Quiet Times Search

1. How does the church represent the “destination of repentance”?
2. How did the early church help sinners to repent? How did it safeguard true repentance from compromise?
3. How did the walls of the early church stand steadfast against the assaults of the world?
4. What does it mean to be of “one mind” with your brothers and sisters?
5. How were early Christians both non-conformists and conformists?
6. Why has church discipline gotten a “bad rap”? Is it warranted?
7. Why do so few churches practice the Biblical mandates to discipline its members?
8. How can a church best practice church discipline?
9. Have you ever been disciplined by your church? Did God’s plan lead you to repentance – why or why not?
10. Over 85% of the Biblical references to repentance address groups rather than individuals. Thus, how can you help your fellowship - at various levels – repent?
11. How can you spark repentance – even revival – in your church and in your community? Are you willing to walk its path of selfless commitment?

Biblical Principles of Reconcilation:

1. Realize the urgency and importance of being reconciled - Matthew 5:23-24
   • God would rather you patch up things with your brother than worship him
   • Have you called someone on a Saturday night to talk so you can worship God acceptably  the next day?
2. Accept the obligation and possibility of reconciliation
3. Know that we cannot always have our way
   • Reconciliation does not mean that everone will agree; power of the gospel is diversity working together in harmony
4. Make every effort to work things out - Ephesians 4:3
5. Forgive as the Lord forgave you - Colossians 3:13
6. Pray for your enemies (against human nature - Matthew 5:44

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

God promises evern man futility and failure
God guarantees every woman relational heartache and loneliness

We spend much of our time attempting to end these curses
We say, "I can make it work" and "I won't do what they did, I will overcome"

It can not be done
No matter how hard we try or have a clever plan - we can not arrange the life we desire

Will life ever be what I so deeply want it to be?

We must have life - we can not arrange for it

People avoid the lesson:

• Changing jobs
• Changing mates
• Changing direction in life

...rather than facing the truth - Isaiah 57:10

Some have seen that this will not work, yet they have faded into resignation, bitterness or dispair
They take their revenge on God by killing their desire

How do we accept that it can't be done with an open heart?
How do we sustain desire in the face of failure and loneilness.... Hope

The kingdom of God brings restoration
Life is resotred to what it was meant to be

Eden was exactly as God meant for it to be
Jesus came to make all things new - Revelation 21:5
He does not say he is make all new things, rather, the things that been broken will be restored
Not new glass or crutches but new eyes and legs

Jesus called himself the Son of man to state clearly that he was what man was suppose to be
What happens to him when he dies? He is resurrected as himself, not some else - only healed and very much alive
Creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed - Romans 8:19

1. Parable of the Shrewd Manager - Luke 16:1-15
   1. God expects us to be honest yet shrewd in the use of money (v. 1-8)
   2. Money is a tool to be used to gain friends (souls) (v. 9)
   3. If we are not trustworthy in handling money, God will not entrust us with true riches (people's souls) (v. 10-11). God will keep us from leadership if we are not trustworthy with finances (v. 10-11).
2. Whose Money Is It? Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:1; Luke 14:33
   1. We are managers (stewards), not owners. An owner does what he pleases with his money/possessions, while a manager submits to the will of the owner.
   2. As disciples, our attitude must reflect a willingness to "give up everything" to advance God's kingdom.

1. What ways am I not being shrewd honest, or trustworthy with my money/possessions?
   Examples:
   • Checkbook not balanced
   • Credit card debt - paying high monthly interest rates
   • Interest rates
   • Not paying bills on time
   • Writing bad checks
   • Not living by a budget
   • Borrowing from Christians or others and not repaying
2. What ways can I use God's money to win souls rather than serve myself?
3. How do I view my money/possessions? Who owns them? Do I have the attitude of "giving up everything for the kingdom?"

1. The Blessing of Giving - Acts 20:33-35
   1. Paul did not desire anyone else's money or possessions.
   2. He worked hard and sacrificed to help the weak.
   3. He knew that giving brought more joy than receiving.
2. Living for Eternal Possessions - Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 10:32-34
   1. When our treasure is in heaven not on earth, our hearts will be in heaven also.
   2. As disciples, we will look foolish to the world because our hearts and our treasures (money) are in heaven not on earth.
3. All Things For Our Enjoyment - 1 Timothy 6:17-18
   1. It is very easy for us who have wealth to put our hope and trust in money/things rather than God.
   2. As disciples we are commanded to be generous and willing to share.
   3. When we follow God"s plan we can feel great about enjoying the blessings God has given us.

