanza a que él os ha llamado, y cuáles las riquezas de la gloria de su herencia en los santos, y cuál la supereminente grandeza de su poder para con nosotros los que creemos, según la operación del poder de su fuerza, la cual operó en Cristo, resucitándole de los muertos y sentándole a su diestra en los lugares celestiales, sobre todo principado y autoridad y poder y señorío, y sobre todo nombre que se nombra, no solo en este siglo, sino también en el venidero; y sometió todas las cosas bajo sus pies, y lo dio por cabeza sobre todas las cosas a la iglesia, la cual es su cuerpo, la plenitud de Aquel que todo lo llena en todo.
-
En Cristo, tenemos nuestra HERENCIA. (v. 11)
a. ¡Es una certeza!
b. ¿Por qué, como cristianos, dudamos? -
En Cristo tenemos nuestra SEGURIDAD. (v. 13-14)
a. Dios nos lo promete
b. Dios nos sostiene en su mano -
En Cristo, tenemos nuestra ABUNDANCIA. (v.22-23)
a. El mundo busca sentido a la vida.
b. Jesús da sentido a la vida.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jul 4, 2021
==========
July 4
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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July 4, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Grace on Display"
Acts 11:23
Acts 11:23
When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
Grace is God’s unmerited favor
Grace is God giving you want you don’t deserve.
Grace is the freely-given love, forgiveness, acceptance and help of God.
What does grace look like?
Forgiveness
Acceptance
Presence
Freedom
Completion
Where do I start?
Be a grace receiver.
Be a grace giver.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Meet Pastor Tim Keith
We're excited to announce that Istrouma members voted to affirm Tim Keith for the position of senior pastor! Please click the link below to learn more about Tim and his family.
https://istrouma.org/meetpastortim
Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
Click here to add your name to our mailing list:
https://istrouma.org/email
Give Online
Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to:
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Our Website
https://istrouma.org**
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**Istrouma en Español
Jul 4 – 6, 2021
==========
Julio 4, 2021
Valores
==========
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jun 27, 2021
==========
June 27
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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June 27, 2021 | Micah Cating
"BIBLICAL FELLOWSHIP"
Acts 2:42 // Hebrews 10:24-25
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
BIBLICAL FELLOWSHIP IS FOUNDATIONAL TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
“Fellowship” comes from the Greek word koinonia
· A mutual bond
· Sharing
· Close association
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.
FELLOWSHIP EXPRESSES LOVE AND ENCOURAGES GOOD WORKS
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
FELLOWSHIP INVOLVES COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCY
…not neglecting to meet together…
FELLOWSHIP ENCOURAGES YOUR FAITH
…encouraging one another…
FELLOWSHIP KEEPS YOUR EYES ON ETERNAL THINGS
…and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Want help finding a small group?
mcating@istrouma.org
Meet Pastor Tim Keith
We're excited to announce that Istrouma members voted to affirm Tim Keith for the position of senior pastor! Please click the link below to learn more about Tim and his family.
https://istrouma.org/meetpastortim
Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
Click here to add your name to our mailing list:
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Give Online
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Our Website
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**Istrouma en Español
Jun 27 – 29, 2021
==========
Junio 27, 2021
Amén: Tentación y liberación
==========
S. Mateo 6:13
Y no nos metas en tentación, mas líbranos del mal; porque tuyo es el reino, y el poder, y la gloria, por todos los siglos. Amén.
- Le pedimos que él ordene nuestros pasos
“Y no nos dejes caer en tentación” (Mateo 6.13ª)
a. Reconocemos que no tenemos control de las cosas.
b. Reconocemos que solo Dios tiene el control.
Estad alerta y orad para no caer en tentación.
El espíritu está dispuesto, pero el cuerpo es débil
- Le pedimos que nos de fuerzas para no pecar.
“sino líbranos del mal.”(Mateo 6.13b)
a. Le pedimos que nos de fuerzas para resistir a Satanás.
b. Cristo tiene el poder sobre satanás y nos puede librar.
No podemos pedir:
“Dios, No envíes pruebas a mi vida…”
- Reconocemos el dominio de Dios.
“Porque Tuyo es el reino y el poder y la gloria para siempre”(Mateo 6.13c)
a. Porque reconocemos su Reino.
b. Porque confiamos en su Poder.
c. Porque sabemos que es para su Gloria.
Creemos lo que pedimos. ¡Reconocemos que sucederá! Como Dios ha dicho y prometido.
¡AMEN!
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jun 20, 2021
==========
June 20 | Amen
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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June 20, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Protect Me"
Matthew 6:9-13
Matthew 6:9-13
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
God...
I worship You
I surrender to You
I need You
Forgive me
Protect me
Every situation should be viewed as a temptation from the “evil one” and a testing from God
Understand the battle
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Follow a winner
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Meet Pastor Tim Keith
We're excited to announce that Istrouma members voted to affirm Tim Keith for the position of senior pastor! Please click the link below to learn more about Tim and his family.
https://istrouma.org/meetpastortim
Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
Click here to add your name to our mailing list:
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Give Online
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Our Website
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Istrouma en Español
Jun 20 – 22, 2021
==========
Junio 20, 2021
Amén: Borrón y cuenta nueva
==========
S. Mateo 6:12-15
Y perdónanos nuestras deudas, como también nosotros perdonamos a nuestros deudores. Y no nos metas en tentación, mas líbranos del mal; porque tuyo es el reino, y el poder, y la gloria, por todos los siglos. Amén. Porque si perdonáis a los hombres sus ofensas, os perdonará también a vosotros vuestro Padre celestial; mas si no perdonáis a los hombres sus ofensas, tampoco vuestro Padre os perdonará vuestras ofensas.
-
La Paga del pecado.
¡La Salvación proporciona el perdón eterno de un Dios justo!
a. Aunque salvos, aún somos pecadores.
b. Jamás podremos nosotros pagar esa deuda. -
La Petición de Perdón.
¡El Perdón de los pecados es necesario para tener una relación con un Dios Perfecto!
a. ¿Que significa perdonar?
b. ¿Quien perdona nuestras deudas? -
El Poder del perdón.
¡Perdonar nos acerca a Dios! ¡No hacerlo nos pone en los planes de Satanás!
a. Un corazón perdonado es perdonador.
b. Perdonar es evidencia de haber sido perdonado.
Debemos reconocer nuestra culpabilidad y renunciar a la auto justificación.
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**Istrouma en Español
Jun 13 – 15, 2021
==========
Junio 13, 2021
Amén: El pan de cada día &
la salud espiritual
==========
S. Mateo 6:5-12
Y cuando ores, no seas como los hipócritas; porque ellos aman el orar en pie en las sinagogas y en las esquinas de las calles, para ser vistos de los hombres; de cierto os digo que ya tienen su recompensa. Mas tú, cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público. Y orando, no uséis vanas repeticiones, como los gentiles, que piensan que por su palabrería serán oídos. No os hagáis, pues, semejantes a ellos; porque vuestro Padre sabe de qué cosas tenéis necesidad, antes que vosotros le pidáis. Vosotros, pues, oraréis así: Padre nuestro que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad, como en el cielo, así también en la tierra. El pan nuestro de cada día, dánoslo hoy. Y perdónanos nuestras deudas, como también nosotros perdonamos a nuestros deudores.
-
Reconociendo su poder y su gobierno
-
Reconociendo a quien oramos
-
Reconociendo nuestras nececidades
a. El sustento que necesitamos a diario
b. Las circunstancias en las que necesitamos fortalezca física o espiritual
c. Las situaciones en las cuales necesitamos la intervención divina
S. Mateo 6:33-34
Mas buscad primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán añadidas. Así que, no os afanéis por el día de mañana, porque el día de mañana traerá su afán. Basta a cada día su propio mal.
- Reconociendo nuestra condición delante de Él
a. Nuestros pecados ante Dios
Isaías 43:25 "Yo, yo soy el que borro tus rebeliones por amor de mí mismo, y no me acordaré de tus pecados."
b. Ofensas a otros y las ofensas de otros
Mateo 5:44
«Pero yo les digo: Amen a sus enemigos, y oren por quienes los persiguen».
Mateo 6:14-15
«Porque si ustedes perdonan a otros el mal que les han hecho, su Padre que está
en el cielo los perdonará también a ustedes; pero si no perdonan a otros,
tampoco su Padre les perdonará a ustedes sus pecados».
Colosenses 3:13
«Sopórtense unos a otros, y perdónense si alguno tiene una queja contra otro.
Así como el Señor los perdonó, perdonen también ustedes».
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jun 13, 2021
==========
June 13 | Amen
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
June 13, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Forgive Me"
Matthew 6:9-15
Matthew 6:9-13
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
God...
I worship You
I surrender to You
I need You
Forgive me
Protect me
Forgiveness of sin is necessary for a relationship with a perfect God
Salvation provides eternal forgiveness from a just God
Confession focuses on our daily relationship with God the father
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
A person with a forgiving heart recognizes the severity of their sin
A person with a forgiving heart understands the magnitude of Gods grace
Meet Pastor Tim Keith
We're excited to announce that Istrouma members voted to affirm Tim Keith for the position of senior pastor! Please click the link below to learn more about Tim and his family.
https://istrouma.org/meetpastortim
Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
Click here to add your name to our mailing list:
https://istrouma.org/email
Give Online
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Our Website
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Istrouma en Español
Jun 6 – 8, 2021
==========
Junio 6, 2021
Amén: Venga tu Reino
==========
S. Mateo 6:10
Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad, como en el cielo, así también en la tierra.
-
El Reino de Dios
No podemos decir “Venga tu Reino” sin reconocer que Dios es el Rey, porque solo un Rey tiene un Reino.
a. Su Gobierno
b. En mi vida
c. En la vida de otro -
La Soberanía de Dios
Hacer la voluntad de Dios requiere conocer la voluntad de Dios, pero ¡también requiere hacerla!
a. Debe ser conocida
b. Debe ser obedecida
c. Como en el Cielo
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jun 6, 2021
==========
June 6 | Amen
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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June 6, 2021 | Micah Cating
"YOUR KINGDOM, NOT MY KINGDOM"
Matthew 6:10-11
Matthew 6:9-13
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRAYER REVEALS OUR PRIORITIES
Your kingdom come, your will be done
THE KINGDOM IS THE END GOAL OF ALL GOD IS DOING.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Kingdom - a place and a people under the authority of a king
GOD WANTS TO MAKE EARTH LIKE HEAVEN
…on earth as it is in heaven.
PRAYER TEACHES US DEPENDANCE
Give us this day our daily bread.
PRAYER TEACHES US DEPENDANCE
· Be ok not having it all.
· Don’t forget God if abundance comes.
· Thank God for the blessings you have experienced in life.
· Consider what you use your abundance for.
Matthew 6:31-33
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Meet Pastor Tim Keith
We're excited to announce that Istrouma members voted to affirm Tim Keith for the position of senior pastor! Please click the link below to learn more about Tim and his family.
https://istrouma.org/meetpastortim
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Istrouma en Español
May 30 , 2021
==========
Mayo 30, 2021
Amén: La oración del cristiano
==========
S. Mateo 6:9
Vosotros, pues, oraréis así: Padre nuestro que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre.
-
Dios es nuestro Padre “Padre nuestro…”
a. Un Dios Personal
b. Un Dios de amor
No es a un extraño, es nuestro PADRE, debemos orar con confianza y reverencia. -
Dios esta en los cielos “que estás en el cielo…”
a. Un Dios poderoso
b. Un Dios soberano
Nuestro Dios se encuentra en el cielo indicando su superioridad sobre nosotros, hay una gran diferencia entre Dios y nosotros. -
Dios es Santo “santificado sea tu nombre”
a. Debemos santificarlo en nuestros corazones
b. Debemos Santificarlo en nuestra vida
Él es santo y su nombre debe ser reconocido y santificado por todos, especialmente por su pueblo.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
May 30, 2021
==========
May 30 | Amen
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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May 30, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"God Size Prayers"
Matthew 6:9
The beginning of the Lord’s Prayer is about worship and perspective
Matthew 6:9
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
How we see ourselves impacts why we pray
We are a small part of Gods eternal plan.
How we see God impacts how we pray
We are surrendered to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Meet Pastor Tim Keith
We're excited to announce that Istrouma members voted to affirm Tim Keith for the position of senior pastor! Please click the link below to learn more about Tim and his family.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
May 23, 2021
==========
May 23 | Amen
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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May 23, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Why Pray?"
Matthew 6:5-8
As followers of Jesus everything we do is about advancing the Kingdom of God
Attempting to appear spiritual is empty and destructive
Matthew 6:5-8
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Prayer is an intimate pursuit of Jesus
Prayer is an authentic trusting relationship
Meet Pastor Tim Keith
We're excited to announce that Istrouma members voted to affirm Tim Keith for the position of senior pastor! Please click the link below to learn more about Tim and his family.
https://istrouma.org/meetpastortim
Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
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Istrouma en Español
May 23 – 25, 2021
==========
Mayo 23, 2021
Amén: Enséñanos a orar
==========
S. Mateo 6:5-8
Y cuando ores, no seas como los hipócritas; porque ellos aman el orar en pie en las sinagogas y en las esquinas de las calles, para ser vistos de los hombres; de cierto os digo que ya tienen su recompensa. Mas tú, cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público. Y orando, no uséis vanas repeticiones, como los gentiles, que piensan que por su palabrería serán oídos. No os hagáis, pues, semejantes a ellos; porque vuestro Padre sabe de qué cosas tenéis necesidad, antes que vosotros le pidáis.
- La oración correcta
“5 Y cuando ores, no seas como los hipócritas; porque ellos aman el orar en pie en las sinagogas y en las esquinas de las calles, para ser vistos de los hombres; de cierto os digo que ya tienen su recompensa. 6 Mas tú, cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público.” (6.5-6)
a. La actitud incorrecta al orar
b. La actitud correcta al orar
- La oración clara
“7 Y orando, no uséis vanas repeticiones, como los gentiles, que piensan que por su palabrería serán oídos. 8 No os hagáis, pues, semejantes a ellos…” (6.7-8ª)
a. A quien no debes orar
b. A quien si debes orar
- La oración confiada
“porque vuestro Padre sabe de qué cosas tenéis necesidad, antes que vosotros le pidáis.” (6.8b)
a. Una oración honesta
b. Una oración confiada
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Istrouma en Español
May 16 – 18, 2021
==========
Mayo 16, 2021
El Salmo 23: Lo mejor ya viene
==========
Salmo 23:6
Ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán todos los días de mi vida, y en la casa del S EÑOR moraré por largos días.
-
Dios te ama y te persigue
a. Por su naturaleza
b. Por su carácter -
Él anhela darte lo que necesitas
a. Lo hizo ayer
b. Lo hará mañana -
Lo mejor ya viene
a. Es su casa
b. Es mi casa
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Pastor Candidate Tim Keith
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
May 16, 2021
==========
May 16
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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May 16, 2021 | Tim Keith
NOTES:
Pastor Updates
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Revelation 22
The River of Life
[1] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. [3] No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Jesus Is Coming
[6] And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
[7] “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
[8] I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, [9] but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
[10] And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. [11] Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
[12] “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. [13] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
[14] Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. [15] Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
[16] “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
[17] The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
[18] I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, [19] and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
[20] He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
[21] The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (ESV)
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
May 9, 2021
==========
May 9 | The 23rd Psalm
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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May 9, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Running After Me"
Psalm 23:6
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
SURELY you can know for certain
GOODNESS describes the nature of God
AND MERCY describes the heart of God
SHALL FOLLOW ME pursue or run after me
ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, AND I a follower of Christ
SHALL DWELL reside or be at home
in the house of the Lord forever.
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Mis disculpas, no el mejor auditor
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**Istrouma en Español
May 9 – 11, 2021
==========
Mayo 9, 2021
El Salmo 23: Bajo la mirada de tus enemigos
==========
Salmo 23:5
Tú preparas mesa delante de mí en presencia de mis enemigos; has ungido mi cabeza con aceite; mi copa está rebosando.
-
Lo que necesitas (23.5a)
a. Alimento abundante
b. Paz completa -
Cuando lo necesitas (23.5b)
a. Amor y protección
b. Consuelo y Sanidad -
Todo lo que necesitas (23.5c)
a. Satisfacción total
b. Santidad total
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May 2 – 4, 2021
==========
Mayo 2, 2021
El Salmo 23: Los valles de la vida
==========
Salmos 23:4
Aunque ande en valle de sombra de muerte, no temeré mal alguno, porque tú estarás conmigo; tu vara y tu cayado me infundirán aliento.
-
Una visión realista.
“Aunque pase por el valle de sombra de muerte…” (23.4ª)
a. Los valles son parte de la vida.
b. Los valles son diferentes. -
Una visión espiritual.
“no temeré mal alguno, porque tú estás conmigo…” (23.4b)
a. Un pastor protector.
b. Un pastor poderoso. -
Una visión de fe.
“…tu vara y tu cayado me infunden aliento” (23.4c)
a. La fe se vive internamente.
b. La fe se muestra externamente.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
May 2, 2021
==========
May 2 | The 23rd Psalm
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We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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May 2, 2021 | Micah Cating
"A TABLE IN THE VALLEY"
Psalm 23:5
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
FROM SHEPHERD TO HOST
You prepare a table before me…
OUR ENEMIES FADE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
… in the presence of my enemies…
THE GENEROSITY OF GOD BUILDS OUR FAITH IN HIM
… you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
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**Istrouma en Español
Apr 25 – 27, 2021
==========
Abril 25, 2021
El Salmo 23: Protección y Confianza
==========
Salmos 23:3
Confortará mi alma; Me guiará por sendas de justicia por amor de su nombre.
-
En las manos del Pastor (Confortará mi alma 23.3a)
a. La vara
b. El cayado
c. El aceite -
En la voz del Pastor (me guiará por sendas de justicia 23.3b)
a. Reconocemos su voz
b. Respondemos a su voz -
En la identidad del Pastor (por amor de su nombre 23.3c)
a. No se trata de mí
b. Se trata de El
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Apr 25, 2021
==========
April 25 | The 23rd Psalm
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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April 25, 2021 | Micah Cating
"Rest for your Soul"
Psalm 23:3-4
Psalm 23:3-4
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
THE LORD RESTORES
He restores my soul.
NO MATTER WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES, GOD IS WORKING FOR HIS GLORY.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…
The Good Places - Paths of Righteousness
The Hard Places – The Valley of the Shadow of Death
WHERE GOD IS PRESENT THERE IS NO NEED TO BE AFRAID
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Apr 18, 2021
==========
April 18 | The 23rd Psalm
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We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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April 18, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Rest for your Soul"
The 23rd Psalm
Psalm 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
The only sheep that lie down are ones that are...
not hungry
not scared
God desires to replaces our anxiety and fear with rest and peace
We don’t rest because...
We equate busyness with importance or value.
We are attempting to drown
out the noise of failure or conviction
We are fearful because...
We focus on the negative
We can’t see a solution
We don’t think God will come through
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Pastor Updates
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Istrouma en Español
==========
Abril 18, 2021
El Salmo 23: Aguas Tranquilas
==========
Salmos 23:2
En lugares de delicados pastos me hará descansar; Junto a aguas de reposo me pastoreará.
-
La Provisión de Dios
a. El pastor satisface abundantemente
b. El pastor conoce los mejores lugares -
La Paz de Dios
a. Nos da libertad
b. Renueva nuestra vida -
La Protección
a. El pastor ofrece un “andar” seguro
b. La oveja conoce a su pastor, ¡Jamás duda quien es!
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Istrouma en Español
Apr 11 , 2021
==========
Abril 11, 2021
El Salmo 23
==========
Salmos 23:1
Jehová es mi pastor; nada me faltará.
Muchas personas no tienen el gran privilegio de entender
esta palabra:
Algunos porque no creen en nuestro Dios todopoderoso.
Otros porque no han tomado la decisión de depositar su
corazón en las manos del Señor.
Otros porque están sumergidos en religiones donde la
distancia entre su dios y ellos es muy grande y porque no
existe ni la más remota posibilidad de que su dios pueda
acercarse a sus vidas.
No hay cercanía, y lo único que
piensan es en el castigo que recibirán por mal comportamiento.
-
Un Dios cerca de Tí
“Claman los justos, y Jehová oye, y los libra de todas sus
angustias. Cercano está Jehová a los quebrantados de
corazón; y salva a los contritos de espíritu.” (Salmos 34:17-18).
a. Él es el creador
b. Él es el que conoce tu vida
c. Él es el que todo lo puede. -
Un Pastor que ama sus ovejas
"Como pastor apacentará su rebaño; en su brazo llevará los corderos, y en su seno los llevará; pastoreará suavemente a las recién paridas." Isaias 40:11
Somos ovejas privilegiadas porque:
a. Al ser “Mi Pastor” tenemosuna relaciónpersonal.
b. Al ser “Mi Pastor" tenemos un protector cercano.
c. Al ser "Mi Pastor" Él Conoce nuestras debilidades y nuestras
fortalezas.
S. Juan 10:11
Yo soy el buen pastor; el buen pastor su vida da por las ovejas.
Salmos 121:5-8
Jehová es tu guardador; Jehová es tu sombra a tu mano derecha. El sol no te fatigará de día, Ni la luna de noche. Jehová te guardará de todo mal; Él guardará tu alma. Jehová guardará tu salida y tu entrada Desde ahora y para siempre.
- Un proveedor en nuestras necesidades
Él provee:
a. Mi Salud
b. Mis necesidades
c. Mi seguridad
Juan 10:14-16
14 »Yo soy el buen pastor;
conozco a mis ovejas, y ellas me conocen a mí,15 así como
el Padre me conoce a mí y yo lo conozco a él, y doy mi vida
por las ovejas.16 Tengo otras ovejas que no son de este
redil, y también a ellas debo traerlas. Así ellas escucharán
mi voz, y habrá un solo rebaño y un solo pastor.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Apr 11, 2021
==========
April 11 | The 23rd Psalm
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We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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April 11, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Everything I Need"
The 23rd Psalm
Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
“The Lord” describes an authoritative relationship; an all-ruling power
“My shepherd” describes a personal relationship; an intimate connection
My shepherd will...
Provide for me
Lead me
Never leave me
Fight for me
Pastor Updates
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Apr 4 , 2021
==========
Abril 4, 2021
El Mesías y la Pascua Judía
==========
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El día de hoy estaremos hablando sobre la Pascua Judía con nuestro invitado especial el Pastor Jorge Sedaca, líder de pascua, explorando y practicando como se suele celebrar este día tan especial en la cultura Judía. Te recomendamos ver la transmisión del servicio en Facebook ya que no será compartido por aquí ya que las notas del servicio son extensas.
Un saludo,
Bendiciones.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Apr 4, 2021
==========
April 4 | Easter at Istrouma
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We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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April 4, 2021 | Stuart Rothberg
"Heaven's Hope"
Notes:
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Istrouma en Español
Mar 28 – 30, 2021
==========
Marzo 28, 2021
Mejor Juntos: La Comunidad De La Iglesia
==========
1 Corintios 12:12-26
Porque así como el cuerpo es uno, y tiene muchos miembros, pero todos los miembros del cuerpo, siendo muchos, son un solo cuerpo, así también Cristo. Porque por un solo Espíritu fuimos todos bautizados en un cuerpo, sean judíos o griegos, sean esclavos o libres; y a todos se nos dio a beber de un mismo Espíritu. Además, el cuerpo no es un solo miembro, sino muchos. Si dijere el pie: Porque no soy mano, no soy del cuerpo, ¿por eso no será del cuerpo? Y si dijere la oreja: Porque no soy ojo, no soy del cuerpo, ¿por eso no será del cuerpo? Si todo el cuerpo fuese ojo, ¿dónde estaría el oído? Si todo fuese oído, ¿dónde estaría el olfato? Mas ahora Dios ha colocado los miembros cada uno de ellos en el cuerpo, como él quiso. Porque si todos fueran un solo miembro, ¿dónde estaría el cuerpo? Pero ahora son muchos los miembros, pero el cuerpo es uno solo. Ni el ojo puede decir a la mano: No te necesito, ni tampoco la cabeza a los pies: No tengo necesidad de vosotros. Antes bien los miembros del cuerpo que parecen más débiles, son los más necesarios; y a aquellos del cuerpo que nos parecen menos dignos, a estos vestimos más dignamente; y los que en nosotros son menos decorosos, se tratan con más decoro. Porque los que en nosotros son más decorosos, no tienen necesidad; pero Dios ordenó el cuerpo, dando más abundante honor al que le faltaba, para que no haya desavenencia en el cuerpo, sino que los miembros todos se preocupen los unos por los otros. De manera que si un miembro padece, todos los miembros se duelen con él, y si un miembro recibe honra, todos los miembros con él se gozan.
-
Ser miembros de la iglesia significa que todos somos necesarios.
a. Membresía cultural.
b. Membresía bíblica. -
Ser miembros de la iglesia significa que todos somos diferentes.
a. Cada uno es parte del cuerpo.
b. Diversidad como característica.
Ser miembros de la iglesia significa que todos tenemos una tarea.
a. Dios da capacidades.
b. Dios da un lugar de servicio.
- Ser miembros de la iglesia significa que todos trabajamos juntos.
a. Nadie puede prescindir del otro.
b. Aun los menos pensados son necesarios.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Mar 28, 2021
==========
March 28 | Better Together
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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Easter at Istrouma
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March 28, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"The Church Matters"
“The church exists for those that aren’t here yet”
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 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.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
The Right Perspective
We are different
We need each other
The Right Questions
Is my issue a conviction or a personal preference?
Is my issue Gospel centered?
The Right Focus
Don’t give up on the church
Don’t give up on people
Don’t give up on yourself
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Istrouma en Español
Mar 21 , 2021
==========
Marzo 21, 2021
Mejor Juntos: Distanciamento Social
==========
S. Lucas 10:25-37
Y he aquí un intérprete de la ley se levantó y dijo, para probarle: Maestro, ¿haciendo qué cosa heredaré la vida eterna? Él le dijo: ¿Qué está escrito en la ley? ¿Cómo lees? Aquel, respondiendo, dijo: Amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, y con toda tu alma, y con todas tus fuerzas, y con toda tu mente; y a tu prójimo como a ti mismo. Y le dijo: Bien has respondido; haz esto, y vivirás. Pero él, queriendo justificarse a sí mismo, dijo a Jesús: ¿Y quién es mi prójimo? Respondiendo Jesús, dijo: Un hombre descendía de Jerusalén a Jericó, y cayó en manos de ladrones, los cuales le despojaron; e hiriéndole, se fueron, dejándole medio muerto. Aconteció que descendió un sacerdote por aquel camino, y viéndole, pasó de largo. Asimismo un levita, llegando cerca de aquel lugar, y viéndole, pasó de largo. Pero un samaritano, que iba de camino, vino cerca de él, y viéndole, fue movido a misericordia; y acercándose, vendó sus heridas, echándoles aceite y vino; y poniéndole en su cabalgadura, lo llevó al mesón, y cuidó de él. Otro día al partir, sacó dos denarios, y los dio al mesonero, y le dijo: Cuídamele; y todo lo que gastes de más, yo te lo pagaré cuando regrese. ¿Quién, pues, de estos tres te parece que fue el prójimo del que cayó en manos de los ladrones? Él dijo: El que usó de misericordia con él. Entonces Jesús le dijo: Ve, y haz tú lo mismo.
-
El distanciamiento social produce Crueldad Extrema. (Lc.10.30)
(Social distancing produces Extreme Cruelty) -
El distanciamiento social produce Indiferencia Impensada. (Lc. 10.31-32)
(Social distancing produces Unthinkable Indifference) -
El distanciamiento social produce Compasión Genuina.(Lc. 10.33-35)
(Social distancing produces Genuine Compassion)
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Mar 21, 2021
==========
March 21 | Better Together
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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Easter at Istrouma
https://istrouma.org/calendar/event/2058692
March 21, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Love your Neighbor"
“Love your neighbor” is God’s primary method of spreading the Gospel
“Love your neighbor” is an opportunity to be hands and feet of Jesus
Luke 10:25-37
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
A true neighbor is willing to sacrifice their TIME, MONEY, and EFFORT
A true neighbor’s motivation is passion for the Gospel and love for people
Pastor Updates
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Istrouma en Español
Mar 14 – 16, 2021
==========
Marzo 14, 2021
Mejor Juntos: ¿Quién es el Jefe?
==========
Efesios 6:5-9
Siervos, obedeced a vuestros amos terrenales con temor y temblor, con sencillez de vuestro corazón, como a Cristo; no sirviendo al ojo, como los que quieren agradar a los hombres, sino como siervos de Cristo, de corazón haciendo la voluntad de Dios; sirviendo de buena voluntad, como al Señor y no a los hombres, sabiendo que el bien que cada uno hiciere, ese recibirá del Señor, sea siervo o sea libre. Y vosotros, amos, haced con ellos lo mismo, dejando las amenazas, sabiendo que el Señor de ellos y vuestro está en los cielos, y que para él no hay acepción de personas.
-
Un Problema Especial.
“Siervos, obedeced a vuestros amos terrenales…” (6.5a)
a. Considere su trabajo como una sociedad con Dios.
b. Considere su trabajo como una oportunidad y sea agradecido. -
Una Perspectiva Efectiva.
“Con sencillez de vuestro corazón, como a Cristo.” (6.5b)
a. Considere su trabajo como un lugar de servicio.
b. Considere su trabajo como una responsabilidad y sea fructífero -
Un Plan Excelente.
“sirviendo de buena voluntad, como al Señor y no a los hombres.” (6.7)
a. Considere su lugar de trabajo como un lugar donde testificar.
b. Considere su trabajo como un ministerio y sea fiel.
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Mar 14, 2021
Dr. James "Jamie" K. Dew, Guest Speaker
==========
March 14 | Better Together
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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Easter at Istrouma
https://istrouma.org/calendar/event/2058692
March 14, 2021 | Dr. Jamie Dew
Better Together
Notes:
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Istrouma en Español
Marzo 7 , 2021
==========
Marzo 7, 2021
MejorJuntos: El Mejor Padre y el Mejor Hijo
==========
Efesios 6:1-4
Hijos, obedeced en el Señor a vuestros padres, porque esto es justo. Honra a tu padre y a tu madre, que es el primer mandamiento con promesa; para que te vaya bien, y seas de larga vida sobre la tierra. Y vosotros, padres, no provoquéis a ira a vuestros hijos, sino criadlos en disciplina y amonestación del Señor.
A. El deber de los hijos
Hijos, obedeced a vuestros padres en el Señor, porque esto es justo. 2 Honra a tu padre y a tu madre(que es el primer mandamiento con promesa), 3 para que te vaya bien, y para que tengas larga vida sobre la tierra. (Efesios 6.1-3)
1. ¿Que exige?
a. Obediencia
b. Honra
2. ¿Por qué?
a. Justo
b. El Señor lo manda
c. Tiene una promesa
3. ¿Como?
a. En el Señor
B. El deber de los padres
Y vosotros, padres, no provoquéis a ira a vuestros hijos, sino criadlos en la disciplina e instrucción del Señor. (Efesios 6.4)
- ¿Que exige?
a. Criar
b. Educar
c. Disciplinar - ¿Por qué?
a. Justo
b. El Señor lo manda
c. Tiene una promesa - ¿Como?
a. Con autoridad firme
b. Con autoridad benevolente
c. Con autoridad en el Señor
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Feb 28, 2021
==========
February 28 | Better Together
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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February 28, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Better as One"
Marriage is a 100% commitment, not a 50-50 contract.
Couples that keep score will never have a fulfilling marriage.
Ephesians 5:22-33
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Focusing on your spouse meeting your needs will always lead to disappointment
Submission is a gift to be offered not a command to be demanded
Mutual submission is a beautiful picture of the Gospel
Married Couples
Don’t just survive...COMMUNICATE
Don’t talk down to your spouse...especially in public
Take trips together...without the kids
Single but Looking
The wrong person is much worse than no person...don’t settle
Don’t marry someone you don’t trust...they must be “submit-worthy”
Pastor Updates
For all pastor updates and information go to:
https://istrouma.org/pastor
Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
Click here to add your name to our mailing list:
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Our Website
https://istrouma.org**
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Feb 28, 2021
==========
February 28 | Better Together
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
February 28, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Better as One"
Marriage is a 100% commitment, not a 50-50 contract.
Couples that keep score will never have a fulfilling marriage.
Ephesians 5:22-33
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Focusing on your spouse meeting your needs will always lead to disappointment
Submission is a gift to be offered not a command to be demanded
Mutual submission is a beautiful picture of the Gospel
Married Couples
Don’t just survive...COMMUNICATE
Don’t talk down to your spouse...especially in public
Take trips together...without the kids
Single but Looking
The wrong person is much worse than no person...don’t settle
Don’t marry someone you don’t trust...they must be “submit-worthy”
Pastor Updates
For all pastor updates and information go to:
https://istrouma.org/pastor
Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
Click here to add your name to our mailing list:
https://istrouma.org/email
Give Online
Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to:
https://istrouma.org/give
Our Website
https://istrouma.org
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**Istrouma en Español
Feb 28 , 2021
==========
Febrero 28, 2021
Mejor Juntos: Ella y yo
==========
Efesios 5:21-33
Someteos unos a otros en el temor de Dios. Las casadas estén sujetas a sus propios maridos, como al Señor; porque el marido es cabeza de la mujer, así como Cristo es cabeza de la iglesia, la cual es su cuerpo, y él es su Salvador. Así que, como la iglesia está sujeta a Cristo, así también las casadas lo estén a sus maridos en todo. Maridos, amad a vuestras mujeres, así como Cristo amó a la iglesia, y se entregó a sí mismo por ella, para santificarla, habiéndola purificado en el lavamiento del agua por la palabra, a fin de presentársela a sí mismo, una iglesia gloriosa, que no tuviese mancha ni arruga ni cosa semejante, sino que fuese santa y sin mancha. Así también los maridos deben amar a sus mujeres como a sus mismos cuerpos. El que ama a su mujer, a sí mismo se ama. Porque nadie aborreció jamás a su propia carne, sino que la sustenta y la cuida, como también Cristo a la iglesia, porque somos miembros de su cuerpo, de su carne y de sus huesos. Por esto dejará el hombre a su padre y a su madre, y se unirá a su mujer, y los dos serán una sola carne. Grande es este misterio; mas yo digo esto respecto de Cristo y de la iglesia. Por lo demás, cada uno de vosotros ame también a su mujer como a sí mismo; y la mujer respete a su marido.
Fundamento firme (Ef. 5.21)
Construcción fuerte (Ef. 5.22-32)
Adornos finos (Ef. 5.33)
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Feb 21, 2021
==========
February 21 | Better Together
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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February 21, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Selfless"
God knows what you need and what you desire better than you do
Matthew 22:36-39
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 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. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Loving God and loving people takes the focus off of me
God is the only one who can meet my needs
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Selfishness never satisfies and ultimately destroys
Serving gives life and brings contentment
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**Istrouma en Español
Feb 21 – 23, 2021
==========
Febrero 21, 2021
Mejor Juntos: Unos con Otros
==========
Filipenses 2:1-4
Por tanto, si hay alguna consolación en Cristo, si algún consuelo de amor, si alguna comunión del Espíritu, si algún afecto entrañable, si alguna misericordia, completad mi gozo, sintiendo lo mismo, teniendo el mismo amor, unánimes, sintiendo una misma cosa. Nada hagáis por contienda o por vanagloria; antes bien con humildad, estimando cada uno a los demás como superiores a él mismo; no mirando cada uno por lo suyo propio, sino cada cual también por lo de los otros.
La unidad del pueblo del Señor es un don precioso y permite que el Espíritu Santo obre: “Cuando llegó el día de Pentecostés, estaban todos juntos en un mismo lugar”. (Hechos 2:1). Hay motivos o razones para la unidad de la iglesia, debemos responder a tres preguntas:
¿Que?
“Ámense los unos a los otros con amor fraternal, respetándose y honrándose mutuamente.” (Romanos 12.10)
Amor fraternal
¿Por qué?
“Por tanto, si sienten algún estímulo en su unión con Cristo, algún consuelo en su amor, algún compañerismo en el Espíritu, algún afecto entrañable.” (Filipenses 2.1)
Por la unión con Cristo.
Por el consuelo del amor.
Por el compañerismo en el Espíritu.
Por un afecto profundo.
¿Cómo?
“2llénenme de alegría teniendo un mismo parecer, un mismo amor, unidos en alma y pensamiento. 3 No hagan nada por egoísmo o vanidad; más bien, con humildad consideren a los demás como superiores a ustedes mismos. 4 Cada uno debe velar no solo por sus propios intereses, sino también por los intereses de los demás.” (Filipenses 2.2-4)
Teniendo el mismo parecer
Teniendo el mismo amor
Teniendo Unanimidad
No haciendo nada por contienda
Estimando a los demás como superiores
No mirando cada uno por lo suyo propio
Registrate
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Istrouma en Español
Feb 14 , 2021
==========
ç
Mejor Juntos
==========
1 Pedro 1:1-2
Pedro, apóstol de Jesucristo, a los expatriados de la dispersión en el Ponto, Galacia, Capadocia, Asia y Bitinia, elegidos según la presciencia de Dios Padre en santificación del Espíritu, para obedecer y ser rociados con la sangre de Jesucristo: Gracia y paz os sean multiplicadas.
Fuimos elegidos por Dios.
(Gen. 1:26-27, Efesios 1:4)
Fuimos elegidos para ser santificados por su Espíritu.
(1 Tesalonicenses 2:13)
Fuimos elegidos para obedecer a Jesucristo.
(1 Pedro 1:22)
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**strouma Baptist Church (BR)
Feb 14, 2021
==========
February 14 | Better Together
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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February 14, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Better with God"
God set us apart from all His creation.
Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
We are unique
We are valued
Colossians 1:15-16
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
We are known
Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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Istrouma en Español
Febrero 7, 2021
Hechos 2:42 Y perseveraban en la doctrina de los apóstoles, en la comunión unos con otros, en el partímiento del pan y en las oraciones. Hechos 2:1 Reina-Valera 1960 (RVR1960)
1 Cuando llegó el día de Pentecostés, estaban todos unánimes juntos. Jesús oraba por unidad: 1. porque así nos construimos los unos a los otros
“Desesperadamente nos necesitamos unos con otros” Juan 17 NVI 21 para que todos sean uno. Padre, así como tú estás en mí y yo en ti, permite que ellos también estén en nosotros, para que el mundo crea que tú me has enviado. Jesús oraba por unidad:
-
porque el mundo podrá ver el amor de Dios
Podrá ver el amor de Dios en su familia Juan 17 NVI
23 yo en ellos y tú en mí. Permite que alcancen la perfección en la unidad, y así el mundo reconozca que tú me enviaste y que los has amado a ellos tal como me has amado a mí. Jesús oraba por unidad: -
porque juntos podemos cumplir los propósitos de Dios La soledad debilita la vida humana. Pasa lo mismo con el cristiano. Solos, nos debilitamos. Juan 17
24 »Padre, quiero que los que me has dado estén conmigo donde yo estoy. Que vean mi gloria, la gloria que me has dado porque me amaste desde antes de la creación del mundo. 25 »Padre justo, aunque el mundo no te conoce, yo sí te conozco, y estos reconocen que tú me enviaste. 26 Yo les he dado a conocer quién eres, y seguiré haciéndolo, para que el amor con que me has amado esté en ellos, y yo mismo esté en ellos». Mateo 28:20 NVI 20 enseñándoles a obedecer todo lo que les he mandado a ustedes. Y les aseguro que estaré con ustedes siempre, hasta el fin del mundo.[a]
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Feb 7, 2021
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February 7 | Exodus: The Best Is Yet to Come
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Connection Card
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February 7, 2021 | Micah Cating
Exodus 13-15
"Praise over Panic"
GOD’S PATH
GOD’S PRESENCE
GOD’S PURPOSE
ISRAEL’S PANIC
GOD’S PROTECTION
GOD’S PROVISION
ISRAEL’S PRAISE
GOD’S WORK IN YOUR LIFE IS FOR MORE THAN JUST YOU
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**strouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jan 31, 2021
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January 31 | Exodus: The Best Is Yet to Come
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/news-from-istrouma-january-29?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
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January 31, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Passover"
The Lamb
Exodus 12:1-6
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.
One for a person
One for a family
One for the nation
One for the world
John 1:29
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
The Blood
Exodus 12:7, Exodus 12:12-13
“Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.
Symbol of death
Symbol of rescue
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**Istrouma en Español
Jan 31 – Feb 2, 2021
==========
Enero 31, 2021
La Pascua
==========
Éxodo 12:5-11
El animal será sin defecto, macho de un año; lo tomaréis de las ovejas o de las cabras. Y lo guardaréis hasta el día catorce de este mes, y lo inmolará toda la congregación del pueblo de Israel entre las dos tardes. Y tomarán de la sangre, y la pondrán en los dos postes y en el dintel de las casas en que lo han de comer. Y aquella noche comerán la carne asada al fuego, y panes sin levadura; con hierbas amargas lo comerán. Ninguna cosa comeréis de él cruda, ni cocida en agua, sino asada al fuego; su cabeza con sus pies y sus entrañas. Ninguna cosa dejaréis de él hasta la mañana; y lo que quedare hasta la mañana, lo quemaréis en el fuego. Y lo comeréis así: ceñidos vuestros lomos, vuestro calzado en vuestros pies, y vuestro bordón en vuestra mano; y lo comeréis apresuradamente; es la Pascua de Jehová.
Debía ser escogido un Cordero sin defecto…
Éxodo 12:5, 1-Pedro 1:18.19
No sería quebrado ningún hueso.
Éxodo 12:46, Juan 19:33 y 36
Ofrece una nueva Vida y una Salvación eterna.
Éxodo 12:27, 1 Pedro 1:18-19
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**Istrouma en Español
Jan 24 – 26, 2021
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Enero 24, 2021
Dios Revela su Gloria
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Éxodo 9:16
pero te he dejado vivir para que veas mi poder, y para darme a conocer en toda la tierra.
Por medio de su Soberanía.
Sobre Egipto.
Sobre Israel.
Sobre las Naciones.
Por medio de su Supereminencia.
Sobre los magos egipcios.
Sobre los dioses egipcios.
Por medio de su Salvación.
Algunos la rechazan.
Algunos la aceptan.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church
Dec 20, 2020
==========
December 20 | Baton Rouge
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577874?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
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December 20, 2020 | Micah Cating
"On earth peace…"
Luke 2:8-14
Luke 2:8-14
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
GOD’S PRESENCE BRINGS PEACE
GOD’S PEACE IS A GLOBAL PEACE
JESUS IS GOD’S GIFT OF PEACE
GOD’S PEACE CAUSES WORSHIP
Pastor Updates
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**Istrouma en Español
Jan 17 – 19, 2021
==========
Enero 17, 2021
¡El es el Señor!
==========
Éxodo 6:1-2
Jehová respondió a Moisés: Ahora verás lo que yo haré a Faraón; porque con mano fuerte los dejará ir, y con mano fuerte los echará de su tierra. Habló todavía Dios a Moisés, y le dijo: Yo soy JEHOVÁ.
Que Confronta a sus enemigos (5.1-2)
Que Consuela a su Pueblo (5.21-6.2)
Que Confirma su pacto (6.1-8)
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jan 17, 2021
==========
January 17 | Exodus: The Best Is Yet to Come
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577930?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
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January 17, 2021 | Jeff Williams
"Perspective"
Exodus 5-6
Often times a breakthrough is preceded by a breakdown
Focusing on circumstances leads to disappointment
Focusing on God’s promises leads to hope
God is in control
God keeps his covenant
God saves
Keep preaching the Gospel to yourself
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**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jan 10, 2021
==========
January 10 | Exodus: The Best Is Yet to Come
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577918?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
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January 10, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"The Great I Am"
Exodus 3-4
God’s calling on your life is about His ability and your availability
God is not offended by honest conversation
Choosing to trust God changes everything
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**Istrouma en Español
Jan 3 – 5, 2021
==========
Enero 3, 2021
Su historia, nuestra historia
==========
Éxodo 1:11-13
Fue así como los egipcios pusieron capataces para que oprimieran a los israelitas. Les impusieron trabajos forzados, tales como los de edificar para el faraón las ciudades de almacenaje Pitón y Ramsés. Pero cuanto más los oprimían, más se multiplicaban y se extendían, de modo que los egipcios llegaron a tenerles miedo; por eso les imponían trabajos pesados y los trataban con crueldad.
La Condición de Israel. (Éxodo 1:11-13)
Esclavitud política.
Esclavitud económica.
Esclavitud social.
Esclavitud espiritual.
El Carácter de Moisés. (Éxodo 2:11-12)
40 años en Egipto tratando de ser alguien.
40 años en el Desierto siendo nadie.
40 años en medio del Pueblo demostrando que Dios es todo.
El Cuidado del Señor. (Éxodo 2:23-24)
Dios ve y escucha.
Dios cumple sus promesas.
Dios utiliza como parte de su plan.
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Istrouma Baptist Church
**Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Jan 3, 2021
==========
January 3 | Exodus: The Best Is Yet to Come
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577874?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
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January 3, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"THE BIG PICTURE"
Exodus 1-2
The Conditions:
Exodus 1
Political Slavery
Economic Slavery
Social Slavery
Spiritual Slavery
The Character:
Exodus 2
Murderer
Deceiver
Liar
The Conclusion:
God sees you and He hears you
God will always keep His promises
God wants to use you as a part of His story
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Iglesia en el Hogar
Diciembre 27, 2020
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Istrouma Baptist Church
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Istrouma Baptist Church
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Istrouma Baptist Church
**Istrouma Baptist Church
Dec 20, 2020
==========
December 20 | Baton Rouge
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577874?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
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December 20, 2020 | Micah Cating
"On earth peace…"
Luke 2:8-14
Luke 2:8-14
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
GOD’S PRESENCE BRINGS PEACE
GOD’S PEACE IS A GLOBAL PEACE
JESUS IS GOD’S GIFT OF PEACE
GOD’S PEACE CAUSES WORSHIP
Pastor Updates
For all pastor updates and information go to:
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**Istrouma Baptist Church
Dec 13, 2020
==========
December 13 | Baton Rouge
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577858?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
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December 13, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"The Promise of Joy"
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
See Jesus as a threat to your way of life
Self preservation
Fear
Willing to use people
See Jesus as the treasure above everything
Seeking
Humble
Willing to be led
Pastor Updates
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Istrouma en Español
Dec 13 , 2020
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Diciembre 13, 2020
La promesa del gozo
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Mateo 2:1-12
Después de que Jesús nació en Belén de Judea en tiempos del rey Herodes, llegaron a Jerusalén unos sabios procedentes del Oriente. —¿Dónde está el que ha nacido rey de los judíos? —preguntaron—. Vimos levantarse su estrella y hemos venido a adorarlo. Cuando lo oyó el rey Herodes, se turbó, y toda Jerusalén con él. Así que convocó de entre el pueblo a todos los jefes de los sacerdotes y maestros de la ley, y les preguntó dónde había de nacer el Cristo. —En Belén de Judea —le respondieron—, porque esto es lo que ha escrito el profeta: »“Pero tú, Belén, en la tierra de Judá, de ninguna manera eres la menor entre los principales de Judá; porque de ti saldrá un príncipe que será el pastor de mi pueblo Israel”». Luego Herodes llamó en secreto a los sabios y se enteró por ellos del tiempo exacto en que había aparecido la estrella. Los envió a Belén y les dijo: —Vayan e infórmense bien de ese niño y, tan pronto como lo encuentren, avísenme para que yo también vaya y lo adore. Después de oír al rey, siguieron su camino, y sucedió que la estrella que habían visto levantarse iba delante de ellos hasta que se detuvo sobre el lugar donde estaba el niño. Al ver la estrella, se llenaron de alegría. Cuando llegaron a la casa, vieron al niño con María, su madre; y postrándose lo adoraron. Abrieron sus cofres y le presentaron como regalos oro, incienso y mirra. Entonces, advertidos en sueños de que no volvieran a Herodes, regresaron a su tierra por otro camino.
Algunos ven a Jesús como la verdad.
Los sabios buscan a Jesús.
Los sabios reconocen a Jesús.
Los sabios adoran a Jesús.
Algunos ven a Jesús como una amenaza.
El orgullo de Herodes engendró una mentira.
El orgullo de Herodes produjo hipocresía.
El orgullo de Herodes provocó una decisión fatal.
Algunos no quieren ver a Jesús
Los indiferentes tienen la información correcta.
Los indiferentes tienen la palabra verdadera.
Los indiferentes no están interesados.
Registrate
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Visita nuestra pagina.
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Istrouma en Español
Dec 6 , 2020
==========
Diciembre 6, 2020
Promesa de Fe
==========
Lucas 1:26-38
A los seis meses, Dios envió al ángel Gabriel a Nazaret, pueblo de Galilea, a visitar a una joven virgen comprometida para casarse con un hombre que se llamaba José, descendiente de David. La virgen se llamaba María. El ángel se acercó a ella y le dijo: —¡Te saludo, tú que has recibido el favor de Dios! El Señor está contigo. Ante estas palabras, María se perturbó, y se preguntaba qué podría significar este saludo. —No tengas miedo, María; Dios te ha concedido su favor —le dijo el ángel—. Quedarás encinta y darás a luz un hijo, y le pondrás por nombre Jesús. Él será un gran hombre, y lo llamarán Hijo del Altísimo. Dios el Señor le dará el trono de su padre David, y reinará sobre el pueblo de Jacob para siempre. Su reinado no tendrá fin. —¿Cómo podrá suceder esto —le preguntó María al ángel—, puesto que soy virgen? —El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra. Así que al santo niño que va a nacer lo llamarán Hijo de Dios. También tu parienta Elisabet va a tener un hijo en su vejez; de hecho, la que decían que era estéril ya está en el sexto mes de embarazo. Porque para Dios no hay nada imposible. —Aquí tienes a la sierva del Señor —contestó María—. Que él haga conmigo como me has dicho. Con esto, el ángel la dejó.
Preguntas sinceras
¿Qué es lo que te despierta en medio de la noche?
¿Que te preocupa del futuro?
¿Que sientes cuando te consideras inadecuado para algo?
¡No hubo, no hay y nunca habrá algo imposible para Dios!
Respuestas correctas
a. YO me rindo a ti.
b. YO estoy disponible para ti.
c. YO confío en ti.
Registrate
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Tus comentarios:
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Dec 6, 2020
==========
December 6 | Baton Rouge
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577846?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
December 6, 2020 | Dwayne Pitre
"The Promise of Hope"
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
- The _____ of Christmas
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which means God with us" (v23).
- The _____ of Christmas
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (21).
Pastor Updates
For all pastor updates and information go to:
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Istrouma en Español
Nov 22 – 23, 2020
==========
Noviembre 22, 2020
"No entierres tus talentos "
==========
Mateo 25:14-27
»El reino de los cielos será también como un hombre que, al emprender un viaje, llamó a sus siervos y les encargó sus bienes. A uno le dio cinco mil monedas de oro, a otro dos mil y a otro solo mil, a cada uno según su capacidad. Luego se fue de viaje. El que había recibido las cinco mil fue en seguida y negoció con ellas y ganó otras cinco mil. Así mismo, el que recibió dos mil ganó otras dos mil. Pero el que había recibido mil fue, cavó un hoyo en la tierra y escondió el dinero de su señor. »Después de mucho tiempo volvió el señor de aquellos siervos y arregló cuentas con ellos. El que había recibido las cinco mil monedas llegó con las otras cinco mil. “Señor —dijo—, usted me encargó cinco mil monedas. Mire, he ganado otras cinco mil”. Su señor le respondió: “¡Hiciste bien, siervo bueno y fiel! En lo poco has sido fiel; te pondré a cargo de mucho más. ¡Ven a compartir la felicidad de tu señor!” Llegó también el que recibió dos mil monedas. “Señor —informó—, usted me encargó dos mil monedas. Mire, he ganado otras dos mil”. Su señor le respondió: “¡Hiciste bien, siervo bueno y fiel! Has sido fiel en lo poco; te pondré a cargo de mucho más. ¡Ven a compartir la felicidad de tu señor!” »Después llegó el que había recibido solo mil monedas. “Señor —explicó—, yo sabía que usted es un hombre duro, que cosecha donde no ha sembrado y recoge donde no ha esparcido. Así que tuve miedo, y fui y escondí su dinero en la tierra. Mire, aquí tiene lo que es suyo”. Pero su señor le contestó: “¡Siervo malo y perezoso! ¿Así que sabías que cosecho donde no he sembrado y recojo donde no he esparcido? Pues debías haber depositado mi dinero en el banco, para que a mi regreso lo hubiera recibido con intereses.
-
Dios es el dueño de todo.
-
Nosotros no somos dueños de nada.
-
Dios espera que seamos fieles.
Registrate
Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres
https://istrouma.org/nuevo
Visita nuestra pagina.
Tus comentarios:
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Email List
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Nov 29, 2020
==========
November 29 | Baton Rouge
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577842?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
November 29, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"The Promise of Faith"
Luke 1:26-38
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
What wakes you up in the middle of the night?
What scares you about the future?
What do you feel unqualified/inadequate to accomplish?
God has been, is, and always will be unstoppable
The right response is
I surrender
I’m available.
I trust You
Pastor Updates
For all pastor updates and information go to:
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Give Online
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Istrouma en Español
Nov 22 , 2020
==========
Noviembre 22, 2020
"No entierres tus talentos "
==========
Mateo 25:14-27
»El reino de los cielos será también como un hombre que, al emprender un viaje, llamó a sus siervos y les encargó sus bienes. A uno le dio cinco mil monedas de oro, a otro dos mil y a otro solo mil, a cada uno según su capacidad. Luego se fue de viaje. El que había recibido las cinco mil fue en seguida y negoció con ellas y ganó otras cinco mil. Así mismo, el que recibió dos mil ganó otras dos mil. Pero el que había recibido mil fue, cavó un hoyo en la tierra y escondió el dinero de su señor. »Después de mucho tiempo volvió el señor de aquellos siervos y arregló cuentas con ellos. El que había recibido las cinco mil monedas llegó con las otras cinco mil. “Señor —dijo—, usted me encargó cinco mil monedas. Mire, he ganado otras cinco mil”. Su señor le respondió: “¡Hiciste bien, siervo bueno y fiel! En lo poco has sido fiel; te pondré a cargo de mucho más. ¡Ven a compartir la felicidad de tu señor!” Llegó también el que recibió dos mil monedas. “Señor —informó—, usted me encargó dos mil monedas. Mire, he ganado otras dos mil”. Su señor le respondió: “¡Hiciste bien, siervo bueno y fiel! Has sido fiel en lo poco; te pondré a cargo de mucho más. ¡Ven a compartir la felicidad de tu señor!” »Después llegó el que había recibido solo mil monedas. “Señor —explicó—, yo sabía que usted es un hombre duro, que cosecha donde no ha sembrado y recoge donde no ha esparcido. Así que tuve miedo, y fui y escondí su dinero en la tierra. Mire, aquí tiene lo que es suyo”. Pero su señor le contestó: “¡Siervo malo y perezoso! ¿Así que sabías que cosecho donde no he sembrado y recojo donde no he esparcido? Pues debías haber depositado mi dinero en el banco, para que a mi regreso lo hubiera recibido con intereses.
-
Dios es el dueño de todo.
-
Nosotros no somos dueños de nada.
-
Dios espera que seamos fieles.
Registrate
Si e Istrouma: Noviembre 29, 2020s la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres
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Visita nuestra pagina.
Tus comentarios:
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Email List
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Nov 22, 2020
==========
November 22 | Baton Rouge
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577822?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
November 22, 2020 | Dwayne Pitre
"Personal Stewardship"
Matthew 25:14-27
Matthew 25:14-27
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
- He owns _______
- We own _______
- He expects _______
How Not to Give
1. Materialistic _______
2. Legalistic _______
3. Never _______
How to Give
1. Informed by the _______
2. Informed by the whole _______
3. Informed by the _______
Pastor Updates
For all pastor updates and information go to:
https://istrouma.org/pastor
Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
Click here to add your name to our mailing list:
https://istrouma.org/email
Give Online
Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to:
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Our Website
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Subscribe at iTunes, search Istrouma
Istrouma Baptist Church
Nov 15, 2020
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Istrouma en Español
Nov 15 , 2020
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Nov 8, 2020
==========
November 8 | First John (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577798?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
November 8, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Love Begins with Worship"
1 John 5:13-21
1 John 5:13-21
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. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Notes:
Pastor Updates
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Istrouma en Español
Nov 8 , 2020
==========
Noviembre 8, 2020
“Todos deben de saber”
==========
1 Juan 5:13-21
Les he escrito estas cosas a ustedes, que creen en el nombre del Hijo de Dios, para que sepan que tienen vida eterna. Y estamos seguros de que él nos oye cada vez que le pedimos algo que le agrada; y como sabemos que él nos oye cuando le hacemos nuestras peticiones, también sabemos que nos dará lo que le pedimos. Si alguno de ustedes ve que otro creyente comete un pecado que no lleva a la muerte, debe orar por él, y Dios le dará vida a esa persona. Pero hay un pecado que lleva a la muerte, y no digo que se ore por quienes lo cometen. Todas las malas acciones son pecado, pero no todos los pecados llevan a la muerte. Sabemos que los hijos de Dios no se caracterizan por practicar el pecado, porque el Hijo de Dios los mantiene protegidos, y el maligno no puede tocarlos. Sabemos que somos hijos de Dios y que el mundo que nos rodea está controlado por el maligno. Y sabemos que el Hijo de Dios ha venido y nos ha dado entendimiento, para que podamos conocer al Dios verdadero. Y ahora vivimos en comunión con el Dios verdadero porque vivimos en comunión con su Hijo, Jesucristo. Él es el único Dios verdadero y él es la vida eterna. Queridos hijos, aléjense de todo lo que pueda ocupar el lugar de Dios en el corazón.
Cuanto mayor es el conocimiento de un hombre, mayor ha de ser su fe;
y cuanto más se acerca a Dios, más clara es su visión de Dios.
(Víctor Hugo 1802-1885 Novelista francés)
- S_____ que tenemos vida eterna.
“Estas cosas os he escrito a vosotros que creéis en el nombre del Hijo de Dios, para que sepáis que tenéis vida eterna.” (5.13)
- S_____ que Dios contesta nuestras oraciones.
“Y esta es la confianza que tenemos delante de Él, que si pedimos cualquier cosa conforme a su voluntad, Él nos oye. 15 Y si sabemos que Él nos oye en cualquier cosa que pidamos, sabemos que tenemos las peticiones que le hemos hecho.” (5.14-15)
- S____ que Jesucristo nos da la victoria.
“Sabemos que todo el que ha nacido de Dios, no peca; sino que aquel que nació (5.18)
- S____ que los creyentes somos hijos de Dios.
“Sabemos que somos de Dios, y que todo el mundo yace bajo el poder del maligno.”(5.19)
- S____ que Jesucristo es el verdadero Dios y la vida eterna.
“…y nosotros estamos en aquel que es verdadero, en su Hijo Jesucristo. Este es el verdadero Dios y la vida eterna.” (5.20b)
Anuncios para esta semana:
Catch up on this week's announcements here:
https://mailchi.mp/440311bf7b88/istrouma-en-espaol-4123101
Registrate
https://istrouma.org/nuevo
Visita nuestra pagina.
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**Istrouma en Español
Nov 1 , 2020
==========
Noviembre 1, 2020
Marcas de nacimiento.
==========
1 Juan 5:1-5
Todo el que cree que Jesús es el Cristo ha llegado a ser un hijo de Dios. Y todo el que ama al Padre ama también a los hijos nacidos de él. Sabemos que amamos a los hijos de Dios si amamos a Dios y obedecemos sus mandamientos. Amar a Dios significa obedecer sus mandamientos, y sus mandamientos no son una carga difícil de llevar. Pues todo hijo de Dios vence a este mundo de maldad, y logramos esa victoria por medio de nuestra fe. ¿Y quién puede ganar esta batalla contra el mundo? Únicamente los que creen que Jesús es el Hijo de Dios.
-
Creemos que Jesús es el Cristo (v.1)
-
Creemos que nacemos en la familia de Dios (v.1)
-
Amamos a Dios y a sus hijos (v.2)
-
Creemos que sus mandamientos no son costosos (v.3)
-
Vivimos victoriosamente a través de la fe (v.4-5)
Anuncios para esta semana:
Catch up on this week's announcements here:
https://mailchi.mp/b2e660e87b7d/istrouma-en-espaol-4117957
Visita nuestra pagina.
Tus comentarios:
https://istrouma.org/espanol
Email List
http://eepurl.com/gxAkRX**
If linking from the Twitter feed, click the little POD icon right below the date to listen
Subscribe at iTunes, search Istrouma
**Istrouma Baptist Church
Nov 1, 2020
==========
November 1 | First John (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577786?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
November 1, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Winning Team"
1 John 5:1-12
1 John 5:1-12
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
When obedience is driven by love it loses its burden
The faith that saved you gives you victory over all things
Our confidence is in the fact that Jesus is God and that Jesus loves us
Jesus is God...
His birth, life, teachings,
miracles, death, and
resurrection.
God showed His commitment
God showed His love
Pastor Updates
For all pastor updates and information go to:
https://istrouma.org/pastor
Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week?
Click here to add your name to our mailing list:
https://istrouma.org/email
Give Online
Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to:
https://istrouma.org/give
Our Website
https://istrouma.org**
*Good morning, and so glad that you're here. And if you have a Bible turn to First John chapter five, we're going to jump in to the last chapter today. And in this series will finish next week and a really just excited about what we're going to talk about. It has been an interesting week. Ah, you know, we had another storm, you know, about that just happens like every other week now. And just all kinds of things that are happening in time change. I don't know about you, but some people talk about, Oh, I love time change because I get an extra hour sleep.
Well, all I do is wake up earlier than I normally do, and then have to take a nap. I mean, that's pretty much what it means for me, but anyway, then a of a Halloween last night, which, you know, I think is funny that what we do at Halloween, you, that we spend hundreds of dollars on costumes and decorations and candy so that we can go around and beg for 5 cent candy from somebody else. I don't understand that. But anyway, so we, we were involved in that last night and I have to say that as we went, ah, you know, it's, I grew up in an environment where, you know, talked about how evil Halloween was you Weren't supposed to, even at like you liked it or whatever, and they have this. Now I'm not going to get into that conversation today. But there is something that is very powerful about the number of connections you can make with your neighbors on that day as its interesting, that that day of the year is the day that we have the opportunity and probably talk more to more of our neighbors. And we did that last night as we walked around, but the most creative, a thing that I saw a yesterday, as we walked around, it was this one family decided to make sure social distancing was happening, but still we give out candy.
And I think we have a picture of it up there. And so they sat on the top level and they shot in the candy down in the deal. And so that they didn't have to touch anybody or I just, I thought that was kind of cool. I don't know if that's new to you, but for a redneck from Alabama, that's a new thing for me. So I thought that was pretty awesome. And then this morning on Facebook, one of the kids from our church that I saw this, there is mom posted and I don't know how well you can see this, but he did this chart of his candy. This is what he got last night. And what I love is at the very bottom yucky candy. I mean, that was by far the most.
And so let me say this, do people to give out that kind of candy, you know who you are, right. And stop it, stop it, give it up a good candy. All right, unbelievable. Anyway, I just thought that was awesome. And so I have to share that and so Declan, I'm not sure if I'd ever you met, but I asked his mom for permission to share that. And that was absolutely amazing. But anyway, so listen, I was thinking of this week in preparation for this message about a 10 years ago, a little over 10 years ago. And my family moved to Arkansas when I was going to be the pastor of this church and that this church that was pastored at a every year, they did this 5k run called run with the Son and they would do to it.
It was a pretty big race. And then they would take the money that was collected from that. And they would give it to a local ministry organization is really just a cool event. And so when I got there, I had just been on this track of just trying to, to lose a bunch of weight and get back in shape. But I wasn't a runner. I mean that, this wasn't my thing. I've always been a headcase about running. Like, you know how I just can't do it. I mean, your mind just tells you, you can't do things that you, you really can't do that if you would get your mind out of the way, but that's where I was. But so I thought to myself, there was a guy who was on staff and he was about 10 years older than me and yeah, but he was a runner, but I thought, you know what, he's 10 years older than me.
I can take him. And so I began to in promotion for the event, I began to practice a couple of my, of my greatest spiritual gifts. Now I don't know if you know anything about spiritual gifts, but you know, you can take tests and they can tell you what those might be in your life. And so when I take those tests and come back to my two greatest spiritual gifts are sarcasm and trash talking, that's my two greatest spiritual gifts. And so I began just to practice those is we got ready for that, right? And I'm thinking I can take this guy. You know, I'm getting in a pretty good shape and whatever.
And he absolutely destroyed me. I mean, it wasn't even close because I just, wasn't a good runner. And I thought, you know, I can do better than this. I mean, I know that I can do better than this. And so when it got around to the beginning of next summer, the, the race was always the first week of school. And so I had all summer in three months, I was going to a train and I was going to, I was going to be ready at this time. So I've got a friend of mine. It was an actual runner to help you. He and I did all of the things he told me to do, and I know it was ready and I was going to beat this guy. And of course I was still talking trash again because I didn't learn anything from the first year.
And so we get to the race and I know, and I don't know if you've ever done anything like that, any kind of sporting event when there was a starting block in all the people, hundreds of people around. And I was just all jacked up so excited, but I had this plan of what I was supposed to do, eat smile. And so as we are running at mile one and mile two, they would tell you, Hey, here's your time. This is where you are. This is what you've done. And so I was all excited. And so I was trying to pace myself because I knew where I wanted to be in. And so I took off because I was so excited.
I mean, I was going a lot faster than I should have been going. And so I got to mile one and they told me what my time was. And it was like a minute and a half faster than what it should've been. And you might think, Oh man, you must be really proud of yourself. Look how great you're doing. But no, not me. All right, because remember I told you it was a headcase and I thought, Oh my goodness, that's way too fast. And my mind started turning right about, about, there's no way that I can keep this up and there's no way that I can make it. I started out too fast and there's no way that I can keep up this pace.
And because of that, I'm going to get too tired. And because of it, I'm going to lose. And all of a sudden, your mind starts feeling your way. You start feeling yourself with all of these negative thoughts. And before I knew it before I even got to mile two, I'm breathing. So I mean, just like I can't even hardly a walk anymore. And so I stopped running and I began to walk. And in that moment I was absolutely defeated and he beat me again. And I never talked trash about that ever again, by the way. Right. I stopped it at that moment, but I was defeated.
Not because I couldn't do it because I had done that, that 3.1 miles I had done it probably 60 or 70 times over the course of that summer. I, and I had run that exact route that we ran. I have to run that at least 10 times and done it to every single time and without stopping within, without really a lot too much of effort in terms of just being so tired. But in that moment in my mind, got in a way. And I defeated by myself because of all of the things that I was feeling in my mind.
Now, I think about that when it comes to the subject that we've talked about the most over the course of this series, about loving one another in about those people in our lives, that we struggle with loving so much that some of you have defeated yourself, but that you have a com to a place where there's no way that you can ever love anybody else, because you have filled your mind with so many negative things, and there's no way that you will ever be able to accomplish it or not.
Because God hasn't given you the ability not have been. Not because God hasn't given you all the tools, not because you are beyond having a, the ability to make that happen, but simply because you have defeated yourself before you ever really got started. And so today, what I want us to do is we look at the beginning of chapter five is I want to hopefully give you some confidence. I want you to see who you are in what it is that you have, because when God calls us to do something, he's not calling us to do that in order to punish us.
He's not asking us to do something that is beyond our ability and it's not because you can, or you can is because he can and he's inside of you. And because of those facts and because of those realities, there's a victory that we have, that we are on a winning Team. We are in fact, we've already Won, but yet many of us live as though we've already been defeated. Many of us live as that, I'm just holding on until I die. And maybe Jesus will accept me. And that is a horrible way to live because if we could just buy into what God teaching us and modeling for us and desires for us to just live in obedience than what we will see is not only can we accomplish it, but there will be a joy that fills us. That is absolutely overwhelming.
And so for all of those of you that came today out of obligation, because you're supposed to do that. But the whole way here you're praying is that I wish he wouldn't talk about loving one another again. Well, I'm sorry, we're going to talk about it again, but I hope that you leave today with a confidence that maybe you didn't have when you came in. So with all that in mind, look at First John Chapter five and let's begin in verse one. This is the, you know,
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. So we've talked about that a bunch, right? That believe me is that you put your whole weight upon you, take your life and you place it in God's hands that if you do that, if you've ever made that decision in your life, and by the way, if you've never made that decision at your life at any moment in time, you can do that. God is always willing and ready to accept you. You just say God I know that I'm a sinner. I know that I need you to place my life into your hands. That anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ you've been born of God.
That means you are a child of God in everyone who loves the father, loves whoever has been born of him. That means we love one another, right by this. We know that we loved the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments, the proof that we really are born of God is that we love each other. It doesn't mean that we earn God's approval by loving one another. It means this, the evidence that we already,
I love God for this as the love verse three of God That we keep his commandments and don't miss this last phrase and his commandments. They're not Burdensome. Now that's an interesting phrase, right? Have you ever Thought about things that God tells you to do? Or are you ever read something in the Bible and you just want to put it down, right? You just wanted to ignore it and go back to the parts of the Bible that you like, because it feels like a burden. It feels like an obligation that I just don't want to do because often times, and this is the way that the world things that we see, the, the, the, the laws of God and the commandments of God is such an impossible task for us to have any part of fulfilling.
And the reason is, is because we think it's all about things that were no longer allowed the dude or things that we have to do that are no fun, that are, are too hard, that are too difficult. And I don't receive the pleasure that I want to receive when I do what God wants me to do. And if we were, to be honest, I would say that at times, and our lives, all of us have been there. And that we see those things as a burden. But it says that when you love God that keeping his commandments is really not a burden.
So thinking about it this way here, here's a statement that a road that went obedience is driven by love. It, loses his burden.
I think about that for a minute, that Winning, If we choose to obey God, and that we're obeying God, not out of obligation, but we're doing it out of love. The burden is lifted. Thank you. Ma'am Is that for those of you that are parents, think about the things that we do for our children, that if we had to do those for someone else's children, that would be a burden, but we do them for our children because we love them. I think about a family vacation. I mean, I mean, you talk about anything that can be a burden, right? A family vacation. You have to take it out a second loan too, to pay all of that money, to go to Disney world, right? And then you have to pay for all that money to go down there. And then when you get done with that trip, you, if your, your, your thankful that you haven't killed any of those kids, that you are so loved that you took with you right now.
And then I, at the end of that, you're so tired. You need another vacation just to recover from your vacation. And if you have kids like mine, you probably need counseling when you get back, because it's just been such a struggle. But we do a year after year, after a year now for us, we have given up, right. We don't do any of that no more. I mean, I told you the last one we have given up, all right, is that we probably need counseling ourselves, but we'd go to the beach. And what we say is, Hey, listen, we're going to the beach and we're going to sit by the pool, or we're going to sit on the beach. Then if you don't like it, you can get a job and go on your vacation. All right. That's what you can do. Right?
But the things That we do for our kids that we wouldn't do for somebody else's kids, that they're motivated by our love for them, I've shared with you that our youngest two kids, Mason and Harper are adopted is, and if you've never been a part of the private adoption, you may not completely understand this, but it's expensive. I mean, it is absolutely expensive. And if we weren't driven by love for them, I mean, I'd probably sit around and think about how much money I spend on those adoptions. Not thinking, man, if I don't have these kids, I can have the nicest pull in a neighborhood.
I mean, that would be absolutely amazing when I can, but I think that very often, by the way, all right. But the reason I don't is because I love them. I mean, I love them with all of my heart. In fact, there are times that I will sit and watch them play when they're not fighting, which is rare. But anyway, then when they're not fighting and then I'm sitting and watching them play, and I know the backgrounds of the families that they come from, I know that the things that they've walked through, I know what their life would be like if they were in those homes that not ours and listened to our home is by no means perfect.
But you know what I do know that the dysfunction that they out of could have absolutely destroyed We are live. And because of that, when I watch them play and a half, I think about all of the other stuff that I just joked about, that drives me crazy. And that I'm thinking I'm way too old to be doing this all over again, that I find myself being drawn to the reality that I am so thankful that I have been able to have them come to be a part of our family, because I love him with all of my heart. And I would never want them to experience all the things that they will never understand. Okay. And that their lives could have been like, Oh, you know what? That is, that It's taking something that if you don't have the right mindset, that could be a burden, but because you do it at a love, it changes. So, so what's the application for that. And the application for that is that what happens so many times is it that we think about this struggle about those people that are hard to love. And because we think about this struggle of who they are and what they've done to us and how they've heard us that somehow what we've done is that we replaced the priority. Is that how they have heard us when the priority all of long should be the reality of how much God loves us. And that's because we love him so much, and we're overwhelmed by what he's done for us, that it just changes our perspective on the people that God's called us to love.
We look at them different. We no longer see them for how they hurt us when we no longer see them for the pain that they caused To us. But we See them through the eyes in the model, have someone that loved us so much that what other people have done to us that, and let me be very clear with you about this. What other people have done to you pales in comparison to what you did to a Holy God that caused him to have to send his son to the cross, The dye. And when you see it that way, right? It just changes your perspective. So we can do this. We can fulfill the commands of God. The problem is, is that many of us we've let our minds get in the way. And we've begun to focus on things that are temporary. We begin to focus on the emotions of what other people have done to us or how other people make us feel. And what we do really need to bring ourselves to is a place where we come back to a mindset and Understanding that Who I am is all because of what Christ has done for me. And that, because of that, that my actions towards others can be born. All of that love. And it becomes not burden to it and listen to it Doesn't mean it's always easy. Some people are just difficult, right? I mean, let's be honest. I mean, this is not just a, a pie in the sky. Ah, you know that it's not an issue. Some people are difficult to love. It doesn't mean is never going to be tough. Listen, parenting is tough. And I just shared with you how much I love my kids. Know how much I'm thankful for them. But at the same time, there are times this is not easy. I mean, I think y'all, I, I been told by her, I should read a book about Harper. Ah, but ah, you know, this past week, I will give you another example of this past week.
And I know what y'all know about adoption. And when he tells her to do something that she didn't want to do it. And she looks at Wendy and he says, well, you can't tell me what to do. You're not my mom. All right. So anyway, that the sheet, she's a, doesn't a, a completely understand. Everything is not always easy when you're dealing with kids, but there's something that changes when you recognize that, right?
Well, we do is born out of a light. This has been changed. Now, let me say this before we move on. For some of you, Everything is always an obligation and there's not a desire deep down inside of you to respond to others in response to how God's loved you. Then you may need to examine whether or not you really know God, I don't mean with your head, but I mean with your heart, by giving him your life. Because when you give God your life, he changes, you know that there is a, a gradual move towards him. It doesn't mean that every day that you look and act just like Jesus right, none of us are there, but it does mean that we're moving in that general direction.
It does mean that there is a conviction that comes when we don't act in obedience is the way God calls us to act. There are things that just happened that are different when you are a follower of Jesus. And that's part of what John was saying here is that you really need to examine whether or not you really are a follower of Jesus. And you do that based on how you really feel. Because I would say that for many of us, we have a desire to love other people, but it's still not always easy, is it?
But when obedience is driven by love that The burden is lifted. So here's the next let's look at verse 14. And I promise the rest of this. Won't be as long as that one was all right, verse four, for every one who has been born of God, overcomes the world. And then This is the victory. Here's the good news, right? Here's how we know that we're on the Winning Team And. This is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith, who is it? We did that overcomes the world, except the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God. So we believed that Jesus, his son of God, in our faith, in him, we have already won the victory. Here's another way of saying that the faith and that saved us, gives us a victory over all things. The faith has saved us. Does it just give us a victory so that we could go to heaven when we die? Right? The faith has saved us, gives us the victory over all things. It gives you a victory over today, and it gives you a victory over the toughest things in your life. The things that God calls you to do, or to stop doing that, you don't know how in the world that you can do. And the, the faith that you have in Jesus is what gives you the victory. In essence, what you need to recognize and understand is that you've already won that you're already a winner.
If you are a follower of Jesus. In fact, if you are a follower of Jesus and you live in obedience to him, you cannot lose no matter what the obstacles are, no matter how difficult it might be. There's a confidence in a peace that comes with knowing that you have already won. Now, for those of you that are like me, they're a sports fans, the, the pandemic, the COVID-19 or whatever other name you want to give to it. One of the toughest things about that for sports fans is that there was a period of time when there was no live sports, right?
So I spent most of my time when you just have to have that fix watching the SCC network, because they would have a replay, a old football games, right? And so you do this to you, right? If it was a game that, you know, you one, then you have to stop and watch it. But if it was one, you knew you were lost, then you'd move on to go on, to go find someone else to do. And so I remember during the early part of that, when I just needed to fix one day, I turned on a sec sports network and they were replaying from a couple of years ago when a Bama, a beat Georgia and a national championship. And notice I'm not using your team. All right. So Bama a beat Georgia in national championship.
Ah, and I remember watching that game and there was tears because we are we're way behind. And when we started coming back, but then at the very end, it was fourth down in like 47 to go. And there was no way that we were going to win, but yet an amazing play to have those to test out pass when the national championship, it was absolutely just a absolutely amazing, right? And so, as I watched it the first time I remember how anxious I was, 'cause you're in the middle of it. And you don't know how it was going to turn out, but when you know, you already won, isn't it fun to watch those?
I mean, you stick it in the Lanxess, right? Your thinking is no way we're going to pull this out and no way, but in the back of your mind, you know, that you won, there's just such a, a, an enjoyment about watching something when you know what the end result is already going to be. And it's a good one. Right? Well, think about That related to the Christian life. What did he say when John was saying here is that you've already won the victory. You have faith in Jesus. You cannot lose. And if you look at the end of the story is John tells us in the book of revelation where you will find His is that God defeats a death hell and the grave that you have a home in heaven and what God promises you in that home and heaven is far greater than any struggle that you are walking through today.
Oh, you're a winner you've won. So stop living as though you're defeated, Stop living as if there is no hope, stop worrying about what has been and look forward to what God has in store for you live in obedience to him, knowing that you are As a winner, man, I've got to move on. And because we were talking about that all day long, if I know, right, look at, look at the next section, the verses verses six to nine, I told you to be a little faster, right? Versus a six, six to nine. Yes. This is he here. Can you buy a water and blend? Now it gets a little weird here. I'm going to explain this in just a minute. Alright. This is who you came by. Water and bloods. Jesus Christ not by the water only, but by the water and the blood And the Spirit is the one who testifies. That's the key word there, right? This is the testify. God is going to testify about who Jesus is because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify the Spirit and the water and the blood. And these three agree If we receive the testimony of men.
Look at this, don't miss this. The testimony of God is greater for this as the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. So within this, and I'll explain it. And just a moment, a little more clearly, but there's basically God's testifying about who Jesus is. And because of that also who you are. And that means is that because God is testifying and we see the evidence of all that Jesus has done. It gives us the confidence of knowing that God knows what he's talking about.
And so therefore you can trust him because he is the authority, right? And it says that the testimony of man is a good thing, but how much greater is the testimony of God, about who this? Jesus is a think about that as it relates to people that you listen to. And when I grew up playing tennis and there was this deal where people, ah, that they could go to a class, it didn't matter how good you were. It didn't matter if you knew anything about tennis, you could go to this class and they would give you the certificate, buy the USDA, and you would be considered a tennis pro.
Now I was a, a, a, a pretty, you know, opinionated, a teenager. And I remember that it would be, and these guys that would, The where we played tennis and that they would come and they would try and give lessons. And I'm thinking that person's horrible. They're not in a good, I allow in a world that I don't want to take lessons where someone that I, that MI as a 15 year-old kid, that I'm better than they are, or why in the world would, I want to take lessons from them because I want to take a lesson from somebody that knows what they're doing. It it's like someone who is not in shape, trying to tell you what you need to do for you to get in shape.
I don't want to listen to you about that, right? I don't want to listen to someone who looks better than I do, but he was in better shape than I do. But why? Because the evidence is in who they are, they have shown that they know what they're talking about. Well, what John says is that the testimony of min is good, but let's take the testimony of God. Look at what God has us. Look at what God has described for us. And he talks about the spirit of God, which is God that he testifies of the water in the blood.
Now, now think about what those represent. The water is talking about Jesus, his water baptism, right? So that when Jesus is at the beginning of his ministry, that he ushered in this idea that he is God in the flesh, through the baptism. And that God sent up the dove. And he was the, the entire thing was a sign that this is my Son. This is the, the, the Messiah, Oh, this is the one that I promise you. Jesus is him. Now that was a huge moment for the people that have been praying for the Messiah for generation after generation after generation.
And so God says, Hey, here is in the blood. Obviously he represents the cross that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins. And so it signifies the reality that God did what he said he was going to do. And so God testifies, this is my Son. This is the one. Everything that you need is found in, you know, and the testimony of God is so much greater than just the testimony of the experience of man.
So, so here's how I would describe this and think about the things that God testify about. We see this in Jesus, His life, his teachings, his miracles, his death, and his resurrection In all of those things. What they are is evidence God's for you. God's not against you.
If you need the confidence in that, go read the end of Romans eight today, all right, starting in about a verse 29 and go all the way through the end of the chapter. I have an amazing picture of what this describes, but what we see in Jesus, birth life teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection, all of those or evidence, God says, Hey, I'm for you. I've done everything that you need. I've given you everything that you need in your life. Everything that has passed that is needed for you to possibly obey the commands of God.
He says, I have given you all of those Thanks. And this John describes this When he describes as this mindset or this idea is, is you look at every single one of these are all the way down to the resurrection, because really that that's where it all comes together, right? Because Jesus Rose from the dead. And by being raised from the dead, he proved that he was God. And that same God who had the power to raise himself from the dead. He has the power to give you everything you need in your life.
He has the power to help you to be obedient. And to a sense of that, you can love those difficult people in your life, not through your own power, but through the power of the one that resides inside of it.
You've already won. You have the victory. We should walk in confidence. So these last versus, and then we're done versus 10 to 12.
Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself Whoever does not believe in it God has made him a liar because he said Was not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son in here it is. And this is the testimony that God gave us eternal life. And this life is in his Son Whoever has the Son has life. Whoever does not have the son of God
God does not have life. Life is in him. Life is in who he is and what he's done for you. So what we ought to be able to do is come to a place in their life where we stopped living as though we've lost, we are victorious. Yes, we are winners. And the way, The way that I would describe this as we wrap up today is this is a God has showed his commitment to us, and God has showed his love for us. And because of that, you can
Trust him. You say, Well, Jeff what do I do with that today? As I leave this place, I just go back to where you started. Go back to what we read at the beginning have today. And that is, is that your victory, if you're going to live like a winter, that you go back to where you started at the beginning of your relationship with Christ. We say, God, I put my faith in you. That's where your victory is. God, today I put my faith in you or whatever you're facing.
And whether it's someone that you are attempting to love, whether there is another challenge that's in your life, where there's something that you just can't get passed. You say, God, I'm making the choice today. I put my faith in you that I choose as to where I've made that prayer. The God I'm going to stand up and I'm going to begin to walk and live and victory because I've already one, because I'm all in the Winning Team. And because I know that I can walk in obedience and trust you because you do not fail.
You do not lose. That's the God that we serve. That's the God that desires for you to live an abundant life. But it only, when you get out of your own head, stop living as though you're defeated, stop being miserable by doing it in your own way, come back to him, place your faith in him today.
And trust him. He will not fail you. You will not lose. Amen. And amen. Let's pray together today. Lord, I don't know what the needs are across this room today, but God, I find comfort and confidence in the fact that you did Lord. I, I just have to believe that in a room this size, there are people that walked into this place with an issue in their life that caused them to feel defeated.
And God, I pray that for those individuals that God even right now that through the power of the Holy spirit, that you will flood them with a peace and a desire to just, you know, Right.
Lord, I pray for any one in this room that doesn't know, you know, they got, maybe they have just been going through the motions and they've been trying to earn your approval. And it's been all about their actions and not about their faith. And so God, I prayed that for those individuals, that they can humble themselves. They can confess with their life that you are the Christ, you are the law and they can put their whole weight upon, you know, they got, they could place they're life into your hands or what I prayed it right now.
And there are people all across this room that are praying a prayer like that, that are just, just giving themselves to, and then God for those of us that, or somewhere in the middle of all of that, what you just give us confidence today, would you just to remind us of how much you are committed to us, about how much you love us? And I prayed that the testimony of who Jesus is and all that he's done or remind us this week was whatever we face.
That guy we can trust. Thank you. That we're all on the Winning Team thank you for not giving up on us. Thank you for the victory. You're going to give us this week because of who you are and because of what you've done it, we love you. And we thank you for that victory, this in Jesus name. I pray. Amen and amen. Well, thank you so much for being here today. And as always, if there's ways we can help you, we'd love the opportunity to share with you and talk with you after the service, we'll be here as well.
So hope that you have a great week and we we'll see you again next Sunday.*
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*Well, good morning. So glad that you're here. If you have your Bibles turn to first John chapter four first John chapter four, and we continue our series walking through this book and just thinking about the idea of how to enjoy your faith for those of you that are parents you'll understand this, you know, there are things as a parent that we want to instill in our children. And so we, there are certain things that we say over and over and over again. Right. And for those of you that have several children, like we do, you know, when you get to the end, you're just like, you, you just tired of saying that.
I mean, you've said that so many times over and over and over again, you know, and I think like my older kids Hannah's here today, so home from college. And so they look at us with our younger kids and they're like, you're so much easier on them than you were on us. Well, we've given up, I mean, we're just tired. We just, we just can't, we don't have nothing else in us. And so we just kind of survive. And so, especially when you have the family, like our family y'all y'all know where this is going. That number six for us as a total different ball game than the other five were. And so we're trying to instill some things in Harper and she really just doesn't want to listen.
I mean, that, that's the bottom line. The, the other day, a couple of weeks ago now she was doing something. I don't even know what it was, but I was explaining to her that I was the boss and she was trying to explain to me that that's not the way that it is. And so I just to kind of roll my eyes at her and I said, I don't know what I'm going to do with you when you're a teenager. I think I'm going to send you to live with your sister. And she looked at me five years old. Now she's looked at me and says, well, you'll be old. And I'll be the boss. That's basically what she told me. So that's what we're dealing with.
Right? But even in spite of that, our goal and desire is there's things that we want to invest in them. There's things that we want them to, to understand. And some of them are really big things. Some of them are, may seem small and they can't stand them. Like for instance, one of the things that Wendy and I have tried to instill in every one of our kids is to show respect for adults and just say, yes, sir, no, sir. Yes. Ma'am and no ma'am. And so after a while you get tired of when they answer a question yup. Or Nope, which I can't stand either one of those that you're yes.
Ma'am and no you're reminding them over and over and over again. Why do we do that? We do that because there's things that we want to know that are going to help them as they grow, as they become adults, to be a part of society, to be what we would term as successful. And so just with that little example, the reason we do that is because if you can learn to show respect for people, and if you can begin to recognize authority, it changes everything about the way that you're able to succeed as an adult.
So we say to them over and over and over and over again, knowing that eventually, hopefully we pray to Jesus that it will sink in. Right. Well, think about that as it relates to God's word and at a specifically with John that through the power of the Holy spirit, there's a couple of the messages that he gives us throughout the book of first John, over and over and over again. And if you listen to every single one of the messages that we do in this series, and there may be some times that you are thinking, well, why are you going back to that subject once again?
Well, because that's the message. When you look at the book of first John above everything else, the one thing that he keeps coming back to over and over and over again, is this idea of love. One another, love one
Another. And in case you thought We were going to go on to something else today, we're going right back to that subject again. But I think it's going to be a little bit of a different slant, but think about the, the, the John in all that he went through in his life there at the beginning of ministry, I've shared this with you. Before that he was known when Jesus met him as one of the sons of thunder, he was a rough guy. He was all about revenge. He was all about getting back at someone if they got you about attacking and about destroying things. And Jesus taught him through a series of relationships and examples and illustrations and sermons and talks over and over and over again to what you're supposed to do is you're just supposed
To love one another. And at the End of John's life, as he writes this book, and as he travels around, that was his one central message over and over and over again. And so as we look at this again today, what I want you to see, don't just check out, all right, don't just check out and say, well, I understand that. And, and I know that, and you've already told us that, why are you coming back to that again? Because there's a reason if we believe that the Bible is in the inspired Word of God, then we need To stop trying to dance around things, or just find things to make us feel good. And then when you just study the word, allow the Holy spirit to speak to you. And what I would say to all of us today is there may be something about the same subject that we're going to talk about. Again, that God may show you in a little bit different way That may transform who you are that may transform your relationships and just smite along the way, help you to enjoy your faith in a much different way than you ever have before. So in chapter four, he goes back to the same thing. I'm going to read the whole chapter. I encourage you to go back and read it this week. But throughout at the beginning of chapter four, all the way to the end of it, there's two basic things he talks about. He comes back to the issue of what is real and what's not real. What is Jesus? And what is the anti-Christ those that are not true followers of Jesus, those that are distracting you and leading you astray. And he goes back through us, reminding ourselves again, of what is real and what really matters. And they jumped right back into this subject of loving one another.
And it's interesting that he uses the Trinity of throughout the chapter four, to really describe how you can, I, how you and I can love one another. And as we walked through this this morning, I want you to see these three different parts. And I want you to think of this practically, because if you were here with us two weeks ago, when we looked at the end of chapter three, it was the command to love one another. And the command is still here, but this time it's more of, here's how you do it. Here are the things. If we're really going to love the people that God has placed in our lives, if we're really going to be the people of God that reflect the love that he has for us, how is it that we're going to do that?
And so there's three things that we're going to walk through, just a few of the verses today that will help us. And I believe the application,
How you can truly love like Jesus. The first thing is this was That you and I must submit to the Authority of Jesus.
We must submit, or we must surrender to the authority of Jesus. Now, what that means is, is that we recognize that he's the boss and that he is in control. If you have your Bibles open to it, John look at verses two and three, look at what it says here. And these two verses By this, you know, the spirit of God, once again, it's talking about the difference between Christ and the antichrist, right? This is how you know, this is the spirit of the true living. God, every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and is from God. And the essence of that means that he is God, right? Anyone that confesses that Jesus is God right, continue on with that, right. Go ahead and put that back up. There. It is where to go. There it is. All right. 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. So think about this for a minute. All right. He says that the way that you begin this idea or this mindset of loving light Jesus, is that you recognize that Jesus is the authority. And what that in essence means is is that you come to a place in our life where we are not based on our emotions, not on our experiences, not based on what we've been taught within our culture, not based on anything that anyone has ever done to us, but that we say that I choose to live my life under the authority of Jesus.
I'm going to draw a line in the sand and I'm not going back at it. It moves away from just going off of your feelings and you make a decision that Jesus is your Lord. Now that's what you do. When you become a follower of Jesus, you say, God, I know I'm a sinner. I know that I can't get to God on my own. And so God, I ask you to forgive me of my sins and God, I placed my life into your hands. When you place your life into someone's hands, that means that they are your authority.
And what it does is it changes everything because here's what happens in our lives. That all of us have the tendency based on culture, based on emotions, based on our experiences that we, even though we always believe in God, we can just kind of drift away, right? We just slowly begin to drift away from the things of God and the priorities of God. And we begin to rationalize and justify have justification for the things that we do in our life.
That don't line up with the authority of Jesus. When I was a kid, I grew up in, in mobile. And so we were about an hour or a little bit over an hour from the beach from Gulf shores, which was an incredible thing. And we, we love the beats even today, but as we grew up, anytime that we would go to the beach. And, and for those of you that are familiar with Gulf shores, when you come down the, the main road that goes to, into the beach, 59, when you get to the beach road right now, there's, the hangout is right there. And there's all these buildings and all kinds of stuff.
But when I was a kid, when you got to the end of that road, there was a huge public parking lot in for those of you that are old school like me, there was a McDonald's that was also there on the corner. I have no idea how that McDonald's inmate. Anyway, there was the McDonald's that was here on the corner and there was only one building that was right there. Now that building is still there, but you can't really see this much. Then it really stood out back then. And for those of you that grew up, like I did go on to the beach. You remember this building? It's still there. It's called the pink pony pub. All right, listen, you don't have to raise your hand.
Cause I know many of you have been in there, but you don't want to admit it. And Church all right, but the pink pony pug, and every time that we would go to the beach that we went to park ourselves out, right by the pink pony pub. And the reason was this, you couldn't miss that building. I mean, it was an ugly, it was an ugly building. It was right there, but here's what would happen as we, as kids would get out in the water and we would begin to play in the water. You know what happens when you play in the ocean? That if you're not careful, you look up and you're like a mile away from where you started.
So that the pink pony pub was like a reference point. You know that, Hey, don't get too far that we went with my friends, with their family. They would tell us, Hey, don't get too far down the beach. And this is your reference point. You always come back to this. You want to stay where this is so that you don't just drift slowly Away. Because when you were out There, you didn't know it, right. You just kind of out there playing and you look up and you're long a ways from where you started. That's what can happen in our relationship with Jesus. Maybe this happened to some of you that you've looked up and you know, you still love Jesus. And you know, you still want to follow him. But when you look at your life and you look at the things that you're doing in reality, you are a long ways away from where you start. It's not because you don't love Jesus. And it's not because you don't care. It's just because you've been ruled by your emotions. You've been ruled by the culture. You've been ruled by your experiences and you just slowly drifted away. So one of the greatest Things that we can do in order to be obedient to this loving light, Jesus is just make a decision today that we're confessing that Jesus is the Christ where we're drawing a line in the sand and saying, Jesus, you are my authority. Jesus, you are Lord. And whatever you say, I'm going to do it because I would imagine there's some of you that every week as we've discussed this issue of loving one another, there's people that have come to your mind and you are very, very resistant. You don't want to think about it.
In fact, you're trying to block me out right now, even as I talk about it again. But the reality is is, you know, Jesus wants you to love them. And what you Need to do is draw that line in the sand and say, Jesus, from this point forward, I'm going to do this simply because it's what you call me to do. It's not punishment. God knows you. God knows what you need. And because of that, he asked us, he calls us to just live under that confession. You see, because walking with Jesus is more than just at some point in the past, declaring that he is Lord. It means a daily lifestyle of coming back to the place, drawing that line in the sand and say, in Jesus, you are my Number two*
*Is that where to rely on the Holy spirit, we were to rely on the Holy spirit. Now this is an interesting section of scripture. And as we think about this, I want you to understand what John is trying to teach us about loving, like Jesus, about walking through this. Look at what it says in verses seven and eight verse seven says this beloved, let us love. One another for love is from God.
And whoever loves has been born of God and knows God, anyone who does not love does not know God. And that's not new information, right? We've been, we've been saying that over and over again. But look at this last phrase and the reason that we know that we're from God, that if we do love and if we're not from God, because we don't love. If we don't love one another is simply because in these last three words in verse eight, because God is love.
Now, If you have your Bible like a real Bible, right? Okay. And not, not one of those things on the computer, but a real Bible and you have a pen or something you ought to just underline those three words. God is love. It's who he is
Now. I don't know about you, but growing up in church, I heard this phrase all the time and it kind of confused me because I didn't really understand how God could be something that describes something that we're supposed to do. And that may not make any sense to you. It didn't make any sense to me. I have a weird mind. I understand that. But I want you to think about that phrase for a moment. What does that mean? That God is love. It means that when you think about love, you think about God, because that's who he is. Let me say it this way. There are people in your lives right now. When you think about certain things, you automatically think about them. There are people that, that when you know, we're getting into hunting season, right? And there are certain people that love hunting. And when you think about it, you think about that person because that's just the part. That's just who they are, right? There's some of you that your routine, because you're such a fanatic LSU fan, there are people in your life. They know where you're going to be. They know what you're going to be doing. They know who else is going to be around. They even know what you're going to be eating because that's just the part that's just who you are. Think about it in terms of the things that we send. One another, you know, the, oftentimes you may see something online through social media or whatever, and it's a meme or a video or something. And it just makes you think of somebody else. And so you send it to them, right? Because it reminds you of them. It's just, it's just who they are. What that also means is you can tell what people think about you, about the stuff they send you. All right. Anyway, that's another story for another day. But the idea is, is that we do those things because we know people and that's just who they are.
This idea that God is love just means that that's just who he is. You can't understand the true, perfect love without him. You can't give true, perfect love without him. It's impossible for us to understand really all that love means outside of who God is because he is the true definition of what love is.
You say, what does that have to do with relying on the Holy spirit? Well, hang on with me. All right,
Look back a few verses in verse four, look at what it says. And then I want to put these together. This is the little children you are from God.
You have overcome them talking about those that are not of Christ. Those are, that are not of God. You overcome them. Why? Because he who is in you
Is greater than he, who is in the world now. And the gospel of John, which is the same author, John
Describes the Holy spirit, which is to come right. He describes it. The Holy spirit that when Jesus ascends to heaven in the Holy spirit is coming in, Jesus loves the disciples. Know he, that he has the comforter, that he is your helper, that he is your God. He is the one that will bring you into all truth and do all knowledge. It's the idea that the Holy spirit is coming. So now when the book of first John, who we see that the, the, the Holy spirit has come and the book of acts the, the, the day of Pentecost, the Holy spirit comes.
And from that point forward, that when anyone gives their lives, they surrender to the authority of Jesus. The Bible teaches us at the Holy spirit that God himself takes residence inside of us. And so the reality is, is that the cause he takes residence inside of us. And remember that the Holy spirit is God, that that means that residing inside of every single one of us is the capacity to love as God loves not based on our own strength, but based on the strength of God, that is in the us, You and me. And so when we rely on the Holy spirit, what would you,
And what we were doing is the reminder that greater is he, that is in you. The Church the follower of Christ greater is he, that is in you than he, that is in the world. The world says, There's some people that are impossible to love. The world says that there's some people that don't deserve for you to Love them. The world says That you ought to seek other things, and you have to worry about yourself and not be so forgiving, not be so merciful, not give grace, not be so loving. That's what the world teaches us. But the reality is is that we can love those that are difficult to love. We can love those that have hurt us. The most, the reason we can do that is because greater is he, that is in me.
Then he, that is in the world. So you just come to a place where you just rely on the Holy spirit and listen, that sounds so cliche. And it almost sounds like a cop out, but I want you to understand what that means is that the, the Holy spirit is always working inside of you. And there are times when God calls you to do things and you don't really understand it. And you really can't wrap your mind around that. And what God wants you to do is once, once again, come back to the place you draw a line in the sand, God, I'm surrendering to your authority.
And based on what you asked me to do, I'm just going to start being obedient. And then I'm going to rely on the Holy spirit to do the things I don't know how to do. I'm going to rely on the Holy spirit to lead me in ways that I don't know how I'm going to get there. And I'm going to rely on the Holy spirit because he is in me. And that means that love is inside of me. And that I have the capacity to love in a way that I don't even know that I do not based on my own strength, but based on Jesus, that is in me.
And can I tell you something Then when you drift and when you start living by your experiences and your understanding of what the culture teaches you, you will live A defeated life and it is a miserable place to be.
But when You come to a place where we draw that line in the sand, and we say, God, you are my authority. I'm going to begin to walk in obedience. God gives you a strength. God gives you wisdom. God gives you the ability far beyond what you ever thought was Possible. You know why? Because greater is he does end you than he lives in the world. Rest in that, lean on that, trust that. And then finally, today chapter
Teaches us that were to follow the model of God. We're to follow the model of what God Has done for us. Now, Before I jump into this, let, let me, let me say this to you. There's some of you that need to hear what I'm going to say in this section, because the reality is that when you think about having a hard time loving, and when you think about people that you hate, The Person that you hate the most As yourself, And you don't feel worthy of the love that God provides for you, you don't feel worthy of even being able to do the things that God calls you to do, because you just feel so consumed with all the guilt and the shame of what you done in your own life. And so, as I talk about this last section, just real briefly today, I want you to hear this in a way, first of all, that this is how God feels about you. But then for those as followers of Jesus, this is the model that God calls us to be a part, as it relates to the other
One, another, he, here's what he says. Look at verse 10 In. This is love. And not that we love God, but he loved us. And he sent his son to be the propitiation for our sin. Now, first of all, before I go any further, how many of you were really impressed at the guy from Alabama could say the word propitiation, all right. I can't spell it. All right. Well, this is right. The idea. There's no way I can spell it, but I want to, I want you to understand what that word means. If you've never heard that before, but before we get to that word, look at what it says there again, it says that we didn't love God, but that he first loved us.
So the first thing within the model of God that you need to understand is this is that what we are to do is that we are to pursue love out of the character of who we are. We're to pursue love out of the character of who we are. God pursued you That long before You ever existed, God knew your sin. He knew the things you're going to be involved in, but he chose to pursue you. We see it in the story of the prodigal son, right? That God set out a way for us, for you and I to, to see a picture of his love for us, the father didn't wait for the sun to come back and to make him feel guilty of all the junk that he had done. The father was waiting for him. The father was anticipating him.
He pursued him. And if you're Struggling with hating yourself today, I want you to know that the God of all creation, the God that spoke the world into existence, he is pursuing you. He loves you with all of his hardens and the model that he establishes in that. And the reason that John sets that up, it's for you to not have to understand that. What would it look like if with the people that we struggled to love the most, if we just begin to pursue them, not wait on them, not fold our arms and say, well, I've done all I can do.
We're going to see what they do hide the I can't do anymore. As opposed to having that idea, that mindset, what have you. And I just constantly pursued them the same way that God pursues us.
You didn't first love God. He first loved you. So cool. We were to pursue love out of the character of who you are. But the second thing is, and don't miss. This is that we have to remove the barriers that you can control. What if you and I begin to pursue people in a way that says, I want to love them the way that God loves me. And then I'm going to remove every barrier that I can control. That would prevent us from having a great relationship. That's what God did.
God pursued you. And as he pursued you, he saw your sin. And because God's holding, God's perfect. He couldn't have anything to do with that, right? So he said, man, I love them so much. And I won. I love her. I want to love them the way with everything that I have inside of me. And the only way for me to do that is I've got to find a way to remove that barrier. And so he sent Jesus as the propitiation for our sins, which means he took our place.
He did for us. So we could not do for ourselves. He did not what he does deserve to have happen to him. But he went beyond that. Why? Because he thought more about God's desire to have a relationship with you than he did about the pain that it was going to cause him.
That's how God feels about you. What if you and I did that for others, we pursued them.
And as we pursue them, men, there's barriers that are there. And there's things that have caused that division. There's things that have caused that person to be one that is hard for you to love. And what if you said, God, I want you as a, as a walking obedience. And as I rely on the Holy spirit, God, I want to remove every barrier that I can control. They will cause that relationship to be more of what God desires. What if you and I began to do that now, I, I'm not living in a fairytale world.
I'm not telling you if you do those things, the boy is going to be perfect. And it's going to be a hallmark movie at the end of the day. I'm not telling you any of those things. I mean, who we want to watch a hallmark movie anyway, but anyway, that's also another message, but I'm not telling you that. But what I am telling you is that what Scott, that's what God calls us to do. And the people may not deserve it, but neither did you, neither did I, but God did it for,
So what are today? Those easy relationships and those difficult relationships and those people that we are living in the same house with and those people that we work with, those people that we come in contact with, what if our mindset was just simply to say, God, I'll make a decision today that I'm going to live my life. I'm going to draw a line in the sand and have the authority of Jesus. And to God as I do that, I'm going to recognize the greater is he, that is in me than he is in the world.
And because of that, I got, I'm just going to rely on you. I don't know how I was going to turn out. I don't know what the end result is going to be, but God, I'm going to stop worrying about all of the and buds
And got an, I am just going to walk in obedience and I'm going to trust you to do it. Only. You can do POD as it comes to people that you place in my path and that you put before my mind, you've got, I'm going to pursue those at the end, hardest to love. And I'm going to remove all of the barriers that I can. And then God, I'm going to trust you. Can't tell you something. If you and I can come to that place, it we'll begin to transform ourselves. It will. I promise you begin to transform some relationships and here's the greatness, right? That in the middle of all that, regardless of what the results are on this, this horizontal world that vertically God we'll receive, the glory in the gospel will go forth. And at the end of the day, isn't that what we're really all about it was about the gospel is about God being glorified through our lives. So let's make a commitment that we're going to love.
Jesus. I'm going to ask you if you would just pray with me for just a moment and just with your heads bowed and your eyes closed for just a moment. I just want you to answer two simple questions. Number one, what does God's saying to you today?
And then number two, what are you going to do about it? What are you going to do in response to what God said to you today? You take just a moment just in the quietness of this room. Just process those two questions with God. What did God say to me?
And what am I going to do about it?
Lord, you've heard the cries of your people all across this room and you know, their hearts. God would you begin to do what only you can do. Thank you for loving us, help us to love like Jesus. Now I'm going to ask you if you would just to stand at your feet and I'm going to read one more verse to you today, because what I would say to you is this.
Some of you, God just sent some things to you that you're scared to death about. You're not sure how you're going to be able to do, but I want us to put this one more verse up on the screen. This is verse 18 at the same chapter. Look at what it says. There's no fear in love, but perfect love casts out. Fear for fear has to do with punishment and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Perfect love is seen in God, right? And so today you and I, we don't need to live in fear. We don't need to live with the, the, the fear of that. We're going to be punished because we're going to mess up again. Can I tell you something you're going to mess up again, but the great news about the grace of God is that perfect. Love it, casts out all that fear, fear from the ability to let God love you. And then fear from the ability to love other people.
Life is not perfect, but we serve a perfect God that has given us everything that we need. So let's, don't be slaves to that fear any longer let's don't allow it to keep us captive. And the confidence that we have is knowing that at the end of the day, no matter what else happens, that you are a child of God. You're a child of the key. And because he is perfect and because he loves us, we cannot lose.
So as we sing this song and just to close out our time together, let's use this, the place for us to draw the line in the sand, to no longer be a slave, to the fear that causes us to not trust Jesus and not to love others as we should and less be the people that God's called us to be. You are a child of God. Amen. Let's stand together.*
Istrouma en Español
Oct 25, 2020
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Octubre 25, 2020
El peligro del engaño espiritual.
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1 Juan 4:1-6
Queridos amigos, no les crean a todos los que afirman hablar de parte del Espíritu. Pónganlos a prueba para averiguar si el espíritu que tienen realmente proviene de Dios, porque hay muchos falsos profetas en el mundo. Esta es la manera en que sabremos si tienen o no el Espíritu de Dios: si una persona que afirma ser profeta reconoce que Jesucristo vino en un cuerpo humano, esa persona tiene el Espíritu de Dios; pero si alguien afirma ser profeta y no reconoce la verdad acerca de Jesús, aquella persona no es de Dios. Tal persona tiene el espíritu del Anticristo, del cual ustedes oyeron que viene al mundo, y de hecho, ya está aquí. Pero ustedes, mis queridos hijos, pertenecen a Dios. Ya lograron la victoria sobre esas personas, porque el Espíritu que vive en ustedes es más poderoso que el espíritu que vive en el mundo. Esas personas pertenecen a este mundo, por eso hablan desde el punto de vista del mundo, y el mundo les presta atención. En cambio, nosotros pertenecemos a Dios, y los que conocen a Dios nos prestan atención. Como ellos no pertenecen a Dios, no nos prestan atención. Así es como sabemos si alguien tiene el Espíritu de verdad o el espíritu de engaño.
- Una amonestación:
“Amados, no creáis a todo espíritu, sino probad los espíritus para ver si son De Dios..." (4.1)
a. No creas a todo espíritu.
b. Probad los espíritus.
- Una advertencia:
“…porque han salido por el mundo muchos falsos profetas. 2 En esto pueden discernir quién tiene el Espíritu de Dios: todo profeta que reconoce que Jesucristo ha venido en cuerpo humano es de Dios; 3 todo profeta que no reconoce a Jesús no es de Dios...” (4.1c-3)
a. Verdaderos maestros.
b. Falsos maestros.
- Un acuerdo:
“Hijos míos, vosotros sois de Dios y los habéis vencido, porque mayor es el que está en vosotros que el que está en el mundo. 5 Ellos son del mundo; por eso hablan desde el punto de vista del mundo, y el mundo los escucha. 6 Nosotros somos de Dios, y todo el que conoce a Dios nos escucha; pero el que no es de Dios no nos escucha. Así distinguimos entre el Espíritu de la verdad y el espíritu del engaño.”(4.4-6)
a. Somos hijos de Dios.
b. Dios nos oye .
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Oct 18, 2020
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**Istrouma Baptist Church
Oct 18, 2020
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October 18 | Go Global (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
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October 18, 2020
"Go Global"
Acts 13:1-4
Acts 13:1-4
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
See how the Holy Spirit sent out missionaries
Reactive Fasting
See the strategic choice of sending Barnabas
Revelation 7:9-12
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
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*Good morning. My name is Clint. If you don't recognize me. And it's probably because I've got a beard on my face and shoes on my feet, because when I was here to stay from a, I often didn't know, were either won. And so as a new attributes that people were getting used to what I'm here to serve. But when me and my, and my family were serving overseas, we have been overseas for about two years. And particularly when we miss family, we miss friends. But when we come here to Istrouma, we particularly feel very special because we equate this with seeing family.
We love you. And I'm kind of shaken right now. I don't think from stage fright, but just because I'm so happy to be at a store, a man I've been dreaming about speaking to you and reporting to you and how you've invested in us and how that's reaching the nations. So Istrouma from the bottom of mine and my wife's heart. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So this morning I have got 20 minutes. Okay. So this is going to go quick as, as the third eighth in line for Noah's art.
And it's just started to rain. We are moving this morning. Okay. To get through this. Okay. So this morning we're going to be in acts 13. So if you wanna turn in your Bibles to acts 13, we'll have it on the screen. As if you don't have a copy in while you're finding your place to act 13, kind of laid down in the context of where we're at, because we're starting about halfway through the book of acts. Okay? So by acts 13, Jesus has ascended into heaven and the Holy spirit has sent the Holy spirit has been sent to equip the church from a ministry.
Okay. Persecution. At this point, it's increased greatly. Okay. If you've heard the name, Stephen, he was a believer that was bludgeoned to death by stones for following Jesus. Okay. Christians, they fled from this persecution and they have been scattered all throughout the region and they have been forming churches where they've gone. Okay. Antioch where were looking at this morning? This is one of those cities. Okay. We're a church has been formed and the persecuted Christians have come together to form a church. Okay. So now let's read, we'll have it on the screen.
Acts 13, one through four. Now there we're in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers Barnabas Simeon who was called Niger Lucius of Cyrene Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch and Saul in While. They were worshiping the Lord and fasting the Holy. Spirit said Set apart for me. Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
So being sent out by the Holy Spirit they went down to Seleucia and from there, they sailed to Cyprus,
What's your name,
Father, this, this record of your work and the first century Church I pray that you, that you can pick your heart's with how they operate on how they serve you. And we serve as a model for how we continue to strive in reach the nations or pray blessings over Istrouma as they, as they receive these blessings that they've turned them around to serve you further. Amen okay. So what we just wanted, this marks, the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey.
Okay. After all these new churches have started from as a result of this lethal persecution. OK. And there were two observations that I want us to look at this morning from those four verses that we looked at the first is I want you to see how the Holy spirit sent out missionaries. Okay. How the Holy spirit sit on a mission is the heart of this church in Antioch, it beat for God's mission 'cause they were all together worshiping as you saw and Fasting together as one.
Okay. So this is a service that they're having where they're coming together to worship. And, and through this coming together, they are praying. And so, like I said, we started halfway through the book of acts, but let me remind you of what has happened in the church since they've been praying. Okay. So in acts one, okay. We see that they prey in the upper room for 10 days and the Holy spirit comes and 3000 people are saved as a result of Peter's preaching. Okay. Acts four and five, they pray. And they were emboldened by the Holy spirit.
And then we see there are nearly 10,000 believers in Jerusalem at this point. Okay. In some of those are the worst opponents to Jesus. And in his message that he brought was you have the, you have the priest and then you have Paul who we'll see later. Okay. And then acts 12. We see the church praying and God up in the prison to rescue Peter. And then God strikes down King Herod Agrippa, who was the lead persecutor at that time. And now in acts 13, where we are, we see the church pray and they send off Paul, the greatest missionary that we've known.
If the award Jersey his number would be a retired today. So the Holy spirit sent Barnabas and Paul, as a result of their prayers, they, they were scent as a result of their prisons. This was the point that you have to see is the Holy spirit, responding to your prayer, not your responding to the Holy spirit.
Okay. Samuel Chadwick.
He was a Wesleyan minister who wrote this in his book and the path of prayer. And this was a great quote too, to reflect on in this importance of praise it's Satan, dreads, nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, from prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray
Okay
To worshiping, we see the next thing we see the church was Fasting and most of the world familiar with what Fasting is. And in this case, it's abstaining from food to drive our focus on our dependence on God. But what is peculiar here that we want to look at is when the church was Fasting okay. Because there was a drastic difference in when they fast it from the old Testament to how the church in Antioch right now is Fasting they are in Antioch.
Okay. So let me
I'll I'll tell you the story to illustrate the reference. I'll say in the old Testament. Okay. So I'm paraphrasing the book of judges specifically chapter 20. Okay. And if your familiar with the book of judges, this is dark history for God's people, the Israelites, and in Joshua, as a leader, he's just died. And at the beginning of the judges, OK. In his last thing, he was dying breath. He was saying, Hey, you need to obey God's law, obey the Torah. And part of his command was they needed to drive the Canaanites out of the promised land.
Okay. But rather than this, this first command, rather than drive them,
I'm out, they assimilated.
So they allowed the outside influences of this surrounding culture to change them, to wear. They were indistinguishable with the world around them. Okay. They didn't drive out the Canaanites. They became just like the Canaanites in the Canaanites. They were worshiping idols and there were sacrificing children. Okay. So all this lead to a civil war within Israel, and many of the tribes of Israel have come together at this point that I'm paraphrasing. And there were at war with a tribe of Benjamin. Okay. And in Israel's army, there are 400,000 strong, okay.
Day one have this battle against Benjamin 22,000 Israelites die. Okay. The people they went and they prayed asking God, should we go back? And should we fight again? And God says, yes. In the second day, 18,000 Israelites died. And the Israelites, they were really on their last leg. Okay. I mean, they have prayed. They were sincere about it to the point that they even cried and wept over it a little bit. And now they're asking
God what do we do? Okay.
No, the third night, when they were addressing God, they bring a whole army up and they fasted and they burnt sacrifices. And they did all of the things that they know that God likes. And on the third day, God gave them victory. And so set in motion, what I'll call Reactive Fasting. This is how they did it in the old Testament is the Israelites are in a, in an emergency. And they react to the emergency by Fasting as their last resort option.
Okay. You see the Israeli, you see, those are the ones they repeat this process throughout the old Testament. Really beginning from this, this pair four is a story in judges to where this is their last act of desperation. Okay. And this is, this is similar. When you hear people who are in emergency themselves and they say something like, well, I've done. All I can do. All that's left to do is pray as though praying is their last act of desperation and not their first act of prep.
Okay.
The difference in how Antioch fast and in what we read in acts 13, and this is where the question of when they fast, it is really important because the church in Antioch, they proactively Fasting
Because
The church in acts 13 here in Antioch, they're at a point, a slight relief. Okay. In the next 12, just before this, the King a King Herod had just executed James and he's got Peter in jail that I referenced earlier in God has now struck there, a lead persecutor down here, they have free Peter. And now we see a church that is getting ready for mission. Okay. Barnabas he saw the mission field and he recruited Paul to come to Antioch to prepare. And before the church was sending them off before they sent them off, they go fast.
The Israelites they use Fasting right.
As a hail Mary in the fourth quarter with seconds left on the clock. But the church in Antioch, they use Fasting as their pregame warmup before they even went on a mission. The, the concept of when it's really, really stark and when they do it and, and this week Istrouma is about going, but Istrouma no one will go. If you do not pray and prepare for the Holy spirit to send them okay, I'm in Louisiana. And so I have to squeeze some French in here.
A laissez Faire attitude is not going to reach the nations. Okay. In with this proactive prayer, with this proactive, Fasting the church. They did it together. Okay. Because look in verse two in your Bibles, it says as they were Fasting or worshiping the Lord, and Fasting the Holy Spirit said, OK. So the wording of this pronoun, it's not exclusive to just the leaders that were mentioned.
This was for everyone because we see in acts 14, just after, at the end of the journey, they come together and they call the whole church together where they report on, on the success, how the Holy spirit works on the Island of Cyprus. And so you can say in the context, this was the whole church was all in, on sending Barnabas and Paul. So we must not saturate missions with individualism. This is not how the church did it in the first century.
This is not our model for how we do it in the sermon. It would be untrue to save me and my family that we were simply on a mission trip for two years. When in reality, we were sent by you, you sent us, you discipled us our first discipleship before going overseas, was he read Istrouma you financially gave to us in a way that didn't have any stipulation that this would be an investment that would have returned yields back to yourself. This was a kingdom investment outside the walls of Istrouma.
Okay. I'm making a slight semantic difference. And between going and being sent out. But it, the difference is sharp because there is no individualistic in mindset and going to reach the nations. Okay. The church nurtures and it disciples members from within to be sent out outside of these walls and out of this culture of prayer and discipleship, the Holy spirit will, will call upon you as a Church to send members locally, regionally, and internationally.
So the church is intimately connected with those who go on mission, because it is a team effort of sending those people out so that you are so tightly bonded with those that are sent out there. Just like any other member of your church. Now just serving in another location. Cause the Holy spirit sent missionaries from the church as one where they proactively worshiped. And Fasting. So the second point is see the strategic choice of sending Barnabas okay.
The church in Antioch, they were in a unique location at this point. So at this point in history, Antioch their third of importance in the Roman empire. Okay. So you've got Rome itself and then Alexandria, and now you've got Antioch. This was a major trading center. They had,
They had a Seaport and So this diversity of all of these people being a hub there socially and culturally ethnically and linguistically diverse. The whole city is okay. So look back in verse one at your Bibles again, and I want you to see the people that are mentioned and the leaders in this Church okay. First you have Barnabas okay. Barnabas he's a Levi, right? And he's a native of the Island in the Mediterranean Sade called Cyprus. Okay. And he has been living through this persecution or responding to God's use of Stephen stoning to plant churches.
Okay. So he's a first, second Simeon who was called Niger. So he was a believer of dark complexion, presumably from Africa somewhere because they were referred to him by the Latin word for black. Okay. Lucius of Cyrene he was possibly a friend of Simeon. That was from the North African city of styrene Manaen he was later described as to foster brother of heroine and the Anthropocene. Oh. And then you have solved who we knew as the Christian persecutor and after his conversion, he became known as Paul. He led the international church planting efforts and the first century, and he wrote the majority of the letters that you're holding and your new Testament Bibles today.
Okay. So do you see the diversity of this church? Just from the few that are mentioned? Okay. You've got a beach boy fishermen from Island life. You've got two African men, someone on a royalty and dog to a Christian bounty Hunter worshiping in one church. And so it's, it's a lot with only the five that are mentioned. And if you count the rest of the Church members of that nature that are not mentioned, you're possibly looking at three continents and three to four languages represented just in this one body of believers.
And, and I bring this up because I hope you see yourselves in this same predicament. Okay. Cause look at yourself, your, your already well-represented with English and American side and Spanish And the Holy spirit. He said to set apart for me, Barnabas and Saul and the church sent them to Cyprus coincidence. I think not Barnabas is from Cyprus. Okay. He's the one in acts four. He he's sold his field and I gave all of his money to the apostles for missions.
And Barnabas was sent by the Jerusalem church to discover the rumors of the church. And Cyprus from the persecuted church planners at Barnabas. He shows up and he sees the work and he goes, and he finds Paul to share in the work they are in Cyprus, in his hometown so that they go to Antioch and they prepare for one year teaching in the church and writing and the church to send on mission back to Cyprus. So the church in Antioch, they sent two missionaries to Cyprus. One was native to Cyprus.
One was foreign to Cyprus, it's a mission trip. They are not exclusively for those that are native or foreign to the location. But what I'm showing to show you is when you pair the two together, you traverse obstacles
Better. Okay.
So it took us about a year and a half overseas to pick on this in a way, a cultural blunder that, that we had just, I mean, natural personality, we would like to compliment people. You see something nice and you want to give attention to it and say, Hey, it's a good skill you've got. Or like, by example, you see a baby and your thoughts on that was the cutest baby I've ever seen. And you just want to tell the mom how cute the baby is. And we would give people these compliments, but we would sometimes kind of see some odd behavior like, Oh, well that's just acute as a baby I've ever seen. And, and the mom's like, yeah,
Okay. And
You're just going to have taken a back. And, and you're like, I'll just like elevate it like that. Just like some of that's a really good compliment or about your baby. And its almost like they've got a super strict cuteness, maybe judgments there's something. And it's like, I don't understand. And so, but not just for babies, but just on a whole string of compliments that we do. And we'd see weird, weird behavior from this. And then after about a year and a half, we come to learn about what has this cultural concept was all over the world. But our people really believe it in what's called the evil I, and this is that you can kind of a think of it as a karma, a system of beliefs to were they, if they get to much positive attention, then they, then there are more susceptible to this curves from the evil OD is going to like balance it out and bring the curses upon them in.
So when you complement, not everybody, but it was a substantial portion of the people that are, Oh yeah, no, no, no, not really. And they're kind of like, and here I am not realized. And I picture of this evil eyes, like the evil eye have solver on and more door and here like Frodo is trying to sneak across and I'm just complimenting and like dancing around the sand, waving the flags, getting the evil eye to look at him. And I'm done that for a year and a half before I finally catch on. And I'm like, Oh man, if I had Barnabas with me, he would have been like, no Clint stomp, you have no idea what you're doing. You're making these people really uncomfortable right now because it was very intentional two work together.
The church, the first century Church they sent payers or teams and missionaries to work together. And assuming you have to see the multicultural, ethnic, social enlisted, linguistic environment that you live in America, it's a nation of immigrants. And can you imagine saving your Indian neighbor and then you to go on mission together to India, think of that, the benefits of that kind of ministry partnership. And so particularly for you, I want you to see something unique and how God has equipped you.
Istrouma for reaching the last in your area every year, the IMB, they put out statistical reports and they give values for the number of people and the number of professions of faith and the baptisms churches planted. Okay. So within the deaf affinity of the IMB, there were 69.9 million people, 1,534 of those deaf people die every day without knowing the Christ within that in the Americas affinity, that's the Mexico to the Southern tip of Argentina, 633.9 million people and 10,283 of those people die every day without knowing Christ two, six are taken from international reporting.
So they're not the local context of right here in Baton Rouge and there's over 200 sign languages and there's many more languages than just Spanish that is South of us. But I want you to see this, to get a grasp of what is ahead of you, because if the diversity of your church is not unified, it will be like fighting with a hand tied behind your back. When you're engaging a diverse, Will you take the gospel to someone else? There's always going to be barriers and walls between you and them.
Okay. There's always going to be a barrier between Doug packets and the barbershop that he wants to reach with the gospel. But if he brings somebody like Mike and with him, they may just reach that barber shop together. Okay. And I spent two years overseas studying the language and the culture and us still make dumb mistakes like complimenting babies and attracting the attention of the evil eye. I'm surrounded by seven different languages. And the almost all of them were entirely different than the one that I've I've learned.
And my closest local friend who knows for languages where on a daily, no one of the seven is my closest partner in ministry. So Istrouma those of you that cannot sign the gospel to the deaf person. You know, you're not handicapped when you partner with somebody that can sign the gospel two, that deaf person, you know, in the same, those of you that cannot audibly share the gospel.
You are not handicapped. When you partner with somebody who can audibly share the gospel. And this same principle applies when English or Spanish is your first language. Okay. When you're crossing that barrier between English and Spanish or vice versa, the diversity of believers in the church is not a progressive trophy for display. The diversity in the church is a gift from God use for communicating the gospel to a diverse world.
And this is for me, if you would, let's stand together and we're going to close our time by praying this scripture over It, Revelation seven that For tells me the end result of God's mission. Okay. I will read the text in white and you as the church, you read the Text in yellow. After this, I looked and behold a great multitude that no one could number from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages standing before the throne.
And before the Lamb clothed in white robes with Palm branches in their hands, in their hands and crying out with a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb and the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell on their faces before the throne and worship God saying a man Blessing and glory and wisdom and Thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might be to our God forever and ever amen.
A minister for a month. Let's continue
Our focus this morning on going by saying this update from some of your members serving overseas and our city. There's only one Baptist Church for every 100,000 people. 100,000 people can fit into tiger stadium. When you see a tiger stadium, please pray for the millions of people and our city, the need remains great, but God is building his church.
Even in the midst of this pandemic, two new Baptist churches performed in our city. This summer. One of these new churches now exists in an area of the city where no evangelical church has ever gathered before. Please pray for more churches to be planted in our city. Please pray for us that God would give us grace to continue to learn language, wisdom, and courage.
Please pray for all the brothers and sisters and our city, the life-wise and the wisdom and purge. You might not be able to see the impact of your support with your own eyes or your support is extremely tangible in our lives, in the lives of our local friends, because of your giving. We were able to continue learning a new language Online even while our school remain closed. And now we can simply share the good news of Jesus Christ in this beautiful language, because of your giving.
We've been able to purchase Bibles and gospel tracks to give to people in partnership with our local Church. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and generosity. We love you. Istrouma
To be recognized those voices. I know probably many of you here recognize the voices of our missionaries in Eastern Europe. And we sent them from a streamer in January, and they've experienced a lot of challenges as COVID hit their country as well, but even so we can see God working through them, using them to work with the local people, to plant new churches in their areas. They asked me repeatedly, please thank Istrouma for praying. Please think a stream of forgiving 'cause every time you give a huge portion of that goes directly to support our IMB missionary.
So they thank you for giving so that they can be on the field, that they can provide resources for their local partners, and just keep working with these ministry opportunities. You can continue to give online or by text, or even as you leave this morning. So, Amanda, thank you all for being here. We are so happy you're we know that a lot of times people we'll have questions for people living overseas. So I just want to ask a couple of those questions and then give people the opportunity to, to respond to maybe the call of God has placed that on your life to become missionaries.
So many of our families here at a parish at a streamer who have expressed to me their desire to go and to become oversees missionaries, but they're hesitant 'cause they have children. You have three small children, one on the way. So you know what its like to serve as a mom, especially in another country. Why would you encourage families to go, even though it is challenging? Well, honestly we went over with two kids and you have difficulties, no matter where you're at, you have difficulties here, you have difficulties they're they just might be different difficulties.
So for me personally, I think the best verse that really encouraged me was the first Corinthians 10, 13, where it's talking about God never giving you so much that you can't handle the temptation. He's never going to tempt us beyond what we can handle. And so for me, that first holiday season, the holidays are really important to me. And I was really struggling. I was pregnant with our third, throwing up a lot, having a one-year-old and a three-year-old never felt like I could keep the house clean. And so I have that temptation to just be like, I can't do this.
Like, I don't know if I can stay here. I think we might need to go home. I hit a wall with language, felt like I couldn't get any further. And that was when that verse was just so encouraging to me because it's like, God is not going to give me so much that I can't continue the call that he's called me to do with serving overseas in sharing the gospel with these people because others may not Go. And so for me, that was versus was really encouraging to let me know that God's going to help me through it. He is going to provide for me, whether it's through Clint, with helping while I was sick through teammates, through a language teacher that was really encouraging and helping giving me the other resources to study, it just really allowed me to See and to remind me of that, God is going to provide everything I need and that the temptation will never be so great that if I am truly called to go overseas, then God will provide everything needed for me.
Yeah. I think she describes a lot of moms, right? I mean, you're going to struggle here or in there, so don't let going like a scare. You go to the point where you do not follow God obediently as a family on a mission. Thank you. Clint, give us an update. What is the Lord doing in your area?
Yeah, I'm excited to put this question. Okay. So I mentioned earlier, like So at 14, they come back Barnabas and Paul, when they report back in the church on, on what's happened. And so this is something that I said was really, really healthy. I'm being cited about because like I mentioned, we're all invested in the us with no stipulation of that investment coming back to you, but solely go in to God's kingdom. And so if that makes me happy to come back, be like, Hey, here's a little bit that's that's been going on. And so we a, we were there for a little, a little over two years in that first term has really focused on culture or language acquisition. And we were able to get an advanced, a level of the language there in that first term, which we were proud of.
And that really advance us to get involved in a lot of the cool things that are happening. The there's several, a hundred thousand people that, that we live among and we know have less than 10 believers. And most of them were scattered. They don't know each other, some of these believers, other than a foreigner that's come in like us. They've never met another believer in their lives. And so they're very, very isolated. And so its kind of hard for me for church planting when people are so spread out like this, but in one particular village we have three young men all in their twenties, they're close, close to the agents.
So we connect really well. This is like in, in 20 years that we've not seen anything like this where we have three people in one location, it's like, Oh you all get together and you all get started. You know? And so it's, it's a very, very, very exciting. So for us in particular, that's where we read a really long for you to partner with, with, with us in prayer and these people that we work with and particularly in this village, because God has, has really been working in a very dark place. And we've seen things that you just can't deny. This was the Holy spirit at work.
So that's our, our quick report of how you've given to us and how the world was continuing to work with them.
That was awesome. Yeah. We really want you to pray for our missionaries. Update Clint and Amanda have a prayer card scattered throughout the four year. And I know there are some on this back table here, but there's some at the welcome desk. Please grab the line before you leave today and put it somewhere. You can see it and just constantly remember them in prayer. Also remember our partners that are in Eastern Europe, in the middle East and the gins that aren't in the Americas. So last question, people, anyone may be called to be a missionary.
They really don't know how to go about even beginning of the process. What advice would you give to them?
You don't do it alone. I mean that was kind of 20 minutes of do it together. So that, that is so if, if, if you, this is something that your, your, even for the short-term long-term, if your, if you were feeling a sense that, Hey, maybe a little, it could be leading us on our hearts. Then don't hold on to that to a long cause the whole focus, the whole aim is to do this as a Church. So with that, if you are feeling a sense of it, Then talk to talk to your fellow church members, talk to the, your leadership and your church get connected.
'cause you need to be appropriately discipled and loved on. And so you can be sent out in a healthy way and the support. So really, if that is something that's like, I mean, please, please, please, in a way, voice it a voice it to yourselves among yourselves and to your church and don't keep it to yourselves for sure.
So if you are feeling that call to be an overseas missionary, even if you just think, Hm, maybe I want to explore it a little bit and see what that might look like. Clint and Amanda will be here after the service. I will be here. We would love to just talk with you and get you connected. And it, you know, it doesn't commit you to anything obviously, but we would love to just hear if God is calling you to that. And as a streamer, we would love to walk alongside you. I'm in that process of that as the way that you were going.
So thank you for being here this morning. Let's give them a hand. Thank you so much. So everyone is not called to be in overseas missionary. We know that the majority of people aren't, but our mission field is still here. We have many opportunities in a stream of missions to go and make disciples. It's not a project missions. Isn't something that we do. Missions is who we are called to be.
It is a life that we are called to live. So in 2020, all of our mission trips were canceled due to COVID. We're hoping that 2021 is different. So there are a list of opportunities. Trips are not scheduled yet that we will put that information out. So begin praying about it. If the Lord would send you on one of these short term missions, we also have things that are happening within our state disaster relief right now is our biggest opportunity to serve. William did not. No I was going to do this, but could you like stand up for me?
People know who you are. This is William Davis. We need help in disaster relief. We we need people that can work chainsaws. We need people that can work rakes and shovels. If you are able to serve in any capacity and disaster relief, we need you to get involved. So they use our one time, one day trips. This week, we have a one week trip going out, but please sign up. You can text the word disaster to that number on the screen and you'll receive texts with every single trip.
Update an opportunity that we have. And lastly, we want you to always be prepared to share the gospel. The Bible says always be ready and seasoned to share this truth. So we will have an evangelism training this Friday from six to 8:00 PM and Saturday from nine to 12, it's a two-part training. The first 50 people to sign up will receive access for 90 days to the Billy Graham, rapid response sharing hope in crisis training, you will become equipped to share the gospel in crisis with people that believe differently than you do is important in this political climate.
I think to be able to share the gospel with different beliefs and thoughts, but we want to equip you and then we want to help you equip others. So sign up@istrouma.org, SLAs missions, go down to Go Global and sign up for that. And we would love to see you this weekend and we'll pray. And then we'll continue to worship the father in heaven. Thank you much for this day. Thank you for a day where we can celebrate what is happening around the world and just to learn about ways that we can join you in that work.
You don't need us, that you allow us to walk with you and others is they reach the nations with your truth. God, in a moment, we were going to sing words and I pray that they aren't empty words were, were going to sing that this world is dying to know who you are in the world is dying to know who you are. And we're going to sing that, change our hearts in a way that only you can and make us more like Jesus. And it's going to be easy to just Mel, the words because we were here on a Sunday morning and they're not just words.
I pray that they will be the cry of our hearts today. And always that you would remind us constantly missions is not a project. It's not an activity. It is who you have called us to be in this in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.*
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**October 11 | First John (BR)
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October 11, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Love Matters"
1 John 3:1-10
1 John 3:11-18
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Followers of Jesus should never be associated with...
Murder
Hate
Indifference
1 John 3:23-24
And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
How I treat other people is a big deal to God.
How I treat other people is evidence of a life changed by God
How I treat other people is a choice not an emotion
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
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All right. Well, good morning. So glad that you're here. If you have a Bible, it turned the first John chapter three first John chapter three. And for all of you that are worried, or we're not going to talk about it. All right. So the first John chapter three were going to jump right into it this morning. And I do seriously. I do want you to go back to the very first a day when we started this series. And I shared with you some things about John the author of the book of First John. And I want to go back to a couple of those today, because I think they're very, very important for where we're going to go in this message this morning and within the book of First John I shared with you that John wrote this book towards the end of his life.
And so somewhere between the ages of 19 100 as how old John was a, when he wrote this, and as you wrote, this book has had this journey one, whereas a, a, a really young man walking with Jesus, into seeing the differences of what Jesus made while he was all on this earth. And then John was a part of a team of people that got used to start the Church and to, to see God just do a movement that literally Hugh and I are impacted by because of the things that John saw him throughout his adult life.
And as you look at that period of time, what you find is, is that John changed dramatically when Jon was a young man, when Jesus first found him, it probably before then, John he was a, a fisherman. He was a little, for lack of a better way of saying he was a little rough around the edges. And he was a rough guy. He was a tough guy. And in fact, him at his brother were known as the sons of thunder. All right. Which meant that they would rather go in and destroy something and they would fix something. All right. And so everything that he did was a built on that month set, but as he spent time with Jesus, and as he gave his life to Jesus, does he surrendered to the mission that God had for him that over the years, what we see, and by the time we get to the book of First John, and as we look at history about his life, that he became not only known as the disciple that Jesus loved, but he became known as the one who understood this concept of loving one another.
He understood it may be better than any of the other disciples and is a testimony too. The difference that Jesus made in his life that he went from this God, that was rough around the edges that wanted to destroy everything to at the end of his life. As he traveled around from different churches in the region, he was carried because he was so feeble that he couldn't walk himself. He couldn't even a ride on an animal because he just didn't have the strength and his message. When he went from place to place a shared this with you on the first week was just simply three words, love one another.
And they would be upset with him because he wouldn't share more. Right now he wouldn't talk. Lorie is a sermon. He was just that short. And imagine how many of you all would be upset today? If my sermon was just three words, then we went home, but its not going to be so we're way past that and were just getting started. So anyway, that, that was his message. And they asked him, why is that all of that? You say, he says, because at the church to just get a hold of those three words, it would radically change the impact that we have in the world.
Love one of them. So would that in mind, we've already addressed this issue. In fact, Mike, on the second week of this series, he, he did, I did a great job as a part of the message talking about this issue of love and hate within the body of Christ in the way that we are to conduct ourselves as followers of Jesus. But in this section of John chapter, a first John chapter three, that the second half of the, of that chapter, he deals with this exclusively. And we're going to talk about this for the entire time this morning. And I want you to think about just this idea that Love Matters and I don't mean just love for God, but I mean love for one another.
And as we look at this passage, he's talking specifically about relationships within the body of Christ. But I believe when we look at scripture, there's no question there's application about our relationships with all of the people that God places in our life in this morning. I want you to think about this in terms of where are you in relationship to this idea or this command? It's not just an idea, right? To love one another. So we're going to look at a couple of different sections of this part of first John chapter three, and just looking just for a few minutes at what God says he was.
So the first John chapter three were going to begin to reading in verse 11. He says, For, this is the message that you have heard from the beginning that we should love one another. Once again, that was John's message. He knew the difference that it would make, but he also had seen the difference that God had made in his own heart. For that subject, we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him?
Because his own DS were evil and his brother's were righteous. It goes back to the story in Genesis, we see if Cain and Abel Cain killed his brother and it was all built out of this idea that he hated him, right? He says, Do not be surprised brothers, that the world hates you. Now, this doesn't seem to fit within the context that he's talking about. Relationship between brothers and these talking about what that murdered the other day. And then he jumps into this idea of the Do not be surprised when the world hates you. He's talking about the world.
Those that don't know Christ hating a, those that do know Christ that are followers of Jesus. And the essence of why they hate is because they don't understand is because they've never experienced the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. So he says, don't be surprised when they hate. And he's not saying this is a negative live on the world. He is saying that, Hey, this is just a reality. The reality is is that people without Jesus, people that don't know Christ they don't have any other choice because they've never experienced true love.
John also teaches us that God is love and that we are outside of knowing God, isn't it possible for any of us to really know the love that God talks about, then his word he says, don't be surprised when the world hates you because that's, that's just what they are. All that they know to do that it would is his next is we know that we had passed out of death and to live because we love the brothers. That's how we know that the evidence, the evidence of whether or not you are a follower of Jesus is whether or not you love the brothers.
You love other followers of Jesus. You love those within the Church Whoever does not love abides in death. Just that last word to say no, I'm from Alabama. I can read it. I know y'all can read it. All right. Whoever abides. Whoever does not abides. Whoever does not love. I can't read. I guess they do right? Whoever does not love abides in death. What's the word say death. No, no, no. That's a strong statement.
Isn't it? That if you don't love one, another Love is not in your hearts. Then you abide in death. How does the Bible describe death? Death is a, not just something that is physical, but it is spiritual. It means eternal separation from God, in essence, what he says. But if you don't love one another, then you're truly not a follower of Jesus. You really are not a Christian. You don't have a relationship with God. Now I'm not saying to you today, but if there's anyone that you Hate, then you're not a Christian.
No, John might be saying it, but I'm not saying it right. Okay. This is not me saying it. Oh, but he gives a very, I mean, just, this is a very powerful statement that we need to pay attention to you, that you can abide in love and have Hate and your heart looks at the next First. This is Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. This is, I mean, I mean, he's not, this is not just a and encouraging self help talk.
Is that all right, everyone who hates his brother, you're a murderer. I mean, Jesus said the same thing in Matthew chapter five, right? A and a five, six to seven, the sermon on a mountain. He was talking about this idea of that Hate being equivalent to Murder and you know that no murderer has a turn of life abiding in him. No words. You can't be a murderer and be a follower of Jesus. That can't be a who you are. By this, we know love that he laid down his life for us talking about Jesus, right?
And so we ought to lay down our lives for the brother's is the equivalent of all of us understanding that if you recognize that Jesus laid down his life for you, that the result of that is going to be that you're willing to lay down your life for others and look at this next verse. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need yet closes his heart against him. How does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or in tol, but indeed.
And in truth, now let's stop there for a few minutes because it gives us some very powerful things that a statements about followers of Jesus, and that if you are a follower of Jesus, it gives us three different things that you should never be associated with. These should not be a part of your life. The first word is this is a Followers of Jesus should never be associated with Murder. Got it. It makes that a pretty clear, right? That Murder and in other words is a CIN.
You get that right? That's I don't think that if I have to go into too much detail about that, we all know that murder is a sin and we should not do that. And the good news at this point is most of us feel pretty good about ourselves because I don't think there's probably very many murderers in the room. Now, there may be a few. I mean, there's, there's no question in a room, the size of the, tell him what a, some of us have done a but for most of the most part, that's not where we are. And so there's a part of us. It's kind of feels good about ourselves cause of the cheque. I'm not that Wright, but the second thing as we go on this passage that we just read as the followers of Jesus should also never be associated with hate.
Then that gets a little more difficult. That is that there's probably someone's name that comes to your mind. As we, as I say, that, that you're struggling with right now. And the reality is is that the, that Hate is something that does Jesus very specifically in a sermon on a mountain or that he equated with. This is the same thing as Murder there's a reason why does that? We were going to come back to that in just a few here. He says, you can't hate your brother and say that you abide in Love.
