2009-11-12 - Repentance - Worldly Sorrow (part 2) 3. Excuses
A repentant Christian embraces absolutions, even moral absolutes5. Repetition Repentance is no fragile state of mind that we barely notice entering and exitingQuestions
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2009-11-21 - Repentance - Its Time To Go Home (part 3) There is no perfect repentance, but wholehearted repentance David – search me (Psalms 139) Spirit’s conviction Good – overcome blinding pride Bad – Satan will try to stop you Sometimes easier to see our sin than think about loved ones salvation (passed away) What would they want you to do? Questions
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2009-12-24 - First the Kingdom - Key to everything else The first beatitude is the key to whole sermon on the mount By ourselves we can not live out the sermon - we need help from God
Does this describe you? Would God describe you this way? |
2009-12-31 - First the Kingdom - Mercy Mercy is treating others as God has treated us As Christians, we can become numb to the cries of others Because of increased wickedness the love of most will grow cold but he stands firm to the end will be saved - Matthew 24:12-13 Has our love grown cold? Why do we feel so little mercy? Why don't we feel for others? Feeling what they feel - that is really what mercy is all about Not merciful or forgiving because we get focused on ourselves and how we feel We need to forgive so our sins can be forgiven and we can be healed - Luke 6:37 Mercy also comes in the form of understanding and compassion Jesus had mercy for the blind beggar - "Jesus, have mercy on me" = Luke 18:35-43 |
2010-01-02 - First the Kingdom - Healthy Heart What is your spiritual diet? The Word is what purifies us It discerns the thoughts and attitudes of the heart It will diagnose and sanctify us Keep our hearts pure by living according to God's word - Psalms 119:9 David had a steady diet of the Word To keep a healthy heart: 1. Maintain a healthy diet - David "set before his eyes no vile thing" - Psalms 101:3 What do we need to cut out of our lives? 2. Need exercise to make our heart strong
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2010-01-21 - Kingdom First - Handle Prayerfully (part 3) Lord's Prayer: A brief overview:
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2010-02-01 - One Another - Confession Questions (part 2) What is the power of confession? a. It brings the forgiveness of sin and purifies us from all unrighteousness - 1 John 1:7-9 b. Confession brings fellowship with God and with brothers and sisters - 1 John 1:7-9 Confession is just not good for the soul, it is good for other's souls and unity c. Confession represents a strong stand against Satan Resist the devil and he will flee - James 4:7 d. Confession is contagious - one person's confession can encourage another's confession |
2010-02-22 - One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 2) Biblical Principles of Reconcilation:
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2010-02-25 - One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 1) Matters related to forgiveness: Forgiveness often is not easy Pain creates lasting memories The more deliberate the sin or the more we have invested in a relationship, the greater the pain Greater the pain = harder it is to forgive Forgiveness may be hardest in the church When we see sin in our brothers and sisters, there seems to be a much greater temptation of bitterness Satan's top-ranked scheme may be to lead us not to forgive Paul: I have forgiven in order that Satan might not outwit us - 2 Corinthians 2:9-11 If he can get us to forget the cross and create a different standard for our brothers and sister = victory for satan Sin can blemish the church but there is no uglier blemish than one cause by the lack of forgiveness |
2010-02-26 - One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 2) Other matters related to forgiveness: Forgiveness is the ultimate 'one another' trump card Love, which always forgives, can cover a multitude of sins - 1 Peter 4:8 Forgiveness must come from a grateful heart If forgiveness comes from anything other than a grateful heart, we lack the purity of heart Rid yourself of all bitterness, rage, and anger - forgiving each other as Christ forgave you - Ephesians 4:31-32 We must help one another forgive When a person is not forgiving, they grow bitter The sin of lack of forgiveness of someone may be greater than the actual offense See that no one misses the grace of God and no bitter root grows - Hebrews 12:14-15 Pain and anger are not resolved in a moment, but let us never doubt where we must end up |
2010-07-01 - Desire's Journey - Great Restoration (part 2) Restoration of the world is play out each spring and summer He annouced the coming of the kingdom of God
God's kingdom - his will is done "on earth as it is in heaven" Jesus healed every disease and sickness among the people - Matthew 4:23 |
2010-08-23 - Waking Dead - Life to the Full Christ died for us but he also raised for us His resurrection was as much for us as his death was Count yourself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus - Romans 6:11 God made us alive with Christ - Ephesians 2:5 We received our sinful nature from Adam - now we receive a good and holy nature from Christ God plan is not to just forgive you but restore you Make a good tree and its fruit will be good - Matthew 12:33 The covenant has two parts: I will give you a new heart and spirit, remove the heart of stone and flesh - Ezekiel 36:26 I have come that they may have life and it to the full - John 10:10 |