1. Which do I desire more, to give or to receive?
2. How can I put all my treasure in heaven so that all my heart will be there also?
3. How am I being generous and willing to share on a daily basis?
4. Am I enjoying God's blessings or do I feel guilty about the things I have?

1. The Obstacle of Greed - Luke 12:13-21 (Parable of the rich fool); Luke 16:19-31 (Rich man and Lazarus)
   1. Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. The value of a person's life has nothing to do with his financial worth.
   2. The rich fool's goal was financial independence and being independent of God. This is the 'American Dream."
   3. The rich man in Luke 16 went to hell because of his greed and unconcern about the needs of others.
2. The Obstacle of Discontentment - Philippians 4:10-13
   1. Paul rejoiced while he was in prison.
   2. He was grateful and content even in need.
   3. Paul did not focus on what he lacked, but rather on what he had (Christ).
   4. Also note 1 Timothy 6:6-10.

1. How am I storing up treasures for myself but not being rich toward God?
2. How am I showing concern for the poor/needy?
3. Am I grateful and content with what I have right now?
4. What griefs do I have in my life because of greed and discontentment?
   Examples:
   • Debt
   • High monthly payments
   • Bad credit record

• In context, Paul was specifically warning against those who deny the resurrection of Jesus
• In other situations, we need to make sure we are the one whose influence is prevailing
• Should be on the offense rather than defense
• Take captive of every thought and make it obedient to Christ - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

1. Do not become lazy; this is a constant treat to the Christian life, to every Christian, young or old
2. Rather than imitate those who exhibit true faith and patience; there will always be good examples to imitate.

• v12 - Everyone that want to live a Godly life will have to go through persecution
• Question: What do you think that means - being persecuted for living a Godly life?
• v14-15 - Apostle Paul instructs Timothy to continue to believe to believe in the scriptures because it is able to make you wise in the choices of life
• v4:4 - Bible says that people will start to listen to and follow man (ideas and myths) rather than God
• If we read the Bible daily then we will know God's will for our lives. If we don't we will start to follow what people say, think, and feel.
• Question: How can reading the Bible daily change your life? What happens if you don't read daily?
• Question: Why do you think God wants you to read his word daily? So you can know him!

• Jesus is talking to the Jewish people and tells them that is they don't hold to his teachings, then they are not really his disciples
• Just because someone acts religious or know a lot about the Bible does not mean they are following Jesus
• Question: What does Jesus say it takes to be his disciple? Then you'll know what? Then what?
• When you read someone's journal you get to know that person more and more each day - same goes for reading God's word
• Question: How often do you read the Bible?
• Challenge: Read the Bible daily and make one decision each day.

• 1 Corinthians 9:19 - To become what he needed to become to win as many as possible
• 1 Corinthians 9:12 - We put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ
• 2 Timothy 2:10 - Endure everything for the sake of the elect
• ~2 Corinthians 11:22-33 - Endured and worked harder than anyone
• 2 Corinthians 12:15 - Gladly spends for you everything

• Romans 9:1-3 - He wish he could paid the price for them
  
• Romans 10:1 - My heart's desire for you to be saved
  
• Galatians 4:19 - Was in pains of childbirth for their salvation

• Luke 18:11 - Prayer: I thank you that I am not like other men
• Philippians 3:19 - Their god is their stomach
• 2 Timothy 3:2 - People will be lovers of themselves

• 2 Timothy 3:4 - Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
• Proverbs 21:17 - He who loves pleasure will become poor
• 1 Timothy 5:6 - But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead

• Galatians 5:16 - Live by the Spirit and not our sinful desires
• Ephesians 4:19 - Lost all sensitivity

• Undeserved forgiveness
• Acceptance even without perfect performance
• Real love (an “in-spite-of” love)

• Jesus receives the punishment for your sins instead of you - 2 Corinthians 5:21
• After baptism, Jesus blood continues to cover over our sin - 1 John 1:7

• Think of 2 of the most convicting sins in your life
• What do you deserve for them?
  • Punishment (not being trusted, retribution, etc…)
    

• We owe God a debt we could never repay.
• God has given us grace so we need to extend it to others as well.
• The more you see your sin the more you can understand God’s grace.

Summary

Adam's line was: Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. Noah's sons were Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Observations

Genesis 5:2 - He created them male and female and blessed them
It has always been God's intention to bless each and every one of us. And we do have many blessings!! But do we see them? We can not be grateful toward God unless we step back and look at all the great things he has done for us.

