Quiet Times Search

First principle = first time obedience

Second principle = Parents never lose
They want to see their limits
Apologize when warrented but never give up in the battle of wills

Sometimes the whole issues comes down to the "mother of all battles"
Compromise is one the most devastating mistakes parent can make
When we do this, we sow the seeds of rebellion - Ephesians 6:4

If you have failed in this area:

1. Read about passages about obeying
2. Talk to them about obeying the first time
3. Explain this has not been the way but will be now
4. Pray together
5. From that time on be different

4. Temporary loss of possions or privileges

Talk about it with your spouse and come up with a deprivation of activity or possession plan
Most important aspect of this is thinking clearly through it and talking to your spouse before opening your mouth
Don't take away item on every offense - this diminishes the impact

5. Extra work or jobs to do

Clean up their mess, doing extra work to pay off something - creates a deeper sense of responsibility
Punishment is actually a form of restitution

These commandments... are to be upon your hearts (v. 6)

Should train from the heart level
in their minds and on their minds - Hebrews 10:16

Impress them on your children (v. 7)

Training with the Scriptures must be done with great conviction, sincerity and earnestness
If you want it to stick, you will need to give all you have

Talk about them always (v. 7)

Train consistantly - everywhere, anytime, anyplace

About teaching our children how to live life - not nagging about their misdeeds

Make it fun, doable, effective

Most training should be spontaneous

Never underestimate how many times we will have to say the same things over and over again

• Cain and Abel - murder by his own brother
• Jacob and his twin brother Esau - folly from their parents' favoritism
• Jacob's sons turning against their younger brother Joseph
• Family of David - torn apart by lust, rape, incest, murder

1. Respect
2. Openness
3. Fabric
4. Atmosphere

Luke 18:22-24
Wouldn't all Christians love to meet someone who comes across as this man does initially?

Most of us would say, "can we study the Bible?"
Jesus had a very different responce because he knew his heart

Sell everything and follow him = It's not what you do but who you are
For him to have a heart set fully on following Jesus - it meant a willingness to seel all
Following the exchange, it became clear - the man was out of touch with himself and God

Jesus did challenge him but he also loved him
He pointed the man to the narrow way
At the same time he drew him close want to give him strength, faith, and hope

Jesus does not get into a lengthy theological debate
He saw weaknesses the man had to deal with if he was going to enter the kingdom of God

Each of us lacks that "one thing" deep down that we must give up and following Jesus
Something we don't know what it is but God will reveal it - Hebrews 4:12-13

• Many people would have not stopped to chat
• Most would have averted eye contact
• Jews saw blindness as punishment for some sin - John 9:2
• Jesus saw an opportunity to heal and teach - so God might be displayed in his life - John 9:3
• Jesus acted but not predictably - felt something moist and hear go wash
• Blind man simply went - true blind obedience

• Simple honest - I was blind but now I see - John 9:25
• Childlike innocence - Do you want to become his disciples too? - John 9:27
• Boldness - John 9:27

Jesus opened his heart to his friends
It is why John knew Jesus was troubled during the night at the garden - John 13:21

Jesus completely bared his very soul to his three closest friends - Matthew 26:38
He did not retreat to be alone - drew John and others close to him

All the while knowing that they were unworthy of his trust and fell sleep when he needed them the most

Remember Your Sins No More - Hebrews 8:12

God wants to forgive
God has spent all of his time since man's fall working out our forgiveness - it cost him dearly

God's nature is to forgive
If God kept a record of sins, who could stand? - Psalms 130:3-4

Psalms 103:

• v3 - He forgives all
• v13-14 - He is compassionate and gracious
• v8 - He is slow to anger
• v9 - He doesn't hang on to his anger forever
• v10 - He does not treat us as our sins deserve

God doesn't need forgiveness
He commited no sin - 1 Peter 2:22
We are the ones who sinned - Romans 3:23
The most foolish thing in the world is to have this attitude toward God

When we accept God's forgiveness, we are compelled to forgive others including ourselves
Not forgiving ourselves is one of the most arrogant acts we can perform

