Quiet Times Search

• People in your life
• Things that bring you joy
• Places that are dear to you

• Do not rush the field - Luke 14:31
• Train yourself to discern good from evil - Hebrews 5:14
• Live as through your life is at stake - Matthew 10:16

• Against "wisdom", the disciples were asked to go Saul, the one who used to murder Christians, and lay his hands on him - Acts 9:13-14
• Would you counsel a father to sacrifice his only child?
• Take on a fortified city by slashing your ranks from 32,000 to 300?
• Jesus to give himself up to the authorities and let himself get killed

• Peter was one of Jesus' best friends

• Went to see the Transfiguration (with James and John)
• He came along to see Christ raise Jarorus' daughter from the dead
• Jesus went to Peter in the garden of Gethsemane for strength (but failed)

• Guilt would have made it had to pray
• Made it more difficult to tell others about Jesus

1. God's Plan for Your Life - Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 3:13, 22; 2 Thessalonians 3:10
   1. It is God's will for us to work hard in order to earn the bread we eat.
   2. God wants us to find satisfaction in our work.
   3. If a person will not work, he cannot eat.
2. Responsibility of the Employee - Colossians 3:22-25; Ephesians 4:28; Acts 5:29
   1. Obedience: We are to be a disciple to our boss on the job. God expects us to obey our boss not just to win his favor, but out of reverence for Christ.
   2. Wholeheartedness: God expects us to put our whole heart into our work. As Christians, we should be the most sincere and hard-working employees on the job.
   3. Do not steal from your employer (e.g. receiving pay for work you did not do, taking supplies, submitting false or exaggerated expense reports).
   4. Obey God first. If asked to do something that is illegal, unethical, or sinful - obey God over men.

1. What do I need to repent of in relation to my job? Be specific.
2. Am I doing anything as a part of my job that is sinful or goes against my conscience?

• Just witnessed 5,000 people being feed
• They were looking for free food but in reality they had to work at it find it
• The bread they needed was to spend time to know about Jesus - the bread of life
• Are you searching for the right kind of bread?
• The search and hunger for God does not end when we are baptized, it only begins
  

• We need to find God like hidden treasure
• God does not change but our viewpoint changes
• Example - Engagement ring to a couple verse the a jewelery store owner

• Money, worries, wasted time choke out our hunger for him
• During the holidays this becomes a bigger issue

• They asked for a miracle but they had already forgotten about the miracle they just saw - feeding the 5,000
• The work is to believe - it takes work to believe
• NOT working to get salvation but we need to work at our salvation

• Some daring act of evangelism - although He did this almost daily
• Being baptized  - although it is commanded and can never be omitted

• Stepped of the boat, only to sink - Matthew 14:31
• Rebuked for his dullness - Matthew 15:15-16
• Rebuked Jesus and got the rebuke of a lifetime - Matthew 16:22-23
• Fell asleep when Jesus needed him most - Matthew 26:40
• Denied knowing Jesus three times and wept bitterly - Matthew 26:75

• "Too young"
• "Not good speakers"
• "Claimed weakness"
• "Claimed faithlessness"

• Peter: Do I know enough?
• John: Will I be loved?

• If you asked a person who is street smart or the person on Wall Street or just a person who watches a lot of TV, what is at the heart of the world’s wisdom about how to live?
  
  • “Look out for number one.”
    
  • “Get what you want.”
    
  • “Get the power, the pleasure, the control you want.”
    
  • “Get the money.”
    
  • “Protect yourself.”
    
  • “Guard your rights.”
    
  • “Maintain your independence.”
• And so what is at the center of man’s wisdom? Self! (See 2 Timothy 3:2)
  

• What is Jesus’ message? How is it the opposite of the world’s message?
  
  • Deny self– “disown” (Matthew 26:34). We renounce our old self, our old approach to life.
    
  • Take up the cross (instrument of death). Die to ourselves.
    
  • Follow Jesus. Make his life our model. Jesus life is a demonstration of his message.
    
• What does Jesus say will be the bottom line for those who “save their own lives”? For those who foolishly lose their lives for him?
  