2010-09-20 - Waking Dead - Christ's Great Works Son's three great works on our behalf 1. Cross accomplished many thing Forgiveness and the power to overcomes the constant attacks from the enemy 2. Resurrection Having put off the old self, we are to put on the new - Ephesians 4:24 It is life we were promised and it is life we need 3. Ascension All authority was given to Christ By the grace of God, we share that with him It was Adam who gave it away and it was Christ who won it back Lord of the Rings, Two Towers - Theoden (a king) who is reluctant to go to war Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not - Aragorn The primary reason most people do not know the freedom and life Christ promised is that they won't fight for it |
2010-09-24 - Waking Dead - It Will Be Messy Going to a church service with hundreds of people will never expose you That is what most prefer - because community will It will bring you close and you will be seen and you will be known Therein lies the power and the danger The enemy hates this: he knows it can be powerful and God and his kingdom Remember divide and conquer? This is his way Most have settled for safety in numbers - a comfortable, anonymous distance An army that keeps meeting for briefings, but never breaks into platoons and goes to war Community is like camping together Stuff is scattered out there for everyone to see During fellowship there are two important things to remember 1. Know the heart is good - so much easier to trust and to forgive We are for one another 2. Know that we are at war The enemy is always trying to pull everyone away |
2010-10-06 - Contagious Christian - Impacting Your World (part 2) You are the light of the world - Matthew 5:14 What does the light do? Makes things visible and helps us see them for what they really are God made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God We must not cover or obscure the light in any way - Matthew 5:15-16 The Clear Communication (CC - in the formula) must consist of and understanding of:
Make an honest assessment about your evangelism Which are you?
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2010-10-20 - Dealing With Debt (Part I)
PRACTICAL:
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2010-11-11 - Contagious Christian - Starting Spiritual Conversations It is not enough to merely have high impact (HI) and close proximity (CP) We have got to talk about our faith and put the spiritual concepts of the gospel into everyday words People won't figure out the gospel out on their own - Romans 10 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways - Isaiah 55:8 Watching the life of a Christian (even a contagious one) won't be enough Someone has to articulate the gospel Must take the initiative and steer the the conversation toward spiritual topics This book contains a limited number of examples - meant to spur our thinking Must start with the heart-felt assurance that the gospel is good new my life and for others If you need a firmer foundation:
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2010-11-16 - Contagious Christian - Making the Message Clear (part I) Before you can bring the message to others, need to make sure we clearly understand we understand the message ourselves Making the message clear will need us to be able to illustrate it for those we talk to God Three aspects of God we need to look at:
God made us without sin but we abused our freedom and became evil Sin requires God to pronounce upon us the death penalty - both physical and spiritual This is separation from God via hell We are helpless to change this Christ God had the power and authority to devise a plan for our salvation Christ died and suffered the death penalty debt for us and
You don't deserve it, we didn't pay for it, we can not earn it He paid a debt He did not owe I owned a debt I could not pay |
2010-11-17 - Contagious Christian - Making the Message Clear (part II) Christ - Common questions Why couldn't God just forgive and forget, as we can? Like in car accident, God is willing to forgive but someone still has to pay for the damage What kind of justice is there in having Jesus suffer instead of me? God was not a reluctant bystander The difference is that God is will and he is taking his own punishment for you You Many people are left with the impression that if they go to church or they born into a church they are saved Not everyone that calls Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom - Matthew 7:21-23 We have got to be crystal clear that a personal response is essential Do vs Done The difference between religion and Christianity is Do vs Done Religion spells DO - as in we try to do something for God's salvation It is like a salesman that needs to meet a quota but does not know what it is But we can never do enough and will always fall short - Romans 3:23 Christianity spells DONE Means that what we could never do for ourselves, Christ has already done He lived a perfect life we could never live He willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty we owed |
