2009-03-04 - Promises of God - Forgiving Others By the time we are old enough to understand, we have hurt and been hurt so many times - we need forgiveness and so do others The definition of a dysfunctional relationship: the inability to solve conflict and forgive Hugh obstacle: We can not truely forgive until we have experienced forgiveness Once we are forgiven, we are obligated to forgive others - Matthew 18 Our sins against each other pale in comparison to our sins against God |
2009-03-05 - Promises of God - Forgiving Ourselves When we accept God's forgiveness, we are compelled to forgive others including ourselves Some people spend years trying to figure out how to forgive themselves God has promised to forgive - let us experience forgiveness, rejoice in his forgiveness and express his forgiveness in all our relationships
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2009-03-13 - Promises of God - Faith vs Doubt Doubt: God has forgotten about you and does not care Faith: He knows the way you have served - Hebrews 6:10. He knows notices and cares when a sparrow falls - Matthew 10:29 Doubt: He remembers but he remembers others more than you; Doubt fills in the blanks and customizes to your hopes and desires. Faith: God shows no favoritism; He moves at different time for different people; He has given everything we need for life and godliness Doubt calls into question the faithfulness of God Faith tells us it is impossible for God to lie When Doubt comes calling, we must turn away Faith says yes to God's promises |
2009-04-25 - Why We Need Jesus - He Reconciles Us to God HE RECONCILES US TO GOD...
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2009-05-01 - No one like him - Differences from Jesus and the prophets (part 2) 4. Forgiving sins Prophets – God can forgive your sins5. Called himself “Son of Man” / Savior Prophets – God saves6. He is a judge Prophets – God judgesNo genuine prophet ever preached like this
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2009-05-03 - No one like him - His dependence on God (part 2) Jesus’ dependency on God: 1. Can not do anything by myself. – opposite is pride
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2009-05-04 - No one like him - His dependence on God (part 3) 4. I cannot draw people to myself on my own – I can not save anyone
“…God, is the one who glorifies me.” (John 8:54) Challenging to Jesus to be humble - tempted with being the preexisting Son of God Jesus understood he belonged to God – we should have this same understanding |
2009-05-23 - No one like him - Kingdom Attitudes (part 3) Those Who Hunger and Thirst We see our lostness, we see our need to be learners; pursues what comes from God Righteousness less about perfection, and more about the relationship The Merciful First four about relationship with God; Next have to do with our relationship with others in the light of God Matthew 18:23-27 - forgiven will love much |
2009-06-14 - A Life of Impact - The Call The Call Mark 1:16-18 …To purpose
… To Imitate Him
… To a mutual Commitment
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2009-06-19 - A Life of Impact - Opportunism Opportunism Mark 2:1-2
Commendation Mark 2:3-5
Forgiveness
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2009-07-02 - A Life of Impact - Reinvestment of Dividends Reinvestment of Dividends Mark 5:18-20
Tenderness Mark 5:21-34
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2009-08-12 - A Life of Impact - Unconditional Love Unconditional Love Mark 14:17-26
The Memorial
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2009-08-27 - Wild at Heart - Question that haunts every man (part 1) Men look in their hearts but they don’t discover something valiant and dangerous Find fear, lust, and anger "All men die, few men really ever live" Women - Many have given up hope for a true man. Real life of the average man seems a universe away from the desire of his heart
Why are men addicted to sports? - biggest adventure many will ever taste Careers? Same reason Trading stock – taste of excitement and risk Guys have been told to be responsible |
2009-09-17 - Wild at Heart - Healing the wound (part 3) Wound unfelt is wound unhealed Door may be your anger – perhaps from a girl, failure The way to God is stopping the false self It may a simple prayer – Jesus, take me into my wound Jesus never seems to heal the same way twice There are no formulas with God Insists on working personally Masculinity is bestowed by masculinity Healing never happens outside of intimacy with Christ It begins with surrender; until you have given yourself to him you will not have a real self …to set you free – What? Your heart So take him at his word – ask him in to heal all the broken places within you But you can’t do this at a distance I simply allow myself to say that the loss of my father mattered Important for us to grieve our wound Grieving we admit the truth, we hurt by someone we loved Few men are ever so vulnerable as to simply let themselves be loved by God Why don’t you just let God love you? The imitate union with Jesus and with his Father is the source of all healing and all our strength Unforgiveness and bitterness can wreck our lives and the lives of others – Ephesians 4:31, Hebrews 12:15 Forgiveness is setting a prisoner free and then discovering the prisoner was you. |