• What is everything on the left side (world’s wisdom) called? Sin.
  
• What is everything on the right side (God’s wisdom) called? Love.
  
• How have you lived according the world’s wisdom?
  
• Have you ever made a decision to renounce it?
  
• Which side was Peter still on (though he was religious)?
  
• Which side are you on?

1. Grumbling servant - “I’ll serve, but I’m not going to like it.”
2. Complaining servant - “Why do they always ask me to serve”
3. Proud servant - “I serve more than anyone and deserve recognition”

• Asked Questions - Luke 2:46
• Bled - John 19:34
• Buried - Matthew 27:59-60
• Died - Matthew 27:50; 1 Corinthians 15:3
• Experienced Joy - Hebrews 12:2; Luke 10:21
• Grew - Luke 2:40
• Had a human body - Matthew 26:12
• Had a human parents - Luke 1:31; Galatians 4:4

The first requirement of growing in fear is having an undivided heart

Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name - Psalms 86:11

It dentoes singleness of purpose, aim, and affections
No one can have two masters

Second requirement is regular, consistent exposure of our minds and hearts to His Word:

• Reading it for ourselves
• Hearing it taught
• Studying it for ourselves

Saul fell down in fear before Christ
"He asked Who are you, Lord?" and "What shall I do, Lord? - Acts 22:8,10

Summary

Sarai told Abram to have children with Hagar. Hagar conceived, then ran away, but an angel sent her back. Hagar's son was Ishmael.

Observations

Genesis 16:5 - You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering
At age 86 [Genesis 16:15] and 14 years too early, Abram had forgotten God's promise and was starting to make God's promise work for himself instead of waiting for God to fulfill his promise of making him a father of a great nation. Agreeing to Sarai's idea, he married Hagar and she became pregnant. This really complicated things between the three of them. The same thing happens with us. When we go about trying to do what we think God wants, things really get messed up.

Genesis 16:8 - where have you come from, and where are you going?
The angel that appeared asked about what direction Hagar was going.  Both question are necessary in evaluating our spiritual growth. Like understanding your physical location, you must first understand the past and state of mind you came from. Not knowing the starting point, you can not give directions. If you just knew where you have been and have no direction to go, you can not grow either.

Personal Application

I know I have experience times where I think I am doing what God wants but it really comes from my impatience or my selfish desires to see things happens the way I want them and when I want them. I need to just be patient and ask "is this the Lord will?".

• He met people's spiritual needs. John 4: 1 - 26
• He taught people to serve by meeting physical needs. Luke 10:25 - 37

• Romans 1: 21 - being ungrateful can be at the root to many sins in your life
• Luke 7: 36-50 - those who are more grateful show a greater capacity to love.
• Luke 17: 11-19 - the thankful are commended before God.
• Psalms 50: 5-23 - note that the sacrifice that means the most to God is one of 'Thanks!'

We must totally aware of our own unworthiness

It took a while, but Job finally understood this: "My ears heard you but now my eyes...and repent in dust and ashes" - Job 42:5-6

This is the reaction we should have when sinful selfs meets a pure, holy and prefect God

David understood our unworthiness: "But who I am... Everything comes from you" - 1 Chonicles 29:14-15

Solomon aware of his own afflicions, asked God to hear men's prayers - 1 Kings 8:38

Jesus warned that we need to be careful to not be proud based off anything we have or done - Revelations 3:17
But to have the attitude of the tax collect who prayed "Have mercy on me, a sinner " - Luke 18:13

Our good deeds or possessions in no way make worthly of coming in the presence of the holy one

Two different responses to God's power:

1. Moses doubted God's power to feed the 600,000 men
God asked His arm was too short - Numbers 11:21-23

2. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego faced the furnace
The were convicenced God would save them from it - Daniel 3:17-18
They saw Jesus' glory and he spoke about him - John 12:41

John the Baptist described God's power and man's insignifiance - Matthew 3:3

• We are like grass that withers before the eternal God - Isaiah 40:7-8
• We are a mist - James 4:14
• The nations are drop in the bucket - Isaiah 40:14

Imagine trying to asking a clerk compensate for dust when weighing an item for purchase - it would be absurd

How do you current view God?

