Quiet Times Search

• NT letter deal with relationships more than any other subject
• Carry each other's burden - burdens produced by sin
• Christians are to be involved to know what sin's others are struggling to overcome
• Helping your brother to overcome a sin is a fulfillment of the principle of Christ
• Jesus carried our burden - Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 Peter 2:24

Compassion

Mark 1:40-45

• He did not minister from a safe distance.
• We can have a powerful and lasting impact on someone else if we willing to go deep.
• There was no room left in Jesus for fear, disgust, or apprehension.
• His emotional state was righteous because he did not hesitate to reachout and touch the diseased man.
• How many of us reach out and pull back abruptly because of fear of personal rejection?

Humility

• Jesus foresaw His popular curtailing His ability to spread His word.
• People interested in personal glory don’t usually get very far in enlisting others in their cause.

Conciseness

Mark 2:27-28 - Direct statement, only a few words.

Boldness

Mark 3:1-6 - Exposed the evil intentions of their hearts

Anger

• Gave His would–be accusers every opportunity to see for themselves their error
• When they did not respond, Jesus became angry and deeply distressed.
• He expressed anger on the spot
• Some tried to stuff anger

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

Reinvestment of Dividends

Mark 5:18-20

• Jesus didn’t surround himself with people who owed him a great amount of debt.
• We viewed their gratitude to him to channeled to help others
• Few people are grateful for the Lord when He work powerfully, yet fewer accept their obligation to proclaim.

Tenderness

Mark 5:21-34

• The women was afraid that she had done an evil thing in touching Jesus’ clothes
• She had suffered from the effective treatments that the doctors had given her.
• Greek word for healed = saved.
• He didn’t babble but told the woman what she needed to hear.

Assertiveness

Mark 5:35-43

• He took charge of the situation and his surrounds
• Why have we not acted as Jesus did?

Fear Sensitivity

• Jesus didn’t say a word to those who doubted
• Assertiveness without sensitivity can be offensive and counterproductive

A Simple charge

• “Don’t be afraid, just believe”
• He didn’t burden him with lots of words
• Excessive amount of teaching may cloud the main issue

Privileging

• Peter, James, and John were closest to Jesus
• Jesus narrowed his focus to help the build leaders to their full potential.

Consideration

• A little consideration can go a long ways
• Ideas: buy someone lunch, remember people’s birthdays
• Be alert to meeting other people’s needs

Amazing Speech

Mark 6:1-6

Suspicions and fear can evaporate because of love and openness

1. Deep Conviction

• Listeners who put his words into practice were wise
• How convicted are you about what you’ll be saying?
• Think about what to say instead of how it will come across

2. Passion - If the speaker isn’t moved by the message, how can he expect it to move anyone else?

3. Integrity - Speaker must take plank out of their own eye before one can challenge other on the same topic

4. Person to person

• Speak at their level mean not “to talk down to” or “to talk up to” an audience.
• Apologizing without reason, belittles himself
• Jesus was above us, but he came down to our level

5. Inspirational

• Conservative and low-key he will have no impact
• We all want our lives to count for something

6. Practical

• Message must be practical and applicable
• He specifically addressed the sins in their lives
• He gave them direction, and at times He told them exactly what to do

7. Meet the Need - Out of touch with the needs on the audience can actually make things worst then they are.

Communicator

Mark 7:31-37

• Jesus did not use slang word that his audience could not understand.
• Jesus found a way to get to all types of people’s heart.
• His method was an overwhelming love for all people – communication that fit the individual

A standard of excellence

• Jesus never did a shoddy job.
• He never quiet halfway.

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.

• 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.

The Warning

Mark 13:1-37

• Life is a challenge and it is a adventure.
• Too often we want a fairytale ending.
• We will be tested to find what our position in our faith.

The Spark

Mark 14:1-2

• His words ignited people, both for and against him.
• By his words this one man could have started a riot, initiated a revolution, overthrown the rules and made himself king. But he chose to die.

• Leaving behind words that stir people’s hearts from generation to generation is one mark of a man or woman of impact
• Examples JFK, MLK, Abraham Lincoln

• He was completely composed and did not react to the false accusations of his accusers.
• He did not retaliate.
• He was ready to die
• One angel was reported to kill 185,000
• Jesus refused to summon them.
  