I mean, to you, can't say that you are a follower of Jesus. If you are allowing that hate to be in your heart. Now, listen, understand this is not talking about the idea of the emotion of hate. We all have that at times in our life, but throughout the, all of us, chapter three, and even back into chapter two, he has this idea over and over again of the word abiding, right? And the word abiding means to do basically take a residence inside of, or to be at a home in eww. And for a while, what to Jon is talking about is for those of you that hate is like taking residents inside of your heart.
It is at home inside of you in is who you are. If you are so filled with rage and anger and bitterness and hatred and your heart towards other people than you need to evaluate whether or not you truly understand the grace and the mercy of Jesus, because John's argument is, but there's no way that you can understand all the Jesus is forgiven. You have, and you not be willing to show that towards the other people that God's placed in your life.
All of us have those individuals that get under our skin, right? Many of you have those individuals in your life. They've done you wrong. They have hurt you deeply. But the problem is is that we are looking at it through the lens of ourselves. Instead of looking at it through the lens of someone who's life has been changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. And when you honestly look at your life, when honestly look at my life, and I think what I've done to the heart of God, there's nothing that AMIA you could ever do to me, that would even compare to what I've done to Jesus Hate Is, should not be something that is associated with a follower of Jesus. But then this is where it really gets tough in this passage is that we would just read it also tells us that followers of Jesus should never be associated with Indifference. He says, if you, if you see someone that's a need, I mean, how can you say that you're a follower of Jesus and listen, can not just tell you something. I'm just going to get in your business for just a minute. All right. That's the beauty of being in or around. Let me, I'm going to be gone soon anyway.
And so I just a whatever, I just want to, I want you to hear this clearly, because I do think this is a problem. How can you say that there's succeeded. There is someone in need and just do nothing. And the idea's not whether or not you have the resources to meet that need that. The idea here that is painted by John is that we are indifferent. We just don't care. If you want to push, this is a, a, a plane Alabama, Alabama, and we just don't give a rip. I mean, that, that's pretty much what he says and that if you feel that way, that listen, he equates that with the same thing as Murder.
And the problem is for many of us, we are so self absorbed. We have so much stuff that's happening in our own lives that we are consumed with, that we don't even care about people that are different than us. We don't even care about people that disagree with us. And in fact, sometimes if you think about the way that you view life and the way that you view people, anyone that is different from than you are, or anyone that disagrees with you, if we're not careful, we even find ourselves, we celebrate their demise that we, Edward Lee, we may say out loud that we are praying for someone, but in really were almost happy when bad things happen to them because were really just don't care.
In what John says is that don't you remember that Jesus laid down his life where you are. He laid down his life for you and the people that he laid down his life for him were the very ones that cost him to have to go to the cross. And you see for us what we need to understand that true, the loving one, another. It's not just a loving those people that love us. I mean, we all have family and close friends that we are closely tied to in connected too, that we would do anything in the world for a while.
I put the pictures of my family on the screen last week, I would do anything in the world for them. I love them. But what about the people that don't see things the way I see them? No. What about the people that don't believe the same things I believe politically? No. What about the people that we see that they have a different viewpoint that have a different mindset, or they have a different, a, a standard about the way that they live in really well, oftentimes if I'm not careful because I'm not associated with him and because I don't see them on a regular basis and because I'm not connected to them and because they don't affect my life or affect my world, I'm not just don't really care in the heart thing about this in this passage, is that what John says is, is that if you're just indifferent in the eyes of Jesus is really no different than hatred is really no different than Murder. This is In the compassion of Jesus. It doesn't mean that what God calls someone else to do is what you have to go and do. That's their story. But it must matter when James talks about that pure religion is to care for the orphans and the widows. It doesn't mean that everyone has to have the same specific ministry to those groups of people. But if it doesn't matter, there's just this element of Indifference in you, that you really, you know, you just, you have to examine whether or not you truly know Jesus and listen, this is not a message of guilt or trying to scare you into thinking that you don't truly have a relationship with Jesus, but John's just being very honest about the reality that this is what makes the difference.
So in this first part of this section, he just of, of chapter three, he just simply says, listen, followers of Jesus, shouldn't be associated with those things and will talk at the end about it. If you struggle with any of those areas, we're gonna talk about how you get beyond that, but Murder hatred and the difference. So he says the same thing, a few different ways than the next few verses, but I want us just, just for the sake of time, I want us to jump to the very end of this chapter.
And in verse 23 and 20 For, he basically, he summarizes exactly what he wants us to understand. He says in this is his commandment. This is the commandment of Jesus. This is the commandment we see in the new Testament. And we see in the old Testament, here's the commandment. We believe in the name of his son. Jesus Christ. Now remember what that word believe means. Write the word believe is not talking about just mentally. It means that you are putting your whole weight upon God.
I put my life in your hands. God, I surrender to you. God, you are in control. Here's a commandment that you are to surrender to and believe in the name of his son. Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord. And that means Jesus is my Lord. That's what it means to believe, right? And you are to love one another, just as he has commanded us. That's the commandment, right? All of life is built on those two things that were the love, the Lord, your God, with all of our heart, we surrender to him.
He is Lord. And we are to love our neighbors or say, if we're to love one another, Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God. And once again that you are resting in his authority and God is abiding in him as well. And by this, we know that he abides in us by the spirit of God, whom he has given us in an essence, when he says his, that the commands is a very clear in whether or not you have truly a URL abiding in God.
And God has a biding in you through the power of the Holy spirit. The evidence of that is what we see in our relationships by loving one another. So just real quickly as we wrap up D just, I want you to see three things that this past is teaches us, that we need to understand about this issue of loving one another. The first one is this is how I treat other people and is a big deal to God.
It's a big deal. You know, we categorize sins. Don't we, you know, the, the, the things that are embarrassing to us or the things that may be heard ourselves or her in our family, and we try to hide those. And we don't want to talk about those as a whole lot, because those are considered the quote, the big sins. But when it comes to the two thirds of the parts that we've talked about, people that you hate, or you can't stand, or if you laugh at someone who goes through a trial, regardless of who they are, you know, if you were indifferent about things and society of the things around us, those are things that oftentimes, if we're not careful about looking at our Facebook page, sometimes you know that we celebrate it, right?
But what we needed to understand is the secret sins that we would never want anyone else to know about that God sees this issue of hate. He sees this issue of Indifference on the same level is those. We need you to understand that this is a big deal to God. It's a huge deal. Number Tuesdays, how I treat other people is evidence of a life. This has been changed by God. That's really John's point.
Jon's not trying to guilt people into a, or trying to figure out whether or not they truly have a relationship with Jesus, what he wants them to see and understand. If you are a follower of Jesus, the evidence that your life has been changed, his, by the way, you treat other people around, you buy the love that you have for one another. That's the evidence. And the problem is, is that oftentimes what the world sees is not us loving one, another, some of the most amazing memories I have in my entire life have been in church, but also some of the most horrific, I don't remember as a senior in high school, on a Wednesday night, I sat in a business meeting in my church that was about to split right down the Biddle, all over the things that were surfaced in, worried about the gospel.
And I heard and saw people act in ways that were some of the nastiest, meanest things you could ever say to anyone. They said inside of a quote, worship center, going to tell you something that Church LA mean that, that was my goodness as the long time ago. That was 31 years ago. I didn't know. I could add, did you have 31 years ago?
Right? That's Church and that community has never been the same. There are people in that community that any time they hear of that Church 31 years later, or they might not have been there that night, but they heard, they heard how those Christians treated one another. If they heard, how have those followers of Jesus acted about things that had nothing to do with the eternal Matters.
And I believed it damaged the cause of Christ in that community 31 years, all because people got more consumed with what they wanted, then about having a kingdom perspective and truly understanding the grace of God and letting that play out in their relationship with one another.
Did you realize that the world knows more about what we're against than what we're For we talk about the cross of Jesus, but then we live in a way that doesn't reflect that how they treated people is evidence of a life. This has been changed by God man. Imagine if what gee, what Matt and I listen, I know so many of you in this room, I'm looking at your faces and I know the way you feel about what Jesus has done for you.
Imagine if the church of Jesus Christ could allow that mindset and that belief and that knowledge and that understanding to the played out in the way that we treat other people doesn't mean that we ignore sin. Does it mean that we don't have a conviction in standards? That just means that at the end of the day, what matters to us is truly showing the grace of God, by the way that we love one another.
And then finally, who, excuse me, how I treated the people. It's a choice. It's not an emotion. It's a choice. You say it was, if you don't know what they did to me, you're right. I don't Jeff you don't know how much that hurt me. Jeff you, you don't understand. And what they would they say are what they do or I'll let you're, right. I'm may not understand or understand the people that drive me crazy. I understand that.
Right. A but I may not understand what you've been through or what you're walking through, but what I'm telling you is, is that it is never, ever, ever going to be good for you or for the gospel going forward. If you allow those emotions to control you, how you treat other people's is a choice. When it was a kid, as the guest, I was nine years of age, my parents divorced, and it was a shock to me as a kid.
I, I didn't know you. No, I'm dumb a little kid. I knew it was wrong, but they're was it. And it was a very humbling experience, broke both of my parents. And I'm thankful to Jesus that even in that bad, horrible time, that most By both of my parents decided to run to Jesus, not away from it. And I'm eternally grateful for that, that their relationship never repaired.
I never got back together in terms of being husband and wife again, but they made a decision in their brokenness. They made a decision that they were never going to talk bad about one another in front of me and my sister. It listen to it. I didn't know it at the time, but there was a lot of bad things they could've said, right? But they made it for my entire growing up yours. I never heard my dad or one negative or bad about my mom. And I never heard my mom utter one negative word about my dad. And it wasn't because they didn't have the emotions.
They just were mature enough to recognize there was something bigger steak. There were something more important than a steak. And so they made a choice based on real life. Can I tell you something today for most of us in this room, in this and be included, I've had the deal with this all week long, write, you only have to do with it for a half an hour, right? But for most of us in this room, what we need to do is we did to make a choice to love the people that God has placed around us.
We did make a choice to love those people that are the most difficult for us to Love. We need to make a choice to remove hatred from our hearts and lives, and just begin out of the heart of what God has done for us to allow that to overflow in the way that we treat one, another first Corinthians 13 gives us the model now. Well, we normally read this at weddings and is a great application.
For husband and wife, that this has written to the church. This has written to the church that was struggling. Think about the choice in this passage. Love is patient. That's not an emotion right now. It makes us have emotions. When we have to be patient, right. Love is patient and kind, it does not envy. It does not boast. It is not arrogant or his roof or not rude. It does not insist on its own way.
It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing. There's that Indifference but rejoices with the truth. Love bears. All things, love believes all things, love, hopes, all things and endures all things. And I love the very beginning of verse eight. Love never ends .
He uses the word that love never fails. You will not be defeated. You can not lose by loving people. You cannot lose, even though you've think that they're getting the best of you and that they one, because you show mercy and grace, what the Bible teaches us, that when we truly love one another, when we make that choice, that we cannot
The loose. So, so what do you do today?You said, Jeff I know I'm a follower of Jesus, but I struggle with whether it's Hate or Indifference. What is it that I do? Just a couple of things real quick, and that I'm gonna pray for her. The first thing you need to do is you need to confess it as sin, stop making excuses for it. Stop rationalizing the way that you feel. And once again, I'm not minimizing. The pain has been calls to you, but understand this, that you're not responsible for what someone else has done to you, but you are responsible for a God by the way that you respond.
And so if there's either one of those Hate or Indifference, it's in your heart, just confess at this morning and say, God, I know of that. This is sin. Can I tell you something? When we stop making excuses and rationalizing our, seeing that is something powerful that God does in our hearts. So just confess it. The number two, you need to begin to pray for yourself. You, you need to begin to pray for yourself, pray that God would begin to change your heart. That God would make you into the person that he desires for you to be.
Because listen to this spirit of God has sent at the end of verse 24, that resides inside of you as a follower of Jesus. He is the one that can do the work. He's the one that has the power to do that so that you need to begin to pray and say, God, I pray that you would change my heart. God, I pray that you would change my mind. The number three for the person or the group of people, whatever it might be that you Hate, or that you're struggling with, that you just don't care about.
You need to begin to pray for them. You can't consistently pray for someone in God, not change your heart. That's what prayer does. Prayer. Our lives are hard with the heart of God. And that person that you Hate is a person that Jesus died for. That group of people that you don't understand, and you don't identify with, and you don't really care about them. That's a group of people that Jesus Christ gave his for them the same way that he did for you. And when you begin to pray for them, there's something that God does.
I listen to us. That's not cliche words that I want you to understand that you really honestly confess your sin, pray for yourself, pray for them. And then go back to the last point that we just said. And basically what you need to do is make the choice to begin to act in a way that is loving. How can you treat them? How can you respond to them? How can you as the, the end of this past, he said, indeed, in truth, First 18 told us that we are to love indeed and instru that you begin to do things in a way that showed the love of God.
Imagine the difference. If we, as a part of this, start a stream of family with take this to heart and begins to love one another, but going to love our family beginning to love the people that we work with begin to love the people that live in our community in a way that honors and shows a reflection of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. If you remember on an Easter, I shared with you the two statements that have kind of captured me and kind of helped me walk through so many times, and that is the God loves you.
And there's nothing you can do about it. Imagine if this Church imagined, if this community imagine if those around us, we're to be able to say those same things about us, Hey, I love you. And there's nothing you can do about it. I love you. And there's nothing you can do to change it. I love you. And I'm willing to lay down my life for you because Jesus Christ has changed me.
And I want to be a part of his ambition of allowing the people around me to see and know that not only his, he changed me, but I want to show them his love so that we can change the world. Amen. Wait a minute. That's a pretty good or bad. Is it so often was we do this. I want to make sure that we do this today, just with your heads, bowed and eyes closed.
What is God saying to you today? Answered that question right now. And then what does God wants you to do about it? You take a couple of minutes and just answer those questions and I'm going to lead us and pray for us as we close.
God thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving your life for us. Thank you for showing us grace and mercy. We don't deserve it. God, I pray this week that you remind us of that. But I pray this week is I come in contact with people in my own world, but I prayed that the thought at the forefront of my mind will be the grace and the mercy that you have shown me in may. My actions may. My words may be my feelings, may my own decisions.
My responses By reactions may be just my countenance to be one that truly reflects the love that you show him for me and my love for other people. Just be the overflow out of that. God, I pray this morning for people that are struggling, guy with some significant struggles. God showed them that you were all they need.
God, may we be, as we sang a few moments ago, more like, jeez, No
Lord. We love you. And we thank you that we can have the victory over anything that were struggling with today because of Jesus. And so we surrender all of those things that we struggle with into your hands. And we ask you to use those this week to truly love one another. And it's in Jesus name. We pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you so much for being here and as always, if we can help you with love, the previous is a pray with you and talking with you and a other than that, will we hope you have a great week and we will see you next Sunday
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Oct 11 – 12, 2020
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Octubre 11, 2020
¿Por que hablamos del Amor?
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1 Juan 3:11-24
Este es el mensaje que ustedes han oído desde el principio: que nos amemos unos a otros. No debemos ser como Caín, quien pertenecía al maligno y mató a su hermano. ¿Y por qué lo mató? Porque Caín hacía lo malo y su hermano lo recto. Así que, amados hermanos, no se sorprendan si el mundo los odia. Si amamos a nuestros hermanos creyentes, eso demuestra que hemos pasado de muerte a vida; pero el que no tiene amor sigue muerto. Todo el que odia a un hermano, en el fondo de su corazón es un asesino, y ustedes saben que ningún asesino tiene la vida eterna en él. Conocemos lo que es el amor verdadero, porque Jesús entregó su vida por nosotros. De manera que nosotros también tenemos que dar la vida por nuestros hermanos. Si alguien tiene suficiente dinero para vivir bien y ve a un hermano en necesidad pero no le muestra compasión, ¿cómo puede estar el amor de Dios en esa persona? Queridos hijos, que nuestro amor no quede solo en palabras; mostremos la verdad por medio de nuestras acciones. Nuestras acciones demostrarán que pertenecemos a la verdad, entonces estaremos confiados cuando estemos delante de Dios. Aun si nos sentimos culpables, Dios es superior a nuestros sentimientos y él lo sabe todo. Queridos amigos, si no nos sentimos culpables, podemos acercarnos a Dios con plena confianza. Y recibiremos de él todo lo que le pidamos porque lo obedecemos y hacemos las cosas que le agradan. Y su mandamiento es el siguiente: debemos creer en el nombre de su Hijo, Jesucristo, y amarnos unos a otros, así como él nos lo ordenó. Los que obedecen los mandamientos de Dios permanecen en comunión con él, y él permanece en comunión con ellos. Y sabemos que él vive en nosotros, porque el Espíritu que nos dio vive en nosotros.
Texto central:
Nosotros hemos pasado de la muerte a la vida, y lo sabemos porque amamos a nuestros hermanos. El que no ama, aún está muerto. 1 Juan 3:14, DHH.
-
Principio de Identidad.
1 Juan 3:10, 19-20.
“Podemos identificar” y “demostraran” criterios sobre la identidad del creyente: aquí́, la oposición entre ser hijo de Dios o ser hijo del diablo, entre obrar la justicia o no obrarla, amar al hermano o no amarlo, ser o no ser de la verdad. -
Principio de Conocimiento.
1 Juan 3:11, 18.
El primero nos dice qué hacer: amarnos unos a otros; el segundo, cómo hacerlo: con nuestras acciones, en verdad, no solo de palabras. -
Principio de Comunión.
1 Juan 3:12, 16-17.
Caín y sus obras malas se oponen a Abel y sus obras justas. Cristo y los que aman, dan su vida y se oponen a quienes la quitan por no compartir los medios de vida. -
Principio de Vida.
1 Juan 3:13, 15.
Existe una relación entre “odiar”, no amor y asesinar.
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Oct 4 – 5, 2020
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Octubre 4, 2020
“Un Loco Amor“
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1 Juan 3:1-10
Miren con cuánto amor nos ama nuestro Padre que nos llama sus hijos, ¡y eso es lo que somos! Pero la gente de este mundo no reconoce que somos hijos de Dios, porque no lo conocen a él. Queridos amigos, ya somos hijos de Dios, pero él todavía no nos ha mostrado lo que seremos cuando Cristo venga; pero sí sabemos que seremos como él, porque lo veremos tal como él es. Y todos los que tienen esta gran expectativa se mantendrán puros, así como él es puro. Todo el que peca viola la ley de Dios, porque todo pecado va en contra de la ley de Dios; y ustedes saben que Jesús vino para quitar nuestros pecados, y en él no hay pecado. Todo el que siga viviendo en él no pecará; pero todo el que sigue pecando no lo conoce ni entiende quién es él. Queridos hijos, no dejen que nadie los engañe acerca de lo siguiente: cuando una persona hace lo correcto, demuestra que es justa, así como Cristo es justo. Sin embargo, cuando alguien sigue pecando, demuestra que pertenece al diablo, el cual peca desde el principio; pero el Hijo de Dios vino para destruir las obras del diablo. Los que han nacido en la familia de Dios no se caracterizan por practicar el pecado, porque la vida de Dios está en ellos. Así que no pueden seguir pecando, porque son hijos de Dios. Por lo tanto, podemos identificar quiénes son hijos de Dios y quiénes son hijos del diablo. Todo el que no se conduce con rectitud y no ama a los creyentes no pertenece a Dios.
- La Personalidad del Padre.
“Mirad cuán gran amor nos ha otorgado el Padre, para que seamos llamados hijos de Dios; y eso somos…” (1 Juan 3.1a)
a. Quien es Dios.
b. Quienes son los hijos de Dios.
- La Obra del Hijo.
“Y vosotros sabéis que Él se manifestó a fin de quitar los” (1 Juan 3.5)
a. Libres del castigo del pecado.
b. Libres del control del pecado.
- La Fortaleza del Espíritu Santo.
“Ninguno que es nacido de Dios practica el pecado, porque la simiente de Dios permanece en él; y no puede pecar, porque es nacido de Dios” (1 Juan 3.9)
a. Una nueva posición en Cristo.
b. Una nueva pasión en Cristo.
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strouma Baptist Church
Oct 4, 2020
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October 4 | First John (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
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Update
Update:
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October 4, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Children of God"
1 John 3:1-10
1 John 3:1-10
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. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
God chose us to be His children. vs 1
God removed every obstacle to becoming His children
vs 5,8-9
God changes our “want to”
vs 3, 10
God’s children are a reflection of their Father
vs 6-7
God’s home is our home
vs 2
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All right. Well, good morning. So glad that you're here, get to see you today. You like you’re in a bit of a better mood than you were last week, so I'm glad to see that. So, I went last, I went yesterday to a little football gathering they did in Tuscaloosa and so on my way back. And by the way, it was weird. I don't know if any of you, you went to the game here last week, but being in a stadium with 25% full it's just odd that it was very relaxing. And of course, we knew it will be at the trash that it takes any of them. So that meant it even better.
And, but all the way home a will. And the other thing made it yesterday, great day is that the Georgia be in the trash out of Auburn because anytime Auburn loses that a really a great day, but the whole way home, I was praying for you because I was really praying for myself. Cause I thought If LSU loses to Vandy, but these people ain't come to church tomorrow in the ones that dear are going to be ready to kill me. So I'm really thankful for that. We got through that and it was a really good day for all of us. And we will live to tell more stories next week. But anyway, if you have your Bibles turned to first, John chapter three first John chapter three, and I am really, I was having a hard time during worship this morning, which was phenomenal by the way, because everything that we sang about is an aspect of what we're going to talk about this morning.
Because what I want us to think about this morning is about family, because that's what John describes in the book of a first John chapter three is this idea of us being a part of the family of God. So this on the screen is my family. That's us. All right? And so there's actually two more. There's six kids altogether, the older two or 27 and 23, I think met something like that anyway. And I'm not sure what their age is our own. We might, there are much older and they're out of the house. We don't have any pictures with all eight of us together, which is kind of weird.
But when the oldest is 27 and the youngest is five, it was just hard to get everybody in the same place, the same time to wait. But this was my family right now. And so when I looked at this picture, there's a lots of different things I think about. Alright, I think about these or the people that are probably arguing with the most, that you probably, that your family's proud at the same way, these or the people that are, that keep me up at night. And that wakes me up earlier in the morning. These are the ones that, that really, if I'm really going to just be completely transparent with you, these people are expensive. I mean, all of these folks, they are extremely in.
There are lots of days, but this group of people right here that they drive me insane. Now, if they were up here, they could tell you a whole lot worse things about that, about me and then about them. But the reality is that anytime you have a family, there are issues. But at the end of the day, this group of people, man, I dye for them. I love them. This is not care about all of you, but these are my people, right? That these are the, is this is my people.
And there's nothing in the world as a father that I would not do for my children. There is nothing in the world as a husband that I would not do from my wife. This is my family. And when you are a part of my family, you are going to have the best of whatever I can provide for you because that's how much I love you. Now. I would say that as I look at my family, that it is a privilege for me to be a part of the family that God has allowed me to be a part of growing up.
I hope that my family will say the same thing about the family that Wendy and I have created for them. But one thing I know for sure, the way that your family looks like mine are whether your story has like mine are whether you have a good memories or bad memories about your family growing up. There's one thing that all of us have in common. And that is, is that we have been invited to be a part of a family that's far greater than what any of us could ever, ever, ever deserve.
We have the opportunity to be called Children of God Right? Just let that soak in for a minute today. Right? You said that the truth of that, but before we ever just read the, the word I want you to just allow the truth of just that reality that you have the opportunity and notice I said opportunity, I'm going to explain what I mean by that in just a moment, because just because you’re on this earth doesn't mean you're automatically a child of God, but you have the opportunity to be a child of the King, a child of the one who created this world, a child of the one who holds all power and his hands, a child at the one that there is absolutely nothing that is beyond his control.
There's absolutely nothing that is beyond his ability. There's absolutely nothing that he can't afford, or there's nothing that he can do that, that same God looks at you in a way that's even greater than the way that I look at my own children. You have the opportunity be a child of God. So as we read this passage, it's more in first John chapter three. I want you to think about what that means and just the power of that, because it may have some of it.
You may have come in this room today and you may feel defeated by life. You may be disappointed by the people around you, the ones that are supposed to love you are the ones that have mistreated you. And you may just feel like you're all alone, but I want you to know this morning. You are not alone because that good, good Father that we sing about a few moments ago. His not just for the religious and for the people that have got all the answers and done everything, right? It is for you. Those that are down and low and owl to those that are made a huge mistake with your life.
It doesn't matter who you are and what you've done. You have a father that loves you. There was no way we are going to finish this in 30 minutes today. And you ever go to try it right? First John chapter three, I have no idea why. I think the music has wound me up this morning, Doug. I don't know where the rest of those people went, but I'm just anybody. So here we go on to try to get through this because we got another service that's coming behind this. All right. And I, and I want y'all to come back next week. So first John chapter three,
Look at verse one. Right? See what kind of love the father has given to us that we should be called in there. It is. Children of God. And so we are, I love that phrase. I, in fact, if you have a Bible and you're not scared to right in it, just underline that phrase. And so we are, Ooh. The reason that we are is because God said we were, then it is, it just is. So, I mean, it's just, it's just the way that it is. It's amazing to me sometimes how we just go right past it.
A little simple phrase is in God's word, that's a powerful, powerful phrase. We should be called children of God. So we are that. That's just who we are. Just a matter of fact, the reason why the world does not know us is that it didn't know him. The reason why the world doesn't understand us, and they can wrap their minds around who we are. And what we do is because they don't know the Father because they're not a part of our family. You've ever had someone that was maybe scared to death too, to come to us to one of your family events.
I mean, my family's crazy, right? I remember the first time that Wendy came to my house for Thanksgiving, her family is very quiet in the very reserved and so that my family is not all right. If you have thin skin and don't come to my house, all right, is loud. It is obnoxious. And there are people that are making fun of you nonstop the whole time that you're there. It's just family. That's that. And so when she came to our house, the first time, I didn't think she was ever going to come back because I mean, it is just a different, different environment, but the reason she didn't understand, because he wasn't part of our family.
She didn't know us. And so when the world looks you that like, you're crazy for some of the things that you believe or some are the ways that you respond or, or the ways that you establish your priorities is not because there was anything wrong with you is just because they don't know the father. And as some of you, you’re thinking you're at verse one, right? All right, we haven't got to anything yet. All right, verse two, here we go. Beloved we are God's children now. And what we will be has not yet appeared. So the best as you have to come, but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see the him as he is.
And that's going to be an incredible, incredible day. The first three and everyone who thus Hope's in him, purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes up a practice of sinning also practiced lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. You know, that he appeared in order to take away sins. And he's going to tell us another reason he appeared in just a few moments, but that that's a very important point. That the reason he appeared talking about the reason that Jesus came is to take away those sins, because God desires for you to be part of this family.
But what separates you from the, the, the ability on your own to be a part of God's family is that sin is lawlessness. It separates all of us from God. And so, Jesus came. He appeared in order to take away those sins in him talking to that, Jesus, there is no sin. So no one who abides remember that word from last week, we talked about what it means to a boss to allow the word of God, to be at home in us and to allow us to be able to rest in his authority. So the one who abides in him keeps Nope, no one who abides in him keeps on sending no one who keeps on going.
He has he ever seen him or know him known him little Children let me see. No one deceive you Whoever practices. Righteousness is righteous as he is righteous. So that, that's how you know, someone's righteous. Is there a practicing rights? That's the reason why they do that Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil for the devil has been sending from the beginning of the region. The son of God appeared we hear is that another phrase, right? The reason the son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
All the things that keep you from God that's the reason why Jesus came was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning for God's seed abides in him. We're going to come back to that in a few months and he cannot keep on sending because he has been born of God. Now think about the story and the gospel of John, where Nicodemus comes to Jesus, right in Jesus makes that statement to him is a, it's not about being a good person, not about to doing all of the, the things in the law, but in order for you to enter the kingdom of heaven, you must be born again in nicotine.
He has looked at him like he was crazy, you know, and if we would not have been people that he grew up in Church we would of looked at him like he was crazy as well, because I am I supposed to go back into my mother's womb again. But what is Jesus talking about? And that's a net to a conversation he's talking about being a part of the family, that when you are born, you are born into a family. And in order to be a part of the family of God, you must be born again. There's something that must happen in you and through you in order for you to be a part of God's family.
So no one's born of God is going to continue to it. Sin verse 10, by this, it does evidence who our, the children of God and who are the children of the devil, whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God nor is the one who does not love his brother. Now that I know a couple things before I just to point out for or five things that we find in this passage. First of all, we see some things that we've already seen as we've been reading the first two chapters of first John and John, repeat some things over and over and over again in this short book in oftentimes when things are repeated over and over again, we just begin to glossy.
I heard that yet. I heard that, but there's a reason why he keeps repeating them. And the reason he keeps repeating them, this is because you need to know them. And because he knows it, if we're not careful, we're not going to pay attention to them. And so he is emphasizing some specific things about what it looks like to be a child, God, but he comes back in chapter three and he tries to wrap our minds around how we become a part of the family of God. And then what it looks like, how we know for sure, there's some assurance that there's some of the things that he shows is in here, that we need to make sure that we can wrap our hearts in my, in Japan, the, the, the first thing I want you to see as he walked through this this morning is that God chose us to be its Children God chose you to be his child.
The Bible says that you didn't love of God first, but that God first loved. You are going to look at that in just a few weeks is the idea that the God came after you, then God is pursuing you. And whether or not you have a big already begun in a relationship with him, or whether or not you've been running from him then in either situation God is pursuing you if your here today, and you've been trying to get to God on your own. You're never going to get to God on your own. You're never going to be good enough, but I want you to know that God's done all that is necessary.
He is pursuing you because he loves you. And just like we see in the story of the prodigal son, that when the sun ran off and began to do his own thing in his own way, that we see that the Father was not busying himself doing something else, but the Father was awaiting his return because the Father has chosen that he desires for you to be a part of his family. I showed you a picture earlier of my entire family.
There there's two of my kids. I want to put back on the screen. If you notice, you know, Harper never just stands and just takes the picture she has to post for everything that she does. I think that we didn't ask her to do that right there. I, that that was, I was, Hey, listen. That's just who she is. Anyway, Harper and Mason are not, we're not born in terms of biologically into our family. There are both adopted, and their stories are just, I don't have time to go into them today, but it's just amazing.
The things that God has allowed us to be able to provide for them, that just the chaos that they would have grown up in, which has been absolutely just, it has been destructive. And so we think a lot about how we're going to have those conversations as they get older. And they already both know that they were adopted, and we make it just a normal part of the conversation. We don't ever want them to be surprised. But the biggest thing that we emphasize with them is that before we ever met you, before you ever knew we were, we chose you.
We chose you to be a part of our family. And we love you the same way that we love Taylor in HANA, who our children, biologically, we chose you to be a part of us. And what our prayer is that they see that their, that they don't see themselves as different as they grow up, but they see themselves as valued. They see themselves as understanding and knowing that we love them with all of our heart. And we were willing to sacrifice financially.
We were willing to sacrifice in terms of just comfort. And we were willing to sacrifice the fact that we're old and we shouldn't have kids as young. We are willing to sacrifice all of those things, but because we love them, we chose for them to be a part of us. Amen. Thank you.
You got the reality that God looked down from heaven. And when he desired more than anything else, he was for you to be his adopted son or daughter. He designed for you to be a part of his family. And listen, if you don't hear anything else, I say today, would you walk away with the understanding that regardless of what else is happening in your life, God, you, he chose you to be a part of his family.
Now, let me go back and read it right now. But verse one is the reference for you to go back and see how that,
That sets that up. The second thing I want you to see as this is the God removed every obstacle to becoming His children, vs member. I told you that he said there was two reasons that he came, and he came a, so that we wouldn't have to keep on sinning. He, he, he came to be the sacrifice for our sins, but then we also see the, ah, the idea or the mindset that he came to destroy the works of the devil. And that is, is that no matter how strong a sin may be in your life, I want you to know that God is stronger. And he came to remove that chain from you.
He came to remove that power from your life. He came to give you what you can never give for yourself. He removed all the berries because you see the, ah, the, the barrier of between you and God is sin. And what I want you to understand this a, this morning is that we have this mind set within our culture. Will of God is a loving God. Then why would God ever send anyone to hell? And I want you to understand God does the same. In any one day, God removed every obstacle. He removed every barrier.
And if you choose to reject him, you are choosing to ignore all of the things that God has provided. He has made a way so that no matter who we are, no matter what we've done, no matter what we've been through, no matter what, a mess we've made of circumstances or relationships or parts of our life, that God looked down, he came to this earth, Jesus, as God in the flesh.
And he removed every obstacle. You see it because when he died on the cross, when he, his, we looked out a couple of weeks ago when he became the propitiation for our sin, he took our place and he gave us access to God. So, here's the, the, the point of that, the point of that is this is that we serve a loving God. Who's who made a way in, in God's desire is not that anyone should perish that anyone should spend eternity without him.
God loves you. And God wants to be your father, Right? But you're not automatically a child of God, just because you were born. Because as he told Nicodemus, you must be born again. What does that mean? It means is John three 16 says that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. The word believe we talked about it before. I, it means to put you're a whole way to pause, to say, God I put my life until your hands. And I want you to understand this. If you've never come to a place in your life where you say God, I know that I'm a sinner.
I know that I've made mistakes in my life. God, I ask you based on the sacrifice of Jesus to forgive me and my sins. And God I give you my life. Listen to me. If you've never done that, then you're not a child of God. That's the harsh truth. But the good news, the opposite of that is this is that for all of you who have done that. And for all of you, that desire to do that, that God will not reject you. That if you just say, God, I give you my life, he will not do anything except receive you as his sons and daughters, because that's the good, good Father that we sing about a few moments ago.
He's removed all the obstacles, but you need to understand it's not, it's not automatic. Number three, when we become Children of God, God changes our want to, I tried to find some, you know, a, a very intellectual way to say that this week. And I just couldn't even do that because that's what God does. When he talks through this chapter about the idea that when you are a board of God, you don't keep on sinning.
And then he said, now, listen, don't get me wrong. He doesn't say you don't sin because all of us that we have fallen short, or the glory of God, I'll all of us have a sinful nature. And there is a spiritual battle that has always taken place, but we can't use that as an excuse just to keep on sinning. Because when you are born of God, when the spirit of God, he uses the word that when his seed or when the spirit comes to live inside of you than what begins to happen is, is that your desire is to please the father.
Now, you always do that. No do I always do that? No, but there is a conviction of the Holy spirit. There is a pursuit of the spirit after me that will not ever allow me to be comfortable living in sin because he changes you want to. My mom is one of the greatest human beings that I think has ever lived on the face of this earth.
And my mom has always been my greatest encourager. My mom has always been my greatest supporter. I mean, ever since I was a kid, I listen. If you saw pictures of me when I was a kid, you know, when they say this a face only a mom can love that. That was me. All right. I'm the reason why they made that phrase. All right. But my mom has always thought that I was great. I mean, she, a sometimes I don't anyway, my mom's just who she is in the, you know, there's been times I've been this disappointed her. There's been times that I disobeyed her.
There have been times that I've been rebellious, and I've done things. And I know that she doesn't want me to do. And listen, I'm not saying that I've been a perfect child because God knows that I have it, but I always, always, always feel horrible about anything that I do. That's not what she wants me to do. You know why? Because she's my mom, because he is my biggest supporter. And so, I want to make her happy. I want to please her. And for you, if you are truly a child of God, the spirit of God comes to take a resonance in you.
If it changes you want to. And so if you are living just a pattern are a way where sin. It's no big deal too. You and were you enjoy it. And you never feel any remorse. You never feel any conviction. Then what you need to evaluate. And I'm not trying to scare you or guilt. You I'm just want you to understand what the word teaches us is that you need to examine or evaluate whether or not you're really are a child of God. Because when the spirit of God comes to take residence inside of you, it changes your one two.
Now on the flip side of that, some of you are Children of God and you are running is far in as fast as he possibly can. That's the reason why you’re so miserable, then no matter what you get, no matter what you do, no matter what happens, it just never seems to be enough. And the reason is, is because you are running from the one thing that will bring you the joy and peace and satisfaction that you desire. He changes our warranty. Number four is this is it God's children are a reflection of their father or the, the, the phrase.
And there in verse six, seven, it talks about the righteous and the sending. And this says that the one who practiced the righteousness, that's the one who is righteous, that they don't become righteous because they practice righteousness because outside of Jesus Christ, there is no righteousness in any of us. But the reason that we practice writes this, this is because that's what we are because of who we are or because of who's. We are right, because we are children of God.
And so we become a reflection of our own Father You know, that all the phrase is you hear about family, his, you know, the Apple didn't fall far from the tree, and it was a chip off the old blog. You know, just the phrase is that we, that we say are all, because you can see parents in children, you ever find yourself. And some of you that are younger than me, the older you get you’ll; you'll find yourself as your kids get older a that you become your parents. Now you've seen the commercials on TV about where you become your parents.
That, that that's what we do, right? Because we find ourselves, we've been by them. And so what John is saying is, is, Oh, what the world needs to see his children of God that, or a reflection of their Father. This is one of the greatest witnesses that we have is that as we begin to practice a righteousness, as we begin to understand that the spirit God is in inside of us there, or something that begins to change in a way that is so unbelievably powerful and this, because we just become a reflection of who he is.
It, you ever had a relationship with someone that you just knew. They walked with Jesus. He just knew there. And it wasn't because they were a, a, a, a, an arrogant about that. And it wasn't because they were, you know, a super spiritual in the sense that very religious, it was just evident by the way they conducted themselves. It was evident by the conversations that they had. It was evident by their priorities. It was the evident, by the way, they respond that in tough situations, it was evident because you just knew that person walks with God.
Those individuals are a reflection of their father. And, and here's the question I asked myself this week in, because I had to deal with it will make you deal with it too. Right? So here's the question. I asked myself all week long. Does it, when, when people see me, I don't mean here on Sunday morning. I mean, there, this is the, this is too easy, right? But I mean, during the week does this, this is my family, Right?
The people that I work with when they see me as there, anything about me that reflects Jesus, did you do, do they know that I've spent time with Jesus, by the way that I respond to difficult situations, but by our conversation's in the things that are important to me, do people know that I'm a child of the King? Because the reality is that if I'm, if God's changing my want to see if I've given my life to him and I'm doing everything, I can not to run from him, but to run to him, then my lives should be a reflection of who he is.
That was so interesting in this passage, did he, he begins by encouraging us and God chose you. And he shows his what Jesus did that, man, Jesus has done all the work. He's done. Everything is needed to be done. And then he gets a little, you know, a little too close to home to me. And he gets up, you know, in our business, write with the idea of man, look at your life. And are you sending, or are you being righteous? And whose child really are you, but then he ends with reminding us once again, of the goodness of being a part of the family of God, because he shows us that God's home is our home.
Is our home in verse two. He talks about the fact that he's going to return again. Right. But that is going to come back. And as he comes back, that we're going to see him as he is. We are going to have the privilege of being with him and that all the things that we've been anticipating, all the things that we've been enduring, but that all of those things are going to come to fruition. And we're going to find that is far greater as we talked about at the end of last week.
So, it is far greater than anything that we could ever imagine, Right?
This past We Wendy and I got away for a, just a few days, just the two of us with no kids, praise God for that. Right. I mean, I love my kids, right. They're my people but is great to be away from them. And it really, it really, really is. All right. I listen to any of you that are not married, and you got your own kids. The best thing that you can do is drop them off at grandma's house and go away for a couple of days. Now, I know you think you're the greatest mam in the world, but I promise you, they raised other kids. They can handle your kids.
All right. It, it is absolutely a, it is life giving. I don't think if Wendy and I wouldn't of practice, that we probably wouldn't ever made it. All right. But just so we got away for a couple days. And one, the days we were sitting down by the pool, you know, doing a lot of a real hard work, basically nothing. That's what we did all day long it's. So, we're sitting around by the pool now. And we were just reflecting all what we talked about last week. So just reflecting on what heaven we'll be like, just reflecting on what God is preparing for us.
And I know we talked about this last week, but I want you to come back and think about this again, this way is in this passage adverse to, as he talks about, listen to everything that we are doing is anticipation for something that God is preparing this far greater than what we could ever possibly imagine, that we're going to see him. And God says, Hey, there are times in life when you just got to hang on it. And there are times in life that you just, you just got to get through, but know is on the other side, it has, the Bible describes our life.
Our life has a vapor. That is just a twinkling of an eye. When this life is over that we're going to be together. You're going to see me face to face in this, going to be far greater, far more amazing than anything this world has to offer. You know, those days before you go on vacation, you know, usually the, the, the last few of them, they're usually a kind of crazy, right? I mean, you're running around trying to get things done and it, you want to get everything in place and you probably work harder than you do any other time, because you just want to be able to it when it's over.
You want to be able to just enjoy it. But there's something about the anticipation of that. That just drives you, right? There's something about the anticipation that has to come. Then it makes the long days in all the work you did; it makes it worth it. Because, you know, if I can just get through this, I'm going to be able to receive this. That's exactly what John is describing to the church that, Hey, there's going to be some of those days. There's going to be some of those times when you're going to have to work harder and you’re going to have to be more disciplined and you’re going to have to endure things that you don't want to enter in it.
But if you could just hang on what God has for you just around the corner is so much greater than all the other stuff that this world has to offer so that I don't know about you. But when I read that section, just those 10 verses, I just be honest with you. I struggle putting together an outline for this passage, because it just seems like it’s all over the place this week on Friday, it's like, God just made it just very clear as I was just reading through it again.
And basically, what he says is that this is a picture of what it looks like to be a child of God. You are loved deeply and immensely. You are loved by your father. More than you are loved by anyone on the face of the earth. But because he loves you, he has turned out of the everything that you need, but he also has provided expectations for you because he desires for you to see things and beat things that you don't understand at this point.
But if you will trust him and if you will follow him, what a waste for you on the other side and even what a waste for you tomorrow as far greater, far more amazing because when he is preparing for You is the best. And when you have no limit of resources, when you have no limit of ability and you're providing your children the best, that's pretty good.
So, you and I need to trust him. If you don't know him, you need to surrender your life to him. You need to today become a child of God. And then we need to listen to him. We need to follow him. We need to stop running away from him and start running to him. And no matter what we face today, whether the good, the bad or the ugly, we know that God is in control. And we know that God has a plan.
And because he is our Father, we can trust him. Amen. Amen. Let's together today, Therefore I pray for us. Take just a moment just with your heads bowed and your eyes closed, and you make application. What does God is saying to you today in what do you need to do in response to his word?
We thank you that we can be called your Children Lord. I pray for anyone. This room is still wrestling with whether not they really know U whether or not they're truly a child of God. I pray that this morning they will just surrender to you. Trust you, trust what your word says, and they'll place their life into your hands. I pray for those this morning that are running. There are a lot of the prodigal son and they're going all kinds of different directions.
They're trying to do everything they can to satisfy their own needs and the desires of their hearts. I pray you and show them how to empty. That is a pray that you will continue to pursue them. I pray they will surrender it to you today. Come back to you as their father. God, I pray for all of us today that we will walk out of this place with our heads, held high with a confidence in our hearts, knowing that you love us, that you are good.
Thank you, Jesus, for being everything that we need and this in Jesus' name that I pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you for being here. If we can help you, please let us know, hope that you have a wonderful week and we'll see you next. Sunday
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**Istrouma Baptist Church
Sep 27, 2020
==========
September 27 | First John (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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September 27, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Abiding"
1 John 2: 18-28
1 John 2:18-28
Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us — eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
We should allow the Truth to take residence in us.
We should rest in the authority of Jesus
We should have confidence in the promise of heaven.
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Istrouma en Español
Sep 27, 2020
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Septiembre 27, 2020
El Mundo tiene fecha de Caducidad
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1 Juan 2:12-17
Os escribo a vosotros, hijos, porque vuestros pecados os han sido perdonados por su nombre. Os escribo a vosotros, padres, porque conocéis al que ha sido desde el principio. Os escribo a vosotros, jóvenes, porque habéis vencido al maligno. Os he escrito a vosotros, niños, porque conocéis al Padre. Os he escrito a vosotros, padres, porque conocéis al que ha sido desde el principio. Os he escrito a vosotros, jóvenes, porque sois fuertes y la palabra de Dios permanece en vosotros y habéis vencido al maligno. No améis al mundo ni las cosas que están en el mundo. Si alguno ama al mundo, el amor del Padre no está en él. Porque todo lo que hay en el mundo, la pasión de la carne, la pasión de los ojos y la arrogancia de la vida, no proviene del Padre, sino del mundo. Y el mundo pasa, y también sus pasiones, pero el que hace la voluntad de Dios permanece para siempre.
- El carácter espiritual del creyente.
Os escribo a vosotros, hijos, porque vuestros pecados os han sido perdonados por su nombre .Os escribo a vosotros, padres, porque conocéis al que ha sido desde el principio. Os escribo a vosotros, jóvenes, porque habéis vencido al maligno. Os he escrito a vosotros, niños, porque conocéis al Padre. 14 Os he escrito a vosotros, padres, porque conocéis al que ha sido desde el principio. Os he escrito a vosotros, jóvenes, porque sois fuertes y la palabra de Dios permanece en vosotros y habéis vencido al maligno. (1 Juan 2.12-14)
a. Los Niños
b. Los Padres
c. Los Jóvenes
- El conflicto espiritual del creyente.
No améis al mundo ni las cosas que están en el mundo. Si alguno ama al mundo, el amor del Padre no está en él. (1 Juan 2.15)
a. Un imperativo
b. Una evidencia
c. Una razón
- El crecimiento espiritual del creyente.
Porque todo lo que hay en el mundo, la pasión de la carne, la pasión de los ojos y la arrogancia de la vida, no proviene del Padre, sino del mundo. Y el mundo pasa, y también sus pasiones, pero el que hace la voluntad de Dios permanece para siempre. (1 Juan 2.16-17)
a. El Deseo carnal
b. El Deseo de los ojos
c. El Orgullo
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Sep 20 – 21, 2020
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Septiembre 20, 2020
Entre lo falso y lo genuino
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1 Juan 2:1-11
Hijitos míos, os escribo estas cosas para que no pequéis. Y si alguno peca, Abogado tenemos para con el Padre, a Jesucristo el justo. Él mismo es la propiciación por nuestros pecados, y no solo por los nuestros, sino también por los del mundo entero. Y en esto sabemos que hemos llegado a conocerle: si guardamos sus mandamientos. El que dice: Yo he llegado a conocerle, y no guarda sus mandamientos, es un mentiroso y la verdad no está en él; pero el que guarda su palabra, en él verdaderamente el amor de Dios se ha perfeccionado. En esto sabemos que estamos en Él. El que dice que permanece en Él, debe andar como Él anduvo. Amados, no os escribo un mandamiento nuevo, sino un mandamiento antiguo, que habéis tenido desde el principio; el mandamiento antiguo es la palabra que habéis oído. Por otra parte, os escribo un mandamiento nuevo, el cual es verdadero en Él y en vosotros, porque las tinieblas van pasando, y la luz verdadera ya está alumbrando. El que dice que está en la luz, y aborrece a su hermano, está aún en tinieblas. El que ama a su hermano, permanece en la luz y no hay causa de tropiezo en él. Pero el que aborrece a su hermano, está en tinieblas y anda en tinieblas, y no sabe adónde va, porque las tinieblas han cegado sus ojos.
-
El creyente verdadero obedece a Dios.
El que dice: Yo le conozco, y no guarda sus mandamientos, el tal es mentiroso, y la verdad no está en él; (2.4)
a. Guarda los Mandamientos de Dios.
b. Guarda la Palabra de Dios. -
El creyente verdadero imita a Cristo.
El que dice que permanece en él, debe andar como él anduvo.(2.6)
a. Debe permanecer en El.
b. Debe andar como El. -
El creyente verdadero ama a sus hermanos.
El que dice que está en la luz, y aborrece a su hermano, está todavía en tinieblas.(2.9)
a. Es un mandamiento nuevo.
b. Es una prueba de nuestra fe .
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September 20, 2020 | Micah Cating
"Obedience"
1 John 2:1-17
1 John 2:1-2
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
YOU ENJOY YOUR FAITH WHEN YOU JOIN WITH GOD
1 John 2:3-6
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
IT IS HARD TO ENJOY YOUR FAITH WHEN YOU QUESTION YOUR SALVATION
ENJOYING YOUR FAITH VALUES PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION
1 John 2:7-11
Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever 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.
YOU CANNOT ENJOY YOUR FAITH WITH A HATEFUL HEART
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR FAITH WHEN YOU LOVE WHAT GOD LOVES
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Istrouma en Español
Sep 13 – 14, 2020
==========
Septiembre 13, 2020
Para ser felices no hay que ser perfectos
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1 Juan 1:1-9
Lo que existía desde el principio, lo que hemos oído, lo que hemos visto con nuestros ojos, lo que hemos contemplado y lo que han palpado nuestras manos, acerca del Verbo de vida (pues la vida fue manifestada, y nosotros la hemos visto y damos testimonio y os anunciamos la vida eterna, la cual estaba con el Padre y se nos manifestó); lo que hemos visto y oído, os proclamamos también a vosotros, para que también vosotros tengáis comunión con nosotros; y en verdad nuestra comunión es con el Padre y con su Hijo Jesucristo. Os escribimos estas cosas para que nuestro gozo sea completo. Y este es el mensaje que hemos oído de Él y que os anunciamos: Dios es luz, y en Él no hay tiniebla alguna. Si decimos que tenemos comunión con Él, pero andamos en tinieblas, mentimos y no practicamos la verdad; mas si andamos en la luz, como Él está en la luz, tenemos comunión los unos con los otros, y la sangre de Jesús su Hijo nos limpia de todo pecado. Si decimos que no tenemos pecado, nos engañamos a nosotros mismos y la verdad no está en nosotros. Si confesamos nuestros pecados, Él es fiel y justo para perdonarnos los pecados y para limpiarnos de toda maldad.
- Debemos conocer a Jesús
“Lo que ha sido desde el principio, lo que hemos oído, lo que hemos visto con nuestros propios ojos, lo que hemos contemplado, lo que hemos tocado con las manos, esto les anunciamos respecto al Verbo que es vida. 2 Esta vida se manifestó. Nosotros la hemos visto y damos testimonio de ella, y les anunciamos a ustedes la vida eterna que estaba con el Padre y que se nos ha manifestado” (1.1-2)
a. Jesús es 100 % Dios
b. Jesús es 100 % hombre
- Debemos tener comunión con Jesús
“Les anunciamos lo que hemos visto y oído, para que también ustedes tengan comunión con nosotros. Y nuestra comunión es con el Padre y con su Hijo Jesucristo”(1.3)
a. Comunión con El
b. Comunión con los hermanos
- Debemos confiar en Jesús
“Este es el mensaje que hemos oído de él y que les anunciamos: Dios es luz y en él no hay ninguna oscuridad”. (1.5)
a. Tendremos gozo
“Estas cosas os escribimos, para que vuestro gozo sea cumplido.”(1.4)
b. Tendremos perdón
“Si afirmamos que tenemos comunión con él, pero vivimos en la oscuridad, mentimos y no ponemos en práctica la verdad. 7 Pero, si vivimos en la luz, así como él está en la luz, tenemos comunión unos con otros, y la sangre de su Hijo Jesucristo nos limpia de todo pecado. 8 Si afirmamos que no tenemos pecado, nos engañamos a nosotros mismos y no tenemos la verdad. 9 Si confesamos nuestros pecados, Dios, que es fiel y justo, nos los perdonará y nos limpiará de toda maldad” (1.6-9)
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Sep 13, 2020
==========
September 13 | First John (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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September 13, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Fellowship"
1 John 1:1-10
Fellowship Is an intimate connection; a partnership
Fellowship is the reason God created us
1 John 1:1-7
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
We cannot enjoy our faith if there is distance between us and God
We hide in the darkness to avoid accountability and transparency.
The Gospel is the vehicle to restore fellowship
1 John 1:8
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
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John
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Williams, Interim Pastor
9:30 AM Sermon September 13, 2020
"Fellowship"
1 John 1:1-10
That just kind of makes it feel good. I don't know why it is just does. I mean, just makes me feel good, but if you have your Bibles to turn to First, John, First John is where we are going to be for the next several weeks. And a, before we jump into reading a chapter one, I want you to just know a little bit about a what's happening here is we study this book chronologically First John was the last book that was written a that we find in the new Testament. We know that revelation comes after that in terms of what we see in our Bible, but First John was actually the first, second and third John with actually the last books that were written.
Ah, and it was written by John who is described as the disciples that Jesus loved. And it’s interesting too, to think about it. I don’t know about you, but a growing up in church I've heard about John and he was obviously a close to Jesus. If you knew there was 12 disciples, but then there was three Peter James and John that were kind of like in the inner circle, they spent more time with Jesus. And I believe that Jesus knew just that the impact that they were going to have a in terms of just a, the early church, and so there was this extra time there was spent with them and John was one of those and he's often described as the disciple that Jesus loved.
And so from that, you get this impression of this really meek and this really just warmhearted and compassionate person, a but really when you look at all of the Gospel in history combined with that, that when John first comes onto the scene, him and his brother, James were known as the Sons of Thunder. All right. So, they were a little rough around the edges. They were fishermen. That's what they did for living. And so they, they weren't the polished a theologian that we all are often think about it.
When we think about John he was at a rough guy. And in fact, if you looked at parts of the Gospel, now there were times when things are going on a that James and John, they're answer to everything we'll say, well, let's just blow someone or something up. That's basically that was their mindset. And Jesus throughout his ministry to them. He taught them what it really meant to love God and to level one another. So we see it at the end of John's life. He was the last of disciples in terms of, he lived longer than the rest of them and when This book was written, John was probably about a hundred years old, a in history tells us that in his last days John died, that he would travel to the different cities where the churches had been planted and he would come there to speak. And a because of who he was, his relationship with Jesus, there would be large crowds that would gather in the John. He was so a week and feeble at that time moment. At that time of his life, a that they would actually have to carry him from city to city. You couldn't even walk. He wasn't even strong at the whole of himself up like riding an animal. So they would have to literally carry him from city to city. And they said that most of the time that his message, it was simply this, that when he would go into a church or he would go into an area where people would gather together to hear his message, that his message, which is just simply this, love one another. Now that wasn't a title of his message. No, that wasn't a theme of his message. And those three words were really all he would say. And then, you know, some of you are thinking, well, I wish your message is where that at short, but they're not. But anyway, that's, that's all he would say, and people would ask him, why is that all you say, isn't there more of that? He said, well, there's a lot more that I could say, but if people could just do that, it would literally change the world. You love one another, right? So it goes from the Son of Thunder that wants to destroy people and to blow things up to becoming someone who recognizes that the idea or the all that matters in life is loving one another. And the way that that happened was is that through his journey with Jesus, through the investment that Jesus made in his life, through seeing all the things that happened through the life of Jesus, the death and the resurrection, and then beyond that seen all that God did to the early church that when John came to realize if there was something that mattered much more than what his original mindset was about the way they should function, the way that they should act, God did a work in his heart. God did a work in his life, that literally transformed him. And so as we look at chapter one today, we are going to look at what I believe is the key component of what John understood. And then really, if we're going to enjoy our faith, we need to understand what it means to have fellowship with God.
Think about that word. Fellowship if you grew up Baptist, you associate that with fried chicken. I'm sure. Right. That's just what we eat. We all know we all are associated with food, right? A did. If we're going to have Fellowship, there has to be food involved. Well, and listen, there ain't nothing wrong with food ever being involved as far as I'm concerned. But that, that the key component of Fellowship is This, here's the definition of what Fellowship his Fellowship, Is an intimate connection. It's a partnership. it's being together. And I don't just mean physically, but in terms of your heart, your mind, your soul, there is a connection. And here's the next part of that, that you to understand? That's so crucial in terms of John got this. this is what Fellowship is, but Fellowship is the reason that God created us. The reason that you were created is because God desired to have fellowship with you. He desired an intimate connection with you. He desired a partnership with you. He desired for his presence in your presence to be together. Now, oftentimes we don't think about our lives in that manner. We think about that. We're supposed to obey God, which you are. We were supposed to respect God that he is his, we just sang. He is Holy, Holy, Holy. And because of that, we often have, is this mindset of being fearful of God being scared, or even sometimes to get too close to him because he might see the junk, this in our life cannot tell you something that they can. I just to take the pressure off. He already knows all the junk and your life, or whether you are close to him or not. He knows everything about you, but because the, we see ourselves as sinners and we see him as Holy, there's this mindset of fear that we have towards God, but that's not what God's desire is. We should respect him. We should be in all of him, what we should obey him, who are what we should understand that he's riding. And we need to submit to him, but really at the end of the day, that what God desires is for us to do that in the context of, of true, genuine fellowship with him. So as we look at chapter one today, we're going to see what happens when Fellowship takes place. But we're also going to see the things that cause us to really not experience that, that joy, that God desires within our relationship with him. And so, as we do that, what I want you to see and to know and understand today is there is a way for you to enjoy your faith when John, this same, John, that wrote First John what he says. And John 10, 10, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus, he said this to John then and John understand it now. he says, I have come that you might have what life and have it abundantly or to the fullest. That's a much different than oftentimes what you. And I experience. And God wants us to see that. God wants us to understand what that looks like and what that means. So first John chapter one, and let's begin reading in verse one. All right. First John chapter one and beginning in verse one That, which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands concerning the word of life. Verse two the life was made manifest, and we have seen it and we testify to it and proclaimed to you the eternal life, which was with the father. And it was made manifest to us. verse three, that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you that you may have fellowship with us. And indeed, our fellowship is with the father and with his son, Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things. Don't miss this. We are writing these things so that our joy may be what's the next word say complete. It means multiplying. It means to the fullest verse five. So this is the message we have heard from him. So he says the goal was for us, for our joy to be complete. So here's the message that we've heard from him and proclaimed to you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. So if we say that we have fellowship with him, but yet we walk in darkness, we lie, and we do not practice the truth. That sounds so harsh, right? But if we walk into the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his son, it, it cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. And the truth is not in us., so within this section right here, he describes in verses one, through four of the fact, they have seen him in touch with the infinite, invisible, God, God, in the flesh has come to this earth. And because of that, we had the privilege to have a relationship with you. We had a fellowship with God. And because of that, we want to convey to you what we learned here is his message. And then he goes into a couple of things that are related to what Fellowship looks like and what breaks that Fellowship in our lives. So he describes that Jesus is light. There is no darkness in him at all, or is this idea a that everything is open, that everything is real, that everything is true, that everything is right. There's no darkness at all. And then he a contrast that oftentimes with those of us, that even though we say we are in the light, we say we have fellowship with him, but yet we are walking in darkness. Think for just a moment about what that means when you are walking in darkness, in essence, and in the context of this idea of Fellowship, what it literally means is that we cannot, we cannot enjoy the faith that we say we have If there is a distance between us and God, that's what it means to walk in darkness. We see that is something that is in terms of, in our minds, that is an evil a and all sin is evil. There is no question about that, but in essence, what it is just as separation and when There's a separation between you and God things just aren't right.
A couple of months ago, now we took, Hannah are a fourth child to, to college. Now that it's a different experience than anything I've had to this point, because our oldest to our boys and who cares when they leave the house, right? Get out, just go, make a living. Don't cost me any more money. That, that was the mindset. Right? And then Taylor, our oldest daughter, she still lives with us and she goes to, to BRCC. So she's with us every day. And so she's transitioning, but she still there or Hannah to decide for some God unknown reason to go to Arkansas to go to college. And that's like six hours away from me. And so that separation has been hard on dad, right? Because I've taken care of her. I've been able to protect her. I've known where she was at all times. I mean, all of those things. And so now my baby is gone in and it's been very, very difficult for me, even though I know she's okay. Even though that relationship is very, very important, obviously still, but that separation is just difficult. And in my world, there's just something this just not right. I mean, there's been a couple of times that Wendy had to talk with me off the ledge, coz I was going to get in the car and drive six hours just to have breakfast with her and turn around and come back. And she was like, you can't do that. Leave her alone. That's what she, and she's a lot smarter than I am. But anyway, that, is I want to just to be with her, that separation was difficult. And I think at times what happens is, is that there's distance between us and God and we don't really recognize it. And here's the reason why we may recognize that with other relationships in our life. But because we can't see God, because we can't physically sit down across the table and have coffee or have a meal with him. There's something about a, the distance that we see. They're there, there's already distance in our minds because we think of God is in Heaven and we’re here. But the reality is, is that what God desires is for us to understand that, that he wants to be with us. He wants to be a part of everything we do. There needs to be that closeness and that when we walk in darkness and when we walk into sin, in essence, what we are doing is we're putting separation between us and God. There's a distance that's there. And what happens is oftentimes because that distance is there we begin to, to lean more towards those mindsets and the reality of the fear and the insignificance you know, and we're not worthy of him. And we feel guilty and shame about our sin. And so what happens is his, as opposed to just being in the darkness, we start hiding in the darkness. You know what that looks like, right? That you hide in the dark to me, anyone that's ever played the game of hide and seek, you always know that the best blood places to do that is a place where its alone quiet and dark right? That's the way you play the game. So what happens is, is if we're not careful, we start playing that game with God and we hide in the darkness. But here's reason why we do that. We hide in the darkness to avoid two things, the accountability and transparency. within that passage that we just read. He talks about the fact that we, when we deceive ourselves into thinking that everything is okay, or maybe it's not that you think everything's okay, it's just that you want everyone else around you to think that everything's okay. And so we just begin to hide. And the idea of accountability is it, listen, if there are things in your life that are causing you to have distance between you and God, we don't want to hear about it, right? It may be things that are areas of comfort for you. It may be areas of instant gratification for you. It may be something that you just so we're saying, Hey, here is something that I want to pursue. And it may not be what God wants me to pursue, but it's what I want in this moment. And so I'm going to keep my distance from God and look at this. I'm going to keep my distance from other people that will make me feel convicted about that because I don't want the accountability in my life is the reason that we oftentimes drift from Church. It’s not because we don't love God. And it's not even because we don't love the church. It's just because there's things that are happening in us. Listen to those things that are happening in you should push you towards the people of God. It should push you towards her relationship with God and not away from him. But that's our tendency is we just begin to hide. We just don't want that accountability. And then alongside that, we also, we don't want that transparent. We don't want to be in the light because if we're in the lie, what is going to do is going to expose all the areas of darkness that we've been in. Right? And so what we do is we just, sometimes it's just easier to keep our distance. but here's, what's so dangerous about that. You can be so close, but still be so far away. You see, I described to you that distance that we have with Hannah and that Fellowship has not there, but the way that, that he used to be, because there's that separation. But do you realize that you can be in the same room with someone and there are still be distance, right? Anybody that's married knows exactly what that feels. Right? Right. I mean, you could be in the same room with him and be completely just a year, your distance in terms of your emotions, your distance, in terms of maybe your perspective on whatever your fighting about. Don't look at me like that. I know Wendy and I are not the only ones that have discussions about things right. that you find yourself. have you ever been in the same room with your spouse or someone that you love may be a parent or a child and you’re in the same place, but yet you are a million miles away? And what happens with God is that we can be in the same vicinity. We can be going through all the motions. We can be doing all the right things to make everyone else around us think that everything is good and that we love God and that we're following him. But we really want to just keep our distance emotionally. And we want to keep things on the surface because the reality is it's there are things in our lives that we are struggling with and we just don't want anyone to know. We just begin to deceive ourselves. We just begin to find that is easier for us to fake it than it is to actually deal with it in all along the way Here's what happens. There are things in our lives that we struggle with. There are things in our lives. And listen, I'm telling you this from my own experience, that there are things that we hold on to then at the end of the day, they still, or are they just leave us feeling empty. Then there are things that we are a pursuing that or outside of a will have a plan of God. And that at the end of the day, when we lay our head down and no matter how much we convince ourselves and deceive ourself, that is where we want to be is what we want to pursue. That when we lay our head down a night, there's just, something is just not right. There is something that is just empty. There is something that is just missing. It, it may be something that nobody else in your life knows about it, but you recognize that it cannot tell you exactly what that is. This missing its Jesus because God created us for fellowship with him. And because he created this that way, if there's ever a point in time, when that Fellowship is not what God desires for to be when we are not a sensing that that is the priority relationships, not only in what do we say, but in a way that we live and the terms, the a, the way we spend our time. then what happens is that, that means if there is separation and when there's separation between you and God, life is never going to be what you think it should be. You're not going to experience joy. You're not going to ever enjoy the faith that you say is so important to you because you are comfortable with keeping the distance, you’re comfortable with privately hiding in the dark. Even if everyone else around you thinks that you are living in the light, you're keeping them at a distance. You're faking it and going through the motions. But inside there is something in you that is just simply dying. You know what the sad truth is, is I believe a lot of people live that way and feel that way, man. I've lived that way in the past and felt that way. And we're just not sure how to get out of it. We're not sure what to do it. If that's where you are today, some of you, you like you, are you still smiling on the outside or your, you’re thinking, I'm a getting that face like a, would you be quiet so I can go to lunch. I mean, I'll say something of that, but an inside of you, there was something in some of you, but it's just screaming out. Yes, that's me to, what do I do? Well, I love the way that John describes the answer to this. it’s the verse of scripture that if you've been here very many weeks, you've probably heard me quote this passage because I think this is the heart in the key of everything that we do. But before I read it, I want you to think about here is the answer for whatever it is that we're hiding as is keeping us. And that is the gospel. The gospel is the vehicle to restore that Fellowship for some of you that are here this morning, you may not have a relationship with Jesus. You have been trying to get to God on your own. You've been trying to do the right thing. So in fact, you're a here this morning because you think, or maybe that will make me feel better about my life If I attend church, maybe God, we'll be happy with me. If I show up today and listen, God's glad you're here. We are glad that you're here, but that's not the answer to what's happening in your life. The gospel is the only answer. The gospel is the reality that Jesus Christ did for you. What you could not do for yourself. You say, God knew long before you were ever born, that you are going to have a period of time or the year we're going to hide in darkness because you were born into sin. He knew that was going to be a separation between you and him because of that sin. And so he planned to send Jesus long before you were ever born long before you ever sinned, simply so that he could have that relationship with you restored. in verse nine, gives us the key of how we do that. And whether you're not a follower of Jesus or whether you'd been a follower of Jesus for years, this is still the answer for you. If we confess our sins, think about what the word confess means. It means to not hide it anymore. It means to be transparent. Now I don't mean standing up in a room. The size of tell everybody all your junk, right? Nobody needs to hear all your stuff, right? But it starts with if you come before God and say, God, man, I confess my sins to you. And don't just say, I confess my sin. Be specific about the things that you're being convicted about. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and he is just, I love those two words. He is faithful means that you can count on him. There's nothing that you've done. That God won't forgive of. There is nothing that you've done that’s caught God by surprise. There is nothing that you've done that’s a bigger than the power of God that overcome sin. He is faithful. And you can know for sure that listen. Even if there's things in your life that you've done, that nobody else will forgive you up. God promises. He is faithful. He will forgive. He is faithful. And he is just. That's crucial because not only is he faithful in that he will do that. He has the right to do it. And the reason he is just in forgiving of your sins is not because you are worthy of that is because Jesus took your place. When Jesus died on the cross, he died willingly for the sins of all mankind. That's all of us and anyone else who ever lived. So you don't have to feel like, well, I want to confess my sins, but then I have to earn God's approval. You don't need to earn God's approval, but if you will confess your sins, he is faithful. And he has just, the fact that he is just, means that when he sees you, he sees you through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And for many of us in this room, if we could just wrap our minds around that simple fact, we went to enjoy our faith the whole a lot more, because we would recognize there, the simple reality that when Jesus forgives us, we are truly forgiven. If you ever had someone tell you, they forgave you, but then every time they got upset with you, they bring it back up.
You know what I think happens that oftentimes when we ask God to forgive us for the 475th time of the same thing, we see God through the eyes of that person that did that to us. But what I want you to see is we're not talking about a human being who is flawed and sinful and week and untrustworthy. We are talking about a Holy God who is faithful and just, we confess our sins. He is faithful. And he has just to forgive us, have our sins. And he cleanses us from all unrighteousness. We get a fresh start. We get a new beginning. The weight is lifted off. I joked earlier about Wendy and at times being in the same room but being a million miles away. And I'll just be honest with you. And outside of my relationship with Jesus, Wendy is the most important relationship that I have on the face of this earth. And when things aren't right between us, there is nothing else is right in my life. You know? I mean, work's not right kids, all right with it, not right. No, they do it anyway. Anyway, right? All the stuff is just not right. And you show your just not the same. We don't have that same life in you. but when we come to a place where whatever it is causing us to be divided. When we come back together, there is a weight that is lifted off of me. It's like new life. And even if the issue that we struggle with is still there because we are together is just as our life is unbelievable, just breath of fresh air that comes all over me. That's what God desires to do with us. And when he cleanses us from all unrighteousness, it is this idea of a fresh start. It's this idea of coming before him and saying, God, I surrender myself too. I humble myself before you. Here are the things of my life that I know or separating us. And God to the best. I know how I confess these sins. And God, I trust you. I believe what your word says. And because of that, I ask you to cleanse me of all the junk that's in my life. And here is the good news. If you will come to him in faith, he will do just that. And then it’s a process of moving your life in a way, in a direction where the goal every day is to maintain that Fellowship with you to walk in the light, to do the things that God calls us to do. And to recognize that because he created us for fellowship with him, that the things he calls us to do are the things that are the best for us. Not in terms of God just not being mad at us, but God knows your best. He knows what you need. He knows what will bring you joy. He knows what will bring you peace. He knows that what will make you come to a place where you can enjoy the faith that God has given you? Now let me just make sure you understand this. This is not pie in the sky, health and wealth. You know that, Hey, if you just, you know, if you just love Jesus, then you'll never have any problems in your life. The Bible says that, you know, calamities, the Bible says that bad things. They fall on the jest and the unjust. It was just a part of the living in a sinful world. Life's not going to be perfect. And God uses even those things as a way, a bolstering our faith and moving us closer to him. But the reality is that whether life is good, or life is bad in terms of the circumstances that if we are in fellowship with Jesus, life is still good. It's still good. And that's what he desires.
So if you're here today and you never into, in a relationship with Jesus, you have been trying to do it on your own. Cannot tell you something. You cannot do it on your own. Jesus already did all the work for you. What do you need to do? You need to believe that Jesus did that work for you and you need to come, and you need to confess your sins to him. And you need to allow him to do the work in you and through you that only he can do you didn't to give your life. You're in essence, you're saying, God, I put my life in your hands and listen. If that's where you are today, if you're in this room and you've never begun a relationship with Jesus, he will not reject you. He loves you with all of his heart and wants you to experience that today. If that's where you are, it's just simple. As you pray and say in God, I know I'm a sinner. I know I've made mistakes in my life. And because of that, I'm not as good as you are. And God the best. I know how I asked you to forgive me of my sins and God I give my life to, I place my life into your hands. If you will do that today, based on the truth of God's word, he will save you. He's faithful. And he, he is just, and if that's where you are today, I encourage you that as we pray in just a moment for you to just to pray that listen, God knows your heart is not a magic prayer. You just pour your heart out to him and then you let us know how we can help you. But for others of you in this room that you have a relationship with Jesus. But if you're to be honest, you’re just enduring it right now. I mean, life is hard. Maybe you've made some mistakes or maybe others are made mistakes around you. And it's just, it's just one of those things that you're just enduring it. Can I encourage you to pray that same prayer that God I come to you? Here's the things that are separating us. God, I declare that I need you and Bible says that whatever it is separating. Whatever is, is pulling away. Don't you? That God is faithful and just, he will forgive you. He'll give you that fresh start and listen that’s nothing to be ashamed of. As we all need a fresh start. Some of us, we need it every day, right? I mean maybe every hour. I mean then all of us and we need that. It ought to be a regular routine of our life is doing whatever it takes to maintain that fellowship with him. And then let's you and I, after we pray those prayers, let's stand out from this place. Let's leave this room and let's walk in the light. Let's walk in fellowship with him. Let's spend time with him and then do the things we know to do trusts God for the rest. That's a pretty much it, right? Spin time with him, do the things he asks us to do and to trust him for the rest. If you and I will do that, our faith will begin to be something that we are excited about. And we were passionate about not just something that we endure. Let’s pray together today. And before I pray for you, just with your heads bowed and your eyes closed, I want to give you just a moment. If you don't know Jesus man, just pour your heart out to him. Pray a prayer of faith, knowing he is faithful, and he is just, he will forgive you if you do know him, but do you feel separated from him, man? And just pour your heart out to him. Come back to him today.
Lord, you are a good God. And God, sometimes I'm overwhelmed at how you can see me, see all the, the darkness, but yet you still love me. You never give up on me. God, I Thank you that there was joy in You. Thank you that there is joy that comes from a relationship with you and God. I pray right now for those within the sound of my voice, the God that they can experience what a real joy filled life looks like. Lord, I pray over the next several weeks as we study this book, that God that you will allow our joy to be complete. Thank you that you desire a relationship with us. Thank you for the Fellowship that we can experience with you. And I pray that this week we can walk and your light. Spend time with you. Do the things you'd tell us to do, and then trust you for the rest. God thank you for never giving up on us, use us this week for your glory and this in Jesus' name that I pray. Amen. Amen.
John
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Williams, Interim Pastor
9:30 AM Sermon September 13, 2020
"Fellowship"
1 John 1:1-10
That just kind of makes it feel good. I don't know why it is just does. I mean, just makes me feel good, but if you have your Bibles to turn to First, John, First John is where we are going to be for the next several weeks. And a, before we jump into reading a chapter one, I want you to just know a little bit about a what's happening here is we study this book chronologically First John was the last book that was written a that we find in the new Testament. We know that revelation comes after that in terms of what we see in our Bible, but First John was actually the first, second and third John with actually the last books that were written.
Ah, and it was written by John who is described as the disciples that Jesus loved. And it’s interesting too, to think about it. I don’t know about you, but a growing up in church I've heard about John and he was obviously a close to Jesus. If you knew there was 12 disciples, but then there was three Peter James and John that were kind of like in the inner circle, they spent more time with Jesus. And I believe that Jesus knew just that the impact that they were going to have a in terms of just a, the early church, and so there was this extra time there was spent with them and John was one of those and he's often described as the disciple that Jesus loved.
And so from that, you get this impression of this really meek and this really just warmhearted and compassionate person, a but really when you look at all of the Gospel in history combined with that, that when John first comes onto the scene, him and his brother, James were known as the Sons of Thunder. All right. So, they were a little rough around the edges. They were fishermen. That's what they did for living. And so they, they weren't the polished a theologian that we all are often think about it.
When we think about John he was at a rough guy. And in fact, if you looked at parts of the Gospel, now there were times when things are going on a that James and John, they're answer to everything we'll say, well, let's just blow someone or something up. That's basically that was their mindset. And Jesus throughout his ministry to them. He taught them what it really meant to love God and to level one another. So we see it at the end of John's life. He was the last of disciples in terms of, he lived longer than the rest of them and when This book was written, John was probably about a hundred years old, a in history tells us that in his last days John died, that he would travel to the different cities where the churches had been planted and he would come there to speak. And a because of who he was, his relationship with Jesus, there would be large crowds that would gather in the John. He was so a week and feeble at that time moment. At that time of his life, a that they would actually have to carry him from city to city. You couldn't even walk. He wasn't even strong at the whole of himself up like riding an animal. So they would have to literally carry him from city to city. And they said that most of the time that his message, it was simply this, that when he would go into a church or he would go into an area where people would gather together to hear his message, that his message, which is just simply this, love one another. Now that wasn't a title of his message. No, that wasn't a theme of his message. And those three words were really all he would say. And then, you know, some of you are thinking, well, I wish your message is where that at short, but they're not. But anyway, that's, that's all he would say, and people would ask him, why is that all you say, isn't there more of that? He said, well, there's a lot more that I could say, but if people could just do that, it would literally change the world. You love one another, right? So it goes from the Son of Thunder that wants to destroy people and to blow things up to becoming someone who recognizes that the idea or the all that matters in life is loving one another. And the way that that happened was is that through his journey with Jesus, through the investment that Jesus made in his life, through seeing all the things that happened through the life of Jesus, the death and the resurrection, and then beyond that seen all that God did to the early church that when John came to realize if there was something that mattered much more than what his original mindset was about the way they should function, the way that they should act, God did a work in his heart. God did a work in his life, that literally transformed him. And so as we look at chapter one today, we are going to look at what I believe is the key component of what John understood. And then really, if we're going to enjoy our faith, we need to understand what it means to have fellowship with God.
Think about that word. Fellowship if you grew up Baptist, you associate that with fried chicken. I'm sure. Right. That's just what we eat. We all know we all are associated with food, right? A did. If we're going to have Fellowship, there has to be food involved. Well, and listen, there ain't nothing wrong with food ever being involved as far as I'm concerned. But that, that the key component of Fellowship is This, here's the definition of what Fellowship his Fellowship, Is an intimate connection. It's a partnership. it's being together. And I don't just mean physically, but in terms of your heart, your mind, your soul, there is a connection. And here's the next part of that, that you to understand? That's so crucial in terms of John got this. this is what Fellowship is, but Fellowship is the reason that God created us. The reason that you were created is because God desired to have fellowship with you. He desired an intimate connection with you. He desired a partnership with you. He desired for his presence in your presence to be together. Now, oftentimes we don't think about our lives in that manner. We think about that. We're supposed to obey God, which you are. We were supposed to respect God that he is his, we just sang. He is Holy, Holy, Holy. And because of that, we often have, is this mindset of being fearful of God being scared, or even sometimes to get too close to him because he might see the junk, this in our life cannot tell you something that they can. I just to take the pressure off. He already knows all the junk and your life, or whether you are close to him or not. He knows everything about you, but because the, we see ourselves as sinners and we see him as Holy, there's this mindset of fear that we have towards God, but that's not what God's desire is. We should respect him. We should be in all of him, what we should obey him, who are what we should understand that he's riding. And we need to submit to him, but really at the end of the day, that what God desires is for us to do that in the context of, of true, genuine fellowship with him. So as we look at chapter one today, we're going to see what happens when Fellowship takes place. But we're also going to see the things that cause us to really not experience that, that joy, that God desires within our relationship with him. And so, as we do that, what I want you to see and to know and understand today is there is a way for you to enjoy your faith when John, this same, John, that wrote First John what he says. And John 10, 10, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus, he said this to John then and John understand it now. he says, I have come that you might have what life and have it abundantly or to the fullest. That's a much different than oftentimes what you. And I experience. And God wants us to see that. God wants us to understand what that looks like and what that means. So first John chapter one, and let's begin reading in verse one. All right. First John chapter one and beginning in verse one That, which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands concerning the word of life. Verse two the life was made manifest, and we have seen it and we testify to it and proclaimed to you the eternal life, which was with the father. And it was made manifest to us. verse three, that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you that you may have fellowship with us. And indeed, our fellowship is with the father and with his son, Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things. Don't miss this. We are writing these things so that our joy may be what's the next word say complete. It means multiplying. It means to the fullest verse five. So this is the message we have heard from him. So he says the goal was for us, for our joy to be complete. So here's the message that we've heard from him and proclaimed to you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. So if we say that we have fellowship with him, but yet we walk in darkness, we lie, and we do not practice the truth. That sounds so harsh, right? But if we walk into the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his son, it, it cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. And the truth is not in us., so within this section right here, he describes in verses one, through four of the fact, they have seen him in touch with the infinite, invisible, God, God, in the flesh has come to this earth. And because of that, we had the privilege to have a relationship with you. We had a fellowship with God. And because of that, we want to convey to you what we learned here is his message. And then he goes into a couple of things that are related to what Fellowship looks like and what breaks that Fellowship in our lives. So he describes that Jesus is light. There is no darkness in him at all, or is this idea a that everything is open, that everything is real, that everything is true, that everything is right. There's no darkness at all. And then he a contrast that oftentimes with those of us, that even though we say we are in the light, we say we have fellowship with him, but yet we are walking in darkness. Think for just a moment about what that means when you are walking in darkness, in essence, and in the context of this idea of Fellowship, what it literally means is that we cannot, we cannot enjoy the faith that we say we have If there is a distance between us and God, that's what it means to walk in darkness. We see that is something that is in terms of, in our minds, that is an evil a and all sin is evil. There is no question about that, but in essence, what it is just as separation and when There's a separation between you and God things just aren't right.
A couple of months ago, now we took, Hannah are a fourth child to, to college. Now that it's a different experience than anything I've had to this point, because our oldest to our boys and who cares when they leave the house, right? Get out, just go, make a living. Don't cost me any more money. That, that was the mindset. Right? And then Taylor, our oldest daughter, she still lives with us and she goes to, to BRCC. So she's with us every day. And so she's transitioning, but she still there or Hannah to decide for some God unknown reason to go to Arkansas to go to college. And that's like six hours away from me. And so that separation has been hard on dad, right? Because I've taken care of her. I've been able to protect her. I've known where she was at all times. I mean, all of those things. And so now my baby is gone in and it's been very, very difficult for me, even though I know she's okay. Even though that relationship is very, very important, obviously still, but that separation is just difficult. And in my world, there's just something this just not right. I mean, there's been a couple of times that Wendy had to talk with me off the ledge, coz I was going to get in the car and drive six hours just to have breakfast with her and turn around and come back. And she was like, you can't do that. Leave her alone. That's what she, and she's a lot smarter than I am. But anyway, that, is I want to just to be with her, that separation was difficult. And I think at times what happens is, is that there's distance between us and God and we don't really recognize it. And here's the reason why we may recognize that with other relationships in our life. But because we can't see God, because we can't physically sit down across the table and have coffee or have a meal with him. There's something about a, the distance that we see. They're there, there's already distance in our minds because we think of God is in Heaven and we’re here. But the reality is, is that what God desires is for us to understand that, that he wants to be with us. He wants to be a part of everything we do. There needs to be that closeness and that when we walk in darkness and when we walk into sin, in essence, what we are doing is we're putting separation between us and God. There's a distance that's there. And what happens is oftentimes because that distance is there we begin to, to lean more towards those mindsets and the reality of the fear and the insignificance you know, and we're not worthy of him. And we feel guilty and shame about our sin. And so what happens is his, as opposed to just being in the darkness, we start hiding in the darkness. You know what that looks like, right? That you hide in the dark to me, anyone that's ever played the game of hide and seek, you always know that the best blood places to do that is a place where its alone quiet and dark right? That's the way you play the game. So what happens is, is if we're not careful, we start playing that game with God and we hide in the darkness. But here's reason why we do that. We hide in the darkness to avoid two things, the accountability and transparency. within that passage that we just read. He talks about the fact that we, when we deceive ourselves into thinking that everything is okay, or maybe it's not that you think everything's okay, it's just that you want everyone else around you to think that everything's okay. And so we just begin to hide. And the idea of accountability is it, listen, if there are things in your life that are causing you to have distance between you and God, we don't want to hear about it, right? It may be things that are areas of comfort for you. It may be areas of instant gratification for you. It may be something that you just so we're saying, Hey, here is something that I want to pursue. And it may not be what God wants me to pursue, but it's what I want in this moment. And so I'm going to keep my distance from God and look at this. I'm going to keep my distance from other people that will make me feel convicted about that because I don't want the accountability in my life is the reason that we oftentimes drift from Church. It’s not because we don't love God. And it's not even because we don't love the church. It's just because there's things that are happening in us. Listen to those things that are happening in you should push you towards the people of God. It should push you towards her relationship with God and not away from him. But that's our tendency is we just begin to hide. We just don't want that accountability. And then alongside that, we also, we don't want that transparent. We don't want to be in the light because if we're in the lie, what is going to do is going to expose all the areas of darkness that we've been in. Right? And so what we do is we just, sometimes it's just easier to keep our distance. but here's, what's so dangerous about that. You can be so close, but still be so far away. You see, I described to you that distance that we have with Hannah and that Fellowship has not there, but the way that, that he used to be, because there's that separation. But do you realize that you can be in the same room with someone and there are still be distance, right? Anybody that's married knows exactly what that feels. Right? Right. I mean, you could be in the same room with him and be completely just a year, your distance in terms of your emotions, your distance, in terms of maybe your perspective on whatever your fighting about. Don't look at me like that. I know Wendy and I are not the only ones that have discussions about things right. that you find yourself. have you ever been in the same room with your spouse or someone that you love may be a parent or a child and you’re in the same place, but yet you are a million miles away? And what happens with God is that we can be in the same vicinity. We can be going through all the motions. We can be doing all the right things to make everyone else around us think that everything is good and that we love God and that we're following him. But we really want to just keep our distance emotionally. And we want to keep things on the surface because the reality is it's there are things in our lives that we are struggling with and we just don't want anyone to know. We just begin to deceive ourselves. We just begin to find that is easier for us to fake it than it is to actually deal with it in all along the way Here's what happens. There are things in our lives that we struggle with. There are things in our lives. And listen, I'm telling you this from my own experience, that there are things that we hold on to then at the end of the day, they still, or are they just leave us feeling empty. Then there are things that we are a pursuing that or outside of a will have a plan of God. And that at the end of the day, when we lay our head down and no matter how much we convince ourselves and deceive ourself, that is where we want to be is what we want to pursue. That when we lay our head down a night, there's just, something is just not right. There is something that is just empty. There is something that is just missing. It, it may be something that nobody else in your life knows about it, but you recognize that it cannot tell you exactly what that is. This missing its Jesus because God created us for fellowship with him. And because he created this that way, if there's ever a point in time, when that Fellowship is not what God desires for to be when we are not a sensing that that is the priority relationships, not only in what do we say, but in a way that we live and the terms, the a, the way we spend our time. then what happens is that, that means if there is separation and when there's separation between you and God, life is never going to be what you think it should be. You're not going to experience joy. You're not going to ever enjoy the faith that you say is so important to you because you are comfortable with keeping the distance, you’re comfortable with privately hiding in the dark. Even if everyone else around you thinks that you are living in the light, you're keeping them at a distance. You're faking it and going through the motions. But inside there is something in you that is just simply dying. You know what the sad truth is, is I believe a lot of people live that way and feel that way, man. I've lived that way in the past and felt that way. And we're just not sure how to get out of it. We're not sure what to do it. If that's where you are today, some of you, you like you, are you still smiling on the outside or your, you’re thinking, I'm a getting that face like a, would you be quiet so I can go to lunch. I mean, I'll say something of that, but an inside of you, there was something in some of you, but it's just screaming out. Yes, that's me to, what do I do? Well, I love the way that John describes the answer to this. it’s the verse of scripture that if you've been here very many weeks, you've probably heard me quote this passage because I think this is the heart in the key of everything that we do. But before I read it, I want you to think about here is the answer for whatever it is that we're hiding as is keeping us. And that is the gospel. The gospel is the vehicle to restore that Fellowship for some of you that are here this morning, you may not have a relationship with Jesus. You have been trying to get to God on your own. You've been trying to do the right thing. So in fact, you're a here this morning because you think, or maybe that will make me feel better about my life If I attend church, maybe God, we'll be happy with me. If I show up today and listen, God's glad you're here. We are glad that you're here, but that's not the answer to what's happening in your life. The gospel is the only answer. The gospel is the reality that Jesus Christ did for you. What you could not do for yourself. You say, God knew long before you were ever born, that you are going to have a period of time or the year we're going to hide in darkness because you were born into sin. He knew that was going to be a separation between you and him because of that sin. And so he planned to send Jesus long before you were ever born long before you ever sinned, simply so that he could have that relationship with you restored. in verse nine, gives us the key of how we do that. And whether you're not a follower of Jesus or whether you'd been a follower of Jesus for years, this is still the answer for you. If we confess our sins, think about what the word confess means. It means to not hide it anymore. It means to be transparent. Now I don't mean standing up in a room. The size of tell everybody all your junk, right? Nobody needs to hear all your stuff, right? But it starts with if you come before God and say, God, man, I confess my sins to you. And don't just say, I confess my sin. Be specific about the things that you're being convicted about. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and he is just, I love those two words. He is faithful means that you can count on him. There's nothing that you've done. That God won't forgive of. There is nothing that you've done that’s caught God by surprise. There is nothing that you've done that’s a bigger than the power of God that overcome sin. He is faithful. And you can know for sure that listen. Even if there's things in your life that you've done, that nobody else will forgive you up. God promises. He is faithful. He will forgive. He is faithful. And he is just. That's crucial because not only is he faithful in that he will do that. He has the right to do it. And the reason he is just in forgiving of your sins is not because you are worthy of that is because Jesus took your place. When Jesus died on the cross, he died willingly for the sins of all mankind. That's all of us and anyone else who ever lived. So you don't have to feel like, well, I want to confess my sins, but then I have to earn God's approval. You don't need to earn God's approval, but if you will confess your sins, he is faithful. And he has just, the fact that he is just, means that when he sees you, he sees you through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And for many of us in this room, if we could just wrap our minds around that simple fact, we went to enjoy our faith the whole a lot more, because we would recognize there, the simple reality that when Jesus forgives us, we are truly forgiven. If you ever had someone tell you, they forgave you, but then every time they got upset with you, they bring it back up.
You know what I think happens that oftentimes when we ask God to forgive us for the 475th time of the same thing, we see God through the eyes of that person that did that to us. But what I want you to see is we're not talking about a human being who is flawed and sinful and week and untrustworthy. We are talking about a Holy God who is faithful and just, we confess our sins. He is faithful. And he has just to forgive us, have our sins. And he cleanses us from all unrighteousness. We get a fresh start. We get a new beginning. The weight is lifted off. I joked earlier about Wendy and at times being in the same room but being a million miles away. And I'll just be honest with you. And outside of my relationship with Jesus, Wendy is the most important relationship that I have on the face of this earth. And when things aren't right between us, there is nothing else is right in my life. You know? I mean, work's not right kids, all right with it, not right. No, they do it anyway. Anyway, right? All the stuff is just not right. And you show your just not the same. We don't have that same life in you. but when we come to a place where whatever it is causing us to be divided. When we come back together, there is a weight that is lifted off of me. It's like new life. And even if the issue that we struggle with is still there because we are together is just as our life is unbelievable, just breath of fresh air that comes all over me. That's what God desires to do with us. And when he cleanses us from all unrighteousness, it is this idea of a fresh start. It's this idea of coming before him and saying, God, I surrender myself too. I humble myself before you. Here are the things of my life that I know or separating us. And God to the best. I know how I confess these sins. And God, I trust you. I believe what your word says. And because of that, I ask you to cleanse me of all the junk that's in my life. And here is the good news. If you will come to him in faith, he will do just that. And then it’s a process of moving your life in a way, in a direction where the goal every day is to maintain that Fellowship with you to walk in the light, to do the things that God calls us to do. And to recognize that because he created us for fellowship with him, that the things he calls us to do are the things that are the best for us. Not in terms of God just not being mad at us, but God knows your best. He knows what you need. He knows what will bring you joy. He knows what will bring you peace. He knows that what will make you come to a place where you can enjoy the faith that God has given you? Now let me just make sure you understand this. This is not pie in the sky, health and wealth. You know that, Hey, if you just, you know, if you just love Jesus, then you'll never have any problems in your life. The Bible says that, you know, calamities, the Bible says that bad things. They fall on the jest and the unjust. It was just a part of the living in a sinful world. Life's not going to be perfect. And God uses even those things as a way, a bolstering our faith and moving us closer to him. But the reality is that whether life is good, or life is bad in terms of the circumstances that if we are in fellowship with Jesus, life is still good. It's still good. And that's what he desires.
So if you're here today and you never into, in a relationship with Jesus, you have been trying to do it on your own. Cannot tell you something. You cannot do it on your own. Jesus already did all the work for you. What do you need to do? You need to believe that Jesus did that work for you and you need to come, and you need to confess your sins to him. And you need to allow him to do the work in you and through you that only he can do you didn't to give your life. You're in essence, you're saying, God, I put my life in your hands and listen. If that's where you are today, if you're in this room and you've never begun a relationship with Jesus, he will not reject you. He loves you with all of his heart and wants you to experience that today. If that's where you are, it's just simple. As you pray and say in God, I know I'm a sinner. I know I've made mistakes in my life. And because of that, I'm not as good as you are. And God the best. I know how I asked you to forgive me of my sins and God I give my life to, I place my life into your hands. If you will do that today, based on the truth of God's word, he will save you. He's faithful. And he, he is just, and if that's where you are today, I encourage you that as we pray in just a moment for you to just to pray that listen, God knows your heart is not a magic prayer. You just pour your heart out to him and then you let us know how we can help you. But for others of you in this room that you have a relationship with Jesus. But if you're to be honest, you’re just enduring it right now. I mean, life is hard. Maybe you've made some mistakes or maybe others are made mistakes around you. And it's just, it's just one of those things that you're just enduring it. Can I encourage you to pray that same prayer that God I come to you? Here's the things that are separating us. God, I declare that I need you and Bible says that whatever it is separating. Whatever is, is pulling away. Don't you? That God is faithful and just, he will forgive you. He'll give you that fresh start and listen that’s nothing to be ashamed of. As we all need a fresh start. Some of us, we need it every day, right? I mean maybe every hour. I mean then all of us and we need that. It ought to be a regular routine of our life is doing whatever it takes to maintain that fellowship with him. And then let's you and I, after we pray those prayers, let's stand out from this place. Let's leave this room and let's walk in the light. Let's walk in fellowship with him. Let's spend time with him and then do the things we know to do trusts God for the rest. That's a pretty much it, right? Spin time with him, do the things he asks us to do and to trust him for the rest. If you and I will do that, our faith will begin to be something that we are excited about. And we were passionate about not just something that we endure. Let’s pray together today. And before I pray for you, just with your heads bowed and your eyes closed, I want to give you just a moment. If you don't know Jesus man, just pour your heart out to him. Pray a prayer of faith, knowing he is faithful, and he is just, he will forgive you if you do know him, but do you feel separated from him, man? And just pour your heart out to him. Come back to him today.
Lord, you are a good God. And God, sometimes I'm overwhelmed at how you can see me, see all the, the darkness, but yet you still love me. You never give up on me. God, I Thank you that there was joy in You. Thank you that there is joy that comes from a relationship with you and God. I pray right now for those within the sound of my voice, the God that they can experience what a real joy filled life looks like. Lord, I pray over the next several weeks as we study this book, that God that you will allow our joy to be complete. Thank you that you desire a relationship with us. Thank you for the Fellowship that we can experience with you. And I pray that this week we can walk and your light. Spend time with you. Do the things you'd tell us to do, and then trust you for the rest. God thank you for never giving up on us, use us this week for your glory and this in Jesus' name that I pray. Amen. Amen.
Ephesians 1:15-23
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Williams, Interim Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon September 6, 2020
Good morning. So glad that you're here and that you've chosen to worship with us. If you are new to us, we have just completed last week, a series where we walked through the book of Ezra had a great time just to really looking at just the way that God provides and the way that God moves. And then next Sunday. We will begin a series just walking through the book of first John, and really excited about that. And I won’t say anything else because I'll go ahead and start preaching that series. And I want you to come back next week. So we'll just leave that where it is, but to really looking forward. And I would encourage you that one of the greatest things that you can do when you're studying a book as a group of people, whether it's in your small group or in worship, is that if you will read along with that on your own, you will be amazed at just the multiplication of what God teaches you. Because oftentimes what we do is we think about the study of the word is something that happens in this room. In many times, we miss a huge part of what God wants to teach us individually because God's given us his word individually. He's given us the Holy Spirit, which resides inside of us. And so, we need to allow God to teach us throughout the week. And then as we gather together to study that together, God just illuminates that on just a whole other level. So, if you don't have a specific plan or even if you do maybe take first John chapter one, read it a few times this week and just, just allow God to use that, to prepare your hearts as we jump into that next week.
And so today we're going to do something a little bit different and I want us to, and some of y'all don't know me that well, but anytime that I ever pastored a church, whenever I said that it used to scare people to death because there was no telling what I might do. Don't worry. It's not going to be that outside of the box. But I do want us to practice something that we see in scripture that I think is very important. And as we think about the church, we are obviously in a time of transition. And as we think about all the transition that's happened over the course of this year, and as we move forward, there's something at the forefront that should be at the forefront of our minds as we are in the season that we're in, it's something that's important all the time. But I think that the level of intensity that we should have towards this subject is really important during this season. So, I want to make a statement on the front end, and then we'll jump into what that is and how we're going to be part of that this morning. I want to make a statement that for those of you that have been around the church more than about 30 minutes, you know, this is true. And that is, is that the church is not perfect. Is that a shock to anyone? Right? The church is not perfect in the reason the church is not perfect, just because of you. All right, let's just get that out there, right? It's not because of somebody else or that the church is not perfect because of you, I used to have a pastor that said, man, being a pastor would be easy if it wasn't for all the people, right. That would be, it'd be so easy, right? Because the reality is that all of us are flawed. We all have opinions. We all have issues. We all have stuff that is in us. And because of that, the church is not perfect. But what's amazing about that is that God has chosen to use this imperfect organism. It's not an organization but an organism because the church is us, right. Then God's chosen to use this as his vehicle to get the gospel to the world from the very beginning of the church in Acts Chapter Two, we see, I think God chose to form the church and that through that vehicle, through you and I, that the gospel was going to get to the entire world.
And so, it's interesting that God would take something that is not perfect is made up of you and I, but yet that's what he would choose to get the gospel everywhere. So that means that you are important. That means for you and me, and obviously you're thinking, well, Jeff, I know that I'm here, right? But you need to understand that this is not just a ritual that we go through every week so that you can feel better about yourself. This is what God has chosen. We are a part of something that God wants to use to shed the light of the gospel across the street and around the world.
And I would say that this is very cliche, but it's very true. And that there's never been a time in the world that the world needed the gospel more than it does today. So, it means that we're imperfect. We don't have all the answers and we don't always get it right. But yet this is what God has chosen to use. Which means that the church should be very, very important to us. So here's what happens. Here's how we get off track. Well, we get off track because we began to see the church as something that's more about us than we do about what God really wants it to be about.
We see in the gospels, the famous story about Jesus coming in and cleansing the temple. You've heard that story where Jesus is upset because there are people that they're basically selling animals for sacrifices, but up in the price really, really high. So they can make money off the well that are coming to offer sacrifices. And it makes Jesus angry. There's a righteous anger that comes over here and he comes in and he cleanses the temple. He just, he just turns the tables over. He just, he just basically just confuses everything that they have going on.
And he makes a statement at the end of those stories that we see in the gospel when he cleanses the temple. And he says, and he quotes from the Old Testament, but he says that my house shall be called a house of what? Prayer. Now it's interesting because what we've done with that story is, I remember growing up, I grew up in church and I listen. Some of my greatest memories in life happened in the church. I love the church, some of the most, some of the best friends in the world that I have. I met in church and some of the greatest memories personally, there's some of the greatest memories and the milestones for me spiritually. They happen inside the walls of a church or a church event. And because of that, I believe that church is an absolutely amazing place, but there's some things that are funny about the, the way that we interpret scripture within the church. And I can remember growing up in church that, that people interpreted this passage to mean, you were sinning if you did a raffle in the church, right? I mean, that was like the worst thing in all the world you can do. Don't do raffle in the church because that's why Jesus cleansed the temple. And listen, we can debate about whether you should do a raffle in the church or not, but that's not the point of that passage. The point of that passage is what upset Jesus is that he took something that was to be about him. And people begin to make it about their own interest. They begin to use the church as a way for them to gain something for themselves. It began to be about them and not about him. And that's the reason why he comes back to this issue of prayer, because there's something that happens when we pray. Now there's no question that we see all throughout scripture and all throughout church history that God responds when his people pray. There is a power in prayer that is absolutely unexplainable. But the other thing that happens when we pray as we get our focus, right? For instance, if you have someone that you struggle with relationally, you say, man, I hate that person. Or I'm struggling not to hate that person. You know, the greatest remedy for you to get over that bitterness and that anger in your life is just to begin to pray for them because the longer you pray for them, you begin to get God's perspective on that person.
Well, the same thing goes for every arena of our life is that one of the things that prayer does for us is it gives us God's perspective. And over time it gives us God's heart. The book of Psalms describes that we're to delight ourselves in the Lord and that he will give us the desires of our heart. We love the second part of that, right? That is that God give me the desires of my heart, but we missed the reality that what God is saying there is that when you delight yourself in me, when you spend time with me, when the emphasis of your life is prayer, that what begins to happen is God begins to change our heart, to match his heart. And so, all throughout scripture, we see different prayers. If you have your Bibles, I want you to look with me at Ephesians Chapter One for just a few moments today. And in Ephesians Chapter One, there is a prayer that Paul prays for the church. And what I would encourage you to do is you begin to develop your prayer life. As you begin to recognize that as you intercede for your, not only for your needs, but on behalf of other people in your life, that God responds to the prayers of his people. And there is absolute power in prayer. But then you're also saying that God, that as I prayed, that I, what I desire for you to do is to make my heart match your heart and think about the power of the church. When our heart matches God's heart. When we are aligned with him and the things that matter to him become the things that matter to us. And in the process of that, what God begins to do is something that is absolutely amazing in our hearts. And then it flows out from this building. It flows out from our services. It flows out from our lives to the community and ultimately the world around us. When we say, God, I want my heart to align with yours. So, as you begin to develop your prayer life, one of the things that you can do is look at scripture and find prayers that are there and begin to use those as your model for prayer. Jesus gives us the model, prayer in the Sermon on The Mount. And you can look through that and begin to structure your prayer life around that. You can go to John chapter 17, where Jesus prays for himself. He prays for his disciples. He prays for the world. It gives you the opportunity. Just something to look at, to begin to model your life. You can take a proverb every day. There's 31 chapters in Proverbs, take one that corresponds with the day of the month and just begin to read it and just begin to pray that you can pray the Psalms. I mean, there's so many different ways. One of the most, one of the things that I think that we miss a lot of times is just that the power that comes when we pray, what scripture teaches us to pray when we use that as the model for how we lift up our hearts to God.
So as we look at a Ephesians Chapter One, this is a prayer that Paul prays for the church. And so, I want us to look at this just for a few moments together, but we're going to stop along the way. And there's three different parts here that I think are things that are relevant for us today, where we are, that we ought to just stop and pray for. So we're going to read a little bit, I'm going to talk for a second and then we're going to pray. Now I know that's a, that's a crazy concept, right? In church, we're going to stop and actually pray, right? But we're going to do that today. And so, I want, once again, for those of you that might be new or your guests with us, don't worry. I'm not going to make you uncomfortable or do anything that you're not comfortable doing, but we're just going to stop along the way. And I'm not going to just pray for us. I'm going to ask you to stop and pray. And I'm going to ask you to really a look at these aspects and look at how God uses his word to model. Because Jesus said that my house shall be called a house of prayer. So we're going to spend a few moments doing that. So Ephesians Chapter One, and we're going to begin reading in verse 15. He says, for this reason, and this, the idea of these talking about the gospel, he's talking about the church, he's talking about the people that are in the church and the things that they are doing. And he says for this reason, because I have heard of your faith, Paul had not actually been there, but he knew of the things that God was doing through the church at Ephesus. He says, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord, Jesus, and your love toward all the saints. I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. So in this introduction he says, I want you to know, I give thanks to you that for you in the, I am remembering you in my prayers. And then what follows is the prayer that he prays for the church at Ephesus. Now he's praying this for them specifically, but I also think that there's application for us in terms of where we are today.
So the first thing he prays for, we see in verse 17, look at what it says there, that the God of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory may give you look at this. Don't miss this, the spirit of wisdom and of revelation and the knowledge of him. He asked for wisdom. He asked for revelation in the knowledge of him. So in essence, what he says is, is that God, I pray that you will give this. When I pray for this church, what I'm praying for is that God, you would give them wisdom. The God, you would give them the ability to see your plan, to see your wheel and that God that you would give them the knowledge of what you desire from them. Now stop and think about that for just a minute. What a great prayer for us to pray, because we can get so caught up in the things that we know we can get. So caught up in the things that we do, we can get so caught up, even in the things that we've done in the past, that we are very familiar with and that we are very good at. And if we're not careful, we can miss the reality that what we need to see for today, what we need to see for the future is what God sees. God align my heart so that I can be filled with wisdom. God, I align our leadership in a way that they have wisdom to, to have Your will for our Church, revealed to them so that we can have the knowledge of what you desire from us. Is there anything greater that we can pray and say, God, help us to see what you want us to see. I see God help us to make decisions that honor you. God lead us to the path that the God that we desire for whatever you want. And then think about this. If we pray that with a pure heart, and we really say, God, I want to be aligned with what you want. God, I want you to give us wisdom to make the right decision. If we pray that with a pure heart, do you realize that we can't lose? Because if we're praying that with a pure heart and we're praying to that to a God who is in complete control, and if we're submitting ourselves to his will and to his wisdom, then God's, this is not a game, right? It's not a game of hide and seek, and God's not attempting to hide His will from us. He's just attempting to get us to a place where we surrender to Him and then whatever He desires, God just will do that. So it's a releasing prayer, but it's a prayer that I believe is very, very important. Now I just, once again, I'm up here. So we're going to do this the way that the God is leading me. And I'll just tell you the first thing that came to my mind when I read that is really for our Pastor Search Committee, because you've heard for the last several weeks as we've just stopped and we've seen videos and we've, we've talked just about the need to pray for that group. And I want you to hear this from my heart. That there's nothing that I believe for this church. That is the more important for us to be praying for than for that team right now, thinking about the wisdom that they need and think about when you pray for them, that you're not praying for them to find the kind of person that you want, right? You're praying for them to find the person that God desires. You're praying for God to reveal his desire to them so that they can make a wise decision. Because when they make this decision in terms of, on behalf of the church and they bring this person before us as a body of believers, what we need to understand is that this is a very, very big deal for the future of our church. And we need to ask God to give them wisdom, the, the weight that's on them. And I can tell you from my own experience, the weight that’s on the person that they will eventually talk to. It is a weight that on both sides of that, we need wisdom. We need God as a body of believers to, for us to be passionate about praying for them. Because what we desire is the same way for the last hundred years that we've celebrated that God has used this church to make a powerful impact in this community and around the world, we want the next hundred years to be even greater. And the only way that happens is by God revealing to us, us having his wisdom and his, and making the decisions he desires for us today. So can we just stop for a minute and just pray? Let's just pray for that team. In fact, not to embarrass you and then we'll call you out and ask you to anything else. But if you're a part of that team, just because I know everybody doesn't know all the people that are on there, if you're a part of our pastor search team, would you stand for just a second so that people can just lay eyes on you? I know there's Adam's here. Is there anybody else that's you're in? I mean, nobody else cares about Jesus, but you've had none kidding. All right. But thank you, Adam. Here's what I'm going to ask you to do. I've just bow your heads and close your eyes. Thank you. And I want to ask you to pray. If you know anyone on the search team, would you pray for them by name? Just take a moment just in the quietness of where we are. Just pray for them by name and your prayer for them is God, would you give them wisdom? God, would you reveal your will to them? If you don't know anybody that's on that team, maybe you can just pray for Adam today. Maybe for others of you. What do you want to pray for is the person that God's going to lead us to. You don't even know who they are, but just pray for them that God would give them wisdom. On the other side. Let's just pause.
Let's pray specifically for this team for wisdom, for the revealing of his will and for the knowledge of what God decided, you take a moment and just pray that. Can we pause today and just say that we need you. God, we're not a perfect people. We're not a perfect church, But God, I thank you for this church. I thank you for leading me and my family to come and be a part of this church. God, I thank you for what it means to us and God. I thank you for the way that you've used it. Just such as a powerful testimony and instrument in this community and to serve not just the folks around this, but around the world. We don't know all of the answers for what the future holds and God, it's just such an odd time. And we've got at the same time, Lord, it's a great time because we don't have the answers. And so, it gives us the opportunity just to submit and surrender to you. So God is we surrender to you. God, I pray specifically for every member of our pastor search team. God, I pray that you will remove any fear. God, I pray that you will remove any agenda. God, I pray that you will remove any pressure. God, I pray that you will remove any sin from their lives so that they can clearly hear God, you have the power. God, you have the answers. So Lord, we placed them into your hands right now. You got to be thanked you for what you're going to do, because we know that when we surrender to you from a pure heart, that we can't lose. And so, God, we thank you in advance for how you're going to use this team to move us forward for the future of our ministry. God, we love you. And we thank you for hearing our prayers. It's in Jesus name. I pray,
Amen.
Now look at verse 18, The next thing he calls them as he's praying for them. He says, having the eyes of your heart in the light, look at this, that you may know, what is the hope to which he has called you? What are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the Saint? So it's an interesting verse because in essence, I mean, it's a, it's a very, you know, it's worded very well, right? But in the middle of that, he says the hope of the calling that you were called to in essence, what he says is that you would understand the power, that you would understand the riches, that you would understand the mission of what God has called you to do. And I think that's both collectively and individually that he's praying for them that first of all, that God would reveal to them the direction and what needs to happen, that there would be wisdom in the decisions they may, but as they are making decisions as a body of believers, that God would constantly remind him of in essence. What I would say is their mission. Then he would constantly remind him of who they are and what it is that they are to be about, you know, any organization over time, any established organization. And this is the, the case. And no matter what realm of business or what realm of spirituality or that, anything that is established over time has the tendency to turn inward and what used to be about the mission becomes about themselves. I was sharing with Micah, just looking at where we're going in terms of after the first John series about looking at several different churches in the new Testament, in terms of them staying focused on their mission. And one of the things we see in the church at Jerusalem, which is where the church started, that over time, they begin to struggle because as they began to be established, they stopped looking outward to what God had called them to do, and they just simply began to turn inward. And so one of the things that we have to constantly battle against as a great established church in this community is that for us to never get to a point where it becomes all about what we do in here, but we're constantly pushing ourselves outward to the mission that God has given us. And so once again, as I was reading this this week, and just thinking about the things for us, specifically as a church to pray for, I thought about where we are in terms of the emphasis of our outward focus ministry right now, in terms of what we're doing relationship to Hurricane Laura, that we have teams I've loved watching on social media this week about the number of teams even this week that have gone and taken time off of work and taking time out of their schedule to take a day or a couple of days, and just to go over and we've taken tons of supplies. I can't believe the number of things y'all brought last weekend to the campus that were sent out last Sunday and all throughout the week that have been teams of people that have been going. And I know that everybody can't do that, but that needs to be the heart of every one of us, whether we have the opportunity and the ability to go, it needs to matter to us. And all those, some people may say, well, that doesn't seem like a very spiritual thing to, you know, to take a chainsaw and cut down the tree and to clean up a yard or clean up a home or to take supplies. But the reality is, is what greater message that the church had to send then in a time of crisis, that we are there for them, not because we're such great people, but because the mission of God compels us to go. And what Paul says to the Church at Ephesus where is that I pray that you will constantly be reminded the hope that you have the joy that you have because of the, what you've been called to do. And so, what I want us to do is take just a couple of moments. Then I want us just to stop and pray that God would keep us focused on the mission. The mission is not to be the biggest church in town. The mission is not to have the nicest buildings in town. The mission is not to do the most things for ourselves, but the mission is to be, as the book of Matthew describes is that we are a city that is set on a Hill. We are the light of the world, and that we cannot be hidden, that we want our mission to be so bright that if tomorrow, if this church was taken out of this community, there would be a hole in this community because of all the things that we do to serve them and to love them and to point them towards Jesus. So we need to pray that God would use this body of believers, that we would stay focused on the hope of what we've been called to do. So let's take just a moment and I'm going to ask you to bow your heads with me again. And would you ask God for yourself? First of all, personally, that God would keep you focused on your part of the mission that he's called you to do, but that he would keep us as a body of believers focused, that we would fight the tendency to turn inward and that we would do everything we can to focus our heart and attention on the world. Around us. You take just a moment just with your heads, bowed and eyes closed. Pray that for yourself, pray that for the church, ask God to do that in our lives.
Let's pray together. Lord, we're grateful for our church. God, we pray that we would be a church of people as individuals, Lord, who put others first or that as we live our own lives, God, that we wouldn't be looking just to our own interests Lord, but we'll be looking to the interest of others. God, that we would be humbled. People, people who imitate the likeness of Jesus, that we would put other people ahead of ourselves Lord. And as we do that individually Lord, we pray that that's what our church would be. That we would be a church that seeks the welfare of our city that seeks the good of people in our community. Thank God that our church would be a place that makes a massive impact for those around us. Lord, God help us to be a community of believers that don't just look out for each other and look out for this place, Lord, but that we were driven to help others. God, like we've seen so many going out and serving with the hurricane aftermath. Lord, help that to not just be something we do in disasters, Lord, but that we do every day that we see needs. And we meet them Lord, because we have a desire to help them because we know that we have the message of the gospel Lord and that as we go that your honor, that your name is lifted high. God let us be that type of people or help us to be that way. Keep our eyes focused on you and not just focused on ourselves. And we love you. We thank you for Istrouma. We thank you for moments like this.
Amen.
We've been reading the book of Ezra about God establishing the people of Israel as his chosen people. And he did that because he wanted people to see him, right? He didn't do that because they were any more special than the rest of the world. He didn't do that because there was anything that was different about the way that they were created. He did that to show people how great he was. And when I want you to see at the end of this passage, the end of this prayer in the last five verses to me is a very powerful, powerful prayer. But I believe it's a prayer that we need to pray for us, for us. As we walk out these doors for us, as we encounter a world that may not agree with us, for us as we encounter a world that may have different views or may not even believe in God, but there's something that they see in us. But what they see in us is not about us, but it's about the God that we serve. There's a confidence in the end of this passage, there's a power that's in the end of this past, but there's also authenticity that shows people what we really want them to see, because what the world needs to see from the church is not just all the things that we don't do or that we are against, but what they need to see is not only what we are for, but who we are for. And they need to see the power of God that resides inside of us. And so, I want us to read this passage together, but then I want us to pray this for ourselves. And I want you to, as you read this with me, I want you to get the vision of exactly what it is that God wants us to see what God wants us to be a part of, of what he wants the world to see in us and through us. So here's what I want to ask you to do. I'm going to ask you if you would just to stand right where you are.
I am not sure we can read this part sitting down and look, I know some time to time, Pastor Jeff, again, watches the services. He doesn't think that we should sit for any of it. So I apologize if you're watching Pastor Jeff, but we are going to stand for this part. All right. I want you to think about the power that is in these verses, starting in verse 19. I want us to read this together and then I want us to pray together. And I want us to ask God for the world. When they see us, this is what they see. Let's start in verse 19. I want you to read it out loud with me. All right. It says, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly paces. Don't miss this right, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name, that His name, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the Church. Let's read verse 22. Again, that's great, right? And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all, you know, let's pray. Some of you just with your heads bowed and your eyes closed. You needed that phrase in verse 22. Today, all things are under his feet. All things, anything that you're facing today is not beyond his control or authority. All things are under his feet. Any challenges that we face as a church are not beyond his ability or not beyond his authority, because all things are under his feet. There ought to be a peace and a calm that floods our heart and mind. When we recognize the fact that we serve a God who is in complete control, All Things are under his feet.
God, I pray that That image in verses 19 through 23 can be what the world sees in us. Not a people of arrogance, not people that think they are superior in any way or that we're more Holy or that there's something that, that is different about who we are as individuals, but they will see people that are totally dependent upon you that are willing to remove all the things that don't look like you so that the world can clearly see how great you are. God, thank you that you are our ruler. God, thank you that you are our authority. God, thank you that you have all power and all dominion over everything in our lives, over everything in our community, over everything in the world that is so difficult to see so much of the division and heartache and pain and strife that goes on God. We thank You that if we will rest in You, that God, that You will give us Your wisdom, that You will give us Your plan. God, that You will keep us focused on Your mission. And then we will recognize that if the world can see you that God, you're the one who makes the difference. So God allow us as a body of believers to rests in You today, allow us to trust you because you are a God who has all things under his feet and this in Jesus’ name that I pray and all God's people said,
Amen.
Be seated for just a moment. One of the other things that we see come on Christian, that we see in the new Testament is that there were times that there were people that got it used a specific location, and he sent them out to other places to do other things. And so today Christian is going to lead us in a time as a Luke is in that situation where he's being called out. And so, he's going to share some things with us. Lucy will share a couple of things with us, and then we're going to close our service by praying for Luke. That's right? Some of the past three years, as we have worshiped together in this space, you have seen at Luke's face and his heart leading us in that regard for the past three years. And so today Luke's final day here with us at Istrouma, as he heads home, to Atlanta, the Atlanta area, where he is from to serve at a church there. And in his time here, he has led us well, he has fostered deep and meaningful relationships and, and discipled many of us, even in this room today. And we're thankful for the Lord giving us the chance to serve alongside of him. And we're excited about what he is doing and where he is going to continue to serve at a different sister church. And so, Luke, you had some words for us today. Yes. On my phone. It's where I read my Bible from which you can't really add to Ephesians one really. I mean, just the hope that is there and the prayer and that's all of our prayers that we would know and understand the love of God for us. And then go out to the world, just that repeated the measurable greatness of his power. Like 13 verses later in chapter two, he talks about the measurable grace of God, in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. And So this is Zachariah chapter nine. I've kind of been in this for the last few months, was in like the prophets and the minor prophets in the springtime. And so, I hit Zachariah about June and it's just like, it's exactly the same thing. Like our God is a God, who's a measurable and he's generous. And he graciously and freely gives us wisdom and revelation. So, this is Zachariah nine verse 16 says on that day, the Lord, their God will save them as the flock of his people for like the jewels of a crown. They shall shine on his land. Just makes me think of where the city on a Hill, like where these jewels in a crown that everyone can see for. How great is his goodness and how great his beauty grain shall make the young men flourish in new wine. The young women, God has God who makes things flourish to a lot of us. This may feel like a barren time. I got time in the desert, but our God is a fountain of water. Like he's living water.
He is a God who things grow and barren places. So then verse one of chapter 10 says pray. So to the people of God, he says, ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring, rain from the Lord who makes the storm clouds is the God who makes the rain. So pray to him, ask him for rain. And he will give them showers of rain to everyone, the vegetation in the field. You can't really say more than that. Our God is a God who loves to pour himself out. And he asked us to come to them and to ask him for rain. And he will do it. Every word of the Lord proves true. So that's right. And we are excited that the Lord is going to use a Luke to bring his, the message of his immeasurable grace, to our sister church in there and in Atlanta. And so, Luke will be here as the service concludes. And normally we would invite everybody to come down and place their hand on Luke is we send him out. But today where you are, if you would, if you just would extend your handout where you are towards Luke and we'll pray and, and then we'll dismiss, all right, father, we thank you for the time that you have given us with our brother. We are excited that he is, has an opportunity to be able to, to share your truth in a new place. Lord. And we arrest a short knowing that we will be shoulder to shoulder singing for eternity, with saints that you have shown your grace to here in Baton Rouge and in Atlanta through your servant, Luke Lord, we're thankful that you've given him the gifts that you have and the opportunities to be able to make your name great and known Lord, we know that you are indeed that fountain in the midst of our barren and dry land and God, we look to you and you alone.
Lord, we know that you are great and powerful and good and kind, and that that message is one that we want to see the world come to know. We're thankful that you've placed it on Luke's heart to do that in a new area, Lord and we're we sent him out with love and gratitude and your precious and Holy Name. We pray. We love You. Amen.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church
Sep 6, 2020
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September 6 (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
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September 6, 2020 | Jeff Williams
Ephesians 1:15-23
Ephesians 1:15-23
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for 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 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, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Notes:
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Ephesians 1:15-23
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Williams, Interim Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon September 6, 2020
Good morning. So glad that you're here and that you've chosen to worship with us. If you are new to us, we have just completed last week, a series where we walked through the book of Ezra had a great time just to really looking at just the way that God provides and the way that God moves. And then next Sunday. We will begin a series just walking through the book of first John, and really excited about that. And I won’t say anything else because I'll go ahead and start preaching that series. And I want you to come back next week. So we'll just leave that where it is, but to really looking forward. And I would encourage you that one of the greatest things that you can do when you're studying a book as a group of people, whether it's in your small group or in worship, is that if you will read along with that on your own, you will be amazed at just the multiplication of what God teaches you. Because oftentimes what we do is we think about the study of the word is something that happens in this room. In many times, we miss a huge part of what God wants to teach us individually because God's given us his word individually. He's given us the Holy Spirit, which resides inside of us. And so, we need to allow God to teach us throughout the week. And then as we gather together to study that together, God just illuminates that on just a whole other level. So, if you don't have a specific plan or even if you do maybe take first John chapter one, read it a few times this week and just, just allow God to use that, to prepare your hearts as we jump into that next week.
And so today we're going to do something a little bit different and I want us to, and some of y'all don't know me that well, but anytime that I ever pastored a church, whenever I said that it used to scare people to death because there was no telling what I might do. Don't worry. It's not going to be that outside of the box. But I do want us to practice something that we see in scripture that I think is very important. And as we think about the church, we are obviously in a time of transition. And as we think about all the transition that's happened over the course of this year, and as we move forward, there's something at the forefront that should be at the forefront of our minds as we are in the season that we're in, it's something that's important all the time. But I think that the level of intensity that we should have towards this subject is really important during this season. So, I want to make a statement on the front end, and then we'll jump into what that is and how we're going to be part of that this morning. I want to make a statement that for those of you that have been around the church more than about 30 minutes, you know, this is true. And that is, is that the church is not perfect. Is that a shock to anyone? Right? The church is not perfect in the reason the church is not perfect, just because of you. All right, let's just get that out there, right? It's not because of somebody else or that the church is not perfect because of you, I used to have a pastor that said, man, being a pastor would be easy if it wasn't for all the people, right. That would be, it'd be so easy, right? Because the reality is that all of us are flawed. We all have opinions. We all have issues. We all have stuff that is in us. And because of that, the church is not perfect. But what's amazing about that is that God has chosen to use this imperfect organism. It's not an organization but an organism because the church is us, right. Then God's chosen to use this as his vehicle to get the gospel to the world from the very beginning of the church in Acts Chapter Two, we see, I think God chose to form the church and that through that vehicle, through you and I, that the gospel was going to get to the entire world.
And so, it's interesting that God would take something that is not perfect is made up of you and I, but yet that's what he would choose to get the gospel everywhere. So that means that you are important. That means for you and me, and obviously you're thinking, well, Jeff, I know that I'm here, right? But you need to understand that this is not just a ritual that we go through every week so that you can feel better about yourself. This is what God has chosen. We are a part of something that God wants to use to shed the light of the gospel across the street and around the world.
And I would say that this is very cliche, but it's very true. And that there's never been a time in the world that the world needed the gospel more than it does today. So, it means that we're imperfect. We don't have all the answers and we don't always get it right. But yet this is what God has chosen to use. Which means that the church should be very, very important to us. So here's what happens. Here's how we get off track. Well, we get off track because we began to see the church as something that's more about us than we do about what God really wants it to be about.
We see in the gospels, the famous story about Jesus coming in and cleansing the temple. You've heard that story where Jesus is upset because there are people that they're basically selling animals for sacrifices, but up in the price really, really high. So they can make money off the well that are coming to offer sacrifices. And it makes Jesus angry. There's a righteous anger that comes over here and he comes in and he cleanses the temple. He just, he just turns the tables over. He just, he just basically just confuses everything that they have going on.
And he makes a statement at the end of those stories that we see in the gospel when he cleanses the temple. And he says, and he quotes from the Old Testament, but he says that my house shall be called a house of what? Prayer. Now it's interesting because what we've done with that story is, I remember growing up, I grew up in church and I listen. Some of my greatest memories in life happened in the church. I love the church, some of the most, some of the best friends in the world that I have. I met in church and some of the greatest memories personally, there's some of the greatest memories and the milestones for me spiritually. They happen inside the walls of a church or a church event. And because of that, I believe that church is an absolutely amazing place, but there's some things that are funny about the, the way that we interpret scripture within the church. And I can remember growing up in church that, that people interpreted this passage to mean, you were sinning if you did a raffle in the church, right? I mean, that was like the worst thing in all the world you can do. Don't do raffle in the church because that's why Jesus cleansed the temple. And listen, we can debate about whether you should do a raffle in the church or not, but that's not the point of that passage. The point of that passage is what upset Jesus is that he took something that was to be about him. And people begin to make it about their own interest. They begin to use the church as a way for them to gain something for themselves. It began to be about them and not about him. And that's the reason why he comes back to this issue of prayer, because there's something that happens when we pray. Now there's no question that we see all throughout scripture and all throughout church history that God responds when his people pray. There is a power in prayer that is absolutely unexplainable. But the other thing that happens when we pray as we get our focus, right? For instance, if you have someone that you struggle with relationally, you say, man, I hate that person. Or I'm struggling not to hate that person. You know, the greatest remedy for you to get over that bitterness and that anger in your life is just to begin to pray for them because the longer you pray for them, you begin to get God's perspective on that person.
Well, the same thing goes for every arena of our life is that one of the things that prayer does for us is it gives us God's perspective. And over time it gives us God's heart. The book of Psalms describes that we're to delight ourselves in the Lord and that he will give us the desires of our heart. We love the second part of that, right? That is that God give me the desires of my heart, but we missed the reality that what God is saying there is that when you delight yourself in me, when you spend time with me, when the emphasis of your life is prayer, that what begins to happen is God begins to change our heart, to match his heart. And so, all throughout scripture, we see different prayers. If you have your Bibles, I want you to look with me at Ephesians Chapter One for just a few moments today. And in Ephesians Chapter One, there is a prayer that Paul prays for the church. And what I would encourage you to do is you begin to develop your prayer life. As you begin to recognize that as you intercede for your, not only for your needs, but on behalf of other people in your life, that God responds to the prayers of his people. And there is absolute power in prayer. But then you're also saying that God, that as I prayed, that I, what I desire for you to do is to make my heart match your heart and think about the power of the church. When our heart matches God's heart. When we are aligned with him and the things that matter to him become the things that matter to us. And in the process of that, what God begins to do is something that is absolutely amazing in our hearts. And then it flows out from this building. It flows out from our services. It flows out from our lives to the community and ultimately the world around us. When we say, God, I want my heart to align with yours. So, as you begin to develop your prayer life, one of the things that you can do is look at scripture and find prayers that are there and begin to use those as your model for prayer. Jesus gives us the model, prayer in the Sermon on The Mount. And you can look through that and begin to structure your prayer life around that. You can go to John chapter 17, where Jesus prays for himself. He prays for his disciples. He prays for the world. It gives you the opportunity. Just something to look at, to begin to model your life. You can take a proverb every day. There's 31 chapters in Proverbs, take one that corresponds with the day of the month and just begin to read it and just begin to pray that you can pray the Psalms. I mean, there's so many different ways. One of the most, one of the things that I think that we miss a lot of times is just that the power that comes when we pray, what scripture teaches us to pray when we use that as the model for how we lift up our hearts to God.
So as we look at a Ephesians Chapter One, this is a prayer that Paul prays for the church. And so, I want us to look at this just for a few moments together, but we're going to stop along the way. And there's three different parts here that I think are things that are relevant for us today, where we are, that we ought to just stop and pray for. So we're going to read a little bit, I'm going to talk for a second and then we're going to pray. Now I know that's a, that's a crazy concept, right? In church, we're going to stop and actually pray, right? But we're going to do that today. And so, I want, once again, for those of you that might be new or your guests with us, don't worry. I'm not going to make you uncomfortable or do anything that you're not comfortable doing, but we're just going to stop along the way. And I'm not going to just pray for us. I'm going to ask you to stop and pray. And I'm going to ask you to really a look at these aspects and look at how God uses his word to model. Because Jesus said that my house shall be called a house of prayer. So we're going to spend a few moments doing that. So Ephesians Chapter One, and we're going to begin reading in verse 15. He says, for this reason, and this, the idea of these talking about the gospel, he's talking about the church, he's talking about the people that are in the church and the things that they are doing. And he says for this reason, because I have heard of your faith, Paul had not actually been there, but he knew of the things that God was doing through the church at Ephesus. He says, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord, Jesus, and your love toward all the saints. I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. So in this introduction he says, I want you to know, I give thanks to you that for you in the, I am remembering you in my prayers. And then what follows is the prayer that he prays for the church at Ephesus. Now he's praying this for them specifically, but I also think that there's application for us in terms of where we are today.
So the first thing he prays for, we see in verse 17, look at what it says there, that the God of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory may give you look at this. Don't miss this, the spirit of wisdom and of revelation and the knowledge of him. He asked for wisdom. He asked for revelation in the knowledge of him. So in essence, what he says is, is that God, I pray that you will give this. When I pray for this church, what I'm praying for is that God, you would give them wisdom. The God, you would give them the ability to see your plan, to see your wheel and that God that you would give them the knowledge of what you desire from them. Now stop and think about that for just a minute. What a great prayer for us to pray, because we can get so caught up in the things that we know we can get. So caught up in the things that we do, we can get so caught up, even in the things that we've done in the past, that we are very familiar with and that we are very good at. And if we're not careful, we can miss the reality that what we need to see for today, what we need to see for the future is what God sees. God align my heart so that I can be filled with wisdom. God, I align our leadership in a way that they have wisdom to, to have Your will for our Church, revealed to them so that we can have the knowledge of what you desire from us. Is there anything greater that we can pray and say, God, help us to see what you want us to see. I see God help us to make decisions that honor you. God lead us to the path that the God that we desire for whatever you want. And then think about this. If we pray that with a pure heart, and we really say, God, I want to be aligned with what you want. God, I want you to give us wisdom to make the right decision. If we pray that with a pure heart, do you realize that we can't lose? Because if we're praying that with a pure heart and we're praying to that to a God who is in complete control, and if we're submitting ourselves to his will and to his wisdom, then God's, this is not a game, right? It's not a game of hide and seek, and God's not attempting to hide His will from us. He's just attempting to get us to a place where we surrender to Him and then whatever He desires, God just will do that. So it's a releasing prayer, but it's a prayer that I believe is very, very important. Now I just, once again, I'm up here. So we're going to do this the way that the God is leading me. And I'll just tell you the first thing that came to my mind when I read that is really for our Pastor Search Committee, because you've heard for the last several weeks as we've just stopped and we've seen videos and we've, we've talked just about the need to pray for that group. And I want you to hear this from my heart. That there's nothing that I believe for this church. That is the more important for us to be praying for than for that team right now, thinking about the wisdom that they need and think about when you pray for them, that you're not praying for them to find the kind of person that you want, right? You're praying for them to find the person that God desires. You're praying for God to reveal his desire to them so that they can make a wise decision. Because when they make this decision in terms of, on behalf of the church and they bring this person before us as a body of believers, what we need to understand is that this is a very, very big deal for the future of our church. And we need to ask God to give them wisdom, the, the weight that's on them. And I can tell you from my own experience, the weight that’s on the person that they will eventually talk to. It is a weight that on both sides of that, we need wisdom. We need God as a body of believers to, for us to be passionate about praying for them. Because what we desire is the same way for the last hundred years that we've celebrated that God has used this church to make a powerful impact in this community and around the world, we want the next hundred years to be even greater. And the only way that happens is by God revealing to us, us having his wisdom and his, and making the decisions he desires for us today. So can we just stop for a minute and just pray? Let's just pray for that team. In fact, not to embarrass you and then we'll call you out and ask you to anything else. But if you're a part of that team, just because I know everybody doesn't know all the people that are on there, if you're a part of our pastor search team, would you stand for just a second so that people can just lay eyes on you? I know there's Adam's here. Is there anybody else that's you're in? I mean, nobody else cares about Jesus, but you've had none kidding. All right. But thank you, Adam. Here's what I'm going to ask you to do. I've just bow your heads and close your eyes. Thank you. And I want to ask you to pray. If you know anyone on the search team, would you pray for them by name? Just take a moment just in the quietness of where we are. Just pray for them by name and your prayer for them is God, would you give them wisdom? God, would you reveal your will to them? If you don't know anybody that's on that team, maybe you can just pray for Adam today. Maybe for others of you. What do you want to pray for is the person that God's going to lead us to. You don't even know who they are, but just pray for them that God would give them wisdom. On the other side. Let's just pause.
Let's pray specifically for this team for wisdom, for the revealing of his will and for the knowledge of what God decided, you take a moment and just pray that. Can we pause today and just say that we need you. God, we're not a perfect people. We're not a perfect church, But God, I thank you for this church. I thank you for leading me and my family to come and be a part of this church. God, I thank you for what it means to us and God. I thank you for the way that you've used it. Just such as a powerful testimony and instrument in this community and to serve not just the folks around this, but around the world. We don't know all of the answers for what the future holds and God, it's just such an odd time. And we've got at the same time, Lord, it's a great time because we don't have the answers. And so, it gives us the opportunity just to submit and surrender to you. So God is we surrender to you. God, I pray specifically for every member of our pastor search team. God, I pray that you will remove any fear. God, I pray that you will remove any agenda. God, I pray that you will remove any pressure. God, I pray that you will remove any sin from their lives so that they can clearly hear God, you have the power. God, you have the answers. So Lord, we placed them into your hands right now. You got to be thanked you for what you're going to do, because we know that when we surrender to you from a pure heart, that we can't lose. And so, God, we thank you in advance for how you're going to use this team to move us forward for the future of our ministry. God, we love you. And we thank you for hearing our prayers. It's in Jesus name. I pray,
Amen.
Now look at verse 18, The next thing he calls them as he's praying for them. He says, having the eyes of your heart in the light, look at this, that you may know, what is the hope to which he has called you? What are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the Saint? So it's an interesting verse because in essence, I mean, it's a, it's a very, you know, it's worded very well, right? But in the middle of that, he says the hope of the calling that you were called to in essence, what he says is that you would understand the power, that you would understand the riches, that you would understand the mission of what God has called you to do. And I think that's both collectively and individually that he's praying for them that first of all, that God would reveal to them the direction and what needs to happen, that there would be wisdom in the decisions they may, but as they are making decisions as a body of believers, that God would constantly remind him of in essence. What I would say is their mission. Then he would constantly remind him of who they are and what it is that they are to be about, you know, any organization over time, any established organization. And this is the, the case. And no matter what realm of business or what realm of spirituality or that, anything that is established over time has the tendency to turn inward and what used to be about the mission becomes about themselves. I was sharing with Micah, just looking at where we're going in terms of after the first John series about looking at several different churches in the new Testament, in terms of them staying focused on their mission. And one of the things we see in the church at Jerusalem, which is where the church started, that over time, they begin to struggle because as they began to be established, they stopped looking outward to what God had called them to do, and they just simply began to turn inward. And so one of the things that we have to constantly battle against as a great established church in this community is that for us to never get to a point where it becomes all about what we do in here, but we're constantly pushing ourselves outward to the mission that God has given us. And so once again, as I was reading this this week, and just thinking about the things for us, specifically as a church to pray for, I thought about where we are in terms of the emphasis of our outward focus ministry right now, in terms of what we're doing relationship to Hurricane Laura, that we have teams I've loved watching on social media this week about the number of teams even this week that have gone and taken time off of work and taking time out of their schedule to take a day or a couple of days, and just to go over and we've taken tons of supplies. I can't believe the number of things y'all brought last weekend to the campus that were sent out last Sunday and all throughout the week that have been teams of people that have been going. And I know that everybody can't do that, but that needs to be the heart of every one of us, whether we have the opportunity and the ability to go, it needs to matter to us. And all those, some people may say, well, that doesn't seem like a very spiritual thing to, you know, to take a chainsaw and cut down the tree and to clean up a yard or clean up a home or to take supplies. But the reality is, is what greater message that the church had to send then in a time of crisis, that we are there for them, not because we're such great people, but because the mission of God compels us to go. And what Paul says to the Church at Ephesus where is that I pray that you will constantly be reminded the hope that you have the joy that you have because of the, what you've been called to do. And so, what I want us to do is take just a couple of moments. Then I want us just to stop and pray that God would keep us focused on the mission. The mission is not to be the biggest church in town. The mission is not to have the nicest buildings in town. The mission is not to do the most things for ourselves, but the mission is to be, as the book of Matthew describes is that we are a city that is set on a Hill. We are the light of the world, and that we cannot be hidden, that we want our mission to be so bright that if tomorrow, if this church was taken out of this community, there would be a hole in this community because of all the things that we do to serve them and to love them and to point them towards Jesus. So we need to pray that God would use this body of believers, that we would stay focused on the hope of what we've been called to do. So let's take just a moment and I'm going to ask you to bow your heads with me again. And would you ask God for yourself? First of all, personally, that God would keep you focused on your part of the mission that he's called you to do, but that he would keep us as a body of believers focused, that we would fight the tendency to turn inward and that we would do everything we can to focus our heart and attention on the world. Around us. You take just a moment just with your heads, bowed and eyes closed. Pray that for yourself, pray that for the church, ask God to do that in our lives.
Let's pray together. Lord, we're grateful for our church. God, we pray that we would be a church of people as individuals, Lord, who put others first or that as we live our own lives, God, that we wouldn't be looking just to our own interests Lord, but we'll be looking to the interest of others. God, that we would be humbled. People, people who imitate the likeness of Jesus, that we would put other people ahead of ourselves Lord. And as we do that individually Lord, we pray that that's what our church would be. That we would be a church that seeks the welfare of our city that seeks the good of people in our community. Thank God that our church would be a place that makes a massive impact for those around us. Lord, God help us to be a community of believers that don't just look out for each other and look out for this place, Lord, but that we were driven to help others. God, like we've seen so many going out and serving with the hurricane aftermath. Lord, help that to not just be something we do in disasters, Lord, but that we do every day that we see needs. And we meet them Lord, because we have a desire to help them because we know that we have the message of the gospel Lord and that as we go that your honor, that your name is lifted high. God let us be that type of people or help us to be that way. Keep our eyes focused on you and not just focused on ourselves. And we love you. We thank you for Istrouma. We thank you for moments like this.
Amen.
We've been reading the book of Ezra about God establishing the people of Israel as his chosen people. And he did that because he wanted people to see him, right? He didn't do that because they were any more special than the rest of the world. He didn't do that because there was anything that was different about the way that they were created. He did that to show people how great he was. And when I want you to see at the end of this passage, the end of this prayer in the last five verses to me is a very powerful, powerful prayer. But I believe it's a prayer that we need to pray for us, for us. As we walk out these doors for us, as we encounter a world that may not agree with us, for us as we encounter a world that may have different views or may not even believe in God, but there's something that they see in us. But what they see in us is not about us, but it's about the God that we serve. There's a confidence in the end of this passage, there's a power that's in the end of this past, but there's also authenticity that shows people what we really want them to see, because what the world needs to see from the church is not just all the things that we don't do or that we are against, but what they need to see is not only what we are for, but who we are for. And they need to see the power of God that resides inside of us. And so, I want us to read this passage together, but then I want us to pray this for ourselves. And I want you to, as you read this with me, I want you to get the vision of exactly what it is that God wants us to see what God wants us to be a part of, of what he wants the world to see in us and through us. So here's what I want to ask you to do. I'm going to ask you if you would just to stand right where you are.
I am not sure we can read this part sitting down and look, I know some time to time, Pastor Jeff, again, watches the services. He doesn't think that we should sit for any of it. So I apologize if you're watching Pastor Jeff, but we are going to stand for this part. All right. I want you to think about the power that is in these verses, starting in verse 19. I want us to read this together and then I want us to pray together. And I want us to ask God for the world. When they see us, this is what they see. Let's start in verse 19. I want you to read it out loud with me. All right. It says, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly paces. Don't miss this right, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name, that His name, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the Church. Let's read verse 22. Again, that's great, right? And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all, you know, let's pray. Some of you just with your heads bowed and your eyes closed. You needed that phrase in verse 22. Today, all things are under his feet. All things, anything that you're facing today is not beyond his control or authority. All things are under his feet. Any challenges that we face as a church are not beyond his ability or not beyond his authority, because all things are under his feet. There ought to be a peace and a calm that floods our heart and mind. When we recognize the fact that we serve a God who is in complete control, All Things are under his feet.
God, I pray that That image in verses 19 through 23 can be what the world sees in us. Not a people of arrogance, not people that think they are superior in any way or that we're more Holy or that there's something that, that is different about who we are as individuals, but they will see people that are totally dependent upon you that are willing to remove all the things that don't look like you so that the world can clearly see how great you are. God, thank you that you are our ruler. God, thank you that you are our authority. God, thank you that you have all power and all dominion over everything in our lives, over everything in our community, over everything in the world that is so difficult to see so much of the division and heartache and pain and strife that goes on God. We thank You that if we will rest in You, that God, that You will give us Your wisdom, that You will give us Your plan. God, that You will keep us focused on Your mission. And then we will recognize that if the world can see you that God, you're the one who makes the difference. So God allow us as a body of believers to rests in You today, allow us to trust you because you are a God who has all things under his feet and this in Jesus’ name that I pray and all God's people said,
Amen.
