2008-05-25 - Purpose Driven Life - Made to Last Forever This life is preparation for the next - realizing this will help you live differently
God has planted eternity in the human heart - Ecclesiastes 3:11 <strong>The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appearsstrong> The most damging aspect of contemporary living is short-term thinking This world is not our home - Hebrews 13:14 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-05-26 - Purpose Driven Life - Seeing Life from God's View How do you see your life? What images come to mind? Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind <strong>Life on earth is a Teststrong> Trials, temptations, refining, and testing occurs over 200x in the Bible Success:
Your realize that nothing is insignificant, tested by:
God wants you to pass - James 1:2-3 <strong>Life on earth is a Truststrong> God loans you the earth, we never really own anything Want to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant" God uses finances: As a test (in good times) and a trust (hard times) | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-05-27 - Purpose Driven Life - Life is a Temporary Assignment Life is a temporary assignment It is descriped as a mist, a fast runner, a breath, a wisp of smoke Compared to eternity, life is extremely brief <strong>With this understanding. worries lost their grip on our livesstrong> In order to keep us from getting too attached God allows us to feel much discontentment and dissatisfaction in life
Some would consider them foolish and lost everything but they gained everything - God and heaven In heaven we will ask ourselves:
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2008-05-29 - Purpose Driven Life - Planned for God's Pleasure You are planned for God's pleasure He chose to create you for his enjoyment Bringing enjoyment to God is the first purpose in life He considers valuable enough to keep you for eternity with him <strong>Bringing pleasure to God is called worshipstrong> Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship to God Worship is a universal urge - if not worshiping God, it will be something Worship is not for your benefit, not "I got a lot out of it" <strong>Worship is far more than musicstrong> Worship music is not limited to a particular style of music - nothing to do with volume or speed of the song Style of the music says more about you than it does God <strong>Worship is not a part of your life, it is your lifestrong> Every activity can be transformed into an act of worship Whether you drink or eat or whatever... do it all for the glory of God- 1 Corinthians 10:31 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-01 - Purpose Driven Life - The Heart of Worship (Part 1) Surrender is an unpopular word, implies losing Heart of a true worshiper of God is surrender Three barriers to 100% surrender are: fear, pride, and confusion <strong>Can we trust God?strong> Trust is essential, you can not surrender to God if you do not trust him Fear keeps us from surrendering - God is love and love us deeply and casts out all fear God is willing to have his son die for us - Romans 5:8 <strong> Admitting our limitationsstrong> The oldest temptation is want to be like God - Genesis 3:5 That desire wants complete control We want to be taller, smarter, anger, stronger, more talent, more beauty, and wealthier. When faced with our limitations we react with irritation, anger, and resentment. | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-02 - Purpose Driven Life - The Heart of Worship (Part 2) <strong>What it means to surrenderstrong> Surrendering is not for cowards It is not repressing your personality Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience. To say "no, Lord"- can not call Jesus your Lord To trust God means doing without knowing where, when, how, or why Most difficult area to surrender is money Retirement is not a goal of a surrendered life Surrender is hard work - Warfare against our self-centered nature <strong>The blessing of surrenderstrong> Blessings of surrender
Everyone surrenders to someone or something You are free to choose but not free from the consequences Nothing else works - All other approaches lead to frustration Must make it a daily habit (maybe more than 50 times a day) May be inconvenient, unpopular, costly, or seem impossible | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-03 - Purpose Driven Life - Best Friends with God God wants to be your friend God's ideal relationship - Adam and Eve (no rituals, ceremonies, or religion) Moses, Abraham, David, Job, Enoch, and Noah had intimate relationships with God Most in the OT had just the fear of God You are not longer servants but friends - John 15:15 <strong>Through constant conversationsstrong> Make it a habit to have daily devotion time but it more than just that God wants to be included in every activity in your life (Some think you have to get away) Key to the friendship is not changing what you do but your attitude toward what you do Pray all the time - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray as often as possible Help me trust you You are here with me I'm depending on you You are my God How awesome you are! Pray as often as possible Your goal is not a feeling but an awareness of the reality that God is always present <strong>Through continual meditationstrong> Thing about His Word throughout your day - who God is, What he has done, and what he has said Meditation is simply focused thinking - Worry is a form of meditation Friends share secrets God told his secrets to Abraham, Daniel, Paul, his disciples, and others friends When you read your Bible or hear a sermon - develop a practice of review the truth in your mind | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-04 - Purpose Driven Life - Developing Your Friendship with God You are as close as you choose to be to God Must work to develop your friendship <strong>Must choose to be honeststrong> ...about your faults and feelings No one in the Bible was perfect:
We may harbor resentment toward God He wants you to hold back nothing about how you feel <strong>Choose to obeystrong> John 15:14 - You are my friends if you do what I command We are not equals - We obey obey God because we love him True friendship isn't passive; it acts "Great things for God" - Great things come once in a lifetime; small things come everyday <strong> Must choose to value what God valuesstrong> What does God value the most? His lost children Must desire a friendship with God more than anything Longing, yearning, thirsting, hungering - that was David Nothing matters more NO: What is it worth to you? NO: What cost is too much? Problems are wake-up calls for you come back to him | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-05 - Purpose Driven Life - Worship That Pleases God God wants all of you All of your soul, mind, heart, strength <strong>God is pleased when...strong> <strong>...our worship is accuratestrong>
<strong>...our worship is thoughtfulstrong>
<strong>... our worship is practicalstrong>
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2008-06-06 - Purpose Driven Life - When God Seems Distant Easy to worship God when things are going great God matures relationship by times of separation - Job, David, Jesus God promises to never leave you or forsake you Sin separates - Friendships are tested by separation and silence Sometimes distance from God is not because of sin - feelings may be off It is not a feeling, God will remove your dependence of feelings <strong>Tell God how you feelstrong> God can handle your doubt, fear, anger, grief, confusion, and questions Remember: God is unchanging: Job praised God in these ways:
His promises do not change despite circumstances Remember what God has already done for you Even if God will not do anything else for you (very unlikely) He gave his son | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-08 - Purpose Driven Life - What Matters Most Life is all about love Most important lesson he wants you to learn on earth is how to love (have a lifetime to learn) Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task - runs counter to our self-centered nature God trains us by giving us "family responsibilities" Love cannot be learned in isolation You have to be around people - irritating, imperfect, frustrating <strong>Life without love is really worthlessstrong> - 1 Corinthians 13:3 God says relationships are what life is all about
Love God and Love People - 2 greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40) Busyness is a great enemy of relationships <strong>Love will last foreverstrong> How you treat other people will be the most enduring impact you can leave on earth Final moments - we want people to surround us We will be evaluated on our love Spiritual maturity is measured by the quality of our relationships To love Jesus is to love his family by providing for their needs | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-10 - Purpose Driven Life - A Place to Belong You are called to belong Relationship with Christ is personal but not private Your organs are connected to other organs to fulfill a purpose Organ severed from the body will shrivel and die Christ loved the church and gave his life for it - Ephesians 5:25 Church is Christ's bride Can't say to Christ "I love you but I do not love your wife Why you need a Church Family? <strong>1. Identifies you as a genuine believerstrong> <strong>2. Move you out of self-centered isolationstrong> Lab for practicing unselfishness Learn to care about others If one part suffers, all suffer - 1 Corinthians 12:16 We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers - 1 John 3:16 <strong>3. Helps develop spiritual musclestrong> Isolation breeds deceitfulness <strong>4. Body Needs youstrong> <strong>5. Share in Christ's mission - He works through usstrong> <strong>6. Church family will help you from backslidingstrong> "Mind your own business" - not a Christian phrase It is your responsibility to help those who need help Difference between a church attender and a church member is commitment | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-13 - Purpose Driven Life - Restoring Broken Fellowship Relationships are always worth restoring God has given us the ministry of restoring God gave everything (his son) for restoring relationships Does not mean avoiding conflict or appeasement <strong>Talk to God before talking to the personstrong> God may change your heart or their hear - James 4:1-2 Tell God your frustrations Most conflict is rooted in unmet needs; some needs can only be meet by God <strong>Always take the initiativestrong> God expects you to make the first move - Matthew 5:23-24 Abandon your offering at the alter and go make things right first Acting quickly reduces the spiritual damage Bitterness is only hurting yourself <strong>Sympathize with their feelingsstrong> Use your ears more than your mouth - Philippians 2:4 Focus on feelings and not facts Start with sympathy, not solutions <strong>Confess your part of the conflictstrong> Ask "Am I the problem?" - Matthew 7:5 The way you handle a conflict creates a bigger hurt <strong>Attack the problem, not the personstrong> How you say it is important as what you say Cold War - country decided on weapons that should never be used <strong>Cooperate as much as possiblestrong> - Romans 12:18 Sometime it cost our pride, self-centerness Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution Reconciliation focuses on the relationship Takes a lot of effort