2009-02-25 - Jesus with People - Faithful Thomas John 20:24-29 - Thomas with Jesus Thomas selection as a disciple was solid:
Yet something happened to his faith during Jesus' death... | ||||||||
2009-03-18 - Promises of God - Produces a Harvest Hebrews 12:11 - Discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it Key ways to respond to God's discipline: Get Grateful Probably the most difficult thing to do during hardships It is the very thing that will help us to learn the important lessons God is trying to teach us Hunger for Holiness Media bombards us with devices, books, etc to make our lives easier God disciplines us for our good, we may share in his holiness - Hebrews 12:10 He is willing to watch his precious children to go through temporary pain for them have eternal peace Trust the Trainer We must trust him as the perfect trainer Training = something rigorous that stretches the trainee emotionally or physically God's discipline is exact what we need and he promises it is always for our own good | ||||||||
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 | ||||||||
2009-05-18 - No one like him - The Kingdom of God First time God said the time has come Something had come upon us Something within us Kingdom is like:
Kingdom is so different that it requires us to change What does new kingdom person look like?
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2009-06-10 - One Another - Walking in the Light What does it mean to walk in the light? 1 John 1:7-9 Living our lives with openness and transparency in response to the blood of Christ Fellowship is both the practice and product of walking in the light How central are our relationships to following Jesus?
"I need to get serious about my relationship with God" = Need to get serious with my relationship with other believers | ||||||||
2009-06-20 - A Life of Impact - Selfless Authority Abandon Mark 2:6-12
Selfless Authority
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2009-06-25 - A Life of Impact - Radical and Reasonability Radical Mark 3:20-22
Reasonability Mark 3:23-30
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2009-06-26 - A Life of Impact - Discipliner Discipliner Mark 3:31-35
Discernment
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2009-07-01 - A Life of Impact - Power Power Mark 5:1-17
Fearlessness
Spectacular Deeds
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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
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
5. Inspirational
6. Practical
7. Meet the Need - Out of touch with the needs on the audience can actually make things worst then they are. | ||||||||
2009-08-22 - Wild at Heart - Intro (part 4) Women want to be fought for She wants to be wanted She wants to be pursued Knight n shinning armor – core of the feminine heart and the life she knows she was made for She wants an adventure to share – part of the adventure She wants to be caught up into something greater than herself Every woman wants to have her beauty revealed “Do you see me?” “And are you captivated by what you see?” World kills woman’s heart – be tough, efficient, and independent No one is fighting for her (no adventure to swept up in) – doubts very much that she any beauty to unveil. Man must know he is powerful and know what it takes Woman must know she is beautiful and she is worth fighting for | ||||||||
2009-08-24 - Wild at Heart - A battle to fight Christ draws the enemy out, exposes him for what he is, shames him in front of everyone Nice guy? Egyptians – plagues … Samson – killed a lion with bear hands, stripped thirty Philistines, killed 1,000 men Every man is from a victorious stock He is an original Who are you? Are you bored by him? What impact does he have on others? Are you too nice? Jesus was one with out fear – Did not shrink back but faced things head on - John 18:4-8 Jesus was no paled faced alter boy He commanded the loyalty of dockworkers Will return on a white horse There is something fierce in the heart of God | ||||||||
2009-08-27 - Wild at Heart - Question that haunts every man (part 1) Men look in their hearts but they don’t discover something valiant and dangerous Find fear, lust, and anger "All men die, few men really ever live" Women - Many have given up hope for a true man. Real life of the average man seems a universe away from the desire of his heart
Why are men addicted to sports? - biggest adventure many will ever taste Careers? Same reason Trading stock – taste of excitement and risk Guys have been told to be responsible | ||||||||
2009-08-28 - Wild at Heart - Question that haunts every man (part 2) Every man knows there is something wrong, but can not figure out what it is Man’s deepest fear is being found out – discovered as a impostor and not really a man Every man feels that the world is asking him to be something he doubts very much he has it in him to be How do you see yourself as a man? Are words like: strong, passionate and dangerous word you would choose? Do you have the courage to ask those in your life what they think of you as a man? Manly to – hunt, fix cars, survive in the wild Why don’t men play the man? Why don’t they offer their strength to a world that needs it?
