2009-08-12 - A Life of Impact - Unconditional Love Unconditional Love Mark 14:17-26
The Memorial
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2009-08-23 - Wild at Heart - Wild One whose image we bear Where do we come from? A man must know where he comes from and what he is made of both past and family fathers Most men are trying not to be like their fathers Who will they derive their sense of strength? To men God is: Distant and weak (How they would describe their father) Reminds us that life lived in fear is no life at all – all will die someday | ||||||||||||||||||
2009-12-18 - Master Plan - The Plan (part 1) Life has a plan
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2010-01-18 - Kingdom First - Giving in Secret Giving should be done without even our closest friends and family knowing - Matthew 6:1-4 God blesses are many time unknown or unseen to many people He gives because he wants to Are you content when no one sees your sacrifice? Do you give without wanting anything in return? Jesus' life was full of sacrifical giving and he expects us to do likewise
God loves a cheerful giver - 2 Corinthians 9:7 | ||||||||||||||||||
2010-01-25 - Kingdom First - Only One Master What occupies my mind? If we are eager and driven to gain more we will stray from the faith and be pierced with many griefs - 1 Timothy 6:10 Secret to being content, I can do everything through him that gives me strength - Philippians 4:12-13 Judas: example of someone trying to live with 2 masters:
Elders gave large sums of money to have them lie about the disciples stealing the body of Jesus - Matthew 28:12 What is our selling point? Do not put our hope in wealth, which is so uncertain - 1 Timothy 6:17 Keep your lives free from the love of money - Hebrews 13:5 | ||||||||||||||||||
2010-02-26 - One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 2) Other matters related to forgiveness: Forgiveness is the ultimate 'one another' trump card Love, which always forgives, can cover a multitude of sins - 1 Peter 4:8 Forgiveness must come from a grateful heart If forgiveness comes from anything other than a grateful heart, we lack the purity of heart Rid yourself of all bitterness, rage, and anger - forgiving each other as Christ forgave you - Ephesians 4:31-32 We must help one another forgive When a person is not forgiving, they grow bitter The sin of lack of forgiveness of someone may be greater than the actual offense See that no one misses the grace of God and no bitter root grows - Hebrews 12:14-15 Pain and anger are not resolved in a moment, but let us never doubt where we must end up | ||||||||||||||||||
2010-03-25 - To Live is Christ - Learned to be Content The secret of being content in any situations is to remember - I can do everything through him who gives me strength - Philippians 4:10-13 Content = Greek word autarkeia = self-sufficiency or not needing a thing Secret he learned was not because he choose not to care He learned it by:
At one point - bad circumstances led him to despair of life itself - 2 Corinthians 1:8 What circumstances are in your life right now that could lead to a lack of contentment? | ||||||||||||||||||
2010-05-22 - Desire's Journey - Goodness Does Christianity condemn desire? Like the Puritans It is not a matter of desire is good or not - it is what we do with it Something has gone wrong Faith on its way to maturity moves from duty to delight Prodigal son | ||||||||||||||||||
2010-05-29 - Desire's Journey - Mocking Desire We want the adventure without the risk - ex. Only 5% of SUV ever go off-road Idols usually come in pairs: Nearby idol - gives a since of control Faraway idols - provides the taste of transcendence But the idols are impostors - we are taken by the array of choices we have but never have to stop and look at what we are doing Is your desire truly and deeply satisfied with these idols? Does the relief come more through the temporary absence of desire? We have found a powerful drug - distraction Sometimes we don't want to take a good, hard look at what we are really doing Used wood to make fire and cook with - then made an idol??? - Isaiah 44:16-17, 19-20 | ||||||||||||||||||
2010-06-17 - Jesus - The Healer (part 2)Causes of Sickness:Break Down of System Our spiritual immune system can break down:
You must be prepared: 1 Peter 4:1-11
Ephesians 5:10-18
Will you let him? | ||||||||||||||||||