to restore a relationship | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-14 - Purpose Driven Life - Protecting Your Church It is your job to protect the unity of the church Supreme model for unity is the Trinity Jesus' final moment was thinking and praying about the church's unity Make every effort to keep the unity - Ephesians 4:3 <strong>Focus on what we have in commonstrong> We share the same life, salvation, and same future Conflict - focused on "disputable matters" <strong>Be realistic in your expectationsstrong> People become disillusioned with church Should not be surprised - made up of sinners, including ourselves - 1 Corinthians 1:10 Reconciliation - not running away - road to stronger character and deeper fellowship If the church must be perfect to satisfy you, that same perfection will exclude you <strong>Choose to encourage rather than criticizestrong> It is always easier to stand on the sidelines than get involved Judge another believer:
Satan is the accuser of our brothers Other Christians are not the real enemy Any time spent for comparing and criticizing should be used for building others up <strong>Refuse to listen to gossipstrong> People who gossip to you will also gossip about you Great wounds usually come from other sheep, not wolves <strong>Practice God's method for conflict resolutionstrong> Go to the person you are having issues with - Matthew 18 Takes a man of courage to speak the truth in love <strong>Support your pastor and leadersstrong> - Hebrews 13:17 No perfect leaders They are accountable but so are you You will give an account on how you obeyed your leaders | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-15 - Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ You are created to become like Christ Jesus' mission is restore the full image that we have lost God's ultimate goal for your life on earth in not comfort but character development If we forget this, you will become frustrated by your circumstances You exist for God's purpose, not vice versa Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives - Philippians 2:13 <strong>We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit's workstrong> Obedience unlocks God's power God waits for you to act first Make every effort - Luke 13:24; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:15 Ephesians 4:22-24 - Responsibilities in belonging like Christ:
God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us
Being like Christ is a long, slow process of growth - You are a work in progress | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-16 - Purpose Driven Life - How We Grow God wants you to grow up - some grow older but never grow up (Ephesians 4:14-15) Nothing shapes your life than the commitments you make <strong>God's part and your partstrong> Our part is to: Continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling - Philippians 2:12-13 Our role = "work out" salvation (grow - in a body workout we have our body but we make it better) <strong>Changing your autopilotstrong> Becareful what you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts - Proverbs 4:23 Going on a diet, exercising does not work if you do not change your thinking - "I am going on a diet" The way you think determines the way you feel - which influences how you act - Ephesians 4:23 Babies by nature are completely selfish It is not the amount of biblical information and doctrine you know | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-17 - Purpose Driven Life - Transformed by Truth The truth transforms us Spiritual growth is the process of replacing lies with truth Everything around you exists because "God said so" <strong>Must accept the Bible's authoritystrong>
Unrealiable authorities (at the Garden of Eden as well):
<strong>Must assimilate its truthstrong> Allow yourself to be transformed by the truth
<strong>Must apply it principlesstrong>
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2008-06-20 - Purpose Driven Life - Defeating Temptation There is always a way out <strong>Refocus attention on something elsestrong> By resisting, you actually reinforce it <strong>Reveal your struggle to a gold friend or support groupstrong> If you fall, a friend can help you up - Eccelesiastes 4:9-10 <strong>Resist the Devilstrong> He will flee when you resist - James 4:7 <strong>Realize your vulnerabilitiesstrong> The heart is deceitful above all things- Jeremiah 17:9 Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations, avoid them - Proverbs 14:16 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-21 - Purpose Driven Life - Overcoming Temptation <strong>Refuse to be intimidatedstrong> You will never outgrow temptation Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you Paul says, "WHEN you are tempted..." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 Jesus was tempted, but never sinned - Hebrews 4:15 The closer you grown to God, the more Satan will try to tempt you <strong>Recognize your pattern of temptation strong> Know what exactly what trips you up - Stay alert, Satan waits til you are napping - Matthew 26:41
Plan carefully what you do... - Proverbs 4:26-27 <strong>Request God's Helpstrong> Call on God in times of trouble - Psalms 50:15 Jesus is sympathetic; he understands our weakness - Hebrews 4:15 We can be embarrassed to ask God for help after failing over and over again, but let us have confidence when approaching - Hebrews 4:16 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-22 - Purpose Driven Life - It Takes Time There are no shortcuts to maturity - it takes us years to mature physically While we worry about fast we, God is concern how strong We arrive to spiritual maturity when have gained the fullness of Christ - Ephesians 4:13 Why does it take so long to learn?