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2009-08-29 - Wild at Heart - Question that haunts every man (part 3) What is a man for? Why does God create Adam? Desire reveals design – our design reveal God command to Adam – rule, subdue, be fruitful and multiply Explore, build, and conquer – take risk and danger (the catch) Something hinders us from living to the level of risk God invites us to God has a enemy and so do we There are many, many battles to fight on many different battlefields Before Eve is drawn from Adam’s side and leaved that ache that never goes away until he is with her. God does not tell Adam what he has done. No warning or instructions – temptation of eve God believes in Adam – he does not need a play-by-play book – this is what Adam is for Hebrew word “with her” – means elbow to elbow Adam was watching the whole thing unravel What does he do? Nothing He won’t risk, he won’t fight, he won’t rescue Eve | ||||||||
2009-08-30 - Wild at Heart - Question that haunts every man (part 4) Eve (helper or lifesaver)– fails her design too Eve is deceived Eve was convicted that God was withholding something from her Now every daughter of Eve wants control her surroundings
We are hiding - not what we are meant to be - afraid of exposure | ||||||||
2009-09-08 - Wild at Heart - The fathers voice (part 1) A man needs to know his name - He needs to know he has got what It takes Can not know who we are until we know God Adam knew Eve intimately - this how we need to know God. Deep knowledge comes from a process of initiation. You have to know where you come from. Some try to get their identity from others – girlfriend/wife, friends, job, and hobbies Who can we turn to for this need? God could take him on that journey, provide what is missing Who will give your name and mean something? God! There is a terrible assault Adam was created for adventure and battles; he created us for a unique place in his history Abram becomes Abraham, Jacob becomes Israel, and Saul becomes Paul | ||||||||
2009-09-11 - Wild at Heart - False self (part 2) Enemy always tempts us to take back control and to recover and rebuild false self We must remember that it is out of love God stops our imposter God disciplines those he loves, do not lose heart - Hebrews 12:5-6 We must walk away from the false self Simply accept the invitation to leave all that we’ve relied on and venture out with God No clue to what your false self may be?
If you dominate meetings - sense of worth Do you face fears head on? Losing false self is painful Like losing a close friend Journey has pain but is toward freedom, healing, and authenticity | ||||||||
2009-09-12 - Wild at Heart - False self (part 3) Waling away from the false, we will feel vulnerable and exposed Tempted to turn to our comforters for relief Stop looking for women to validate you Passive men tiptoe around their wife for years, never wanting to rock the boat Violent men release anger on her Some dating men make her the sun of their universe but man needs a bigger obit than that He needs something to invite her into Many men do not offer her strength, but do drink from her beauty and are unable to commit | ||||||||
2009-09-19 - Wild at Heart - Healing the wound (part 5) Until we are broken, our life will be self-centered, self-reliant, our strength will be our own. So long as you think you are really something in and of yourself, what will you need God for? Think of the poser you know – are they the kind of man you would call 2am, when life is collapsing around you? Where a man’s wound is, that is where his genius will be. Because the wound was given in the place of your true strength Out of your brokenness that you discover what you have to offer the community When we begin to offer not merely our gifts but our true selves, that is when we become powerful That is when we are ready for battle | ||||||||
2009-09-22 - Wild at Heart - The Enemy (part 3) Walk right into those situations you normally run from Speak right to the issues normally remain silent over If you want to grow in masculine strength, then stop sabotaging yours. Being wronged and saying that is OK, but furious inside This will push your strength down and eventually you will believe you do not have any. When you deny your anger, it turns to fear Sabotage also happens when we give our strength away Taking a bribe, refusing to confront an issue, sexual sin Sexual struggle is sin and a battle for his strength Start choosing to live out your strength and you’ll discover that it grows each time Stand your ground and begin to taste your true strength and you’ll want more Our strength is will and fierce and we are more than unsettled by what may happen if we let it arrive “I’m afraid I will do something bad if I let all this show up” – You will do something bad if you don’t Man’s addictions are a result of his refusing his strength Let people feel the weight of who you are and let them deal with it | ||||||||
2009-10-05 - One Another - Admonishing One Another "noutheteo" meaning to or counsel, translated admonish:
Not uncommon to pay to have a life couch We should have a # of relationships with people who know us and can help We must also realize that we can give others couching as well | ||||||||
2009-10-06 - One Another - Speaking the Truth in Love Speaking the truth in love - Ephesians 4:15 Really what admonishing and good couching is Not speaking harshly or with anything other than their good in mind Example of any area of life to talk about:
Input not to stand in judgment but help one another to be transformed | ||||||||
2009-10-07 - One Another - Admonish Questions Who can best admonish or coach someone?
