Quiet Times Search

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

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

• Comes up with creative targets – upbringing, genetic makeup, society
• Excuses are the clearest indicators of worldly sorrow
• Excuses come right after the apology – I am sorry for forgetting our anniversary, it has been crazy at work
• Where there is an excuse, there is persistent sin
• Excuses rob us of the indignation that energizes our turn from self to Jesus

A repentant Christian embraces absolutions, even moral absolutes

Repentance is no fragile state of mind that we barely notice entering and exiting

1. What is wrong with defining repentance as “being sorry for your sins, so sorry that you stop them”?
2. What is the root cause of worldly sorrow?
3. In what ways have you exercised “damage control” rather than true repentance?
4. What damage has your sin caused?
5. Have you ever confused the tears of self pity for true repentance? What is the danger of this confusion?
6. Why does the author assert that “excuses are the clearest indicators of worldly sorrow?” Would you rather have your excuses accepted or your sins forgiven?
7. What’s the difference between cognitive dissonance and repentance? Why doesn’t cognitive dissonance prompt us to preach the good news to others?
8. Have you been selective in your repentance? What does that indicate about your repentance?
9. Why doesn’t metanoia accommodate the repetition of sin?

Some things that depend on us

We can always have a gracious attitude

Paul choose to focus on the result - Christ is being proclaimed - Philippians 1:15-19

We can always be humble

Consider others better than ourselves - Philippians 2:3-4
Walk worthy of the calling - with all humility and gentleness - Ephesians 4:1-2

We can always be positive - Philippians 2:14-15

We can always listen - James 1:19-20

We can always control our anger - James 1:20

Some things are our of control when to comes to reconciliation but they are many things within our control to build a relationship

Paul urges them to be anxious and worried about nothing and to pray about everything because God is in control - Philippians 4:6-7

Peace never comes without surrender
Surrender never comes without a decision to trust

Something instead of dealing with our emotions, we try an avoidance pattern
Adam and Eve hid from God and themselves

We must be in touch with happens to others and ourselves
It is why we must consistently and unashamedly pray about all aspects of our lives
It is not just for some - it is normal experience - just people deciding to trust God in every situation

Guard (a garrison of angel are available to help) our hearts - Satan wants us to trust ourselves and to doubt our God
Our own thoughts are not always the truth

How challenging to turn everything over to God. Yet, how foolish not to!

• Bits into the mouth of a horse
  
• A rudder on a large ship
• A spark that starts a large fire
• Taming wild animals is easier that taming our own tongue

1 Corinthians 1:20-23 - Jesus came to bring salvation; to some he became a stumbling block

Romans 14:10-24...

• We are free to do many things with our faith
• Personal freedom must be balanced with personal responsibilty for others
• Questions to ask: Will my personal freedom be a stumbling block to others?
• v15 - brothers were distrussed by other's freedom - that is where is know we have gone too far with our freedom
• Areas we say it is our right to control
  • Music
  • Dating
  • Contribution
  • Evangelism
  • Commitment to church

Which is better to have?

• Win the battle of your rights or win the war of salvation for someone?
• Your opinon or unity of Jesus' church?

1 Kings 19:1

• Travels 150 miles to get way from Jezebel
  • It is amazing how far we get away
• Lost gratitude
• God doesn't give up
  • He sends angels
• How to get back our spiritual compassion?
  • Go back!
  • Don't run from your fear
  • Don't just go through the motions
  • We are to face ourselves

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

2 Corinthians 7:2-13

• Challenges are need
• They produce more reliance and faith in God

Renew Your Spiritual Passion for the Lost

Mark 5:6-11

• Jesus saw their pain and their lostness
  • Broken marriages
  • Cannot control their children
• We need to get into their lives
• The will open up with your help

Sometimes God seems cruel:

• Unemployed
• Search for spouse

Isn't this the reason we fear to desire in the first place?