Be seated for just a moment. One of the other things that we see come on Christian, that we see in the new Testament is that there were times that there were people that got it used a specific location, and he sent them out to other places to do other things. And so today Christian is going to lead us in a time as a Luke is in that situation where he's being called out. And so, he's going to share some things with us. Lucy will share a couple of things with us, and then we're going to close our service by praying for Luke. That's right? Some of the past three years, as we have worshiped together in this space, you have seen at Luke's face and his heart leading us in that regard for the past three years. And so today Luke's final day here with us at Istrouma, as he heads home, to Atlanta, the Atlanta area, where he is from to serve at a church there. And in his time here, he has led us well, he has fostered deep and meaningful relationships and, and discipled many of us, even in this room today. And we're thankful for the Lord giving us the chance to serve alongside of him. And we're excited about what he is doing and where he is going to continue to serve at a different sister church. And so, Luke, you had some words for us today. Yes. On my phone. It's where I read my Bible from which you can't really add to Ephesians one really. I mean, just the hope that is there and the prayer and that's all of our prayers that we would know and understand the love of God for us. And then go out to the world, just that repeated the measurable greatness of his power. Like 13 verses later in chapter two, he talks about the measurable grace of God, in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. And So this is Zachariah chapter nine. I've kind of been in this for the last few months, was in like the prophets and the minor prophets in the springtime. And so, I hit Zachariah about June and it's just like, it's exactly the same thing. Like our God is a God, who's a measurable and he's generous. And he graciously and freely gives us wisdom and revelation. So, this is Zachariah nine verse 16 says on that day, the Lord, their God will save them as the flock of his people for like the jewels of a crown. They shall shine on his land. Just makes me think of where the city on a Hill, like where these jewels in a crown that everyone can see for. How great is his goodness and how great his beauty grain shall make the young men flourish in new wine. The young women, God has God who makes things flourish to a lot of us. This may feel like a barren time. I got time in the desert, but our God is a fountain of water. Like he's living water.
He is a God who things grow and barren places. So then verse one of chapter 10 says pray. So to the people of God, he says, ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring, rain from the Lord who makes the storm clouds is the God who makes the rain. So pray to him, ask him for rain. And he will give them showers of rain to everyone, the vegetation in the field. You can't really say more than that. Our God is a God who loves to pour himself out. And he asked us to come to them and to ask him for rain. And he will do it. Every word of the Lord proves true. So that's right. And we are excited that the Lord is going to use a Luke to bring his, the message of his immeasurable grace, to our sister church in there and in Atlanta. And so, Luke will be here as the service concludes. And normally we would invite everybody to come down and place their hand on Luke is we send him out. But today where you are, if you would, if you just would extend your handout where you are towards Luke and we'll pray and, and then we'll dismiss, all right, father, we thank you for the time that you have given us with our brother. We are excited that he is, has an opportunity to be able to, to share your truth in a new place. Lord. And we arrest a short knowing that we will be shoulder to shoulder singing for eternity, with saints that you have shown your grace to here in Baton Rouge and in Atlanta through your servant, Luke Lord, we're thankful that you've given him the gifts that you have and the opportunities to be able to make your name great and known Lord, we know that you are indeed that fountain in the midst of our barren and dry land and God, we look to you and you alone.
Lord, we know that you are great and powerful and good and kind, and that that message is one that we want to see the world come to know. We're thankful that you've placed it on Luke's heart to do that in a new area, Lord and we're we sent him out with love and gratitude and your precious and Holy Name. We pray. We love You. Amen.
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Agosto 30, 2020
EL PROCESO DE RENOVACION
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Esdras 7:1-10
Características que deben ser parte del Pueblo del Señor:
A.- ES ALGUIEN QUE AFIRMA SUS PASOS EN LA PALABRA DEL SEÑOR.
1.- Estudioso de la Palabra del Señor
2.- Practicante de la Palabra del Señor
3. Dispuestos a enseñar a otros la Palabra.
B.- ES ALGUIEN QUE DEPOSITA SU CONFIANZA EN LAS PROMESAS DEL SEÑOR.
1.- Pidan y se les dara.
2.- Busquen y van a encontrar
3.- Llamen y se les abrira.
C.- ES ALGUIEN QUE DECIDE VIVIR EN SANTIDAD DELANTE DE DIOS.
1.- Hay un reconocimiento de que se han cometido pecados.
2.- Se Identifica con el pecado del pueblo.
3. Hacen las correcciones necesarias para vivir agradando al Señor.
Conclusión:
Siempre está en nuestras manos la decisión de agradar a Dios:
-Con nuestras Vidas.
-Viviendo conforme a su Palabra.
-Viviendo confiando en su Palabra.
-Debemos apartarnos de aquello que sabemos qué entristece el corazón de nuestro Dios.
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Aug 30, 2020
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August 30 | Ezra (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
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Update
Update:
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August 30, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Renew"
Renew means to resume after an interruption; to give fresh life or strength to
Renewal begins with an acknowledgement that change is necessary
Spiritual renewals involves a movement towards Jesus in my attitude, priorities, and actions.
Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.
Renewal is Bible centered
Renewal is application driven
Renewal is contagious
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“Renew”
Sermon Series: Ezra
Ephesians 2:8-10
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Williams, Interim Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon August 30, 2020
Good morning.
I’m so glad that you're here and that you have chosen to worship with us today. If you have your Bible, you can turn to Ezra chapter seven as her chapter seven. We'll be there in just a few moments before we jump in, though, I felt like I needed to give just a little bit of a disclaimer. I'm sure those of you that were here last week are more excited about what I'm wearing today than what I wore last week. And I have to admit that I turned on my Facebook earlier in the week. You know, in sometimes during the week they put like little clips of whatever we talked about. And when I turned that clip on, when it popped up and all I saw was that that Bama shirt that's like just staring just really just boldly at me. I thought that's probably not fair for people that weren't there that don't know the context. I think what an arrogant jerk, that guy is wearing a Bama shirt in the middle of Louisiana. So, I made my own personal commitment. I'll share it with you that I won't ever speak on this stage ever again with Bama attire. So I know some of you will come back now, wait at the clap, that wasn't really necessary, but anyways, but I'm just so thankful for just what God is doing through our college students and what a great time that was last week to be able to celebrate with them, tons of them that were in our 11 o'clock service. And so, thank you just for the way that you love and support college students in our area. Just an amazing, amazing opportunity for us as a church to be able to minister to just the next generation. Yesterday. I did a, a wedding for a couple in our church and it was in Kentwood, Louisiana. That's the first time I've ever been to Kentwood, but was a, just a great experience, but it actually wasn’t, their wedding ceremony. It was their, the renewing of their vows. Now I I've done renewal of vows, you know, for five years and for 10 years and for 15 years and for 20 and 25 and even for 50 years, but I've never done a vow renewal for a couple of this, been married for five months. All right. But that's what we did yesterday. And the reason was, is because their wedding was originally scheduled about four or five weeks after COVID just exploded. And so, they had to shut down the big ceremony and we just did a backyard wedding five months ago. And so yesterday we did the vow renewal in front of all their family and friends was just a great experience them. And so, like Monday when the light, the storm is starting to roll in, I'm thinking, oh my goodness, if this, this couple, if their wedding got messed up and then their, the renewal got messed up because of the storm. So, I was thankful that they were able to do it, but it was just a great time together. But within that, I started thinking this week is we're looking at the word renewal. That's the focus for our time together today. I begin to think about when you do that, whether it's at five months or whether it's at 50 years, there's a purpose while people renew their vows, it is a recommitment or a reminder of exactly what they started with with a vow that they made before, but between one another before God, I want you to think about that concept renewal today, as it relates to your relationship with God.
So, first of all, let's think about what that word means. The word renews simply means to resume after an interruption to give fresh life or strength to. I like the end of that for many of us, when it comes to spiritual renewal, what we have to remember is that many times there's an interruption in terms of our passion for God, right? There's something that happens that distracts us or gets us off track. And we're not as passionate about Jesus maybe we once were. And so, we have a renewal. It means that we decide that we're going to resume that, we decide that we're going to get back on track. We decide that we're going to change some things in our life in order to give back to where we know God wants us to be. And what happens when we do that, then it gives fresh or strength. It gives you something that you did not have before. It renews that thing in your life that was missing. And I don't know about you, but I've been through periods of time in my life to where there was just a going through the motions you ever been there or mean there was things that you were trying to ignore as we talked about the last couple of weeks that, you know, you needed to deal with, but you just didn't. And you just come to that point in life where you say enough is enough, tired of playing games. I'm tired of going through the motions. I'm tired of ignoring it, just, just surviving day in and day out. I want that passion to be renewed. I want that in my life again. I want that fresh life. I want that strength that comes from being exactly where God wants us to be.
Okay. So within that concept, I want you to think about it. A couple of things related to this idea of renewal, first of all, is this is that renewal begins with an acknowledgement. That change is necessary, that if you're going to renew you yourself, you have to begin with the idea or the concept that you say, you know what? There is change that is necessary in my life. And so for every single one of us on a day like today is we're going to participate, Lord’s Supper in just a few moments that as we do that, it is a reminder. And we'll talk more about this in a minute, but there is a reminder of the fact that there's change that is necessary in my life. The Bible describes in First Corinthians that anytime you take the Lord's supper, that what you are to first do is to examine yourself, to see if there's anything in you that is unworthy of partaking of the body and the blood of Christ. So within this concept of renewal, it begins with you recognizing there's something in my life that's not the way It should be. So the question You want to be asking yourself throughout this morning is what is that for you? What is that thing? Or what is that issue or what is that relationship that just needs to change in your life? Now let's take it another step forward. As it relates to a specifically spiritual renewal, that spiritual renewal involves a movement toward Jesus. All right. In my attitude, my priority, in my actions. It makes a conscious effort in your heart and mind just as I I've moved away from where Jesus, Jesus didn't move, right. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. But what happens oftentimes is that we move away. We, we drift, or we're distracted. And so, what spiritual renewal is, if you make the decision today that I need to renew, whether it's my attitude, my priorities, or my actions, I want to make a step towards Jesus. And we're going to talk about, and just a few moments about what that looks like. So when we look, at the book of Ezra, that was the purpose of Ezra. Now we finally, this is the last week of the series, and we're finally getting to the, the, the Ezra, the man, right? We've been looking at the book of Ezra, but now he enters the scene in chapter seven. And when he enters the scene, the King who was Artaxerxes decided that he was going to send him back. This is the second wave of people that return to Israel. And as they're returning, everything has been rebuilt in terms of the temple, in terms of the city, things are beginning to happen, but there's all of these interruptions that have been going on.
We talked last week about between Chapter Four and Chapter Five, that there was a 16-year period of time where the wall stopped being built. Then we see that begins again. We looked at that last week and when we get to the end of Chapter Six, there's another 60 to 70-year period of time between Chapter Six and Chapter Seven. Now, what’s interesting is that earlier in the year, we studied the book of Esther, right? The book of Esther, all the things that we studied happens right there between chapter six and chapter seven. So, on the end of everything we studied in Esther, we find King Artaxerxes he sends, he sends Ezra back to Israel with another group of people. And the focus of this is the renewal. It is the idea that there needs to be renewal amongst the people. That's why God led the King to do that. That's why as is returning Ezra was a scribe Ezra, basically when we look at the New Testament and we think about Pharisees and scribes, that Ezra was the part of the foundation of what that became. They were the religious leaders. They were the ones that knew the word. They were the ones that their heart was supposed to be focused on leading the people towards God. So Ezra, as he returns, we see this in Chapter Seven and Chapter Eight, that he, he leads the leaders of this group into a time of prayer and fasting for the people for the will of God and what he desires for them to do. And then as he returns, there's something interesting that happens in Chapters Nine and Chapter Ten, that as Ezra as he returns, he identifies that many of the Jewish people had intermarried with other people that had been displaced to Jerusalem. And what he sees is that people were intermarrying with people of other faiths, of other religious people that were pagans that were not fearers of God. And so, he does something that's very odd. He does something that seems strange in light of what we know that scripture teaches us related to the issue of divorce and he challenges them. And he calls on them to leave their, their wives and the children that were not of the Jewish faith that were not fearers and followers of God. He's, he calls them to divorce them. And basically, to start all over again. Now, when you read that, that can be confusing, right? It can be confusing because it seems to go against everything that we know that God's Word teaches us about scripture. listen for, if we were just to be honest, and that there's times in scripture, that we read things that we're not sure completely how to wrap our minds around it. We're not sure that we completely understand them. And so I want to give you just a couple of things to think about when you come to those times as you're reading scripture is that anytime you come to a passage of scripture that is confusing to you, or that you have trouble wrapping your minds around, understand this, that you never build what you believe or your theology around the things that you don't understand, you always interpret what you don't understand in light of what is very clear that you do understand.
And here's, what's clear in scripture. It is clear in scripture; you look at the book of Malachi. It says that God hates divorce. So this is obviously not God's ultimate desire or God's ultimate plan is a divorce is not something that God desires. You can't take the book of Ezra and begin to build a theology that says, well, the person that I am married to is not a strong follower of Jesus, or they're not a follower of Jesus. And so I want to be with this person. And so Ezra gives me the right to divorce them and go over here.
You can't do that because the reality is, is that the scripture is clear that God hates divorce. Scripture is also clear in the New Testament. We can look at the book of Matthew. You can look at the book of First Corinthians and it describes the times that God allows divorce. But even in those allowances, he ultimately says that God's desire is for man and woman to stay together. Now, I don't want us to get off on all that means and what that looks like, but here's what I want you to see is that we can look at the book of Ezra and build our theology on what Ezra leads the people to do about the way that we live our lives, because there are other things in scripture that are very, very clear about what God feet, how God feels and what God desires as it relates to the issue of divorce.
So what do we learn from this passage then? Right? Ezra is basically giving us the history of what took place and why was he leading them to do that? And that's the thing that we need to emphasize. As we look at that at this section of scripture, the reason that Ezra was calling them to divorce and to make sure that purity remain among the Jewish people is he was trying to protect, look at this, don't miss this. He's trying to protect the lineage that the Messiah was going to come through. You see, God had been promising for generations, that the Messiah was going to come through the Jewish people, that through the people of Israel, the Messiah that was God's chosen people, he had set everything up for the world to see that what God desired is for them to follow him. And so he set up his own people that he was going to have favor upon that he was going to lead and protect and guide, and the whole purpose of that was so that eventually, and ultimately that the whole world would come to be followers of Jesus, simply because they recognize that God was the only true God and that he was in control.
So within this passage of scripture, what we see is Ezra protecting the purity of the Jewish people, because it was the way that Jesus, the Messiah, was going to come. So basically, here's the way that we have to view that, that in essence, what we see in Ezra Chapter Seven through Chapter Ten is God showing us through scripture, a description of what he did at a specific place in time. It is the history of what happened. It's a history of the story of God. And what happens is oftentimes is we take the things in scripture, or we take the things in life that are meant to be descriptive, and we make them prescriptive, which means that we take the things that God is describing a point in history where God did a certain thing in a certain way. And we try to make that about us and about the way that we make decisions. And scripture is very clear about the reality that is sometimes they're describing what God did in a series of time.
And then other times he's giving us specific instructions about what we are to do. Think about that in light of the church, that oftentimes here's what churches do. churches hear about the story of what God is doing somewhere else, right? And God just doing some amazing things through lots of different churches of different styles, with different leadership. I mean, just, there's just some amazing things that God is doing literally all over the world. But the problem is that when churches and leaders in the church, when they see what God is doing somewhere else, and then they try to go and copy that for what God is doing right here. And the reality is, is that just because God does something as a certain way, somewhere else doesn't mean that's the way that he wants to do it here. It’s a description of what God is doing at a specific place at a specific point in time. But we cannot relate that and say, well, then we must copy what they did, because if God did it there, that he wants to do it here, because the reality is that every church is different.
Every circumstance is different. Every leadership is different. All the things about a specific church are different. It also can relate to us as an individual body of believers. In January, we celebrated a hundred years of Istrouma as a church. Doesn't that seem like that was like a hundred years ago. I mean, I can't, it's hard to believe that was just a few months ago, but we celebrated the story of what God has done. And the, one of the worst things we could do is to, is to begin to think in our minds, well that for the next hundred years, it has to look exactly like it did for the first a hundred years, because the reality is, is that the story of the first hundred years was about how God used this church at different points along the way, because of who we were because of where we were because of the community around us to do things at that season in time.
So For the next hundred years, we're in a transition for the last several weeks. We've heard just testimonies and videos of from our pastor search team that we're in that moment or in that time of looking for what the story is going to look like as we go forward. And then it'll be something that all of us should be excited about and should we should be praying about, but the reality is, is that what God desires to do? We don't know yet, because the reality is that God is working in God, uses his own story as a part of what he wants to do in and through us about the larger picture of who God is and what he's doing.
But the emphasis of that passage is not just the issue of divorce. The emphasis of that passage is on Ezra, leading the people towards spiritual renewal. You say, well, Jeff, how does all that fit together? I mean, I just gave you a ton of information, sorry about just throwing all that on you one time. But the way that all that fits together is that when we think about the story that God has placed us in, that throughout that story, you look at the people in Israel, how many times that they had to go through spiritual renewal because they got distracted or they got off track. And you think about how God used spiritual renewal to show himself, to be glorious, to show himself, to be powerful over and over and over again. So then for us today, as we think about where we are, and we think about praying for the next step in our journey, and we think about us individually, and as a body of believers, the times that we get distracted or we get, get off track or whatever it might be that today, the emphasis is we see Ezra’s model is for us to come to a place of spiritual renewal of saying today as a part of what God wants to do in my life and the life of this church, I want to make a move towards Jesus in my attitude, my priority in my actions. That that sounds good. Right? So how do we do that? Well, I want us to look at just one verse of scripture and Ezra Chapter Seven, that shows how Ezra led the people towards this place of spiritual renewal. And so remember everything I just shared with you about his challenge for the people and about them being pure about an essence, what they were doing is socially distancing from the rest of the world. It wasn't that they thought they were better than them, but there was something that God wanted them to do, that they needed to be seen as separate. They needed to be seen as different. And so in Ezra Chapter Seven and verse Ten, it describes exactly what Ezra did, for Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. That was his vision. He was returning to have this, this movement of spiritual renewal. And this is the vision of what Ezra said. This is the reason why I'm returning. This is what God has placed in my heart. These are the things that I'm going to do. And if you and I are going to experience spiritual renewal, if we're going to be a part of God's story and our life at this point in time, here's the three things that God wants us to do. They all revolve around this idea of renewal. We're going to look past this next passage of scripture when it come back to it. And just a moment, but let's look at those three things that God calls us to do as it, as we see in this passage, first of all, we've seen that renewal is Bible centered. What we see from Ezra in Ezra Chapter Seven, verse Ten is first of all, is that renewal is Bible centered. Look back at what he says there. And as her Chapter Seven and verse Ten, it says there, I can't see, because I don't have my glasses on. Can we put it back up on the screen as we're chapter seven, verse 10, it says for Ezra had set his heart to do what what's that next word say, study, to study the law of the Lord. That if you and I are going to be renewed, we have to understand that it has to be centered in the Bible. This spiritual renewal is not about emotion. Spiritual renewal is not about a feeling. It's not about the right set of circumstances that at the center of spiritual renewal, we must understand that the study of the word of God must be priority. Think about what Romans 12 says, Romans 12. It says, I appeal to you, therefore brothers, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. This is the idea of renewal, right? And then he tells you how to do that. He says, do not be conformed to this world. That's exactly what Ezra was saying to the people of Israel. When he returned, he says, Hey, listen, we need to be seen as separate. It's not an arrogance that we're better than everyone else, but it means that we don't live life based on the principles and the standards of the world around us, that we are to be seen as separate and different.
Not in our mindset towards people. We love everyone, but we're to be seen as separate in the way that we make decisions in life. And it says that we are to be transformed. Look at this by the renewing or by the renewal of our, what, Minds.You see, it begins with the word of God, because the word of God must get into our hearts and our minds. It must be something that we study. Notice it. Doesn't say, just read I in the essence of what God wants you to do is to recognize that even what happens in this room on Sunday mornings, if this is the only time that you open the word of God, if this is the only time that you are receiving anything from the word, and then you are missing out on the, the biggest part of what God wants you to be, to be a part of God gave you his word, and God gave you the Holy Spirit so that you can have a daily relationship with him. And if you're going to be renewed in terms of within your spirit, if you're going to begin that journey of moving towards Jesus, it begins about you renewing your mind. It begins by you studying in and immersing yourself in who God wants you to be. And the only way that you can find that ultimately is through the word of God. We take it for granted though. Don't we. Probably got Bibles all over your house, right? That are just sitting there collecting dust. We have all kinds of technology that at any moment at any time, probably most of you in the room have an app on your phone that has the Bible on it is everywhere around this, but yet how often we just take it for granted. And we re we don't recognize the reality that the lack of the scripture being in our minds, the, the lack of studying the Word of God is the reason that we struggle with making those moves towards Jesus.
I would say that for most of us in this room, if I were to ask you today, you say, man, I love Jesus. And I want to serve Him, and I want to follow Him, but I just can't seem to get over this. Or I just can't seem to get past this, or I just can't seem to stop doing this, or I just can't seem to change my mind. I just, all of us have those things that we're constantly struggling with. And the reason is, is that we are trying to move towards Jesus in our own efforts, with our own minds, with our own strength and what we need to recognize and understand that the power for every single one of us is in the Word of God. Get in there. If you don't know what to do in terms of where to start, what I would challenge you to do is just start with the gospel of John. Just start reading it every single day and to listen. What I challenged people to do is take the first chapter and read it every day. This week. If you can't read it every day, if you say, man, I don't know if I could do that. Just at least try four or five times this week just to read through John chapter one. And when you read it, you say, well, I don't know what I'm looking for. Well, this, and that's the reason why God gave us the Holy Spirit that you pray and say, God, would you teach me something from your word? And you just stay in it. Listen. It's like anything else that we do, there must be a commitment. There must be something that you're willing to do day in and day out. And here's, what's amazing. That happens is that over time, if you will make a commitment to the word of God, that what God will do is God will use the Holy Spirit and he will make the word come alive in your life. But it begins with renewal can happen in your life. You're not going to make that move towards Jesus without the Word of God. renewal is Bible centered. number two, renewal is application centered. Renewal is application centered. Look back again at Ezra Chapter Seven, Ezra Chapter Seven. It says there that Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord and then what, to do it. I mean, that's pretty simple, right? I don't know how much more I need to expound on that. And you're thinking, I hope you don't right, but there's really not much else to say about that, but you just got to do it, because think about, go back to Romans Chapter 12 for just a minute. Verse two, look at verse two, do not be conformed to this world, but be look at that next word to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. You see for many people, they love to study the word because they can't wait for somebody to ask them a Bible trivia question, because they're going to have the answer or they know all those Kings and all those different things in the Old Testament, because they've been studying the word. But here's what happens is that many times people get stuck in. They want to know the facts of the word, but God did not give you this word for information. God gave you his word because he wants it to be something that transforms your life. So as, as much as we need to make sure that we are constantly immersing ourselves in the word of God, we need to make sure that the things that we know that God's word teaches us to do that we're applying them and actually doing them. You see, because it doesn't do us any good to have all this information in our heads, if we all follow it. So renewal, first of all, this Bible centered, but second of all, it is application oriented, driven. You have got to find yourself in a situation where you understand that I need to apply the word of God to my life. You say, well, Jeff, there's just things in there. I don't understand yet. Let me ask you this simple question. All the things that you do understand are you being obedient, and all those areas just start there. listen. If we all just started by being obedient in the areas that we already understand, we got plenty of work to do this week, right? I mean, we got plenty of work to do for the rest of 2020, and then beyond, because the reality is, is there things that are clear in scripture that we all know that at times that we're just not being obedient to. So if you want to make that move towards Jesus, you need to recognize that what God desires is for you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
And then finally, what we see in this passage is that renewal is contagious. Renewal is contagious. You say, I don't understand why you would say that. Well, look back one more time. But as we're chapter seven, this is for Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and look at this and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel, that what God wants to do in your heart and life God's not doing that just for you. God's doing that as a part of his bigger story of what he wants to do in our community, and what he wants to do in the world. So what we see in Ezra is that he studied the law of the Lord. He began to apply it and he let the word, transform him, but then he began to invest that and others, you know what, that's a picture of. That's a picture of the great commission, right? That's exactly what Jesus taught his disciples to do is to understand, Hey, listen to what I'm telling you, put it into action and then go and make disciples.
You see, because that's the desire of the way that God wants the gospel to go forth is by you and I making a move towards Jesus and what that looks like his studying of the word, applying it to our lives, and then doing everything we can to influence and invest that word, to invest that, that gospel and to the people that are around us. You see, God has a plan for the people of Israel. And we see that story played out in the Old Testament. God had a plan for his disciples into the life and the death and the resurrection of Jesus. And we see that in the early church and over and over again, both in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, we see time and time again, where people had to take stock of where they were. They had to take a deep breath and they had to make the ultimate decision. There are things in my life. That just aren't right. And I need the word of God. I need the application in order for me to make a move towards Jesus. And then as I made that move towards him, what God is going to do is to use me to influence those around me. They're going to see the light of the gospel in my life. But for many of us we've been there before, right? and we've renewed our faith in Jesus. We know we've recommitted, and we've grown up Baptist. We rededicated our lives to the Lord, right? And after a while, for many of us, we just get tired of doing that. We feel like such a failure because we just seem to not be able just to get it all together. But can I encourage you today with the simple reality that God knows that God knew long before you were ever born, that you were going to struggle.
God knew long before you ever existed, that you were going to see it. And they were going to be areas of your life that you were just going to need that constant renewal, that constant reminder. And so God gives us different things in his word. He gives us different instructions about things that we need to do to be reminded of who he is, what he's done for us. And what is planned is for our life. One of those is the Lord's Supper. You see Jesus told his disciples, as often as you do this, do this in remembrance of Me. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of what matters don't we sometimes we just need to take a step back, take a deep breath and remember all ultimately what matters in life. That's the reason why we do the Lord's Supper. that’s the reason why we do that? Because the bottom line at the end of the day is that all the other stuff that you're worried about, and then being distracted by, and you've gotten off track because of all of those things they’ve paled in comparison to who Jesus is, what he's done for you and the way he feels about you. God loves you. God has not given up on you and God desires for you to live his life in his life. According to scripture is an abundant life. So this morning, as we take a few moments and just stop and we take a deep breath and we remember who Jesus is, and we remember what Jesus did for us. I pray that God will use this as the catalyst for all of us to make a step towards Jesus. So here's what we're going to start. I'm going to ask you if you would just to bow your heads and close your eyes Because you see this time begins with us, examining our hearts and lives. What area of your life do you need to confess to him?
The Bible says that if you will confess your sins, that he is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness, just talk to him right now, prepare your heart for this time. Be encouraged that his grace is sufficient for you,
Lord. This is your time. God, I don't know what all the needs are in this one, But I do know that Our ultimate need for all of us, regardless of the circumstances of life is you. God forgive us where we failed. You Forgive us where our lives just haven't measured up. God, forgive us for not taking you and your words seriously for just ignoring you or setting you on the shelf. Forgive us for trying to live lives that are our own efforts. Forgive us for the decisions that we've made. That just don't honor. You God, thank you that your grace and your mercy overflow into our lives. Give us your peace right now to know that as we confess our sins, that you are faithful and just To forgive us, God cleanse us right now, allow us to receive from you in a way that brings you honor and encourages and Bolsters are heart
I’d ask if you would to take the elements that you received when you came in and if there's any of you that did not receive it, if you just raise your hand, one of our men will bring those to you, someone right down here looking to see if there's anyone else. So once you received that, if you take out the bread that's on one side of that I just want you to hold that in your hand for a minute. And I want you to think about what this bread represents; this bread represents the body of Christ. Why is that so significant? Well, to me, and this is what I want you to focus on today. That is significant because it represents how much God wants you, Jesus, God, in the flesh, the Bible describes that he came to this earth and he lived a perfect life, but he did it as just a regular, ordinary, not a King, but just a man. And that he went through all types of things throughout his life, all of the emotions and all of the struggles and all of the temptations that the Bible says that everything that you and I. He did that because he loves you. And the Bible says that at the end of his life, that is, he was arrested. He was beaten. When you read scripture, you find that his body was beaten to the point that it couldn't even be recognized. And at any point he could have stopped it, but he did because he loves you And Jesus.
The perfect spotless Son of God allowed his own body to be placed on a cross. That was meant for the worst of the worst. And he died and excruciating death, not because he had to because he loves you. And when Jesus was on that cross, he knew every sin you were ever going to commit. He knew everything you were ever going to do, but yet he died for you anyway. You know why? Because he loves you. And so as we take this bread today, no matter who you are or what you're facing or how discouraged you are, or what have you been living for or anything else in your life, be reminded that the God of Heaven who loves you with all His heart. The Bible says that Jesus took the bread and he blessed it and he broke it and he gave it to the disciples, and he says, take and eat this is my body.
The cup represents the blood of Christ. The Bible describes that the shedding of blood was necessary for the forgiveness of sins. We see that in the Old Testament, with sacrifices that were made. And so when Jesus died on the cross, as the only person who ever lived a perfect sinless life, God in the flesh that when his blood was shed, when he died, that he gave you and I, the opportunity to have a relationship with him both now and for all of eternity in heaven. And so, one of the things I think is so crucial about us being renewed and coming to a place where we're reminded of what Jesus did for us is to go back to the time and the place when we began a relationship with Him. Cause I'm going to ask you to do this before we partake of the cup. I want you to bow your heads and close your eyes just one more time. And I want you to think about the day that you've surrendered your life to Jesus. The day that Jesus came and took over your life. Would you just thank Him? The Bible says that Jesus took the cup and he blessed it. And he gave it to the disciples. It says, this is my blood, which was shed for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
I'm going to ask you if you want to stand with me. As you stand, we're just going to simply sing together today as we close. And as we do this, be reminded, God loves you. And he has given you everything you need to live the life he wants you to live. So let's focus this week on studying the word of God, applying it to our lives, and then doing everything we can to disciple others and lead him towards the God that loves them too.
“Renew”
Sermon Series: Ezra
Ephesians 2:8-10
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Williams, Interim Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon August 30, 2020
Good morning.
I’m so glad that you're here and that you have chosen to worship with us today. If you have your Bible, you can turn to Ezra chapter seven as her chapter seven. We'll be there in just a few moments before we jump in, though, I felt like I needed to give just a little bit of a disclaimer. I'm sure those of you that were here last week are more excited about what I'm wearing today than what I wore last week. And I have to admit that I turned on my Facebook earlier in the week. You know, in sometimes during the week they put like little clips of whatever we talked about. And when I turned that clip on, when it popped up and all I saw was that that Bama shirt that's like just staring just really just boldly at me. I thought that's probably not fair for people that weren't there that don't know the context. I think what an arrogant jerk, that guy is wearing a Bama shirt in the middle of Louisiana. So, I made my own personal commitment. I'll share it with you that I won't ever speak on this stage ever again with Bama attire. So I know some of you will come back now, wait at the clap, that wasn't really necessary, but anyways, but I'm just so thankful for just what God is doing through our college students and what a great time that was last week to be able to celebrate with them, tons of them that were in our 11 o'clock service. And so, thank you just for the way that you love and support college students in our area. Just an amazing, amazing opportunity for us as a church to be able to minister to just the next generation. Yesterday. I did a, a wedding for a couple in our church and it was in Kentwood, Louisiana. That's the first time I've ever been to Kentwood, but was a, just a great experience, but it actually wasn’t, their wedding ceremony. It was their, the renewing of their vows. Now I I've done renewal of vows, you know, for five years and for 10 years and for 15 years and for 20 and 25 and even for 50 years, but I've never done a vow renewal for a couple of this, been married for five months. All right. But that's what we did yesterday. And the reason was, is because their wedding was originally scheduled about four or five weeks after COVID just exploded. And so, they had to shut down the big ceremony and we just did a backyard wedding five months ago. And so yesterday we did the vow renewal in front of all their family and friends was just a great experience them. And so, like Monday when the light, the storm is starting to roll in, I'm thinking, oh my goodness, if this, this couple, if their wedding got messed up and then their, the renewal got messed up because of the storm. So, I was thankful that they were able to do it, but it was just a great time together. But within that, I started thinking this week is we're looking at the word renewal. That's the focus for our time together today. I begin to think about when you do that, whether it's at five months or whether it's at 50 years, there's a purpose while people renew their vows, it is a recommitment or a reminder of exactly what they started with with a vow that they made before, but between one another before God, I want you to think about that concept renewal today, as it relates to your relationship with God.
So, first of all, let's think about what that word means. The word renews simply means to resume after an interruption to give fresh life or strength to. I like the end of that for many of us, when it comes to spiritual renewal, what we have to remember is that many times there's an interruption in terms of our passion for God, right? There's something that happens that distracts us or gets us off track. And we're not as passionate about Jesus maybe we once were. And so, we have a renewal. It means that we decide that we're going to resume that, we decide that we're going to get back on track. We decide that we're going to change some things in our life in order to give back to where we know God wants us to be. And what happens when we do that, then it gives fresh or strength. It gives you something that you did not have before. It renews that thing in your life that was missing. And I don't know about you, but I've been through periods of time in my life to where there was just a going through the motions you ever been there or mean there was things that you were trying to ignore as we talked about the last couple of weeks that, you know, you needed to deal with, but you just didn't. And you just come to that point in life where you say enough is enough, tired of playing games. I'm tired of going through the motions. I'm tired of ignoring it, just, just surviving day in and day out. I want that passion to be renewed. I want that in my life again. I want that fresh life. I want that strength that comes from being exactly where God wants us to be.
Okay. So within that concept, I want you to think about it. A couple of things related to this idea of renewal, first of all, is this is that renewal begins with an acknowledgement. That change is necessary, that if you're going to renew you yourself, you have to begin with the idea or the concept that you say, you know what? There is change that is necessary in my life. And so for every single one of us on a day like today is we're going to participate, Lord’s Supper in just a few moments that as we do that, it is a reminder. And we'll talk more about this in a minute, but there is a reminder of the fact that there's change that is necessary in my life. The Bible describes in First Corinthians that anytime you take the Lord's supper, that what you are to first do is to examine yourself, to see if there's anything in you that is unworthy of partaking of the body and the blood of Christ. So within this concept of renewal, it begins with you recognizing there's something in my life that's not the way It should be. So the question You want to be asking yourself throughout this morning is what is that for you? What is that thing? Or what is that issue or what is that relationship that just needs to change in your life? Now let's take it another step forward. As it relates to a specifically spiritual renewal, that spiritual renewal involves a movement toward Jesus. All right. In my attitude, my priority, in my actions. It makes a conscious effort in your heart and mind just as I I've moved away from where Jesus, Jesus didn't move, right. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. But what happens oftentimes is that we move away. We, we drift, or we're distracted. And so, what spiritual renewal is, if you make the decision today that I need to renew, whether it's my attitude, my priorities, or my actions, I want to make a step towards Jesus. And we're going to talk about, and just a few moments about what that looks like. So when we look, at the book of Ezra, that was the purpose of Ezra. Now we finally, this is the last week of the series, and we're finally getting to the, the, the Ezra, the man, right? We've been looking at the book of Ezra, but now he enters the scene in chapter seven. And when he enters the scene, the King who was Artaxerxes decided that he was going to send him back. This is the second wave of people that return to Israel. And as they're returning, everything has been rebuilt in terms of the temple, in terms of the city, things are beginning to happen, but there's all of these interruptions that have been going on.
We talked last week about between Chapter Four and Chapter Five, that there was a 16-year period of time where the wall stopped being built. Then we see that begins again. We looked at that last week and when we get to the end of Chapter Six, there's another 60 to 70-year period of time between Chapter Six and Chapter Seven. Now, what’s interesting is that earlier in the year, we studied the book of Esther, right? The book of Esther, all the things that we studied happens right there between chapter six and chapter seven. So, on the end of everything we studied in Esther, we find King Artaxerxes he sends, he sends Ezra back to Israel with another group of people. And the focus of this is the renewal. It is the idea that there needs to be renewal amongst the people. That's why God led the King to do that. That's why as is returning Ezra was a scribe Ezra, basically when we look at the New Testament and we think about Pharisees and scribes, that Ezra was the part of the foundation of what that became. They were the religious leaders. They were the ones that knew the word. They were the ones that their heart was supposed to be focused on leading the people towards God. So Ezra, as he returns, we see this in Chapter Seven and Chapter Eight, that he, he leads the leaders of this group into a time of prayer and fasting for the people for the will of God and what he desires for them to do. And then as he returns, there's something interesting that happens in Chapters Nine and Chapter Ten, that as Ezra as he returns, he identifies that many of the Jewish people had intermarried with other people that had been displaced to Jerusalem. And what he sees is that people were intermarrying with people of other faiths, of other religious people that were pagans that were not fearers of God. And so, he does something that's very odd. He does something that seems strange in light of what we know that scripture teaches us related to the issue of divorce and he challenges them. And he calls on them to leave their, their wives and the children that were not of the Jewish faith that were not fearers and followers of God. He's, he calls them to divorce them. And basically, to start all over again. Now, when you read that, that can be confusing, right? It can be confusing because it seems to go against everything that we know that God's Word teaches us about scripture. listen for, if we were just to be honest, and that there's times in scripture, that we read things that we're not sure completely how to wrap our minds around it. We're not sure that we completely understand them. And so I want to give you just a couple of things to think about when you come to those times as you're reading scripture is that anytime you come to a passage of scripture that is confusing to you, or that you have trouble wrapping your minds around, understand this, that you never build what you believe or your theology around the things that you don't understand, you always interpret what you don't understand in light of what is very clear that you do understand.
And here's, what's clear in scripture. It is clear in scripture; you look at the book of Malachi. It says that God hates divorce. So this is obviously not God's ultimate desire or God's ultimate plan is a divorce is not something that God desires. You can't take the book of Ezra and begin to build a theology that says, well, the person that I am married to is not a strong follower of Jesus, or they're not a follower of Jesus. And so I want to be with this person. And so Ezra gives me the right to divorce them and go over here.
You can't do that because the reality is, is that the scripture is clear that God hates divorce. Scripture is also clear in the New Testament. We can look at the book of Matthew. You can look at the book of First Corinthians and it describes the times that God allows divorce. But even in those allowances, he ultimately says that God's desire is for man and woman to stay together. Now, I don't want us to get off on all that means and what that looks like, but here's what I want you to see is that we can look at the book of Ezra and build our theology on what Ezra leads the people to do about the way that we live our lives, because there are other things in scripture that are very, very clear about what God feet, how God feels and what God desires as it relates to the issue of divorce.
So what do we learn from this passage then? Right? Ezra is basically giving us the history of what took place and why was he leading them to do that? And that's the thing that we need to emphasize. As we look at that at this section of scripture, the reason that Ezra was calling them to divorce and to make sure that purity remain among the Jewish people is he was trying to protect, look at this, don't miss this. He's trying to protect the lineage that the Messiah was going to come through. You see, God had been promising for generations, that the Messiah was going to come through the Jewish people, that through the people of Israel, the Messiah that was God's chosen people, he had set everything up for the world to see that what God desired is for them to follow him. And so he set up his own people that he was going to have favor upon that he was going to lead and protect and guide, and the whole purpose of that was so that eventually, and ultimately that the whole world would come to be followers of Jesus, simply because they recognize that God was the only true God and that he was in control.
So within this passage of scripture, what we see is Ezra protecting the purity of the Jewish people, because it was the way that Jesus, the Messiah, was going to come. So basically, here's the way that we have to view that, that in essence, what we see in Ezra Chapter Seven through Chapter Ten is God showing us through scripture, a description of what he did at a specific place in time. It is the history of what happened. It's a history of the story of God. And what happens is oftentimes is we take the things in scripture, or we take the things in life that are meant to be descriptive, and we make them prescriptive, which means that we take the things that God is describing a point in history where God did a certain thing in a certain way. And we try to make that about us and about the way that we make decisions. And scripture is very clear about the reality that is sometimes they're describing what God did in a series of time.
And then other times he's giving us specific instructions about what we are to do. Think about that in light of the church, that oftentimes here's what churches do. churches hear about the story of what God is doing somewhere else, right? And God just doing some amazing things through lots of different churches of different styles, with different leadership. I mean, just, there's just some amazing things that God is doing literally all over the world. But the problem is that when churches and leaders in the church, when they see what God is doing somewhere else, and then they try to go and copy that for what God is doing right here. And the reality is, is that just because God does something as a certain way, somewhere else doesn't mean that's the way that he wants to do it here. It’s a description of what God is doing at a specific place at a specific point in time. But we cannot relate that and say, well, then we must copy what they did, because if God did it there, that he wants to do it here, because the reality is that every church is different.
Every circumstance is different. Every leadership is different. All the things about a specific church are different. It also can relate to us as an individual body of believers. In January, we celebrated a hundred years of Istrouma as a church. Doesn't that seem like that was like a hundred years ago. I mean, I can't, it's hard to believe that was just a few months ago, but we celebrated the story of what God has done. And the, one of the worst things we could do is to, is to begin to think in our minds, well that for the next hundred years, it has to look exactly like it did for the first a hundred years, because the reality is, is that the story of the first hundred years was about how God used this church at different points along the way, because of who we were because of where we were because of the community around us to do things at that season in time.
So For the next hundred years, we're in a transition for the last several weeks. We've heard just testimonies and videos of from our pastor search team that we're in that moment or in that time of looking for what the story is going to look like as we go forward. And then it'll be something that all of us should be excited about and should we should be praying about, but the reality is, is that what God desires to do? We don't know yet, because the reality is that God is working in God, uses his own story as a part of what he wants to do in and through us about the larger picture of who God is and what he's doing.
But the emphasis of that passage is not just the issue of divorce. The emphasis of that passage is on Ezra, leading the people towards spiritual renewal. You say, well, Jeff, how does all that fit together? I mean, I just gave you a ton of information, sorry about just throwing all that on you one time. But the way that all that fits together is that when we think about the story that God has placed us in, that throughout that story, you look at the people in Israel, how many times that they had to go through spiritual renewal because they got distracted or they got off track. And you think about how God used spiritual renewal to show himself, to be glorious, to show himself, to be powerful over and over and over again. So then for us today, as we think about where we are, and we think about praying for the next step in our journey, and we think about us individually, and as a body of believers, the times that we get distracted or we get, get off track or whatever it might be that today, the emphasis is we see Ezra’s model is for us to come to a place of spiritual renewal of saying today as a part of what God wants to do in my life and the life of this church, I want to make a move towards Jesus in my attitude, my priority in my actions. That that sounds good. Right? So how do we do that? Well, I want us to look at just one verse of scripture and Ezra Chapter Seven, that shows how Ezra led the people towards this place of spiritual renewal. And so remember everything I just shared with you about his challenge for the people and about them being pure about an essence, what they were doing is socially distancing from the rest of the world. It wasn't that they thought they were better than them, but there was something that God wanted them to do, that they needed to be seen as separate. They needed to be seen as different. And so in Ezra Chapter Seven and verse Ten, it describes exactly what Ezra did, for Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. That was his vision. He was returning to have this, this movement of spiritual renewal. And this is the vision of what Ezra said. This is the reason why I'm returning. This is what God has placed in my heart. These are the things that I'm going to do. And if you and I are going to experience spiritual renewal, if we're going to be a part of God's story and our life at this point in time, here's the three things that God wants us to do. They all revolve around this idea of renewal. We're going to look past this next passage of scripture when it come back to it. And just a moment, but let's look at those three things that God calls us to do as it, as we see in this passage, first of all, we've seen that renewal is Bible centered. What we see from Ezra in Ezra Chapter Seven, verse Ten is first of all, is that renewal is Bible centered. Look back at what he says there. And as her Chapter Seven and verse Ten, it says there, I can't see, because I don't have my glasses on. Can we put it back up on the screen as we're chapter seven, verse 10, it says for Ezra had set his heart to do what what's that next word say, study, to study the law of the Lord. That if you and I are going to be renewed, we have to understand that it has to be centered in the Bible. This spiritual renewal is not about emotion. Spiritual renewal is not about a feeling. It's not about the right set of circumstances that at the center of spiritual renewal, we must understand that the study of the word of God must be priority. Think about what Romans 12 says, Romans 12. It says, I appeal to you, therefore brothers, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. This is the idea of renewal, right? And then he tells you how to do that. He says, do not be conformed to this world. That's exactly what Ezra was saying to the people of Israel. When he returned, he says, Hey, listen, we need to be seen as separate. It's not an arrogance that we're better than everyone else, but it means that we don't live life based on the principles and the standards of the world around us, that we are to be seen as separate and different.
Not in our mindset towards people. We love everyone, but we're to be seen as separate in the way that we make decisions in life. And it says that we are to be transformed. Look at this by the renewing or by the renewal of our, what, Minds.You see, it begins with the word of God, because the word of God must get into our hearts and our minds. It must be something that we study. Notice it. Doesn't say, just read I in the essence of what God wants you to do is to recognize that even what happens in this room on Sunday mornings, if this is the only time that you open the word of God, if this is the only time that you are receiving anything from the word, and then you are missing out on the, the biggest part of what God wants you to be, to be a part of God gave you his word, and God gave you the Holy Spirit so that you can have a daily relationship with him. And if you're going to be renewed in terms of within your spirit, if you're going to begin that journey of moving towards Jesus, it begins about you renewing your mind. It begins by you studying in and immersing yourself in who God wants you to be. And the only way that you can find that ultimately is through the word of God. We take it for granted though. Don't we. Probably got Bibles all over your house, right? That are just sitting there collecting dust. We have all kinds of technology that at any moment at any time, probably most of you in the room have an app on your phone that has the Bible on it is everywhere around this, but yet how often we just take it for granted. And we re we don't recognize the reality that the lack of the scripture being in our minds, the, the lack of studying the Word of God is the reason that we struggle with making those moves towards Jesus.
I would say that for most of us in this room, if I were to ask you today, you say, man, I love Jesus. And I want to serve Him, and I want to follow Him, but I just can't seem to get over this. Or I just can't seem to get past this, or I just can't seem to stop doing this, or I just can't seem to change my mind. I just, all of us have those things that we're constantly struggling with. And the reason is, is that we are trying to move towards Jesus in our own efforts, with our own minds, with our own strength and what we need to recognize and understand that the power for every single one of us is in the Word of God. Get in there. If you don't know what to do in terms of where to start, what I would challenge you to do is just start with the gospel of John. Just start reading it every single day and to listen. What I challenged people to do is take the first chapter and read it every day. This week. If you can't read it every day, if you say, man, I don't know if I could do that. Just at least try four or five times this week just to read through John chapter one. And when you read it, you say, well, I don't know what I'm looking for. Well, this, and that's the reason why God gave us the Holy Spirit that you pray and say, God, would you teach me something from your word? And you just stay in it. Listen. It's like anything else that we do, there must be a commitment. There must be something that you're willing to do day in and day out. And here's, what's amazing. That happens is that over time, if you will make a commitment to the word of God, that what God will do is God will use the Holy Spirit and he will make the word come alive in your life. But it begins with renewal can happen in your life. You're not going to make that move towards Jesus without the Word of God. renewal is Bible centered. number two, renewal is application centered. Renewal is application centered. Look back again at Ezra Chapter Seven, Ezra Chapter Seven. It says there that Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord and then what, to do it. I mean, that's pretty simple, right? I don't know how much more I need to expound on that. And you're thinking, I hope you don't right, but there's really not much else to say about that, but you just got to do it, because think about, go back to Romans Chapter 12 for just a minute. Verse two, look at verse two, do not be conformed to this world, but be look at that next word to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. You see for many people, they love to study the word because they can't wait for somebody to ask them a Bible trivia question, because they're going to have the answer or they know all those Kings and all those different things in the Old Testament, because they've been studying the word. But here's what happens is that many times people get stuck in. They want to know the facts of the word, but God did not give you this word for information. God gave you his word because he wants it to be something that transforms your life. So as, as much as we need to make sure that we are constantly immersing ourselves in the word of God, we need to make sure that the things that we know that God's word teaches us to do that we're applying them and actually doing them. You see, because it doesn't do us any good to have all this information in our heads, if we all follow it. So renewal, first of all, this Bible centered, but second of all, it is application oriented, driven. You have got to find yourself in a situation where you understand that I need to apply the word of God to my life. You say, well, Jeff, there's just things in there. I don't understand yet. Let me ask you this simple question. All the things that you do understand are you being obedient, and all those areas just start there. listen. If we all just started by being obedient in the areas that we already understand, we got plenty of work to do this week, right? I mean, we got plenty of work to do for the rest of 2020, and then beyond, because the reality is, is there things that are clear in scripture that we all know that at times that we're just not being obedient to. So if you want to make that move towards Jesus, you need to recognize that what God desires is for you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
And then finally, what we see in this passage is that renewal is contagious. Renewal is contagious. You say, I don't understand why you would say that. Well, look back one more time. But as we're chapter seven, this is for Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and look at this and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel, that what God wants to do in your heart and life God's not doing that just for you. God's doing that as a part of his bigger story of what he wants to do in our community, and what he wants to do in the world. So what we see in Ezra is that he studied the law of the Lord. He began to apply it and he let the word, transform him, but then he began to invest that and others, you know what, that's a picture of. That's a picture of the great commission, right? That's exactly what Jesus taught his disciples to do is to understand, Hey, listen to what I'm telling you, put it into action and then go and make disciples.
You see, because that's the desire of the way that God wants the gospel to go forth is by you and I making a move towards Jesus and what that looks like his studying of the word, applying it to our lives, and then doing everything we can to influence and invest that word, to invest that, that gospel and to the people that are around us. You see, God has a plan for the people of Israel. And we see that story played out in the Old Testament. God had a plan for his disciples into the life and the death and the resurrection of Jesus. And we see that in the early church and over and over again, both in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, we see time and time again, where people had to take stock of where they were. They had to take a deep breath and they had to make the ultimate decision. There are things in my life. That just aren't right. And I need the word of God. I need the application in order for me to make a move towards Jesus. And then as I made that move towards him, what God is going to do is to use me to influence those around me. They're going to see the light of the gospel in my life. But for many of us we've been there before, right? and we've renewed our faith in Jesus. We know we've recommitted, and we've grown up Baptist. We rededicated our lives to the Lord, right? And after a while, for many of us, we just get tired of doing that. We feel like such a failure because we just seem to not be able just to get it all together. But can I encourage you today with the simple reality that God knows that God knew long before you were ever born, that you were going to struggle.
God knew long before you ever existed, that you were going to see it. And they were going to be areas of your life that you were just going to need that constant renewal, that constant reminder. And so God gives us different things in his word. He gives us different instructions about things that we need to do to be reminded of who he is, what he's done for us. And what is planned is for our life. One of those is the Lord's Supper. You see Jesus told his disciples, as often as you do this, do this in remembrance of Me. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of what matters don't we sometimes we just need to take a step back, take a deep breath and remember all ultimately what matters in life. That's the reason why we do the Lord's Supper. that’s the reason why we do that? Because the bottom line at the end of the day is that all the other stuff that you're worried about, and then being distracted by, and you've gotten off track because of all of those things they’ve paled in comparison to who Jesus is, what he's done for you and the way he feels about you. God loves you. God has not given up on you and God desires for you to live his life in his life. According to scripture is an abundant life. So this morning, as we take a few moments and just stop and we take a deep breath and we remember who Jesus is, and we remember what Jesus did for us. I pray that God will use this as the catalyst for all of us to make a step towards Jesus. So here's what we're going to start. I'm going to ask you if you would just to bow your heads and close your eyes Because you see this time begins with us, examining our hearts and lives. What area of your life do you need to confess to him?
The Bible says that if you will confess your sins, that he is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness, just talk to him right now, prepare your heart for this time. Be encouraged that his grace is sufficient for you,
Lord. This is your time. God, I don't know what all the needs are in this one, But I do know that Our ultimate need for all of us, regardless of the circumstances of life is you. God forgive us where we failed. You Forgive us where our lives just haven't measured up. God, forgive us for not taking you and your words seriously for just ignoring you or setting you on the shelf. Forgive us for trying to live lives that are our own efforts. Forgive us for the decisions that we've made. That just don't honor. You God, thank you that your grace and your mercy overflow into our lives. Give us your peace right now to know that as we confess our sins, that you are faithful and just To forgive us, God cleanse us right now, allow us to receive from you in a way that brings you honor and encourages and Bolsters are heart
I’d ask if you would to take the elements that you received when you came in and if there's any of you that did not receive it, if you just raise your hand, one of our men will bring those to you, someone right down here looking to see if there's anyone else. So once you received that, if you take out the bread that's on one side of that I just want you to hold that in your hand for a minute. And I want you to think about what this bread represents; this bread represents the body of Christ. Why is that so significant? Well, to me, and this is what I want you to focus on today. That is significant because it represents how much God wants you, Jesus, God, in the flesh, the Bible describes that he came to this earth and he lived a perfect life, but he did it as just a regular, ordinary, not a King, but just a man. And that he went through all types of things throughout his life, all of the emotions and all of the struggles and all of the temptations that the Bible says that everything that you and I. He did that because he loves you. And the Bible says that at the end of his life, that is, he was arrested. He was beaten. When you read scripture, you find that his body was beaten to the point that it couldn't even be recognized. And at any point he could have stopped it, but he did because he loves you And Jesus.
The perfect spotless Son of God allowed his own body to be placed on a cross. That was meant for the worst of the worst. And he died and excruciating death, not because he had to because he loves you. And when Jesus was on that cross, he knew every sin you were ever going to commit. He knew everything you were ever going to do, but yet he died for you anyway. You know why? Because he loves you. And so as we take this bread today, no matter who you are or what you're facing or how discouraged you are, or what have you been living for or anything else in your life, be reminded that the God of Heaven who loves you with all His heart. The Bible says that Jesus took the bread and he blessed it and he broke it and he gave it to the disciples, and he says, take and eat this is my body.
The cup represents the blood of Christ. The Bible describes that the shedding of blood was necessary for the forgiveness of sins. We see that in the Old Testament, with sacrifices that were made. And so when Jesus died on the cross, as the only person who ever lived a perfect sinless life, God in the flesh that when his blood was shed, when he died, that he gave you and I, the opportunity to have a relationship with him both now and for all of eternity in heaven. And so, one of the things I think is so crucial about us being renewed and coming to a place where we're reminded of what Jesus did for us is to go back to the time and the place when we began a relationship with Him. Cause I'm going to ask you to do this before we partake of the cup. I want you to bow your heads and close your eyes just one more time. And I want you to think about the day that you've surrendered your life to Jesus. The day that Jesus came and took over your life. Would you just thank Him? The Bible says that Jesus took the cup and he blessed it. And he gave it to the disciples. It says, this is my blood, which was shed for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
I'm going to ask you if you want to stand with me. As you stand, we're just going to simply sing together today as we close. And as we do this, be reminded, God loves you. And he has given you everything you need to live the life he wants you to live. So let's focus this week on studying the word of God, applying it to our lives, and then doing everything we can to disciple others and lead him towards the God that loves them too.
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Istrouma en Español
Aug 23, 2020
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Agosto 23, 2020
Superando el Desánimo.
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Esdras 5:1-2
Cuando los profetas Hageo y Zacarías, hijo de Iddo, profetizaron a los judíos que estaban en Judá y en Jerusalén, en el nombre del Dios de Israel que estaba sobre ellos, Zorobabel, hijo de Salatiel, y Jesúa, hijo de Josadac, se levantaron entonces y comenzaron a reedificar la casa de Dios en Jerusalén; y los profetas de Dios estaban con ellos apoyándolos.
- Reencontrarnos con la Palabra de Dios.
Entonces vino palabra de Jehová por medio del profeta Hageo, diciendo ¿Es para vosotros tiempo, para vosotros, de habitar en vuestras casas artesonadas, y esta casa está desierta? Hageo 1: 3-4
En el octavo mes del año segundo de Darío, vino palabra de Jehová al profeta Zacarías hijo de Berequías, hijo de Iddo, diciendo: Se enojó Jehová en gran manera contra vuestros padres. Diles, pues: Así ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos: Volveos a mí, dice Jehová de los ejércitos, y yo me volveré a vosotros, ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos. Zacarías 1.1-3
a. Confronta nuestro pecado.
b. Confirma su gracia.
- Regresar a trabajar para Dios.
Así ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos: Meditad sobre vuestros caminos. Subid al monte, y traed madera, y reedificad la casa; y pondré en ella mi voluntad, y seré glorificado, ha dicho Jehová. Buscáis mucho, y halláis poco; y encerráis en casa, y yo lo disiparé en un soplo. ¿Por qué? dice Jehová de los ejércitos. Por cuanto mi casa está desierta, y cada uno de vosotros corre a su propia casa. Hageo 1: 7-9
a. Reorienta nuestras prioridades.
b. Restablece nuestra relación con Dios.
- Reconocer nuestra identidad en Dios.
Entonces respondió y me habló diciendo: Esta es palabra de Jehová a Zorobabel, que dice: No con ejército, ni con fuerza, sino con mi Espíritu, ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos. Zacarías 4.6
a. Confía que el cumple sus promesas.
b. Corrobora nuestro propósito.
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Aug 23, 2020
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August 23 | Ezra (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
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August 23, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Come to Jesus Meeting"
Ezra 5:1-2
Haggai 1:1-9
Ezra 5:1-2
Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
Haggai 1:1-9
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
What are you building?
What are you ignoring?
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“Come To Jesus Meeting”
Sermon Series: Ezra
Ezra 5:1-2
Haggai 1:1-9
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Williams, Interim Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon August 23, 2020
How many of you are really excited to see me right now? So, yeah, I really wouldn't expect in that response, but anyway, so, Hey, listen, here's the deal I did. I wore this shirt today as a service to Mike and the team. Cause I figured this would help you out pray a lot faster to get rid of me. So anyway, but I, I should know better. My wife encouraged me to wear this shirt today (Alabama shirt) and I told her, I said, look, I said, I'm not going to get a great response. And she said, well, you're just temporary. What are they going to do? Fire you? And I said, well, I really don't want to be fired today. You know, it was kind of embarrassing for the interim to get fired. So anyway, but I should have known better because I may have told some of you this story before, but my very first day in Baton Rouge, I mean the very first day that I rolled into town, I was driving at you haul truck. And I was pulling my daughter Taylor's car behind. And I was, I'm not very good mechanically. And I wanted to get that car off of the, of the tow and get it unloaded. And so, I was rushing to get here. The, the big U-Haul place on Florida closed at 10 o'clock and I was trying to make it there by then so they could help me unload it. And so, I mean, I'm just, I'm not stopping. So, you know, you need to stop from time to time when you're traveling. So, I wasn't stopping. And so I get there and I just, I just needed to go to the little boy’s room, that's what I needed to do. And so I pulled up and I said, Hey, do you have a restroom? And the guys pointed me inside. So it was December right before Christmas. And I had on a Bama jacket. Right? And so I walked in there my first day in Baton Rouge. Right. And I should have known better. And I walk in there kind of running in there and I said, Hey, do you have a restroom? And the guy old guy just looks at me. He says, yup, sure do. And he just stood there and I said, well, can I use it? And he says, yep, you sure can. And he used some other descriptive words that I won't share in church today. But basically, what he said is, is if you go take that jacket off, he described my jacket. But if you go take that jacket off and you can come back in and use my restroom. Well, I laugh because I thought he was joking, and he just stood there. And the dude made me go to my car and put my jacket up before I could use the restroom. So that was my introduction to Baton Rouge. And yet I'm still stupid enough. I'm still wearing the shirt, but anyway, we'll do the best we can. So took our daughter to college this past week. She's going to Ouachita University, which is in Arkansas. And so we're walking around the bookstore and we're thinking, you know what? We need to support our daughter. This is where she goes to school and we need to, to wear the things that she wears.
And so you know, so that we can, all our money's going here. We might as well wear a shirt or something like that. And I'm looking around. It's like you, people are basically haunting me no matter where I go, because Ouachita, their mascot is the tiger. And guess what their colors are is purple and gold. And so all they had was go tiger shirts. Of course, they spelled go right over there. But anyway, that all they had was go tiger shirts everywhere. And I just couldn't buy one. So, I just, I just couldn't make myself do it, even though my all my money is there. So anyway, so what we need to do right now is before we jump into the message is, we need to stop and pray so that you can repent of all the things that you're thinking and saying to the people around you about me.
But no, seriously, I do want us to, to pray before we jump into this today and on a completely serious note is that today is very simple. What I want to share with you, but it has the opportunity. I believe to be very penetrating to our hearts if we'll allow it to. But the way that we allow that to happen is by the Holy Spirit speaking to us. But before I pray for you, what, what I want to make sure that you understand is that I want to be very direct and very honest.
I believe that the words we're going to read this morning are very direct and very honest, but what I want to make sure that you don't do is that you don't hear anything I say is that will, Jeff is telling me that I have to do this today. Or Jeff is telling me that this is wrong because if we're not careful, oftentimes if we just listened to what people say to us, it can come across as very religious and very legalistic. But today is not about that. I want to be honest with you. I want to share with you what God's word clearly, I believe says to all of us. And then I want all of us to ask the Holy Spirit just to speak to us because the reason God gave us the Holy Spirit was to lead us and to guide us, direct us, to convict us when we need it, but to encourage us to be the people that he desires for us to be. And I believe that God wants to do that this morning. And so, I'm going to ask you if you would just to bow your heads and close your eyes before we jump in. And before I pray for us, would you just take a moment and just the best, you know, how, if this was your first time that you've ever been here or whether you're here every week, would you just give God the chance to speak to you today?
Just say, God, I opened up my heart. God, I give you the freedom to speak to me today. Lord, we love you, God, I thank you for this church and God, just for the ministry that you do in this place and through this place. And God, I pray today that for us as a body, but also for us as individual followers of you, that God, that you will just make a very simple message, very, very clear, and very, very applicable to a hearts and lives. Speak to us today. We give you our hearts. We give you this time and it's in Jesus name that I pray. Amen. Amen. Amen.
We're walking through the book of Ezra and just been an encouraging time for me to just study this book. And I hope that if you haven't been here through all the weeks, that you'll go back and just watch those or listen to those. And as you do that, understand that all throughout this book. And it's just seems to be the theme of this entire season for us as a church. And that is, is that God's always moving, and that God is always working. And despite the opposition, despite our own fears, despite all the stuff in life that we can always count on the reality that God is always behind the scenes doing what only he can do. And if you and I will do the hard work that he calls us to do, if you and I will do the simple things that he calls us to do, that we can trust him no matter what. And I was thankful last week I was out at the Ascension campus. And so, I went back Sunday afternoon and listened to Micah, spoke here and did the same message that I did there. And I was very thankful that more people got to hear his message than mine, because his was by far a million times better. If you didn't hear his message last week, I encourage you to go back and listen to that. Just a great explanation of what God does in chapter four, but at the end of that, and just a side note and not just because he's in the room, but I'm thankful that as a part of our lead team and as a student pastor, that God has given us a man such as him, most student pastors, I don't know if he knows this or not, but most student pastors are really good at making up games and finding ways for the church to get sued. So that's the way most student pastors are. And so, I'm thankful that we have one that not only doesn't get us sued, but also, it's just an incredible student and teacher of the word. And so, Micah, you thank you for what you do and for the way that you lead. So, and you, you don't have to pay me for both services to do that. Just want to be fine. Okay. But no, seriously, I'm thankful for that. And it really was just a great handling of that chapter. And so I hope that if you didn't listen to that or watch that or hear that you could go back and do that this week, but at the end of that passage of chapter four, it says that the building of the temple that stopped and for 16 years, nothing happened.
And so this morning is we pick up and chapter five. And, but if you have your Bibles, I don't want you to turn to Ezra chapter five. I actually want you to turn to the book of Haggai chapter one. And you're thinking, why are we doing that? It'll make sense in just a moment because we're actually going to spend most of our time this morning in the book of Haggai talking about the book of Ezra. If you're confused, just hang on. I promise it will make sense in just a moment. So for 16 years though, the temple stopped, and it was because of opposition. It was because of the decree of the King. It was because of people. They didn't want that to happen. And in the process of that, here's what took place. The people that had come back for one purpose, they had come back to build the team, the Temple of God for the Glory of God, that now all of a sudden, they're not doing that. And their lives have become to a place to where things are just different than what they were intended to be when they came back. And as I looked at this passage that we're going to read in just a moment.
And as I look at the book of Haggai, which we're going to look at that in just a moment as well, there were two questions that just, just kept rolling in my mind this week. And really these two questions are the only points that if you're taking notes that, that you, that I'll give you to write down, that there may be some other things that God gives you to write down. But I just want you, as we walk through the next a few moments, I want you to think about these two questions. And these two questions are really what we find from the prophet, Hagia and Zachariah as they come to the people of Israel during this time. And it's really very direct is really very straightforward when we titled the message to that. It's just a come to Jesus meeting and you know what that is, right? I mean that that's never a pleasant thing, but that's exactly what we find here. And throughout this come to Jesus meeting, there's two questions that basically that I believe are at the forefront need to be in the forefront of our minds today. And that is number one. What are you building? And number two, what are you ignoring?
I want you to Think about those as we walked through this passage today, when it comes to your life, when it comes to what you are investing in, what you are doing, what in your life, what are you building and what are you ignoring? So you say, what do you mean when you say that? Well, first of all, when we talk about what we are building, here's what I want you to think about what you are building represents, the things that that does that make you feel comfortable. They're the things that, that bring you comfort in life. Now I'll explain that a little bit in just a few minutes, but they're, they're the things that we, we tend to gravitate to for lots of different reasons, based on our personality, based on our convictions, based on our passions, but the things that we build, the things that bring us comfort. And so what is it that you're building in your life? What are you pursuing? What are you working for? What is it that makes you feel comfortable? What is it that feels good for you? You know, we, we oftentimes, as, as Baptists we don't want to talk about our feelings, right? Because we just want to focus on the word, but the reality is, is God gave us feelings. God gave us emotions. And a lot of times what we are building is the things that just make us feel good in life. But then also what things in your life that you should be paying attention to, are you ignoring the things that we ignore most of the times are the things that scare us, the things that make us fearful. So we just set them aside. We just kind of go the other way. It's things that we just don't want to deal with. So with those questions in mind, look at what it says in Ezra chapter five, we're going to put this on the screen, and then we're going to jump to Haggai out as chapter five in verse one. So now remembers for 16 years, there's nothing that's been built. It just stopped. So now the profits Hagia, Zachariah, the son of who prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who is over them, then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel. Jozadak and Joshua with the son of Jehoiada arose and begin to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them supporting them. So Haggai and Zachariah come and speak to the people. And what we find in the book of Haggai is we find basically four messages that he gives to Zerubbabel that’s the entire book. And we're going to look at part of that in just a moment during this season. So the book of Haggai happens right here in Ezra chapter five. And so, as we look at this, what you're going to find is that the message that he gave to them is spurred them on to begin to rebuild the temple.
So here's what happens in the rest of chapter five and chapter six, they begin. And we're going to come back to this message because this message is where we want to focus. But the rest of chapter five and chapter six, here's what happens. They begin to rebuild. And didn't the governor that was over this region over Jerusalem. He finds out that they're re they're rebuilding. And so, he's not necessarily a follower of God. He's an acknowledged or of God, but he's not someone who is a follower or a servant of God. He finds out about this. And for most people in the political world, and even in the religious world, they were very nervous about the people of Israel coming back and rebuilding the temple because everything to them was about power. And so the governor gets nervous about them rebuilding. He doesn't want anything to threaten his power. And so he goes to the King and it’s not the same King who sends Zerubbabel back. This is a different King, but he goes to him and says, Hey, what the people told me is that God basically told them to come back and that they were sent by the King Cyrus to come back and to rebuild the temple. And I want to know whether or not this is true. So since it's a new King, he doesn't know about that decree, but he has his people go and research whether or not the people of Israel were telling the truth, the ones that were rebuilding the temple.
And so what he finds is that the statements that they made about rebuilding the temple, that they were a hundred percent accurate. That that is what King Cyrus had told them to do. And so this King goes back to the governor who, the reason the governor brought it up is because he wanted this movement to stop. He wanted the rebuilding to stop. He did not want them to do anything to threaten his power, but the King, when he read the decree that was given by the previous King, he says, yes, they can continue to rebuild. And I love how God works. He says, not only can they rebuild, but what we're going to do is all the taxes that you're collecting, that you've been keeping for yourself. We're now going to use that so that they can be helped and rebuilding the temple. So what this man sought to do to destroy God used it, not only to not destroy it, but to aid them in their process. And the reason I tell you all of that is because when you look at the hard words that Haggai says, and just a moment, what we need to be reminded of is the simple reality that if you and I will build the things that God calls us to build, that he will do things behind the scenes he will provide for us. And if we will get past all of our fears about following him and being obedient to him, God will do things that are far greater than you can possibly imagine, because he is always working, even when we can't see him. So even though these words are tough, that we're going to read today, they strike at the heart of where I believe many of us have the tendency oftentimes to be what we're going to find is that if you and I will answer these questions, what are you building? And what are you ignoring? And if you and I will address them head on that, God will begin to do something in your heart and life. And even though it may scare you to death, God cannot be stopped. God's plan cannot be overtaken, but the choice you have to make is whether or not he is going to use you as a part of his plan, or whether he's going to use someone else who's willing to trust him. So what are you building? And what are you ignoring? So with all of that said, Haggai out chapter one. Remember this message happens in between chapter four in the beginning of chapter five, that Haggai comes. He's one of the prophets that comes and the prophets in this day and time, that they were, they came to the people of God as the voice of God for us, God speaks to us through his word and through the power of the Holy spirit. He uses other people, but this was the primary means by the way, that God would speak to his people, this through prophets.
And so Haggai comes to the people of God and look at what he says, Haggai chapter one in verse one in the second year of Derrius the King in the six month, on the first day of the month. Now Darrius, the King is the one that came back. I shared with you just a moment ago. He's the one that came back and told the governor to let them rebuild. But also, at that, that they were going to use those taxes for that purpose. So he comes to the word, Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerrubble the son of Shealtiel governor of Judah. And to Joshua, the son of Jozadak, the high priest thus says, the Lord of hosts. These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet. And so the reason he's coming to them is because basically what the people that were sent back to rebuild the temple have said was now is not the time you ever heard those words now is not the time. Usually when people say those words now is not the time what they're doing is avoiding something that doesn't need to be avoided, right? They're usually in what there's happening there. Is there something that needs to be dealt with? There's an issue that needs to be addressed. There's something that should be being done, but right now is not the time. It's a statement of avoidance. And that's where the people of Israel work. So look at what it says and the next verse. Next section, there's a hint of sarcasm here. I really kinda liked this. Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts, consider your ways. You have sown much in harvested, little, you eat, but you never have enough. You drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourself, but no one is warm and he who earns wages does So to put them in bags with holes. So let's stop right there and see what he's saying here. The hint of sarcasm is, is that you're living in your paneled houses, which meant that You have these nice houses. You have spent all this time on investing in your own personal homes while the house of the Lord lies in ruins. In fact, when you look at all the history of what we believe was taking place here is that when the temple stopped being built, that people begin to settle. They begin to focus on their own lives, on their own agendas, on the things they wanted to do. And so they took the materials that were set aside for the temple, and they begin to use them to make their own homes. The things that God had given them for God's purpose, for God's agenda, they now had taken them and were using them for their own purposes and their own agenda. Sound familiar. You ever found yourself in that situation where maybe you've taken the things that God gave you for a Holy purpose, for a righteous plan or, or a mission And what you chosen to do is all the things that God has given you, that you began to use them for your own purposes, for what you desire. He says, put in doing that. What you found is it gets some of the, of the descriptors that he gives there and says that that when you consider your ways, you sewn much, but you harvest a little, in other words, you're working, you are, you're building for something. You're putting a lot of effort into it, but you're not really getting much back. You eat, but you never have enough. You drink, but you never have your fill. In other words, no matter what you get, you're just not satisfied. You ever felt that way. And listen, if you are building things that are not of the purpose of God, if that is the focus of everything that you're doing, if what your life's centered around is on saying, Hey, I need to build my financial wealth so that I can be secure. That's what makes me feel good. Or I want to, to build up my, my children, because I want them to be the greatest athletes, or I want them to be the greatest scholars, or I want them to be very successful. That all of those things, those are the things that I find comfort in. There's nothing wrong with saving for retirement. There's nothing wrong with investing in your kids. There's nothing wrong with a lot of the things that we pursue. But the reality is if that is the goal of our life, if that is the mission of what we do, if that is what we are building, what Haggai is telling the people is that, Hey, don't you recognize that it's just never enough, that you are Never satisfied. You're pursuing what you want, but it's never, ever, enough. I love the end of that section. He says he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. So thus says the Lord of Hosts. Here's what he says to them. Now, remember, this is when the 16 years where they're not building anything. And so he says, here's the, this is what you're doing. What you are building is not of God. You, you are a building the wrong thing. So here's what the Lord of Hosts. He says, consider your ways, answer those questions in other words, what are you building? What are you ignoring? Consider your ways. Go up to the Hills, bring wood and build a house that I may take pleasure in it. And that I may be glorified, says the Lord. He says, you look for much and behold, it came to little.
And when you brought it home, he says, I blew it away. In other words, God's not going to allow anything to stand. God's not going to allow you to ever be satisfied or to have enough. If you are pursuing the things that he doesn't desire for you to pursue, it's the blew it away. Why declares the Lord of hosts because of my house that lies in ruins. While each of you busy as himself with his own house, that's tough words. He says, my house lies in ruins in modern day for you I, it would be like us saying that the mission of God has stopped in our lives, the purpose for what he has created us to do. The things that he desires to be the priorities in our life, us living a life of obedience to him has stopped. While we busy ourselves with all the things that we want to do, what are you building? What is it that you are living for? You see, because for this group of people, there's lots of reasons why they were focused on their own homes. For many of them, they were scared to death about what it would look like if they took the risk of rebuilding, because obviously there's all this opposition. A lot of people didn't want them to rebuild. And some of them were just comfortable because it was nice to live in a nice house, right? It was nice not to have to go and work for something that wasn't going to in their minds personally benefit them. Because at the end of the day, the things that make us comfortable are the things that we desire, the things that we want, the things that allow us, that we think to have our own satisfaction. But what Haggai points out is that that's where you think you're not only your desire is, but that's where you think you want to be, but it's just never enough. So he says, consider your ways. You see, for some of the people that they were building their own homes instead of a building the house of the Lord, even though that was the, the sole reason they came back and the reason they were doing it is because they just wanted to focus on the things that make them feel good. But for others, it was more about the things that scared them. They were ignoring the house of God, because they were fearful about what that would look like. Would God provide, would I be ostracized? Would I look like a fool? I mean, just the list goes on and on and on. And the reality is, is for all of us in our lives, we find ourselves at times where we are building things that really aren't the focus of what God calls us to do. And it may be a mission, or it may be just an area of obedience in your life. But no matter what it is, if you are building the things that are not a part of what God's word says and what God calls you to do, and about being obedient to him. And if you're ignoring those things, because you don't really want to deal with them, then where are you going to find yourself in a place where you're just constantly working? You're just constantly seeking, but it's just never enough. When you look at that passage in Haggai chapter one in light of what I shared with you happens in the rest of Ezra chapter five and six. It just makes sense to say, if I'm constantly building for myself, I'm never going to be satisfied. It's never going to work out, is going to end in destruction. But when I follow the ways of the Lord, when I do the things that he asks me to do, God shows up and God provides in some absolutely amazing ways.
When we were in the process of moving from Arkansas to Baton Rouge. You know, one of the reasons that we moved here was to help a good friend of mine begin a nonprofit. And so when you're moving into that kind of realm, you're moving into a world of uncertainty in for lots of reasons that it was just a time for us to, to, to leave in terms of a pastor in the church that we were. And we were moving here just to kind of get a fresh start and start all over again. And our church just was such a gracious, incredible people. And so they, they wanted to, to help us in launches as we moved here. And they, they, they provided a salary for us for six months’ time, which was incredible. I mean, just w we couldn't imagine that just the generosity that they provided for us, it was also scary because you had that for six months, but then what about after that? And so I remember during that season that I went into, you know, as we often do as humans, and I think men, we probably do this even more. I went into fix it mode. Like I was going to find a way that I was going to fix everything. And I wanted, because what I was trying to build was the best amount of financial security I could for my family. And so, as a result of several different things, to be honest with you, that this, my heart was just not in a great place. And there was a lot of discouragement, a lot of frustration, just a lot of emotions that really weren't of God. And because of that, I began to turn inward and as opposed to looking for God, to God, for the answers, I began Jeff to begin to try to fix it. And so one of the ways that I decided that I was going to fix it was that I was going to make sure that we saved as much money as we possibly could over the course of that period of time. And so we, we had been giving, and I only shared this number for you for a specific reason. All right, I'm not trying to brag. I just want to share this with you because it's very relevant to the story in just a moment. But we had been giving at that point about a thousand dollars a month to our church. And so what I decided was is over that next six months as we were transitioning, we weren't going to have a church home. I just decided, Hey, we don't have a church home. So we don't have to give to any church during that period of time. And so we can save in that $6,000 that we can set aside that we can use to help us just be more financially secure. So I shared that brilliant plan with my wife, and she didn't say anything. So the next morning we woke up, I mean, I'm telling you, I just, my heart was in a place of just, just wasn't really a good place, but she looked at me and she says, you know, we can't do that. She said, you know, that we can't just ignore that. We have to give and what we don't have church. And so we're just going to give to the church that has been providing for us and taking care of us. So we're just going to give there, even though we're not even going to live in the same state. So for the next six months, we decided that we were going to give a thousand dollars a month. I was scared to death. I said, okay, now I didn't say, okay, immediately. It was like later that night that I said, okay, because I wrestled with it all day long, but really, and honestly, my heart still wasn't in a great place, but it was more out of a guilt. And I know I knew that she was right. So I gave in.
Next morning, comes a knock on my door. Three years ago, still just blows my mind. I answered the door and it was a lady that was living in our community. Her and her husband owned a restaurant. And she said they had recently joined the church. And I had helped them with just some different things in terms of just some counseling and stuff. And, and she said, Hey, she said, I didn't get a chance to see you the other day, but I wanted to stop by today because my husband and I, we love you. We love your family, and we want to help support you as you launch out. And so we just want to give this to you and just want you to know that we love you and that we care about you. I went back Inside. It was an envelope. I just figured they owned a restaurant. I figured like it was some gift cards to the restaurant or something like that, you know, whatever. And I sat down and opened it up and I don't know why she did it this way, except that God instructed her to do this way. But we had made the decision that starting in January for January, February, March, April, may, and June for six months, that the first of each month we were going to give a thousand dollars to the church. in that envelope were six, $1,000 checks dated January the first, February, the first March, the first April, the first may, and June the first. And I remember just sitting there and just weeping because in that simple moments, God used that woman to show us that when you trust him, he will provide, and he will. He has, he will. And when I doubt him again tomorrow, guess what? He will still be there. But my problem was in that moment before we made that decision by the Holy Spirit now also known as Wendy before I got that point, that what I was building was my own financial security. And I decided that I was going to do at Jeff's way. And what I was ignoring was the principle that God so clearly lays out in his word. And I didn't want to deal with it because that principal scared me to death, but what God taught me through that and what God has taught me time and time again, because I'm a very slow learner, is that when I build my life on what he calls me to do in this word, that the things that scare me, the things that I would rather ignore, the things that I don't want to deal with, those are the things that God wants to use to build our faith and to bring himself glory and to bring us to a place where his light can shine through us and that people's lives and the world in which we live will be changed. And, you know, what's amazing about that, that when you and I stop ignoring the things that scare us, and we begin to build the things in our lives that God wants us to build around, then what God does is that emptiness and that unsatisfaction that we felt when we were doing the other things, he replaces all of those things with a joy and a peace that is far beyond what you could ever buy or what you could ever understand, because that's the God that we serve.
So what are you building? And what are the things that you are ignoring that are preventing you from building the things that God wants you to build? Let's pray together today. Would you take a moment before we end today and just wrestle with those two questions? Talk to God. He knows your heart. What is the one thing in your life that needs to be different, that you've been ignoring? Would you just confess that to him right now? And as you confess that, would you make a declaration right now that you're going to take one step toward building that area of your life on the truth of God's Word and what he desires for you?
God, we love you. God, I thank you that you never stopped Teaching us, never stopped reminding us and you never give up on us. Lord, I thank you for the direct words from the Prophet Haggai that we see to the people of Israel, but God also to the people of Istrouma today, Lord, I pray that we will be people that are building our lives on you and your Word, God, help us this week to address the things that scare us, help us to be bold enough, but also at the same time, humble enough to confront the areas of our life that need your hand, that needs your correction, that needs your touch. And God, I pray that as we do that, that you will give us confidence that you will remind us that just as you were in the book of Ezra, you are today and the same God that provided for them and some supernatural ways desires to provide for us today. So, we ask you to do that. We thank you that we can trust you, and it's in Jesus name that I pray. Amen. Amen.
Well, thank you so much for being here today, and there's always that there's ways that we can help you or minister to you, We'd love the privilege to be able to do that after the services and a hope that more than anything that you will take, God's word to heart, that you will apply it to your life this week. Hope that you have a wonderful week and we'll see you back again next Sunday. Thank you.
“Come To Jesus Meeting”
Sermon Series: Ezra
Ezra 5:1-2
Haggai 1:1-9
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Williams, Interim Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon August 23, 2020
How many of you are really excited to see me right now? So, yeah, I really wouldn't expect in that response, but anyway, so, Hey, listen, here's the deal I did. I wore this shirt today as a service to Mike and the team. Cause I figured this would help you out pray a lot faster to get rid of me. So anyway, but I, I should know better. My wife encouraged me to wear this shirt today (Alabama shirt) and I told her, I said, look, I said, I'm not going to get a great response. And she said, well, you're just temporary. What are they going to do? Fire you? And I said, well, I really don't want to be fired today. You know, it was kind of embarrassing for the interim to get fired. So anyway, but I should have known better because I may have told some of you this story before, but my very first day in Baton Rouge, I mean the very first day that I rolled into town, I was driving at you haul truck. And I was pulling my daughter Taylor's car behind. And I was, I'm not very good mechanically. And I wanted to get that car off of the, of the tow and get it unloaded. And so, I was rushing to get here. The, the big U-Haul place on Florida closed at 10 o'clock and I was trying to make it there by then so they could help me unload it. And so, I mean, I'm just, I'm not stopping. So, you know, you need to stop from time to time when you're traveling. So, I wasn't stopping. And so I get there and I just, I just needed to go to the little boy’s room, that's what I needed to do. And so I pulled up and I said, Hey, do you have a restroom? And the guys pointed me inside. So it was December right before Christmas. And I had on a Bama jacket. Right? And so I walked in there my first day in Baton Rouge. Right. And I should have known better. And I walk in there kind of running in there and I said, Hey, do you have a restroom? And the guy old guy just looks at me. He says, yup, sure do. And he just stood there and I said, well, can I use it? And he says, yep, you sure can. And he used some other descriptive words that I won't share in church today. But basically, what he said is, is if you go take that jacket off, he described my jacket. But if you go take that jacket off and you can come back in and use my restroom. Well, I laugh because I thought he was joking, and he just stood there. And the dude made me go to my car and put my jacket up before I could use the restroom. So that was my introduction to Baton Rouge. And yet I'm still stupid enough. I'm still wearing the shirt, but anyway, we'll do the best we can. So took our daughter to college this past week. She's going to Ouachita University, which is in Arkansas. And so we're walking around the bookstore and we're thinking, you know what? We need to support our daughter. This is where she goes to school and we need to, to wear the things that she wears.
And so you know, so that we can, all our money's going here. We might as well wear a shirt or something like that. And I'm looking around. It's like you, people are basically haunting me no matter where I go, because Ouachita, their mascot is the tiger. And guess what their colors are is purple and gold. And so all they had was go tiger shirts. Of course, they spelled go right over there. But anyway, that all they had was go tiger shirts everywhere. And I just couldn't buy one. So, I just, I just couldn't make myself do it, even though my all my money is there. So anyway, so what we need to do right now is before we jump into the message is, we need to stop and pray so that you can repent of all the things that you're thinking and saying to the people around you about me.
But no, seriously, I do want us to, to pray before we jump into this today and on a completely serious note is that today is very simple. What I want to share with you, but it has the opportunity. I believe to be very penetrating to our hearts if we'll allow it to. But the way that we allow that to happen is by the Holy Spirit speaking to us. But before I pray for you, what, what I want to make sure that you understand is that I want to be very direct and very honest.
I believe that the words we're going to read this morning are very direct and very honest, but what I want to make sure that you don't do is that you don't hear anything I say is that will, Jeff is telling me that I have to do this today. Or Jeff is telling me that this is wrong because if we're not careful, oftentimes if we just listened to what people say to us, it can come across as very religious and very legalistic. But today is not about that. I want to be honest with you. I want to share with you what God's word clearly, I believe says to all of us. And then I want all of us to ask the Holy Spirit just to speak to us because the reason God gave us the Holy Spirit was to lead us and to guide us, direct us, to convict us when we need it, but to encourage us to be the people that he desires for us to be. And I believe that God wants to do that this morning. And so, I'm going to ask you if you would just to bow your heads and close your eyes before we jump in. And before I pray for us, would you just take a moment and just the best, you know, how, if this was your first time that you've ever been here or whether you're here every week, would you just give God the chance to speak to you today?
Just say, God, I opened up my heart. God, I give you the freedom to speak to me today. Lord, we love you, God, I thank you for this church and God, just for the ministry that you do in this place and through this place. And God, I pray today that for us as a body, but also for us as individual followers of you, that God, that you will just make a very simple message, very, very clear, and very, very applicable to a hearts and lives. Speak to us today. We give you our hearts. We give you this time and it's in Jesus name that I pray. Amen. Amen. Amen.
We're walking through the book of Ezra and just been an encouraging time for me to just study this book. And I hope that if you haven't been here through all the weeks, that you'll go back and just watch those or listen to those. And as you do that, understand that all throughout this book. And it's just seems to be the theme of this entire season for us as a church. And that is, is that God's always moving, and that God is always working. And despite the opposition, despite our own fears, despite all the stuff in life that we can always count on the reality that God is always behind the scenes doing what only he can do. And if you and I will do the hard work that he calls us to do, if you and I will do the simple things that he calls us to do, that we can trust him no matter what. And I was thankful last week I was out at the Ascension campus. And so, I went back Sunday afternoon and listened to Micah, spoke here and did the same message that I did there. And I was very thankful that more people got to hear his message than mine, because his was by far a million times better. If you didn't hear his message last week, I encourage you to go back and listen to that. Just a great explanation of what God does in chapter four, but at the end of that, and just a side note and not just because he's in the room, but I'm thankful that as a part of our lead team and as a student pastor, that God has given us a man such as him, most student pastors, I don't know if he knows this or not, but most student pastors are really good at making up games and finding ways for the church to get sued. So that's the way most student pastors are. And so, I'm thankful that we have one that not only doesn't get us sued, but also, it's just an incredible student and teacher of the word. And so, Micah, you thank you for what you do and for the way that you lead. So, and you, you don't have to pay me for both services to do that. Just want to be fine. Okay. But no, seriously, I'm thankful for that. And it really was just a great handling of that chapter. And so I hope that if you didn't listen to that or watch that or hear that you could go back and do that this week, but at the end of that passage of chapter four, it says that the building of the temple that stopped and for 16 years, nothing happened.
And so this morning is we pick up and chapter five. And, but if you have your Bibles, I don't want you to turn to Ezra chapter five. I actually want you to turn to the book of Haggai chapter one. And you're thinking, why are we doing that? It'll make sense in just a moment because we're actually going to spend most of our time this morning in the book of Haggai talking about the book of Ezra. If you're confused, just hang on. I promise it will make sense in just a moment. So for 16 years though, the temple stopped, and it was because of opposition. It was because of the decree of the King. It was because of people. They didn't want that to happen. And in the process of that, here's what took place. The people that had come back for one purpose, they had come back to build the team, the Temple of God for the Glory of God, that now all of a sudden, they're not doing that. And their lives have become to a place to where things are just different than what they were intended to be when they came back. And as I looked at this passage that we're going to read in just a moment.
And as I look at the book of Haggai, which we're going to look at that in just a moment as well, there were two questions that just, just kept rolling in my mind this week. And really these two questions are the only points that if you're taking notes that, that you, that I'll give you to write down, that there may be some other things that God gives you to write down. But I just want you, as we walk through the next a few moments, I want you to think about these two questions. And these two questions are really what we find from the prophet, Hagia and Zachariah as they come to the people of Israel during this time. And it's really very direct is really very straightforward when we titled the message to that. It's just a come to Jesus meeting and you know what that is, right? I mean that that's never a pleasant thing, but that's exactly what we find here. And throughout this come to Jesus meeting, there's two questions that basically that I believe are at the forefront need to be in the forefront of our minds today. And that is number one. What are you building? And number two, what are you ignoring?
I want you to Think about those as we walked through this passage today, when it comes to your life, when it comes to what you are investing in, what you are doing, what in your life, what are you building and what are you ignoring? So you say, what do you mean when you say that? Well, first of all, when we talk about what we are building, here's what I want you to think about what you are building represents, the things that that does that make you feel comfortable. They're the things that, that bring you comfort in life. Now I'll explain that a little bit in just a few minutes, but they're, they're the things that we, we tend to gravitate to for lots of different reasons, based on our personality, based on our convictions, based on our passions, but the things that we build, the things that bring us comfort. And so what is it that you're building in your life? What are you pursuing? What are you working for? What is it that makes you feel comfortable? What is it that feels good for you? You know, we, we oftentimes, as, as Baptists we don't want to talk about our feelings, right? Because we just want to focus on the word, but the reality is, is God gave us feelings. God gave us emotions. And a lot of times what we are building is the things that just make us feel good in life. But then also what things in your life that you should be paying attention to, are you ignoring the things that we ignore most of the times are the things that scare us, the things that make us fearful. So we just set them aside. We just kind of go the other way. It's things that we just don't want to deal with. So with those questions in mind, look at what it says in Ezra chapter five, we're going to put this on the screen, and then we're going to jump to Haggai out as chapter five in verse one. So now remembers for 16 years, there's nothing that's been built. It just stopped. So now the profits Hagia, Zachariah, the son of who prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who is over them, then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel. Jozadak and Joshua with the son of Jehoiada arose and begin to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them supporting them. So Haggai and Zachariah come and speak to the people. And what we find in the book of Haggai is we find basically four messages that he gives to Zerubbabel that’s the entire book. And we're going to look at part of that in just a moment during this season. So the book of Haggai happens right here in Ezra chapter five. And so, as we look at this, what you're going to find is that the message that he gave to them is spurred them on to begin to rebuild the temple.
So here's what happens in the rest of chapter five and chapter six, they begin. And we're going to come back to this message because this message is where we want to focus. But the rest of chapter five and chapter six, here's what happens. They begin to rebuild. And didn't the governor that was over this region over Jerusalem. He finds out that they're re they're rebuilding. And so, he's not necessarily a follower of God. He's an acknowledged or of God, but he's not someone who is a follower or a servant of God. He finds out about this. And for most people in the political world, and even in the religious world, they were very nervous about the people of Israel coming back and rebuilding the temple because everything to them was about power. And so the governor gets nervous about them rebuilding. He doesn't want anything to threaten his power. And so he goes to the King and it’s not the same King who sends Zerubbabel back. This is a different King, but he goes to him and says, Hey, what the people told me is that God basically told them to come back and that they were sent by the King Cyrus to come back and to rebuild the temple. And I want to know whether or not this is true. So since it's a new King, he doesn't know about that decree, but he has his people go and research whether or not the people of Israel were telling the truth, the ones that were rebuilding the temple.
And so what he finds is that the statements that they made about rebuilding the temple, that they were a hundred percent accurate. That that is what King Cyrus had told them to do. And so this King goes back to the governor who, the reason the governor brought it up is because he wanted this movement to stop. He wanted the rebuilding to stop. He did not want them to do anything to threaten his power, but the King, when he read the decree that was given by the previous King, he says, yes, they can continue to rebuild. And I love how God works. He says, not only can they rebuild, but what we're going to do is all the taxes that you're collecting, that you've been keeping for yourself. We're now going to use that so that they can be helped and rebuilding the temple. So what this man sought to do to destroy God used it, not only to not destroy it, but to aid them in their process. And the reason I tell you all of that is because when you look at the hard words that Haggai says, and just a moment, what we need to be reminded of is the simple reality that if you and I will build the things that God calls us to build, that he will do things behind the scenes he will provide for us. And if we will get past all of our fears about following him and being obedient to him, God will do things that are far greater than you can possibly imagine, because he is always working, even when we can't see him. So even though these words are tough, that we're going to read today, they strike at the heart of where I believe many of us have the tendency oftentimes to be what we're going to find is that if you and I will answer these questions, what are you building? And what are you ignoring? And if you and I will address them head on that, God will begin to do something in your heart and life. And even though it may scare you to death, God cannot be stopped. God's plan cannot be overtaken, but the choice you have to make is whether or not he is going to use you as a part of his plan, or whether he's going to use someone else who's willing to trust him. So what are you building? And what are you ignoring? So with all of that said, Haggai out chapter one. Remember this message happens in between chapter four in the beginning of chapter five, that Haggai comes. He's one of the prophets that comes and the prophets in this day and time, that they were, they came to the people of God as the voice of God for us, God speaks to us through his word and through the power of the Holy spirit. He uses other people, but this was the primary means by the way, that God would speak to his people, this through prophets.
And so Haggai comes to the people of God and look at what he says, Haggai chapter one in verse one in the second year of Derrius the King in the six month, on the first day of the month. Now Darrius, the King is the one that came back. I shared with you just a moment ago. He's the one that came back and told the governor to let them rebuild. But also, at that, that they were going to use those taxes for that purpose. So he comes to the word, Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerrubble the son of Shealtiel governor of Judah. And to Joshua, the son of Jozadak, the high priest thus says, the Lord of hosts. These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet. And so the reason he's coming to them is because basically what the people that were sent back to rebuild the temple have said was now is not the time you ever heard those words now is not the time. Usually when people say those words now is not the time what they're doing is avoiding something that doesn't need to be avoided, right? They're usually in what there's happening there. Is there something that needs to be dealt with? There's an issue that needs to be addressed. There's something that should be being done, but right now is not the time. It's a statement of avoidance. And that's where the people of Israel work. So look at what it says and the next verse. Next section, there's a hint of sarcasm here. I really kinda liked this. Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts, consider your ways. You have sown much in harvested, little, you eat, but you never have enough. You drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourself, but no one is warm and he who earns wages does So to put them in bags with holes. So let's stop right there and see what he's saying here. The hint of sarcasm is, is that you're living in your paneled houses, which meant that You have these nice houses. You have spent all this time on investing in your own personal homes while the house of the Lord lies in ruins. In fact, when you look at all the history of what we believe was taking place here is that when the temple stopped being built, that people begin to settle. They begin to focus on their own lives, on their own agendas, on the things they wanted to do. And so they took the materials that were set aside for the temple, and they begin to use them to make their own homes. The things that God had given them for God's purpose, for God's agenda, they now had taken them and were using them for their own purposes and their own agenda. Sound familiar. You ever found yourself in that situation where maybe you've taken the things that God gave you for a Holy purpose, for a righteous plan or, or a mission And what you chosen to do is all the things that God has given you, that you began to use them for your own purposes, for what you desire. He says, put in doing that. What you found is it gets some of the, of the descriptors that he gives there and says that that when you consider your ways, you sewn much, but you harvest a little, in other words, you're working, you are, you're building for something. You're putting a lot of effort into it, but you're not really getting much back. You eat, but you never have enough. You drink, but you never have your fill. In other words, no matter what you get, you're just not satisfied. You ever felt that way. And listen, if you are building things that are not of the purpose of God, if that is the focus of everything that you're doing, if what your life's centered around is on saying, Hey, I need to build my financial wealth so that I can be secure. That's what makes me feel good. Or I want to, to build up my, my children, because I want them to be the greatest athletes, or I want them to be the greatest scholars, or I want them to be very successful. That all of those things, those are the things that I find comfort in. There's nothing wrong with saving for retirement. There's nothing wrong with investing in your kids. There's nothing wrong with a lot of the things that we pursue. But the reality is if that is the goal of our life, if that is the mission of what we do, if that is what we are building, what Haggai is telling the people is that, Hey, don't you recognize that it's just never enough, that you are Never satisfied. You're pursuing what you want, but it's never, ever, enough. I love the end of that section. He says he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. So thus says the Lord of Hosts. Here's what he says to them. Now, remember, this is when the 16 years where they're not building anything. And so he says, here's the, this is what you're doing. What you are building is not of God. You, you are a building the wrong thing. So here's what the Lord of Hosts. He says, consider your ways, answer those questions in other words, what are you building? What are you ignoring? Consider your ways. Go up to the Hills, bring wood and build a house that I may take pleasure in it. And that I may be glorified, says the Lord. He says, you look for much and behold, it came to little.
And when you brought it home, he says, I blew it away. In other words, God's not going to allow anything to stand. God's not going to allow you to ever be satisfied or to have enough. If you are pursuing the things that he doesn't desire for you to pursue, it's the blew it away. Why declares the Lord of hosts because of my house that lies in ruins. While each of you busy as himself with his own house, that's tough words. He says, my house lies in ruins in modern day for you I, it would be like us saying that the mission of God has stopped in our lives, the purpose for what he has created us to do. The things that he desires to be the priorities in our life, us living a life of obedience to him has stopped. While we busy ourselves with all the things that we want to do, what are you building? What is it that you are living for? You see, because for this group of people, there's lots of reasons why they were focused on their own homes. For many of them, they were scared to death about what it would look like if they took the risk of rebuilding, because obviously there's all this opposition. A lot of people didn't want them to rebuild. And some of them were just comfortable because it was nice to live in a nice house, right? It was nice not to have to go and work for something that wasn't going to in their minds personally benefit them. Because at the end of the day, the things that make us comfortable are the things that we desire, the things that we want, the things that allow us, that we think to have our own satisfaction. But what Haggai points out is that that's where you think you're not only your desire is, but that's where you think you want to be, but it's just never enough. So he says, consider your ways. You see, for some of the people that they were building their own homes instead of a building the house of the Lord, even though that was the, the sole reason they came back and the reason they were doing it is because they just wanted to focus on the things that make them feel good. But for others, it was more about the things that scared them. They were ignoring the house of God, because they were fearful about what that would look like. Would God provide, would I be ostracized? Would I look like a fool? I mean, just the list goes on and on and on. And the reality is, is for all of us in our lives, we find ourselves at times where we are building things that really aren't the focus of what God calls us to do. And it may be a mission, or it may be just an area of obedience in your life. But no matter what it is, if you are building the things that are not a part of what God's word says and what God calls you to do, and about being obedient to him. And if you're ignoring those things, because you don't really want to deal with them, then where are you going to find yourself in a place where you're just constantly working? You're just constantly seeking, but it's just never enough. When you look at that passage in Haggai chapter one in light of what I shared with you happens in the rest of Ezra chapter five and six. It just makes sense to say, if I'm constantly building for myself, I'm never going to be satisfied. It's never going to work out, is going to end in destruction. But when I follow the ways of the Lord, when I do the things that he asks me to do, God shows up and God provides in some absolutely amazing ways.
When we were in the process of moving from Arkansas to Baton Rouge. You know, one of the reasons that we moved here was to help a good friend of mine begin a nonprofit. And so when you're moving into that kind of realm, you're moving into a world of uncertainty in for lots of reasons that it was just a time for us to, to, to leave in terms of a pastor in the church that we were. And we were moving here just to kind of get a fresh start and start all over again. And our church just was such a gracious, incredible people. And so they, they wanted to, to help us in launches as we moved here. And they, they, they provided a salary for us for six months’ time, which was incredible. I mean, just w we couldn't imagine that just the generosity that they provided for us, it was also scary because you had that for six months, but then what about after that? And so I remember during that season that I went into, you know, as we often do as humans, and I think men, we probably do this even more. I went into fix it mode. Like I was going to find a way that I was going to fix everything. And I wanted, because what I was trying to build was the best amount of financial security I could for my family. And so, as a result of several different things, to be honest with you, that this, my heart was just not in a great place. And there was a lot of discouragement, a lot of frustration, just a lot of emotions that really weren't of God. And because of that, I began to turn inward and as opposed to looking for God, to God, for the answers, I began Jeff to begin to try to fix it. And so one of the ways that I decided that I was going to fix it was that I was going to make sure that we saved as much money as we possibly could over the course of that period of time. And so we, we had been giving, and I only shared this number for you for a specific reason. All right, I'm not trying to brag. I just want to share this with you because it's very relevant to the story in just a moment. But we had been giving at that point about a thousand dollars a month to our church. And so what I decided was is over that next six months as we were transitioning, we weren't going to have a church home. I just decided, Hey, we don't have a church home. So we don't have to give to any church during that period of time. And so we can save in that $6,000 that we can set aside that we can use to help us just be more financially secure. So I shared that brilliant plan with my wife, and she didn't say anything. So the next morning we woke up, I mean, I'm telling you, I just, my heart was in a place of just, just wasn't really a good place, but she looked at me and she says, you know, we can't do that. She said, you know, that we can't just ignore that. We have to give and what we don't have church. And so we're just going to give to the church that has been providing for us and taking care of us. So we're just going to give there, even though we're not even going to live in the same state. So for the next six months, we decided that we were going to give a thousand dollars a month. I was scared to death. I said, okay, now I didn't say, okay, immediately. It was like later that night that I said, okay, because I wrestled with it all day long, but really, and honestly, my heart still wasn't in a great place, but it was more out of a guilt. And I know I knew that she was right. So I gave in.
Next morning, comes a knock on my door. Three years ago, still just blows my mind. I answered the door and it was a lady that was living in our community. Her and her husband owned a restaurant. And she said they had recently joined the church. And I had helped them with just some different things in terms of just some counseling and stuff. And, and she said, Hey, she said, I didn't get a chance to see you the other day, but I wanted to stop by today because my husband and I, we love you. We love your family, and we want to help support you as you launch out. And so we just want to give this to you and just want you to know that we love you and that we care about you. I went back Inside. It was an envelope. I just figured they owned a restaurant. I figured like it was some gift cards to the restaurant or something like that, you know, whatever. And I sat down and opened it up and I don't know why she did it this way, except that God instructed her to do this way. But we had made the decision that starting in January for January, February, March, April, may, and June for six months, that the first of each month we were going to give a thousand dollars to the church. in that envelope were six, $1,000 checks dated January the first, February, the first March, the first April, the first may, and June the first. And I remember just sitting there and just weeping because in that simple moments, God used that woman to show us that when you trust him, he will provide, and he will. He has, he will. And when I doubt him again tomorrow, guess what? He will still be there. But my problem was in that moment before we made that decision by the Holy Spirit now also known as Wendy before I got that point, that what I was building was my own financial security. And I decided that I was going to do at Jeff's way. And what I was ignoring was the principle that God so clearly lays out in his word. And I didn't want to deal with it because that principal scared me to death, but what God taught me through that and what God has taught me time and time again, because I'm a very slow learner, is that when I build my life on what he calls me to do in this word, that the things that scare me, the things that I would rather ignore, the things that I don't want to deal with, those are the things that God wants to use to build our faith and to bring himself glory and to bring us to a place where his light can shine through us and that people's lives and the world in which we live will be changed. And, you know, what's amazing about that, that when you and I stop ignoring the things that scare us, and we begin to build the things in our lives that God wants us to build around, then what God does is that emptiness and that unsatisfaction that we felt when we were doing the other things, he replaces all of those things with a joy and a peace that is far beyond what you could ever buy or what you could ever understand, because that's the God that we serve.
So what are you building? And what are the things that you are ignoring that are preventing you from building the things that God wants you to build? Let's pray together today. Would you take a moment before we end today and just wrestle with those two questions? Talk to God. He knows your heart. What is the one thing in your life that needs to be different, that you've been ignoring? Would you just confess that to him right now? And as you confess that, would you make a declaration right now that you're going to take one step toward building that area of your life on the truth of God's Word and what he desires for you?
God, we love you. God, I thank you that you never stopped Teaching us, never stopped reminding us and you never give up on us. Lord, I thank you for the direct words from the Prophet Haggai that we see to the people of Israel, but God also to the people of Istrouma today, Lord, I pray that we will be people that are building our lives on you and your Word, God, help us this week to address the things that scare us, help us to be bold enough, but also at the same time, humble enough to confront the areas of our life that need your hand, that needs your correction, that needs your touch. And God, I pray that as we do that, that you will give us confidence that you will remind us that just as you were in the book of Ezra, you are today and the same God that provided for them and some supernatural ways desires to provide for us today. So, we ask you to do that. We thank you that we can trust you, and it's in Jesus name that I pray. Amen. Amen.
Well, thank you so much for being here today, and there's always that there's ways that we can help you or minister to you, We'd love the privilege to be able to do that after the services and a hope that more than anything that you will take, God's word to heart, that you will apply it to your life this week. Hope that you have a wonderful week and we'll see you back again next Sunday. Thank you.
Ezra
Istrouma Baptist Church – Micah Cating, Youth Pastor
9:30 AM Sermon August 16, 2020
"Opposition is real"
Ezra 4
Jeremiah 29:4-7, Jeremiah 29:10-14
Well, good morning. Hope you're doing well today. It really is great to see so many of you in the room as we begin to slowly regather back. And for those of you who are watching online, we're so grateful that you're doing that 2020, right? It's been a crazy year. I love mornings like today where we get to see people, baptize families dedicate their kids because not only is it a sense of normal, but it's just a great reminder that God is at work. Not everybody feels that way right now, though. People feel overwhelmed, stressed out, maybe opposed by different things. And I saw something the other day online. It just made me laugh. And you've probably seen it too. It's like, let's just put up the Christmas tree and call it a year. Right? Anybody seen that? I saw the other day, there's a dr. Pepper shortage. And I was like, Lord, what more do we have to give up? So it's just rough. I am experiencing virtual school in my house with our first grader, Luke, he'll be here next hour. And it's been crazy. We're so thankful his school has done a great job transitioning us to virtual school. But if any of you or anybody in that world, you've got virtual school happening at your house. Okay. We'll pray for you again later. It's crazy. Like even though it's, well-planned everything, it's just a different kind of wife and it's hard. And it reminds me that some seasons of life are just harder than others. And I read an overview of the life of a man that you'll actually know who he is when we're done with this, but he had experienced many hard times in his life. And so I just kind of took notes of some things that happened in his life. And I thought I'd share them with you. I'm not trying to depress you at the start of this.
I just think it's helpful getting where we're going. So this guy, when he was seven years old, his family was forced out of their home and he had to go to work to help support them. So seven years old when he was nine, just two years later, his mother died fast forward a little bit. When he's 22, he's been working as a store clerk for years. He loses that job. He wanted to go to law school, but he didn't have the education because he'd been working all of his life. So at 23, he went into debt to become the partner of a local little small store in his town. At 26, his business partner died that left him a massive debt to have to figure out on his own. At 28. I love this when he started courting a girl for four years, so thinks things are going well. He asked her to marry him and she says, no. I'm like man at 37 on his third try, he finally gets elected to Congress. But two years later, he fails to get reelected. And 41, his four-year-old son dies and 45. He runs for Senate again and he loses 47. He runs for vice president and he loses 49. He ran for the Senate again and he loses. He thinks at this point he would just give up. But at 51, he was elected president and that man was Abraham Lincoln. You know, and I've heard stories of his life all my life. And I feel like we hear so many of the amazing things that happen in his life later in life, but to see where he came from and the hardship that he went through gives a greater appreciation for some of the things that he was able to accomplish.
The truth is life is rarely easy. I think many of us know that right now, but one of the things that I think is important to distinguish is that a live of following the Lord doesn't really end in years of just guaranteed easy days. And it doesn't really end in a chorus of people cheering our name and saying how great we are just because we love the Lord. Especially in today's setting. I find that most of the time in today's setting, if you out to go out to honor the Lord with your life, you'll probably face numerous setbacks. And some of these setbacks are just a result of living in a fallen world, right? We live in a broken world. That's full of sin. We sin ourselves and have consequences that we face as a result of our sin. But sometimes the challenges that we face are more than just the result of being in a fallen world. Sometimes those challenges are really the outworking of a spiritual battle that rages below the surface of everything. And so, one of the things that I wanted us to think about today as we continue our series on Ezra is, I want us to think about the idea that opposition, spiritual opposition in our lives is real.
As we've been walking through this book, we've kind of come around three words, you've seen it at the end of our video. Maybe you've seen it on some of our social media posts, the three words of return rebuild and renew. And I think those are three great words to think about in our lives in the world that we're living in. And so, as we've looked in the book of Ezra and we continue to study this book, if you remember, we've, we've talked so far about how these people who are exiled from Jerusalem taken off in a Babel and how they've come back, they've returned. And today we're going to talk about how they're attempting to rebuild the temple. And then later they'll try and rebuild the city. But before we jump into the book of Ezra, I thought it'd be good for us to think back a little bit about where these people had been. And what they'd seen is it'll help us understand a little bit about how they face spiritual opposition. You see, it's been 70 years when we start our passage today, it'll have been 70 years since the Israelite exile had begun. If you remember it, King Nebuchadnezzar came into Jerusalem, right? He destroys the city destroys the temple. Like Rob's the temple of all of its like precious things. All these things that people would have held, dear, he would have taken like the best and the brightest from Israel and he have taken them off into exile. And what we know is that during this period of exile, there's some amazing stories that happened. The story of Daniel Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all happened while they're in exile. And for the particular part that we're looking at today, this portion of their history is right when the story of Esther happens in scripture. In fact, one of the Kings that we'll talk about today is the same King that Esther is married to. And thing his opposition was nothing new to these people. Not at all. Jerusalem was in shambles. The temple was in ruin and the people were spread all over the world. But every time opposition rose up for these people for God's people, God's provision was there as well. And so I want to read a portion of Jeremiah 29. You probably know one verse from Jeremiah 29, but I want to put some context around it, just to tell a little bit about a message that the people of Israel receive at the very beginning of exile. So if you remember the first week of this series, when King Cyrus is sending them back, right, that's sitting in the back, I'm talking about way before that, right after Jerusalem is destroyed and they're sent off into Babylon and they’re re land in Babylon. This is the letter that they receive. It says in Jeremiah 29, verse four, it says, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles who I'm sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat their produce, take wives and have sons and daughters take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage that they may bear sons and daughters multiply there and do not decrease, but seek the welfare of the city where I've sent you into exile and pray to the Lord on its behalf for it's in your welfare, you will find your welfare for thus says the Lord when 70 years are completed for Babylon, and this is where we're going to be talking about today, seven years later, I will visit you and I'll fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place for, I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans for welfare, not for evil to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me. And I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart, and I'll be found by you declares the Lord. I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I've driven. You declares the Lord. And I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you in to exile. What an amazing thing. When I think about the people that this was written to, they had no question that opposition was real. They had seen it seen the temple of the Lord destroyed.
They had been separated and scattered, but in the midst of it all, they had hope. They had hope because of the promises of God. They had hoped that 70 years later, they would have a chance to return. And what I think is amazing about this is when we talk about the people of the pastors that we're studying today, they not only have hope that God might do something there. I have confidence that God might do it because they've seen it do it. They're sitting in Jerusalem; they're living there again. They're working to rebuild at this point, they have rebuilt the altar and they're actually worshiping at the site of where the temple had been. That would have been a dream for people 50 years before they've seen the goodness of God. And they're beginning to rebuild the temple. They're beginning to make efforts to do it. And they have great trust that God is at work. And that brings us through our main passes for today, which is Ezra four. And we're just going to kind of read this through in chunks as we go. And we're going to start in verse one, Ezra four verse one says this. Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin, which are two of the tribes of Israel, heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the father's houses and said to them, let us build with you for, we worship your God. As you do pay attention to that for, we worship your God as you do. And we've been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon King of Assyria who brought us here, but as Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the father's houses in Israel said to them, you have nothing to do ,with us and building the house to our God. But we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel as King Cyrus, the King of Persia has commanded us to do first one really quickly establishes that the people who approach the people of God who were building the temple was people who approached her adversaries of God. And one of the things that we learned by looking at these peoples, we understand that opposition begins with compromise because what happens is these people come up and they say, Hey, we're with you. We worship the same God as you do. But the fact that verse one calls him adversaries really helps me process the response of the leaders of Israel. Cause they're pretty rude. They're like, they don't say, Hey, no, thank you. Maybe we'll call you. If it gets a little rougher, they're basically like getaway. You have nothing to do with us. You have no right to be here. You have no reason to be here, go away. God has called us to do it. Not you, which is not usually how our churches operate today, but I think we can learn something from it, but their response is harsh. And the reason it's harsh is because these people were trying to get the people of God to compromise what they're doing. Okay. You have to understand a little bit of the history of this time to understand what they're trying to do. These people, that approach are actually the forefathers of some people that you would know from the new Testament. They're the forefathers of the Samaritans because here's what happens when Israel is taken into exile, Jerusalem.
And a lot of that area is left. Mostly empty. People are left behind, but not a ton. And so there's a place to send people there. So the Assyrian King later sends basically immigrants into Israel and tells them to settle there. And they start marrying with the Jews that are left over in that place. And the Samaritan race is born. And one of the problems is when those people are there, there's a lot of hostilities they're trying to live there. And so the Assyrian King sends a priest out of exile back to Israel and says, Hey, teach these people the ways of God. And so he teaches them, the rituals, the routines, the sacrifices, all of the things that they would need to know. And so these people, without a temple, without an altar, which would have been blaspheme in the eyes of the Jewish people at that time, they continue to sacrifice, even though there's no temple and they attempt to worship the Lord, but there's a passage from second Kings 17, that kind of explains this history that lets us understand if those people are the same people who approach the builders of the temple. If those people actually are fully devoted to the Lord. And so second Kings 17:33 says this, these people fear the Lord, but they also serve their own gods after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.
So these people bring their history of worshiping other gods and they just meld it together with the worship of the God of Israel sound familiar. It should have, because it happened all throughout the old Testament. And I would say it even happens a lot in our world today. And so these helpers’ approach, the temple builders, and they said, Hey, we can help you. We worship your gun too, even though that wasn't really true. And if these people would have infiltrated the building of the temple, it really could have been disastrous because not only could they have watered down the faith of the people of Israel, if they would have helped build the temple, they would have had a place in the temple worship. They had been able to say, we're a part of this process. And as they would have gathered in the temple, they would have brought their other gods, their other beliefs into that moment. But here's what I think is interesting. God's people say no, and they say no harshly, but they say no. And I think it's interesting because they could have used the help building a simple is not easy. Their progress is slow. They could have used more bodies. They could have used a strong cultural and economic connection with the people who already live there. Remember they're new back in this place. Once you come back, they're really old. They were really young when they were there. And if they're kind of middle-aged, they probably were born in exile. Like they, they need connections, but they still say no. So when I think about that, and I think about the temptation for our faith to be watered down, I'm always reminded that matters of theology are not the place to compromise what we think about God matters. What we know about how we form a relationship with God. It matters the reason behind our service to other people. When we go out into the community, it's not just being kind, it matters. It's a bridge to the gospel. So don't compromise is what I hear. When I see this passage, don't compromise to be inclusive and don't compromise to get the job done More quickly. Another thing we see about the opposition from this passage is that opposition will use discouragement and fear to distract God's people. As where four, four says, this is interesting. All right, the people have offered to help. They've been told no rather harshly. And so it says the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build discouragement and fear. And they bribe the counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of King Cyrus of Persia, even until the reign of Darrius King of Persia.
To me, it's really amazing how quickly that turns, Hey, let's build together. We worship your same God, and now it becomes, Hey, we're not only trying to discourage you and make you afraid. We're kind of like paying lawyers to come against you and make your job even harder. And what that shows is that the true motives of the opposition are revealed. They weren't really motivated by let's worship the same God together. They were motivated by having influence and control. They were focused on themselves. And what's interesting is they were really pawns in a spiritual battle. And I don't know if they even knew it. But one good thing to remember is that the opposition we face in our lives often goes deeper than the people that we encounter. And Ephesians six reminds us of this. Ephesians six, 10 through 12, says this finally be strong in the Lord. And in the strength of his mind, put on the whole armor of God that you may be, be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. We don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic powers over this present darkness against the spiritual forces and evil in the heavenly places. I think this happens a lot, but we can't lose sight of the fact that the enemy is at work in the world. You know, we say opposition is real. To be more clear. Satan is real. The work of evil in our world is real, but the good news is the Lord is at work in our world as well. But without a clear recognition of the spiritual battles that exist around us, we'll be tempted to overlook, maybe ignore and kind of minimize the way that we see the enemy working in our midst. So we just have to recognize that there's certain things in our life that lead us to discouragement and fear, and they might not be at the Lord. Here's what happens when praying plants, the compromise us fail. Like we see these people come into the temple when that fails discouragement and fear usually happen next. And so I wonder for you in life right now, if you're struggling at all with discouragement or fear, maybe life's been so busy and hectic and crazy that you haven't had a chance to stop and think about it, but maybe the enemy working in your life to discourage you and make you fearful.
Maybe it looks like questions like this thoughts like this, maybe thinking what you're doing won't make any difference in this world or any eternity. So why try, maybe you're a teacher, like we mentioned earlier, and you think, man, these kids, they don't appreciate my efforts. I'm looking at them through a screen. Why even bother, let me just float through and miss the opportunity you have to impact the next generation. Maybe you're watching online and you're like, man, I've gone this long without being a church in person. Do I really need those people? And you isolate yourself. What if you're worried about, I don't know if we have enough money to make this month's bills or what if someone, I love to get sick or maybe you're just thinking like so many, how much longer we have to live. Like this man was this over. We have to recognize that sometimes those thoughts are the enemy working in our lives to distract us from what God is doing. And we recognize that the most fearful and discouraging thoughts are often not from the Lord. We're really free then to start thinking about the things of God, because opposition uses fear, uses discouragement to distract us. The next thing is can be discouraging is that opposition doesn't disappear quickly. We've seen this in verse six and seven. Hang with me for a minute here on the history of this. I know we've dived into a little bit already, but those people opposing the building of the temple. They're so frustrated with the work that's being done, that they write a letter to King Ahasuerus. Now this is probably why they called him Xerxes. All right. He had another name and King Xerxes is the same King that we find in the book of Esther. And so they write him a letter, but the letter that's actually included in chapter four here is not the letter to Artaxerxes. You'll probably see it in your notes, in your Bible. It's a letter to Artaxerxes who reigns later on. And so the writer of this book, Ezra, who hasn't shown up in person yet at this point in Ezra, he's writing kind of the history what's happened for the people who were his contemporaries are in his life.
And he's trying to show his people that he's writing that even after the temple one day gets built. People are still opposing the work that they're trying to do to build the city of Jerusalem at the time that Ezra writes 80 years later. And he's trying to say, Hey, this isn't new these people from the beginning. And so the opposition doesn't go away easily or quickly and recording the opposition, how they consistently challenged God's people allowed as we're to set an example, say, Hey, here's how we can follow the Lord.
Well, and here's how we need to avoid struggling, but it is possible to be faithful. And so here's what you got to see. It's 80 years of opposition and Israel's people are mostly faithful to the Lord, but here's an important thing for us to know their faithfulness to God, didn't make the opposition go away, right? Their faithfulness, the Lord didn't stop it. So that's a reminder to us today, as we face opposition, to know that we have to dig in at times and we have to hold strong and do what is right, because opposition doesn't disappear quickly. And the other thing we see is that opposition will misrepresent God and his people. And we see this one begins to dig into, Hey, what did they write to the King? And what they do is they totally misrepresent the people of God. And they pull up the kind of the bad stuff from their history. And they write a very one-sided letter because we know, Oh, that opposition will say anything to stop the work of the Lord. Satan. It's not described as a truthful person. He's a liar, he's a deceiver. And so the letter that we see written here was written by really powerful and influential people that lived in Jerusalem that were Persian officers. It was the treasurer of King Cyrus. One of the Persian officials in Sumeria, these were men of renown and very famous in the government of Syria. And they used their position to stop the work of the Lord. Ezra four verses 14 through 16, gives us a little bit of what they wrote. Artaxerxes. It says this now because we eat the salt of the palace. That's them saying, Hey, we're faithful to you King, and it's not fitting for us to witness the King's dishonor. Therefore, we send and informed the King in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learned that this the city is a rebellious city, hurtful to Kings and provinces. That sedition was stirred up in it from old. That's why the city was laid to waste. We make known to the King that the city is rebuilt, and its walls are finished. You'll have no possession in this province beyond the river. So again, you see the opposition showing their true colors, who they're really faithful to. We're faithful to the King. We're not faithful to these people building and they're troublemakers. And they tell them all about the history of bad and how it's. But what we have to see is that it's not really the whole truth because reality is especially an exile. God's people had a history of living in a peaceful existence in Babylon, and it was under God's direction. Maybe you caught it in that very first passage we read from Jeremiah.
Jeremiah instructed the people living in Babylon. He didn't say, Hey, rebel and tear this whole thing down. He said, be peaceful. He said, build homes, plant gardens, like your kids married each other. Let them have kids. Let's let our numbers increase, but let's pray for the welfare of the city because in the city's welfare as well, you'll find where you find your own. And I wonder if that's how we would define ourselves as people who are praying for our country, for our nation, for our city. Are we people who pray that way? Who seek the good of it? I think we are. I'm always encouraged by, but what's amazing is how the opposition at this point leaves all that out and just says, hey man, they lead to rebellion. They're going to take all your power. And the truth is twisted. In this case to make the people who are pursuing the Lord seem like the enemy there's made to seem irresponsible, irresponsible, rebellious, and dishonest.
And the world often twists the truth to make godly people look wicked, feel like I see that in the world today, where Christians are often labeled as bigoted and hateful and bullies. Right, I know you see that. And you sense that you see it and it comes the views on reproduction rights, sexual orientation, gender identity. I was like, man, they don't include anybody. Look how hateful they are. Look how bigoted, but the truth is opposition will misrepresent God and his people all the time. And the point is to make us the enemy. So, where does this leave us? Just a couple final thoughts? Really important thing to recognize is that opposition may slow the work of God's people, but it won't stop the work of God. Ezra four 24, it gives some sobering news. It says the work on the house of God, that's in Jerusalem stopped. And it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darrius King of Persia, work on the temple stop for more than 15 years, but it didn't stop forever and delays in God's work. It's not the same as God being defeated or God not being real or God not being there. And the truth is God has purpose and all, even things that when we see it, we go, man, I feel like the church has been defeated. I feel like God has been defeated. I feel like God may not have power to do anything, but the truth is we can be temporary print temporarily delayed, but we won't be permanently defeated. So don't lose sight of God in the waiting. Don't be tempted to compromise because things get hard or because you need the help. But here's what happens to God's people. When the work stops, they lose sight of what God had done. Like they knew that the prophecy from Jeremiah, they were the, like the living proof of it. They had returned back. And when the work stops, they just lose focus and they go settle into a new routine that loses sight on the Lord.
We'll talk more about this next week, but they basically take the supplies for the temple and go build houses and go, alright, well, here we are. But God was still at work. He was still in control. And so, we have to recognize that God's provision in the opposition, not to settle for good enough when spiritual opposition comes, which is what these people do. They go, man, we're back in Jerusalem. Good enough, I guess, right? The Temple's not here, but at least we came back. Maybe part of what God said is true with the most powerful King of the world, just shut us down. So I guess we're stuck here. So don't settle for good enough. And then also don't give too much credit to the opposition. I think sometimes we like credit the opposition and then instead we make it easy to justify our spiritual laziness. We say things like it must not be the Lord's will or his timing for something to happen, just because something gets hard. And in reality, God may be waiting for us to take some initiative. We say things like where God guides, he provides, which is true, but maybe our idea of provision is skewed.
Maybe God's providing us just what we need through the opposition that we face, because the reality is the opposition that faced the temple builders. It wasn't outside of God's knowledge, his plan or his control. And he was doing something in that opposition. But a lot of times we mistakenly assumed that if the Lord's in it, we won't have hassles, setbacks and frustrations. While we tried to get the work of the Lord done, but that's really inconsistent with scripture.
So let's remember something today that feels kind of weird. Opposition is a gift. It's a gift because it reminds us that, Hey, I'm not in control, but God's in control. Opposition is a gift because it reminds us not to be spiritual wimps and just give up. But to be reminded of second Corinthians four were afflicted in every way, not crushed, but not crushed perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken struck down, but not destroyed. Opposition reminds us, Hey, I'm human and frail, but God's not. And he's in control. And he's working even in the face of those who oppose him. I think back to last week, you remember Jeff Williams was teaching and he said, worship is not about us. It's about the Lord. I think that's a great thing to remember when it comes to opposition, it's not ultimately about us. It's about the work of the Lord that opposition will blow through us to try and attack the Lord, but he's sufficient and he's strong and opposition that can result in us having more dependence on him, or it can result in us, settling into complacency and building our own houses with things that were intended for the house of the Lord. So, our hope is that Istrouma would be a people that rejects compromising our faith. Then when we see people try to come into the church and change theology, or we see movements that don't embrace what the heart of the gospel is that we recognize it and we reject it, that we'd be people at Istrouma that discern where God is at work. And we want to join it, that we would endure through opposition. That comes our way. And in the end, we become people who were more like the Lord because there's a chance that opposition in our lives exist. So that we'll be more focused on the Lord and what he's doing in our lives and in the world, his opposition is real, but the good news is, so it was our God and he's in control. So let's take a minute and pray together and then you'll be dismissed.
Lord. We love you, God, we thank you for today. We thank you for the book of Ezra and what it teaches us God so much about your promises and your faithfulness. And Lord had even teaches us how to face opposition.
God, I pray for each one of us here, Lord that for whatever we're walking through today. And so many of us are walking through times that are hard and God, some of us are even walking through things that are real spiritual opposition in our lives. God, we pray that we would be focused on you, that our dependence on you would grow. And in the end, we would see your goodness at work in our lives and in the world around us. Lord, God, we love you, Lord. We thank you for today and we thank you for a chance to gather here in person and even online Lord.
Amen
have a great day.
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Agosto 16, 2020
Bajo fuego enemigo.
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Esdras 4:1-5
Cuando se enteraron los enemigos de Judá y de Benjamín de que el pueblo del destierro estaba edificando un templo al S EÑOR, Dios de Israel, se llegaron a Zorobabel y a los jefes de casas paternas, y les dijeron: Vamos a edificar con vosotros, porque, como vosotros, buscamos a vuestro Dios, y le hemos estado ofreciendo sacrificios desde los días de Esar-hadón, rey de Asiria, que nos trajo aquí. Pero Zorobabel y Jesúa y los demás jefes de casas paternas de Israel les dijeron: No tenéis nada en común con nosotros para que juntos edifiquemos una casa a nuestro Dios, sino que nosotros unidos la edificaremos al S EÑOR, Dios de Israel, como nos ordenó el rey Ciro, rey de Persia. Entonces el pueblo de aquella tierra se puso a desanimar al pueblo de Judá, y a atemorizarlos para que dejaran de edificar; y tomaron a sueldo contra ellos consejeros para frustrar sus propósitos, todos los días de Ciro, rey de Persia, hasta el reinado de Darío, rey de Persia.
Siempre que te comprometas con el Señor, prepárate para enfrentar a un enemigo que intentara hacerte retroceder.
- Nuestro enemigo espiritual se opone a todo intento de avance espiritual.
- Formas incorrectas de responder a los ataques del enemigo.
- Formas correctas de responder a los ataques del enemigo.
La oposición puede retrasar la obra del Pueblo de Dios, pero no puede detener la Obra de Dios.
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Aug 16, 2020
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August 16 | Ezra (BR)
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August 16, 2020 | Micah Cating
"Opposition is real"
Ezra 4
Jeremiah 29:4-7, Jeremiah 29:10-14
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
Ezra 4:1-3
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”
OPPOSITION BEGINS WITH COMPROMISE
2 Kings 17:33
So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.
OPPOSITION WILL USE DISCOURAGEMENT AND FEAR TO DISTRACT GOD’S PEOPLE
Ezra 4:4
Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
OPPOSITION DOES NOT DISAPPEAR QUICKLY
OPPOSITION WILL MISREPRESENT GOD AND HIS PEOPLE
Ezra 4:14-16
Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”
OPPOSITION MAY SLOW THE WORK OF GOD’S PEOPLE, BUT IT CANNOT STOP THE WORK OF GOD
Ezra 4:24
Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
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Ezra
Istrouma Baptist Church – Micah Cating, Youth Pastor
9:30 AM Sermon August 16, 2020
"Opposition is real"
Ezra 4
Jeremiah 29:4-7, Jeremiah 29:10-14
Well, good morning. Hope you're doing well today. It really is great to see so many of you in the room as we begin to slowly regather back. And for those of you who are watching online, we're so grateful that you're doing that 2020, right? It's been a crazy year. I love mornings like today where we get to see people, baptize families dedicate their kids because not only is it a sense of normal, but it's just a great reminder that God is at work. Not everybody feels that way right now, though. People feel overwhelmed, stressed out, maybe opposed by different things. And I saw something the other day online. It just made me laugh. And you've probably seen it too. It's like, let's just put up the Christmas tree and call it a year. Right? Anybody seen that? I saw the other day, there's a dr. Pepper shortage. And I was like, Lord, what more do we have to give up? So it's just rough. I am experiencing virtual school in my house with our first grader, Luke, he'll be here next hour. And it's been crazy. We're so thankful his school has done a great job transitioning us to virtual school. But if any of you or anybody in that world, you've got virtual school happening at your house. Okay. We'll pray for you again later. It's crazy. Like even though it's, well-planned everything, it's just a different kind of wife and it's hard. And it reminds me that some seasons of life are just harder than others. And I read an overview of the life of a man that you'll actually know who he is when we're done with this, but he had experienced many hard times in his life. And so I just kind of took notes of some things that happened in his life. And I thought I'd share them with you. I'm not trying to depress you at the start of this.
I just think it's helpful getting where we're going. So this guy, when he was seven years old, his family was forced out of their home and he had to go to work to help support them. So seven years old when he was nine, just two years later, his mother died fast forward a little bit. When he's 22, he's been working as a store clerk for years. He loses that job. He wanted to go to law school, but he didn't have the education because he'd been working all of his life. So at 23, he went into debt to become the partner of a local little small store in his town. At 26, his business partner died that left him a massive debt to have to figure out on his own. At 28. I love this when he started courting a girl for four years, so thinks things are going well. He asked her to marry him and she says, no. I'm like man at 37 on his third try, he finally gets elected to Congress. But two years later, he fails to get reelected. And 41, his four-year-old son dies and 45. He runs for Senate again and he loses 47. He runs for vice president and he loses 49. He ran for the Senate again and he loses. He thinks at this point he would just give up. But at 51, he was elected president and that man was Abraham Lincoln. You know, and I've heard stories of his life all my life. And I feel like we hear so many of the amazing things that happen in his life later in life, but to see where he came from and the hardship that he went through gives a greater appreciation for some of the things that he was able to accomplish.
The truth is life is rarely easy. I think many of us know that right now, but one of the things that I think is important to distinguish is that a live of following the Lord doesn't really end in years of just guaranteed easy days. And it doesn't really end in a chorus of people cheering our name and saying how great we are just because we love the Lord. Especially in today's setting. I find that most of the time in today's setting, if you out to go out to honor the Lord with your life, you'll probably face numerous setbacks. And some of these setbacks are just a result of living in a fallen world, right? We live in a broken world. That's full of sin. We sin ourselves and have consequences that we face as a result of our sin. But sometimes the challenges that we face are more than just the result of being in a fallen world. Sometimes those challenges are really the outworking of a spiritual battle that rages below the surface of everything. And so, one of the things that I wanted us to think about today as we continue our series on Ezra is, I want us to think about the idea that opposition, spiritual opposition in our lives is real.
As we've been walking through this book, we've kind of come around three words, you've seen it at the end of our video. Maybe you've seen it on some of our social media posts, the three words of return rebuild and renew. And I think those are three great words to think about in our lives in the world that we're living in. And so, as we've looked in the book of Ezra and we continue to study this book, if you remember, we've, we've talked so far about how these people who are exiled from Jerusalem taken off in a Babel and how they've come back, they've returned. And today we're going to talk about how they're attempting to rebuild the temple. And then later they'll try and rebuild the city. But before we jump into the book of Ezra, I thought it'd be good for us to think back a little bit about where these people had been. And what they'd seen is it'll help us understand a little bit about how they face spiritual opposition. You see, it's been 70 years when we start our passage today, it'll have been 70 years since the Israelite exile had begun. If you remember it, King Nebuchadnezzar came into Jerusalem, right? He destroys the city destroys the temple. Like Rob's the temple of all of its like precious things. All these things that people would have held, dear, he would have taken like the best and the brightest from Israel and he have taken them off into exile. And what we know is that during this period of exile, there's some amazing stories that happened. The story of Daniel Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all happened while they're in exile. And for the particular part that we're looking at today, this portion of their history is right when the story of Esther happens in scripture. In fact, one of the Kings that we'll talk about today is the same King that Esther is married to. And thing his opposition was nothing new to these people. Not at all. Jerusalem was in shambles. The temple was in ruin and the people were spread all over the world. But every time opposition rose up for these people for God's people, God's provision was there as well. And so I want to read a portion of Jeremiah 29. You probably know one verse from Jeremiah 29, but I want to put some context around it, just to tell a little bit about a message that the people of Israel receive at the very beginning of exile. So if you remember the first week of this series, when King Cyrus is sending them back, right, that's sitting in the back, I'm talking about way before that, right after Jerusalem is destroyed and they're sent off into Babylon and they’re re land in Babylon. This is the letter that they receive. It says in Jeremiah 29, verse four, it says, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles who I'm sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat their produce, take wives and have sons and daughters take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage that they may bear sons and daughters multiply there and do not decrease, but seek the welfare of the city where I've sent you into exile and pray to the Lord on its behalf for it's in your welfare, you will find your welfare for thus says the Lord when 70 years are completed for Babylon, and this is where we're going to be talking about today, seven years later, I will visit you and I'll fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place for, I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans for welfare, not for evil to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me. And I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart, and I'll be found by you declares the Lord. I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I've driven. You declares the Lord. And I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you in to exile. What an amazing thing. When I think about the people that this was written to, they had no question that opposition was real. They had seen it seen the temple of the Lord destroyed.
They had been separated and scattered, but in the midst of it all, they had hope. They had hope because of the promises of God. They had hoped that 70 years later, they would have a chance to return. And what I think is amazing about this is when we talk about the people of the pastors that we're studying today, they not only have hope that God might do something there. I have confidence that God might do it because they've seen it do it. They're sitting in Jerusalem; they're living there again. They're working to rebuild at this point, they have rebuilt the altar and they're actually worshiping at the site of where the temple had been. That would have been a dream for people 50 years before they've seen the goodness of God. And they're beginning to rebuild the temple. They're beginning to make efforts to do it. And they have great trust that God is at work. And that brings us through our main passes for today, which is Ezra four. And we're just going to kind of read this through in chunks as we go. And we're going to start in verse one, Ezra four verse one says this. Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin, which are two of the tribes of Israel, heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the father's houses and said to them, let us build with you for, we worship your God. As you do pay attention to that for, we worship your God as you do. And we've been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon King of Assyria who brought us here, but as Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the father's houses in Israel said to them, you have nothing to do ,with us and building the house to our God. But we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel as King Cyrus, the King of Persia has commanded us to do first one really quickly establishes that the people who approach the people of God who were building the temple was people who approached her adversaries of God. And one of the things that we learned by looking at these peoples, we understand that opposition begins with compromise because what happens is these people come up and they say, Hey, we're with you. We worship the same God as you do. But the fact that verse one calls him adversaries really helps me process the response of the leaders of Israel. Cause they're pretty rude. They're like, they don't say, Hey, no, thank you. Maybe we'll call you. If it gets a little rougher, they're basically like getaway. You have nothing to do with us. You have no right to be here. You have no reason to be here, go away. God has called us to do it. Not you, which is not usually how our churches operate today, but I think we can learn something from it, but their response is harsh. And the reason it's harsh is because these people were trying to get the people of God to compromise what they're doing. Okay. You have to understand a little bit of the history of this time to understand what they're trying to do. These people, that approach are actually the forefathers of some people that you would know from the new Testament. They're the forefathers of the Samaritans because here's what happens when Israel is taken into exile, Jerusalem.
And a lot of that area is left. Mostly empty. People are left behind, but not a ton. And so there's a place to send people there. So the Assyrian King later sends basically immigrants into Israel and tells them to settle there. And they start marrying with the Jews that are left over in that place. And the Samaritan race is born. And one of the problems is when those people are there, there's a lot of hostilities they're trying to live there. And so the Assyrian King sends a priest out of exile back to Israel and says, Hey, teach these people the ways of God. And so he teaches them, the rituals, the routines, the sacrifices, all of the things that they would need to know. And so these people, without a temple, without an altar, which would have been blaspheme in the eyes of the Jewish people at that time, they continue to sacrifice, even though there's no temple and they attempt to worship the Lord, but there's a passage from second Kings 17, that kind of explains this history that lets us understand if those people are the same people who approach the builders of the temple. If those people actually are fully devoted to the Lord. And so second Kings 17:33 says this, these people fear the Lord, but they also serve their own gods after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.
So these people bring their history of worshiping other gods and they just meld it together with the worship of the God of Israel sound familiar. It should have, because it happened all throughout the old Testament. And I would say it even happens a lot in our world today. And so these helpers’ approach, the temple builders, and they said, Hey, we can help you. We worship your gun too, even though that wasn't really true. And if these people would have infiltrated the building of the temple, it really could have been disastrous because not only could they have watered down the faith of the people of Israel, if they would have helped build the temple, they would have had a place in the temple worship. They had been able to say, we're a part of this process. And as they would have gathered in the temple, they would have brought their other gods, their other beliefs into that moment. But here's what I think is interesting. God's people say no, and they say no harshly, but they say no. And I think it's interesting because they could have used the help building a simple is not easy. Their progress is slow. They could have used more bodies. They could have used a strong cultural and economic connection with the people who already live there. Remember they're new back in this place. Once you come back, they're really old. They were really young when they were there. And if they're kind of middle-aged, they probably were born in exile. Like they, they need connections, but they still say no. So when I think about that, and I think about the temptation for our faith to be watered down, I'm always reminded that matters of theology are not the place to compromise what we think about God matters. What we know about how we form a relationship with God. It matters the reason behind our service to other people. When we go out into the community, it's not just being kind, it matters. It's a bridge to the gospel. So don't compromise is what I hear. When I see this passage, don't compromise to be inclusive and don't compromise to get the job done More quickly. Another thing we see about the opposition from this passage is that opposition will use discouragement and fear to distract God's people. As where four, four says, this is interesting. All right, the people have offered to help. They've been told no rather harshly. And so it says the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build discouragement and fear. And they bribe the counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of King Cyrus of Persia, even until the reign of Darrius King of Persia.
To me, it's really amazing how quickly that turns, Hey, let's build together. We worship your same God, and now it becomes, Hey, we're not only trying to discourage you and make you afraid. We're kind of like paying lawyers to come against you and make your job even harder. And what that shows is that the true motives of the opposition are revealed. They weren't really motivated by let's worship the same God together. They were motivated by having influence and control. They were focused on themselves. And what's interesting is they were really pawns in a spiritual battle. And I don't know if they even knew it. But one good thing to remember is that the opposition we face in our lives often goes deeper than the people that we encounter. And Ephesians six reminds us of this. Ephesians six, 10 through 12, says this finally be strong in the Lord. And in the strength of his mind, put on the whole armor of God that you may be, be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. We don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic powers over this present darkness against the spiritual forces and evil in the heavenly places. I think this happens a lot, but we can't lose sight of the fact that the enemy is at work in the world. You know, we say opposition is real. To be more clear. Satan is real. The work of evil in our world is real, but the good news is the Lord is at work in our world as well. But without a clear recognition of the spiritual battles that exist around us, we'll be tempted to overlook, maybe ignore and kind of minimize the way that we see the enemy working in our midst. So we just have to recognize that there's certain things in our life that lead us to discouragement and fear, and they might not be at the Lord. Here's what happens when praying plants, the compromise us fail. Like we see these people come into the temple when that fails discouragement and fear usually happen next. And so I wonder for you in life right now, if you're struggling at all with discouragement or fear, maybe life's been so busy and hectic and crazy that you haven't had a chance to stop and think about it, but maybe the enemy working in your life to discourage you and make you fearful.
