Real Life on the Palouse Sermon Notes

The Gospel of the Kingdom 7.3 - November 7, 2010

2010-11-07T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Gospel of the Kingdom
#3 – A Look at the Mountains – Business and Technology

1 Kings 3:5-15 (New International Version © 2010)
At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.

God gave Solomon wealth and prosperity.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (New International Version © 2010)
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

Some Kingdom Principles that govern the Business Mountain:
1. The Contentment Principle
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (New International Version © 2010)
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

1 Timothy 6:10 (New International Version © 2010)
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Philippians 4:10-13 (New International Version © 2010)
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

2. The Principle of True Riches
Luke 16:9-14 (New International Version © 2010)
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

3. The Principle of Generosity
1 Timothy 6:1-2 (New International Version © 2010)
All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (New International Version © 2010)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

The goal of wealth is to gain the opportunity to glorify God. All that money does is change the scope of the audience that will listen.

Some questions to ask:
1. In your pursuit of wealth, have you held too tightly to things?
2. How are you living out Kingdom Principles with your current use of your wealth – whether that is money or social capital?
3. If money was no object, what would you do to advance the Kingdom? (Money will always be an object until you choose not to make it an object anymore)
4. Has the pursuit of wealth gotten the best of you? How are you working to put things back in perspective? Who is helping you?

The Gospel of the Kingdom 7.2 - October 31, 2010

2010-10-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Understanding the Kingdom Principles

Matthew 10:16 (New International Version)
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Kingdom Principles Work… What are they? (See Handout)

John 14:15-17 (New International Version)
If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

What Helps Us to Live Out Jesus’ Commands Better?
1. Deal with Blind spots
Matthew 23:15 (New International Version)
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

Romans 8:28-39 (New International Version)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long;  we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. Find Mentors and Models
Hebrews 10:19-25 (New International Version)
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 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. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

3. Identify Your God Given Passion and Gain Clarity
Ephesians 4:14-16 (New International Version)
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (New International Version)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Psalm 139:13-16 (New International Version)
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

The Assignment: Work it through this week…

50 Commands of Christ - Summary List
1. Repent—Matthew 4:17, Luke 13:3
2. Let not your heart be troubled—John 14:27,
John 16:33, Matthew 6:25-26, Philippians 4:6-7
3. Follow me—Matthew 4:19
4. Rejoice—Matthew 5:12, (Also 2 Corinthians 6:10,
12:10, James 1:2-4)
5. Let your light shine—Matthew 5:16
6. Honor God’s law—Matthew 5:17-19
7. Be reconciled—Matthew 5:24-25
8. Do not commit adultery—Matthew 5:27-30
9. Keep your word—Matthew 5:33-37
10. Go the second mile—Matthew 5:38-42
11. Love your enemies—Matthew 5:44
12. Be perfect—Matthew 5:48
13. Practice secret disciplines (giving, praying,
fasting)—Matthew 6:1-18
14. Lay up treasures in heaven—Matthew 6:19-21
15. Seek first the kingdom of God—Matthew 6:33
16. Judge not—Matthew 7:1-2
17. Do not throw your pearls to pigs—Matthew 7:6
18. Ask, seek, and knock—Matthew 7:7-8
19. Do unto others—Matthew 7:12
20. Choose the narrow way—Matthew 7:13-14
21. Beware of false prophets—Matthew 7:15
22. Pray for those who spread the word—Matthew
9:37-38
23. Be as shrewd as serpents—Matthew 10:16.
(Also Romans 16:19)
24. Fear God. Do not fear man— Matthew 10:28
(Also Luke 12:4-5)
25. Listen to God’s voice—Matthew 11:15, 13:9,
13:43, Mark 4:23, Luke 14:35, 1 Kings 19:11-13
26.Take my yoke—Matthew 11:29
27. Honor your parents—Matthew 15:4
28. Beware of false teaching—Matthew 16:6, 11-12
29. Deny yourself—Luke 9:23 (Also Matthew 10:38
and Mark 8:34)
30. Do not despise little ones—Matthew 18:10
31. Go to Christians who offend you—Matthew
18:15 (Also Galatians 6:1)
32. Forgive offenders—Matthew 18:21-22 (Also
Proverbs 19:11)
33. Beware of covetousness—Luke 12:15
34. Honor marriage—Matthew 19:6, 19:9
35. Lead by being a servant—Matthew 20:26-28
36. Make the church a house of prayer for all
nations—Mark 11:17
37. Pray in faith—Matthew 21:21-22, John 15:7
38. Bring in the poor—Luke 14:12-14
39. Render unto Caesar—Matthew 22:19-21
40. Love the Lord—Matthew 22:37-38
41. Love your neighbor—Matthew 22:39
42. Be born again—John 3:7
43. Await my return—Matthew 24:42-44
44. Celebrate the Lord’s supper—Matthew 26:26-
27
45. Watch and pray—Matthew 26:41
46. Keep my commandments—John 14:15
47. Feed my sheep—John 21:15-16
48. Make and baptize disciples—Matthew 28:19
49. Teach disciples to obey—Matthew 28:20
50. Receive God’s power—Luke 24:49

Prayer 2.3 - October 17, 2010

2010-10-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #2 – Prayer
2.3 – How do I pray for those who don’t believe?

Matthew 9:35-38 (New International Version)
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Acts 4:31 (New International Version)
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

How do we pray for the harvest?

1. Pray for a heart of compassion.
a. Jesus saw those who were like a sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them. If we are going to reach those who are lost in the world, we must start to see the world with eyes that are full of compassion.

b. We pray in order to develop and participate in a relationship with God that will re-form us. We're not always praying in order to "change God's mind." We pray for the lost in order to have a passion and mission for the lost.

Ezekiel 33:6 (New International Version)
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.'

2. Pray for Aid

a. When we are PRAYERED up we are prepared

b. Pray for others to see the needs in the field, and start working in the harvest

Ephesians 3:16-19 (New International Version)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

3. God is answering your prayers by sending you.
Matthew 10:1 (New International Version)
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil[a] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

a. Don’t let prayer become an excuse to stand on the sideline

b. When you start to work in the harvest, you start to see specific needs in the field.

Some Questions to think about…

1. Do you have a heart for those who are wondering like sheep without a shepherd? How can your prayer life create depth to your compassion?

2. If every great movement in the church begins with prayer, are you willing to spend the time in prayer to start a movement?

3. What is holding you back from sharing Jesus with your friends? Are you asking God to remove that barrier in your life?

4. What can you pray for to help you become more prepared to share the gospel?

5. Are you ready to get involved in ministry so you can see what the needs are in the field and focus your prayers toward meeting them?

Prayer 2.2 - October 10, 2010

2010-10-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #2 – Prayer
2.2 – How do I pray? – Forgiveness

2 Samuel 11:1-5 (New International Version)
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, "I am pregnant."

2 Samuel 11:26-27 (New International Version)
When Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.

2 Samuel 12:1-23 (New International Version)
The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
"Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him."
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity."
Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'
"This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.' "
Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die."
After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.
On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, "While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate."
David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" he asked. "Yes," they replied, "he is dead."
Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.
His servants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!"
He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."

How Does David Respond?
Psalm 51 (New International Version)
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity  and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,  so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

How do we pray for forgiveness?
1. There has to be true repentance.
Psalm 51:10-12 (New Living Translation)
Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me.  Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation,  and make me willing to obey you.

Chronicles 6:36-39 (New International Version)
"When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity where they were taken, and pray toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and toward the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their pleas, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you.
2. There has to be an accepting of the consequences.
Repentance does not take away the consequences, just the penalty. Consequences are not God punishing us. They are the result of our choices. God isn’t mad at us because we have bad consequences from a choice made.

David says, “…For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,  so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge…”

Ezekiel 23:35 (New International Version)
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Since you have forgotten me and thrust me behind your back, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution."

3. The Goal of repentance is Restoration – not pain or guilt.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (New International Version)
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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

Some Questions to ask:
1. Do you believe that God is holding out on you?
2. Have you forgotten how much God has already given you?
3. Do you have people in your life that care enough about you to ask about real things before you slip too far? Or do they just try to help cover up when you make mistakes?
4. Are you in the middle of a crisis now that resulted from a series of poor choices that maybe happened a long time ago?
5. Do you understand the price for walking a destructive path? It is more than a “someday punishment.”

Prayer 2.1 - October 3, 2010

2010-10-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

9 Practices #2 – Prayer
2.1 – The Case for Prayer

Luke 11:1-4 (New International Version)
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father,  hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.' "

Matthew 6:7-13 (New International Version)
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Some Realities of Prayer…
1. Prayer is a discipline.
Ephesians 6:18-20 (New International Version)
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

2. Prayer isn’t Obligating God.
Psalm 37:3-6 (New International Version)
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

3. Prayer is more listening than talking.
Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

4. Prayer is not “Positive Vibes” sent out to the universe.
2 Chronicles 6:34-35 (New International Version)
"When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to you toward this city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.

5. Prayer is a conversation with a real being that really wants relationship with us.
Psalm 66:18-20 (New International Version)
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

6. There are pieces of life that we can only tie into through prayer.

James 4:1-3 (New International Version)
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Some Questions to ask this week:
1. What do you spend most of your time praying for?
2.How much time do you spend listening in prayer instead of speaking?
3. When you sense God’s perspective in prayer and it is different than yours, what do you do?
4. How can you carve out more time for prayer in your day? Is it a matter of getting up earlier? Or is it a matter of seeing the world from a spiritual perspective?

Relationship 1.4 - September 26, 2010

2010-09-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #1 – Relationship
1.4 – Being a Spiritual Leader

A Context for Elijah:
1 Kings 19:14-21 (New International Version)
He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

4 Truths of Spiritual Leadership:
1. We all have to replace ourselves
No matter how much we have done in the Kingdom, we will all die.

Acts 13:36 (New International Version)
"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.

2. We have to know whom to choose
Ephesians 5:15-16 (New International Version)
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

3. We have to talk WITH them, not AT them
1 Kings 19:21 (New International Version)
So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

They lived life together… This is the Discipleship Model.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (New International Version)
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

4. We have to know when to step down.
Deuteronomy 2:2-3 (New International Version)
Then the LORD said to me, "You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.

Some Questions to ask:
1. Who has God brought into your life that He wants you to be a Spiritual Leader for?
2. What does it do inside of you to know that God wants you to be a Spiritual leader?
3. What obstacles do you face in becoming a Spiritual leader?
4. What is the cost if I don’t do my part in Discipleship?
5. Who will I ask to hold me accountable to owning my piece of handing off The Faith to the next generation, the next circle of influence, the next group of Spiritual leaders?