Unless we understand our desperate hearts and our tenacity to arrange life as we want it - these events seem cruel

Eden - we had it all but we threw it away by mistrusting God's heart and taking control of what we wanted
Adam and Eve set into motion what we now call addiction

Addiction exists whenever persons are internally compelled to give energy to things that are not their true desires

Addition becomes our idol - we must give it up
Anything can become an idol, even "good" things: work, hobbies, etc

How are we to bet our arranging a good life in the face of death?

Even after the fall, the wickedness of the human heart seems out of control
People lived 700, 800, 900 year - can you imagine the arranging of lives that could be done during that time?

So God set our years shorter - Genesis 6:3
Death is never natural - it wasn't meant to be

Those left behind experience such pain
Each death can begin to understood only within the larger story God is telling

Better to:

• Go to class
• Read the textbook
• Study for the test
• Go to study groups
• Talk with the teacher

1 Peter 1:13-14

• Be disciplined
• Non-studying types will not do well

1 Peter 2:1-2 - Crave spiritual milk

1 Peter 3:15 - Tested with questions

1 Peter 4:1 - Get your attitude ready

1 Peter 4:7-12 - Love others with self-control

• Money
• Relationships
• Control over resources

• God is love but he also just and holy
• There is no sin that can go unpunished
• This the parents dilemma - should I punish or let it go?
• God can not let anything go because of his nature
• We do not have to have all the answers - not our "wisdom" but God's wisdom

• In him all things hold together
• How God can be just and for us to have salvation because of the blood of Jesus
• It all comes through Jesus Christ

1. Age 4 - Going potty
2. Age 12 - Having friends
3. Age 17 - Having a car
4. Age 35, 45, 55, 65 - Having Money
5. Age 75 - Having a car
6. Age 80 - Having friends
7. Age 85 - Go potty

• Deversity in the church
• Strong Marriage
• Unity

• Acceptance
• Future
• What others think

• Battle between good and evil
• Battle between faith and action

• v22 - Faith and works - work together
• Faith without deeds is dead
• Where am I not following exactly?
• What am I not submitting to God's will?

James 4:7-8 - God calls us to submit to him fully

Trust in God and not your situation

1 Samuel 13:11-12 - Saul doubted that Samuel was coming

James 1:5-8 - we should believe and not doubt

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in God and not on one's own understanding
Depending on one's own understanding creates:

• Pride
• Controlling person
• Self-reliant
• Unreliable - allows our situations to change us
• Lose of conviction

• Knowledge of the Bible
• Daily prayer/walk with God
• Brotherly fellowship

• 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. 1 Peter 4:7 - Be clear-minded and self-controlled
2. Luke 18:1-8 - Be persistent
3. James 5:16-18 - Personal righteousness
4. Matthew 21:21-22 - Believe and do not doubt
5. Psalms 5:3 - Pray daily and expect prayers to be answered

1. God can and will do the impossible through prayer
2. Prayer is vital to a dynamic walk with God.
3. God is looking for people who will devote themselves to be close to Him. - Jeremiah 30:21

• Question: Who has all authority? Jesus is the head (focus) of everything we want to do
• Question What is another name for the body of Christ? The head controls the body. Who is the head of the church? Jesus
• Use illustration to help for understanding
  

• Question: How would you define a foreigner or an alien person? Before becoming a disciple that's is what you
• Now through Jesus we are able to have peace (relationship) with God. To become family.
• As a disciple you become part of the family (household) not a part of the organization
• Question: What is the foundation of God's household? v20 - The Bible
• Share: Everyone in a household has responsibilities as we have responsibilities to the church family

• Be alert and self controlled - 1 Thessalonians 5:6
• Be an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity - 1 Timothy 4:12
• Be anxious for nothing - Philippians 4:6
• Be content with what you have - Hebrews 13:5
• Be willing to associate with those in low position - Romans 12:2
• Be joyful always - 1 Thessalonians 5:16
• Be kind to everyone - 2 Timothy 2:24
• Be patient with everyone - 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Kings and emperors are reduced to nothing before God and are completely subject to His sovereign power - Isaiah 40:23

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; directs it where ever he please - Proverbs 21:1