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2008-06-23 - Purpose Driven Life - Dont Get In A Hurry <strong>Believe God is working in your lifestrong> - Expect gradual improvement <strong>Keep a notebook or journal of lessons learnedstrong>
There are many examples where God goes through the process of maturing It took over eighty years to mature Moses Don't try to get out of anything prematurely - James 1:4 <strong>Don't get discouragedstrong> Things God plans don't always happen right away, just be patient - Habakkuk 2:3 A delay is not denial from God | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-24 - Purpose Driven Life - Accepting Your Assignment You were put on earth to make a contribution Not what we get out of life, it what you give <strong>You were created to server Godstrong> God created us for a life of good deeds - Ephesians 2:10 Set apart for a special work - Jeremiah 1:5 <strong>You were saved to server Godstrong> Saved us and chose us for his holy work - 2 Timothy 1:9 We are not saved by service but you are saved for service Offer yourself as living sacrifices to God - Romans 12:1 Our love for each other proves we have gone from death to life - 1 John 3:14 A saved heart is one that wants to server He leaves us here to fulfill his purpose | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-25 - Purpose Driven Life - The Call and Commands to Serve <strong>You are called to serve Godstrong> It is full-time position A "non-serving Christian" is a contradiction in terms You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God - 1 Peter 2:9 <strong>You are commanded to serve Godstrong> For Christians, service is not an option Spiritual maturity is never an end in itself Maturity is for service, we grow up in order to give out Impression with expression cause depression Study without service leas to spiritual stagnation Galilee lake full of life - takes in water but also gives out Dead sea - takes in but the is no outflow Not who is going to meet my needs -> Whose needs should I meet? | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-27 - Purpose Driven Life - Shaped for Serving God Before God created you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth You were made for a specific ministry. Created in Christ to do good works - Ephesians 2:10 God does not make junk God never wastes anything - he did not give you talents and gifts unless he intended for you to use them for his glory God shapes us: <strong>Sstrong>piritual Gifts <strong>Hstrong>eart <strong>Astrong>bilities <strong>Pstrong>ersonality <strong>Estrong>xperience We will look at spiritual gifts and heart today: <strong> SHAPE: Spiritual Giftsstrong> He alone decides which gift each person should have - 1 Corinthians 12:11 If you had them all, you would not need others; teaches us to love and depend on each other Given gifts for the benefit of others Gift given as a means of helping the entire church - 1 Corinthians 12:7 Two gift problems:
Heart = desires, hopes, interest, ambition, dreams, and passion Heart reflects the person - Proverbs 27:19 You may have interest that no one else has - from God Don't ignore your interest; consider how they might be used by God Serve the Lord with all of your heart - Deuteronomy 11:13 How do you know if you are serving the Lord with all of your heart?
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2008-06-28 - Purpose Driven Life - Applying Your Abilities We are all have abilities that God has given us To build the Tabernacle, God engaged all kinds of craftsmanship - Exodus 31:3-5 <strong>All of our abilities come from Godstrong> God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well - Romans 12:6 Can not say, "I don't have any abilities to offer"
Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God - 1 Corinthians 10:31 Remember the Lord your God; he give the ability to produce wealth - Deuteronomy 8:18 <strong>What I am able to do, God wants me to dostrong> God equips you will you need for doing well - Hebrews 13:21 Seriously examine what you are good at doing and do it God will never ask to something you have no talent for Abilities are not just to make a living, but also for service for him Be sure to use our abilities to help each other - 1 Peter 4:10 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-06-30 - Purpose Driven Life - Using What God Gave You <strong>Begin by assessing your gifts and talentsstrong> Take a long honest look at what you are good at Experiment with different areas of service <strong>Consider your heart and personality Examine your experiences and extract lessons you have learned Remember today what you have learned about the Lord - Deuteronomy 11:2 Were rarely see God's good purpose - John 13:7 Run with patience the particular race that God has set before us - Hebrews 12:1 Satan can steal our joy by:
Avoid comparisons, resist exaggerations, and seek only God's commendations - 1 Corinthians 10:12-18
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2008-07-01 - Purpose Driven Life - Real Servants (part 1) We server God by serving others How can you know if you have the heart of Jesus? <strong>Real Servants make themselves available to servestrong> Like a soldier, always by for duty - 2 Timothy 2:4
<strong>Real servants pay attention to needsstrong> Always looking out for ways to help others <strong>Real servants do their best with what they havestrong> Servant never make excuses, procratinate, wait for better circumstances | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-02 - Purpose Driven Life - Real Servants (part 2) <strong>Real servants do every task with equal dedicationstrong> Whatever you do, do it with all your heart - Colossians 3:23