Relationship 1.3 - September 19, 2010

2010-09-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

The 9 Practices

1.3 – Being A True Learner

Philippians 3:7-9 (New International Version)

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

What does it take to be a true Learner?

Luke 9:57-62 (New International Version)

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me."  But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

3 Obstacles to being a true Learner…

1. Comforts

Romans 8:18 (New International Version)

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Kinds of comforts we fight:

· Comforts of the past: past successes, hurts,

o Lot’s Wife, Children of Israel

· Comforts of the present: nice life, neat things, security in false things

· It is often more comfortable to hold on to what we know than it is to experience what we were created for.

· You cannot live by faith and make decisions in fear.

2. Priorities

Exodus 20:3 (New International Version)

"You shall have no other gods before me.

· If you ask someone if they are busy, they will almost always say yes. Not very many people will look at you and say – I am doing NOTHING!

· Everyone is busy. What we need to make sure of is that we are busy with the right things.

· The Phrase: “I DON’T HAVE TIME.” Is an excuse – not reality. Our priorities won’t let us do it. We always have time for our priorities.

· When your priorities are about things in this life, your kids grow up with the same priorities.

· Your kids are not better off if they don’t see you live by faith.

3. Obligations

Luke 14:26 (New International Version)

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.

These are hard statements!

Joshua 24:14-16 (New International Version)

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

· Jesus isn’t playing. And Neither can we.

Some questions to ask:

1. Do I live my life looking backward or forward?

2. What other obligations to I let get in the way of fully following Jesus?

3. What priorities do I have that may not align with God’s design for me?

4. What is God asking me to let go of so that I can truly be a learning disciple, not just a stagnate follower?

Storming the Cave - September 12, 2010

2010-09-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

Storming the Cave
Aaron Couch
September 12, 2010

Reasons for Personal Fasts:
1. To Plead With God.
Daniel 9:1-3 (New International Version)
In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom- in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

2. To Petition the Lord for a Special Request
Psalm 35:13 (New International Version)
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.

3. To Seek God’s Face in an Especially Focused Way.
Luke 2:36-37 (New International Version)
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Reasons for a Corporate Fast:
1. During a Time of Corporate Repentance
1 Samuel 7:5-6 (New International Version)
Then Samuel said, "Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the LORD for you." When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah.

2. To Seek the Lord’s Direction in Times of Trial.
Chronicles 20:2-4 (New International Version)
Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

3. To Ask God for Protection During a Specific Time or Event.
Ezra 8:21-23 (New International Version)
There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

What is Fasting?
1. Fasting is choosing to tell God we love Him more than we love the things we give up.
Philippians 3:19 (New International Version)
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

2. Fasting is a set period of time to seek God’s face for a specific purpose in a more intense way.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)
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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Some things to release in a fast:
1. Food – Juice fasts, Daniel Fasts, abstaining from certain kinds of foods, Water fasts, Coffee, etc.
2. Things that dominate your time – TV, video games, electronics, cell phone, texting, Facebook, reading books, watching movies, Shopping, etc.
3. Things that take the place of God in your life – Relationships, Exercise, Makeup, etc.

For CARE Groups this week:
Some things to pray about this week:
1. We need a solution to our space problem.
2. We need clarity on the next step.
3. For people to come to know Christ – Give us Souls!
4. That we would be brave enough to storm the cave and fight the dragon. That we would be completely dissatisfied with sitting on the sidelines.
5. That God would do a miracle in our midst. In our lives, in our homes, and on the Palouse.

Practice #1: Relationship #1 - September 5, 2010

2010-09-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Discipling Relationships
There’s No Place Like Home

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (NIV)
1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Christians can experience lasting discipleship in their homes by relying upon four key relationships that God created in families.

Heart Relationship
-   We cannot give what we do not possess
-   We are handing off a relationship with God to others
-   Our heart is the executive center of our very being
-   Focus on behavior can miss the heart entirely

Spontaneous Relationships
-   Jesus used teachable moments often
-   Teachable moments occur when hearts are open and curious
-   Spontaneous relationships have to be spotted and accessed
-   Quality relationships spring out of time spent together

Routine Relationships
-   Routines are not bad
-   Routines build life rhythms
-   Routines can serve as memorials
-   Routine investments outweigh crash courses in anything

Community Relationships
-   Discipling the generation that is yet to come
-   Supportive relationships reinforce faith
-   Supportive relationships provide alternate modeling
-   The church is God’s family – Generations

Questions to Ponder

1. What relationships do I think are essential for me to grow as a follower of Christ?
2. When I think of disciple making do I think more program, system, class, or way of life? Why?
3. How could my “home” make one step to become more of a relational environment for making disciples?
4. Which of the four relationships am I growing in? Which of the four am I struggling with?

The Big 5: #5 Reproducing Disciples who can Disciple - August 29, 2010

2010-08-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Big “5”
5.5 – Reproducing Disciples who can Disciple

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

John 5:16-18 (NIV)
So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

John 17:4 (NIV)
I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
What was the work?

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
God Expects each of us to be a part of that movement.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The Question is – “Why?”
1.    So that we can know Him.
1 John 5:19-20 (NIV)
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also 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—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

2.    So that we can grow.
Ephesians 4:14-16 (NIV)
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

3.    So that we can care for one another.
Romans 12:9-11 (NIV)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Some Questions:
1.    Has your Spiritual Life Stagnated?
2.    Could you share your faith with a friend?
3.    Are you Serving in the Kingdom in some way?
4.    Do you really care about the people around you?
5.    How does that show up in your life?

Big 5: #4 Serving God Gives Life - August 22, 2010

2010-08-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Big “5”
5.4 – Serving God gives Life

Acts 2:42-47 (New International Version)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Serving God give us life. Serving self always takes it away.
Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?”
We are wired to find fulfillment in serving one another.

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Service Show Stoppers:
1.    The Belief that God is holding out on us.
John 10:10 (NIV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

2.    The Belief that what we are doing is not noticed.
Matthew 6:3-6 (NIV)
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

3.    Over Spiritualizing Selfishness
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

4.    Trying to do things for God and doing too little with God.Matthew 19:26-27 (NIV)
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

5.    Making choices because of fear.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 10:39 (NIV)
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Some Questions to ask this week:
1.    Am I serving in the Kingdom?
2.    Am I fulfilled in my service?
3.    Am I getting life or getting the life sucked out of me by doing what I am doing?
4.    What would I change about what I am doing in the Kingdom right now?
5.    What am I avoiding doing in the Kingdom that God is asking me to do?
6.    What am I holding onto that God wants me to let go of so that I can live by faith, not fear?

Big 5: Growth Focused - August 15, 2010

2010-08-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Big “5”
Focused on Growth

Acts 2:42-47 (New International Version)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

2 Parts to Growth: Corporate and Individual. They were committed to both
1.    Corporate Growth
“…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (NIV)
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

Luke 19:10 (NIV)
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
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.

2.    Personal Growth
Hebrews 6:1-3 (NIV)
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

Personal Spiritual Growth can be measured in 2 ways:
1.    Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2.    Willingness to risk in your faith
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Matthew 10:32-33 (NIV)
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

Personal Growth is always hard, but always worth it.

John 8:31-36 (NIV)
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Weekly Questions: Explain what we are doing with these…
1.    Am I willing to be uncomfortable so that God could add to our number daily?
2.    What does that look like?
3.    Do I believe in God’s agenda enough to share my faith with my friends who don’t know Him?
4.    Who am I sharing my faith with right now that doesn’t know Jesus yet?
5.    What does Jesus want to set me free from?
6.    Why am I holding onto that in my life?

Big 5: #2 Others Centered - August 8, 2010

2010-08-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

Make Me a Servant, Lord

Introduction
-     Greatest Commandment

Luke 10:27 (New International Version)
He answered: "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, “Love your neighbor as yourself."

-    The greatest act of selfishness – Riverton, WY

I.    Judging Others
Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
    A.    When judging is legitimate
   B.    Can’t judge others until you judge yourself (vs 4)
   C.    Don’t judge others who can’t receive it (vs 6)

II.    Serving others
Matthew 20:20-26 (NIV)
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
   A.    These boys had learned well at home
   B.    Jesus demonstrated how to serve others
John 13:5-11 (NIV)
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
   C.    Everyone wants to be the CEO

      a.    Pyramid turned upside down
Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

   D.    Bible heroes were servants
      -    Paul – II Corinthians 11
      -    James & John

   E.    The needy are to be served
Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Then he 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. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” He will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

James 1:27 (NIV)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

III.    When others hurt you
II Timothy 4:14-15 (NIV)
Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

   A.    Sticks and stones…
     a.    Paul didn’t whine

B.    We shouldn’t be surprised when others hurt us
   C.    Proven to set boundaries
Matthew 5:23 (NIV)
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV)
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that “every matter may be established by the testimony 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, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Matthew 6:14 (NIV)
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Serving others helps us to:
1.    Be like Jesus
2.    Unite the body
3.    Be productive in service
4.    See God happen
5.    Have Joy to live
6.    Make like meaning

The Big 5: #1 Kingdom is at hand - August 1, 2010

2010-08-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Kingdom is at Hand

Matthew 6:25-33 (New International Version)
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

I.    Sense of Urgency
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

II.    Dedicated to Duty
II Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

III.    Kingdom minded people have a heart of sensitivity
Luke 19:41 (NIV)
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.
“This is not the future’s first verse!

Always it keeps coming – at supersonic speeds.
Suddenly in the desert stands

John the Baptist.
“Repent!” he shouts,
“The future – God’s future – is at hand!”
It will not wait

And so Jesus comes.
Are we ready?
Do we welcome Him?
Do we love Him?
Do we serve Him?
Do we see Him for who He is?
Or do we go on, hating the Romans,
Talking about the price of eggs?
Still the future speeds;
Tomorrow starts today.
People move.
Cities grow.
Times change.
In the name of God, we must do better than before!
The future will not wait!”

Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath 7.7 - June 25, 2010

2010-07-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

7 Deadly Sins
7.7 – Wrath

Proverbs 22:24 (New International Version)
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,

Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)
"In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

What is it?

Why is it such a big deal?

How do we fight anger?