Maybe it looks like questions like this thoughts like this, maybe thinking what you're doing won't make any difference in this world or any eternity. So why try, maybe you're a teacher, like we mentioned earlier, and you think, man, these kids, they don't appreciate my efforts. I'm looking at them through a screen. Why even bother, let me just float through and miss the opportunity you have to impact the next generation. Maybe you're watching online and you're like, man, I've gone this long without being a church in person. Do I really need those people? And you isolate yourself. What if you're worried about, I don't know if we have enough money to make this month's bills or what if someone, I love to get sick or maybe you're just thinking like so many, how much longer we have to live. Like this man was this over. We have to recognize that sometimes those thoughts are the enemy working in our lives to distract us from what God is doing. And we recognize that the most fearful and discouraging thoughts are often not from the Lord. We're really free then to start thinking about the things of God, because opposition uses fear, uses discouragement to distract us. The next thing is can be discouraging is that opposition doesn't disappear quickly. We've seen this in verse six and seven. Hang with me for a minute here on the history of this. I know we've dived into a little bit already, but those people opposing the building of the temple. They're so frustrated with the work that's being done, that they write a letter to King Ahasuerus. Now this is probably why they called him Xerxes. All right. He had another name and King Xerxes is the same King that we find in the book of Esther. And so they write him a letter, but the letter that's actually included in chapter four here is not the letter to Artaxerxes. You'll probably see it in your notes, in your Bible. It's a letter to Artaxerxes who reigns later on. And so the writer of this book, Ezra, who hasn't shown up in person yet at this point in Ezra, he's writing kind of the history what's happened for the people who were his contemporaries are in his life.
And he's trying to show his people that he's writing that even after the temple one day gets built. People are still opposing the work that they're trying to do to build the city of Jerusalem at the time that Ezra writes 80 years later. And he's trying to say, Hey, this isn't new these people from the beginning. And so the opposition doesn't go away easily or quickly and recording the opposition, how they consistently challenged God's people allowed as we're to set an example, say, Hey, here's how we can follow the Lord.
Well, and here's how we need to avoid struggling, but it is possible to be faithful. And so here's what you got to see. It's 80 years of opposition and Israel's people are mostly faithful to the Lord, but here's an important thing for us to know their faithfulness to God, didn't make the opposition go away, right? Their faithfulness, the Lord didn't stop it. So that's a reminder to us today, as we face opposition, to know that we have to dig in at times and we have to hold strong and do what is right, because opposition doesn't disappear quickly. And the other thing we see is that opposition will misrepresent God and his people. And we see this one begins to dig into, Hey, what did they write to the King? And what they do is they totally misrepresent the people of God. And they pull up the kind of the bad stuff from their history. And they write a very one-sided letter because we know, Oh, that opposition will say anything to stop the work of the Lord. Satan. It's not described as a truthful person. He's a liar, he's a deceiver. And so the letter that we see written here was written by really powerful and influential people that lived in Jerusalem that were Persian officers. It was the treasurer of King Cyrus. One of the Persian officials in Sumeria, these were men of renown and very famous in the government of Syria. And they used their position to stop the work of the Lord. Ezra four verses 14 through 16, gives us a little bit of what they wrote. Artaxerxes. It says this now because we eat the salt of the palace. That's them saying, Hey, we're faithful to you King, and it's not fitting for us to witness the King's dishonor. Therefore, we send and informed the King in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learned that this the city is a rebellious city, hurtful to Kings and provinces. That sedition was stirred up in it from old. That's why the city was laid to waste. We make known to the King that the city is rebuilt, and its walls are finished. You'll have no possession in this province beyond the river. So again, you see the opposition showing their true colors, who they're really faithful to. We're faithful to the King. We're not faithful to these people building and they're troublemakers. And they tell them all about the history of bad and how it's. But what we have to see is that it's not really the whole truth because reality is especially an exile. God's people had a history of living in a peaceful existence in Babylon, and it was under God's direction. Maybe you caught it in that very first passage we read from Jeremiah.
Jeremiah instructed the people living in Babylon. He didn't say, Hey, rebel and tear this whole thing down. He said, be peaceful. He said, build homes, plant gardens, like your kids married each other. Let them have kids. Let's let our numbers increase, but let's pray for the welfare of the city because in the city's welfare as well, you'll find where you find your own. And I wonder if that's how we would define ourselves as people who are praying for our country, for our nation, for our city. Are we people who pray that way? Who seek the good of it? I think we are. I'm always encouraged by, but what's amazing is how the opposition at this point leaves all that out and just says, hey man, they lead to rebellion. They're going to take all your power. And the truth is twisted. In this case to make the people who are pursuing the Lord seem like the enemy there's made to seem irresponsible, irresponsible, rebellious, and dishonest.
And the world often twists the truth to make godly people look wicked, feel like I see that in the world today, where Christians are often labeled as bigoted and hateful and bullies. Right, I know you see that. And you sense that you see it and it comes the views on reproduction rights, sexual orientation, gender identity. I was like, man, they don't include anybody. Look how hateful they are. Look how bigoted, but the truth is opposition will misrepresent God and his people all the time. And the point is to make us the enemy. So, where does this leave us? Just a couple final thoughts? Really important thing to recognize is that opposition may slow the work of God's people, but it won't stop the work of God. Ezra four 24, it gives some sobering news. It says the work on the house of God, that's in Jerusalem stopped. And it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darrius King of Persia, work on the temple stop for more than 15 years, but it didn't stop forever and delays in God's work. It's not the same as God being defeated or God not being real or God not being there. And the truth is God has purpose and all, even things that when we see it, we go, man, I feel like the church has been defeated. I feel like God has been defeated. I feel like God may not have power to do anything, but the truth is we can be temporary print temporarily delayed, but we won't be permanently defeated. So don't lose sight of God in the waiting. Don't be tempted to compromise because things get hard or because you need the help. But here's what happens to God's people. When the work stops, they lose sight of what God had done. Like they knew that the prophecy from Jeremiah, they were the, like the living proof of it. They had returned back. And when the work stops, they just lose focus and they go settle into a new routine that loses sight on the Lord.
We'll talk more about this next week, but they basically take the supplies for the temple and go build houses and go, alright, well, here we are. But God was still at work. He was still in control. And so, we have to recognize that God's provision in the opposition, not to settle for good enough when spiritual opposition comes, which is what these people do. They go, man, we're back in Jerusalem. Good enough, I guess, right? The Temple's not here, but at least we came back. Maybe part of what God said is true with the most powerful King of the world, just shut us down. So I guess we're stuck here. So don't settle for good enough. And then also don't give too much credit to the opposition. I think sometimes we like credit the opposition and then instead we make it easy to justify our spiritual laziness. We say things like it must not be the Lord's will or his timing for something to happen, just because something gets hard. And in reality, God may be waiting for us to take some initiative. We say things like where God guides, he provides, which is true, but maybe our idea of provision is skewed.
Maybe God's providing us just what we need through the opposition that we face, because the reality is the opposition that faced the temple builders. It wasn't outside of God's knowledge, his plan or his control. And he was doing something in that opposition. But a lot of times we mistakenly assumed that if the Lord's in it, we won't have hassles, setbacks and frustrations. While we tried to get the work of the Lord done, but that's really inconsistent with scripture.
So let's remember something today that feels kind of weird. Opposition is a gift. It's a gift because it reminds us that, Hey, I'm not in control, but God's in control. Opposition is a gift because it reminds us not to be spiritual wimps and just give up. But to be reminded of second Corinthians four were afflicted in every way, not crushed, but not crushed perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken struck down, but not destroyed. Opposition reminds us, Hey, I'm human and frail, but God's not. And he's in control. And he's working even in the face of those who oppose him. I think back to last week, you remember Jeff Williams was teaching and he said, worship is not about us. It's about the Lord. I think that's a great thing to remember when it comes to opposition, it's not ultimately about us. It's about the work of the Lord that opposition will blow through us to try and attack the Lord, but he's sufficient and he's strong and opposition that can result in us having more dependence on him, or it can result in us, settling into complacency and building our own houses with things that were intended for the house of the Lord. So, our hope is that Istrouma would be a people that rejects compromising our faith. Then when we see people try to come into the church and change theology, or we see movements that don't embrace what the heart of the gospel is that we recognize it and we reject it, that we'd be people at Istrouma that discern where God is at work. And we want to join it, that we would endure through opposition. That comes our way. And in the end, we become people who were more like the Lord because there's a chance that opposition in our lives exist. So that we'll be more focused on the Lord and what he's doing in our lives and in the world, his opposition is real, but the good news is, so it was our God and he's in control. So let's take a minute and pray together and then you'll be dismissed.
Lord. We love you, God, we thank you for today. We thank you for the book of Ezra and what it teaches us God so much about your promises and your faithfulness. And Lord had even teaches us how to face opposition.
God, I pray for each one of us here, Lord that for whatever we're walking through today. And so many of us are walking through times that are hard and God, some of us are even walking through things that are real spiritual opposition in our lives. God, we pray that we would be focused on you, that our dependence on you would grow. And in the end, we would see your goodness at work in our lives and in the world around us. Lord, God, we love you, Lord. We thank you for today and we thank you for a chance to gather here in person and even online Lord.
Amen
have a great day.
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Aug 9, 2020
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August 9 | Ezra (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
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August 9, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Starting Right"
Ezra 3:1-6
Ezra 3:1-6
When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening. And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required, and after that the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the appointed feasts of the Lord, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill offering to the Lord. From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid.
Worship focuses our attention
Worship strengthens our hope
Worship aligns our priorities
Ezra 3:10-13
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.
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Istrouma en Español
Aug 9 – 10, 2020
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Agosto 9, 2020
“Lo primero es lo primero”
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Esdras 3:1-13
Cuando llegó el mes séptimo, y los hijos de Israel estaban ya en las ciudades, el pueblo se reunió como un solo hombre en Jerusalén. Entonces Jesúa, hijo de Josadac, con sus hermanos los sacerdotes, y Zorobabel, hijo de Salatiel, con sus hermanos, se levantaron y edificaron el altar del Dios de Israel, para ofrecer holocaustos sobre él, como está escrito en la ley de Moisés, hombre de Dios. Y asentaron el altar sobre su base, porque estaban aterrorizados a causa de los pueblos de aquellas tierras; y sobre él ofrecieron holocaustos al S EÑOR, los holocaustos de la mañana y de la tarde. Y celebraron la fiesta de los tabernáculos como está escrito, con el número diario de holocaustos, conforme a lo prescrito para cada día; y después ofrecieron el holocausto continuo, y los de las lunas nuevas, los de todas las fiestas señaladas del S EÑOR que habían sido consagradas, y los de todos aquellos que ofrecían una ofrenda voluntaria al S EÑOR. Desde el primer día del mes séptimo comenzaron a ofrecer holocaustos al S EÑOR, pero los cimientos del templo del S EÑOR no se habían echado todavía. Entonces dieron dinero a los canteros y a los carpinteros, y alimento, bebida y aceite a los sidonios y a los tirios para que trajeran madera de cedro desde el Líbano por mar hasta Jope, conforme al permiso que tenían de Ciro, rey de Persia. Y en el segundo año de su llegada a la casa de Dios en Jerusalén, en el mes segundo, Zorobabel, hijo de Salatiel, y Jesúa, hijo de Josadac, y los demás de sus hermanos los sacerdotes y los levitas, y todos los que habían venido de la cautividad a Jerusalén, comenzaron la obra y designaron a los levitas de veinte años arriba para dirigir la obra de la casa del S EÑOR. Entonces Jesúa con sus hijos y sus hermanos, Cadmiel con sus hijos, los hijos de Judá y los hijos de Henadad con sus hijos y sus hermanos los levitas, se presentaron todos a una para dirigir a los obreros en la casa de Dios. Cuando los albañiles terminaron de echar los cimientos del templo del S EÑOR, se presentaron los sacerdotes en sus vestiduras, con trompetas, y los levitas, hijos de Asaf, con címbalos, para alabar al S EÑOR conforme a las instrucciones del rey David de Israel. Y cantaban, alabando y dando gracias al S EÑOR: Porque Él es bueno, porque para siempre es su misericordia sobre Israel. Y todo el pueblo aclamaba a gran voz alabando al S EÑOR porque se habían echado los cimientos de la casa del S EÑOR. Pero muchos de los sacerdotes y levitas y jefes de casas paternas, los ancianos que habían visto el primer templo, cuando se echaban los cimientos de este templo delante de sus ojos, lloraban en alta voz mientras muchos daban gritos de alegría; y el pueblo no podía distinguir entre el clamor de los gritos de alegría y el clamor del llanto del pueblo, porque el pueblo gritaba en voz alta, y se oía el clamor desde lejos.
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La adoración enfoca nuestra atención.
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La adoración fortalece nuestra esperanza.
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La adoración alinea nuestras prioridades.
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Istrouma en Español
Aug 2 – 3, 2020
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Agosto 2, 2020
Constructor Divino
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Esdras 1:1-6
En el primer año de Ciro, rey de Persia, para que se cumpliera la palabra del S EÑOR por boca de Jeremías, el S EÑOR movió el espíritu de Ciro, rey de Persia, y este hizo proclamar por todo su reino y también por escrito, diciendo: Así dice Ciro, rey de Persia: «El S EÑOR, el Dios de los cielos, me ha dado todos los reinos de la tierra, y Él me ha designado para que le edifique una casa en Jerusalén, que está en Judá. El que de entre todos vosotros pertenezca a su pueblo, sea su Dios con él. Que suba a Jerusalén, que está en Judá, y edifique la casa del S EÑOR, Dios de Israel; Él es el Dios que está en Jerusalén. Y a todo sobreviviente, en cualquier lugar que habite, que los hombres de aquel lugar lo ayuden con plata y oro, con bienes y ganado, junto con una ofrenda voluntaria para la casa de Dios que está en Jerusalén». Entonces se levantaron los jefes de las casas paternas de Judá y de Benjamín, y los sacerdotes y los levitas, y todos aquellos cuyo espíritu Dios había movido a subir para edificar la casa del S EÑOR que está en Jerusalén. Y todos los que habitaban alrededor de ellos les ayudaron con objetos de plata, con oro, con bienes, con ganado y con objetos preciosos, además de todo lo que fue dado como ofrenda voluntaria.
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El Propósito de Dios en la historia.
“En el primer año de Ciro, rey de Persia, para que se cumpliera la palabra del Señor por boca de Jeremías.”(v. 1ª) -
La Providencia de Dios en corazones.
“…El Señor despertó el espíritu de Ciro, rey de Persia.” (v.1b) -
La Provisión de Dios en sus manos.
“Entonces se levantaron … todos aquellos cuyo espíritu despertó Dios para subir á edificar la casa de Jehová, la cual está en Jerusalén.” (v.5)
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Aug 2, 2020
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August 2 | Ezra (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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August 2, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Starting Over"
God is never distracted or defeated
Jeremiah 29:10
“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.
Isaiah 44:28
who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”
Isaiah 45:1
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:
Ezra 1:1-5
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel— he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.
God is not nervous or fearful about your mess
Ezra 2:64-69
The whole assembly together was 42,360, besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers. Their horses were 736, their mules were 245, their camels were 435, and their donkeys were 6,720. Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site. According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests’ garments.
God takes whatever we have to offer and multiplies it for His glory
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Istrouma en Español
Jul 26 – 27, 2020
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Julio 26, 2020
Esperanza en tiempos de crisis.
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1 Pedro 1:3-9
Bendito sea el Dios y Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, quien según su gran misericordia, nos ha hecho nacer de nuevo a una esperanza viva, mediante la resurrección de Jesucristo de entre los muertos, para obtener una herencia incorruptible, inmaculada, y que no se marchitará, reservada en los cielos para vosotros, que sois protegidos por el poder de Dios mediante la fe, para la salvación que está preparada para ser revelada en el último tiempo. En lo cual os regocijáis grandemente, aunque ahora, por un poco de tiempo si es necesario, seáis afligidos con diversas pruebas, para que la prueba de vuestra fe, más preciosa que el oro que perece, aunque probado por fuego, sea hallada que resulta en alabanza, gloria y honor en la revelación de Jesucristo; a quien sin haber le visto, le amáis, y a quien ahora no veis, pero creéis en Él, y os regocijáis grandemente con gozo inefable y lleno de gloria, obteniendo, como resultado de vuestra fe, la salvación de vuestras almas.
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Las pruebas tienen un propósito.
Existe una recompensa, una promesa. v. 7-8. -
No nos vamos a hundir, Dios nos sostiene.
Una actitud activa en medio de las dificultades. v. 5-6. -
La esperanza no es una imaginación.
Jesucristo es nuestro ejemplo. v. 3-4. -
El me aliviara,
Vengan a mí todos los que están cansados y llevan cargas pesadas, y Yo los aliviare. Mateo 11:28.
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Jul 26, 2020
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July 26 | Travel Light (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
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https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577574?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
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July 26, 2020 | Dwayne Pitre
"Letting Go of Hopelessness"
1 Peter 1:3-9
1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
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Hope is God’s _______ (v3)
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope.
a. _______ by Him
b. _______ by Him -
Hope is a _______ (v3)
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
a. Know _______, know _______
b. New _______ brings new _______ -
Hope is a _______ (v5)
Who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
a. His _______
b. Our _______
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Istrouma en Español
Jul 19 , 2020
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Julio 19, 2020
Cómo dejar ir la culpa
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Romanos 8:1-6
Por consiguiente, no hay ahora condenación para los que están en Cristo Jesús, los que no andan conforme a la carne sino conforme al Espíritu. Porque la ley del Espíritu de vida en Cristo Jesús te ha libertado de la ley del pecado y de la muerte. Pues lo que la ley no pudo hacer, ya que era débil por causa de la carne, Dios lo hizo: enviando a su propio Hijo en semejanza de carne de pecado y como ofrenda por el pecado, condenó al pecado en la carne, para que el requisito de la ley se cumpliera en nosotros, que no andamos conforme a la carne, sino conforme al Espíritu. Porque los que viven conforme a la carne, ponen la mente en las cosas de la carne, pero los que viven conforme al Espíritu, en las cosas del Espíritu. Porque la mente puesta en la carne es muerte, pero la mente puesta en el Espíritu es vida y paz;
- El hecho de la culpa (v1)
“Por lo tanto, ahora no hay condenación para aquellos que están en Cristo Jesús…” (v.1)
a. Somos culpables por el pecado
b. No somos condenados por gracia
- El sentimiento de culpa (13)
“porque si vivís conforme a la carne, moriréis; mas si por el Espíritu hacéis morir las obras de la carne, viviréis.” (v.13)
a. Culpa Verdadera
b. Culpa falsa
- La función de la culpa (v6)
“Porque poner la mente en la carne es muerte, pero poner la mente en el Espíritu es vida y paz.” (v.6)
a. Prepara tu mente en el Espíritu
b. Prepara tu corazón para confesar
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Jul 19, 2020
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July 19 | Travel Light (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577550?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
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July 19, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Guilt"
Romans 8:1-4
Guilt is an emotional experience that occurs when a person believes or realizes - accurately or not—that they have compromised their own standards of conduct or have violated universal moral standards and bear significant responsibility for that violation.
(Source is great theological resource...wikipedia)
How do we cope with guilt?
Ignore
Rationalize
The facts of guilt. There is a...
Debt
Debtor
Romans 8:1-4
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
You are guilty but not condemned
When I see you I don’t see that
Confess it.
Receive it.
Walk in it.
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**Istrouma Baptist Church
Jul 12, 2020
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July 12 | Travel Light (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
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July 12, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Envy"
Ecclesiastes 4:4, 6-8
Ecclesiastes 4:4, Ecclesiastes 4:6-8
Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.
Envy is about me and what I want
When envy rules my heart what I have is never enough
Proverbs 14:30
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
When envy rules my heart I am constantly examining, comparing and wanting what others have.
You cannot fulfill Gods purpose for your life while you are distracted by Gods purpose for someone else
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**Istrouma en Español
Jul 12 – 13, 2020
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Julio 12, 2020
“Dejando ir la envidia"
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Salmo 73:1-5
Ciertamente Dios es bueno para con Israel, para con los puros de corazón. En cuanto a mí, mis pies estuvieron a punto de tropezar, casi resbalaron mis pasos. Porque tuve envidia de los arrogantes, al ver la prosperidad de los impíos. Porque no hay dolores en su muerte, y su cuerpo es robusto. No sufren penalidades como los mortales, ni son azotados como los demás hombres.
- Mirando a los demás.
"Pues tuve envidia al ver cómo prosperan los orgullosos y malvados.” (v3)
a.Indignado por su prosperidad.
b.Irritado por su falta de problemas.
“No puedes cumplir el propósito de Dios para tu vida mientras
estás distraído por el propósito de Dios para otra persona.”
- Mirándonos a nosotros mismos.
“¡De nada me sirve tener limpio el corazón y limpiarme las manos de toda maldad!” (13)
a.Somos autosuficientes
b.Somos autocompasivos
“Cuando la envidia gobierna mi corazón,
lo que tengo nunca es suficiente.”
- Mirando al Señor.
“…hasta que entré en el santuario de Dios; allí comprendí …” (17a)
a.Su fidelidad.
b.Su presencia.
“Podemos “saber” de Dios, pero “entenderlo”…
solo cuando hay comunión”.
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Jul 5, 2020
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July 5 | Travel Light (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
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July 5, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"I Can’t Believe It"
Mark 9:14-29
What we believe is influenced by our intelligence and our emotions
Mark 9:14-29
And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
Life circumstances brought this father to a place of desperation
His belief was grounded in His need for Jesus.
He was strong enough to look for Jesus
His unbelief was marked by honesty.
He was humble enough to admit that his faith was weak
How do we attack our doubt?
Obedience - do whatever Jesus says
Steps of Faith - jump into the deep end
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"Dejar ir el peso de la duda"
Mateo 11: 2-6
“ Juan estaba en la cárcel, y al enterarse de lo que Cristo estaba haciendo, envió a sus discípulos a que le preguntaran:—¿Eres tú el que ha de venir, o debemos esperar a otro?Les respondió Jesús:—Vayan y cuéntenle a Juan lo que están viendo y oyendo: Los ciegos ven, los cojos andan, los que tienen lepra son sanados, los sordos oyen, los muertos resucitan y a los pobres se les anuncian las buenas nuevas. Dichoso el que no tropieza por causa mía.”
- Admitamos nuestras dudas.
“Juan estaba en la cárcel, y al enterarse de lo que Cristo estaba haciendo, envió a sus discípulos a que le preguntaran.” (V2)
- Cuando estamos solo.
-
Cuando estamos en aflicción.
-
Ataquemos nuestras dudas.
“—¿Eres tú el que ha de venir, o debemos esperar a otro?” (v3)
- Definamos las dudas.
-
Dudemos de las dudas.
-
Aceptemos Su respuesta.
“Jesús les dijo: —Regresen a Juan y cuéntenle lo que han oído y visto:5 los ciegos ven, los cojos caminan bien, los leprosos son curados, los sordos oyen, los muertos resucitan, y a los pobres se les predica la Buena Noticia.6 Y díganle: “Dios bendice a los que no se apartan por causa de mí” (4-6)
- Jesús nos responde desde las Escrituras.
- Jesús nos responde con una bendición.
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Jun 28, 2020
==========
June 28 | Travel Light (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577502?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
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June 28, 2020 | Micah Cating
Hurt & Forgiveness
Matthew 18:21-35
Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
#1 – FORGIVENESS IS GENEROUS
#2 – FORGIVENESS DEMONSTRATES OUR FAITH
#3 – EMPATHY & COMPASSION LEAD TO FORGIVENESS
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Istrouma en Español
Jun 28 – 29, 2020
==========
Junio 28, 2020
Soltando la falta de perdón,
Una Carga Innecesaria
==========
Mateo 18:21-35
Entonces se le acercó Pedro, y le dijo: Señor, ¿cuántas veces pecará mi hermano contra mí que yo haya de perdonarlo? ¿Hasta siete veces? Jesús le dijo: No te digo hasta siete veces, sino hasta setenta veces siete. Por eso, el reino de los cielos puede compararse a cierto rey que quiso ajustar cuentas con sus siervos. Y al comenzar a ajustar las, le fue presentado uno que le debía diez mil talentos. Pero no teniendo él con qué pagar, su señor ordenó que lo vendieran, junto con su mujer e hijos y todo cuanto poseía, y así pagara la deuda. Entonces el siervo cayó postrado ante él, diciendo: «Ten paciencia conmigo y todo te lo pagaré». Y el señor de aquel siervo tuvo compasión, y lo soltó y le perdonó la deuda. Pero al salir aquel siervo, encontró a uno de sus consiervos que le debía cien denarios, y echándole mano, lo ahogaba, diciendo: «Paga lo que debes». Entonces su consiervo, cayendo a sus pies, le suplicaba, diciendo: «Ten paciencia conmigo y te pagaré». Sin embargo, él no quiso, sino que fue y lo echó en la cárcel hasta que pagara lo que debía. Así que cuando vieron sus consiervos lo que había pasado, se entristecieron mucho, y fueron y contaron a su señor todo lo que había sucedido. Entonces, llamándolo su señor, le dijo: «Siervo malvado, te perdoné toda aquella deuda porque me suplicaste. ¿No deberías tú también haberte compadecido de tu consiervo, así como yo me compadecí de ti?». Y enfurecido su señor, lo entregó a los verdugos hasta que pagara todo lo que le debía. Así también mi Padre celestial hará con vosotros, si no perdonáis de corazón cada uno a su hermano.
1.-Todos nos encontramos en la vida en uno de los personajes involucrados:
a. el Ofendido
b. el Ofensor
2.- La Palabra de Dios tiene al “PERDON” dentro de esa lista de demandas.
Como son:
a. Amad a vuestros enemigos.
b. Haced bien a los que os aborrecen.
c. Bendecir a los que os maldicen.
d. Orar por los que os calumnian.
e. Al que te hiera en la mejilla, preséntale también la otra.
f. Al que te quitare la capa, ni aun el sayo le defiendas.
g. (37)…perdonad y seréis perdonados
- La Falta de Perdón es una Carga Innecesaria.
a. Cuando no perdonamos hacemos lo mismo que el deudor de la Historia.
b. Cuando no perdonamos estamos aumentando nuestra carga.
c. Cuando no perdonamos abrimos puertas al enemigo para que nos saque del camino correcto. 2 Corintios 2:4-11.
Conclusión:
Antes sed benignos unos con otros, misericordiosos, perdonándoos unos a otros, como Dios también os perdonó a vosotros en Cristo. Efesios 4:32.
Perdonar es: disculpar a alguien la deuda, dejar pasar, cancelar una deuda, liberar, dejar ir, eximir.
a. El perdonar nos Libera a nosotros mismos.
b. El Perdonar nos hace mejorar personas.
c. Él perdonar traerá salud y paz.
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Istrouma en Español
Jun 21, 2020
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Junio 21, 2020
Dejando ir el orgullo.
==========
Santiago 4:5-10
¿O pensáis que la Escritura dice en vano: El celosamente anhela el Espíritu que ha hecho morar en nosotros? Pero Él da mayor gracia. Por eso dice: D IOS RESISTE A LOS SOBERBIOS PERO DA GRACIA A LOS HUMILDES. Por tanto, someteos a Dios. Resistid, pues, al diablo y huirá de vosotros. Acercaos a Dios, y Él se acercará a vosotros. Limpiad vuestras manos, pecadores; y vosotros de doble ánimo, purificad vuestros corazones. Afligíos, lamentad y llorad; que vuestra risa se torne en llanto y vuestro gozo en tristeza. Humillaos en la presencia del Señor y Él os exaltará.
- Nuestra p_______ del orgullo,
a. Lo vemos en otros.
b. No lo vemos en nosotros.
- La p_______ de Dios sobre el orgullo.
a. Dios odia el orgullo.
b. Dios castiga el orgullo.
- P___ para dejar ir al orgullo.
a. Someternos a Dios.
b. Acercarnos a Dios.
c. Humillarnos ante Dios.
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Anuncios para esta semana:
Catch up on this week's announcements here:
https://mailchi.mp/54d9d657d204/istrouma-en-espaol-3995197Istrouma en Español
Jun 21 – 22, 2020
==========
Junio 21, 2020
Dejando ir el orgullo.
==========
Santiago 4:5-10
¿O pensáis que la Escritura dice en vano: El celosamente anhela el Espíritu que ha hecho morar en nosotros? Pero Él da mayor gracia. Por eso dice: D IOS RESISTE A LOS SOBERBIOS PERO DA GRACIA A LOS HUMILDES. Por tanto, someteos a Dios. Resistid, pues, al diablo y huirá de vosotros. Acercaos a Dios, y Él se acercará a vosotros. Limpiad vuestras manos, pecadores; y vosotros de doble ánimo, purificad vuestros corazones. Afligíos, lamentad y llorad; que vuestra risa se torne en llanto y vuestro gozo en tristeza. Humillaos en la presencia del Señor y Él os exaltará.
- Nuestra p_______ del orgullo,
a. Lo vemos en otros.
b. No lo vemos en nosotros.
- La p_______ de Dios sobre el orgullo.
a. Dios odia el orgullo.
b. Dios castiga el orgullo.
- P___ para dejar ir al orgullo.
a. Someternos a Dios.
b. Acercarnos a Dios.
c. Humillarnos ante Dios.
Email List
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Anuncios para esta semana:
Catch up on this week's announcements here:
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Jun 21, 2020
==========
June 21 | Travel Light (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate-577489
Connection Card
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June 21, 2020 | Jeff Williams
The Weight of Pride
Philippians 2:3-11
Philippians 2:3-11
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Pride weighs us down, destroys relationships and leaves us feeling empty and alone
Pride is rooted in a ...
Pursuit of what I
“deserve”
Focus on how others
see me
The cure for pride is a proper view of ourselves and a proper view of God
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**Istrouma en Español
Jun 14 – 15, 2020
==========
Junio 14, 2020
“La Ansiedad ¡Déjala ir!”
==========
Mateo 6:25-34
Por eso os digo, no os preocupéis por vuestra vida, qué comeréis o qué beberéis; ni por vuestro cuerpo, qué vestiréis. ¿No es la vida más que el alimento y el cuerpo más que la ropa? Mirad las aves del cielo, que no siembran, ni siegan, ni recogen en graneros, y sin embargo, vuestro Padre celestial las alimenta. ¿No sois vosotros de mucho más valor que ellas? ¿Y quién de vosotros, por ansioso que esté, puede añadir una hora al curso de su vida? Y por la ropa, ¿por qué os preocupáis? Observad cómo crecen los lirios del campo; no trabajan, ni hilan; pero os digo que ni Salomón en toda su gloria se vistió como uno de estos. Y si Dios viste así la hierba del campo, que hoy es y mañana es echada al horno, ¿no hará mucho más por vosotros, hombres de poca fe? Por tanto, no os preocupéis, diciendo: «¿Qué comeremos?» o «¿qué beberemos?» o «¿con qué nos vestiremos?». Porque los gentiles buscan ansiosamente todas estas cosas; que vuestro Padre celestial sabe que necesitáis de todas estas cosas. Pero buscad primero su reino y su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán añadidas. Por tanto, no os preocupéis por el día de mañana; porque el día de mañana se cuidará de sí mismo. Bástele a cada día sus propios problemas.
- R_______ nuestra identidad
Miren los pájaros. No plantan ni cosechan ni guardan comida en graneros, porque el Padre celestial los alimenta. ¿Y no son ustedes para él mucho más valiosos que ellos?
30 Si Dios cuida de manera tan maravillosa a las flores silvestres que hoy están y mañana se echan al fuego, tengan por seguro que cuidará de ustedes. ¿Por qué tienen tan poca fe? (26,30)
a. Somos sus creación
b. Somos sus hijos
- R_____ nuestra perspectiva
Miren los pájaros. No plantan ni cosechan ni guardan comida en graneros, porque el Padre celestial los alimenta. ¿Y no son ustedes para él mucho más valiosos que ellos?
30 Si Dios cuida de manera tan maravillosa a las flores silvestres que hoy están y mañana se echan al fuego, tengan por seguro que cuidará de ustedes. ¿Por qué tienen tan poca fe? (26,30)
a. Dios provee
b. Dios es fiel
- R______ nuestras prioridades
33 Busquen el reino de Dios por encima de todo lo demás y lleven una vida justa, y él les dará todo lo que necesiten. 34 »Así que no se preocupen por el mañana, porque el día de mañana traerá sus propias preocupaciones. Los problemas del día de hoy son suficientes por hoy. (33,34)
a. Algo que debemos hacer
b. Algo que debemos dejar de hacer
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Jun 14, 2020
==========
June 14 | Travel Light (BR)
Welcome Back! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istroumaupdate?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
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June 14, 2020 | Micah Cating
Anxiety
Philippians 4:4-9 ESV
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
#1 - FIND YOUR JOY IN THE LORD
“Rejoice in the Lord always…”
#2 – PRAYER RELIEVES ANXIETY
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
#3 – THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Matthew 6:25-34
“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? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
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Kingdom of this world is temporary and will be destroyed
Kingdom of God is eternal and victorious
Matthew 6:33
Do what pleases the King
Do what grows the Kingdom
John 17:15-18
Matthew 5:14
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Istrouma en Español
Jun 7 – 8, 2020
==========
Junio 7, 2020
Luz en la oscuridad
==========
Ester 9:18-28
Pero los judíos que se hallaban en Susa se reunieron el trece y el catorce del mismo mes, y descansaron el día quince y lo proclamaron día de banquete y de regocijo. Por eso los judíos de las áreas rurales, que habitan en las ciudades abiertas, proclaman el día catorce del mes de Adar día festivo para regocijarse, hacer banquetes y enviarse porciones de comida unos a otros. Entonces Mardoqueo escribió estos hechos, y envió cartas a todos los judíos que se hallaban en todas las provincias del rey Asuero, tanto cercanas como lejanas, ordenándoles que celebraran anualmente el día catorce del mes de Adar, y el día quince del mismo mes, porque en esos días los judíos se libraron de sus enemigos, y fue para ellos un mes que se convirtió de tristeza en alegría y de duelo en día festivo. Los harían días de banquete y de regocijo, para que se enviaran porciones de comida unos a otros e hicieran donativos a los pobres. Así los judíos llevaron a cabo lo que habían comenzado a hacer, y lo que Mardoqueo les había escrito. Pues Amán, hijo de Hamedata, agagueo, enemigo de todos los judíos, había hecho planes contra los judíos para destruirlos, y había echado el Pur, es decir, la suerte, para su ruina y destrucción. Pero cuando esto llegó al conocimiento del rey, este ordenó por carta que el perverso plan que había tramado contra los judíos recayera sobre su cabeza, y que él y sus hijos fueran colgados en la horca. Por eso estos días son llamados Purim, por el nombre Pur. Y a causa de las instrucciones en esta carta, tanto por lo que habían visto sobre este asunto y por lo que les había acontecido, los judíos establecieron e hicieron una costumbre para ellos, para sus descendientes y para todos los que se aliaban con ellos, de que no dejarían de celebrar estos dos días conforme a su ordenanza y conforme a su tiempo señalado cada año. Así estos días serían recordados y celebrados por todas las generaciones, por cada familia, cada provincia y cada ciudad; para que estos días de Purim no dejaran de celebrarse entre los judíos, ni su memoria se extinguiera entre sus descendientes.
-
El poder del odio y del prejuicio
-
El creciente deseo de venganza
-
La Salvación demanda Celebración
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Istrouma Baptist Church
May 31, 2020
==========
May 31 | Esther
We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istrouma-update-april-577441?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
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May 31, 2020 | Jeff Williams
Promise Keeper
Esther 8-10
Esther 8:3-11
Then Esther spoke again to the king. She fell at his feet and wept and pleaded with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews. When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther rose and stood before the king. And she said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?” Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he intended to lay hands on the Jews. But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.” The king’s scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language. And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s signet ring. Then he sent the letters by mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king’s service, bred from the royal stud, saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods,
Esther 9:1
Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.
Boldness comes in promise of eternal life
Confidence comes in the promise that God has already been wherever I am going
Joy comes in the promise that God is with us
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Istrouma en Español
May 31 – Jun 1, 2020
==========
Mayo 31, 2020
Dios Cumple sus Promesas
==========
Ester 9:1
En el mes doce (es decir, el mes de Adar), el día trece cuando estaban para ejecutarse el mandato y edicto del rey, el mismo día que los enemigos de los judíos esperaban obtener dominio sobre ellos, sucedió lo contrario, porque fueron los judíos los que obtuvieron dominio sobre los que los odiaban.
La valentía viene de la promesa de la vida eterna.
La confianza viene de la promesa de que Dios ya estaba allí.
El gozo viene de la promesa de que Dios está con nosotros.
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Istrouma Baptist Church
May 24, 2020
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May 24 | Esther
We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istrouma-update-april-577421?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
May 24, 2020 | Jeff Williams
Miracle Worker
Esther 3-7
Esther 4:12-16
And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
Esther 6:1-10
On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him. And the king’s young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.”
Esther 7:10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.
This moment in time does not define you.
This moment in time is a part of God’s story
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and watch God work
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**Istrouma en Español
May 24 – 25, 2020
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Mayo 24, 2020
De las cenizas a la Victoria
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Ester 4:12-16
Y contaron a Mardoqueo las palabras de Ester. Entonces Mardoqueo les dijo que respondieran a Ester: No pienses que estando en el palacio del rey solo tú escaparás entre todos los judíos. Porque si permaneces callada en este tiempo, alivio y liberación vendrán de otro lugar para los judíos, pero tú y la casa de tu padre pereceréis. ¿Y quién sabe si para una ocasión como esta tú habrás llegado a ser reina? Y Ester les dijo que respondieran a Mardoqueo: Ve, reúne a todos los judíos que se encuentran en Susa y ayunad por mí; no comáis ni bebáis por tres días, ni de noche ni de día. También yo y mis doncellas ayunaremos. Y así iré al rey, lo cual no es conforme a la ley; y si perezco, perezco.
La providencia de Dios
1. No podemos comprenderla
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Nada sucede sin que Dios lo permita
-
Incluye a todos por igual
-
No nos libra de nuestras decisiones
-
Nos anima en situaciones difíciles
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Anuncios para esta semana:
Catch up on this week's announcements here:
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Istrouma Baptist Church
May 17, 2020
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May 17 | Esther
We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istrouma-update-april-577405
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
May 17, 2020 | Jeff Williams
Waymaker
Esther 1 - 2
Esther 2:1-23
After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. Then the king’s young men who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the citadel, under custody of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them. And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so. Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. So when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king’s palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem. Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her. Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women— when the young woman went in to the king in this way, she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name. When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther’s feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity. Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him. In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.
God is not always seen but He is always working
God chooses to use us to make His story come to life
God works through our gifts, passions, and experiences
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**Istrouma en Español
May 17, 2020
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Mayo 17, 2020
Dios abre caminos
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Ester 2:2-21
Entonces los cortesanos al servicio del rey, dijeron: Búsquense para el rey jóvenes vírgenes y de buen parecer. Y que el rey nombre oficiales en todas las provincias de su reino para que reúnan a todas las jóvenes vírgenes y de buen parecer en la fortaleza de Susa, en el harén, bajo la custodia de Hegai, eunuco del rey, encargado de las mujeres, y que se les den sus cosméticos. Y la joven que agrade al rey sea reina en lugar de Vasti. Y esto le pareció bien al rey, y así lo hizo. Y había en la fortaleza de Susa un judío que se llamaba Mardoqueo, hijo de Jair, hijo de Simei, hijo de Cis, benjamita, que había sido deportado de Jerusalén con los cautivos que habían sido deportados con Jeconías, rey de Judá, a quien había deportado Nabucodonosor, rey de Babilonia. Y Mardoqueo estaba criando a Hadasa, es decir, Ester, hija de su tío, pues ella no tenía ni padre ni madre. La joven era de hermosa figura y de buen parecer, y cuando su padre y su madre murieron, Mardoqueo la tomó como hija suya. Y sucedió que cuando el mandato y el decreto del rey fueron oídos, muchas jóvenes fueron reunidas en la fortaleza de Susa bajo la custodia de Hegai; y Ester también fue llevada al palacio del rey, bajo la custodia de Hegai, encargado de las mujeres. La joven le agradó y halló favor delante de él, por lo que se apresuró en proveerle cosméticos y alimentos; le dio siete doncellas escogidas del palacio del rey, y la trasladó con sus doncellas al mejor lugar del harén. Ester no dio a conocer ni su pueblo ni su parentela, porque Mardoqueo le había mandado que no los diera a conocer. Y todos los días Mardoqueo se paseaba delante del patio del harén para enterarse de cómo estaba Ester y qué le sucedía. Cuando le tocaba a cada joven venir al rey Asuero, al cumplirse sus doce meses, según las ordenanzas para las mujeres, pues los días de su embellecimiento se cumplían así: seis meses con óleo de mirra y seis meses con especias y cosméticos para las mujeres, entonces la joven venía al rey de esta manera: cualquier cosa que ella deseaba se le concedía para que la llevara consigo del harén al palacio del rey. Ella entraba por la tarde y a la mañana siguiente volvía al segundo harén, bajo la custodia de Saasgaz, eunuco del rey, encargado de las concubinas. Ella no iba otra vez al rey a menos que el rey se complaciera en ella y fuera llamada por nombre. Cuando a Ester, hija de Abihail, tío de Mardoqueo, que la había tomado como hija, le tocó venir al rey, ella no pidió cosa alguna sino lo que le aconsejó Hegai, eunuco del rey, encargado de las mujeres. Y Ester hallaba favor ante los ojos de cuantos la veían. Ester fue llevada al rey Asuero a su palacio real el mes décimo, que es el mes Tebet, en el año séptimo de su reinado. Y el rey amó a Ester más que a todas las otras mujeres, y ella halló gracia y bondad con él más que todas las demás vírgenes, y él puso la corona real sobre su cabeza y la hizo reina en lugar de Vasti. Entonces el rey hizo un gran banquete para todos sus príncipes y siervos, el banquete de Ester. También concedió un día de descanso para las provincias y dio presentes conforme a la liberalidad del rey. Cuando las vírgenes fueron reunidas por segunda vez, Mardoqueo estaba sentado a la puerta del rey. Ester todavía no había dado a conocer ni su parentela ni su pueblo, tal como Mardoqueo le había mandado, porque Ester hizo lo que le había dicho Mardoqueo, como cuando estaba bajo su tutela. En aquellos días, estando Mardoqueo sentado a la puerta del rey, Bigtán y Teres, dos eunucos del rey, guardianes del umbral, se enojaron y procuraban echar mano al rey Asuero.
- Asuero: Rechazar el camino de Dios lleva a una sociedad enferma.
“Y que el rey nombre oficiales en todas las provincias de su reino para que reúnan a todas las jóvenes vírgenes y de buen parecer en la fortaleza de Susa, en el harén, bajo la custodiade Hegai, eunuco del rey, encargado de las mujeres…” (Ester 2.3)
- Ester: Tu pasado no determina tu futuro.
“…La joven era de hermosa figura y de buen parecer, y cuando su padre y su madre murieron, Mardoqueo la tomó como hija suya. (Ester 2.7)
- Mardoqueo: La persona correcta, en el lugar correcto, en el momento correcto.
“Y había en la fortaleza de Susa un judío que se llamaba Mardoqueo…7 Y Mardoqueoestaba criando a Hadasa… 21En aquellos días, estando Mardoqueo sentado a la puerta del rey...” (Ester 2.5,7,21)
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Istrouma en Español
May 10 – 11, 2020
==========
Mayo 10, 2020
Una madre llamada por Dios
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Lucas 1:34-38
Entonces María dijo al ángel: ¿Cómo será esto, puesto que soy virgen? Respondiendo el ángel, le dijo: El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra; por eso el santo Niño que nacerá será llamado Hijo de Dios. Y he aquí, tu parienta Elisabet en su vejez también ha concebido un hijo; y este es el sexto mes para ella, la que llamaban estéril. Porque ninguna cosa será imposible para Dios. Entonces María dijo: He aquí la sierva del Señor; hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra. Y el ángel se fue de su presencia.
- Una madre llamada por Dios ________________
“María respondió: —Soy la sierva del Señor. Que se cumpla todo lo que has dicho acerca de mí...” (Lucas 1.38)
- Una madre llamada por Dios _______________
“Mujer, ¿eso qué tiene que ver conmigo? —respondió Jesús—. Todavía no ha llegado mi hora…” (Juan 2.4)
- Una madre llamada por Dios ________________
“Junto a la cruz de Jesús estaban su madre, …”. (Juan 19.25)
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**Istrouma Baptist Church
May 10, 2020
==========
May 10 | Mother's Day
We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istrouma-update-april-577361?e=%5BUNIQID%5D
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
May 10, 2020 | Micah Cating
"We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you"
2 Chronicles 20:1-30
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
- 2 Chronicles 20:12b
-
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR NEED
“We don’t know what to do.” -
RECOGNIZE WHERE YOU PLACE YOUR TRUST
“But our eyes are on..." -
DECLARE YOUR DEPENDENCE ON GOD
“Our eyes are on you”
Pastor Updates
For all pastor updates and information go to:
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Our Website
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**==========
Mayo 3, 2020
Lo que enferma a Dios
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Apocalipsis 3:14-22
Y escribe al ángel de la iglesia en Laodicea: « E l Amén, el Testigo fiel y verdadero, el Principio de la creación de Dios, dice esto: “Yo conozco tus obras, que ni eres frío ni caliente. ¡Ojalá fueras frío o caliente! Así, puesto que eres tibio, y no frío ni caliente, te vomitaré de mi boca. Porque dices: ‘Soy rico, me he enriquecido y de nada tengo necesidad’; y no sabes que eres un miserable y digno de lástima, y pobre, ciego y desnudo, te aconsejo que de mí compres oro refinado por fuego para que te hagas rico, y vestiduras blancas para que te vistas y no se manifieste la vergüenza de tu desnudez, y colirio para ungir tus ojos para que puedas ver. Yo reprendo y disciplino a todos los que amo; sé, pues, celoso y arrepiéntete. He aquí, yo estoy a la puerta y llamo; si alguno oye mi voz y abre la puerta, entraré a él, y cenaré con él y él conmigo. Al vencedor, le concederé sentarse conmigo en mi trono, como yo también vencí y me senté con mi Padre en su trono. El que tiene oído, oiga lo que el Espíritu dice a las iglesias” ».
- El P______ de la iglesia.
“15 Yo conozco tus obras, que ni eres frío ni caliente. !!Ojalá fueses frío o caliente! 16 Pero por cuanto eres tibio, y no frío ni caliente, te vomitaré de mi boca. 17 Porque tú dices: Yo soy rico, y me he enriquecido, y de ninguna cosa tengo necesidad; y no sabes que tú eres un desventurado, miserable, pobre, ciego y desnudo. (3.15-17)
a. Como nos vemos _______
b. Como nos ve el _____
- El P___ para la iglesia.
18 Por tanto, yo te aconsejo que de mí compres oro refinado en fuego, para que seas rico, y vestiduras blancas para vestirte, y que no se descubra la vergüenza de tu desnudez; y unge tus ojos con colirio, para que veas. 19 Yo reprendo y castigo a todos los que amo; sé, pues, celoso, y arrepiéntete. (3.18-19)
a. El _____ del Señor
b. El _____ del Señor
- La P______ para la Iglesia.
20 He aquí, yo estoy a la puerta y llamo; si alguno oye mi voz y abre la puerta, entraré a él, y cenaré con él, y él conmigo. 21 Al que venciere, le daré que se siente conmigo en mi trono, así como yo he vencido, y me he sentado con mi Padre en su trono. 22 El que tiene oído, oiga lo que el Espíritu dice a las iglesias.(3.20-22)
a. La ________ del Señor
b. El ________ del Señor
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Open the Door
Revelation 3:14-22
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
Jesus is paying attention
15 “‘I know your works…”
What He sees…
Activity that has no purpose
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Success that has no value
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
What He wants to see…
Trusting in what He provides
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white
garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen,
and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
Pursuing Him as Father
19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
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**Istrouma en Español
Apr 26, 2020
==========
Abril 26, 2020
Filadelfia: La Iglesia con el verdadero poder.
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Apocalipsis 3:7-13
Y escribe al ángel de la iglesia en Filadelfia: « E l Santo, el Verdadero, el que tiene la llave de David, el que abre y nadie cierra, y cierra y nadie abre, dice esto: “Yo conozco tus obras. Mira, he puesto delante de ti una puerta abierta que nadie puede cerrar, porque tienes un poco de poder, has guardado mi palabra y no has negado mi nombre. He aquí, yo entregaré a aquellos de la sinagoga de Satanás que se dicen ser judíos y no lo son, sino que mienten; he aquí, yo haré que vengan y se postren a tus pies, y sepan que yo te he amado. Porque has guardado la palabra de mi perseverancia, yo también te guardaré de la hora de la prueba, esa hora que está por venir sobre todo el mundo para poner a prueba a los que habitan sobre la tierra. Vengo pronto; retén firme lo que tienes, para que nadie tome tu corona. Al vencedor le haré una columna en el templo de mi Dios, y nunca más saldrá de allí; escribiré sobre él el nombre de mi Dios, y el nombre de la ciudad de mi Dios, la nueva Jerusalén, que desciende del cielo de mi Dios, y mi nombre nuevo. El que tiene oído, oiga lo que el Espíritu dice a las iglesias” ».
- El Dios de las puertas abiertas.
“Yo se todo lo que haces y te he abierto una puerta que nadie puede cerrar. Tienes poca fuerza…” v. 7-8.
a. Fe y Firmeza.
b. Es Dios quien me fortalece.
2corintios 12:10.
Para nuestro Dios, el “poco poder” y los “muchos adversarios” no son mas que puertas abiertas para manifestar su gloria.
- Hay que leer la Palabra Cristocéntricamente.
“…has obedecido mi palabra y no negaste mi nombre” v. 8.
a. La palabra nos lleva a Cristo.
b. Cristo nos envía al mundo para mostrar fidelidad.
Si alguien quiere sentirse orgulloso de algo, que sea de conocerme. 1corintios 1:31.
- Hay una recompensa: Un lugar en el Reino de Dios.
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Apr 26, 2020
==========
April 26 | The Seven Churches
We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istrouma-update-april-577325
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
April 26, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"An Open Door"
Revelation 3: 7-13
Revelation 3:7-13
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
God’s promise...
God has not forgotten you
The future is bright
Don’t give up
My response...
I am Surrendered to the King
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10
My Confidence is in the Lord
And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the LORD, and likewise at evening,
1 Chronicles 23:30
I will Wait for my Provider
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?
2 Samuel 7:18
I am Desperate for the Savior
Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them,
Numbers 20:6
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Istrouma en Español
Apr 19 – 20, 2020
==========
Abril 19, 2020
Viva o Muerta
==========
Apocalipsis 3:1-6
Y escribe al ángel de la iglesia en Sardis: « E l que tiene los siete Espíritus de Dios y las siete estrellas, dice esto: “Yo conozco tus obras, que tienes nombre de que vives, pero estás muerto. Ponte en vela y afirma las cosas que quedan, que estaban a punto de morir, porque no he hallado completas tus obras delante de mi Dios. Acuérdate, pues, de lo que has recibido y oído; guárda lo y arrepiéntete. Por tanto, si no velas, vendré como ladrón, y no sabrás a qué hora vendré sobre ti. Pero tienes unos pocos en Sardis que no han manchado sus vestiduras, y andarán conmigo vestidos de blanco, porque son dignos. Así el vencedor será vestido de vestiduras blancas y no borraré su nombre del libro de la vida, y reconoceré su nombre delante de mi Padre y delante de sus ángeles. El que tiene oído, oiga lo que el Espíritu dice a las iglesias” ».
-
El elogio a la iglesia
“Yo conozco tus obras…”
…¡No hay elogio! -
El Problema de la iglesia.
“Conozco tus obras; tienes fama de estar vivo, pero en realidad estás muerto.”(3.1b) …”pues no he encontrado que tus obras sean perfectas delante de mi Dios” (3.2b)
a. Viva a los ojos de la gente
b. Muerta a los ojos de Dios
- El Plan para la iglesia.
“¡Despierta! Reaviva lo que aún es rescatable, … Así que recuerda lo que has recibido y oído; obedécelo y arrepiéntete.” (3.2-3ª)
a. Despierta
b. Reaviva
c. Recordar
d. Obedece
e. Arrepiéntete
- Las Promesas para la Iglesia.
a. Hay una advertencia
“Si no te mantienes despierto, cuando menos lo esperes caeré sobre ti como un ladrón…” (3b)
b. Hay una recompensa
“Sin embargo, tienes en Sardis a unos cuantos que no se han manchado la ropa. Ellos, por ser dignos, andarán conmigo vestidos de blanco. El que salga vencedor se vestirá de blanco. Jamás borraré su nombre del libro de la vida, sino que reconoceré su nombre delante de mi Padre y delante de sus ángeles. El que tenga oídos, que oiga lo que el Espíritu dice a las iglesias” (3.4-5)
“El que tenga oídos, que oiga lo que el Espíritu dice a las iglesias” (3.7)
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**April 19, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Dead or Alive"
Revelation 3:1-6
Revelation 3:1-6
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
'...I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead
Dead: /ded/
separated; having no ability
The church at Sardis...
• Overestimated their significance
• Had more memories than dreams
Istrouma's impact depends on my commitment to the mission
Are you passionate about the mission or thankful for the institution?
Pay attention to the warning signs
2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
Remember who you are
3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.
Don't be afraid to change
3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.
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Our Website
https://istrouma.org**
**Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istrouma-update-april-577313
Connection Card
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Istrouma Baptist Church
Apr 12, 2020
==========
April 12 | Easter
We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========
Coronavirus Update
Update:
https://mailchi.mp/istrouma/istrouma-update-april-577297
Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo
April 12, 2020 | Jeff Williams
"Good News"
Romans 5:7-8
Romans 5:7-8
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God’s love is not based on how good you are
God’s love is because of how good He is
There is nothing He ______ do
There is nothing He ______ do
What should be my response?
______
______
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**Istrouma en Español
Apr 12, 2020
==========
Abril 12, 2020
Easter / Pascua
Fe en tiempos de confusión
==========
Juan 20:11-18
Pero María estaba fuera, llorando junto al sepulcro; y mientras lloraba, se inclinó y miró dentro del sepulcro; y vio dos ángeles vestidos de blanco, sentados donde había estado el cuerpo de Jesús, uno a la cabecera y otro a los pies. Y ellos le dijeron: Mujer, ¿por qué lloras? Ella les dijo: Porque se han llevado a mi Señor, y no sé dónde le han puesto. Al decir esto, se volvió y vio a Jesús que estaba allí, pero no sabía que era Jesús. Jesús le dijo: Mujer, ¿por qué lloras? ¿A quién buscas? Ella, pensando que era el hortelano, le dijo: Señor, si tú le has llevado, dime dónde le has puesto, y yo me lo llevaré. Jesús le dijo: ¡María! Ella, volviéndose, le dijo en hebreo: ¡Raboní! (que quiere decir, Maestro). Jesús le dijo: Suéltame porque todavía no he subido al Padre; pero ve a mis hermanos, y diles: «Subo a mi Padre y a vuestro Padre, a mi Dios y a vuestro Dios». Fue María Magdalena y anunció a los discípulos: ¡He visto al Señor!, y que Él le había dicho estas cosas.
- Jesús es la respuesta para nuestra ______
a. Jesús nos c______
b. Jesús nos c______
- Jesús es la respuesta a nuestra _______
a. Debe ser p______
b. Debe ser p______
- Jesús es la respuesta para nuestra ________
a. Debemos a_____
b. Debemos a_____
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DON’T BE MORE TOLERANT THAN JESUS (that’s the title)
- Rev 2:18-29 (ESV - all the text) CHRIST
- Colossians 2:6-8 (ESV)
COMMENDATION CORRECTION CHRISTIAN TOLERANCE CONSEQUENCE
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Istrouma en Español
Apr 5 – 6, 2020
==========
Abril 5, 2020
UNA IGLESIA BAJO LA MIRADA DEL SEÑOR
==========
Apocalipsis 2:18-29
Y escribe al ángel de la iglesia en Tiatira: « E l Hijo de Dios, que tiene ojos como llama de fuego, y cuyos pies son semejantes al bronce bruñido, dice esto: “Yo conozco tus obras, tu amor, tu fe, tu servicio y tu perseverancia, y que tus obras recientes son mayores que las primeras. Pero tengo esto contra ti: que toleras a esa mujer Jezabel, que se dice ser profetisa, y enseña y seduce a mis siervos a que cometan actos inmorales y coman cosas sacrificadas a los ídolos. Le he dado tiempo para arrepentirse, y no quiere arrepentirse de su inmoralidad. Mira, la postraré en cama, y a los que cometen adulterio con ella los arrojaré en gran tribulación, si no se arrepienten de las obras de ella. Y a sus hijos mataré con pestilencia, y todas las iglesias sabrán que yo soy el que escudriña las mentes y los corazones, y os daré a cada uno según vuestras obras. Pero a vosotros, a los demás que están en Tiatira, a cuantos no tienen esta doctrina, que no han conocido las cosas profundas de Satanás, como ellos las llaman, os digo: No os impongo otra carga. No obstante, lo que tenéis, retenedlo hasta que yo venga. Y al vencedor, al que guarda mis obras hasta el fin, LE DARÉ AUTORIDAD SOBRE LAS NACIONES; Y LAS REGIRÁ CON VARA DE HIERRO, COMO LOS VASOS DEL ALFARERO SON HECHOS PEDAZOS, como yo también he recibido autoridad de mi Padre; y le daré el lucero de la mañana. El que tiene oído, oiga lo que el Espíritu dice a las iglesias” ».
1.- LA IGLESIA RECIBE UN RECONOCIMIENTO.
A. DIOS CONOCE SUS _______
B. DIOS CONOCE CUANTO LE ______
C. DIOS CONOCE CUANTO _______
D. DIOS CONOCE HASTA DONDE PODEMOS ________
E. DIOS CONOCE NUESTRO NIVEL DE _______
2.- LA IGLESIA TAMBIEN PUEDE RECIBIR REPRIMENDAS COMO EN ESTE CASO.
A. TOLERAMOS LAS ACCIONES ________
B. RECIBIMOS TODA CLASE DE ________ SIN ESCUDRIÑAR.
C. NOS INVOLUCRAMOS EN ________ CULTURALES QUE PUEDEN SER PER JUDICIALES.
3.- PROMESA Y PETICION DE DIOS PARA LA IGLESIA.
LIBERTAD DE _____ DE OPRESION.
AUTORIDAD PARA ______ A OTROS.
LUZ EN MEDIO DE LAS _______ DIFICILES.
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Las 7 cartas del Apocalipsis
El virus en la iglesia
Apocalipsis 2.12-17
- Elogio para la iglesia (2:13 )
“Yo conozco tus obras, y dónde moras, donde está el trono de Satanás; pero retienes mi nombre, y no has negado mi fe, ni aun en los días en que Antipas mi testigo fiel fue muerto entre vosotros, donde mora Satanás.” (2:13 )
-
Jesús conoce sus Circunstancias (2.13ª)
-
Jesús Conoce sus Convicciones (2.13b)
-
Exhortación para la iglesia. (14-15)
“Pero tengo unas pocas cosas contra ti: que tienes ahí a los que retienen la doctrina de Balaam, que enseñaba a Balac a poner tropiezo ante los hijos de Israel, a comer de cosas sacrificadas a los ídolos, y a cometer fornicación. 15 Y también tienes a los que retienen la doctrina de los nicolaítas, la que yo aborrezco. ” (2.14-15)
-
La iglesia en el mundo (2.14ª)
-
El mundo en la iglesia (2.14b-15)
-
Estimulo para la Iglesia. (2:16-17)
“Por tanto, arrepiéntete; pues si no, vendré a ti pronto, y pelearé contra ellos con la espada de mi boca. 17 El que tiene oído, oiga lo que el Espíritu dice a las iglesias. Al que venciere, daré a comer del maná escondido, y le daré una piedrecita blanca, y en la piedrecita escrito un nombre nuevo, el cual ninguno conoce sino aquel que lo recibe.” (2:16-17)
-
Hay un precio (2.16-17a)
-
Hay una promesa (2.17b)
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OUTLINE FOR WORSHIP GUIDE
March 29, 2020
Micah Cating, Student Pastor
Title: The Church in Pergamum
Revelation 2:12-17 ESV
Circumstance (Revelation 2:13a)
- Pagan city
Conviction (Revelation 2:13b)
- Courage to stand
Compromise (Revelation 2:14-15)
- Core doctrine
- Crumbling morality
Change (Revelation 2:16-17)
- Repent
- Reward
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Mike Holmes, Executive Pastor
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Dwayne Pitre
The Seven Churches
"The Church in Smyrna"
Revelation 2:8-11
- He knows their condition
- Their pain
-
Their poverty
-
He gives them counsel
- Do not fear
-
Be faithful
-
He rewards their commitment
- There is a reward
- There is a promise
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Istrouma en Español
Las 7 cartas del Apocalipsis
Firmes en la Fe
Apocalipsis 2.8-11
- Elogio para la iglesia
“Conozco tus sufrimientos y tu pobreza. ¡Sin embargo, eres rico! Sé cómo te calumnian los que dicen ser judíos, pero que, en realidad, no son más que una sinagoga de Satanás.” (2:9 )
- Por su tribulación y calumnias
-
Por su pobreza y riqueza
-
Exhortación para la iglesia.
“No tengas miedo de lo que estás por sufrir. Te advierto que a algunos de ustedes el diablo los meterá en la cárcel para ponerlos a prueba, y sufrirán persecución durante diez días. Sé fiel hasta la muerte…” (2.10)
- Debemos ser firmes
-
Debemos ser fieles
-
Estímulo para la Iglesia.
“…y yo te daré la corona de la vida. El que tenga oídos, que oiga lo que el Espíritu dice a las iglesias. El que salga vencedor no sufrirá daño alguno de la segunda muerte.” (2:10b, 11)
- Hay un premio
- Hay una promesa
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Faith Not Fear
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Johann Sebastian Bach was one of the world’s greatest musical geniuses. Bach’s compositions are brilliant works of musical innovation and complexity.
His father taught him to play the violin and harpsichord at a very early age. Orphaned at the age of ten, he went to live with his older brother who was a church organist who continued tutoring Bach. He grew to love the Lord and the scriptures. Proof of this is in the fact that he had some 80 theological volumes in his library (quite a trove in those days). He also had a three-volume personal study Bible. His hand written notes attest to his appetite for and love of the Word of God.
Music’s highest purpose for Bach was to glorify God. He attempted to please God in everything he did.
Before composing a single note, he would pen JJ at the top of the page. JJ is Latin for Jesu Juva which means “Jesus help.” Then he would pray, “Jesus, help me show your glory through the music I write. May it bring you joy even as it brings joy to your people.”
When he completed the final note of a composition, he would then write SDG at the bottom of the page, SDG is Latin for Soli Deo Gloria, for the Glory of God Alone. His aim was that his music when played would point people to God and that God would get the glory. He once said, “My music comes from my heart as a humble offering to God.”
He was devoted to Christ, loved the scriptures and recognized that both life and music had a higher purpose. He said, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”
Bach’s life is an example of what it means to live for the glory of God. It is an example that we all should follow. That will be our theme this coming Sunday at Istrouma. Please join us!
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Solas
"Soli Deo Gloria"
Romanos 11: 36-12: 2
- Doctrina de la gloria de Dios.
"Porque de él y por él y para él son todas las cosas" (11: 36a).
- Todas las cosas son de él
- Todas las cosas son a través de él
-
Todas las cosas son para él
-
Doxología para la gloria de Dios.
“A él sea la gloria por siempre. Amén ”(11: 36b).
- La dirección de nuestra alabanza
-
La duración de nuestra alabanza
-
Devoción hacia la gloria de Dios.
"Por lo tanto, les pido, hermanos, por la misericordia de Dios, que se presenten ustedes mismos como un sacrificio vivo, santo y aceptable para Dios. ¡Así es como se debe adorar a Dios! No se adapten a este mundo, sino sean transformados mediante la renovación de vuestro entendimiento, Entonces aprenderán a conocer la voluntad de Dios para ustedes, la cual es buena, agradable y perfecta.” (12: 1-2).
- Comprometido con el Señor
- Cambiado por el señor
“Sola Gratia”
Sermon Series: Solas
Ephesians 2:8-10
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Ginn, Lead Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon January 19, 2020
Outline:
- Saved by grace
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
-
We have a problem
-
We have a provision
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Saved through faith
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
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Faith is a response
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Faith is a requirement
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Saved for works
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
-
God works in us
-
God works through us
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
“Amazing Grace” is, perhaps, the best-known and best-loved hymn of all time. The beauty and simplicity of its melody (which you just heard played) is only eclipsed only by the hope and depth of its lyrics.
Listen to the first stanza: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see.”
The author of these words, John Newton, was, by his own admission, a “wretch.” Now, that’s not a word we use every day. It means, “a miserable person; one who is profoundly unhappy or in great misfortune; a base, despicable, or vile person.” You may think that’s an exaggeration on his part. But he was a wretch. He was a slave trader, a blasphemer, and a rebel.
You know the song, I trust, but you may not know the story of the author. So I want to tell you a little bit about the life of the man who wrote that song. John grew up in a home where his mother was an instrument maker and his father was a sea captain. His mother passed away when he was about 7 years of age, and so he was reared in those later childhood years by his father. He loved his father. He looked up to his father. His father was a sea captain, and so, get this, when he was 11 years old, John Newton went to sea. He made his six voyages across the oceans with his father before his father finally retired as a sea captain. Well, he had not gotten enough. He dreamed about the adventures of life on the open seas, but his dream was soon turned into a nightmare, and I want to tell you about it.
He boarded a merchant ship and plied that trade for a while. But one day, he was in a port and he was pressed into naval service. We don't understand that term because we have an all-volunteer military. There's no draft. You volunteer if you want to serve. But back in those days in Jolly Old England, you could be pressed into service; that is, basically, you’d be captured and you would be forced to serve in the military, and so it was with John Newton. So now, he's no longer living a carefree life of a sailor aboard a merchant ship. He is now in the Royal Navy. He kind of chafed under the regimen of that life. He ran afoul of his captain and was whipped, humiliated and demoted. He contemplated either murder of the captain or suicide. Before that could happen, he was able to escape and got aboard a slave trading ship called the Pegasus. He did not get along with the crew and was cast off in Africa. He was picked up by a slave trader, and became a slave himself in Africa until he was rescued. He said of that period that he was “a servant to slaves.”
Later in life he wrote, “I sinned with a high hand, and I made it my study to tempt and seduce others.” Newton lived a hard life with equally harsh consequences.
God got his attention though. In 1748, Newton’s slave ship was nearly wrecked by an intense storm. Surrounded by crashing waves, ferocious winds, creaking timbers, and the cries of the souls on board, John fell to his knees and pled for grace. He was born again on board that ship that tempestuous night.
He comes to know Christ and begins to learn of the word of God and how to live as a Christian, but he's still a slave trader himself. He captains a slave trading ship. He hauls many a slave across the oceans into slavery, but God begins to convict him about the wickedness of that. He becomes friends with a man named William Wilberforce who was the primary advocate in England for the abolition of slavery. John Newton became an ally in that cause, and of all things, this once slave trader, blasphemer, rebel, becomes a pastor of a local Baptist Church there in England. He began to be hymn writer, and he wrote those lyrics that we know and love, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”
God’s grace, which reaches anyone, anywhere, saved a wretch like John Newton—not just from the terror of that storm but from the grip and guilt of his sins. Newton wrote the song now known as “Amazing Grace” years later, while serving as a pastor in Olney, England.
Today, his lyrics still inspire, encourage, and instruct people about the radical reality of God’s amazing grace. It gives “wretches” like us hope. It makes blind people like us see. And that is amazing! Only grace—sola gratia—is able to save sinners. For him, grace was amazing.
God help us if we ever get to a point where we're not just astounded by grace, that it would redeem wretches like you and me, friend. But that's the nature of his grace; it is amazing. We're going to look at that theme this morning in a message entitled, Sola Gratia, the Latin phrase which means “grace alone.” I'm going to base the message today out of; really, I think the classic passage in the Bible about grace. Open your Bible please to Ephesians chapter 2, and we're going to begin reading in verse 8 and carry it through to verse 10. I’d like us all as a sign of our respect for God's Holy Word to please stand as its read. Precious words are these. Give it your very best hearing.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Let’s pray.
[Prayer]
Please be seated.
We're celebrating 100 years here at Istrouma this month, and as we thought about this wonderful season of our church’s life, we thought we’re going to go back to some of the foundational principles upon which this great church has been built. Jesus himself, of course, is the Cornerstone. We're going to come to him in the next Sola series message. But we're looking at some of the great foundational principles, and among them are things like Sola Scriptura, which was our opening message in the series. There, I talked about how the word of God, scripture, is our only sure and sufficient guide to all matters of faith and practice, scripture. Then, last week, we took up the theme of Sola Fide, which is the Latin phrase for “faith alone.” Remember, we talked about the Philippian jailer who was terrified, near death. He fell down and he cried out, “What must I do to be saved?” The Apostle Paul answered him with words as clear as a bell, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your household.” Believe. That's how we're saved, Sola Fide.
Now, today, we're taking up the third of these messages, and it's entitled Sola Gratia, which is the Latin for “grace alone.” By the way, if you're new to Istrouma, we don't usually work in Latin here but this is an exceptional season of our church’s life, and it's fun for you to know these terms, even if we never revisit them again in terms of the Latin terminology. But bear with us; here it is, Sola Gratia, grace alone.
I want to begin in verse 8 and say that we are saved by grace. That's the first point, Sola Gratia. We are saved by grace. Look at the opening words to verse 8, “For by grace you have been saved.” You'll notice Paul is actually talking about something in the past, right? He says, “You have been saved,” not “You will be” or “You are being.” He uses the past tense because he's addressing this letter to the church at Ephesus. He's talking to believers. He says if you want to know how it is that you came to have life, it's by grace that you came to this life. It's by grace you have been saved. I know I'm talking to a lot of folks here that by grace you’ve been saved. But I am talking to some, and I don’t know who you are, but I'm talking to some who will be saved by grace. I pray that even this day you'll come to know the grace of God in truth.
What is grace? It is one of those church words. If I were to ask you to define grace, how would you do it? What is grace? A lot of people will define it in this way, two words: “unmerited favor.” What does that mean? “Unmerited” means you don't deserve it, and grace is God's unmerited favor to us. He loves us in spite of our sin. He forgives us in spite of our rebellion. He takes us to heaven though sin once stained us. It is unmerited favor shown us because of what Christ has done.
I'll give you an acrostic that I learned as a kid. I've always remembered it, and I think it's very helpful. If you'll take the letters of the word “grace,” I’m defining it for you, what is Grace? G-R-A-C-E. Write down beside each letter these terms:
G God’s
R Riches
A At
C Christ’s
E Expense
Did you get that? Grace. God's riches at Christ's expense. That's what grace is. What are God's riches? God's riches would be his forgiveness; his patience with us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance; it’s heaven as our eternal home; it's abundant life, joy-filled life, peace, here and now. Those are God's riches, and they come to us at Christ's expense. In other words, those great gifts that I've named were not free. Someone paid for them that they might be ours, and it was at Christ's expense that they come to us. So that is grace. We are saved by grace.
I want to say two things about this. Number one, we have a problem. Houston, Baton Rouge, Luling, Lafayette, Monroe, South America, Africa, Asia, we have a problem. What's our problem? Our problem is, in a word, sin. I want to refer to jewelers for just a moment. I know we've got a couple of jewelers in our church, and I appreciate them so much, and I hope you’ll frequent their business. But these jewelers are very ingenious. If you say “I want to buy a diamond,” you know what a jeweler will often do? They'll take out a piece of black velvet fabric, and they’ll lay that black fabric down, and then upon that black fabric they’ll place the diamond or diamonds. Then they'll put a large spotlight shining down on those diamonds. Why do you think they put the diamonds against that black backdrop? It is so that you will be able to appreciate in all of their brilliance the beauty of the diamond. A diamond against a white counter may not glisten and shine as well as that diamond against a black backdrop. What's the point? You'll never fully appreciate the brilliance and beauty of grace until you see it against the black backdrop of our sin. That's why we're amazed by grace, that we, though sinners, can be forgiven and accepted by a holy and righteous God. When I see his grace against the backdrop of our filth and sin I'm amazed by it. Yes, our problem is our sin.
Let me show you this in the text. If you’ll look to verse 1 of this very same chapter it'll be very clear. Let me begin reading there in Ephesians 2, verse 1:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked [that’s describing us, folks], following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience…
Now, let me pause right there. He's describing humanity. You might be tempted to think that because we’re Christians we are above what he calls the “sons of disobedience.” You know, we can look down our spiritual noses at those “lesser humans.” We’re the Christians. But look at what verse 3 says. I love this. He says:
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh…
Folks, look. I once walked in the passions of the flesh. I did things of which I am ashamed. Just like John Newton; he didn't have much on me, if any. I, too, am a wretch, a sinner, and when I see God's grace given me against the backdrop of my past, and how I lived in the passions of my flesh, I'm amazed and I hope you are as well. Now, that's our past. That's our problem, right? But I've come to tell you good news, not bad news. That's bad news. Let me give you some good news. Though we have a problem, it is answered by God's provision, and that's the next sub point. We have a provision. You’ll see this as we continue reading this very passage. It says, Ephesians 2 verses 4 and following:
4 But God, being rich in mercy...
Let me pause to ask you to do something. As I'm reading this, I want you to watch for the word “grace,” and when it occurs, I want you to count it. All right, let’s see how many times it occurs in these verses. We are sinners. We once walked in the passage of our flesh. He says,
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses [even then, he loved us, yes, he], made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and [he] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [And then verse 8, our key verse] 8 For by grace you have been saved...
How many times in what I just read, including verse 8, does the word “grace” appear? Three. Exactly right. Not once, not twice, but three times over he is stressing to us God's provision for our problem. Sin is addressed by grace, and by grace we are saved.
I want to give you an illustration that I hope will help turn the light on in your understanding of this. I'm going to tell you a make-believe story. It's the story of a father. This father had an only son, and he loved his boy as fathers do. The boy got old enough to go out on his own. One day the boy was out, and he was attacked by some thugs. They beat him and they robbed him, and in the course of their attack the young son was killed. It was a brutal murder, and the father was heartbroken, as you can imagine.
The father considered how he might deal with those who had murdered his son. He thought of four possible responses he could make. First of all, he could seek vengeance. Do you know what vengeance is? Vengeance is when you take the law into your own hands. Without police, without courts, without law, he would go and he would execute those that had killed his son. In vengeance the criminals would get worse than they deserve, because really, everybody has a right to a fair trial. Everybody has their day in court. Vengeance is inappropriate. God says, “Don't seek vengeance. Leave that in my just hands,” right? “Vengeance is mine,” the Lord's says. But he considered vengeance.
Secondly, he said there's another option. I could seek justice. That could be my response. Leave it to the police to find the criminals; leave it to the court to try them; the jury to decide on their guilt or innocence; and the judge to declare the sentence. Now if vengeance giving them worse than they deserve, justice is giving them straight-up what they deserve.
But then he thought of a third possible response. He thought, I could show them mercy and forgive them for what they've done and plead mercy in the court on their behalf. That would be unbelievable, would it not? I think it's beyond most of us to respond in that way. If vengeance is getting worse than what they deserve, and justice is getting what they deserve, mercy would be not getting what they do deserve. Yes, they deserve a sentence. They deserve prison. They deserve punishment. Perhaps they deserve execution. But mercy would say, “No.”
Then, there remained one possible response. Not vengeance; not justice; not even mercy, as great as it is. There remained the option of grace. Now if vengeance is getting worse than you deserve, and justice is getting what you deserve, and mercy is not getting what you do deserve, what would grace be? Grace would be getting what you don't deserve. What if in that story the bereaved father looked with pity upon the criminals and said, “Not only do I forgive you, I want to adopt you into my family, and I want you to inherit the riches that would have been my son’s. You say, “Preacher I can't stand the thought of that. That's unbelievable that anyone would respond in that way.” and I would say, “Yes, wouldn't it be amazing? It would. And that's why we refer to it as “amazing grace.”
Friend, we are those criminals. Do you not see that? It was your sin and my sin for which Christ was nailed to the cross, not for any guilt of his own. God in love looked down at his only beloved there. God could have sought vengeance upon us. He certainly could have executed justice or stopped short at mercy, but he went all the way, and he would adopt us into his family. Are you a part of God's forever family? Friend, if you're not, you may be this very day. How do you get into his family? You’re saved by grace.
Now, number two. Not only are we saved by grace, but, number two, we’re saved through faith. When you read your Bible, I think you know this now, but let me just say it, every word in the Bible matters. Every word. You can't even change the prepositions. You can't say you’re saved by faith. You're not saved by faith, you’re saved by grace, but you’re saved through faith.
Now, let's explore this just for a moment. Because God has been gracious in giving his son, you might be tempted to think that everybody's going to be saved. We’re saved by grace, and that's God's action in Christ on our behalf. He died for the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2 says. Well, if he died for everyone, and grace is available to everyone, then won’t everyone be saved? There are those who hold that position. It's called “universalism,” that everyone, universally, will be saved. Many of them will even say it’s because of Christ and his death on the cross that redeems everybody regardless of their response. But friend, I'll just say in response to that, and I don't have time to address it fully, I’ll just say they didn't get that idea from the Bible. The Bible teaches that there are two destinies, heaven and hell, and there are people who will spend eternity in heaven or in hell. So no, not everyone is saved, even by the grace of God, because you see, there is a response that is required of us, and faith is a response to God's grace. Now, if you would look there again at verse 8, “For by grace you have been saved [and we’re emphasizing those two words in bold] through faith.” Grace precedes faith, and that's very important, folks. Listen. Sometimes you’ll hear people say, “Oh, it doesn't matter what you believe, just believe.” It's as though if you had faith, regardless of in whom you put your faith or in what you put your faith, just believe, and you will be saved. You can believe in Muhammad, you can believe in Confucius, you can believe in naturalism and you can believe in pantheism and worship the trees and the rocks and the lakes, it doesn't matter what you believe; just believe. We’re saved by faith. No, friends, we're not saved by faith; we’re saved by grace, the act of God in Christ, but it comes to us through faith. That's the means by which we make it our own.
God alone saves, and it is through faith that that salvation comes to us. Our faith, I'll say it this way, our faith has a focus, and that focus is Christ. Remember last week when we were talking about sola fide, only by faith are you saved, and we were talking about the story of the Philippian jailer who was terrified that he might die. An earthquake had shaken the prison where he was responsible for the prisoners, and in his terror he asked this point-blank question, “What must I do to be saved?” And the answer was as clear as a bell, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Notice the answer was not, “Believe and you will be saved.” No, that would be to truncate the answer. It would be to omit the central part. It is not “Believe and you will be saved.” It is “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Take out Christ, take out his grace, his atoning death on the cross, and we will all be lost. It is grace that saves us through faith. Faith is our response to God's grace. I think of it this way, and perhaps this will be helpful to you. I think of grace as God reaching down from heaven to save a drowning world, drowning in our sins, and grace is him extending his hand to save us. I view faith as the response. Faith would be us looking heavenward and extending our hand to take the hand of grace. Here's the thing, folks, listen. When God's hand of grace is clasped by your hand of faith, salvation comes to you. His hand is extended. The only question that remains is, “Have you responded? Have you taken hold of that grace?” And you do so by faith, by entrusting yourself to him who died for your sins. That's how we get saved, by grace through faith.
Faith is a response, and second here, faith is a requirement. You must believe. When I say sola gratia, only grace, some might misunderstand and think we're saying you don't even have to believe. Sola gratia, only grace, that's all that's needed. No, it's “only grace” in a special sense. When the reformers like Martin Luther used that term, they were referring to salvation coming to us by grace apart from works. Would you look at these verses again? Look with me.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast
It's in that sense that it’s sola gratia. It's not God’s grace plus your good works. You know, there are a lot of people who think that God admits people or rejects people into heaven on this basis. Watch. They think that God has this big scale in heaven, and on one side God's going to stack up the bad things you've done, the lies you’ve told, the lust you’ve felt, the immorality of your life, the dishonesty and the pride and the prejudice. He's going to stack all that up on one side. Then, bless your heart, he's going to come over here and he's going to stack up the good things you've done, and it's going to teeter. If you've done more good than bad, whew! You made it in. But if you did more bad than good, uh-oh, you’re lost. That's how most of the world thinks. The problem is, that is not what the Bible teaches. Sola scriptura teaches that it’s sola gratia, only grace through faith. We're not saved by our works. You see, if you were saved by the good things that that you did, when you get to heaven you be like this. You’d put your thumbs under your suspenders and you’d be like, “Hey, Lord. Good to see you. I got here because of the good things I did. You know, I was a good guy. I was faithful to my wife. I gave money. I was sweet to the little old lady down the street. I never robbed a bank. I'm good.”
When we get to heaven, nobody's going to have their thumbs under their suspenders. You know what we're going to do? We're going to fall on our faces, and we're going to say, “God, how could you save a wretch like me? How great you are. How gracious you are that you would forgive me and save me.” It's all of grace, but it does require faith.
Let me give you an illustration. I hope this will help. Can you see what this is? I got this in the mail this week from some sweet church members. They sent me this as a gift. It's a gift card for $200 to Fleming's Steakhouse. I’ll get a filet mignon with that. They sent this to me. It wasn't my birthday. It wasn't my wife's and my anniversary. I had not mowed their yard. Just out of love, they sent this to us. Do you know what you call that? Grace. You see, I have something that's valuable here and I didn't pay one red cent for it. It's grace. But is my belly full? And do you know why my belly isn't full? It’s because I have to redeem this. The way it gets redeemed is through faith. You see, I have to believe that this is not a gimmick that this is not a fake gift card. I have to believe that it’s real. I have to believe that the magnetic strip on the back is still good. I have to believe that they haven't already spent the $200 and just sent it to me as a gag. A curse upon them if they did that! No, I know, I know. I believe this is real, and as soon as my wife and I can carve out the time, we're going to go redeem this. We're going to sit down. I think I'm going to get a filet mignon. Could I get an “Amen”? Wrapped in bacon! With a baked potato, lots of butter, lots of sour cream – and no scallions. And I'm going to eat that. My wife, she’s going to get whatever she wants. In fact, I think we may even take a couple with us. Haven't chosen who it is yet; we've got $200! And I'm going to eat that meal, and they're going to bring a bill. You know what I'm going to do when they bring that bill? I'm going to slap that card down on that bill – paid in full by the merits of another! Now, what's the point? This is grace, but I must exercise faith. I must possess it. I must make it mine, and I have to exert faith to do so. Christ offers you something much more than a gift card to Fleming's Steakhouse. In fact, I would just say pitiful in comparison. Pitiful in comparison.
He offers us eternal life, and you don't pay a red cent for it. But somebody paid for it, and he didn't spend his money to do it; he did it with his blood. We were not redeemed with things such as silver and gold, but with the blood of Christ as of the spotless lamb of God. We’re saved by grace through faith. Faith is often expressed just through prayer. “Lord, I know I'm a sinner. Lord, I call on you to forgive me. I believe Christ died on the cross for me.” We make that profession through prayer and we acknowledge it and we receive by faith the gift he offers.
That brings me to the last point. Sola gratia, only Grace? There are going to be a couple of people that protest what I'm preaching, and here's the way the protest goes; I know how this goes. There's going to be one group, and I'll call them legalists. They're going to say, “You mean I can be saved just by the grace of God, by putting my faith in him? You mean I don't have to do good works to save myself? That's too easy. No, no, no, they say.” They reject it. They say it's faith and works that redeem. That's the legalist. And there's another category over here, and they're going to say, “Oh, I'm saved by grace through faith and I don't have to do good works? Awesome! I'll walk an aisle, I'll pray a prayer, and then I'll just live like the devil until I get to heaven, and then I'm in by the grace of God.” That's wrong too. It’s the legalist and it’s the lawless. I'm going to do what I want.
How would the Bible answer the legalist and the lawless? He does it perfectly, right here in this text. Now, look at verse 10, “We're saved by grace through faith for good works.” We’re saved for works. Folks, look up here. Remember I told you every word in the Bible matters, every word? It’s not just big words like “grace, faith, works.” Those are big, momentous, weighty words. Even the little words matter – “by, through, for.” They're called prepositions. Little bitty words, but they matter. You can't switch them and have the truth. Like you can't say, “I'm saved by works unto faith or unto grace. No, you can't invert them. They are just as God gave them. So while I'm not saved by good works, I am saved for good works.
Two things about this I want to stress: Number one, God works in us. I love this. This is so good! The Bible calls us his workmanship. You know, we've got some guys in our church who are craftsman. I can think of a couple of guys who do woodworking. They do some pretty exquisite work; I’ve got some of their crafts in my home. I think of some painters that we have in our church, great artists, and you know some of them. Well, did you know, we are God's work of art? The word here “workmanship” is the word poiema in Greek, and from it we get our English word “poem.” Listen, friend, listen. You are God's poem. They used it back in those days for a work of art. It could be a piece of poetry. It could be a song. It could be a painting. It could be a sculpture. We are God's – I put it to you this way – we are God's masterpiece. You’re not unimportant. You’re not without value. You’re not without gifts and talents. No, you’re the creation of God. And could I just say, we’re twice over the creation of God. I was his by virtue of creation, and now I'm his by virtue of salvation. I was a creation of God; he knit me together in my mother's womb, but I'm a new creation by means of salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “If any man, boy, woman or girl is in Christ, he or she is a new creation. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” I've been made new in Christ. I am his creation and I am his re-creation. You’re God's masterpiece. You're his poem. You’re his painting. You’re his sculpture.
This isn’t so that we can look in the mirror and admire ourselves. Wow, aren't I amazing! I am God's masterpiece; I'm God's workmanship! No. Notice we’re created in Christ Jesus unto, or for, good works. You were created for a purpose. You were created with a plan in mind. Listen, I've been living out the plan of God in my life for many decades now, and the journey following Christ is tremendous. Oh, the things God has done. And my task in life is to listen for the voice of God and follow the Spirit’s leading, and it's your job as well. He wants to use you to change this world.
I want to stress to you an opportunity coming next Sunday night. Folks, I know we normally only come here on Sunday mornings, but look at me and listen to me please, okay? I don't often ask you guys to go over and above, but I'm asking you to do it this coming Sunday. Come back to church Sunday night. Let's just repeat that together. Come back to church Sunday night. All right? 6 PM. Here's why. You're going to be equipped to do the good work of being an ambassador of the King. That's we’re made new creations. 2 Corinthians 5:17 is followed by 2 Corinthians 5:20: “We are ambassadors of Christ, and we’re making an appeal that you'll be reconciled to God.” And God wants to use you to help this world come to Christ, to know the grace of God through faith.
I'm going to tell you one last story. There's a great preacher, and I'm going to recommend him to you. He's a black preacher. His name is H. B. Charles, Jr., and if you like good preaching, look him up on YouTube. He told a story about a lady who was heartbroken. The reason she was heartbroken was she had received an heirloom from her grandmother. It may have even been passed down from a previous generation, but what it was was very simple. It was a handkerchief, and it had been passed down to her. It was a keepsake and she treasured it. But one day, she spilled a bottle of ink and stained that handkerchief. She was really sad and she was talking to a friend of hers telling what had happened. The friend said, “Send me the handkerchief.” It happens that her friend was an artist. He got the handkerchief, and he didn't tell her what he was going to do. He got the handkerchief, and using the stain of the ink as the starting point, he painted onto the face of that napkin a beautiful image. He made it a work of art. Now, H. B. didn't say what the work of art was, but I'd like to think it was the face of her grandmother. There was a face on the face of that napkin, and what was a mess became a masterpiece. She treasured that now that the stain, the mess, had become a masterpiece.
Why do I tell that story? You know why? You and I are like that handkerchief. The bottle of ink has been spilled on us by our sin and our disobedience, our trespasses. We look up, despairing because of the stain, and God in grace looks down and he actually takes those stains and he covers them, and he makes a masterpiece out of our mess. And the name of that is grace. Amazing grace.
Would you stand? Let’s sing together.
“Sola Gratia”
Sermon Series: Solas
Ephesians 2:8-10
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Ginn, Lead Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon January 19, 2020
Outline:
- Saved by grace
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
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We have a problem
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We have a provision
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Saved through faith
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
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Faith is a response
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Faith is a requirement
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Saved for works
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
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God works in us
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God works through us
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
“Amazing Grace” is, perhaps, the best-known and best-loved hymn of all time. The beauty and simplicity of its melody (which you just heard played) is only eclipsed only by the hope and depth of its lyrics.
Listen to the first stanza: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see.”
The author of these words, John Newton, was, by his own admission, a “wretch.” Now, that’s not a word we use every day. It means, “a miserable person; one who is profoundly unhappy or in great misfortune; a base, despicable, or vile person.” You may think that’s an exaggeration on his part. But he was a wretch. He was a slave trader, a blasphemer, and a rebel.
You know the song, I trust, but you may not know the story of the author. So I want to tell you a little bit about the life of the man who wrote that song. John grew up in a home where his mother was an instrument maker and his father was a sea captain. His mother passed away when he was about 7 years of age, and so he was reared in those later childhood years by his father. He loved his father. He looked up to his father. His father was a sea captain, and so, get this, when he was 11 years old, John Newton went to sea. He made his six voyages across the oceans with his father before his father finally retired as a sea captain. Well, he had not gotten enough. He dreamed about the adventures of life on the open seas, but his dream was soon turned into a nightmare, and I want to tell you about it.
He boarded a merchant ship and plied that trade for a while. But one day, he was in a port and he was pressed into naval service. We don't understand that term because we have an all-volunteer military. There's no draft. You volunteer if you want to serve. But back in those days in Jolly Old England, you could be pressed into service; that is, basically, you’d be captured and you would be forced to serve in the military, and so it was with John Newton. So now, he's no longer living a carefree life of a sailor aboard a merchant ship. He is now in the Royal Navy. He kind of chafed under the regimen of that life. He ran afoul of his captain and was whipped, humiliated and demoted. He contemplated either murder of the captain or suicide. Before that could happen, he was able to escape and got aboard a slave trading ship called the Pegasus. He did not get along with the crew and was cast off in Africa. He was picked up by a slave trader, and became a slave himself in Africa until he was rescued. He said of that period that he was “a servant to slaves.”
Later in life he wrote, “I sinned with a high hand, and I made it my study to tempt and seduce others.” Newton lived a hard life with equally harsh consequences.
God got his attention though. In 1748, Newton’s slave ship was nearly wrecked by an intense storm. Surrounded by crashing waves, ferocious winds, creaking timbers, and the cries of the souls on board, John fell to his knees and pled for grace. He was born again on board that ship that tempestuous night.
He comes to know Christ and begins to learn of the word of God and how to live as a Christian, but he's still a slave trader himself. He captains a slave trading ship. He hauls many a slave across the oceans into slavery, but God begins to convict him about the wickedness of that. He becomes friends with a man named William Wilberforce who was the primary advocate in England for the abolition of slavery. John Newton became an ally in that cause, and of all things, this once slave trader, blasphemer, rebel, becomes a pastor of a local Baptist Church there in England. He began to be hymn writer, and he wrote those lyrics that we know and love, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”
God’s grace, which reaches anyone, anywhere, saved a wretch like John Newton—not just from the terror of that storm but from the grip and guilt of his sins. Newton wrote the song now known as “Amazing Grace” years later, while serving as a pastor in Olney, England.
Today, his lyrics still inspire, encourage, and instruct people about the radical reality of God’s amazing grace. It gives “wretches” like us hope. It makes blind people like us see. And that is amazing! Only grace—sola gratia—is able to save sinners. For him, grace was amazing.
God help us if we ever get to a point where we're not just astounded by grace, that it would redeem wretches like you and me, friend. But that's the nature of his grace; it is amazing. We're going to look at that theme this morning in a message entitled, Sola Gratia, the Latin phrase which means “grace alone.” I'm going to base the message today out of; really, I think the classic passage in the Bible about grace. Open your Bible please to Ephesians chapter 2, and we're going to begin reading in verse 8 and carry it through to verse 10. I’d like us all as a sign of our respect for God's Holy Word to please stand as its read. Precious words are these. Give it your very best hearing.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Let’s pray.
[Prayer]
Please be seated.
We're celebrating 100 years here at Istrouma this month, and as we thought about this wonderful season of our church’s life, we thought we’re going to go back to some of the foundational principles upon which this great church has been built. Jesus himself, of course, is the Cornerstone. We're going to come to him in the next Sola series message. But we're looking at some of the great foundational principles, and among them are things like Sola Scriptura, which was our opening message in the series. There, I talked about how the word of God, scripture, is our only sure and sufficient guide to all matters of faith and practice, scripture. Then, last week, we took up the theme of Sola Fide, which is the Latin phrase for “faith alone.” Remember, we talked about the Philippian jailer who was terrified, near death. He fell down and he cried out, “What must I do to be saved?” The Apostle Paul answered him with words as clear as a bell, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your household.” Believe. That's how we're saved, Sola Fide.
Now, today, we're taking up the third of these messages, and it's entitled Sola Gratia, which is the Latin for “grace alone.” By the way, if you're new to Istrouma, we don't usually work in Latin here but this is an exceptional season of our church’s life, and it's fun for you to know these terms, even if we never revisit them again in terms of the Latin terminology. But bear with us; here it is, Sola Gratia, grace alone.
I want to begin in verse 8 and say that we are saved by grace. That's the first point, Sola Gratia. We are saved by grace. Look at the opening words to verse 8, “For by grace you have been saved.” You'll notice Paul is actually talking about something in the past, right? He says, “You have been saved,” not “You will be” or “You are being.” He uses the past tense because he's addressing this letter to the church at Ephesus. He's talking to believers. He says if you want to know how it is that you came to have life, it's by grace that you came to this life. It's by grace you have been saved. I know I'm talking to a lot of folks here that by grace you’ve been saved. But I am talking to some, and I don’t know who you are, but I'm talking to some who will be saved by grace. I pray that even this day you'll come to know the grace of God in truth.
What is grace? It is one of those church words. If I were to ask you to define grace, how would you do it? What is grace? A lot of people will define it in this way, two words: “unmerited favor.” What does that mean? “Unmerited” means you don't deserve it, and grace is God's unmerited favor to us. He loves us in spite of our sin. He forgives us in spite of our rebellion. He takes us to heaven though sin once stained us. It is unmerited favor shown us because of what Christ has done.
I'll give you an acrostic that I learned as a kid. I've always remembered it, and I think it's very helpful. If you'll take the letters of the word “grace,” I’m defining it for you, what is Grace? G-R-A-C-E. Write down beside each letter these terms:
G God’s
R Riches
A At
C Christ’s
E Expense
Did you get that? Grace. God's riches at Christ's expense. That's what grace is. What are God's riches? God's riches would be his forgiveness; his patience with us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance; it’s heaven as our eternal home; it's abundant life, joy-filled life, peace, here and now. Those are God's riches, and they come to us at Christ's expense. In other words, those great gifts that I've named were not free. Someone paid for them that they might be ours, and it was at Christ's expense that they come to us. So that is grace. We are saved by grace.
I want to say two things about this. Number one, we have a problem. Houston, Baton Rouge, Luling, Lafayette, Monroe, South America, Africa, Asia, we have a problem. What's our problem? Our problem is, in a word, sin. I want to refer to jewelers for just a moment. I know we've got a couple of jewelers in our church, and I appreciate them so much, and I hope you’ll frequent their business. But these jewelers are very ingenious. If you say “I want to buy a diamond,” you know what a jeweler will often do? They'll take out a piece of black velvet fabric, and they’ll lay that black fabric down, and then upon that black fabric they’ll place the diamond or diamonds. Then they'll put a large spotlight shining down on those diamonds. Why do you think they put the diamonds against that black backdrop? It is so that you will be able to appreciate in all of their brilliance the beauty of the diamond. A diamond against a white counter may not glisten and shine as well as that diamond against a black backdrop. What's the point? You'll never fully appreciate the brilliance and beauty of grace until you see it against the black backdrop of our sin. That's why we're amazed by grace, that we, though sinners, can be forgiven and accepted by a holy and righteous God. When I see his grace against the backdrop of our filth and sin I'm amazed by it. Yes, our problem is our sin.
Let me show you this in the text. If you’ll look to verse 1 of this very same chapter it'll be very clear. Let me begin reading there in Ephesians 2, verse 1:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked [that’s describing us, folks], following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience…
Now, let me pause right there. He's describing humanity. You might be tempted to think that because we’re Christians we are above what he calls the “sons of disobedience.” You know, we can look down our spiritual noses at those “lesser humans.” We’re the Christians. But look at what verse 3 says. I love this. He says:
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh…
Folks, look. I once walked in the passions of the flesh. I did things of which I am ashamed. Just like John Newton; he didn't have much on me, if any. I, too, am a wretch, a sinner, and when I see God's grace given me against the backdrop of my past, and how I lived in the passions of my flesh, I'm amazed and I hope you are as well. Now, that's our past. That's our problem, right? But I've come to tell you good news, not bad news. That's bad news. Let me give you some good news. Though we have a problem, it is answered by God's provision, and that's the next sub point. We have a provision. You’ll see this as we continue reading this very passage. It says, Ephesians 2 verses 4 and following:
4 But God, being rich in mercy...
Let me pause to ask you to do something. As I'm reading this, I want you to watch for the word “grace,” and when it occurs, I want you to count it. All right, let’s see how many times it occurs in these verses. We are sinners. We once walked in the passage of our flesh. He says,
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses [even then, he loved us, yes, he], made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and [he] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [And then verse 8, our key verse] 8 For by grace you have been saved...
How many times in what I just read, including verse 8, does the word “grace” appear? Three. Exactly right. Not once, not twice, but three times over he is stressing to us God's provision for our problem. Sin is addressed by grace, and by grace we are saved.
I want to give you an illustration that I hope will help turn the light on in your understanding of this. I'm going to tell you a make-believe story. It's the story of a father. This father had an only son, and he loved his boy as fathers do. The boy got old enough to go out on his own. One day the boy was out, and he was attacked by some thugs. They beat him and they robbed him, and in the course of their attack the young son was killed. It was a brutal murder, and the father was heartbroken, as you can imagine.
The father considered how he might deal with those who had murdered his son. He thought of four possible responses he could make. First of all, he could seek vengeance. Do you know what vengeance is? Vengeance is when you take the law into your own hands. Without police, without courts, without law, he would go and he would execute those that had killed his son. In vengeance the criminals would get worse than they deserve, because really, everybody has a right to a fair trial. Everybody has their day in court. Vengeance is inappropriate. God says, “Don't seek vengeance. Leave that in my just hands,” right? “Vengeance is mine,” the Lord's says. But he considered vengeance.
Secondly, he said there's another option. I could seek justice. That could be my response. Leave it to the police to find the criminals; leave it to the court to try them; the jury to decide on their guilt or innocence; and the judge to declare the sentence. Now if vengeance giving them worse than they deserve, justice is giving them straight-up what they deserve.
But then he thought of a third possible response. He thought, I could show them mercy and forgive them for what they've done and plead mercy in the court on their behalf. That would be unbelievable, would it not? I think it's beyond most of us to respond in that way. If vengeance is getting worse than what they deserve, and justice is getting what they deserve, mercy would be not getting what they do deserve. Yes, they deserve a sentence. They deserve prison. They deserve punishment. Perhaps they deserve execution. But mercy would say, “No.”
Then, there remained one possible response. Not vengeance; not justice; not even mercy, as great as it is. There remained the option of grace. Now if vengeance is getting worse than you deserve, and justice is getting what you deserve, and mercy is not getting what you do deserve, what would grace be? Grace would be getting what you don't deserve. What if in that story the bereaved father looked with pity upon the criminals and said, “Not only do I forgive you, I want to adopt you into my family, and I want you to inherit the riches that would have been my son’s. You say, “Preacher I can't stand the thought of that. That's unbelievable that anyone would respond in that way.” and I would say, “Yes, wouldn't it be amazing? It would. And that's why we refer to it as “amazing grace.”
Friend, we are those criminals. Do you not see that? It was your sin and my sin for which Christ was nailed to the cross, not for any guilt of his own. God in love looked down at his only beloved there. God could have sought vengeance upon us. He certainly could have executed justice or stopped short at mercy, but he went all the way, and he would adopt us into his family. Are you a part of God's forever family? Friend, if you're not, you may be this very day. How do you get into his family? You’re saved by grace.
Now, number two. Not only are we saved by grace, but, number two, we’re saved through faith. When you read your Bible, I think you know this now, but let me just say it, every word in the Bible matters. Every word. You can't even change the prepositions. You can't say you’re saved by faith. You're not saved by faith, you’re saved by grace, but you’re saved through faith.
Now, let's explore this just for a moment. Because God has been gracious in giving his son, you might be tempted to think that everybody's going to be saved. We’re saved by grace, and that's God's action in Christ on our behalf. He died for the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2 says. Well, if he died for everyone, and grace is available to everyone, then won’t everyone be saved? There are those who hold that position. It's called “universalism,” that everyone, universally, will be saved. Many of them will even say it’s because of Christ and his death on the cross that redeems everybody regardless of their response. But friend, I'll just say in response to that, and I don't have time to address it fully, I’ll just say they didn't get that idea from the Bible. The Bible teaches that there are two destinies, heaven and hell, and there are people who will spend eternity in heaven or in hell. So no, not everyone is saved, even by the grace of God, because you see, there is a response that is required of us, and faith is a response to God's grace. Now, if you would look there again at verse 8, “For by grace you have been saved [and we’re emphasizing those two words in bold] through faith.” Grace precedes faith, and that's very important, folks. Listen. Sometimes you’ll hear people say, “Oh, it doesn't matter what you believe, just believe.” It's as though if you had faith, regardless of in whom you put your faith or in what you put your faith, just believe, and you will be saved. You can believe in Muhammad, you can believe in Confucius, you can believe in naturalism and you can believe in pantheism and worship the trees and the rocks and the lakes, it doesn't matter what you believe; just believe. We’re saved by faith. No, friends, we're not saved by faith; we’re saved by grace, the act of God in Christ, but it comes to us through faith. That's the means by which we make it our own.
God alone saves, and it is through faith that that salvation comes to us. Our faith, I'll say it this way, our faith has a focus, and that focus is Christ. Remember last week when we were talking about sola fide, only by faith are you saved, and we were talking about the story of the Philippian jailer who was terrified that he might die. An earthquake had shaken the prison where he was responsible for the prisoners, and in his terror he asked this point-blank question, “What must I do to be saved?” And the answer was as clear as a bell, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Notice the answer was not, “Believe and you will be saved.” No, that would be to truncate the answer. It would be to omit the central part. It is not “Believe and you will be saved.” It is “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Take out Christ, take out his grace, his atoning death on the cross, and we will all be lost. It is grace that saves us through faith. Faith is our response to God's grace. I think of it this way, and perhaps this will be helpful to you. I think of grace as God reaching down from heaven to save a drowning world, drowning in our sins, and grace is him extending his hand to save us. I view faith as the response. Faith would be us looking heavenward and extending our hand to take the hand of grace. Here's the thing, folks, listen. When God's hand of grace is clasped by your hand of faith, salvation comes to you. His hand is extended. The only question that remains is, “Have you responded? Have you taken hold of that grace?” And you do so by faith, by entrusting yourself to him who died for your sins. That's how we get saved, by grace through faith.
Faith is a response, and second here, faith is a requirement. You must believe. When I say sola gratia, only grace, some might misunderstand and think we're saying you don't even have to believe. Sola gratia, only grace, that's all that's needed. No, it's “only grace” in a special sense. When the reformers like Martin Luther used that term, they were referring to salvation coming to us by grace apart from works. Would you look at these verses again? Look with me.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast
It's in that sense that it’s sola gratia. It's not God’s grace plus your good works. You know, there are a lot of people who think that God admits people or rejects people into heaven on this basis. Watch. They think that God has this big scale in heaven, and on one side God's going to stack up the bad things you've done, the lies you’ve told, the lust you’ve felt, the immorality of your life, the dishonesty and the pride and the prejudice. He's going to stack all that up on one side. Then, bless your heart, he's going to come over here and he's going to stack up the good things you've done, and it's going to teeter. If you've done more good than bad, whew! You made it in. But if you did more bad than good, uh-oh, you’re lost. That's how most of the world thinks. The problem is, that is not what the Bible teaches. Sola scriptura teaches that it’s sola gratia, only grace through faith. We're not saved by our works. You see, if you were saved by the good things that that you did, when you get to heaven you be like this. You’d put your thumbs under your suspenders and you’d be like, “Hey, Lord. Good to see you. I got here because of the good things I did. You know, I was a good guy. I was faithful to my wife. I gave money. I was sweet to the little old lady down the street. I never robbed a bank. I'm good.”
When we get to heaven, nobody's going to have their thumbs under their suspenders. You know what we're going to do? We're going to fall on our faces, and we're going to say, “God, how could you save a wretch like me? How great you are. How gracious you are that you would forgive me and save me.” It's all of grace, but it does require faith.
Let me give you an illustration. I hope this will help. Can you see what this is? I got this in the mail this week from some sweet church members. They sent me this as a gift. It's a gift card for $200 to Fleming's Steakhouse. I’ll get a filet mignon with that. They sent this to me. It wasn't my birthday. It wasn't my wife's and my anniversary. I had not mowed their yard. Just out of love, they sent this to us. Do you know what you call that? Grace. You see, I have something that's valuable here and I didn't pay one red cent for it. It's grace. But is my belly full? And do you know why my belly isn't full? It’s because I have to redeem this. The way it gets redeemed is through faith. You see, I have to believe that this is not a gimmick that this is not a fake gift card. I have to believe that it’s real. I have to believe that the magnetic strip on the back is still good. I have to believe that they haven't already spent the $200 and just sent it to me as a gag. A curse upon them if they did that! No, I know, I know. I believe this is real, and as soon as my wife and I can carve out the time, we're going to go redeem this. We're going to sit down. I think I'm going to get a filet mignon. Could I get an “Amen”? Wrapped in bacon! With a baked potato, lots of butter, lots of sour cream – and no scallions. And I'm going to eat that. My wife, she’s going to get whatever she wants. In fact, I think we may even take a couple with us. Haven't chosen who it is yet; we've got $200! And I'm going to eat that meal, and they're going to bring a bill. You know what I'm going to do when they bring that bill? I'm going to slap that card down on that bill – paid in full by the merits of another! Now, what's the point? This is grace, but I must exercise faith. I must possess it. I must make it mine, and I have to exert faith to do so. Christ offers you something much more than a gift card to Fleming's Steakhouse. In fact, I would just say pitiful in comparison. Pitiful in comparison.
He offers us eternal life, and you don't pay a red cent for it. But somebody paid for it, and he didn't spend his money to do it; he did it with his blood. We were not redeemed with things such as silver and gold, but with the blood of Christ as of the spotless lamb of God. We’re saved by grace through faith. Faith is often expressed just through prayer. “Lord, I know I'm a sinner. Lord, I call on you to forgive me. I believe Christ died on the cross for me.” We make that profession through prayer and we acknowledge it and we receive by faith the gift he offers.
That brings me to the last point. Sola gratia, only Grace? There are going to be a couple of people that protest what I'm preaching, and here's the way the protest goes; I know how this goes. There's going to be one group, and I'll call them legalists. They're going to say, “You mean I can be saved just by the grace of God, by putting my faith in him? You mean I don't have to do good works to save myself? That's too easy. No, no, no, they say.” They reject it. They say it's faith and works that redeem. That's the legalist. And there's another category over here, and they're going to say, “Oh, I'm saved by grace through faith and I don't have to do good works? Awesome! I'll walk an aisle, I'll pray a prayer, and then I'll just live like the devil until I get to heaven, and then I'm in by the grace of God.” That's wrong too. It’s the legalist and it’s the lawless. I'm going to do what I want.
How would the Bible answer the legalist and the lawless? He does it perfectly, right here in this text. Now, look at verse 10, “We're saved by grace through faith for good works.” We’re saved for works. Folks, look up here. Remember I told you every word in the Bible matters, every word? It’s not just big words like “grace, faith, works.” Those are big, momentous, weighty words. Even the little words matter – “by, through, for.” They're called prepositions. Little bitty words, but they matter. You can't switch them and have the truth. Like you can't say, “I'm saved by works unto faith or unto grace. No, you can't invert them. They are just as God gave them. So while I'm not saved by good works, I am saved for good works.
Two things about this I want to stress: Number one, God works in us. I love this. This is so good! The Bible calls us his workmanship. You know, we've got some guys in our church who are craftsman. I can think of a couple of guys who do woodworking. They do some pretty exquisite work; I’ve got some of their crafts in my home. I think of some painters that we have in our church, great artists, and you know some of them. Well, did you know, we are God's work of art? The word here “workmanship” is the word poiema in Greek, and from it we get our English word “poem.” Listen, friend, listen. You are God's poem. They used it back in those days for a work of art. It could be a piece of poetry. It could be a song. It could be a painting. It could be a sculpture. We are God's – I put it to you this way – we are God's masterpiece. You’re not unimportant. You’re not without value. You’re not without gifts and talents. No, you’re the creation of God. And could I just say, we’re twice over the creation of God. I was his by virtue of creation, and now I'm his by virtue of salvation. I was a creation of God; he knit me together in my mother's womb, but I'm a new creation by means of salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “If any man, boy, woman or girl is in Christ, he or she is a new creation. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” I've been made new in Christ. I am his creation and I am his re-creation. You’re God's masterpiece. You're his poem. You’re his painting. You’re his sculpture.
This isn’t so that we can look in the mirror and admire ourselves. Wow, aren't I amazing! I am God's masterpiece; I'm God's workmanship! No. Notice we’re created in Christ Jesus unto, or for, good works. You were created for a purpose. You were created with a plan in mind. Listen, I've been living out the plan of God in my life for many decades now, and the journey following Christ is tremendous. Oh, the things God has done. And my task in life is to listen for the voice of God and follow the Spirit’s leading, and it's your job as well. He wants to use you to change this world.
I want to stress to you an opportunity coming next Sunday night. Folks, I know we normally only come here on Sunday mornings, but look at me and listen to me please, okay? I don't often ask you guys to go over and above, but I'm asking you to do it this coming Sunday. Come back to church Sunday night. Let's just repeat that together. Come back to church Sunday night. All right? 6 PM. Here's why. You're going to be equipped to do the good work of being an ambassador of the King. That's we’re made new creations. 2 Corinthians 5:17 is followed by 2 Corinthians 5:20: “We are ambassadors of Christ, and we’re making an appeal that you'll be reconciled to God.” And God wants to use you to help this world come to Christ, to know the grace of God through faith.
I'm going to tell you one last story. There's a great preacher, and I'm going to recommend him to you. He's a black preacher. His name is H. B. Charles, Jr., and if you like good preaching, look him up on YouTube. He told a story about a lady who was heartbroken. The reason she was heartbroken was she had received an heirloom from her grandmother. It may have even been passed down from a previous generation, but what it was was very simple. It was a handkerchief, and it had been passed down to her. It was a keepsake and she treasured it. But one day, she spilled a bottle of ink and stained that handkerchief. She was really sad and she was talking to a friend of hers telling what had happened. The friend said, “Send me the handkerchief.” It happens that her friend was an artist. He got the handkerchief, and he didn't tell her what he was going to do. He got the handkerchief, and using the stain of the ink as the starting point, he painted onto the face of that napkin a beautiful image. He made it a work of art. Now, H. B. didn't say what the work of art was, but I'd like to think it was the face of her grandmother. There was a face on the face of that napkin, and what was a mess became a masterpiece. She treasured that now that the stain, the mess, had become a masterpiece.
Why do I tell that story? You know why? You and I are like that handkerchief. The bottle of ink has been spilled on us by our sin and our disobedience, our trespasses. We look up, despairing because of the stain, and God in grace looks down and he actually takes those stains and he covers them, and he makes a masterpiece out of our mess. And the name of that is grace. Amazing grace.
Would you stand? Let’s sing together.
What would you say is life’s most important question?
Someone might say that life’s most important question is, “Does God exist?” That’s certainly important. Another might suggest, “How did the world come into being?” Still another might get a tad more personal and ask, “How did mankind come to be?” One immediately pressing question is, “Will LSU defeat Clemson on Monday night for the national championship?” O.k., so maybe that one doesn’t make the cut.
The interesting thing is this: the Bible (and the Bible alone—sola scriptura) answers all of these questions. Does God exist? Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God.” Yes he exists. How did the world come into being? Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” How did mankind—you and I—come to be? Genesis 1:2, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Isn’t that great? God’s word alone answers the deepest questions of our existence.
But there is another question that is, arguably, life’s most important question. It is this: “What must I do to be saved?” It is imminently personal and the stakes could not be higher. If there is a God (and we believe that there is), and, if there is an eternity awaiting (and we believe that there is), how can I gain that eternal life?
Jesus said that this is a supremely important issue. He said, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” In other words, if you could gain the whole world—all its riches and all its pleasures, yet you lost your own soul, what have you gained? Nothing. All the world pales in comparison to your soul. You must know the answer to this question: “What must I do to be saved?”
Here’s the good news: God’s word gives us the answer to that question as well. Our aim this Sunday is to answer that question for everyone so that we can have eternal life and abundant life.
Solas
“Sola Fide”
Acts 16:25-34
- The context of life’s most important question
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25)
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Undeserved prison
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Undeterred praise
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The conversation about life’s most important question
Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30-31).
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Anxious question
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Answered question
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The change after life’s most important question
And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God (Acts 16:33-34).
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Produced by faith
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Proven by fruit
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
Turn in your Bibles to Acts 16:25-34 to discover this. Would you stand in honor of God’s word as it is read:
Acts 16:25-34
25 About midnight Paul and Silas [Now, I would interject, if you don’t know those names, Paul and Silas were early church leaders, and more particularly, they were missionaries taking the gospel where it had never been known. So, Paul and Silas] were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them [Again, I’ll interject, yes, they were in jail, and I'll tell you how they ended up there in just a moment, but Paul and Silas are in jail. They’re singing praises to God; the prisoners are listening to them. Now, verse 26], 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [Now, again, I am suggesting, that that is life's most important question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Now here comes the answer, verse 31] 31* And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34* Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Let's pray.
[Prayer]
Please be seated.
As a church, we are celebrating 100 years of shared life. As an element of that celebration, we're revisiting some of the bedrock principles upon which this church is founded, and it's in a sermon series called “Solas.” Now that is a Latin word. Really, it's an anglicized version of it, and the word sola means “only.” There are some solas in the life of the Christian church that stand preeminently. We looked last week at the first of them, sola scriptura. Today, we're going to learn about sola fide. Sola scriptura, only scripture, is our guide to faith and practice. And now today, sola fide, only faith, brings salvation; faith in Christ. Sola scriptura teaches that sola fide is the only way to be saved. These two principles, Sola scriptura and sola fide, are intimately related to one another, and I want to demonstrate this by reminding you of the text we looked at last week, 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17. You'll remember this:
All Scripture is breathed out by God [inspired by God] and [is] profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God [the people of God, if I could extend it in that way, that all of us] may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
This was our passage last week, and it establishes the principle of sola scriptura. Now, I want you to see the verse that immediately precedes these two. Look at verse 15. Notice that it teaches that sola scriptura leads to sola fide. It says, verse 15, Paul speaking to Timothy, his young protégé, he says:
[Timothy], from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings [sola scriptura, the sacred writings, and notice what they have done. He says, so, the sacred writings] are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Do you follow that? There it is in verse 15, sola scriptura; sola fide. You have known the sacred writings; that is, God's word, and they have led you to have faith, sola fide, in Jesus for salvation. So, there are the two principles related closely to one another. Salvation comes to us through faith in Christ Jesus. That's the answer to life's most important question. No passage makes this any clearer than Acts chapter 16 where we find ourselves this morning.
I want us to consider life’s most important question in three steps. Number one, we're going to look at the context in which life's most important question was asked. Secondly, we're going to listen in on the conversation where life's most important question was asked and answered. And then, finally, I want to show you the change that knowing the right answer to life's most important question brings, the change in life that it brings.
All right, so let's go back to the first of these points, the first step. I want you to see the context in which this question was first posed. Here in Acts 16, Paul and a group of his coworkers are on a missionary journey. Things are going well. People are saving saved. They’re following the Lord in believer's baptism. A church is being planted there in Europe for the very first time. Paul and his team are experiencing the joy of seeing God at work. There's one particular life to which I want to allude that plays into our passage this morning. It's the story of a little girl. I call her little; she was probably a teenager. This girl had an unusual power. This girl could tell foretell the future, and the Bible explains how it is that she could foretell the future. She was actually possessed by a demon, and by virtue of this supernatural power, she could foretell the future.
Paul and his partners met up with this young girl. I won't tell the whole of the story, but I'll just say this. By the power of the gospel, this young girl was set free. I mean that in two senses. First of all, she was a slave to masters who were using her for their own profit. You see, people would pay to have their fortune told, and the slave masters had this girl in captivity, and were using her for their own profit. Again, I say that. This leads me to say a couple of things by way of lagniappe. First of all, fortune-telling is not just a thing of the ancient past. I could wish that it were so, but there still are fortune tellers in our day. I think most of these are just flat-out charlatans. They're just putting on a charade, a show. Perhaps some are demon-possessed, and they may have some capacity given them by spiritual forces.
I actually went on the web out of curiosity, and typed into a Google search engine “Fortune tellers, Baton Rouge.” I was curious to know, are there fortune tellers in our city today? What do you think the answer to that is? One of the responses was, “The 30 best fortune tellers in Baton Rouge.” I clicked on it. There was a list of fortune tellers in our fair town. It included people who did things like fortune-telling, tarot card reading. There were mediums, self-identified. Some could cast spells including love spells, etc. No, this is not just something that's from ancient history. Even in our own day, there are people who dabble into these things. So it gives me a good opportunity to let you know what God thinks of these things. I want to read from the Bible, Deuteronomy 18 beginning in verse 10:
There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer [that is, one who calls up the dead to speak with them] or one who inquires of the dead, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. . . .
This is from the Bible. Folks, we ought to have nothing to do with these works of darkness. Even something as what seems to be innocuous as horoscopes. I think it's terrible that papers will often include horoscopes. Worse yet, they put them next to the comics in the newspaper. It doesn't belong there, and I would encourage you not to read that. Astrology; anything of the sort, God says that is all an abomination. The work of the gospel is to set people free from these things. God doesn't want us to consult with the dead or with spiritists or with mediums. No, He has given us his word, sola scriptura. He has given us his indwelling Holy Spirit to illumine our minds to understand the things that are in the word of God. I don't need a fortune teller. I don't need a necromancer. I have all that I need, sola scriptura, to be a guide by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who illumines these truths to our lives. Now, I told you, that's just lagniappe. I just gave you that for extra.
I'm also reminded to say this: This poor young girl was a slave to her masters. It's very evident to me they didn't care one whit about that little girl. They only used her for their own purposes. You know, you hear a lot today about sex trafficking, pornography. Could I just remind us all, those who peddle that, who push that, they care nothing for the boys and girls whose lives they wreck. They domineer them and they own them, and anyone who participates in these things supports it. God sees it equally as an abomination. We as God's people ought have nothing to do with it. Instead of abusing people, we ought to love them and want them to be free. It's exactly what the Apostle Paul and his team were doing. They were setting people free by the good news of Jesus, and this little girl among them.
Now, you would think, would you not, that everyone is going to be ecstatic that this little girl has been set free. Oh, that it were so. It wasn't so. Her masters see that their means of ill gain is gone, and so they haul up Paul and Silas on false charges. Two things result, and I want to mention them to you. One, undeserved prison time. Undeserved prison. Paul and Silas, if you can imagine this, were cast into prison. It's worth noting, friend, that if we stand for the Lord, we're going to face opposition in this world. Not everyone is going to pat you on the back. Now you may get a fair amount of that; certainly here at church, I trust that you’re encouraged as you follow Christ. We want to do that. But it won't be so with everyone. There will be those who will oppose. I, myself, have faced occasions of great opposition. The Bible says; this is 2 Timothy 3:12, “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus was crucified. John was beheaded. Luther, of whom I spoke last week, was excommunicated. Jan Hus, the great Czech reformer, was burned at the stake. William Tyndale, who for the first time translated God's word into English so that all English speakers could hear the word of God in their heart language, he was burned as a heretic. Later he was exhumed and his ashes were sprinkled on the Thames River.
You come forward into our own day, I think about those believers in Libya not so long ago that were beheaded by ISIS because they believed in Christ. There will be opposition; there always has been, there always will be. Now it may not be as serious as these cases that I've named. Perhaps not even as serious as Paul and Silas, beaten now and imprisoned in stocks. But perhaps you'll be passed over for a promotion, or perhaps others will belittle you for your faith or some stance that you take on a moral issue, but I want to encourage us all as Paul and Silas did to remain faithful to the Lord despite the opposition that arises.
So, prison is really not a surprise. But do you know what is a surprise? It's that, though they are imprisoned, undeservedly so, there arises their undeterred praise to the Lord. How do they answer the stripes that were put upon their back and their stocks in which they were bound and the prison in which they were jailed? They answered their prison with praise. You know, it's one thing to praise the Lord when the prison doors swing open and the shackles fall from our wrists. But I want you to take note, Paul and Silas were not praising the Lord after they'd been liberated, after their shackles had fallen from them. No, they are praising the Lord in the midst of their suffering, unjust though it was. No wonder, then, the Bible says that the prisoners heard them. Don't you know the prisoners heard them? Don't you know the jailer himself heard them? They were listening to them. Of course they were, because there is power in our praise, particularly when it’s in the face of hardship and difficulty. I know I'm preaching to many of you who, even today, sang songs of praise to the Lord in the midst of your trial. I want to say God is honored by that. Your witness is never more powerful than when you gladly praise Him in the midst of your trial, and Paul and Silas did. So, that is the context in which life’s most important question arose.
Now, secondly, I want to take you to the actual conversation in which life's most important question is both asked and answered. First, let's look at the asking of this question. The jailer discovers that Paul and Silas have been set free. They are singing, and someone said that as they sang, God took such pleasure in their song that God was tapping his foot along with the beat of their song, and it caused the earthquake. That's a little bit fanciful, but I like it, still. God sent an earthquake to that jail. The jailhouse rocked, for all of you 1950s folks. As the jailhouse rocked, the prison doors swung open. The shackles fell from their hands and their feet, if, in fact, they were shackled at both of those extremities. The shackles fell, and the jailer, realizing that the prison doors have swung open and that the prisoners have been set free, presumes that they've all escaped. You have to know that in that day, if you were the jailer, and your prisoners escaped, you would be executed for having failed at your duty. He sees this, is terrorized by it, and he draws his sword and intends to kill himself.
Here's another point where I want to interject a thought. It's never right to take your own life; it's never right to take your own life. He's going to commit suicide. I may be speaking to someone this morning who is contemplating ending your own life. Maybe you're in a valley, a deep, deep valley, and it seems there's no escape from it. Could I just encourage you that suicide is never the answer? Paul and Silas, to their credit, step in and they tell the man, “Don't harm yourself. We’re all here.” Now, let's be frank. Here's the jailer who has put them into the deepest part of the prison. Perhaps he's even taken some joy in shackling them and in seeing their wounds from the beating that they took. You couldn't blame Paul and Silas if they just stood aside as the jailer killed himself, but motivated by Christ's love, they intervene and they say, “Don't harm yourself.” I'm reminded to challenge all of us, if you know of someone who is wrestling with deep depression, intervene. Speak to them. We have a counseling ministry here at Istrouma, and we can get help. There is help, and there is hope in Christ. Paul and Silas say, “Do yourself no harm.”
Upon their kindness, this jailer runs in before Paul and Silas and the Bible says that he falls down at their feet. You see, he's been impacted by what he's observed. He has seen Paul and Silas singing praises to God. He's heard that song. He's personally experienced their mercy when they defend him who once oppressed them. Paul and Silas could easily have escaped, but they haven't. They’re remaining there. So, impacted by what he has heard and seen, he asks life's most important question. It’s in verse 30:
Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Now, some might suggest that this question is related to the temporal crisis. He knows that the prisoners might escape, that the wrath of Rome is going to fall upon him; he's going to be executed, so he's asking, “Sirs, how can I escape my impending doom?” But I don't believe that's the real heart of his question, because the prisoners have not escaped. They’ve remained. His life has been spared. There is hope temporally. No, I believe he is asking an eternal question, “What must I do to be saved from my sins? What must I do to inherit eternal life?” I believe that's the heart of his question. And I love this question. I see in it his humility. He doesn't think he has all the answers, and I tell you, that's a healthy thing. Maybe you've come in today quite confident in yourself, presuming that you have all of the answers both to life and eternity. But have you ever come in humility to ask this simple question, “What must I do to be forgiven; what must I do to be saved? I want to be instructed. I want to be taught. I want God's answer to life's most important question.” I see his humility. I see his hunger. He rushes in. He falls at their feet. He is desperate. I don't know that anyone comes to salvation apart from desperation, hunger, and humility. This man has all of those traits, and for that reason, he asks life's most important question, “What must I do to be saved?”
Not only is the question asked, the question is answered. For all time, we know the answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Point-blank question; point-blank answer. What must I do to be saved? What must you do to be saved? What must all humans do if they are to be saved? The apostle’s answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”
I want us to think about that answer just for a moment. I want us to think of what the answer was not. What must I do to be saved? Notice that he did not say, “Join the church and you will be saved.” There are a lot of people that think that. They think, “Well if I'm going to go to heaven, I've got to be a member of some church or some faith. If I have my name on a church roll somewhere, then I'm good.” No. Joining a church of any stripe does not save you. It's not the answer to the question. He did not say, “Get baptized and you will be saved.” There's nothing wrong with getting baptized. In fact, he's about to get baptized. There's nothing wrong with joining a church. He's going to become a part, I believe, of the Philippian church that started with Lydia, was joined by the slave girl who was now set free. He's going to be, I'll just say, the third member of the church at Philippi. Nothing wrong with these good deeds, but it's not by good deeds that you are saved. Good deeds are the fruit of salvation in you, not the root of it, not the source of it. How do you get saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.
This answer is in harmony with the rest of the Bible. Listen to John 1:12:
But to all who did receive him [that is, speaking of the incarnate Christ], who believed [there it is, who believed] in his name [What is it to receive Christ? It’s to believe in him...to all who did receive him, who believed in his name], he gave the right to become [the] children of God.
How do you become a child of God? How do you get saved? How do you have your sins washed away? How do you go to heaven? You believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You trust in him. You receive him.
John 3:16, the most famous verse in all of the Bible:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
How do you get everlasting life? How do you get saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus.
Romans 1:16:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God [unto] salvation to everyone who believes...
Eph. 2:8-9:
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The way to be saved is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. There are basically two systems that are put forward as answers to this question. One is faith alone, sola fide, our theme for today. The other is that you’re saved by faith and works. They often will cite, those who hold the latter position, they’ll cite James 2:24. There the Bible says:
...a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
So now, we’re in a quandary. Are we saved by faith alone apart from works, or are we saved by faith and works? That's a pivotal question, and we must know the answer to it. I believe that the Bible is clear that salvation comes by faith alone. How then is it that James can say that you’re saved not by faith alone but also by the works that you do? How can we reconcile these two passages of scripture?
James, if you read the broader text there, is talking about the faith that saves. He says, “Show me your faith without works, and I'll show you my faith by my works.” James knew well that faith alone saves, but faith that saves is never alone. I'll say it again. Faith alone saves, but faith that saves is never alone, and that our works show the reality of our faith. If you have no works to demonstrate your faith, then what kind of faith do you have? James says that you have a dead faith, and he asks, “Can that faith save?” I'll answer the question, No, that faith can't save. Someone can say, “Oh, I believe in Jesus,” but they never go to church, they never follow the Lord in believer’s baptism, they have no heart for generosity, they curse, they swear, they sleep around, they rebel and break God's law. There's no fruit. There's no demonstration of a real faith. Can that type of faith, just verbal in nature, save? No it cannot. It has to be a genuine and real faith that is demonstrated in the life that ensues.
That brings me, then, to the last point, and that is the change that comes to the life that answers rightly life’s most important question, when the person knows the answer, and I'll put a capital “A” on it, the Answer to life's most important question. The Answer to life's most important question is a person, the Lord Jesus, and when you put your faith and trust in him and his atoning death on the cross, you are saved.
Now listen, it brings change. Would you look in your Bible again, now, to verse 33?
And he [that is, the jailer] took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God
What a tremendous paragraph that is! You see, the change in his life was produced by faith. He embraced the gospel proclaimed to him, and the change was produced by that faith. Now, that faith is proven by the fruit of good deeds. You see his baptism. Listen; if you’ve given your life to Christ, and you've come to saving faith, you ought to follow the Lord in believer's baptism. I'm probably talking to some folks in here that have not yet let your faith be made known through baptism subsequent to your salvation. I just want to challenge you to take that step of faith and demonstrate by it that you’ve put your trust in Christ. I may be speaking to some who’ve not yet committed to fellowship in a local church. We want to challenge you to not only believe but belong. Commit yourself to membership and service in a local church. I note this man's generosity. He set food before them. I note his joy; he is rejoicing now. He went from desperation and suicidal thoughts to great joy, and what made the difference? It was Christ in him that made the difference.
Have you been changed? Is your life radically different because Christ indwells you? If not, this very morning I'm going to challenge you to give your life to Christ.
I'm going to tell you one last story. I’m going to put on the screen a picture of a fellow whose name is John Harper. Some of you may know his name. John Harper was born into a Christian family May 29, 1872 in Scotland. He became a Christian 13 years later and had already started preaching by age 17. He received training at the Baptist Pioneer Mission in London, and in 1896 he founded a church, now known as Harper Memorial Church in Glasgow, which began with 25 worshipers but had grown to 500 members by the time he left 13 years later.
In 1912 Harper, the newly-called pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, was traveling on the Titanic with his 6-year-old daughter. After the ship struck an iceberg and began to sink, he got Nana into a lifeboat but apparently made no effort to follow her. Instead, he ran through the ship yelling, "Women, children, and unsaved into the lifeboats!" Survivors report that he then began witnessing to anyone who would listen. He continued preaching even after he had jumped into the water and was clinging to a piece of wreckage (he'd already given his lifejacket to another man).
Harper's final moments were recounted four years later at a meeting in Hamilton, Ontario, by a man who said “I am a survivor of the Titanic. When I was drifting alone on a spar that awful night, the tide brought Mr. Harper of Glasgow, also on a piece of wreck, near me. ‘Man,’ he said, ‘Are you saved?’ ‘No,’ I said, ‘I am not.’ He replied, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’
“The waves bore him away, but, strange to say, brought him back a little later, and he said, ‘Are you saved now?’ ‘No,’ I said, ‘I cannot honestly say that I am.’ He said again, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,’ [quoting the very verse I preached to you today]. Shortly after, he went down; and there, alone in the night, and with two miles of water under me, I believed. I am John Harper's last convert.”
He was also one of only six people picked out the water by the lifeboats; the other 1,522, including Harper, were left to die.
You know, it's interesting. There were only two kinds of people after the Titanic sank – those who were saved, and those who were lost. There were no other kind of passengers aboard the Titanic; those who were saved, and those who were lost. Could I just say on the ship of earth on which we sail, there are only two kinds of people – those who are saved, and those who are lost. That's why I say life's most important question is this: “What must I do to be saved?” Friend, the gospel message is this, believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
You say, “Man, is that all?” Yes, that’s all. That is all, because once you believe, it transforms life. I want to challenge you this morning to believe on the Lord Jesus.
Let’s stand.
[Invitation]
[Prayer]
“Sola Fide”
Sermon Series: Solas
Acts 16:24-34
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Ginn, Lead Pastor
AM Sermon January 12, 2020
Outline:
- The context of life’s most important question
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25)
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Undeserved prison
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Undeterred praise
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The conversation about life’s most important question
Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30-31).
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Question asked
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Question answered
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The change after life’s most important question
And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God (Acts 16:33-34).
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Produced by faith
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Proved by fruit
What would you say is life’s most important question?
Someone might say that life’s most important question is, “Does God exist?” That’s certainly important.
Another might suggest, “How did the world come into being?”
Still another might get a tad more personal and ask, “How did mankind come to be?”
One immediately pressing question is, “Will LSU defeat Clemson on Monday night for the national championship?” O.k., so maybe that one doesn’t make the cut.
The interesting thing is that the Bible (and the Bible alone—sola scriptura) answers all of these questions.
Does God exist? Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God.” Yes, he exists.
How did the world come into being? Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
How did mankind—you and I—come to be? Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
From the Bible, we get the answer to all of life’s most important questions.
But I want to make the case this morning that there is another question that is, arguably, life’s most important question. It is this: “What must I do to be saved?” It is imminently personal, and the stakes could not be higher. If there is a God (and we believe that there is), and, if there is an eternity awaiting all of us (and we believe that there is), how can I gain that eternal life?
Jesus taught that this is a supremely important issue. He said, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” In other words, if you could gain the whole world—all its riches and all its pleasures, yet you lost your own soul, what have you gained? Nothing. All the world pales in comparison to your soul. Therefore, you and I must know the answer to this question: “What must I do to be saved?”
Here’s the good news: God’s word gives us the answer to that question as well. Our aim this Sunday is to answer that question for everyone so that we can have both eternal life and abundant life.
Turn in your Bibles to Acts 16:25-34 to discover this. Would you stand in honor of God’s word as it is read:
Acts 16:25-34
25 About midnight Paul and Silas [Now, I would interject, if you don’t know those names, Paul and Silas were early church leaders, and more particularly, they were missionaries taking the gospel where it had never been known. So, Paul and Silas] were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them [Again, I’ll interject, yes, they were in jail, and I'll tell you how they ended up there in just a moment, but Paul and Silas are in jail. They’re singing praises to God; the prisoners are listening to them. Now, verse 26], 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [Now, again, I am suggesting, that that is life's most important question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Now here comes the answer, verse 31] 31* And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34* Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Let's pray.
[Prayer]
Please be seated.
As a church, we are celebrating 100 years of shared life. As an element of that celebration, we're revisiting some of the bedrock principles upon which this church is founded, and it's in a sermon series called “Solas.” Now that is a Latin word. Really, it's an anglicized version of it, and the word sola means “only.” There are some solas in the life of the Christian church that stand preeminently. We looked last week at the first of them, sola scriptura. Today, we're going to learn about sola fide. Sola scriptura, only scripture, is our guide to faith and practice. And now today, sola fide, only faith, brings salvation; faith in Christ. Sola scriptura teaches that sola fide is the only way to be saved. These two principles, Sola scriptura and sola fide, are intimately related to one another, and I want to demonstrate this by reminding you of the text we looked at last week, 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17. You'll remember this:
All Scripture is breathed out by God [inspired by God] and [is] profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God [the people of God, if I could extend it in that way, that all of us] may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
This was our passage last week, and it establishes the principle of sola scriptura. Now, I want you to see the verse that immediately precedes these two. Look at verse 15. Notice that it teaches that sola scriptura leads to sola fide. It says, verse 15, Paul speaking to Timothy, his young protégé, he says:
[Timothy], from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings [sola scriptura, the sacred writings, and notice what they have done. He says, so, the sacred writings] are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Do you follow that? There it is in verse 15, sola scriptura; sola fide. You have known the sacred writings; that is, God's word, and they have led you to have faith, sola fide, in Jesus for salvation. So, there are the two principles related closely to one another. Salvation comes to us through faith in Christ Jesus. That's the answer to life's most important question. No passage makes this any clearer than Acts chapter 16 where we find ourselves this morning.
I want us to consider life’s most important question in three steps. Number one, we're going to look at the context in which life's most important question was asked. Secondly, we're going to listen in on the conversation where life's most important question was asked and answered. And then, finally, I want to show you the change that knowing the right answer to life's most important question brings, the change in life that it brings.
All right, so let's go back to the first of these points, the first step. I want you to see the context in which this question was first posed. Here in Acts 16, Paul and a group of his coworkers are on a missionary journey. Things are going well. People are saving saved. They’re following the Lord in believer's baptism. A church is being planted there in Europe for the very first time. Paul and his team are experiencing the joy of seeing God at work. There's one particular life to which I want to allude that plays into our passage this morning. It's the story of a little girl. I call her little; she was probably a teenager. This girl had an unusual power. This girl could tell foretell the future, and the Bible explains how it is that she could foretell the future. She was actually possessed by a demon, and by virtue of this supernatural power, she could foretell the future.
Paul and his partners met up with this young girl. I won't tell the whole of the story, but I'll just say this. By the power of the gospel, this young girl was set free. I mean that in two senses. First of all, she was a slave to masters who were using her for their own profit. You see, people would pay to have their fortune told, and the slave masters had this girl in captivity, and were using her for their own profit. Again, I say that. This leads me to say a couple of things by way of lagniappe. First of all, fortune-telling is not just a thing of the ancient past. I could wish that it were so, but there still are fortune tellers in our day. I think most of these are just flat-out charlatans. They're just putting on a charade, a show. Perhaps some are demon-possessed, and they may have some capacity given them by spiritual forces.
I actually went on the web out of curiosity, and typed into a Google search engine “Fortune tellers, Baton Rouge.” I was curious to know, are there fortune tellers in our city today? What do you think the answer to that is? One of the responses was, “The 30 best fortune tellers in Baton Rouge.” I clicked on it. There was a list of fortune tellers in our fair town. It included people who did things like fortune-telling, tarot card reading. There were mediums, self-identified. Some could cast spells including love spells, etc. No, this is not just something that's from ancient history. Even in our own day, there are people who dabble into these things. So it gives me a good opportunity to let you know what God thinks of these things. I want to read from the Bible, Deuteronomy 18 beginning in verse 10:
There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer [that is, one who calls up the dead to speak with them] or one who inquires of the dead, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. . . .
This is from the Bible. Folks, we ought to have nothing to do with these works of darkness. Even something as what seems to be innocuous as horoscopes. I think it's terrible that papers will often include horoscopes. Worse yet, they put them next to the comics in the newspaper. It doesn't belong there, and I would encourage you not to read that. Astrology; anything of the sort, God says that is all an abomination. The work of the gospel is to set people free from these things. God doesn't want us to consult with the dead or with spiritists or with mediums. No, He has given us his word, sola scriptura. He has given us his indwelling Holy Spirit to illumine our minds to understand the things that are in the word of God. I don't need a fortune teller. I don't need a necromancer. I have all that I need, sola scriptura, to be a guide by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who illumines these truths to our lives. Now, I told you, that's just lagniappe. I just gave you that for extra.
I'm also reminded to say this: This poor young girl was a slave to her masters. It's very evident to me they didn't care one whit about that little girl. They only used her for their own purposes. You know, you hear a lot today about sex trafficking, pornography. Could I just remind us all, those who peddle that, who push that, they care nothing for the boys and girls whose lives they wreck. They domineer them and they own them, and anyone who participates in these things supports it. God sees it equally as an abomination. We as God's people ought have nothing to do with it. Instead of abusing people, we ought to love them and want them to be free. It's exactly what the Apostle Paul and his team were doing. They were setting people free by the good news of Jesus, and this little girl among them.
Now, you would think, would you not, that everyone is going to be ecstatic that this little girl has been set free. Oh, that it were so. It wasn't so. Her masters see that their means of ill gain is gone, and so they haul up Paul and Silas on false charges. Two things result, and I want to mention them to you. One, undeserved prison time. Undeserved prison. Paul and Silas, if you can imagine this, were cast into prison. It's worth noting, friend, that if we stand for the Lord, we're going to face opposition in this world. Not everyone is going to pat you on the back. Now you may get a fair amount of that; certainly here at church, I trust that you’re encouraged as you follow Christ. We want to do that. But it won't be so with everyone. There will be those who will oppose. I, myself, have faced occasions of great opposition. The Bible says; this is 2 Timothy 3:12, “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus was crucified. John was beheaded. Luther, of whom I spoke last week, was excommunicated. Jan Hus, the great Czech reformer, was burned at the stake. William Tyndale, who for the first time translated God's word into English so that all English speakers could hear the word of God in their heart language, he was burned as a heretic. Later he was exhumed and his ashes were sprinkled on the Thames River.