When did you become a man? Men are often unsure.

Learning this can not only help us understand ourselves better but also help our sons become secure men as well.

When Jesus was twelve years old and His parents accidentally left Him
They didn’t find Him in a back alley playing with children. They found Him in the temple - Luke 2:46-47

After this event, the Scriptures say that He “kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” - Luke 2:52

In the Jewish community today, when a boy reaches puberty (around the age of thirteen)
Bar means “son of.” Mitzvah means “the law”

• When asked to give a financial contribution during a census, God required it of every man “twenty years old and over.” - Exodus 30:14
• When making vows to fund the sanctuary, God expected the “males from twenty years even to sixty years old” to give the most - Leviticus 27:3
• Men ready to fight in war for Israel were men who were “twenty years old and upward.” - Numbers 1:3
• Men who were held accountable and punished severely by God were, again, those “twenty years old and upward.” - Numbers 14:29

He may have become a responsible adult earlier than twenty, but by then he had no excuse.

God calls us to an appropriate and excellent standard: His.

To be a man is to fully own your roles as an adult, husband, father, employee, neighbor, and any other role you choose to undertake.

 Luke 1:13 - Your prayer has been heard

A priest’s intercession for the nation undoubtedly included a petition for the Messiah, Israel’s promised Deliverer and King.

The Creator and Sustainer of the universe was ready to answer a prayer that had been prayed for hundreds of years, but He purposely chose a man who could pray an old prayer with a fresh heart.

The prayer at that exact moment may not have been for a son.
Perhaps he remembered Abraham and Sarah, and he knew God could do the impossible.

Zechariah could not possibly have known was how intimately connected would be his corporate prayer for the Messiah and his personal prayer for a son.

Not becoming hopeless over a repetitious request can be terribly challenging.
God does not have some limited supply of power, requiring that we carefully select a few choice things to pray about.
God was simply waiting for the perfect time.

We need to continue to walk faithfully with God even though you are disappointed.
Recognizing all the other works God is doing in your life will prevent discouragement

Zechariah waited a long time for God’s answer, but when it came, it exceeded everything the priest could have thought or asked.

Can you even imagine being told in advance of your child’s conception that he or she would bring joy and delight to you and be great in the sight of the Lord?
We breathe a huge sigh of relief over a sonogram showing all the right appendages. What we’d give for a few guarantees about their character!

Summary

Sarah died in Kiriath-arba and Abraham asked the Hittites for a burial site. He bought a cave at full price from Ephron and buried Sarah there.

Observations

Genesis 23:6 - Listen, my lord, you are an honored prince
Abraham's reputation was above reproach. Those who invest their time and money in serving God often earn a good return on their investment - a good reputation and the respect of others. He was in front of the elders of the land to witness this as a legit transaction (v16). No one could say Abraham stole and cheated someone in this first recorded real estate transaction. He simply waited on God to fulfill his promise in his own timing. Unlike Jesus' disciples, Abraham did not have a battle plan on how He would take the land. [Matthew 26:52]

Genesis 23:15 - Land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends?
Abraham paid the initial price even after refusing the land as a gift time and time again. He was not trying to take anything he didn’t deserve. Even though God had promised the land to Abraham, he was did come with a attitude that he owned the place. Instead, he waited for God's timing and will to fulfill his promise. Like David, he did not want to take what was someone else's and give it the Lord. [1 Chronicles 21:24]

Application

What kind of reputation do I have at work, at home, and at church? What do others say about me? How has that helped or hindered me?

Do I become impatient in waiting for God's promises? Do I try to fulfill God's promises for him?

Do we avoid giving when it really costs us something?

Prayer

Lord, help me to have the faith to wait on your promises and to always be ambassador of yours no matter where I am.

Summary

Abraham's servant went to Nahor to find a wife for Isaac.