2010-06-22 - Amazing Grace - how fearful the sound Preached on 2003-11-13 There is nothing we can do or not do to change it Psalms 103:8 - Grace is not a new concept for God Luke 9:51-56 - the disciples struggled with grace What fears do we have about grace? 1. Grace - produces lazy Christians We cannot control the freedom of others Acts 4:33 - much grace given and produced committed disciples 2. Grace - produces sinful Christians Grace exposes our hearts and gives us the responsibility to respond Romans 5:15-19 - Regulations is not grace - Grace is a mature concept What has grace produced in you? 3. Grace - produces weak convictions John 6:28-29 - Must believe - Belief is a work you must do Luke 13:2-9 - Repent or perish - Level of repentance and faith may be different for each person but baptism is the same for all. | ||||||||||||||||||
2010-08-01 - Desire's Journey - Keeping Heart (part 2) The NT scriptures do not differ from the old testament about forgetfulness Bread and the cup was give to us in rememberence of him Paul was shock that the Galatians were turning away so soon from God - Galatians 1:6 He sent Timothy to the Corinthians to remind them to share the eternal life he gives through Christ - 1 Corinthians 4:17 Peter, who knew firsthand the grief that comes with forgetting writes to keep firm the grip on faith - 1 Peter 5:10 Life is a journey of the heart that requires the mind The heart is the center of life Desire is always where the action is We must bring the truth into our hearts to guard and to guide our desires - this is the other half of the mission Popular phrases that do not work: Follow your heart, Trust your soul We must cling to the truth for dear life - both heart and mind together | ||||||||||||||||||
2010-10-16 - Giving (Part II)
QUESTIONS
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2010-12-27 - Repentance (part I) Luke 13:1-5, 6-9
Luke 3:7-14
Acts 26:15-21
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2011-03-04 - Jesus is God (part I) Examples showing the deity of Jesus:
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2011-06-28 - Mind of Christ - Helping People (part III) Attitude differences between a compassionate heart and one that is uncompassionate.
Which side of the table do I tend to say more of? | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-08-24 - Fearing God - His rule Job's attitude toward God in the beginning: It profits a man nothing when tries to please the God - Job 34:9 The Lord confronted him, "I will question you and you shall answer me - Job 38:2-3 Job 38-41 is a gallery of God's creative wisdom and power What was Job's response? I am unworthy - Job 40:4 God cares for His creation He gives all men life and breath - Acts 17:25 He endows the heart with wisdom and gives understanding to the mind - Job 38:36 God governs His universe He is the ruler of all things - 1 Chronicles 29:12 He does as he pleases - Daniel 4:35 Our plans depend entirely on him - Lamentations 3:37 God's rule is universal and absolute A sparrow can not fall to the ground without His will - Matthew 10:29 Not one drop of rain falls without His command - Amos 4:7 | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-09-07 - Followup: Grace (part II) Grace is almost too good to be true, but it is. The goal of this study is to help you to see the real God who loves you and how valuable you are to him. He valued you at the cost of his only Son, whom he gave up so that thee could be grace to forgive your sins and restore your relationship with him. Psalms 103:8-10
Matthew 18:21-35
As you continue your walk with God picture yourself in a world of God’s grace. And remember every time you stumble or fall down your landing in God’s grace. Just get back up and continue on in God’s grace. Not once, not twice, not seven times but continue on in God’s grace for eternity. | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-09-19 - Proverbs on Integrity (part II) Examples of great integrity.
#1. Integrity last forever Proverbs 12:19 - Truthful lips endure forever Integrity last forever (people lie to escape something) but no one can run from the truth
Whenever we lie we ruin a part of our character.
Men and take many things away from us but no one can take our integrity (its our choice). | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-09-27 - Proverbs on Advice - Advisors bring victory 2. Advisors bring victory Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure Proverbs 25:12 - Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear We all want to succeed; we all want to be winners.
3. Without instruction, bad things happen Proverbs 19:27 - Stop listening to instruction my son and you will stray from the words of knowledge Proverbs 21:16 - A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead Sometimes were just think-headed (we know what’s best)
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2011-09-30 - Proverbs on Laziness (part II) How do I overcome being lazy (How do I become disciplined)? 1. Carpe Diem = Seize the Day We are only given a certain amount of time in a day (and on earth)
Being disciplined is about the little things in life.