2009-09-18 - Wild at Heart - Healing the wound (part 4) Forgiveness is a choice Do not wait for the feeling of wanting to forgive because it will not come Not “It didn’t matter” and “I probably reserved it” “It was wrong, it mattered, and I release you” Masculinity is passed from father to son Adam, Abraham, Jacob, David leaned who they were out of their intimacy with God the Father New heart and put a new spirit in you - Romans 8:1 What God sees when he see you is the real you, the true you, the man he had in mind when he made you You must ask God what he thinks of you, and you must stay with the question until you have an answer Last thing the Evil One wants you to |
2009-09-19 - Wild at Heart - Healing the wound (part 5) Until we are broken, our life will be self-centered, self-reliant, our strength will be our own. So long as you think you are really something in and of yourself, what will you need God for? Think of the poser you know – are they the kind of man you would call 2am, when life is collapsing around you? Where a man’s wound is, that is where his genius will be. Because the wound was given in the place of your true strength Out of your brokenness that you discover what you have to offer the community When we begin to offer not merely our gifts but our true selves, that is when we become powerful That is when we are ready for battle |
2009-10-01 - One Another - Members of one another We belong to each other Romans 12:4-5 - many members but just one body Each member belongs to all the others Role in the body is determined:
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2009-10-22 - Repentance - What Happened (part 1) What ever happened to repentance? Millions claim Jesus as their Savior, but neglect to make him Lord – want forgiveness without repentance Most spend a considerable amount of time of pondering change While we pursue change, we demand change on our own terms Examples – self-help, self-improvement Today’s seekers of Christianity – “shopping” for a church Do we truly love if we neglect to call the unrepentant to repentance? In an effort to “accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative” we have treated sin and repentance as the embarrassing uncle Why am I an uncommitted believer?
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2009-11-07 - Repentance - The Cross Compels Our Hearts World is graceless, performance orientated
Sin + Forgiveness = Love Accurate assessment of debt
Questions
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2009-11-11 - Repentance - Worldly Sorrow (part 1) Sorrow does not equal repentance Nothing is more tragic than losing your eternal reward through popular yet readily avoidable errors Two great misconceptions Confusion that sorrow is repentance Humble prayers and our sorrow pleases God – still not repentance World Sorrow is neither Godly Sorrow Nor repentance Worldly sorrow brings death Five signs of world sorrow (pride) 1. Damage Control
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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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2009-11-23 - Master Plan - Selection (part 2)
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2009-11-27 - Master Plan - Foundation of Follow-up
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2009-12-05 - Master Plan - Jesus gave himself away (part 1)
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2009-12-15 - Master Plan - Reproduction (part 2)
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2009-12-28 - First the Kingdom - At Ease Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace - Psalms 37:11 Meekness is strength under the control of God Being meek is being at ease before God and man One looks outside himself for the power of life Totally open with God, God will work in all things for his good To be meek is not to be afraid... 1. Is at ease with God Someone who worries and has anxiety reduces them to practical atheists A child is at ease with their father/mother (in most cases) I have stilled and quieted my soul; child with mother is my soul within me - Psalms 131:2 2. Is at ease with himself Jesus knew exactly what authority he had been he had been given by God - John 13:3 3. Is at ease with others Neither inferior nor superior No longer deceived by pride, he is free to learn from anyone At ease with God and himself - has nothing to prove and nothing to fear |
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 |
2010-01-21 - Kingdom First - Handle Prayerfully (part 3) Lord's Prayer: A brief overview:
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2010-01-26 - Kingdom First - Self Titled But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given you - Matthew 6:33 Kingdom First:
The kingdom consists of people who volunteer in a battle between good and evil |
2010-01-29 - Kingdom First - So Much More God wants to bless us - Matthew 7:7-11 NOT: Why are things so bad? OR Why me? We need to ask God to help us answer the right questions:
Why don't we ask God?