Some people spend years trying to figure out how to forgive themselves
Until God forgives us, it is fruitless exercise 
We are not God - once God forgives, forgiving ourselves is a natural step

God has promised to forgive - let us experience forgiveness, rejoice in his forgiveness and express his forgiveness in all our relationships

Not like any other prophet, priest, or preacher

There were others that were close to him (Stalin…)

• Not only one to be called to preach - ...“so I can preach there also. That is why I have come” - Mark 1:38
• “Only in his hometown…is a prophet without honor” - Mark 6:1-5

• Born in a barn (Luke 2:4-7)
• Made himself nothing (Philippians 2:58)
• Did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:43-45)

• Career
• Car
• House

1. Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
2. Living Bread (John 6:51)
3. Great Physician (Matthew 9:12)

The Call

Mark 1:16-18

…To purpose

• Do not promise them forgiveness, salvation, excitement of watch miracles
• Called them to a life of purpose

… To Imitate Him

• We need to become what our people need to become
• He demonstrated a passion for purpose
• As the men spent time with Him, His men would share his purpose

… To a mutual Commitment

• Not I will do my best
• He committed himself to their ultimate success
• No one has unique struggles, although most of us think we do
• A man who has been deeply convicted of the selfishness in his own life can more easily detect selfishness in someone else
• If we do not give our people individual attention they will not feel valuable

Initiative

Mark 1:21

• Jesus was a self-starter
• How many great plans fail / talents wasted because of a lack of initiative.
• What are you pursuing most?

Authority

Mark 1:22-28

• Jesus allowed people decide for themselves whether they would obey him or not.
• Not authority structures can be chaotic and can be full of crippling bad attitudes and unresolved conflicts
• We can allow the misuse of authority by others to hinder or eliminate our proper use of it

Gentleness

Mark 1:29-34

• At times we need to raise our voices and push in order to get things done.
• At the same time using gentle tone and pitching in to help will accomplish far more good.

Fueling

Mark 1:35-39

• People who love sleep don’t usually change the world
• Jesus slept when he had the time
• Jesus was extremely eager to pray
• Most of us live with only a vague idea of purpose
• Our personal ministries – can be tempted to lose the fire, to settle down, and get comfortable
• We laugh and patronize at younger friends who are “idealist, zealots, and radicals

Opportunism

Mark 2:1-2

• Jesus was always ready to make the most of an opportunity because he was always eager to be productive.
• He did not dread his work and he didn’t procrastinate
• He was not content to merely existing.
• To Jesus, life itself was an opportunity, so every event in life was a “once in a lifetime opportunity”
• If today was your last day, would you be pleased with how you lived it?

Commendation

Mark 2:3-5

• Jesus notices and rewarded the aggressive faith of these men. He was not offended

Forgiveness

• The guilt of sin can have a crippling or debilitating effect on even our physical bodies
• Spiritual and physical health are linked together

Storyteller

Mark 4:1-12

• We can teach and communicate our ideas more effectively by using illustration
• Trinity – like water (solid, liquid, gas)
• Hidden meaning is intended to pique the attention of the curiosity of the listener

Chastening

Mark 4:13

• Sometimes there are stupid questions
• Some are too hard of people but most are too soft and unwilling to hurt people’s feelings

Dream Shared

Mark 4:26-32

• He did not hesitate to express his vision to those around him.
• Jesus confidence that the Father would keep his promises fostered faith in his followers

Choice words

Mark 4:33-34

• Did not teach over the listeners’ heads nor did he overwhelm them with information
• Those that were already committed to follow him – he explained everything
• The way we speak has almost as much impact as what we say.

Actions speak louder

• They assumed that he could not help and they wondered if he even cared
• Natural reaction would to rebuke the disciples than help – not Jesus

Hardline

Mark 8:34-9:1

• Attitudes generally do not float in isolation – whistling teapot principle
• Jesus chose the most challenging words spoken by any leader.
• Words used:
• "If anyone…"
  • "…he must…"
  • "…deny himself…"
  • "…take up his cross…"
  • "…whoever wants to save his life will lose it…"
• His primary concern was for their immortal souls. No wonder he had such impact!!