1.    Remember who is in control.Psalm 56 (New International Version)
Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life. On no account let them escape; in your anger, O God, bring down the nations. Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll —  are they not in your record? Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise-in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? I am under vows to you, O God;  I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

2.    Remember that you are not a victim of how you feel.
Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (NIV)
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

3.    Remember that People are precious to God!
Exodus 20:13 (NIV)
You shall not murder.

James 1:19-21 (NIV)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Some Questions to Ask:
1.    Am I avoiding deeper issues with my anger?
2.    Do I use my anger to control others?
3.    Do I trust God to deal with those who hurt others or me?
4.    When I become angry, who do I talk to?
5.    Knowing that anger will be a battle we face the rest of our lives, what provision are you making to help deal with anger well?

Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth - July 18, 2010

2010-07-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

7 Deadly Sins
7.6 – Sloth

Proverbs 6:6-11 (New International Version)
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

What is it?

Why is it such a big deal?
Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV) – Jesus’ Words
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (NIV) – Paul’s Words
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

How do we fight sloth? (As a choice)
1.    Take Proper Rest.
Exodus 20:8-11 (NIV)
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

2.    Work for the Lord, not for men.
This seems cliché but it is true.
Colossians 3:22-24 (NIV)
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Some Questions to ask:1.    Am I burnt out?
2.    Do I need a break?
3.    Am I battling depression? Is that circumstantial or chemical?
4.    Am I taking advantage of breaks?
5.    Is my diet or exercise hindering my ability to accomplish things?
6.    Do I regularly put things off that should be done sooner?

Seven Deadly Sins: Pride 7.5 - July 11, 2010

2010-07-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

7 Deadly Sins
7.5 – Pride

James 4:6-7 (New International Version)
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

What is it?
Why is it such a big deal?
People have tried all kinds of ways to deal with the issue of pride in life…

Proverbs 16:2 (New International Version)
All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

What does a humble person look like?

1.    A Humble Person Sees People From God’s Perspective.
Ephesians 4:29-32 (New International Version)
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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Philippians 2:3-5 (New International Version)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Matthew 6:1-2 (New International Version)
Be careful not to do your “acts of righteousness” before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

2.    A Humble Person Trusts God’s Timing.We somehow get the idea that God is holding out on us. When we believe that we “deserve” better than God is giving us, we press our own agenda. That never works out well.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 (New International Version)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

3.    A Humble Person is Beneficially Honest. In 2 regards – self and others
Romans 12:3 (New International Version)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)
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.

4.    A Humble Person Finds Value in What God has Made Them.
Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Psalm 139

Some Questions to ask:1.    What do I want people to say of me?
2.    Do I see people from God’s perspective?
3.    Do I trust God to take care of the details in my life?
4.    Do I feel like I need to be vindicated when I am wronged?
5.    Do I see my value from God’s perspective or the world’s?
6.    Do I look for opportunities to build others up or build myself up at others’ expense?

Seven Deadly Sins: Lust 7.4 - July 4, 2010

2010-07-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

The 7 Deadly Sins
7.4 – Lust

Review: Envy, Gluttony, Greed
1 John 2:15-17 (New International Version)
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

What is it?
   •    Very strong sexual desire… this can be expanded to be any strong desire for something temporal.
   •    Lust is a focus on acquiring earthly things. It is a drive to have temporary things attempt to give
         you peace and hope.

Romans 8:23-25 (New International Version)
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Why is it a big deal?
   •    Lust always takes us away from God’s perspective.
   •    We cannot honor God and be consumed with lust.
   •    Lust in the brain… turns off judgment centers in the brain.
   •    What do I do with lust?
      o    The “M” word
      o    What if I am single?
      o    What if I am married? Is it okay to “lust” for your spouse? This is not taking us away from
            God’s perspective.
      o    Sex in a marriage is not “using” your spouse to masturbate. It is the mingling of souls. For
            many couples, they use the act itself totally for personal pleasure… that is lust at its core.
      o    One of the problems with porn is that it has taken away the drive for men to be good lovers for
            their wives. We have become very selfish in our sexuality – even in marriage.
   •    Dealing with lust is not just about stopping the actions lust causes. It is about dealing with the
          perspective that allows me to see the world from a skewed view.

Colossians 3:1-8 (New International Version)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

How do we battle Lust?
1.    Starve the Monster!   •    You are going to fight this monster in your life. Do you want to fight a strong monster, or do you want to fight a weak monster?

Job 31:1 (New International Version)
I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.
   •    You cannot always be looking at things that you shouldn’t and then expect to not struggle with
          lust.
   •    Modesty is a key.

2.    Protect the wound!   •    It is not enough to acknowledge that there is a problem. We actually have to deal with it.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (New International Version)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Colossians 2:20-23 (New International Version)
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
   •    We cannot do this on our own. It is not a matter of the will. It is a change of the heart. A change
          of perspective.

3.    Vomit on a friend!
James 5:16 (New International Version)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
   •    Satan plays in the dark

Some tools to help:
Safe Eyes (www.xxxchurch.com)
X3watch (this does not stop visiting the websites, but reports questionable ones)
   •    Things like these deal with the fruit of lust, not the root. They do not help heal lust.

Me and 3 groups
Sampson and the Pirate Monks groups
Pure Warrior (Book – some good practical helps)
Pure Warrior Ministry – Stuart Vogelman (Executive pastor at Real Life in Spokane Valley)
Some clear next steps:
Turn off the internet and cable at your house
Talk to someone about it
Begin to pray together about it
Read books
Read the Bible

Seven Deadly Sins: Greed 7.3 - June 27, 2010

2010-06-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

The 7 Deadly Sins
7.3 – Greed

Review:Ephesians 5:1-6 (New International Version)
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (New International Version)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
What is it?
Why is greed such a big deal?

How do we fight greed?
1.    Generosity is the action that conquers greed.
2 Corinthians 8:7 (New International Version)
But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

2.    Eternal things is the focus that conquers greed.
Matthew 6:19-33 (New International Version)
Do not 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 moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not 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 eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Some questions to ask about greed:
1.    Do I give to the church (the way God defines it)?
2.    Do I keep from giving to others in the name of “thrift?”
3.    Do I run to my possessions for comfort?
4.    Do I find value in what I have?

Seven Deadly Sins: #2 Gluttony - June 20, 2010

2010-06-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

7 Deadly Sins
7.2 – Gluttony
Review the history of the list:

What is it?

Why is gluttony such a big deal?

5 ways to commit the sin of gluttony (according to Pope Gregory)

1.   Eating before the time of meals in order to satisfy the palate. (Time – When and How Much)
Philippians 3:17-21 (New International Version)
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

2.   Seeking Delicacies or Better Quality of Food to Gratify the “Vile Sense of Taste.” (Quality)
Proverbs 23:1-3 (New International Version)
When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
Numbers 11:1-6 (English Standard Version)
Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down. So that place was called Taberah*, because fire from the LORD had burned among them. The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat. We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

3.   Seeking After Sauces and Seasoning for the Enjoyment of the Palate. (Stimulants)
1 Samuel 2:12-16 (ESV)
Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD. Now it was the practice of the priests with the people that whenever anyone offered a sacrifice and while the meat was being boiled, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand. He would plunge it into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot, and the priest would take for himself whatever the fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. But even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” If the man said to him, “Let the fat be burned up first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would then answer, “No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.”

4.   Exceeding the Necessary Amount of Food. (Quantity)
Proverbs 23:20-21 (New International Version)
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Ezekiel 16:49 (ESV)
“ ‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.

5.   Taking Food With Too Much Eagerness – Even When Eating Proper Amounts and Not Too Luxurious. (Eagerness)
Genesis 25:29-34 (ESV)
Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.) Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

Some questions to ask in regards to gluttony:
1. Why am I eating?
2. Why am I eating what I am eating?
3. By consuming this, did I put myself in a position where I didn’t trust God?
4. Do I trust God to provide for me?
5. Am I leveraging “freedom” to minimize my convictions?
6. Am I making excuses for what I know is wrong?

Seven Deadly Sins: 7.1 Envy - June 13, 2010

2010-06-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

The 7 Deadly Sins
7.1 – Envy

A Brief History of the List.........

Today, we are going to look at Envy…
Envy is the one deadly sin that even sinners don’t like to mention.

Proverbs 14:30 (New International Version)
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

In the Bible, there are all kinds of examples of Envy causing problems.
• Cain and Able
• Ishmael and Isaac
• Jacob and Esau
• Joseph and his coat of many colors caused his brothers to sell him into slavery
• None more famous than Saul’s Envy of David.

1 Samuel 18:1-9 (New International Version)
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well. When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang:  "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

What did Saul do as a result of his Envy?
1. He stopped ruling his kingdom
2. He pursued David and tried to kill him exclusively
3. He spent national resources to eliminate the next King chosen by God
4. He showed that he didn’t care about God’s plan, the country, or even his own family. He
only cared about himself. This is where Envy always leads.

Some Questions to ask yourself about envy:

1. Does God have good things for you?
Luke 11:11-13 (New International Version)
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

John 10:10 (New International Version)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

2. What drives you?
1 Timothy 6:9-12 (New International Version)
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

3. Are you focused on Temporary or Eternal things?
2 Corinthians 10:5 (New International Version)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Hebrews 3:12-13 (New International Version)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Reaching the World - June 6, 2010

2010-06-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

Introduction:
•   Our culture breeds numbness. How?
     o   The American dream says get my comfort all figured out
   o   The American dream says get more than I need so I don’t have to worry about anything.
   o   The American dream says comfort is king.
•   With our comfort and wealth as king, there is no room for Jesus on the throne.
•   Our goal is comfort, and numbness is the goal. Not feeling anything is good. No wonder
          Buddhism is working so well in America. Nirvana is the state of ultimate being that suggests
          that we can be free from all this cycle of scramble and toil.
•   Pop-Buddhism’s expert Eckhart Tolle says, that this peace of being, is not out there, it is in you.
         (The box you the beggar sit on contains the treasure you have been looking for, -The power of
           now) You work it out, you figure it out. It is within you. So we work towards numbness and
         nothingness so as to somehow obtain this peace within us.
Tension:
•   Think about how your life is organized…I need a break; I need some peace and quiet. I need to
         get this retirement thing figured out so I can just finally relax. I need to get to this place of peace
         and quiet soon.
•   We are striving for numb.
•   This is not what Jesus modeled or asked us to be like.
•   He models awareness and seeking .

In this kind of culture how do we cultivate spiritual awareness into our lives?

Jesus and His Father:

•   John 5.17-20 – NLT “But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.
    So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he
        sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son
        and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater
        works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.

•   John 12.49-50 – NLT “I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has             commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”

•   John 7.16 – NLT “So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.”

