DiscoverPoint: Recent Episodes
Discover Point Church 476867
DiscoverPoint is a gospel-centered, multiethnic, and multigenerational church located in Conyers, Ga. We exist to "invite all people into a life fully devoted to Jesus."
Join Pastor David for a fun short recap of this Sunday's message. He’ll also try to answer any questions that came in this past week.
RHYTHM OF REST
Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)
John 10:10 I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
Genesis 2:1-3 So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. On the seventh day God had completed his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it he rested from all his work of creation.
Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: You are to labor six days and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the resident alien who is within your city gates. For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.
Shabbat: “to stop.”
Mark 2:27-28 ”Then he told them, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. So then, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Why Practice the Rhythm of Resting?
Reminds us of God’s Providence
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God
Renews us Physically and Emotionally
Picture: We are a triune being: body / soul (mind, will, emotions) / spirit. All three of these areas are connected together. If we don’t take care of them, the other areas can be effected.
Isaiah 40:31 those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.
- Realigns us to God’s Pace
"Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” – Dallas Willard
“If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” - Corrie Ten Boom
Hurry Sickness: epidemic characterized by continual rushing and anxiousness. Symptoms include: irritability, hypersensitivity, restlessness, workaholism, emotional numbness, out of order priorities, escapist behaviors (overeating, binging, social media), not practicing spiritual disciplines, & isolation
- Refuels our Passion
Shabbat can also mean “to delight.”
“The Sabbath is an invitation to enter delight. The Sabbath, when experienced as God intended, is the best day of our lives…Sabbath is the holy time where we feast, play, dance, sing, pray, laugh, tell stories, read, paint, walk, and watch creation in its fullness.” - Dan Allendar
Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)
Today we are looking at the Rhythm of Rest.
One of our values here at DP is: Life is better connected.
Genesis 2:18 It is not good for the man to be alone.
Christianity was never meant to be lived out alone but lived out connected together with others.
We’re being built like a building.
Ephesians 2:21-22 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.
We're joined in a body.
Romans 12: 4-5 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another
We're born into a family.
Ephesians 2:19 You are members of God’s family (NLT)
“Most people think that Christianity is a belief system. There are beliefs in Christianity, but it's so much more. Christianity is a belong system.” - Rick Warren
As members of God’s family we are called to:- Love one another (John 13:34)- Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)- Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)- Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)- Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:2,32)- Be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13)- Pray for one another (James 5:16)- Confess your faults to one another (James 5:16)
LIFEGROUPS
discoverpointchurch.com/lifegroups
Acts 2:46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house
TYPES OF LIFEGROUPS
Mens LifeGroups Womens LifeGroups Married LifeGroups: Grace Marriage Mixed LifeGroup Young Adult LifeGroup
OUR LIFE GROUPS PROVIDE 3 THINGS?
- A Place to Connect you with Others.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves…to the fellowship Koinonia: fellowship, sharing in common, communion
- A Place to Protect each Other.
Hebrews 3:12-13 Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. (CSB) Satan wants to isolate us, so that way we are more susceptible to his schemes. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
- A Place to Grow Together.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another 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.
• Hebrews 10:24-25
CHURCH ATTENDANCE DECLINE STATS • The Barna Group polled the general population, practicing Christians and “churched” adults about their attendance patterns. in 2019, only 14% of all US adults said they never went to church. In 2020, that number jumped to 53%. That’s an almost 40 point jump in less than twelve months. • Recent data shows that, among practicing Christians—those who identify as Christian, agree strongly that faith is very important in their lives and attend church at least monthly (prior to COVID-19)—over half (53%) say they have streamed their regular church online within the past four weeks. Another 34 percent admits to streaming a different church service online other than their own, essentially “church hopping” digitally. Finally, about one-third of practicing Christians (32%) says they have done neither of these things. • Hebrews 10:25 • Gather: a complete collection • Acts 2:42-46 • Devoted: to attend constantly. REASONS TO PRACTICE THE RHYTHM OF GATHERING 1. They Gathered to Grow • Acts 2:42-46 • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (CSB) 2. They Gathered to Connect • Acts 2:42 • Fellowship: Koinonia is a Greek word that occurs 20 times in the Bible. Koinonia’s primary meaning is “fellowship, sharing in common, communion 3. They Gathered to Minister • Acts 2:44-45 • How we minister to others: by giving and serving. • 2 Corinthians 9:1,5-7,10-15 • Startling Stats:
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65 percent of churches have seen a decline in giving since the COVID-19 outbreak began.