• A life of impact is the ability to make good come from a bad situation.
• Roman soldier – few hours of watching Jesus on the cross became a believer.

• Jesus had more of an impact dead then alive.
• Are we dead to ourselves?
  
• If any of Jesus’ rebukes had a particularly lasting impact on their lives, this was the one
• Disciples were probably convicted by just the sight of Jesus

• What would your last words be? – Say them today!!!! 
• “Repent and believe the good news.” – These were both the first and the last words from Jesus.

• Swords, camouflage, six-shooters, uniforms
• Boys want to be powerful and dangerous
• Aggression is part of man’s design – God’s image (Exodus 15:3)
• They do not want to call and talk about relationships
• Boys play is a rehearsal for a bigger drama
• Life needs man to be fierce and fiercely devoted
• Every man needs to know he is powerful – be the hero

• Fights the grizzly, wins the beauty
• Recipe for fun with boys – add an element of danger
• We may fear the test, yet we yearn to be tested and discover what it takes
• If a man has lost this desire (says he doesn’t want it) does not know he has what it takes – believe he will fail the test.

• Nothing more inspiring to a man as a beautiful women
• Make you want to charge the castle, slay the giant
• Men going to war carry a photo of their sweetheart in their wallet
• Paintings on side of airplanes
• Lonely men fight lonely battles
• Where would James Bond, Robin Hood, King Arthur, Indiana Jones be without their women
• Man needs a battle to fight, he needs someone to fight for (someone in particular – women he loves)

1. No battle to fight
   
2. No swords and castles
3. Without a great battle in which a man live and die - fierce part goes underground

• We doubt very much that we have and real strength to offer
•  If we did offer what we have it wouldn’t be good enough

• Career
• Belonging
• How well he plays sports
• Yes, even women

• What is my effect on you?
• What am I like to with?
• What don’t you feel free to bring up with me?

• How to study the Bible
• How to pray
• How to be more effective with sharing our faith
• Principles for overcoming temptation
• How to conduct godly relationships

• Not just or opinion - but from the Word
• Not just our experience - must be based on the teachings of Christ

1. To caution, advise or counsel against something
2. To reprove or scold in a goodwilled manner
3. To urge to a duty
4. Not to rebuke

• I did not cease to admonish each one with tears - Acts 20:31
• We proclaim Him, admonishing every man - Colossians 1:28
• Admonish one another - not just something for leaders - Romans 15:14
• Admonish the unruly - 1 Thessalonians 5:14

• someone in close relationship
• someone with credibility in the area of concern
• someone who is a person of humility
• some who is allowing the word of Christ richly dwell in them

1. not making the person receiving look bad
2. not making the person giving look good
3. not to give someone authority or superiority
4. not to force someone to do something they do not want to do
5. not to embarrass someone
6. not to keep people in line

• Maximus
• William Wallace
• Life of Joseph, husband of Mary – was heroism
  

• 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

• from French word, repentir – to feel regret for sins or crimes
• from Latin word, penitire – to regret

• “Change your life” – The message
• “Change your hearts and lives” – New Century Version
• “Turn away from your sins” – Good News Translation
• “Turn from your sins and turn to God” – New Living Translation
• “Reform…” – Young’s Literal Translation

• a complete change of attitude, spiritual and moral, toward God
• a change of mind
• to change one’s way of life
• to change one’s mind or purpose

• How did both John and Jesus begin their public ministry of preaching?
• What does the prefix meta- (from metanoia) mean? What other English words do you know that have meta- as a prefix?
• What does the root nous (from metanoia) mean? What other English words do you know that contain –noia?
• Have you ever considered your worldview? How has the Bible shaped it?
• Why is metanoia necessary for us to grasp the kingdom of God?
• How has the Latin idea of paenitentia influenced your understanding of repentance?
• Why is the author concerned with “repentance” as our English translation for metanoia?