•   John 7.29 – NLT “But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.”

•   John 14.6-7, 9 – NLT “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.[a] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” “…Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has     seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?

•   John 17.11 – NIV “…so that they may be one as we are one.”

•   In these passages you see an intimacy between Jesus and His father.

The solution is INTIMACY with a Person…JESUS.

1.   Intimacy with Jesus Relationally

•   John 15.4-5 – NLT “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
•   Abiding/Remaining
•   John 6.56-57 –NLT “Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.
•   Communion is a picture of submission (Ezekiel’s call)
•   John 10.14-15- NLT ““I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just    as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”
•   John 10.3-4 – NLT “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his    own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.
•   Knowing His voice/home group/Time together

2.   Intimacy with Jesus Practically

•   John 13.13-15 – NLT “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each         other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
•   John 14.12 – NIV “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been            doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
•   John 15.12 - NIV “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
•   John 15.10 – NIV “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed    my Father's commands and remain in his love.”
•   A life of doing what Jesus did.

Conclusion:

1.   This numbness only goes away as we press into Jesus.
2.   This numbness always creeps back in…no days off.
3.   This numbness walks hand in hand with a sense of entitlement that we carry…we deserve nothing.
4.   Awareness is knowing Jesus’ character, ways, likes, dislikes.
5.   Awareness is seeing where Jesus is working.
6.   Awareness is doing what Jesus does.

Questions/feedback or help getting someone in Spokane connected to Jesus and His church:
Richie Shaw – rshaw@reallifeministries.com

Pray with us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rlmspo

Practice: Multiply 9.5 - May 30, 2010

2010-05-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.5 – Legacy

2 Timothy 4:1-8 (New International Version)
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

What legacy do you want to leave? What do you want said of you?
1.    Our legacy should be God-CenteredPhilippians 3:7-11 (New International Version)
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

2.    Our legacy should be Kingdom-Centered
Ephesians 4:11-13 (New International Version)
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

3.    Our legacy should be Others-Centered
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 (New International Version)
But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Today: take some time and write down what you want to be remembered for. Is that consistent with the values of the early church? Is it consistent with the Bible? How can you gain alignment with those things?

Practice: Multiply 9.4 - May 23, 2010

2010-05-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.4 – Biblical Definition of a Friend

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival."                    -   C.S. Lewis

What is Friendship?

1.    Friends are Present – Even in the Hard Times.Judges 11:29-38 (New International Version)
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites. And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD : “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands. He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon. When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the LORD that I cannot break.” “My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites. But grant me this one request,” she said. “Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry.” “You may go,” he said. And he let her go for two months. She and the girls went into the hills and wept because she would never marry.

Romans 12:15 (New International Version)
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

2.    Friends are Loyal – Even when it Costs Them.
Proverbs 17:17 (New International Version)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 19:6 (New International Version)
Many curry favor with a ruler,  and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.

Matthew 5:46-48 (New International Version)
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

James 1:27 (New International Version)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

3.    Friends are Authentic and Transparent – To Bring Out God’s Best for Both of You.Hebrews 3:12-13 (New International Version)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Practice: Multiply 9.3 - May 16, 2010

2010-05-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.3 – Back to Basics

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Everyone likes the idea of being a part of a movement of God. Few are willing to do what it takes.

What did the early church have that we need to key in on?
1. They were devoted to the right things
“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…”

What were the Values of the early church?
• Kingdom Minded (This brought about a sense of urgency)
• Others Centered (This caused them to live a generous lifestyle)
• Focused on Growth (Both personally and corporately)
• Serving God Gives Life (They sold out to God’s agenda)
• Reproducing Disciples who Disciple (Constantly meeting, praising God, and growing)

Genesis 11:5-6 (NIV)
But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”

2. The Apostles preached with power.
“Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles…”

Acts 4:32-33 (NIV)
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
God intends for preaching to have power and affect:

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

3. God Added to Their Number Daily
“…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

1 Corinthians 3:5-8 (NIV)
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but
God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

John 6:44 (NIV)
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Practice: Multiply 9.2 - May 9, 2010

2010-05-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.2 – 5 Phases of Discipleship

Review last week:
• Spiritual Growth is defined by our ability to be in real, authentic, spiritual relationship.
• Discipleship has 5 parts: pastoring, accountability, modeling, a place to play, and teaching
• Discipleship must be: relational, intentional, and reproducible

How do we assess someone’s spiritual maturity?
Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Jesus’ measuring rod:
Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

5 Stages of Spiritual Development:
1. Spiritually Dead
Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV)
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

To them, Jesus gives one call every time:
“Come follow me…”

2. Spiritual Infant
John 3:3-5 (NIV)
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”
To them, Jesus gives this call:
“Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men…”

3. Spiritual Child
Hebrews 3:12-13 (NLT)
Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
To them, Jesus gives this call:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few…”

4. Spiritual Young Adult
Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT)
For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
To them, Jesus gives this call:
“I am sending you out…”

5. Spiritual Parent
2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.

To them, Jesus gives this call:
“You will be my witnesses…”

Practice: Multiply 9.1 - May 2, 2010

2010-05-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.1 – Being Part of the Movement

John 5:17 (NIV)
Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”

John 5:19-20a (NIV)
Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.”

At the end of Jesus’ ministry, the tune changed.

John 17:4 (NIV)
I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
Jesus calls us to be a part of a movement of discipleship.

What is Discipleship?
1 Corinthians 4:15-17 (NIV)
Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

What does that mean?
The parts of discipleship:
1.    Pastoring
2.    Accountability
3.    Modeling
4.    A Place to Play
5.    Teaching

How do I disciple?
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

1.    Discipleship must be relational!
1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2.    Discipleship must be intentional!
2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

3.    Discipleship must be reproducible!
Hebrews 6:12 (NIV)
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Practice: Serve 8.4 - April 25, 2010

2010-04-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #8 – Serve
8.4 – When Serving Becomes Work

   A.    Jesus’ appearance with His disciples had sent Martha into a tailspin
      1.    Martha was going around in circles
2.    Instructed the Lord to send Mary to the kitchen
3.    Mary had chosen to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn
4.    Martha could have been a workaholic
         a.    Probably the oldest sister
         b.    Mary was probably the middle child

3 scriptures about Mary—each time she is sitting at Jesus’ feet
B.    The second occasion—John 11:1-6, 17-27, 28-33
      1.    Martha’s approach was one of detail—“why did you not come?”
      2.    Mary’s approach was one of worship—she fell at His feet

   C.    Martha’s second chance – John 12:1
      1.    “Martha served” – vs 2
      2.    Mary worshiped – by anointing Him
      3.    We may need passion and practice

I.    Burnout comes from forcing ourselves to do something we are not passionate about; we have a tendency to get crabby
   A.    Martha was all about the task
   B.    Service for Christ can get in the way of communion
      1.    We are a task-oriented society
      2.    Many of us are performance driven
    3.    Tasks however are very needful—sometimes even when we don’t feel like it
      4.    Ministry is full of people who will look around and complain when everything is not getting
         done.
         a.    If Jesus were coming to your house tomorrow, what would you change?
         b.    Illustration—mother asked daughter to go get the book we always read
Matthew 13:22 (New King James Version)
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
The cares of this world choke out our spiritual life.

II.    We may need worship as well as work
   A.    Mary’s heart longed to honor the Lord
      1.    Sitting at His feet is a safe place
      2.    Hard on Him, easy on ourselves

B.    Mary had chosen the better things
      1.    What was cooking in the living room was much more important than what was cooking in the
          kitchen
2.    When our heart is right, our hands are right

III. Learn to get things done with the right attitude
   A.    We need a consistent place of worship and learning
      1.    Jesus had a place of prayer consistently
      2.    Paul always looked for a place to worship and pray
      3.    Maybe this is why there are so many epiphanies in the shower

   B.    Learn to come into His presence with intentionality
      1.    Church is not just fellowship

   C.    Devote ourselves to sit at His feet;
I Peter 2:2 as newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby

D. Devote ourselves to getting His work done

Revelation 21:3-4 (New King James Version)
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. 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.”
    1.    Jesus longs to be with us.
    2.    Honoring Him will make us feel comfortable.

Practice: Server 8.3 - April 18, 2010

2010-04-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #8 – Serve
8.3 – People Value

Review: The mission – Luke 19:10; Our responsibility – 2 Corinthians 5 – we must take on the mission

What does God care about?

Deuteronomy 6:5 (New International Version)
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 30:2 (New International Version)
and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today,

Joshua 22:5 (New International Version)
But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

Proverbs 3:5 (New International Version)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Jeremiah 29:13 (New International Version)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Joel 2:12 (New International Version)
"Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Zephaniah 3:14 (New International Version)
Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!

Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version)
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Romans 13:8-10 (New International Version)
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 John 1:7 (New International Version)
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, purifies us from all sin.

Jesus tells a story about how this looks:
Luke 10:25-37 (New International Version)
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " '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, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

1.   If we are going to be on God’s mission, people have to matter.
Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2.   Many people, when trying to love God, decide to study the Word.
John 5:39-40 (New International Version)
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

3.   If you are going to love God, you have to care about what He cares about.
Matthew 25:31-46 (New International Version)
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Then he 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. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” He will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

Practice: Server 8.1 - April 4, 2010 - Easter Sunday

2010-04-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

Practice #8 – Serve 8.1 –
It’s Just Too Far-Fetched

Philippians 2:3-8 (New International Version)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:   Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

We can kill the reality of Jesus’ work on the cross when we try to debate worldview for worldview. The story is pretty crazy if you think about it. Genesis 1:1 (New International Version)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
John 3:16 (New International Version)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Luke 1:31-35 (New International Version)
You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Hebrews 4:15 (New International Version)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Romans 5:18-19 (New International Version)
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Here is the crux of the story: As a result of this amazing process of events, I am supposed to be different.
John 8:36 (New International Version)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Romans 8:1 (New International Version)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Romans 8:31-32, 37 (New International Version)
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

So, how do we live in response to this?
Philippians 2:3-8 (New International Version)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:   Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

As a result of this story, we should be affected to DO certain things.