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A new “State of the Plate” poll, released by the National Association of Evangelicals and involved more than 1,000 churches across all 50 states, shows that more than six out of 10 churches have seen a decline in offerings since mid-March. In the survey, 34 percent of churches reported that giving had fallen by 10-20 percent or more; 22 percent reported a decline of 30-50 percent or more; 9 percent said they’d seen a drop of 75 percent or more. • Ephesians 4:11-13 • You have a vital role to play. • Romans 12:4-8
- They Gathered to Worship • Acts 2:46-47 • Colossians 3:16 • “There is something better. To worship God together and be committed to worship Him together, to hear His Word together. Do not reduce Church to listening to a podcast. It's so much more than that. It's community. It's worshiping with other, praying for others, hurting with other, serving others, being involved in the lives of others.” - Craig Groeschel • Acts 2:47
Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)
What is Prayer? Prayer is simply talking to God
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. Then 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. (NLT)
3 THINGS ABOUT PRAYER
- Pray Constantly
“The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but un-offered prayer." - FB Meyer Romans 12:2 be devoted to prayer (KJV)
Devoted (pros-kar-ter-eh’-o): to attend constantly
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. (ESV)
Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (ESV)
Acts 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (ESV)
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving (ESV)
Luke 11:1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” (CSB)
Luke 5:16 [Jesus] often withdrew to deserted places and prayed (CSB)
To be consistent in prayer we have to do two things:
Prioritize it
Find a Place
- Pray Persistently
Luke 18:1 Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up. (CSB)
Luke 11:9 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. (CSB
"It is a common temptation of Satan to make us give up the reading of the Word and prayer when our enjoyment is gone; as if it were of no use to read the scriptures when we do not enjoy them, and as if it were no use to pray when we have no spirit of prayer. The truth is that, in order to enjoy the Word, we ought to continue to read it, and the way to obtain a spirit of prayer is to continue praying. The less we read the Word of God, the less we desire to read it, and the less we pray, the less we desire to pray.” — George Muller
- Pray Effectively
James 5:13-18 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 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. Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.
Matthew 21:18-22 Early in the morning, as he was returning to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, he went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” At once the fig tree withered. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer
"God does nothing except in response to believing prayer.” - John Wesley
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
WHAT FASTING ISN’T
Fasting is not a diet.
Fasting is not starving yourself for God's attention
Fasting does not get you into heaven.
Fasting does not make God love you more.
Fasting is not self-mutilation.
Fasting is not only for crisis moments.
Fasting does not get you into heaven.
Fasting isn’t a commandment, but it is assumed by Jesus for his followers
Matthew 6:16-18 (CSB)
TYPES OF FAST?
Complete Fast In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
Selective Fast This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruit and vegetables for food.
Partial Fast You can choose to This fast is sometimes called the "Jewish Fast" and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown. You can also choose to fast meal like, lunchtime.
Soul Fast This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.
WHAT DOES FASTING DO?