Observations

Genesis 24:1 - The Lord blessed him every way
God blessed Abraham, as he promised [Genesis 12:2], more than he could have asked or imagined [Ephesians 3:20] because of his belief that He would be faithful in his promises. In the investment world, it is about making a return on managed risk. Sometimes in Wall Street you can yield a good return with analysis. Other times, no matter what, you can lose large amounts of captial.  But with God, you can bank on his promises through faithfulness. There is no guessing and changing out mind, we just need to be faithful.

Genesis 24:4 - Go instead to my homeland
His son was nearing 40 years old and Abraham was old himself. He was looked to pass the torch on the next generation. Abraham again was faced with the challege of age-related life changes [Genesis 21:2]. The easy way to find Isaac a spouse would be to just look around the local area. The rational here might be "well, they do not follow God now but we can convert them later". This idea rarely works out and can cause much harm spiritually. Abraham chose again to be faithfully and to take the path less traveled. That path for his servant was 450 miles away to Nahor.

Genesis 24:8 - But under no circumstances are you to take my son there
Abraham nor his son were going to leave Cannon. There must have been some faithful prayer involved to find a way out of this situation [1 Corinthians 10:13]. How was Abraham going to find a wife for his son in a different land without standing in the way of God's promise? For both of them to go would have been an express of their lack of faith in God's promise. Also, if Isaac went a alone, he may have not returned. If Abrham went a alone, Isaac may have found a wife among the Canaanites while he was gone. The solution was a highly improbable plan (without God) for Abraham was to send his servant to find his wife. This way would be at a high cost to old man Abraham because of amount of work extra work he would need to do to cover while the servant was gone.

Application

I am convicted by the way Abraham chose to approach challenging situations. He did not chose the easy way or the first way that sounded right. He chose to be faithful and had a conviction to allow God's promises to fulfilled in his life. I did not mediate and pray through the challenges set before very often. Many times I just say or do the first things that comes to my mind. Those are often thoughts of the easy way or only way to go about things. I need to think about the bigger picture when making  decisions.

Prayer

Praying for heart of disernment and faithfulness in life's challenging situations.

Love your wives like Christ loves the church - Ephesians 5:25-26

God created man to look after his wife, to love her perfectly

Love as Jesus loved!

Want to know how to love?

• Sacrifically - gave up his life
• Selflessly - Did everything his Father sent him to do
• Patiently - Taught flawed people and asked them to follow him
• Forgivingly - He asked his Father to forgive those crucified him
• Generously - Gave us far more than we deserve

Jesus is our perfect example of love in action

King Solomon: Who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours? - 1 Kings 3:9

As Solomon was preparing to succeed his father, King David, he knew he couldn't handle the task

He didn't think twice when God asked him what he mosted wanted for himself

Solomon could have asked for anything (long life, riches) but he foucsed on his most immediate need - wisdom and understanding

God liked what he heard and gave Solomon exactly what he had asked for and more

Solomon receieved wisdom and understanding beyond any other man - 1 Kings 3:11-12

Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God - Genesis 41:38

One of a man's most important traits is his willingness to listen

The Pharaoh that lived during Joseph's lifetime had the humility to listen and thus saved countless lives

Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was in prision at the time, and asked him what his dreams meant

Pharaoh listened to Joseph and appointed him to administer to the food program through the coming drough

Have you learned to listen?

God places people in your life with the purpose of giving you wisdom and direction

Have I ever... Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong - 1 Samuel 12:3

Samuel earned a reputation for unimoeachable honesty that served him well

At Saul's coronation, he asked the people to declare if Samuel was honest and person of integrity

Everyone knew the answer and didn't hesitate to give it - YES!

Samuel could speak to the people with great authority because he had carefully maintained his reputation as an honest man

How can Samuel's example help you to choose honesty?