You come forward into our own day, I think about those believers in Libya not so long ago that were beheaded by ISIS because they believed in Christ. There will be opposition; there always has been, there always will be. Now it may not be as serious as these cases that I've named. Perhaps not even as serious as Paul and Silas, beaten now and imprisoned in stocks. But perhaps you'll be passed over for a promotion, or perhaps others will belittle you for your faith or some stance that you take on a moral issue, but I want to encourage us all as Paul and Silas did to remain faithful to the Lord despite the opposition that arises.
So, prison is really not a surprise. But do you know what is a surprise? It's that, though they are imprisoned, undeservedly so, there arises their undeterred praise to the Lord. How do they answer the stripes that were put upon their back and their stocks in which they were bound and the prison in which they were jailed? They answered their prison with praise. You know, it's one thing to praise the Lord when the prison doors swing open and the shackles fall from our wrists. But I want you to take note, Paul and Silas were not praising the Lord after they'd been liberated, after their shackles had fallen from them. No, they are praising the Lord in the midst of their suffering, unjust though it was. No wonder, then, the Bible says that the prisoners heard them. Don't you know the prisoners heard them? Don't you know the jailer himself heard them? They were listening to them. Of course they were, because there is power in our praise, particularly when it’s in the face of hardship and difficulty. I know I'm preaching to many of you who, even today, sang songs of praise to the Lord in the midst of your trial. I want to say God is honored by that. Your witness is never more powerful than when you gladly praise Him in the midst of your trial, and Paul and Silas did. So, that is the context in which life’s most important question arose.
Now, secondly, I want to take you to the actual conversation in which life's most important question is both asked and answered. First, let's look at the asking of this question. The jailer discovers that Paul and Silas have been set free. They are singing, and someone said that as they sang, God took such pleasure in their song that God was tapping his foot along with the beat of their song, and it caused the earthquake. That's a little bit fanciful, but I like it, still. God sent an earthquake to that jail. The jailhouse rocked, for all of you 1950s folks. As the jailhouse rocked, the prison doors swung open. The shackles fell from their hands and their feet, if, in fact, they were shackled at both of those extremities. The shackles fell, and the jailer, realizing that the prison doors have swung open and that the prisoners have been set free, presumes that they've all escaped. You have to know that in that day, if you were the jailer, and your prisoners escaped, you would be executed for having failed at your duty. He sees this, is terrorized by it, and he draws his sword and intends to kill himself.
Here's another point where I want to interject a thought. It's never right to take your own life; it's never right to take your own life. He's going to commit suicide. I may be speaking to someone this morning who is contemplating ending your own life. Maybe you're in a valley, a deep, deep valley, and it seems there's no escape from it. Could I just encourage you that suicide is never the answer? Paul and Silas, to their credit, step in and they tell the man, “Don't harm yourself. We’re all here.” Now, let's be frank. Here's the jailer who has put them into the deepest part of the prison. Perhaps he's even taken some joy in shackling them and in seeing their wounds from the beating that they took. You couldn't blame Paul and Silas if they just stood aside as the jailer killed himself, but motivated by Christ's love, they intervene and they say, “Don't harm yourself.” I'm reminded to challenge all of us, if you know of someone who is wrestling with deep depression, intervene. Speak to them. We have a counseling ministry here at Istrouma, and we can get help. There is help, and there is hope in Christ. Paul and Silas say, “Do yourself no harm.”
Upon their kindness, this jailer runs in before Paul and Silas and the Bible says that he falls down at their feet. You see, he's been impacted by what he's observed. He has seen Paul and Silas singing praises to God. He's heard that song. He's personally experienced their mercy when they defend him who once oppressed them. Paul and Silas could easily have escaped, but they haven't. They’re remaining there. So, impacted by what he has heard and seen, he asks life's most important question. It’s in verse 30:
Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Now, some might suggest that this question is related to the temporal crisis. He knows that the prisoners might escape, that the wrath of Rome is going to fall upon him; he's going to be executed, so he's asking, “Sirs, how can I escape my impending doom?” But I don't believe that's the real heart of his question, because the prisoners have not escaped. They’ve remained. His life has been spared. There is hope temporally. No, I believe he is asking an eternal question, “What must I do to be saved from my sins? What must I do to inherit eternal life?” I believe that's the heart of his question. And I love this question. I see in it his humility. He doesn't think he has all the answers, and I tell you, that's a healthy thing. Maybe you've come in today quite confident in yourself, presuming that you have all of the answers both to life and eternity. But have you ever come in humility to ask this simple question, “What must I do to be forgiven; what must I do to be saved? I want to be instructed. I want to be taught. I want God's answer to life's most important question.” I see his humility. I see his hunger. He rushes in. He falls at their feet. He is desperate. I don't know that anyone comes to salvation apart from desperation, hunger, and humility. This man has all of those traits, and for that reason, he asks life's most important question, “What must I do to be saved?”
Not only is the question asked, the question is answered. For all time, we know the answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Point-blank question; point-blank answer. What must I do to be saved? What must you do to be saved? What must all humans do if they are to be saved? The apostle’s answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”
I want us to think about that answer just for a moment. I want us to think of what the answer was not. What must I do to be saved? Notice that he did not say, “Join the church and you will be saved.” There are a lot of people that think that. They think, “Well if I'm going to go to heaven, I've got to be a member of some church or some faith. If I have my name on a church roll somewhere, then I'm good.” No. Joining a church of any stripe does not save you. It's not the answer to the question. He did not say, “Get baptized and you will be saved.” There's nothing wrong with getting baptized. In fact, he's about to get baptized. There's nothing wrong with joining a church. He's going to become a part, I believe, of the Philippian church that started with Lydia, was joined by the slave girl who was now set free. He's going to be, I'll just say, the third member of the church at Philippi. Nothing wrong with these good deeds, but it's not by good deeds that you are saved. Good deeds are the fruit of salvation in you, not the root of it, not the source of it. How do you get saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.
This answer is in harmony with the rest of the Bible. Listen to John 1:12:
But to all who did receive him [that is, speaking of the incarnate Christ], who believed [there it is, who believed] in his name [What is it to receive Christ? It’s to believe in him...to all who did receive him, who believed in his name], he gave the right to become [the] children of God.
How do you become a child of God? How do you get saved? How do you have your sins washed away? How do you go to heaven? You believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You trust in him. You receive him.
John 3:16, the most famous verse in all of the Bible:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
How do you get everlasting life? How do you get saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus.
Romans 1:16:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God [unto] salvation to everyone who believes...
Eph. 2:8-9:
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The way to be saved is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. There are basically two systems that are put forward as answers to this question. One is faith alone, sola fide, our theme for today. The other is that you’re saved by faith and works. They often will cite, those who hold the latter position, they’ll cite James 2:24. There the Bible says:
...a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
So now, we’re in a quandary. Are we saved by faith alone apart from works, or are we saved by faith and works? That's a pivotal question, and we must know the answer to it. I believe that the Bible is clear that salvation comes by faith alone. How then is it that James can say that you’re saved not by faith alone but also by the works that you do? How can we reconcile these two passages of scripture?
James, if you read the broader text there, is talking about the faith that saves. He says, “Show me your faith without works, and I'll show you my faith by my works.” James knew well that faith alone saves, but faith that saves is never alone. I'll say it again. Faith alone saves, but faith that saves is never alone, and that our works show the reality of our faith. If you have no works to demonstrate your faith, then what kind of faith do you have? James says that you have a dead faith, and he asks, “Can that faith save?” I'll answer the question, No, that faith can't save. Someone can say, “Oh, I believe in Jesus,” but they never go to church, they never follow the Lord in believer’s baptism, they have no heart for generosity, they curse, they swear, they sleep around, they rebel and break God's law. There's no fruit. There's no demonstration of a real faith. Can that type of faith, just verbal in nature, save? No it cannot. It has to be a genuine and real faith that is demonstrated in the life that ensues.
That brings me, then, to the last point, and that is the change that comes to the life that answers rightly life’s most important question, when the person knows the answer, and I'll put a capital “A” on it, the Answer to life's most important question. The Answer to life's most important question is a person, the Lord Jesus, and when you put your faith and trust in him and his atoning death on the cross, you are saved.
Now listen, it brings change. Would you look in your Bible again, now, to verse 33?
And he [that is, the jailer] took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God
What a tremendous paragraph that is! You see, the change in his life was produced by faith. He embraced the gospel proclaimed to him, and the change was produced by that faith. Now, that faith is proven by the fruit of good deeds. You see his baptism. Listen; if you’ve given your life to Christ, and you've come to saving faith, you ought to follow the Lord in believer's baptism. I'm probably talking to some folks in here that have not yet let your faith be made known through baptism subsequent to your salvation. I just want to challenge you to take that step of faith and demonstrate by it that you’ve put your trust in Christ. I may be speaking to some who’ve not yet committed to fellowship in a local church. We want to challenge you to not only believe but belong. Commit yourself to membership and service in a local church. I note this man's generosity. He set food before them. I note his joy; he is rejoicing now. He went from desperation and suicidal thoughts to great joy, and what made the difference? It was Christ in him that made the difference.
Have you been changed? Is your life radically different because Christ indwells you? If not, this very morning I'm going to challenge you to give your life to Christ.
I'm going to tell you one last story. I’m going to put on the screen a picture of a fellow whose name is John Harper. Some of you may know his name. John Harper was born into a Christian family May 29, 1872 in Scotland. He became a Christian 13 years later and had already started preaching by age 17. He received training at the Baptist Pioneer Mission in London, and in 1896 he founded a church, now known as Harper Memorial Church in Glasgow, which began with 25 worshipers but had grown to 500 members by the time he left 13 years later.
In 1912 Harper, the newly-called pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, was traveling on the Titanic with his 6-year-old daughter. After the ship struck an iceberg and began to sink, he got Nana into a lifeboat but apparently made no effort to follow her. Instead, he ran through the ship yelling, "Women, children, and unsaved into the lifeboats!" Survivors report that he then began witnessing to anyone who would listen. He continued preaching even after he had jumped into the water and was clinging to a piece of wreckage (he'd already given his lifejacket to another man).
Harper's final moments were recounted four years later at a meeting in Hamilton, Ontario, by a man who said “I am a survivor of the Titanic. When I was drifting alone on a spar that awful night, the tide brought Mr. Harper of Glasgow, also on a piece of wreck, near me. ‘Man,’ he said, ‘Are you saved?’ ‘No,’ I said, ‘I am not.’ He replied, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’
“The waves bore him away, but, strange to say, brought him back a little later, and he said, ‘Are you saved now?’ ‘No,’ I said, ‘I cannot honestly say that I am.’ He said again, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,’ [quoting the very verse I preached to you today]. Shortly after, he went down; and there, alone in the night, and with two miles of water under me, I believed. I am John Harper's last convert.”
He was also one of only six people picked out the water by the lifeboats; the other 1,522, including Harper, were left to die.
You know, it's interesting. There were only two kinds of people after the Titanic sank – those who were saved, and those who were lost. There were no other kind of passengers aboard the Titanic; those who were saved, and those who were lost. Could I just say on the ship of earth on which we sail, there are only two kinds of people – those who are saved, and those who are lost. That's why I say life's most important question is this: “What must I do to be saved?” Friend, the gospel message is this, believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
You say, “Man, is that all?” Yes, that’s all. That is all, because once you believe, it transforms life. I want to challenge you this morning to believe on the Lord Jesus.
Let’s stand.
[Invitation]
[Prayer]
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Solas
“Sola Fide”
Hechos 16:25-34
- El contexto de la pregunta más importante de la vida.
“Alrededor de la medianoche, Pablo y Silas estaban orando y cantando himnos a Dios, y los demás prisioneros escuchaban.” (Hechos 16:25).
- Prisión injusta
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Adoración inquebrantable
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La conversación sobre la pregunta más importante de la vida.
“Después los sacó y les preguntó: —Señores, ¿qué debo hacer para ser salvo?
31 Ellos le contestaron: —Cree en el Señor Jesús y serás salvo, junto con todos los de tu casa.” (Hechos 16: 30-31)
- Pregunta ansiosa
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Respuesta acertada
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El cambio después de la pregunta más importante de la vida.
“Aun a esa hora de la noche, el carcelero los atendió y les lavó las heridas. Enseguida ellos lo bautizaron a él y a todos los de su casa.34 El carcelero los llevó adentro de su casa y les dio de comer, y tanto él como los de su casa se alegraron porque todos habían creído en Dios.” (Hechos 16: 33-34).
- Producido por la fe
- Probado por los frutos
Sola Scriptura
Sermon Series: Solas
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Ginn, Lead Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon January 5, 2020
Outline:
- The production of scripture
All Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16a).
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Its inspiration
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Its implications
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The practicality of scripture
And profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16b).
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Our beliefs
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Our behaviors
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The purpose of scripture
That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17).
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Our maturity
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Our ministry
There's a towering figure in the history of Christianity whose name you need to know. His name is Martin Luther. I want to tell you a little bit about his story. Martin Luther was born back in the 1400s, more than 500 years ago, and he was a very devout young man. He loved the Lord, and as a result, he eventually became a monk, a priest, even a professor of theology. As those callings demand, he was a student of the scripture. He loved the word of God and he voraciously and ardently studied it. In the course of studying the Bible, the scripture, he became concerned about the discrepancy, or the chasm, that existed between what the scriptures taught and what the dominant church of that age was doing. He saw errors, he believed, and he saw abuses. I'll mention one. There was the practice back in those days of selling indulgences. Let me explain this. An indulgence was a forgiveness of sins. You've done something wrong and you want to be forgiven. Well, the church taught at that time that they had the power to forgive sin, and if you would give an offering, you could, by means of that offering, purchase an indulgence. There was a guy who was traveling around Europe selling these indulgences. His name was Tetzel, and he had a little song that he sang, and it roughly went like this: “When the coin into the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs.”
In other words, if you’ll give an offering big enough, your mother who’s suffering in purgatory can get out. Luther was troubled, to put it lightly, by these things because you don't see any of that in the Bible. It’s like, “Where do you get this, and why are you teaching that?” He viewed it as abusing the people. He said if the pope wants to build a new building in Rome, why doesn't he just do it out of his own treasury? He's fabulously wealthy. Why is he doing it on the backs of the peasants? So, Luther was upset.
I will say, Luther loved the church, and Luther wasn't looking to be a rebel or to rebel or to get out of the church. He wanted to reform it. He wanted a renewal. He wanted to take the church back to its origins, to its roots in scripture. So, he set about one day to write down some of his concerns. He did them, and when they were numbered, they were 95 in number. They are known to history by this phrase, “The 95 Theses.” You know what a thesis is, like a thesis statement in your term paper, or you write a thesis for your master's degree. The plural form of thesis is “theses.” 95 theses. There were 95 points of concern, and he took those 95 theses that he'd written out and he nailed to the door of the church where he was like the parish priest. I know that sounds like he was defacing the property; he was not. In those days, the church door functioned like a bulletin board, and if you wanted to announce something, you could tack it to the church door and it would be seen by all. So, he tacked to the door of the church his points of concern. He sent out an invitation. He said, “If you want to discuss these things, then I want to invite you to a dialogue. Let’s talk about these things, and if there needs to be change, let's make the changes.
Well, it caused a furor all across Europe because the church was in league with the Holy Roman Emperor. And they held the reins of power and wealth, and Luther was like a bee in the bonnet. It caused a furor. Word got all the way to Rome about what Luther had done, and so the pope initiated a church council, called together leaders from across the empire, and the emperor himself sat presiding over this gathering. They were going to discuss the points of concern that Luther had raised, and Luther had raised many significant theological points of concern. At stake was Luther's life. You know, in our culture today, it’s hard to appreciate this because in our day if we have different viewpoints, it's no big deal. It's no skin off your nose. You believe one thing, I believe another; we just live in peace with one another. We have religious liberty. It wasn't so in those days. If you took issue with the church, you would face the wrath of the empire, and Luther’s life was at stake; certainly his career and livelihood. So he was on trial, and as the trial grew to its climax, Luther was asked if he would recant what he had written. To recant means you do an about-face. You say, “I was wrong. I take back what I said.” So they said, “Luther, here's your choice. You're going to be condemned, or you can recant. Which will you do?”
Luther felt these things very deeply, and he said, “Would you give me an evening to pray about what I’ll say. They said, “Yes, you may have an evening.” So, Luther went back to his room. Luther played earnestly, “God what should I do”? And through that evening of prayer and counsel with friends, he came back the next day and he stood before... now, put yourself in his shoes. Could you do this? He stood before the emperor and the might of the empire, and he was asked once again, “Luther, will you recant?” I want you to hear his response:
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. May God help me. Amen.
When Luther said this, the fury of the empire came down upon him. He was excommunicated from the church. He was branded a heretic, and it was decreed that anyone who would take Luther's life would not be held liable for doing so. Fortunately for Luther, he had a confidant who was one of the princes of Germany, and he stole Luther away and hid him in a castle in a place called Wartburg. There, hidden away in the castle in Wartburg, Luther furiously, not angrily, but busily, set about translating the Bible into the common language of the people. The first German Bible was then published, and from it courage arose in Europe, and the first English translation by a man named Tyndale was published, and it set about a great renewal in the church, what’s known to history as the Great Reformation.
Luther Stands as a colossal figure of history because of this principle, and I'm going to give it to you in two words: Sola scriptura. Sola scriptura. You see, this month, every Sunday, we're going to take a different bedrock principle of our church, and we're going to teach upon it. The first of them is this one, Sola scriptura, that is translated “only scripture.” No decree of man, no church council, no pastor can dictate anything that supersedes or takes precedence over God's revealed word. Do you want to know why Istrouma Baptist Church is a vibrant and growing church today? I'm going to tell you why. One of the primary reasons is because we stand upon this principle, sola scriptura; only God's word reigns supreme over our conscience and our faith.
I want to convince you of this same principle. That’s my goal this morning. To do so, I'm going to ask you to turn in your Bible to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Let’s stand to our feet as a sign of our respect for God's word, and we’ll read these two verses:
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.
Let’s pray.
[Prayer]
Please be seated.
My wife and I were on vacation last week, and we thank you for giving us some days off. We traveled to Virginia where our children and grandchildren live. We had a great time hugging all those grandkid’s necks and just being with them. I want to thank Brad who preached in my absence last week. I heard he did a great job, and I thank you, Brad, for preaching God's word faithfully. But as we were on that trip and returning, my wife saw a church sign and it said this, “Daily devotions are better than yearly resolutions.” I like that. Daily devotions are better than yearly resolutions. We're at the time of New Year's resolutions, right? Everybody's got a New Year's resolution, whatever it is; lose weight, learn to play the guitar, whatever your New Year's resolution is. Could I just challenge you to this: Have a daily devotional. Daily time in the word of God because the word of God, sola scriptura, is our daily meat. It's our food. Man shall not live on bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. I want to motivate you to this, all right? Not just to daily devotion, but to a lifetime of living out the principles of God's word. I'm going to do it in three headings. First of all, I'm going to talk to you about the production of scripture – how did it come to be? Number two, I'm going to talk to you about the practicality of scripture. And finally, I'm going to talk to you about the purpose of scripture. All right; let’s take these up.
Number one, the production of scripture. How did it happen that we've come to hold in our hands this precious book here and now? I'm going to give it to you in these two words: inspiration and then implications. Inspiration and implications. “Inspiration,” what do I mean? I mean that God has given us this book by inspiration. Now the word often translated here “inspiration” is in the Greek language a very interesting word. In fact, it's a word that only appears once in all of the Bible. One time. It doesn't even occur in secular Greek literature of that day. It's a word that Paul coined. That is, Paul created this word. It didn't exist. The reason it's so unique it is because it is describing a process that is unique. The word is this: theopneustos. Theopneustos. It’s a compound word. It's got two parts to it. The first part is theos. Theos is the Greek word for God. Some of you knew that. We get our English word “theology,” the study of God, from theos. From the word theopneustos we get the root of our English word “pneumatic,” like a tire that's filled with air; that's a pneumatic tire, it’s an air-filled tire. Or “pneumonia,” when your lungs – you don't have enough respiration. It's the whole idea of breath or wind. So theopneustos is the wind of God. The breath of God. That's what is meant when it says “inspiration.” It is literally, all scripture is theopneustos; it is breathed out by God. Folks, this is phenomenal! No wonder he coined the term. There’s no other book like this book.
You know, sometimes we use the word “inspired” very casually. Like you hear a beautiful song and you're like, “Oh man, that was inspired.” Handel's “Messiah” – people will say, “That was inspired.” Or maybe you read a book; let’s say Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love,” and you’re like, “Oh man, that book’s inspired!” Could I just say to you? There is no other book, there is no other song, there is no other sermon. You say “Pastor Jeff, what a sermon, he was inspired today.” Not like this. I depend upon God and I ask him to help me and fill me, but the words that I say are not perfect. God's word is perfect. I seek to be faithful to it, but I can be mistaken. Church councils can be mistaken. Popes can be mistaken. But this book, never mistaken. Why? Because it’s breathed out by God. Here's what the Bible says of the Lord in Numbers 23:19: “God is not man, that he should lie…” We all lie. God doesn’t lie.
In Titus 1:2, God is described as the one who never lies. God can’t lie.
Hebrews 6:18 says, “It is impossible for God to lie.”
If God can't lie and these are his words, guess what? There’s no lie in this book. There’s no untruth. That's why we call it inerrant; infallible. It is perfect. It is God's word, and you can take it to the bank. Listen, people may lie to you. People may break their contracts with you. But God will never lie to you, and his word will always prove faithful. Take it to the bank. That's the inspiration.
Secondly, what are the implications of this? “Okay, big deal; this is God's inspired word. What's the significance of that?” Glad you asked. Let me give you a couple of the significances of this inspiration. Number one, it's true, and that's what I was just talking about. This book is true. But secondly, it is timeless. Psalm 119:89 says “Forever O Lord your word is established in the heavens.” That is, God's word will never change. It was relevant when Jesus trod this earth. It was relevant when Abraham lived. It was relevant when Jesus and the apostles lived, and friends, it's just as relevant today. It is timeless. “Forever O Lord your word is fixed or established in the heavens.” It will never change, and I'm so glad. This book is more relevant to your life than the newspaper that you picked up off your doorstep when you came out this morning. And by the way, nowadays, the newspaper that you get on your doorstep is already out of date. You know, you’d better look at your feed on your cell phone, right, to get the most recent story as it breaks. I want to tell you something. This book is more up-to-date than your news feed on your cell phone. It is timeless.
Listen, this is important. You young people listen to me. We’re living in a day where they talk about the “information overload.” Have you heard that phrase? I’ve talked to you before about what's called the “knowledge doubling curve.” Remember Buckminster Fuller, that scientist who said that from the dawn of humanity to the year 1900, human knowledge would double about every 100 years. Every once in a while you'd have an invention. The Chinese would invent fireworks. Then several hundred years later Gutenberg would invent the printing press. So knowledge grew very incrementally. But he said that when you get to the year 1900, when modernity is kicking in, knowledge begins to double every 25 years. Then you come up into the 1980s when he published his book, he said that knowledge was doubling every 12 months, every year. So every hundred years, every twenty-five years, every year. They say that now, with the Internet, and AI, artificial intelligence, human knowledge is doubling every 12 hours.
Now, an unintended effect of the doubling of knowledge is what's called the “half-life of knowledge.” Now, stick with me on this. I'm going somewhere! Listen. The half-life of knowledge. I've got some nursing students in here. I've got some medical doctors in here, so you can back me up on this. They say that when you go to medical school and you graduate, within 24 months half of what you learned in medical school is obsolete. You're an engineering student; they say that within a matter of a very scant few years, half of what you learned in engineering will be obsolete. Think about software developers. With software, there is the initial version, typically Version 0. Then V1.0, V2.0 etc. as updates and upgrades are needed. But look here: there’s no Bible 2.0, nor need there be. There's not going to be a Bible 10, and do you know why? Because this is inspired. God breathed it out. And because it's so, it's true and it is timeless. Because of divine inspiration there is no date of expiration! And all God's people said [“Amen”]. Doggone Right! Doggone Right. That's the production of scripture.
Now, number two, the practicality of scripture. Young people, listen to me. I'm an old fellow now, and I've learned some things across the years, and I'm going to help you. I'm not going to charge you tuition or anything. This book that I hold in my hand is practical. You say, “Man, I don’t want to listen to a sermon. That's boring. That has nothing to do with how I live.” Nothing could be further from the truth. You're not going to watch a television program; you’re not going to Netflix something (Is “Netflix a verb?). You’re not going to watch something on Netflix that's more pertinent to your life or more practical than what I am teaching you this morning and every other Sunday as far as that goes. I'm the most relevant media in your life, if I could say that; someone who faithfully teaches the word of God, and I hope that I do. And your Sunday School teachers, your small group leaders, your Bible study leaders, because they're giving you the inspired word of God, and it's practical. He says that this inspired word is profitable. I love that word. It means useful. It means valuable. This is useful, this is valuable, this is practical, all right? And he gives us four ways in which it is practical. Watch this. Four ways it’s practical: for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Now, watch. Instruction is positive. “Here's what you ought to believe.” Reproof is negative. That's like, “Oops, you've got it wrong there; let me reprove you. Correction is also negative. And then the last word, training in righteousness is positive. So it's positive, negative, negative, positive. Do you see that? Those four characteristics are actually two pairs. The positive and negative first go together, and then the third and fourth, negative and positive, they go together. It’s what’s called in scripture a “chiasm.” Those two pairs go together. The first two pertain to our beliefs. The Bible gives us instruction as to what we ought to believe, and it reproves us when we believe anything different from that. But it's not just our beliefs that we get from the Bible. It ought to govern our behavior, and that's the last couplet. For correction; that is, when I’m off the path, and I’m behaving as I ought not, the word of God corrects me. And then it trains me in right conduct, righteousness, right living, making it practical.
Let me give you a word picture that I think will help you. Every little boy's dream – let me help you with next year’s Christmas list, all right? Moms, dads, listen. You want to get your son a gift he’ll like? Get him a Swiss Army Knife if he's never had one. How many of you have ever had a Swiss Army Knife? Would you raise your hand up? Swiss Army Knife – there's nothing cooler in the world. The reason it's cool is because it's so practical. You've got a magnifying glass. You've got scissors. You've got tweezers. You've got a ruler. You've got a saw – you can saw off a little branch. It's even got a hidden toothpick, did y'all know this? It’s pretty nasty; you can use that toothpick and put it back in the knife. That’s funny! Swiss Army Knife. But it's practical.
The Bible is your spiritual Swiss Army Knife. It instructs you. It reproves you. It corrects you. It trains you in righteousness. For some of you, you're not into Swiss Army Knives. Let me just use this illustration. This is a smartphone. This is the Millennials’ Swiss Army Knife, right here. Have you ever thought about what a smartphone can do? It's crazy! It's a phone. It's an alarm clock. It's a stopwatch. It's a calendar. It's a secretary. I can speak into this, and it will transcribe in written form what I say. I can text. I can email. When we were driving from Virginia to Louisiana, I didn't have to worry about where to turn. This is a guide for me. I could go on; you get the idea. I know you love your smartphone. You wouldn't dream of going anywhere without your smartphone. You lose it, and you’d start having hives – “where’s my smartphone?” You wake up; it's the first thing you consult. It’s the last thing; you put yourself to sleep scrolling through Instagram picks. Hey, don't go anywhere without God's word. Hide it in your heart. Daily devotional in it. Live it. It is practical.
Now, to the end. The purpose of it. I’ll just give you these two. It helps us become mature. Do you know why a lot of people in church are immature? Because they don't know the word of God. You become mature, the Bible says, speaking the truth in love. We are to grow up into him who is the head. How do you grow up? You get the word of God in you, and then, not only will you be mature, you’ll minister. You’ll serve.
Our ministries grow out of our knowledge of the word of God. And, oh, the ministry that God wants to do through your life. You’re some of the most gifted, dedicated people I know, and as you imbibe the truth of God's word you're going to be equipped and strengthened to find your place in ministry, and conduct it.
We're going to conclude this morning by celebrating the Lord's Supper. I’m going to tell you one last story. There was once a ship in the British Royal Navy. It was called The Bounty. It had a captain who was very demanding; some say cruel, even. They were sailing in the South Pacific, and they happened into the Tahiti Islands. They set down their anchor, and they lived there in Tahiti for a period of time. The sailors, they thought they’d died and gone to heaven. They’d come from cold, wet England, and here they are in balmy Tahiti. Palm trees swaying. Gentle breeze. Beautiful island women. The sailors reveled; they loved being in those islands.
The captain finally had had enough, and he said, “All right, we're going to get on board, and we're going to leave. We're going to go about our duties.” Some of the sailors decided they would mutiny; that is, turn on the captain, and they did. They put the captain and some of the senior officers into one of those rowboats, like a lifeboat on the ship, and they sent them away. They commandeered the ship. They put on board the ship a couple of dozen Tahiti people, many of them women, and these sailors sailed off into the ocean blue with these beautiful Tahiti women. They ended up finding a small remote island called Pitcairn Island. You can look it up. Pitcairn Island. They sailed into the bay of this beautiful tropical island. They took off everything of value from the ship, and they burned the ship so that they would never be discovered, they hoped. Because, look, if you mutiny against the Royal British Navy, it's a capital offense, so they're hiding for their lives. There, they think they've died and gone to the Garden of Eden. They are living ungodly lives. They discovered how to make alcohol from one of the plants on the island, and they're drinking, and they’re being sexually immoral.
But as the years go by, their Garden of Eden does what the first Garden of Eden did. It goes south. The men become jealous, fighting over the women. Many of the men are killed. Finally, there's only one British man still living. A number of Tahiti women are living. Now, they’ve fathered many children; kind of a colony there. The man is distraught. He sees the ruin and chaos about him, and he's searching through the things that they got off the ship, and he discovers a Bible and a Book of Common Prayer. He begins to study the word of God, and he becomes convicted of his sin and his need to repent and get right with God and get saved. And he does. Then he takes that same word of God, and he begins to teach the women he once abused, and the children.
Many years go by. In 1808, an American ship happened upon that island. They went there. They needed water, and they landed on the island. They discovered these people; now listen. Where there had once been warring and violence and crimes, there was peace. There wasn't a jail on the island. There wasn't a need for one. And the people were all Christian. How did that happen? Two words: sola scriptura, God's word transformed their lives. God intends that nothing less happen with us. He wants to transform us by his word. Do you know the primary way we’re transformed? Here I’m coming to the end. Jesus said to those who heard him; he said, “You study the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. It is they that bear witness about me.” In other words, Jesus was saying, “It’s not enough to know scripture. You've got to know me.” He is the focal point of scripture. Do you know Christ? If not, this day, surrender your life to him, he who died on the cross, shed his blood, his body was broken for us. He arose from the dead so that we might be forgiven and transformed.
Let's stand with our heads bowed.
[Prayer]
[Lord’s Supper]
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Istrouma en Español
Solas
“Solo Scriptura”
2 Timoteo 3.16-17
- La procedencia de las Escrituras.
“Toda la Escritura es inspirada por Dios…” (2 Tim. 3: 16a)
- Su inspiración
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Sus implicaciones
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La practicidad de las Escrituras.
“…y útil para enseñar, para reprender, para corregir y para instruir en la justiciar” (2 Tim. 3: 16b).
- Nuestra creencia
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Nuestro comportamiento
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El propósito de la escritura.
“A fin de que los siervos de Dios estén plenamente capacitados para toda buena obra” (2 Tim. 3:17).
- Nuestra madurez
- Nuestro ministerio
Solas
“Sola Scriptura”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
- The production of scripture
All Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16a)
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Its inspiration
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Its implications
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The practicality of scripture
And profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16b).
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Our beliefs
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Our behaviors
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The purpose of scripture
That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17).
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Our maturity
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Our ministry
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
There's a towering figure in the history of Christianity whose name you need to know. His name is Martin Luther. I want to tell you a little bit about his story. Martin Luther was born back in the 1400s, more than 500 years ago, and he was a very devout young man. He loved the Lord, and as a result, he eventually became a monk, a priest, even a professor of theology. As those callings demand, he was a student of the scripture. He loved the word of God and he voraciously and ardently studied it. In the course of studying the Bible, the scripture, he became concerned about the discrepancy, or the chasm, that existed between what the scriptures taught and what the dominant church of that age was doing. He saw errors, he believed, and he saw abuses. I'll mention one. There was the practice back in those days of selling indulgences. Let me explain this. An indulgence was a forgiveness of sins. You've done something wrong and you want to be forgiven. Well, the church taught at that time that they had the power to forgive sin, and if you would give an offering, you could, by means of that offering, purchase an indulgence. There was a guy who was traveling around Europe selling these indulgences. His name was Tetzel, and he had a little song that he sang, and it roughly went like this: “When the coin into the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs.”
In other words, if you’ll give an offering big enough, your mother who’s suffering in purgatory can get out. Luther was troubled, to put it lightly, by these things because you don't see any of that in the Bible. It’s like, “Where do you get this, and why are you teaching that?” He viewed it as abusing the people. He said if the pope wants to build a new building in Rome, why doesn't he just do it out of his own treasury? He's fabulously wealthy. Why is he doing it on the backs of the peasants? So, Luther was upset.
I will say, Luther loved the church, and Luther wasn't looking to be a rebel or to rebel or to get out of the church. He wanted to reform it. He wanted a renewal. He wanted to take the church back to its origins, to its roots in scripture. So, he set about one day to write down some of his concerns. He did them, and when they were numbered, they were 95 in number. They are known to history by this phrase, “The 95 Theses.” You know what a thesis is, like a thesis statement in your term paper, or you write a thesis for your master's degree. The plural form of thesis is “theses.” 95 theses. There were 95 points of concern, and he took those 95 theses that he'd written out and he nailed to the door of the church where he was like the parish priest. I know that sounds like he was defacing the property; he was not. In those days, the church door functioned like a bulletin board, and if you wanted to announce something, you could tack it to the church door and it would be seen by all. So, he tacked to the door of the church his points of concern. He sent out an invitation. He said, “If you want to discuss these things, then I want to invite you to a dialogue. Let’s talk about these things, and if there needs to be change, let's make the changes.
Well, it caused a furor all across Europe because the church was in league with the Holy Roman Emperor. And they held the reins of power and wealth, and Luther was like a bee in the bonnet. It caused a furor. Word got all the way to Rome about what Luther had done, and so the pope initiated a church council, called together leaders from across the empire, and the emperor himself sat presiding over this gathering. They were going to discuss the points of concern that Luther had raised, and Luther had raised many significant theological points of concern. At stake was Luther's life. You know, in our culture today, it’s hard to appreciate this because in our day if we have different viewpoints, it's no big deal. It's no skin off your nose. You believe one thing, I believe another; we just live in peace with one another. We have religious liberty. It wasn't so in those days. If you took issue with the church, you would face the wrath of the empire, and Luther’s life was at stake; certainly his career and livelihood. So he was on trial, and as the trial grew to its climax, Luther was asked if he would recant what he had written. To recant means you do an about-face. You say, “I was wrong. I take back what I said.” So they said, “Luther, here's your choice. You're going to be condemned, or you can recant. Which will you do?”
Luther felt these things very deeply, and he said, “Would you give me an evening to pray about what I’ll say. They said, “Yes, you may have an evening.” So, Luther went back to his room. Luther played earnestly, “God what should I do”? And through that evening of prayer and counsel with friends, he came back the next day and he stood before... now, put yourself in his shoes. Could you do this? He stood before the emperor and the might of the empire, and he was asked once again, “Luther, will you recant?” I want you to hear his response:
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. May God help me. Amen.
When Luther said this, the fury of the empire came down upon him. He was excommunicated from the church. He was branded a heretic, and it was decreed that anyone who would take Luther's life would not be held liable for doing so. Fortunately for Luther, he had a confidant who was one of the princes of Germany, and he stole Luther away and hid him in a castle in a place called Wartburg. There, hidden away in the castle in Wartburg, Luther furiously, not angrily, but busily, set about translating the Bible into the common language of the people. The first German Bible was then published, and from it courage arose in Europe, and the first English translation by a man named Tyndale was published, and it set about a great renewal in the church, what’s known to history as the Great Reformation.
Luther Stands as a colossal figure of history because of this principle, and I'm going to give it to you in two words: Sola scriptura. Sola scriptura. You see, this month, every Sunday, we're going to take a different bedrock principle of our church, and we're going to teach upon it. The first of them is this one, Sola scriptura, that is translated “only scripture.” No decree of man, no church council, no pastor can dictate anything that supersedes or takes precedence over God's revealed word. Do you want to know why Istrouma Baptist Church is a vibrant and growing church today? I'm going to tell you why. One of the primary reasons is because we stand upon this principle, sola scriptura; only God's word reigns supreme over our conscience and our faith.
I want to convince you of this same principle. That’s my goal this morning. To do so, I'm going to ask you to turn in your Bible to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Let’s stand to our feet as a sign of our respect for God's word, and we’ll read these two verses:
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.
Let’s pray.
[Prayer]
Please be seated.
My wife and I were on vacation last week, and we thank you for giving us some days off. We traveled to Virginia where our children and grandchildren live. We had a great time hugging all those grandkid’s necks and just being with them. I want to thank Brad who preached in my absence last week. I heard he did a great job, and I thank you, Brad, for preaching God's word faithfully. But as we were on that trip and returning, my wife saw a church sign and it said this, “Daily devotions are better than yearly resolutions.” I like that. Daily devotions are better than yearly resolutions. We're at the time of New Year's resolutions, right? Everybody's got a New Year's resolution, whatever it is; lose weight, learn to play the guitar, whatever your New Year's resolution is. Could I just challenge you to this: Have a daily devotional. Daily time in the word of God because the word of God, sola scriptura, is our daily meat. It's our food. Man shall not live on bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. I want to motivate you to this, all right? Not just to daily devotion, but to a lifetime of living out the principles of God's word. I'm going to do it in three headings. First of all, I'm going to talk to you about the production of scripture – how did it come to be? Number two, I'm going to talk to you about the practicality of scripture. And finally, I'm going to talk to you about the purpose of scripture. All right; let’s take these up.
Number one, the production of scripture. How did it happen that we've come to hold in our hands this precious book here and now? I'm going to give it to you in these two words: inspiration and then implications. Inspiration and implications. “Inspiration,” what do I mean? I mean that God has given us this book by inspiration. Now the word often translated here “inspiration” is in the Greek language a very interesting word. In fact, it's a word that only appears once in all of the Bible. One time. It doesn't even occur in secular Greek literature of that day. It's a word that Paul coined. That is, Paul created this word. It didn't exist. The reason it's so unique it is because it is describing a process that is unique. The word is this: theopneustos. Theopneustos. It’s a compound word. It's got two parts to it. The first part is theos. Theos is the Greek word for God. Some of you knew that. We get our English word “theology,” the study of God, from theos. From the word theopneustos we get the root of our English word “pneumatic,” like a tire that's filled with air; that's a pneumatic tire, it’s an air-filled tire. Or “pneumonia,” when your lungs – you don't have enough respiration. It's the whole idea of breath or wind. So theopneustos is the wind of God. The breath of God. That's what is meant when it says “inspiration.” It is literally, all scripture is theopneustos; it is breathed out by God. Folks, this is phenomenal! No wonder he coined the term. There’s no other book like this book.
You know, sometimes we use the word “inspired” very casually. Like you hear a beautiful song and you're like, “Oh man, that was inspired.” Handel's “Messiah” – people will say, “That was inspired.” Or maybe you read a book; let’s say Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love,” and you’re like, “Oh man, that book’s inspired!” Could I just say to you? There is no other book, there is no other song, there is no other sermon. You say “Pastor Jeff, what a sermon, he was inspired today.” Not like this. I depend upon God and I ask him to help me and fill me, but the words that I say are not perfect. God's word is perfect. I seek to be faithful to it, but I can be mistaken. Church councils can be mistaken. Popes can be mistaken. But this book, never mistaken. Why? Because it’s breathed out by God. Here's what the Bible says of the Lord in Numbers 23:19: “God is not man, that he should lie…” We all lie. God doesn’t lie.
In Titus 1:2, God is described as the one who never lies. God can’t lie.
Hebrews 6:18 says, “It is impossible for God to lie.”
If God can't lie and these are his words, guess what? There’s no lie in this book. There’s no untruth. That's why we call it inerrant; infallible. It is perfect. It is God's word, and you can take it to the bank. Listen, people may lie to you. People may break their contracts with you. But God will never lie to you, and his word will always prove faithful. Take it to the bank. That's the inspiration.
Secondly, what are the implications of this? “Okay, big deal; this is God's inspired word. What's the significance of that?” Glad you asked. Let me give you a couple of the significances of this inspiration. Number one, it's true, and that's what I was just talking about. This book is true. But secondly, it is timeless. Psalm 119:89 says “Forever O Lord your word is established in the heavens.” That is, God's word will never change. It was relevant when Jesus trod this earth. It was relevant when Abraham lived. It was relevant when Jesus and the apostles lived, and friends, it's just as relevant today. It is timeless. “Forever O Lord your word is fixed or established in the heavens.” It will never change, and I'm so glad. This book is more relevant to your life than the newspaper that you picked up off your doorstep when you came out this morning. And by the way, nowadays, the newspaper that you get on your doorstep is already out of date. You know, you’d better look at your feed on your cell phone, right, to get the most recent story as it breaks. I want to tell you something. This book is more up-to-date than your news feed on your cell phone. It is timeless.
Listen, this is important. You young people listen to me. We’re living in a day where they talk about the “information overload.” Have you heard that phrase? I’ve talked to you before about what's called the “knowledge doubling curve.” Remember Buckminster Fuller, that scientist who said that from the dawn of humanity to the year 1900, human knowledge would double about every 100 years. Every once in a while you'd have an invention. The Chinese would invent fireworks. Then several hundred years later Gutenberg would invent the printing press. So knowledge grew very incrementally. But he said that when you get to the year 1900, when modernity is kicking in, knowledge begins to double every 25 years. Then you come up into the 1980s when he published his book, he said that knowledge was doubling every 12 months, every year. So every hundred years, every twenty-five years, every year. They say that now, with the Internet, and AI, artificial intelligence, human knowledge is doubling every 12 hours.
Now, an unintended effect of the doubling of knowledge is what's called the “half-life of knowledge.” Now, stick with me on this. I'm going somewhere! Listen. The half-life of knowledge. I've got some nursing students in here. I've got some medical doctors in here, so you can back me up on this. They say that when you go to medical school and you graduate, within 24 months half of what you learned in medical school is obsolete. You're an engineering student; they say that within a matter of a very scant few years, half of what you learned in engineering will be obsolete. Think about software developers. With software, there is the initial version, typically Version 0. Then V1.0, V2.0 etc. as updates and upgrades are needed. But look here: there’s no Bible 2.0, nor need there be. There's not going to be a Bible 10, and do you know why? Because this is inspired. God breathed it out. And because it's so, it's true and it is timeless. Because of divine inspiration there is no date of expiration! And all God's people said [“Amen”]. Doggone Right! Doggone Right. That's the production of scripture.
Now, number two, the practicality of scripture. Young people, listen to me. I'm an old fellow now, and I've learned some things across the years, and I'm going to help you. I'm not going to charge you tuition or anything. This book that I hold in my hand is practical. You say, “Man, I don’t want to listen to a sermon. That's boring. That has nothing to do with how I live.” Nothing could be further from the truth. You're not going to watch a television program; you’re not going to Netflix something (Is “Netflix a verb?). You’re not going to watch something on Netflix that's more pertinent to your life or more practical than what I am teaching you this morning and every other Sunday as far as that goes. I'm the most relevant media in your life, if I could say that; someone who faithfully teaches the word of God, and I hope that I do. And your Sunday School teachers, your small group leaders, your Bible study leaders, because they're giving you the inspired word of God, and it's practical. He says that this inspired word is profitable. I love that word. It means useful. It means valuable. This is useful, this is valuable, this is practical, all right? And he gives us four ways in which it is practical. Watch this. Four ways it’s practical: for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Now, watch. Instruction is positive. “Here's what you ought to believe.” Reproof is negative. That's like, “Oops, you've got it wrong there; let me reprove you. Correction is also negative. And then the last word, training in righteousness is positive. So it's positive, negative, negative, positive. Do you see that? Those four characteristics are actually two pairs. The positive and negative first go together, and then the third and fourth, negative and positive, they go together. It’s what’s called in scripture a “chiasm.” Those two pairs go together. The first two pertain to our beliefs. The Bible gives us instruction as to what we ought to believe, and it reproves us when we believe anything different from that. But it's not just our beliefs that we get from the Bible. It ought to govern our behavior, and that's the last couplet. For correction; that is, when I’m off the path, and I’m behaving as I ought not, the word of God corrects me. And then it trains me in right conduct, righteousness, right living, making it practical.
Let me give you a word picture that I think will help you. Every little boy's dream – let me help you with next year’s Christmas list, all right? Moms, dads, listen. You want to get your son a gift he’ll like? Get him a Swiss Army Knife if he's never had one. How many of you have ever had a Swiss Army Knife? Would you raise your hand up? Swiss Army Knife – there's nothing cooler in the world. The reason it's cool is because it's so practical. You've got a magnifying glass. You've got scissors. You've got tweezers. You've got a ruler. You've got a saw – you can saw off a little branch. It's even got a hidden toothpick, did y'all know this? It’s pretty nasty; you can use that toothpick and put it back in the knife. That’s funny! Swiss Army Knife. But it's practical.
The Bible is your spiritual Swiss Army Knife. It instructs you. It reproves you. It corrects you. It trains you in righteousness. For some of you, you're not into Swiss Army Knives. Let me just use this illustration. This is a smartphone. This is the Millennials’ Swiss Army Knife, right here. Have you ever thought about what a smartphone can do? It's crazy! It's a phone. It's an alarm clock. It's a stopwatch. It's a calendar. It's a secretary. I can speak into this, and it will transcribe in written form what I say. I can text. I can email. When we were driving from Virginia to Louisiana, I didn't have to worry about where to turn. This is a guide for me. I could go on; you get the idea. I know you love your smartphone. You wouldn't dream of going anywhere without your smartphone. You lose it, and you’d start having hives – “where’s my smartphone?” You wake up; it's the first thing you consult. It’s the last thing; you put yourself to sleep scrolling through Instagram picks. Hey, don't go anywhere without God's word. Hide it in your heart. Daily devotional in it. Live it. It is practical.
Now, to the end. The purpose of it. I’ll just give you these two. It helps us become mature. Do you know why a lot of people in church are immature? Because they don't know the word of God. You become mature, the Bible says, speaking the truth in love. We are to grow up into him who is the head. How do you grow up? You get the word of God in you, and then, not only will you be mature, you’ll minister. You’ll serve.
Our ministries grow out of our knowledge of the word of God. And, oh, the ministry that God wants to do through your life. You’re some of the most gifted, dedicated people I know, and as you imbibe the truth of God's word you're going to be equipped and strengthened to find your place in ministry, and conduct it.
We're going to conclude this morning by celebrating the Lord's Supper. I’m going to tell you one last story. There was once a ship in the British Royal Navy. It was called The Bounty. It had a captain who was very demanding; some say cruel, even. They were sailing in the South Pacific, and they happened into the Tahiti Islands. They set down their anchor, and they lived there in Tahiti for a period of time. The sailors, they thought they’d died and gone to heaven. They’d come from cold, wet England, and here they are in balmy Tahiti. Palm trees swaying. Gentle breeze. Beautiful island women. The sailors reveled; they loved being in those islands.
The captain finally had had enough, and he said, “All right, we're going to get on board, and we're going to leave. We're going to go about our duties.” Some of the sailors decided they would mutiny; that is, turn on the captain, and they did. They put the captain and some of the senior officers into one of those rowboats, like a lifeboat on the ship, and they sent them away. They commandeered the ship. They put on board the ship a couple of dozen Tahiti people, many of them women, and these sailors sailed off into the ocean blue with these beautiful Tahiti women. They ended up finding a small remote island called Pitcairn Island. You can look it up. Pitcairn Island. They sailed into the bay of this beautiful tropical island. They took off everything of value from the ship, and they burned the ship so that they would never be discovered, they hoped. Because, look, if you mutiny against the Royal British Navy, it's a capital offense, so they're hiding for their lives. There, they think they've died and gone to the Garden of Eden. They are living ungodly lives. They discovered how to make alcohol from one of the plants on the island, and they're drinking, and they’re being sexually immoral.
But as the years go by, their Garden of Eden does what the first Garden of Eden did. It goes south. The men become jealous, fighting over the women. Many of the men are killed. Finally, there's only one British man still living. A number of Tahiti women are living. Now, they’ve fathered many children; kind of a colony there. The man is distraught. He sees the ruin and chaos about him, and he's searching through the things that they got off the ship, and he discovers a Bible and a Book of Common Prayer. He begins to study the word of God, and he becomes convicted of his sin and his need to repent and get right with God and get saved. And he does. Then he takes that same word of God, and he begins to teach the women he once abused, and the children.
Many years go by. In 1808, an American ship happened upon that island. They went there. They needed water, and they landed on the island. They discovered these people; now listen. Where there had once been warring and violence and crimes, there was peace. There wasn't a jail on the island. There wasn't a need for one. And the people were all Christian. How did that happen? Two words: sola scriptura, God's word transformed their lives. God intends that nothing less happen with us. He wants to transform us by his word. Do you know the primary way we’re transformed? Here I’m coming to the end. Jesus said to those who heard him; he said, “You study the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. It is they that bear witness about me.” In other words, Jesus was saying, “It’s not enough to know scripture. You've got to know me.” He is the focal point of scripture. Do you know Christ? If not, this day, surrender your life to him, he who died on the cross, shed his blood, his body was broken for us. He arose from the dead so that we might be forgiven and transformed.
Let's stand with our heads bowed.
[Prayer]
[Lord’s Supper]
Without light we couldn’t live. Sunlight sustains life. It brings us lots of benefits, some of which you might not be aware. I came across an article this week that lists 5 wide-ranging benefits of natural light. Caveat: the article was written by a company that sells skylights! Anyway, here are some excerpts from their list.
It helps with learning. Artificial light could actually be damaging students’ academic progress. Comparative studies of schools in both Sweden and the United States show that students absorb and process information faster when they receive ample natural light. One study found that students whose schools used natural lighting progressed 20% faster on standardized math tests and 26% faster on reading tests than students who learn under artificial light.
It helps with business. Having natural light in a retail store has been shown to improve sales. A case study found that, on average, facilities that had natural light had sales numbers up to 6% higher than facilities with artificial lighting. Another study, conducted by Walmart discovered that the same product, when displayed under natural light, would consistently outsell an identical item in a non-daylit section of the store.
It helps our health. Moderate exposure to sunlight helps improve visual health and aid in the prevention of medical conditions including seasonal affective disorder, pre-diabetes, multiple sclerosis, hypertension, and some autoimmune diseases. Natural light is so beneficial that workplaces who integrate it experience a decrease in employee sick days of up to 6.5%.
Natural light has a lot of benefits. This was not an exhaustive list. The sun lights our world and brings us good.
But this Sunday I want to focus on spiritual light. There is a spiritual sun (and, by the way, he is the creator of the physical sun)! Malachi 4:2b speaks of him. The prophet foretells that “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”
Who is this “sun of righteousness?” He is the light of the world—Jesus! In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Oh the good that comes to those who embrace and dwell in his light!
Join us for Christmas at Istrouma this Sunday as we continue our series, “The Light of the World.”
The Light of the World
John 8:12
- An incredible claim
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (8:12a).
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Jesus will deliver you
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Jesus will direct you
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An inevitable consequence
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (8:12b).
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There is a requirement
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There is a result
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An important choice
13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” . . . 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”
(8:13-32).
- We can reject him
- We can receive him
People around the world celebrate Christmas in unique ways.
In the Philippines the “Giant Lantern Festival” is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve in the city of San Fernando – the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” The festival attracts spectators from all over the country and across the globe. Eleven villages take part in the festival and competition is fierce as everyone pitches in trying to build the most elaborate lantern.
In Iceland for the 13 days leading up to Christmas, 13 “tricksy” troll-like characters come out to play in Iceland. They are called the “Yule Lads.” For each night of Yuletide, children place their best shoes by the window and a different Yule Lad visits leaving gifts for nice girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones. Clad in traditional Icelandic costume, these fellas are pretty mischievous.
Italian children believe that their Christmas gifts are delivered, not by St. Nick, but by a kind, old witch named “La Befana” who uses her broom to clean untidy houses. Legend has it that Befana was cleaning her house, when the Three Wise Men knocked on her door asking for directions to reach the stables where Baby Jesus had just been born. She didn’t know, but she kindly provided them with accommodation for the night. In the morning the Three Wise Men invited her to accompany them on their journey. Too absorbed in her household work, she refused, but regretted it almost instantly. Befana wrapped a present and tried to catch up with the Tree Wise Men, but got lost and is still trying to find the way. So, every year, during the Christmas season, she leaves presents to children in her search for Baby Jesus.
Some of these practices may seem strange to us but we have our own hodge-podge of customs in the US--Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and mistletoe!
How ought we to celebrate Christmas? I have good news. We have a model in a kind, wise, and, likely, elderly man. His name is Simeon. His story is recorded in Luke 2:25-35. He shows us how we ought to celebrate God’s greatest gift both at Christmas as well as every day. He walked with God. He worshipped God. And he witnessed for God.
Join us for Christmas at Istrouma this Sunday as we continue our series, “The Light of the World.”
The Light of the World
“Christmas Made Simple”
John 1:1-14
- Jesus Is Life
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (1:4-5).
- Jesus Is Light
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (1:4-5).
(2:28-30).
- Jesus Is Lord
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (1:4-5).
People around the world celebrate Christmas in unique ways.
In the Philippines the “Giant Lantern Festival” is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve in the city of San Fernando – the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” The festival attracts spectators from all over the country and across the globe. Eleven villages take part in the festival and competition is fierce as everyone pitches in trying to build the most elaborate lantern.
In Iceland for the 13 days leading up to Christmas, 13 “tricksy” troll-like characters come out to play in Iceland. They are called the “Yule Lads.” For each night of Yuletide, children place their best shoes by the window and a different Yule Lad visits leaving gifts for nice girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones. Clad in traditional Icelandic costume, these fellas are pretty mischievous.
Italian children believe that their Christmas gifts are delivered, not by St. Nick, but by a kind, old witch named “La Befana” who uses her broom to clean untidy houses. Legend has it that Befana was cleaning her house, when the Three Wise Men knocked on her door asking for directions to reach the stables where Baby Jesus had just been born. She didn’t know, but she kindly provided them with accommodation for the night. In the morning the Three Wise Men invited her to accompany them on their journey. Too absorbed in her household work, she refused, but regretted it almost instantly. Befana wrapped a present and tried to catch up with the Tree Wise Men, but got lost and is still trying to find the way. So, every year, during the Christmas season, she leaves presents to children in her search for Baby Jesus.
Some of these practices may seem strange to us but we have our own hodge-podge of customs in the US--Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and mistletoe!
How ought we to celebrate Christmas? I have good news. We have a model in a kind, wise, and, likely, elderly man. His name is Simeon. His story is recorded in Luke 2:25-35. He shows us how we ought to celebrate God’s greatest gift both at Christmas as well as every day. He walked with God. He worshipped God. And he witnessed for God.
Join us for Christmas at Istrouma this Sunday as we continue our series, “The Light of the World.”
The Light of the World
“How to Celebrate Christmas”
Luke 2:25-35
- Walk with God
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him (2:25).
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Be saved
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Be spirit-led
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Worship God
He took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation (2:28-30).
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Through song
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Through surrender
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Witness for God
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (2:34-35).
- We can reject him
- We can receive him
The Light of the World
“Operation Christmas”
Isaiah 9:1-7
- Is about light
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone (9:2).
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For an unexpected people
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For an unexpected place
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Is about liberty
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire (9:3-5).
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Rooted in a conquest
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Resulting in a celebration
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Is about lordship
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this (9:6-7).
- Bow at his throne
- Believe in his traits
A Wisconsin bus driver is being hailed as a hero after she rescued two siblings found wandering in the snow during last week’s cold snap. Nicole Chamberlain said she found a 6-year-old boy and his 2-year-old sister in Waukesha, not properly dressed for the cold. At the time the temperature was 18 degrees, according to local news reports. The girl was only wearing a T-shirt, boots and her diaper.
Bus surveillance video shows Chamberlain scoop up the girl and put the two on the bus for warmth. Chamberlain wrapped her coat around the girl. "I said, 'What's going on?' and they said, 'We're looking for grandma.' I said, 'Come with me, I'm gonna put you on the warm bus, and I'll help you find grandma.' And so they came with me," Chamberlain said. "I picked them up and put them on my bus and called the police."
Police said the kids' grandmother was watching them but when she went in the basement for a moment, they headed outside to look for her. Within minutes, the grateful grandmother arrived at the bus and explained to police that the two had wandered away from home.
Chamberlain said she was glad her bus route took her past the right place at the right time. "If that were to happen to my children, I would hope that there would be somebody, a decent human being, that would stop and help my kids," she said. Police said they were not recommending charges in the case.
All’s well that ends well. Those wandering children were found and brought back home. Somebody was watching out for them!
Little children are not the only ones who wander. And frigid cold is not the only threat.
God is a good, good father who keeps watch over his children. He doesn’t want us to wander and be lost. For that reason he sent his son to be the savior of the world. For that same reason he sends those of us who have been rescued to bring back home those who wander.
He calls us to “watch out for wanderers!” That will be our theme this Sunday at Istrouma as we focus on James 5:19-20. Be sure to join us!
James: Practical Spirituality
“Watch out for Wanderers!”
James 5:19-20
- A temptation to avoid
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth . . . (5:19a).
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There is universal guilt
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There is unlimited grace
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A task to accept
. . . and someone brings him back (5:19b).
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God is recruiting workers
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God is restoring wanderers
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A truth to announce
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 (5:20).
- There is joy in service
- There is joy in salvation
One of the most exuberant and engaging TV personalities of recent memory was Steve Irwin—the “crocodile hunter.” He was an Australian who grew up, literally, in a zoo that his parents operated. When he was six-years-old, he got his first python. By the time he was nine, he wrestled his first croc. He loved wildlife and was an advocate for them.
When he was 44-years-old he was snorkeling in chest-high water. His crew was filming a stingray. Normally stingrays are described as docile but they do have a venomous barb at the end of their tail. When threatened it is a formidable weapon. Something must have spooked the stingray because it began thrusting its tail wildly.
Steve was hit in his heart. Within a few short minutes he died.
There is so much irony in his death. He loved animals and advocated for them. He was young and vibrant. Death by a stingray injury is very, very rare.
But the story of Steve Irwin reminds us of how fragile and fleeting life is. We never know when our time will come or how it will end.
How, then, ought we to face the future? That will be our theme this Sunday at Istrouma as we focus on James 4:13-17. Be sure to join us!
I’m sure it comes as no newsflash, but we are living in a war-torn world.
Think of the serious conflicts that rage globally. Hotspots include: Turkey and Syria, India and Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and the list goes on. Not only are there are conflicts between nations, there are conflicts within nations—places like Venezuela and Hong Kong. In fact, it might be easier to list the countries that don’t have war than those that do. Recently the Institute for Economics and Peace evaluated 162 countries. Only 11 were not involved in conflict of one kind or another.
It’s bad enough to have conflict within the league of nations, but how bad is it when it erupts in Little League?! On June 15, 2019, a baseball game for 7-year-olds in Lakewood, Colorado descended into chaos when parents disagreed over a decision made by the 13-year-old umpire. Spectators captured video of a shocking brawl that ensued. Authorities ultimately issued citations for disorderly conduct to twelve adults. Crazy!
Let me get more personal still. What about your family? What about your own heart? Are you at peace?
This coming Sunday at Istrouma we will focus on James 4:1-10. There God gives us a prescription for peace. We’ll see the sources of conflicts, the seriousness of conflicts, and the solution to conflicts. Be sure to join us!
James: Practical Spirituality
“A Prescription for Peace”
James 4:1-10
- The sources of sinful conflict
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? (4:1a)
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We are self-centered
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We are self-sufficient
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The seriousness of sinful conflict
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a firend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (4:4-5).
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We become adulterers to God
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We become adversaries to God
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The solution to sinful conflict
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (4:6-7).
- God offers a present
- God orders a prescription
If you were given one wish, for what would you ask? A lot of money? Fame? A long life?
I heard about a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary. They were both about 50 years old. As they strolled along the beach, the husband accidentally kicked over a bottle hidden in the sand. A genie emerged. “You can each have one wish,” she said.
The wife made her wish first. “I would like a luxurious trip around the world with my husband.” Suddenly there appeared in her hand two tickets for just such an adventure.
Now it was the husbands turn. “Well,” said the husband, with a mischievous look on his face, “I wish my wife were 25 years younger than I am.” The words were barely out of his mouth when, poof, he became 75 years old!
The reality is that, if you lack wisdom, even wishes that come true can become curses. Above all else we need wisdom! If you’re going to “make a wish,” wish for wisdom! Pray rightly for it and God will grant it!
This Sunday at Istrouma we will focus on James 3:13-18 and what God says there about wisdom. Be sure to join us! It’ll be better for you than a trip around the world!
James: Practical Spirituality
“Wish for Wisdom!”
James 3:13-18
- Different origins of wisdom
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic (3:15)
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There’s a wisdom from heaven
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There’s a wisdom from hell
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Different operations of wisdom
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (3:16-17).
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There’s a wisdom that is selfish
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There’s a wisdom that is spiritual
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Different outcomes of wisdom
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (3:18).
- There’s a wisdom that produces rebellion
- There’s a wisdom that produces righteousness
!Controlando la lengua!
"A ver... saque la lengua, por favor...."
Es lo primero que dice el doctor cuando llegamos a su consultorio.
Es porque en nuestra lengua dice mucho de nosotros! Es un indicador de nuestra salud, enfermedades, deficiencias vitamínicas, higiene, hidratación, etc. Pero, ¿sabes que la lengua también puede ser un indicador de nuestra salud espiritual? Las palabras que decimos y aún las que no decimos revelan lo que hay en nuestro corazón (Lucas 6.45 "... de la abundancia del corazón, habla la boca") Este domingo no se pierda este tema de la serie "Espiritualidad Practica" desde el libro de Santiago en la Biblia.
“Stick out your tongue.”
That’s the typical instruction you get when you go for a doctor’s visit, right? Have you ever wondered why? It’s because your tongue tells a lot about you. From anemia, to autoimmune diseases, to allergies, to vitamin deficiencies, to hygiene, to hydration, the tongue can be a good indicator of your physical health.
Did you know that your tongue can also be a good indicator of your spiritual health? The words that we say (or fail to say) are a telltale sign of the condition of our hearts. Jesus knew this full well. Listen to what he said in Luke 6:45, especially the final phrase, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Our tongue is a window through which we can see the health of our heart.
This coming Sunday morning we’ll allow the Great Physician to take a good, long, hard look at our tongues—at the words we speak and the heart that prompts them. We’ll be in James 3:1-12 for a message entitled, “Tame the Tongue.” Be sure to join us!
James: Practical Spirituality
“Tame the Tongue!”
James 3:1-12
- The paradox of the tongue
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! (3:5)
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It is small
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It is strong
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The potential of the tongue
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God (3:9).
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It can help
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It can harm
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The problem of the tongue
But no human being can tame the tongue (3:8a).
- James states the problem
- Jesus solves the problem
Quien esta en el control?
El Apóstol Pablo desde la cárcel, motiva a sus lectores alegrarse. ¿No es esto contradictorio? como alguien inocente y privado de su libertad. Nos anima a estar contentos.
¿Dónde encontró Pablo la fuerza para hacerlo?
Lo sabremos este domingo, 9:15am.
Todos invitados!!!
In the great flood of 2016, over 140,000 homes flooded. A governmental organization was formed to offer help to those persons affected by the floods. Hundreds of millions of dollars were allocated for that purpose. Extensive efforts were made to get people to apply for grants.
Approximately 50,000 homeowners applied for help. That means that, in very round numbers, only a little more than one-third of those adversely affected by the flood applied for grants. Why so few? Perhaps some didn’t think that they needed the help. Perhaps some were unaware of the offer. It is likely that some did not believe that the offer would produce any genuine help.
But I, for one, believed (or at least I was desperate)! Granted, my faith was small and wavering, but I knew we had a need. I also knew monies had been allotted. So here’s the way my thinking went: perhaps, if I apply, I may get help; but if I don’t apply, I know I won’t get any help. So, I matched my wavering faith with concrete actions—I applied. In fact, that small seed of faith gave birth to my actions. You could say that the “works” of filling out the applications and engaging in the process were the evidence and the product of my “faith.”
A faith that will not complete the application accomplishes nothing. In fact any such “faith” is dead. It is false.
Genuine faith works. Authentic faith acts.
In the end, we were blessed with a grant that helped us restore our home. In a manner of speaking, faith secured grace. And we are grateful!
That may not be a perfect illustration of the relationship between salvation, faith and works, but it is along the lines of what the Apostle James argues in chapter 2 verses 14-26 of his namesake epistle. He insists that faith without works is dead. It does not save. To the contrary, the only kind of faith that saves is the kind that works!
Join us this coming Sunday at Istrouma as we continue our sermon series through the epistle of James in a message entitled, “Don’t Be Fooled by False Faith!”
James: Practical Spirituality
“Don’t Be Fooled by False Faith”
James 2:14-26
- Dead faith
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (2:14-17).
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Dead faith is announced
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Dead faith is alone
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Demonic faith
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! (2:19)
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Demons have faith
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Demons have feelings
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Dynamic faith
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead (2:21-26).
- Dynamic faith serves
- Dynamic faith saves
Many of you will remember that, some time ago, we received counterfeit bills in the offering plate at Istrouma! They’re pictured here. You have to look pretty close to see the telltale signs of inauthenticity.
When you stop and think about it, it’s pretty audacious to give an offering to the Lord that’s fake.
But, let’s be honest, we’re more than capable of doing so, aren’t we? Oh, we wouldn’t dare to drop a counterfeit bill into the offering plate (after all, you can go to jail for a stunt like that). But when, in the process of worship, our hearts are far from him, we’re equally guilty of trying to “pass a counterfeit.”
I’ve kept those bills as a pointed reminder that God hates hypocrisy. He simply wants us to be the real deal.
The truth is that it’s possible, not only to have counterfeits show up in the plate, counterfeits can show up in the pews as well! I’m not talking about counterfeit currency; I’m talking about counterfeit Christians.
It is possible to have all the outward religious trappings of Christianity—songs, offerings, prayers—without an ounce of inward reality. God’s word warns against this ever-present danger in James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” It is bad when you’re deceived by someone; it is worse still when you are deceived by yourself!
Join us this coming Sunday at Istrouma as we continue our sermon series through the epistle of James in a message entitled, “Be the Real Deal!” Let’s cut out the counterfeit!
James: Practical Spirituality
“Be the Real Deal”
James 1:19-27
- Accept the word
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (1:19-21).
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Requirements for receiving the word
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Result of receiving the word
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Apply the word
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing (1:22-25).
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Listen to the word
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Live the word
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Authenticate the word
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (1:26-27).
- Examine your communication
- Examine your compassion
- Examine your character
When I was in graduate school in Memphis many moons ago, a friend of mine and I decided to take a spring break trip. We planned to travel to the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to do a multi-day hiking and camping trek in the “backcountry.” For weeks in advance we planned our trail itinerary—how many miles we would cover in a day and where we would camp each evening. Our schedule was aggressive but we felt that we could do it.
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The national park required that a ranger sign off on our plan. The ranger assigned to our case looked over our plan and promptly denied it. She said that it was out of the question. Too ambitious. She implied that we were incapable of doing what we’d outlined—that the demands of the backcountry at that pace might even put us into danger. We were ticked!
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We insisted that we see her supervisor. He looked over our plan and—to add insult to injury—he completely agreed with her! Our choice was simple: cut back on the itinerary per their suggestions or tuck tail and head back home. We reluctantly bowed to their demands.
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Once we got out into the back country and came face-to-face with the challenges of the trail, we realized pretty quickly that she was right! We even said that, if we ever got back to civilization, we ought to return to the park headquarters and thank her!
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Turns out she knew better than we did. We were novices and inexperienced. We desperately needed the wisdom of someone who knew well both the beauty and the dangers of the trail.
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Life is a lot like that Smoky Mountain wilderness. We are on a trek through life and we desperately need the wisdom of one who knows the trail. The good news is that, not only do we have a guide who knows the trail, he created it and us!
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The New Testament book of James is like a trail guide for life. It makes the spiritual practical. By the inspiration of God’s Spirit, James brings God’s truth to where the rubber hits the road or, should I say, to where the boots hit the trail.
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Join us this coming Sunday at Istrouma as we hit the trail with James as our guide!
James: Practical Spirituality
“God’s Trail Guide for Life”
James 1:1-18
- Trials on the trail
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (1:2-4).
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Trials are certain
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- Trials are constructive
- Temptations on the trail
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 (1:13-15).
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Know their origin
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- Know their outcome
- Truth for the trail
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. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures (1:16-18).
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Our good God is faithful
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Our good God is family
Major Brent Taylor was a remarkable man and is an American hero. The father of seven and mayor of North Ogden, Utah was on his fourth deployment in Afghanistan with the National Guard when he was killed on November 3, 2018. Part of what made his death so painful was that it was an “insider attack.”
An insider attack refers to an incident where the shooter is wearing an Allied uniform. He is supposed to be on the same team, pursuing the same objectives, but his actions betray the cause and wreak untold havoc. Since 2008 US forces have suffered 355 casualties due to insider attacks. Nothing is more dangerous or demoralizing than a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Jesus knew this full well. He gave us this stark warning for the spiritual battle that rages all around us, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). He knows that “insider attacks” are a constant threat against which we should we eternally vigilant. Deception is a favorite strategy of the Enemy of our souls.
This Sunday we will expose this spiritual danger for what it is. We will equip ourselves for the battles that await. Join us at Istrouma as we continue our study through Jesus’ matchless Sermon on the Mount.
Culture Flip
“The Danger of Deception”
Matthew 7:15-23
- False prophets
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. . . . 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matt. 7:15-19).
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- Their façade
- Their fruit
- Their future
- Futile profession
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven . . . 22 On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” 23 And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matt. 7:21-23).
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- Their words
- Their works
- Faithful pattern
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
- Their words
- Their works
On January 5, 1975 Frank and Sylvia Manley were traveling along a broad highway in the state of Tasmania in Australia. Darkness began to fall and fog blanketed the area. But the highway was smooth and they were at ease assuming that the road that they were on would ultimately lead them to their desired destination.
Their route brought them to the Derwent River. A high bridge spanned it. As they neared its apex, Sylvia sensed that something was wrong. The street lights that lined the roadway as well as the white lines that bordered their lane all suddenly disappeared ahead. She screamed in fear. Frank stomped on the brakes and as their car skidded toward an abrupt stop, its front wheels suddenly dropped. The frame of the car slammed to the roadbed finally arresting their forward progress. The car seemed to teeter. Its headlights shone into the swirling waters of the Derwent.
The Manleys realized at that moment that several sections of the bridge were simply gone. They carefully and quickly slid out of their car. In the lane next to them a station wagon, driven by Murray Ling, came to a stop just before the brink; however, another vehicle behind them could not brake in time. It bumped into the Lings’ vehicle pushing its front wheels over the edge too. Ling, his wife, and their two small children escaped.
Not everyone was as fortunate. The bridge collapse was caused by a wayward cargo ship that slammed into its supporting piers. The falling spans hit the ship and sank it with the loss of seven crew members. Four cars, unaware of the abyss that had opened, plunged over the precipice into the river below. Five occupants of those vehicles died that night.
It’s a stark reminder that not every road leads home. The way may be broad and easy, but the important thing is not our comfort; the essential thing is to get home.
Choose your route carefully.
If this is good advice for earthly routes, how much more so for those that lead to eternal destinies. Jesus speaks directly to this priority in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Join us this Sunday at Istrouma as we take to heart these words of Jesus from our ongoing study of the Sermon on the Mount.
Culture Flip
“Doors, Directions, and Destinies”
Matthew 7:13-14
- Two doors
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide . . . that leads to destruction, and . . . the gate is narrow . . . that leads to life . . .” (From Matt. 7:13-14)
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- There is a wide gate
- There is a narrow gate
- Two directions
“Enter by the narrow gate. For . . . the way is easy that leads to destruction, and . . . the way is hard that leads to life . . .” (From Matt. 7:13-14).
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- There is an easy way
- There is a hard way
- Two destinies
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt. 7:13-14).
- There is a destiny of destruction
- There is a destiny of life
Mount Everest is the world’s tallest peak. It is remote, rugged and foreboding. Over three hundred climbers have died in pursuit of its peak and many of their bodies still lie frozen where they fell. Given these facts, something quite surprising happened this summer. There was a traffic jam on Everest!
Due to weather, typically only a few weeks in May are suitable for the ascent. This year, bad conditions reduced that window of time to a few days. For that reason, hundreds of climbers attempted the summit on the same day. Because there is a single rope that lines the last leg of the journey, it became terribly congested and torturously slow. In the so-called “death zone” of altitude, that is a recipe for disaster. Eleven climbers died during this season’s window.
One of the saddest cases in Everest lore is that of a British climber named David Sharpe. He was an experienced mountaineer. He decided that he would try a solo summit without the aid of supplemental oxygen. On his way down he stopped. Not all of the reasons for his pause are known. What is known is that 40 different climbers passed him on the trail. Though they saw his distress, no one rendered aid. All were too focused on their agenda.
Oh, that at least one of the climbers would have known and applied the “Golden Rule” that Jesus gave us! You know it: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Had someone done for David what they surely would have wanted someone else to have done for them, he likely would have lived to climb another day.
Commentator William Barclay long ago said that the Golden Rule is the “Mount Everest” of Jesus’ teachings. It is needed both on the mountain top and in the valleys of life. Join us this Sunday at Istrouma as we unpack its meaning and encourage one another to apply it to life.
Culture Flip
“The Golden Rule”
Matthew 7:12
- The roots of the Golden Rule
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets”(7:12a).
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- Good God
- Good gifts
- The requirementof the Golden Rule
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets”(7:12b).
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- It is positive
- It is proactive
- The reason for the Golden Rule
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them,for this is the Law and the Prophets”(7:12c).
- It simplifies
- It saves
Two weeks ago Hurricane Barry threatened South Louisiana with the potential for historic floods. The waters in the Gulf of Mexico were unusually warm which typically energizes a storm. The tropical storm was inching northward slowly which meant that any rains would likely be prolonged and drenching. The Mississippi River was already above flood stage even before Barry’s landfall.
Everything was set up for it to be another “perfect” storm that would devastate our area.
But then something really unexpected occurred. A “dry air mass” materialized and covered Louisiana. It became a virtual storm wall that held Hurricane Barry’s torrential rains at bay. The catastrophic floods predicted for our area never arrived.
Meteorologists were left scratching their heads at this unusual phenomenon. What happened?
Let me offer an explanation: God’s people prayed and, in response, God stilled the storm (it wouldn’t be the first time). In anticipation of the storm, one weatherman had tweeted, in effect, that our best hope was prayer—and he was right!
Someone might counter, “But didn’t God’s people pray in 2016 when the flood waters ravaged our area?” Yes. Of course we prayed back then too. And God answered those prayers as well, though not, perhaps, as we expected or hoped. Though he did not hold back the waters, he brought us through them—and he taught us through them! Both experiences worked together for our good and his glory!
The important thing is that, by prayer, we fellowship with God. By prayer we partner with him in the ushering in of his kingdom and are molded more into his image.
More than once in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus impresses on his disciples—upon us—the privilege and power of prayer! This Sunday we’ll look at the “big a.s.k.” that he instructs us to make—ask, seek, knock. Join us!
Culture Flip
“Ask”
Matthew 7:7-11
- An invitation to pray
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (7:7).
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- Synonymous commands
- Sequential commands
- An incentiveto pray
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened (7:7-8).
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- Guaranteed promise
- General principle
- An illustrationof prayer
Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!(7:9-11).
- Simple comparison
- Stark contrast
There is a Bible verse that our culture at-large loves! Even folks that may not be committed to Jesus as Lord are likely to embrace it. They may not know a lot of the Bible, but it’s likely that they’ll know this verse and can probably even quote it.
Intrigued?
Here it is: “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1).
Why, do you suppose, it’s such a favorite? What about us, what about our culture, and what about that particular verse makes it so popular?
A clue might be found in the results of a survey that was recently conducted. Young adults aged 18 to 40 in the US were asked, “What is the greatest virtue?” You might expect the top answer to be love, or integrity, or humility. But it was none of these.
The number one response was autonomy. Autonomy says, “I will do whatever I want. Nobody can tell me what to do or what not to do.”
Coming in as a close runner-up was tolerance. Tolerance has traditionally said, “Let’s allow for differing opinions or permissible behaviors, even if we disagree.” But now, that traditional definition has morphed to a new stance that says, “Not only must you allow for what I do in my autonomy, you must approve of it.” If you don’t, let’s face it; you’re a hater. You’re intolerant. And, in our day, that just might be the worst sin of all!
These two “virtues” have joined forces. Together they have become a battering ram for behaviors and choices that, frankly, fly in the face of what God has designed and decreed.
Yet this is where Matthew 7:1 comes in so handy. If an action or an attitude is called into question, that particular Bible verse is often trotted out as a foolproof defense: “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
Is that a legitimate use of those words of Jesus? Are we not to “judge” anything, at any time, in any sense? How are we to understand rightly and apply these words of Jesus?
We’ll try to answer those questions this coming Sunday morning at Istrouma. By doing so, we’ll learn how to live better in community with one another under the loving Lordship of Jesus.
If you can’t be with us in person, join us on Istrouma Baptist Church’s Facebook livestream or at www.istrouma.org. Messages are also archived there and can be watched at any time.
Culture Flip
“Jesus on Judgment”
Matthew 7:1-6
- A nuanced command
Judge not, that you be not judged(7:1).
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- Jesus gives us an imperative
- Jesus gives us an incentive
- A needed counsel
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye (7:2-5).
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- Be tender
- Be tough
- A necessary caution
Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you(7:6).
- Be wise about helping
- Be warned about helping
Put on Your Life Preserver
Isaiah 43:1-2 and 21
- We will suffer
“Whenyou pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; whenyou walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (43:2).
- We will survive
“When you pass throughthe waters, I will be with you; and throughthe rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk throughfire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (43:2).
- We will shine
“. . . the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise” (43:21).
Jeff Williams
Stop Worrying Start Living
**Matthew 6:25-34
Worry means to be TORN in two
What does worry do to us?
CONSUMES
ISOLATES
Makes us INEFFECTIVE
It’s not about the WHAT and the WHY...it’s about the WHO**
Is Jesus enough?
Will He do it for me?
Isaiah 49:16
Romans 8:32
Philippians 4:6
Live today. Don’t live in regret of past or fear of the future
Long ago Egypt was a world power. The rulers of that ancient land had immense wealth. At their deaths, every effort was made to take their possessions with them into eternity. Huge pyramids and mausoleums were built and stocked with riches and supplies.
But as the centuries slipped by, grave robbers desecrated these sites. Some 60 years before the time of Christ, a Greek author named Diodorus Siculus visited the tombs of the Valley of the Kings [slide]. He wrote, “We found nothing there except the results of pillage and destruction.” The pharaohs had not taken their riches with them; thieves had broken in and stolen their treasures.
It was then a tremendous surprise when, in 1922, an expedition uncovered the long-lost tomb of a boy ruler—King Tut [slide]. For some 3,000 years his resting place was undisturbed. What did the archeologists discover upon entry? In actuality, Tut had taken nothing with him into eternity. Everything was still there—oils, perfumes, toys from his childhood, precious jewelry, statues of gold and ivory—thousands of items. In all, the appraisal of the treasures of his tomb are at three-quarters of a billion dollars. His solid-gold coffin alone is estimated to be worth $13 million!
One stark lesson we can learn from the pyramids is that you can’t take your treasures with you. Yet, Jesus makes it clear that, while we can’t take our treasures with us, we can send them on ahead! He said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
This will be our focus on Sunday at Istrouma as we continue learning from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Join us!
Culture Flip
“Treasure Your Treasure”
Matthew 6:19-24
- You need a safe location
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rustdestroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also(6:19-21).
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- You can have treasures on earth
- You can have treasures in eternity
- You need a security light
The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness(6:22-23).
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- Adopt a singular focus
- Avoid a split focus
- You need a supreme loyalty
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money(6:24).
- A divided loyalty is impossible
- A decisive loyalty is imperative
One of the greatest atrocities of World War II occurred in the Russian metropolis of Leningrad. The Nazi army besieged the massive city cutting off supply routes. “Leningrad must die of starvation,” Hitler declared in a speech at Munich on November 8, 1941. Estimates are that more than 1.5 million people starved to death across the 900 days of the siege for lack of adequate food.
One group of Russians who starved was particularly noteworthy. They were botanists and scientists who worked in a seed bank called the “Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry.” They barricaded themselves in the vaults of that facility with rooms full of rice, corn, oates, and potatoes. They did so to protect the “seeds” from the hungry citizens and marauding Germans. They had the food resources to live at their fingertips but died of starvation.
I suppose you would class it a heroic tragedy. It was heroic that they died to preserve seeds for a better day; but it was tragic that they died unnecessarily. They had untapped resources within reach.
Could it be that we have all the resources that we need within reach, yet suffer for lack of them? Absolutely! Prayer is such a resource! It puts heaven’s supplies at our disposal but so often we do not take advantage of them. We do not pray as we ought! Someone has rightly said, “Nothing is outside the reach of prayer except that which is outside the will of God.”
Jesus wants us to avail ourselves of heaven’s supplies. God forbid that we fail to have what is needed because we have failed to pray. What a tragedy that would be!
This Sunday morning we will look at a “primer on prayer” as Jesus teaches us to pray in Matthew 6:5-15. Join us at Istrouma!
Culture Flip
“A Primer on Prayer”
Matthew 6:5-15
- Jesus challenges our motivations
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- By alluding to our duty
- By alluding to our devotion
- By eliminating pagan thinking
- By embracing proper theology
- Jesus corrects our mindset
- By emphasizing the recipient
- By enumerating the requests
- Jesus communicates a model
In August of 2013, a zoo in China temporarily closed because of an unusual complaint. Visitors discovered that the zoo's “lion” was, in reality, a dog posing as a lion. According to a report in a Beijing newspaper, the fraud came to light when a mother and her young son visited the zoo and the animal, labeled as an "African lion," starting barking.
Zoo keepers later admitted that the so-called lion was actually a Tibetan mastiff, which is a large dog with a furry, brown coat. The outraged mother said, “The zoo is absolutely cheating us . . . I paid good money for the tickets and I feel defrauded.”
The people were disappointed. They were swindled because things were not as advertised.
It is disappointing when things are not as they appear. That kind of discrepancy can raise its ugly head in our lives and in the church. There’s a name for that. Hypocrisy. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus calls for a halt to the hypocrisy. No more play-acting.
This will be our theme this weekend as we dive into Matthew 6:1-18. Join us Sunday at Istrouma!
Baseball is a game of statistics. Baseball fans love them. They chart everything—batting percentage, home runs, strike outs, and the list goes on.
From this mountain of statistics, we learn that certain achievements are rare. For example, it is rare when a team executes a triple play (718). It is rare when a batter hits for the cycle in a game (325). Those feats are roundly celebrated. But among the rarest of achievements in America’s pastime is when a pitcher throws a “perfect game.” This is when a pitcher is able to get every batter out in a nine-inning game. He faces 27 batters and sits them all down with no hits, no walks, and no errors.
Baseball has been played professionally for about 145 seasons. There have been over 217,000 games contested. Of those, only 23 have been “perfect.” If my calculations are correct, that is 0.0001 percent of the time.
“Perfection” in baseball is rare. Perfection in life is rarer still. Of the billions of people who’ve lived on earth, only one has been perfect.
The amazing thing is that the Perfect One—the Lord Jesus—sees all our errors and loves us still. He is willing to go to the record books and blot out our errors and credit his stats to us. Now that is something to celebrate!
Join us Sunday at Istrouma to do just that as we continue our walk through the Sermon on the Mount!
Culture Flip
“Perfect”
Matthew 5:33-48
- Jesus insistson perfection
- He gives us a command
- He gives us a comparison
- Jesus illustratesperfection
- In our communications
- In our conflicts
- In our compassion
- Jesus isperfection
- He incarnates it
- He imputes it
Melissa Brunning was on a multi-day cruise off the coast of western Australia. One day several participants on the cruise decided to hand-feed some sharks that were spotted in the waters near their boat.
Video footage shows her offering bait to a passing tawny nurse shark (which looks to be about 7 feet long). The shark ends up taking the bait--and her hand with it. It actually pulls her in the water which is croc-infested!
Thankfully, her friends are able pull her back to safety. After medical treatment, including surgery, she is expected to fully recover.
To her credit she points the finger of blame at herself. She says that she didn’t respect the shark sufficiently and will never again be guilty of that. When fully grown nurse sharks have about 30 rows of teeth in the upper jaw and nearly that many in the lower jaw.
There are some things with which you shouldn’t toy. Sharks belong on that list. Snakes belong on that list. Sin belongs on that list. There are passing temptations that will, if you reach out to them, drag you into infested waters.
Jesus knew this full well. He addressed this in a pointed way in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:27-32 Jesus points out the seriousness of sexual sin and ways to combat it. Join us this Sunday at Istrouma as we dive into this topic.
Culture Flip
“Don’t Feed the Sharks!”
Matthew 5:27-32
- An action to avoid:adultery
You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery”(5:27).
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Listen to God’s demand
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Learn about God’s design
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An attitude to address: lust
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart (5:28).
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Guard your sight
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Guard your soul
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An answer to apply:don’t feed the sharks
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. 31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (5:29-32).
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Get serious about your sin
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Get motivated about your marriage
A lawyer was talking with a woman who had just lost her husband. He said to her, “Your husband did not leave a will, so we need to know the last words he ever said to you.”
She replied, “I don't want to tell you.”
The attorney said, “I am sorry for your loss, but he did not leave a will. We need to know his final words.”
But the woman refused. “I don't want to tell you,” she said. “It was something between the two of us.”
The attorney decided to try one last time. “Please, ma’am. Won’t you tell me your husband’s last words?”
Finally, the woman relented. “Okay, I'll tell you. The last thing he ever said to me was, ‘You don't scare me, woman. You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with that old gun.’”
Yikes!
I trust that our relationships with others would never disintegrate to the point where we would actually shoot someone! But, as Jesus points out in the Sermon on the Mount, uncontrolled anger is just as deadly (and sinful) a force. We will take a look this Sunday at the danger of anger and how to be reconciled both with one another and God.
Culture Flip
“Anger”
Matthew 5:21-26
- An actionto avoid:murder
You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment”(5:21).
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Clarify the translation
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Categorize the types
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An attitudeto address: anger
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(5:22).
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The relationshipof anger and murder
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The results of anger and murder
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An answer to apply:reconciliation
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly(5:23-25a).
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The priority of reconciliation
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The pace of reconciliation
Harvard is the oldest and, arguably, the most prestigious university in America. Not surprisingly, the competition for admission is stiff. Only about 5% of those who apply are actually accepted. Listen to these academic credentials for incoming freshmen:
- the average ACT score is 35 (36 is the highest score possible)
- the average SAT score is 1250 (1260 is the highest score possible)
- the average GPA is 4.04
To get into Harvard, you have to be nearly perfect academically. Truth is, it is hard to get into Harvard.
Let me pivot and ask you: “Is it hard to get into heaven?” Let me offer an answer: No, it is not hard; it is impossible--based on your own qualifications (and mark those final words well).
Listen to Jesus give the admission guidelines for heaven: “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Were that standard not sufficiently high, he adds: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). What Jesus is saying is that you don’t have to be nearly perfect; you have to be perfect.
Gulp.
Perhaps you’ve been tempted to take solace in the hope that God might grade us on a curve. We just have to be better than the scoundrel scribes and Pharisees. Piece of cake, right? Not so fast.
There’s no curve in God’s grading scale. The passing grade is 4.0. 36. 1260. Perfection.
If this prompts a rising sense of alarm in you, good. The Sermon on the Mount, with its remarkably high moral demands, is not primarily given to tell us how we ought to live (though it does that). It is instead given chiefly to awaken us to the fact that we are dead in our trespasses and sins and that we don’t (and can’t) measure up left to ourselves.
It is given, first, to drive us to our knees in brokenness for our shortcomings, and, second, to lift our eyes heavenward in hope of mercy.
Join us this Sunday as we continue our walk through the Sermon on the Mount in our series called, “Culture Flip.”
Culture Flip
“How to Get in to Heaven”
Matthew 5:17-48
- Inscribedrighteousness
- Jesus confirms the word of God
- Jesus completes the word of God
- Implementedrighteousness
- Jesus expects a greater righteousness
- Jesus explains a greater righteousness
- Imputedrighteousness
- Our guiltis placed upon him
- His graceis provided to us
Every year the Gallup organization releases a “World Happiness Report.” It ranks the countries of the world as to their happiness. Happiness is measured, in part, with survey questions such as, “Are [you] very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy?” “Very happy” responses are worth three points. “Pretty happy” is worth two points and “not too happy” is worth one point.
You might be interested to know where the United States ranks in the 2019 report. Let me go ahead and break the suspense: we are not #1. Despite our relative affluence and power, we don’t even make the top five or top ten. We barely squeak inside the top 20 at the #19 position. That’s ironic, isn’t it?
There’s an entire chapter in the “World Happiness Report” that explores this disconnect. Chapter five’s title begins, “The Sad State of Happiness in the United States.” Here’s a paragraph from that chapter:
“This decline in happiness and mental health seems paradoxical. By most accounts, Americans should be happier now than ever. The violent crime rate is low, as is the unemployment rate. Income per capita has steadily grown over the last few decades. This is the Easterlin paradox: As the standard of living improves, so should happiness – but it has not.”
We all want to be happy, but many of us are not. To make matters worse, we may not even know how to be happy.
But here’s the good news--there is a king who knows how to be happy—truly happy. It’s written into the very constitution of his kingdom. That King is Jesus and his constitution is outlined in the Sermon on the Mount.
Our U.S. constitution guarantees the right to the “pursuit of happiness.” And, to be sure, we’re all frantically pursuing it, but Jesus’ “constitution” guarantees the “possession of happiness.”
This Sunday we begin a study of that unparalleled teaching. It show the way to a happiness that is soul-deep and abiding, no matter what turn life takes.
Culture Flip
“How to Be (Truly) Happy”
Matthew 5:1-12
- The pronouncement of happiness
- The right authority
- The right attitudes
- The paradox of happiness
- As to culture
- As to consequence
- The progressionof happiness
In 2018 the average American spent $150 on Easter gifts. That adds up to a national total of $18.2 billion spent! Somewhere along the way the practice of giving gifts at Easter has grown.
I don’t remember getting gifts at Easter beyond the boiled eggs that we colored and hid. But I’m not bitter, really;-). Just because my generation didn’t get gifts, doesn't mean that kids today shouldn’t get them. I've resolved not to be a scrooge.
In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the Bible relates gifts to Easter and its effect! An excerpt of Ephesians 4:8 says, “When he ascended on high he . . . gave gifts to men.”
Now to be sure, these gifts are not chocolate and stuffed bunnies. They are gifts of infinitely greater worth offered by the One of infinite worth.
This Sunday at Istrouma we're going to answer the question, "What gifts are in the Easter 'basket?'"
Spoiler alert: they don't melt and they are yours for the receiving!
Easter at Istrouma
“The Mission of Jesus”
Luke 24:36-53
- The gift of peace
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” (24:36).
- Replaces our fears
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Reinforces our faith
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The gift of pardon
And that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem (24:47).
- Has a requirement
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Has a reach
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The gift of power
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high(24:49).
- Empowers us to witness
- Empowers us to worship
Tiger Woods is arguably the greatest golfer of all time. He had a meteoric rise to fame, success, and wealth. For 683 weeks he was the number one golfer in the world.
Then life crashed in around him. He was caught in scandal. His wife left him. He suffered a string of injuries that necessitated multiple surgeries including four on his back. Some wondered if he would ever walk again, much less compete in golf.
He fell out of the top 1,000 golfers in the world. For eleven years he failed to win a single major tournament. His career was as good as dead.
Until last Sunday.
He teed it up against the world’s best at the Masters. In a fairytale-like ending he came from behind to win his fifth green jacket—22 years after he won his first. Most sports commentators say that this is the greatest comeback in all of sports history.
But, let me be clear, as great as is Tiger’s redemption story, there is a greater comeback story than that.
And it happened on a Sunday morning too!
It is the story of Jesus—once dead now raised to life! Now that’s a comeback story for the ages!
British sports writer Jim White said, “Tiger Woods’ Masters’ triumph showed yet again why there is no greater storyline than redemption.”
I couldn’t agree more. Redemption is the greatest storyline in sports and life! And Jesus’ resurrection makes possible our redemption!
Join us this Sunday for Easter at Istrouma as we celebrate history’s actual greatest comeback!
Easter at Istrouma
“The Resurrection of Jesus”
Luke 24:1-12
- Empty tomb
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus(24:2-3).
- Explanation 1: Confusion
- Explanation 2: Conspiracy
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Explanation 3: Comeback
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Expected triumph
He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise (24:6-7).
- That was foretold
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That was fulfilled
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Excited testimony
And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest(24:8-9).
- Remember his words
- Return his witnesses
The Death of Jesus
Sermon Series: Easter at Istrouma
Luke 23:32-46
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Ginn, Lead Pastor
10:45 AM Sermon April 14, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/istrouma.org/videos/2368027016760807/
https://vimeo.com/330572354
Outline:
- The cross of the rebel
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (23:39).
- His sinfulness
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His stubbornness
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The cross of the repentant
40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”(23:40-42).
- His repentance
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His request
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The cross of the redeemer
43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise”…46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last(23:43 & 46).
- The promise he made
- The price he paid
Now, today, I want you to open your Bible to Luke Chapter 23, Luke Chapter 23. As you’re turning there, I want to draw attention to the fact that you can have two people facing the same dilemma, but they make different decisions, and they end up with different destinies.
You probably have heard the story about a small plane that experienced engine failure mid-flight. The only souls aboard were the pilot and four passengers – a famous doctor, a brilliant professor, an old preacher and a young student.
As the engine sputtered to a stop, the pilot opened the cockpit door and stepped into the cabin. He shared the bad news, grabbed a parachute, and jumped. The shocked passengers did a quick count and discovered that only three parachutes remained for the four of them.
The doctor said, “My medical expertise is desperately needed so I must live.” He grabbed a chute and jumped.
The professor said, “I am the world’s smartest man, so I must live.” He grabbed a parachute and jumped.
Now only one parachute remained. The pastor said to the student, “Son, you are young, you have your whole life ahead of you. I am old. I’ve lived a blessed life and I’m ready to meet the Lord. You take the last parachute.”
The student said, “That’s ok, pastor. The world’s smartest man just jumped out of the plane with my backpack.”
The people on that plane faced the same dilemma but ended up with different destinies.
This morning we are going to meet the two men who were crucified on either side of Jesus as he was crucified on that Good Friday so long ago. They faced the same dilemma but they ended with different destinies.
Like them we all face the same dilemma—a brief life of joys and sorrows and then death and judgment. Eternity awaits us all. There are two destinies—heaven and hell—and what we do with Jesus Christ determines which is ours.
Would you stand as we read God's word, Luke 23 beginning in verse 32. By the way, it's Easter at Istrouma. We're celebrating for three weeks this greatest of all celebrations. We're going to begin this week by looking at the death of Christ. You really don't appreciate the resurrection unless you ponder the death. So today is the death of Christ. Next Sunday the resurrection of Christ. Then finally, we'll look at the mission of Christ that he’s left to us, his followers. So, with that, we now read from Luke's Gospel where God says:
32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him [that is, of course, with Jesus]. 33And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and [the other]on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, [the]Chosen One!”36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour [By the way, we don’t calculate time as they did. The sixth hour would be the sixth hour after sunrise, or noon. Then the ninth hour would be 3 PM. So from noon to 3 PM, darkness was over the earth. And so, verse 45 says], 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Let’s pray.
[Prayer]
Please be seated.
This morning we're going to take a look at the three men who were crucified at Calvary on that Good Friday so many centuries ago. Each one of these men faced the same destiny. Death was upon them. Yet, two of them made different decisions, and because of their distinct decisions, they ended with different destinies. Now the point of this is not just to talk about the two thieves and Christ. The point of this is to examine our own lives and to see which of the thieves might best represent us and the decision that we have made, because I'll tell you, we too all face the same dilemma. What is that dilemma? Listen. It's a brief life full of joy and sorrow, soon enough to end, and after that the judgment. And we all face that dilemma. But the decision we make with regard to Christ determines our eternal destiny. So with the weight of that upon us, let's look at each of these three men.
I want to begin with the first of these three, and I'm going to call the cross upon which he died “the cross of the rebel.” The cross of the rebel. Now here, I'm thinking of verse 39. Look at it again. Verse 39 says:
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
Now, how might we describe this rebel? I'm going to give you two words that describe him. First of all, I could describe him as sinful. His sinfulness stands out. He is called here a criminal. In another Gospel, he's called a thief. So we know the nature of his crime was to steal. However, I would just add in this historical anecdote, it's likely that he was not a petty thief because crucifixion was reserved for the worst of criminals. It was capital punishment, obviously; it meant your death. So it is very likely that this man, when it says he was a criminal, he was much more than a petty thief. He probably wedded to his thievery something like the abuse of his victims. Perhaps rape. Perhaps brutality. Perhaps even murder. Some have theorized that he might have been an insurrectionist, in rebellion against Rome’s authority, perhaps an ally of Barabbas, who was set free, you remember. And Christ died in his stead; figuratively dying in all of our stead. Perhaps he was allied with Barabbas, but this was a bad man. A bad dude. He was a sinner. In fact, the word here when it says “he railed on Christ,” the word “railed on” is literally in Greek, the word “blasphemed.” The man was blaspheming Christ. “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself.” He was cursing him. So he was a sinner.
Now, I want to hasten to make this point. Please don't think I'm looking down my spiritual nose at that thief on the cross, because, the truth is, every one of us is likewise sinful. There's not a one of us that’s without sin. We've all rebelled against God. We've broken his law. And thus we've broken his heart. And so, this man very well might represent every one of us as I describe him as a sinner. The Bible says, in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The Pope has sinned. I have sinned. Your grandma has sinned. Don't mean to bust your bubble, but you have sinned. All of us have sinned. And so we could be represented by this thief.
Now the thing that makes it even worse is not just that he was a sinner, for we all are, but that he was stubborn in his sin. His stubbornness really stands out, does it not? Here he is. His life is literally ebbing away, blood drop by blood drop. The time is ticking. The sand is falling through the hourglass. His moments are numbered. You would think, would you not, that at this juncture of life, or I could say at this juncture of death, something in him would have cried out in desperation, “Oh God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.” You would think that there might be some humility in him, some repentance, some remorse, some self-reflection, but none of it. No, instead, he, in a sense, raises his fist to heaven. Very selfishly says, “If you're the Christ, save yourself and us. No interest in a relationship with Christ. Just, “Christ, if you can be my ticket out of this mess, be it for me.” But no surrender to the Lordship of Christ. He is stubborn.
I was reminded of a story that was told by a man named Ravi Zacharias. Ravi is a famous apologist for the faith, wonderful ministry. He had a personal relationship with a reporter from Britain, Malcolm Muggeridge, the legendary English journalist, author, and media personality. Muggeridge had spent some time with Svetlana Stalin, the daughter of Joseph Stalin, while they were working together on a BBC production on the life of her father. Joseph Stalin was, of course, the communist leader who once ruled Russia with a sadistic mentality and an incomprehensible coldness. During his reign untold millions of people were put to death by his command. The numbers are so high that experts can only give broad estimates as to the actual total.
“According to the story that Svetlana told Muggeridge, and Muggeridge in turn told Zacharias, Stalin was plagued by terrifying hallucinations as he lay dying on his bed. Then suddenly he sat halfway up in bed, clenched his fist toward the heavens, fell back upon his pillow, and was dead. It was if his last gesture in life was literally a clenched fist toward God.
“It would be easy to assume that Stalin lived his entire life in steadfast opposition to the concept of God, but that would be a wrong assumption. The fact is that when he was sixteen he received a scholarship to a Georgian Orthodox seminary. He even did well in his classes there until he missed his final exams and was expelled. Not long afterward he began reading the writings of Vladimir Lenin and became a Marxist revolutionary.
“Looking back over Stalin’s life it isn’t hard to deduce that he had an excellent opportunity not only to receive Christ as Savior but also to spend his life in service to Him. That is, after all, what seminary students usually do. But somewhere along the way Stalin came to a spiritual crossroad and chose to reject Jesus.” It reminds me of this thief on the cross. He is a rebel. Sinful, yes, but add to that, stubborn, and refusing to repent and find mercy and grace.
Before I go to the second cross, I'll tell you a story I uncovered this week. There's a fellow who lives in Chicago, David C. Nicosia, a business owner in Chicago. He was outside the Cook County Courthouse there in the greater Chicago area, and he was going to have a court case. While he was waiting outside, there was a very attractive elderly black woman. She's 79 years old. She was sitting outside, and for some reason they got into an altercation. He's about 50-ish; she's nearly 80. And for whatever reason, he got angry with her. He spit in her face. He then slapped her with his open hand and he made some comment along the lines of “You’re no Rosa Parks.” But, come to find out, the woman he insulted, spat upon, and slapped was none other than the judge herself. She had been outside on a brief break. Her name is Judge Arnette Hubbard. She was the first female president of the National Bar Association and the Cook County Bar Association. Judge Hubbard is a community icon who has served as an election observer in Haiti and South Africa and had long been a voice on civil rights and women's issues. She was the judge. Little did he know, he thought he was just mistreating some insignificant woman, when all the while, she was the judge.
I thought about this thief. He's insulting Christ. Had he been able to, perhaps he would have spat in his face and slapped him. He certainly did with his words and his attitude. Yet, all the while, the one he insulted and the one he pleaded with to come down from the cross was, by his insistence in being on the cross, working out the salvation of that very man. Oh the mercy and grace of Christ. He had said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” And this man, Nicosia, didn't know what he was doing when he slapped that woman, and so many of us may not realize that in our rebellion we're slapping, in effect, the face of the one who could bring about our forgiveness and salvation. So that is the cross, first of all then, of the rebel.
Could I just challenge us all this morning; let's don't be rebellious against God. I know we're sinners. Let's just confess that. But we don't have to stay in our rebellion against God. We can come to him and plead mercy and grace and find it full and free in Jesus.
Now, let's come then to the second cross. Remember, two different men, two different decisions, two different destinies. There's the cross of the rebel. He dies in his sin, not repenting. But now I want to come to this cross, and I want to call this one “The cross of the repentant.” The cross of the repentant. Look at your Bible, please, again, and I want us to go down to verse 40. There, the Bible says:
40 But the other [that is, the other criminal] rebuked [the first], saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man [he said, referring to Jesus]has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
This is one of the most poignant moments in all of the pages of the Bible. This man represents all those who repent of their sins and find salvation in Christ. How might we describe this man? Well I want to speak, first of all, of his repentance. Now, the word “repent” means literally to turn around. If I'm going this way and I repent, I'm going to turn and go 180 degrees in the opposite direction, and that's what's going to occur in this second thief’s life. He was going one way. If you look in the companion story of this in Matthew's Gospel, you're going to discover something very telling, something very interesting, something worth noting, and it’s this, that when they began that trek, when they began the trek up Cavalry, both of the thieves, the Bible says, were hurling insults at Jesus. Both of them. Not just the one on one side, but both of them were, basically saying the same thing, cursing Christ, calling on him to deliver them. But as he makes that journey, something happens in his heart, something radical. Perhaps it was the effect of seeing Jesus cry out, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” He saw the mercy of grace of God in Christ, and he saw his tenderness toward his mother Mary as he called on John the beloved apostle to take care of her. And he heard the sayings on the cross and saw the mercy and grace in Christ’s eyes, and it did something to the man. He repented.
I heard about a Sunday school class of children, and the lesson that day was on forgiveness. The teacher was instructing them from the Bible about that topic. When she concluded, she said, “Now boys and girls, I've got a question for you. What must we do to be forgiven?” And so one little girl raised her hand and she said, “Well, to be forgiven, we've got to confess.” The teacher said, “That's right.” Then another student raised his hand, and he said, “To be forgiven, we've got to repent.” The teacher said, “That's right.” Then this one little mischievous boy raised his hand, and she said, “Johnny, what do you have to do to be forgiven?” He said, “Sin!” Good point. To be forgiven, you’ve got to sin and then confess and repent.
The reason I bring that little story up is to say this, “Whatever happened to sin?” There was a book written by that title a generation ago by a famous psychiatrist, and basically in the book, he was saying, “What happened to sin?” It’s like no longer is there any sin. There are sicknesses. There are addictions. There are complexes inflicted upon us by those who may have mistreated us, but as far as me personally having done anything that might be categorized sinful, it's as though we know nothing of it. But here's the truth: To be forgiven, we must recognize that we have sinned. And I love what we see in the man hanging on the second cross, his repentance.
I see it in two things. First of all, he confesses his faults. I see his repentance in the fact that he confesses his faults. He says to the other thief, “We’re getting what we deserve.” He's acknowledging his sin. Have you ever done that? Have you come to God and said, “God I know that I'm a sinner, and were I to receive what I deserve, I would be punished. I would be separated from your grace and mercy. God I am guilty.” Have you done that seriously and from your heart? You must to be forgiven. This man confessed his fault. But then, add to it this truth. Not only did he confess his fault, but he confessed his faith, and that's how salvation comes. We confess our faults, and we confess our faith. He said of Jesus, “We're getting what we deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Now get this, he saw in Christ the sinless Lamb of God, given as a sacrifice for our sins, and he believed it, and he said, “Lord, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” He confessed his faith in the Lordship of Christ. If you’re to be saved, and if you're to go to heaven, you must do as the thief on the cross did so long ago. Repent, confessing your faults and your faith, and then you need to make a request of the Lord, and that's what this thief did.
I see his repentance, and now his request. He said, “Remember me, Lord, when you come into your kingdom.” That's a prayer.
You know, there's a phrase; perhaps you've heard it before. We term a certain kind of prayer the “sinner's prayer.” Have you ever heard that phrase? And fact, someone may ask you, “Have you ever prayed the sinner's prayer?” In modern times, I've actually got a sense that some people disparage that as though somehow that's not appropriate. But I want to stand today in defense of the sinner's prayer, and say to you, if you don't pray the sinner's prayer, not in any kind of like magical incantation of certain words, but a sincere cry of confession, repentance and appeal for mercy, you're not going to heaven. You've got to do like this thief did, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Could I ask you, have you ever prayed the sinner's prayer? Have you ever gotten on your knees, whether physically or figuratively, have you ever gotten on your knees and just said, “Lord, I'm guilty, but I know that you’re sinless and you died in my stead. I'm asking you, Lord, to apply that mercy and grace to me, and save me.” That's the way to heaven. Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That's what the sinner's prayer is; it's a sincere cry to God for forgiveness and mercy. If you've never before called on him to be your Saviour, I'm going to invite you to do so today.
So now, let's come to the last cross. I've taught you about the cross of the rebel. He died in his sins, and had a certain destiny. I’ve talked to you about the cross of the repentant. He didn't die in his sin; no, he died to his sin and turned to Christ, and he had a certain destiny. What determined the destiny of both was what they did with the man in the middle, Jesus. His is not the cross of the rebel nor the cross of the repentant because he never rebelled, and he never had anything for which to repent. No, his is the cross of the Redeemer. He didn't die in his sin, and he didn't die to his sin. He died for our sins, the innocent for the guilty. Christ died for us.
I want you to notice the promise he made to that thief on the cross. Look at it now in verse 43:
43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Oh, if I had the time to just take every one of these words and let each word sit heavily upon our hearts. They're all worth the world. He said, “Truly.” Do you know what that tells me? It's a promise; it's a promise made by none other than the Lord Jesus himself. “Truly, I say to you.” To whom did he make this promise? To the thief on the cross. Listen to me. Some people think that to get into heaven; watch this, watch, some people think that to get into heaven, God's going to have there in heaven a large scale. And on one side, God's going to put all the bad things that you've done – disobedience, lust, pride, jealousy, thievery, abuse, all the bad things you've done – he's going to put that on one side of the scale. Then on the other side of the scale, he's going to put your good deeds. You know, you went to church on an occasion, and you gave something at Christmas time in the red kettle, and you're nice to the little lady across the street, and if you can manage to get enough good deeds to outweigh your bad deeds, then you get to go to heaven. That's what people think. Did you know that you could look throughout the whole of the Bible; you'll never find that to be the case? The best case in point to prove that that is not the path to salvation is the thief on the cross himself. Now, if we were to stack up all the thief’s bad deeds over here, it would be a pretty big stack, would it not? He's lived his whole life a rebel to God. Now on this side, what has this thief on the cross done to merit forgiveness? Had he gone to church? Not that I know of. Had he been baptized? Never. Had he given an offering? No, he had probably robbed from some offering plates, but he had not given anything. No, there was nothing that he had done to outweigh the bad that he had done – except that he had called out to the Lord for mercy and grace, and by that cry of repentance and faith, the scale was tipped.
There's a story that I've loved across the years. It's the story of a man who went to heaven, and Saint Peter met him at the gate. You know it's fanciful because that's not the way it's going to be, but Saint Peter met him at the gate and said, “May I help you?” The man said, “Well, I want to go to heaven; I want to be admitted into heaven.” Saint Peter said, “Well, tell me what you've done on earth, and we'll see if you can come into heaven.” Saint Peter said, “You’ve got to score 100 points and every good thing that you've done has a certain value, and if it adds up to 100 points you get to come in.” So the guy started sweating, and he started thinking of what he had done that was good, and he said, “Well, I went to church on an occasion.” Saint Peters said, “All right, I'll give you a point for that. Then he said, “I gave to charity on an occasion.” Saint Peter said, “All right, I'll give you a point for that.” He started sweating more profusely, and he said, “Well, I went to the soup kitchen on Thanksgiving Day and I served the homeless.” Saint Peter said, “Okay I'll give you a couple of points for that.” He said, “I was married to my wife for 40 years and I never cheated on her.” Saint Peter said, “Okay, three points for that.” He's just struggling, right; he doesn't nearly have enough points. The guy, in exasperation, finally says, “The only way I'm going to get in is by the grace of God.” Saint Peter said, “100 points!”
It's the grace of God. That's the only way you get in, the grace, the unmerited gift of God. His grace tips the scales. The thief on the cross portrays this so beautifully. Nothing he had done earned his way into heaven, but God in mercy heard his cry, and washed his sins away.
That's good news for us, folks. Now, ought we to do good deeds, ought we to go to church, ought we to give, ought we to be nice to the little lady across the street, and ought we to be a witness for Christ? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. But we ought not do it to earn forgiveness; we ought to do it out of gratitude for having been forgiven.
So, the promise that he made was that the thief would be in heaven, and the price that he paid was he breathed his last. Do you see that? How is it that we get to go into heaven, sinners as we are? We get to go because someone who was innocent paid the price for our sins. The Bible that says we have all sinned also says “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Our Lord.” Someone must die for the sins that have been committed, and the good news is someone did die. Someone did, as the text says, “breathed his last.” When he breathed his last and died for us, the way to heaven was opened for those who would repent and believe.
Two different men; same dilemma. But two different decisions, and thus two destinies.
I'm going to conclude with this. Let me describe for you a feature of our continent. There’s a backbone to the Western Hemisphere. It runs from the frozen tundra of Canada and the Arctic all the way down through the United States down through Central America, on down into South America, and that backbone is largely constituted of the Rockies and the Andes. It forms what is called the Continental Divide. Now do you guys know what the Continental Divide is? It's a curious thing. Every raindrop that falls lands on one side or the other of the Continental Divide. If the raindrop happens to fall on the western side, every one of those raindrops runs to the Pacific Ocean. By whatever tributary, it makes its way to the Pacific. If a raindrop falls, by contrast, on the eastern slope of the continental divide, that drop of water will eventually make its way to the Atlantic Ocean. It may come through the Gulf; it may go through the Hudson Bay, but it's going to the Atlantic Ocean. It is all determined by on which side of the Continental Divide it falls.
Now, what's my point in telling that? Jesus is the Continental Divide of humanity. Jesus is the Continental Divide of all of human history. Where you end up determines on which side of Christ you fall. If you fall on the side of the cross of the rebel, sinful and stubborn, your destiny is separation from God. If you fall on the side of the cross of the repentant, your destiny is heaven, Paradise, to use Jesus' word in this text. Could I ask you, “On which side of Christ do you stand today, rebel or repentant?” Before you leave this room today, if you’ve not made the decision to get on the right side of Christ, confessing your fault and your faith, I'm going to invite you to do so, so that your destiny might be with him in Paradise when you leave this life, so that you might have joy as you do live this life in obedience to him.
Let's stand together with our heads bowed. I want you to join me in thanking God for his word.
[Prayer and Invitation]
Thank you for having come today. We celebrate the victory of Christ. Here's what the Bible told us today: “He breathed his last.” Were that the end of the story, we'd have nothing to celebrate, as great as his death on the cross was.
Next Sunday, we're going to tell the rest of the story. Until then, have a great week. God bless you.
7.6 billion. That’s the reported population of the world. It’s a big number. We are called by Christ to reach the all the nations with the gospel. The task can seem overwhelming. Just in the United States alone there are some 328 million people, 246 million of whom do not claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus as Lord.
How can we reach them with the good news?
We must reach them one by one. In our everyday conversations with our friends and acquaintances, we can share the love of Jesus. The Bible teaches that there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels when one person repents. That is God rejoicing. And he rejoices for the one.
Who’s Your One?
“One”
Acts 8:26-40
- Ready servant
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the southto the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went(8:26-27a).
- Restless seeker
And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship (8:27b).
- Remarkable scripture
And [he] was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah(8:28).
- Redemptive symbol
And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him(8:36-38).
In this Sunday’s message at Istrouma, we will follow the exciting encounter between a believer named Philip and one other person from Ethiopia. That one man discovered the joy that Jesus brings and, according to tradition, he went on to impact a nation.
It’s a story that God wants to replicate in our lives—one at a time.
Who’s your one?
SERMON TRANSCRIPT BELOW:
You’re probably familiar with the tragedy of “friendly fire,” but have you thought about the potential of “friendly faith”? Let me unpack the difference.
Friendly fire refers to incidents when, in the fog of war, a soldier will accidentally fire upon his own forces. The history of warfare is replete with examples. Perhaps the best known is the case of Pat Tillman. He was a gifted athlete who played in the NFL. After 9-11 he voluntarily gave up that lucrative career and became an Army Ranger. He died in the mountains of Afghanistan as a result of “friendly fire.”
Friends can hurt friends (and not just on the battlefield!). But, it is equally true that friends can help friends.
Your faith in the Lord can encourage and transform the lives of your friends. That’s what I mean by “friendly faith.” A great illustration of this is the biblical account of four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. There he found healing and, more importantly, forgiveness for sins.
God wants to use our lives and, particularly, our faith to influence others for Christ. Whom can you pray for or encourage today? Whom can you “bring” to Jesus? A kind deed, a quick email or note, a word of witness, an invitation--all of these are examples of ways that we can live out a "friendly faith."
Join us this Sunday at Istrouma Baptist Church as we continue our series entitled, “Who’s Your One?” We'll learn more about living out a faith that makes a positive difference in the lives of our friends.
Friendly Faith
Sermon Series: Who’s Your One?
Mark 2:1-12
Istrouma Baptist Church – Jeff Ginn, Lead Pastor
9:15 AM Sermon March 31, 2019
https://vimeo.com/327794391
https://www.facebook.com/istrouma.org/videos/1013316938861397/
Outline:
- CooperativeFriends
And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men (2:3).
- Come the same way
-
Carry the same weight
-
CreativeFriends
And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay (2:4).
- Are desperate
-
Are determined
-
ConfidentFriends
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”(2:5)
- Have a faith that is visible
- Have a faith that is victorious
You’re probably familiar with the tragedy of “friendly fire,” but have you thought about the potential of “friendly faith”? Let me unpack the difference.
Friendly fire refers to incidents when, in the fog of war, a soldier will accidentally fire upon his own forces. The history of warfare is replete with examples. Perhaps the best known is the case of Pat Tillman. He was a gifted athlete who played in the NFL. After 9-11 he voluntarily gave up that lucrative career and became an Army Ranger. He died in the mountains of Afghanistan as a result of “friendly fire.”
Friends can hurt friends (and not just on the battlefield!). But, it is equally true that friends can help friends.
Your faith in the Lord can encourage and transform the lives of your friends. That’s what I mean by “friendly faith.” A great illustration of this is the biblical account of four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. There he found healing and, more importantly, forgiveness for sins.
God wants to use our lives and, particularly, our faith to influence others for Christ. Whom can you pray for or encourage today? Whom can you “bring” to Jesus? A kind deed, a quick email or note, a word of witness, an invitation--all of these are examples of ways that we can live out a "friendly faith."
Today, I want to speak on the theme, not friendly fire, but its exact opposite, “Friendly faith.” That is, your faith in the Lord Jesus, lived out, can be a blessing to your friends. It can change their lives and their eternity. I’m going to take you to a story in the Bible where it’s a case of friendly faith. Four friends living out their faith influenced their lame, paralytic friend for time and eternity.
The story is found in Mark chapter 2. So if you have a copy of the Bible, I want you to open it there, please. Mark 2. And in honor of God's word, would you please stand as we read these verses. Mark 2:1-12. There God’s word says:
1And when he [that is, Jesus]returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.
Could I pause right there and just note what Jesus was doing? As the crowds came, Jesus preached the word to them. You might think that Jesus was a great miracle worker who occasionally preached, but you'd actually have that backwards. He wasn’t a miracle worker who occasionally preached. He was a preacher who often enough did miracles. There is an emphasis in the word of God on the preaching of these truths because it is the preaching of the word of God that is used by him to bring folks to eternal salvation. So today, in the tradition of Jesus, we are preaching the word. Now look, please, to verse 3 and we’ll continue the reading.
3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4And when they could not get [him near] because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, [take]up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Let’s pray.
[Prayer]
Please be seated.
God wants to use our lives and particularly our faith to influence others for Christ. He wants us to live out what I'm going to call today a “friendly faith.” Now today, we're continuing our series entitled “Who's Your One?” We're going to learn more about living out of faith that makes a positive difference in the lives of our friends. You'll know that we have challenged one another through the course of 2019 to pick one person that God would lay on our hearts, a friend that we could pray for and seek to influence in an effort to bring them to faith in Christ. Do you have your one? I trust that you do. All throughout this week, we've been praying day by day, have we not? I hope you have been using your prayer guide. For the 30 days leading up to Easter we're going to be praying for our friends, and I want you to encourage you to invite them to come and worship with you here. If you'll go to the Welcome Desk before you leave, we have a lot of invite cards that you can pick up and use to invite others to come and worship with us, particularly on Easter that's right before us.
Now, the four friends in the story that we’re studying today are great examples for us of what it means to live out our faith with our friends. I'm going to describe these men with three words, and I'm going to give you the three words, and then we'll go back and look at them each in turn. They are Cooperative. They are Creative. And they are Confident. These are going to be the three key words for this morning.
Let's begin, then, by first of all describing them as “Cooperative friends.” Cooperative friends. Now here, I'm thinking of verse 3. Look at your Bible again, please. There it says:
3And they came [these four friends], bringing to him [Jesus]a paralytic carried by four men.
Now, there are two things that I notice about these four friends. First of all, they come the same way. That is, they’re traveling the same road. They have the same destination. They have the same North on their [compass], and he is Jesus. Notice that it says “they came...to him.” They are all going the same way. Now here they are, each of the four friends, I can imagine them, each one at a different corner of this cot on which the man is lying. Had they been going different ways, they would have drawn and quartered the poor fellow. But instead, they’re going the same way. They are coordinated. They are cooperative. And did you know that churches function best when we are like these four friends, and instead of us each going our own way, we cooperate together to do the Lord's work.
I'm so thankful here at Istrouma we have a North. We have an aim. We’re going the same way. And what is that way? We have a mission, and I think all of you probably can now quote our mission. It is, “We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.” Now, I want us to quote it together. Are you ready? “We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.” That is our aim. Our aim is to get people to Jesus and to help them become followers, dedicated followers, of the Lord Jesus. Let me remind you, here's our process that we follow. It's very simple. Four key steps in it. Number one, Connect. We're looking to connect people to Jesus by salvation and in active church attendance. Connect. Once connected, we want to help them Grow in their faith. Primarily, we do this by helping people get connected to a small group. A lot of these projects that you heard described that went on on Go Day, those were driven by our small groups. Cooperative friends working together to carry out the mission of the Lord. Growing in our faith. Connect. Grow. Thirdly, Serve. That is, get your hands dirty. Put your hands to the plow. Pull your weight. These projects, and projects like them that we do around the world, are avenues for you to put your spiritual giftedness to work for the Lord. And then, the process culminates by us actually going, locally and globally, to the very ends of the earth. This is our mission. This is our North.
I think it's largely because of this that Istrouma, now listen to this, you won't believe it; if you've been a Baptist for a long time, you really won’t believe it, Istrouma is almost a hundred years old – next year we celebrate 100 years – and did you know, to the glory of God, this church has never had a church split. We have always walked in harmony. Have you ever wondered why, why is it we don't fuss and fight? It's because we cooperate. We have the same mission. We have the same goal. We have the same aim. Jesus is our Lord, and we're cooperating together going the same way.
I remember a story I heard some years ago about this fellow who was moving. He was moving from his house, and so he was there in the doorway of his home, the front door, and he was working with a refrigerator. A passer-by walking there, a Good Samaritan, happened to note the fellow wrestling with the fridge in the doorway. The Good Samaritan said, “Hey, could I help you?” And the homeowner said, “I'd love it.” So the man jumped up the steps and came up, and each one got on one side of the refrigerator, and they began to struggle with that heavy fridge there in the doorway. After a couple of minutes they paused to kind of catch their breath. The Good Samaritan said, “Whew! I don't know if we're ever going to get this refrigerator in your house.” To which the owner said, “In? I'm trying to get it out!”
Now, I’ve loved that story across the years, because the truth is we've got to know which way we’re going. We've got to know which way we’re carrying this load. As a church, we don't ever need to be confused. We are working together, and our aim is to make disciples of all nations. If we’ll have the same North, and if we’ll have the same mission, if we’ll go the same way, we’ll be in harmony with one another. So these men, they’re coming the same way.
Secondly, they’re carrying the same weight. They're carrying the same weight. Have you ever heard this saying, “Many hands make light work”? It's true. Many hands make light work. I don't know if you’ve ever had to sustain someone who is what we’d call dead weight. Maybe someone passes out, and you realize how heavy the body is when there’s no life force at work in them. Here's this man, he's a lame man, he can't carry himself, and what a struggle it would have been for just one of these men to have borne him all the way to where Jesus was. But thankfully, there was not one friend or even two friends; there are four friends working together sharing the load.
Now the application is very easy to make, is it not? We, God's people, each need to take hold of our corner of the cot. Each one of us has a load to bear in helping our friends get to Jesus. Each one of us has a load to bear in helping the work of the church go forward, in giving life, and bringing the life-giving news of Jesus to a waiting world. I tell you, it's amazing what can be done when people cooperate together.
I want you to watch a video clip. It's from Perth Australia. You're going to get a glimpse of what people together can do [Video clip was shown]. Here's the story: In Perth Australia, and you can Google this and watch it, there was an incident several years ago where a man was waiting on a commuter train to come through, like a subway. As the train arrived, the doors opened and this fellow began to make his way into the train. There was quite a lot of traffic, foot traffic, and as he was stepping into the train, his foot accidentally slipped down into a crack between the platform and the train itself, and it went all the way up to his hip. There he was, stuck between the platform and a 43-ton train. Soon enough, that train is going to roll out of the station. Well, when the passers-by saw what was going on, they all rallied to where the man was and they, with their bare hands, they leaned into that massive locomotive, and together the crowd relieved the weight of that train enough; they rocked it off that man enough, that the man was able to escape. Now, can you imagine such a thing, the power of working together that they could move a 43-ton train off the leg of that trapped man? It's a lesson to us that if we work together, there's nothing that we can't do that God would will for us to do. We, God's people, have all about us people who are trapped, if you will, in their sins. The Bible even describes us as dead in our trespasses and sins. As good as dead if there isn't some help brought to bear to help them escape from the snare of the devil. And we, God's people, bring that help when we are connected and when we grow and when we serve and when we go together the same way, sharing the weight, God will use us to change the world.
I tell you, we do this as Southern Baptists in a great way. If you don't know, Istrouma is part of a larger network. We’re not an independent church. We are autonomous but we’re not independent; we cooperate, just like the word I'm using to describe. And it's often call “CP Missions.” Cooperative Program, that's what “CP” stands for, the Cooperative Program. Many of you may not even be aware of this, but we’re part of a network of about 45,000 churches, all of us cooperating voluntarily. We, every dollar that you give in the offering plate here, we take a portion of that dollar, and we actually send it away. The very first thing we do with your offerings is we give from our receipts to the work of the Lord around the globe through what we call CP Missions.
Let me tell you some of the things that are done with your gifts through CP Missions. First of all, we have the world's largest Evangelical missions sending agency. It's called the International Mission Board. By the way, we happen to have a couple of our international missionaries with us today, the Melancons. Would you please stand, Pat and your wife? God bless you guys, missionaries around from around the world with us today. Pat's going to come and dismiss us in prayer when we conclude our service. He directs a ministry called Baptist Global Relief. Can I say all these things publicly, Pat? Okay, very good. Sometimes we serve in sensitive areas where there are security concerns. But whenever there's a disaster around the world, let's say that there's an earthquake in Nepal, how do resources get to Nepal to not only alleviate human suffering, but to take the good news of the Gospel? They do it through our CP gifts, and we're supporting missionaries just like the Melancons who serve 365 days of the year taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. So we support the International Mission Board, more than 4,000 career missionaries.
You know, sometimes we celebrate that we support a young couple in central Asia who are from our church; that Abbie and Tyler are about to go to Eastern Europe. We celebrate these young couples. But again, I say to you, you're not just supporting them. You’re supporting thousands of missionaries, many of whom you will not know their names until you get to heaven. But they're going to come and they're going to say, “Thank you for giving. And because you gave, I was able to go to Afghanistan or to Pakistan or to China or to Ecuador or wherever it may be in the world. Your gifts go. You go by virtue of your gifts. Not only the International Mission Board, but the North American Mission Board. Again, thousands of missionaries serving full-time across our nation, supported by your gifts. We have six seminaries, and many of them are multi-site. We're training probably in the neighborhood of 15,000 new pastors and missionaries and ministers who will serve all over the world, and your gifts sustain those seminaries.
We have the world's third largest disaster relief organization. I’ve already referred to Baptist Global Relief, but here in the states, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. The yellow hats and the yellow shirts that do relief in places like New Orleans when Katrina hit. Believe me when I tell you, much of the work that is done is done by our network of corporation. So I want to encourage you that God is using you in ways perhaps you never dreamed or never knew. But that's what happens when all of us get against that weight and we do our part in carrying our share of the load. All right, that's the first word, “Cooperative.”
Now, the second word. How could we describe these men? I want to use as my second word the word “Creative.” These men were creative, were they not? Look, if you will, in your Bible again to verse 4.
4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.
Now, I've entered homes by a variety of means. I've rung the front doorbell and I've going in through the front door. If I'm a close friend of the family, I might come in through the carport door. Maybe even I'll come in through the back door. Maybe you've got sliding glass doors to the patio; I've come in through sliding glass doors. I even, I have to confess this, I’ve even come in through the window a time or two. I remember when I was in high school, I stayed out late one night, and my mom and dad, I guess they thought I was already in the house and I was already in bed, all the doors were locked when I got home. I was a teenager, so I began to look for a window that was open. I found an open window in our dining room. So I'm about halfway in the window when I hear this shriek. It's my mother who sees this strange man climbing in through the dining room window. So I’ve come in to a home by variety of means, but I'll tell you this, I've never entered a home through the roof. And I don't suppose these men had either. But the Bible says, they could not get near him, and because they could not get near him through a door, or even through a window, their ingenuity kicked in. Their creativity kicked in. I love this. Churches ought to be seedbeds of creativity. But instead, we're often known for quite the opposite. In fact, somebody has said that the seven last words of the church, do you know what they are? I've told you before. The seven last words of the church: “We've never done it that way before.” The seven last words of the church.
I can take you to a lot of churches today, and they're doing things the way they did them in the 1950s. You open up the door, you walk in, the music they play, the technology they utilize, it's like you've gone back in time. It's like a time warp. And very often, those churches are dwindling.
Now, we're never going to change the message we preach. Don't be alarmed. We're preaching the message that was once for all delivered to the saints. It's an unchanging message, but we ought to bring creativity to bear in our outreach. Let me just ask you this, off the top of your head, I want you to think of the most creative company, or the most creative entity, that exists today. All right, you got one? Let me see a show of hands, you’ve thought of a company that you think's pretty innovative, pretty creative, raise your hand. All right, you got one in mind?
What's the one you have in mind? [Disney.] How many of you thought of Disney when you thought of creativity? All right, a few of you. Someone else, raise your hand. What did you think? [Apple.] Okay, very good, how many thought of Apple? All right, a lot of you did, I see a lot of hands. Maybe one more, any other creative company that came to your mind? [HelloFresh.] Pardon? HelloFresh? What is that? All right, very good. I've got to get more current, I can tell!
How many of you thought the most creative entity on earth today is the church? Wow, okay, one or two of you. I don't think very many people think of the church when they think of creativity, and could I just say, shame on us. Now why would I say that? Because we have the image of God stamped upon us, the Imago Dei. He said, male and female, he made them in His image. He made them. We're in His image.
What does God like? Let just start at the beginning. In the beginning God…? Created – the heavens and the earth. You see, he is creative. Just think of the flowers that he made, the beauty of them, the grandeur of them, the delicacy of them, the colors of them. Roses. Irises. Daffodils. But the Lord is so creative, is he not? And here's the thing: the church is to be creative. You say, “Yes, but I like the way we've always done things.” I know that. I know that. I know you like the way it's always been done. Y’all sit in the same pews every week! I know you like it the same way, and the truth is, I do too. We're all creatures of habit, aren't we? We get in ruts. Have you ever heard this definition of a rut? A rut is a grave with both ends kicked out. You may ought to get out of your rut. And the truth is, we do get out of our ruts. Most of you didn't get here by horse and buggy today. Most of you heated up your coffee with a microwave or Keurig, or whatever those things are.
You love innovation in certain spheres of life, and we in the church ought to appreciate creativity. I just want to say on behalf of Istrouma, and I want to say to the praise of God, we're a pretty creative bunch around here. By some measurements, relatively speaking, we're pretty creative. I can't say that for myself, I'm not that creative, but we have staff members who are quite creative. I would just put a piece of artwork here on the screen. This is from our artist here on staff. This was a design that was made by our art staff, and it was for our student DNOW event. That kind of artwork is very, very cutting-edge, and they were doing a Bible study on the Battleground, Ephesians 6, and the armor of God, and how to win in life. That's creative.
You know, the bumpers that you see before I get up to preach each Sunday, that's our staff, they produce those bumpers. Folks like Jim Szalay and Josh Boyd and Jana and Laura Fuson, very creative people, and it’s to the glory of God. We ought to rejoice in it. We're creative not just in artwork; we're creative, for example, in our outreach in sports. You know, it's not every day you have a church that has a whole sports ministry, and we're blessed that we have it. And I just want to say, Thank you Lord for giving us this ample property and that there were leaders before I came that had the vision to build ball fields and gymnasiums, and we utilize those for the Lord, and that's the way it should be.
A couple of Sundays ago we had a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and of course this is the time of March Madness, so our Sports Ministry said, “Let's capitalize on that and let's have a basketball tournament.” But the real goal, and if you know ML Woodruff who directs our Sports Ministry, we don't play sports for sports’ sake. We don't even play sports for the children's sake. Well, we do, but I'll explain how. We really play sports for the Gospel's sake – and in that sense, for the children's sake and their parents and their grandparents that they might come to know Christ. For crying out loud, we even have a Pickleball League! That's right, pickleball. Very creative.
I think about our age-graded ministries. They're so creative. A recent Sunday, our children’s staff put on what I think they called “Pajama Day.” They let the children come in their pajamas to Sunday morning, and I know this out of the box, a little bit creative, but they wanted to do something fun for the children, something creative, something out of the box. And here's our children’s staff, just being creative. Don't be mad at them; rejoice that they’re being creative, trying to reach those boys and girls!
Our Student Ministry, they recently had what they called Paint Wars and they just throw paint on each other as a fun activity, and again, when they conclude that, they sit the teenagers down and they tell them the Gospel. Now, are y'all tracking with me? What are we talking about? We’re talking about creativity. Really, when you think about it, that's what Go Day is. Go Day is an expression of creativity, reaching out. We had teams yesterday wash EMS and first responders’ vehicles to touch them with the love of Christ. How creative!
I led the donut team, and we took donuts to Home Depot and just gave them passers-by. Had a team go to Istrouma High School and give out donuts there because our Sports Ministry was doing a baseball clinic, so there those two creative outreaches dovetailed.
We had a block party, and I can’t list all the projects. 53 projects scattered across the city, each one unique, creative, God-honoring, and that's how we ought to live our lives, for the Gospel. Let's do it.
Now, there's a couple of things about these friends and their creativity. The engine of their creativity was their desperation. They are desperate. Have you ever heard this saying, “Necessity is the mother of _____?” Invention. Exactly. These men were desperate. They knew they could not heal their lame friend. They’d known him perhaps all their lives. They knew no doctor could heal their friend. This is the time, this is the place, this is the person, this is the opportunity. If they don't seize it, it may never come their way again. They are desperate. If they can't come through the door and they can't come through the window, they're going to come through the roof, because they're desperate. And I’ll tell you what. One of the reasons our churches are not as creative as we ought to be is because we are not as desperate as we ought to be to see the lost come to Christ. I'm not as desperate as I ought to be, so one of our prayers this morning ought to be, “Lord, make us desperate to reach our friends with the Gospel.” If you're desperate to see your friends come to Christ, you will pray for them. You will invite them. You will share the hope of Christ with them, and I will as well. God help us to be desperate.
And not only were they desperate, they were determined. Yes, desperation makes you determined. They were not going to go home unless that friend got to Jesus. I can imagine it was hot. I've been to that part of the world. I remember one occasion Nell and I were in Jericho; it was 125 degrees in the shade. And here come these men. It's hot, that lame man's heavy, but they're not to be deterred. They're determined to get him to Christ, and they will not take no for an answer.
One last word I want to give you, and that is these friends were Confident. They were confident. Would you look now to verse 5?
5 And when Jesus saw their faith [you could just circle that word “faith”, When Jesus saw their faith], he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Now, I want to be clear about something because I don't want you to misunderstand me, and I don't want to fail to be clear. These friends were not confident in themselves. In fact, I would say they had no confidence in themselves. It was for that reason they made the journey to Jesus. They knew their resources had been exhausted. No, they had no confidence in themselves or in their flesh. In whom, then, was their confidence? It was in Jesus. That's why he was their North. They said, “We've got to get to Jesus.”
Two things about their faith stand out to me. Number one, it's visible. Jesus saw their faith. I'll submit something to you this morning. Listen. All genuine faith is visible. You say, “Where do you see their faith?” That hole up there in the roof. There's the evidence of it. You see, their faith drove them to that decision and that action. James said it this way, “You show me your faith without works; I'll show you my faith by my works.” He said, “I will show you my faith.” Now, we’re not to make a show of our faith, but if we have faith, it will show. Should I say that again? We're not to make a show of our faith, but our faith, if genuine, will show.
Their faith was visible, and then, because it was, that is because it was genuine, it was victorious. That is, their faith reached its goal. In fact, it not only reached their goal, it want far, far beyond their goal. I love what happens in this story. They let that man down in front of Jesus. Jesus looks at him. Well, let me back up. The Bible says Jesus saw their faith and he said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now here there ought to be a sound effect. There ought to be [screeching of brakes]. What? Like the needle coming across the record. Your sins are forgiven? Who said anything about sins? I don’t think they brought him there to get his sins forgiven; how embarrassing is that? Right there in front of God and the world, “Your sins are forgiven.” What sins; who is talking about sin? No, Jesus, he makes a turn here that is sudden and is telling.
You see, the greatest need of that lame man that day was not that he would walk again, as great as that need was. No, the far greater need was that he be saved. That he be forgiven. I don't know in what condition you’ve come today. You may be here a paralytic, and God can heal you and we would rejoice were he to do so this day. But your greatest need is not to be healed of your physical malady. You may be here with intense pain, and I know several of you have aches and pains and sicknesses, and O that God would heal you. But the greater need is our spiritual healing. You may be here in bankruptcy today, and I'm heartbroken that you’re in bankruptcy. But perhaps it is the bankruptcy that will bring you to Christ so that your greater need can be met, and that is that your sins be forgiven.
I think I may have misunderstood this passage for years, because it says “Jesus saw their faith,” and I always thought that meant the faith of the four. And he said he saw their faith, and then he said to the paralytic, quite apart from that, “Friend, your sins are forgiven,” as though they were a separate thing. But I’ve evolved in my thinking on that question. I actually believe that when he said “Jesus saw their faith,” it encompassed the five. He saw the faith of those four friends, and I believe he saw into the heart of that lame man. After all, the lame man was willing to be borne to Jesus. He was willing to come through the roof; he was anxious to. And so I believe Jesus saw right into his heart that that man had faith not only to be healed but to be saved, to be forgiven.
You say, man, what, you think Jesus can see into the hearts of men? Yes I do. Upon what basis? This very story. Because don't you follow the story? It said there were some Pharisees sitting nearby who said – in fact, they didn't say it, let me correct that, they were thinking it in their hearts – “Who is this man?” I can just hear the disdain in their voice, “Who is this man that he could forgive sin?” Jesus perceived what was in their heart while it was yet unspoken. So of course Jesus could see into the heart of that lame man, and he saw faith there, and he responded to the faith that he saw and he healed that man and saved him of his sin, because I'm going to tell you something, the only way to get saved is to exercise personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Here's what the Bible says.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
The key to heaven is faith. The key to heaven is committing in your life in faith to Jesus as Lord. And I believe that's exactly what that lame man did.
And in Lagniappe, he got the great thing, forgiveness, but lagniappe came when he was healed. He was healed. Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven.” And then they questioned him, the Pharisees did, the religious crowd, and then Jesus put a question to them. He said – and I want to put the question to you; are you ready? Here comes the question: Which is easier to say, your sins are forgiven, or rise, take up your bed and walk? Church, how do you answer that question? Which is easier, and I'll give you a hint, which is easier to say? “Your sins are forgiven,” or “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” I'll answer it for you. The easier thing to say is “Your sins are forgiven.” And do you know why that’s easier to say? Because if I say to you, “Your sins are forgiven,” no one can verify whether it occurred or not. I'm clouded in this cloak of invisibility. You don't know if sins have been forgiven or not. But, by contrast, it’s harder to say, “Rise, take up your bed and walk,” because everyone will be able to see whether it happened or not, whether you’re genuine or not. So the harder thing to say is, “Get up and walk.”
Well Jesus took the easier route when he said “Your sins are forgiven.” But then he said to the religious rulers,
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” [lest you think I’m a charlatan]… rise, [take]up your bed, and [walk].”
That man took up his bed and he walked, and do you why that miracle occurred? That miracle occurred to confirm that Jesus is who he claims to be. Jesus is God come in the flesh to redeem sinners, and I'll say every miracle that occurs, occurs to verify and certify that Christ is Lord. It's pretty easy to say “Your sins are forgiven.” But it's not easy to accomplish. Relatively free to say “Your sins are forgiven,” but excruciating to accomplish.
You know it's interesting, in the Bible, much of what occurs in the Bible occurs by virtue of God speaking it into existence. By divine fiat, God created all that is ex nihilo, out of nothing. He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light, no action required. No price to be paid. He spoke it, and it was. One of the few things, if the only thing, that required his action was to redeem us of our sins. He didn't just say “Your sins are forgiven.” No, justice demanded, holiness demanded, that sin be punished, it be atoned for, a price be paid. Justice demanded it, and love paid the price. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, and to prove that price was paid, he arose from the dead. And he lives today to bring forgiveness and salvation to all who will put their faith in him.