He controls the destinies of rulers as well as their actions:

• Nebuchadnezzar - king of Babylonian Empire / was driven insane and ate grass as cattle do for 7 years
• Alexander the Great - conquered the known world / died when he was 32 years old
• Napoleon - conquered all of Europe / died in excile
• Hitler - conquered all of Europe / died in a besieged bunker

• Realize in the depth that we deserve the wrath of God yet it was poured out on Jesus instead
• We are awed by His wrath and His love

• Airplanes designed after birds
• Lunar lander with ant-like legs
• Solar panels use the sun's rays like plants

• Realize how little we know
• Realize how little we are in control

• Since the food is contaminated and poisonous, the body does everything possible to flush the poison out. If the poison is not removed the person could die
• Being contaminated and poisoned by the world will damage your soul.
  

• Impurity is not just physically but it can also be emotionally.
• Often Satan tries to create an emotional connection in order to slowly pull you away from God’s standard.

• What does the Bible call for us to do in order to stay pure?
• When are you most tempted to be impure?
• Is there anyone that Satan is trying to use to lead you into impurity (physically or emotionally)?

• Jeff was playing in the Bay Hill Invitational and he hit his ball in the water.
• He then took a drop (drop your ball near the place it went in the water) and he added a penalty stroke
• During the night he began to question whether his drop was legal or illegal.
• He couldn’t sleep that night and the next morning called the golfing officials and told them what happen.
• Before the officials even made a decision, Jeff disqualified himself.
• Jeff said, “I’m not sure if what I did was right, and if I’m not sure then I couldn’t live with myself and keep playing. What if I won? It would be a curse.”

• In most sports today the rule is to see what you can get away with (as long as you don’t get caught then its O.K.)
• But for the person of integrity cheating/deceit is never okay (its never an option)
  

1. Politicians break campaign promises continually
2. Parents laugh at little “Billie” when he cheats at pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey)
3. Businesses lie just to sale a product (on and on)

• Many people in the world today are two-faced (their life doesn’t match their doctrine)
  

1. Peer Pressure - Matthew 27:19-24
   • Pilate lacked integrity, he made decisions based on what other people thought and said.
   • He didn’t want to take responsibility
2. Pride - Exodus 8:8-15
   • Pharaoh wanted to be in control and not take advice from others
   • In the end Pharaoh’s pride led to his firstborn son dieing (all the 1st born sons of Egypt)

1. Joseph - Genesis 39:8-10
   • Joseph did not give into the impure temptations that were put before him.
   • He honored God with his purity and he honored his master
2. Jesus - Matthew 26:57-60
   • They couldn’t find anything against Jesus (false witnesses came forward “people started lying” but they didn’t make sense either)
   • Mark 7:36-37 - Jesus did everything well (integrity)

• People lie to appear better than they are
  
• When we lie we feel clever and in control but one lie leads to other lies (then were like a dog chasing its tail)
• Many times people lie and may not ever be discovered but remember no one can fool God

• The more we lie the easier it becomes thus it eventually becomes our nature.
• You may escape the lie but you can not escape how it changes your character

• There is a world of difference between Godly confidence and pride.
• The person who walks with Godly confidence walks tall because he knows he is a child of the king (he doesn’t act like he’s better than anyone else) (he doesn’t have to be in the know).
• This was the meekness that people noticed in Jesus (controlled strength) confidence

• People will be attracted to this type of confidence (not like the world)
  

1. Unwillingness to admit mistakes: Do you apologize whole heartily? - Nearly all men can stand adversity, to test a man, give him power.
2. Hating to look bad: Can you laugh at yourself?
3. Attitude of entitlement: Are you used to privilege (expect because your on staff, you should be treated a certain way, do you serve a certain way because you are on staff)

Proverbs 18:9 - One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys

A three (3) toed sloth is one of the ugliest creatures in the world.

• It spends most of its time hanging from a tree
• It’s as slow as molasses in winter (ultimate example of laziness)

The sluggard is the spiritual three (3) toed sloth. The Bible has nothing good to say about the sloth.