One of them fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thnking him for what he had done - Luke 17:14

Sometimes expressing gratitude means going out of your way to let the party know how thankful you feel

Out of ten men healed with leparosy, only one thanked him

Ten men asked for and received help, only one man was changed for good and received a greater gift - greatful heart

Jesus asked where the other nine went - Luke 17:17

Today you will be with me in paradise - Luke 23:43

The criminal knew Jesus had the power to heal but also knew everyone will die eventually

He asked for something for the eternity and he faith about it

The man also knew something better could be waiting for him if he could just muster enough strength to speak to Jesus

With only minutes to live, this condememned criminal came to know in a short time he would hear the same voice welcoming him into an eternal home on the other side

My final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

There is in hte heart of every man a God-shaped void

Solomon had it all, but he eventually concluded that those things were not enough - which amounted to exactly nothing

His life was empty

Solomon asked God for wisdom and became the wisest man who ever lived

Despite God's warnings, Solomon drifted from the Lord and turned to other gods

Without God, life amounts to nothing but birth, lots of hard work, and death

When you make Jesus Christ central to everything, even everyday events have meaning and significance

Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah; it became a trap for Gideon and his family - Judges 8:27

Sometimes our best-intended actions have negative consequences

Gideon had just led Israel in a rousing victory over Midian and they elected him ruler

He said thanks, but no thanks - he knew not to take an office that had not appointed him to

Gideon asked everyone to gather up the gold colleced from the Midianite enemies so that he could make an ephod to server as a memorial to God's goodness for defeat the Midianites

Instead of remembering God, the Israelites began to worship it instead

Gideon provided leadership during the time of war but failed to offer it at a time when the people needed spiritual guidance

When you set out to do something you see as important, seek God and his approval before moving forward

The Lord has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master for he has led me straight to my master's relatives - Genesis 24:27

Gratitude should flow naturally from the Creator-creature relationship

He wants you to bring your needs and desires to him in prayer so he might meet them and then thank him for answering

Eliezer went to God and asked very specifiically and directly a sign for show him the woman for Issac

When God gave Eliezer exactly what he asked for and remembered to turn to him immediately to praise and thank him

Miraculous signs at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory - John 2:11

One day at a wedding party, Jesus performed his very first miracle when he changed water into wine

In those days, running out of wine at a wedding was a major social faux pas

Mary asked Jesus to fix the problem - servants filled six stone pots with water and wine began to one again - the best they ever tasted

Headwaiter: why save the best wine for last?

They never saw Jesus the same way again

Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit - 2 Kings 2:9

Prophet-in-training Elisha achieve greatness because he had the faith to ask for a blessing when he had the opportunity

Three times Elijah told him to stay behind, three times he said I will never leave you - 2 Kings 2:2-6

Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted, he didn't hesitate - double portion of his spirit

Elisha got exactly what he requested

When we need God's empowerment, take your shot and for it in faith

I thanks and praise you, God, for you have given me wisdom - Daniel 2:23

Nebuchadnezzar had a strange dream and wanted to know what it meant

When his advisors couldn't help, he had them all executed

Daniel asked the king if he could take a crack at interpreting the royal dream

The pressure was on - Daniel needed answers and soon

Daniel asked his friend to pray for divine revelation  and he received a vision that clearly explained the kig's dream

God gave Daniel exactly what he needed to save his life and his friends lives

When Daniel was squeezed, out came his faith in God who does his best work under pressure

They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind - Matthew 4:22

James and John didn't waste so much as a minute when Jesus called them to his side

They didn't even ask about their destination or agenda, they simply dropped their nets and followed

Suppose Jesus came by your place of business today and said "Follow me"

Could you immediately follow and serve him, whenever he went and whatever he asked you to do?

I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are - Matthew 8:8

When you understand the authority of Christ over all things, you open yourself up to receive the very best

The Roman officer was under the authority of his superiors and authority over his subordinates

He was expected when he gave orders, it was good as done

The officer recongnized that Jesus had absolute authority to carry out whatever he agreed to do

What would Jesus do for us if we only asked him to do and believe he could

What sort of confidence do you have in Jesus' authority?

Would your life change if you had the confidence of this Roman officer?