Affirmation

Mark 9:2-13

• People are encouraged when they realize that we are indeed in line with the expectations of our superiors.
• They will also be inspired when they understand that their support for us is essential for the overall success.

• He was furious about the fruitfulness of another “tree” that he had planted, watered, weeded, fertilized.
• Jesus cleared the temple at the beginning of His ministry and also here at the end of His of His ministry
• There was no fear of God.
  

• Jesus knew the right place and the right time the do the things needed.
• He was disciplined and self-controlled for just the right time.
  

• What made Jesus angry was the stubborn refusal of most to change.
• A willingness to change is a precious and seemingly rare behavioral characteristic.
• Become exceedingly insecure and defensive when we are awakened to the existence of personal deficiencies.
• We must also get angry about obstinacy in our own lives and other people’s lives.

• Why didn’t anyone try to stop Jesus as he was taking over the temple? (Only one person and many of them)
• They knew that they were in the wrong.
• Teachers of the law and chief priests feared Jesus
  
• If people consider you a “nice guy” and are not in awe of you, you probably won’t have much impact.

• Explained very practically how they could pray.
• A person can be effective at almost anything by simply mastering the basics.
• Answered prayer will only amaze those who are not themselves faithful in prayer.
• He taught them whatever they lacked; his teachings were very flexible.
  

• Forced them to choose between exposing their heart toward John or their unresponsive hearts toward the Word of God.
• How do you handle confident and aggressive people?
• How would you react to a public put down in front of friends and co-workers?
• Make a decision not to buckle when things get hot.
• Remember those over us (bosses, leaders) are only mere men and women.

Openness

• Most are either:
  • Stoics – feelings and burdens are locked away deep inside of them.
  • Cathartics – those who dump their feelings on anybody who will listen
• Jesus practiced complete openness without making others responsible for his feelings.
• Jesus leaned on his friends, but he did not dump on them.
• Premeditated openness is a key to fostering deep, meaningful relationships

Deliberation

• Too many of us would be unwilling to persevere through a long and difficult decision-making process.
• We must be willing to put in whatever effort is required to reach the best decision.

Where do we come from?

A man must know where he comes from and what he is made of both past and family fathers

Most men are trying not to be like their fathers

Who will they derive their sense of strength?

To men God is: Distant and weak (How they would describe their father)
Jesus has become – Mister Rogers with a beard
God – gives a reason and purpose to fight

Reminds us that life lived in fear is no life at all – all will die someday
Jesus = Mother Teresa or William Wallace? Both

• Shadach, Meshach, and Abednego
• Pharaoh and his army
• David and Goliath Gideon’s army 

• Prostitutes
• Fisherman
• Tax collector

• Perfectionism
• Nice guys - pushovers
• Violent
• Passive

• Where are those ideas coming from?
• Where are those feelings coming from?
• We are unaware of his schemes – 2 Corinthians 2:11
• We look for a psychological or a physical explanation for every trouble we meet

• We know in our guts that it won’t be good enough
• No matter how much you pour into her she will never be filled

• Refuse to give what they have
• Keep pouring and pouring until we feel like a failure

• Sermons are boring
• Members are unfriendly to visitors
• Wonder about the quality of the nursery care
• Church seems to more concerned about my wallet
• Music isn’t very upbeat

• meta = after, change, implies there was a before
• noia = denotes the faculty of physical and intellectual perception, then also the power to arrive at moral judgments

• Matrix – do you know what this is, Neo?
• Feeling we have all had – there is something wrong with the world
• Blue Pill – You wake up and you believe what you wan to the believe (Jewish leaders chose this one)
• Red Pill – you are only offered truth
• Without repentance, we will remain blinded
  • How could a kingdom transcend geographic boundaries?
  • How could a kingdom be within us?
  • What sort of kingdom has no capital, no government, no army, and no temple?
• Longed for a tangible kingdom rather than a spiritual kingdom

• Many Christians the kingdom of God as something the future holds
• Some wish to avoid the kingdom commitment here on earth
• Kingdom expect allegiance ahead of all others
• Any real government expects this type of loyalty

• King exerted seasonal influence
• Three levels of subjects:
  • Disciples – treated him a Lord
  • Christians – little bit naughty, gave mainly to friends and family, on rear occasions to the poor
  • Unbelievers – little bit naughty, did not believe, not Hitler or other really bad people
• Most indirectly believe in this theory of the world
• If I abandon this paradigm, I would have to admit I am wrong.