- Concentrates us on God
Luke 2:37 (NLT)
“Christian fasting is unique among all the fasting of the world…It is unique in that it expresses more than longing for Christ or hunger for Christ’s presence. It is a hunger that is rooted in -based on- an already present, experienced reality of Christ in history and in our hearts.” - John Piper
- Controls our Appetites
Matthew 4:2 (CSB)
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (CSB)
- Clarifies God’s Actions
Acts 13:2 (CSB)
- Consecrates us for God’s Activity
Acts 13:2-3 (CSB)
- Conquest for the Un-Attainable
Mark 9:28-29 (KJB)
- Conquers the Enemy’s Attacks
Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)
Daniel 10:1-4 (CSB)
Daniel 10:12-14 (CSB)
Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)
“Consistent spiritual discipline becomes, a rhythm for living in which we can grow more intimately connected to God.” - John Ortberg
2020 ‘State of the Bible’ Report: This year’s survey found that only 9% of respondents read their Bible on a daily basis
6 Reasons why we should read the Bible:
- Scripture helps us to know God more.
“For many people, growth in Christ is primarily growth in knowledge of Bible facts and doctrines… But the point of the Bible is not to fill your head with knowledge. The point is to fill your heart with wonder.” — JD Greear
John 5:39-40 You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. (CSB)
- Scripture Equips us for Life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good. (CSB)
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path
- Scripture Nourishes and Sustains us
Matthew 4:4 It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (CSB)
Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart,
1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word,[a] so that by it you may grow up into your salvation
“A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't" ― Charles Spurgeon
- Scripture Frees us from Satan
John 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (CSB)
1 John 2:14 I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one. (CSB)
Ephesians 6:17 the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. (CSB)
Hebrews 4:12-13 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. (CSB)
- Scripture Sanctifies us
John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (CSB)
“We don’t read the Bible, the Bible reads us.” - David Paul Kirkpatrick
- Scripture Protects us from False Teaching
2 Peter 2:1 There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves
Ephesians 4:13-14 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 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. (CSB)
2 Timothy 4:1-4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom, Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths
Proverbs 4:13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
PURSUING GOD
Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)
“Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth.” - AW Tozer
Psalm 63:1-5 God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life. So I will bless you as long as I live; at your name, I will lift up my hands. You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. (CSB)
Pursuing God is about Spending Quality Time with God
How do we spend quality time?
- Select a Time
Psalm 63:1 Early will I seek You (NKJV)
Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. (CSB)
- Find a Solitary Place
Psalm 63:2 So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. (CSB)
Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. (CSB)
Pursuing God is about: Satisfying our Souls by Enjoying God.
Psalm 63:1,3,5 …I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water….My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life…You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. (CSB)
FOUNDATIONS FOR ENJOYING GOD
God is the most joyful person in the universe.
Psalm 16:11 “in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (ESV)
God created us to enjoy Him.
Psalm 100:2-3 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. (NIV)
What is the chief end of man? - Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. - The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Delight leads to Discipline
“I am inclined to think that joy is the motor, the thing that keeps everything else going. Without joyous celebration to infuse the…Disciplines, we will sooner or later abandon them. Joy produces energy. Joy makes us strong.” –Richard J. Foster
“God is most glorified, when we are most satisfied in Him” - John Piper
Sin is counterfeit joy.
Hebrews 11:25 Moses preferred faith’s certainty above the momentary enjoyment of sin’s pleasures. (TPT)
Jesus came to satisfy you and be your ultimate joy.
John 4:13-14 Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life. (NLT)
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” — CS Lewis
There is nothing more important in life than Knowing God.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the Lord says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me— that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the Lord’s declaration. (CSB)
Daniel 11:32 ...the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him. (NLT)
Philippians 3:8,10 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord... My goal is to know him...” (CSB)
John 17:3 This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent —Jesus Christ. (CSB).
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 3:1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. (NLT)
“Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord.” - J.I. Packer
Exodus 33:11-13 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” (ESV)
Knowing God brings Intimacy
Psalms 103:7 He revealed his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel. (CSB)
“One of the great problems in today's churches is that we have many who know about God but few who know God intimately. How sad it will be in the resurrection to meet a God face to face that we have not known heart to heart.” - Adrian Rogers
We have been invited to Know God, through the Cross.