Laziness comes in little spurts.

• Little amounts of unproductiveness
• Spurts of lost time adds up to a lot of lost time (time that can never be regained)

Proverbs 26:14 - As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed

A sluggard has a difficult time getting out of bed, and loves the snooze button. It caters (snooze button) to those that can’t begin the day on time.

Proverbs 26:15 - The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth

Here is another picturesque description of the sluggard. His is so lazy that he needs someone to spoon him his meal. This description should warn us of how disgusting laziness is to God.

Proverbs 26:16 - The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly

One of the saddest things about a sluggard is that most of the time he doesn’t even realize how lazy he really is.

• He looks at his unproductive day and actually believes he had no control over his lack of productivity.
• He blames it on other things (parent’s, kids, spouse, work, weather, health, etc.)

• The challenge of life is not that we have too little time, but in how we are going to spend the time we do have.
• We need to make the most of every day (make a to do list to get yourself started)

• Anyone can have a job but do we do the little things that make us a great employee
• Anyone can have a child but do we do the things that make us a great parent

1. Punctuality
2. Paying bills on time
3. Sending birthday (Father’s Day, Mother’s Day cards)
4. Picking up after yourself
5. Keeping your room/car clean
6. Returning phone calls
7. Looking presentable

• Discipline is being able to decide what can be done and doing it the right way
• It’s better to do three (3) things well than ten (10) things half heartedly

• You don’t have to say “yes” to everyone and everything (our people pleasing nature will end up making us overwhelmed, stressed)
  

• Worry is an unproductive emotion (it won’t change anything)
• Worry is like a rocking chair (gives you something to do but gets you no where)

1. Buy things that are useful instead of buying for status
2. Do not buy anything that is producing an addiction in you
3. Develop a characteristic of giving things away
4. Develop a deeper appreciation for God’s creation
5. Stay away from things that take your focus off of God
6. If anything comes before you having QT’S in the morning then fast from that thing (activity) until you control it instead of it controlling you.

Summary

God created the heavens, the earth and everything that lives. He made humankind in his image and gave them charge over the earth.

Observations

Genesis 1:1 - the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep,
Without God we formless, unfocused, and empty. We try to create our own heaven-on-earth but never succeed without him. We try to "eat" junk food to fill us up but all they contain is empty calories. Without God there is no light and only darkness. Without light, we do not know what is going on around us nor what direction to go.

Genesis 1:4 - separated the light from the darkness.
It is important to understand that light and darkness were separated from the beginning. They can not both exist in the same location. It is even more important find out with side you are on.

Genesis 1:16 - He made the stars also.
Oh, by the way, God created all the countless numbers of stars, planets, galaxies, and other objects of the universe. So much matter that we can not even begin to see with a telescope. But God does not focus on matter, he focuses on what matters. The Bible is focused on God and his relationship with mankind. Like Jesus' miracles described in [John 20:30], the amount of God's acts are too great to be counted. Can you image the amount of books that could be written about what God created?

Genesis 1:26 - so they may rule
God entrust us to rule over all all other living things. But many we times we are ruled by our sinful natures. If we can not even control ourselves, how can we "rule" over other things?

Genesis 1:27 - God created humankind in his own image
Sometimes we mistake us being an exact copy of God verses a reflection of God. We should be a photo copy and not try to replace God in our lives. We must be become more reflective of God like a mirror. Constantly cleaning off the smudges of sin with the blood of Jesus.

Personal Application

God is bigger than I think he is. I have made him too small in my mind and do not allow Him to take control -- this is absurd since he has control over the universe and does a perfect job at it. My actions show that I don't fully trust God in this way.

1. How were you powerless when Christ died for you?
2. What proves God's incredible love for you?

1. Why do we need to be reminded about our old way of life?
2. What did you do to earn God's forgiveness?
3. How should you respond to the grace of God?
4. Describe how you can be self-controlled and eager to do good works.

