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Searching for "cross" in the Quiet Time Archive
Displaying results from "25" to "50". (106 found)

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

Jesus cried - it is finished (John 19:30) was actually the word "tetelsthai" = PAID IN FULL

2009-01-18 - Jesus with People - Grateful Son
Mary and Jesus - no greater pain than for parent to bury a child and live with that memory

Jesus stops the process of redeeming humanity to focus on one final moment with him mom
All excuses for neglecting our families die with Jesus - spends final moment and thinking how to provide for her

Jesus submitted himself to being human - learned the lesson to honor your mother - Exodus 20:12

4x in  the gospels - Jesus relates to Mary:
  1. He obeyed her - Luke 2:51
  2. He allowed her to influence him when he performed his first miracle - John 2:1-11
  3. He did not allow his devotion to Mary make him sentimental - Mark 3:20-35
  4. Protected and provided for her needs as he died on the cross
He was not too "spiritual" that he neglected the needs of others

Busy disciples - often neglect the needs our immediate family?
Husbands - too busy to listen to our wives?
Parents - too busy to invest in our relationship with our children?

When we neglect to provide for our relative - we deny the faith - 1 Timothy 5:7-8
Jesus won Mary's soul with a relationship


2009-01-27 - Jesus with People - Rich Young Ruler

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

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

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

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

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

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



2009-01-30 - Jesus with People - Greatest in th Kingdom
I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom  of heaven - Matthew 18:1-4

Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost - Matthew 18:12-14

We need to become like children in a very specific way
Our human nature wants to be first and to have control
Matthew 18 were driven by the same desire - they asked Jesus "Who is the greatest?"
When become like little children, we become like Jesus

Paraphrase - Because of your power-hungry pride you guys are not even in the kingdom of God, and nothing will change this fact unless you start imitating this child

After Jesus' sacrifice, all his teachings made sense
Having a child's humility is impossible until we understand the cross
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends - John 15:13

Must see other brothers and sisters in Christ as God's little spiritual children who must be cared for
God's heart is that not a single person be lost
Do we feel the personal responsibility for others?

Who do you know who is struggling spiritually? What can you do to help them?

2009-02-03 - Jesus with People - Give or Take?
World seem to be divided into givers and takers
Usually we feel as though we are the givers and everyone else is a taker
We can draw back and become cynical - before long we cling to possessions, our rights or our feelings
At that point we have become takers
We would never admit it - and many of us do not see it

Jesus meet a man that was a taker - Matthew
Matthew was no different than us - he probably had a family with mouths to feed

As he left the office and crept closer toward the crowd surrounding Jesus
He heard the words - You must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me
Jesus then walked up to Matthew and said "Follow me"
His life changed forever - became a disciple of Jesus

How did Jesus know? do it? Jesus knew that he was sick and need to get well - Mark 2:17

We need to see people as they ready are and what they can become
Is there some in your life you can share with but haven't because you don't think they are open?

2009-02-06 - Jesus with People - Closeness

Jesus, knowing he would have to face the cross alone - would be have been easay to maintain his distace
He didn't; he threw himself into life completely

Closeness reuires spending time together
Jesus was the initiator and he wanted to be with John and John want to be with him

At the last supper, John was seated to Jesus' left - John 13:23-26
Jesus confides who the betrayer without the others noticing



2009-04-04 - Promises of God - Prayers Real Purpose (part 2)
Continued, a reminder of who God is:

He can:
  • Strengthen the weak
  • Take the strong higher
  • Humble the proud
  • Exalt the humble
  • Take a manger scene and make it the gateway of eternal salvation
  • Take a gruesome cross and make it a beacon pointing to heaven
  • Make the first last and last first
  • Make the rich poor
  • Make the intelligent frustrated
Our lack of full comprehension of God is at the root of our shallow use of prayer

2009-04-08 - Promises of God - Tireless Labor
Satan works quickly to wear us down

Fatigue and discouragement are his greatest tools

Do you realize God can give you energy?