One thing that can hurt your discipline is if you over commit
Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything
Tips
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2011-10-02 - Genesis 2 - Creation & Recreation Recap SummaryGod formed a man and gave him the garden in Eden, except for the tree of knowledge. Adam was alone so God made a woman as his partner. ObservationsGenesis 2:7 - from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life Personal ApplicationMany times I look for ways on how to automate work (it is part of the work I do as part of my career) but sometimes lose sight that work is what I am suppose to be doing. When automating tasks, I need to make sure I am using my additional time to do even more useful things that God has called me to do. | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-10-14 - Genesis 14 - The Kidnapping of LotSummaryThe kings went to war and took Lot captive. Abram rescued Lot. Melchizedek blessed Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of everything. ObservationsGenesis 14:18 - Melchizedek ... He was priest of God Most High
Personal ApplicationDo I have a good sense of my relationships? Do I tend to be a part of group to just belong or a higher reason? I find it much easier to take then to give and I do not think I have conviction on doing the reverse. There is no such thing as a free lunch (maybe from God because he gives freely) - are some offers of others giving really a trap? In some some situations, I should be giving instead of taking. | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-10-17 - Genesis 17 - Abram becomes Abraham SummaryGod made a covenant with Abram and renamed him Abraham. He renamed Sarai Sarah and promised them a son. The men were circumcised. ObservationsGenesis 17:9 - As for you, you must keep my covenant Personal ApplicationI know I can one-sided and stubborn in my thoughts and sometimes in my relationships. When I get my mind set to do something, that is the way it is. This can be a strength in some situations but a very big weakness if I am contrary to God's thinking. I need to be humble and allow God to change my thoughts and my ways. | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-10-25 - Mind Change - Help These three help in our walk: faith, thanksgiving, determination Faith inspires you. Thanksgiving gives you perspective. Determination keeps you moving. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - every act prompted by your faith Philippians 4:6 - in everything with thanksgiving Luke 9:51 - Jesus resolutely set out for the cross | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-10-30 - Mind Change - Humility Humility is the most powerful force in the world. God loves it. God honors it. God blesses it. With it, you cannot lose. You can have it in all circumstances. Luke 14:11 - Who humbles himself will be exalted James 4:6 - He gives grace to the humble 1 Peter 5:5 - Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-11-12 - Mind Change - Patience Whoever gives up on God always gives up too soon. He doesn’t wear your watch. He doesn’t use you datebook. He doesn’t always follow your script. But he always comes through. 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 - Every one of God's promises are "Yes" in him | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-11-16 - Mind Change - Grace God always gives the next grace for the next step. It may look bigger than any you have taken before, but if he calls you to take it, his grace will be sufficient. The challenges that are coming up may be greater than any you have faced, but God will always be enough. Judges 6:14 - Go in the strength you have 2 Corinthians 1:10 - We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again | ||||||||||||||||||
2011-11-19 - Getting Started (part I) The first few weeks of your new life as a disciple are crucial. Satan is angry because of his loss and God’s gain and he will make an effort to get you off-track as soon as possible. (Revelation 12:7-12) This study will help you get off to a fast start and help you have the right focus to stay close to God and keep the devil at a distance. Remember what has just happened
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2011-12-02 - Guarding Your Heart (part I) Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die. We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
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2011-12-21 - Day 18 - Learning from Others Matthew 18:1-4
Psalms 32:8-10 - How can you not be like a horse or mule? Application: If you have resisted learning from younger disciples, repent today and seek them out to ask questions. If you are young yourself, set the believers a great example | ||||||||||||||||||
2012-01-23 - Ministry - Unless You Change Matthew 18:2-4 Deeply rooted in the mature of adults is a strong sense of resistance to change. Even when we feel deeply discontent with our lives, we are more willing to stay in the familiarity of our misery than to venture into the untested waters of change. Fortunately, Jesus, in his desire to put us out of our misery, makes it clear that for a Christian to make it to heaven we must keep on changing. We must choose to grow even if it is challenging, difficult, tiring, confusing or scary. Why this strong direction? Because there is just so much about our hearts, character, habits, lives that the Lord wants to change! Too many souls will be lost if we stop growing. Jesus gives us the secret to change in the same verse - humble yourself. Thank God we live in a kingdom where the Lord rushes to help the humble. He will send the word, wise advice from a disciple, a protecting angel, and a physical blessing, all to the humble. It seems that we have two choices: Be humbled or get humbled. Questions:
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2012-02-12 - Ministry - But Because You Say So Luke 5:1-11 Peter's faith was ebbing with the tide. No fish, no breakfast. After a frustrating night of fruitless fishing he was struggling to accept a carpenter's fishing tip to let down the nets yet again. Yet Peter softened his will to the Master's will and obeyed out of faith. He had no other reason to believe he would even get a nibble at the net. As the fish came in Peter got that sinking feeling of realizing the depth of his own sin. He deferred to Jesus and knew he did not deserve to be in the Master's presence. I am struck by Peter's decision to follow Christ's command to let down the net again even though years of experience and an empty-netted night begged him not to. Sometimes experience can breed cynicism because we are used to certain results and have formed certain expectations. Cynicism replaces obedience and robs us of faith. It gives us a reason to not have to believe because "we have been there, done that" and it has never work. Peter's humility is convicting and his responsiveness to Jesus is a powerful example. We can easily be deceived by experience that has result in fruitless and netted us nothing. Is your evangelism producing fruit? Maybe you are letting your nets down in the wrong place or in the wrong way. Find a new fishing hole. Consider reaching out to different kinds of people. | ||||||||||||||||||
2012-02-16 - Fear of Failure - God Will Give Us the Grace We Need to Succeed by Sean Kiluk, San Francisco Church of Christ 2 Corinthians 9:8 God will give us all the grace we need to be successful in whatever role he has put us in. He did not put us where we are to fail, but to rely on him for success. Our problems come when we value success and praise more than knowing God. God forgives us, and he loves us even though we fail or sin. His love is unconditional. We need to have confidence in God's grace in everything. We will fail at times, but God has enough grace to ensure a victory in the end. Decisions:
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2012-02-28 - Fear of Failure - No Discipline Seems Pleasant by Mandy Mazik - Ministry Intern: San Francisco Church of Christ Hebrews 12:11-13 God understands the pain that we go through, and the depth that it hurts us. He understands and expects the discipline we go through to train us and make us better. The discipline and the pain will be in vain if we don't allow ourselves to endure. In order to produce peace and righteousness in your life, it is important to embrace the trials that we go through. God expects us to "strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees." We need to do our part and put some work in to strengthen ourselves and not always wait for victories to drop in our lap. In this way, the areas in our life that are disabled (our spirituality, our finances, physical fitness, etc) will no longer be lame, "but rather healed." Decisions:
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2012-03-18 - Renewing of your Mind (part I) Romans 12:1-2 - renewing of your mind Satan is the Father of lies - John 8 Love the checklist - but it is a matter of belief Don't follow because we don't believe We learn from the past how we did not follow, but it is much better to learn in the present with His Word A lie may contain some truth or can by applied in some - Satan can use scripture too Looking back my actions make no sense / or why i struggled? 3 failures and a struggle 1. Hiding the cookies - Matthew 6:25-27 | ||||||||||||||||||
2013-08-27 - Hurtful Examples and Lies For some, hurtful things your father did and said to you over the years The question is whether or not you will allow it to hinder you or help you. We are to forgive like God forgives, completely - Ephesians 4:32 If you believe the same lies your father believed, you will also be bound by them. Truth doesn’t set you free if you only hear it and mentally understand it. Consider memorizing verses that stand against any lies you have believed. | ||||||||||||||||||
2013-12-01 - Love Your Wives Love our wives is actually more demanding than the task placed upon wives to “submit” to their husbands. The example God gives husbands to follow is simply the most courageous and sacrificial act ever done in all human history.
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2014-01-25 - Bless Your Children We need to boldly redefined success for them = “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” - Deuteronomy 6:5 1. God’s Word must “be on your heart.” Must always tell them how God is moving:
Every day gives you fresh, new material for making your life with Christ a front-row experience 2. Training your children to love God must occur within the context of close relationships. Talk about God is informal time:
Making disciples of all nations begins with your own children - it all starts with their hearts.