1. Why do some people scoff (mock) at the promise of Christ's return?
2. What will the "day of the Lord" be like?
3. Are you living as though Jesus could come back TODAY?

1. Will there be any "second chance" for those who are not ready to meet the Lord?
2. Why will this day be like "a thief in the night"?
3. What does it mean to be alert and self-controlled?

1. How does Paul feel about facing the Lord on judgement day?
2. Why is living for Jesus like fighting the good fight, finishing the race and keeping the faith?
3. What kind of effort does it take to be this way to the end?

• Finances, Discipline (Laziness), Purity
• Eating and drinking habits over the holidays.
• Relationships

• Do I welcome spiritual relationships?
• Do I confess sin and push my life into the light?
• How do these sins affect my heart for people?

• Examine your heart and actions based on Jesus' example the next time you get angry.
• Are you God-focused? Did you bring healing?
• Did you care enough to control your anger and turn it into a victory for God by bringing teaching and discipling to the situation?
  
• What could you have done differently to have Jesus' heart?

1. Always know that God is in control and I am not
2. If I just being humble, God will lift me up again
3. Use my failure to help people to remind them God is the one

2. Buying the Camero - Matthew 6:19-24
Lie: You achieve what you set your mind to
Truth: Be content with what you have

3. Becoming a disciple - Matthew 7:13-14
Lie: There is danger in anything that I do not have control of
Truth: Trust and obeying His Word

4. Saint Joe trip - 1 John 4:16b-18
Lie: Face and deal with your fear
Truth: Bear with each other; Love drives out fears

What lies is Satan telling you?

• Staying faithful - You can not make it?
• Being Fruitful - Telling you field is not plentful?
• Repentence - You can not change?

Joseph: So it was God who sent me here, not you! - Genesis 45:8

Joseph's hear and mind had made peace with his treacherous brothers

He firmly believed that the God who remains in control of all things had sent him to Egypt

When one of your kids defies everything you save or your job moves in a different direction, how do you react?

Do negative emotions to rule the day or take refuge in God who is in control?

God has an amazing way of using even the worst circumstances for your good

Like you, Joseph did know the events ahead of him, he had to move forward by faith

Go back to your family and tell them everything God has done for you - Luke 8:39

People who express daily gratitude reported higer levels of:

• Alertness
• Enthusiasm
• Determination
• Optimism
• Energy

Jesus and his disciples encountered a violent demon-possessed man - naked, out of his mind, completely alone

He calmly and purposefully took control of the situation and delivered the man from his life of torment

Jesus told the man to go home and tell everyone what had happened

The man gratefully followed Jesus' instructions

When you think of everything that God has done for you, what other response is there but to follow him?

A greateful heart is the best, infectious witness to the goodness and power of God

It's the voice of a god, not of a man - Acts 12:22

It is easy to recoginze a man who does not realize his own smallness

He is one of with an air of self-sufficiency and self-satisfaction

Herod was known for his terrible treatment of his subjects and his uncontrolled egotism (a quality that cost him everything)

When a delegation of men from Tyre and Sidon, they stroked Herod's ego and he accepted their adulation

That day, Herod usurped the worship that God reserved for himself; Herod's life ended that day

Paul urged everyone to eat; you have not touched food for two weeks - Acts 27:33

When problems arise and overwhlm us, are we tempted to "fly off the handle" or panic?

A vicious storm slammed Paul's boat and conviced even seanoned sailors they were going to die

Paul had been through enough in his life of faith to know God would allow him to complete his appoined mission without dying.

God promised not a hair on their head will perish during the trip

We can find peace knowing nothing happens to us unless our heavenly Father allows it

Our situations may not be easy or fun but God still remains in control

An elder... an honorable position - 1 Timiothy 3:1

Timothy faced the daunting responsibility of picking the right leaders for his congregation

Paul instructed Timothy to look for leaders with:

• Good personal lives
• Exemplary family lives
• Self-control
• Wisdom
• Gentleness

Timothy understood that God had called all believers to live by a higher standard than the world around them

Being a church leader means consistently demonstrating the kind of character worthy of being emulated