Practice: Worship 7.4 - March 28, 2010

2010-03-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #7 – Worship
7.4 – The Living Sacrifice

Romans 11:36-12:2 (New International Version)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

•    The parts of worship: For the glory of the one worshipped
•    Something is offered or sacrificed or dedicated in worship
•    The things offered in worship belong to the one worshipped, not the worshipper.
Here is how we do it:1.    Know who God made you to be.Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

2.    Treat other people correctlyRomans 12:9-21 (NIV)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Paul gives us a list of what this looks like:
•    Hate Evil
•    Focus on good things (Philippians 4:8)
•    Be devoted to one another and honor each other (Ephesians 4:32)
•    Never be lacking in zeal
•    Maintain hope, patience, prayer
•    Take care of those in need
•    Hang out with people
•    Be a blessing
•    Join people where they are – the easy ones and the hard ones
•    Get along with people
•    Be humble
•    Don’t be vindictive
•    Do what is right – even if it hurts
•    Don’t be vengeful. God will take care of it
•    Be a blessing to those whom you do not like
•    Romans 13:1-7 – honor your government
•    Romans 13:8-14 – reinforcing loving your brother and sister
•    Romans 14 – how to handle people who do churchy things different than you

This is Paul’s definition of what worship is, and according to Paul is the only logical thing that we can do in view of how good God has been to us.

Practice: Worship 7.3 - March 21, 2010

2010-03-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #7 – Worship
7.3 – When Life Gets In The Way

Matthew 13:1-9 (New International Version)
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "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. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear."

Matthew 13:10-11 (New International Version)
The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Matthew 13:18-23 (New International Version)
Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

1.   Many people cannot understand why anyone would want to worship God.Psalm 53:1-3 (New International Version)
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

2.   Many People make all kinds of commitments when things are easy, but cannot stay the course.Philippians 3:10-14 (New International Version)
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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.

3.   Many People just let life get in the way.Revelation 3:15-17 (New International Version)
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Practice: Worship 7.2 - March 14, 2010

2010-03-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practice #7 - Worship
7.2 – Entering In

Romans 11:36-12:2 (New Living Translation)
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.   Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

   •    Three Key Components of Worship…
      o    It brings glory to the one Worshipped.
      o    In Worship, the worshipper offers, presents, or dedicates something.
      o    That offering no longer belongs to the worshipper, it becomes a Sacrifice to that which is
               worshipped.

A Picture of the Temple
The Process:
1.    Teaching
Romans 10:14-15 (New International Version)
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

2.    Confession
James 5:15-16 (New International Version)
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

3.    Repentance
1 Kings 8:46-49 (New International Version)
When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, “We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly”; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.

2 Chronicles 32:26 (New International Version)
Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the LORD's wrath did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.

Job 34:33 (New International Version)
Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent?

Revelation 3:2-3 (New International Version)
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

4.    ConsecrationExodus 19:21-22 (New International Version)
and the LORD said to him, "Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish. Even the priests, who approach the LORD, must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them."

What is consecration?“To set apart as Holy; to devote to sacred or serious use.”
This is the offering piece of Worship. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 12:1: “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices” - in other words…Consecrate yourself to the LORD.

5.    AdorationLeviticus 16:34
This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.

Practice: Worship 7.1 - March 7, 2010

2010-03-07T11:30:00.000-08:00

Practice # 7 - Worship
7.1 – The Worship Wheelhouse

Romans 11:36 - Romans 12:2 (New International Version)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Some Simple Elements of Worship:
•    It is for the Glory of whatever is worshipped.
•    There is an Offering where the worshipper will Present or Dedicate something.
•    Whatever is dedicated or offered or presented to the thing worshipped becomes sacrificed – it         belongs to the thing that is worshipped.

A View of Worship from Scripture:
Offering and Sacrifice:
•    Genesis 4:2b-5… Cain and Abel are offering sacrifices
•    Genesis 8:20-21… Noah builds an altar and makes sacrifices
•    Genesis 14:17-20…Abraham and Melchizedek
•    Genesis 22 – Abraham and Isaac – Abraham makes a Sacrifice

Acknowledging who God is and what He is doing:
•    Genesis 24:26-27 – Abraham’s Chief Servant finds Rachel for Isaac to marry.
•    Genesis 28:16-19… Jacob’s dream and reaction
•    Genesis 35… Jacob goes back to that spot and builds an altar to remember.
•    Exodus 15… Moses and Miriam Sing to God

Obedience to the Lord’s Commands:
•    Exodus 12… Hebrews obey God through the Passover
•    Exodus 19-20… Commitment from the People and a Commitment from God
From Exodus 21 – Matthew 3 everything takes on a defined process – the LAW…
Jesus called them back to a perspective that honors God…

John 4:23-24
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.

•    The Question she asked was immediately about worship.
•    There is a place for the law, but it is not the observance of the law that pleases God.

Isaiah 1:11 (New International Version)
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.”

2 Traps in Contemporary Worship:
1.    Religiosity – Truth without the Spirit
Galatians 3:2 (New International Version)
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?

John 5:39-40 (New International Version)
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
•    How can I know if I have fallen too far on this side of the worship balance?

2.    Anarchy – Trying to Emphasize the Spirit without any truth.
Galatians 5:13 (New International Version)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Jeremiah 17:9 (New International Version)
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
•    How can I know if I have fallen too far on this side of Balanced Worship?

Conclusion:
When I Worship, is it in the wheelhouse of Spirit and Truth?
What did I offer in Worship today? Whatever I offered, it is no longer mine. If I offered nothing, I did not Worship. What then did I do? Is God okay with that?

Practice: Encourage 6.4 - February 28, 2010

2010-02-28T11:30:00.000-08:00

Practice #6 – Encourage
2.4 – A Community of Encouragement

Acts 4:36-37 (New International Version)
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 11:19-23 (New International Version)
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

Acts 11:24-30 (New International Version)
He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 13:1-3 (New International Version)
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with 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." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 15:36-41 (New International Version)
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

What Can We Learn From the “Son of” Encouragement?
Encouragers Call out of People What God has Already Put in Them.

What keeps us from encouraging others?

1.   Lies from Satan.
Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

2.   Pride.
Proverbs 11:2 (New International Version)
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10 (New International Version)
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Proverbs 16:18 (New International Version)
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23 (New International Version)
A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

Proverbs 16:5 (New International Version)
The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

James 4:6 (New International Version)
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

3.   Fear
2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Hebrews 10:39 (New International Version)
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Practice: Encourage 6.3 - February 21, 2010

2010-02-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Blessing
Practice #6.3 - Encourage

Introduction: No matter what our age, our parents’ approval or lack o f approval affects the way we view ourselves and how we act with those we love most.

Genesis 27:18-29 (New International Version)
He went to his father and said, "My father." "Yes, my son," he answered. "Who is it?" Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing." Isaac asked his son, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?" "The LORD your God gave me success," he replied. Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not." Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. "Are you really my son Esau?" he asked. "I am," he replied. Then he said, "My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing." Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank. Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son, and kiss me." So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said,
"Ah, the smell of my son
is like the smell of a field
that the LORD has blessed.
May God give you of heaven's dew
and of earth's richness—
an abundance of grain and new wine.
May nations serve you
and peoples bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may the sons of your mother
bow down to you.
May those who curse you be cursed
and those who bless you be blessed."

The Blessing is a critical part of healthy emotional and spiritual development.

Jewish belief about blessings . . .

Luke 10:5-6 (New International Version)
When you enter a house, first say, “Peace to this house.” If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.
Even Jesus believed that blessings have the power to change a culture.

5 Parts to the Blessing:
1. Meaningful touch!
Isaac kissed Jacob and touched him.
Luke 4:40 (New International Version)
When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

2. Tell them how special they are!
John 1:14 (New International Version)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Proverbs 3:27-28 (New International Version)
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"— when you now have it with you.

See also: James 1, Ephesians 5:25-26, II Timothy 3:3

3. Tell them how much you love them!
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (New International Version)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

4. Tell them how God will use them!
When Jacob is ready to die, he calls his sons together and blesses all 12. Some got really amazing blessings, and some got pretty insignificant blessings. All of the blessings spoken came true. (See Genesis 49)

5. Commit to them to always be there!
Commit to their individual needs.
Genesis 49:28 (New International Version)
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.

Conclusion: The Blessing

Practice: Encourage 6.2 - February 14, 2010

2010-02-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 5:15-33 (New International Version)
    Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
    Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
    Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

“Learning to encourage your spouse”

Chapman says – every couple gets together to make each other happy; something happens between “I do” and “I won’t.”

Emerson Eggrich says that the battle cry for marriage is in
Verse 33:
Husbands must love your wives as your own body; the wife must respect her husband.

Long dissertation on this, but when wives are not loved, husbands are not respected, we go in the crazy cycle.

I.    Be determined to work at communication
    Verses 15-19
   Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every                   opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord
   A.    We have forgotten how to laugh together, share our joy with each other.
   B.    Learn to communicate feelings
       a.    I watched a video on Alaska Logging
          i.    All problems are shared collectively
          ii.    When it is out in the open you deal with it
          iii.    Crocodile Dundee
   C.    Norman Wright – 3 changes are taking place in the institution of marriage
      a.    The decline in understanding
       b.    The loss of determination to stay married
       c.    The development of unrealistic expectations
    *When I got married I was looking for an ideal – turned into an ordeal; now I’m           looking for a new deal.
   D.    Women are attracted to the strong, silent type
   E.    Dr. Dobson says – years ago families who worked together generationally
   F.    10 Guidelines for marriage connection:
       1.    Be a good listener – do not speak until the person speaking is finished
       2.    Slow to speak, think first, then speak
       3.    Speak the truth always in love
       4.    Do not use the silent treatment to frustrate the other person
       5.    Stay away from quarrels
       6.    Do not respond in anger
       7.    When you are wrong, admit it and ask for forgiveness
       8.    Avoid nagging
       9.    Do not blame the other person
       10.    Try to understand the other person’s opinion
   G.    Speak words that build up your spouse
Verses 25-26
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her        holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
II.    Work at developing the right attitude
Verses 20-21
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
   A.    Stay away from “if only’s”
   B.    No one has all that they want out of a relationship
       a.    Too many think the answer is changing the relationship
       b.    Article in Cincinnati Inquirerer
          i.    A man and wife fought for 9 months – been married for 21 years
          ii.    Decided to call it quits
          iii.    Each took a test to see what kind of partner they were looking for – each other
   C.    Lady in Kentucky – preacher having a revival said she has a lot on the ball
     a.    She has an 80 year old dad who is dying
     b.    A husband who is disabled
     c.    A child who is mentally handicapped
III.    Realize that good relationships are built
   A.    Change is inevitable – I’m not the same as I was 25 years ago
   B.    My likes and dislikes are not the same “Will you love me when I’m old and gray . . . “
   C.    Be creative
a.    Go places together – “no time, no money.”
      b.    Spend time away from each other
      c.    Don’t push to always be right
      d.    Set goals together

   D.    Remember: it’s in the giving we receive
      a.    Blessings are ours when we give unselfishly

E.    Find ways to encourage

* I went to the house of a dear old lady sitting at her table having breakfast

Practice: Encourage - February 7, 2010

2010-02-07T11:30:00.000-08:00

Practice #6 – Encourage
6.1 – The Call to Encourage
What is Encouragement?