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2015-02-20 - Just Enough Give me neither poverty nor riches - Proverbs 30:8-9 Agur understood "The Law of Just Enough" Feeling of discontent will cause a man to do strange things
Having just enough to feel satisfied but not so much that they neglect their provider Failure to be content with whatever God gives you can lead to a boatload of trouble - 1 Timothy 6:6-10 | ||||||||||||||||||
2015-04-05 - Perfect Servant Unless I wash you, you won't belong to me - John 13:8 Jesus servered to the point of where the Jewish people considered demeaning even to the lowliest servant: He washed their feet Peter's protests were not going to stop him Jesus explained he whad set an example of how they were to treat one another and us too when he had returned to his Father God put us on the earth to server others, even if we do not know them personally Serving is a privilege because it builds up others and gives them to chance to see God's love in action. | ||||||||||||||||||
2015-04-22 - A Friend Indeed Take that if you want it, for there is nothing else here - 1 Samuel 21:9 A true friend gives of himself, and even sacrifices himself, for the good of another Ahimelech was this king of friend to David When David was on the run from King Saul, Ahimelech help him with food and a weapon for battle All Ahimelech knew was his friend was in need of help - his act of kindness came at a heavy price When KIng Saul heard Ahimelech assisted David, he ordered his execution - 1 Samuel 22 Being a true friend mean making personal sacrifices. Do you have a true friend? Are you a true friend? | ||||||||||||||||||
2015-06-11 - Make the Most of It Publius' father was ill; Pual went in and prayed for him and laying hands on him, he was healed - Acts 28:7-8 Paul was in a place where he could have used some rest and relaxation He travel to Rome but became shiprecked at Malta - a beautiful place which remains a popular tourist destination today You would think Paul might have taken a break during this opportunity but his commitment motivated him to make best use every moment God gave thim Paul did the same thing he did on his previous missionary journeys:
Make the best use of every moment God gives you, whatever your situation | ||||||||||||||||||
2015-08-28 - Basis of Confidence It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord - 2 Chronicles 26:17-18 Nothing keeps you from what God calls like self-doubt and fear Nothing gives you confidence like knowing you have God's full support King Uzziah of Judah was arguably one of the most powerful men in the world - few dared to say "no" to him Azariah, the high priest, knew Uzziah had been out of line by burning incense - a duty reserved for the priests alone He knew confronting the king of Judah entailed a great deal of risk Uzzuiah had the authority, temperament, and the inclination to end Azariah's life Azariah spoke out because he knew he had God's full support Uzziah flew into a rage but it ended up Azariah who continue to stand in the Temple as God's servant | ||||||||||||||||||
2015-09-13 - Alert and Ready Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him - Acts 23:17 Bible counsels us to alert and ready to move when God gives us a message of blessing, teching, or warning Paul's nephew saved his life because he remained alert and ready to act on what he knew Paul was chosen to speak his message of salvation to "the Gentiles and to kings" - Acts 9:!5 As Paul waited in jail for his opportunity to speak to Caesar, his nephew alerted him and his guards of a plot against his life When you remain alert and step out in faith at the opportune time, the Lord can use you to alter the course of history | ||||||||||||||||||
2015-12-16 - Pray, Plan, Act We will start rebuilding this wall - Nehemiah 2:20 God gives men the vision, the faith, and the ability to get things done - we must act on what we know Nehemiah first realized Jerusalem's walls needed rebuilding:
He knew he was faced with a daunting task:
Nehemiah approached the work with absolute confidence simply because God called him to the task Has God given you a vision of something he wants you to accomplish? | ||||||||||||||||||
2018-02-15 - Plain Truth The people were shocked at the plainness of Jesus' words Had he been silent or pretended to ignore matters he was fully aware of - he would have been a liar like the men with whom he was struggling Was it not the duty of Jesus to inform them of their condition? What else could a sincere friend do? There was no bitterness in Jesus' language? It was calm statements of a horrible fact Jesus' unquestion loyalty to truth gives his words a value which no other person's words possess Jesus holds nothing back - what is thinks, he says - what he feels, he declares He declares all things as they are This is the man we want. A man like this can be a refuge in the time of a storm What he assers concerning the principles of a victorious life, we can act upon, never doubting When he tells us to do something, we can do it knowing it is the best thing When he warns us against a course of action, we can shun it, knowning that in that direction lies death | ||||||||||||||||||
2024-01-13 - Intro (part II) God gives us a purpose, otherwise we are just heading to dust only no matter what we do It is easier to believe all beliefs are correct - 7 blind men and the elephant parable = 7 blind touch a elephant and feel like they have some something different, like tail, tusk, etc Common objections to a single true of God:
All make truth claims, many stated truths are mutually exclusive, for example:
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