Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath 7.7 - June 25, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.