The Greek word – parakaleo, “To Call Alongside.”

Romans 12:6-8 (New International Version)
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Exodus 17:8-13 (New International Version)
The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Some lessons about the call to Encourage:1.    Even Leaders need encouragementPhilemon 1:7 (New International Version)
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

2.    Godly Leaders can’t do it alone
Hebrews 3:12-14 (New International Version)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

3.    Everyone can and should encourage others
Hebrews 10:25 (New International Version)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Practice: Giving 5.5 - January 31, 2010

2010-01-31T11:30:00.000-08:00

Practice #5 – Give
5.5 – Protection

1 Chronicles 21:1-7 (NIV)
Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.” But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah. But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.

Here is what David had to learn:
Psalm 20:6-8 (NIV)
Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

Deuteronomy 10:17-19 (New International Version)
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.

Isaiah 1:17 (New International Version)
learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.  Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

James 1:27 (New International Version)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Why? Because they cannot help themselves. God is their protection too, but He uses His church to provide for those in need.

Hebrews 13:1-3 (New International Version)
Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Matthew 25:31-40 (New International Version)
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

How do we do this?
Go back and look at James 1:27…

James 1:27 (New International Version)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Practice: Give 5.4 - January 24, 2010

2010-01-24T23:30:00.000-08:00

Practice # 5 – Give
5.4 – What could be done?

Acts 4:32-35 (New International Version)
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Some things that we can know about the early church:
•    They were unified
•    They owned their obligation to help one another
•    They were willing to sacrifice to make sure that everyone had enough
•    As a result, the message was preached with great power
•    As a result, much grace was upon them all

If we adopted this mindset, what could be done?

1.    People in our church would be blessed
We have an obligation to care for our church family first… this is biblical.
1 John 3:17 (New International Version)
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

2.    People in the community would be blessed
Hebrews 10:24 (New International Version)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

1 Peter 2:12 (New International Version)
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
•    This is so much more than moral correctness.
•    The question that we have to wrestle with is: Are we good to the people around us?
•    You don’t love people unless they know you love them.

Some real things that could happen:
•    Feeding the hungry
•    Giving a hand
•    Local Improvement
•    A building that is a launching pad into the community

Where does it start?

Proverbs 18:16 (New International Version)
A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.

Do we want to be a good church that people can feel comfortable coming to? Or do we want to be a part of something great?

Practice: Give 5.3 - January 17, 2010

2010-01-17T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Blessing of Giving

Introduction
Warren Hiersche tells of “America’s Greatest Miser, Hetty Green”

Acts 20:34-35
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:34-35 (Da Jesus Book, Hawaii Pidgin)
You guys know dat I wen work fo all da stuff me an my friends need. I do all dat fo show you guys dat by dis kine hard work we gotta help da guys dat no stay strong inside. I rememba wat da Boss Jesus wen say, “Da guy who give, he stay mo good inside den da guy who get.”

“Givers sleep well
takers eat well”

I.    Giving is a blessing to the recipient

a.    Provides a sense of nurture emotionally – literally make them happier

    i.    Pidgin translation: “. . . feel mo good inside . . .”

    ii.    The Elder worth honor –

I Timothy 5:17
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

     iii.    The gift of a quilt

b.    Provides nurture physically

    i.    Needs are met

    ii.    Careful not to enable

    iii.    Rich are to share

I Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

c.    Blessing to Jesus

Matthew 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

II.    Giving is a blessing to the giver when motives are right

a.    Opposite (hoarding)

b.    Philanthropists

c.    Re-affirms our worthfulness

    i.    Dissipates selfishness

    ii.    Bolsters self esteem (“mo good inside”)

III.    Givers are blessed when nothing is expected in return

a.    We are tempted to give in order to get back

    i.    Jesus: “Don’t let your left hand know . . .”

Matthew 6:3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

    ii.    Mature leaders stop expecting to be rewarded for their giving

b.    Generosity of God’s people are how the less-fortunate are taken care of

    i.    Haiti . . . Hospitals – food banks – care centers

   ii.    James 1:27
        Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

    iii.    Ephesians 1:22-23
        And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Why God is counting on us to be givers:
1.    Caring for the less-fortunate
2.    His church is cared for and is empowered to reach the world
3.    He knows we will experience joy that comes from giving
4.    We allow the world to see Jesus’ compassion

January 10, 2009 - Practice: Give 5.2

2010-01-10T11:30:00.000-08:00

Practice #5 – Give
The Pursuit of Sovereignty

Luke 12:13-34 (New International Version)
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Some Questions to ask of this passage:
1. Is it wrong for this man to want his inheritance?
Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.

2. Why does Jesus call this greed?
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

3. What is the cure for greed?
Jesus tells a story about what it looks like from God’s perspective to not trust in the Sovereignty of God…

God blesses a certain man:
Luke 12:16-17 (New International Version)
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ ”

The man has to figure out how to handle God’s blessing:
Luke 12:18-19 (New International Version)
Then he said, “This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ ”

The man doesn’t trust in God’s Sovereignty:

Luke 12:20-21 (New International Version)
But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.

Then Jesus makes a promise for those who do trust:
Luke 12:22-34 (New International Version)
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When we are givers, we never have to worry about having enough. When we are hoarders, we always worry and never have enough.

Leviticus 26:3-17 (New International Version)
If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high. But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.

January 3, 2010 - Practice: Give 5.1

2010-01-03T11:30:00.000-08:00

Practice #5 – Give
Who is your God?

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (New International Version)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

We are most like God when we give.

John 3:16 (New International Version)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

•   God so loved, that He gave
•   You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

Some lessons from 2 Corinthians 9…

1. There is a generosity principle.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2. God not only supplies the increase, but also the seed itself.
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

3. God blesses us so that we can be generous.
“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

James 4:2-3 (New International Version)
You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4. There are both tangible and intangible results to giving.

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.”

•   Some tangible results:
o   The needs of God’s people are met.
o   Men will praise God because of your obedience.

•   Some intangible results:
o   You are confessing the Gospel of Christ.
o   People’s hearts go out to you. You are given God’s favor with others.

December 27, 2009 - Practice: Obey 4.4

2009-12-27T11:30:00.000-08:00

Practices #4 – Obey

4.4 – Obedience Brass Tacks

Genesis 3:1-8 (New International Version)
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' " "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 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.

God pronounces the consequences, and Adam Names Eve…

Genesis 3:20-23 (New International Version)
Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.

Genesis 4:1-2 (New International Version)
Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man." Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.
• Qanithi ish et yaweh should be structured different.

Genesis 4:3-5 (New International Version)
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Genesis 4:8 (New International Version)
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Genesis 4:11-12 (New International Version)
Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.

Trace the Lineage of Cain…
The last of Cain’s lineage is a man named Lamech…

Genesis 4:23-24 (New International Version)
Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times."

We see that Eve ultimately figures things out… But the damage was already done.

Genesis 4:25 (New International Version)
Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, "God has granted (established for me) me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him."

Question: Where did it start?

Forgiveness is a fundamental requirement of the Christian existence.

Matthew 6:14-15 (New International Version)
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Forgiveness is giving up our right to be angry. It is not a foolish choice to allow another to hurt you over and over and over.

Luke 17:3-4 (New International Version)
So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

Practice: Obey 4.3 - December 20, 2009

2009-12-20T11:30:00.000-08:00

Practice #4 – Obedience
4.3 – Ultimate Obedience

Philippians 2:5-8 (New International Version)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,  taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

The Christmas Season is a perfect example of what Jesus meant when He said, “If you love Me, you will obey Me.”

Some thoughts on Christmas as a model for Obedience:

1.    Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus…
John 13:15 (New International Version)
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
When you look at people, what do you see?

Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The model of the Christmas story is this:
Whether a wise man or ignorant, rich or poor, a king or a servant, we must all follow Jesus’ lead and become a servant – both classes bowed before the king. This was by His own choice, and His great pleasure to do. Just as it should be for us.

2.    Jesus Modeled for Us What it Looks Like to Obey…
Matthew 16:24-25 (New International Version)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

3.    He Gave Up Everything to be Nothing…
Philippians 2:7 (New International Version)
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

John 19:9-11 (New International Version)
and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

Daniel 2:20-21 (New International Version)
and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”

Job 1:20-21 (New International Version)
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.  The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Acts 4:8-20 (New International Version)
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is   " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone,’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

The Christmas story gives us a model of how we obey Jesus. And every example in Scripture of those who lived by faith follows the same pattern.

*May this Christmas be filled with the reality of a love for Christ that leads to obedience.

Practice: Obey 4.2 - December 13, 2009

2009-12-13T23:30:00.000-08:00

Practices #4 – Obey
4.2 – Lessons from the Race

Paul makes an interesting analogy for the Christian life.

1 Corinthians 9:23-25 (New International Version)
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Some Lessons We Can Learn From the Race:

1. In Training, You Have to Start at the Beginning.

Jeremiah 12:5 (New International Version)
If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

• No one who runs a marathon starts out being able to run a marathon.

• Matthew 25 – Parable of the Talents

2. There are no shortcuts to running a marathon.

Galatians 5:6-8 (New International Version)
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

3. Every Runner, in Every Run, Hits the Decision Point.

Character doesn’t come easy.

2 Timothy 4:7 (New International Version)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

• If you stop running, you never get the privilege of finishing.

So What do We Do With That?

Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)
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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Practice: Obey 4.1 - December 06, 2009

2009-12-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

Practice #4: Obey
Obedience: Promise or Performance

Leviticus 18:4-5
You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.

John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

I Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."