Genesis 5:22 - Enoch walked with God 300 years
Through the family line which is described here, God stops the pattern of listing the names of children and ages of important events to mention   Enoch's walk with God. Because of the obvious age limitations we have today, It was a walk longer than we will ever see with God on this earth - probably greater than 4 times. Can you imagine the faith and persistence he must have had?

Genesis 5:24 - then he was no more, because God took him away
Enoch did not see death but rather he was taken up to heaven. Along with Elijah [2 Kings 2:11], they were are the only two mentioned in the Bible to have gone directly to see him. How and why this happened, I am not sure but it does show God felt these relationship were very special to Him.

Personal Application

The challenge for me is simple: To finish the race [Acts 20:24] with great faith and perseverance. But not just to get by but to have a relationship with God that shines before others. When people talk about me, do they stop and mention my relationship with God like the Bible does with Enoch? What does God say about my faith?

Summary

Abram journeyed with his nephew Lot. Their servants argued, so Lot went to Sodom, Abram to Canaan. The LORD promised Abram the land.

Observations

Genesis 13:7 - So there were quarrels
When there are many things involved, sometimes because there are quarrels. Quarrels come from our evil desires within us [James 4:1]. It is not the amount of items but our heart toward them. In this day in age, there are many quarrel and we have many things. Right now Congress can not agree on much of anything. Are we fighting the good fight or just fighting each other?

Genesis 13:11 - Lot chose for himself the whole region of the Jordan
Lot had a choice, the better Lot wanted the "well-watered" land for himself but in the ended up with the land full of sin. When chose what is better for ourselves rather than others, we many times not get what we think we are getting. If Lot had the choice over again, he would have likely would chose to give the land to Abram but it instead cost him his life.

Personal Application

I have been very quarrelsome at work recently - there is a lot that frustrates me right now. I need to relax and count my blessings. It is not worth broken relationships or loss of life.

• Romans 5:9-11 - If God showed us patience while enemies, how much more now as friends?
• 2 Peter 3:17-18 - You are now in a secure position; enjoy it immensely

• Romans 6:5-11 - God’s grace gave us a new life – why would we want to return to the old
• Titus 2:11-14 - God’s grace teaches us t say no to sin (Cruise ship example)
• Jude 3-5 - God’s grace is not license to sin, rather a license against sin

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

1. Love learning
2. Never quit (emotionally or spiritually)
3. Sacrifice of time and resources entrusts my heart to God

1. Go to God with my pain and not blame him for it or question why I have it
2. Allow myself to be trained, go after discipling, working out everyday, confessing my sin, all on a daily basis (to be effective, training has to be a daily thing)
3. Take the opportunities that God gives me to be disciplined, get strong spiritually, in school, in fitness, so that my life can get closer and closer to being healed.

1. I will remember that God is with me and do something for someone else to show I believe in them and I am with them.
2. To trust in the Bible and read it every time I feel 2. like God is disappointed in me.
3. To show love to a person in action and in truth if I feel like God doesn't love me.

• Hobbies
• Other short-lived romances
• Addictions

• Busyness substitutes for meaning
• Efficiency substitutes for creativity
• Functional relationships substitutes for love

We live doing the things we ought to do rather than from our desires

There is a step program for a happy marriage, become a Christian, success

Communication with God is then replaced by activity with God

Given the right plan, everything in life can be managed except for the heart

When we commit sin, we actually become the “slave of sin” - John 8:34

If the Son makes you free you will be free indeed - John 8:36

Our freedom comes in Christ

The same power God used to raise Jesus from the dead, he uses to our most stubborn, ground-in habits.

True repentance and faith in Jesus Christ is the solution.

The more we discover who God is, the more we will love, fear, and respect Him.

Half hearted repentance want freedom from guilt rather than intimacy with their Maker. Instead of “divorcing” themselves from sin, they opt for a “temporary separation”

God’s love satisfies where sin could not - John 4: 13–14; 1 John 2:15– 17

Then the restlessness from guilt and indecision can end because your conscience is clear and your mind made up.

Falling becomes abnormal rather than routine. Freedom becomes a daily reality. Isn’t that what we all really want?

We need to choose to let go of childishness and foolishness
When I became a man, I did away with childish things - 1 Corinthians 13:11

Clinging to childhood while growing into manhood is like trying to run in opposite directions at the same time aka the “Peter Pan Syndrome”

Teen years are often wasted and fathers have become silent.