• Should we expect a man so deep in repentance to spend a better part of the morning grieving for his transgressions?
• Scrooge facing in the right direction, forward

• German word for “the big picture”, seeing something differently even though all it parts remain the same
• Like repentance – don’t repent of a list of sins, we repent of the whole rather than the parts
• Tends to happen all at once, not in a series of small steps

• Return to God – Deuteronomy 30:2
• Worship other Gods and you will perish - Deuteronomy 30:17-18

• We can not change what we can not see
• When was the last time you said the words, “I am wrong”?
• Ask someone close, “Am I blinded in any way by pride?”
• It was through pride, that the devil became the devil
• It is the complete anti-God state of mind.
• Why is Jesus so tough on Spiritual Blindness? It prevents us from seeing the good news.

• Survey of modern sermons would be salvation
• Jesus’ preaching was about the kingdom of God

• 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

• Earnestness, carefulness, diligence, make every effort, haste
• Real Estate – earnest money – intent to buy
• Accounting – due diligence
• We good intentions but are they marked with diligence?

• Literally mean defense – not excuses or defensiveness
• Prodigal Son – “I have sinned against heaven and against you”

Literally means “same” – “homo” = word; “logos” = reasoning
Satan –

• “Go ahead and try…”
• “Now that you’ve sinned, you’re different.”
• “Now that you are in the darkness, you might as well…”

V9 – why have you despised the word of the lord?
V10 – you have despised me [God]
V12 – You did it secretly
V14 – You have utterly scorned the Lord

• Jesus required and expected obedience
• They were disciples, learners, pupils (“Christian”) did not even come until later - Acts 11:26
• Being smart was not a requirement for His students, but loyalty was.
• No statement of faith made at the beginning but they believed that he was the Messiah (Luke 1:41, 45, 49; 5:8)
• Jesus was obedient to His Word and expected others to do the same.
• People do not follow hypocrites – Jesus lived it
• Way of the Cross
  • Meant more than a joyful precession: it meant a surrender of one’ whole life and of His sovereignty.
  • God or Money - Luke 16:13
  • Do not conform to the world = new life - Matthew 5:1-7:29
  • Love was found in obedience (John 14:21)
  • Cross – willingness to die to self so that other may live
• Strong Teachings
  • Not many followed (many left) - John 6:66
  • Jesus did not go running after them to get them to stay
  • Must be willing to pay the price

• Love is the only way to win the free response of men
• Work of the Holy Spirit
  • Must be born again
  • Christ began His ministry by being baptized - John 3:3-9
  • Made clean through the Word and set apart to God for Holy Service - John 15:3
  • Only the Spirit can carry on the redemptive mission of evangelism
  • Jesus was God in revelation but the Spirit was God in operation
  • Evangelism was not a human undertaking but a divine project.
• With Him they felt that everything was possible
• The superhuman work to which they were called demanded superhuman help.
• Through confession of their deep-seated pride and enmity in utterly surrender of themselves to Christ
• It is not who we are but Who He us that makes the difference
• Only those who followed Jesus all the way came to know the glory of this experience
• Jesus was deliberately investing all He had in these few men so that they could be properly prepared to do His work.
• We cannot give something away which we do not possess ourselves.
• The very ability to give to give away our life in Christ is proof of its possession.

• 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

• Jesus built into the disciples the structure of the church; Mustard seed - Matthew 13:32
• Jesus’ vision was for the church to be world-wide
• The church would have many trials and battles but would never be overcome - Matthew 16:18
• Peter finally realized what was going on - Matthew 16:18
• Must see the direct relation:
  • Bearing witness to Christ
  • Ultimate Victory over the world
• If the disciples did not evangelize, there would not be any Christians today.
• “Through the Word” – Others would believe in Him too. - John 17:20
• We must do what Jesus – He made disciples, we should walk as Jesus walked
• He taught His disciples to reproduce
• He had no other plan

1. Not owning any property
2. So poor that you had to beg

• Be honest; Be vulnerable when it is not easy
• Server when it is not convenient
• Forgive when treated unfarily

• Two-year olds
• nervous people
• lazy-minded
• superficial people
• self-conscious people