Matthew 21:28-32
What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard." “I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted? "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

I.   Obedience is needed even when we are not in the mood.

a.   If we only obeyed when we felt like it

b.   Even when it is hard to obey

II.   Obedience is needed even when it is not convenient

a.   Felix – we will talk at a more convenient time

    Acts 24:25
    As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said,
    "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

b.   When it isn’t easy

c.   Even when our schedule doesn’t allow it – could be that even God would have to make an
         appointment with us

d.   Serving God is rarely convenient –
      i.   Having a baby is not convenient
      ii.   Going to school, going to work

III.   People of faith are willing to give their will to God’s will by being obedient

a.   Abraham

    Genesis 22:1-3

    Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God
    said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice
    him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Early the next morning
    Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.
    When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.

b.   Naaman

    II Kings 5:10-12
    Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh
    will be restored and you will be cleansed." But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he
    would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand
    over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better
    than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off
    in a rage.

c.   Jesus

    Hebrews 5:7-9
    During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to
    the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
    8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he
    became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
   He learned obedience by the things he suffered

Conclusion

I.   Obedience is God’s way of refining us – Sanctification:

a.   Relationships

I Peter 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 him who judges justly.

    i.   Marriage

    ii.   Friends

    iii.   Church

b.   It rewards us with spiritual confidence

c.   We imitate Christ when we obey

Practice: Study 3.5 - November 29, 2009

2009-11-29T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Practices #3 – Study
3.5 – What is the result of study?

In Study, we learn the rules. But righteousness is not found in the rules alone.
Chapter 1 & 2 – Paul puts everyone in the same boat concerning sin and separation from God.

Romans 3:1-2 (New International Version)
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Why did God give us the law?
Romans 3:19-20 (New International Version)
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

Romans 3:21-26 (New International Version)
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

We are not righteous just because of what we do.

Proverbs 16:2 (New International Version)
All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

What does Study produce in us?

1.    A Change of Attitude.
Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2.    A Change of Perspective.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (New International Version)
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

3.    A Change of Approach.
Colossians 4:6 (New International Version)
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Our hope for Study…
2 Timothy 4:2 (New International Version)
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Practice: Study 3.4 - November 22, 2009

2009-11-22T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Practices #3 – Study
3.4 – The Lessons Learned

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 (NIV)
The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.

The Bible shows us the mistakes of the past so that we can learn form them. The questions is whether or not we will let them teach us…

Matthew 13:13-15 (New International Version)
This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:  "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'

What lessons does the Bible teach us?

1. What is true reality?
1 Corinthians 15:19 (New International Version)
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

Psalm 17:13-15 (New International Version)
Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword. O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

2. What is our purpose in life?
Deuteronomy 6:13 (New International Version)
Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.

1 Samuel 7:3 (New International Version)
And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

Matthew 4:10 (New International Version)
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "

Matthew 22:36-39 (New International Version)
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

3. What do we have to be thankful for?
Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Version)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

1 Timothy 6:6-9 (New International Version)
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Thankfulness comes when we focus on how much we have. A Lack of thankfulness comes when we focus on what we don’t have. The question is which do you choose to focus on?

How do we get to that place?

Psalm 119:9-11 (New International Version)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart;  do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart  that I might not sin against you.

Practice: Study 3.3 - November 15, 2009

2009-11-15T11:00:00.000-08:00

Practice #3 – Study
3.3 – The Rock

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

Context: Matthew 7:15-23
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
There is so much deceptive information out there. It comes in many forms.

1.    “False Prophets,” or those who abuse the Word
1 John 4:1 (NIV)
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Luke 4:9-13 (NIV)
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

2.    People who are “Anti-Christian”
John 15:18-21 (NIV)
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: “No servant is greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

Psalm 56:4-6 (NIV)
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life.

So how do we endure all these obstacles to our faith?

1.    Change the way you see life.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Mark 9:21-24 (NIV)
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can?’ ” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

2.    Build your life on what the Word says.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

3.    Live it out.
Matthew 7:24 (NIV)
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

**True studying of the Word always leads to a change of action. It does not matter what you know. It matters what you do with what you know.

Practice: Study 3.2 - November 8, 2009

2009-11-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Practices #3 - Study

3.2 – Boundaries

Anytime someone tries to tell us what to do, our first response is to do something different…

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible gives us boundaries by which we live the best life possible.

Why does God give us the boundaries that He does?:

1. To show us who He is.
Exodus 18:20 (NIV)
Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.

Exodus 20:1-17 (NIV)
And God spoke all these words:
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

2. To show us how to love Him.
It is a wrong perspective to worry about God zapping us for doing wrong. This is not about “Do right or you will get a spanking!”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (New International Version)
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

John 14:15 (New International Version)
If you love me, you will obey what I command.
Scripture defines the perimeters of a truly loving relationship.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Practice: Study 3.1 - November 1, 2009

2009-11-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

Practices #3 - Study
3.1 – Where does faith come from?

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
We live by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Romans 14:23 (NIV)
But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Faith is hard to define because we live in a culture of feelings.

Some definitions of faith:
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Where does that kind of faith come from?

Romans 10:14-17 (NIV)
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

How do I get the Bible in me?
Read
Listen to the Bible on CD
Surround yourself with Friends that will help
Watch the Bible in DVD’s
Listen to sermons
Listen to the radio
Listen to Christian music
Attend a CARE Group
Attend another type of small group

2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

3 Critical Phrases in this verse:

1. “Do your best…”
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

2. “…a workman who does not need to be ashamed…”
Ezra 9:6
and prayed: “O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.”

Leviticus 26:14-17 (NIV)
But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.

3. “…who correctly handles the word of truth.”
John 8:32 (NIV)
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
What does faith look like?

Psalm 15 (NIV)
LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Practice: Prayer 2.4 - October 25, 2009

2009-10-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

Practices #2
2.4 – What do I do when God is Silent?

Job 3:23-26
Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”
Why does God talk to us?

Exodus 3:13-15
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

Some Questions to ask when God seems silent:

1. Do I have a sin issue?
2 Chronicles 7:14-15
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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

2. Do I have an agenda problem?
Luke 22:41-43
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

3. Do I have a perspective problem?
Psalm 73:1-3, 13-14, 27-28
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning… Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

4. Have I already done everything I know the Lord told me to do?
Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

5. Is God trying to show me something new about Himself?
John 11:32-34
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

So how do I respond when God is Silent?
Go back and make sure that you are doing everything God has already told you to do. Be faithful in that, and wait and pray.

Practice: Prayer 2.2 - October 11, 2009

2009-10-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Practices #2 – Prayer
2.2 – When Did Jesus Pray?

Luke 11:1-4
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ”

1. Jesus prayed when He started the day
Mark 1:35-37
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

2. Jesus prayed for help in major decisions
Luke 6:12-13
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles

3. Jesus prayed in times of stress
Mark 6:45-46
Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

4. Jesus prayed in times of tragedy
John 11:41-42
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When should we pray?
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Practice: Prayer 2.1 - October 4, 2009

2009-10-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

Practice #2 – Pray
2.1 – The Discipline of Emptying

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

2 Divergent Worldviews:

1.    What Do I Want?
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

2.    What Does God Want?
2 Timothy 2:4 (NIV)
No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

Romans 14:4 (NIV)
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

John 3:36 (ESV)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Prayer is the process of EMPTYING myself that allows the transition to a different worldview.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Genesis 2:25-3:7
The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
If we understand prayer as an emptying of ourselves of our own agenda, then it changes how we read passages about prayer.

Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
How do we let go of our agenda and align with God’s?

John 10:10 (NIV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Prayer is a constant conversation with God in which we submit our agenda to Him in every moment of every day. And in turn, we rely on His replying to us with what His agenda is for each moment.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
Pray without ceasing.

Where do I start?
1.    A decision to make God’s agenda more important than my own.
2.    Knock out the major stuff…
3.    Surround yourself with the right influences…

Practice: Relationship 1.4 - September 27, 2009

2009-09-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

Practices #1 – Relationship
1.4 – Why Don’t I Want To?

Why don’t I want to get in to the kind of relationships the Bible outlines?

Proverbs 16:25 (New International Version)
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Matthew 7:21-23 (New International Version)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
God’s Will is not a Secret:

Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version)
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 5:22-24 (New International Version)
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Mark 12:32-34 (New International Version)
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Some Common Excuses for Not Getting into Relationship:

1.    I don’t need people.
Hebrews 3:12-13 (New International Version)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Hebrews 10:25 (New International Version)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

2.    I am afraid of people

2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

•    So, if God doesn’t give that spirit to us, then who does?

3.    I have been hurt too many times
1 John 1:7 (New International Version)
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, purifies us from all sin.

John 8:36 (New International Version)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

4.    I don’t understand these people
Hebrews 4:14-16 (New International Version)
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

5.    I am not good enough

Matthew 10:18-20 (New International Version)
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

**Relationship with others says more about Who you believe God is than who you believe you are or who you believe others are.

Practice: Relationship 1.3 - September 20, 2009

2009-09-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Practice #1 – Relationship
1.3 – Wisdom’s Desire

We are to pursue Wisdom:
Proverbs 24:14 (New International Version)
Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 4:7 (New International Version)
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 8:10-13 (New International Version)
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”

Solomon defines Wisdom:
Wisdom = Knowledge + Prudence + Discretion

Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version)
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

How does Wisdom Stay Wise?

1.    Listen to Others
Proverbs 13:1 (New International Version)
A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 12:15 (New International Version)
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 15:31 (New International Version)
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

2.    Learn from Others
Proverbs 15:12 (New International Version)
A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.

Proverbs 19:20 (New International Version)
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

3.    Invest in Others
Proverbs 15:7 (New International Version)
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 16:21 (New International Version)
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.

Proverbs 16:23 (New International Version)
A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
Where do I start?

Practice: Relationship 1.2 - September 13, 2009

2009-09-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

Practices #1 – Relationship
#2 Accountability – Dealing with the Hidden Agenda

Ephesians 6:10-14a (New International Version)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…

We have to remember the truth of our situation:

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

The Realities of Accountability:

1.   We don’t belong here

1 Peter 2:11 (New International Version)
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

Romans 8:18-23 (New International Version)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

2.   We learn through obedience, not information.

James 1:23-25 (New International Version)
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

3.   Accountability helps us stay obedient.

Proverbs 27:17 (New International Version)
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 15:22 (New International Version)
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 12:15 (New International Version)
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 13:20 (New International Version)
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

4.   The Christian life demands growth – not compliance.

Isaiah 29:13 (New International Version)
The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”

•   Accountability is not Disclosure!

•   Accountability is not Transference!

5.   Accountability is Empowering Someone to Grow – Really!
Ecclesiastes 4:10 (New International Version)
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Psalm 32:1-2 (New International Version)
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him  and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Accountability helps us stay focused on what is true, so that we can grow.

Where do I start?

Practice: Relationship 1.1 - September 6, 2009

2009-09-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Practice #1 – Relationship
What is Intentional, Spiritual Relationship?