Hey listen friend; I was talking a moment ago about the faith of these five. I honestly don't know of what quality their faith was or of what quantity it was. It could be that they came hopeful, not certain, but their faith was sufficient for them to make the journey, and what saves us isn't the amount of our faith, the quality of our faith. What saves us is that we exercise what little, feeble, weak faith we have. Come to Jesus, and when you come to Jesus, you'll find him sufficient to pay every sin.
Would you stand, please? What a great story, a story about friendly faith. These friends brought their friend to Jesus. He got his cake, and he got to eat it too. He was healed of his illness and he was saved from his sin.
I know that God today wants to heal our sin-sick souls, make us his own. If never before you’ve called upon Christ as Savior, would you this day? I want to lead you in a prayer to do that. From your heart, cry out to God.
[Invitation and Prayer]
[Lord’s Supper]
[Singing]
“Stay thirsty, my friends.” So ended every commercial in a well-known marketing campaign. The ads featured an older, debonair fellow dubbed, “The World’s Most Interesting Man.”
In each commercial he would do something exotic and daring—cliff diving in Acapulco, riding a monster wave on some exotic coastline, freeing an angry bear caught in a trap, sowing up his own injury while chatting with medical staff. You get the idea.
His signature sign-off was “Stay thirsty, my friends.” The idea is akin to YOLO—"you only live once.” Go for the gusto. Get all of the pleasure you can from life. Stay thirsty.
But if there’s one thing that we humans need no encouragement to do, it’s to “stay thirsty.” We are driven by thirst—a thirst for wealth, for adventure, for pleasure, for relationships. We are a people parched with thirst!
The truth is, they miscast the world’s most interesting man. The mantra of history’s real “most interesting man” is not “Stay thirsty, my friends.” We have no trouble doing that. Instead, his polar-opposite offer is, “Quench your thirst, my friends.” Jesus satisfies the thirsty with living water so that we never need thirst again.
Turns out, he is not only the world’s most interesting man, he is also the world’s most powerful, most compassionate, and most redemptive man! He is worthy of our admiration and allegiance.
By the way, in 2016 the company ditched “The World’s Most Interesting Man.” I guess the company was implementing its own slogan. They ditched their pitch man in their thirst for a younger, hipper guy. But I digress.
This coming Sunday morning we’re going to sit down at a well with the world’s true “most interesting man.” A very thirsty woman is going to come to the well and her encounter with Jesus is going to quench her thirst. For the first time in her life she will be satisfied. What she experienced that day so long ago can be our experience as well as we drink the water that he alone gives.
Who’s Your One?
“Quench Your Thirst, My Friends”
John 4:1-30
- A solitary woman
A woman from Samaria came to draw water(4:7a).
- A satisfying water
But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (4:14).
- A sincere worship
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him(4:23).
- A strong witness
So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”(4:28-29)
It was an exciting day when I got my high school senior ring. Not long afterward I was riding with my friend in his new pickup truck. We were headed to play a basketball game. I decided to take off my ring and lay it on the dashboard of the truck. As we rounded a curve in the road, the ring slid along the dash and promptly dropped into the AC vent.
We tried to fish out the ring but with no luck. My friend took his truck to the dealership but they said that it would cost more to take out the dash and retrieve the ring than it was worth. As far as I could see, there was nothing to be done.
Months went by and my friend sold his truck. For all I knew, I had kissed that ring goodbye forever.
Years later my family and I were living in South America as missionaries. The phone rang and my mom said that someone had returned my ring! I could scarcely believe my ears.
Here’s the story of how it was returned. The truck had ended up in a junkyard as scrap. Someone had taken out the dashboard to salvage a part. In doing so they spotted a ring. They saw that it was from West Memphis High School and the year was 1979. The initials “JBG” were carved into it as well. Armed with that information (and a good dose of old-fashioned honesty), they were able to trace it back to my family.
Few things are as joyful as when something of value is lost and then found. What happened to my ring is a parable of what can happen with people. People get lost. Nothing compares to the joy of finding a loved one that was lost and bringing that person home.
One thing is clear from scripture--Jesus is intent on finding the lost and getting them home. We are to be like him—intent on finding the lost. That will be our theme this Sunday at Istrouma as we continue our series “Who’s Your One?” Join us!
Who’s Your One?
“Lost and Found”
John 1:43-51
- Committed to findthe lost
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me” (1:43).
- Jesus’ decision
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Jesus’ discovery
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Committed to followthe Lord
Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”(1:44-45).
- Philip found the one
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Philip found his one
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Committed to faith in the Lord
Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”(1:49).
- Nathaniel’s curiosity
- Nathaniel’s confession
What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Commonly mentioned ones include “Elf,” “Home Alone,” and “Miracle on 34th Street.” But my personal favorite is “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
The main character is George Bailey. As a young man, he is full of dreams about what his life will become. He wants to leave his quaint hometown of Bedford Falls and see the world. But family responsibilities keep him tied down there.
He never makes a lot of money. He never travels widely. His name is not up in lights. To make matters worse, a mistake by his uncle puts George in hot water with the law. In desperation he wonders if his life has made a difference and whether it’s even worth living. He contemplates ending it all.
When word spreads about George’s crisis, friend after friend comes to his home to offer help. As they do, they mention the ways that he has impacted their lives. One would not have had a roof over his head were it not for George. Another would have gone to prison were it not for George. The last of his friends to arrive is actually his younger brother, Harry. George had rescued him from drowning when they were kids. Because of that, Harry was able to grow up and become a hero in WWII. He was responsible for saving a whole ship full of men. Had George not lived, Harry would not have been rescued and, in turn, none of those sailors’ lives would have been saved.
George Bailey learned that his had indeed been a “wonderful life.” His life was wonderful because he had impacted others. He was instrumental in saving the life of one who, in turn, was instrumental in saving the lives of hundreds.
Now, as we all know, that movie is fiction. But the Bible gives us several true accounts of individuals who impacted others for God. This Sunday I will tell you about the real life story of a man that God used to help bring salvation to his brother and, through him, to many, many others. I am speaking of Andrew and Simon Peter. Though Andrew is less renowned than Peter, Andrew, too, lived “a wonderful life.”
The truth is that God wants to use each of us in a similar way. We discover that “it’s a wonderful life,” as we impact others in positive ways—particularly in leading them to life in Jesus. Join us this Sunday at Istrouma!
Who’s Your One
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
John 1:35-42
- A declarationabout Jesus
The next day again John . . . looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”(John 1:35-36)
- John is the speaker
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Jesus is the substance
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A decisionfor Jesus
The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus(1:37).
- A consideration of who Jesus is
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A commitment to who Jesus is
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A duty to Jesus
He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus(1:41-42a).
- To care
- To connect
In the early 1900s Los Angeles, California was rapidly growing. To supply the city with needed water, a massive, concrete dam was built in the mountains above the city. The St. Francis Dam was finished in 1926. Once the reservoir filled, the seemingly indestructible dam held back more than twelve billion gallons of water.
Almost immediately upon completion, cracks began to appear in the massive wall. Fissures widened. Seepage grew. The engineers and architects were aware of these issues, but they felt that these faults were in keeping with a dam of this size. They further believed that there was time to correct the problems.
But two and a half minutes before midnight on March 12, 1928, the St. Francis Dam catastrophically failed. Hundreds of lives were lost as a wall of water and debris swept down the St. Francisquito Canyon. It remains the second greatest loss-of-life disaster in California history behind only the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.
Small fissures and cracks should not be ignored. Left unattended, they widen. They threaten the integrity of the very structure they populate.
What’s true for concrete structures is equally true for our lives. Small cracks in our character cannot be ignored. They inevitably widen. They put our families, our friends, our careers, and our testimonies at risk. A catastrophic failure is the likely future of unattended fissures in our character.
Samson, the seemingly invincible strongman of Israel, started well. But soon enough, cracks in his character started to appear. He ignored them to his own peril. Only God’s grace kept him from being a total loss.
This Sunday we will revisit the account of his life and learn how to avoid, detect, and correct the cracks that threaten our lives. God’s grace is our hope as well!
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges
“Samson: A Good Start Doesn’t Guarantee a Good Finish”
Part 2
Judges 14-16
- He dishonored his parents
- By his rebellion
- By his reasoning
- He disregarded his pledge
- Through carelessness
- Through callousness
- He discarded his purity
- By his sensuality
- By his stupidity
- He distorted his purpose
- From a saving purpose
- To a selfish purpose
A good start doesn’t guarantee a good finish. I learned that lesson by running distance events in high school. The runners that sprinted the first couple of hundred yards and gained an early lead were not necessarily (nor even likely) to be the ones that finished the race well.
This is illustrated well by a couple of world-class milers. The first man ever to run the mile in less than four minutes was Roger Bannister. He did so in 1954. Later that same year, a second runner accomplished the same feat and set a new world record. His name was John Landy. Soon enough those two runners met in a long-awaited duel. It was dubbed the “Miracle Mile.” 100 million people listened via radio to see who would win their match.
At the gun, Landy had a strong start. In fact, he led the race until the final curve. Because of the way the sun was set in the sky, he could clearly see his shadow and Bannister’s cast on the track. He estimated that he was some 15 yards in the lead. To confirm this, he turned his head to gauge Bannister's position. Bannister took that opportunity to pass him on his blind side. In doing so, he edged out a victory over Landy.
A sculpture of the race-deciding moment stands near the spot where the duel was held.
Landy later said, “I would have won the race if I hadn’t looked back; if I hadn’t taken my eyes off the goal.”
He had a good start, but that doesn’t guarantee a good finish. To win we have to keep our eyes on the goal.
Landy reminds me of the biblical character whose story we will revisit over the next couple of weeks. His name is Samson.
Samson started well, but finished poorly. He fought the Lord’s battles by day but broke the Lord’s commandments by night. He was strong before men, but weak before women. His name meant “sunshine” but he ended his life blinded by the very enemies he was sent to conquer.
Our consolation is that though Samson did not finish as well as he could have, God was not finished doing His work. As we will see, God is going to carry through to completion what neither Samson, nor any of us, can do on our own. He is going to save us from our sins and make possible an abundant life that stretches from now to eternity.
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges
“Samson: A Good Start Doesn’t Guarantee a Good Finish”
Judges 13
- A good birth
And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson(13:24a).
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Divine plans
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Dedicated parents
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A good blessing
And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him (13:24b).
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The blessing of growth
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The blessing of grace
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A good burden
And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol (13:25).
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Source of his burden
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Stirring of his burden
Chuck Colson was a young, aggressive attorney. He rose to be a special assistant to the president of the United States during the administration of Richard Nixon. He moved in the circles of greatest power and prominence. He was known to be ruthless and willing to tackle the toughest of assignments. He was sometimes referred to as the president’s hatchet man.
In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal that rocked the Nixon presidency, Colson was prosecuted and imprisoned. He was in a place of abject shame.
But something happened during those lowest days, Colson came to know Christ as His savior.
In an amazing turn of events, the prisoner became a preacher. Over time he proved to be one of the most influential American evangelicals of the latter half of the 20th century. He founded Prison Fellowship. He authored more than thirty books. He started “Break Point,” a news commentary based on a biblical worldview. He went from shame to fame.
This morning we’re going to meet the biblical character named Jepthah. He too went from shame to fame as God worked in his life.
No matter what our background or failings may be, God can forgive and cleanse and use us to bring good to others and glory to His name. He wants to raise us from our shame to the fame of His name!
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges
“Jepthah. From Shame to Fame”
Judges 10:6-11:40
- A lesson on value
- A troubled history
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute(1a).
- A trusting heart
So Jephthah went . . . and the people made him head and leader over
them. And Jephthah spoke all his words before the Lord at Mizpah (11).
- A lesson on victories
- Be diplomatic
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites and said, “What do you have against me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?” (12)
- Be dependent
Then the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jephthah . . . So [he] crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the Lord gave them into his hand(29a, 32).
- A lesson on vows
- Be slow to makevows
And Jepthah made a vow to the Lord (30).
- Be sure to keepvows
For I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot take back my vow (35b).
The old saying goes, “Everybody loves an underdog.” I think it is because underdogs exceed expectations. They give us hope that we, too, though overwhelmed, can win.
On Valentine’s Day in 1992, two Alabama high schools met in a regular season basketball game. They were the Fort Payne Wildcats and the North Jackson Chiefs. The game was hard fought and went into overtime. The refs were calling a lot of fouls that night. Player after player fouled out. Before it ended, the Chiefs, who had a limited roster, only had 2 players on the court. It was 2 against 5 and they were down by 1 point with 5 seconds left.
Against those odds, what are the chances? Little to none.
The one Chief inbounded the ball to his teammate who streaked down the court with five Wildcats chasing him. He shot a layup and missed, but no Wildcat thought to block out the player who inbounded the ball. He was trailing the pack, got the rebound, and tossed in the winning shot as time expired.
The crowd went crazy because everybody loves an underdog.
We serve a God who loves the underdog. He glories in exceeding expectations. Often our weaknesses are a platform on which His power is displayed.
The story of Gideon in the Bible is a clear example of how God shows Himself strong through our weaknesses. Join us at Istrouma this Sunday as we will again see how God can exceed all our expectations as we yield our lives to Him.
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges
“Exceed Expectations: Part 2”
Judges 7
- Committed warriors
And the Lord said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you”(7:7a).
- Saved by the graceof God
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Serve for the gloryof God
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Confident worship
As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand” (7:15).
- Restson the word of God
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Responds to the word of God
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Curious weapons
Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”(7:20)
- Boldness: the trumpets
- Brokenness: the jars
- Brightness: the torches
What an inspiration it is, when someone exceeds expectations!
I want to tell you the story of a little girl who did just that—repeatedly.
She was the 20th of 22 children in her family. She was born prematurely. Doctors did not expect her to survive. But she did. She exceeded expectations.
While still a young child, she contracted polio, causing her left leg to become paralyzed. Some people did not expect her to walk again. But she did learn to walk again with the aid of a metal brace. Again, she exceeded expectations.
When she was nine-years-old, they removed the leg brace and she began walking without it. When she was 13, she decided to begin running. She entered her first race and came in last. For the next three years, she came in dead last in every race she entered. But she kept on running, and one day she won. She exceeded expectations.
Eventually, the little girl who was not supposed to live, who was not supposed to be able to walk, who was not supposed to be able to run and win races, would bring home three gold medals and three world records in Rome's 1960 Olympic games.
That little girl who exceeded so many expectations was Wilma Rudolf. She said, “My doctor told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.” Her mother was a woman of faith who instilled that faith in Wilma.
We serve a God who glories in exceeding expectations. Often our weaknesses are a platform on which His power is displayed.
The story of Gideon in the Bible is a clear example of how God shows Himself strong through our weaknesses. This Sunday we will see how God can exceed all our expectations as we yield our lives to Him.
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges
“Exceed Expectations”
Judges 6
- A serious crisis
- Caused by rebellion(6:1-5)
- Cured by repentance(6:6-10)
- A surprising call
- Because of the recipient(6:11-12)
- Because of the requirement(6:14)
- A spiritual commitment
- To worship(6:24)
- To warfare(6:25ff)
Many of us learned Mother Goose nursery rhymes growing up. One of the best known goes like this:
“What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and everything nice.
That’s what little girls are made of.”
How about boys?
“What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails and puppy dog tails.
That’s what little boys are made of.”
Let’s tweak the question and word it this way, “What are godly girls (and guys) made of?” That is, what are the ingredients that combine to produce women and men who impact the world for God and for good?
This Sunday, in our ongoing series through the biblical book of Judges, we’re going to take a look at a godly woman named Deborah and her colleagues. Their lives impacted not only their own generation but thousands to follow. The same factors that influenced them are available to us. To the degree that we embrace them, to that degree God can bless and use us.
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges
“What Are Godly Girls (and Guys) Made Of?”
Judges 4 & 5
- The word of God
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time (4:4).
- Accept it
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Apply it
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The work of God
Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” 9 And she said, “I will surely go with you” (4:8-9a).
- Be an encouragement
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Be an example
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The worship of God
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day(5:1).
- Sing with God’s people
- Sing for God’s praise
There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “God can hit a straight lick with a crooked stick.” The basic meaning is that God can take imperfect instruments, like you and me, and do amazing things.
How old a saying is it, you may ask? Well, here’s a version of it from over 300 years ago:
"Do not contemne thy weak brother. God can raise his thoughts, or direct his follie to a happie end, he can make him an Instrument of glorie, who is now a subject of weaknesse, and can strike a streight stroake with a crooked stick." –Edward Corbet in a sermon to the House of Commons 1642
But I can go back further than 300 years ago. Let’s go back some 2,000 years. In 1 Cor. 1:26-28 the Apostle Paul by inspiration of the Spirit of God writes,
“26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”
You know what Paul is, in effect, saying? He is saying that God hits straight licks with crooked sticks. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
A great recent example of this is the current head football coach of the Clemson Tigers. His name is Dabo Swinney. He has led his Clemson team to 2 national championships. He knows and admits that he is an ordinary person through whom God has done and is doing extraordinary things.
He is the product of a broken home. His parents divorced and his father was an alcoholic. When he went to college to play football, his mother came with him and lived in his apartment because she had nowhere else to go. He lived through some tough times. He credits the Lord for bringing him through the tough times of life. He gave his life to Jesus as a 16-year-old.
His post-game interview after winning the national championship game this year as underdogs was so good! In part he said,
“And I know we’re not supposed to be here. We’re just little ol’ Clemson, and I’m not supposed to be here. But we are, and I am! . . . Hey listen, I hope that you get a little hope from us and a little inspiration that hey, if we can do it, anybody can do it. And I mean that. If a guy like me — I said this two years ago — you can’t write a Hollywood script like this. Only God can do this, and that’s a fact. And people may think I’m crazy or quacky or whatever, but only God can orchestrate this. No Hollywood producer can write it. But I’m just telling ya, if I can do it, if these Clemson Tigers can do it, hey, anybody can do it if you have a belief . . . .”
This coming Sunday, in our continuing walk through the Old Testament book of Judges, we’re going to meet some ordinary people through whom God did some extraordinary things. He can hit “straight licks with crooked sticks.”
Join us at Istrouma!
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges
“Straight Licks and Crooked Sticks”
Judges 3:7-31
- A spirit-empowered deliverer: Othniel
- His story
- His secret
- A strategic deliverer: Ehud
- His disability
- His dependence
- A simple deliverer: Shamgar
- His insignificance
- His impact
There’s one sound that no relay runner ever wants to hear—it’s the sound of a dropped relay baton clanking on the track.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, both the United States men's and women's 4x100-meter relay teams dropped their batons—and heard that dreaded sound.
Both squads were heavy favorites. Both were leading their races and headed for certain victory. But both dropped the batons as they headed into their fourth and final leg. Their long-held hopes of Olympic glory were dashed.
On the surface, relaying a baton does not seem hard. Batons are about a foot in length, lightweight, and cylindrical. They go by a simple nickname: the “stick.” But history has shown that it’s not as easy to make the pass successfully as you might think. It requires dedicated training and a laser focus.
To win, the team has to pass the baton well. Repeatedly. It doesn’t matter how fast or fearless or experienced the runners are. If they fail to “stick the passing of the stick,” they are disqualified.
Similarly, the kingdom of God goes forward—it “wins,” if you will—as one generation passes the stick of faith to the next.
This Sunday we will learn how to take and pass the baton of faith. Join us at Istrouma!
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges
“Pass the Baton Well to Win”
Judges 2:7-16
- A loyal generation (Judges 2:7-9)
- Marked by an influential faith (2:7)
- Marked by an individual faith (2:8)
- A lost generation (Judges 2:10-15)
- Marked by their ignorance(2:10)
- Marked by their iniquity(2:11-15a)
- A loved generation (Judges 2:15b-16)
- God saw their distress(2:15b)
- God secured their deliverance(2:16)
Ever feel like life is a merry-go-round, without a lot of “merry”?
If you’ve seen many New Year’s come and go, you probably know the feeling. Been here. Done that. New Year’s resolutions that are broken before they are cold. According to statistics, the percentage of Americans who keep their New Year's resolution for one month is 55. Who keep it for six months: 40. Who keep it for two years: 19 (John C. Norcross, et.al.; and "Addictive Behaviors" reported in U.S. News & World Report, 1/16/89. Leadership, Vol. 10).
Truth is, there’s a long history of that kind of frustration and failure. Starting this Sunday, we’re going to walk through the Old Testament book of Judges. It reveals that the children of Israel were not so different from us. We will learn from their experiences both what not to do and what to do to be victorious in the challenges we face.
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges
“When Life Is a Merry-Go-Round (Minus the Merry)”
Judges 1-2
- Dependence on the Lord
- Disobedience to the Lord
- Distress from the Lord
- Deliverance by the Lord
How many laws are there in the United States? No one is exactly sure. It may be that no one can count that high! They’ve been accumulating, of course, for more than 200 years. When federal laws were first collected and printed in 1927, they fit into one single volume. By the 1980s, there were 50 volumes.
The federal tax code alone contains millions of words and is some 6500 pages in length. There are about 20,000 regulations governing the use and ownership of guns. According to congressional testimony, there may be as many as 300,000 regulations that can be enforced criminally.
If there is any good news about our current congress that is virtually gridlocked, it’s that the pace of new laws being added to the books has slowed. In a recent year only 90 new laws were passed.
This is expansion of laws is not unique to the United States. The Jewish people were given 10 Commandments by God through Moses. Pretty simple. But that grew to 613 laws and rules in the larger Pentateuch. An oral body of law emerged beyond those 613. It was finally put into writing and called the Talmud. It is over 6,200 pages of additional regulations.
From 10 to 613 to 6,200!
In the US, from 1 volume of laws to 50 to 300,000 regulations!
Wouldn’t it be great if this mass of burdensome laws could be summed up into one? Where are the CliffsNotes?!
I have good news this Christmas!
God in Christ gave us one law and his law is love—love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. If we would but love, we would need no other law. Love is the fulfillment of the law!
All the righteous demands of the law were filled by Christ in his incarnation. He alone has loved perfectly. That is the real gift of Christmas—his love for us and his love through us!
This Sunday at Istrouma we will marvel afresh at God’s gift of love. Join us!
The Thrill of Hope
“His Law Is Love”
John 13:34-35
- The command to love
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another(13:34a).
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The source of the command
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The scope of the command
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The comparison of love
. . . just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another(13:34b).
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Jesus’ love for us is undeserved
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Jesus’ love for us is unending
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The consequence of love
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (13:35).
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It reflects on Christians
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It reflects on Christ
It’s a rare thing, particularly in our American culture, to fall on our knees, isn’t it? It is reserved for very special occasions. And rightly so. It is not something to be done lightly.
I remember one occasion when I knelt before another. It was a beautiful spring evening, lit by the glow of a full moon. I knelt before a beautiful young woman named Nell. I knelt there as a sign of my respect and love for her. On bended knee I made a commitment to her that night that now spans more than thirty years.
There is someone else before whom every one of us should gladly fall on our knees. Because of who he is and what he has done on our behalf, we should willingly kneel before the Lord Jesus as a sign of our respect and love for him. We should make a commitment to him that will span all of life and eternity.
The beloved Christmas carol, “O Holy Night,” reaches a crescendo as it calls on all to “fall on your knees” before the Savior. This Sunday we will hear the challenge of that carol and the scripture that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10b-11).
Join us at Istrouma this coming Sunday as worship on bended knee and with humble heart the newborn King!
The Thrill of Hope
“Fall on Your Knees”
Philippians 2:5-11
- Because of Jesus’ equalitywith God
. . .Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped(2:5b-6).
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He is God
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He is gracious
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Because of Jesus’ emptyingas God
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c]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 (2:7-8)
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He became our servant
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He became our sacrifice
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Because of Jesus’ exaltationby God
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (2:9-11).
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He is sovereign
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He is savior
Jesus is called by many names or titles in Scripture.
Some of these names have a special tie to the Christmas season—Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Many of his names, including these that I’ve just metioned, are transcendent. They speak of His power and sovereignty. He is Master, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and the list goes on.
But there is one name that is especially tender, intimate, simple, and too seldom called to mind. It’s the name “friend.” Now, were that title for Jesus not sweet enough, in Luke 7:34 it is added that, not only is he a friend, he is a friend “of sinners.”
I am so glad that Jesus is a friend of sinners. That means that he can be my friend and yours! And that is exactly who he is--our friend!
That name, “friend of sinners,” was originally meant as an insult—an outright criticism, but Jesus took it as a compliment. It was his mission in coming as a babe to Bethlehem to befriend sinners. No wonder the Christmas carol tells us that he was “born to be our friend.” It is because of his friendship with sinners that we can sing of “the thrill of hope”!
The Thrill of Hope
“Born to Be Our Friend”
Luke 15:1-7
- Our friend’s concern
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them . . .(15:4a).
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Is for the many
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Is for the missing
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Our friend’s conduct
. . . does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? (15:4b)
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Is prioritized
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Is persistent
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Our friend’s celebration
And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (15:5-7).
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Is personal
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Is public
On April 25, 2015 a huge earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Nepal. Thousands of structures were damaged and the death toll soared to 9,000. The world watched in horror.
Rescue personnel threw themselves at the enormous task in front of them. They grew exhausted and discouraged as they labored hour after hour in a desperate attempt to save lives. As hope began to fade, the cry of a baby arose from the rubble. Responders renewed their efforts and after some 22 hours of digging, little Sonit Awal was rescued.
The weary world rejoiced!
Photographer Amul Thapa, whose pictures captured the story, said that he prayed when he heard Sonit’s cry. He prayed that God would help them save that baby’s life. When Sonit was rescued, Thapa said, “When I saw the baby alive all my sorrow . . . [disappeared]. Everyone was clapping. It gave me . . . [joy] in spite of lots of pain hidden inside me.”
The rescue of a baby caused a weary world to rejoice.
That was a baby that the world came to rescue. This Sunday I will tell you about a baby who came to rescue the world.
Weary world, rejoice!
The Thrill of Hope
“The Weary World Rejoices”
Luke 2:8-14
- Because we have a story to tell
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”(2:10).
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It is a story of good news
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It is a story of global news
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Because we have a savior to trust
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord(2:11).
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He is our incarnate savior
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He is our invincible savior
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Because we have a song to sing
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased”(2:13-14).
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It is a song of praise
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It is a song of peace
There are lots of things about the wise men that we don’t know.
We don’t know how many wise men there were, though tradition teaches us that there were three. We don’t know their names. In the sixth century, someone decided that their names were Melchior, Baltazar and Gaspar. Operas have been written ascribing these names to them. But no one really knows what their names were. We don’t know exactly from where they came. The “east” is a pretty big area. China? India? Babylonia? We don’t know what their professions were. Were they kings? Philosophers? Astronomers?
There are lots of things about the wise men that we don’t know, but we do know this: they knew how to worship.
Three times in this brief passage it refers to their worship. In verse 2 it says, “We . . . have come to worship him.” Even evil and envious King Herod recognized that they had a heart to worship. In verse 8 he hypocritically says, “when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” Right. In verse 11 we are told that the wise men, “bowed down and worshiped him.” Yes, they knew how to worship. From their example we too can learn to worship.
There are three elements of their worship that we will highlight this coming Sunday and that we ought to incorporate into our own worship of God. We can share in their journey, their joy, and their generosity.
Join us at Istrouma as we celebrate the season with our new Christmas series entitled, “The Thrill of Hope.”
The Thrill of Hope
“Here Come the Wise Men”
Matthew 2:1-12
- Share their journey
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (2:1-2).
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The price of the journey
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The purpose of the journey
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Share their joy
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother . . . (2:10-11a).
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The celebration of joy
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The child of joy
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Share their generosity
. . . and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (2:11b).
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Give Jesus your presents
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Give Jesus your person
ESPN has a realtively new feature called “#YouHadOneJob.” It focuses on people who had one task to do, but failed spectacularly doing it. It’s a light-hearted look at some sports bloopers.
In life we sometimes think we have a lot to do—go to school, do homework, shuttle the kids, pay the bills, etc. But the truth is, we really only have one primary task. That “job” is clarified in Philippians 3:13b-14, “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.”
This Sunday at Istrouma we’ll focus on how to pursue this prize of surpassing value. Let’s not fumble at the one priority that surpasses all others!
C’mon man!
Turkey Bowl Sunday
“Press on for the Prize”
Philippians 3:13-14
- Forget what’s behind you
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind . . . (3:13a).
- Fight for what’s before you
. . . and straining forward to what lies ahead(3:13b).
- Focus on what’s beyond you
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (3:14).
It won’t be long till Christmas! One tradition of this season is the sending and receiving of greetings. One site estimated that 1.6 billion greeting cards will be sent and that those cards will have a value of some two billion dollars.
It is important to greet one another.
The tradition of greeting one another has strong roots in the Christian faith. Over 90 times the word “greet” or some form of it appears in the New Testament. At least four times the command to “greet one another” appears and often that was to be done “with a holy kiss.”
Warm, heartfelt greetings go hand-in-hand with the gospel.
This morning we’re going to open some “gospel greeting” cards. They’re an intimate window into the kind of relationships that we, God’s people, are to have with one another, especially as we together labor to take the good news of the incarnate, crucified, risen, ascended, and returning Christ to a needy world.
Colossians 4:7-18 include a stack of these “gospel greetings.” Let your heart be touched by the love and camaraderie they reveal as we open them this Sunday morning
Jesus Reigns
“Gospel Greetings”
Colossians 4:7-18
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Notice bywhom gospel greetings are sent (4:7-9)
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A reliable companion
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A recent convert
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Notice fromwhom gospel greetings are sent (4:10-14)
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Those who stayed
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Those who strayed
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Notice to whom gospel greetings are sent (4:15-17)
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A welcoming servant
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A wavering servant
People love a good mystery. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gave us Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick, Dr. Watson. Agatha Christie delighted her audiences with the exploits of Hercule Poirot. My generation grew up with the adventures of the Hardy Boys. The companion series especially for girls was Nancy Drew. Even current TV shows likeStranger Things, 24, and NCIS have elements of the mystery genre.
The most famous type of mystery is probably the “Whodunit.” The plot twists and turns and the reader is left to figure out who is guilty of the crime. Often the writer leads the readers down rabbit trails with the hope of totally surprising them with an unexpected conclusion.
History’s greatest mystery is this: “How can sinful humanity be made right with a loving, yet holy God.” We are sinners. That much is plain. God does love us. In his love He would forgive our sins, but, His holiness requires that sin and wrong be punished. Will He love us and forgive us? Or, will He do what is just and punish our sins? How is this mystery solved? Whodunit?
The Bible was not written to lead us down rabbit trails. Instead, it is written to clearly reveal “whodunit.” This Sunday we will see in crystal-clear terms how God solved history’s greatest mystery.
Jesus Reigns
“History’s Greatest Mystery”
Colossians 1:24-29
- Glad ministry
24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known(1:24-25).
- A ministry of suffering
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A ministry of stewardship
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Glorious mystery
26The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory(1:26-27).
- A mystery that is revealed
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A mystery that is relational
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Growing maturity
28Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me(1:28-29).
- A maturity that requires God’s wisdom
- A maturity that requires God’s work
We are in the thick of the college football season. Week 3 is upon us. One of the most fun elements of the season is the college football rankings. Everyone wants to know who’s number one.
LSU started the year ranked 25th. We then made the biggest jump of any team in America after beating Miami and rose to 11th. We were lack-luster against Southeastern and slipped back to 12th. Who knows where we will be after the game against Auburn this coming Saturday!
But there is a perennial power that is always number one! And, no, I’m not talking about Alabama. I’m not even talking about football per se. I’m talking about the one who reigns above principality and power. No need to wait with baited breath to see the weekly rankings. He never slips from the top spot. He is the Lord Jesus! Of His kingdom there shall be no end!
Colossians clearly presents the truth that Jesus reigns above all. This Sunday we will continue unpacking this truth and how it should impact every arena of our lives. Join us at Istrouma!
Jesus Reigns
Part 2
Colossians 1:15-23
- Over the Creation
- Because of His revelation
- Because of His rank
- Over the Church
- Because of His preeminence
- Because of His peace
- Over the Christian
- Because of our past
- Because of our present
- Because of our future
The world has seen its share of great empires and rulers.
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The Roman Empire lasted 1500 years. It stretched around the Mediterranean Sea with parts of Europe, Africa and the East. Caesar Augustus, perhaps the most famous of Rome’s potentates, ruled for 40 years.
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The British Empire lasted for centuries. It was the empire upon which the “sun never sat” because its protectorates and territories spanned the globe. Queen Victoria ruled for 63 years. Her great-great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth, is on the throne and has surpassed 67 years as Queen.
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At times we’re tempted to think we here in the United States are history’s greatest superpower. But we’ve only existed 241 years and our longest-tenured leader was President Franklin Roosevelt who was in office 12 years. We’re barely a blip on the screen.
But there is an empire that is eternal and a King who is supreme and without peer or rival.
At His birth the angel declared, “. . . you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. . . . and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31b-33).
Perhaps no book of the Bible better presents this King and His Kingdom to us than does Colossians. We will make this brief book our home for the next 10 weeks or so. We will proclaim loudly and clearly that “Jesus Reigns.”
His reign is beneficent. Let’s bow our knees and wills before Him for His glory and our own good.
Jesus Reigns
Colossians 1:1-14
- In our relationships(1:1-2)
- Strangers to one another
- Siblings to one another
- In our requests(1:3-12)
- Our prayers should include appreciation
- Our prayers should include appeals
- In our redemption(1:13-14)
- He rescues us
- He relocates us
In war, communication between the commander-in-chief and his troops in the field is essential. It can be the difference between victory and defeat.
In WWII the United States faced Japan in the Pacific theatre. It was a conflict marked by desperate, brutal, and costly battles in places like Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
One key element that tipped the scales in American favor was our secure lines of communication. We had recruited scores of young men from the Navajo tribe to serve as communication specialists. The Navajo language is one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn due to its syntax and tonal features. Unless you are a native speaker, it is virtually impossible to acquire their language. The Japanese were never able to break the communication code that the Navajo “wind talkers” established.
Clear and constant communication between military leadership and boots on the ground is essential for ultimate victory.
Today a war rages about us. It is unseen but real. It is a conflict between our Commander-in-chief, the Lord God, and the Devil and the forces of evil. How this war will fare in your life and mine depends, in large measure, on the communication that we have with God.
Thankfully, we do not need a special code. He understands Navajo, English, Spanish, and every other language on earth. He even interprets the muffled cries of a broken heart. Prayer is how we communicate with our Lord and bring His inexhaustible resources to bear on the battles that we face. It is the capstone piece of our spiritual armor.
Ephesians 6:18-20 says, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Let’s pray and win the spiritual battles we face!
Suit Up!
“The Weapons of Our Warfare: Part 3”
Ephesians 6:18-20
- All times
Praying at all times in the Spirit, (6:18a).
- All types
With all prayer and supplication (6:18b).
- All tenacity
To that end, keep alert with all perseverance (6:18c).
- All tenderness
Making supplication for all the saints (6:18d).
Football is a tough sport. Injuries are common and it seems that players are only getting bigger, stronger and faster with each passing season. But it might surprise you to know that there was a time when it was even more brutal than it is today.
In 1905, for example, there were 20 deaths related to football injuries. Rules were few and protective gear was virtually non-existent. Here’s a picture of a game from that year. Note how few of the players had helmets or shoulder pads or anything of the sort. No wonder so many died.
It got so bad that the President of the United States at that time, Teddy Roosevelt, convened a conference at the White House with officials from schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton to see what changes could be made so that the sport would not be outlawed!
Gridiron gladiators need their armor! It would be foolhardy to run onto a field of play without your helmet or pads. But it would be far more foolish to engage in the skirmishes of life without the proper protective gear.
We are in a battle that is more intense and has higher stakes than any sporting event. It is war—spiritual war. Thankfully, we have a tactical manual and adequate armor so that we can win this war.
This Sunday we will tackle (no pun intended) part 2 of “The Weapons of Our Warfare.” We’ll learn about our shield, our salvation and our sword. We’ll be encouraged to strap them all on tightly as we engage in this spiritual battle.
Suit Up!
“The Weapons of Our Warfare: Part 2”
Ephesians 6:16-17
- Take up your shield
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one (6:16).
- Of conviction
-
Of conquest
-
Take up your salvation
And take the helmet of salvation (6:17a).
- For victory over the penalty of sin
- For victory over the power of sin
-
For victory over the presence of sin
-
Take up your sword
And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (6:17b).
- Of the Spirit
- Of the Scriptures
The German nation was humiliated by their defeat in World War I and the resulting treaties. These dynamics created great resentment and hardship. From the shame and ashes of WWI arose the Nazis. They promised the German people a return to glory and supremacy. They were led by a crazed madman named Adolf Hitler.
They built up a vast and menacing war machine. On September 1, 1939 they unleashed it against Poland, their weaker neighbor to the east. 1.5 million well-equipped German troops poured over the Polish border. Their tanks and armies swept in like a lightning bolt supported by the superior airpower of the Luftwaffe.
The Poles were no match. In some cases they sent out mounted cavalry with swords and lances against armed, mechanized tanks. It became a complete rout.
Poland and several other European countries fell to the Nazis because they were unsuspecting and ill-equipped. They did not have the military intel nor armor to stand their ground. The price that they paid was high.
We, too, no less than they, are in a war. It is not a battle against flesh and blood, but against the Devil and the forces of evil. The stakes could not be higher. God does not want us to be caught unaware and ill-equipped. For that reason He has given us a tactical manual, the Bible. In it He details the armor that we can wear so that the victory can be ours.
This Sunday we will examine carefully the first three pieces of this armor and make sure that we’re protected by them.
Suit Up!
“The Weapons of Our Warfare: Part 1”
Ephesians 6:14-15
- Put on the belt
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth (6:14a).
- Of inspired truth
-
Of integrated truth
-
Put on the breast plate
. . . and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (6:14b).
- Of positional righteousness
-
Of practical righteousness
-
Put on the boots
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace (6:15).
- By accepting the good news of peace
- By announcing the good news of peace
One of the most intriguing figures from World War II is a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda. He was deployed to the Philippines by his commanding officers. He was given strict orders never to surrender. He took those orders seriously.
The war officially ended in August of 1945 with V-J Day, but not for Onoda. He refused to believe it. He continued to wage guerilla warfare for 29 more years. This was no laughing matter. Estimates are that he was responsible for killing at least 30 Filipinos and wounding approximately 100 others. He finally laid down his weapons when he was “relieved of his duties” by his old commanding officer who was flown to the Philippines so that he could personally issue the order.
That is tragic—fighting when the war is over.
But there is another tragedy, equally as dangerous.
This other tragedy does not consist of fighting when there’s no war; instead, it consists of not fighting when there is a war. It is perilous not to know when you have an enemy that is bent on your destruction.
On September 11, 2001 the United States was caught half-asleep by a group that intended our destruction. Nineteen terrorists aboard 4 jet planes launched an attack that shook our country to its core. Almost 3,000 people died that day.
Some of these terrorists had been in our country for months. Some had taken flying lessons. It was a plot that was detailed and deadly. If we had but known that an attack was imminent—if we had been more alert--perhaps the course of events could have been different.
It is bad to fight when there is no war. It may be worse not to fight when there is a war.
I have a news alert for us this morning. We are at war! To ignore this reality is to add to the danger that already surrounds us. In a new sermon series beginning this Sunday, we are going to learn that, not only are we in a war, but we have been given the armor necessary to win the war!
Suit Up!
“We’re at War!”
Ephesians 6:10-13
- Get empowered for the war
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (6:10).
- Be dynamic in the Lord
-
Be dependent on the Lord
-
Get equipped for the war
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil(6:11).
- Suit up
-
Stand up
-
Get engaged in the war
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (6:12-13).
- Wrestle the enemy
- Withstand the enemy
A city slicker bought a horse from a weathered cowboy. The cowboy was God-fearing and had trained the horse using biblical terms. Instead of “giddy-up,” the command to go was “Praise the Lord.” “Amen” was the signal to stop. He coached the new owner on the importance of using these phrases and these alone.
Now fully prepped and astride his new steed, the city slicker said to the horse, “Praise the Lord!” Off they trotted. Soon enough, a rabbit darted in front of the horse and startled him. The horse began to gallop at full speed. The rider saw that they were quickly approaching a cliff with a sheer drop of a couple hundred feet.
He forgot the coaching he’d received. He shouted “Whoa!” “Stop!” He pulled back on the reins. But nothing slowed the horse. Finally, he remembered the necessary word. “Amen!” he shouted. At that the horse came to a screeching stop at the brink of the canyon. The rider sighed with relief, lifted his hands heavenward, and said with sincerity, “Praise the Lord.”
That may be the only situation where a heart-felt “Praise the Lord” would be inappropriate! God’s word makes it abundantly clear that we are to praise the Lord at all times and in all places.
This Sunday we wrap up our summer series through the Psalms. We have ascended to the very peak of the book as we come to Psalm 150. The unrelenting cry of this Psalm is that the Lord is to be praised. In it we will learn the “who,” the “where,” the “why,” and the “how” of biblical praise.
Join us as we praise the Lord!
Songs of the Summer
“Praise the Lord!”
Psalm 150
- The who of praise
Praise the Lord! . . . Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (150:1a, 6)
- The Lord gets the praise
-
The living give the praise
-
The where of praise
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!(150:1b)
- Praise Him in church
-
Praise Him in creation
-
The why of praise
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! (150:2)
- Praise Him for His deeds
-
Praise Him for His deity
-
The how of praise
Praise him with trumpet sound; . . . with lute and harp! . . . with tambourine and dance; . . . with strings and pipe! . . . with sounding cymbals; . . . with loud clashing cymbals! (150:3-5)
- Praise Him with variety
- Praise Him with vitality
Buckminster Fuller studied the accumulation of information. He created what is known as the “Knowledge Doubling Curve.” He noticed that until 1900 human knowledge doubled approximately every century. By the end of World War II, knowledge was doubling every 25 years. Today, on average, human knowledge is doubling every 13 months! According to IBM, the build out of the “internet of things” will lead to the doubling of knowledge every 12 hours.
We may be getting smarter, but are we getting wiser?
A young, university graduate crossed a large, dangerous river on a barge. An elderly, seasoned fellow was steering the barge. As they made the crossing, the odd couple struck up a conversation. The university student asked the old man three questions.
The first one was: “Do you know anything about physics?” “Nope”, replied the old man. “Then a third of your life has been wasted!” decried the young student. His second question was: “Do you know anything about philosophy?” “Nope”, answered the old man with no note of angst. “Then another third of your life has been wasted!” protested the collegiate. Finally, he asked: “Do you know anything about the social sciences?” “Nope”, dryly replied the old man. “Then another third of your life has been wasted!”
Suddenly, the barge hit a large object, took on water rapidly, and overturned. Both men were thrown into the water. The old man cried out to the young student, “Do you know anything about swimming?” The young man replied “Nope.” “Then your whole life is wasted!” replied the old man.
The young man thought the accumulation of knowledge about certain subjects was essential to life. The old barge pilot knew that none of that mattered in the world of piloting a barge if you can’t swim. What was essential in his life was knowing how to swim.
What knowledge is essential? What is it that we should know in a world where knowledge is doubling virtually every year? We may have a tremendous amount of knowledge about the things of life, but, without a proper knowledge of who God is, all of life (and eternity) can be wasted.
This morning we will learn “How to Stay Ahead of the Knowledge Curve.” Psalm 139 celebrates the attributes of God and how they impact our lives. David is the inspired author and he is amazed by the nature of God. There may be no other place in Scripture where the magnitude and immensity of God are more explicitly revealed.
Songs of the Summer
“How to Stay Ahead of the Knowledge Curve”
Psalm 139
- Know God’s infinite perception
O Lord, you have searched me and known me! (139:1)
- He knows our movements
-
He knows our minds
-
Know God’s inescapable presence
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? (139:7)
- Distancedoes not separate us from Him
-
Darknessdoes not separate us from Him
-
Know God’s innovative power
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb (139:13).
- He is the source of life
-
He is the sustainer of life
-
Know God’s incisive purity
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (139:23-24)
- He searches the wrong
- He shows the way
n the book, Amazing Grace, an interesting story is told about a young man named Arlo. He had a godly grandfather. When Arlo got married to his wife, his grandfather gave them a wedding gift. It was a beautiful, leather-bound Bible with their names engraved on its cover. Arlo and his wife appreciated the gift of a Bible, but never took it out of the box. He stored it away.
Every once in a while, his grandfather would ask, “Did you like the Bible I gave you?” They assured him that they did. They sent him a thank-you note. But he wouldn’t let it rest. “What did you think about the Bible I gave you?” he would ask with frequency.
Finally, Arlo took the Bible from its box and began to leaf through it. When he did, he discovered that his grandfather had put a $20 bill at the beginning of Genesis, and $20 at the beginning of Exodus, and $20 at the beginning of every book in the Bible—$1320 in total in cash! Arlo says that he never would have discovered how valuable that gift was had his grandfather not kept prompting him.
I am a grandfather now and I want to imitate Arlo’s grandfather. Do you like the Bible that you hold in your hands today? Do you like the Bible that you have on your shelf or night stand? Have you leafed through its pages and discovered the unbelievable wealth of wisdom it contains? It is not worth $20 or $1320. It is worth more than all the silver and all gold the world contains.
It is “God’s Wisdom for Your Way.” In today’s message, God’s word will remind us of the treasure it is both for our day-to-day living and for all of eternity.
Songs of the Summer
“God’s Wisdom for Your Way”
Psalm 119:9-11
- A common struggle
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word (119:9).
- The way is hazardous
-
The word is helpful
-
A certain spirit
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments (119:10)!
- A spirit of determination
-
A spirit of dependence
-
A crucial strategy
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (119:11).
- Learn the word
- Live the word
The sports world is caught up in World Cup fever [slide with World Cup logo]. On June 17 Mexico played Germany. Germany is a soccer powerhouse. They have won the World Cup four times (second only to Brazil’s five). Mexico has never won the World Cup but they are officially soccer crazy and desperately hungry for a title.
Estimates are that 75,000 people jammed the main square in Mexico City to watch the televised game. When Mexico scored the winning goal, the fans erupted in pandemonium. Nearby seismic meters registered their celebration. There was, on a small level, an earthquake.
Is it possible that a crowd could get so excited that the earth could quake? Yes! And I say, “Let the earth quake again!” But this time, let the earth quake for the celebration of God’s people for the victories that He has won on our behalf.
Psalm 100 encourages and even commands God’s people to exalt Him in exuberant praise. Let’s dive into the truths of this Psalm and “let the earth quake.”
Songs of the Summer
“Let the Earth Quake”
Psalm 100
- Sing to the Lord
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. . . . Come into his presence with singing (100:1-2).
- With all enthusiasm
-
With all the earth
-
Serve the Lord
Serve the Lord with gladness! (100:2a)
- With a clear focus
-
With a correct feeling
-
Study the Lord
Know that the Lord, he is God! (100:3a)
- Then thank Him for His actions
- Then thank Him for His attributes
Martin Luther was a devout Roman Catholic priest. He loved the word of God and held to its truths tenaciously. He came to question some of the practices and teachings of his church. He posted 95 theses (or points of concern) to the door of the parish church in Wittenberg, Germany where he often preached.
For his protests, he was ultimately put on trial before the emperor and ecclesiastical leaders. He was ordered to recant but he refused. He famously said,
Your Imperial Majesty and Your Lordships demand a simple answer. Here it is, plain and unvarnished. Unless I am convicted [convinced] of error by the testimony of Scripture or (since I put no trust in the unsupported authority of Pope or councils, since it is plain that they have often erred and often contradicted themselves) by manifest reasoning, I stand convicted [convinced] by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God's word, I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us. On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me.
For his disobediences he was excommunicated by the Pope and condemned as an outlaw by the Holy Roman Emperor. He could be killed with immunity.
A German prince gave him refuge in the Wartburg Castle. It became his temporal fortress and there he translated the Scriptures into the German language. But his true and eternal fortress was the Lord God.
To this point he wrote one of if not the best-loved hymn of all time: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Some of the lyrics are:
A mighty Fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever.
For Martin Luther, God was his fortress. In that confidence he defied emperor and pope. In God he trusted.
What is your fortress? In what or in whom do you trust? To whom do you run in times of trouble?
Psalm 91 makes clear who ought to be our fortress and refuge. It also makes crystal clear the blessings that come when our God is our fortress. Let’s open our Bibles and our hearts to these truths this morning.
Songs of the Summer
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Psalm 91:1-16
- Dwellin the Lord
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty (91:1).
- Enter His shelter
-
Enjoy His shadow
-
Dependon the Lord
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (91:2)
- Proclaimyour trust in Him
-
Personalizeyour trust in Him
-
Deliveranceby the Lord
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowlerand from the deadly pestilence(91:3).
- He will deliver from evil
- He will deliver for eternity
In August of 2016 a terrible flood hit the greater Baton Rouge area. The financial impact was catastrophic. Thousands of homes and businesses were flooded and lives were lost.
The people of the United States, through their elected officials, stepped forward to help meet the need. According to reports, approximately 1.3 billion dollars were granted to Louisiana for restoration efforts. Nell and I are grateful recipients of some of that money. I know that many of you have been too.
Would anyone care to venture how much of that amount has actually been distributed to needy families? Approximately $60 million. That may sound like a lot (and it is); however, relative to the amount allotted. It is a small percentage. It is a little less than 5%! In fact, more money has been spent on administration of the program than has actually been given to those who suffered losses in the floods (see attached jpg).
For those who’ve suffered in the flood, you might want to say to the agency , “That money was given to you so that it might be channeled through you to the hurting! Please pass it on!”
We instinctively know that it is not right to hoard resources that have been entrusted to us that were intended to bless others.
But before we get embittered at governmental ineptitude, could it be that we too have been guilty of keeping the blessings of God that have been entrusted to us to ourselves? Instead of being rivers of blessings, we’ve become reservoirs of God’s bounty. Instead of being channels of blessings, we’ve siphoned off inordinate amounts for ourselves.
Songs of the Summer
“Blessed to Be a Blessing”
Psalm 67:1-7
- Prayerto God
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us (67:1).
- This prayer has a progression
-
This prayer has a precedent
-
Purpose of God
For that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations (67:2).
- His purpose is gracious
-
His purpose is global
-
Praisefor God
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you (67:3).
- For gladness(v. 4a)
- For governance(v. 4b)
- For guidance(v. 4c)
- For gifts(vs. 5-6)
This morning God will challenge us to lives of greater generosity from Psalm 67 in a message I’m entitling, “Blessed to Be a Blessing.”
“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” We probably all recognize that quote and the truth of it, but let me tweak it: “To err is human; to botch the confession is too!”
I can illustrate this with several recent blunders and the gaffes in the accompanying “apologies.” Let me begin with a relatively insignificant example and then ratchet up to more significant ones.
- R. Smith crushed the hearts of his teammates and the whole Cavalier nation in an epic error in game 1 of this year’s NBA Finals. A mental error cost them that game (and maybe the whole series). Rather than coming clean and admitting that he didn’t know that the score was tied as time elapsed, he stumbled through an incoherent “apology” that actually threw his teammates under the bus!
To err is human; to botch the confession is too.
Roseanne Barr, riding a wave of popularity for the reboot of her namesake show, tweets a cruel and widely-viewed-as-racist comment about another lady. Her “confession” was that she was not really responsible. It was the Ambien she was taking.
To err is human; to botch the confession is too.
In a still more serious example, the governor of Missouri cheats on his wife and gets into all sorts of problems. He ends up resigning. Here’s a portion of his speech:
"Today I am announcing that I will resign as governor of Missouri . . . . We have accomplished a lot. I am proud of . . . all our work. The last few months have been incredibly difficult for me, for my family, for my team, for my friends and for many, many people. This ordeal has been designed to cause an incredible amount of strain on my family; millions of dollars of mounting legal bills, endless personal attacks designed to cause maximum damage to family and friends; legal harassment of colleagues, friends and campaign workers. . . . I know, and people of good faith know, that I am not perfect. But I have not broken any laws or committed any offense worthy of this treatment. . . . This is not the end of our fight. I will always be a fighter. . . . So for the moment, let us walk off the battlefield with our heads held high. We have a good and a proud story to tell our children. Let's love them and each other every day. May God continue to bless you and to bless the great state of Missouri."
To err is human; to botch the confession is too.
In all three of these examples, their “confessions” made their errors worse, not better. Before we, as erring, sinning humans can get to divine forgiveness, we must learn to confess. To say it another way, “To come clean, we’ve got to come clean.” We’ll never be forgiven, unless we learn to confess humbly and genuinely our sins.
King David was human. He erred often and greatly. But the good news is that his great sins were covered by a greater grace.
Psalm 51 is the account of David’s confession. God will teach us that we too have to “come clean to come clean.”
Songs of the Summer
“Come Clean to Come Clean”
Psalm 51:1-12
- A humble request
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! (51:1-2)
- The backgroundof the request
-
The basisfor the request
-
A heartfelt remorse
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment(51:3-4).
- For our guilt
-
For our God
-
A happy restoration
Restore to me the joy of your salvation (51:12a).
- The Lord restores our witness
- The Lord restores our worship
Recently I took our grandkids to an ice cream shop. We got our goodies and sat down outdoors at a picnic table to enjoy them. Our grandson, Forest, finished his ice cream (stuffed with gummy worms) quickly. Apparently he didn’t get his fill. He happened to spot a gummy worm on the ground that someone else had dropped earlier. He reached down, grabbed it, and was about to eat it when I said, “No!”
It broke his heart. He welled up with tears and began to cry. He couldn’t understand it. There was a perfectly, delicious gummy worm that he had found fair-and-square. Now here I was, Grumpy Grampa, denying him the delight of eating it! He didn’t know that it was dirty and covered with germs. From his preschool perspective, this was grossly unfair.
Little did he know what I had planned. On the other side of the “no” was a giant “yes.” I scooped him up in my arms and carried him to the window of the shop for a gift of a whole cup of fresh, clean gummy worms.
I think the Lord must look at us much like I looked at Forest that afternoon. He wants the best for us. But He sees us digging in the dirt for polluted pleasures. He must say to Himself, “If only they could grasp what I intend for them!”
I also think we tend to view the Lord much like Forest must have viewed me that afternoon. We think He is aiming to rob us of pleasure, happiness, and joy when the exact opposite is true.
Psalm 37 drives these lessons home in an unforgettable way. Join me there for this morning’s message.
Songs of the Summer
“Gummy Worms and God”
Psalm 37:1-4
- Disillusioned with the Lord
Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb (37:1-2).
- The cause of disillusionment
-
The cure for disillusionment
-
Dependent on the Lord
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness(37:3).
- Rely on the Lord
-
Receive from the Lord
-
Delighted in the Lord
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (37:4).
- The command to delight in the Lord
- The consequence of delighting in the Lord
Canciones que confortan
“Aguas con el agua”
Salmo 37.1-5
- Desilusionadoscon el Señor.
“No te inquietes a causa de los malvados, ni tengas envidia de los que hacen lo malo. Pues como la hierba, pronto se desvanecen;como las flores de primavera, pronto se marchitan.”(37.1-2)
-
La causade la desilusión.
-
La curapara la desilusión.
-
Depender del Señor.
“Confía en elSeñory haz el bien;entonces vivirás seguro en la tierra y prosperarás.”(37.3)
-
Confiar en el Señor.
-
Recibir del Señor.
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Deleitarseen el Señor.
“Deléitateel Señor, yél te concederá los deseos de tu corazón.” (37.4)
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El mandamientode deleitarnos en el Señor.
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La consecuenciade deleitarnos en el Señor.
About five years ago a wildly popular song was released. It is entitled simply, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. You can’t help but smile when you hear the lyrics and the music [may play a snippet].
The official video of the song was released on YouTube on November 21, 2013, and, as of March 2018, it has had over 1 billion views. Maybe its popularity is tied to the fact that everybody wants to be happy.
Here in America we’re so committed to the pursuit of happiness that we put it into the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
But in spite of our longing for it and our pursuit of it, happiness so often eludes us.
Here’s an important truth to grasp: “Pursue happiness and it evades you. Pursue Him--pursue holiness--and happiness comes to you as a by-product.”
God’s word never tells us to pursue happiness but it does promise us happiness, real joy, if we will live according to God’s word.
These principles are laid out for us clearly in God’s word. Let’s open our Bibles to Psalm 1 for a message entitled, “Happy
Songs of the Summer
“Happy”
Psalm 1
- Dangers to avoid
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers” (1:1).
- Discouraging companions
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Downward cycle
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Disciplines to acquire
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night (1:2).
- Prize the word of God
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Ponder the word of God
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Destinies to assess
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment (1:3-5a).
- Everyday consequences
- Eternal consequences
In our nation’s capital is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. For 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, a platoon of 30 honor guards protects the tomb through rain, snow, and even hurricanes! It's been guarded every minute of every day since 1937. The Unknown Soldiers laid to rest at the Tomb represent all missing and unknown service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.
Typically a single sentinel at a time guards the tomb, pacing back and forth throughout his watch. The soldier walks exactly 21 steps then pauses for 21 seconds before turning around and continuing his duty. The number 21 is in reference to the 21 gun salute which is the military's highest honor given to a soldier.
When the changing of the guard takes place, orders are passed from one soldier to his relief: Here is the heart of that dialog: " Post and orders, remain as directed.” Orders remain as directed. Their original charge remains their current charge. No change.
There is another tomb—empty now in Jerusalem. Our Lord, after his victorious resurrection, gave orders to his disciples some 2000 years ago and those orders remain as directed!
Do you know what our marching orders are as followers of Christ? Today we will revisit those orders.
Please open your Bibles to Matthew 28:18-20.
Bless Every Home
“Make Disciples”
Matthew 28:18-20
- We have the powerto make disciples
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples . . .” (28:18-19a).
- Jesus’ power is stated
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Jesus’ power is shared
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We have the planto make disciples
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”(28:19-20a).
- Jesus calls us to mobilize disciples
- Jesus calls us to mark disciples
- Jesus calls us to mature disciples
- We have the partner to make disciples
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (28:20b).
- Jesus is our personal companion
- Jesus is our perpetual companion
Bendice cada hogar
"haced discípulos"
(Mateo 28:18-20
- Tenemos el poder de hacer discípulos
“Jesús se acercó y dijo a sus discípulos: «Se me ha dado toda autoridad en el cielo y en la tierra.Por lo tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos ..." (28:18-19a).
- El poder de Jesús es declarado
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El poder de Jesús es compartido
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Tenemos el plande hacer discípulos
"Por lo tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las naciones,bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo.Enseñen a los nuevos discípulos a obedecer todos los mandatos que les he dado." (Mt 28, 19-20a).
- Jesús nos llama a hacerdiscípulos
- Jesús nos llama a bautizardiscípulos
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Jesús nos llama a desarrollardiscípulos
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Tenemos la promesaal hacer discípulos.
"Y tengan por seguro esto: que estoy con ustedes hasta el fin del mundo" (Mt 28, 20b).
- Jesús es nuestro compañero personal
- Jesús es nuestro compañero perpetuo
God’s heart is to bless every home. God wants to bless you and, through you, bless others. This is his missiological strategy and has been from time immemorial. Gen. 12:2 says, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”
We are issuing a challenge this month to “bless every home” in our sphere of influence. We do this when we pray for, care for and share with others the story of Jesus.
We bless others when we share the story of what God has done for us. That’s the theme of today’s message. I’m going to relay to you the story of four desperate men who were blessed and became a blessing to others because they shared the story of what God had done on their behalf. This enabled virtually a whole city to experience the abundant goodness of God!
We can experience the same in our lives—receiving and relaying the blessings of God!
Bless Every Home
“Share”
2 Kings 7:3-9
- A serious dilemma
Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?”(7:3)
- Deteriorating condition
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Deadly complacency
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A strategic decision
If we say, “Let us enter the city,” the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians (7:4a).
- Consider the alternatives
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Choose the action
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A surprising discovery
But when they came to the edge of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no one there . . . . they went into a tent and ate and drank, and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and went and hid them (7:5b, 8b).
- Available provision
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Abundant provision
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A subsequent duty
Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king's household” (7:9).
- We must realize our sin
- We must repent for our sin
The entire nation of China was rocked in 2011 by an incident involving a single two-year-old Chinese girl named Wang Yue. Her family called her “Little Yue Yue.” She innocently wandered onto a narrow, crowded road in Foshan, Guangdong Province. She was hit by a vehicle, in fact, two. Neither stopped. She lay broken and wounded on the road for more than seven minutes.
During that span of time, eighteen people either walked or cycled past the toddler before a scrap peddler named Chen Xianmei, finally stopped to attend to her injuries. The little girl was whisked to a hospital for treatment but succumbed to her injuries and died eight days later.
The whole incident, including the fact that so many people passed by the little girl and refused to render aid, was captured on a security camera. That footage was uploaded onto the Internet and it quickly stirred widespread reaction in China and even overseas. Many commentators saw this as indicative of a growing apathy in contemporary Chinese society. It has been referred to as China’s “good Samaritan problem”—widespread apathy for the hurting.
But we all know, this is not just a Chinese problem. It’s an American problem. It’s a global problem. It’s an ancient problem, because it is a human problem.
Thankfully our human problems have a divine solution. There is a true “good Samaritan” and we will meet him today. His impact on us can transform even the most cruel or calloused into good Samaritans who care for others.
Bless Every Home
“Care”
Luke 10:25-37
- We can be cruel
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead”(10:30).
- Attitude: “What’s yoursis mineand I’ll take”
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Action: The cruel inflictsuffering
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We can be calloused
Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side(10:31-32).
- Attitude: “What’s mineis mineand I’ll keep”
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Action: The calloused ignoresuffering
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We can be compassionate
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion(10:33)
- Attitude: “What’s mineis yoursand I’ll give”
- Action: The compassionate intervenein suffering
Oprah Winfrey is an America pop icon. Her rags-to-riches story is remarkable. Her long-time talk show was famous for generous giveaways. While I don’t see eye-to-eye with her on theology and politics, I do admire her giving spirit.
One her most famous giveaways happened when all 276 members of her studio audience were blessed with a new Pontiac G-6 sedan. The cars carried an individual retail price tag of about $28,500.
The last giveaway was to celebrate her 25 years as hostess of the show. Every person in the audience was blessed with an 8-day, all-expense paid vacation to Australia!
Her favorite giveaway was in 2006. Every audience member was blessed with a bank card for $1,000 and a camera. Their assignment was to go home and within one week give that money away in a creative, charitable act and by so doing bless someone else. The camera was to video their respective acts of kindness. That giveaway unleashed some remarkable stories of generosity.
One example was a lady from Illinois named Minnie. She did not know whom she would bless with the $1,000. Upon returning home she learned about a father of nine children who had brain cancer. His name was John Newcomb. She not only was prepared to give that John’s family the $1,000, she rallied other people and businesses in the city to help. Within a week she had raised over $70,000. They paid off the Newcomb’s mortgage, his medical bills, provided groceries, and a two-year college scholarship for their oldest son.
Minnie was blessed to be a blessing. And she complied with that intent!
Did you know that you have been blessed to be a blessing? That is God’s heart and His missiological strategy. He has blessed us so that we might be a blessing.
We are launching today a 4-part sermon series entitled, “Bless Every Home.” Even more than that, what we’re truly hoping is to launch or augment a lifetime of missional living by each of us.
Please open your Bibles to Genesis 12 as we open our hearts to embrace God’s call on our lives to “Bless Every Home.”
Bless Every Home
Genesis 12:1-3, 8b
- The requirementsfor God’s blessings
Now the Lordsaid to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you . . . (12:1).
- Go from our oldlife
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Go to our newlife
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The realitiesof God’s blessings
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (12:2-3).
- We receiveHis blessings
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We relayHis blessings
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The responsesto God’s blessings
. . . And there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD(12:8b).
- Make worship a priority
- Make worship a practice
Yogi Berra was a catcher for the New York Yankees. He won 10 World Series and was an 18-time all-star.
But he is probably better known for his “Yogi-isms.” His quotes often mangled the English language in light-hearted ways, but also had a grain of truth in them. Here’s a sampling of five of his finest.
- Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.
- Pair up in threes.
- A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.
- Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.
- You should always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise, they won’t come to yours.
He was so well known for his sayings that sometimes he was given credit for things he didn’t even say. Thus another Yogi-ism: “I never said most of the things I said.”
Here’s one more he said, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” The “Yogi-ness” of that quote is that it is redundant. Déjà vu literally means “already seen.” It’s a feeling that you get that you’ve been in place before. You’ve heard this conversation before. So to say, “Déjà vu all over again” is to say the same thing twice. Classic!
This morning “it’s déjà vu all over again.” We’re going to wrap up the “Final Word” by opening our Bibles to the 21st chapter of John’s gospel. In this story the disciples are going to encounter the risen Lord Jesus and hear his final words. They are words they’ve heard before but that bear repeating. In fact, we too need to hear them again.
It’s déjà vu all over again.
The Final Word
“Déjà Vu All Over Again”
John 21:1-22
- Called to fish
- Apply the instructions Jesus gives
- Appreciate the increase Jesus gives
- Called to feed
- Love the shepherd
- Love the sheep
- Called to follow
- Follow regardless of the cost
- Follow regardless of the comparison
“Del pesimismo al gozo”
Juan 20:19-22
- La Pascua y su Oscuridad
- Ellos tienen miedo
- Ellos están juntos
- La Pascua y su Gozo
- Por su Presencia
- Por su Paz
- La Pascua y sus Obsequios
- El regalo de la Tarea
- El regalo de su compañía
If you've read any of Mark Twain's famous The Adventures of Tom Sawyer you know that Sawyer was quite the prankster. One time Sawyer convinced friends Huck Finn and Joe Harper to run away. By cover of night, the three left their homes, snuck down to the river, and set out down-river on a raft. They end up on Jackson's Island where have fun pretending to be pirates for several days.
Meanwhile, back at home, their families and the town at large are in state of near hysteria. After a few days they conclude the boys have drowned, and plan their funeral for the following Sunday. Tom quietly returns to town and discovers the plans for the funeral. He returns to the island where he convinces Huck and Joe they should all stay put until the end of the week when they will return to town and march in on their own funerals.
On Sunday almost the entire town gathers at the church building where the preacher leads the sad and grieving crowd in eulogizing and mourning the poor boys whom death has claimed so early in life. The congregation became more and more moved till the whole company broke down and joined the weeping mourners in a chorus of anguished sobs.
At that moment the three boys come through the church doors. They had been listening to their own funeral! The ones who were dead now are alive. Gloom gives way to gladness. Can you imagine attending a funeral and seeing the one for whom you grieve appear in your midst?
That’s exactly what actually happened to the disciples of Jesus. They saw him crucified. They knew that he had been buried. On that first Sunday evening they were gathered in fear, mourning, and bewilderment. Gloom prevailed. But into that room came the risen Lord Jesus and gloom gives way to gladness.
We too can rejoice on this Easter morning because Jesus crashed his own funeral!
The Final Word
“From Gloom to Gladness”
John 20:19-22
- Easter gloom
- Jesus’ disciples are afraid
- Jesus’ disciples are assembled
- Easter gladness
- Jesus’ disciples rejoice for His presence
- Jesus’ disciples rejoice for His peace
- Easter gifts
- Jesus’ disciples receive a commission
- Jesus’ disciples receive a companion
There is a common sight across the southeast region of the United States. It is a trio of crosses placed in a field near a highway or crossroads. They are the work of a man named Bernard Coffindaffer. He was a veteran of WWII and Iwo Jima. When he came back from the war, he came to know Christ as his savior. He became a successful businessman but never lost his gratitude for what Jesus did for us.
He spent his personal fortune to erect more than 1,800 trios of crosses.
But what is the significance of these three crosses?
The Final Word
“The Crosses of Calvary”
John 19:16b-18
- The cross of rejection: one died in sin
- The cross of reception: one died to sin
- The cross of redemption: one died for sin
Tom Watson Jr., CEO of IBM between 1956 and 1971, was a key figure in the information revolution. Watson repeatedly demonstrated his abilities as a leader.
One example of his skill as a leader had to do with a young executive who made some bad decisions that cost the company several million dollars. He was summoned to Watson’s office. He fully expected that he would be fired. As he entered the office, the young executive said to Watson, “I suppose after that set of mistakes you will want to fire me.” Watson was said to have replied, “Fire you?! Not at all, young man, we have just spent a couple of million dollars educating you” (Source: Edgar Schein in his book, Organisational Culture and Leadership).
Watson was telling the young executive that he was more valuable now than before. His failures were not final.
Let’s face it, we have all failed. The devil would have you think that that your failures are final—that you are of no value to the Lord. But that’s a lie. God is too compassionate, too redeeming for that. He says to us, “Your failures need not be final. There is more for you to do!”
The biography of Peter is a case study of the truth that “failure is not final.” Today we will look at Peter’s life and find encouragement for our own.
The Final Word
“Failure Is Not Final”
John 18:15-18 and 25-27
- Dangerous confidence
- Disheartening collapse
- Deep contrition
- Dynamic comeback
In recent years our nation has been rocked by a string of mass shootings—Stoneman Douglas High School, Charleston, SC, Newton, CT, Virginia Tech, and the list goes on. From these horrific incidents, some touching stories of courage and self-sacrifice have surfaced.
On December 2, 2015 county employees in San Bernadino, CA had gathered for a Christmas party. Two gunmen stormed the center where they were gathered and opened fire on the unsuspecting crowd. In the melee, coworkers Denise Peraza and Shannon Johnson took refuge behind an over-turned chair. Shannon, an old Georgia boy, wrapped his arm around Denise and said, “I got you.” With that, a bullet struck him. He died while sheltering Denise. She credits him with saving her life.
This morning I want to show you that God in Christ would gladly wrap you in His embrace. Despite all that it cost Him, He still says, “I got you. I got you.” John 18:1-11 shows us plainly that He will die that we might live.
La Carrera de La Fe
2 Timoteo 4:6-8
Hebreos 12:1-2
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UNA CARRERA PUBLICA
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UNA CARRERA PERSONAL
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UNA CARRERA PURA
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UNA CARRERA PESADA
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UNA CARRERA ENFOCADA
I’ve always been fascinated by people’s last words. I heard last week about a Union General during the Civil War. His name was John Sedgwick. He was a respected and high-ranking general. In 1864 he led his troops to Spotsylvania, Virginia for one of the last battles of the war.
Confederate sharpshooters had been peppering the area all morning on May 9, wounding, among others, General William Morris. Staff officers cautioned Sedgwick not to approach the road, but he disregarded their warnings in his desire to encourage his men to face the enemy. When his men warned him to take cover, Sedgwick responded by joking, "They couldn’t hit an elephant at that distance." Just then, a sharpshooter’s bullet crashed into his skull, right below his left eye, killing him instantly.
He was the highest ranking Union officer to be killed during the war.
It’s dangerous to underestimate your enemy. Don’t do it.
Jesus did not do that. He understood full well the spiritual battle in which we are engaged. Because of it he turned to a vital piece of our spiritual arsenal—prayer. We have a record of his prayer offered the night of his greatest battle—just as he faced arrest, trial, and execution. This prayer opens our eyes as nothing else to the deepest longings of Jesus’ heart. It teaches us what He values and how we, too, can overcome the world.
The Final Word
“The Real ‘Lord’s Prayer’”
John 17:1-26
- Timing of Jesus’ prayer
- Reinforces a pattern
- Releases a power
- Targets of Jesus’ prayer
- I pray for me
- I pray for mine
- I pray for missions
- Triumph of Jesus’ prayer
La verdadera Oración de Jesús
Juan 17:1-26
- Sincronicémonos con la oración de Jesús
- Refuerza un modelo
- Libera un poder
- Los objetivos de la oración de Jesús
- Ruego por mí
. b. Ruego por los míos
- Ruego por los demás
- El Triunfo de la oración de Jesús
Ventaja de los Discípulos
Juan 16:6-14a
- La preocupación de los discípulos (16:6)
- Jesús es honesto con ellos (16:1-3)
. b. Jesús confía en ellos (16:1-3)
- La ventaja de los discípulos (16:7)
- Jesús se va (16:7)
- Jesús les deja algo (16:7)
- El defensor de los discípulos (16:7)
- El Espíritu Santo nos convence (16:8-11)
- El Espíritu Santo nos aconseja (16:12-14a)
La Ultima Palabra
Guillermo Mangieri
Amigos y Enemigos
Juan 15.12-27
- Amigos de Jesús (12-16)
- Se aman unos a otros
- Le obedecen
- Ellos Conocen la verdad
- Son escogidos por El
- Enemigos del mundo (17-25)
- Rechazan a quienes no son como ellos
- Odian a los creyentes porque odian a Jesús
- Odian a los creyentes porque no conocen a Dios
- Amigo Poderoso (26-27)
- Testimonio que viene del Padre
- Testimonio que es acerca del hijo
- Testimonio por medio del creyente
I Have Called You Friends
John 15:9-17
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. -John 15:15
Friendship starts with God
As the father has loved…John 15-9
We need friends because we are created in God’s image
Then the Lord God said, “it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”….Genesis 2:18
A friend lets you in
No longer do I call you servants….but I have called you friends. John 15:15
Friendship involves sacrifice
Greater love has no one that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
The most important question: “Are you a friend of God?”
Costco has a great “returns” policy. It is very generous. You can return virtually anything, for any reason, and get a refund. This was put to the test earlier this year.
On January 4, 2018 a woman in Santa Clarita, CA trudged into the local Costco lugging a large, dead, “real” Christmas tree. She made her way through the returns line until she stood before the customer service representative. “I’d like to return this tree.” When asked why, she responded. “Because it’s dead.”
The other customers waiting in line were blown away. One of them, Scott Bentley, took a photo of the lady and her disheveled tree. “I can’t make this stuff up,” he posted on Facebook below the photo.
Time magazine carried the story. In the article it says: “. . . most people tend to accept that trees — once cut down for decorative holiday purposes — have a finite life span. . . . But others seem less willing to accept this unfortunate fact of life.”
It is a fact of life. Roots and fruits are inseparable. Roots and life and flourishing are all inextricably linked. Today Jesus will make this clear to us in John 15:1-11.
The Final Word
“Roots and Fruits”
John 15:1-11
- Our relationship with Jesus
- The fruitless are cuts off
- The fruitful are cultivated
- Our responsibility to Jesus
- Remain in him
- Rely on him
- Our results through Jesus
- Glory to God
- Gladness from God
La palabra final
“Ramas y Frutos”
Juan 15: 1-11
- Nuestra relación con Jesús
- Los que no lleva frutos, son cortados.
- Los que lleva frutos, son cuidados.
- Nuestra responsabilidad con Jesús
- Permanecer en él
- Confiar en él
- Nuestros resultados a través de Jesús
- Glorifica a Dios
- Gozo de Dios.
If we are honest, there are moments in life when our hearts are troubled. We get agitated; anxiety and worry overtake us.
Last week we actually talked about some of the common causes for worry. These include: health problems, marriage dynamics, parenting, money, and growing old. We saw that a lot of us are squandering huge hunks of our lives worrying needlessly.
Last Sunday I began a message entitled “Truths for Troubled Hearts” from John 14:1-6. We focused on three truths:
- The promise of a peace
- The promise of a place
- The promise of a path that leads to that place!
Our focal passage today will be John 14:12-16. This morning’s message will be part 2 of “Truths for Troubled Hearts.” In it Jesus has three more encouraging promises for us to claim—the promise of power, the promise of prayer, and the promise of His presence! Let’s explore and embrace these “truths for troubled hearts.”
The Final Word
“Truths for Troubled Hearts”
Part 2
John 14:12-16
- The promise of power
- The extravagance of this power
- The explanation for this power
- The promise of prayer
- The parameter of prayer
- The purpose of prayer
- The promise of presence
- A personal gift
- A permanent gift
Un Dios de Amor, Tiene Hijos que Aman
Text: 1 Juan 4:7-11
Domingo 28 de Enero
Dr. Edgar R. Aponte
- Introducción
- Referencia sobre 1 Cor 13
- ¿Qué nos dice acerca del amor?
- ¿Pero qué pasa si no somos así…cómo podemos convertirnos en personas de amor?
- 1 Juan 4: 7-11
- Referencia sobre 1 Cor 13
- Lectura del Texto
- Contexto del pasaje bíblico
- Principal Mensaje
- Un Dios de Amor, Tiene Hijos que Aman.
- Dios es Amor (v.7-8)
- La Naturaleza de Dios
- El Nuevo Nacimiento
- Unión con Dios
- El Amor de Dios se revela en su Hijo (v. 9-11)
- La manifestación del amor de Dios
- El propósito de esa manifestación
- Ilustraciones
- El Caso de la Familia en Chicago (Primera Ilustración)
- La señal de la esa congregación local
- El Amor distingue el verdadero cristianismo del falso cristianismo
- El Gimnasio y el Cristiano (Segunda ilustración)
- El Caso de la Familia en Chicago (Primera Ilustración)
- Amor y Perdón
- Implicaciones
- Esté presente
- Ore
- Amor: Evangelismo y las Misiones
- La necesidad de ser salvo
- Amando a Dios
- Dios es Amor (v.7-8)
- Un Dios de Amor, Tiene Hijos que Aman.
Amando las naciones
La última palabra
"verdades para corazones atribulados"
Juan 14:1-6
- Jesús promete la Paz
- Anulando el temor.
- Animando la fe.
- Jesús prepara un Lugar
- Él se ira por su propia cuenta.
- Él regresará por su propia cuenta.
- Jesús ofrece el Camino
- Que es efectivo.
- Que es único.
There are a lot of things that can trouble our hearts. A list was recently published that catalogs the types of things that tend to trouble our hearts—that cause us to worry. Here is a partial list:
- Health and weight.
- Marriage.
- Parenting and children/grandchildren.
- Lack of savings and an uncertain financial future. And the number one worry is:
- Getting old!
We spend a lot of time worrying and fretting. Statistics indicate that the average person spends over 14 hours per week worrying. That would total over 700 hours worrying a year. That would be the equivalent of close to 30 days a year! If you lived to be 80, you would have worried away over 6years of your life!
The good news is that you do not need to worry. Your heart does not need to be troubled. Today I want to share with you “truths for troubled hearts” that will encourage and help you.
Let’s open our Bibles to John 14:1-6.
The Final Word
“Truths for Troubled Hearts”
John 14:1-6
- Jesus promises a peace
- By forbidding fear
- By fostering faith
- Jesus prepares a place
- He will return for His own
- He will reunite with His own
- Jesus provides a path
- That is effective
- That is exclusive
How can you identify a Christian? What is the chief characteristic of the Christian?
A cross necklace has been used by many across the years to identify as a Christian; however, as you know, for many it has little to no significance whatsoever. It certainly doesn’t make one a Christian.
More recently there’s been a trend in Christian tattoos. Many devout young believers have inked themselves to say, as permanently as they know how, I am a follower of Jesus.
A less painful and permanent way that some people use is a bumper sticker. But be careful with that! I heard about a lady who was impatiently driving down a busy street. She became infuriated when the car in front of her slowed to a stop at a yellow light instead of speeding through. This, of course, delayed her. Furious at being delayed, she sounded her horn and began waving her fists in a disgraceful exhibition of a road rage. Before she could move off, she felt a tap on her window. It was a police officer who ordered her to step out of the car. He then asked her to come down to the station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and put in a cell.
A couple of hours later, after vehicle checks had been carried out, she was told that she could collect her valuables and that she was being released without charge.
The woman was extremely indignant at her arrest and demanded an apology.
The officer responsible explained the reason for the mistake. "You see, ma’am, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn and loudly cursing the driver in front of you. Then I noticed the ‘Honk if you love Jesus’ bumper sticker, the Christian fish emblem on the trunk, and the ‘Choose Life’ license plate. Naturally, I assumed that you had stolen the car."
Ouch!
While cross necklaces, tattoos, and bumper stickers all may have their place, none of these is the fool-proof evidence of a true Christian. What is that distinguishing trait? Jesus tells us in our passage today.
The Final Word
“The Chief Characteristic of the Christian”
John 13:34-35
- Command to love one another
- The substance of the command
- The scope of the command
- Comparison of loving one another
- An unending love
- An unmerited love
- Consequence of loving one another
- Reflects on Christians
- Reflects on Christ
La última palabra
"El camino a la felicidad"
Juan 13:1-17
- Vivir en humildad
- La fuente de la humildad
- El ejemplo de humildad
- Vivir en santidad
- La conversión nos limpia completamente
- La confesión nos limpia continuamente
- Vivir en felicidad
- El principio de ser un siervo
- La práctica de ser un siervo
A 2014 study by Harvard University listed the happiest cities in America. The results surprised many and were broadcast widely. The five happiest cities in America were all in the same state—Louisiana! These cities included our own Baton Rouge along with Lafayette, Houma, Shreveport-Bossier City, and Alexandria.
In 2017 National Geographic produced a new list. There was not one Louisiana city in the top 25! Boulder, Colorado topped the list. I was curious as to why there was this radical change in the rankings. After a little bit of digging, I discovered the reason. They changed the criteria for how happiness is measured!
In the 2014 survey, researchers asked the people the following question: “In general, how satisfied are you with your life?” Responders could choose from the following answers: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied. Louisiana folk were more satisfied than most with their lives.
In the 2017 the researchers did not ask people to self-assess. Instead, the researchers themselves determined the kinds of things that they believe make people happy—things like eating healthy, exercising regularly, financial security, vacation time, and even dental checkups. On those grounds, we here in Louisiana didn’t fare so well!
That raises the question: What are the criteria for happiness? What truly does make a person happy? What gives deep, abiding, unquenchable joy?
The good news is that we don’t have to be in doubt about that. Jesus tells us. Better than that, Jesus shows us. Please open your Bible to John 13:1-17. In these verses Jesus leads us down what I’m going to call “The Highway to Happiness.” He will show us how to have happiness and joy that is inexplicable and full.
The Final Word
“The Highway to Happiness”
John 13:1-17
- Live in humility
- The source of humility
- The sample of humility
- Live in holiness
- Conversion cleanses us completely
- Confession cleanses us continually
- Live in happiness
- The principle of being a servant
- The practice of being a servant
The Big Story
“Chapter 6: Revelation”
Revelation 5:9-14
- The lamb is worthy
- Because of his character
- Because of his conquest
- The lamb is working
- To ransom people
- To restore people
- The lamb is worshipped
- In song
- By singers
La Gran Historia
"Capítulo 6: Revelación"
Apocalipsis 5: 9-14
- El cordero es digno
a. Por su carácter
b.Por su conquista
- El cordero está trabajando
a. Para rescatar personas
b. Para restaurar personas
- El cordero es adorado
a. A través de oraciones
b. A través de la alabanza
In the span of a single day, an Argentinian woman received the two biggest shocks of her life. First she heard the heartbreaking news that her newborn baby was stillborn. Devastation. Later that day she discovered in the morgue that her baby girl was actually still alive.
The infant, named, Luz Milagros, or “Miracle Light,” was pronounced a stillborn on April 3rd, 2012. Twelve hours after she “died,” her parents went down to the morgue to uncover the baby’s body in its coffin. They wanted a picture for the funeral.
As he opened the box, the baby let out a sudden cry and the mother fell to her knees in shock. She said in a TeleNoticias interview: "That's where I heard a tiny little cry. I told myself I was imagining it—it was my imagination. And then I stepped back and saw her waking up. It was as if she was saying 'Mama, you came for me!' That was when I fell to my knees. My husband didn't know what to do. We were just crying and I laughed and cried, cries and laughter. We must have seemed crazy. I'm a believer. All of this was a miracle from God''
There was a miracle in the morgue that day! The little one that they thought was dead now is very much alive!
This morning I want to take you to another family whose baby had brought them laughter. In fact, his name, Isaac, meant “laughter.” As we will see, that laughter was silenced for a time when it seemed that Isaac, now a vibrant young man, was as good as dead. But God in His mercy spared Isaac’s life and, in so doing, pointed beyond that boy to another beloved Son who would die, yet live again. It’s all a part of “the big story” of God’s redeeming love.
The Big Story
“Chapter 3: Redemption”
Genesis 22:1-14
- The purpose of a faithful God
- A difficult order
- A direct obedience
- A definite optimism
- The provision of a faithful God
- A costly price
- A clear prophecy
- The promise of a faithful God
- We can receive his blessings
- We can relay his blessings
Johnella Howard, 72-years-old, and her caretaker, Susan Snow, entered a Publix grocery store in Florida. In the course of their shopping, Johnella apparently suffered a nasty fall. Her caretaker rushed to the management of the store to report the fall. Employees called 911 and first responders attended to her.
It was a nasty fall, because it was staged. Truth be told, she didn’t fall as much as she took a dive! The whole episode was captured on camera. The pair had come across some water in an aisle. The footage shows Johnella smearing the water around with her foot. She then kneels, and turns to sit, before lying down. In fact, the camera catches her adjusting her hair before getting into position.
The motive? Money. They sued the store for $300,000, but an investigation revealed the ruse.
What a fall from grace it turned out to be! Instead of getting $300,000, they were prosecuted and faced 35 years in prison. The temptation and transgression came back to bite them—hard!
I thought of this bumbling pair as I prepared for this week’s message. We are going to look at the story of the “fall of man.” That is how Genesis 3 is typically described. But the truth is, Adam and Eve didn’t fall as much as they took a dive. They knew God’s will but purposefully transgressed it in hopes of some payoff, but oh the heartache their fall unleashed!
As we will see this morning, all of us too have fallen and, in most cases, the reality is that we’ve just taken a dive. Like Adam and Eve, we’ve know what is right, but have often fallen for the wrong. Their story is really ours as well.
But here’s the good news: though we are fallen, we can be forgiven!
The Big Story
“Chapter 2: The Fall”
Genesis 3:1-9 and 21
- The choice to sin
- Our enemy has a target
- Our enemy has a tactic
- The consequences of sin
- Sin brings shame
- Sin brings separation
- The covering for sin
- Is an innocent sacrifice
- Is an invincible savior
La Gran Historia
“Capitulo 2: La Caída”
Génesis 3.1-10 & 21
- El Pecado tiene elección
- Nuestro enemigo tiene un objetivo
- Nuestro enemigo tiene una estrategia
- El pecado tiene efectos
- El pecado trae vergüenza
- El pecado trae separación
- El pecado tiene esperanza
- Un Sacrificio inocente
- Un Salvador invencible
The Big Story
“Chapter 1: Creation”
Genesis 1:1, 26-28 & 31
- The Creator
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (v. 1)
- His person
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His power
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The Created
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good (v. 31a).
- His imagination
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His image
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The Causes
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion . . . “ (v. 26)
- That we might relate to Him
- That we might reign with Him
Guest speaker: Pr. Aroldo Vargas
“Tres motivos para Celebrar y Agradecer”
1 Pedro 1:3-9
Dios es el que da, el hombre es el que agradece. Dios es quien concede su Gracia y el hombre es el que le da Gracias por ella.
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Primer motivo: Como cristianos tenemos en nuestro corazón un profundo agradecimiento por la ________ y ____________del Hijo de Dios. (1 Pedro 1.3-4)
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Segundo motivo: El Cristiano vive agradecido a Dios por las ___________ que enfrentó y sobrepasó durante todo el año. (1 Pedro 1.5-8)
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Tercer motivo: Como Cristianos celebramos en el presente la Gran ______________ de Salvación. (1 Pedro 1.5,7,9)
Generous
“Sowing and Reaping”
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
- The principles of giving
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (vv. 6-7).
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How to give
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Heart to give
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The provisions for giving
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (v. 8).
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Divine source
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Divine supply
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The purposes for giving
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. . . while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift (vv. 12-15)!
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Compassion
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Celebration
- Community
Generoso
"Siembra y Cosecha"
2 Corintios 9:6-15
- Sembrar generosamente
Recuerden esto: El que siembra escasamente, escasamente cosechará, y el que siembra en abundancia, en abundancia cosechará (v. 6).
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La provisión de las semillas
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Los principios de la siembra
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Sembrar alegremente
Cada uno debe dar según lo que haya decidido en su corazón, no de mala gana ni por obligación, porque Dios ama al que da con alegría (v. 7).
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Algunos dan por culpabilidad
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Algunos dan por codicia
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Algunos dan con alegría
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Sembrar agradecido
¡Gracias a Dios por su don inefable! (v. 15)
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Satisface las necesidades
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Construye una comunidad
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Glorifica a Dios
On the night Nell and I were commissioned as missionaries, a former missionary shared the following story with us. She and her husband had served the Lord in the Far East. One evening they hosted other missionaries in their home for a nice dinner. She set the table with their fine china. She prepared a delicious meal of favorite dishes. For the centerpiece she chose a beautiful orchid from their flower garden. It was a gorgeous bloom and, as they and their guests enjoyed their time together, comments were made about the flower’s exquisite beauty.
After they had eaten, the guests moved to the living room to continue their fellowship. In the course of their conversation, her husband asked the guests if any of them had noticed the container that held the flower. None of them had noticed it. After all, it was a simple, small, unadorned glass star that had doubled at other times as a candle holder. He then made a point. The flower was the centerpiece and rightly got the attention. The container did its job by putting the glory of the blossom on display. No one needed to have noticed the small, glass star.
We, as believers, are like that small, glass container. Nothing too special about us. But we are to put on display the glory of God’s goodness—His grace in Jesus Christ. We hold this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7). We are to be “grace displays.” When people see our lives, they should see a living demonstration of the goodness of our Lord.
There were some believers who lived this way. They were “grace displays.” We meet them in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7.
Generous
“Grace Displays”
2 Corinthians 8:1-7
- Generosity is a proof
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part (vv. 1-2).
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Tough realities
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Tender response
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Generosity is a privilege
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints (vv. 3-4).
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It is extravagant
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It is enthusiastic
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Generosity is a process
And this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also (vv. 5-7).
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Starts with conversion
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Strengthened by community
- Shows through compassion
This Lord’s Day we will celebrate “Go Global” Sunday. It is our special yearly emphasis on taking the good news of God’s grace to the far corners of the globe.
The basis for our global goal is the grace of God in Christ. Because we have come to know His grace experientially, we are motivated to give generously and go courageously till all the world has had an opportunity to experience the same gift.
William Borden was heir to his family’s massive wealth. As a young man he was already a millionaire. His parents gave him a trip around the world as a graduation present from high school. He was sixteen.
He went to Yale University and there impacted his campus powerfully for Christ. He eventually surrendered his future to become a missionary to Muslims and to “go global.” He renounced the wealth and comforts that could have been his and set sail.
He never made it there. He died at 25 years of age of spinal meningitis, contracted in Cairo, as he studied Arabic. When the news of William Borden's death was cabled back to the U.S., the story was carried by nearly every American newspaper. "A wave of sorrow went round the world . . . Borden not only gave (away) his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it (seemed) a privilege rather than a sacrifice" wrote Mary Taylor in her introduction to his biography. He had written in his Bible, “No retreat, no reserves, no regrets.” God wants us to live that way as well. He wants us to “go global” because his grace is global.
In the mid-1900s Detroit, Michigan was one of America’s greatest cities. Its population swelled to some 2 million. Its industrial base, centered on the production of automobiles, made it affluent. The architecture of the city reflected its optimism and wealth.
But in more recent years its fortunes have changed. People began to move out into the suburbs. The population plummeted. Buildings fell into disrepair and ruins.
The demise of Detroit was captured in a series of photos by a pair of Parisian photographers named Marchand and Maffre. There’s a heavy sadness that these photos prompt (show photos). The sadness arises from the chasm that exists between what once was and now is.
This morning we’re going to take a closer look at a majestic, ancient city that once stood proudly. It enjoyed the blessings of heaven—Jerusalem, the city of David, the capital city of God’s people. It gleamed with golden facades beneath the sun’s rays. But that once mighty city fell tragically. Thankfully, that fall was not the final chapter in its story.
The reason its fall was not its final chapter is because of the amazing faithfulness of our God.
Now you may wonder, “What does Detroit, much less an ancient city like Jerusalem, have to do with me?” Good question. I want you to consider whether they might be a parable of our own lives. Is there a gap between what once was in your spiritual life and what now is? If so, that doesn’t have to be the final chapter in your story. In God we all have a future and hope!
God Is
“God Is Faithful”
Lamentations 3:21-24
Key verses: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (3:22-23).
- Great fall
- Rooted in disobedience
- Results in discipline
- Greater faithfulness
- That is never-ending
- That is new
- Greatest future
- Linked to a person
- Launched with a plea
One of the first choruses I learned to sing is entitled “God Is So Good.” It is simple and child-like, but it is also true and priceless. Here are the lyrics:
God is so good,
God is so good,
God is so good,
He’s so good to me!
The famous and brilliant Swiss theologian Karl Barth was once asked if he could summarize his life’s work in theological studies in one sentence. He answered that he could. He said it could be summarized in a sentence he learned at his mother’s knee, “Jesus love me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.”
“God is so good” is another summary statement that could encompass the whole of theology and Bible truth. It will be our focus in this message from Psalm 34:1-10.
God Is
“God Is Good”
Psalm 34:1-10
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8)!
- God Is Worthy
- Of unending praise
- Of unequalled praise
- Of united praise
- God Is Working
- He responds to our cries
- He rescues from our crises
- God Is Wonderful
- Accept his proposal
- Accept his provisions
Dios es
"Dios es bueno"
Salmo 34:1-10
“…Prueben, y vean que el Señor es bueno. ¡Feliz el hombre que en él confía! “ (Salmo 34:8)
- Dios es digno
- De una adoración ininterrumpida
- De una adoración inigualable
- De una adoración unida
- Dios está trabajando
- El responde a nuestras oraciones
- El nos rescata de nuestras aflicciones
- Dios es Maravilloso
- Aceptemos su invitación
- Aceptemos su provisión
Todo comienza en Dios
“…Todo fue creado por medio de él y para él.” (col. 1.16)
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Fuiste creado para AGRADAR a Dios (Apocalipsis. 4.11)
- Dios quiere que DISFRUTEMOS la vida.
- La relación con Dios es una DESICION.
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Fuiste hecho para la FAMILIA de Dios (Romanos 12.5)
- Dios le da importancia a las RELACIONES en la familia.
- Fuiste llamado a PERTENECER.
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Fuiste creado para SER como Cristo (Romanos. 8.29)
- La meta es el CARACTER
- Debes CAMBIAR tu manera de pensar
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Fuiste formado para SERVIR a Dios (Efesios 2.10)
- Tú eres UNICO.
- Dios usa personas ORDINARIAS para hacer cosas
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Fuiste hecho con una MISION (Juan 17.18)
- Tu misión es CONTINUAR la tarea de Jesús
- Dios quiere DECIR algo a través de ti.
DIOS ES
“Conociendo al Dios no conocido”
Hechos 17.22-34
- La audiencia
22 Hombres de Atenas, veo que ustedes son muy religiosos en todo sentido,23porque mientras caminaba observé la gran cantidad de lugares sagrados. Y uno de sus altares tenía la siguiente inscripción: “A un Dios Desconocido”. (17.22-23)
- Ellos eran religiosos
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Ellos eran inquietos
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El Todopoderoso
24Él es el Dios que hizo el mundo y todo lo que hay en él. Ya que es el Señor del cielo y de la tierra, no vive en templos hechos por hombres, (17.24)
- El es Soberano
- El es Suficiente
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El es Salvador
-
Las Respuestas
32Cuando oyeron a Pablo hablar acerca de la resurrección de los muertos, algunos se rieron con desprecio, pero otros dijeron: «Queremos oír más sobre este tema más tarde…34pero algunos se unieron a él y se convirtieron en creyentes. (17.32-34)
- Algunos lo despreciaron
- Algunos fueron curiosos
- Algunos creyeron
An elementary school teacher gave her children the assignment to draw anything of their choosing. The children happily began to draw. She went from seat to seat, looking at each child’s work. She offered them encouraging comments.
One boy was drawing a fireman. A girl was drawing a pony. She came to Johnny’s seat and stopped. She watched him work for a moment but could not quite make out what he was drawing.
“What are you drawing, Johnny?” “A picture of God,” he responded. “But,” she gently offered, “no one knows what God looks like.” Without looking up, he continued drawing unfazed, “They will in a minute.”
That boy was confident that he could portray God for those who didn’t yet know what He is like. What about you? Do you know what God is like—who He truly is?
We can know Him because He has drawn us a portrait of Himself in the world and in the word. Today we begin a three-part series entitled simply, “God Is.” The opening message is “Getting to Know the Unknown God.” It will be based on Acts 17:22-34.
It is vital that we know God. How vital? Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Let’s get to know Him and by so doing experience life at its fullest!
God Is
“Getting to Know the Unknown God”
Acts 17:22-34
- The Audience
“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For . . . I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’” (17:22-23).
- People are religious
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People are restless
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The Almighty
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man” (17:24).
- He is sovereign
- He is sufficient
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He is savior
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The Answers
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” . . . But some men joined him and believed (17:32-34).
- Some respond with contempt
- Some respond with curiosity
- Some respond with commitment
Proverbios: La sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos
Proverbios 27:5-6
5¡Una reprensión sincera, es mejor que amar en secreto! 6Las heridas de un amigo sincero son mejores que muchos besos de un enemigo.
“Correcciones”
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Correcciones que lastiman
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Correcciones que ayudan
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Correcciones que sanan
I want to share with you the story of a beautiful young woman named Lauryn Lax. She is a doctor and nutritionist. Her mission is to help people struggling with eating disorders and similar issues.
I’ll pick up her story several years ago when she was in her 20s. She was a fitness fanatic. She fixated on her weight. She worked out at the local YMCA every day for hours at a time. She ate little to nothing.
Her friends at the gym took note of the remarkable intensity and consistency of her workouts. She was growing alarmingly slender. They began to worry about her well-being.
They decided that they would intervene. One morning they agreed to get to the gym parking lot before daylight. They saw her park her car. They converged around it.
What they did not know is that Lauryn had prayed that morning for help. When she weighed herself at 4 am, she tipped the scales at 79 pounds. She knew it wasn’t healthy. These friends were to be the answer to her prayers.
They gently and lovingly insisted that she go to the hospital. She resisted at first but reluctantly yielded to them. Upon examination, doctors discovered that her heart rate was in the 30s. She was in ICU for 3 days then the cardiac unit for 3 weeks. For a while it looked like she might have to have a pace maker installed due to heart damage from the anorexia.
But God was gracious. For a year she worked her way back to a healthier place. She pursued her studies with a new zeal and vision to help others. She now has a story of help and healing that is benefitting others.
She attributes the positive turn in her life to these friends. She calls them her “angels.” They loved her enough to confront her—painful though it must have been for all involved. She was blessed to have friends like these that risked their own comfort to confront Lauryn. We all need friends like these and we need to be friends like these.
God’s word calls us to this kind of friendship. Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
In this message we will learn that faithful wounds hurt, help, and, ultimately, heal.
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days
“Faithful Wounds”
“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:5-6).
- Faithful wounds hurt
- The affection behind the wounds
- The aim beyond the wounds
- Faithful wounds help
- Promises of help
- Protection from harm
- Faithful wounds heal
Nitroglycerin is a fascinating product. It is a liquid compound. It can kill or it can heal.
It is a primary component of dynamite and explosives. Alfred Nobel used it in the creation of dynamite and armaments.
At the same time, nitroglycerin can heal. Doctors discovered that it is a vasodilator. It is used to dilate the vascular system and is used for heart conditions. Heart patients can ingest a pill and the effect can be life-saving.
That’s crazy isn’t it? The same thing can either kill or heal.
The tongue is like that. Proverbs 18:21 makes this truth clear: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Over 150 times Proverbs refers to our lips, our mouth, and our tongue. Proverbs may have more to say about our words than about any other subject. It gives us God’s counsel on communication--His wisdom for our words.
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days
“Wisdom for Our Words”
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Proverbs 18:21).
- Power of our words
- Words have an amazing power
- Words have an ambiguous power
- Parameters for our words
- Let’s curtail our words
- Let’s clean up our words
- Possibilities of our words
- Words can cure
- Words can cheer
- Words can correct
Proverbios: La sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos
"Sabiduría en nuestras palabras"
" La vida y la muerte dependen de la lengua;
los que hablan mucho sufrirán las consecuencias.”
(Proverbios 18:21).
- El poder de nuestras palabras
- Las palabras tienen un poder asombroso
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Las palabras tienen un poder ambiguo
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Los parámetros de nuestras palabras
- Vamos a limitar nuestras palabras
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Vamos a limpiar nuestras palabras
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Las posibilidades de nuestras palabras
- Las palabras pueden curar
- Las palabras pueden corregir
Once there was a frog who made friends with a flock of Canadian geese. He dreamed of flying with them to exotic locations. He came up with an idea. He told a pair of the geese that if they would each hold an end of a stick in their beaks, he could hold onto it with his mouth and he could go with them when they flew south for the winter.
Sure enough, two of his geese friends held a stick in their beaks and he jumped up and clamped onto the stick with his mouth. Off the odd trio flew. All was going well until they flew over a farmer in his field. He looked up and saw the geese and the frog suspended by the stick. He whistled and with admiration said, “Well, look at that. That’s amazing! A flying frog. Whose idea was that?”
The frog said proudly, “It was miiiinnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeee.” Splat.
All was going well until pride caused his downfall.
Pride has caused the fall of many more besides. Today’s message is: “The Peril of Pride.” We are in a series of messages entitled, “Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days.” In its wisdom, Proverbs has much to say about pride—and none of it especially good.
Proverbs 29:23 says, “One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” Another translation, the New American Bible (revised edition), puts it this way, “Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”
In the NAB translation, there are four key words: haughtiness, humiliation, humble (or humility) and honor. I want to use those four words as the hooks upon which we will hang our thoughts for our message today.
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days
“The Price of Pride”
“One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor” (Proverbs 29:23).
- Haughtiness
“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”
- Humiliation
“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”
- Humility
“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”
- Honor
“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”
Proverbios: Sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos
"El precio de la soberbia"
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”
(Proverbios 29:23)
- La Soberbia
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”
- La Humillación
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”
- La Humildad
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”
- La Honra
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”
This Sunday we will have a guest preacher. He is embarrassingly short of stature, has six legs, and no voice. Yet this little messenger has a big message for us. Our preacher is the ant.
His Bible text is Proverbs 6:6-11:
6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Without having any chief,
officer, or ruler,
8 she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
The story is told about a man just taking up the sport of golf. As you may know, it’s a lot harder than it looks. He got on the first tee box and placed his ball on the tee. He happened to tee it up right beside an anthill. When he took his first swing, he completely missed the ball and hit the anthill instead. Ants went flying in every direction. Unfazed, he took a second giant swing and, again, he missed and hit the anthill. As he wound up for a third try, one ant said to the other, “We’d better get on that ball or we’re gonna’ get killed!”
In short, that’s the message of the ant: “Get on the ball!” He offers us wisdom about work. Let’s learn the lesson God wants to teach us through the ant.
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days
“Wisdom about Work”
Proverbs 6:6-11
- Illustration of work
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).
- Consider the ant
-
Copy the ant
-
Initiative to work
“Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Proverbs 6:7-8).
- No leader
-
No laziness
-
Incentive for work
“How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:9-11).
- Avoid poverty
- Assure plenty
"Sabiduria sobre el trabajo
Proverbios 6.6-11
- Una Ilustración del trabajo
a. Considere la hormiga
b. Imite a la hormiga
- La Iniciativa para el trabajo
a. Sin supervisión
b. Sin pereza
- El Incentivo al trabajo
a. Asequrar el presente
b. Asegurar el futuro
Water is good for you. It’s one of God’s great gifts. But water can kill you too. Drinking water gives life. But drinking water can also end life. If you drink too much water in too short a period of time, it can throw off your body's balance of electrolytes, cause brain swelling and lead to seizures, coma, or even death. It is called “water intoxication.”
In 2007 a radio station held a contest to win a Nintendo video game. The objective of the contest was to drink the most water possible in a 3-hour period. One of the entrants was Jennifer Strange. She wanted to win a Wii system for her 11-year-old son. Jennifer drank some 2 gallons of water. She got second place in the contest. Her prize was a pair of tickets to a Justin Timberlake concert for that same night. The tickets went unused. Jennifer was dead by 3 that afternoon due to the effects of acute water intoxication.
What makes it even more sad is that it was so preventable. During the contest, she could be heard complaining about experiencing pain to disc jockeys at 107.9 "The End." "Oh, it hurts," Strange said, while one male disc jockey remarked that she looked pregnant and another, a woman, said "That is so funny." Warnings were called in by listeners. One caller (named Eva Brooks) said (and they have the tape of her call): "Those people that are drinking all that water can get sick and possibly die from water intoxication." The disc jockeys replied that they "were aware of that" and that contestants had signed a release "so we're not responsible."
A jury disagreed with that and awarded Jennifer’s widower and children $16.5 million dollars in damages.
Water is good for you, but even water can kill. It’s ok for the boat to be in the ocean, but it’s not ok for the ocean to be in the boat.
There’s another gift that God has given us. It too is essential for life. It is the marriage union. It is good. Sexual intimacy gives life. But sexual intimacy can also end life—and that’s not hyperbole.
Good’s good gifts, like marriage, are meant to be enjoyed! God has given us guardrails--boundaries and guidelines--so that we can rejoice in His good gifts. As long as we honor God’s design—one man faithfully married to one woman—we are safe. But when we violate that design, destruction lurks.
An encompassing term for violating God’s design in marriage is adultery. Today we will look at some of God’s counsel in a message entitled, “The ABCs of Adultery.” We will see the allure, the bitterness, and the cure for adultery.
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days
“The ABCs of Adultery”
Proverbs 5:1-23
- The allure of adultery
“For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil” (5:3).
- Lips are alluring
-
Looks are alluring
-
The bitterness of adultery
“But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol” (5:4-5).
- Expectations will be crushed
-
End will be costly
-
The cure for adultery
“Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house. . . . Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love” (5:8, 18-19).
- Distance yourself from lust
- Delight yourself in love
During my college days, I served as a summer missionary. My partner was a guy from Arkansas State University named Dave McKinney. He was different from me in many ways—shy, quiet, calm, patient, slow, methodical, and meticulous. At times his character traits drove me crazy. And I’m sure my outgoing nature, quick pace, and impatience irked him. The summer ended and we went our separate ways.
Sometime later a group of students from my college went to an event where he was. They all ran into each other and discovered that David and I had served together. They talked for some time. Their comment to me upon their return was, “Jeff, we met a guy named Dave McKinney. He said he knew you and that you had served together as summer missionaries. You guys are just alike!” The comment stunned me.
We were not at all alike—when we started that summer. But I believe that the time we spent together changed the two of us. I’m not even sure that we were aware of the impact we were having on one another. I learned to slow down a bit; he learned to speed up a little bit. I learned to listen better; he learned to interact more readily. We rubbed off on each other. As iron sharpens iron, we had shaped one another hopefully to be more like Jesus!
God wants something similar to happen in our lives on a daily basis. He intends that our friendship with others be a means of growing in Christlikeness.
The book of Proverbs has some great counsel on friends. Our focus verse for Sunday will be Proverbs 13:20, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
May God bless the study of friendship that we undertake so that our relationships become more and more redemptive!
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days
“Friends”
Proverbs 13:20
- Companionship of friends
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).
- Our design
-
Our duty
-
Choice of friends
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).
- Those who are wise
-
Those who are wayward
-
Consequence of friends
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).
- Friends can help us
- Friends can harm us
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days
Proverbs 1:1-7
- Encouraging start
- Despite his parents’ failings
- Due to his prayer’s focus
- Exhaustive search
- Through learning
- Through laughter
- Through luxury
- Through lust
- End summary
- Fear the Lord
- Follow the Lord
Proverbios: Sabiduría antigua para el día de hoy
(Proverbios 1:1-7)
- Un gran comienzo
- A pesar del pecado de sus padres
-
Debido al enfoque de su oración
-
Consecuencias de una caída
- Desobedeció el mandato de Dios
-
Su corazón se alejo de Dios.
-
Al final de cuentas
- Teme al Señor
- Sigue al Señor
La Soberanía de Dios y la libertad del hombre
Colosenses 1.16
“Porque por él fueron creadas todas las cosas, las que hay en los cielos y las que hay en la tierra, las visibles y las invisibles; sean tronos, sean dominios, sean principados, sean potestades; todo fue creado por medio de él y para él.”
- La Soberanía de Dios
Se refiere al control absoluto que Dios tiene sobre todo, incluyendo la humanidad.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
- La libertad y la responsabilidad del hombre
Dios nos dio la libertad de elegir, y el hombre eligió desobedecer, y echarle la culpa al otro.
_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
- La Soberanía de Dios trabajando a través de nuestras decisiones.
Dios esta en control y todo se hace a la manera de Dios, pero no a pesar de nuestras decisiones, sino a través de ellas.
_____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
July 30, 2017
What Would You Ask?
Mike Holmes
Can God be sovereign and mankind be free?
Yes
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20
God possesses__all_____power and is the ruler of __all______ things. God rules and works according to His eternal purpose, even though events that seemingly contradict His rule.
Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; Prov 16:4, 9
We__freely_____make choices, and we _responsible______for those choices. Our choices have real and eternally significant results.
God is setting and fixing absolutely everything the way he wants it to be, but He doesn't do that__despite___our choices, but _through__ them.
Prov. 16:1; Acts 27:22-32
Implications on:
Fear- Rom. 8:28
Hope-Eph. 3:20
Thanksgiving-Col. 3:15
Hard Choices-Prov. 16:33, Prov. 21:5
Evangelism-Acts 18:9-11, Rom. 10:13-15, 2 Tim. 2:10
Salvation-Rom. 8:29-30, Rom. 10:9-13, John 6:44, John 16:15
Assurance-Rom. 8:39-39
ThisJesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Acts2:23
"Can Faith and Science Coexist"
Hebrews 11:1-3
The reality of Faith
The reason for Science
The real issues of Life
¿Pueden coexistir la fe y la ciencia?
Hebreos 11.1-3
- La realidad de la fe
- Confianza
-
Garantía
-
La razón de la ciencia
- La especulación
-
La revelación
-
La realidad de la vida
- Argumento cosmológico
- Argumento del diseño
- Argumento moral
One of the popular tv shows during my childhood years was “I Dream of Genie.” It was a show about a genie that lived in a bottle. She had to do the bidding of her master. Wouldn’t you love to have that?
We have something far better. We have Almighty God to whom we can take our requests and He will answer them in a way that is best for us.
Sometimes it may seem that He is not answering our prayers. We pray but it seems that our prayers don’t get beyond the ceiling. Let’s look into the Word of God for an answer to the question, “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?”
What Would You Ask?
“Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?”
James 4:1-3
- Hope in prayer
- It is promising
- It is puzzling
- Hindrances to prayer
- Our silence
- Our sin
- Our scriptural ignorance
- Help for prayer
- Call to God
- Confess to God
- Cling to God’s word
¿Porque Dios no contesta mis oraciones?
Santiago 4:1-3
- Esperanza en la oración
- Es garantizada
-
Es desconcertante
-
Obstáculos en la oración
- Nuestro silencio
- Nuestro pecado
-
Nuestra ignorancia de las escrituras
-
Ayuda para la oración
- Clamar a Dios
- Confesar a Dios
- Aferrarse a la palabra de Dios
¿Qué dice Dios acerca de la identidad sexual?".
Génesis 1.27-28 / 1 Corintios 6.9-11
- Su raíz esta en la creación
- Número de géneros
- Naturaleza del género
- Reflejado en la conducta
- Purezas sexuales
- Desviaciones sexuales
- Redención produce un cambio
- Un pasado turbio
- Un presente limpio
What Would You Ask?
“What Does God Say about Sexual Identity?”
Genesis 1
- Rooted in creation
- Number of genders
- Nature of genders
- Reflected in conduct
- Sexual boundaries
- Sexual brokenness
- Redeemed by change
- Checkered past
- Clean present
"¿Por qué le suceden cosas malas a gente buena?"
“… En el mundo tendréis aflicción; pero confiad, yo he vencido al mundo” (Juan 16:33b)
- La realidad del sufrimiento
- Problemas garantizados
-
Victoria garantizada
-
Las razones del sufrimiento
- La transgresión contra Dios
-
La transformación de Dios
-
La respuesta al sufrimiento
- Confianza en el Señor
- Compartir del Señor
It happened on June 8, 2017. A volunteer student mission team from Birmingham, AL was headed to Africa on a mission trip. Their bus was involved in a crash. Over 20 team members were injured and one of the teens, Sarah Harmening, 17 years old, was killed [picture of Sarah with her family].
Here was a text she sent to her younger sister, Katelyn, just before her death: “We are like a wisp of smoke. We are only here for a moment and this not about us, life is not about us, it’s about God who is eternal. So, I want to dedicate the one moment I am here, completely and entirely to Him” [Slide with full text of her quote].
Why would such a sweet girl, devoted to God, on a mission of kindness to impoverished people have her life come to such an abrupt end? Why are there wars? Diseases? Natural disasters? Why do bad things happen to good people? This is an ancient question.
Job, in what is believed to be the oldest book of the Bible, asked it. Job 3:11, “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?”
David asked it. Psalm 44:24, “Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?”
Jesus asked it. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
At its root it wrestles with the problem of evil. Here is how this dilemma was stated by the ancient philosopher Epicurus [put quote on screen]:
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. [1]
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
The Bible affirms that God is omnipotent. The Bible teaches that God is love. How then does evil exist? Why do bad things happen to good people?
Let’s launch today’s message from the words of Jesus in John 16:33b, “In the world you will have (C)tribulation. But (D)take heart; (E)I have overcome the world.”
What Would You Ask?
“Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”
John 16:33b
- The reality of suffering
- Guaranteed trouble
- Guaranteed triumph
- The reasons for suffering
- Transgressions against God
- Transformation by God
- The response to suffering
- Trust in the Lord
- Testify for the Lord
This morning we’re starting a brand new summer sermon series called, “What Would You Ask?” We invited you to submit questions that you would ask the Lord. And you accepted the invitation! We received dozens of questions. From them we’ve chosen six that we will try to answer from God’s word over the next six Sundays.
Let me give you an idea of some of the questions that we will tackle in coming weeks:
“Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”
“What Does God Say about Sexual Identity?”
“Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?”
“Can Faith and Science Coexist?”
“Can Man Be Free and God Be Sovereign?”
I hope you will join us for the entire series. We also are planning to do a Facebook live chat each week to answer questions that arise from the questions we answer.
We begin today by tackling a question that could be seen by some as offensive. I want to ask you beforehand not to take offense. I’ll read the questions as it was submitted, “Will Catholics go to heaven?”
Out of curiosity I googled this question and the first result that popped up (after an ad) was “Can Non-Catholics Go to Heaven?” Isn’t that funny? The same question that some may have about Catholics, Catholics have about some of us! This morning’s question could actually be posed for all denominations: “Will Baptists go to heaven?” “Will Methodists go to heaven?” That same question could be broadened beyond denominations to other faiths or religions. Mormons? Muslims? Jews?
I’m reminded of an oft-told story about heaven. A new arrival was getting a tour. As he walked alongside an angel down a long hallway, they came to a room where the folks where excited. They were shouting, clapping, shaking a tambourine, and running. “Those are the Pentecostals,” said the angel. Soon they came to another room. The folks were solemn. A priest in a colorful robe was in procession with candles and liturgy. They were sharing the Holy Eucharist. “Those are the Anglicans,” said the angel. Soon they approached a third room. The angel began tiptoeing and whispered, “Shhhh. Those are the Baptists and they think they’re the only ones here.”
Ouch. Sometimes we might think that we are the only ones that are going to be in heaven. It’s been said that when we get to heaven, two things will surprise us: who’s there and who’s not there.
We are going to look at God’s word in an effort to answer this question: “Will [You Fill in the Blank] Go to Heaven?”
What Would You Ask?
“Will [You-Fill-in-the-Blank] Go to Heaven?”
John 3:1-16
- Religious denomination
- His high rank
- His healthy roots
- Real dilemma
- We are dead before Christ
- We are dependent on Christ
- Remarkable deliverance
- Heaven responded
- Heart receives
¿Que le preguntarías a Dios?
¿quiénes serán los que irán al cielo?
Juan 3.1-16
- Sincera Religiosidad
- Alta posición
-
Raíces sanas
-
Verdadero Dilema
- Nacer de nuevo
-
Nacer del Espíritu
-
Extraordinaria Relación
- El cielo responde
- El Corazón recibe
El Plan de Dios para los Padres
“Padres, no hagan enojar a sus hijos con la forma en que los tratan. Más bien, críenlos con la disciplina e instrucción que proviene del Señor.” (Efesios 6.4)
- Lo que los padres no deben hacer
- No ser ausentes
- No ser hipócritas
- No ser abusivos
-
No ser permisivos
-
Lo que los padres deben hacer
- Deben ser protectores
- Deben dar libertad
- Deben disciplinar
- Deben sacrificarse
Fight
“God’s Playbook on Parenting”
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
- Parental don’ts
-
- Don’t be absent
- Don’t be hypocritical
- Don’t be abusive
- Don’t be permissive
- Parental do’s
-
- Do be jealous
- Do be angry
- Do be surrendered
- Do be sacrificial
A young man, newly married, went to see his pastor. He said, “I think I love my wife too much.” The pastor was surprised and a bit curious. “What makes you say that?” “Well,” replied the young man, “I can’t get my mind off her. I think of her first thing in the morning. I think of her throughout the day and can barely get my work done. I can’t wait to get home to see her in the evening. I even dream about her.”
The pastor thought for a moment and then asked, “Do you love her as much as Christ loved the Church?” “Well, I guess I don’t love her that much.” “Well, then,” said the pastor, “Get busy!”
Men, a lot of us need to get busy loving our wives! God is going to teach us this morning how to love her well. Please turn in your Bibles to Ephesians 5:25-33 . .
Fight
“Husbands, Get Busy!”
Ephesians 5:25-33
- Summary of his responsibility
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (v. 25).
-
- Love is commanded
- Love is compared
- Specifics of his responsibility
-
- Sacrificial love
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (v. 25b).
- Sanctifying love
That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by . . . the word (v. 26)
- Sensitive love
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church (v. 28-29).
- Supreme love
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother . . .” (v. 31a).
- Steadfast love
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (v. 31).
- Symbolism of his responsibility
This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church (v. 32).
There have been some long wars in human history. For example, the U.S. has been in Afghanistan for 14 years (by comparison, WWII lasted only 4 years).
In Europe, the French and English actually fought for 116 years over the rights to the French crown. That war was called the “Hundred Years’ War.”
But the longest-standing battle in human history hasn’t lasted 10 years or 100 years or even 1000 years. It has raged since Adam and Eve. I’m talking about the “battle between the sexes.”
Today God’s word offers us hope for history’s longest battle. You can end this battle and have a home of peace and harmony!
Let’s open our Bible to Ephesians 5:21-25 for God’s battle plan as we fight for our families!
Fight
“Hope for History’s Longest Battle”
Ephesians 5:21-25
- Establish the context
Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:21).
- The principle of context
-
The passage in context
-
Embrace the counsel
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord (Eph. 5:22).
- The wife is to submit willingly
-
The wife is to submit worshipfully
-
Experience the companionship
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior (Eph. 5:23).
- The husband is to submit by leading
- The husband is to submit by loving
For the adventurous among us, there are some exciting and dangerous treks that you can take. I’ll mention three (see attached photos) that I’ve taken from a list of the world’s top ten most dangerous hikes.
One is Mount Huashan in China. It is a very steep mountain, with sheer drops of hundreds of feet. The trail leaves you breathless. In Spain there is a similar trail called the “Caminito del Rey.” Many have died hiking that trail. In fact, for some years the government closed the trail because of a spate of deaths there.
My family and I have actually hiked the third trail I’ll mention. It is called the Bright Angel Trail. It is in the Grand Canyon. Strangely enough, it may be the most dangerous of all. Part of the reason it is so dangerous is because it is so close to civilization. The beauty is alluring but the dangers are real. 110 degree temps in the summer. Lack of water. Dehydration. Steep cliffs. Overconfident hikers. Strenuous climb—basically one mile up over 9.5 mile hike. Each year there are about 200 rescues attempted. About 12 people per year die at the Canyon.
Life itself is a hike. It’s a trek. There is alluring beauty all around us but also hidden dangers. This is true for your family. You’re on a journey together and God wants you to make it to the destination safely. To do so we must “watch our walk.”
In Ephesians 5:15-21 we will learn how to fight for our family by walking a secure, sensible, and spiritual path.
Fight
“Watch Your Walk!”
Ephesians 5:15-21
- Walk securely (Eph. 5:15-16)
-
- Time is passing
- Time is perilous
- Walk sensibly (Eph. 5:17)
-
- Be saved
- Be sanctified
- Be submissive
- Be Spirit-filled
- Walk spiritually (Eph. 5:18-21)
-
- Understand the requirement (Eph. 5:18)
- Understand the results (Eph. 5:19-21)
I suppose we all know what it is to fight with our family. Even the best of families fight each other.
One of the most famous figures of the 20th century was Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a preacher and a dreamer. He dreamed that the day would come when, as he put it, “my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” For his dream and labors, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
After his death, his three surviving children were the heirs of his estate. When money ran low, the two sons proposed that they sell their dad’s peace prize and Bible to generate some cash. Estimates put the value of those items at some $20 million. Their sister protested and eventually it went to court.
That’s ironic. Fighting over the peace prize.
But it’s not just the King family that fights. We all fight with each other.
But in this new series we are calling you to put your sights on a different enemy. Let’s stop fighting with our family and start fighting for our family!
The call to fight for our family comes straight from the Bible. Nehemiah 4:14b says, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
Let’s fight!
Go225
“Fight for Your Family”
Nehemiah 4:14
- Your family has an adversary
- Recognize your adversary
- Respond to your adversary
- Your family has an ally
- Pray to God
- Post a guard
- Your family has an aim
- The aim is your family’s good
- The aim is your Father’s glory
I love “Fixer Upper.” It is a show starring Chip and Joanna Gaines [show pic]. They take dilapted, dated houses and transform them into beautiful, welcoming homes [show pic of before & after of a home they’ve renovated]. The climax of each episode is the “reveal” when an old photo of the home obscuring their view is removed. Now the new façade is unveiled to the delight of the owners.
This morning we’re going meet a man that was totally transformed by Jesus. We will see his before pic and his after pic. His transformation touched many of his family and friends.
What happened to him Jesus wants to happen to us. He wants to transform us and, in turn, impact the world through us. That’s really what “Go Day” was all about—transformed people being used by God to touch the 225 for Jesus!
Go225
“Fixer Upper”
Mark 5:1-20
- The mercy Jesus shows (5:1-17)
- He comes to us (5:1)
- He changes us (5:2-17)
- The mission Jesus shares (5:18-19)
- The place: Go home
- The plan: Go tell
- The marvel Jesus inspires (5:20)
- The obedience of the man
- The outcome of the mission
A well-known jingle says, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” The ad campaign is built on the whimsical idea that you can sing that jingle and, “poof,” a State Farm agent will appear and save you from whatever danger or disaster you face. That’d be nice, wouldn’t it? But we know that there are times when our need is so great, no insurance agent or any other person can meet it.
Fortunately, there is hope. Like a good neighbor, Jesus is there! He comes to us in our brokenness and, with compassion, takes care of our needs with abundant mercy and grace. That’s apart of the point of the story of the “Good Samaritan.” Not only is Jesus the ultimate “neighbor.” He’s an example for how we are to live. After all, he told his audience to “Go and do likewise.”
As we face “Go Day” and all of its opportunities to be a good neighbor, we will take a fresh look at the story of the Good Samaritan. From it we will be challenged to see Jesus as the ultimate good neighbor, trust in his gracious provision for our desperate need, and to “go” and be a good neighbor to all!
Go225
“Like a Good Neighbor, Jesus Is There”
Luke 10:25-37
- The good neighbor and the lawyer
- The lawyer’s hypocrisy
- The Lord’s heart
- The good neighbor and the law
- The law is correct
- The law is convicting
- The good neighbor and the lesson
- A lesson about life
- A lesson about love
In March of 1836 Mexican forces under General Santa Anna besieged the Alamo in San Antonio, TX. The Alamo was defended by a ragtag band of less than 200. The Mexicans numbered in the thousands. The Alamo’s acting leader, Colonel Travis, could see the gravity of their situation. In a voice trembling with emotion he described the hopelessness of their plight. He drew a line in the sand and said, “those prepared to give their lives in freedom’s cause, come over to me.” All did except two. Co-commander Jim Bowie, lying sick on a cot, asked some of his men to carry him across. That left only one--Louis Moses Rose, a French soldier of fortune. He escaped and lore has it that he was the one who told this story.
Without hesitation, every man, save one, crossed the line, Colonel James Bowie, stricken with pneumonia, asked that his cot be carried over. 189 of 190 men at the Alamo came over. Only one escaped to tell the tale.
They volunteered for a cause that seemed doomed. Yet “Remember the Alamo” became the rallying cry that ultimately led to victory.
There is a call going out today for volunteers for a cause that is destined for ultimate victory. The Lord Himself has drawn a line in the sand and has asked for those who will step across it. He asks, “Whom shall I send?” And, “who will go for us?” He asks us to step across the line to worship Him and witness for Him.
Go225
“A Line in the Sand”
Isaiah 6:1-8
- Vision of the Lord
- The cause of the vision
- The content of the vision
- The consequence of the vision
- Voice of the Lord
- Speaks of his resources
- Speaks of his representatives
- Volunteer for the Lord
- Be ready
- Be reliant
Amazing Grace is perhaps the best loved hymn of all time. Here are the words to the first verse: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found. Was blind but now I see.” The author of the hymn was, by his own admission, a “wretch.” He was a slave trader, a blasphemer, a rebel, an immoral man, and a torturer.
As a boy, John was captivated by the adventure and risk of life on the high seas. When he was eleven, young John Newton launched into that exciting life of voyaging, sailing, and living his dream. But the dream turned out to be a nightmare.
Later in life he wrote, “I sinned with a high hand, and I made it my study to tempt and seduce others.” Newton lived a hard life with hard consequences. God got his attention though. In 1748, Newton’s slave ship was nearly wrecked by an intense storm. Surrounded by crashing waves, ferocious winds, creaking timbers, and the cries of onboard slaves, John fell to his knees and pled for mercy, and for grace.
God’s grace, which reaches anyone, anywhere, saved a wretch like John Newton. Newton wrote the song years later while serving as a pastor in Olney, England. Today, its lyrics still inspire, encourage, and instruct people about the radical reality of God’s amazing grace. It gives “wretches” like us hope.
The summation of Newton’s testimony is this: “was blind, but now I see.” What was true spiritually of Newton was literally true for a man that we will meet in the Scriptures this morning. He was blind from birth. But by God’s grace he was given physical and, more importantly, spiritual sight and life! God wants to do the same for us.
Signs: So You May Believe
“Was Blind but Now I See”
John 9:1-41
- Sad circumstances
- He was blind
- He was belittled
- He was begging
- Supernatural cure
- The reason for the cure
- The responses to the cure
- Saving commitment
- Commitment declared
- Commitment demonstrated
One of my favorite characters in J. R. R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings triology is Samwise Gamgee [show pic]. He is the ever loyal sidekick of Frodo Baggins. From Samwise comes a saying that has made its way into our vernacular. I think you’ll know it. Please finish this familiar expression: “Where there’s life, there’s .”
Yes. Where there’s life, there’s hope.
The idea is that, no matter how grim the circumstance are, so long as there is life, there is hope for victory. Once death comes, however, all hope is lost.
Where there’s life, there’s hope.
But this does not do justice to the good news of Jesus. The good news goes much further. The world says, “Where there’s life, there’s hope.” Jesus says, “Where there’s death, there’s hope.”
Because of Jesus, even death itself has no claim on believers. We have hope in this life and after this life!
How can we have hope when death comes knocking? Turn in your Bible to John 11 and we’ll show you the source of our hope. It is found in him who is the resurrection and the life—Jesus!
Read 11:1-7 and 34-44.
Pray.
Transition to first point: Where there’s death, there’s hope. This hope is only and wholly because of Jesus. In our story today we are going learn more about Jesus and how he works in our lives. Knowing him and his ways better should strengthen our hope, even in the darkest of days. Now to be sure, there are times when his ways can be mysterious and even frustrating to us. The first thing that stands out in the story of Larazus is that Jesus waited. . . .
Signs: So You May Believe
“Where There’s Death, There’s Hope!”
John 11:1-44
Jesus waited
Despite the crisis
Despite the connection
Jesus wept
Because of his emotions
Because of his enemy
Jesus won
Faced the problems
Fulfilled the promise
Signs: So You May Believe
“Lessons from the Loaves”
John 6:1-15
-
Go after Jesus
-
Run to him
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Remain with him
-
Give to Jesus
-
Though it is small
-
Though it is all
-
Get from Jesus
-
The gift of satisfaction
-
The gift of surplus
By 1940 WWII was underway in Europe. The Allied western front in Europe was crumbling before the Nazi war machine. The Germans drove the Allied forces all the way back to the English Channel. They felt that they had them trapped. They had them surrounded and the sea at the Allieds’ back was thought to be an impassable wall.
But the English mounted a daring rescue known to history as the “Miracle at Dunkirk.” In a few desperate days they rescued 338,226 men from the shores of Dunkkirk. Pivotal in that effort were the “little ships of Dunkirk.” More than a thousand small boats manned by fathers and grandfathers came across the channel. They could navigate the shallow waters of that shoreline and shuttle the soldiers on to larger naval ships that would transport the soldiers back to Dover.
It seemed hopeless until help came from home! And that help, at first glance, seemed insignificant and small.
We are going to meet in the scriptures today a man whose condition was hopeless until help came from heaven! He had been an invalid for 38 years and he had no one to help him until Jesus found him. That encounter changed everything!
Signs: So You May Believe
“Hope for the Hopeless”
John 5:1-18
-
Jesus confronts hopelessness
-
By his choice of this man
-
By his conversation with this man
-
Jesus confers healing
-
He tells us to stand
-
He tells us to stop
-
He tells us to start
-
Jesus commands holiness
-
His grace to us
-
His goal for us
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
On April 26, 2003 Aron Ralston set out on a solo hike through Blue John Canyon, in Utah, near the Canyonlands National Park. While he was descending a narrow canyon, a boulder shifted while he was climbing down from it. The 800 pound rock smashed his left hand, and then crushed his right hand against the canyon wall. Ralston had not informed anyone of his hiking plans, so no one would have been searching for him.
Assuming that he would die without intervention, he spent five days slowly sipping his small amount of remaining water, approximately 12 ounces and slowly eating his small amount of food, two burritos, while trying to free his arm. After three days of trying to lift and break the boulder, the dehydrated and delirious Ralston decided to amputate his trapped right arm at a point on the mid-forearm, in order to escape.
He lost his arm but saved his life.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
This morning we will meet in John 4:46-54 a desperate man. His desperate circumstances drove him to action and the action he took brought life to him and his family.
Signs: So You May Believe
“Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures”
John 4:46-54
- Introduction
- Desperate times call for desperate measures.’
- On April 26, 2003 Aron Ralston set out on a solo hike through Blue John Canyon, in Utah, near the Canyonlands National Park. While he was descending a narrow canyon, a boulder shifted while he was climbing down from it. The 800 pound rock smashed his left hand, and then crushed his right hand against the canyon wall. [7] Ralston had not informed anyone of his hiking plans, so no one would have been searching for him.
- Assuming that he would die without intervention, he spent five days slowly sipping his small amount of remaining water, approximately 12 ounces and slowly eating his small amount of food, two burritos, while trying to free his arm. After three days of trying to lift and break the boulder, the dehydrated and delirious Ralston decided to amputate his trapped right arm at a point on the mid-forearm, in order to escape.
- He lost his arm but saved his life.
- Desperate times call for desperate measures.
- This morning we will meet a desperate man. It drove him to action and that action brought life to him and his family.
- Please turn in your Bibles to John 4:46-54.
So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, (BL)“Unless you[c] see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down (BM)before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants[d] met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour[e] the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, (BN)and all his household. 54 (BO)This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
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Transition: Desperate times call for desperate measures. The first thing that I want you to see is that, if we are in a desperate situation, we need to show some initiative. The official in our story shows some strategic initiative and it makes all the difference in the world.
-
Strategic initiative
-
The official is needy
When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
- He showed initiative because he was needy!
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His son was at the point of death.
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Robert Deffinbaugh and his wife lost their first child to Sudden Death Syndrome when that child was three and a half years old. So he said when their second child became mysteriously ill, he snatched that baby up and raced to the hospital. He paid little to no attention to protocol, niceties, or speed limits. He was desperate.
-
Surely this father was desperate. He lays aside thoughts of comfort, schedule, and protocol. He makes the trek over the mountains from his seaside villa to the small village of Cana in Galilee.
-
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
-
The opportunity is near
When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him . . . .
- What made his initiative strategic is that he seized the opportunity while it was near.
-
Jesus is near. Who knows for how long! Seize the opportunity.
-
The scripture makes it clear that opportunities come and they go.
- In Mark 10 blind Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing his way. He began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” The people tried to quiet him. He would have none of it! He seized the opportunity.
- “Jesus said, ‘No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.’” (Luke 9:62 MSG)
- 5:16 says, “Make the most of every opportunity.”
- Nell felt a little sick on the trip. We had planned to go dog sledding with the grandkids. The day of our trip came and she was wavering. I encouraged her with this thought: “When will we ever be here again? Do it!”
-
If I could have been there with that Father, I would have said, “When will this opportunity ever come again? Jesus is near. You are needy. Show some initiative! Be strategic. Seize this moment.”
-
Now, I could say that same to every person here today!
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Transition: Desperate times call for desperate measures so show some initiative. Secondly, follow simple instructions. Look again at John 4, now verse 50.
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Simple instructions
-
The puzzling requirement
Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
- In this verse we see a puzzling requirement: “Go.” That is puzzling because it is the opposite of what the father requested. In verse 47 we read, “When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.”
-
The man said, “Come.” Jesus said, “Go.”
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The proper response
Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
-
Significant impact
-
In his heart
The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.
- In his home
The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household
Señales
“Sucedió en una boda”
Juan 2.1-11
- Una escena modesta.
“ Al tercer día se hicieron unas bodas en Caná de Galilea; y estaba allí la madre de Jesús. Y fueron también invitados a las bodas Jesús y sus discípulos.” (Juan 2.1-2)
-
un lugar
-
un lugar
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Una situación embarazosa.
“Y faltando el vino, la madre de Jesús le dijo: No tienen vino. 4 Jesús le dijo: ¿Qué tienes conmigo, mujer? Aún no ha venido mi hora. 5 Su madre dijo a los que servían: Haced todo lo que os dijere.” (Juan 2.3-5)
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un llamado de auxilio.
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Una orden que obedecer.
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Una señal
“Este principio de señales hizo Jesús en Caná de Galilea, y manifestó su gloria; y sus discípulos creyeron en él.”(Juan 2.11)
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Mas que un milagro.
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Mas que un seguidor.
Three teenage buddies, Kevin, Brian and Randall, had spent a fun evening bowling near Tampa, FL. As they headed home, they cruised into an intersection and were struck by an eight-ton Mack truck. All three were tragically killed.
They had not been drinking. They had not been doing drugs. They had not been texting. They had done nothing wrong. But, unbeknownst to the them, someone else had. Another trio of young friends had been on a vandalism spree of sorts. Their prank was stealing street signs. One of the signs that was vandalized was the stop sign that should have marked the intersection where the fatal accident occurred.
Signs can mean life or death. We need to respect and pay attention to signs.
God’s word contains many signs and we’d do well to pay attention to them. These signs are not metal; they are miracles. These miracles are signs that point to a greater reality. They were recorded to point us to life and life to the full!
The book of John in the Bible has a particular focus on life-giving signs or miracles. From this Sunday through Easter Sunday morning, we are going to look at these miraculous signs and discover more about the abundant life Jesus came to give.
Signs:
So You May Believe
John 20:30-31
- The abundance of Jesus’ signs
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book” (John 20:30).
-
Jesus’ miracles are plentiful
-
Jesus’ miracles are personal
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The aim of Jesus’ signs
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31a).
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Generate belief
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Guide belief
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The aspiration of Jesus’ signs
“And that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31b).
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A matchless possession
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A matchless person
VALORES
"NUESTRO OBJETIVO"
(Mateo 28:16-20)
- La declaración de nuestro objetivo
- Jesús la declara
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Jesús la delega
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La estrategia para alcanzar nuestros objetivos
- Conectar
- Crecer
- Servir
-
Ir
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La sinergia en torno a nuestro objetivo
- Tenemos una comunidad
- Tenemos un compañero
A little boy got a real bow and arrow for his 10th birthday and immediately went outside to practice in his yard. A few minutes later his father stepped outside to check how he was doing and was amazed to see a dozen arrows dead in the center of a dozen different bullseyes that were painted on the trees in the backyard.
“That’s astounding, Son! You just got that bow a few minutes ago. How do you manage to hit a bullseye every time?” “Easy, Dad. First, I shoot the arrow. Then, wherever it lands, I paint circles around it!”
That would be a convenient way to live life, wouldn’t it? But God doesn’t want us to live aimlessly then justify it by painting a target around wherever we land.
Zig Ziglar said, “if you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.” God doesn’t want us to aim at nothing. God has given us, his children, definite targets in life. He has given us our marching orders. We can see them clearly in his word.”
The Core
“On Target”
Matthew 28:16-20
- The statement of our target
-
- Jesus declares it
- Jesus delegates it
- The strategy toward our target
-
- Connect
- Grow
- Serve
- Go
- The synergy around our target
-
- We have a community
- We have a companion
Series: valores
IR
“Nuestro lugar en la Tarea”
Hechos 1.6-8
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Un mandato que debemos conocer
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Su Poder
“pero recibirán poder cuando el Espíritu Santo descienda sobre ustedes…” (Hechos 1.8a)
- Su Pueblo
“…y serán mis testigos, y le hablarán a la gente acerca de mí en todas partes…” (Hechos 1.8b)
- Su Plan
“…en Jerusalén, por toda Judea, en Samaria y hasta los lugares más lejanos de la tierra…” (Hechos 1.8c)
-
Un mandato que debemos cumplir
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Oración enfocada globalmente
“Pídeme, y te daré por herencia las naciones, Y como posesión tuya los confines de la tierra.” (Salmos 2.8)
- Participación local – global
“¿Cómo, pues, invocarán a aquel en el cual no han creído? ¿Y cómo creerán en aquel de quien no han oído? ¿Y cómo oirán sin haber quien les predique?¿Y cómo predicarán si no fueren enviados?” (Romanos 10.13-15)
- Ofrendas con sacrificio
“Pues doy testimonio de que con agrado han dado conforme a sus fuerzas, y aun más allá de sus fuerzas, pidiéndonos con muchos ruegos que les concediésemos el privilegio de participar en este servicio para los santos. (2 Corintios 8.3-4)
Grow
Colossians 1:24-29
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Colossians 1:28
The Goal
Christ in you and _Mature_ in Christ
The Process
Let the word of Christ _dwell_ in you and make it _fully_ known
Focus on Jesus and _Proclaim_ Jesus
Receive warning and _warn_others
Be taught and _teach_others
Work but work with God's _power_
Serie: VALORES
Sermón: “Conectar”
Hechos 2:41-47
- Conectarse a Cristo
“Así que, los que recibieron su palabra fueron bautizados…” (Hechos 2.41a)
- Conectarse a la Iglesia
“Todos los que habían creído estaban juntos…” (Hechos 2.47a)
- Conectarse a la Comunidad
“alabando a Dios, y teniendo favor con todo el pueblo…” (Hechos 2.47)
The Core: This Is Who We Are
Matthew 28:18-20
- We have an authority
- That is stated
- That is shared
- We have an assignment
- With a global scope
- With graduated steps
- We have an assurance
- Of a personal companion
- Of a permanent companion
“How to Come Back from Setbacks”
Job 1-42
- Job enjoyed great riches
- In faith
- In family
- In fortunes
- Job endured great ruin
- Commitment was the cause
- Commitment was the cure
- Job experienced great restoration
- In treasures
- In time
Esperanza viva
“La Palabra Viva”
1 Pedro 1.23-2.10
- La naturaleza de la palabra viva
- Vivificante
-
Permanece
-
La palabra viva es alimento
- Cosas que debo dejar de hacer
-
Cosas que debo comenzar a hacer
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El pueblo de la palabra viva
- Un pueblo elegido
- un pueblo con una misión
A classroom of children was busy. Each child was drawing a picture. The teacher went from desk to desk admiring each drawing and encouraging each child. She came to one boy’s desk and studied his artwork. “What are you drawing, Johnny?” He answered, “God.” The teacher chuckled and said, “Why Johnny, no one knows what God looks like.” Without looking up Johnny said with conviction, “They will when I am finished.”