Luke 17:7-10 and Galatians 6:9 -> gives energy to never quit

Focusing on how hard something is will never product the desired fruit
Focusing on God and letting others help us product tireless labor

Moses needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands
Ester needed Mordecai to carry out the plan to save the Israelities
Jesus needed Simon to carry his cross

God provides helps when we labor tirelessly for him

2009-05-10 - No one like him - His Courage
Submissive yes, Timid and fearful, no.
Submissiveness, not cowardly or silence – gave up self for others

Wanted loyalty over their families and friends (Luke 14:25-27)
They must give up everything for salvation (Luke 14:28-33)

Who can accept it? (John 6:60)
Many no longer followed him (John 6:66)

1. Rich young ruler found that Jesus’ message would not change for anyone (Luke 18:18-30)

2. Jesus never held back – Jesus and turning over tables of thieves
  • Came from the wrong town
  • No educational credentials
  • Follower were common people
3. Courage to go to the cross

2009-05-12 - No one like him - Joy
Most of the first 1,000 years’ pictures were of Jesus not smiling – common view

Jesus never felt bitterness, negative thinking, or despair

[Cheer-up] I have overcome the world – John 16:33

We can have complete joy – implementing the teaching of Jesus drew near to God (Joy) – John 16:21-24

Joy in enduring the cross – Hebrews 12:2

2009-05-31 - No one like him - Even Death on the Cross
All during Jesus life, his brutal death was on his mind; he struggled and submitted to it (John 12:27)

At Gethsemane, did not try to do it alone but asked for help from his friends (Mark 14:32-34); Peter and Judas did not ask for help

One of the most important words in the Bible, Jesus – not as I will, but as you will (Mark 14:35-36)

The image of the cross was so gruesome that it took 500 years to appear in art

2009-06-02 - No one like him - The Empty Tomb (part 1)
Disciples were confused with ups and downs of the week (Joyous entrance into Jerusalem then the cross)

Without the resurrection there would be no church or New Testament; disciples would have disbanded and movement would have ended

The resurrection gave them courage to preach the resurrection: Acts 1:22; 2:24,32; 3:15; 4:2,10, 33; 5:30

Must be together – cross and resurrection

Cross only – a tragedy; Resurrection only – just another miracle

Changed the disciples lives forever

2009-06-04 - No one like him - Count Cost (part 1)
Not a question of how hard or difficult but if it is true
Not all struggling is bad
Jesus calls us to:
  1. Be ready to be uncomfortable
  2. Be ready for big changes
  3. Be ready to follow the narrow road
  4. Be ready to give up anything
Does it work?

Jesus was not out of touch – Matthew 9:36
Jesus had a clear view of love and generosity – John 10:33
Kingdom now in the present age

Fix our eyes on Jesus
We need to deal with OUR heart

Jesus did not just come to amaze
He came to call people to change their lives

He was upfront with commitment level
Must deny self
Kingdom is the greatest thing to possess
It will cost you all you have
Must carry his cross
Commitment must surpass relationship with family (Jesus: you must love me more)


2009-07-04 - A Life of Impact - Amazing Speech

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.



2009-07-15 - A Life of Impact - Prudence

Prudence

Mark 8:11-13

  • Sometimes Jesus simply did not bother to deal with his adversaries – he just up and left.
  • Sometimes we need to be able to determine when the best thing to do is walk away.
  • Sometimes arguing is just a waste of time – shake the dust off your feet.

Moving On

  • Farmer – plants across the fields not just around the farmhouse
  • If we focus all our attention on one problem one goal, or one person’s needs - lose sight of the field
  • Jesus kept moving on in order to keep his and work fresh vibrant and spontaneous.
  • Momentum is an invisible yet critical element in any type of movement


2009-07-20 - A Life of Impact - Hardline and Affirmation

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.


2009-08-17 - A Life of Impact - Mark 15
Unforgettable Words

Mark 14:66-72
  • 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
An Indomitable Spirit

Mark 15:1-32
  • 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.
Dramatic Death

Mark 15:33-47
  • 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.