Has God given you "bread" only to have you call it a "stone"? |
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 |
2010-02-07 - First the Kingdom - One-Lane Road (part 2) When have been given a second chance to walk the narrow road Finding the narrow does not guarantee we will go through the final gate Must make daily decisions:
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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 |
2010-02-27 - One Another - One Another In Groups (part 1) Small groups were in the center of Jesus' ministry - spent much of his time with the 12 Principles of small groups Focus on belonging and being devoted - Romans 12:5 All belong to one another - members of one another These who have been united with Christ - this is your spiritual family Be a giver, not just a taker Always need great listeners (not just being quite) - ask questions, draw people out Do your part to make the group warm, loving, supportive, open, etc "I'm not getting much out from this group" - check your heart and actions Appreciate, affirm, and encourage the different gifts - 1 Corinthians 12 God has given our brothers and sisters for our enjoyment Give special focus to those who may feel marginalized by illness/disability |
2010-04-25 - Heart of Friendship (part 1) Preached by John Lusk (2005-01-23) Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Christ is the key to having true friendships Friendship with Christ John 15:14-15
Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus yoke is easy and he will give you rest Hebrews 4:15-16 - Jesus understands and have been in your situation 2 Peter 1:3 - He given everything we need in life |
2010-04-28 - Heart of Maturity (Motivation of Maturing) Preached by John Lusk (2005-01-30) How passionate are you about maturing?
Motivation of Maturing 1. To regain your identify Genesis 1:26-27
2. To remian in Jesus 1 John 2:3-4 - This is a expectation from God 3. To be effective and productive 2 Peter 1:4-8
4. Secure salvation 2 Peter 1:8-11 - We have been given a new start Wrong motivation - Pleasing people, selfish ambition |
2010-05-19 - Desire's Journey - An Invitation to Desire Christianity is not an invitation to become a moral person or a program to get us into a reforming society Christianity begins with an invitation to desire What does Jesus choose to talk about with the women at the well? All you who are thirsty, come to the waters - Isaiah 55:1-2 No wonder Jesus was feared. He came along and started appealing to desire To the lost - Jesus spoke of finding your way Again and again Jesus took them back to their desires What is it that you want? - Would have fallen on deaf ear if his message was unrelateable |
2010-06-04 - Desire's Journey - Misplaced Hope In this world, you will have trouble Why aren't we encouraged by this? Desire can not live without hope. Hope in what? We try to create heaven here |
2010-06-06 - Take the test (part 1) By Curt Simmons in 2002 Test TimeTests are given in many of life's situations:
Deuteronomy 8:1-2 - what is really in your heart? Judges 2:20-FF
1 Peter 1:3-6
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2010-06-14 - I need to pray (part 1) Preached on 2002-08-25 by Vince Hawkins Ephesians 3:14-21
God overwhelms the mindGenesis 41:40 - overwhelmed Joseph with the position that was given to him 1 Kings 10:7-8 - Sheba was overwhelmed by Solomon's wealth and wisdom 1 Corinthians 2:9 - He will overwhelm you by his love Ephesians 3:20 - more than we can ask or image
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2010-06-20 - Building the temple (part 1) Preached by Damon Pabts on 2002-03-03 1 Chronicles 28:9-10
Building Yourself1 Chronicles 29:1-4
Give everything to build1 Chronicles 29:2-4
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2010-06-22 - Amazing Grace - how fearful the sound Preached on 2003-11-13 There is nothing we can do or not do to change it Psalms 103:8 - Grace is not a new concept for God Luke 9:51-56 - the disciples struggled with grace What fears do we have about grace? 1. Grace - produces lazy Christians We cannot control the freedom of others Acts 4:33 - much grace given and produced committed disciples 2. Grace - produces sinful Christians Grace exposes our hearts and gives us the responsibility to respond Romans 5:15-19 - Regulations is not grace - Grace is a mature concept What has grace produced in you? 3. Grace - produces weak convictions John 6:28-29 - Must believe - Belief is a work you must do Luke 13:2-9 - Repent or perish - Level of repentance and faith may be different for each person but baptism is the same for all. |
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 |
2010-07-04 - Desire's Journey - The Grand Affair (part 1) To know and to be known. It is our deepest ache. Love makes us to crazy things for love. No union on earth like the consummation of love between a man and woman Becoming one - this is what God is seeking with us Bible is the greatest romance ever written |