2010-11-30 - Mission - Repentance Both Luke 24 and 2 - message of repentance and forgiveness is mentioned in the light of the death and resurrection of Jesus The message to Preach 1. Repentance God wants the cross to reveal how disgraceful and disgusting sin is To motivate us to radical and rapid change Is there an example of repentance in the Bible that is not radical and rapid? Repentance is the first and foremost call to change to change our mind (metanoia) Paul preached they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance with their deeds - Acts 26:20 You can only change your action for a period of time without ever really changing your mind Change your mind, you will change your action rapidly and radically Baptism happened rapidly and radically because his heart was ready to change - Acts 8 Would we have have baptized the Ethiopian the same day? What did Philip see? Unmistakable signs of godly sorrow As soon as someone has repented, he is ready for baptism |
2010-12-01 - Mission - Forgiveness The message to Preach 2. Forgiveness of sins Without this, there would be nothing else God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us - Romans 5:8 We first need to clearly teach people why forgiveness is possible Happens only in the name of Jesus It is only because God loves us and not because of anything we have done or will do We must also make it clear that is when one is baptized in the name of Jesus that one is saved - Acts 2:38 As we preach, we must be careful, but not cautious Be sensitive but not sentimental We must preach the cross so powerfully that it cuts No one will ever repent until they are brought to Godly sorrow - 2 Corinthians 7 |
2010-12-22 - Sin (part II) Galatians 5:19-21
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2010-12-29 - Baptism into Christ (part I) 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Acts 2:36-41
Romans 6:1-4
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2010-12-30 - Baptism into Christ (part II) Ephesians 1:3-10
Galatians 3:26-29
Infant Baptism? Colossians 2:11-12
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2011-01-04 - Holy Spirit (part I) Acts 2:36-38 - At baptism, we are not only forgiven by Jesus’ death to begin a new life, we are also filled John 3:1-8 - Jesus taught that we must be born again via water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. John 7:37-39 - After Jesus’ glorification (crucifixion, resurrection and ascension), God sent his Spirit to John 16:5-15 - One of the primary roles of the Spirit is to convict us (and the world) with regard to sin, |
2011-02-06 - Christian Joy (part I) Matthew 11:28-30
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Do you feel trapped? Feel that you have sinned too much? Christian yoke = Christ's passion, purpose, and desire |
2011-02-14 - Sin and Repentance - Kansas City (part I) Luke 7:36-50 A. Simon the Pharisee
B. Sinful Woman
Question: Which type of heart would YOU SAY youv'e had toward YOUR SIN until we started studying the Bible? Isaiah 59:1-3
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2011-02-16 - Sin and Repentance - Kansas City (part III) Romans 6:23
John 3:1-7
Acts 2:22-24
Acts 2:36-41
Romans 6:1-4
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2011-03-04 - Jesus is God (part I) Examples showing the deity of Jesus:
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2011-03-17 - One Another (part III) One another scriptures continued:
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2011-06-02 - Excuses - Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah 6:1-8
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2011-08-28 - Fearing God - Awe and Gratitude Awe and Gratitude are two expressions of the proper way of fearing God With you there is forgiveness, therefore you are feared - Psalms 130:4 Neither awe nor gratitude alone can represent adequately show the meaning of the fear of the Lord At the same time:
More than God is loving, he is love This is love: He sent his Son as a atoning sacrifice - 1 John 4:9-10 God showed his love by sending His Son. |
2011-09-06 - Followup: Grace (part I) The understanding of grace is the foundation for a love-motivated relationship with God, rather than one that is works-motivated. We can become Pharisees (knowing the requirements of Christian life but missing the heart motivation. Similarly, overachievers (in the world or in the kingdom) are valued by others and value themselves based on their performance. The goal of follow up is to build security, self-esteem and worth based on God’s grace and love not on their Christian duty of perfect performance. Question: How do you define “grace”?
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2011-09-07 - Followup: Grace (part II) Grace is almost too good to be true, but it is. The goal of this study is to help you to see the real God who loves you and how valuable you are to him. He valued you at the cost of his only Son, whom he gave up so that thee could be grace to forgive your sins and restore your relationship with him. Psalms 103:8-10
Matthew 18:21-35
As you continue your walk with God picture yourself in a world of God’s grace. And remember every time you stumble or fall down your landing in God’s grace. Just get back up and continue on in God’s grace. Not once, not twice, not seven times but continue on in God’s grace for eternity. |
2011-09-11 - Followup: Humility II (part II) What’s in store for the humble person?