2009-08-19 - Wild at Heart - Intro (part 1)
Eve was created with the lush beauty of Eden’s garden
Adam was created outside the garden – wild from the beginning
    Men have an insatiable longing to explore
    When most men come alive
    Discover it when they first cross the street or when they first ride their bikes to the store
Adventure – all the danger and wildness (longing into the soul of men)
Man needs a place where it is not prefabricated
    Moses – in the desert of Sinai
    Jacob – wrestling with God (somewhere east of Jabbok)
    Elijah recovered his strength in the wild
    So did John the Baptist and Jesus



2009-09-24 - Wild at Heart - The Enemy (part 5)
Not every thought that crosses your mind comes from you
  • Where are those ideas coming from?
  • Where are those feelings coming from?
  • We are unaware of his schemes – 2 Corinthians 2:11
  • We look for a psychological or a physical explanation for every trouble we meet

Who caused the Chaldeans to steal Job’s herds – Satan Job 12,17
Anaias and Sapphira – Satan
Heartache keeps us from praying
Satan is behind that brutal assault on your on strength
There is a whole lot more going on behind the scenes of our lives than most of us have been led to believe

Behind the world and the flesh is an event more deadly enemy, one we rarely speak of and are even less ready to resist

2009-11-07 - Repentance - The Cross Compels Our Hearts
World is graceless, performance orientated
  • Students – pass/fail
  • Employees – promotions\get fired
  • Calories – lose/gain weight

Sin + Forgiveness = Love

Accurate assessment of debt
  • None of delight in a highlight reel of our personal sinfulness (especially avoid reference to specific sins)
  • Whenever we expose our sins in the light of fellowship – able to see our sin more clearly

Questions
  1. How can grace compel repentance?
  2. How can you assess your debt to Jesus?
  3. How can you be assured of the forgiveness of that debt?
  4. Who is to blame for Christ’s death on the Cross?
  5. How does one’s good confession - “Jesus is Lord!” - express one’s repentance?
  6. Why is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ a clear indication of one’s repentance?


2009-11-23 - Master Plan - Selection (part 2)
  • Not the kind of group you would expect to win the world for the Christ.
  • Represented an average cross section of the society of their day
  • Some already had joined the revival movement of John the Baptist
  • Jesus can use anyone who wants to be used.
  • Kept the group small enough to be able to work effectively with them.
    • More special than the twelve was the three – Peter, James, John
      • Jairus’ daughter (mark 5:37, Luke 8:51)
      • Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2, Matthew 17:1)
      • Waited Near the Lord when He prayed. (Mark 14:33, Matthew 26:37)
    • Choose twelve – Luke 6:13-17, Mark 3:13-19
    • Others – the 70 (Luke 10:1), Mark and Luke (gospel writers), James, His own brother (1 Cor 15:7)
  • Rapidly diminishing priority given to those outside the twelve.
  • Staked His whole ministry on them. Everything depended upon their faithfulness.
  • Some believe that focusing on a few is favoritism
  • Jesus however did not neglect the crowds.
    • Taught them
    • Healed the sick
    • Blessed the children
    • Wept for them
    • He died for them.
  • Crowd aroused
    • Wanted to make him King by force - John 6:15
    • All men were clamoring for His attention - John 3:26
    • Pharisees admitted that the world has gone after Him - John 12:19
    • Frequently asked those that recipients of His healing to say nothing to prevent mass demonstrations
    • Own brothers and sisters did not understand him - John 7:2-9


2009-11-30 - Master Plan - He Required Obedience
  • 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


2009-12-02 - Master Plan - Learning to Obey
  • Disciples were slow to learn the deeper truths of Jesus’ life.
    • What the kingdom of God was all about
    • The fact that Jesus was going to die on the cross
    • Serving others above their own needs
    • Who was greatest in the kingdom of God
    • Harsh judgment on those how disagreed with them
  • Jesus was patient with their failings
    • Disciples went back to their old fishing business – did not seem to be an act of disobedience
    • Jesus come follow him but they did not realize what that meant until later
    • Their capacity to receive truth would if they continued to practice with what truth they did understand
    • They were not asked to commit to doctrine but to the Person who was the doctrine.


2009-12-26 - First the Kingdom - Mourning Misunderstandings
Two extremes to mourning:

1. Mournful mourning
  • Self-centered - woe-is-me
  • We shield ourselves from God's grace
  • Focused on our own unworthiness
2. Matter-of-fact mourning
  • Qualifies as mourning because the mourner defines it as such
  • Brokenness is missing
  • God is looking for a broken and contrite heart - Psalms 51:17
The cross is the center point within the extremes

We will have to face the mourning someday - it is be now and God's way or it will be later and God's way

Are you postponing?

Are you ignoring?