I want to say something daring—I believe that you will know what God is like after you hear this morning’s message. The reason that I can say that is that the scripture that we are going to read this morning (beginning in John 1:1) presents God in “high-def.”
Our prayer is that, having seen Him for who He truly is, you will receive Him—you will prepare Him room.
- Jesus is revealed
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . 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(John 1:1 and 14).
- In his divinity
- In his humanity
- Jesus is rejected
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him (John 1:11).
- Ownershipis stated
- Opportunityis squandered
- Jesus is received
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).
- Believein him
- Becomelike him
Un lugar para El
“la noche que los cielos se abrieron “
Lucas 2:8-20
- A causa del anuncio
“Pero el ángel les dijo: No temáis; porque he aquí os doy nuevas de gran gozo, que será para todo el pueblo: que os ha nacido hoy, en la ciudad de David, un Salvador, que es CRISTO el Señor. “ (Lucas 2:10-11).
- Que produce temor
-
Que promete gozo
-
A causa de la fe
“Sucedió que cuando los ángeles se fueron de ellos al cielo, los pastores se dijeron unos a otros: Pasemos, pues, hasta Belén, y veamos esto que ha sucedido, y que el Señor nos ha manifestado.
Vinieron, pues, apresuradamente, y hallaron a María y a José, y al niño acostado en el pesebre.”
(Lucas 2:15-16).
- Fe genera respuesta
-
Fe genera recompensa
-
A causa de las acciones
“Y al verlo, dieron a conocer lo que se les había dicho acerca del niño. Y todos los que oyeron, se maravillaron de lo que los pastores les decían. Pero María guardaba todas estas cosas, meditándolas en su corazón. Y volvieron los pastores glorificando y alabando a Dios por todas las cosas que habían oído y visto, como se les había dicho.” (Lucas 2:17 y 20).
- Las buenas noticias se comunican
- Las buenas noticias se celebran
Prepare Him Room
“The Night All Heaven Broke Loose”
Luke 2:8-20
- Because of an announcement
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11).
- It prompted fear
-
It promised favor
-
Because of an assurance
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger (Luke 2:15-16).
- Faith generated a response
-
Faith gained a reward
-
Because of actions
And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. . . . 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them (Luke 2:17 and 20).
- They communicated the good news
- They celebrated the good news
Prepare Him Room
Luke 2:1-7
- Sovereign orchestration
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town (Luke 2:1-3).
- Prophecy foretold
-
Prophecy fulfilled
-
Simple obedience
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth (Luke 2:4-6).
- A high calling
-
A high cost
-
Squandered opportunity
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).
- Because of busyness
- Because of blindness
Un lugar para El
Lucas 2:1-7
-
Un tiempo exacto
-
Profecía predicha
-
Profecía cumplida
-
Una simple obediencia
- Un alto llamado
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Un alto costo
-
Desperdiciaron la oportunidad
- A causa del ajetreo
- A causa de la ceguera
The Bible is full of paradoxes. The first shall be last. The last shall be first. To receive, we give. To live, we die. The greatest is the servant of all. In humbling ourselves we are exalted. The way up is down.
1 Peter 5:1-7 drives home some of these paradoxes. If we are willing to serve—to put others first, God will bless that attitude and our lives will be better for it.
This spirit of humility is the theme that Peter emphasizes for the relationships that we are to have in the family of God. Our model in it all is Jesus—the One who perfectly models the truth that the way up . . . is down.
What a great message as we approach the Christmas season! What a motive for Thanksgiving! He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of dying on the cross. In doing so God exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name. At that name we are saved.
Let’s follow Him as we descend into greatness.
Living Hope
“How to Defeat Our Defeated Foe”
1 Peter 5:8-11
- Adversary in the battle
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
- Our enemy is devious
-
Our enemy is destructive
-
Advice for the battle
Be sober-minded; be watchful. . . . Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world (1 Peter 5:8-9).
- Be guarded
-
Be grounded
-
Ally in the battle
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).
- He gives grace
- He gives glory
Esperanza Viva
"hacer del resto de su tiempo lo mejor de su tiempo"
1 Pedro 4:1-11
- Dejar el pecado
"Puesto que Cristo ha padecido por nosotros en la carne, vosotros también armaos del mismo pensamiento; pues quien ha padecido en la carne, terminó con el pecado," (1 Pedro 4:1).
- Él nos da la armadura
-
El nos hace responsables
-
Comprometerse a servir
"para vivir durante el resto del tiempo en la carne, no ya para las pasiones humanas, sino por la voluntad de Dios" (1 Pedro 4:2).
- Mirando hacia arriba
-
Mirando alrededor
-
Celebrar el Salvador
"El que habla, que hable conforme a las palabras de Dios; el que sirve, que lo haga por la fortaleza que Dios da, para que en todo Dios sea glorificado mediante Jesucristo, a quien pertenecen la gloria y el dominio por los siglos de los siglos Amén." (1 Pedro 4:11).
- Él es nuestra fuerza
- Él es nuestro Soberano
Esperanza viva
"El Camino Hacia arriba es abajo"
1 Pedro 5:1-7
- Para los líderes del rebaño
“cuiden del rebaño que Dios les ha encomendado. Háganlo con gusto, no de mala gana ni por el beneficio personal que puedan obtener de ello, sino porque están deseosos de servir a Dios. 3 No abusen de la autoridad que tienen sobre los que están a su cargo, sino guíenlos con su buen ejemplo. 4 Así, cuando venga el Gran Pastor, recibirán una corona de gloria y honor eternos.” (1 Pedro 5.2-4)
- Los líderes tienen una responsabilidad
-
Los líderes tienen una recompensa
-
Para los miembros en el rebaño
“el mismo modo, ustedes los más jóvenes tienen que aceptar la autoridad de los ancianos; y todos vístanse con humildad en su trato los unos con los otros, porque «Dios se opone a los orgullosos pero da gracia a los humildes». Así que humíllense ante el gran poder de Dios y, a su debido tiempo, él los levantará con honor” (1 Pedro 5.5-6)
- Los miembros tienen una responsabilidad
-
Los miembros tienen una recompensa
-
Para el Señor del rebaño
Pongan todas sus preocupaciones y ansiedades en las manos de Dios, porque él cuida de ustedes. (1 Pedro 5.7)
- Su generosa dirección
- Su generosa compasión
Esperanza Viva
"Cómo derrotar a nuestro enemigo derrotado"
1 Pedro 5:8-11
- Adversario en la batalla
¡Estén alerta! Cuídense de su gran enemigo, el diablo, porque anda al acecho como un león rugiente, buscando a quién devorar. (1 Pedro 5:8).
- Nuestro enemigo es astuto
-
Nuestro enemigo es destructivo
-
Consejos para la batalla
¡Estén alerta! Cuídense de su gran enemigo, el diablo, porque anda al acecho como un león rugiente, buscando a quién devorar. Manténganse firmes contra él y sean fuertes en su fe. (1 Pedro 5:8-9).
- Estar atentos
-
Estar firmes
-
Aliado en la batalla
En su bondad, Dios los llamó a ustedes a que participen de su gloria eterna por medio de Cristo Jesús. Entonces, después de que hayan sufrido un poco de tiempo, él los restaurará, los sostendrá, los fortalecerá y los afirmará sobre un fundamento sólido¡A él sea todo el poder para siempre! Amén. (1 Pedro 5:10-11).
- Él da gracia
- Él da gloria
Living Hope
“How to Defeat Our Defeated Foe”
1 Peter 5:8-11
- Adversary in the battle
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
- Our enemy is devious
-
Our enemy is destructive
-
Advice for the battle
Be sober-minded; be watchful. . . . Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world (1 Peter 5:8-9).
- Be guarded
-
Be grounded
-
Ally in the battle
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).
- He gives grace
- He gives glory
Esperanza Viva
“La perspectiva bíblica del sufrimiento”
1 Pedro 4:12-19
Debemos comprender el sufrimiento
El sufrimiento es como fuego, la prueba purifica
El sufrimiento revela dónde reside nuestra confianza
El sufrimiento revela y destruye la confianza equivocada.
El sufrimiento nos enseña a confiar en Dios.
Debemos responder al sufrimiento
no se sorprenda porque nadie escapa del sufrimiento.
Recuerde que somos amados.
Alégrese porque el sufrimiento, nos identifica con Jesús.
Encomiéndese al fiel Creador.
Haga el bien.
Living Hope
“Make the Rest of Your Time the Best of Your Time”
1 Peter 4:1-11
- Cease from sin
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1).
- He gives us armor
-
He holds us accountable
-
Commit to service
“So as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2).
- By reaching upward
-
By reaching outward
-
Celebrate the savior
“Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).
- He is our strength
- He is our sovereign
Living Hope
“Life Is Good”
1 Peter 3:8-22
- Right relationships
- With our community
- With our critics
- Right ruler
- He can be open
- He can be opposed
- Right response
- Be ready
- Be respectful
Marriage. It’s made in heaven but it’s lived on earth! And there’s the rub. Moonlight and kisses have a way of becoming daylight and dishes.
Fortunately, God has given us counsel in His word to guide us in our marriages. 1 Peter 3:1-7 is a key passage chock-full of reliable counsel for couples. Let’s pray that this Sunday will be a real shot in the arm for our families.
Living Hope
“Marriage: Made in Heaven but Lived on Earth”
1 Peter 3:1-7
-
Wisdom for Wives
- Basic instructions
- Have the right attitude
- Have the right actions
- Basic instructions
-
Have the right adornment
-
Big impact
-
Help for Husbands
- Basic instructions
- Be committed
- Be considerate
- Basic instructions
-
Be courteous
-
Big impact
Esperanza Viva
“Matrimonio: hecho en el cielo, pero vivimos en la tierra”
1 Pedro 3.1-7
-
Esposas sabias
-
Instrucciones
- Tienen la actitud correcta
- Hacen las cosas correctas
- Tienen el vestido correcto
-
Gran impacto
-
Esposos sabios
-
Instrucciones
- Son comprometidos
- Son comprensivos
- Son considerados
2) Gran impacto
What is God’s purpose for His people? That is what we will explore in Sunday’s message. In short, “our purpose as God’s people” includes:
- God-honoring communication
- God-honoring conduct
- God-honoring consequence
Living Hope
“Our Purpose As God’s People”
1 Peter 2:9-2:25
- God-honoring communication
- Has the right theme
- Has the right target
- God-honoring conduct
- Requires abstention
- Requires action
- God-honoring consequences
- The nations will witness grace
- The nations will worship God
Esperanza Viva
“En sus pasos”
1 Pedro 2.13-25
- Cuando nos sometemos
- la actitud en la sumisión
- la razón de la sumisión
-
el alcance de la sumisión
-
Cuando soportamos injusticias
- Una realidad
- La actitud correcta
-
Una recompensa
-
Cuando hacemos el bien
- Buscamos el bien común
- Participamos activamente
- Influenciamos pacientemente
Living Hope
“The Living Word”
1 Peter 1:23-2:10
- The nature of the living word
- It is life-giving
- It is living
- The nurture of the living word
- Stop some things
- Start some things
- The nation of the living word
- Our description
- Our duty
Living Hope
“The Commands of Our Calling”
1 Peter 1:13-22
- Be hopeful
- Have the right outlook
- Have the right object
- Be holy
- The requirement to be holy
- The reasons to be holy
- Be harmonious
- Love passionately
- Love purely
Esperanza viva
“Vivamos…”
1 Pedro 1:13-22
- Vivamos en esperanza
- Con la actitud correcta
- Por la razón correcta
- Vivamos en santidad
- El requisito para ser santo
- Las razones para ser santo
- Vivamos en armonía
- Amor sincero
- b. Amor profundo
Living Hope
“Hope for Hard Times”
1 Peter 1:1-12
- People of living hope
- Selected people
- Scattered people
- Praise for living hope
- An exclamation of praise
- An explanation for praise
- Privilege of living hope
- Privileged above the ancients
- Privileged above the angels
Controlling Our Emotions
Colossians 3: 1-4
Mike Holmes
A SETTLED HEART AND A SET MIND STEER EMOTIONS
Setting Your Heart: Know who you are and whose you are.
Setting Your Mind:
- Create mental space (silence/solitude)
- Think about your thinking
- Pray for wisdom
- Process with trusted people
- Remember (who God is, what He said)
- Be thankful
- Choose truth (over illusions and lies)
- Be present minded
- Be eternally minded
Other Helpful Versus:
Prov 23:7, Prov 24: 3-7, Matt 6:33-34, Luke 22:19, Rom 8:6, Rom 8:28, Rom 12:2, 2 Cor 10:5, Eph 1:16-19, Phil 4:4-8, Col3:5-17, Jas 1:5
Helpful Resource: Veritas Counseling Center - www.veritascc.org
Emotions
“Compassion”
Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a
- A compassion for people
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (9:35-36).
- A command to pray
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (9:37-38).
- A calling to participate
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. . . . These twelve Jesus sent out (10:1, 5a).
EMOCIONES
“Compasión”
Mateo 9.35-10.1, 5a
-
Un llamado a compasión
-
Un llamado a orar
-
Un llamado a participar
The full portion of the second sermon will be updated and loaded on 8/22/2016.
Video links of the services will be up at the Istrouma.org site ASAP.
The past few sermons in the series will be updated and uploaded as soon as possible.
Emotions
August 21, 2016
"Loneliness"
Matthew 27:46
-
Created for community
-
Separated by sin
-
Liberated from loneliness
Emociones
"Paz"
Juan 16:33
“Les he dicho todas estas cosas para que en mí tengan paz. Aquí en el mundo tendrán mucha aflicción ; pero confíen (anímense), porque yo he vencido al mundo.” (Juan 16.33)
- La promesa de paz
“Les he dicho todas estas cosas...” (Juan 16.33a)
- La persona de la paz
“…para que en mí tengan paz….” (Juan 16.33b)
- El poder de la paz
“… Aquí en el mundo tendrán mucha aflicción ; pero confíen (anímense),...” (Juan 16.33c)
- El precio de la paz
“…porque yo he vencido al mundo…” (Juan 16.33d)
Emotions
“Peace”
John 16:33
- The promise of peace
- The person of peace
- The power of peace
- The price of peace
Baton Rouge is a city known for its joy and exuberance. There’s not much that’s better than a crawfish boil, a tailgating party, or Saturday night in Death Valley.
But is recent days that joy has been turned into sorrow. Death has stalked our streets. Laughter and camaraderie has become tears and division. Instead of parties there have been funerals. Is there a place for sorrow? How ought we to deal with sorrow?
Sunday’s message will seek to answer those questions. Jesus will be our example as he shows us how to live emotionally healthy lives even when sorrow comes knocking.
Thankful to know that “weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning,”
Emotions
“Sorrow”
Isaiah 53:3-6
-
Jesus carried our sorrows
-
Jesus confronted our sorrows
-
Jesus conquered our sorrows
Emociones
“Tristeza”
Isaías 53.3-6
-
Jesús experimento la tristeza
-
Jesús enfrento la tristeza
-
Jesús conquisto la tristeza
If you were asked to give one word that describes God, what would it be?
Loving? Holy? Awesome?
Or maybe,
Distant? Angry? Mysterious?
Did you choose “joyful”? Probably not many would choose that adjective. But the Bible makes it clear that God, among the traits and emotions that mark him, is joyful. Here are a handful of texts that affirm this:
- Nehemiah 8:10 concludes, “. . . the joyof the LORD is your strength.”
- Psalm 16:11, You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
- Isaiah 62:5, “For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoiceover you.”
- Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoiceover you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
- Matthew 25:21, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joyof your master.’“
- Luke 15:10, “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
As we will see on Sunday, “like father, like son.” Jesus also lived a life marked by joy. Yes, he was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” but the river of joy never ceased to flow.
And the best news is that his joy is our inheritance! We will learn how to live in the joy that Jesus gives.
Emotions
“The Joy of Jesus”
John 15:1-11
-
A person of joy
-
In spite of his difficulties
-
In light of his destiny
-
A path to joy
-
Abide in Jesus
-
Ask of Jesus
-
A promise of joy
-
It is fruit
-
It is full
Emociones
"El gozo de Jesús"
Juan 15:1-11
-
Una persona gozosa
-
A pesar de sus dificultades
-
A la luz de su futuro
-
Un camino hacia el gozo
Si ustedes permanecen en mí y mis palabras permanecen en ustedes, pueden pedir lo que quieran, ¡y les será concedido! (Juan 15.7)
-
Permaneciendo en Jesús
-
Pidiendo de Jesús
-
Una promesa de gozo
Les he dicho estas cosas para que se llenen de mi gozo; así es, desbordarán de gozo. (Juan 15.11)
-
El gozo es el fruto
-
El gozo es completo
Sr. Spock, Hulk y Jesús
“Alégrense con los que están alegres y lloren con los que lloran.
Vivan en armonía unos con otros…”
Romanos 12.15-16ª
- Debemos aceptar nuestras emociones
“Alégrense con los que están alegres y lloren con los que lloran…”
Romanos 12.15
- Debemos controlar nuestras emociones
“Alégrense con los que están alegres y lloren con los que lloran…”
Romanos 12.15
- Debemos expresar nuestras emociones
“Vivan en armonía unos con otros…” Romanos 12.16ª
People handle emotions differently. Some people are like Mr. Spock from Star Trek fame. He relied on logic and downplayed his emotions.
Some people are like the Hulk. At times his anger transforms him into a raging, uncontrollable beast.
Which is right? Are we to deny our emotions and stuff them down? Or are we to let our emotions have free reign and allow them to dominate us?
Neither.
There is a better way. Jesus did not deny his emotions. He felt a wide range of emotions. The gospels record him experiencing many different emotions such as joy, sorrow, anger, peace, loneliness, and compassion. But never did these emotions dominate him. Instead, he directed or controlled his emotions. He channeled them in a way that glorified God and helped others.
Emotions
“Mr. Spock, the Hulk, and Jesus”
Key Verses: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:15-6a).
-
A command to be embraced
-
A control to be exercised
-
A community to be experienced
In our series we will take these emotions one by one and see how we can live emotionally as Jesus did.
Our key passage for Sunday is Romans 12:15-16a, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.”
Dark Horse
"Epitaph"
Acts 13: 36-39
- A life of service
a. Time of his service
b. Target of his service
- A life of sacrifice
a. Jesus died for sin
b. Jesus defeated sin
- A life of salvation
a. The requirement for it
b. The results of it
EL ELEGIDO
Hombres valientes
2 Samuel 23
“Estos son los nombres de los valientes que tuvo David…” 2 Samuel 23.8ª
- 1. Los hombres valientes forman un equipo
- Diferentes Orígenes
- Diferentes pasados
- Los hombres valientes tienen una causa
- El Reino del Rey
- El deseo del Rey
- Hombres valientes tienen un comandante
- El los Ama
- Ellos lo aman
I remember a time in school when something that I attempted completely backfired. A group of us students were at a park goofing off. There were some large swings there and I jumped in one. I swung as high as I could. I decided I would back flip out of the swing to impress the girls.
Well, I did it but I miscalculated! Instead of flipping out and gracefully landing on my feet in triumph, I over-rotated and landed right on my rear. Ouch! No permanent damage—just a mud-stained bottom and wounded pride.
I wanted to impress everyone but it backfired. I just embarrassed myself.
A lot of times in life things backfire. It happened in David’s life. He decides to count his men in a nation-wide census. I believe it may have been an attempt on his part to show the world his might and power. But it completely backfired. In fact, after the census he had fewer men than when he began.
What can we do when our foolish decisions backfire? This Sunday’s message will be a caution against foolhardy schemes and an encouragement that, even when life backfires, there is hope in Jesus.
Dark Horse
“A Senseless Census”
2 Samuel 24
-
The choice to sin
-
A harmless deed
-
A harmful desire
-
The consequence of sin
-
Personal conviction
-
Public crisis
-
The cure for sin
-
Plea to be pardoned
-
Price to be paid
Dark Horse
“Scandal”
2 Samuel 11-12
-
The committing of sin
-
The concealing of sin
-
The conviction of sin
-
The confession of sin
-
The cleansing of sin
-
The consequences of sin
EL ELEGIDO
“Llevarlo a casa”
2 Samuel 6
-
El deseo del Rey
-
La presencia de Dios
-
El poder de Dios
-
La obra del Rey
-
Algo bueno de la forma incorrecta
-
Algo bueno de la forma correcta
-
El deleite del Rey
-
Celebremos en alabanza
- Continuemos en alabanza
The NBA playoffs are in full swing. This year’s teams include the likes of the Golden State Warriors, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers are led by none other than the King—LeBron James. He’s in his second stint with them. Although he has twice won the NBA championship with Miami, he’s never brought home the championship to his home state of Ohio. Northeast Ohio has been a depressed area. Cleveland, located on the shores of Lake Erie, is sometimes referred to as the “Mistake by the Lake.” Having grown up there with a single mom, LeBron knows what it would mean to his people. He wants to “bring it home.” I hope he and his teammates can do it.
There was another king who wanted to bring home something of infinitely greater value. David, the King of Israel, wanted to bring home the ark of the covenant of the Lord. That represented the very presence and power of God. These were blessings that they had lived without for many years. He knew what it would mean to his people to renew their relationship with the living God.
Every one of us ought to desire the same--to bring home the presence and power of God. The best news is that the “home” of God in our time is not a burning bush, a tabernacle or temple; we can be the living temple of the Lord. He wants to come and dwell in each and every heart.
Now that’s a victory we all ought to bring home! Bring it home!
Dark Horse
“Bring It Home”
2 Samuel 6
-
The king’s desire
-
God’s presence
-
God’s power
-
The king’s deed
-
The right thing the wrong way
-
The right thing the right way
-
The king’s delight
-
Celebrate in worship
-
Continue in worship
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. That’s not a biblical verse, but it’s got some truth in it. Just because you start well doesn’t guarantee that you’ll finish well.
Let me tell you about an example that happened earlier this month. The girls’ softball team at Wylie High School in Texas lost the district championship because they did not finish well.
Wylie was playing McKinney North High School, and they were up by two runs in the final inning of the game. There were two outs, but the bases were loaded with McKinney North players, so it was still a precarious situation. A McKinney North player hit the ball to short, and a Wylie player picked it up and fed it to her teammate at second.
Everyone on the Wylie team thought it was a forceout, and so they began throwing gloves and hats and running in to celebrate their championship victory. But what they didn't see was the umpire calling the runner safe at second, meaning they hadn't actually won.
McKinney North players figured out what was up, and they kept running the bases despite the other team acting like they'd won. One Wylie player finally realized what was happening and ran from the celebration to pick up the ball and throw home, but there was no one at home plate to catch the ball.
Wylie players rushed to pick up the gloves they'd thrown and get back in the game, but by that point it was too late. Three runs scored and McKinney North won the game 7-6.
Lesson? Don’t quit. Finish well.
God wants us to finish well. Just because you start well doesn’t guarantee that you’ll finish well. We are going to look at an example of this in the life of King Saul.
If you were to caption the life of Saul in a single verse, what would it be? Some have suggested that it be 1 Samuel 26:21b, “behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” How did he “play the fool”? He started well. He finished tragically.
My prayer is that God will help us to “finish well”!
Dark Horse
“Finish Well”
Key verse: “. . . behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly” (1 Sam. 26:21b, KJV).
-
Undeserved favor
-
Unnecessary failures
-
Unfortunate finish
El Elegido
“Amigos”
1 Samuel 18: 1-5
-
La Amistad verdadera es Espiritual
-
La Amistad verdadera es leal
-
La Amistad verdadera fortalece
-
La Amistad verdadera es sacrificial
Dark Horse
“Friends”
1 Samuel 18:1-5
- Spiritual friends
As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul (1 Sam. 18:1).
- Supportive friends
And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not fear . . . . You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. . . .” (1 Sam. 23:16-17).
- Sacrificial friends
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt (1 Sam. 18:3-4).
Dark Horse
“How Underdogs Overcome”
1 Samuel 17
- Take up the fight
And David said to Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine” (1 Sam. 17:32).
- Trust in the Lord
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Sam. 17:45).
- Tell the world
This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand . . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (1 Sam. 17:46).
El Elegido
“El triunfo del menospreciado”
1 Samuel 17
- Enfrenta sus luchas
Y dijo David a Saúl: No desmaye el corazón de ninguno a causa de él; tu siervo irá y peleará contra este filisteo. (1 Sam. 17.32)
- Confía en Dios
Entonces dijo David al filisteo: Tú vienes a mí con espada y lanza y jabalina; mas yo vengo a ti en el nombre de Jehová de los ejércitos, el Dios de los escuadrones de Israel, a quien tú has provocado. (1 Sam 17.45)
- Proclama al mundo
Jehová te entregará hoy en mi mano, y yo te venceré, y te cortaré la cabeza, y daré hoy los cuerpos de los filisteos a las aves del cielo y a las bestias de la tierra; y toda la tierra sabrá que hay Dios en Israel. (1 Sam 17.46)
Dark Horse
1 Samuel 16:1-13
- The height of a dark horse
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature . . .” (1 Sam. 16:7a).
- The heart of a dark horse
. . . For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7b).
- The help for a dark horse
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward (1 Sam. 16:13a).
#Go225
“Give”
Matthew 10:42
- A strategic partnership
“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
-
Different role
-
Same goal
-
A simple present
“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
-
A little gift
-
A life-giving gift
-
A sure promise
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
go225
“Dar”
Mateo 10:42
- Una Alianza estratégica
“…Y quien dé siquiera un vaso de agua fresca a uno de estos pequeños por tratarse de uno de mis discípulos, les aseguro que no perderá su recompensa.” (Mateo 10.42)
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Un trabajo diferente
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Un mismo objetivo
-
Un simple regalo
" Y quien dé siquiera un vaso de agua fresca a uno de estos pequeños por tratarse de uno de mis discípulos, les aseguro que no perderá su recompensa.” (Mateo 10.42)
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Un regalo pequeño
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Un regalo que da vida
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Una promesa segura
“…Y quien dé siquiera un vaso de agua fresca a uno de estos pequeños por tratarse de uno de mis discípulos, les aseguro que no perderá su recompensa.” (Mateo 10.42)
#Go225
“Pray”
Matthew 9:35-10:1
- A compassion for people
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (9:35-36)
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Shows in our actions
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Starts in our attitudes
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A command to pray
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (9:37-38).
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In light of the harvest
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For laborers for the harvest
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A calling to participate
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction (10:1).
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In an expansion of ministry
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In an equipping for ministry
go225
“Oremos”
Mateo 9.35-10.1
- Un llamado a compasión
“Jesús recorrió todas las ciudades y aldeas de esa región, enseñando en las sinagogas y anunciando la Buena Noticia acerca del reino; y sanaba toda clase de enfermedades y dolencias. Cuando vio a las multitudes, les tuvo compasión, porque estaban confundidas y desamparadas, como ovejas sin pastor”. (Mateo 9.35-36)
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Se demuestra en nuestras acciones
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Se demuestra en nuestras actitudes
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Un llamado a orar
“A sus discípulos les dijo: La cosecha es grande, pero los obreros son pocos.Así que oren al Señor de la cosecha; pídanle que envíe más obreros para la cosecha”. (Mateo 9.37-38)
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Por la cosecha
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Por los obreros
-
Un llamado a participar
“Jesús reunió a sus doce discípulos y les dio autoridad para expulsar espíritus malignos y para sanar toda clase de enfermedades y dolencias”. (Mateo 10.1)
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En un equipamiento para el servicio.
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En la expansión del Reino.
"Lo primero es lo primero"
(1 Corintios 15:1-10)
“Primero lo primero”. Este es un dicho que todos conocemos. Significa que debemos prestar atención y atender las cosas mas importantes primero.
La historia de la Pascua es lo "primero, primero" en nuestra relación con el Señor. Oremos para que esto sea una realidad en este Domingo de Resurrección!
Después de todo, "primero lo primero".
- El contenido de las buenas nuevas
“…Cristo murió por nuestros pecados tal como dicen las Escrituras. Fue enterrado y al tercer día fue levantado de los muertos, tal como dicen las Escrituras. Lo vio Pedro y luego lo vieron los Doce. (1 Corintios. 15:3-5).
- Dos eventos
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Dos evidencias
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Las consecuencias de las buenas nuevas
“Pero por la gracia de Dios soy lo que soy; y su gracia no ha sido en vano para conmigo, antes he trabajado más que todos ellos; pero no yo, sino la gracia de Dios conmigo "
(1 Corintios. 15:10).
- La Gracia hacia nosotros
-
La Gracia con nosotros
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La comunicación de las buenas nuevas
Yo les transmití a ustedes lo más importante y lo que se me había transmitido a mí también. Cristo murió por nuestros pecados tal como dicen las Escrituras. (1 Corintios. 15:3).
- Recibir el evangelio
- Compartir el evangelio
“First Things First”
1 Corinthians 15:1-10
- The content of the good news
. . . Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared . . . (1 Cor. 15:3-5).
- Two events
-
Two evidences
-
The consequence of the good news
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me (1 Cor. 15:10).
- Grace toward us
-
Grace with us
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The communication of the good news
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received . . . (1 Cor. 15:3a).
- Relay the gospel
- Receive the gospel
Levántate
“La elección mas importante en la vida”
Josué 24:13-25
- Haz tu elección
“Ahora, pues, temed a Jehová, y servidle con integridad y en verdad; y quitad de entre vosotros los dioses a los cuales sirvieron vuestros padres al otro lado del río, y en Egipto; y servid a Jehová. Y si mal os parece servir a Jehová, escogeos hoy a quién sirváis; si a los dioses a quienes sirvieron vuestros padres, cuando estuvieron al otro lado del río, o a los dioses de los amorreos en cuya tierra habitáis; …” (Josué 24.14-15)
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Temer a Dios
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Servir a Dios
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Quitar los dioses
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Hoy es el día
“ …escogeos hoy a quién sirváis; …pero yo y mi casa serviremos a Jehová.” (Josué 24.5)
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Es una decisión inmediata
-
Es una decisión individual
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Es una decisión influenciable
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Ten presente tu compromiso
“Entonces el pueblo respondió y dijo: Nunca tal acontezca, que dejemos a Jehová para servir a otros dioses;…nosotros, pues, también serviremos a Jehová, porque él es nuestro Dios. Entonces Josué dijo al pueblo: No podréis servir a Jehová, porque él es Dios santo, y Dios celoso; no sufrirá vuestras rebeliones y vuestros pecados”. (Josué 24.16-19)
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Declara tu compromiso
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Cumple tu compromiso
Levántate
“La elección mas importante en la vida”
Josué 24:13-25
- Haz tu elección
“Ahora, pues, temed a Jehová, y servidle con integridad y en verdad; y quitad de entre vosotros los dioses a los cuales sirvieron vuestros padres al otro lado del río, y en Egipto; y servid a Jehová. Y si mal os parece servir a Jehová, escogeos hoy a quién sirváis; si a los dioses a quienes sirvieron vuestros padres, cuando estuvieron al otro lado del río, o a los dioses de los amorreos en cuya tierra habitáis; …” (Josué 24.14-15)
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Temer a Dios
-
Servir a Dios
-
Quitar los dioses
-
Hoy es el día
“ …escogeos hoy a quién sirváis; …pero yo y mi casa serviremos a Jehová.” (Josué 24.5)
-
Es una decisión inmediata
-
Es una decisión individual
-
Es una decisión influenciable
-
Ten presente tu compromiso
“Entonces el pueblo respondió y dijo: Nunca tal acontezca, que dejemos a Jehová para servir a otros dioses;…nosotros, pues, también serviremos a Jehová, porque él es nuestro Dios. Entonces Josué dijo al pueblo: No podréis servir a Jehová, porque él es Dios santo, y Dios celoso; no sufrirá vuestras rebeliones y vuestros pecados”. (Josué 24.16-19)
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Declara tu compromiso
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Cumple tu compromiso
ARISE
“How to Grow Old without Growing Cold”
Joshua 14:6-15
- Strong start
And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to [Joshua], “You know what the Lord said . . . concerning you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart” (Joshua 14:6-7).
- Despite his heritage
-
Due to his heart
-
Patient pace
And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years . . . And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. 11 I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming (Joshua 14:10-11).
- Sustained by the Lord
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Strengthened by the Lord
-
Fearless finish
So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said (Joshua 14:12).
- Dependent on the Lord
- Determined for the Lord
“No te dejes engañar”
Josué 9:1-27
- Mantente alerta a los engaños.
Sin embargo, cuando los habitantes de Gabaón oyeron lo que Josué había hecho a Jericó y a la ciudad de Hai, yrecurrieron al engaño para salvarse la vida. Enviaron a unos representantes ante Josué
(Josué 9.3-4a)
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Evita decisiones emocionales.
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Evita decisiones apuradas.
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Mantente alerta a las direcciones.
Entonces los israelitas revisaron el alimento de los gabaonitas pero no consultaron al Señor. (Josué 9.14)
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Busca el consejo de Dios.
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Estudia el consejo de Dios.
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Mantente alerta al deber.
Lo que tenemos que hacer es dejarlos con vida, porque el enojo divino caería sobre nosotros si no cumpliéramos nuestro juramento. (Josué 9.20)
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Lo que Dios espera de ti.
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El ejemplo de Dios para ti.
ARISE
“Don’t Be Duped”
Joshua 9:1-27
- Be alert for deception
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4 they on their part acted with cunning . . . (Josh. 9:3-4a).
- Avoid sensory decisions
-
Avoid sudden decisions
-
Be attuned for direction
So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord (Josh. 9:14).
- Seek God’s counsel
-
Study God’s counsel
-
Be aware of duty
This we will do to them: let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them (Josh. 9:20).
- God’s expectation
- God’s example
Arise
“If at first you don’s succeed,….”
Josua 8:1-35
- If at first you don’t succeed, find out why
Israel has sinned…i will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you… You cannot stand before your enemies until you [do this]” (Joshua 7-11-13)
- Defeat is caused by disobedience
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Defeat is caused by desertion
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If at first you done succeed, fix what went wrong
And they raised over him great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his burning anger (Joshua 7:26a)
- Get clean
- Get connected
- If at first you don’t succeed, arise and try again
And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you an, and arise, go up to Ai” (Joshua 8:1a)
- Take everybody
And you shall do to IA and it’s king as you did to Jericho and it’s king, Only its’s spoil and is livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves (Joshua 8:30-31)
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Take everything
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If at first you don’t succeed but then you do, remember to worship
At that time Joshua built a altar to the lord, the God of Israel…And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings. (Joshua 8:30-31
- Worship involves sacrifice
And afterward he read all the words of the law….There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women and the little ones, and the sojourns who lived among them (Joshua 8:34-35).
- Worship involves scripture
Small mistakes can have costly consequences.
In 1990 the United States launched the Hubble telescope into space (photo). Many of its dramatic photos have become iconic (photos). It enabled us to peer into the recesses of space without the distortions of earth’s atmosphere. It cost 1.5 billion to create and launch. However, its beginning was marred. When the first images were received, the scientists were horrified. There was a startling lack of clarity. The pictures were fuzzy. They discovered that the mirror was ground with a small deviation of 2.2 micrometers (photo). They were off by only 1/50th the width of a human hair. Small mistake.
They set about devising a correction. It required another mission to outer space to place further corrective lenses on Hubble (photo). That small mistake cost an additional 1.2 billion!
Small mistakes can have costly consequences.
In our lives we often err—in big and small ways and I wonder if we ever stop to consider the consequences. Small sins, missteps, transgressions can cost us dearly and cost those dear to us.
Perhaps no story in the Bible better illustrates this than the account of Achan in Joshua 7. He pilfered some silver, some gold and a purple robe—not that much it would seem—but the cost to him, his family and his nation was astronomical.
It’s a perfect case study of sin—its culprits, its cost, and most importantly, its cure! Don’t miss that last word. There is hope. There is a cure. Though we all sin, there is a Savior.
ARISE
“A Case Study of Sin”
Joshua 7:1-26
- Sin’s culprits
But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan . . . took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel. (Joshua 7:1).
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Obvious culprit
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Overlooked culprits
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Sin’s cost
And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones (Joshua 7:25).
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Individual cost
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Incidental cost
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Sin’s cure
Then the Lord turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor (Joshua 7:26b).
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Admission of sin
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Atonement for sin
ARISE
“Let the Walls Fall”
Joshua 6:1-27
- Strange Orders
- God has a pattern
- God has a purpose
- Strict Obedience
- Without debate
- Without delay
- Without doubt
- Special Offering
- Give to the Lord
- Get from the Lord
- Successful Outcome
- For the battle
- For the believer
Arise
“For or Against?”
Joshua 5:13-15
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Lord with us
-
He is ready
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand (Joshua 5:13a).
- He is regal
And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped (Joshua 5:13b-14a).
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Lord over us
-
He declares his Lordship
I am the commander of the army of the Lord (Joshua 5:14).
- He demonstrates his Lordship
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so (Joshua 5:14b-15).
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Lord for us
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In our struggles
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
- In our salvation
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32).
Arise
“Our God Is Our Guide”
Joshua 3:1-4:24
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Follow the Leader
-
He gives clear instructions
And [Joshua] commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it” (Joshua 3:3).
- He gives compelling incentives
. . . In order that you may know the way you shall go for you have not passed this way before (Joshua 3:4b).
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Fear the Lord
-
That means respect
Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it (Joshua 3:4a).
- That means repentance
Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5).
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Foster the Legacy
-
For the children
And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over . . .” (Joshua 4:21-23a).
- For the countries
So that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever (Joshua 4:24).
Arise
“From the Hall of Shame to the Hall of Fame”
Joshua 2:1-24
-
Real faith
-
Is shown in words
“The Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11b).
- Is shown in works
“And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:25-26).
- Reasoned faith
“For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan . . .” (Joshua 1:10a).
-
Is based on words about God
-
Is based on the works of God
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Rewarded faith
-
Is given life
“But Joshua spared Rahab . . .” (Joshua 6:25a).
- Is given a legacy
“And Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king” (Matthew 1:5-6
Arise
“Borderline Believers”
Joshua 1:10-15
- Senseless compromise
The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock. 2 So they came to Moses and . . . said, . . . 5 If we have found favor in your eyes,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan” (Numbers 32:1-5).
-
It is costly
-
It is contagious
-
Second chance
. . . but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it (Joshua 1:14b-15a).
-
For responsibilities
-
For reward
-
Serious caution
“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
-
About covenants
-
About consequences
Arise
“The Secret of Success”
Joshua 1:6-9
- Success requires courage
Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them (Joshua 1:6).
-
Courage is commanded
-
Courage is contagious
-
Success requires commitment
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Joshua 1:7-8).
-
To learn the Word of God
-
To live the Word of God
-
Success requires companionship
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
-
Clarification of his promise
-
Consequence of his presence
A mulligan in golf is a second chance. It is usually granted after the first attempt is duffed. Wouldn’t it be great if life afforded us a second chance? Well, the good news of the gospel is that we can have a second chance.
Israel got a second chance to enter the Promised Land. Now, to be sure, they blew it the first time. God had rescued them from Egypt and brought them miraculously to the brink of the Promised Land. There they balked. They doubted and refused to go forward. That whole generation died in the wilderness. What should have been a couple weeks’ journey from Egypt to Israel turned into forty years of wandering. Finally, God brought them back to the Jordan. The ball is teed up. It’s their mulligan moment. God says,
Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.
Thankfully, they had learned their lesson and this new generation arose and said “yes” to the Lord!
As we retrace the journey of the Israelites, it is an opportunity us to have a fresh start too. May He hear us say “yes” as He calls us to a new place of obedience in 2016!
Arise!
Arise
“Make the Most of Your Mulligan”
Joshua 1:1-5
- Face the facts (v. 1-2a)
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, “Moses my servant is dead . . .” (Joshua 1:1-2a).
-
Hard truth
-
Heartening truth
-
Face the future
Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses (Joshua 1:2b-3).
-
Partnership with God
-
Promises from God
-
Face the foes
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you (Joshua 1:5).
-
Clarification about this promise
-
Condition for this promise
December 27, 2015
It's a Wonder Full Life
Mike Holmes
"Be Patient, The Lord is Coming"
Key Verses:
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord." James 5:7
Because of Jesus, we can have a “wonder-full life.” That’s our inheritance as children of the King.
A few short years ago Prince George was born to Prince William and Kate. As the future heir to the throne of England, he was a billionaire at birth. According to records, he is the wealthiest prince that England has ever had. But as children of the King of heaven, our inheritance is greater. It is not to be counted in perishable things such as silver or gold. Our inheritance is much greater. It is life and life “to the full.”
What is meant by “life to the full”? Where can we find a picture of this kind of abundant, overflowing life? Well, in John 10:10 where that promise is given, the picture is of sheep with a loving shepherd. Their life is good because He is good. As Jesus spoke in these terms, I think it likely his hearers’ minds would have raced to the beloved 23rd Psalm. It pictures the abundant life so effectively.
This Sunday we will see the abundant life that Jesus promises and we will do so through the word pictures of the Shepherd’s Psalm. Our life is abundant because of . . .
- Relationship with Jesus (“The Lord is my shepherd”)
- Restoration by Jesus (“He restoresmy soul”)
- Righteousness of Jesus (“He leads me in the paths of righteousness”)
- Refuge in Jesus (“I will fear no evil for you are with me”)
- Refreshment from Jesus (“You prepare a table for me . . . my cup overflows”)
- Residence with Jesus (“I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”)
That is the abundant life!!
It’s a Wonder-Full Life
“The Wonder of Our Inheritance”
John 10:10
Key Verse: “. . . I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b).
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Relationship with Jesus
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Restoration by Jesus
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Righteousness of Jesus
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Refuge in Jesus
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Refreshment from Jesus
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Residence with Jesus
Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” What if the verse had ended after the first three words? “I have come. . . .” We could be left to wonder, “Why did He come?” Should we cower in fear or dance in joy? Is He coming to condemn us for our sins or save us from them?
Thankfully, the verse doesn’t end with those first three words. It continues, “that they might have life!” He did not come to condemn the world but to save us from our sins. That’s the story of Christmas!
Pray for those of us who will be teaching and preaching the Christmas story this coming Sunday. May it resound to the ends of the earth!!
It’s a Wonder-Full Life
“The Wonder of His Intention”
John 10:10-18
Key Verse: “. . . I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b).
- The purpose for which Jesus came
- Option #1: To condemn us
- Option #2: To save us
- The people for whom Jesus came
- Dead people
- Diverse people
- The possibility for which Jesus came
- Salvation is accomplished
- Salvation is awaiting
Can you guess the top five Christmas movies of all time? According to moviefone.com they are:
- A Christmas Carol
- Elf
- Miracle on 34thStreet
- A Christmas Story
- It’s a Wonderful Life
Folks might argue over those movies and their order in the list, but for me “It’s a Wonderful Life” is #1! It tells the story of George Bailey. He reaches a point of desperation in his life where he wonders if the world would be a better place if he had never lived. In a whimsical twist, he is actually given the unique opportunity to see what the world would have been like had he not lived. His kid brother, whom he rescued from drowning, would have died. A ship of sailors rescued by the heroic actions of that same brother would all have been lost at sea. His wife would have been a spinster. His children would never have been born. Bedford Falls, his idyllic town, would have been a hard, bitter place known as Pottersville. Little did he know the difference his life had made. By that experience his outlook changed and he came to see that “it’s a wonderful life” that we’ve been given the opportunity to live.
One life can make a huge difference.
One life has done that above all others. That is the life of the Lord Jesus. Because he was born so long ago in Bethlehem and lived sinlessly and died in our place and arose from the dead, we can have life, and have it to the full. It is a wonder full life that we have the opportunity to live. And it is all because of Jesus!
Let’s pray that this message will be heard clearly this year!
It’s a Wonder Full Life
“The Wonder of His Incarnation”
John 10:10
- The coming of Jesus
- The person
- The price
- The contrast to Jesus
- The thief
- The threat
- The choice of Jesus
- Listen to him
- Led by him
Leverage
“Leverage Your Time”
Esther 4:13-17
Key Verse: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (4:14b).
- A time of darkness
- A time of dependency
- A time of decision
- A time of deliverance
Leverage Your Pain
2 Corinthians 1: 1-5
Leverage happens when he takes our lives and allows struggles and pain so that:
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We will be come more like Jesus
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Our lives will bring honor and glory to Him
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We will have a closer walk with Him
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We will pray for others
Transcript pending
LEVERAGE YOUR GIVING
Malachi 3:9-12
- Requirement for giving
a. Who? A people
b. What? A percentage
c. When? A priority
d. Where? A place
e. Why? A purpose
- Reason for giving
a. Provide food
b. Prove faithfulness
- Result of giving
a. Be blessed
b. Be a blessing
Transcript Pending Shortly
Leverage
“Trusting God to Use Small Things to Do Big Things”
Mark 6:30-44
Key Verses: “And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied” (6:41-42).
- Steady compassion
- The occasion of his compassion
- The outcome of his compassion
- Strategic commission
- A partnership with God
- A provision from God
- Symbolic contentment
- In Jesus there’s satisfaction
- In Jesus there’s surplus
Transcript Pending Shortly
Stand
“Delivered from the Lions’ Den”
Daniel 6:1-28
Key verse: “My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me” (Daniel 6:22a).
- The traits of Daniel
- He was filled
- He was faithful
- He was faultless
- The trap for Daniel
- There was a conspiracy
- There was a choice
- There was a consequence
- The testimony of Daniel
- Given for the King
- Given from the king
Transcript follows:
Stand
“The Handwriting’s on the Wall”
Daniel 5:1-30
Key verse: “This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27 Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; 28 Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:26-28).
- Senseless feast
- Because of the setting of the party
- Because of the sinning at the party
- Sobering forecast
- About our days
- About our deficiencies
- About our danger
- Separate finishes
- For the uncompromising
- For the unrepentant
Fornette Fever is sweeping the nation. I want to coin that phrase this morning. Fornette Fever. I'm talking about Leonard Fornette, III. All right. He is the running back for the LSU Tigers and he is the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy. He is leading the nation in scoring. He is leading the nation in touchdown. He is leading the nation in total yards rushed. He's leading the nation in yards rushed per game. All of that, having played one less game than all of the competition. So, he's and amazing, amazing fellow. I want to give you a little piece of advice. Let a sleeping beast lie. Don't poke your finger in Mike's eye! Auburn did not get the memo. All right, we played Auburn a couple of weeks ago, and one of their defensive players, he was one of the cornerbacks, or safety or somebody back there, here’s what he said about Fournette. He said, "Stopping Fournette shouldn’t be difficult, not much of a challenge." Well of course, Fournette heard about that, as did the LSU Tigers. They answered not with a word, but with the game. The first time Fournette touched the ball, he romped across the field for seventy-one yards. He went on to rush that day, in fact the whole team, ran for four hundred and eleven yards. The most the Tigers have ran for in over twenty-years. So, the moral of the story is this, don’t smack talk a superior opponent. Now just to remind you guys, and reinforce what I have been saying, watch this.... Rewind Campus Insiders
Well all right. So again, if you are going to smack talk, be careful who you are smack talking. Right?
I want to take you to a story in the bible today where there was some smack talk going on. The guy in the story was not smack talking another player, he was smack talking the Creator. God, himself. Here's the story. It's from Daniel, chapter 5. It goes like this. There was a king. His name was Belshazzar. He was the king of Babylon. Babylon, at that time, was the greatest empire of its day. Babylon, the city, was, of course, its capital. He called for a feast to be held. He invited a thousand of his lords, along with their wives and all of their conconkybines. They all got together in the great palace hall and Babylon. They began to feast. Over and over again, the scripture tells us that they were drinking wine. I take from numerous references, and the verbs that are used there that they were actually getting drunk. It was a wild, drunken, party. You can imagine with the wives, concubines, there, I wont go into detail, but it was a wild party. It went from bad to worse, when Belshazzar, somehow got this idea to call for them to bring to the feast hall, some gold and silver vessels, that had been in the temple in Jerusalem. Now, just to jog your memory, Babylon had conquered Jerusalem. They had destroyed the temple and they had taken from the temple, several of the articles that were there. They had been in sort of a museum of sorts for decades. I suppose to demonstrate the superiority of the Babylonian gods over the God of Israel. But this man made the mistake, this king did, he said, "Bring those golden vessels to me." When they came in, they began to pour into those vessels, that were meant for the worship of Almighty God, their wine. They began to toast, false gods, gods of gold and silver, and bronze and metal and stone and praise those false gods. All the while, blaspheming the one true God. What was it? It was scriptural smack talk. Don’t smack talk your superior. But they were reveling there in the banquet hall. Just as their wild revelry was reaching its climax, in their drunkenness and their sexuality, in that moment a hand appeared. Now, this October, we are getting close to Halloween, OK; here is you a Halloween story. A real one. A hand appears. No arm attached. No body to it. But a hand appears and the hand begins to write in the plaster of the feast hall some words. And as that hand appeared, right by the lampstand, the Bible says, so that it was illumined for everyone to see. I can imagine, that banquet hall went completely silent. All of those guys who had been drinking, all of the sudden, you talk about sobering up in a hurry; they sobered up in a hurry. They were watching those words being carved into the plaster with this bodiless hand. The king was terrified. The Bible says, actually that his knees knocked together he was so afraid. He called for the astrologers, the enchanters, the magicians, the wise men of his kingdom to come and to tell him what did these words mean. They all came, but as we have seen prior in the book, they were of no help whatsoever. They were charlatans. They were frauds. They couldn’t interpret what was being done. About that time, when all hope seemed to be lost, the queen came out. Now, I take it from study, that this was not the wife of Belshazzar. We might refer to her as the queen mother. She perhaps was even Belshazzar's mother. Maybe a daughter of King Nebuchadnezzar. She had been in the royal line. She knew the history of what God had done in Babylon. She said O King, don’t let your knees knock together, don’t be terrified. There is someone in the kingdom who can tell you what these words mean. He is Daniel. That old prophet that had been brought captive to Babylon by your grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar. He can tell you what the words mean. So the king sent for Daniel to come. And Daniel came in. Daniel saw the handwriting on the wall. Daniel knew immediately what it meant. I’m going to share with you, what the words on the wall, the handwriting on the wall, meant. It was a message not only for that smack talker, Belshazzar, but it’s a message for every one of us today. In honor of that message and God's word, I want to ask you to stand up. To show your respect for Him. We are going to read what was written on the wall. Daniel chapter 5, beginning in verse 25. And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Lets pray together. God I thank you for the hundreds of people that have gathered here for this moment. To hear you speak from your word to us. God I pay that something of the effect of how Belshazzar must have felt and those lords and ladies as they saw that hand writing. How awakened and sobered they were to see it. I pray that somehow, we might feel similarly. And that we would hear you speaking to us, today, through these ancient, but true words. Open every ear. Open every heart to your message today God. I pray it in Jesus name, Amen. Please be seated.
For the message today, I want to invite you to a feast. I know everybody loves a party. I’m going to invite you to go to this party that was held so long ago there in Babylon. I want to call it, a senseless party. If you want to follow along this morning, the outline is on the back of your worship guide. You can write in those blanks, it will help you pay attention. Listen to the voice of God. I want to invite you to a party. This is a party I’m going to call, a senseless party. Look in verse one that opens up this chapter. It says, King Belshazzar, made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousands. Now, this is an occasion. This is kind of like Cinderella going to the ball. You know and the King is their and all the attendants, all the lords and the ladies and there is sumptuous food and drink for all. It’s a festive occasion. You want to be there right? Maybe not. This was a senseless feast. I know what some of you are thinking. You are thinking, ok here we go, party pooper. The preacher he's going to put douse, a damper on our fun. God's a killjoy. He’s a spoilsport. He doesn’t want us to enjoy life. Listen friend. Listen. The only way you will really know joy, the only way you are really going to know genuine deep satisfaction is by honoring the living God. He's not a party pooper. He, in fact, He's the life of the party. Did you not know this? Let me illustrate. You remember that young couple that were going to be married? And like all weddings, and all couples, they make out their invitation list. Guess whom they put on their invitation list? Jesus. They wanted Jesus to be at their wedding. Let me just recommend to some of you out here that are engaged, when you are making out your invitation list, you make sure Jesus is first on the list. Lord we want you at our wedding. We want you to be honored. Well, this young couple invited Jesus to their wedding. You may remember the story. They had been partying, in those days; the wedding went on for several days. They had been partying those days and the party was going to grind to this very uncomfortable end, because they had run out of supplies. In that instance, Jesus intervened. He took the common things of life, water, and he turned it into the most exquisite thing they had ever drunk. Jesus did that. He brought life to the party. You remember man, Jesus doesn’t steal joy, Jesus, really knowing him and really following him, Jesus give joy. He’s no against parties, he's just against senseless parties. All right? You remember another occasion, talking about parties. Do you remember? There was a man in the New Testament, in the Bible days, he had two sons. One of the boys, the younger of them, came to his daddy. I think he had grown weary of life around the farm. He said Dad; I want you to give me my inheritance, now. A radical request of the father. I’m sure with a heavy and broken heart he conceded to his son's request. He gave him his share of the inheritance. You remember what the boy did? He took that money, and he's like, I’m outta here! He went off to a far land. There he spent all of that hard earned inheritance that his daddy had garnered over the years. The bible says he wasted it on riotous living. Women, wine, wild parties, senseless parties. One morning he woke up literally in the pigsty. He is wallowing there in the mud among the pigs. He thought to himself, don’t the servants in my daddy's house eat better than the husks that I am eating here in this pigsty? He said I’m going home. He got up and he began to go back home. I can imagine the scene, cant you? That daddy, broken hearted, praying for his boy. That God would bring him back home. That daddy, I can just picture him, sitting in a rocker, on the front porch. He’s looking out across the horizon there across the pastures. He’s praying, even as the sun is setting, Oh God, God bring Johnny home. God, turn his heart. About that time, as the sun is setting he sees the silhouette of a figure. He stands up, squints his old eyes to see better. He can see by the gait of the young man, the way he is walking. He says, I think I see my boy. I think that’s my boy coming home! The bible says that he ran to his son. He didn’t stand there with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face. How dare you come home. NO! The Bible says he ran to where his boy was. He threw his arms around that stinking boy, muddy from the hog slop. He kissed him and he said Hey, bring out the supplies. Kill the fatted calf because my son, who was dead, now is alive. He said let’s party! Well that’s not the King James, but you know what I mean. Lets celebrate! I remember the first time I ever heard that story preached in Spanish. We were missionaries to South America. The preacher, when he was preaching along he said, "Y el hijo regreso a casa y el padre dijo, 'Hagamos fiesta!'" I only understood the last word. Fiesta! But if you look back in the Spanish bible, that’s exactly how it’s translated. Lets have a fiesta. Lets have a party! Listen friend, God's not against parties! The right kind. But the senseless kind, he's against. He is.
This was senseless party. I’m going give you two reasons it was senseless. Number one, because of the setting of that party. Now you probably don’t know this, but let me clue you in to what was going on that very night. Even secular historians tell us the story. We have it in Daniel five, but we can also read of it in Herodotus and Xenophon. The great Greek historians. That very night, Cyrus the Great was coming from Persia with the Meads and the Persian army. They had encircled the Babylon. As they were partying in the banquet hall, the smoke from a thousand Persian campfires were rising to the heavens. They had put a siege on the city. There is King Belshazzar, ensconced in the city. I suppose he thought he was invulnerable. He could not be defeated. He was untouchable. After all, don’t you remember I told you guys, the wall of Babylon were some eighty feet thick. That’s about the width of this auditorium. They stood about three hundred feet high. Chariots could race around the top of the walls of Babylon. Inside the walls of that city, they food stored for twenty years. They had plenty of water. They had built the city over the Euphrates River and the river flowed right beneath the city walls through the city and out the other side. I suppose he thought he could ever be taken or defeated. So there they are, with danger encroaching from every side, partying it up! Pass me the wine, let’s drink, lets engage in immorality. What a foolish man he was. He didn’t know that very night his soul was going to be exacted of him. I like a party. Sometimes its time to party. When there’s a wedding. When there’s a reunion. When there’s a salvation. The bible says, listen to this! Listen to this, the bible says, when a sinner repents, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels. You hear that? There is a party in heaven whenever somebody gets saved. You say the angels are rejoicing, no that’s not what the bible says. The bible says, listen, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels. It’s not the angels rejoicing, you know who is rejoicing? God is rejoicing! He is celebrating. I love a party as much as anybody. But not the senseless kind. I think about America. Sometimes I think we think that we're undefeatable. We can’t be conquered. We’re surrounded by a moat. We have the Pacific Ocean on one side protecting us from China and Russia. We’ve got the Atlantic on the other side; nothing from Europe or Africa could come and harm us. We think we're impregnable. We think we have walls about us that reach to the heavens. Do you know how Babylon was taken that night? Upstream, upriver, King Cyrus had told his engineers to create a dam of sorts. A sluice. They re-routed the Euphrates River out of its riverbed into some swampland and as the water trickled out of Babylon, the Persian walked into the city beneath the walls in the bed of the river. Not a shot was fired. Not a sword was clashed; they took the city without a battle. In fact they say the only one killed that night was King Belshazzar himself. Now you think about the setting we live in. we think we are impregnable. We think no one can defeat us. Yet we smack talk the Lord. We curse; we take his name in vain. We engage in all kinds of sexual perversion. We drink, we party, and we live in debauchery, as if God would never hold us accountable. It’s a mistake. It was a senseless feast. Because of it’s setting, and here’s the second reason. Because of the sin at the party. The sinning that was there. I’ve already alluded to this. They were drinking. Now, you all know what the bible says, do not be drunk with wine wherein is excess, because it leads to debauchery. We’re not to be drunk. My own view, my own stance the best way not to get drunk is never take the first drink. I don’t touch the stuff. I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs and I recommend the same o you. These people were not living that way that night. Man they were drinking it up. They were becoming inebriated. They weren’t thinking clearly. Perhaps for that reason he calls for the vessels from the Temple. And he profanes them. There in that orgy, with the wives and the concubines and the wine flowing freely, they curse the God of Heaven. Be careful. Be careful how you live. God will hold us accountable.
Now let me go to the second thing. I talked about a senseless party. But here, listen to this, in that moment, as the party reached its zenith, its apex that hand appears. And you all know the phrase, the handwriting on the wall. This is from where it comes. God wrote on the wall. And what did he write there? Listen to it. Mene Mene Tekel and Parsin. You say preacher, what does that mean? Well I’m glad you asked. The king didn’t know either. He wanted to know. You will be wise to want to know. Number one, it says something about our days. It says something about our days. The very first word is the word Mene. Look at verse 26. Mene, that is, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. Did you know that the bible says, that every day of your life is known by God before even one of them comes to be? God knows the number of your days. He knows how long we will all live. He knows how brief it is. Listen to what the bible says, Psalm 90, verse 12. So teach us to number our days, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. We need to learn to number our days. Life is fleeting. Life is passing. That’s what James 4 says. Yea, you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are but a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. You guys ever seen a kettle on a stove? And maybe it’s going to brew up hot tea or something of the sort. They put that thing on to boil and that little kettle begins to sing and from its spout rises a mist. But even before that mist touches the ceiling, it vanishes. It’s gone. The bible says, so are our lives. They are fleeting. They are passing us by. So quickly. That was the first word God gave Belshazzar. Your days are numbered. Times up, your numbers up. You are being held accountable. Number two. He didn’t say something only about his days. He also said something about his deficiencies. Now look at the next verse, verse 27. I’m going to put it up on the screen for you. From the bible we read these words. Tekel. What does that mean? Well really you could translate it with one word. Weighed. Here it is elaborated. Tekel. You have been weighed and in the balances and found wanting. Now I know we don’t like to weigh our selves. Do we. I actually have a scale; Nell and I do in our bathroom at home. Its very prominent right there. And every day, pretty religiously I step up on that scale. Not because I want to really, but I step up on there because I want to know what I weigh. Because I know that impinges on my health, and its something of accountability to me. It tells me, man you don’t need to eat so much. Lay off the Mountain Dew. Get some things together in your life. I weigh myself. I have yet to step on there and weigh myself and find myself wanting. You know, I’m never deficient. In fact I get on there and I’m always like, oh man, I need to lose twenty pounds. And probably, you are like that too. Our problem is that we weigh too much. But the problem with Belshazzar was he weighed too little. You are found wanting. I weighed you and you are a lightweight. I feel like I’m Donald Trump saying that. Ha Ha. You are a lightweight. What does he mean? Well if you can imagine in your mind, a scale. All right. It’s a balance. God says, I put you on the scale. Here you are. You weigh this much. But on this side of the scale, I put all of the Holy demands of My Law; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make unto yourselves any graven image. You shall not take the name of the Lord Your God in vein. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not commit adultery. Thou shall not covet. And when I weighed you in this scale, against God's demands, you're wanting. You’re a lightweight. You don’t measure up. You’re deficient. We are lightweights. We are sinners. Doesn’t the bible say, for all have sinned and we've come short of the Glory of God? Mene, Mene, Tekel. Your numbers up. You’ve been weighed and you’re found wanting. Parsin. This is a word about our destiny. You see, when God weighs us, what is hanging in the balance? Our eternal destiny is. Where will we end up? What will be our end? He said to Belshazzar, that night, Perez, your kingdom is divided and given to the Meads and Persians. That is, there are consequences to the way you’ve lived Belshazzar and there always are.
Now let me come to the end. Because there is a destiny. There are potentially two separate finishes towards which we are all headed. There was one finish, here illustrated by the man Daniel. He’s what I’m going to call for the uncompromising. Daniel is now in his eighties. He’s been a captive for seventy years in Babylon. He has remained faithful to the Lord. Full of faith. What happens to him as he very boldly tells the king, your numbers up king. You’ve been weighed and found wanting. Your kingdom is going to be stripped from you. What happens? God blesses him. You can read the verses right here. What transpired in Daniel's life? God blessed him. But there is another destiny. There is another finish. That was the finish for the king. Here is the mightiest man of his empire. Called to account by God. And the bible tells us very succinctly in verse thirty. That very night, Belshazzar, the Chaldean king was killed. His number was up.
Now let me conclude. The handwriting is on the wall. Mene, Mene, Tekel and Parsin. Did you know friend, listen to me, everybody here listen to me. Those words that were written to the king so long a go, did know very honestly, they could be written of each one of us. I don’t want us to get here and look down our nose at King Belshazzar. He’s no greater a sinner than I have been. If I had to answer for the handwriting on the wall for my life, I’d be in trouble. But did you know there’s another handwriting in the Bible? I want to point you to it. It’s found in Colossians, chapter 2, verse 14. I’m just going to refer to this. Colossians, chapter 2:14. Listen to what the bible here says. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us and he took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. You hear that? There’s another handwriting. Those sins that we’ve committed, the things of which we are guilty, its as though those have been written. But Jesus did something wonderful. He took the handwriting that was against us and blotted it out. He nailed it to his cross. That is, he took our punishment for us. Some of you are old enough to remember, Whiteout. I took typing back in the seventy's. Ya’ll don’t even know what a typewriter is, I know. A typewriter was a machine, every time you would strike a key, there would be a corresponding strike on the paper, through a ribbon and it would imprint the letter there. Well somebody invented what they called Whiteout. It was this beautiful thing. It was a little bottle of white paint. You’d open it up and it would have a little brush. What you could do was, if you made a mistake when you were typing, you could just ratchet the paper up and dab that Whiteout on the letter where you'd made the mistake. Then put the paper back in position, and strike the new key and it would be as though you didn’t make a mistake. Awesome! Whiteout! Then somebody invented what they called an autocorrect typewriter. This was even better. Because it not only had a ribbon for the ink, it had another ribbon that was white. If you made a mistake typing, you could hit a key and it would bring the cartridge back, and you could strike the key again that you had erroneously struck and not the white ribbon and it would cancel out the mistake you’d just made. Any of you here old enough, make me feel good, anybody know what I’m talking about? All right, there you go, good. I’m not as old as I thought. Then somebody invented autocorrect on texting. [Audience Laughter] Man, I could tell ya’ll some stories about my autocorrects. Wouldn’t it be good in life? If there was a whiteout? You think about the things you’ve done. The things of which you are ashamed. Wouldn’t it be good if there was a whiteout? Wouldn’t it be good if there was an autocorrect? Friends, there is. There is. But he didn’t white it out in white. It’s whited out in red. It’s the blood of the cross. The sacrifice of Jesus. There, he nailed our offenses to the cross. Now here is your choice. Listen to me. Here is your choice. And on it your eternal destiny hangs. You can take the handwriting on the wall, or you can take the handwriting on the Cross. Which will it be?
Lets bow our heads. Thank you Lord Jesus that you blotted out our sins. You nailed our offenses there and in your body you suffered the consequences of our sin, so that we might be forgiven. We might be cleansed. That we might be accepted into your family. Oh God, thank you for this gift. I party that everyone here would make sure that they have received that gift. They have trusted in Christ. Help us Lord, I pray it in Jesus Name, Amen.
Transcript pending shortly
Stand
“The Original Beauty and the Beast”
Daniel 4:1-37
Key verse: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37).
- Restless before God
- Comfortable in his house
- Concerned in his heart
- Revelation from God
- The message God sends
- The mercy God shows
- Resistance to God
- A continuing rebellion
- A costly rebellion
- Restoration by God
- Lift your vision
- Lift your voice
Stand
“A Foxhole Faith or a Furnace Faith?”
Daniel 3:1-30
(SERMON TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS)
Key verse: “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).
- A furnace faith will not bow
- In compromise
- In conformity
- A furnace faith will not bend
- Before second chances
- Because of sure convictions
- He is strong
- He is sufficient
- A furnace faith will not burn
- Fires happen
- Fires help
There’s an old adage that says, there’s no atheist in a foxhole. I don’t know if you can prove that you can prove that. There have been some atheists who claim to be so in a foxhole, but when the bullets are whizzing by your head, and your life is on the line, people tend to seek and strike bargains with God. It would kind of go like this, “God, if you spare my life, if you get me out of this mess, I’ll believe in you.” “God, if you heal me of this cancer that I have, I'll serve you.” “God, if you will you, fill in the blank, then I will, fill in the black.” that's what we would call a foxhole faith. I really don't belittle that or make fun of it because I guess that’s a better faith and none. God is so gracious. He sometimes bows and concedes to that kind of a faith. But really not the kind of faith that honors God. What we want to do today is draw a contrast between what we might call foxhole faith, on one side, and a furnace faith, on the other side. Now a furnace faith is very different from a foxhole faith. Here’s what the furnace faith says. “God, even if you don't get me out of this mess, I still am going to believe in you.” “God, even if you don't heal me from my cancer, I know you're still good and you deserve my allegiance.” “God, even if you don't get me the promotion that I been working for praying for, God even then, I’m still going to praise your name. That’s the kind of faith that God wants every one of us to have. Not a foxhole faith but instead, grow up, and get a furnace faith.
Now where would you meet with some guys that have that kind of faith? Well I got good news for you. We’re going to meet them this morning. They’re right there in your Bible and if you’ll open up your Bibles to Daniel chapter 3 you’re going to meet them. Daniel chapter 3 and the whole chapter tells the story of three young guys. I'm only going to read a portion of the chapter to get us cranked up and going. We’re going to read verses 1 through 18. But really listen to this now, all right because this is a launchpad for our message. Lets stand up to show honor to God's word, all right. You can sit for my word but we’re going to stand up for God’s word. Here we go. Daniel chapter three, we’re going to start in verse one. King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Here, perhaps is the key question in the whole chapter. “And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
Lets pray. God I know that there have been times in my life when I’ve bargained with you. I’ve had a foxhole faith of sorts. Asking you to do things for that and me if you would, I would in turn do something for you. God I pray that you just blow that approach to you away today. And that all of us would come you, not in some kind of bargaining position but just to say, Lord even if you don't do what we prefer, even if we go through the fire, God we're going to seek by your grace to be faithful to you. Grant us, God, a furnace faith, I pray in Jesus name, Amen.
Please be seated. Well this morning, we are going to meet three very courageous men. And let me just go ahead and tell you guys, I’m going to have to be quick this morning alright, because when we finish this message, you’re going to meet a couple of other courageous young men who are going to take their stand for Christ in baptism and I want to gear up for that already. Because every one of us, needs to decide for whom we will stand and before whom we will not bow. These three young men made the right decisions and I want to share the story with you. And I know for a lot of you, you've heard this story, you know it. Its almost like Goldilocks and the Three Bears or Hansel and Gretel, except it's not. This is true. This is exactly what happened. It’s God working miraculously on the behalf of his children. I want you to perk up as though you never heard it before and we’re going to follow Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, as they demonstrate a furnace faith.
Now there was a song, sung many years ago, and I’m not going to sing it for you. I know you’re glad, but it's about these three young men they wouldn't bow, they wouldn't bend, they wouldn't burn. And that’s going to be the outline I’m going to follow this morning. Number one by the way if you want to follow along, just turnover on the back of your worship guide there is an outline and that you can write in some things as God impresses them on you.
Number one, a furnace faith, all right, its what were talking about. A furnace faith will not bow. Furnace faith will not bow. Now that there are a couple of temptations that came these young men's way. They were, first of all, tempted to bow in compromise. The King, the mighty King of Babylon, the greatest king of his day had erected this giant statue. I want you guys to just get in your mind's eye, the magnitude of this. Maybe you can conjure up the image of other statues that you know. Here’s one you have seen before. It’s the statue of Christ the Redeemer. It’s in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. And that statue spans about 60 cubits high. The very dimensions, within a few feet, of the statue that was erected in the plains of Dura. Can you imagine that the grandeur of that scene. Here is this mighty statue, an idol, erected by King Nebuchadnezzar. It was made of solid gold. What would the worth be of that? You know that gold sells for about $1500 an ounce. This is 90 feet tall. Solid gold. And it dazzles in that desert sun. And he commands that everyone at the sound of the orchestra, they will hit their knees, in obeisance to that idol. And I know all of you have been to the stadium and maybe some of you guys were yesterday at the Stadium and you’ve seen in a crowd, the wave right? It starts over in one section, someone will stand up and then it goes through the whole and the wave passes through. Will I imagine here an inverse wave? Because at the sound of that trumpet, when they saw the fiery furnace over there smoldering in the distance. And by the way, you remember that Babylon had its start as a place called Babel. You guys remember Babel? It’s where they were going to erect the Tower to the heavens. And many scholars believe that the brick kiln, K I L N, in the brick furnace, that was used to make all the bricks that built a tower toward heaven in Babel, this is the same fiery furnace where threatened to be cast there if they don’t bow down. Now, so here we come. Here is the inverse wave. And boy then the music sounds, they all in terror, they hit their knees. Perhaps the get on their face. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are the exception to this. Here comes the inverse wave and those three boys stand there. I don’t know that they made a scene; I don’t think they shouted out, I don’t think they try to draw attention to this. They just, in humility, yet loyalty to the Lord, the just stood their ground. They were tempted to compromise. They had a reason to be afraid. The king of Babylon set bow down. They had a greater fear than the king of Babylon; they feared the King of Kings. And the King of Babylon said bow down, the King of Kings said, don’t you bow down. Where did he say that? You remember? You guys know your Ten Commandments? Lets just start the very beginning. Number one, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Number two… Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images, nor shall you bow down to them. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had a choice to make.
Are we going to compromise? Are we going to go along to get along? Are we ore are we going to standup for what God has said. I want to challenge every one of you listening to me today, to have a furnace faith. And to say God, I’m going to stand for you no matter how hot it gets in the kitchen. They wouldn't compromise. Not only would they not compromise, they wouldn't conform. You see a furnace faith will not bow down in conformity to what the world demands of us. And you know we’re living in a day when it seems as though the pressure to conform is as great as it's ever been in my lifetime. There was a time when our culture kind of aided you in your walk toward Christ, at least to some degree. Ostensibly, but today it's as though, the culture is going one way and God is saying go the other. You have to be like a fish willing to swim upstream if you're going to stand for the Lord. When that inverse wave hit everybody was bowing down. Everybody’s doing it. Everybody’s getting wasted. Everybody’s doing drugs. Everybody’s sleeping together before they're married. Everybody’s morals are changing. Everybody’s conception of marriage is changing and everybody's doing it. No. Everybody is not doing it. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are not doing it. They’re standing for the Lord. And I want to challenge a whole auditorium of people here, to be willing, in the furnace, when the fire is hot to say, “I am not going to bow.” what God has said, by his grace, and for his glory, I'm going to seek to be obedient.
You know peer pressure is powerful. There’s an experiment done, some years ago, to illustrate the power of peer pressure. Here’s the way it was done. It was done by a psychologist, her name was Ruth Berenda, and they worked with teenagers. And would all you teenagers, look right up here. Here was the experiment that teenagers, at a time, come into a room. Nine of the 10 were in on the deal. One of them though, was like the guinea pig. And so they would come in ten at a time and what they were asked to do was to raise their hand when the teacher pointed to the longest line on the board. There were a number of lines. Each of a different length. It was obvious which is the longest and had before hand agreed, with the nine, when we point to the second longest all of you raise your hand. And the experiment was to see what would the one teenager do that was not In the know. So the teacher began to point to the lines. Raise your hand will become the longest line. When the teacher pointed to the next to the longest line, all nine hands went up. They were watching I guess through two-mirrors or something like that and they watched as invariably, the one teenager that was, like not in the in the know on this, they would look around, with a bewildered look, and be like [shyly raises hand]. 75% of the time. They were just doing what everybody else was doing and don't we feel this? There is such a temptation to conform.
Listen to what God says. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds. Proving what is that good and acceptable of will of God be transformed by his words .I would challenge us to stand. Even if there is peer pressure to go the other way. And let me just add this one other thought and then ill go on. Pressure is not a sin. Peer pressure is a fact. I’m going to say it again. Peer pressure is not a sin. Peer pressure is a fact. What does that mean? That means, if you got good friends, peer pressure can work to your advantage. But if you have poor friends, peer pressure can work to tear you down. Do you think it’s coincidental that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood? What difference did it make to Shadrach that he had Meshach and Abednego to stand with him? I believe it helped him. Peer pressure can work for you. And I'm so glad for you collegians and you high schoolers and you middle schoolers that are standing together. Be involved in the student ministries here. Be involved in the collegiate ministry. Man if it Micah says Hey were going to get together and we’re going to stand on our heads, just bring your pillow and come on man. Whatever were doing, you be involved in it. because peer pressure isn’t a sin, its just a fact. If you get good peers, they will help you toward God.
All right so, number one. A furnace faith will not bow. Number two. A furnace faith will not even bend. All right now. This is bow right? You get down like this. This is bow. Those boys wouldn’t even bend. They wouldn't do it in the face of a second chance. Now this is a part of the story you may not have noticed when were going through it in that initial reading. Let me just review this for you. The king gave the command, right. Everybody bow down when you hear the music. And everyone bowed down in the inverted way except these three guys. There were there some tattle tales in the group. Who likes the tattletale? Nobody likes a tattletale but here come the tattletale's. O king, live-forever, they’re buttering him up. There’s some Jews that you appointed, they're jealous of these men and they don't pay attention to anything you say O King. And that was in exaggeration. Those are good young men. They are in fact; the King had concluded that they were 10 times better than all the other servants. He actually, I believe, really liked those young men. But they don't pay any attention you King, they don’t bow down to your gods. They don't worship the idol that you set up. The latter half is certainly true, they would not bow. And so the king, the Bible says was enraged. Now watch this. When the Bible says that he was enraged, my own conviction is that he was not enraged solely at those three young men. I think he was enraged because of the tattletales. He was enraged because these three young men whose service he valued now, or he's put into this quandary of what to do with them, because obviously they defied his authority. If he lets them go, it undermines his authority before all. And he is enraged at this. He wishes that it had not been brought to his attention. Now why do I say that? It’s because he gave him a second chance. Had his rage been solely and wholly against them, he would just execute them. But I think he had an affection for these young men I believe their witness to him had been strong. He knew there was something remarkable about the young men. And he said, boys, I’m going to give you another chance. Right. Here is what we’re going to do. Same song, second verse. Were going to tap the baton, and we’re going to crank up the orchestra and when they do, fool me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me. I’m not going to let you get me again. This is your last opportunity. Going once, going twice. He gives them a second chance. Did you know that’s the way the devil works? The devil is always going to come and give you a second chance. He's going to tempt you. And if you don’t yield to it, it’s not like the devil just gives up. Doesn’t say oh man, he whooped me. Ill just give, all right. He’s a hause, I ain't gonna mess with him. NO. The devil is going to come after you a second time. He is going to give you a second chance. You don’t believe me? Do you remember what happened to Jesus? We’re talking Jesus here. Jesus all right. Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. This is Luke chapter 4. Listen to what happened at the very end of those temptations. Jesus triumphed in everyone. Partly because he knew the word of God and he quoted it to Satan. He whipped him. Listen to how it includes. Luke, the Bible says, that Satan left him for a more opportune time. That is, the devil wasn't even giving up on Jesus. He is going to come after him again. And he did. Don’t think you not to come after you, he is. I want to challenge you, don't bow, don’t even bend. Don’t even bend when a second chance comes your way. Do you know why they didn't bend; do you know why they didn’t bow? Because they had some sure convictions. I mean they were rock-ribbed in what they believed. Now I want you to look at the verses that are on the screen. You are going to see the convictions that they held. And this is what you make you stand when everybody else's bowing. The Bible says, when threatened again a second time, “if this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of your hand, O King. But if not,” now mark those words, “but if not, be it known to you O King, that we will not serve your gods.” now what are the convictions that shine in those verses? Number one, they had a conviction that God is strong. I love what they said, “our God is able,” he is able to deliver us and he will, they had a conviction that God was strong. In fact he is stronger than anyone. I love that truth reinforced in the New Testament. But now unto him is able, to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine. Friends of our God is strong and he is Almighty deserves our allegiance. So they had that conviction. And then, the other condition that they have was he was sufficient, he was sufficient. Now listen to what they said, and here we come to the furnace faith in its purest form. Our God is able to deliver us, we believe he is going to, but if not, but if not, but if not! I love phrase. If he doesn't deliver then I’m just going to give up on God, I’m just going to quit, I’m just going to throw my Bible away, If God doesn’t do what I want….is that what they said? No, I love what they said. They said, “but if not,” if he doesn't rescue us, we are still not going to bow down to the idol that you have made. We are not going to serve your gods. They believed that God, in himself, was sufficient. God is enough. He alone is worthy. Not for the gifts that he gives me. What if I got sick of cancer? Say God you heal me from my cancer, and if you don't heal me, then forget you God. That’s a foxhole faith. Right. God, my marriage is falling apart and God if you'll save my marriage then I'll follow you. God I need this new job. God I’ve worked hard for this. I deserve this new job. God if you'll do this for me, then I'll follow you. NO, these young men said, “but if not.”
I’m going to tell you a story out of World War II. It’s a true story and it was set on the beach in France. This is in 1940. Early in the war. And was not going well for the Allied cause, in fact, the United States and not even entered World War II yet. And Hitler and the blitzkrieg were rolling across France. The British had come to France’s aid and there were over three hundred thousand Brits in France trying stop the onslaught of Hitler. But they weren’t faring well. And they had retreated as far as they could go. They had gotten right up against what he called the English Channel. There were in a little port called Dunkirk. There was no escape. Hitler's Panzer divisions were surrounding them. The enemy. And behind them was the ocean. England was terrified that they would lose 300,000 of their finest. Their governing authorities declared a day of fasting, and prayer that God would intervene. One of the stories that comes out of that battle was of one of the commanders there in Dunkirk. It said that he simply sent a telegram back to England. The question was what are you going to do in the face of this overwhelming enemy when it seems as though there's no escape. He answered with a three-word telegram. His words were, “but if not.” We want to be rescued. We want to be saved from this dilemma. But if not, were still going to face the enemy. But if not, were still going to hold the line. But is not, we’re going to give our lives in service for right. But if not. I don’t know if you know the story, its called The Miracle of Dunkirk. God blessed and it was a remarkable story of how they rescued out 338,000 soldiers. Many of them were rescued to what they called The Little Boats of Dunkirk. There weren’t enough army boats to get them all, so mom and pop got in their little trawlers and in their little dingys and went across the British Channel and rescued those men. It’s a great, great story. But I love the commander. But if not! We’re not going to bow before you. Were not going to even bend.
How does it conclude then? What happened to these three young men? Well, if you won't bow and you wont bend, then you wont burn. Furnace faith will not burn. You know the story don't you? The Bible says that the king was furious now, doubly so. He ordered that the furnace be heated up seven times its original level. And they bound those men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They threw them into the fiery furnace still bound. So hot was the fire that the burly men who carried to the mouth of that oven and threw them in were overtaken by the flame and in the heat. They were killed. Down went Shadrach Meshach and Abednego. Bound into the flames. Apparently there at the floor of the furnace there was an opening through which, perhaps, they injected the fuel for the flame and the king was positioned just so he could see those three young men. Perhaps he imagined that he would in glee, watch their bodies burst into flames and be consumed. But instead as he looked into the furnace, he was amazed. He asked some of the other attendants, he said, “How many men did we throw into the fire?” they said, “O King, we cast in three.” He said, “How is it that when I look in there, I don’t see three men, I see four? And the fourth is like a son of the gods.” There was something about that one that glowed. Probably redundant, but he shown with the Shekinah glory. Who was that fourth man? Do you know who it was? It was a Christophany. It was an appearance of the Lord Jesus pre-incarnate. Jesus had come to the fire to rescue them.
What do we learn from this? Number one. Fire happens. Listen, if you live here on this Earth, you are going to have some fires come your way. There are going to be some difficulties. You’re going to get sick. Your child is going to get sick. Your relationships are going to be frazzled or broken. You’re going to have disappointments in your life. Fire happens to all of us. Doesn’t the Bible say? The sun shines on the just and the unjust. Rain falls on the just and unjust. You are going to go through the fire. Those young men did end up in the fire because they were disobeying God, those young men ended up in trouble because they were obeying God. God didn’t rescue them from the fire; God rescued them through the fire. He’s going to do the same for you. Fire happens. You better get ready. You better know Jesus, so that when you're in the fire he's there with you. Can we do a little math? Here’s a little math problem, all you bright university students. Let me give you a math problem. How many men were cast into the fire? Three. How many appeared there? Four. Four men in the fire. How many came out? How many are left in the fire? One. You know where Jesus is? So often, you’re going to find Jesus the fire. Trouble comes your way. You’re going to find him, as you never did before. He’s going to grow you. In fact, listen to this. Listen! Fire helps. That’s the last thing up here [pointing to sermon outline]. Fire happens and fire helps. They were thrown in bound. So how is it that they were walking about in the fire? You know how it is that they were walking about in the fire? The only thing that got burned was the ropes that bound them. When they came, because the King said, “come out, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.” And they came out and they went over to them, and they said, “Man! Your clothes aren’t even singed. Your hairs not singed. Even the sent of smoke is not on you.” The only thing they lost was the thing that bound them. Listen you go through hard times in your life, the only thing you lose are things you need to lose. There’s freedom in the fire. When we get into difficulties your going find Jesus closer is ever been.
All right now. To conclude. The story is told about a wagon train. It was traveling across the West, and as they traveled westward, they heard, behind them, the crackling of fire. They knew the sound. All of us have been watching fires out west. Those that were in the wagon train, they looked behind them and as far as they could see along the horizon, there were bright walls of flames. Smoke was billowing toward the heavens and the wind was blowing very fiercely. They knew that they could not outrun that line of fire. It would soon overtake them. There they are in the middle of the plains, no place to escape. What would they do? Many of them began to despair. Thought this would be there end. Then one enterprising person among them knelt down and he lit a match and he sat the grass in front of them ablaze. Now the same wind that's pushing the flames toward them catches this new blaze. And it begins to burn the grass in front of them and the brush in front of them. So now two fires are raging. Both going westward, one behind them, one front of them. Then you know what those enterprising settlers did? They simply rolled forward into the part of the plains that now is already been burned. You know what folks? Fire can't burn the same place twice. Once all that’s combustible been burned away, the safest place you can these were the fires already burned. What am I saying to you? Jesus was in the fire. That’s not the only time Jesus has been in the fire. When on the cross, God’s righteous judgment and wrath against sin was being poured out. You can imagine it a flame, as it were. The holiness of God, bringing judgment to bear. The Bible says, the soul that sins it shall surely die. The wages of sin is death God's holiness demanded that sin be punished. Did he just wink at sin? There would be no justice in him; there would be no holiness in him. No, sin must be judged. And Jesus, there on the cross, took our place. And it's as though the fire of Heaven burned across the ground at the cross. If you will, buy faith, step into that place where Jesus suffered your wrath, the fire can no longer touch you. You’ll be safe. You’ll be safe.
These young men hey listen; they didn’t have a foxhole faith. Now man the bullets were whizzing. Their lives were in jeopardy, but they were bargaining. They weren’t saying God if you’ll get me out of this, I am going to love you. God if you’ll get ne out of this, I’m going to serve you. No, they said God, if you don’t; we’re still going to love you. We’re still going to serve you. Now I want to challenge my own heart, as I do yours, to have more than a foxhole faith. If that's all you can muster, I guess I'll be glad for that, but it is not enough friends. God wants us to honor him by faith says, even if not. Even if not, I’m going to follow you. Now I’m going to pray for us. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to pray for us, then we’re going to see, two very courageous young men take their stand. And then we’re going to sing and praise to God. And when all that’s done and we’re dismissed. I’m going to remain here with some of the staff members to receive any of you that want to talk about faith in the Lord Jesus. How to know him as your Savior. All right, so lets pray to together God we give you praise for the testimony of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These young men, who wouldn’t bow, who wouldn’t bend. Thank you God, they didn't burn. You rescued them. Lord we know that you will meet us in our fires and you will help us. You’re able. You’re strong. You’re sufficient. You merit our love and our allegiance. May we give it to you. God give us grace to do that, we pray in Jesus name, Amen.
There’s an old adage that says, there’s no atheist in a foxhole. I don’t know if you can prove that you can prove that. There have been some atheists who claim to be so in a foxhole, but when the bullets are whizzing by your head, and your life is on the line, people tend to seek and strike bargains with God. It would kind of go like this, “God, if you spare my life, if you get me out of this mess, I’ll believe in you.” “God, if you heal me of this cancer that I have, I'll serve you.” “God, if you will you, fill in the blank, then I will, fill in the black.” that's what we would call a foxhole faith. I really don't belittle that or make fun of it because I guess that’s a better faith and none. God is so gracious. He sometimes bows and concedes to that kind of a faith. But really not the kind of faith that honors God. What we want to do today is draw a contrast between what we might call foxhole faith, on one side, and a furnace faith, on the other side. Now a furnace faith is very different from a foxhole faith. Here’s what the furnace faith says. “God, even if you don't get me out of this mess, I still am going to believe in you.” “God, even if you don't heal me from my cancer, I know you're still good and you deserve my allegiance.” “God, even if you don't get me the promotion that I been working for praying for, God even then, I’m still going to praise your name. That’s the kind of faith that God wants every one of us to have. Not a foxhole faith but instead, grow up, and get a furnace faith.
Now where would you meet with some guys that have that kind of faith? Well I got good news for you. We’re going to meet them this morning. They’re right there in your Bible and if you’ll open up your Bibles to Daniel chapter 3 you’re going to meet them. Daniel chapter 3 and the whole chapter tells the story of three young guys. I'm only going to read a portion of the chapter to get us cranked up and going. We’re going to read verses 1 through 18. But really listen to this now, all right because this is a launchpad for our message. Lets stand up to show honor to God's word, all right. You can sit for my word but we’re going to stand up for God’s word. Here we go. Daniel chapter three, we’re going to start in verse one. King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Here, perhaps is the key question in the whole chapter. “And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
Lets pray. God I know that there have been times in my life when I’ve bargained with you. I’ve had a foxhole faith of sorts. Asking you to do things for that and me if you would, I would in turn do something for you. God I pray that you just blow that approach to you away today. And that all of us would come you, not in some kind of bargaining position but just to say, Lord even if you don't do what we prefer, even if we go through the fire, God we're going to seek by your grace to be faithful to you. Grant us, God, a furnace faith, I pray in Jesus name, Amen.
Please be seated. Well this morning, we are going to meet three very courageous men. And let me just go ahead and tell you guys, I’m going to have to be quick this morning alright, because when we finish this message, you’re going to meet a couple of other courageous young men who are going to take their stand for Christ in baptism and I want to gear up for that already. Because every one of us, needs to decide for whom we will stand and before whom we will not bow. These three young men made the right decisions and I want to share the story with you. And I know for a lot of you, you've heard this story, you know it. Its almost like Goldilocks and the Three Bears or Hansel and Gretel, except it's not. This is true. This is exactly what happened. It’s God working miraculously on the behalf of his children. I want you to perk up as though you never heard it before and we’re going to follow Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, as they demonstrate a furnace faith.
Now there was a song, sung many years ago, and I’m not going to sing it for you. I know you’re glad, but it's about these three young men they wouldn't bow, they wouldn't bend, they wouldn't burn. And that’s going to be the outline I’m going to follow this morning. Number one by the way if you want to follow along, just turnover on the back of your worship guide there is an outline and that you can write in some things as God impresses them on you.
Number one, a furnace faith, all right, its what were talking about. A furnace faith will not bow. Furnace faith will not bow. Now that there are a couple of temptations that came these young men's way. They were, first of all, tempted to bow in compromise. The King, the mighty King of Babylon, the greatest king of his day had erected this giant statue. I want you guys to just get in your mind's eye, the magnitude of this. Maybe you can conjure up the image of other statues that you know. Here’s one you have seen before. It’s the statue of Christ the Redeemer. It’s in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. And that statue spans about 60 cubits high. The very dimensions, within a few feet, of the statue that was erected in the plains of Dura. Can you imagine that the grandeur of that scene. Here is this mighty statue, an idol, erected by King Nebuchadnezzar. It was made of solid gold. What would the worth be of that? You know that gold sells for about $1500 an ounce. This is 90 feet tall. Solid gold. And it dazzles in that desert sun. And he commands that everyone at the sound of the orchestra, they will hit their knees, in obeisance to that idol. And I know all of you have been to the stadium and maybe some of you guys were yesterday at the Stadium and you’ve seen in a crowd, the wave right? It starts over in one section, someone will stand up and then it goes through the whole and the wave passes through. Will I imagine here an inverse wave? Because at the sound of that trumpet, when they saw the fiery furnace over there smoldering in the distance. And by the way, you remember that Babylon had its start as a place called Babel. You guys remember Babel? It’s where they were going to erect the Tower to the heavens. And many scholars believe that the brick kiln, K I L N, in the brick furnace, that was used to make all the bricks that built a tower toward heaven in Babel, this is the same fiery furnace where threatened to be cast there if they don’t bow down. Now, so here we come. Here is the inverse wave. And boy then the music sounds, they all in terror, they hit their knees. Perhaps the get on their face. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are the exception to this. Here comes the inverse wave and those three boys stand there. I don’t know that they made a scene; I don’t think they shouted out, I don’t think they try to draw attention to this. They just, in humility, yet loyalty to the Lord, the just stood their ground. They were tempted to compromise. They had a reason to be afraid. The king of Babylon set bow down. They had a greater fear than the king of Babylon; they feared the King of Kings. And the King of Babylon said bow down, the King of Kings said, don’t you bow down. Where did he say that? You remember? You guys know your Ten Commandments? Lets just start the very beginning. Number one, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Number two… Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images, nor shall you bow down to them. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had a choice to make.
Are we going to compromise? Are we going to go along to get along? Are we ore are we going to standup for what God has said. I want to challenge every one of you listening to me today, to have a furnace faith. And to say God, I’m going to stand for you no matter how hot it gets in the kitchen. They wouldn't compromise. Not only would they not compromise, they wouldn't conform. You see a furnace faith will not bow down in conformity to what the world demands of us. And you know we’re living in a day when it seems as though the pressure to conform is as great as it's ever been in my lifetime. There was a time when our culture kind of aided you in your walk toward Christ, at least to some degree. Ostensibly, but today it's as though, the culture is going one way and God is saying go the other. You have to be like a fish willing to swim upstream if you're going to stand for the Lord. When that inverse wave hit everybody was bowing down. Everybody’s doing it. Everybody’s getting wasted. Everybody’s doing drugs. Everybody’s sleeping together before they're married. Everybody’s morals are changing. Everybody’s conception of marriage is changing and everybody's doing it. No. Everybody is not doing it. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are not doing it. They’re standing for the Lord. And I want to challenge a whole auditorium of people here, to be willing, in the furnace, when the fire is hot to say, “I am not going to bow.” what God has said, by his grace, and for his glory, I'm going to seek to be obedient.
You know peer pressure is powerful. There’s an experiment done, some years ago, to illustrate the power of peer pressure. Here’s the way it was done. It was done by a psychologist, her name was Ruth Berenda, and they worked with teenagers. And would all you teenagers, look right up here. Here was the experiment that teenagers, at a time, come into a room. Nine of the 10 were in on the deal. One of them though, was like the guinea pig. And so they would come in ten at a time and what they were asked to do was to raise their hand when the teacher pointed to the longest line on the board. There were a number of lines. Each of a different length. It was obvious which is the longest and had before hand agreed, with the nine, when we point to the second longest all of you raise your hand. And the experiment was to see what would the one teenager do that was not In the know. So the teacher began to point to the lines. Raise your hand will become the longest line. When the teacher pointed to the next to the longest line, all nine hands went up. They were watching I guess through two-mirrors or something like that and they watched as invariably, the one teenager that was, like not in the in the know on this, they would look around, with a bewildered look, and be like [shyly raises hand]. 75% of the time. They were just doing what everybody else was doing and don't we feel this? There is such a temptation to conform.
Listen to what God says. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds. Proving what is that good and acceptable of will of God be transformed by his words .I would challenge us to stand. Even if there is peer pressure to go the other way. And let me just add this one other thought and then ill go on. Pressure is not a sin. Peer pressure is a fact. I’m going to say it again. Peer pressure is not a sin. Peer pressure is a fact. What does that mean? That means, if you got good friends, peer pressure can work to your advantage. But if you have poor friends, peer pressure can work to tear you down. Do you think it’s coincidental that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood? What difference did it make to Shadrach that he had Meshach and Abednego to stand with him? I believe it helped him. Peer pressure can work for you. And I'm so glad for you collegians and you high schoolers and you middle schoolers that are standing together. Be involved in the student ministries here. Be involved in the collegiate ministry. Man if it Micah says Hey were going to get together and we’re going to stand on our heads, just bring your pillow and come on man. Whatever were doing, you be involved in it. because peer pressure isn’t a sin, its just a fact. If you get good peers, they will help you toward God.
All right so, number one. A furnace faith will not bow. Number two. A furnace faith will not even bend. All right now. This is bow right? You get down like this. This is bow. Those boys wouldn’t even bend. They wouldn't do it in the face of a second chance. Now this is a part of the story you may not have noticed when were going through it in that initial reading. Let me just review this for you. The king gave the command, right. Everybody bow down when you hear the music. And everyone bowed down in the inverted way except these three guys. There were there some tattle tales in the group. Who likes the tattletale? Nobody likes a tattletale but here come the tattletale's. O king, live-forever, they’re buttering him up. There’s some Jews that you appointed, they're jealous of these men and they don't pay attention to anything you say O King. And that was in exaggeration. Those are good young men. They are in fact; the King had concluded that they were 10 times better than all the other servants. He actually, I believe, really liked those young men. But they don't pay any attention you King, they don’t bow down to your gods. They don't worship the idol that you set up. The latter half is certainly true, they would not bow. And so the king, the Bible says was enraged. Now watch this. When the Bible says that he was enraged, my own conviction is that he was not enraged solely at those three young men. I think he was enraged because of the tattletales. He was enraged because these three young men whose service he valued now, or he's put into this quandary of what to do with them, because obviously they defied his authority. If he lets them go, it undermines his authority before all. And he is enraged at this. He wishes that it had not been brought to his attention. Now why do I say that? It’s because he gave him a second chance. Had his rage been solely and wholly against them, he would just execute them. But I think he had an affection for these young men I believe their witness to him had been strong. He knew there was something remarkable about the young men. And he said, boys, I’m going to give you another chance. Right. Here is what we’re going to do. Same song, second verse. Were going to tap the baton, and we’re going to crank up the orchestra and when they do, fool me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me. I’m not going to let you get me again. This is your last opportunity. Going once, going twice. He gives them a second chance. Did you know that’s the way the devil works? The devil is always going to come and give you a second chance. He's going to tempt you. And if you don’t yield to it, it’s not like the devil just gives up. Doesn’t say oh man, he whooped me. Ill just give, all right. He’s a hause, I ain't gonna mess with him. NO. The devil is going to come after you a second time. He is going to give you a second chance. You don’t believe me? Do you remember what happened to Jesus? We’re talking Jesus here. Jesus all right. Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. This is Luke chapter 4. Listen to what happened at the very end of those temptations. Jesus triumphed in everyone. Partly because he knew the word of God and he quoted it to Satan. He whipped him. Listen to how it includes. Luke, the Bible says, that Satan left him for a more opportune time. That is, the devil wasn't even giving up on Jesus. He is going to come after him again. And he did. Don’t think you not to come after you, he is. I want to challenge you, don't bow, don’t even bend. Don’t even bend when a second chance comes your way. Do you know why they didn't bend; do you know why they didn’t bow? Because they had some sure convictions. I mean they were rock-ribbed in what they believed. Now I want you to look at the verses that are on the screen. You are going to see the convictions that they held. And this is what you make you stand when everybody else's bowing. The Bible says, when threatened again a second time, “if this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of your hand, O King. But if not,” now mark those words, “but if not, be it known to you O King, that we will not serve your gods.” now what are the convictions that shine in those verses? Number one, they had a conviction that God is strong. I love what they said, “our God is able,” he is able to deliver us and he will, they had a conviction that God was strong. In fact he is stronger than anyone. I love that truth reinforced in the New Testament. But now unto him is able, to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine. Friends of our God is strong and he is Almighty deserves our allegiance. So they had that conviction. And then, the other condition that they have was he was sufficient, he was sufficient. Now listen to what they said, and here we come to the furnace faith in its purest form. Our God is able to deliver us, we believe he is going to, but if not, but if not, but if not! I love phrase. If he doesn't deliver then I’m just going to give up on God, I’m just going to quit, I’m just going to throw my Bible away, If God doesn’t do what I want….is that what they said? No, I love what they said. They said, “but if not,” if he doesn't rescue us, we are still not going to bow down to the idol that you have made. We are not going to serve your gods. They believed that God, in himself, was sufficient. God is enough. He alone is worthy. Not for the gifts that he gives me. What if I got sick of cancer? Say God you heal me from my cancer, and if you don't heal me, then forget you God. That’s a foxhole faith. Right. God, my marriage is falling apart and God if you'll save my marriage then I'll follow you. God I need this new job. God I’ve worked hard for this. I deserve this new job. God if you'll do this for me, then I'll follow you. NO, these young men said, “but if not.”
I’m going to tell you a story out of World War II. It’s a true story and it was set on the beach in France. This is in 1940. Early in the war. And was not going well for the Allied cause, in fact, the United States and not even entered World War II yet. And Hitler and the blitzkrieg were rolling across France. The British had come to France’s aid and there were over three hundred thousand Brits in France trying stop the onslaught of Hitler. But they weren’t faring well. And they had retreated as far as they could go. They had gotten right up against what he called the English Channel. There were in a little port called Dunkirk. There was no escape. Hitler's Panzer divisions were surrounding them. The enemy. And behind them was the ocean. England was terrified that they would lose 300,000 of their finest. Their governing authorities declared a day of fasting, and prayer that God would intervene. One of the stories that comes out of that battle was of one of the commanders there in Dunkirk. It said that he simply sent a telegram back to England. The question was what are you going to do in the face of this overwhelming enemy when it seems as though there's no escape. He answered with a three-word telegram. His words were, “but if not.” We want to be rescued. We want to be saved from this dilemma. But if not, were still going to face the enemy. But if not, were still going to hold the line. But is not, we’re going to give our lives in service for right. But if not. I don’t know if you know the story, its called The Miracle of Dunkirk. God blessed and it was a remarkable story of how they rescued out 338,000 soldiers. Many of them were rescued to what they called The Little Boats of Dunkirk. There weren’t enough army boats to get them all, so mom and pop got in their little trawlers and in their little dingys and went across the British Channel and rescued those men. It’s a great, great story. But I love the commander. But if not! We’re not going to bow before you. Were not going to even bend.
How does it conclude then? What happened to these three young men? Well, if you won't bow and you wont bend, then you wont burn. Furnace faith will not burn. You know the story don't you? The Bible says that the king was furious now, doubly so. He ordered that the furnace be heated up seven times its original level. And they bound those men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They threw them into the fiery furnace still bound. So hot was the fire that the burly men who carried to the mouth of that oven and threw them in were overtaken by the flame and in the heat. They were killed. Down went Shadrach Meshach and Abednego. Bound into the flames. Apparently there at the floor of the furnace there was an opening through which, perhaps, they injected the fuel for the flame and the king was positioned just so he could see those three young men. Perhaps he imagined that he would in glee, watch their bodies burst into flames and be consumed. But instead as he looked into the furnace, he was amazed. He asked some of the other attendants, he said, “How many men did we throw into the fire?” they said, “O King, we cast in three.” He said, “How is it that when I look in there, I don’t see three men, I see four? And the fourth is like a son of the gods.” There was something about that one that glowed. Probably redundant, but he shown with the Shekinah glory. Who was that fourth man? Do you know who it was? It was a Christophany. It was an appearance of the Lord Jesus pre-incarnate. Jesus had come to the fire to rescue them.
What do we learn from this? Number one. Fire happens. Listen, if you live here on this Earth, you are going to have some fires come your way. There are going to be some difficulties. You’re going to get sick. Your child is going to get sick. Your relationships are going to be frazzled or broken. You’re going to have disappointments in your life. Fire happens to all of us. Doesn’t the Bible say? The sun shines on the just and the unjust. Rain falls on the just and unjust. You are going to go through the fire. Those young men did end up in the fire because they were disobeying God, those young men ended up in trouble because they were obeying God. God didn’t rescue them from the fire; God rescued them through the fire. He’s going to do the same for you. Fire happens. You better get ready. You better know Jesus, so that when you're in the fire he's there with you. Can we do a little math? Here’s a little math problem, all you bright university students. Let me give you a math problem. How many men were cast into the fire? Three. How many appeared there? Four. Four men in the fire. How many came out? How many are left in the fire? One. You know where Jesus is? So often, you’re going to find Jesus the fire. Trouble comes your way. You’re going to find him, as you never did before. He’s going to grow you. In fact, listen to this. Listen! Fire helps. That’s the last thing up here [pointing to sermon outline]. Fire happens and fire helps. They were thrown in bound. So how is it that they were walking about in the fire? You know how it is that they were walking about in the fire? The only thing that got burned was the ropes that bound them. When they came, because the King said, “come out, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.” And they came out and they went over to them, and they said, “Man! Your clothes aren’t even singed. Your hairs not singed. Even the sent of smoke is not on you.” The only thing they lost was the thing that bound them. Listen you go through hard times in your life, the only thing you lose are things you need to lose. There’s freedom in the fire. When we get into difficulties your going find Jesus closer is ever been.
All right now. To conclude. The story is told about a wagon train. It was traveling across the West, and as they traveled westward, they heard, behind them, the crackling of fire. They knew the sound. All of us have been watching fires out west. Those that were in the wagon train, they looked behind them and as far as they could see along the horizon, there were bright walls of flames. Smoke was billowing toward the heavens and the wind was blowing very fiercely. They knew that they could not outrun that line of fire. It would soon overtake them. There they are in the middle of the plains, no place to escape. What would they do? Many of them began to despair. Thought this would be there end. Then one enterprising person among them knelt down and he lit a match and he sat the grass in front of them ablaze. Now the same wind that's pushing the flames toward them catches this new blaze. And it begins to burn the grass in front of them and the brush in front of them. So now two fires are raging. Both going westward, one behind them, one front of them. Then you know what those enterprising settlers did? They simply rolled forward into the part of the plains that now is already been burned. You know what folks? Fire can't burn the same place twice. Once all that’s combustible been burned away, the safest place you can these were the fires already burned. What am I saying to you? Jesus was in the fire. That’s not the only time Jesus has been in the fire. When on the cross, God’s righteous judgment and wrath against sin was being poured out. You can imagine it a flame, as it were. The holiness of God, bringing judgment to bear. The Bible says, the soul that sins it shall surely die. The wages of sin is death God's holiness demanded that sin be punished. Did he just wink at sin? There would be no justice in him; there would be no holiness in him. No, sin must be judged. And Jesus, there on the cross, took our place. And it's as though the fire of Heaven burned across the ground at the cross. If you will, buy faith, step into that place where Jesus suffered your wrath, the fire can no longer touch you. You’ll be safe. You’ll be safe.
These young men hey listen; they didn’t have a foxhole faith. Now man the bullets were whizzing. Their lives were in jeopardy, but they were bargaining. They weren’t saying God if you’ll get me out of this, I am going to love you. God if you’ll get ne out of this, I’m going to serve you. No, they said God, if you don’t; we’re still going to love you. We’re still going to serve you. Now I want to challenge my own heart, as I do yours, to have more than a foxhole faith. If that's all you can muster, I guess I'll be glad for that, but it is not enough friends. God wants us to honor him by faith says, even if not. Even if not, I’m going to follow you. Now I’m going to pray for us. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to pray for us, then we’re going to see, two very courageous young men take their stand. And then we’re going to sing and praise to God. And when all that’s done and we’re dismissed. I’m going to remain here with some of the staff members to receive any of you that want to talk about faith in the Lord Jesus. How to know him as your Savior. All right, so lets pray to together God we give you praise for the testimony of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These young men, who wouldn’t bow, who wouldn’t bend. Thank you God, they didn't burn. You rescued them. Lord we know that you will meet us in our fires and you will help us. You’re able. You’re strong. You’re sufficient. You merit our love and our allegiance. May we give it to you. God give us grace to do that, we pray in Jesus name, Amen.
Stand, Week 1
Jeff Ginn
The eyes of our nation, this week, have been focused on small County in Kentucky. It’s called Rowan County. It's because there, a test case of sorts, has arisen. It swirls around a simple County Clerk. Her name is Kim Davis. Kim it turns out had lived a wild life and she had been married four times. Yet, at her mother-in-law's passing in 2011, the Lord got a hold of her and she came to know Christ as her Savior and it radically transformed her life. She says today that she's devout Christian. Well, when the Supreme Court ruled, earlier this year, that same-sex marriage was to be the law of the land, she was placed in a quandary. She was elected as clerk. In fact, her mother before her had been the County Clerk. Something of a family tradition, which is common they say in Kentucky. She had been elected under the premise that marriage was, as the Scripture teaches, between a man and a woman and now she found herself as the clerk with the responsibility of issuing marriage licenses for relationships that she did not believe comported with what the Scripture teaches. What would she do? What ought she do? It was a difficult question. She made a decision in her heart, in fact she resolved in her heart that she would not go against her conscience and what she believed was right. So she made an appeal to the governing authorities and it went to the Supreme Court and that she be heard, that her arguments be heard and that was denied. It fell back to a judge; I believe it was a federal judge there in Kentucky to rule in her case. He ruled that she must issue the licenses. If you're paid by the state of Kentucky and the law of Kentucky is that people can marry across all sorts of lines, then she, as an employee of the state, would have to issue those licenses or face the consequences. She decided that she would do the latter. She would face the consequences and so the judge decreed that this woman be cast into prison and as we worship, here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this morning, that woman sits in a prison jail cell in Rowan County, Kentucky.
I suppose I imagine that perhaps we would live to see a day like today, but the I’m not sure I really believed it would come. When someone would be imprisoned for a tenet of their religious faith. Many of you'll remember that our nation was actually founded on the exact opposite premise. That people came here to say, everyone ought to be able to worship according to their dictates and live out their faith without coercion. Those days, it seems are passing. So she's made the decision to stand.
Now some of you maybe thinking, well now wait preacher, if she's paid by the state of Kentucky and the law is as it is, then she ought to just resign and a forfeit her position. You know what, I think a case could be made for that. In fact, that actually did happen here in the state of Louisiana not so many weeks ago. It happens that there was a justice of the peace, a lady, in fact of all things; she's married to a Baptist preacher. She’s a young woman and she was elected to be the justice of the peace in, I think, Grant Parish up in Central Louisiana. Maybe some of you know where that is. She made the decision, with her husband, that when the Supreme Court ruled as it did, that she rather than get into all kinds of the legalities and a potential suit, she would just resign. She did: she just resigned her position,
I for one, am glad that Kim Davis is taking a stand. II don't necessarily, I can’t judge whether or not she's been perfect in every moment of this journey. That’s for God to judge, but I’m glad she's taken a stand. Let me tell you why, because this forces us as a nation to consider some very significant questions. Now she has said she'll take whatever repercussions come her way and she's proven that she would. In fact, when the judge ordered her to jail, her response was “yes, your honor, thank you.” She responded with grace and she's taken her lumps and there she sits in jail today. But we, as a nation, have to make some decisions about how were going to live going forward. Do we want to live in a nation? Do we want our nation to be the kind of place where a devout Christian can no longer be a court clerk? Where, in our nation, it can never be again a devout Christian, who would stand for traditional marriage that could be a justice of the peace? Where no believer of this nature, could serve as a chaplain in our Armed Forces? Could not be a chaplain with the state police force? You say, preacher that’s crazy. What are you talking about? Did you know that just this year, again this is in the state of Kentucky, there was a young man who was a volunteer from his church, he would go every week, as I understand it, to a correctional Institute where they housed young offenders. He would go there to share the hope of the gospel, and to disciple these young men. Well the state Department of Corrections came up with a sheet and he had to sign it and sheet said, “you cannot say that homosexual behavior is sinful.” Well if you are a devout believer that places you in a quandary. How can you not say what the Bible says is the case? In fact, while I’m on this, don’t think I mean this to be a diatribe against one particular sin. Any sexual activity outside the simple bounds of a man and woman wed in matrimony is outside of the parameters of what God established. Be it premarital sex, extramarital sex, homosexual behavior, all of it alike is outside what God ordained and so they said before you can go back into that prison you’ve got to sign this is. That you will not say that these behaviors are sinful. The young man said, “I can't do it.” Are we prepared to live in a nation, where volunteers from churches can't go into the prisons and share the hope of the gospel as we’ve discovered in Christ and declare Christ saves from all sin? Is that the kind of nation we want to live in? Just these past few weeks, here in the state of Louisiana, an edict was released from the judicial commission of the State of Louisiana. It went to every judge in the State of Louisiana and it said “you must comport yourself in accordance with the Supreme Court's edict or we will remove your judgeship.” no Christian judges? No Christian bakers? No Christian photographers?
These are serious days in which we’re living. Now friends listen, Kim Davis Is right at least in this one sense, we have to be willing to take whatever consequences come, but we must stand! We must stand for what is right! God will sort the consequences. Now where do we find help in making decisions during these difficult days with these weighty issues?
I've got good news for you. There is help for us so we can know how we ought to live in these trying times and it's found in the book of Daniel. Would you please open your Bibles to Daniel? Daniel, Chapter One is where we are going to be this morning, and to me it's wonderful to think that this series has been planned for months. Months ago, we laid out our preaching schedule for this year and Daniel was the book that we chose and wouldn’t you know, in God's wisdom, he gave us this, just at the moment we most needed it. And that's the way he is. So if would now as our title implies, Stand, would you stand in honor of God's word and we are going to read the first chapter. Now normally, I don't read such an extended passage at one time. It takes about three minutes to read this first chapter, and I’m going to read every word. And this will be the best three minutes you spend all day, all right? Listening to what God says. I want to listen to this and then consider how ought I to live where I am? Just as Daniel learned to live in the circumstances where he found himself. Let’s read together beginning in Daniel chapter one verse one.
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. (I like it that the editors used a little g, that’s appropriate, all right now verse 3) Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: (now you may not the names Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, but I think you know these) Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, (there it is) Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. (You know those names don’t you? Shadrach, Meshach and “away we go”, all right, you know these names. These are the great three friends of Daniel; now look in verse 8, what happens?) But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Let’s pray. God, we thank you for this book in the Bible, the book of Daniel. We thank you for the courage and commitment of these young men. The way that they stood when it seemed that all was coming against them. I pray God, you would teach us, how will stand in these days and to go against the flow when it seems that all of culture would sweep us away from you. Give us wisdom. Give us learning. Give us courage. Help us to dare to be a Daniel. I pray in Jesus name, Amen.
Please be seated. This morning we’re going to begin a study in the book of Daniel and were going to look at the life of Daniel, this courageous young man and his four compatriots. This morning we’re going to focus in the first chapter. I’m going to divide this story into three scenes. I want you to follow along carefully as the Lord teaches us. Now the very first scene I going to call, A Great Tragedy. This story begins with a great tragedy. Look at how the passage opens, there in versus one and two and see it projected on the screen. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand. Now this tragedy that I'm going to describe has two components to it. First of all, there's the component of Israel's defeat. It is a tragedy that Israel was defeated. Now remember Israel. Israel was that small band of, a tribe really, that came out of the descendants of Abraham. They were enslaved in Egypt and with a mighty hand, God brought them out of Egypt and Israel, in effect, defeated the mightiest force in its day, Egypt. Then arose the Kings, Saul and then David. David, you remember took down Goliath and the Philistines. He united the kingdom and David's reign was a rain of great might and power and renown and wealth. Then came his son Solomon. Israel was a top the world it seemed, but fissures began to appear in the veneer. It was because of the idolatry and immorality and fracturedness of their nation that that the people of Israel began to go into a decline, a steep decline, until, by the time we come to the life of Daniel, the nation is now totally defeated. Humiliated by what was then the world power, Babylon and its king Nebuchadnezzar. But the most sobering part of this defeat and of these verses that you see is that phrase “the Lord gave Jehoiakim into Nebuchadnezzar's hand. In other words it was not the might of the Babylonians, their armies, or their strategy of that enabled them to defeat Israel. What enabled them to defeat Israel was that God gave Israel over into its enemy’s hands. That is judgment came upon Israel. The Bible says righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people. And when sin begins to weave its way into a nation and there's immorality and idolatry and fractured people, then judgment is soon sure to follow. And if God judged Israel for her sins and he did, God can judge the United States of America for our sins. It was a tragedy that they were defeated. And the tragedy of it was that God allowed it to happen. Now why would I do that? Why would God allow his own people to go into captivity and defeat? Do you know why? It was because of their disobedience God had warned them for decades on end, that they ought to repent. That they ought to get right, but Israel was stiff necked and it was bent on going its own way. Away from God, and so judgment was to come. In fact it’s interesting. It’s one of the proofs of the inerrancy of Scripture and its trustworthiness. Did you know that more than 100 years prior to the defeat of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, God prophesied it would happen? He did so through the prophet Isaiah. Listen! Listen carefully to the precision of this prophesy. This is from Isaiah Chapter 39 beginning at verse five. “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. And some of your sons, who shall issue from you, whom you shall beget, shall be taken away. And they shall become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon. Are you kidding me? A hundred years before it happened, God said there's going to come a day when judgment will fall. You’re going to be carried away the Babylonian in captivity, including some of your own defendants. What do recent discover here in Daniel chapter 1? That from the nobility, from the royal house, these young men were buried in the Babylon. GOD’S WORD CANNOT BE MOCKED! What a man sows, he will reap. What a nation sows, a nation will reap. And this story begins with a tragedy, but the tragedy did not have to happen. Had the children of Israel repented and turned back to God, judgment would not have fallen but they did not, they disobeyed, and thus, they were defeated. It’s a lesson for us in America. Could judgment fall on America? It could! I've said before and I'll say it again here now, with a heavy heart I tell you, I wouldn't be surprised if God allowed our worst enemies overrun us, to discipline us for our sin. We, the purported Christian nation, supposed Christian nation! Why is it that those who sell baby parts are free and the one who would stand for traditional marriage is in jail? You explain it to me! Don’t think it could happen to us. It could happen. I don’t say that with any glee, I say with a broken heart. I say God have mercy on America. Lord don’t have justice with us. We don't need justice. If justice were to fall we would be judged. No, we need mercy. God have mercy on us. Help us and especially those of us who know the truth that we would stand for righteousness. Not holier than thou, but just walk in obedience to the precepts of God's Word. Simple things. Like Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery, Ashley Madison. Thou Shall Not Steal; Thou Shall Not Kill, including innocent babies and their mother’s womb! GOD HELP US! Lest this tragedy befall us.
Now lets go to the second scene. I’ve talked to you about the great tragedy that befell the children of Israel. Now I want to say something about a great temptation. It came Daniel's way. Here they are, carried off to Babylon. And here's the strange twist of fate, if you will, Daniel has in front of him, in a way of thinking, a golden possibility. All right? He’s been held in captivity. His city has been besieged. They been starving in Jerusalem. Now this young man, country bumpkin, has been carried off to Babylon. Babylon was the greatest city of its day. It was the Washington DC or the New York City of its time. There is Daniel, living in that great walled city. He enrolled there, not in LSU; he enrolled in BSU Babylon State University. And he's got TOPS (scholarship program), he’s got full ride tuition, he got room and board, doesn’t the Bible say that? He’s given to eat and the king’s table. He’s standing in the king's palace. I mean he’s got the tiger by the tail. All he’s got to do is go along to get along. Just don’t ruffle feathers. Just keep your head down Daniel or you’ll get it lopped off. He’s got a golden opportunity. Here he is. He’s not eating at the Five; he’s eating at Galatoire’s, or Juban’s or Ruffino’s. I mean he eating the royal regimen, it’s being fed to him. What an opportunity he has. All he has to do is go along to get along. Daniel, just be cool man. Just fit in. just be like everybody else around you. That’s all you’ve got to do. I love Daniel, because in the face of this golden possibility, he stands for a Godly purpose. Look at would you in verse eight. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine that he drank. Daniel resolved, that is, Daniel purposed in his heart. Daniel was like this; everybody may be going this way. Everybody may be disobeying the Lord's commands, but I am going to go this way. I’m not going to be holier than thou about it, I’m not going to try to lift myself up as if I'm all that. But just in my own modest way, I'm going to stand for what's right. What a great word. You young people listen to me. You know how old Daniel was at this time? We believe he was probably about 14 years of age. Do I have any 14 year olds in here this morning? Stand up if you are 14. I want to see all our 14 year olds. Stand right up. How would you 14 year olds like if you were carried away into a foreign country? You 15 year olds stand up 15 year old. He may have been 15. There you are. There you are. 15 years old, carried away, all you have to do is go along. Just do whatever everyone else is doing. You don’t have to make a scene for crying out loud. You can be seated. Daniel wouldn't go along to get along. And he would keep his head down. He stood up. And he said I’m going to follow the Lords precepts. And you might even argue, it’s not that big a thing. I mean all you have to do is eat the king’s food. Just drink the wine that there serving. What? It’s not a big deal. It was to Daniel. Because God in his word had laid out some principles of how to live in obedience to him. And there were certain kosher foods among the Jewish people. And Daniel on what some might consider just the technicality said I'm not going the yield on this. I'm going to be faithful to the Lord. By his grace am going to stand true. And I want to challenge our young people and our parents who set the example and our grandparents who are here this morning. May God help us in this day of so much moral confusion, just to be true? True to God's word. To his truth. To his principles. And not yield. Daniel had a Godly purpose. You know what this leads to? It leads to peril. It leads to danger. There was a grave peril before Daniel. I mean you couldn’t buck King Nebuchadnezzar. I mean this is the ruler of the known world. It would be like being carried in before the Ayatollah Khomeini. You do what you want in his face. It’s a dangerous thing. You say how do you know that preacher? Well look at what the Bible says. They’re now in verse 10. ..and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king. What’s he saying? He’s saying man, if you don't do what the king said, we could all get our heads lopped off.
This is serious business. But Daniel, no matter the risk, runs this apparel. And is willing to stand in the face of it. He is between a rock and a hard place. Look at this. If he pleases the king, he displeases the King of Kings. But he pleases the King of Kings, he displeases the king. And he has to make a choice. And all of us are going to have to make a choice. Who is the King that we will please? For whose pleasure do we live? And Daniel makes his choice. Now I love Daniel because he offers up, in this quandary, he offers up a very gracious proposal. He doesn’t stand up on the cafeteria table in the middle of the Five or something and start banging on the table. I want a new menu! I want a new menu! I want a new menu! He doesn't do that. He doesn’t hold up a placards and march, like Westboro does. No, what does Daniel do? He makes a very gracious proposal. He says look, I tell you what, would you be so kind as to just test us for 10 days? Just let us eat fruit and vegetables. Just test us. The word vegetable here is a word that means from the seed. So it would have included things like wheat and vegetables and fruit. Things that grow from seed. Just let us have a basic menu and then at the end of the 10 days just test us and see how we measure up against the others. It was a gracious kind proposal. And I want to advocate this for all of us. I’m not wanting you to leave today and go get placards and march and shout profanities and curse the darkness. I’m not asking you to do that. Nor do I believe the Word of God have us do that. Instead I'm asking you to live with what I’m going to call a convictional kindness.
Now you just may want to jot these words down. The head or our Religious Liberty and Ethics Commission is a man named Dr. Russell Moore. And he coined this phrase as I know and I love it. Listen to it. Convictional Kindness. What does that mean? Well just think of each word individually. Conviction. God’s people, if you know Jesus as your savior, and you comport to be His disciple, you need to have some conviction about you. Things that you believe are right and wrong. And those things need to be rooted in the clear teachings of God’s word. Not some list you just came up with by tradition. But what does God’s word say? And knowing what he expects, you say, these are my convictions. I’m not looking to fight. I’m not looking down my nose at anybody else. These are jus the things I believe are expected of me by God and I have convictions about these. That’s conviction. That is, have a backbone. But then the word kindness. What does the word kindness mean? That means that you’re gentle. That you’re not up in people's faces looking for a fight. You’re going to plead your case. You’re going to make proposal and you’re going to do it with graciousness. And if it is not conceded to you, you are going to face the consequences. Convictional
Kindness. Or you could turn it around and it is the same thing. Kind conviction. And those are the kind of people we need to be in the day in which were living.
Kim Davis, whether or not we agree with every nuance of what she’s done, she’s made a proposal. She’s said I want to take this to the Supreme Court. I want there to be an adjudication. I believe that we need to have an adjudication in our nation. Let me remind us again. We are the government. If you are old enough to vote, you, in a sense, govern this nation. And you need to take seriously that right and that responsibility that falls to you. You better know the issues. Don’t vote for somebody because they handsome, or because they are good looking. Don’t vote for them because they are brash. Vote for someone who, to the best of your discernment, is going to stand according to biblical principle’s and again, whether or not we carry any election, we still have to stand for what is right.
Stand! Stand! Stand! And Daniel did. And he did it, with convictional kindness. We are not looking for confrontation, but we are not going to capitulate either. May God help us to be people of convictional kindness? Isn’t that what the bible says? Listen to what the bible says. This now is 1st Peter, Chapter 3. Versus 14-15. But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.. Now folks, I tell you, I will be honest with you, you probably know this anyway, its hard for me not to get angry at times. Just to get upset and frustrated and bitter because things don’t go the way I think they ought to go. And the world often sees Christians an embittered, harsh, offensive people. Peter says, be ready to give an answer for the hope that’s within you when people ask you. Are you known as the person of hope? Am I known as the person of hope or do I think the roofs caving in. You know Chicken Little. The sky is falling. Friends we have a hope and our nation may go down the tubes and we may be imprisoned for your faith but I still have hope. We ought to be ready to give an answer. And he says do it with gentleness and respect.
May God help us to live with convictional kindness? All right now here is the end. It ends and I’m so thankful to say this, on an up note. It ends in triumph, really. Look at how this the third scene in our story. It is what I call, a great triumph. It happens because of faithfulness to God. Daniel is faithful. He stays true to what he believes. He didn’t bow, he didn’t bend, he didn’t break. He stood. Stand. Stand. Stand. He did. He was faithful. And because he was faithful, he was favored by God. God favored him. Look at how this passage concludes. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams and the king spoke with them and among all of them, none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. He found them ten times better than all. That’s amazing. Why were Daniel and his friends found ten times better? Was it because of innate intelligence in them? Did they have a natural higher IQ? I’m not sure that they did. I really believe that it was rooted in God’s favor. He blessed these boys. He helped them in their studies. He favored them and when we are faithful to God, he will favor us. He will bless us. He did with Daniel. Daniel rose to be; some might say the prime minister of Babylon. Now is it that all was easy for Daniel? Am I preaching a health and wealth gospel? No I am not! In fact, did you know that for the next seventy years of Daniels live, he was a captive, enslaved in Babylon? But he was still favored. This story set hundreds of years ago, could read as todays newspaper. It’s that applicable to where we are living. I pray God we wont go through any greater tragedy than what we have already experienced. I pray that we as a nation and as people will turn back to God.
Listen friends, the problem isn’t in the courthouse, and the white house solely. It’s in the church house. Its preachers afraid to say what is true. It is church members who wont stand for what is true. It ought to begin the revival needs to begin here among us! In this day of difficulty, you young people, I know well, great temptations are going to come your way. You are going to be pressured to just go along to get along. I want to challenge you to purpose in your heart that you are going to stand for the Lord. And I want you do it with convictional kindness. And I want to do that myself. You pray for me that Ill be that kind of disciple. If we’ll do it, friends, I want to tell you something, God will bless it. He will favor us. He will be gracious to us. He’ll make his countenance shine upon us. He’ll give us peace. He will!
Would you stand please with your head bowed? I want ask our musicians to come, our band. Were going to go out today singing. Were not defeated. Listen friend, no matter what happens we’re not defeated. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. The ultimate victory is the Lord’s. We just need to make sure that we are on his side. That we know him that we been redeemed. That we been forgiven. That we’re standing. We need his grace to do it. We can’t stand in our own power, in our own strength. We need his grace. And so I want us to pray now for it. And then we will sing.
God we thank you for your word and the light it is to our feet. The light it is to our path. God, I pray that today it's been illumined how we ought to live. With convictional kindness. Standing for what’s right in a hostile world. I pray for our young people that they’ll stand true. In elementary school, and middle school, and high school, for our collegiate at the University. That they will be gracious, faithful. I pray for adults out in the workplace, where there is dishonesty and immorality and deceit and all manner of temptation. Lord help us as adults to be faithful to you. Help us God to stand! We pray in Jesus name, AMEN.
Transcript follows!
Stand
“The Kingdom that Shall Stand Forever”
Daniel 2:1-49
Key verse: “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).
- Desperation before God
a. The reasons for desperation
b. The responses to desperation
- Deliverance by God
a. He is powerful
b. He is present
c. He is praiseworthy
- Dominion of God
a. His reign is perpetual
b. His reign is personal
Would everyone please draw a deep breath, just do like this. All right I see that all of you have breath. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord. I'd tell wasn’t that wonderful, what the choir and orchestra did. It was tremendous. The song said, "Let all the works of his hand be applauded" and we applaud the Lord. He gives gifts to people and I'm so glad they share their gifts with us. It’s a dream come true for me to serve in the church were people are so gifted musically and they let those gifts be used for the glory of God! Thank you choir and orchestra and all were involved in the service thus far, it’s been tremendous.
Would you take your Bible, please, and open to the book of Daniel. We are in a study through the book of Daniel. Really what were doing is, were really studying chapters one through six. This series, is in a lot of ways, was designed to help our students as they go back into the school system, especially the college and university system. We want to help them dare to be a Daniel and so that was a lot of the idea that went behind us scheduling this series at this time. Today we come to chapter two. Daniel chapter two. You said before, nothing lasts forever. There’s a lot of truth in that statement. For example, I want you to think with me of sports dynasties. Nothing lasts forever. Dynasties rise and they fall. Back in the 60's, the dominant team in the NBA was the Boston Celtics. Some of you are old enough to remember the Celtics in those days. They won eleven NBA championships in 13 years. That team have on it, great players like Bill Russell and Bob Cousy, John Havelechek. In fact they won eight straight NBA championships during the 60's. And so someone may have thought, "well, the Celtics, they'll just forever, be the dominant team in the NBA but, that’s not so is it. Along came the 80's, well the late 70's and 80's and it was ShowTime. These were the Los Angeles Lakers. This was kind of when I was coming up as a teenager and young man in college, that era. That team was made up of Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and great players like that. Kurt Rambis with the glasses, if you remember him and they were coached by Pat Riley. They were dominant in their day, in fact they went eight finals during that span of time and they won five NBA championships. Perhaps people thought the Lakers! The Lakers will always be on top but it isn’t so because dynasties rise and they fall. It was the Celtics in the 60's, the Lakers in the 80's, then came the 90's and who was the dominant team during the 1990's? The Chicago Bulls! They had on it, the greatest of all time, pound for pound, inch for inch, Michael Jordan and his sidekick Scottie Pippen. And that crazy man, Dennis Rodman. If you remember Dennis Rodman. crazy! the Bulls won six NBA championships. I can still picture in my mind, Michael Jordan, gesturing six championships! had he not had this crazy idea to try to go play professional baseball, they probably would have one more championships and so the Bulls were the dominant team. Somebody may have said, well the Bulls, theyll always be the dynasty. but, it isn't so is it. sports dynasties rise and fal,l but it's not just true in sports. it's true in business. businesses rise and businesses fall. monopolies and dynasties in the economic realm, rise and fall. in fact there was a study done of all the Fortune 500 companies, in the year 1955. how many of them still existed in 2014?
You know that 89%, thats nearly 90% of those Fortune 500 companies are no longer in the list because businesses rise and fall. In fact, let me just mention a litany of companies. Blockbuster. Blockbuster was all the rage and there was a blockbuster on every corner and every strip shopping mall. but today, blockbusters s ,I believe, is bankrupt. they've gone through bankruptcy, because though they made the transition from VHS, the VCR's, to DVD, they didn't keep up and Netflix came in and Netflix would just send you a movie right over the Internet to your home or you could go down to the local store in for a dollar you could read out of the red box, I think it's called. and Blockbuster is no more. sears. how many used to go shopping at Sears? I remember as a little boy going into a multi-storied Sears building in Memphis, Tennessee. it was a big trip for us. we would travel from our little home town of Forrest City. we would drive over to Memphis, get some burgers at Krystal and go up into the tower at Sears in Memphis. we thought was big stuff. But who goes to Sears nowadays? Walmart. Amazon.com. in fact, what store do you go to at all? you just order it over Amazon and it is dropped right on your front doorstep. Sears has not been able to keep up. In fact, poor Sears they have paired up with Kmart. many forecasters say they'll not survive next year. what happens? businesss come and go just as sports dynasties do. Kodak, Kodak was the dominant photography company for 100 years. and somebody said well Kodak will always dominate the photography business. but you know what? they were so tied to film, that when digiital photography came out, they were left in the dustbin. They couldn’t compete. And their fortunes rose and fell.
Well, what's true in sports and what's true in business is also true in the political sphere. empires rise and empires fall. Theres a long litany of kings and would-be dictators that have arisen and fallen. Ramses, Alexander, Caesar Augustus, Charlemagne, Genghis Khan, Hitler, Mussolini, Mau Se Tong, Stalin, ISIS. All of them rising, one day, to fall. But I come here to tell you something. There is a kingdom that will never fall. There is a dynasty rising that will never be diminished. And it is the kingdom of our Lord and Christ, Jesus himself. And of that kingdom, Daniel speaks. Would you stand your feet and honor of God's word and we'll see what God's word says about this kingdom? Now, I’m going to have mercy on you. I’m not going to read all 49 versus all right. Going to read the first twelve and this will be our Launchpad for the rest of the story. Give your best attention to what happens in verses 1 to 12, because this will set the stage. Daniel chapter 2 beginning in verse one God's word says,
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic,“O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm—if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.
Lets pray. Lord we have breath this morning and because we do, we praise you Lord. We see around us the ruins of dynasties and kingdoms and businesses that are risen only to fall. God we believe your word that says there is a kingdom rising there is a dynasty rising that will never fall. it is the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, the Lord Jesus. We thank you for your kingdom. We thank you for the King. I pray this morning he will be lifted high and all of us would make sure that we are among his subjects and have pledged allegiance to the Lamb. We ask it in his name. Amen. Please be seated.
Our story this morning begins with desperation. There is absolute desperation before God. You know why don't you? Let me give you the reasons for desperation that the magicians, the enchanters and Daniel himself must've felt. The reason port was because the king is being unreasonable. They’re in a predicament to be sure. The king said I had a dream. It must have been a terrible dream. It must be a frightening dream and the King wants to know the meaning of it. And so, he orders that they tell him his dream. They say well that’s fine King, will tell you the dream as long as you tell us. We will tell you the meaning of your dream as long as you tell us what you dreamed. And the king says Oh No. In effect he says I've been suspicious about you boys all along. If I tell you the dream you could just concoct some explanation of it and I have no means of knowing whether your purported interpretation is true or false. I’m going to put out before you a fleece, in effect, and I ordered this, you tell me, without me disclosing it to you, what I dream. And if you can tell me what I drink first then I'll believe the interpretation that you purport to give. Well the people realize, these magicians, these wise men, they realized that their goose is cooked because they are powerless for this predicament. They have no means with in themselves to come up with it. And they protest. They say only the gods know what transpires in the night and in the dark. Only they can tell the dream that you have. So there are reasons for them being desperate. But the more important thing is, what is their response to this desperation? And maybe you've come here today and there's some desperation in your life. Maybe you're facing some crisis of some sort. Perhaps it's a relational crisis sorts, or it’s a financial crisis, or it's an emotional crisis. The important thing is not the reasons for your desperation. The important thing is your response in your desperation. How will you respond? And I love the way Daniel responded in this desperate moment. He responded, first of all, by being very prudent. The Bible says in verse 14 when the executioner came to Daniel, this is verse 14, Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch. Daniel gave a soft answer. The Bible says in Proverbs 15:1 a soft answer turns away wrath.
I heard a story about a Red Sox baseball player. His name was Wade Boggs. A lot of you will remember Wade Boggs. I believe he was the third baseman for the Red Sox. And of course you know the archrivals to the Red Sox are the Yankees. Every time the Red Sox would go to play in Yankee Stadium, there would be this heckler over on the third-base line and he would incessantly criticize and belittle Wade Boggs. He was always on his case. And he would say "man you stink." "Man your no good." and he just be giving him a hard time. Later Boggs had finally had enough. And so when the man started criticizing Boggs just walked over to him and he said, "Are you the man that's always running me down, you the man that it is always criticizing me?" and the Yankee fan said that's right, its me." what you can do about? Wade Boggs pulled out a brand-new baseball and he autographed it and tossed it up to the man.
And it is said that from that time on, that man became the biggest Yankee fan of Boston Red Sox player Wade Boggs. Why, because he given a soft answer to wrath.
Daniel is faced with his potential execution. The executioner has come. He said you’ve got to tell me what this dream means or you going to be killed. And Daniel answers, the Bible says with prudence. And I want to recommend this to all of us, whenever somebody gets up in your grill, someone is on your case; you ought to be like Daniel and respond with prudence and discretion. What else could you do? It wasn't just that he was prudent, he was prayerful. I love this. It’s not going to appear on the screen. But listen to what says in verses 17 and 18 or you can look at it in your Bible verses 17 and 18. “Then Daniel went into his house and made the matter known to his three friends, his companions, and he told them to seek mercy from the God of Heaven concerning this mystery. What did Daniel do? How did he respond to his desperate situation? Daniel prayed. It was prudent and he was prayerful. And if we will be those two things, you'll be surprised how God delivers us from the crises of our lives. He prayed.
I heard a story about these three preachers that were sitting together and they were talking about prayer. What was the best posture for preying? And it happened that there was a telephone line repairman who was working and he was within earshot. So the first preacher said, I find, that the best way to pray is to stretch my hands toward heaven and the and look up the sky, that's the best posture for prayer. Well the second preacher said, Oh no, the best posture for prayer is to get on your knees. There the Lord will hear your prayer. The third preacher said, well I don't think lifting your hand your hands to heaven and are getting down on your knees. He said the best posture for prayer is just to get flat on your face, be prone before the Lord. The old telephone line repairman had had enough, he piped up and said he fellas, the best posture I ever had in prayer was when I was hanging upside down from the telephone pole. I tell you when you're hanging upside down and your situation is desperate, you are going to pray.
Too many of us, we wait until our situation is desperate before we pray. Prayer is not the last resort, prayer is the first resort and Daniel knows this. They come and say Daniel you got to tell us this dream or you're going to be executed. He is prudent and he is prayerful. Are you taking to the Lord, the burdens and crises of your life for his hand to move? Well Daniel was wise enough to do so. So now we move from desperation before God to deliverance by God. When we respond rightly, we’re going to find the Lord ready to act on our behalf and the Lord ready to deliver. Look at verse 19 and you’ll see if they’re on the screen. The Bible says. “Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven.” What happened, God delivered him. The situation was desperate but our God is greater and he delivered. He delivered Daniel. Now here I see three things. First of all, our God is powerful. I actually agree with all the enchanters of Babylon in one sense. In verse 11 they had said, “no one can give the dream except the gods.” you know what, they were right. It had to be someone who was powerful enough, someone to whom the darkness is light. Someone to whom what is shrouded, is revealed, and our God, is just that kind of God, he is powerful. He is able. Listen to what Psalm 139 says, “ oh Lord, your searched me, and know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my paths and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, you, oh Lord, know it all together.” and I could continue the reading, many of you know it well. You can't go where God is not. You can't know something that God doesn't already know. Daniel turns in his desperation to this powerful God and God reveals to Daniel would only the gods can do. Only the one true God. He is powerful. You know what else I see here? He is present. Again verse 11, the Chaldeans say, “no one can reveal this except the gods and their dwelling is not among men.” they were right on the one hand but wrong on the other. Only God could reveal the dream, but they were wrong when they said, “his dwelling is not among men, his dwelling is among men. He is Emanuel, God come to dwell among us. And God was with Daniel. God was with Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. When they went into that fiery furnace, God was there. And when Daniel needed him, God was there, and when you need God, he will be there. He is powerful. He is present, therefore he is praiseworthy. And I love what Daniel does here. Daniel receives this vision .God reveals to him the dream. What does Daniel do? Look at the latter half of this verse. What does it say? Then, this the latter half of the verse, then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. Daniel, not only asked for God to intervene, but when God did, Daniel remembered to say thank you. He praised him. Gordon read that passage earlier, so I won't repeat it now, but I do want to reiterate for us all, the importance, not only of bringing our petitions to God, but once he is gracious to us. Giving him our praise in response. I too often prone to forget when good things happen to me. I may ask for them, but then I don't remember to say thank you. In fact, just this week, one of our church members was so gracious, and called the office, and he said that some jambalaya. I've got 15 lunches and, I’m going to bring them by the office and so it was on Thursday of this week that dear brother brought those lunches by to feed all the staff. We all gobble them up and enjoyed them very much Well a day or two went by and it was Saturday and I was preparing for this message and I was reminded that I ought to give thanks and so I texted the brother and said brother thank you for that lunch. That was delicious. And how many of us, we’re feasting on the good gifts God gives us but we don't remember to say thank you.