Who is it hardest for you to be humble towards? Why? Are you willing to change these things so you can please God? How can I help? Isaiah 66:2 - God is excited about the humble person. How to be humble when you sin:
To clothe yourself with Christ is to clothe yourself with humility. |
2011-10-24 - Mind Change - Wastes Wastes: regret, wishing, worry. Be smart. Don’t use time for any of these: No regret – accept forgiveness. No wishing – bloom where you are planted. No worry – trust God who is not perplexed at all. Matthew 6:27 - And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? |
2011-11-08 - Mind Change - Condemnation There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Are you perfect? No. Are you in Christ? Yes. Is he your Lord? Yes. Are you totally forgiven? Absolutely. Romans 8:1 - There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus |
2011-11-11 - Mind Change - Forgive Forgive as God has forgiven you. Forgiven quickly. Forgive completely. Realize nothing will hurt you like not forgiving others. Matthew 6:14-15 - Forgive others their sins Ephesians 4:31-32 - Forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you |
2011-11-19 - Getting Started (part I) The first few weeks of your new life as a disciple are crucial. Satan is angry because of his loss and God’s gain and he will make an effort to get you off-track as soon as possible. (Revelation 12:7-12) This study will help you get off to a fast start and help you have the right focus to stay close to God and keep the devil at a distance. Remember what has just happened
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2011-11-25 - Grace (part I) Sometimes, one of the most difficult truths to understand as a young disciple is grace. So much confusion exist in the religious world on this topic so it is critical that you have a correct, Biblical understanding of the this powerful truth. Obviously, God wants us to thoroughly enjoy the grace He has given us and will continue to give us as disciples. However, we must feel a responsibility to live for Him in response to His grace. Grace allowed you to be spared when you weren’t pursuing God
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2011-12-01 - Growing (part II) Take it upon yourself; don’t only rely on others
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2011-12-07 - Day 4 - Learning to Pray Luke 11:1-13
If you pray 10 minutes of each section, you will pray a powerful 40 minutes! Read the Psalms to learn how to really praise God. Philippians 4:6-7
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2011-12-08 - Day 5 - The Grace of God Romans 5:6-11
Application: Write down (and do) 3 things today that will show God how grateful you are to be saved! |
2012-01-13 - Genesis 20 - Abraham lies about Serah at GerarSummaryIn Gerar Abraham said, "Sarah is my sister." King Abimelech took her but God warned him in a dream. He restored Sarah to Abraham. ObservationsGenesis 20:3 - You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken Personal ApplicationI usually don't have an issue with knowing right from wrong. It is usually that I am not aware of what I am doing. I am either not paying attention or not focused. I need to watch my life closely so I will be righteous in God's eyes and so others can be saved because of it [1 Timothy 4:16]. |
2012-01-17 - Ministry - The Heart of Gratitude Luke 17:11-19, Psalms 100:4, 1 Thessalonians. 5:18 Jesus believed that if the heart of a man was healed and doing well, then that individual could really experience a complete healing from God. In Mark 2 the paralytic who was lowered through the roof by his friends in the middle of a crowded house for Jesus to heal did not hear the first words from the lips of Jesus, 'you are healed.' The first thing he heard was, "Your sins are forgiven." The obvious problem to everyone was his physical condition, yet Jesus saw the spiritual issues of the man's life and healed them first! The ten lepers came to Jesus and when he cleansed them only one came back, throwing himself at the feet of Jesus, overwhelmed with gratitude! Jesus wondered where the other nine were, but proclaimed to the man, "Your faith has made you well." Even though the other nine were cleansed of their leprosy, did they really 'get well?' The one who returned was made well-he was filled with gratitude! Many of us have been baptized, yet how many of us are filled with gratitude? Questions:
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2012-02-16 - Fear of Failure - God Will Give Us the Grace We Need to Succeed by Sean Kiluk, San Francisco Church of Christ 2 Corinthians 9:8 God will give us all the grace we need to be successful in whatever role he has put us in. He did not put us where we are to fail, but to rely on him for success. Our problems come when we value success and praise more than knowing God. God forgives us, and he loves us even though we fail or sin. His love is unconditional. We need to have confidence in God's grace in everything. We will fail at times, but God has enough grace to ensure a victory in the end. Decisions:
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2012-02-21 - Fear of Failure - God is Able, Part 1 by Del & Daurence Johnson - Region Leaders: San Francisco Church of Christ When I think about how many times that I have blown it or dropped important balls, it can be very depressing. So often I feel inadequate, incapable and fearful. This has made me prideful and unopen. Failure is never fatal when we have our eyes on God and not on our mistakes. God is perfect, I am not. God is pure, I am full of sin. God is righteous, I am jaded. Why not base our level of success on God and who he is rather than ourselves? 1) God is able to keep you from falling. Jude 24 When failure seems inevitable, it's probably because you are not looking to God. God wants us to learn from our experiences, not be perfect. 2) God is able to save completely. Hebrews 7:25 As I look at the sin in my life and how I keep repeating it, it can discourage me from believing I can be pleasing to God. This is why we need forgiveness. He is able to save completely. He can and will get me through. My challenge is to never quit on God or myself. 3) God is able to guard what you have entrusted to him. 2 Timothy 1:12 When we sacrifice day after day and year after year, we are investing ourselves in heavenly treasures. As Special Missions contribution quickly approaches again, we will have to reinvest ourselves into God's dream again. God is protecting and always will protect our lives and our dreams. He is faithful. Decisions:
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2012-02-22 - Fear of Failure - God is Able, Part 2 by Del & Daurence Johnson - Region Leaders: San Francisco Church of Christ Part of dealing with failure and sin is realizing that God is able. He can give us strength, and forgiveness to help us deal with our burdens. 1) God is able to do immeasurably more - Ephesians 3:14-21 God is able to do more than what my puny faith believes. So I have to ask for so much more and imagine even greater than I ever have. Make a list of your dreams that you desire. Pray through them. Test Him. See if the outcome doesn't blow your mind. 2) God is able to make all grace abound - 2 Corinthians 9:8 We need forgiveness to make up for how we purposely sabotage God's will for our life. Grace makes up for all our weaknesses and inadequacies.There are things God has done for us that we will never get the chance to thank Him for, because we don't even know what they are. For example, the times that we have hurt people, but they never said anything. Or times we could have hurt ourselves, but He guided us down a different road. God is the unknown soldier for every moment of our life. Our failures have become learning experiences that result in our maturity and people becoming stronger disciples. Don't short cut God's discipline and will for your life because you are consumed with you and not Him. Learn to pray. Learn to read your Bible. Learn to be open and build spiritual friendships that keep you believing and repenting. He is not finished with you yet, nor I. Decisions:
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2012-03-10 - Blessings In Christ (part VI) Continue studying through the blessing of Jesus: 26. We have a mansion in heaven - John 14:2 27. We are born again with a spiritual re-birth - John 3:3-6 28. We have received an anointing - 1 John 2:27 29. The Holy Spirit will live with us now and forever - John 14:16 30. We've been sealed by the Holy spirit unto the day of redemption - Ephesians 4:30 31. Our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19 32. We are forever forgiven - Luke 7:48 |
2012-10-13 - Prayer of the Righeous - Arms Wide Open (part III) The older son a problem with his brother's return and his father's warm welcome The father pleaded with him - Luke 15:28 He refused to call him brother but instead "this son of yours" - Luke 15:30 It is difficult to pray when you are angry with God and you feel like he owes you something May feel God has not brought justice but Jesus promises to bring it but we need to persevere - Luke 18:7-8 Justice will come but not on our timetable When God's arms are wide open to us, we should not fold ours We can draw close to God with bitterness in our heart Reconcile with our brother BEFORE offering gifts to God - Matthew 5:23-24 Husbands treat your wives with respect so nothing will hinder your prayers - 1 Peter 3:7 If we can not throw our arms wide open for others around us, we are not being like God If we do not forgive, he can not forgive us - Matthew 6:15 |
2012-10-14 - Prayer of the Righeous - Carrying Me Parable of the Lost Sheep illustrates Jesus comfort he want to provide He carries his lamb close to his heart - Isaiah 40:11 God's journey toward us:
Arms of comfort At Lazarus' death, the angels tenderly bring him to God - Luke 16:19-22 A child who is not regularly cuddled is deeply damaged As a mother conforms her child, so I will comfort you - Isaiah 66:13 Sometimes we doubt and ours lives are frantic and full of activities and without the peace of God Mary and Martha - Martha was too busy with the details of life to spend time with Jesus - Luke 10 |
2013-06-25 - Why we need men of resolution (part II) Our relationship with our father is very telling as to why we are and who we are. “What does my dad really think about me?” Lots of fathers don’t realize their vital role. Many issues come from fathers having lost their sense of purpose. Society is guiding boys to remain boys as long as possible— extending childhood into their thirties—while forcing girls to become women long before they are ready. Millions of young men are staying single. They want the privileges and rewards of manhood but only the responsibilities and moral requirements of boys. God has a special place in His heart for two specific groups of people: fatherless children and widows. Dad have good intention but there many things working against them:
Devil will never stop attacking what God prioritizes. |
2013-06-27 - Why we need men of resolution (part IV) Our generation desperately needs courageous men to step up.