2010-02-14 - One Another - Bearing With Another (part 1)
How are we to bear with someone sin?
  1. Action should be done with prayer
  2. Listen and understand as fully as possible - Proverbs 18:13
  3. Relate to them, gently - described as a surgeon realigning a broken bone
  4. Point to scripture, scripture needs to train, not you - 2 Timothy 3:17
  5. Help them evaluate their heart with Godly sorrow - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
  6. Ask them what they see in needed to demonstrate repentance
  7. Take them all the way to the cross - to the place where sin dies, only way to be free
  8. Assure them of your support then give it to them


2010-02-21 - One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 1)
Bible is clear - Jesus came to break down divisions - Ephesians 2:14

Worldly divisions
  • Race
  • Money
  • Gender
  • Culture
  • Distance
  • Too busy
Common barriers in the church:
  • Past hurts
  • Bitterness
  • Sin - yours, mine or others
Jesus broke down walls through the cross - Ephesians 2:16
Can ONLY be done at the foot of the cross

Only way a holy and righteous God can be reunited with his unrighteous enemy (us) - Romans 5:6-11

Reconcile = to become friends again
Not to politely tolerate one another or a ceasefire

The goal of Jesus is to be one - John 17:20-21
Only way Jews and non-Jews could form the church of God

What Paul had is mind when writing - Ephesians 3:20
"...him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think"

2010-02-25 - One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 1)
Matters related to forgiveness:

Forgiveness often is not easy

Pain creates lasting memories
The more deliberate the sin or the more we have invested in a relationship, the greater the pain
Greater the pain = harder it is to forgive

Forgiveness may be hardest in the church

When we see sin in our brothers and sisters, there seems to be a much greater temptation of bitterness

Satan's top-ranked scheme may be to lead us not to forgive

Paul: I have forgiven in order that Satan might not outwit us - 2 Corinthians 2:9-11
If he can get us to forget the cross and create a different standard for our brothers and sister = victory for satan
Sin can blemish the church but there is no uglier blemish than one cause by the lack of forgiveness

2010-03-01 - One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3)
Work out differences; maintain unity - Ephesians 4:1-7

Do not be surprised when there are differences
See differences as:
  • Opportunity for the spirit to work
  • Opportunity for iron to sharpen iron
  • Opportunity for us to go to the cross and practice humility
Be sensitive to outsiders; seek to bring them in - Colossians 4:2-6

Need to make the most of every opportunity
Avoid lingo and behavior that make the visitor truly feel like an outsider

Stay at the foot of the cross


What makes a Christian group different from others is the cross
Where is your group in regard to the cross?
Are we dying and living a baptized life?

2010-03-13 - To Live is Christ - No One Else Like Him
Those with with the greatest impact are not the ones you expect
Romans centurion - Matthew 8:5-10
Canaanite woman - Matthew 15:21-28

Timothy struggled with illness and fear made quite an impression on Paul
  • He looked out for the interest of others
  • He lived out the message
  • He knew what it meant to go to the cross
  • He was convinced that he was more alive when he was dead
  • He discipleship was a matter of practice
  • He had no trouble seeing the mission of Jesus
  • He did not run aimlessly but purposeful, selfless, and dedicated servant of Jesus
How do Timothys come about?
  • They study to become like this
  • They are discipled to become like this
  • They do whatever it takes
God uses them to bless the world

2010-03-17 - To Live is Christ - Considered Rubbish
Not only did Paul give up his religious past and performance, he gladly counted everything else a loss too
He would give up any claim of such things so he could gain justification by grace

He considered them rubbish  - Philippians 3:8-9
skubala = human waste or dung (KJV)
He was saying the same thing as Isaiah - all righteousness acts are like filthy rags - Isaiah 64:6

The good we do is not rubbish but it is if those works are seen as the source and trusted in
Our obedience, which is imperfect, does not make us right with God
Christ's righteousness saves by faith

The message of the cross calls us to sacrifice everything to Christ, who sacrificed everything for us

Without his sacrifice, our sacrifice would be worthless to God and to man


2010-03-20 - To Live is Christ - Enemies of the Cross
The acceptance of Jesus leads to joy and not to be naive - Philippians 3:17-21
Be thankful but still have our eyes wide open

The cross stands as a constant reminder of the battle between good and evil
Jesus did not just hang out at the cross - HE DIED there because of his enemies
And the war goes on

To act as though we do could do enough to earn salvation - undermines Jesus' sacrifice
To act as though grace is a license for sin - undermines the purpose of the cross - Romans 6:17

Enemies of the cross = people with minds on earthly things

Philippians had a unique blessing of having Roman citizenship outside of Rome
Our real home country is heaven and our loyalty is to the King of Kings

2010-04-07 - Life to the Full - Two Wisdoms (part 1)
Wisdom can be earthly or demonic

Teachers will be judged more strictly - James 3:1
The danger with the wrong type of teacher is his misuse of his tongue:
  • Sarcasm
  • Negativity
  • Bitterness
  • Cursing
  • Worldly reactions
Coming across as self-righteous is a danger too
We all stumble in many ways - James 3:2
James included himself


2010-05-24 - Desire's Journey - Blessed are the Nice?