Rather than initiating serious conversations with wiser men, they goof off with fools in sports bars

Too many men want the freedoms, rewards, and privileges of manhood but only the responsibilities of boyhood

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ - Ephesians 4:14-15

Do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature - 1 Corinthians 14:20

The noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands - Isaiah 32:8

A man of responsibility is also a man who can live independantly
“A man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife” - Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5

We are not be alone in life, and though we need one another in the body of Christ,
A grown man should not need his parents or others taking care of him.
He should be a fountain, not a drain.

if she is constantly nagging you, then you should learn to outpace her concerns.

“I’ve already taken care of that” should be often flowing from your lips.

We should be more like a thermostat, affecting circumstances, rather than like a thermometer.

The following “heart hindrances” that will push your chidren away.

1. Your absence - they become sheep without a shepherd.
   • You are saying "You’re not important enough for me"
2. Your anger
   • React in anger, you can thoughtlessly say or do things in the heat of the moment that deeply wound your son or daughter’s spirit long-term
   • Love is slow to anger - 1 Corinthians 13:5
   • Humble yourself and quickly apologize
3. Unjust discipline
   • Must explain rules and consequences clearly using God’s Word and authority rather than their opinion - Ephesians 6:1-3
   • Ask yourself, “How can I train them without losing their heart?”
4. Harsh criticism
   • Don’t be sarcastic or belittling
   • Kids who have no freedom to fail will tend to rebel
5. Lack of compassion
   • Mercy warms hearts; carelessness distances them.
   • We must provide a listening ear, wise counsel, prayerful support, and a willing hand
   • Help them think of you as an oasis

Summary

Eliezer met Rebekah by the well exactly as he had prayed.

Observations

Genesis 24:12 - Please give me success today
So much of our success or failure can depend on our willingness to pray. Eliezer [Genesis 15:2] learned to pray to the "God of my master" and to have a dependant faith via Abraham. What are the people around learning from our prayer life and faith? Do we ask God for guidance before our important and not so important ventures?

Genesis 24:14 - This is how I will know; "I will water your camels too"
Abraham's servant prayed in great detail for Issac's wife to show herself. Hospitality standards of the time was to offer a drink to weary travelers but not to the animals. He did not ask for a certain number of ear rings and braclets (beauty) as a sign of Isaac's future wife but rather for woman great inner beauty. For Rebekah, this second mile offer to provide water for the ten camels, would be no easy feat. A camel can drink up to 30 gallons at a time. After just finishing the journey of 450 miles and two weeks, the camels probably drank pretty close to that amount. How many trips to the well would that have been for Rebekah? 10 camels x 30 gallons = 300 gallons;  1 gallon = 8.2 lbs; Maybe she could carry 40 lbs; 40lb / 8 = 5 gallons per trip; 300 gallons / 5 gallons per trip is about 60 trips.

Genesis 24:15 - Before he finished praying
God knows what we need, we just need to ask for it. Eliezer received an exact and immediate answer. He was left to watch in silience [Genesis 24:21] (possibly shocked) as God answered his prayer exacly as he prayed. When we pray according to His will, he will answer and bless us beyond what we have imagined. Rebekah not only provided water for his animals but she did with kindness and with servant heart. Not only did she provide some water for the camels but enough water until they were finish.  God also answered by blessing the servant with other attributes of Isssc soon-to-wife. The Bible also describes her a very beautiful phyiscally, old enough to marry, and a virgin.

Application

I do not have the dependant prayer I need to have. I have many failures because I depend on myself and do not ask God.

I will give the Lord whatever comes out of my house to meet me - Judges 11:30

As it would happen, the first to leave his house was Jephthah's daugther

The Bible contains hundreds of God's conditional promises of blessings

Jephthah's vow went terribiy wrong when he tried to set his own conidtions for blessing rather than appoarching God in faith

Have you felt that you needed to offer God something to receive his promised blessing?

You can't buy what God already wants to give you.

The Lord counted him as righeous because of his faith - Genesis 15:6

Faith is the foundation of everything you want to do

Abraham habitually took God at his word and believed that He would do just what He promised

God made him the father of many great nations

God made Abraham some big promises:

• Abraham had no way of knowing how He would keep them
• He remained focused on God's nature rather than how He would bring things about
• Abraham simply believed God would always do what He promised

Take a cenus of all the tribes of Israel - so I may know how may people there are - 2 Samuel 24:2

It is apporopriate and even necessary to speak words of correction, even when those words are not warmly received

Joab spoke up to King David, "Why do you want to do this?" - 2 Samuel 24:3
Why must you cause Israel to sin - 1 Chronicles 21:3