• Confidence
• At peace
• Clear-minded
• Alert
• Deep and Focused

• Jesus fasted for forty days - Matthew 4:2
  • Jesus did not eat but apparently did drink
• Paul for 3 days - Acts 9:9
• Ezra did not eat or drink - Ezra 10:6
• Daniel ate no choice food (meat or wine) for three weeks - Daniel 10:3
• Leaders in Antioch fasted before their mission - Acts 13:3
• Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Daniel (Daniel 10:3) while receiving the word of God

1. Becoming inwardly focused, see only our problems
2. Trying to help other straighten out their lives without being open to the same help ourselves

The spiritual walk can be mind field surrounded by trees

Testing of Trees

By their fruit you will recognize them - Matthew 7:16, 20
Not by words by their actions - by what they produce
It is a combination of actions and attitude
What comes out our mouths is what overflow of our hearts - Matthew 12:34
Content of our hearts determines our actions - Mark 7:17-23

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

• There should be content to our encouragement - should not be empty talk
• Paul used words about the Second Coming of Jesus - words to help them live with Jesus' return in mind
• Our words need an emotional appeal based on specific biblical content

• Encouragement should move us to maturity
• Often combined with strengthening, building up or edification
• Growth in:
  • Our relationship with God
  • Interactions in the body
  • Our purity
  • Our discipline
  • Our prayer life
  • Our knowledge of the Word
  • Our Outreach
  • Our character

• NIV = spur on
• KJV = provoke
• CSB - promote
• NASB - stimulate

1. Stirring up, provoking - only used here in the NT
2. irritation, sharp disagreement - only Acts 15:39
3. Attack of high fever - not in NT

1. Sudden violent outburst
2. Fit of violent action or emotion
3. A severe medically attack

• Pray for their needs and let them know that you are
• Share scripture that you believe will be relevant
• When they share struggles - ask them about it consistently
• Do not be afraid to give someone a bold challenge

Jesus Christ is Lord
Everyone who lived will say these four words - Philippians 2:9-11

Whoever disowns Jesus before men, he will disown him - Matthew 10:32-33

No one comes to the Father except through Jesus - John 14:6

Give up for God = Gain
Lose for God = FInd
Bow before God now = stand

Bow when:

• You naturally want to be selfish
• You want your needs meet
• You doubt his love

Each disciple must decide that he or she lives among other "for their sake" - 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Although is righteousness that is not our own becomes laziness, we show we have the grace of God - Philippians 3:12-16

Despite all that Paul went through and has done - he pressed on
Greek word, dicoko = used in both hunting and foot racing

There is certainly a time to remember what we have done - 2 Thessalonians 2:5
But there is also a time to forget

Paul did not cling to the fact that he planted a lot of churches
He purposely "forgot", so he would not see himself as arriving

Paul was looking forward to the next thing God had in store for him
All who are mature, should think this way

The way to take it higher is to hold on to what you have already grasped and then reach for more

• Listening to Christ everyday
• Holding on to his faith in the fiery trails
• Slowly and painfully

• pure - not mixed with anything else - in thought, word or deed?
• peace-loving - never to be soft on sin and not follow ways of violence
• considerate - do we really put others first?
• submissive - "obedient, compliant", open to persuasion
• full of mercy and good - God is looking for changes and results
• impartial - not taking the side of the unjust
• sincere - "unhypocritical"

• Am I tempted to miss church meetings?
• Do I work overtime without a thought?
• Do I cheat on my contribution?
• Do I pretend to be more devoted that I am?
• Do I take a second look at .....?
• Do I grow sleepy during sermons?
• Is there anything in the world that has a stronger grip on my heart, soul and strength than God, his word, or his will?

• The prophets - Suffered because they were opposed by the religious
• Job - Maintained his integrity despite not understanding why he was suffering
  

Friendship in Christ

Galatians 3:26-29

• We are all in Christ
• There is no different: race, martial status, money you make, area you live in

Friendship like Christ

John 13:34-35 - You must love one another like Christ (even when you do not want to)

Matthew 26:50 - First word Jesus said to Judas as he was betraying him was "Friend, ..."