Small taks often show a big heart <strong>Real servants are faithful to their ministrystrong> Servants finish tasks, fullfill their responsibilities, and complete their commitments <strong>Real Servants maintain a low profilestrong> Put on the apron of humility, to serve one another - 1 Peter 5:5 Servants are content with quietly serving in the shadows Be confident that nothing you do for God is a waste of time or effort - 1 Corinthians 15:58 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-03 - Purpose Driven Life - Thinking Like a Servant (part 1) Service starts in the mind <strong>Servants think more about others than about themselvesstrong> Not thinking less of ourselves, thinking of ourselves less Self-denial is the core of servanthood <strong>Servants think like stewards, not ownersstrong> Remember the God owns it all
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2008-07-04 - Purpose Driven Life - Thinking Like a Servant (part 2) <strong>Servants think about their work, not what others are doingstrong> They do not compare, criticize, or compete with other servants; same goal and same team If you serve like Jesus, expect to be criticized <strong>Servants base their identity in Christstrong> They are loved and accepted by grace, servants don't have to prove their worth Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear; want others to serve them instead <strong>Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligationstrong> Serve the Lord with gladness - Psalms 100:2 The only really happy people are those who have learned to serve | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-05 - Purpose Driven Life - Gods Power in My Weakness (part 1) God loves weak people and everyone has weaknesses We usually deny, defend, excuse, hide and resent weaknesses God wants to use our strengths and weaknesses - 1 Corinthians 1:27 <strong>Admit your weaknessesstrong> Might be a good idea to list them Two great confessions:
<strong>Be content with your weaknessesstrong> I am glad about my weaknesses, so the power of Christ may work - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Reasons to be content:
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2008-07-07 - Purpose Driven Life - Gods Power in My Weakness (part 3) <strong>Honestly share your weaknessesstrong> Paul modeled vulnerability:
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2008-07-08 - Purpose Driven Life - Gods Power in My Weakness (part 4) We are naturally drawn to humble people If people see your strengths but not your weakness, they can not relate
Decide wheather you want to impress people or influence people <strong>Glory in your weaknessstrong> When Satan points out your weakness, agree with him and praise Jesus - 2 Corinthians 12:5 "If you want to be blessed by God and use you greatly, you must learn to walk with a limp" - Joacb | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-09 - Purpose Driven Life - Made for a Mission (part 1) Your mission is both shared and specific Mission = Latin word for "sending" As the Father has sent me, I am sending you - John 20:21 Jesus understood he was on a mission:
We have been sent to speak for Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:20 Your mission is a continuation of Jesus' mission on earth <strong>He call us not only to come to him but go for himstrong> | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-10 - Purpose Driven Life - Made for a Mission (part 2) <strong>Your mission is a wonderful privilegestrong>
<strong>Telling others how they can have eternal is the best thing you can dostrong> If have the cure for AIDs, you would share it You just have to remember the hopeless you felt without Christ Your mission has eternal significance Impact the eternal destiny of other people Consequences will last for ever; consequences of your job will not All of us must quickly carry our tasks; all work comes to an end - John 9:4 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-11 - Purpose Driven Life - Made for a Mission (part 3) <strong>Your mission give your life meaningstrong> The nest use of your life is to spend it for something that outlast you. My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me - Acts 20:24 The is some people that only you can reach <strong>God's timetable is connected to the completion of our missionstrong> Some are focus on when Christ will come No one knows (or will know) the day or hour of the end - Matthew 24:36 It is not for us to know; it is up to us to witness - Acts 1:7-8 Jesus quickly switch the conversations from prophecy to evangelism Satan would rather have do anything besides sharing your faith Expect Satan to throw all kinds of diversion at you Anyone who lets themselves get distracted from God's plan is not fit for the Kingdom of God - Luke 9:62 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-16 - Purpose Driven Life - Becoming a World-Class Christian (part 2) <strong>Shift from self-centered thinking to other-centered thinkingstrong> Stop thinking like children (thinking like only of self), and like like mature people (grown ups) - 1 Corinthians 14:20 Most advertising encourages selfish thinking To make the paradigm switch to mature thinking - need to dependence of God God has given us his Spirit so we don't think like the world thinks - 1 Corinthians 2:12 <strong>Shift from local thinking to global thinkingstrong> God so loved the world... - John 3:16 God made all the nations and where they would be, so we would look for him - Acts 17:26-27 The world already thinks globally: business, competition, and news If you ask me, I will give you the nations - Psalms 2:8 What should we pray for?