The enemy wants us to have small passions and desires

We are producing a generation whose greatest virtue is to not defend anyone
Then wonder why there is not more passion for Christ

The greatest enemy of holiness is not passion but apathy
Zeal for your house consumes me - John 2:17
Zeal isn't quite the pcitures we have of Sunday school

If deadness is next to godliness, then Jesus had to deadest person ever - it wasn't the case

God is a consuming fire - Hebrews 10:31
The consuming fire is His jealous love - Deuteronomy 4:24
Joy set before him enable Jesus to endure the agony of the Cross - Hebrews 12:2

 



2010-07-04 - Desire's Journey - The Grand Affair (part 1)

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



2010-07-19 - Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 6)
From the section about Jesus' trial in the dessert

2. Trail comes after we determine not to take matters into our own hands

By refusing to turn stones into bread, Jesus choose to trust God
Satan tries to attack our sense of God's heart toward us
If our thoughts are: "Do I really have to wait that long? Do you care me, God?" - Satan will jump all over this

Jesus came to answer once and for all our question: "Do you love me?"
We can stand firm on the ground of the cross against the doubt
We don't need for God to prove his love for us - he has at the cross

2010-08-15 - Waking Dead - Reason and Emotion

Those who live only from the minds are detacted from life
They conclude others are emotional and unstable

Those who live from the heart find those who live from the mind, unavailable.

The heart is the source of emotion but we have equated heart with emotion - like saying love is a feeling

If Christ had followed his emotions, we would nave not gone to the cross for us - Mark 14:32-35

Emotion are the voice of the heart
The mind stands detacted, it is with the heart we experience and respond to life's fullness



2010-08-22 - Waking Dead - New Heart
Most people assume the Cross is the total work of Christ
The Resurrection is the epilogue of the real story

If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith - 1 Corinthians 15:14

WWJD? Not wearing a cross necklace
Church did not even began using the cross in a minor role symbol until 400 years after Christ

Must become a witness with us of his resurrection - Acts 1:22
Proclaim in Jesus the resurrection of the dead - Acts 4:2
Apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus - Acts 4:33
Paul preached the good news about Jesus and the resurrection - Acts 17:18

2010-09-20 - Waking Dead - Christ's Great Works
Son's three great works on our behalf

1. Cross accomplished many thing
Forgiveness and the power to overcomes the constant attacks from the enemy

2. Resurrection
Having put off the old self, we are to put on the new - Ephesians 4:24
It is life we were promised and it is life we need

3. Ascension
All authority was given to Christ
By the grace of God, we share that with him
It was Adam who gave it away and it was Christ who won it back

Lord of the Rings, Two Towers - Theoden (a king) who is reluctant to go to war
Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not - Aragorn

The primary reason most people do not know the freedom and life Christ promised is that they won't fight for it



2010-11-15 - Power of the Cross
Preached by Maurice Hooks

Answers to life's question is @ the cross
Power struggles happen everyday
  • Money
  • Relationships
  • Control over resources
Jesus should be our true power source
We are at level ground at the foot of the cross

Wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
  • 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
When we take it to the cross, we are all equal
Are you impowered by the cross?