John 17:3 This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent —Jesus Christ. (CSB).
Knowing God through the New Covenant is way better than what
Moses had through the Old Covenant.
2 Corinthians 3:6-11 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! (NLT)
God would speak to Moses Face to Face as a friend. Through Jesus we have all been made friends of God.
John 15:15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. (CSB)
Moses had to go to a tent of meeting but through Jesus, we now have access to God at anytime.
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (ESV)
Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)
REFLECTION SUNDAY
- God is Good
Psalm 34:8 "O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (NASB)
Genesis 50:20 You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. (CSB)
- God is in Control
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!’” - Abraham Kuyper
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. (CSB)
- God has a Purpose
Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your faithful love endures forever... (CSB)
Ephesians 3:20-21 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. (CSB)
- We are SINNERS
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (NIV)
Psalm 51:5 For I was born a sinner--yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. (NLT)
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We are HURT
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We are LOVED
Romans 5:6-9 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. (NLT)
- We are NEW
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. (NLT)
Home Alone
Lamentations 3:21-24 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him.” (ESV)
- Hope is the CONFIDENT EXPECTATION of what God has promised.
Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (CSB)
- We all have misguided HOPES.
Jeremiah 17:5 Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. (ESV)
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (ESV)
Luke 15:11-13 Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. (NLT)
- Misguided hopes can bring unexpected PAIN.
Luke 15:15-16 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. (NLT)
- FEAR often keeps us in our pain.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. (KJV)
Romans 5:5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (NLT)
- The pain of your misguided hope will never OVERSHADOW Gods grace for your life.
Luke 15:20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. (NLT)
1 Peter 1:3-4 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 (ESV)
Elf
Joy isn’t DEPENDENT on our circumstances.
“Joy is the positive confidence I feel from knowing and trusting God regardless of the circumstances.” — Pastor Ed Young, Author
Galatians 5:22 “the fruit of the Spirit is…joy."
2 Corinthians 4:18 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. (NIV)
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,
Luke 1:46-49“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. (CSB)
Joy comes from KNOWING Him.
John 10:14,15 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (NIV)
God is a God of Joy which is why we can find our joy in Him.
Psalm 16:11 In His presence is fullness of Joy
“Following after God is the desire of happiness; to reach God is happiness itself.” — Augustine
Philippians 3:8 I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ
Joy can be CONTAGIOUS.
Luke 2:17,18 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished.
“Christmas is the greatest day in the whole wide world...The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Buddy the Elf
Rest and Be Thankful
Question: When was the last time you stopped to rest and be thankful?
Read Luke 10:38-42 38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
*Show spinning plate pictures…. I. What are your spinning plates?