• Thought of Jesus as a Messianic Champion
• Thought Jesus would reveal himself in a fierce battle
• “You are the Christ!”
• All the right data
  • Witness the transfiguration – built shelters for Moses, Jesus, and Elijah – Jesus said Peter didn’t know what he was saying
  • Night of the betrayal – Peter said bring it on, he held on hope that 12 leagues of angels would come; drawn his sword to the guard
  • Peter joined the other disciples in Jerusalem – with “one mind” in prayer and purpose

• Many call press conferences to get there side of the story our first
• Once guilt is found, party than give a “heart-felt” apology – sorrow for getting caught
• Sin is destructive. It ruins relationships, reputation, peace of mind and personal integrity

• Some believe the abundance of tears is repentance
  • Forgiven women (forgiven)
  • Peter, Paul vs Cain (became angry)
  • Esau (wailed loudly)
  • Judas (deeply regretted)
• All three shed tear but not one repented
• Claiming to be a victim doesn’t make one a victim
• Tears can be self-affirming to one with self-pity (can become more sinful)
• Ones mostly likely to enable and least likely to help you

Means to show someone his sin and to summon him to repentance; bring light, expose set forth
More than just showing faults (easy)
Sets out to prove the offense to the blinded offender
Laodicean – I know your deeds, church became blinded
Exposing the church resented a gate to enter repentance

• To give repentance – Acts 5:30-31
• God granted repentance – Acts 11:11-18
• God will grant the repentance – 2 Timothy 2:24-26

1. What is the value of the gift of elegcho (pronounced “elencho”)?
2. What methods has the Holy Spirit used to convict you? Which has been most effective at producing repentance? Which methods have you most tried to avoid?
3. How have you tried to avoid reproof from fellow Christians?
4. According to Revelation 3:19, why does Jesus reprove us? What response does He desire from us?
5. How can a person dead in sin repent and believe?
6. How does God grant repentance?
7. Look back over the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus (see chapters 4 and 5); list examples of how they reproved their hearers in order to bring them to repentance.
8. Why is repentance impossible without God?

1. How can you make the same journey as David – from repulsive to repentant?
2. How does repentance differ between the lost turning to God and the saved re-turning to Him? How is it the same?
3. How do qualify for God’s love and grace (see page 201)?
4. If you have not yet repented, why are you without excuse before God?
5. What will specifically change in your life when you proclaim, “Jesus is Lord!”?
6. If you have repented, have you also been forgiven of your sins – if not, what are you waiting for (see Acts 22:16)?
7. What can make post-baptismal repentance more difficult than your initial repentance?
8. What role does shame play in obstructing your repentance?
9. What is fellowship in the light vs. fellowship in the darkness? Which have you most often experienced in your church?
10. Finally, to the “confused”: take time to consider and answer the questions on pages 207 and 208. How can you thwart Satan’s attempts to undermine your path to true repentance?
11. Who can you encourage today with the good news of your repentance?
12. Who can you reach for Jesus by “telling how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5: 19)?