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2008-07-17 - Purpose Driven Life - Becoming a World-Class Christian (part 3) <strong>Shift from "here and now" thinking to eternal thinkingstrong> Eternal thinking will keep us from majoring on minor issues We fix our eyes on what is unseen - 2 Corinthians 4:18 Deal sparingly on things the world trusts on you - 1 Corinthians 7:31 Let's strip off anything that holds us back - Hebrews 12:1 Invest in the future (in heaven) Store up treasure in heaven - Matthew 6:20-21 Real treasure in God in heaven and the friends we can bring with us - 1 Timothy 6:19 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-18 - Purpose Driven Life - Balancing Your Life (part 1) God 5 purposes for your life:
Churches do the same thing Habits to stay on track: <strong>Talk it through in a spiritual groupstrong> Helps you to internalize information Helps with accountability - Iron sharpens iron - Proverbs 27:17 Helps you put in the practice what you learned - Philippians 4:9 Helps encourage each other - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 <strong>Give yourself a regular checkupstrong> Test yourself - 2 Corinthians 13:5 Take a look at the way you are living - Lamentations 3:40 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-19 - Purpose Driven Life - Balancing Your Life (part 2) <strong>Write down your progress in a journalstrong> We remember what we record Writing helps clarify what God is doing in your life Moses kept a written record of their progress - Numbers 33:2 (NLT) Moses recorded the stages in their journey - Numbers 33:2 (NIV) Don't just record the good things David recorded his fears, doubts, and struggles with God Write down for the coming generations what the Lord has done - Psalms 56:8 <strong> Pass on what you know to othersstrong> He who blesses others is abundantly blessed - Proverbs 11:25 Paul told us spiritual things so we tell others - 2 Timothy 2:2 Knowledge increases responsibility - James 4:17 Teaching other followers = a good servant of Christ - 1 Timothy 4:6 We learn for God's glory and the growth of the kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-20 - Purpose Driven Life - Lifes 5 Greatest Questions
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2008-07-21 - 30 Days at the Cross - Unconditional Love Feels good to feel loved - insecurities come from not being sure or for some reason other than unconditional love In our worst shape, God demonstrated his love for us - Romans 5:8 Love you enough to have his son killed for you - while you (and me) were enemies of God If God loves us this much, we should as love this way - 1 John 4:11 Paul - Christ came to save sinners and I am the worst - 1 Timothy 1:15
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2008-07-22 - 30 Days at the Cross - Hating Sin We can feel pain because God feels pain Questions:
<strong>Amazing grace cost amazing painstrong> Don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? - James 4:4-5 How does God feel about:
Imagine that you can home from work and you found a dog that just kill your child We killed Jesus with our sin, how should we be treated?
Resist the devil and he will flee; Come near to God and he will near to you - James 4:7-10 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-24 - 30 Days at the Cross - Freedom of Forgiveness True forgiveness - made possible by God Jesus forgave when it was most difficult by: <strong>Facing the truthstrong> Jesus didn't expect life to be fair He expected God to be fair He accepted everything from God without question (in the end) Judas only received kindness from Jesus Taught forgiving your brother should be limitless - Luke 17:1-5 <strong>Feeling the painstrong> Jesus was totally honest with his feeling both God and man Greatest test was at the garden of Gethsemane <strong>Freeing his heartstrong> He trusted his Father and focused on him rather than on his own pain He yielded to God's sense of justice in the most unjust situation 1 Peter 2:23
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2008-07-27 - 30 Days at the Cross - Who Gets the Credit? How quick human nature is to accept credit for certain accomplishments I will not boast about myself, except my weaknesses (Paul) - 2 Corinthians 12:5 Why boast about our weaknesses?
Who would want the power of God? A person that truly boasts in the cross does not:
<strong>Jesus could keep a full record of your credits and debts - but do you want that? sin and all?strong> Are you trying to earn your salvation | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-07-29 - 30 Days at the Cross - Denial Without Regret self-denial - decision to consistently lay down our lives - not a popular topic Jesus' struggle in Gethsemane was fought and won in prayer - Matthew 26:36-46
<strong>Any limitation we put on self-denial will surely limit our usefulness to himstrong> | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-08-19 - 30 Days at the Cross - Prayer and Purpose Because of the cross we are able to pray Looking at Christ's humble<strong> submissionstrong> to the cross that we can learn we can learn how to pray Thank God for the incredible opportunity that we have to talk to him because of his grace He shows us the <strong>attitudestrong> we must have as we follow Christ in prayer - right <strong>perspectivestrong> on suffering After praying, he was able to face the mock trial, jeering, and the beatings Disciples, who failed to pray, fled and desperation - they were powerless Jesus purpose of praying was to make sure that we could be saved Our main purpose to pray is not complaining but for others | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-08-31 - Teach Us To Pray - Hungry and Thirsty (part 1) True prayer is a yearning for God In the Bible a hunger for God always ends in prayer <strong>God invites us to find satisfaction in Himstrong>
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2008-09-20 - Teach Us To Pray - Power for our weakness Weakness include:
<strong>Prayer is simply the key that unlocks the door to God's free reign in our livesstrong> He reigns whether we like it or not, but he will not take away our free will - we have to surrender it Getting rid of weakness is not the point - it to humbly submit yourself to God, depend on his power, and to rely on his strength | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-10-31 - Man of Prayer - Forgiveness Forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors - Matthew 6:12 Debt = opheilema = owning money to another Colossians 2:13-14 - written charge was canceled charge or code = cheirographon = charges drawn up against a convicted criminal Roman business world - debt had been paid - "tetelsthai" was written across the note - meaning "paid in full" Some word was used to when the punishment was executed on a list of chrages Every failure on our part to do God's will is a charge against us - a long document for most <strong>Jesus cried - it is finished (John 19:30) was actually the word "tetelsthai" = PAID IN FULLstrong> | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-11-07 - Man of Prayer - Deliverance from evil Literally - Deliverance from <strong>thestrong> evil or the evil one - Matthew 6:13 First law of spiritual warfare - Satan hates you and has a diabolical plan for your life Jesus has given us the authority in prayer for overcoming the schemes and attacks One of the greatest privileges and responcablities we have | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-11-22 - Raising Awesome Kids - Strength and Conviction (part 2) Jesus is strong - we should be too Challenges should not break us down into depression or despair If we fall, who will stand? God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline - 2 Timothy 1:7 Need to strong physically as well Get out and get some exercise - take some fat off Jesus was a carpenter, he walked every went Your child will be proud to bring their friends home to meet you Youthful energy from a older person is very impressive | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-11-25 - Raising Awesome Kids - Model of Masculinity In the image of God he created male and female - Genesis 1:27 Kids are extremely aware of the difference World is so mixed up - men want to be women; women wanting to be men Unnatural relations - Romans 1:24-27 The answer - the real thing will outshine the twisted Homosexuality is not natural No young boy was made that way by God A great relationship with a strong, affectionate father reduces to virtually zero Mama's boy or sissy:
Needs sense of approval If you are kind, strong and have a close relationship with your daughter, she will want to marry someone like you | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-12-01 - Raising Awesome Kids - Love Love is of first importance. All else is secondary. Above all we should have love - 1 Peter 4:8 Lack of love, we are nothing - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 We may lavish upon our children the finest things but if we do not make them feel loved, it is all to no avail If there is closeness and love between us and our kids, we have a place to stand and start for the battle of their hearts Build our families on love and our kids will be strong Kids are born with the capacity to love, but not all learn how | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-12-04 - Raising Awesome Kids - Love each one with your time <strong>Love each onestrong> We cannot play favorites with suffering the consequences It takes time - kids look at time we give them as the most direct expression of our love | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-12-24 - Raising Awesome Kids - Gods Training Plan (part 2) Deuteronomy 6:4-9 <strong>These Commandment (v. 6)strong> Bible is the underlaying basis for all training
Paul said of Timothy - from infancy you have know the holy scriptures - 2 Timothy 3:!5 <strong>Love the Lord your God (v. 5)strong> Training flows from a relationshop of love with the personal God | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-12-25 - Raising Awesome Kids - Gods Training Plan (part 3) <strong>These commandments... are to be upon your hearts (v. 6)strong> Should train from the heart level <strong>Impress them on your children (v. 7)strong> Training with the Scriptures must be done with great conviction, sincerity and earnestness <strong>Talk about them always (v. 7)strong> 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
2008-12-26 - Raising Awesome Kids - Specifics <strong>Characterstrong>
<strong>Beliefs and faith in Godstrong> - Trust God in prayer / stand for the truth <strong>Attitudes strong>
<strong>Values strong>- good morals - honesty and purity - if learned young - they will not abanon them <strong>Personality, demeanor, and mannersstrong>Train them to have a pleasant personality traits
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2008-12-29 - Raising Awesome Kids - Nurturing Confidence (part 2) <strong>Athletic prowessstrong> Very quickly, kids notice who is faster, stronger and more coorinated It is important for children to develop physically but they must not judge the worth of themselves <strong>Intelligencestrong> - good grades are of valuable but we must appreciate great effort even more <strong>Material possessionsstrong> - man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions - Luke 12:15 | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-01-02 - Raising Awesome Kids - How to Nuture Confidence (part 3) Teach them to appreciate and applaud the efforts and achievements of others
Be basically encouraging Be your children's biggest fan If you are fundamentally positive - when you give correction it will be received with thankfulness rather than discouragement Some say - 5 compliments to overcome one criticism Human nature flourishes on a diet of praise | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-02-04 - Jesus with People - Perceiving Potential John 1:42 Usually when you meet someone, you introduce yourself - Jesus knew Peter and changed his name!