Colossians 1:15-20
  • 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
Power struggles in our lives:
  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
How the power of the cross needs to be seen in our lives

In our relationships
  • Deversity in the church
  • Strong Marriage
  • Unity
Overcoming our fears(1 John 4:7-21)
  • Acceptance
  • Future
  • What others think


2010-11-17 - Contagious Christian - Making the Message Clear (part II)
Christ - Common questions
Why couldn't God just forgive and forget, as we can?
Like in car accident, God is willing to forgive but someone still has to pay for the damage

What kind of justice is there in having Jesus suffer instead of me?
God was not a reluctant bystander
The difference is that God is will and he is taking his own punishment for you

You
Many people are left with the impression that if they go to church or they born into a church they are saved
Not everyone that calls Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom - Matthew 7:21-23
We have got to be crystal clear that a personal response is essential

Do vs Done
The difference between religion and Christianity is Do vs Done

Religion spells DO - as in we try to do something for God's salvation
It is like a salesman that needs to meet a quota but does not know what it is
But we can never do enough and will always fall short - Romans 3:23

Christianity spells DONE
Means that what we could never do for ourselves, Christ has already done
He lived a perfect life we could never live
He willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty we owed

2010-11-30 - Mission - Repentance
Both Luke 24 and 2 - message of repentance and forgiveness is mentioned in the light of the death and resurrection of Jesus

The message to Preach

1. Repentance

God wants the cross to reveal how disgraceful and disgusting sin is
To motivate us to radical and rapid change
Is there an example of repentance in the Bible that is not radical and rapid?
Repentance is the first and foremost call to change to change our mind (metanoia)

Paul preached they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance with their deeds - Acts 26:20
You can only change your action for a period of time without ever really changing your mind
Change your mind, you will change your action rapidly and radically

Baptism happened rapidly and radically because his heart was ready to change - Acts 8
Would we have have baptized the Ethiopian the same day?
What did Philip see? Unmistakable signs of godly sorrow
As soon as someone has repented, he is ready for baptism

2010-12-01 - Mission - Forgiveness
The message to Preach

2. Forgiveness of sins

Without this, there would be nothing else
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us - Romans 5:8
We first need to clearly teach people why forgiveness is possible
Happens only in the name of Jesus
It is only because God loves us and not because of anything we have done or will do
We must also make it clear that is when one is baptized in the name of Jesus that one is saved - Acts 2:38

As we preach, we must be careful, but not cautious
Be sensitive but not sentimental

We must preach the cross so powerfully that it cuts
No one will ever repent until they are brought to Godly sorrow - 2 Corinthians 7

2010-12-02 - Mission - Taking Up the Cross
Two questions to ask ourselves:
Is the power of the cross producing real changes in my life?
Are lost souls being radically converted as I preach?

The message of the cross will seem foolish to those we are teaching if they do not see the daily demonstration of its power for us who are being saved

Christians described in Romans 6
  • v4 - new life
  • v7 - freed from sin
  • v11 - dead to sin but alive in Christ
Taking up our cross must be each and every day
Our days are composed of countless choices and decisions
Each step that Jesus took towards the cross he took willingly

It takes 1000s of bricks to build a house, it takes 1000s of righteous choices to build a Christ-like character
Our hearts - lost world needs to know how we feel towards our Father
Our conversation - we should never get tired of telling our conversation story
Our example - Our daily temptations and victories should be only shared

2010-12-19 - Worlds Wisdom vs Gods Wisdom (part I)
1 Corinthians 1:18-20
  • Everyone wants to know “How can I really live?”
  • This passage spells out two fundamental ways to answer this question. The world’s wisdom or God’s wisdom.
  • How does man in his wisdom view God’s wisdom (the cross)?
  • How does God view man’s wisdom? Can we have it both ways?
  • If you think I am a fool and I think you are a fool, what will our relationship be like?
  • Establish the wide gulf in the two ways of viewing and living life.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20
  • Why does Paul say “Do not deceive yourselves?”
  • There is something about the world’s wisdom that is deceiving.
  • It is easy to convince ourselves that what we want to believe, what is comfortable, what is familiar, is right.
Matthew 16:13-17
  • What kind of man was Peter? Was he religious?
  • He certainly gets a right answer here.
  • According to Jesus, where does this answer come from?
Matthew 16:21-23
  • What does “Peter rebuked him” mean?
  • Peter thought he was seeing things God’s way, but in reality he was still on the side of the world’s wisdom.
  • We can know the right answers and still be living according to the wisdom of the world. What was Jesus’ response?
  • Where does the world’s wisdom really come from? From Satan. No wonder it is the opposite of God’s wisdom.


2010-12-20 - Worlds Wisdom vs Gods Wisdom (part II)
Before we go on:  What is the “world’s wisdom”?
  • 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)

Matthew 16:24-26
  • 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?
Final thoughts
  • 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?