To help another person grow and change and be transformed more fully into the image of Christ
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2009-10-20 - Wild at Heart - An adventure to live (part 3) We pay attention to our desire. Often the clues are in our past, in the moments when we found ourselves loving what we were doing To recover his heart’s desire a man needs to get away When a man thinks that what will really make him come alive is something unholy – ask what is the desire beneath this desire? The greatest obstacle to realizing our dreams is the false self’s hatred of mystery Most important aspects of any man’s world – his relationship with his God and with the people in his life, his calling, the spiritual battles he’ll face To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways There are no formulas with God God is a person and not a doctrine Joshua blowing trumpets for a week – only did it once Gideon’s plan of attack 32000 to 300 and torches and water pots Jesus healing not the same way twice | ||||||||
2009-10-23 - Repentance - What Happened (part 2) Congregation of consumers ultimately switches products, wholly dissatisfied with a church product
Like a doctor – it would be absurd to change their diagnose and treatment to the wants of the patient. Repentance is revival Questions:
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2009-10-27 - Repentance - Illustrations (part 1) Scrooge
Gestalts Switch
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2009-11-02 - Repentance - The Prophets (part 4) Prophets Transcend Public Opinion
Prophets Get to the Root to Produce Real Fruit
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2009-11-04 - Repentance - Jesus Opens Our Eyes (part 2) The Red Pill and the Blue Pill
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2009-12-06 - Master Plan - Jesus gave himself away (part 2)
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2009-12-17 - Master Plan - Reproduction (part 4)
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2010-01-01 - First the Kingdom - Guarding Against Heart Disease Blessed are the pure in hear, for they will see God - Matthew 5:8 What does it mean to keep our hearts pure? To have undivided devotion? Set our hearts are things above - Colossians 3:1 Must learn to battle Satan's attacks on our heart Recent years - we have aware about physical heart conditions We should lower our bad cholesterol and exercise more Since we desire a healthy heart for a longer life we: diet and exercise The heart is the "want to" muscle When we really want something, we go after it with all of our heart | ||||||||
2010-01-30 - One Another - Confession Lessons Sin is still a reality - even in Christ God uses relationships to transform us Everyone who seek these relationship will find themselves either being the one sinning or the one being sinned against Christ has freed us to be real We no longer have to prove anything No longer have to pretend or conceal Love of Christ compels us and reminds us and reassures us We should not be shocked or disillusioned when someone confesses Will we look down on others like the Pharisee did in Jesus' parable - Luke 18? Or will we see we all are capable of bad things in need of grace? Sooner we can walk in the light, the better Longer something stays concealed, the more demons of darkness have time to work | ||||||||
2010-03-05 - To Live is Christ - From Trials to Triumph A successful life is not life from difficulty, trial, or tragedy - Philippians 1:12-14 He saw God the same - no matter what happened in his life In an earlier letter he saw illness as an opportunity bring the gospel to the them - Galatians 4:13 He saw imprisonment for a chance to convert Romans Paul not giving up deepen their convictions - he emboldened them to share the message Whatever happens in life can serve to advance the gospel when we are living by faith | ||||||||
2010-03-10 - To Live is Christ - Having the Same Love Paul wanted to remind the Philippians of the blessings of their relationship with Jesus - Philippians 2:1-4 By this all men will know we are Jesus' disciple by our love - John 13:35 "Sharing in the common life" ws his heartfelt vision for them He applealed to them to be one to initiate this kind of love It is not natural to love this way Will we trust the message he lived and taught? | ||||||||
2010-03-22 - To Live is Christ - Rejoice Always It would be one thing to hear "rejoice always" from someone living with plenty but quite another from someone in a challenging situation - Philippians 4:4-5 There is something about being "in the Lord" Paul also had a deep conviction that whatever is one: The Lord Is Near God is monitoring their pain not allow more than we can bear and giving his strength He is calling on them and us to rejoice always and to have a great attitude
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2010-03-23 - To Live is Christ - Anxious About Nothing Paul urges them to be anxious and worried about nothing and to pray about everything because God is in control - Philippians 4:6-7 Peace never comes without surrender Something instead of dealing with our emotions, we try an avoidance pattern We must be in touch with happens to others and ourselves Guard (a garrison of angel are available to help) our hearts - Satan wants us to trust ourselves and to doubt our God How challenging to turn everything over to God. Yet, how foolish not to!