Colossians 3:12-14 (New International Version)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

What are the keys to spiritual relationship?

1. Encourage one another – toward spiritual realities.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (New International Version)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (New International Version)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

God told Moses to encourage Joshua as the change of leadership happened…

Deuteronomy 1:38 (New International Version)
But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it.

Deuteronomy 3:28 (New International Version)
But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.

2. Serve one another – modeling Christ’s love.
Galatians 5:13-14 (New International Version)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

James 1:27 (New International Version)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

3. Protect one another – Pastoring those who need help.
John 13:34-35 (New International Version)
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Romans 12:9-11 (New International Version)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

James 2:15-17 (New International Version)
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

We Model Christ’s Love to the World in Our Relationships…

Ephesians 1:5-6 (New International Version)
He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

The Nines #9 - August 30, 2009

2009-08-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Nines #9
Nine Statements that will Change Your Life

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

How Do We Endure These Times?

Hebrews 11:1-12:4
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of 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…All these people were still living by faith when they died…And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them…And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground…

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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Some Realities of Persecution:

1.    Jesus is our example, and our support

Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

2.    People will say what they say.

Psalm 56:4-6
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life.

3.    If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Mark 9:20-24 (Story of a Demon Possessed Boy)
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.   Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

How Do We Endure Persecution Well?

•    Be Poor in Spirit

•    Be Willing to Mourn

•    Be Meek

•    Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

•    Be Merciful

•    Be Pure In Heart

•    Be a Peacemaker

•    Be Willing to Endure Persecution for Righteousness

The Nines #7

2009-08-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Nines #7
Nine Statements that Will Change Your Life!

Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

What is “Peace?”

John 14:27 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 16:33 (NIV)
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

• Peace is not the absence of conflict. In fact, often peace comes from conflict.
• Peace is the absence of turmoil. The inner struggle that comes when we view conflict incorrectly.

2 ways to have a heart of peace:

1. Don’t focus on your own interests!

Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV)
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

2. Let God work out revenge!

Romans 12:17-20
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

4 Peace Stoppers:

1. The Need for Vindication
2. The Need for Personal Recognition
3. The Fear of Being Hurt or Let Down
4. The Fear of Being Insignificant or Insecure

We do not have to live a “Victimized” Christianity. This reality is the bottom line to a heart of peace.

For further reading: The Anatomy of Peace, The Arbinger Institute

The Nines #6

2009-08-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Nines #6
Nine Statements that will Change Your Life

Matthew 5:8 (New International Version)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

James 3:13-18 (New International Version)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Why does Jesus care about our heart so much?

What we do comes from our heart:

Proverbs 4:23 (New International Version)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 20:5 (New International Version)
The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

Matthew 15:17-19 (New International Version)
Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man “unclean.” For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

Proverbs 16:2 (New International Version)
All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

God doesn’t care about what you know:

John 5:39-40 (New International Version)
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

God cares about how your actions reflect His love for you toward others.

Psalm 15 (New International Version)
LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

When we keep our hearts pure, God reveals Himself to us.

Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The Nines #5

2009-08-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Nines #5
Nine Statements that will Change Your Life

Matthew 5:7 (New International Version)
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
A Simple Definition of Mercy: Not getting what you deserve.

Hosea 6:6 (New International Version)
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
    •    God’s Rules are not for us to see how serious we are about getting to heaven!
    •    God’s Rules are not so that we can leverage God into doing what we want!

Why does God give us rules?
Exodus 20:2-17 (New International Version)
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

What does it look like to be Merciful?

The Story of Jonah:
Jonah 1:1-3 (New International Version)
The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Jonah 4:1-4 (New International Version)
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live." But the LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"

The Story of the Prodigal Son:
Luke 15:22-31 (New International Version)
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

    •    Being Merciful means we encourage first, then exhort.
    •    Being Merciful means we put rules in their context.
    •    Being Merciful means we forgive the way God forgives us.                                                                      In Being Merciful, we get mercy:

Mark 11:25 (New International Version)
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

The Nines #4

2009-07-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Nines #4
Nine Statements that will Change Your Life

Matthew 5:6 (New International Version)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Where else do we find this idea in the Bible?

Hunger:
John 4:31-38 (New International Version)
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

Thirst:
Psalm 42:1-3 (New International Version)
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food  day and night,  while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

How Do We Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness?
1. Know - It starts with a decision
Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

2. Be – It moves to the heart

Psalm 119:10-12 (New International Version)
I seek you with all my heart;  do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD;  teach me your decrees.

Hebrews 3:12-13 (New International Version)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Proverbs 4:23 (New International Version)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Matthew 15:17-19 (New International Version)
Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man “unclean.” For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

3. Do – It translates into our practice
James 1:22-25 (New International Version)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Jesus promises that we will be filled…
The only way to truly understand fulfillment in this life is to be a part of the lifestyle that Jesus has called us to. You can try all day long, but you won’t be filled until you hunger and thirst for righteousness.

The Nines #3

2009-07-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Nines #3
Nine Statements that will Change Your Life

Matthew 5:5 (ESV)

    Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

    •    It is hard to get our mind around this idea of Meek.
    •    Synonyms: gentle, lowly, humble; yielding, compliant, tame…
    •    Webster’s Dictionary: quiet, gentle, easily imposed on, submissive
    •    Word Picture: Ox in a plow – power under restraint…
    •    Implication: We have to choose to allow that to happen. Choose, not feel!

    o    Power has the ability to keep restraint from happening. Those with the power are stronger than             those who are trying to restrain them.
    o    Therefore, power must be willing to choose to be placed under restraint
            Jesus is Calling This Truth Out of the Old Testament
Psalm 37:11
     But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Some Examples of Meekness

Joseph – Genesis 37; 39; 40; 42
    •    Joseph is 17 when he has the dream (Gen 37:2)
    •    Joseph is 30 when he enters Pharaoh’s service (Gen. 41:46)
    •    Then there are 7 years of plenty and staring into the 7 years of famine???
    •    Joseph is in the neighborhood of 40 years old when his vision is fulfilled.
    •    In that moment, he has the right, the ability, and probably the desire to extract judgment on his                 brothers… but he doesn’t

David – 1 Samuel 16; 24; 26; 31 and 2 Samuel 23
    •    God appointed Saul as King (1 Samuel 10)
    •    God rejects Saul as King because he took what was the Lord’s and didn’t obey God (1 Samuel 15)
    •    God selects David as King and gives him great favor with the people
    •    Saul becomes jealous of David and starts trying to kill him
    •    Before God, David is the rightful king, and Saul is in David’s throne
    •    David has at least 2 chances to kill Saul and both times chooses not to
    •    Ultimately, David waits for God to work it out. And He does. Saul kills himself.

        o    What would have been the rumors if David had taken matters into his own hands?

    •    David’s mighty men get David a drink of water and he pours it out, not willing to have anything             that his men couldn’t have.
    •    David had the power, the right, and the desire, but chose not to. – Power under restraint, by                 choice.
Jesus – Matthew 4; 28
    •    At the temptation, Satan appeals to Jesus desire for authority.
    •    Jesus has the right, the desire, the power, and the ability to make this happen
    •    Jesus chooses to let God provide
    •    This is at the heart of Meekness

Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jesus is our ultimate model of Meekness…

    •    He had the right, the power, the desire, and the authority to keep bad things from happening to             Him, but He did not. He chose to put His power under restraint so that we could experience peace.

The Nine's #2

2009-07-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Nines #2
Nine Statements that Will Change Your Life

Matthew 5:4 (New International Version)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

2 Key Words to Consider:

1. Mourn = πενϑουντες

Examples of Mourning:

John 11:25-35 (New International Version)

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept.

Luke 19:41-42 (New International Version)

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace but now it is hidden from your eyes.

2. Comforted = παρακληθησονται

What do we mourn?

1. When people don’t live by faith in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (New International Version)

We live by faith, not by sight.

Philippians 2:3-5 (New International Version)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

2. When we consider the fate of those who don’t know Jesus.

Hebrews 9:25-28 (New International Version)

Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him

3. When people claim to be followers of Jesus, but act nothing like Him.

Matthew 7:21 (New International Version)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

John 5:39-40 (New International Version)
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

4. When children get hurt.

Luke 17:1-2 (New International Version)

Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.

5. When people in need are neglected.

James 1:26-27 (New International Version)

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

We have to be broken by the things that break the heart of God.

The Nines #1

2009-07-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

The Nines
9 Statements That Will Change the World

What are the Beatitudes?

Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Matthew 5:1-3 (ESV)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What does it mean to be “Blessed?”

• The Greek word is: Μακαριοι

What does it mean to be Poor in Spirit?

Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV)
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Matthew 10:39
If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Luke 12:15
Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

**It means that in our soul, we own nothing. How many possessions we have or don’t have is of no importance. Our life circumstances are of no importance. The only thing that matters is getting in the bulls eye of God’s Will.

How do we know that we are fulfilling the challenge to be poor in spirit?

Matthew 5:3b
“…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

**We can know that we are becoming poor in spirit when the priorities of this type of blessing are being realized in our life.

How do I know when I am holding on too tightly?

1. When you don’t let go of material things and assume that you know how to manage your possessions better than God.

2. God asks us to tithe back to Him. We are not poor in spirit when we make excuses to not do that.

3. We are holding on too tightly when we refuse to forgive.

4. Anytime that we make excuses to avoid service to others.

The Red Pen #5 - June 14, 2009

2009-06-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Red Pen #5
The Distortion of Calling-Part 2

Proverbs 22:6 (New International Version)
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Ephesians 4:11-16 (New Living Translation)
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Romans 12:6-13 (New Living Translation)
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
How do I find my calling?
1. Make your life about seeking God.
Matthew 6:33 (New Living Translation)
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
• How do I find my calling? it starts with this kind of seeking…
2. Remember God’s Kingdom is the point.
Ephesians 4:12 (New Living Translation)
…Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ…
We often confuse this reality…
3. Our Calling Defies Physics…
1 Corinthians 4:13-18 (New Living Translation)
But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Conclusion:
A Calling is not:
• God’s Will
• A Spiritual Gift
• Vision
• Balance
Also:
• It is not a task
• It is not and excuse to not get involved somewhere
• It is not a forced agenda – “I have to do ________”
• It is not limited to what is available – God may be trying to start a whole new thing through you.
A Calling is:
• Wired into us by God from birth
• A “natural talent” or bent
• A motivation or underlying reason for doing a task
• To be used for God’s glory
• Found by looking backward, not forward