Jesus looked at people differently than they look at themself
Jesus knew he would fail but he never gave up on Peter. What name might Jesus give you? | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-02-11 - Jesus with People - Heart Determined to Love Jesus' strongest and clearest denunciation of the Pharisees came in Matthew 23
His last and strongest words were spoken to wake them up He was trying to open their hearts and win them over to God | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-02-26 - Jesus with People - Doubtful Thomas Jesus was not going to stop until Thomas was back, until he had been given an opportunity to put his doubts to death Jesus was all what he said earlier, leave the 99 to look for that 1 - Luke 15:1-7 John 20:24-29 - not necessarily a rebuke, but a reminder When do you find yourself doubting God's love for you? Do you believe God still wants to purse a relationship with us even when we;re not that strong? | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-03-03 - Promises of God - Remember Your Sins No More Remember Your Sins No More - Hebrews 8:12 <strong>God wants to forgivestrong> <strong>God's nature is to forgivestrong> Psalms 103:
<strong>God doesn't need forgivenessstrong>
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2009-03-15 - Promises of God - Convictions from scriptures Satan furiously went after Jesus - Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus countered the enemy's temptations with Scripture The Word must deep into our hearts so we recall the scriptures when needed <strong> We rarely have the opportunity to open the Word when being temptedstrong> Not just "stop that" or "start doing this" Bring to mind specific scriptures Hearing ourselves quoting the appropriate scriptures, it brings conviction during the battle of sin | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-03-17 - Promises of God - Encouragement From Disciples Jesus overcame temptation by using scripture, prayer, and he called others for encouragement from others He deliberately sought out support and encouragement from his 3 closest friends We desperately need relationships for encouragement EVERY day - Hebrews 3:12-13 <strong>There is no excuse in an age of modern technology for getting in touchstrong> | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-03-18 - Promises of God - Produces a Harvest Hebrews 12:11 - Discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it Key ways to respond to God's discipline: <strong>Get Gratefulstrong> Probably the most difficult thing to do during hardships It is the very thing that will help us to learn the important lessons God is trying to teach us <strong>Hunger for Holinessstrong> Media bombards us with devices, books, etc to make our lives easier God disciplines us for our good, we may share in his holiness - Hebrews 12:10 He is willing to watch his precious children to go through temporary pain for them have eternal peace <strong>Trust the Trainerstrong> We must trust him as the perfect trainer Training = something rigorous that stretches the trainee emotionally or physically God's discipline is exact what we need and he promises it is always for our own good | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-03-25 - Promises of God - Rest in Gods Comfort Elijah's collapse and recovery - 1 Kings 19 After great victory with God, he fell into physical, emotional, and spiritual burn-out God used a powerful three step plan:
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2009-03-26 - Promises of God - Hearts at Peace God makes clear his offer of peace Does God promise pleasing circumstances to those who trust him? No Paul, from a prison cell, said the Philippians could "peace of God which transcends understanding" - Philippians 4:7 Peace came from trusting in God - Isaiah 26:3 Trust is essential Must imitate childlike humility - Matthew 18:3-4 <strong>Children are generally are at peacestrong> They do not worry about the mortgage, stock market, bills They are content to let mom and dad tackle those issues We have to believe that God is in charge and he knows what he is doing | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-04-04 - Promises of God - Prayers Real Purpose (part 2) Continued, a reminder of who God is: He can:
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2009-04-06 - Promises of God - Abrahams Faith By faith Abraham, called to place <strong>even throughstrong> he did not know where is was going - Hebrews 11:8 Obedience to God is the only thing that makes sense Ludicrous to think that our limited and mortal minds can out smart an omnipotent and omnipresent God We will never find the blessing of God if we constantly question the wisdom of God How do you feel about the word of obey? | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-05-21 - No one like him - Kingdom Attitudes (part 1) New Moses, on a different mountain Attitudes God does bless - free us to receive more blessing and generosity Attitude help us more clearly see what God is doing <strong>Poor in Spiritstrong> Poor or Beggar Luke 18:9-14 - Pharisee prayed to himself vs tax collector - in touch with his failures Our culture: think highly of yourself; never feel bad about yourself; do not think negatively; be nice We have the debt of sin | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-05-22 - No one like him - Kingdom Attitudes (part 2) <strong>Those who mournstrong> After seeing the impact and the hurt we have caused - Having godly sorrow - 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 Taking ownership <strong>The Meekstrong> No one wants to be meek Meekness - horse that has been broken Gentle, Humble, Teachable Defensive spirit gone We must remember we have been cleansed from our past sins - 2 Peter 1:9 "will inherited the earth" - will make the most of our lives on this earth | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-05-23 - No one like him - Kingdom Attitudes (part 3) <strong>Those Who Hunger and Thirststrong> 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 <strong>The Mercifulstrong> 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-05-24 - No one like him - Kingdom Attitudes (part 4) <strong>The Pure in Heartstrong> About genuineness and sincerity The grace can not from us alone Create in me a pure heart O God - Psalms 51:10 After being forgiving and giving we start seeing ourselves as good - must have pure motives <strong>The Peacemakersstrong> True peace only comes from God - Isaiah 11:1-9 No without the other attitudes <strong>The Persecutedstrong> If you live like this, people will not like you Ironically being a peace-maker will get you hated Jesus was the Prince of Peace Attitudes not natural; not to do but to be |