His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful - 1 Chronicles 4:9

When we receive a vision for something specific, we are to pray equally specifically

Jabez was an honorable man whose name meant "pain"

Only recorded words was a well-known prayer - "Please be with me in all I do and keep me from all trouble and pain" - 1 Chronicles 4:10

God said yes to everything Jebez asked:

1. God would bless him - went to the source of all good things
2. God would expand his territory - wasn't afraid to ask things specifically
3. God would be with him inall that he did - he knew was heading nowhere without God
4. God would keep him from all trouble and pain - aka asked for a humble heart and for ability to do right

He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus's body - Luke 23:52

Joseph rose to the occasion as a member of the Jewish council

He was a "good and rigteous man" who kept his discipleship a secret our of fear of his fellow council members

Somehow he had the courage to approach Pilate and get permission to remove Jesus' body from the cross so that he could be buried

Joseph rolled a large stone against the tomb to protect Jesus' body from vandals and grave robbers

The newly emboldened Joseph extended to Christ the honor due to him in death

Then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised - Judges 6:37

Some move out courageously and say, "Lets get started!" while others need to test the waters before taking their steps of faith

Gideon was a man of God who needed to be sure; was not a from a lack of faith

He apparently wasn't sure of he heard God correctly he asked God twice for a sign of confirmation

Gideon wanted to know without a doubt that he understood God's calling

God wasn't angry when Gideon asked him to confirm his commands and he won't be angry with you either

Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing - Luke 23:34

Jesus always did something first before before commanding his disciples to do something

This included loving those who hated and persecuted him - Luke 6

Jesus went to the cross willingly and obediently without calling thousands of angels to destory the earth

He even did the more unthinkable - he asked the Father to forgive his excutioners

Who in your life seems eager to do you harm? Are you willing to forgive them as Jesus did?

I am the one who needs to be baptized by you - Matthew 3:14

The most famous best supporting actor in the New Testament is John the Baptist

Men in the Old Testament said he would prepare the way for the Messiah's coming

John preached the message of God had given him and welcomes the star of the show, Jesus Christ

John repeated had to set the record straight about his own identity

He demonstrated further humility when Jesus approached him to be baptized

John initally protested that he not Jesus should be baptized but he obeyed Jesus request

What if God asked you to play a similar role to a colleage at work or church leader?

Different classes of people were attracted to Jesus

Not only did Jesus draw people to him, but he stirred them to the core

• They were astonishd
• They were amazed
• Filled with amazement

Jesus asked "Who do men say that I am?"

They went to the grave in order to find a man to whom they could compare

Pilate was afraid of a poor unarmed peasant

Many hate him, you can't hate a weakling

He was so mighty that when thought of him, they thought of God

Jesus' love was boundless, foreign to his being

He expected others to not have boundries on their love either

When Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness and how many times to forgive, Peter suggested seven (twice as many as most liberal rabbis)

Jesus blew Peter's mind and said to not set limits. There are no boundries in love.

Love is not a calculation, Mathmatics is foreign to affection

Jesus knew the blessedness of forgiving heart

He himself was always forgiving without grudges, retaliations, revenges

His heart was the most discerning that ever existed. He hated sin like no one else but loved the people like no one else

No better example: on the cross with so much pain and through his love his heart was to love and forgive.

Truth is basically telling the way it is or describing the state of affairs
Pilot asked what is truth, Jesus really was innocent - John 18:38

Taught in the education system, truth is relative (aka "my truth") but truth is absolute 

Truth is true:

• For all people
• For all places
• For all time

Truth is absolute, narrow, and exclusive
Truths excludes their opposite

Humanistic truth claims are as narrow as Christian truth claims

Truth is discovered and can not invented
Truth exists without anyone else's knowledge of it, like gravity
Truth is unchanging
Beliefs can not change truth but our beliefs can change to match the fact - World is flat to round

Contrary beliefs are possible but contrary truth are not possible

These are self defeating statements:

• "All truth is relative"
• "There is no truth"
• "It is true for you but not for me"
• "There are no absolutes"

Questions for those living with self defeating statements
If there really is no truth, then why try to learn anything? 

Good ideas have good consequences and bad ideas have bad consequences

If you can kill truth then you can kill religion