II. Don’t get distracted
Luke 10:40 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
III. Focus on what matters most
Matthew 11:28-30 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Luke 5:16 NIV 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Ultimately Jesus holds our lives together not us…
-Rest is not an obligation but an invitation. -Brady Boyd Pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colossians 3: 15-17 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
ETERNITY Driven By Eternity
Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart. "What we do in life echoes in eternity” - Maximus (Gladiator) 1. The Judgement Seat of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (CSB) Picture: Bema Because of Jesus Christ, we will not be judged for our sins because they have already been paid for on the cross. John 5:24 Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. (CSB) Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. (CSB) We are NOT saved by works, but we are saved FOR works. Ephesians 2:8-10 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. (CSB) Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (CSB) The Judgement seat of Christ will be a place of Revelation. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…(CSB) The Judgement seat of Christ will be a place of Rewards. 2 Corinthians 5:10 …so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (CSB) 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire. (CSB)
Time
Ephesians 5:16 …making the most of the time, because the days are evil. (CSB)
Talents
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. (CSB)
Treasure
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life. (CSB)
“Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” - C.T. Studd 2. The Great White Throne Judgement Revelation 20:11-13,15 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…. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (CSB)
• Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart (NLT) • "This life is a dressing room for eternity” — Leonard Ravenhill • Revelation 19:6-9 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!” (CSB) • 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 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. (CSB) • “Caught Up”: The meaning is derived from the Latin word “rapturo” which is where we get the word rapture from. • 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. (CSB) • Matthew 24:36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone. (CSB) 1. Prepare with Perspective • Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (CSB) • Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ (ASV) 2. Prepare with Passion • Jude 1:20-21 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. (CSB) • 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer (CSB) • Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. (CSB) • Revelation 2:3-5 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. (CSB) 3. Prepare with Purity • 1 John 3:1-3 See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure. (CSB) • Purifies: To cleanse, purify, either ceremonially, actually, or morally • Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works. 4. Prepare with Participation • Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 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. (CSB) 5. Prepare with Perseverance • 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. (CSB) • Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (CSB) • Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (NIV) • 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (CSB) • Jude 1:24-25 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen. (CSB) • “Holding firmly, I am held” - Charles Spurgeon 2 Peter 3:3-9 “Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires, saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised? Ever since our ancestors fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water. Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded. By the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (CSB)
ETERNITY Living for Eternity
Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart (NLT) Jeremiah 10:10 But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and eternal King (CSB) 1. ETERNITY IS IN EVERYONE Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. (NLT) 2. ETERNITY IS EVERYWHERE Eternity is Revealed through Creation
Romans 1:18-20 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. (CSB) Eternity is Revealed through our Conscience
Romans 2:14-15 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. (NLT) 3. ETERNITY IS EVERLASTING
James 4:13-14 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Two Options: Heaven or Hell
Revelation 21:1-8 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
John 3:16-18 “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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
UNITED Week 8: Standing Firm in Christ
• “Until we come to terms with war as the context of our days, we will not understand life…you won't see clearly what has happened to you or how to live forward from here, unless you see it as battle. A war against your heart.” - John Eldredge, Waking the Dead
Ephesians 6:10-12 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
- The Enemy
The Leader - The Devil
Revelation 12:7-9 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.
Satan’s Strategies Ephesians 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
Satan’s Army
Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Colossians 2:15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
- The Equipment
Ephesians 6:13-17 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- The Energy Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 6:19-20 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should “Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den. God has given us prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ advances in the world. Prayer gives us the significance of frontline forces and gives God the glory of a limitless Provider. The one who gives the power gets the glory…” - John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad
UNITED Week 7: Families in Christ • Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United. • “For the first time in its history, Western civilization is confronted with the need to define the meaning of the terms 'marriage' and ‘family.’ What until now has been considered a 'normal' family, made up of a father, a mother, and a number of children, has in recent years increasingly begun to be viewed as one among several options, which can no longer claim to be the only or even superior form of ordering human relationships.” - Andreas J. Köstenberger Ephesians 5:21-31 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. 1. The Calling: God has Called Each Spouse to Play a Role in Serving Each Other within their Marriage. Picture: Slow Dance
Ephesians 5:22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
The Wife is Called to Serve Her Husband through Christ-Like Submission. Submission is not: 1 ) Submission does not mean a wife is inferior to her husband. 2 ) Submission is not agreeing on everything. 3 ) Submission does not justify abusive relationships. 4 ) Submission does not mean that Women are not strong, valuable or incapable. “The woman described in Proverbs 31:10 – 31 wasn’t some passive, mindless person standing around waiting to be told what to do. This lady was awesome. She had her MBA, because the Bible says she negotiated with merchants from afar. She had her real estate license, because she bought and sold property. She also managed the family’s finances, supervised a household staff, and had her own ministry to the poor. But in terms of her marriage, she used her considerable skills in such a way that they enhanced her husband in his role instead of usurping him or tearing him down. Proverbs 31: 23 says her husband was one of the leaders in town who was well known, which suggests that he benefited from his wife’s ministry. - Tony Evans
1 ) The Motive: Submission begins with Adoration for Jesus. Ephesians 5:22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 2 ) The Mindset: Submission is a Gift that you offer to your husband. “I discovered here that my submission in marriage was a gift I offered, not a duty coerced from me.” - Kathy Keller 3 ) The Method: Submission is Honoring Your Husband.