2010-07-13 - Desire's Journey - The Adventure Begins (part 5) Creation awaits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed - Romans 8:19 The kingdom of God prepared for you since the creation of the world - Matthew 25:31-34 He will put the faithful and wise servant in charge of all his possessions - Matthew 24:47 They will reign forever and ever - Revelation 22:5 We will take the position for which we have uniquely made and will rule with him Much of the activity of God in our lives brings us to the place where we can be entrusted To each their own Each person will live out the passion of their heart - given by God The kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it - Revelation 21:24 Hard to believe that we can add anything to the splendor of God That is exactly what we are designed for and what our future involves |
2010-07-18 - Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 5) We can learn many things about the journey of desire in the story of Jesus' wilderness trial 1. He was hungry - Matthew 4:1-4
Satan: You don't have to stay hungry, you have options The lie is that the options will bring us what we most deeply want and need Evey idol is an impostor - not true life When on a marathon - and are given a beer It is cold (we desire cold) but we know we really need cold water for our thirst Junk food does not have the nutrition we need When we have been working out, working hard in the field, we know what we want Knowing full well what our heart's real thirst is, we will have looked the imposer in the face and laughed as Jesus did |
2010-08-04 - Waking Dead - Arm Yourselves (part 1) What are God's intentions toward me? What is it I've come to believe? Heard that God cares and has some glowing promises given to us in Scripture The glory of God is man fully alive Jesus says he came to give life I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full - John 10:10 Whoever believes in me - streams of living water will flow from within him - John 7:38 Life is all over the scriptures: You have made known to me the path of life - Psalms 16:11 In him was life and that life was the light of men - John 1:4 Come to me to have life - John 5:40 Tell the people the full message of this new life - Acts 5:20 |
2010-08-21 - Waking Dead - Last Adam Paul refers to Jesus as the Last Adam and the Second Man - 1 Corinthians 15:45-47 Adam and Eve were rulers over all creation and glorious image bearers of God Their choices would forever shape our lives - chose to disobey the one command they were given Fruit does not fall far from the tree Parents often wonder where their toddler learn how to be disobedient It was taught to them - it is inherent to human nature Through one man disobedience - many were made sinners - Romans 5:12 A man comes down from heaven, slips into the world unnoticed as:
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2010-08-31 - Waking Dead - Our Story (part 1) Our life is a story We need someone to walk with us God has given us the Counselor - the Spirit of truth - John 14:16-17 We need someone that makes thing clear and true Not just an annual checkup but all the time The purpose of the Christian life is that our hearts might be restored and set free That is what Jesus came to do All sorts of damage has been done to your heart
Even our laughter is out of heartache - Proverbs 14:13 We are told to trust in the Lord (Proverb 3:5) - it is second nature to worry We are told to love one another deeply (1 Peter 1:22) - that is very rare The answers lie deeply in our heart The heart of a man is deep waters, but a man of understanding draws him out - Proverbs 20:5 |
2010-09-01 - Waking Dead - Our Story (part 2) The enemy is after us from the beginning Joseph stands out from his brothers Instead of celebrating his glory, his brothers want to destroy it The worst blows typically come from family David full of faith and courage when he sees that on one will take on Goliath His older cowardly brother is exposed by David's bravery Older brother - "I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is" - 1 Samuel 17:28 The worst blows come from those who know us well Even Jesus' brothers did not believe in him - John 7:5 His family came to bring him home because they think he has lost it - Luke 8:20 Sometimes the very thing that someone loves to do is the thing God has given them as a source of celebration We should check to see this is true before we turn it into shame How long will you turn my glory into shame - Psalms 4:2 What have you believed about your heart over the years? |
2010-09-07 - Waking Dead - Deep Restoration (part 4) We need time in the presence of the Lord - Pslam 86:11-12
We declare the authority of Jesus over our hearts - he made our hearts - Psalms 33:15 He has redeemed our hearts - Romans 2:29 Sometimes he will take us back to a memory, a time and place where a shattering blow was given Anytime someone says, "I feel like there's this part of me..." we need to listen - somewhere in the heart Hidden many times because of a false comfort |
2010-09-08 - Waking Dead - Deep Restoration (part 5) Our sin give the enemy a certain claim to our lives - Romans 6:16 As we renounce any sin, we also renounce any claim we've given to Satan in our lives This often comes in the form of "agreements" - Satan has suggested something to us and we have said yes.