While I'm at it, let me just say this, this church is so good to Nell and Me. You are so good to us and I know a lot of you have done things for me and I never even said thank you to you. I’ve not written you a thank you note and maybe I haven’t responded and right now can I just blanket say, thank you God for Istrouma, thank you dear friends for your gifts and your support and your kindness. I really do appreciate it, I really do. I really do. We ought to remember to be a people who are grateful; Daniel was that kind of man. He praised the Lord for God's good gift. And not only did he give thanks, he gave tribute. Because when Daniel stood before the king, the king said, “can you give me the interpretation, can you tell me my dream, and can you tell me what it meant.” Daniel said, “no sir,’ he said, “I cannot do it, but there is a God in heaven, and he has shown me what you think. Daniel didn't take credit. Credit was not due to Daniel. He was wise enough not to co-opt God's glory. He gave God thanks and he gave God tribute. He gave God the glory for the good thing that it been done. Well now I come to the end. I want to say something about the dominion of God. You see our desperation, if we respond to it rightly will lead to God's deliverance and in his deliverance we see his sovereign dominion overall. Now here I will refer to verse 44. Daniel is giving the interpretation of the dream and he says, looks to the screen you'll see the verse, “and in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end and it shall stand forever.” there's the title of today's sermon. “The kingdom that shall stand forever.” sports dynasties rise and fall. Businesses rise and fall. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, but there is a kingdom that will never fall. In fact, this King, his reign is first of all, perpetual. In perpetuity. For all time. Eternally, Jesus will reign. Daniel knew this from the dream that Nebuchadnezzar had had and the interpretation God him. Now listen to the dream. It’s given to us in verses 31 through 35. You saw o king and behold a great image. This image, mighty and have exceeding brightness, stood before you and its appearance was frightening. I want you as I read this to try to envision in your minds eye this statue, that was erected there. Verse 32 “the head of this image was of fine gold. Its chest and arms were of silver. It’s middle and thighs of bronze. Its legs of iron. Its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone,” now note this careful, “a stone was cut out by no human hand and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold altogether were broken in pieces and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found but the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. What a vision Daniel had. Daniel had a vision of kingdoms. A succession of kingdoms. Why? Because kingdoms rise and fall. The first of those kings was the head of gold and God told him, is Nebuchadnezzar. That is the Persian Empire. It was known for it’s its stores of gold. But with time, Babylon fell. In its place rose up a kingdom of silver. That was pictured in the arms and the chest of this image. That was the Medo-Persian Empire. it lasted some 200 years and just as Babylon was famous for its gold, Medo Persia was famous for its hoards of silver. But with time Medo-Persia fell. There was a man in Macedonia, Philip who rose up and his son after him Alexander and Alexander conquered the whole earth. His army dressed in bronze from helmet to toe and their shields and swords even of bronze and the mighty Grecian army swept the known earth. But that Kingdom to though it rose to the pinnacle of human achievement it fell. And behind it came that army of iron. The great Roman legions and they took the place of that Grecian Empire. But just like those before it, it to would fall. How would it fall? Listen to me. There was a stone cut out by no human hand. Who is this stone that came and struck the image and all the kingdoms of the world fall before this stone. I tell you he is the stone that was rejected of men, but is the cornerstone of the Church. He is the Lord Jesus. Cut by no human and the virgin birth is there prophesied, Jesus is the King of Kings and he will rein in perpetuity forever he the perpetual king. Now friends, as true is that is, and as important as it is, there's something even more important for you, that is, his reign must be personal. He’s going to reign. Doesn’t the Bible say every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord? One day, everybody is going to bow the knee to Jesus. Every Buddhist, every Muslim, every Hindu, every Christian, we are all going to bow the knee. What makes the difference is, did you do it now, willingly, of your own volition, in repentance and faith? Or will you that day, by force? This great king, Nebuchadnezzar, when given the dream and its interpretation, he did what we all ought to do. Look at it. Now I'm in verse 47. The last verse pictured here. “The king answered and said to Daniel truly your God is God. He is the God of gods and Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries for you have been able to reveal this mystery. . Nebuchadnezzar that greatest of all despots, bowed his knee before the King of kings and Lord of Lords. So must every one of us. There’s a mountain in New Hampshire. I believe there the Green Mountains is the name of them and in one of those great mountains, there was a protrusion. There was a piece of rock that jutted out from the face of the cliff. You see a picture of it here on the screen. This is an iconic image from New Hampshire. You know what they call this? The old man in the mountain. Boys and girls can you look up there and can you see his nose and his brow and his chin there. The old man in the mountain. And from time immoral, the old man in the mountain was there. I don’t know what you call people that live in New Hampshire, New Hampshireites, I guess. They love the old man in the mountain. In fact I believe he's on their state stamp and seal and a million other souvenirs from New Hampshire. But one cold night in 2003, the old man in the mountain, gave way. There were fissures that had formed by the ice thawing and the freezing of it over so many centuries and in the night, that great visage broke off and slid down the mountain to the valley below. And the old man in the mountain is no more. It broke their hearts. A man in the mountain. A man in the mountain who came down. This was a tragedy. I'm speaking to you today of a triumph. There is another man in the mountain. He is a stone cut by no human hand. He is the cornerstone. He is the Lord Jesus and he came down. No one can do these things except the gods and they do not make their dwelling among men. Oh yes they do. He made his dwelling among us and we beheld his glory. The glory as of the only begotten of the father. Full of grace and truth. Jesus is the stone upon which all hope is built. In fact I’m reminded, of this great old hymn. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus's name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all of the ground all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. Kingdoms rise and fall. Sports dynasties rise and fall. Businesses rise and fall. But there is a dynasty rising. There is a kingdom rising and will fill the whole earth. You need to make sure that you are a subject to that King. Lets pray. God, we praise you for your word. What a great God you are. You see in the darkness. You know our thoughts before we think them. You know a word before it’s on our lips and you reveal what is mystery. You tell us what is to come. It is certain. It is sure. We thank you that your kingdom is rising. And that we can be a part of it. By your grace, your mercy, we can be a part of it. We praise you, in Jesus mighty name, Amen.
Would everyone please draw a deep breath, just do like this. All right I see that all of you have breath. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord. I'd tell wasn’t that wonderful, what the choir and orchestra did. It was tremendous. The song said, "Let all the works of his hand be applauded" and we applaud the Lord. He gives gifts to people and I'm so glad they share their gifts with us. It’s a dream come true for me to serve in the church were people are so gifted musically and they let those gifts be used for the glory of God! Thank you choir and orchestra and all were involved in the service thus far, it’s been tremendous.
Would you take your Bible, please, and open to the book of Daniel. We are in a study through the book of Daniel. Really what were doing is, were really studying chapters one through six. This series, is in a lot of ways, was designed to help our students as they go back into the school system, especially the college and university system. We want to help them dare to be a Daniel and so that was a lot of the idea that went behind us scheduling this series at this time. Today we come to chapter two. Daniel chapter two. You said before, nothing lasts forever. There’s a lot of truth in that statement. For example, I want you to think with me of sports dynasties. Nothing lasts forever. Dynasties rise and they fall. Back in the 60's, the dominant team in the NBA was the Boston Celtics. Some of you are old enough to remember the Celtics in those days. They won eleven NBA championships in 13 years. That team have on it, great players like Bill Russell and Bob Cousy, John Havelechek. In fact they won eight straight NBA championships during the 60's. And so someone may have thought, "well, the Celtics, they'll just forever, be the dominant team in the NBA but, that’s not so is it. Along came the 80's, well the late 70's and 80's and it was ShowTime. These were the Los Angeles Lakers. This was kind of when I was coming up as a teenager and young man in college, that era. That team was made up of Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and great players like that. Kurt Rambis with the glasses, if you remember him and they were coached by Pat Riley. They were dominant in their day, in fact they went eight finals during that span of time and they won five NBA championships. Perhaps people thought the Lakers! The Lakers will always be on top but it isn’t so because dynasties rise and they fall. It was the Celtics in the 60's, the Lakers in the 80's, then came the 90's and who was the dominant team during the 1990's? The Chicago Bulls! They had on it, the greatest of all time, pound for pound, inch for inch, Michael Jordan and his sidekick Scottie Pippen. And that crazy man, Dennis Rodman. If you remember Dennis Rodman. crazy! the Bulls won six NBA championships. I can still picture in my mind, Michael Jordan, gesturing six championships! had he not had this crazy idea to try to go play professional baseball, they probably would have one more championships and so the Bulls were the dominant team. Somebody may have said, well the Bulls, theyll always be the dynasty. but, it isn't so is it. sports dynasties rise and fal,l but it's not just true in sports. it's true in business. businesses rise and businesses fall. monopolies and dynasties in the economic realm, rise and fall. in fact there was a study done of all the Fortune 500 companies, in the year 1955. how many of them still existed in 2014?
You know that 89%, thats nearly 90% of those Fortune 500 companies are no longer in the list because businesses rise and fall. In fact, let me just mention a litany of companies. Blockbuster. Blockbuster was all the rage and there was a blockbuster on every corner and every strip shopping mall. but today, blockbusters s ,I believe, is bankrupt. they've gone through bankruptcy, because though they made the transition from VHS, the VCR's, to DVD, they didn't keep up and Netflix came in and Netflix would just send you a movie right over the Internet to your home or you could go down to the local store in for a dollar you could read out of the red box, I think it's called. and Blockbuster is no more. sears. how many used to go shopping at Sears? I remember as a little boy going into a multi-storied Sears building in Memphis, Tennessee. it was a big trip for us. we would travel from our little home town of Forrest City. we would drive over to Memphis, get some burgers at Krystal and go up into the tower at Sears in Memphis. we thought was big stuff. But who goes to Sears nowadays? Walmart. Amazon.com. in fact, what store do you go to at all? you just order it over Amazon and it is dropped right on your front doorstep. Sears has not been able to keep up. In fact, poor Sears they have paired up with Kmart. many forecasters say they'll not survive next year. what happens? businesss come and go just as sports dynasties do. Kodak, Kodak was the dominant photography company for 100 years. and somebody said well Kodak will always dominate the photography business. but you know what? they were so tied to film, that when digiital photography came out, they were left in the dustbin. They couldn’t compete. And their fortunes rose and fell.
Well, what's true in sports and what's true in business is also true in the political sphere. empires rise and empires fall. Theres a long litany of kings and would-be dictators that have arisen and fallen. Ramses, Alexander, Caesar Augustus, Charlemagne, Genghis Khan, Hitler, Mussolini, Mau Se Tong, Stalin, ISIS. All of them rising, one day, to fall. But I come here to tell you something. There is a kingdom that will never fall. There is a dynasty rising that will never be diminished. And it is the kingdom of our Lord and Christ, Jesus himself. And of that kingdom, Daniel speaks. Would you stand your feet and honor of God's word and we'll see what God's word says about this kingdom? Now, I’m going to have mercy on you. I’m not going to read all 49 versus all right. Going to read the first twelve and this will be our Launchpad for the rest of the story. Give your best attention to what happens in verses 1 to 12, because this will set the stage. Daniel chapter 2 beginning in verse one God's word says,
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic,“O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm—if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.
Lets pray. Lord we have breath this morning and because we do, we praise you Lord. We see around us the ruins of dynasties and kingdoms and businesses that are risen only to fall. God we believe your word that says there is a kingdom rising there is a dynasty rising that will never fall. it is the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, the Lord Jesus. We thank you for your kingdom. We thank you for the King. I pray this morning he will be lifted high and all of us would make sure that we are among his subjects and have pledged allegiance to the Lamb. We ask it in his name. Amen. Please be seated.
Our story this morning begins with desperation. There is absolute desperation before God. You know why don't you? Let me give you the reasons for desperation that the magicians, the enchanters and Daniel himself must've felt. The reason port was because the king is being unreasonable. They’re in a predicament to be sure. The king said I had a dream. It must have been a terrible dream. It must be a frightening dream and the King wants to know the meaning of it. And so, he orders that they tell him his dream. They say well that’s fine King, will tell you the dream as long as you tell us. We will tell you the meaning of your dream as long as you tell us what you dreamed. And the king says Oh No. In effect he says I've been suspicious about you boys all along. If I tell you the dream you could just concoct some explanation of it and I have no means of knowing whether your purported interpretation is true or false. I’m going to put out before you a fleece, in effect, and I ordered this, you tell me, without me disclosing it to you, what I dream. And if you can tell me what I drink first then I'll believe the interpretation that you purport to give. Well the people realize, these magicians, these wise men, they realized that their goose is cooked because they are powerless for this predicament. They have no means with in themselves to come up with it. And they protest. They say only the gods know what transpires in the night and in the dark. Only they can tell the dream that you have. So there are reasons for them being desperate. But the more important thing is, what is their response to this desperation? And maybe you've come here today and there's some desperation in your life. Maybe you're facing some crisis of some sort. Perhaps it's a relational crisis sorts, or it’s a financial crisis, or it's an emotional crisis. The important thing is not the reasons for your desperation. The important thing is your response in your desperation. How will you respond? And I love the way Daniel responded in this desperate moment. He responded, first of all, by being very prudent. The Bible says in verse 14 when the executioner came to Daniel, this is verse 14, Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch. Daniel gave a soft answer. The Bible says in Proverbs 15:1 a soft answer turns away wrath.
I heard a story about a Red Sox baseball player. His name was Wade Boggs. A lot of you will remember Wade Boggs. I believe he was the third baseman for the Red Sox. And of course you know the archrivals to the Red Sox are the Yankees. Every time the Red Sox would go to play in Yankee Stadium, there would be this heckler over on the third-base line and he would incessantly criticize and belittle Wade Boggs. He was always on his case. And he would say "man you stink." "Man your no good." and he just be giving him a hard time. Later Boggs had finally had enough. And so when the man started criticizing Boggs just walked over to him and he said, "Are you the man that's always running me down, you the man that it is always criticizing me?" and the Yankee fan said that's right, its me." what you can do about? Wade Boggs pulled out a brand-new baseball and he autographed it and tossed it up to the man.
And it is said that from that time on, that man became the biggest Yankee fan of Boston Red Sox player Wade Boggs. Why, because he given a soft answer to wrath.
Daniel is faced with his potential execution. The executioner has come. He said you’ve got to tell me what this dream means or you going to be killed. And Daniel answers, the Bible says with prudence. And I want to recommend this to all of us, whenever somebody gets up in your grill, someone is on your case; you ought to be like Daniel and respond with prudence and discretion. What else could you do? It wasn't just that he was prudent, he was prayerful. I love this. It’s not going to appear on the screen. But listen to what says in verses 17 and 18 or you can look at it in your Bible verses 17 and 18. “Then Daniel went into his house and made the matter known to his three friends, his companions, and he told them to seek mercy from the God of Heaven concerning this mystery. What did Daniel do? How did he respond to his desperate situation? Daniel prayed. It was prudent and he was prayerful. And if we will be those two things, you'll be surprised how God delivers us from the crises of our lives. He prayed.
I heard a story about these three preachers that were sitting together and they were talking about prayer. What was the best posture for preying? And it happened that there was a telephone line repairman who was working and he was within earshot. So the first preacher said, I find, that the best way to pray is to stretch my hands toward heaven and the and look up the sky, that's the best posture for prayer. Well the second preacher said, Oh no, the best posture for prayer is to get on your knees. There the Lord will hear your prayer. The third preacher said, well I don't think lifting your hand your hands to heaven and are getting down on your knees. He said the best posture for prayer is just to get flat on your face, be prone before the Lord. The old telephone line repairman had had enough, he piped up and said he fellas, the best posture I ever had in prayer was when I was hanging upside down from the telephone pole. I tell you when you're hanging upside down and your situation is desperate, you are going to pray.
Too many of us, we wait until our situation is desperate before we pray. Prayer is not the last resort, prayer is the first resort and Daniel knows this. They come and say Daniel you got to tell us this dream or you're going to be executed. He is prudent and he is prayerful. Are you taking to the Lord, the burdens and crises of your life for his hand to move? Well Daniel was wise enough to do so. So now we move from desperation before God to deliverance by God. When we respond rightly, we’re going to find the Lord ready to act on our behalf and the Lord ready to deliver. Look at verse 19 and you’ll see if they’re on the screen. The Bible says. “Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven.” What happened, God delivered him. The situation was desperate but our God is greater and he delivered. He delivered Daniel. Now here I see three things. First of all, our God is powerful. I actually agree with all the enchanters of Babylon in one sense. In verse 11 they had said, “no one can give the dream except the gods.” you know what, they were right. It had to be someone who was powerful enough, someone to whom the darkness is light. Someone to whom what is shrouded, is revealed, and our God, is just that kind of God, he is powerful. He is able. Listen to what Psalm 139 says, “ oh Lord, your searched me, and know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my paths and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, you, oh Lord, know it all together.” and I could continue the reading, many of you know it well. You can't go where God is not. You can't know something that God doesn't already know. Daniel turns in his desperation to this powerful God and God reveals to Daniel would only the gods can do. Only the one true God. He is powerful. You know what else I see here? He is present. Again verse 11, the Chaldeans say, “no one can reveal this except the gods and their dwelling is not among men.” they were right on the one hand but wrong on the other. Only God could reveal the dream, but they were wrong when they said, “his dwelling is not among men, his dwelling is among men. He is Emanuel, God come to dwell among us. And God was with Daniel. God was with Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. When they went into that fiery furnace, God was there. And when Daniel needed him, God was there, and when you need God, he will be there. He is powerful. He is present, therefore he is praiseworthy. And I love what Daniel does here. Daniel receives this vision .God reveals to him the dream. What does Daniel do? Look at the latter half of this verse. What does it say? Then, this the latter half of the verse, then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. Daniel, not only asked for God to intervene, but when God did, Daniel remembered to say thank you. He praised him. Gordon read that passage earlier, so I won't repeat it now, but I do want to reiterate for us all, the importance, not only of bringing our petitions to God, but once he is gracious to us. Giving him our praise in response. I too often prone to forget when good things happen to me. I may ask for them, but then I don't remember to say thank you. In fact, just this week, one of our church members was so gracious, and called the office, and he said that some jambalaya. I've got 15 lunches and, I’m going to bring them by the office and so it was on Thursday of this week that dear brother brought those lunches by to feed all the staff. We all gobble them up and enjoyed them very much Well a day or two went by and it was Saturday and I was preparing for this message and I was reminded that I ought to give thanks and so I texted the brother and said brother thank you for that lunch. That was delicious. And how many of us, we’re feasting on the good gifts God gives us but we don't remember to say thank you.
While I'm at it, let me just say this, this church is so good to Nell and Me. You are so good to us and I know a lot of you have done things for me and I never even said thank you to you. I’ve not written you a thank you note and maybe I haven’t responded and right now can I just blanket say, thank you God for Istrouma, thank you dear friends for your gifts and your support and your kindness. I really do appreciate it, I really do. I really do. We ought to remember to be a people who are grateful; Daniel was that kind of man. He praised the Lord for God's good gift. And not only did he give thanks, he gave tribute. Because when Daniel stood before the king, the king said, “can you give me the interpretation, can you tell me my dream, and can you tell me what it meant.” Daniel said, “no sir,’ he said, “I cannot do it, but there is a God in heaven, and he has shown me what you think. Daniel didn't take credit. Credit was not due to Daniel. He was wise enough not to co-opt God's glory. He gave God thanks and he gave God tribute. He gave God the glory for the good thing that it been done. Well now I come to the end. I want to say something about the dominion of God. You see our desperation, if we respond to it rightly will lead to God's deliverance and in his deliverance we see his sovereign dominion overall. Now here I will refer to verse 44. Daniel is giving the interpretation of the dream and he says, looks to the screen you'll see the verse, “and in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end and it shall stand forever.” there's the title of today's sermon. “The kingdom that shall stand forever.” sports dynasties rise and fall. Businesses rise and fall. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, but there is a kingdom that will never fall. In fact, this King, his reign is first of all, perpetual. In perpetuity. For all time. Eternally, Jesus will reign. Daniel knew this from the dream that Nebuchadnezzar had had and the interpretation God him. Now listen to the dream. It’s given to us in verses 31 through 35. You saw o king and behold a great image. This image, mighty and have exceeding brightness, stood before you and its appearance was frightening. I want you as I read this to try to envision in your minds eye this statue, that was erected there. Verse 32 “the head of this image was of fine gold. Its chest and arms were of silver. It’s middle and thighs of bronze. Its legs of iron. Its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone,” now note this careful, “a stone was cut out by no human hand and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold altogether were broken in pieces and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found but the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. What a vision Daniel had. Daniel had a vision of kingdoms. A succession of kingdoms. Why? Because kingdoms rise and fall. The first of those kings was the head of gold and God told him, is Nebuchadnezzar. That is the Persian Empire. It was known for it’s its stores of gold. But with time, Babylon fell. In its place rose up a kingdom of silver. That was pictured in the arms and the chest of this image. That was the Medo-Persian Empire. it lasted some 200 years and just as Babylon was famous for its gold, Medo Persia was famous for its hoards of silver. But with time Medo-Persia fell. There was a man in Macedonia, Philip who rose up and his son after him Alexander and Alexander conquered the whole earth. His army dressed in bronze from helmet to toe and their shields and swords even of bronze and the mighty Grecian army swept the known earth. But that Kingdom to though it rose to the pinnacle of human achievement it fell. And behind it came that army of iron. The great Roman legions and they took the place of that Grecian Empire. But just like those before it, it to would fall. How would it fall? Listen to me. There was a stone cut out by no human hand. Who is this stone that came and struck the image and all the kingdoms of the world fall before this stone. I tell you he is the stone that was rejected of men, but is the cornerstone of the Church. He is the Lord Jesus. Cut by no human and the virgin birth is there prophesied, Jesus is the King of Kings and he will rein in perpetuity forever he the perpetual king. Now friends, as true is that is, and as important as it is, there's something even more important for you, that is, his reign must be personal. He’s going to reign. Doesn’t the Bible say every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord? One day, everybody is going to bow the knee to Jesus. Every Buddhist, every Muslim, every Hindu, every Christian, we are all going to bow the knee. What makes the difference is, did you do it now, willingly, of your own volition, in repentance and faith? Or will you that day, by force? This great king, Nebuchadnezzar, when given the dream and its interpretation, he did what we all ought to do. Look at it. Now I'm in verse 47. The last verse pictured here. “The king answered and said to Daniel truly your God is God. He is the God of gods and Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries for you have been able to reveal this mystery. . Nebuchadnezzar that greatest of all despots, bowed his knee before the King of kings and Lord of Lords. So must every one of us. There’s a mountain in New Hampshire. I believe there the Green Mountains is the name of them and in one of those great mountains, there was a protrusion. There was a piece of rock that jutted out from the face of the cliff. You see a picture of it here on the screen. This is an iconic image from New Hampshire. You know what they call this? The old man in the mountain. Boys and girls can you look up there and can you see his nose and his brow and his chin there. The old man in the mountain. And from time immoral, the old man in the mountain was there. I don’t know what you call people that live in New Hampshire, New Hampshireites, I guess. They love the old man in the mountain. In fact I believe he's on their state stamp and seal and a million other souvenirs from New Hampshire. But one cold night in 2003, the old man in the mountain, gave way. There were fissures that had formed by the ice thawing and the freezing of it over so many centuries and in the night, that great visage broke off and slid down the mountain to the valley below. And the old man in the mountain is no more. It broke their hearts. A man in the mountain. A man in the mountain who came down. This was a tragedy. I'm speaking to you today of a triumph. There is another man in the mountain. He is a stone cut by no human hand. He is the cornerstone. He is the Lord Jesus and he came down. No one can do these things except the gods and they do not make their dwelling among men. Oh yes they do. He made his dwelling among us and we beheld his glory. The glory as of the only begotten of the father. Full of grace and truth. Jesus is the stone upon which all hope is built. In fact I’m reminded, of this great old hymn. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus's name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all of the ground all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. Kingdoms rise and fall. Sports dynasties rise and fall. Businesses rise and fall. But there is a dynasty rising. There is a kingdom rising and will fill the whole earth. You need to make sure that you are a subject to that King. Lets pray. God, we praise you for your word. What a great God you are. You see in the darkness. You know our thoughts before we think them. You know a word before it’s on our lips and you reveal what is mystery. You tell us what is to come. It is certain. It is sure. We thank you that your kingdom is rising. And that we can be a part of it. By your grace, your mercy, we can be a part of it. We praise you, in Jesus mighty name, Amen.
Sermon text follows...
Stand
Daniel 1:1-21
Key Verse: But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank (Daniel 1:8a).
- A great tragedy
a. The tragedy of defeat
b. The tragedy of disobedience
- A great temptation
a. A golden possibility
b. A godly purpose
c. A grave peril
d. A gracious proposal
- A great triumph
a. Faithful to God
b. Favored by God
The eyes of our nation, this week, have been focused on small County in Kentucky. It’s called Rowan County. It's because there, a test case of sorts, has arisen. It swirls around a simple County Clerk. Her name is Kim Davis. Kim it turns out had lived a wild life and she had been married four times. Yet, at her mother-in-law's passing in 2011, the Lord got a hold of her and she came to know Christ as her Savior and it radically transformed her life. She says today that she's devout Christian. Well, when the Supreme Court ruled, earlier this year, that same-sex marriage was to be the law of the land, she was placed in a quandary. She was elected as clerk. In fact, her mother before her had been the County Clerk. Something of a family tradition, which is common they say in Kentucky. She had been elected under the premise that marriage was, as the Scripture teaches, between a man and a woman and now she found herself as the clerk with the responsibility of issuing marriage licenses for relationships that she did not believe comported with what the Scripture teaches. What would she do? What ought she do? It was a difficult question. She made a decision in her heart, in fact she resolved in her heart that she would not go against her conscience and what she believed was right. So she made an appeal to the governing authorities and it went to the Supreme Court and that she be heard, that her arguments be heard and that was denied. It fell back to a judge; I believe it was a federal judge there in Kentucky to rule in her case. He ruled that she must issue the licenses. If you're paid by the state of Kentucky and the law of Kentucky is that people can marry across all sorts of lines, then she, as an employee of the state, would have to issue those licenses or face the consequences. She decided that she would do the latter. She would face the consequences and so the judge decreed that this woman be cast into prison and as we worship, here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this morning, that woman sits in a prison jail cell in Rowan County, Kentucky.
I suppose I imagine that perhaps we would live to see a day like today, but the I’m not sure I really believed it would come. When someone would be imprisoned for a tenet of their religious faith. Many of you'll remember that our nation was actually founded on the exact opposite premise. That people came here to say, everyone ought to be able to worship according to their dictates and live out their faith without coercion. Those days, it seems are passing. So she's made the decision to stand.
Now some of you maybe thinking, well now wait preacher, if she's paid by the state of Kentucky and the law is as it is, then she ought to just resign and a forfeit her position. You know what, I think a case could be made for that. In fact, that actually did happen here in the state of Louisiana not so many weeks ago. It happens that there was a justice of the peace, a lady, in fact of all things; she's married to a Baptist preacher. She’s a young woman and she was elected to be the justice of the peace in, I think, Grant Parish up in Central Louisiana. Maybe some of you know where that is. She made the decision, with her husband, that when the Supreme Court ruled as it did, that she rather than get into all kinds of the legalities and a potential suit, she would just resign. She did: she just resigned her position,
I for one, am glad that Kim Davis is taking a stand. II don't necessarily, I can’t judge whether or not she's been perfect in every moment of this journey. That’s for God to judge, but I’m glad she's taken a stand. Let me tell you why, because this forces us as a nation to consider some very significant questions. Now she has said she'll take whatever repercussions come her way and she's proven that she would. In fact, when the judge ordered her to jail, her response was “yes, your honor, thank you.” She responded with grace and she's taken her lumps and there she sits in jail today. But we, as a nation, have to make some decisions about how were going to live going forward. Do we want to live in a nation? Do we want our nation to be the kind of place where a devout Christian can no longer be a court clerk? Where, in our nation, it can never be again a devout Christian, who would stand for traditional marriage that could be a justice of the peace? Where no believer of this nature, could serve as a chaplain in our Armed Forces? Could not be a chaplain with the state police force? You say, preacher that’s crazy. What are you talking about? Did you know that just this year, again this is in the state of Kentucky, there was a young man who was a volunteer from his church, he would go every week, as I understand it, to a correctional Institute where they housed young offenders. He would go there to share the hope of the gospel, and to disciple these young men. Well the state Department of Corrections came up with a sheet and he had to sign it and sheet said, “you cannot say that homosexual behavior is sinful.” Well if you are a devout believer that places you in a quandary. How can you not say what the Bible says is the case? In fact, while I’m on this, don’t think I mean this to be a diatribe against one particular sin. Any sexual activity outside the simple bounds of a man and woman wed in matrimony is outside of the parameters of what God established. Be it premarital sex, extramarital sex, homosexual behavior, all of it alike is outside what God ordained and so they said before you can go back into that prison you’ve got to sign this is. That you will not say that these behaviors are sinful. The young man said, “I can't do it.” Are we prepared to live in a nation, where volunteers from churches can't go into the prisons and share the hope of the gospel as we’ve discovered in Christ and declare Christ saves from all sin? Is that the kind of nation we want to live in?
Just these past few weeks, here in the state of Louisiana, an edict was released from the judicial commission of the State of Louisiana. It went to every judge in the State of Louisiana and it said “you must comport yourself in accordance with the Supreme Court's edict or we will remove your judgeship.” no Christian judges? No Christian bakers? No Christian photographers?
These are serious days in which we’re living. Now friends listen, Kim Davis Is right at least in this one sense, we have to be willing to take whatever consequences come, but we must stand! We must stand for what is right! God will sort the consequences. Now where do we find help in making decisions during these difficult days with these weighty issues?
I've got good news for you. There is help for us so we can know how we ought to live in these trying times and it's found in the book of Daniel. Would you please open your Bibles to Daniel? Daniel, Chapter One is where we are going to be this morning, and to me it's wonderful to think that this series has been planned for months. Months ago, we laid out our preaching schedule for this year and Daniel was the book that we chose and wouldn’t you know, in God's wisdom, he gave us this, just at the moment we most needed it. And that's the way he is. So if would now as our title implies, Stand, would you stand in honor of God's word and we are going to read the first chapter. Now normally, I don't read such an extended passage at one time. It takes about three minutes to read this first chapter, and I’m going to read every word. And this will be the best three minutes you spend all day, all right? Listening to what God says. I want to listen to this and then consider how ought I to live where I am? Just as Daniel learned to live in the circumstances where he found himself. Let’s read together beginning in Daniel chapter one verse one. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. (I like it that the editors used a little g, that’s appropriate, all right now verse 3) Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: (now you may not the names Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, but I think you know these) Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, (there it is) Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. (You know those names don’t you? Shadrach, Meshach and “away we go”, all right, you know these names. These are the great three friends of Daniel; now look in verse 8, what happens?) But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Let’s pray. God, we thank you for this book in the Bible, the book of Daniel. We thank you for the courage and commitment of these young men. The way that they stood when it seemed that all was coming against them. I pray God, you would teach us, how will stand in these days and to go against the flow when it seems that all of culture would sweep us away from you. Give us wisdom. Give us learning. Give us courage. Help us to dare to be a Daniel. I pray in Jesus name, Amen.
Please be seated. This morning we’re going to begin a study in the book of Daniel and were going to look at the life of Daniel, this courageous young man and his four compatriots. This morning we’re going to focus in the first chapter. I’m going to divide this story into three scenes. I want you to follow along carefully as the Lord teaches us. Now the very first scene I going to call, A Great Tragedy. This story begins with a great tragedy. Look at how the passage opens, there in versus one and two and see it projected on the screen. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand. Now this tragedy that I'm going to describe has two components to it. First of all, there's the component of Israel's defeat. It is a tragedy that Israel was defeated. Now remember Israel. Israel was that small band of, a tribe really, that came out of the descendants of Abraham. They were enslaved in Egypt and with a mighty hand, God brought them out of Egypt and Israel, in effect, defeated the mightiest force in its day, Egypt. Then arose the Kings, Saul and then David. David, you remember took down Goliath and the Philistines. He united the kingdom and David's reign was a rain of great might and power and renown and wealth. Then came his son Solomon. Israel was a top the world it seemed, but fissures began to appear in the veneer. It was because of the idolatry and immorality and fracturedness of their nation that that the people of Israel began to go into a decline, a steep decline, until, by the time we come to the life of Daniel, the nation is now totally defeated. Humiliated by what was then the world power, Babylon and its king Nebuchadnezzar. But the most sobering part of this defeat and of these verses that you see is that phrase “the Lord gave Jehoiakim into Nebuchadnezzar's hand. In other words it was not the might of the Babylonians, their armies, or their strategy of that enabled them to defeat Israel. What enabled them to defeat Israel was that God gave Israel over into its enemy’s hands. That is judgment came upon Israel. The Bible says righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people. And when sin begins to weave its way into a nation and there's immorality and idolatry and fractured people, then judgment is soon sure to follow. And if God judged Israel for her sins and he did, God can judge the United States of America for our sins. It was a tragedy that they were defeated. And the tragedy of it was that God allowed it to happen. Now why would I do that? Why would God allow his own people to go into captivity and defeat? Do you know why? It was because of their disobedience God had warned them for decades on end, that they ought to repent. That they ought to get right, but Israel was stiff necked and it was bent on going its own way. Away from God, and so judgment was to come. In fact it’s interesting. It’s one of the proofs of the inerrancy of Scripture and its trustworthiness. Did you know that more than 100 years prior to the defeat of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, God prophesied it would happen? He did so through the prophet Isaiah. Listen! Listen carefully to the precision of this prophesy. This is from Isaiah Chapter 39 beginning at verse five. “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. And some of your sons, who shall issue from you, whom you shall beget, shall be taken away. And they shall become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon. Are you kidding me? A hundred years before it happened, God said there's going to come a day when judgment will fall. You’re going to be carried away the Babylonian in captivity, including some of your own defendants. What do recent discover here in Daniel chapter 1? That from the nobility, from the royal house, these young men were buried in the Babylon. GOD’S WORD CANNOT BE MOCKED! What a man sows, he will reap. What a nation sows, a nation will reap. And this story begins with a tragedy, but the tragedy did not have to happen. Had the children of Israel repented and turned back to God, judgment would not have fallen but they did not, they disobeyed, and thus, they were defeated.
It’s a lesson for us in America. Could judgment fall on America? It could! I've said before and I'll say it again here now, with a heavy heart I tell you, I wouldn't be surprised if God allowed our worst enemies overrun us, to discipline us for our sin. We, the purported Christian nation, supposed Christian nation! Why is it that those who sell baby parts are free and the one who would stand for traditional marriage is in jail? You explain it to me! Don’t think it could happen to us. It could happen. I don’t say that with any glee, I say with a broken heart. I say God have mercy on America. Lord don’t have justice with us. We don't need justice. If justice were to fall we would be judged. No, we need mercy. God have mercy on us. Help us and especially those of us who know the truth that we would stand for righteousness. Not holier than thou, but just walk in obedience to the precepts of God's Word. Simple things. Like Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery, Ashley Madison. Thou Shall Not Steal; Thou Shall Not Kill, including innocent babies and their mother’s womb! GOD HELP US! Lest this tragedy befall us.
Now lets go to the second scene. I’ve talked to you about the great tragedy that befell the children of Israel. Now I want to say something about a great temptation. It came Daniel's way. Here they are, carried off to Babylon. And here's the strange twist of fate, if you will, Daniel has in front of him, in a way of thinking, a golden possibility. All right? He’s been held in captivity. His city has been besieged. They been starving in Jerusalem. Now this young man, country bumpkin, has been carried off to Babylon. Babylon was the greatest city of its day. It was the Washington DC or the New York City of its time. There is Daniel, living in that great walled city. He enrolled there, not in LSU; he enrolled in BSU Babylon State University. And he's got TOPS (scholarship program), he’s got full ride tuition, he got room and board, doesn’t the Bible say that? He’s given to eat and the king’s table. He’s standing in the king's palace. I mean he’s got the tiger by the tail. All he’s got to do is go along to get along. Just don’t ruffle feathers. Just keep your head down Daniel or you’ll get it lopped off. He’s got a golden opportunity. Here he is. He’s not eating at the Five; he’s eating at Galatoire’s, or Juban’s or Ruffino’s. I mean he eating the royal regimen, it’s being fed to him. What an opportunity he has. All he has to do is go along to get along. Daniel, just be cool man. Just fit in. just be like everybody else around you. That’s all you’ve got to do. I love Daniel, because in the face of this golden possibility, he stands for a Godly purpose. Look at would you in verse eight. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine that he drank. Daniel resolved, that is, Daniel purposed in his heart. Daniel was like this; everybody may be going this way. Everybody may be disobeying the Lord's commands, but I am going to go this way. I’m not going to be holier than thou about it, I’m not going to try to lift myself up as if I'm all that. But just in my own modest way, I'm going to stand for what's right. What a great word. You young people listen to me. You know how old Daniel was at this time? We believe he was probably about 14 years of age. Do I have any 14 year olds in here this morning? Stand up if you are 14. I want to see all our 14 year olds. Stand right up. How would you 14 year olds like if you were carried away into a foreign country? You 15 year olds stand up 15 year old. He may have been 15. There you are. There you are. 15 years old, carried away, all you have to do is go along. Just do whatever everyone else is doing. You don’t have to make a scene for crying out loud. You can be seated. Daniel wouldn't go along to get along. And he would keep his head down. He stood up. And he said I’m going to follow the Lords precepts. And you might even argue, it’s not that big a thing. I mean all you have to do is eat the king’s food. Just drink the wine that there serving.
What? It’s not a big deal. It was to Daniel. Because God in his word had laid out some principles of how to live in obedience to him. And there were certain kosher foods among the Jewish people. And Daniel on what some might consider just the technicality said I'm not going the yield on this. I'm going to be faithful to the Lord. By his grace am going to stand true. And I want to challenge our young people and our parents who set the example and our grandparents who are here this morning. May God help us in this day of so much moral confusion, just to be true? True to God's word. To his truth. To his principles. And not yield. Daniel had a Godly purpose. You know what this leads to? It leads to peril. It leads to danger. There was a grave peril before Daniel. I mean you couldn’t buck King Nebuchadnezzar. I mean this is the ruler of the known world. It would be like being carried in before the Ayatollah Khomeini. You do what you want in his face. It’s a dangerous thing. You say how do you know that preacher? Well look at what the Bible says. They’re now in verse 10. ..and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king. What’s he saying? He’s saying man, if you don't do what the king said, we could all get our heads lopped off.
This is serious business. But Daniel, no matter the risk, runs this apparel. And is willing to stand in the face of it. He is between a rock and a hard place. Look at this. If he pleases the king, he displeases the King of Kings. But he pleases the King of Kings, he displeases the king. And he has to make a choice. And all of us are going to have to make a choice. Who is the King that we will please? For whose pleasure do we live? And Daniel makes his choice. Now I love Daniel because he offers up, in this quandary, he offers up a very gracious proposal. He doesn’t stand up on the cafeteria table in the middle of the Five or something and start banging on the table. I want a new menu! I want a new menu! I want a new menu! He doesn't do that. He doesn’t hold up a placards and march, like Westboro does. No, what does Daniel do? He makes a very gracious proposal. He says look, I tell you what, would you be so kind as to just test us for 10 days? Just let us eat fruit and vegetables. Just test us. The word vegetable here is a word that means from the seed. So it would have included things like wheat and vegetables and fruit. Things that grow from seed. Just let us have a basic menu and then at the end of the 10 days just test us and see how we measure up against the others. It was a gracious kind proposal. And I want to advocate this for all of us. I’m not wanting you to leave today and go get placards and march and shout profanities and curse the darkness. I’m not asking you to do that. Nor do I believe the Word of God have us do that. Instead I'm asking you to live with what I’m going to call a convictional kindness.
Now you just may want to jot these words down. The head or our Religious Liberty and Ethics Commission is a man named Dr. Russell Moore. And he coined this phrase as I know and I love it. Listen to it. Convictional Kindness. What does that mean? Well just think of each word individually. Conviction. God’s people, if you know Jesus as your savior, and you comport to be His disciple, you need to have some conviction about you. Things that you believe are right and wrong. And those things need to be rooted in the clear teachings of God’s word. Not some list you just came up with by tradition. But what does God’s word say? And knowing what he expects, you say, these are my convictions. I’m not looking to fight. I’m not looking down my nose at anybody else. These are jus the things I believe are expected of me by God and I have convictions about these. That’s conviction. That is, have a backbone. But then the word kindness. What does the word kindness mean? That means that you’re gentle. That you’re not up in people's faces looking for a fight. You’re going to plead your case. You’re going to make proposal and you’re going to do it with graciousness. And if it is not conceded to you, you are going to face the consequences. Convictional
Kindness. Or you could turn it around and it is the same thing. Kind conviction. And those are the kind of people we need to be in the day in which were living.
Kim Davis, whether or not we agree with every nuance of what she’s done, she’s made a proposal. She’s said I want to take this to the Supreme Court. I want there to be an adjudication. I believe that we need to have an adjudication in our nation. Let me remind us again. We are the government. If you are old enough to vote, you, in a sense, govern this nation. And you need to take seriously that right and that responsibility that falls to you. You better know the issues. Don’t vote for somebody because they handsome, or because they are good looking. Don’t vote for them because they are brash. Vote for someone who, to the best of your discernment, is going to stand according to biblical principle’s and again, whether or not we carry any election, we still have to stand for what is right.
Stand! Stand! Stand! And Daniel did. And he did it, with convictional kindness. We are not looking for confrontation, but we are not going to capitulate either. May God help us to be people of convictional kindness? Isn’t that what the bible says? Listen to what the bible says. This now is 1st Peter, Chapter 3. Versus 14-15. But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.. Now folks, I tell you, I will be honest with you, you probably know this anyway, its hard for me not to get angry at times. Just to get upset and frustrated and bitter because things don’t go the way I think they ought to go. And the world often sees Christians an embittered, harsh, offensive people. Peter says, be ready to give an answer for the hope that’s within you when people ask you. Are you known as the person of hope? Am I known as the person of hope or do I think the roofs caving in. You know Chicken Little. The sky is falling. Friends we have a hope and our nation may go down the tubes and we may be imprisoned for your faith but I still have hope. We ought to be ready to give an answer. And he says do it with gentleness and respect.
May God help us to live with convictional kindness? All right now here is the end. It ends and I’m so thankful to say this, on an up note. It ends in triumph, really. Look at how this the third scene in our story. It is what I call, a great triumph. It happens because of faithfulness to God. Daniel is faithful. He stays true to what he believes. He didn’t bow, he didn’t bend, he didn’t break. He stood. Stand. Stand. Stand. He did. He was faithful. And because he was faithful, he was favored by God. God favored him. Look at how this passage concludes. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams and the king spoke with them and among all of them, none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. He found them ten times better than all. That’s amazing. Why were Daniel and his friends found ten times better? Was it because of innate intelligence in them? Did they have a natural higher IQ? I’m not sure that they did. I really believe that it was rooted in God’s favor. He blessed these boys. He helped them in their studies. He favored them and when we are faithful to God, he will favor us. He will bless us. He did with Daniel. Daniel rose to be; some might say the prime minister of Babylon. Now is it that all was easy for Daniel? Am I preaching a health and wealth gospel? No I am not! In fact, did you know that for the next seventy years of Daniels live, he was a captive, enslaved in Babylon? But he was still favored. This story set hundreds of years ago, could read as todays newspaper. It’s that applicable to where we are living. I pray God we wont go through any greater tragedy than what we have already experienced. I pray that we as a nation and as people will turn back to God.
Listen friends, the problem isn’t in the courthouse, and the white house solely. It’s in the church house. Its preachers afraid to say what is true. It is church members who wont stand for what is true. It ought to begin the revival needs to begin here among us! In this day of difficulty, you young people, I know well, great temptations are going to come your way. You are going to be pressured to just go along to get along. I want to challenge you to purpose in your heart that you are going to stand for the Lord. And I want you do it with convictional kindness. And I want to do that myself. You pray for me that Ill be that kind of disciple. If we’ll do it, friends, I want to tell you something, God will bless it. He will favor us. He will be gracious to us. He’ll make his countenance shine upon us. He’ll give us peace. He will!
Would you stand please with your head bowed? I want ask our musicians to come, our band. Were going to go out today singing. Were not defeated. Listen friend, no matter what happens we’re not defeated. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. The ultimate victory is the Lord’s. We just need to make sure that we are on his side. That we know him that we been redeemed. That we been forgiven. That we’re standing. We need his grace to do it. We can’t stand in our own power, in our own strength. We need his grace. And so I want us to pray now for it. And then we will sing.
God we thank you for your word and the light it is to our feet. The light it is to our path. God, I pray that today it's been illumined how we ought to live. With convictional kindness. Standing for what’s right in a hostile world. I pray for our young people that they’ll stand true. In elementary school, and middle school, and high school, for our collegiate at the University. That they will be gracious, faithful. I pray for adults out in the workplace, where there is dishonesty and immorality and deceit and all manner of temptation. Lord help us as adults to be faithful to you. Help us God to stand! We pray in Jesus name, AMEN.
One Another Summer
“Comfort One Another”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Key Verse: “Therefore [comfort] one another with these words” (1 Thes. 4:18).
- The resurrection of Jesus comforts us
a. There’s a foundational resurrection
b. There’s a future resurrection
- The return of Jesus comforts us
a. It is promised
b. It is personal
- The reunion with Jesus comforts us
a. It will be a family reunion
b. It will be a forever reunion
One Another Summer
“Submit to One Another”
Ephesians 5:17-21
- It’s God’s will that we be spirit-filled
a. He gives us a contrast
b. He gives us a comparison
- It’s God’s will that we sing
a. Our audience
b. Our assortment
c. Our attitude
- It’s God’s will that we submit
a. The meaning of this command
b. The motive for this command
One Another Summer
“Bear with One Another”
Ephesians 4:1-6
Key Verse: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).
- Our calling
a. To belong to Jesus
b. To become like Jesus
- Our conduct
a. The standard of it
b. The specifics of it
- Our community
a. Our affirmations
b. Our aim
One Another Summer
“Bear One Another’s Burdens”
Galatians 6:1-5
Key Verse: “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-5).
- A danger to acknowledge
a. There’s a predator
b. There’s a prey
- A duty to accept
a. Help up one another
b. Hold up one another
- A deception to avoid
a. Test our own labor
b. Take up our own load
One Another Summer
“Pray for One Another”
James 5:13-20
Key Verse: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:14).
- Realities of life
a. There will be times of hardship
b. There will be times of happiness
- Responses to life
a. Respond vertically
b. Respond horizontally
- Return to life
a. We can be rebels
b. We can be redeemed
Jeff Ginn
Lead Pastor
One Another Summer
“Instruct One Another”
Romans 15:14-21
Key Verse: “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another” (Romans 15:14).
- Let’s be confident in one another
a. The statement of confidence
b. The source of confidence
- Let’s compliment one another
a. For the heart
b. For the head
c. For the help
- Let’s challenge one another
a. With the word of God
b. With the work of God
Jeff Ginn, Lead Pastor
One Another Summer
“Serve One Another”
Galatians 5:13
Key Verses: “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” (Galatians 5:13).
- Called to liberty
a. We are called
b. We are cautioned
- Called to labor
a. An apparent contradiction
b. An affirmative command
- Called to love
a. Love is our motive
b. Lord is our model
July 5, 2015
One Another Summer Mike Holmes Encourage One Another Freedom from discouragement Hebrews 10:19-25 Life is not easy To live life is to face the reality of discouragement In discouraging times: 1. Draw near-don't go back 2. Be bold- know whose you are 3. Hold fast- don't let go 4. Know His character 5. Consider how you can encourage others-make a plan 6. Don't isolate yourself from others 7. Encourage with truth and love Follow Through Is Jesus the confession of your hope? Today, if you are discouraged and are tempted to go back, what are you going to do? What is your plan for the encouragement of others?
One Another Summer
“Greet One Another”
Romans 16:1-16
Key Verse: “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16).
- An encouragement to greet one another a. It’s repeated b. It’s relational
- An example of greeting one another a. There’s affirmation b. There’s appreciation c. There’s aim
- An expression of greeting one another a. Let it be clean b. Let it be cultural
June 21, 2105 One Another Summer Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn "Honor One Another Romans 12:10b ".....Outdo one another in showing honor" 1. Instruction to honor a. The requirement of it b. The reason for it 2. Individuals to honor a. God b. Parents c. Spouse d. Elderly e. Authorities
“Love One Another”
Romans 12:9-10a
- With a love that’s true
“Let love be genuine” (Rom. 12:9a).
a. True love is an agape love
b. True love is an authentic love
- With a love that’s tough
“Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Rom. 12:9b).
a. Hate what is evil
b. Hold to what is good
- With a love that’s tender
“Love one another with brotherly affection” (Romans 12:10a).
a. Love with affection
b. Love thru adversity
One Another Summer
“Members of One Another”
Romans 12:3-8
- A “one another” mindset
“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” (Romans 12:3).
a. Don’t think too highly of yourself
b. Don’t think too lowly of yourself
c. Do think rightly of yourself
- A “one another” membership
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5).
a. There is uniqueness in the body
b. There is unity in the body
- A “one another” ministry
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:6).
a. Appreciate your giftedness
b. Apply your giftedness
Many have been the inventions that were meant for good but utilized for evil:
· Alfred Nobel created dynamite for constructive purposes, but it was used for explosives and ammunition in war and millions perished.
· Google Earth can help us gain perspective, map journeys, and a thousand other good purposes. At the same time, terrorists can and have used it to plot and carry out sinister strategies.
· The 3-D printer is a new invention that can print out an inexpensive new hand for an amputee or a new part for a broken engine. Criminals have wasted no time in discovering that functioning guns can be printed and exist on no registry.
Amazing that the same thing can be used for better or worse. Even a church gathering. Even the Lord’s Supper. Paul said it this way, “But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse” (I Cor. 11:17). The Corinthians were using God’s good gift in a way that highlighted divisions in the church and selfishness in the members. The end result was that their observance did not make their fellowship better, but worse! What a word for us!
This Sunday we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Leading up to it we will prepare our hearts by hearing afresh the instructions God gave us in 1 Corinthians 11 regarding the Lord’s Supper. It is meant for our good. God forbid that we conduct it in a way that makes things worse!
Pray that God will move in a great way among us. I believe that He will.
Work as Worship
“All Aboard!”
Ephesians 2:8-10
- Salvation is by grace
“For by grace you have been saved . . .” (Eph. 2:8a).
a. The ground of salvation
b. The glory for salvation
- Salvation is through faith
“For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8b).
a. Faith is key
b. Faith is free
- Salvation is for good works
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
a. God’s art
b. God’s aim
Work as Worship
“Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?”
Colossians 3:22-4:1
- The mandate to obey
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters. . .” (Col. 3:22a).
a. An expectation of obedience
b. An exception to obedience
- The manner to obey
“. . . not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Col. 3:22b-23).
a. Eye service
b. Excellent service
- The motive to obey
“. . . knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality” (Col. 3:24-25).
a. The future can bring rewards
b. The future can bring regrets
Sermon Outline, May 10, 2015 - Istrouma Baptist Church
Perry Hancock, PhD, President & CEO
Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries
Mom’s Work as Worship | Redeeming the 24/7
Key Scripture: Proverbs 31
I. Mom’s service as worship
II. Mom’s support as worship
III. Mom’s sacrifices as worship
IV. The reason and results
Work is Worship
“A Big Message from a Little Messenger”
Proverbs 6:6-11
- Illustration of work
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).
a. Consider the ant
b. Copy the ant
- Initiative to work
“Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Proverbs 6:7-8).
a. No leader
b. No laziness
- Incentive for work
“How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:9-11).
a. Avoid poverty
b. Assure plenty
New Orleans Saints Tight End, Benjamin S. Watson, joins Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn to give his testimony and share how he shares the Gospel in his daily walk.
Work as Worship
“Image Is Everything”
Genesis 2:1-3 and 15
Key Verses: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. . . . The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it (Gen. 2:1-3 and 15).
- God created work
a. He models work
b. He mandates work
- God completes work
a. We have his example
b. We have his encouragement
- God celebrates work
a. He reviews work
b. He rewards work
Conversations
JesusSpeaks to Shattered Dreams
Matthew 28:1-10
- Come and see
Come and see the place where he lay (Matthew 28:6b).
a. Evidence #1: Empty tomb
b. Evidence #2: Eyewitness accounts
c. Evidence #3: Transformed lives
- Fall and worship
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him (Matthew 28:9).
a. We give our worship
b. He gets our worship
- Go and tell
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell . . .” (Matthew 28:10a)
a. Worship leads to witness
b. Witness leads to worship
Conversations
JESUSSPEAKS
JesusSpeaks to the Outcast
Luke 19:1-10 Key Verse. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10) 1. He was restless a. Despite his position b. Despite his possessions 2. He was responsive a. Jesus knew his name b. Jesus knew his need 3. He was rejoicing a. You can grumble at grace b. You can be glad for grace
Conversations
JESUSSPEAKS
Jeasus speaks to unbridled ambition
- The Desire for personal glory impacts our behavior in mor ways than we know
- Jesus calls his followers to a life of radical servanthood.
- We are called to God glorifying self=sacrifice
Conversations
JesusSpeaks to Impossibilities
Luke 18:18-30
Key Verse: But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
- Jesus speaks with a ruler
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone (Luke 18:18-19).
a. He had some positives
b. He had some problems
- Jesus speaks of a requirement
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).
a. Learn about your lack
b. Trade your treasure
- Jesus speaks to a regret
But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich (Luke 18:23).
a. The regret of leaving
b. The regret of losing
Conversations
JesusSpeaks to the Hopeless
John 5:1-18
Key Verses: When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” . . . 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” (John 5:6-8, and 14).
- Jesus speaks to hopelessness
a. His choice of this invalid
b. His conversation with this invalid
- Jesus speaks to heal
a. He tells us to stand up
b. He tells us to stop
c. He tells us to step out
- Jesus speaks to holiness
a. His grace to us
b. His goal for us
Conversations
JesusSpeaks to a Broken Past
John 4:1-30
Key verses: Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14).
- Jesus speaks to the past
a. The history of this people
b. The history of this person
- Jesus speaks in the present
a. Breaks barriers
b. Gives gifts
- Jesus speaks to the potential
a. A potential worshipper
b. A potential witness
BOULDER, UtahBy Day 2 in the blazing Utah desert, Dave Buschow was in bad shape.
Pale, wracked by cramps, his speech slurred, the 29-year-old New Jersey man was desperate for water and hallucinating so badly he mistook a tree for a person.
After going roughly 10 hours without a drink in the 100-degree heat, he finally dropped dead of thirst, face down in the dirt, less than 100 yards from the goal: a cave with a pool of water.
But Buschow was no solitary soul, lost and alone in the desert. He and 11 other hikers from various walks of life were being led by expert guides on a wilderness-survival adventure designed to test their physical and mental toughness.
And the guides, it turned out, were carrying emergency water on that torrid summer day.
Buschow wasn't told that, and he wasn't offered any. The guides did not want him to fail the $3,175 course. They wanted him to dig deep, push himself beyond his known limits, and make it to the cave on his own.
Nearly a year later, documents obtained by The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act reveal those and other previously undisclosed details of what turned out to be a death march for Buschow. They also raise questions about the judgments and priorities of the guides at the Boulder Outdoor Survival School. What matters more: the customer's welfare or his quest?
“It was so needless. What a shame. It didn't have to happen,” said Ray Gardner, the Garfield County sheriff's deputy who hiked six miles to recover Buschow's body. “They had emergency water right there. I would have given him a drink.”
Family members are angry.
“Down in those canyons it's like a furnace,” said Rob Buschow of Glen Spey, N.Y. “I don't have my brother anymore because no one would give him water.”
While regretting the tragedy, the school, known as BOSS, has denied any negligence and instead blamed Buschow, saying the security officer and former Air Force airman did not read course materials, may have withheld health information and may have eaten too heavily before leaving River Vale, N.J., for the grueling course.
Noting Buschow signed liability waivers, the school said: “Mr. Buschow expressly assumed the risk of serious injury or death prior to participating.”
Garfield County authorities declined to file charges, saying there was insufficient evidence the school acted with criminal negligence. The prosecutor said participants knew they were taking a risk.
The U.S. Forest Service, however, has stopped BOSS from using Dixie National Forest for a portion of the 28-day course this summer until it gets outside advice on providing food and water. The agency said it was the first death of a participant in a BOSS survival exercise.
The Colorado-based school dates to the late 1960s. In 1994, BOSS alumnus Josh Bernstein, a New Yorker with an Ivy League education, took over marketing and administration and later became owner. He also is host of the History Channel's “Digging for the Truth,” a show that takes viewers on archaeological adventures around the world.
BOSS emphasizes personal growth through adversity, and using your wits to survive. The mantra: “Know more, carry less.”
BOSS has wilderness courses lasting just a few days to a month. During the 28-day survival course, held 250 miles from Salt Lake City, campers are required to hike for miles and drink what they can find from natural sources.
Tent, matches, compass, sleeping bag, portable stove, watch - all have no role. Campers are equipped with a knife, water cup, blanket and poncho and are told they could lose 20 pounds or more. Among the things they learn is how to catch fish with their hands and how to kill a sheep with a knife.
The course is intended to push people “past those false limits your mind has set for your body.”
“Somewhere along the many miles of sagebrush flats, red rock canyons, and mesa tops of Southern Utah - somewhere between the thirst, the hunger and the sweat - you'll discover the real destination: yourself,” BOSS says on its Web site.
Buschow had marched the arctic tundra in Greenland. And after leaving the Air Force, he worked security at U.S. bases outside the country. He recalled his days as a Boy Scout in his May 2006 application to BOSS.
“Although in the yrs since, I have continued to appreciate Mother Nature,” he wrote by hand, “I still haven't ever truly immersed myself in her embrace. I fear that I'm becoming a 'comfort camper,' having never come close to looking her in the eyes.”
Buschow described himself as 5-foot-7 and about 180 pounds, with a resting pulse of 66. A New York doctor checked a box declaring him fit for a survival program. Buschow signed the application, acknowledging that BOSS was not offering a “risk-free wilderness experience.”
The documents obtained by the AP disclose the brief but bitter wilderness adventure of Buschow:
On July 16, he gathered here with the 11 others, including some from England and a college student who had bicycled from Maine. Most were in their 20s and 30s. They ran 1 1 2 miles so the staff could assess their conditioning.
Buschow “was not the most in-shape but not the most out of shape,” recalled camper Charlie DeTar, 25, the cross-country bicyclist.
On the second day, after a cool night, the group set out around sunrise and stopped about 8:30 a.m. to dip their cups into Deer Creek in what turned out to be the only water until evening. Buschow pulled a bottle from his pack - but was warned by the staff not to fill it.
During the early phase of the expedition, participants can drink water at the source only and cannot carry it with them.
The group, led by three guides, formed a loose chain, with stronger hikers ahead of people struggling at the 6,000-foot elevation, or more than a mile above sea level.
“We didn't cover all that much distance, maybe five to six miles. We were moving slowly, a lot of up and down,” DeTar said in an interview from Vermont. “You don't have food, you don't have water, so you have to move at the slowest pace of the group.”
They rested periodically under pinons and junipers, all the while looking for signs of water, such as green vegetation in canyon bottoms. At least two attempts to dig for water failed.
Not everyone had close contact with Buschow, but a consensus emerges from the campers' written accounts obtained by the AP: While cheerful, encouraging and coherent at times, he was a man in deep trouble hours before he collapsed.
“We were all desperate for water,” a camper wrote. “Every time (Buschow) would fall or lie down, it took a huge amount of effort to pick him back up. His speech was thick and his mouth swollen.”
“Every time he continued, he'd rush ahead, often in the wrong direction and so exhausting himself even more,” the camper wrote.
The sun was described as blazing, inescapable. “There were no clouds,” a camper wrote.
Some people vomited that day, including a man who got sick three times - a typical misery on the rigorous course, according to BOSS. Buschow was suffering from leg cramps about 2:30 p.m. and said he was feeling “bad.”
During a break, he mistook a tree for a person and said, “There she is.”
“This was the first point at which I became concerned knowing that delirium happens when dehydration becomes severe,” a camper wrote. Buschow “also asked if there was much air traffic that went through here, and asked if anyone had a signal mirror.”
(The Forest Service, citing privacy concerns, deleted certain names from documents.)
By 7 p.m., as the sun descended and temperatures cooled a bit, the group approached a cave in Cottonwood Canyon, known to BOSS guides as a reliable source of water.
Buschow's companions were carrying his possessions for him. Within earshot of people exhilarated about the pool of water, he collapsed for the last time.
“He said he could not go on,” staff member Shawn O'Neal wrote two days later in a statement ordered by the Garfield County Sheriff's Office. “I felt that he could make it this short distance and told him he could do it as I have seen many students sore, dehydrated and saying 'can't' do something only to find that they have strength beyond their conceived limits.”
O'Neal didn't inform Buschow about his emergency water.
“I wanted him to accomplish getting to the water and the cave for rest,” he wrote. “He asked me to go get the water for him. I said I was not going to leave him. ... Shortly thereafter I had a bad feeling and turned to Dave and found no sign of breathing.”
A staff apprentice climbed to the top of a dead juniper to get reception for a cellular call to the Boulder office.
Five people took turns trying to revive Buschow while red biting ants crawled over his face. A rescue helicopter from Page, Ariz., arrived about 90 minutes after he passed out, but a defibrillator failed to jump-start his heart. Campers gathered in a circle for the news: “Dave is dead.”
They had a moment of silence and ate almonds, sesame sticks and energy bars distributed by staff, the first food since sandwiches more than 24 hours earlier.
Buschow's death was caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, according to Dr. Edward Leis, Utah's deputy chief medical examiner, who found no evidence of drugs or other factors.
DeTar, a camper who performed CPR, said no one was told that BOSS guides carried emergency water, but “I heard it slosh” in a pack.
Should it have been offered to Buschow? And if it's for an emergency, what triggers it?
“Hard to say,” said DeTar, who has a master's degree from Dartmouth College and is trained in wilderness first aid. “One thing that BOSS offers you is an opportunity to push yourself physically into the red zone. ... He was 200 feet from the water. Is that the point where you give it to him? Or 500 feet?”
Bernstein, the school's owner, agreed to answer questions only by e-mail. He said BOSS instructors can give water based on their assessment of a camper's needs.
“The group appeared to be within the normal parameters we've seen on the trail over the years,” Bernstein said. “Many were, understandably, tired, but morale was high and the participants were determined to continue. ... He seemed capable of completing the hike to camp that evening.”
In a Feb. 27 letter to the Forest Service, Bernstein said Buschow may not have trained properly, pointing to comments he made to another camper about drinking a gallon of water a day and eating cheesesteaks to bulk up before the expedition.
His brother, Rob Buschow, said: “It's sickening when they blame the victim.”
After Buschow's death, five people left the course. The six campers who completed the exercise returned to the site to leave a bouquet of foliage and a marker of stones.
“I didn't want to have the fear of the desert instilled in me because of this incident,” DeTar said.
Conversations
JesusSpeaks to the Walking Dead
John 3:1-16
Key verse: Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
- Jesus speaks with a seeker
a. He is religious
b. He is respected
c. He is restless
- Jesus speaks about a solution
a. We need a second birth
b. We need a spiritual birth
- Jesus speaks of a sacrifice
a. The sacrifice of his coming
b. The sacrifice of his cross
Conversations
JesusSpeaks to Your Life’s Mission
Mark 1:16-18
- The context for this conversation
“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them . . .” (Mark 1:16-17a)
a. Jesus saw them
b. Jesus spoke to them
- The content of this conversation
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men’” (Mark 1:17).
a. Jesus commanded them
b. Jesus committed to them
- The choice after this conversation
“And immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:18).
a. Timely decision
b. Total decision
IN SOME WAY, WE MUST BE GOING
Revelation 5:9
- We give Him the worship He deserves because of _______He is.
a. He is ________
b. He is ________
- We give Him the worship he deserves because of ________He has done.
a. He ______the ultimate price
b. He ______our redemption
- We give Him the worship He deserves by ________to the nations.
a. The ______ of His plan is universal.
b. The ______of His plan is inalterable.
Serving in a NEW way
Romans 7:1-6
I. Familiar with the LAW (v1)
II. Free from the LAW (v2-3)
2nd Corinthians 3:17
III. Relocating the LAW (v4-5)
Galations 5:13 and Galatians 5:22-23
IV. Fulfilling the LAW (v6)
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Galatians 5:14
Ezekiel 36: 26-27 Galatians 5:16-18
Luke 22:20 1st Peter 4:10
Romans 13:10 Philippians 2:19-22
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
T. Lusk
New Growth
1 Peter 2:2
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Description: New and Needy
Like Newborn infants
1 Peter 2:2 New in Christ
New creation
Epesians 2:1-5
Direction: Craving and Satisfaction
Long for the pure Spiritual milk
1 Peter 2:2
Completely reliant on Him
Jesus=spring of living water
Destination: Maturity
-That by it, you may grow up in salvaiotion
-Gospel transforms our lives
Discipline: Word and Prayer
Mike Holmes
A New Creation, Reconciled
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
A New Creation
IN CHRIST, you are a NEW creation (vss. 16-17)
Reconcilliation
Reconciliation is by the will of God (v18).
Reconciliation is by the act of forgiveness (v19).
Reconciliation is by the response of faith (v20).
Reconciliation is by the work of substitutition (v21).
The Ministry of Reconciliation
God has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation (vv. 18-20).
All Things New
Lamentations 3:20-24
Key Verses: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).
- New mindset
a. Remember our sins
b. Remember his steadfastness
- New mercies
a. Pardoned for our failings
b. Provision for our future
- New mornings
a. Point to a fresh start
b. Point to a faithful savior
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在他的名字！
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Peace
Christmas at Easter!
John 20:19-23
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
- Jesus gives us peace
a. Peace is a gift of grace
b. Peace is a gift of gladness
- Jesus gives us purpose
a. His purpose is good
b. His purpose is global
- Jesus gives us power
a. The origin of our power
b. The objective of our power
Peace
“History’s Greatest Gift”
Ephesians 2:13-14
Key Verses: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:13-14).
-
The distance he covered
-
The debt he canceled
-
The divisions he cured
Peace
“Peace in Troubled Times”
Key Verse: “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” (John16:33).
- Truth about troubled times
a. They are promised
b. They are passing
- Tenacity in troubled times
a. Be cheerful
b. Be courageous
- Triumph over troubled times
a. Jesus’ victory is sure
b. Jesus’ victory is shared
Peace
“History’s Greatest Birth Announcement”
Luke 2:8-14
Key Verses: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased’” (Luke 2:13-14)!
- Gives us a story to tell
a. It is good news
b. It is global news
- Gives us a savior to trust
a. Trust him for his sacrifice
b. Trust him for his sovereignty
- Gives us a song to sing
a. Sing a song of praise
b. Sing a song of peace
Worship that Works
Hebrews 13:1-6
Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
- Be compassionate (v. 1-3)
a. Summary command
b. Specific cases
- Be clean (v. 4)
a. Elevate what’s right
b. Eliminate what’s wrong
- Be content (v. 5-6)
a. With what you have
b. With who you have
Hebrews 12:18-29
For you have not come to zwhat may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and athe sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words bmade the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, c“If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, dso terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to eMount Zion and to the city of the living God, fthe heavenly Jerusalem, and to ginnumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to hthe assembly1 of the firstborn who are ienrolled in heaven, and to jGod, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, kthe mediator of a new covenant, and to lthe sprinkled blood mthat speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For nif they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time ohis voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, p“Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates qthe removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving ra kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus slet us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our tGod is a consuming fire.
Jesus is Better
“See the King”
1. Reject the King
a. We are given a warning
b. We are given a welcome
2. Receive the King
a. Unbelievable gift
b. Unbounded gratitude
3. Revere the King
a. He is a compassionate father
b. He is a consuming fire
Jesus is Better
“Run the Race” Hebrews 12:1-2
Key Verses: 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, 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. (Heb. 12:1-2).
1. Before the race: preparation
a. See the witnesses
b. Shed the weight
2. During the race: dedication
a. We need a pace
b. We need a pattern
3. After the race: celebrate
a. There is rejoicing
b. There is rest
Walk on the Water
-
Everybody has a boat
-
Everybody was meant to walk on water (Maththew 14:22-23)
-
have to have Jesus to walk on water
-
Your boat is your comfort zone
a. Greater life change occurs out of the boat than will ever happen in the boat
b. More excitement and adventure come from being out of the boat than in the boat
c. Deeper fulfillment is found out of the boat than is available inside
d. Closer connection to Jesus occurs out of the boat
e. Walking on water causes others to worship God
- God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things
-
Order of Faith
-
Origin of Faith
-
Absurdity of Faith
-
Object of Faith
-
Absolute necessity of Faith
-
Outcome of Faith
Jesus is Better
“A Better Covenant” Hebrews 8:6-13
Key Verses: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. . . . For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8:10-12).
1. Because of its predecessor
a. Its focus was our works
b. Its fault was our weakness
2. Because of its participants
a. God
b. Guilty
c. Guarantor
3. Because of its promises
a. Internal change
b. Intimate connection
c. Incredible compassion
Jesus is Better
“Jesus is a Better Savior” Hebrews 7:25
Key Verse: Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
1. Because of his ability
a. His ability is limitless
b. His ability is loving
2. Because of his availability
a. His availability is for eternity
b. His availability is for everyone
3. Because of his advocacy
a. His advocacy is conditional
b. His advocacy is costly
Jesus Is Better
“Pilgrims [Should Make] Progress”
Hebrews 6:1-12
Key Verse: Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1a).
- To make progress, we must be moving
a. Begin with elementary truths
b. Build on elementary truths
- To make progress, we must be maturing
a. We must have roots
b. We must have fruits
- To make progress, we must be motivated
a. We may be blessed
b. We may be cursed
Jesus is Better
“Our Better High Priest” Hebrews 4:15-16
Key Verses: Since then 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 is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
1. He is better because of his triumph
a. He ascended to heaven
b. He atoned for sin
2. He is better because of his temptations
a. We have an enemy
b. We have an example
3. He is better because of his tenderness
a. He is sympathetic to us
b. He is sovereign over us
Jesus is Better
“Help for Hard Hearts” Hebrews 3:7-15
Key Verse: Therefore, as the Holy Sprit says, “Today, if yo hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion"(Hebrews 3:7-8a). 1. The causes of a heard heart a. Deafness can cause a hard heart b. Doubt can cause a hard heart c. Deceit can cause a hard heart 2. The consequences of a hard heart a. What you don’t get b. What you do get 3. The cures for a hard heart a. Fellowship with one another b. Faith in One
When I was a senior in high school, I made a New Year's resolution. And the New Year's resolution was, that I was going to learn to play the guitar. And so with great gusto, I began playing the guitar. It didn't take too many days of, hours per day on that guitar until the tips of my fingers were you form the cords on those steel strings were actually cut and bleeding a little bit. But, I didn’t give up and you know what happened with the passage of time those cuts became calluses. I don’t play the guitar that much anymore but I still when I feel the ends of my fingers, my fingertips on the left-hand, I feel that callouses still today. You know it's okay if some parts of your body get calluses on them. If you ever shaken working man's hand, you know you get that big old hand and you shake it and you feel those calluses, it serves them well because, his hand has become hardened to carry out the tasks that are his.
But there are other parts of your body that you never need to grow hard. That would be, chief of all, your heart. Your heart needs to always be supple and soft and flexible. In fact did you know, there’s a phrase, a lot of you are too young to recognize this phrase but its called, the hardening of the arteries. It’s really a term used for heart disease, when you get plaque buildup in your arteries and it restricts the flow of blood, as the passage narrows. Soon enough if you don't get enough blood to your heart, you can have a heart attack or you can have a stroke, you can die. And so you need your heart to always remain soft and pliable and supple. And so today I want to preach a message that takes that physical principle and puts it into the spiritual realm.
Just as your physical heart you cant afford it for it to get hard, spiritually; you can't afford to get a hard heart. You need a soft heart. I need a soft heart toward God. And so here's the title of today's message, help for Hard Hearts. I wonder, don’t show your hand, but I wonder how many of us would say, you know Pastor Jeff, I'm afraid, if I were to be honest, you know my heart maybe getting a little cold. A little hard. This morning I know God wants to soften our hearts so that they will be pliable in his hands and useful to Him.
So today were to get some help for hard hearts and we’re going to do so out of the book of Hebrews. That’s toward the end of your Bible, so if you would please turn there. Hebrews chapter 3 and stand to your feet in honor of God's Word. We’re about to hear the King of Heaven speak and I want you given your best attention. Hebrews chapter 3, we’re going to start in verse seven. “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts.” you see their there's the phrase. “Do not harden your heart as in the rebellion on the day of testing in the wilderness where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for 40 years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation and said, they always go astray in their heart they have not known my ways. As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter my rest. Take care brothers. Take care sisters. Lest there be in any of you, an evil unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another, every day, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For, as we have come to share in Christ. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end, as it is said, today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. Lets pray. God, thank you that you speak to us. I thank you that we can hear your voice today if we if we got a heart to here. I pray that we will have soft pliable soulful hearts that are responsive to you. Awaken us to what you say today Lord and change for, Jesus sake, Amen.
Please be seated. Help for hard hearts. Let me advise you if you're visiting us today, if you’ll turn on the back of your worship guide, just flip that guide over, there’s a skeleton outline of the today's message, and really for all of our sake, it's helpful to follow along, and just jot down anything that you think God is saying to you. That you need to apply from what would we be hear today. All right. I will begin the message by talking about what causes a hard heart. What are the causes of a hard heart? First of all, a heard heart is caused by deafness. Now in the physical realm don't tend to think of hearing being related to heart. But in the Bible there's a huge connection between hearing and heart. And if were hard of hearing we will be hard of heart. God wants us always have an open ear to hear what he said. I take this from verse seven. He says, “Therefore as the Holy Spirit says, today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.” what's the implication? That if you don't hear his voice, over time, your heart gets to be hard. Soon enough, you won't be able to hear it. So today, if you hear his voice, then respond to it, so that your heart will not become hard. Now heart disease, in the physical realm, can be caused by not listening to good counsel. For example, we all know that if you have a healthy heart, you need to exercise. Right? Every day do some exercise? Some cardiovascular workout. You need to watch what you eat. You need to get plenty of rest. You need to let the stress in your life go down. All of these things, that’s the counsel that you get, and if you hear it, and respond to it, it will help you have a soft healthy heart. But, if you ignore that counsel, you may get the hardening of the arteries and you have a stroke or heart attack. You may get into trouble.
Now the same thing is true spiritually. God gives us council from his word on how to live. And if you listen to his counsel, then our hearts will be soft and will be spiritually healthy. We need to listen to God. It’s dangerous not to listen to good counsel isn’t it? Let me tell you a story about a church youth group. Now all you teenagers listen to me. There was a youth group very much like ours that went on a trip to Yosemite national Park. Way out West. They were from California. So it wasn’t that fare of a drive. They went up to Yosemite and they said we're going to hike the most famous of the hikes in that great park. In it's the hike up what's called Vernal Falls. We’re going to put a picture on the screen, of this beautiful waterfall. It’s the Merced River, it falls about 317 feet at that precipice and thousands of people every year make this hike. It’s gorgeous. Well all along that hike, there are warning signs, because while it looks placid and beautiful and majestic, the truth is it's very dangerous. In fact the signs are actually in four languages, so that nobody misunderstands or fails to hear the warning. They caution about the force of the river and that the rocks are slippery. And of course, you can imagine with the falls and the mist that the bellows out from that, the rocks get slippery. And so the youth group start making its way up to the top of Vernal Falls and when they got up there, there were three of them that decided they wanted to get a picture for instagram. You young people know what I'm talking about? Something to post on Facebook I guess. And so one of the girls, well in fact three of them, the girl is the particular one that was leading the pack, they climbed over a guardrail that bordered the Merced River there the top. Now I think in part the reason they did it, is that when you're up on top, the water is actually kind of placid. In fact, they call it the Emerald Pool and other of the pictures of you can see online, I’m not going to put it on screen but either other pictures of it, and you can almost see that that placid pool of green water there at the top. It’s beautiful. It’s crystal clear and the girls said, come on ya’ll. Lets Climb over this guardrail and we’ll just go out there and stand on a rock, and ya’ll can take my picture. Harmless enough. I really can hardly blame the young people, because I could almost see me doing something foolish like that. They climbed over, got out in the river, they didn’t know it but that year, there had been a real heavy snowfall and the snowmelt have been great and the Merced River had swollen with that extra water, and the force of the river was greater than even normally was. Beneath the placid surface, the were currents that they couldn't even see. The girl got out on the rock and she slipped. She splashed into the water and her friend, alarmed of course, because they were only about 25 feet from the edge of the falls, he went out into the water to try to grab her, he lost his footing. So now the third guy was to take the picture, he goes in after those two. And before anything could be done. To the wailing screams of the whole group, those three young people were swept over the precipice to their deaths. That is a terrible story, but it's a true story. Fact, they couldn't even find their bodies for several days, because the force of the water was so great. They were pinned there on the rocks somewhere beneath the surface at the foot of the falls. What had happened? They had ignored the warnings that had been given.
Deafness can be deadly. You must listen to God's voice, because deafness can cause a hard heart, and a hard heart can be deadly. Now what else can cause a hard heart? Not only deafness, but doubt can cause a hard heart. I think most of you know the story that is in view here, in Hebrew 3. It’s actually looking back to the children of Israel, who had been enslaved in Egypt. You remember this. For about 400 years, they were enslaved there. But God never forgot about his children. He heard their cry. And he sent Moses to them to deliver them. And you'll remember that God, with miraculous power, sent plague after plague after plague and in patience, he was saying to Pharaoh, and the Egyptians, let my people go! But pharaoh was deaf to God's voice and he had a hard heart. And the Bible says he stiffened his neck against God. God continued to send those plagues until finally the night of Passover came, the death Angel came and all of the firstborn, both of the livestock and even of the male firstborn sons of every family, died in the Egypt. God spared the Israelites. Finally Pharaoh and the Egyptians said please go! And out went the Israelites in great freedom. Well, they made their way down to the Red Sea. Once they became alarmed. There like, we're going to die here because Pharaoh had regained his courage, and you want to go back and capture them. He was in hot pursuit. On one side, had the Red Sea, and on the other side was Pharaoh bearing down on them. And mountain walls hemmed them in. it looked as though they were goners. Again, God heard their cry. And Moses extended his rod and the Red Sea opened. A strong wind blew and they walked across on dry ground. Then they went to up the wilderness there. Safe now from the Army of the Egypt that was destroyed. They were hungry and a cried out and God heard them. God sent manna. He dropped groceries from heaven. And then they ate their fill. They got thirsty and they complained against God. God caused water flow from the rock. Again, again and again God provided for them. But it was if if they'd never could get over their bellyaching. There murmuring. They’re complaining. Finally they came to the Jordan River, God had proven himself true to every promise, and he said “this land that you see that flows with milk and honey, where there are vineyards that you did not plant, where their houses to live in that you did not build, with their walled cities that you can inhabit, all of this I'm giving to you. The children of Israel, what did they do, the they doubted. They said that land is too mighty. There are chariots there. There are walled cities. We are as but grasshoppers in our own eyes. We can't do it. And they doubted and it gave them our atherosclerosis. I mean it hardened their arteries. It gave them heart disease.
Listen to what the Bible says in verse 12 of our chapter, Hebrews 3. Take care brothers, lest there be in any of you and an evil, unbelieving heart. Leading you to fall away from the living God. What had happened? They had they had heart disease. Their heart had become evil, and it is rooted in, what the Bible says, unbelief. You know what God wants for us above everything? He wants us to believe him when he makes promises. He wants us to believe that they will come true. When he says what the Bible says, God so loved the world; he wants us to believe it. That he gave his only begotten son; he wants us to believe that. That whosoever would believe in him would not perish, but have everlasting life; he wants us to trust that promise. That’s what he seeks above all. That we would trust and believe in him. But they doubted. It caused a hard heart.
Let me give you one other cause of a hard hart. I've mentioned deafness and doubt but deceit can cause you to have a hard heart. Look in verse 13, but exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. You see sin is at work in us. The devil was at work to deceive us. To think that God is not good. That he is not faithful to his promises. And to pull us away from the living God. The deceitfulness of sin.
I heard a story years ago, about what was called the perfect crime. It’s a story set in New York, back in the days when they were building the skyscrapers. And there were two men that have become enemies of one another on the building site. But they worked, side-by-side, on the girders as they were building this mighty skyscraper. One of the men had the job of affixing the rivets to the girders so that they would be in place. The other man would pitch the rivets to the first man. He would pitch them. The man would catch it and he would attach the rivet and on they would go throughout the day, attaching those great steel girders. The one man thought of away to murder his coworker. And here was his plan. As he threw the rivet to him, with each successive throw, he withdraw just a little bit further out from the building. And so the man that was catching the rivet and attaching them, you know he caught the rivet, with the next throw he had to reach out just a little bit further, the next throw, a little further, and it was so subtle, it was so incremental, it was so sinister, he didn’t recognize he was reaching out further and further. Until finally that last throw came and he lost his balance as he reached out to get it. He plunged to his death. Now they called it the perfect crime because there was no trace of any misdeed. He subtlety, very incrementally murdered his coworker.
Now, why do I tell that story? That’s the way sin operates in our lives. The devil, he’s not going up and get you to like jump over to some massive evil like Hitler, but he's going to incrementally, very subtly, throw you a temptation that just close enough that you might bite. Once you've indulged in that, he may throw at temptation that's a little further out from God's will, in a little further out, until finally you take a great fall because sin is deceitful. I wonder today if I'm talking to some people whose hearts are becoming hard because you've been deceived by sin. You find yourself doing things that you never would've dreamed of doing, because incrementally, you gone there. Today if you hear his voice, awaken to the danger that is in front you. These are the causes of a heard heart. Now quickly, what does it matter? Are there any consequences for having a hard heart? Well you know physically, if you have hardening of the arteries, and your heart gets where there is not enough blood flowing to it. It’s deadly. In fact, did you know every 33 seconds, someone in America dies of heart disease? In a year more than a million people die. It is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Physically, it's dangerous. There are consequences. What about spiritually? If your heart gets cold and hard toward God, does it matter? Well I am going to tell you today it does matter. I’m going to give you two reasons it matters. First of all, it matters because what you don't get when your heart is hard. Now, remember I told you that God was taking the children of Israel to the Promised Land. They were going to go to that land of milk and honey. Those walled cities. They were going to inhabit them. Every good thing was going to be provided them. But because they did not believe, because their hearts were cold and hard, they did not get what God would have otherwise given them. Do you see how this is applicable to you and me? God of the Bible says Jesus came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly. The Promised Land is but a picture of the life abundant that we are to have in Jesus. But you don't get it if you have a hard heart toward God and if you ignore his voice.
I’m going to put on the screen a picture of fellow, you may recognize. Him his name John Candy. Here’s a famous actor, some years ago. He starred in the movie, Cool Running about the Jamaican bobsled team; Splash He was with the Blues Brothers and so a little bit dated. So you may know John Candy. He was actually well known for being a comedic character. He was a big man, physically very big. In his family that was a history of heart disease. His father, now get this, his father died when he was only 35 years old. Can you imagine? Almost 20 years my younger, dying of a heart attack. So John grew up in a family that should've known well the dangers of heart disease. But John, I guess it goes with that comedic, jovial feel. He loved to eat. He gave it a good Louisiana. He loved to eat and he would put on a big spread for everybody. He would smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. He just lived the life. Those in violation of every rule of good health and we was 43 years old, he too died. He didn't get the love out all of these years. He lost it. He didn't get what he could've otherwise had. He was making $4 million per picture. That was back in the mid-90. All that wealth. All the future that was before him, but he squandered it, because of his hard hardening heart. In the physical realm.
The same thing can be true for us spiritually. God wants us to enter into a life of joy and freedom and purpose. We can’t have it, if we can have a hard heart. So the consequences are, what you don't get what the consequence is also are, what you do get. When you have a hard heart, what they get? Look again at your Bible and Ill show you. In verse 17 it says, “and with whom was he provoked for 40 years, was it not with those who sinned? Whose bodies fell in the wilderness. What did they get? They got 40 years; listen to me, 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Until every one of their bodies fell dead in the desert. All those that were of age that could've gone to the Promised Land, save Joshua and Caleb. Those faithful men who said “let's go.” all the rest died. What they didn't get was the Promised Land. What they did get was death. Spiritually, don't miss what God would give you and don't get what the world would give you. Right? I said before, I said again, God wants for us what we would want for ourselves, if we had sense enough to want it. He wants a life of goodness for you in abundance and joy and purpose. But if you have a hard heart, you never going to get it. Well let me conclude. Is there a cure? You know physically, if you have a heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, which I have several those things, to some small degree, is there anything I can do? There is something that I can do. I can exercise. And I need to do more than I do, but I could exercise. I could eat better. And I'm trying to do a little better on my eating. You let the stress out of your life. You can rest better. We need these disciplines in our lives physically. But what about spiritually? Is there something that you can do? Is there a cure for the hard heart? There is. Let me give you two cures. Number one, fellowship with one another. Notice what he says in verse 13, “but exhort one another, every day, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, do you see that? When we exhort one another, when we encourage one another, it helps our hearts to be soft. That’s why it is so good for you to come to church. Ill tells you something curious. You know they have done a study and that regular church attendance actually prolongs physical life. It’s good for you to come to church. Even if that were the spiritual element, which is supreme, but even physically good for you to come. And spiritually, how good it is to be in the company of other believers. When I see you here, what does it do, it warms my heart. It softens my heart. It encourages my heart. And I know that you have that sensation as you gather with one another. And I hope you're part of one of our small groups. We call them ABF’s, Adult Bible Fellowship. Or if you’re a teenager you’re in our student ministry with the table groups. We have to Thrive classes where you can come on Wednesday nights and exhort one another as the Bible says. Be one of our D groups. But get into the company of others. That will keep your heart soft. Don’t get out there by yourself and be hardhearted. There’s one special night I’m going to mention, its November 2. I want all of you to please put this on your calendar, all right. On November 2, that morning were going to have Go Global Sunday. Dr. Dave Early is going to be here to speak to us and that night we going to gather back, we we don't normally come on Sunday nights, this is getting be an exception. We are going to come together and our purpose is to cry out to God, to exhort one another, God bring revival to my heart. I tell you something; my heart needs to be softer. I bet some of you if you were to be honest would say, me to preacher. I need my heart to be softened. Our church needs revival. Our nation needs revival. Our world is desperate for the peace and life that Jesus brings.
We are going to get on our knees, November 2 and I want to be here. We are calling the night, The Power of One. The since of us being together. Exhorting one another. One Church, one heart, and one voice, an all campus prayer gathering on November 2 at 6 PM. alright now, the other thing that you can do to have a soft heart, and it's the chief thing, while it is important fellowship with one another, you to have faith in one. I mean you need to have your faith in the Lord Jesus, who gave his life on the cross. Who shed his blood? That we might live. Verse 14 of this chapter says. “ For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” he's talking about faith. He’s talking about belief. And he says we're to hold our confidence firm until the end. Does that mean that, by having firm confidence to the end, we save ourselves? No. We don’t save ourselves. We are saved by him. But our confidence to the end reveals the genuineness of our faith. And so were to hold that confidence firm. That faith that fate firm to the end. When I was a boy my preacher, used to say, “faith that fizzles before the finish, was faulty from the first.” you heard that? Faith that fizzles before the finish was faulty from the first. And so man look, don’t let your faith fizzle. Don’t get a cold heart man. Stay in fellowship with one another and put your faith in the Lord Jesus.
Now conclude. In 2011, Steven Spielberg produced a wonderful movie. Some of you went and saw it. I'm sure it's called Warhorse. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommended even for family viewing. It one of those few Hollywood movies that you wouldn’t mind your children seeing. It’s a story of a young boy and his horse. The horses’ name is Joey. Joey is a thoroughbred. And by a set of circumstances, Joey's poor family comes into possession of this prize horse. The boy's name is Albert, is it not? Albert. Thank you. He loves Joey the horse. And so he just raises up that thoroughbred. They’re the best of friends. Well, World War I comes along and Great Britain is in need of horses to pull the heavy artillery and for the chores of battle and are buying up all the horses. One day Albert was out and the Army men came and Albert's father needed money for their farm. He sold the horse while the boy was away the boy came back he was “Where is my horse” and they were taking them away to the Army. Well, with the passage of time the boy himself went into the Army. And he and the horse were scattered across was thousands of miles, far apart from one another. He didn’t know where his horse was. But he never forgot him. As the battles of drug on and the war drug on, one day the boy was in a trench, and some poison gas was shelled his trench and it blinded the boy, temporarily. So he went to an infirmary to be nursed back to health. And he didn’t know it but the horse had been captured by the Germans and had been put into very harsh labor. The horse, his health to become broken, his spirit had become broken, and in one scene that is very memorable, the horse tries the bolt across no man's land. And the horse becomes entangled in the barbed wire. You remember that horrific scene? The freed the horse but the horse is so wounded that they can't nurse him back to health it seems. And so there are going to just shoot the horse, to put him out of his misery, remember this? And the boys in the hospital, and it happens that now the horses is very close at hand. The boy hears some people talking about this, this ghost horse, this is miracle horse that had survived no man's land, which no one survived, if you heard them talk about the horse, he thought, perhaps that's Joey. Perhaps that's my horse. And so he staggers up out of his sickbed. In he makes his way into the alley and they're about to shoot the horse. And the boy Joey, he had this whistle the always use with the horse, from the horse in the earliest days. [Whistles]. The old horse perked his head up. Looked about, showed some life and vigor that he never shown before. And the blind boy begins to inch his way through the crowd of soldiers. They are all just silent, because they are about to hear the gunshot, right. The horse neighs and the boy whistles again. The old horse begins to snort and gather strength up again and the soldier’s part like the Red Sea, and the boy in the horse are united. The horse was saved because he knew his master's voice. He heard it. He responded to it. His salvation.
What am I saying to you? Listen to the bookends of this passage, how does the passage start? How does it end? Verbatim, today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as your forefathers did the rebellion in the wilderness, instead be saved. Would you bow your heads please? I wonder who here today would say, preacher my hearts been hard. I've been getting further and further away from the warmth of God. I've gone astray and preacher, I need, I name my heart softened. The Bible says that God wants to take out of us a heart of stone and put in us, heart of flesh. Like the heart of a new baby. He wants us to be born again and saved. Forgiven. Maid new. Warm. Responsive. Would you just cry out to Him? Lord! Lord please; take out my hard stone heart. And God give me your heart, a new heart. New life. And for those of you who know Christ as Savior, and if you been away from him, would you just say Lord I repent. I come back to you. Lord from the deceitfulness of sin. I want to get away from those temptations and Lord I come to you, tower of strength and I run into you Lord. Revive me. Cleanse me. Help me to walk closely with you. All of these things Lord, we pray, in Jesus name, Amen.
Jesus is Better
“See Our Savior” Hebrews 2:5-9
Key Verse: But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesue, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9). 1. See Jesus in the cradle a. He is humble below angels b. He is high above angels 2. See Jesus on the cross a. His grace is great b. His goal is global 3. See Jesus with the crown a. Submit to him b. Share with him
It is great to have all of you here. Take your bibles please and lets open together to Hebrews. Hebrews chapter 2 is where we are going to be. Were going through a series titled Jesus is better. That’s the theme of the book of Hebrews. In fact, I think the word better appears in the book thirteen times. Which is one for every chapter. There are thirteen chapters and it just says over and over again, Jesus is better. He is better.
And so today we are going to continue that series and I want to ask you a question before I start and it’s this. What did Jesus look like? Have you ever wondered that? Well there have been those who have tired to portray what he looked like and I going to put on the screen here some pictures, some portraits of Jesus, the first two are drawn by a fellow named Walter Salmon and his portraits are among the most famous a in our culture that have ever been drawn. The first one is a picture of Jesus knocking at a door and I wonder if I made you remember seeing this picture at some point maybe in a Sunday school classroom or in your grandmother's Bible or something of the sort. That’s a beautiful picture of Jesus and you may have noted before that when you look at that picture carefully the door does not have a knob on it and kind of the message of the portrait is that if Jesus is to come into your life and be your Savior and Lord you have to be the one who opens it up because the knobs not on the outside. He doesn’t barge his way in, you invite them in, you receive him and so that's the idea of that picture its very well known. There’s another one even better known. Again painted by this fellow Walter Salmon and it's called the “Head of Christ,” and you see the pictures here. I remember this from when I was a boy and you look very closely and it's very interesting he got blue eyes almost like blonde hair. It’s curious, Walter Salmon was himself from Norwegian descent it's almost as though he drew a picture of Jesus as he would be as if he were Scandinavian and I think that's the that's something that you observe across cultures and people portray Jesus, they often do in their image.
In fact, someone has said, they have quipped that in the beginning God created man and ever since then we've been returning the favor. We’re trying to create someone in our image and so I really doubt Jesus had blue eyes. As we know he was Jewish. He probably had deep Brown eyes. His skin was probably bronzed by the sun. If you how middle Easterners have that appearance and so for what ever its worth he depicted a picture of Jesus the best he thought.
There’s another one I’m going to put on the screen. This is really not painting but it is a portrait of sorts. Is actually on cloth and some of you may recognize this. Its from a burial shroud and it was discovered many years ago and it's somewhat mysterious because you see on the shroud, the visage of a man and some believe that what we're looking at there, is actually the visage of Jesus. It is a bit mysterious how this shroud ends up and this is way before the days of any kind of electronic reproduction. In fact this is of a believe some believe it was carbon dated to the medieval period. Others would say goes right back to Christ. But in any case, somehow this picture of a man gets imprinted, in a manner of speaking, on this shroud. So could this be what Jesus looked like?
What does Jesus look like? Well I want to surprise you this morning. I'm going to show you a portrait of Jesus. I going to dare to say it is 100% accurate and it's found right here in Hebrews chapter 2. Now before I read the passage, I was reminded of a story I heard about a kindergarten teacher. I know I some teachers here today of little kids. She had assigned the class to draw a picture of someone they love. And so, she was going up and down the aisles looking at the pictures the children were drawing. She went by this one little boy and she said, “Who is that you are drawing?” is my daddy. She says, that’s beautiful. Encouraging him and she walked on a little while by a little girl and said, “Honey, who is that you are drawing?” “Well this is a picture of my mama.” Oh my, that’s, beautiful. She came up to this one mischievous little boy and she couldn't quite make out what he was doing and so she said, “Johnny, whose portrait is that mature your drawing?” He said, “Well this Jesus.” the teacher said, “Johnny, nobody knows what Jesus looks like.” he didn't look up, he didn’t hesitate, “they'll know it looks like when I'm finished.” Well when I finish this message I hope that your going to say “I know what Jesus looks like.”
Alright, in honor of God's word let's stand up and read Hebrews chapter 2, verses five through nine, and verse nine the last going to be where we’re going to camp out. All right so let's get the running start there beginning with verse five. God's word says. Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come of which we are speaking it has been testified somewhere, what is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him. You made him, for a little while, lower than the angels. You have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him, but we see him, who for a little while, was made lower than the angels. Namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death so that by the grace of God, he might taste death for everyone.
Now before we’re seated, look again there at verse nine, the very last words. He says, but we see him! We see him! You know you saw that movie avatar? I'm not backing its theology, but in the movie it says I see you. All right. We see him. He is portrayed for us here and I want us to ask the Lord to open our eyes and our hearts to see him. Lets pray. God, help us to see Jesus, in all of his glory and all of his beauty. In his humility, in his suffering, in his victory. Help us to see him. Help us once upon seeing him, to fall in love with him and to surrender our all to him. Do it Lord I pray, for Jesus sake, Amen.
Please be seated. The title of today's message is, see our Savior. See him. I want you to see him. And here we find a portrait of him. Now, the follow along, I want to encourage you to turn to the back of your worship guide, you’ve got an outline of the morning's message and you can fill it in. I think it will help you to pay attention and also at the head of that you'll see verse nine given to you there. That’s where were really going to focus, in verse nine. Now the portrait that I'm going to present to you, I'm going to show it to you from three angles, all right? Three features I'm going to highlight and here is the first.
If we’re going to see Jesus, our Savior, we got to see him first of all in the cradle. Now you wonder where I get the idea of Jesus in the manger Jesus in the cradle, from this verse. Notice how it begins verse nine. It says. “But we see him, but for a little while, was made lower than the Angels.” what is this referring to when it says Jesus was made lower than the angels? Well it’s speaking, of course, about his incarnation. His coming in flesh.
One of my friends told me that she'd been to the mall. She said she couldn't believe it, she went into Dillard’s and they already have the Christmas decorations out. All right well this morning, were going to start hanging the Christmas decorations too, because we see him made a little lower than the Angels. That is, we see Jesus come to this Earth. Taking upon himself the form of a servant. Emptying himself of his glory. A Jesus that babe in Bethlehem. If you want to see Jesus, look in the cradle. And when you do you’re going to see two things. First of all, you see him humble, below the Angels. Philippians, Chapter 2 verse seven says that “Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” this is what's talking about. He was made a little more than the Angels. He took on human flesh and lived among us, and for while, a little while, he was made lower than the angels. But then, just as quickly as you see that, I want to see him now high above Angels. Because this one, who for a little while was made lower than the angels is in reality, infinitely higher than the Angels, right. He is the one who created all angelic beings. And in fact, all of us and the world. He flung the stars into space; He hung the sun and the moon there to rule by day and by night, respectively. All that is made, he is the agent of it. And he sustains it by the word of his power. This is what we learned in Hebrews chapter 1. And so, he is for a little while, humbled. Made lower than the angels.
But don't miss that babe in Bethlehem, is actually, the creator God, sovereign of all. Now where can you find a model of someone who would be high, yet humble themselves. It’s actually hard to find. But let me give you this illustration. A lot of you will remember Princess Di. She was from Great Britain and became engaged to be heir to the throne. She was beautiful. She was the quintessential Disney princess. Really her wedding was storybook, a lot of you remember Princess Di. But I want to show you a picture Princess Di, as perhaps you’ve never seen her before. In the year, 1997, Princess Di was on a tour of Africa and she happened to be in the country of Angola. And there in Angola, there was a tremendous scourge, they had had internecine warfare, civil war of sorts, and it was brutal. One of the things that they had done, they had sown down the land, with land mines. A landmine, if you can picture this, is almost like a plate and a saucer, and it's filled with explosives and shrapnel, and they buried these landmines all across the countryside. And though the war had largely subsided, innocent boys and girls and men and women, would simply be walking across a field, they would accidentally step on one of those landmines and it would explode. It would blow them up. Perhaps a limb would be lost or their lives would be lost by the thousands. Princess Di, to her credit, was burdened about perhaps she decided that she would identify with the plight of the people, and to inspire the world community to do something to eradicate the world of mines. She actually got on those protective clothes and mask and she went out into the Angolan countryside, Of course, cameras clicking everywhere, to say to the world, let's put a stop to these mines. Lets save lives. In way it pictures what Jesus did for us. Jesus that… if you think Diana was royalty, Jesus is the Prince of Heaven, and he came to earth with no protective gear. And on purpose, took the wrath of sin. The wrath of God against sin and he suffered and he took them blow so that we could be forgiven and be saved. And that's the story of Christmas. That’s what happened with the babe of Bethlehem. So see him first of all, there in the cradle.
That segues perfectly into the next aspect you need to see of this portrait. Not only seen in the cradle, see him on the cross. And you'll never know Jesus; you’ll never know what he looked like, who he was if you don’t see him on the cross. Now, if you look back to verse nine, which is our key verse, Ill show you where I take this. Verse nine. But we see him for a little while, was made lower than the angels that is Jesus, crown now with glory and honor because of the suffering of death. So that by the grace of God, he might taste death for everyone. Do you see him?
Do you see Jesus there on the cross? What do we see when we look at the cross? We see first of all, that his grace is great. His grace is great! The Bible says, so that by the grace of God, he might taste death for everyone. Jesus died on the cross, not because he had done anything wrong, in fact, complete contrary, he done nothing wrong. We are the ones who it done wrong. We’re the ones who sin, but he died on the cross to pay for the sins, the price of them, so that we need not, Folks, that what grace is. Grace is us not getting what we deserve, but instead getting what we don't deserve. We deserve punishment. We deserve wrath. But we don't have to take it, because Jesus has already taken it for us. And now we get all of the goodness of God showered on us because of what Christ has done. By grace, he tasted death for every man.
Someone said it is an acrostic of grace, if you've never heard this you ought to jot it down on your notes. What is grace? G R A C E. You know it? Grace, God’s Riches At Christ's Expense! God's riches, what are they? His riches are forgiveness, reconciliation, forgiveness, peace, eternal life. All those riches come to us at Christ's expense. He paid for them. Again I say, it is grace, amazing Grace that pardons us. So look at the cross and see his great grace. But also, look there and see that his goal is global. What does it say? He tasted death for whom? For every man, every woman, every boy, every girl. His goal is global. You see Christ no only died for LSU Tigers; he died from Mississippi State Bulldogs. Right? He not only died for Americans, he died for Europeans and Africans and middle Easterners. He longs for everyone to be changed by his grace. And if you look at the cross, you see these things, these things so clearly. Revelation 5:9 tells us, it actually gives us a glimpse into heaven. “And they sang a new song, saying worthy are you, to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain and by your blood, you ransomed people for God, from every tribe, and language, and people, and nation. He is a global God. He is a global savior. And would embrace all of the peoples of the world.
Some of you know Kevin Bacon? You know of him. He is a famous actor. He tells a story about his son. His son had gotten to an age; I think he was six years old at the time, where he could watch some of his daddy’s movies. And he was watching the movie, Footloose. And in one scene, his father, the character his father was playing, grabbed a hold of the rafters and swung and kind of with an acrobatic move and landed right on his feet. And his son was so impressed. He said, “Dad, how did you do that?” and Kevin said, “Aww son, I didn’t do that,” He said “that was my stunt double that did that.” And the little boy said, “what's a stunt double?” “Well that’s that looks like me, is dressed up like me, but does things that I could never do.” the little boy, he accepted that. He kept watching the movie and in another scene his daddy something else, or the character his daddy is playing does something else really spectacular and acrobatic and he said, “wow… You do that?” He said well son I didn’t do that that was my stunt double again… “ And he went on three or four more times through the movie, every time something really spectacular would happen, sure enough it would be the stunt double. So finally the boy said, “well daddy, what’d you do?” He said “I got all the credit, without doing anything.” Now what's the point? We got stunt double. And I say that with all reverence. We got somebody that looked like us. That’s the cradle, see him there. The God of Heaven come here to redeem. And he looked like us. And he dressed like us. He learned our language, but he did for us, what we could never do for ourselves. The innocent one, the sinless one, died for our sins. More than that on the third day, he conquered death when he arose from the grave. He did for us what we could never do for ourselves. And we get the credit. We get the forgiveness. We get the redemption, based on what he did.
I’m telling you, here is what Jesus looks like. Look at the cradle. Look at the cross. And then finally look at the crown. Your going to see it here, in verse nine again, he says, “but we see him” do you see him? We see him who for a little while, was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of god might taste death for every man. Do you see him there, crowned with glory and honor? He is crowned! He’s the king!
A lot of you know the show on television, the family feud; it's hosted now a guy named Steve Harvey. Is it still playing? I’m not even sure but all of you know family feud. What they do is they have these series of questions that they've asked the public, and they’ll get a hundred respondents to each question. What they do is, they have a couple of guys, you know from each team and they hit the button to try to respond. Right? And get the answers. So a couple of years ago the question was this, “when someone mentions the king, to whom might he or she be referring?” and people answered. Who’s the king? Well, the answers included, two people said “The Burger King.” Y’all know McDonald's and Wendy's, you know, the Burger King. That’s who you’re talk when you say the king. Three people said Martin Luther King, Jr. and maybe you thought of Martin Luther King, Jr. and you heard the king. But you know what the number one answer was? 81 people the King, Elvis Presley. There was one other answer given and it was the right answer, seven people said Jesus is the King. I’m going to tell you something, Elvis is not king. The burger king is not the king. Jerry Lawler is not the king, for some your wrestling boys. Jesus is the king that is the right answer. He is crowned with glory and honor.
How then ought we to relate to him? We ought to to submit to him. You see, Philippians, I referred to it earlier. He emptied himself and he took upon himself the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross, therefore God has highly exalted him, and given them a name that is above every name, that the name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue confess, Jesus Christ is Lord. If you have never before, definitively seen him, confessed him as Lord and bowed the knee of your will to him, I’m going to invite you to do that this day.
Submit to him and when you do, you're going to share with him in his glory. I love this and I want to see this, because I didn’t read it earlier but here's how this concludes. He says, but we see him, who for a while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor, because he tasted death by the grace of god for every man. Then verse 10 says, for it was fitting that he would bring many sons to glory. No listen, we see Jesus crowned with glory. He is the glorious one, but did you know he is bringing with him many sons to glory. That is, those of us were redeemed. We actually get into that train of glory, and we become a part of his family. Were joint heirs with Christ as we saw last week? Well, do you know what Jesus looks like? You might think he has long blonde hair and blue eyes or you may think he’s like the shroud of Turin visage. We really don't know. But, we know his heart. We know what he has done for us. Here’s a portrait that's 100% accurate. Look at him. See him. They’re in the manger. They’re on the cross. Now crowned. Follow Him.
Would you bow your heads please? I didn’t preach this, this morning, just for entertainment. Just to occupy the time. This message is preached so that you might make a response to god. If you’ve never before bowed your will, your knees, in effect, to Jesus and confessed him as Lord, would you do so now? Jesus, I do see you. I see you. I believe you came from heaven, to earth; you lived sinlessly. You died in my place. You arose from the dead, and Lord Jesus, the best I know how, I open up the door and I say come in. I want to give you my life. I want to follow you. I want to be a new creation, Lord by your grace, save me. Save me Lord. And for those of you that know Christ as savior, you may just need to say to him Lord, I see you afresh this morning and I’m more in love with you now. That I’ve seen you more clearly; Help me to follow you, to serve you. I ask it in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Jesus is Better
“The Danger of Drifting” Hebrews 2:1-4
1. The c_______of drifting a. We forget the i__________ b. We fixage on the i________ 2. The c__________of drifting a. We face p_____________ b. We forfeit p___________ 3. The c______for drifting a. Examine the f____________ b. Embrace the f______________
Jesus is Better
“History’s Greatest Speech” Hebrews 1:1-3
1. The greatest origin a. God has spoken constantly b. Cod has spoken creatively 2. The greatest orator a. He is great in his person b. He is great his position c. He is great in his power 3. The greatest objective a. He cleanses our sin b. He completes our salvation
Coach
“Living in the Last Days" 2 Timothy 3:1-17
Key verses: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tm, 3: 16-17).1. Difficult period
a. Last days are here
b. Last days are hard
2. Disobedient people
a. Their description
b. Their destiny
3. Dependable principles
a. Wisdom for salvation
b. Wisdom for service
Coach
“The Great Race of Mercy" 2 Timothy 2:1-7
Key verses: You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Tm, 2: 1-2).1. Be dedicated like a soldier
a. Show endurance
b. Shun entanglements
2. Be disciplined like an athlete
a. Compete like an athlete
b. Comply like an athlete
3. Be diligent like a farmer
a. Sweat for the harvest
b. Share in the harvest
Coach
“Passing the Baton" 2 Timothy 1:1-16
Key verses: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you trough the laying on of my hand, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tm, 1:5-7).1. Start strongly
a. Growing faith
b. Growing flame
2. Share sufferings a. An encouragement regarding suffering b. An example of suffering
3. Show stamina a. Some fall away b. Some finish well
Coach
“God’s Gameplan" 1 Timothy 6:11-121. FLEE
a. From desires for riches b. From desires that ruin
2. FOLLOW a. New orientation b. New objectives
3. FIGHT a. For the life that the Lord gives b. For the Lord that gives life
Coach
We Are Family!
1 Timothy 5
Key Verses: Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows who are truly widows. . . . Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:1-3, and 17).
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Fathers
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Brothers
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Mothers
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Sisters
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Others
Coach
Crossfit!
1 Timothy 4:1-16
Key Verses: Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe (1 Timothy 4:7-10).
- The steps to being crossfit
a. Reject error
b. Receive truth
- The stakes for being crossfit
a. Everyday life
b. Eternal life
- The spread of being crossfit
a. Exemplify your message
b. Exercise your giftedness
Coach
“Lessons on Leadership" **1 Timothy 3:1-16
Key verses: "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach..." (1 Tim. 3:1-2a).**
1. Leadership roles
2. Leadership requirements a. Aspiration b. Qualifications i. Personal traits ii. Parental traits iii. Practical traits 3. Leadership rewards
4. Leadership responsibility
Coach
“Play Your Position" 1 Timothy 2:8-15
1. Primary duty
a. Guys--Lead
b. Girls—Learn
2. Proper demeanor
a. Guys—Be clean
b. Girls— Be considerate
3. Promised deliverance
a. We are delivered from our sin
b. We are delivered by our Savior
Coach
“The First Play" 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Key Verse: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people (1 Timothy 2:1).
1. All people always need Jesue (vv. 1-2)
2. God always desires all people to be saved. (vv. 3-6)
3. The gospel should always be proclaimed. (v. 7)
www.pray4govt.org www.call2fall.com
Coach
“The Coach’s Charge" 1 Timothy1:1-20
Key Verse: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost (1 Timothy 1:15).
1. Be faithful in your duty
a. Hindrances to doing your duty
b. Help in doing your duty
2. Be faithful in your doctrine
a. Reject heretical doctrine
b. Receive healthy doctrine
3. Be faithful in your doxology
a. An exclamation of praise
b. An explanation for praise
Help
"Help for Dad" Joshua 24:1-15
Key Verse: And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, jchoose this day whom you will serve, whether hthe gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
1. Make your choice a. Individual choice
b. Influential choice 2. Mark your calendar a. Immediate choice b. Informed choice 3. Measure your commitment a. We are helpless b. He is holy c. There is hope
Help
"Help for Financial Health, Part 3" Proverbs 6:6-8
Key Verse: Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
1. The Saving of Money
a. Recommendation of it
Go to the art, 0 sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares, her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
*(Prov. 6: 6-8).
b. Route to it
How long will you lie there, 0 Sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man
(Prov. 6: 9-11)
c. Reasons for it
A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead are prepares for them (Prov. 22: 3).
d. Ratio of it
...give me neither poverty nor riches: feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest l be full and deny you and say, "Who is the Lord,” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God
(Prov 30: 8b-9)
*2. The Spending of Money
a. Formulate a financial plan the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty (Prov. 21:5)
b. Follow a financial plan
Resources
Right Now Media
istrouma.org/rightnow
Help
"Help for Financial Health" 1 Chron. 29:10-17
Key Verse: “But who am i, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you… I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. (In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and not I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you” (1 Chron. 29:14 & 17)
1. The precedent for sharing
“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19)
2. The priority of sharing
“*Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce” (Prov. 3:9).*
3. The prudence of sharing
“Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine” (Prov. 3:10).
4. The proportion of sharing
“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as i directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the forest day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper...” (1 Cor. 16:1-2)
5. The pleasure of sharing
“Each on emus give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly of under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7)
Son of God
“Keep Calm and Carry On” Mark 16:1-7
Key Verse: And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that is gong before you to Galilee.
There you will see him, just as he told you”. (Mark 16:6-7)
1. Because of Jesus’ cross
And he said to them”Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified (Mark 16:6a)
2. Because of Jesus’ conquest
He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him (Mark 16:6b)
3. Because of Jesus’ commission
But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he too you (Mark 16:7).
Son of God
“This is my House” Mark 11:15-17
Key Verse: And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” (Mark 11:17)
1. His authority over God’s house
a. Is personal b. Is passionate
2. His action in God’s house
a. Is controlled
b. Is corrective
3. His aim for God’s house
a. Is godly
b. Is global
Son of God
“The Heart of the Matter is the Heart” Mark 7:1-8
1. Let’s examine our lips
a. Are we active in worship? b. Are we authentic in worship?
2. Let’s examine our love
a. Are our hearts distant?
b. Are our hearts distracted?
3. Let’s examine our life
a. Have we abandoned the commandments of God?
b. Have we adhered to the traditions of men?
Son of God
“He Still Stills the Storms” Mark 6:45-52
Key Verse: But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Mark 6:50b).
1. Jesus sends us into the storm
a. His insistence b. His intent
2. Jesus sees us in the storm
a. He is aware of our struggles
b. He is attentive to our struggles
3. Jesus saves us through the storm
a. He stilled the storm in them
b. He stilled the storm around them
Son of God
“The Giver of Every Good Gift” Mark 6:30-44
Key Verse: But he answered them, “You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37a).
1. Jesus gives rest
a. Rest is an important thing b. Rest is not the most important thing
2. Jesus gives responsibility
a. By His command
b. Based on His compassion
3. Jesus gives redemption
a. He meets the temporal need
b. He meets the timeless need
Son of God
The Tragedy of a Missed Opportunity Mark 6: 1-6 Key Verse: “And he could do no mighty work there, except tat he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching” (Mark 6:5-6). 1. Tremendous opportunity a. Hear of His wisdom b. Hear of His works 2. Two options a. Receive Him b. Reject Him 3. Tragic outcome a. He is limited b. He is leaving
Son of God
Liberator
Mark 5: 1-20 Key Verse. “…Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has den for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19). 1. There’s no place beyond His concern a. He is concerned for neighbors b. He is concerned for nations 2. There’s no power above his control a. The enemy’s power is destructive b. The enemy’s power is defeated 3. There’s no person outside His compassion a. He saves us b. He sends us
Son of God
Best Fried Forever Mark 2:13-17 Key Verse: And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). 1. Jesus is a friend who c_______________ a. His call is d____________ b. His call is d___________ 2. Jesus is a friend who c__________ a. We celebrate to p_______________ Jesus b. We celebrate to p _______________Jesus 3. Jesus is a friend who c___________ a. He confronts the h______________ b. He confronts the h______________
Son of God
Amazing One Mark 2: 1-12 Key Verse: And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). 1. His preaching is amazing a. Because of the crowd b. Because of the content 2. His pardon is amazing a. For its priority b. For its partners 3. His perception is amazing a. He sees what’s in our hearts b. He speaks to what’s in our hearts
Key Verse: And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).
- God loves Jesus
a. The reality of God’s love for Jesus
b. The reasons for God’s love for Jesus
- God, through Jesus, loves us
a. He sent him to us
b. He sacrificed him for us
- We should love Jesus
a. We must revere him
b. We must recognize him
c. We must receive him
“Accepting the Challenge to Go”
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, h“All authority iin heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 jGo therefore and kmake disciples of lall nations, jbaptizing them minOr into" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none;">2 nthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them oto observe all that pI have commanded you. And behold, qI am with you always, to rthe end of the age.” We must have clarity on the Command of the Great Commission.
The command is to make disciples. The go, baptize and teach inform us how disciples are made. Glory means weight
We must realize Jesus’ authority in out life. The authority of Jesue must go from being a concept in our lives to being a reality in our lives. God as a concept in our lives is something you create. God as a reality in our lives is authority over us.
We must realize that you cannot make disciples without going.
Making disciples implies going. We cannot outsource the going part of the Great Commission to other agencies.
proc.cess
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations
Our disciple making process; Connect….Grow….Serve….Go
SERVE
CENTRAL PASSAGE: Philippians 2:1-11 & Philippians 2: 3-5 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from flove, any gparticipation in the Spirit, any haffection and sympathy, 2 icomplete my joy by being jof the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from kselfish ambition or lconceit, but in mhumility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you nlook not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 oHave this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,Or which was also in Christ Jesus" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none;">1 6 pwho, though he was in qthe form of God, did not count equality with God ra thing to be grasped, 7 but semptied himself, by taking the form of a tservant,Greek bondservant" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none;">2 ubeing born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by vbecoming obedient to the point of death, weven death on a cross. 9 xTherefore yGod has zhighly exalted him and bestowed on him athe name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus bevery knee should bow, cin heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and devery tongue confess that Jesus Christ iseLord, to the glory of God the Father. SERVE to be like Jesus. Serving teaches/reminds us that its isn’t about me/you. 1 Peter 4-8-10 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since qlove covers a multitude of sins. 9 rShow hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 sAs each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, tas good stewards of God's varied grace... Ephesians 4: 11-12 And mhe gave the napostles, the prophets, the oevangelists, thepshepherdsOr pastors" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none;">3 and teachers,Or the shepherd-teachers" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none;">4 12 qto equip the saints for the work of ministry, for rbuilding up sthe body of Christ…. We belong alongside. Serving takes scripture memory to a memory of living out scripture! We serve as a response to God’s love, not a requirement/restitution for God’s love. Consider: Who served to invest in you?________________________________ How are you serving to invest in others/the kingdom? ______________________________
proc.cess
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations
Our disciple making process; Connect….Grow….Serve….Go
GROW
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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. (Hebrews 10:23-25, ESV)
We belong alongside.
God’s design is for us to GROW in Christlikeness through each other.
Being alongside one another involves:
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Holding on to hope (vs. 23)
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Considering how (vs. 24
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Stirring up one another (vs. 24)
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Love and works (vs. 24)
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Consistentienly meeting together (vs. 25)
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Encouraging one another (vs. 25)
How are you growing? Who is alongside you? Who are you alongside?
pro.cess
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
Our diciple making process:
Connect...Grow...Serve...Go
Connect
Act 2:42-47
One Avenue, two purposes
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Connect with God through Christ
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Connect with one another
pro.cess
Key Verse: Go therefore and make disciples of all actions, baptizing the in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
(Matthew 28:19-20).
Mission statement:
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
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Connect
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Grow
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Serve
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Go
Unbroken: The Story of Hope
The Promise of His Return
Titus 2:11-14
Link to sermon transcript available asap
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_201301229_Transcript.pdf 1. Grace in the past
a. The appearance of grace
b. The availability of grace 2. Godliness in the present a. Grace teaches us to stop b. Grace teaches us to start 3. Glory in the future a. Jesus will return b. Jesus will redeem c. Jesus will reign
Unbroken: The Story of Hope
Joseph and Mary Matthew 1:18-25 1. A confused world
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A clear word
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A complete willing response
Unbroken: The Story of Hope
David and Bathsheba
Matthew 1:1-6
Link to sermon transcript available asap
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_201301215_Transcript.pdf
- a mess-up a. Complacent 2 Sam. 11: 1-2 b. Curious
- Sam. 11:3 c. Caught 2 Sam. 11: 4-5
- A cover-up a. Incremental b. Ineffective 2 Sam. 11: 2-7
- A wake-up a. Rebuke 2 Sam. 12:7a b. Results
- A make-up a. Confession 2 Sam. 12: 13a b. Compassion 2 Sam. 12: 24-25
Unbroken: The Story of Hope Ruth Matthew 1: 1-5 Link to sermon transcript will be available ASAP http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20131201_Transcript.pdf
- Her Difficulties a. Empty arms b. Empty womb c. Empty purse d. Empty heart
- Her Decision a. Rooted in faith b. Reinforced by fellowship
- Her deliverer a. Satisfied the law b. Stirred by love
Unbroken: The Story of Hope
Rahab
Link to sermon transcript will be available ASAP http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20131201_Transcript.pdf Matthew 1:1-5a
- The reality of faith
a. The choice of real faith
b. The confession of real faith
c. The concern of real faith
- The reasons for faith
a. The work of God
b. the word of God
- The reward of faith
a. Faith brings salvation
b. faith brings significant
The Not-So-Strange Case
of
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Link to sermon transcript will be available ASAP http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_201301124_Transcript.pdf
Romans 7:14-25
Key Verse: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:25a)
1. A clash of desires
a. Our wants
b. Our works 2. A cry of despair a. Looking in b. Looking out 3. A celebration of deliverance a. Gratitude to God b. Grace from God
If Only…..
Link to sermon transcript
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_201301117_Transcript.pdf
Exodus 20:17 You Shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbors’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s Covetousness:
- Leads to direct disobedience of God (Genesis 3:6)
- Reveals the deception of this world (Matthew 13:22)
- Is something to be guarded against (Luke 12:15)
- Makes us envious of others ( Psalms 73:1-5)
- Prompts sadness (Luke 18: 18-23)
- Causes us to fight each other (James 4: 1-2a)
- Is the opposite of contentment (Philippians 4:11-13)
Philippians 4:11-13 …for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound, in any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Contentment:
- Is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6)
- Comes from God’s presence (Hebrews 13:5)
- Brings freedom (1 Corinthian's 4:3-4
- Is not circumstantial
- Can be learned
- Is attained when God is everything to you
The Truth about Lies Exodus 20:16
Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20131110.pdf
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” 1. The father of lies a. Who it is not: God b. Who it is: Satan 2. The forms of lying a. Obvious forms b. Obscure forms 3. The future of liars a. We may be punished b. We may be pardoned
From Takers to Givers Exodus 20:15 “You shall not steal.”
Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20131027.pdf
- “What’s yours is mine and I’ll take it.” That’s stealing.
- “what’s mine is mine and I’ll keep it.” That’s selfishness.
- “what’s mine is God’s and I’ll share it.” That’s stewardship.
The Ten Commandments "Where'd the "Not" Go?
Link to sermon transcript
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_201301021_Transcript.pdf
Exodus 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery." 1. Instruction to be faithful a. Law against adultery b. Look of adultery 2. Incentives to be faithful a. Pain for unfaithfulness b. Gain for faithfulness 3. Illustration of One who is faithful a. Jesus is faithful b. Jesus is forgiving
God's Message for Murderers Exodus 20:13 Key Verse: "You shall not murder."
Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20131013.pdf
- Prohibition against murder a. By actions b. By attitude
- Punishment for murder a. In time b. In eternity
- Pardon from murder a. Justice satisfied b. Jesus sacrificed
The Honor Guard Exodus 20:12
Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20131006_Transcript.pdf
Key Verse: "Honor your father and you r mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." 1. We are required to give honor a. Whom are we to honor? b. How are we to honor? 2. We are rewarded for giving honor a. We will have quantity of life b. We will have quality of life 3. We are reminded about giving honor a. To the Lord b. For his love
Rest for the Restless
Exodus 20:8-11
Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130929_Transcript.pdf
Key Verse: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it hoy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, bot the seventy day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant , or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days, the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." 1. A foundation for rest a. The ratio of it b. The reasons for it 2. A fight over rest a. Legalism misunderstood it b. Lord Modeled it 3. A future of rest a. Foreshadowed in the law b. Fulfilled by the Lord
"Don't Shame His Name" Exodus 20:7 Key Verse: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hod him guiltless who takes his name in vain."
Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130922_transcript.pdf
- A Strict Prohibition a. That impacts our words b. That impacts our worship c. That impacts our walk
- A Stiff Penalty a. A personal affront b. A personal accountability
- A Special Privilege a. We can have His name b. We can honor His name
Decoy Gods
Exodus 20:4-6 Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130915_transcript.pdf Key Verse: You shall not make for yourself a carved image, on any likeness of anything that is in heaven above , or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 1. Idols are deadends a. They cannot satisfy b. They cannot save 2. Idols are demanding a. The demand your labor b. They demand your love 3. Idols are destructive a. There's a consequence b. There's a compassion
"Who's Number One?"
Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130908_Transcript.pdf Exodus 20:1-3 Key Verse: And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the Lord your God, who brouht you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20: 1-3). 1. Our relationship with the Lord a. One of awe b. One of appreciation 2. Our relationship to the Lord a. Love for Him b. Loyalty to Him 3. Our redemtion by the Lord a. We will sin b. He will save
"Running on Empty" Exodus 18 Key Verse: "You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone" (Exodus 18:18). 1. The threat: burn out a. Personal life b. Public life 2. The tragedy: rust out a. Equip people b. Empower people 3. The target: finish out a. Strong leader b. Satisfied people
Test Time!
Exodus 16 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not" (Exodus 16:4). (A) Grumbling People 1. Because of their past 2. Because of their perceptions (B) Greedy People 1. Disobeyed God's command 2. Doubted God's Character (C) Grateful People 1. Content with what you have 2. Confident in who He is
I Hope You Dance Exodus 14-15:21 Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130818_Transcript.pdf "Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: 'Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he as thrown into the sea'" (Exodus 15:20-21).
- Sinister danger a. Unrelenting threat b. Undeserved threat
- Sovereign deliverance a. By His grace b. For His glory
- Spontaneous dance a. The motivation for it b. The music for it
When Being Passed Over Is Good
Exodus 11-13 Link to sermon transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130811_Transcript.pdf "For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:12-13)" 1. Cost of sin a. Cost is sure b. Cost is severe 2. Cleansing from sin a. Sacrifice must be pure b. Sacrifice must be personalized 3. Conquest over sin a. Goods for their journey b. Guidance for their journey
"Wrath Mingled with Mercy"
Exodus 5-11
Link to transcript http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130804_transcript.pdf
Key Verses: Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wildernes.'" But Pharaoh said, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and moreover, I will not let Israel, go." (Exodus 5: 1-2)
- There was a command
a. Mercy for the oppressed b. Mercy for the oppressor 2. There were choices a. To be hard hearted b. To be half hearted c. To be whole hearted 3. There were consequences a. Mercy made them incremental b. Mercy made them instructive c. Mercy made them influential
"There's No Excuse for Excuses"
Exodus 3:31-4:31
Link to sermon transcript
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130728_transcript.pdf
Key Verses: "Come, I will send you to Pharoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3: 10-11)
- Orders from the Lord
a. Enormity of the task
b. Empowerment fot the task
- Objections against the Lord
a. Identity excuse
b. Credibility excuse
c. Ability excuse
- Obedience to the Lord
a. Personal obedience
b. People's obedience
"There's No Excuse for Excuses"
Exodus 3:31-4:31
Key Verses: "Come, I will send you to Pharoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3: 10-11)
- Orders from the Lord
a. Enormity of the task
b. Empowerment fot the task
- Objections against the Lord
a. Identity excuse
b. Credibility excuse
c. Ability excuse
- Obedience to the Lord
a. Personal obedience
b. People's obedience
Don't Let Failure Win!
Exodus 2:11-30
Key Verses: "Then the Lord said, 'I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey'" (Exodus 3:7-8a).
- A surprising choice
a. The right team
b. The wrong tactic
- A sad complacency
a. Personal comfort
b. Public cricis
- A second chance
a. God's plan
b. God's partner
Don't Let Failure Win!
Exodus 2:11-30
Link to sermon transcript
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130721_transcript.pdf
Key Verses: "Then the Lord said, 'I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey'" (Exodus 3:7-8a).
- A surprising choice
a. The right team
b. The wrong tactic
- A sad complacency
a. Personal comfort
b. Public cricis
- A second chance
a. God's plan
b. God's partner
Turtles and Fence Posts
Exodus 2: 1-10
1. T________ children from the Lord
a. Run a r_______
b. Receive a r________
2. T________ children in the Lord
a. According to s_________
b. According to s_________
3. T________ children in the Lord
Turtles and Fence Posts
Exodus 2: 1-10
Link to sermon text
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130714_Transcript.pdf
1. T________ children from the Lord
a. Run a r_______
b. Receive a r________
2. T________ children in the Lord
a. According to s_________
b. According to s_________
3. T________ children in the Lord
Don't Stop Believing
Genesis 50:15-21
Link to sermon text
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130706_Transcript.pdf
Key Verse: "You intendedto harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what isnow being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).
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God can restore
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God can reverse
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God can redeem
Don't Stop Believing
Genesis 50:15-21
Key Verse: "You intendedto harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what isnow being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).
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God can restore
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God can reverse
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God can redeem
Associatie Pastor Mark Cole
In the Name of Love
Genesis 42-49
Download Sermon Text here
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130630_transcript.pdf
Left for Ruin
Allowed to Reign
Position for Revenge
Heart to Reconcile
God's sovereignty to Remember
Associatie Pastor Mark Cole
In the Name of Love
Genesis 42-49
Left for Ruin
Allowed to Reign
Position for Revenge
Heart to Reconcile
God's sovereignty to Remember
Livin' on a Prayer
Genesis 40-41 Download sermon text here http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130623_transcript.pdf Key Verse: "And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God'" 1. He is faithful a. Attentive to others b. Available to God 2. He is forgotten a. The reality of it b. The response to it 3. He is filled
Livin' on a Prayer
Genesis 40-41 Key Verse: "And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God'" 1. He is faithful a. Attentive to others b. Available to God 2. He is forgotten a. The reality of it b. The response to it 3. He is filled
Danger Zone (Part 2)
Genesis 39
"How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Genesis 39:9b
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Scourge of pornography
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Safeguards against pornography
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Salvation from pornography
Danger Zone (Part 2)
Genesis 39
Download sermon text here
http://traffic.libsyn.com/istrouma/IBC_20130616_transcript.pdf
"How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Genesis 39:9b
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Scourge of pornography
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Safeguards against pornography
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Salvation from pornography
"Danger Zone"
Genesis 39
- Route to the danger zone
a. He was a slave
b. He was a success
- Resistance in the danger zone
a. Respect for his Lord
b. Ran for his life
- Reward after the danger zone
"Danger Zone"
Genesis 39
- Route to the danger zone
a. He was a slave
b. He was a success
- Resistance in the danger zone
a. Respect for his Lord
b. Ran for his life
- Reward after the danger zone
"Dream On"
Genesis 37
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was ithe son of his old age. And he made him ja robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 1. The Origin of the Dream 2. The Obstacles to the Dream 3. The Outcome of the Dream
"Dream On"
Genesis 37
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was ithe son of his old age. And he made him ja robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 1. The Origin of the Dream 2. The Obstacles to the Dream 3. The Outcome of the Dream
John 15:13
"Greaer love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
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Love of family
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Love of friend
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Love of foe
Let’s Be a Church that Changes the World
Acts 13:1-3
Key Verses: “Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:1-3).
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The trait of diversity
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The trait of devotion
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The trait of duty
revised audio
Our Anxious Thoughts Expose the Instability of theis World
(We Shoudl expect trouble) For example, Ps 94:19 and John 16:33
Our Anxious Thoughts Expose What We Care About
(ALL anxiety is not ALWAYS sin) For example, Luke 2:48, 2 Cor 11:28, 1 Cor 7:34-33
Our Anxious Thoughts Expose What We Believe
(And what we believe Leads us down one of two roads)
Road 1- A Life of Being Anxious
- I believe there are things I have to have (good things have become ultimate things
- I believe God cannot be trusted, and He is not loving.
- I believe that my opinion of how this should b going is the non-negotiable answer.
- I believe I was in control until______.
Road 2- The Peace of God
- I believe that God and my relationship with Him is THE ultimate thing that can be counted on.
- I believe that God is trustworthy and loving.
- I believe that God knows what's best and I am NOT the center of the universe.
- I believe that God is in control.
Traveling Down the Road of Peace
- Identify and name your anxious thoughts so you can take them captive. (2 Cor 10:5)
- Think.
a. Look at/Behold/Consider His Providence and His Love. (Matt 6:25-34; Rom 8:32 b. Think about what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. (Phil 4:8) c. Set your minds on things that are above (Col 3:2) 3. Talk to your heart instead of let tin your heart talk to you. (Ps 42:5) 4. Be in His presence. a. Trust Him in prayer. (Phil 4:7) b. Dwell with the Lord and gaze upon His beauty. (Ps 27-4) 5. Be Thankful. (Phil 4:7) a. Be specific about what you are thankful for. b. Thank God as you pray. 6. Submit your will to his. (1 Pet 5:6-7) 7. Be fully present in the present time. (Matt 6:34)
"Keep Going"
Galations 6:1-10
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no solo acts (vs. 1-6)
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We All sow (vs. 7)
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Seeds tend to grow (vs. 8)
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We don't grow weary from isolated events (vs. 9)
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Opportunities are everywhere (vs. 10)
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There is a HUGE difference between what we do and who we are!
BE THE CHURCH!
We meet that morning at Istrouma for a worship rally, then head out in teams for projects all around the city. That's when the real excitement begins!
Count the Stars
"How Underdogs Overcome"
Genesis 32:22-32
The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children,Or sons" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">1 and crossed the ford of the fJabbok.23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And ga man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, h“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.”28 Then he said, i“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,Israel means He strives with God, or God strives" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">2for jyou have striven with God and kwith men, and have prevailed.”29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, l“Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,Peniel means the face of God" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">3 saying, “For mI have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed nPenuel, limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.
- Overcomers are broken
a. He is trapped
b. He is truthful
- Overcomers are believers
a. That He is mighty
b. That He is merciful
- Overcomers are blessed
a. With a new name
b. With a new nature
Count the Stars
"How Underdogs Overcome"
Genesis 32:22-32
The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children,Or sons" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">1 and crossed the ford of the fJabbok.23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And ga man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, h“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.”28 Then he said, i“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,Israel means He strives with God, or God strives" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">2for jyou have striven with God and kwith men, and have prevailed.”29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, l“Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,Peniel means the face of God" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; color: #808080; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">3 saying, “For mI have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed nPenuel, limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.
- Overcomers are broken
a. He is trapped
b. He is truthful
- Overcomers are believers
a. That He is mighty
b. That He is merciful
- Overcomers are blessed
a. With a new name
b. With a new nature
Count the Stars
"Frito Pies and Collector Coins"
Genesis 25:21-34
- A big treasure
a. It was priceless
b. It was potential
- A blinding temptation
a. The wrong moment
b. The wrong mindset
c. The wrong motivation
- A bad trade
a. What he gave
b. What he gained
Count the Stars
"A Match Made in Heaven"
Genesis 24:1-28m and 49-67
- A Fathers Commission
a. His goal
b. His guidelines
- A Servant's Cooperation
a. His plan
b. His prayer
c. His patience
d. His praise
- A Couple's Choice
a. Her consent
b. His comfort
Count the Stars
"A Match Made in Heaven"
Genesis 24:1-28m and 49-67
- A Fathers Commission
a. His goal
b. His guidelines
- A Servant's Cooperation
a. His plan
b. His prayer
c. His patience
d. His praise
- A Couple's Choice
a. Her consent
b. His comfort
Count the Stars
"Miracle in the Morgue"
Genesis 22:1-18
KEY Verse
Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we'll come back to you: (Gen. 22:5)
- The power of faith
a. There was an order
b. There was obedience
c. There asa an outcome
- The price of forgiveness
a. There was provision
b. There was a prophecy
- The promise of fruit
a. Offspring will be many
b. Offspring will be mighty
Count the Stars
"Miracle in the Morgue"
Genesis 22:1-18
KEY Verse
Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we'll come back to you: (Gen. 22:5)
- The power of faith
a. There was an order
b. There was obedience
c. There asa an outcome
- The price of forgiveness
a. There was provision
b. There was a prophecy
- The promise of fruit
a. Offspring will be many
b. Offspring will be mighty
Count the Stars
"A Lot Like Lot"
- Our setting
a. It is perverse
b. It is pervasive
- Our sin
a. It encroaches
b. It enslaves
c. It erodes
- Our salvation
Count the Stars
"A Lot Like Lot"
- Our setting
a. It is perverse
b. It is pervasive
- Our sin
a. It encroaches
b. It enslaves
c. It erodes
- Our salvation
Count the Stars
"Ane he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness" Genesis 15:6
- God is our shield
a. He is our protector
b. He is our provider
- God is our salvation
a. Our redeemer must come
b. Our righteousnesss must be credited
- God is our sacrifice
a. The picture of our covenant
b. The price of our covenant
Count the Stars
"Ane he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness" Genesis 15:6
- God is our shield
a. He is our protector
b. He is our provider
- God is our salvation
a. Our redeemer must come
b. Our righteousnesss must be credited
- God is our sacrifice
a. The picture of our covenant
b. The price of our covenant
"There are some calls that we don't want to take. And with caller ID we don't have to! But, there is a call that each of us receives that we need to take. It is a call from God to leave the familiar and comfortable and go to a place of blessing that is known only to Him!"
Count the Stars
“Take the Call”
Genesis 12:1-9
Key verses: Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” (Gen. 12:1-2, ESV).
- Requirements of us
a. Make an exit
b. Make an entrance
- Rewards for us
a. Receive blessings
b. Relay blessings
- Reverence from us
a. Worship should be habitual
b. Worship should be heartfelt
"There are some calls that we don't want to take. And with caller ID we don't have to! But, there is a call that each of us receives that we need to take. It is a call from God to leave the familiar and comfortable and go to a place of blessing that is known only to Him!"
Count the Stars
“Take the Call”
Genesis 12:1-9
Key verses: Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” (Gen. 12:1-2, ESV).
- Requirements of us
a. Make an exit
b. Make an entrance
- Rewards for us
a. Receive blessings
b. Relay blessings
- Reverence from us
a. Worship should be habitual
b. Worship should be heartfelt
We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. Hebrews 10:19-25; Matthew 28:16-20
Being Clear Corporatey
WE
- Everyone of us is indispensable. We are all important in the body of Christ, the church. (1 Cor. 12:12-27)
- God wants all of us to move from dabblers to devoted disciples.
GLORIFY GOD
- God is God-centered. (ps. 29:2, 46:10, 147:1; Is. 43:7; Rom. 11:36; 1Jn. 2:12)
- God glorifies Himself by saving siners! So we worship, not out of duty but delight.
- Worship consists of His revelation and our respones.
- He reveals Himself through His word, which centers around the gospel.
- We glorify God with a true heart (Heb. 10:22)
- We glorify God together. (Ps. 95)
BY MAKING DISCIPLES
- Jesus said, "Follow." (Mt. 4:19). Following is different from watching.
- A disciple is one who follows Jesus and whose life looks progressively more like His.
- Biblical disciple-making brings biblical community and commission together.
OF ALL NATIONS
- Praying, Giving, Going
Being Clear Individually (as part of the whole)
Six questions to ask yourself:
-
How will I fill my mind with truth?
-
How will I fuel my affections for God?
-
How will I engage community in the church?
-
How will I share Gods's love as a witness in the world?
-
How will I spread God's glory among all nations?
-
How will I make gisciple makers among a few people?
Epesians 3:30-21 "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
"You & Grace" Where sin abounds; grace abounds more! Don's lose heart! God's grace is greater.
Dr. David Hankins, Guest Speaker
"Saying no to God for convenience sake"
Acts 24, 25, & 26
“Here’s an amazing thought: you can walk with God. He desires to walk with you through life’s joys and challenges. The account of Enoch’s life will clue us in on how such a walk can be achieved.”
Genesis 5:21-24
Key verse: “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”
“Dysfunctional families are nothing new. Even the first family was marred. Our hope is in the restorative love of God. Find that hope in this message.”
Key Verse: “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother, Abel?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he replied, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’” (Genesis 4:9)
“Temptation lurks at every turn. The cost of yielding to it is never worth the fleeting pleasure it offers. That’s a lesson we all need to lay to heart. A greater one still is that God’s grace is there for all who fall!”
Mr. & Mrs.
God has created us for community, for relationships. Even paradise isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, if you are there alone. God said of Adam in the garden, “It is not good that man be alone.” This message unpacks God’s plan for making your home a bit of heaven on earth.
Join Pastor Jeff for a new series about relationships, entitled "&," because it's not just you. * God & Man
In this sermon series, Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church, explores the many wonderful titles given to the Lord Jesus Christ in scripture.
In this sermon series, Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church, explores the many wonderful titles given to the Lord Jesus Christ in scripture.
In this sermon series, Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church, explores the many wonderful titles given to the Lord Jesus Christ in scripture.
In this sermon series, Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church, explores the many wonderful titles given to the Lord Jesus Christ in scripture.
Pastor Jeff Ginn, of Istrouma Baptist Church, preaches the third of a four part series from the book of Jonah.
Pastor Jeff Ginn, of Istrouma Baptist Church, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana presents the 2nd of a three part sermon series from the book of Jonah
Istrouma Baptist Church presents a three-part series from the book of Jonah titled Unlikeliest Catch. For more information or content, please visit www.istrouma.org
Gifts abound at Christmas. Perhaps you've heard the protest: "It's not about the gifts." But the truth is--it's all about the gifts! It's about God's gifts to us and ours to Him.
Gifts abound at Christmas. Perhaps you've heard the protest: "It's not about the gifts." But the truth is--it's all about the gifts! It's about God's gifts to us and ours to Him.
Gifts abound at Christmas. Perhaps you've heard the protest: "It's not about the gifts." But the truth is--it's all about the gifts! It's about God's gifts to us and ours to Him.
Gifts abound at Christmas. Perhaps you've heard the protest: "It's not about the gifts." But the truth is--it's all about the gifts! It's about God's gifts to us and ours to Him.
Gifts abound at Christmas. Perhaps you've heard the protest: "It's not about the gifts." But the truth is--it's all about the gifts! It's about God's gifts to us and ours to Him.
Gifts abound at Christmas. Perhaps you've heard the protest: "It's not about the gifts." But the truth is--it's all about the gifts! It's about God's gifts to us and ours to Him.
Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church presents a sermon series on how to solve life's puzzle.
Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church presents a sermon series on how to solve life's puzzle.
Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church presents a sermon series on how to solve life's puzzle.
Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church presents a sermon series on how to solve life's puzzle.
Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church presents a sermon series on how to solve life's puzzle.
Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church presents a sermon series on how to solve life's puzzle.
Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn of Istrouma Baptist Church presents a sermon series on how to solve life's puzzle.
A sermon series by Pastor Jeff Ginn, of Istrouma Bapitst Church, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Honor begins at home.
A sermon series by Pastor Jeff Ginn, of Istrouma Bapitst Church, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Honor begins at home.
A sermon series by Pastor Jeff Ginn, of Istrouma Bapitst Church, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Honor begins at home.
A sermon series by Pastor Jeff Ginn, of Istrouma Baptist Church, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Honor begins at home.
A sermon series by Pastor Jeff Ginn, of Istrouma Baptist Church, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Honor begins at home.
A sermon series by Pastor Jeff Ginn, of Istrouma Baptist Church, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Honor begins at home.