Ephesians 5:23-24,33 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything… So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 1 Corinthians 11:3 But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
The Husband is called to Serve His Wife through Christ-Like Leadership. Ephesians 5:23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.
Ephesians 1:22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
Ephesians 5:25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.
1 ) He’s Passionate about His Wife
2 ) He’s not Passive with His Wife 3 ) He’s Protective of His Wife Ephesians 5:28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.
4 ) He Prioritizes His Wife Ephesians 5:29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.
5 ) He Provides for His Wife
“Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.” - Matthew Henry 2. The Commission: Marriage is meant to display the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:30-32 And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, or this is the right thing to do.
Obedience to your Parents is a Command. Ephesians 6:2-3 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
Obedience to your Parents brings blessing to your life. Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Parents are called to Encourage their kids and disciple them.
UNITED New Life in Christ - Pt. 2 • Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United. • Picture: United Prayer Night 1. Live in Love Ephesians 5:1-2 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
1John 4:16 God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 2. Live Pure Ephesians 5:3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
Pew Research Center survey: When it comes to sex between unmarried adults who are in a committed relationship, the gap between Christians and the unaffiliated is less stark: roughly 79%, religiously unaffiliated Americans say it’s okay. A majority of Christians, 57% say sex between unmarried adults in a committed relationship is sometimes or always acceptable.
Stats from integrityjourney.org: • Every second=$3,075.64 is being spent on pornography ($10,800,000 an hour.) • Every second=28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography. • Every second=372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines. • Every 39 minutes= a new pornographic video is being created in the United States. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Ephesians 5:4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. Ephesians 5:5-6 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Picture: Tsunami 3. Live in the Light Ephesians 5:7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.
Living in the Light means not Participating in Darkness anymore. Ephesians 5:8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
Colossians 1:12-13 …giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (ESV)
1 John 1:5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. Ephesians 5:9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Living in the Light means Producing Fruit in our lives.
1) Doing Good Works
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
2) Living Righteously
Ephesians 4:24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
3) Speaking Truthfully Ephesians 4:15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love.
Living in the Light means Pleasing the Lord. Ephesians 5:10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Living in the Light means Proclaiming the Truth of Christ to those who are Lost. Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. Ephesians 5:13-14 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 4. Live Wisely Ephesians 5:15-18 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. 5. Live in the Spirit Ephesians 5:18-20 Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United.
UNITED BY OUR CALLING
Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)
UNITED BY OUR CONDUCT
Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) Phillipians 2:3-4 (NLT) Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)
UNITED BY OUR CONFESSION
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NLT)
UNITED BY OUR CONTRIBUTION
Ephesians 4:7 (NLT) Ephesians 4:8 (NLT) Ephesians 4:9-10 (NLT) Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)
1) Equip God’s people to do his work.
2) Build up the Church.
Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)
1) Unity
2) Intimacy
3) Maturity
SIGNS OF CHRISTIAN MATURITY:
Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)
- They display Christlikeness.
Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)
- They display Doctrinal Stability.
Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
4 ) Healthy Community
UNITED: Diversity in Christ
Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United.
- THE SEPARATION
Ephesians 2:11-12 (NLT)
- THE RECONCILIATION
Ephesians 2:13 (NLT)
- God reconciled us to Himself.
Ephesians 2:14 (NLT)
Ephesians 2:15-18 (NLT)
“Jesus created a new multi-ethnicity called the church.” – Dr. Derwin Gray
- THE UNIFICATION
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NLT)
- THE REVELATION
Ephesians 3:1-11 (NLT)
“There is no institution more equipped and capable of bringing transformation to the cause of reconciliation than the church. But we have some hard work to do.” - John Perkins
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND?