Joab apparently understood that David's orders came out of his reliance on superior military strength rather than the might of heaven

Though Joab warned King David not to go through with the cenus, the king did it anyway and paid a terrible price

We found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots - Acts 24:5

Bible repeatedly commands believers to use words to build others up rather than tear them down

Tertullus was a Jewish advocate before the Roman government and went out of his way to tear others down

He wanted to stop all the preaching about Jesus

Tertullus accused Paul of disturbing the peace throughout the Roman Empire

He intented to have Paul imprisioned or even killed

Before you say something about another person, ask yourself if you are tearing down or building up

Whay are you doing this? We are merely human beings - just like you! - Acts 14:15

Paul and his missionary companion Barnabas demonstrated an attitude of humility and tolerance as they faced sin in the city of Lystra

When they healed a cripped man, Paul and Barnabas watched in horror as the people began to worship them

They did respond to the people in anger or disgust - rather they continued to love these sinners them even though they hated the sin

Paul and Barnabas sent a message that they were no better than anyone else - all of them together were sinners saved by God's grace

What kind of message are you sending to those around you?

I am innocent of this man's blood. The responsibility is yours! - Matthew 27:24

Pontius Pilate had Jesus standing before him, accused of captial crimes but guilty of nothing

He recognized Jesus' innocence and just wanted to let him go

Pilate knew the right thing to do but rather than make an unpopular decision, he caved in

He even symboliclly washed his hands of responibility for what would happen to Jesus

It was a legacy that no man can wash from his hands

You demonstrate your courage and conviction when you assume responsibility and do what is right, even when it is risky

I am full of pent-up words and the spirit within me urges me on - Job 32:18

Job's three friends felt that God was punishing Job for some hidden sin - he rejected this

Job thought God was treating him unfairly

All four of them had it wrong

Elihu: God repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve - Job 34:10-11

His knew Job's suffering could not be in vain. Job shouldn't see his affection as God didn't care about him rather as a tool in God's hand to teach Job more

Amaziah did not destroy the pagan shrines - 2 Kings 14:3-4

Amaziah rejected King David's godly example and followed his father example, Joash, instead

Joash started out strongly but fell flat later in life

He faithfully served God early in his reign but defaulted on his spiritual responsibilites

Amaziah led reactively instead of proactively

• He defeated the Edomites early his life - 2 Chronciles 25:11-12
• He then allowed his people to offer sacrifices and burning incense at pagan shrines
• He even worshiped idol he took from the Edomites

Follow godly examples rather than ones like Amaziah - they startedout well but finished poorly

David was afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. He pretented to be insane - 1 Samuel 21:12-13

Nothing reveals what's inside you quie like a stressfull situation

David fled to Gath become incognito from the murderous King Saul

King Achish's officers were aware of his true identity and David feared for his life and acted insane

Hardly the kind of behavior you would expect from Israel's next king

David allowed his stress rather than his God-inspired courage to rule the day

You may not be able to avoid stressful situations but you can decide for yourself how you'll respond to them

You missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram - 2 Chronicles 16:7

Like so many kings of Judah, Asa started out doing good things for his kingdom

Prophet Azariah: The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! - 2 Chronicles 15:2

Asa trusted and obey God at first but later he failed by relying on humans instead of God

He showed his true colors when he entered into an agreement with Syria to stand against Israel

Asa refusal to rely solely on God contributed to his death

He developed a foot disease - he went to his doctors rather than first seeking God's help - 2 Chronicles 16:12

Where do you turn in yout times of need?

"Trust in God" can seem easy at times but when trouble hits, justice seems dead and love seems to vanish, many are appalled nature's "heartlessness" and "indifference"
And came to the conculsion that God either does not know or does not care

Jesus saw these same situations as evidences of God's love, his long-suffering patience, and willing to allow the lost to find him
Century after century, God has sent the world prophets, apostles, heros and saints to proclaim the message of heaven to bewildered and sinful man

Countless people trusted God only to discover when evil fotune came, that trust was not as strong enough to stand the shock

Trust shapes perpective

Many things can blot out our trust in God:

• Disappointment
• A dream that has come to nothing
• Central ambition may fail
• Persecution
• Misunderstanding/misrepresentation of men
• Overcome with failure

Jesus had all of the dark experiences it is possible to have

He has a message to commicate that would drive away gloom and woe the world to him

Jesus trust was unbroken despite many rejections and even his own men forsaking him

His death appeared to be a heart-breaking failure, but rather a victorious outcome for us