When strong men work together, they can accomplish amazing things. David armies came together to face enemies amid seemingly impossible odds. Remember one immovable, unconditional truth: we have a Father in heaven who is for us. We must lock shields with other men around us and refuse to allow one another to fail |
2013-08-27 - Hurtful Examples and Lies For some, hurtful things your father did and said to you over the years The question is whether or not you will allow it to hinder you or help you. We are to forgive like God forgives, completely - Ephesians 4:32 If you believe the same lies your father believed, you will also be bound by them. Truth doesn’t set you free if you only hear it and mentally understand it. Consider memorizing verses that stand against any lies you have believed. |
2013-09-06 - Consistency through Consecration Consecration, which means to clean something up and then dedicate it to God. Cleansing your life and home from any stumbling blocks or evil influences and then presenting yourself and your family into God’s hands. If there are influences in your home that dishonor God or are pulling you or your family members away from God, you should seriously consider removing them. King Hezekiah rose to the throne after the death of Ahaz,
There is nothing greater, more fulfilling, or more important than living with this goal in mind. |
2015-02-07 - Costly Revenge Then he stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him in revenge - 2 Samuel 3:27 Revenge cost both parties dearly Joab enjoyed success in the military - becoming the top general Joah lured Abner to the gate of Hebron and murdered him His revenge came at a steep price, David praise Abner and cursed Joab and his family - 2 Samuel 3:28-29 Joab lost an important part of himself, he planted seeds of his own destruction - 1 Kings 2:5-6 When someone does you wrong, make it your business to forgive and move on so you don't miss out on good things God has placed before you. |
2015-03-04 - Love Like a Man Love your wives like Christ loves the church - Ephesians 5:25-26 God created man to look after his wife, to love her perfectly Love as Jesus loved! Want to know how to love?
Jesus is our perfect example of love in action |
2015-03-18 - Overcoming Inadequacy ISAIAH It's over, I am doomed - Isaiah 6:4-5 Isaiah looked into the mirror of God's perfection and saw his own inadequacy starting back at him He knew he wasn't fit to serve God, much less stand in his presence God sent an angel and tocuhed his lips with coal and pronounced his guilt removed and sins forgiven - Isaiah 6:6-7 Isaiah changed and boldly called out, "Here I am. Send me" - Isaiah 6:8 |
2015-04-12 - Honest Examination Those who humbel themselves will be exalted - Luke 18:14 We need a regular spiritual checkups to assess our relationship with God Jesus told a story of self-righteous Pharisee who had no idea of his desparate spiritual sickness and the tax collector who, after some painful soul-searching found himself in desparate need of mercy and forgiveness True confession before God means being honest enough to admit who you really are and humble enough to understand you can never earn God's forgiveness |
2015-04-30 - Inner Conflict I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway - Romans 7:19 Paul found himself unable to always do what he knew was right. He was equally unable to always avoid doing what he knew was wrong Paul reveled his genuine conflict over his desire to obey God perfectly and his inability to do so What Paul wanted more than anything was to have vicotry over sin We are sinners who must daily tap into God's grace and forgiveness You will find consistent success in avoiding sin only as you walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit |
2015-06-16 - Restored Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind and he went away, weeping bitterly - Matthew 26:75 God offers forgiveness for even the worst of sins and the worst of sinners Peter learned this firsthand Theories abound as to why Judas' motivation for betraying Jesus, but for Peter it was clear, he was afraid Judas and Peter both:
Two remorseful sinners but only one turned back to the Lord |
2015-07-14 - The Road to Forgiveness I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus - Philemon 1:10 Philemon, an apparently wealth and influential believer, faced the same decision we face when some wrongs us Do we forgive and restore or we withhold forgiveness and let the relationship die? Onesimus had been Philemon's slave, stolen from Philemon, deserted him, and ran away The question wasn't wheather Philemon had been wronged but what he was going to do about it Understanding God's grace and forgiveness is the key to forgiving those who have hurt us |