Revelation 3:19 - Jesus corrected those he loved (We must correct those we love)

Friendship for Christ

Ephesians 5:21

• Our motivation for submitting to each other - reverence for Christ
• How can we tolerate others? our reverence for Christ

Friendship through Christ

Philippians 4:13 - We can do anything with our friend, Jesus Christ

Methods of Maturing

Self-Training with the Word

Hebrews 5:11-14 - Constant use of the word - for direction, correction, and guidance

With each other

Colossians 1:28-29

• It is our responsibility to grow
• We need small groups, large groups, and one another times

Imiatating others

1 Corinthians 4:14-17

• Follow the qualities in people which are best examples of Christ
• Collectively the best qualities show an example of Christ

Perservering in trials

James 1:2-4

• Whenever (that means anytime) the testing of your faith comes
• Consider it a pure joy - Many Trials
• Perservering is where you mature

• v20 - I have not hesitated to preach
• v21 - Declared that everyone must turn to God in repentance
• v23 - Faced hardships
• v24 - Meant everything to testify to the "gospel of grace"
• v26, 27 - I am innocent of the blood of all men

• Because he proclaimed the whole will of God
• Did not hesitate
• Ezekiel 33:6 - But suppose the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people. Then the sword comes and takes one of their lives. He is swept away for his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for that person's death.

Learn from the results

1 Peter 2:13-18

• How do you handle with those who are leading you?
• God sets those in your life

1 Peter 3:1-9

• Win without words
• What do you do when you disagree with others?

• Others will test you
• ALL will be tested

Cause with fighting for

John 18:36

• Who have you been fighting?
  • The battle isn't the person in front of you
• If we are not fighting for our faith then something is wrong.

2 Timothy 4:7

• Fight for your faith:
  • Fight for Quiet Times
  • Fight for Reaching Out
  • Fight for Purity
  • Fight for Self Discipline

2 Corinthians 10:4-6

• Not with machine guns or cannons
• Fighting through prayer and studying the Word
  • Destroys arguments

To overthrow Satan in your life...You must first be a Zealot of God.

Preached by Damon Pabts on 2002-03-03

1 Chronicles 28:9-10

• Serve him wholehearted
  • Not just serve but with all of your heart
  • Be strong = command, not an idea

Building Yourself

1 Chronicles 29:1-4

• 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 - we are the temple
• If you do not know where you are
  • Are you in the Word?
  • Daily diet - not once a week

Give everything to build

1 Chronicles 29:2-4

• Have given up everything?!?
• It is not any different now!
  • Remember:
    • Door knowing
    • Street Preaching
• Where are people with the heart to build to God's temple?
• Have you turned to other Gods?
  • House
  • Kids
  • Car
• Have you dethrowned God?

Spring reminds us that life can return to the dead
The return of spring brings such a relief and joy and anticipation
Might spring and summer may be nature way of expressing Jesus was trying to tell us?
Nature God's word to us also - Romans 1:20

Our ideas of heaven are sometimes not very desirable
Many Christians have some idea that heaven is an never-ending church service
And then our hearts sink
Forever and ever? That is it?

We sigh and feel guilty that is we are not more "spritual"
We then turn to the present to find what life we can
We can only hope for what we desire

Scripture tells us that God has set eternity in our hearts - Ecclesiastes 3:11
Where is out hearts? In our desires.

To know and to be known. It is our deepest ache.
Our bodies are an outward sign of an inward reality

Love makes us to crazy things for love. No union on earth like the consummation of love between a man and woman
Lovers reach for the stars to find words fitting enough to express what the beloved means to them - to a clue to a deeper reality

Becoming one - this is what God is seeking with us
Gender, sexually and marriage server as a lving metaphor
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother ... and the two will become one flesh... I am talking about Christ and the church - Ephesians 5:31-32
The cross is a great mystery - but in context of sacrifing animal - it became clear what they had been doing and what Christ was doing

Bible is the greatest romance ever written
God has given us the highest freedom of all - the freedom to reject him
Love is possible only when it is freely chosen

On that day, Jesus appears and announces himself as the Bridegroom - Matthew 9:15

Jesus makes his proposal: I will prepare a place for you - John 14:2-3
Culture of the day - these very words would be used by a young man to his fiancee
He would return to his father's house and build the additonal room to be the bride suite

We have become betrothed to the Bidegroom
The bride belongs to the bridegroom - John 3:29
We are in the time of waiting for the Bridegroom to return

The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing - Augustine