• Disciples realized that they were responding to Jesus who was willing to give of Himself for them
• Examples of Jesus giving himself away
  • Gave away what the Father gave to Him - John 15:15
  • He gave them peace - John 16:33
  • He gave them despite pain and suffering - John 15:11
• Love is not love until it is given away
• Jesus – God gave away His most precious possession
• No greater love than to lay down our live for others
• Jesus impressed the deep compulsion of His eternal purpose
• It was clear that the Master considered no service too small or sacrifice too great.
• Jesus denied Himself many of the comforts and pleasure of the world and became a servant
• He continually gave His life “for their sakes”
• Disciples learned not in theory but in practice (painful and hard to accept)
• Jesus life was the measure by which they were to regard their own service.
  • To give freely as they had received – Matthew 10:8
  • Love one another as He loved them - John 13:34
  • Calvary love was the standard

• Instructions from Jesus
  • Preach the Kingdom of God - Luke 9:1
  • Heal the sick
  • Go to the most susceptive audience (house of Israel) - Matthew 10:5
  • Do not burden yourselves with lots of baggage - Matthew 10:9
  • Find worthy, friendly people - Matthew 10:11
  • If the town resisted, shake off feet as a testament to them (worst than Sodom and Gomorrah)
• Hardship expected
  • If Jesus received persecution, we will too - Matthew 10:32
  • We remember the Lord – W will be remember before the Father - Matthew 10:24
  • Sheep among wolves - Matthew 10:16
  • Act as wise as serpents and harmless as doves
• A diving gospel
  • No compromise with sin
  • Jesus came by the sword (Divided good from evil) - Matthew 10:34-35
• Two by two - Mark 6:7
  • Companionship and helping one another
  • In the spirit of togetherness

• Sending of the Seventy - Luke 10:1
  • Almost the same instructions - Luke 10:2-16
  • They would be forerunners (Luke 10:1)
• Post Resurrection
  • Peter: Feed my sheep - John 21:15-17
  • I send you - John 20:21
  • Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20
  • Repent and remission of sins - Luke 24:47-49
• Evangelism is not an option (Jesus was all about – heartbeat of why he lived)
• Tangible expression by those who are following the Savior
• He gave work assignments (made sure they carried them out)
• At first assignments started small, but grew gradually until the graduation (started the church that turned the world upside down)

The Greek word for encourage is "Parakaleo"

• It is used 28x in the gospels and acts
• Most frequent is the sense of "to beg" or "to plead" or "to comfort"
• Command form is translated "I urge you"- end of the first part of a letter or begging of the second section
• Depends on the speaker
  • Parent asking for healing for a sick child = to beg or plead
  • Leader addressing a group of disciples = to encourage

Greek Lexicon

1. To call to one's side; Come-on-we-can-do-this attitude
2. Appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage
3. Entreat, implore, comfort, and cheer up

Old French word encoragier = to put courage in

• Opportunity for the spirit to work
  
• Opportunity for iron to sharpen iron
• Opportunity for us to go to the cross and practice humility

• First converts - Lydia and her household
• The jailer and his house hold
• God using an earthquake to bring unlikely people into the kingdom of God - Acts 16:22

• His Pharisaic crust was broken
• His independence had melted
• He recognized and braced the true Lord

• He called his own sheep by name - John 10:3
• He laid down his life for them - John 10:11
• He knew his sheep - John 10:14

• He was circumcised the first day it was possible (eighth day)
• He was an Israelite
• He was from the tribe of Benjamin (most honored tribe of all)
• He was a Hebrew of Hebrews - carefully passed on Hebrew language to children

• He was extremely zealous - Galatians 1:14
• He vigorously opposed the church
• He was faultless in the eyes of others

It would be one thing to hear "rejoice always" from someone living with plenty but quite another from someone in a challenging situation - Philippians 4:4-5

There is something about being "in the Lord"
If someone is "in the Lord", there is always something bigger than our trials

Paul also had a deep conviction that whatever is one: The Lord Is Near
This is how men and women of God can be joyful and gentle in the most stressful times

God is monitoring their pain not allow more than we can bear and giving his strength
The Lord is near to all who call on him - Psalms 145:18
He is near in every situation we encounter

He is calling on them and us to rejoice always and to have a great attitude

• Who God is
• What God can do
• The changes he can make
  
• The victory he will most certainly achieve

• Revolution or comprise
• Retaliation or connivance
• Reaction or corruption

1. Love God wholeheartedly - Deuteronomy 6:5
2. Love your neighbor as yourself - Leviticus 19:18