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We have to Prioritize the “3rd race”.
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We have to Put on love and empathy above our rights and opinions.
Colossians 3:11-14 (CSB)
- We have to Pray.
Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United. Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United.
IDENTITY IN CHRIST
WHO YOU ARE DETERMINES WHAT YOU DO.
I.D.O.L.S: I - items D - duties O - others L - longings S – Sufferings
Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)
- WE ARE SAINTS
Ephesians 1:1 (NLT) Ephesians 1:1 (CSB)
We are saints not because of our actions, but because of the actions of Jesus. - Sinners love their sin. Saints are remorseful over sin. - Sinners are slaves to sin. Saints have power to overcome sin.
- WE ARE CHOSEN Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) Isaiah 42:1 (CSB)
Because Jesus was chosen, holy, and without fault, we too are chosen, holy and without fault in Him. 3. WE ARE ADOPTED Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
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WE ARE FREE Ephesians 1:6-7 (NLT) Ephesians 1:7 (CSB)
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WE ARE FORGIVEN Ephesians 1:7-8 (NLT)
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WE ARE BENEFICIARIES Ephesians 1:9-11 (NLT) 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)
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WE ARE SEALED Ephesians 1:12-14 (NLT) Ephesians 1:13 (CSB)
Sealed: What were seals used for? 1) Authentication 2) Security 3) Ownership
Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United.
BIG IDEA: UNITY IS ONLY ACCOMPLISHED BY BEING UNITED IN CHRIST.
John 15:5 (ESV) Romans 5:18-19 (The Message) 1 Corinthians 15:22 (CSB)
In Adam = Death In Christ = Alive
Ephesians 2:1-3 (NLT) Romans 5:12 (NLT)
IN-ADAM 1. CAPTIVE Ephesians 2:2 (NLT) 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT) 1 John 5:19 (NLT)
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CONTROLLED Ephesians 2:3 (NLT) Romans 8:7 (NLT)
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CONDEMNED Ephesians 2:3 (NLT) John 3:18 (CSB)
IN-CHRIST Ephesians 2:4-7(NLT)
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SAVED FROM SIN AND DEATH Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT) Romans 8:1 (NLT)
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SAVED FROM SATAN Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
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SAVED FROM OUR SINFUL NATURE 1 Peter 1:3 (NLT) Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)
Psalm 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.
Psalm 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.
Psalm 27:13 I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
- THE SHEPHERD’S PERSONALITY
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 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His faithful love endures forever.
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- His goodness is expressed through His Presents.
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.
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- His Goodness is expressed through His Provision.
Psalm 34:8-10 Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him! You who are his holy ones, fear the Lord for those who fear him lack nothing.
Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing. - - His goodness is expressed by His Providence.
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.
Psalm 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.
Psalm 63:3 My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life.
2 Timothy 2:13 …if we are faithless, he remains faithful…
Psalm 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.
- THE SHEPHERD’S PURSUIT
1 Peter 2:25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. (NLT)
Isaiah 53:6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way…
Luke 15:1-7 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable:
“What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?
When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’
I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.
Isaiah 53:4-7 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.
We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.
Psalm 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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
TABLE // - The Table represents Favor and Fellowship with the Shepherd.
-- Because our Great Shepherd laid down His life for us, we will always be invited to the table to experience His favor and fellowship.
Romans 5:1-2 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.
- The Table represents Provision.
-- Our Shepherd provides what we need in our lives.
Phil. 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:31-33 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
- PREPARING
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
-- Our Shepherd has the best tables already picked out to bless us and satisfy us.
-- In order to experience the table our Shepherd has for us, we have to let Him remove the toxic things first.
-- When we follow our Shepherd, He orchestrates our lives so that they display the order He wishes.
Proverbs 16:9 A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.