2010-12-23 - Cross of Christ (part I)
Romans 3:22-26, 5:6-8
  • The cross is a demonstration of God’s justice in the face of sin.
  • God would not be righteous if he simply looked the other way in the face of sin and evil.
  • The cross is the greatest demonstration of God’s love. Because God loves us, Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Mark 10:42-45
  • Jesus understood God’s plan for him to give himself as a ransom for us - to die for our sins.
  • He could do this only because of his sinless life.
Mark 14:26-15:41
  • One account of the crucifixion. As you read and discuss each section, ask the question: “Why did God allow this to happen to Jesus?” Because He loves us! (To better describe the physical torments of the crucifixion, you may also wish to read “The Passion of the Christ from a Medical Point of View” by C. Truman Davis, M.D.)


2010-12-24 - Cross of Christ (part II)
Isaiah 53
  • Written about 700 years before Jesus, this chapter predicted what the Messiah would do at the cross and why. (Note: In Luke 22:37, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 53 and says it was about him.) Read entire chapter. Points of emphasis:
    • Verses 1-3 – despised and rejected
    • Verses 4-6 – pierced for our transgressions; crushed for our iniquities; by his wounds we are healed. Suggestion: read this passage again putting in your own name.
    • Verses 7-9 – like a lamb to the slaughter; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. You may want to remind the person of the sins he/she described in earlier study.
    • Verses 10-12 – he is a guilt offering; but after the suffering of his soul, satisfaction (resurrection)
1 Peter 2:21-25
  • Why did Jesus die on the cross for us? So that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
  • This is our whole-hearted response to the cross.


2010-12-31 - Baptism into Christ (part III)

Sinner’s Prayer? 1 Peter 3:21

  • Some claim that a person needs only to pray a “sinner’s prayer” or “ask Jesus into his/her heart” in order to be saved.
  • This is the predominant view in the evangelical Christian world. However, this is not the message that was preached in the Book of Acts.
  • Everyone was called to repentance, faith and baptism, and as Peter wrote here, “baptism now saves us” by the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

Acts 22:7-16

  • After encountering Jesus, repenting, praying, fasting (Acts 9:9-11), being healed, and being called by God,
    Paul remains in sin.
  • What was left for him to do?
  • Why the urgency - what is so pressing about the need for baptism?
  • What remains for you to do or think about before you are ready to be united with Christ in baptism?
Finish picture - The benefits of salvation made available at the cross become real for us when we participate in his death, burial and
resurrection.

2011-01-02 - Discipleship (part II)

Luke 9:23-27

  • Emphasize the heart that God wants.
  • What are the three demands of discipleship in this verse?
    • What does it mean to “deny yourself?”
    • What does it mean to “take up your cross daily?”
    • What does it mean to “follow Jesus?”
  • How can we be “ashamed of Jesus and His words?”

Luke 9:57-62 - Examine the issues involved with each person - thoughtless following, excuse making
and second thoughts.

Luke 14:25-35

  • If anyone would come after me… A disciple loves Jesus more than any other person (v.26).
  • A disciple loves Jesus in spite of any persecution (v.27).
  • A disciple loves Jesus more than any possession (v.33).
  • Count the cost (vv.28-30): it’s the most important decision of your life!
  • Consider the alternatives (vv.31-32): Surrender or lose everything! It’s a decision for the rest of your life (vv.34-35).


2011-02-12 - Discipleship - Kansas City (part II)
The Standard of a Disciple
Luke 9:18-26
  • Question: What were Jesus and his disciples doing? How is your prayer life?
  • Question: Why do you think the people thought so many things? Turned to men instead of God's word
  • Question: If someone wants to come after Jesus what does He say they need to do?
    • Deny self - Put God's will above your own
    • Take up his cross and crucify self - no longer live for self but to do God's will
    • Follow Jesus and imitate the life of Jesus - do the things that Jesus would do in situation
  • Question: How can you show Jesus that you want to hold to his standard?
Commitment of Following Jesus
Luke 9:57-62
  • Question: What do you think these men wanted from Jesus?
    • These men wanted the life and blessing of being with Jesus without the commitment
    • Jesus wants full commitment - like in a marriage - not 80% commitment
    • There is no good reason to NOT follow Jesus
  • Question: How can you show 100% commitment? QTs, fellowship, coming to church, BT, etc


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