Practice: Multiply 9.5 - May 30, 2010

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: Encourage 6.4 - February 28, 2010

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 - February 7, 2010

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: Give 5.4 - January 24, 2010

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?

January 10, 2009 - Practice: Give 5.2

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.

December 27, 2009 - Practice: Obey 4.4

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 4.1 - December 06, 2009

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 3.2 - November 8, 2009

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

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 2.2 - October 11, 2009

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: Relationship 1.3 - September 20, 2009

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?