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2010-04-28 - Heart of Maturity (Motivation of Maturing) Preached by John Lusk (2005-01-30) How passionate are you about maturing?
Motivation of Maturing 1. To regain your identify Genesis 1:26-27
2. To remian in Jesus 1 John 2:3-4 - This is a expectation from God 3. To be effective and productive 2 Peter 1:4-8
4. Secure salvation 2 Peter 1:8-11 - We have been given a new start Wrong motivation - Pleasing people, selfish ambition | ||||||||
2010-05-13 - Desire's Journey - Same Old Thing Something worse than the fall of man (losing paradise) = getting used to it
We have not solved the riddle of our existence Everyone else seems to be getting on with things. What is wrong with me? It is possible to run away from the desire for years but we are desire - essence of the human soul Our desire, if we listen, will save us from committing soul-suicide Same old thing would not be enough Life as usual us not the life we truly want It is not the life we were made for "All good things come to an end" is a lie We abandon the most important journey of our lives when we abandon desire Whatever we might gain, it is not worth it - Matthew 16:26 | ||||||||
2010-05-14 - Desire's Journey - Taking Up the Quest The only fatal error is to pretend that we have found the life we prize The Shawshank Redemption At first, these walls, you hate them. They make you crazy. After a while you get used to them, don't notice them anymore. Then comes the day you realize you need them. Most tragic day of all - to prefer slavery to freedom, to prefer death to life Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead - Ephesians 5:14 Bringing our heart among in our life's journey - the most important mission of our lives To desire something and not to have it - is not this the source of nearly all our pain and sorrow? | ||||||||
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 | ||||||||
2010-05-25 - Desire's Journey - Man who Wanted Nothing A faithful church attender, never missing a Sunday, serving on a committee and offered help to those in need - but why is there something missing? Why are we a Christian? What is that we want? To abandon desire is to say, "I don't really need you or want you. I will live with you because I am suppose to" Your heart desires, duty reduces the dance to a drill The real dilemma of desire is that it humbles us | ||||||||
2010-05-30 - Desire's Journey - Assault on Desire Battle of desire is not something that just takes place with us or even between us - but against us Advirtisers play on our desire of creating an image that everyone who is anyone has the object for sale The evil one has two ploys:
Our addictions are our own worst enemies Like the rich, young ruler - we find we can not give up our treasures even though God has something much better | ||||||||
2010-06-11 - Jesus - the Zealot (part 2)Cause with fighting forAre you fighting for what is right?John 18:36
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2010-06-12 - Why Jesus Came (part 1) Preached 1998-07-05
Jesus came to...Save the lost Luke 19:10 Acknowledge the Father John 14:9 | ||||||||
2010-06-27 - Jesus - The Lord (part 1) Preached by Richard Dixon on 1999-10-10 We have many bosses:
Matthew 9:27-34
Jesus is Lord of our FaithDo you believe that you will receive everything that you ask for in prayer? 5 Faith Killers:
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2010-07-07 - Desire's Journey - The Grand Affair (part 4) Sexual intimacy is the closest parallel we have to real worship The best impostors succeed because they are nearly indistinguishable from what they are trying to imitate Our hearts live for "an experience of worship that fills our being with a joy that is so deeply in awe that we are barely aware of ourselves Men have a hard time relating to the bridal imagery used in Scripture | ||||||||
2010-07-09 - Desire's Journey - The Adventure Begins (part 1) The fear of being bored is an unspoken fear of many about the life coming Parable of the talents, what do the faithful get when they are rewarded? More work! Wouldn't a vacation be better?
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2010-07-12 - Desire's Journey - The Adventure Begins (part 4) Some love what they do They have found a way to link what they are truly gifted at with the means of paying the bills We've come to think of work as a result of the Fall Dilbert is a icon our working days
Work is not a thing ones does to live, but the thing one lives to do What if you even the freedom and power to do exactly what you were always meant to do? | ||||||||
2010-07-14 - Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 1) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst The dilemma of desire is the deepest dilemma we will ever face The dangers are deep and potentially fatal How do we not lose heart? No one wants to:
Three things we must come to terms with in our heart:
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