- PROTECTING You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
1 Peter 5:6 Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
John 10:7-10 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. A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
-- The enemy cannot steal us from our Shepherd.
John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.
- HEALING
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
-- Our Shepherd wants to heal our wounds.
- BLESSING
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
-- There is an endless supply of blessing for all that we need from our Great Shepherd.
VALLEYS
• “The pearl of psalms whose soft and pure radiance delights every eye...it may be affirmed that its piety and its poetry are equal, its sweetness and its spirituality are unsurpassed” - Charles Spurgeon • Psalm 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. • Psalm 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. 1. RECOGNIZE DARK VALLEY’S - Dark Valley’s are not Optional • “Even When I go” • Dark Valley of being Forgotten
Psalm 13:1-2 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long will I store up anxious concerns within me, agony in my mind every day? How long will my enemy dominate me • Dark Valley of Abandonment
Psalm 22:1-2 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning My God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, by night, yet I have no rest. • Dark Valley of Depression
Psalm 42:5-6 Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God. I am deeply depressed… • Dark Valley of Failure & Guilt
Psalm 32:2-3 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. • Dark Valley of Betrayal
Psalm 41:9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me. • Dark Valley of Sickness
Psalm 38:6-8,10-11 I am bent over and racked with pain. All day long I walk around filled with grief. A raging fever burns within me, and my health is broken. I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart… My heart beats wildly, my strength fails, and I am going blind. My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance (NLT) • Dark Valley of Fear
Psalm 55:4-5 My heart shudders within me; terrors of death sweep over me. Fear and trembling grip me; horror has overwhelmed me • Dark Valley of Hatred from Others • Psalm 69:3-5 I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my deceitful enemies, who would destroy me. • Dark Valley Loosing a Loved One
2 Samuel 12:18 On the seventh day the baby died. • Dark Valley of Family Dysfunction • We Live in a Broken World
Romans 5:12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. (NLT)
We Have a Real Enemy
Ephesians 6:11 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.
Sometimes Because of own Choices
Psalm 51:4 Against you—you alone—I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. - Dark Valley’s are Temporary “Even when I go through”
Psalm 27:13 I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. 2. REFUSE TO BE DISCOURAGED
Psalm 23:4 “I will fear no evil” 3. REMEMBER YOUR SHEPHERD IS PRESENT
“For You are with me.”
Psalm 23:2-3 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.
Psalm 23:4-5 “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.”
In the dark valleys we don’t want to talk about God, we want to talk to God.
Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave you or abandon you 4. RELY ON YOUR SHEPHERDS PROTECTION AND GUIDANCE
“your rod and your staff—they comfort me.”
Psalm 91:14 Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name
Mark6:34 When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd
Psalm 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.
Psalm 23:2-3 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.
Following the shepherd, leads us to rest, refreshing and renewal and right paths.
- REST
Psalm 23:2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;
Dallas Willard once called hurry, “the great enemy of spiritual life in our day,” and said followers of Jesus (who was rarely, if ever, in a hurry) must “ruthlessly eliminate hurry.”
Matthew 11:29-30 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
- REFRESHING
Psalm 23:2 …he leads me beside quiet waters
John 4:13-14 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.
Psalm 63:1 God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you..
- RENEWAL
Psalm 23:3 He renews my life…
Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? (ESV)
Isaiah 40:31 but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength
- RIGHT PATHS
Psalm 23:3 …he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Prov. 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.
Psalm 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.
Psalm 100:3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are his, his people, the sheep of his pasture
WHEN THE LORD IS YOUR SHEPHERD, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd
- THE SOVEREIGNTY OF OUR SHEPHERD.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd...
Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.
- THE INTIMACY OF OUR SHEPHERD.
- David says, the Lord Is My shepherd.
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Is: Present
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My: Personal
John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me.."
John 10:3 "He calls his own sheep by name."
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Isaiah 53:6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all.