As long as we have unhealed places in our hearts, it is next to impossible to live in freedom and victory No matter how much discipline we apply to it Our enemy knows them well and trying undermine us and uses it against us with a disabling effect |
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 |
2010-09-21 - Waking Dead - Fellowship of the Heart The first Christians were called "followers of the Way" - Acts 9:2 They found the Way of Life and had given themselves over to it:
A fellowship must protect you:
A family bound together in a single fate Each one has a role |
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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2010-10-12 - Dealing With Your Heart (Part I)
QUESTIONS
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2010-10-17 - Giving (Part III)
QUESTIONS
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2010-10-20 - Dealing With Debt (Part I)
PRACTICAL:
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2010-10-23 - Decisions
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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 |
2010-11-23 - Mission - Expectation of Christ Reading Luke 19:11-27 Parable of the 10 minas God has given us a lifetime of opportunities and blessing with the expectation that they would be utilized to the fullest Consider the most important goal of life according to Jesus - salvation for all It is the motivating force behind everything Christ did Even to the point of dying for it - Matthew 20:28 The gospel must first save me, but then through me, save others Capitalism and Communism does not give us the answers No philosophy or religion can meet the needs God wants to the world more than you do When God wants something accomplished, he can move mountains to do it He sacrificed his own Son for saving man Our God is wildly happy when someone is saved - Luke 15 If we claim to know God, then we most certainly will share with in his attitude |
2010-11-27 - Mission - All Nations The only event in history where all mankind gathers together is Judgment Day An expert in the law asked "What I do to inherit eternal life?" and "Who is my neighbor?" This expert had given his life to study of the scriptures Jesus illustrates the greatest commandment - one man helping another Does not talk about:
James 2:14-16 - Do you claim to have faith? It is never alone Food, clothing, a blanket shows that you have saving faith Christian who "share their faith" don't always "share their food" Sometimes we resemble the expert in the law who did not love their neighbor By focusing on helping the poor, many people seem to become more evangelistic Physical and spiritual needs are inseparable Jesus said, I was hungry, of need of clothes, sick. Did you help him? - Matthew 25:35-36 He takes it personally - Jesus grew up poor Doves were the sacrifice of the poor - Luke 2:24 |
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 |
2010-12-03 - Mission - First the Kingdom No one is ready to follow Jesus who is not ready to put the kingdom of God first above everything else in his life Take away the radicalness of the message and you take away the power of the message Compromise it and you have religion but not the church of Jesus Christ Every kingdom has a king God is the king of kings and the lord of lords - 2 Timothy 6:15 Jesus is known as both Lord and Christ, King and Savior - Acts 2:38 We are the servants, subjects, and even slaves of God - Romans 6:22 The centurion understood this authority - Luke 7:8 You will be given all the things you need when you seek first the kingdom - Matthew 6:33 Can you powerfully proclaim this message to others because it is so clearly your conviction? - Colossians 3:1-2 When making decisions, ask what is best for the kingdom. |
2010-12-08 - Mission - Cannot Help Proclaiming (part II) What else compelled Peter and John? 3. Having a spiritual perspective of the plan of God God orchestrated situations so people will find him - Acts 17:26-27 Satan can lull us to sleep with his lies If I miss this opportunity, maybe God will use someone else, they don't look interested They apostles felt the burden of salvation They were convicted that they were the only hope of salvation If they stopped, hope was gone We must have a heartfelt conviction that we are God's vehicles to reach a lost and desperate world 4. Must understand that Satan's victory/defeat is determined by our faithfulness to proclaim the word of God boldly We have two God-given weapons:
He wins every time we do not open our mouth - we must not be silent |
2010-12-10 - Mission - With You Always One of the last things Jesus said to assure his disciples, I am with you always - Matthew 28:20 Same message given to those who were:
Do you want to share because you will asked about it or because He will be with you? If we could truely grasp the significance of Jesus being with you - radically change the face of evangelism We are commanded to preach whether we want to or not - 1 Corinthians 9:17 Jesus reminded Paul that He was with him and that is all Paul needed When we find ourselves timid, we need to remind ourselves who is with us |
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, |
2011-02-14 - 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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