2015-07-25 - Forgive and Forget Now it is time to forgive and comfort him - 2 Corinthians 2:7 Paul told the Corinthian Christians to forgive a man who had caused him and the church a lot of trouble God's purpose for discipline is to forgive and restore, not to condemn and reject Paul apparently shared these believers' sense of injury but he eagerly extended forgiveness and restoration to give the man some hope and encouragement Who in your life needs that kind of forgiveness and encouragement? |
2015-08-13 - He Got It He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west - Psalm 103:12 Men who follow Jesus Christ wholeheartedly often see more clearly how they have been forgiven David had plenty in his life for which he needed forgiveness He knew when he failed God, God's love would never fail him David did not choose his words randomly If get in a plane and head east and unlimited fuel you never stop heading east - endless love |
2015-08-20 - Balanced Approach You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing youe unfailing love - Micah 7:18 The Bible is largely a book about finding balance - between God's hattred for sin and his desire to completely forgive the sinner Micah understood this balance Challenges:
Opportunites:
Repentant hearers had hope for better things ahead Are there people in your life who need to see both sides of God's nature? |
2015-09-11 - Face the Music I am sending him back to you and with him comes my own heart - Philemon 1:12 Onesimus had dessert his master, Philemon, and headed home to find anonymity While there, he met Paul, who probably brought him to faith in Christ Now Onesimus made a tough decision: return back to his master despite his fears It would have been easier to stay in Rome but he knew that God wanted him to return to Philemon and make amends for his actions God always honors you when you go out of your way to seek another's forgiveness |
2015-10-10 - True Humility I am humble and gentle at heart - Matthew 11:29 The apostles could see how genuinely humblr and gentle Jesus was Humility came from freely leaving heaven to take on human flesh so he might save all who come to him in faith Jesus never struck back at those who did him harm but called on his Father to forgive them He could expect them to be huble ad gentle because that is what he was like Some men do not consider humility as a strong quality to follow Humility was a quality of the strongest man who ever live, Jesus Christ |
2015-10-22 - Glimpse of Jesus He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore fig tree beside the road where Jesus would pass by - Luke 19:4 Zacchaeus understood his wretched condition well He understood more than anyone how despartely he needed forgiveness Zacchaeus sensed he obtain forgiveness by making contact with Jesus Many of us would have given up and gone home but Zacchaeus found a way Jesus recongnized Zacchaeus' willingness and desparation and his life changed forever How uncomfortable are you willing to be to spend time with Jesus? |
2015-11-23 - Forgiveness Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing - Luke 23:34 Jesus always did something first before before commanding his disciples to do something This included loving those who hated and persecuted him - Luke 6 Jesus went to the cross willingly and obediently without calling thousands of angels to destory the earth He even did the more unthinkable - he asked the Father to forgive his excutioners Who in your life seems eager to do you harm? Are you willing to forgive them as Jesus did?
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2019-10-10 - Love Through Forgiveness Jesus' love was boundless, foreign to his being He expected others to not have boundries on their love either When Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness and how many times to forgive, Peter suggested seven (twice as many as most liberal rabbis) Jesus blew Peter's mind and said to not set limits. There are no boundries in love. Love is not a calculation, Mathmatics is foreign to affection Jesus knew the blessedness of forgiving heart He himself was always forgiving without grudges, retaliations, revenges His heart was the most discerning that ever existed. He hated sin like no one else but loved the people like no one else No better example: on the cross with so much pain and through his love his heart was to love and forgive. |
2024-01-15 - Intro (part IV) Included in the greatest commandment is: love the Lord with all of your MIND Belief is both a matter of faith but also of will Sometimes we just want things to be true - this could be said for both Christian (something to rely on) and non-believer (changes in life required) There is a difference between proving and accepting Christianity The point of open mindedness is to find the truth when it comes along; God has given us enough evidence to see him without comprising our faith or our free will |