Quiet Times Search

• Some will run from it
• Other will try to put it out
• Still others will be drawn to it

• Strict observers of the law
• Walked around in flowing robes
• Offered prayers in unnatural holy voices
• Advertised their benevolence
• Majored in the minors yet forgetting the heart

• Boring clergy in odd clothes
• Preaching burdensome dos and donts
• Unrelatable sermons
• Unrelatable lives

• Have you created your own system of salvation?
• Do people say you are a people pleaser (Galatians 1:10)?
• Are we steeped in our own traditions or preconceived notions about the truth?
• What if no one was watching, would you still: give, sing, pray, study the same?

• Beauty
• Affliction

In this world, you will have trouble
But take heart! I have overcome the world - John 16:33

Why aren't we encouraged by this?
We are still committed to arranging our life
We are disappointed that there is not a "7 secrets to a great life"

Desire can not live without hope. Hope in what?
Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed - 1 Peter 1:13
for most Christians, heaven is a backup plan

We try to create heaven here
In our heart we say, "I really could be happy here without God"
God must take away the heaven we create or it will become our hell

Most of us have lost something:
• Losing wallet - not a good thing
  • Feels good to find it.
God's desire is to "find" what is lost - YOU!
 
• Problem: We are separated from God by sin

Jesus came to...

Save the lost

Luke 19:10

• Uses people to save others
• Many people to save some:
  • Do not know they are lost
  • Are confused
  • Misguided
  • Are not interested
  • Are looking
• Despite the what phase we are in we are still lost.
• No excuses 
  • Those who have issues are not really searching
    • "What about those hypocrites?"
    • "I am too busy"
    • "I will but...."

Acknowledge the Father

 John 14:9

• To relate
• Some think God doesn't care
  • How can God allow all these shootings?
    • Isrealites were saying the same thing in the dessert
• Jesus = God with us
• If Jesus was standing next to you how would you act differently?

• Satan incited David to take a census of Israel - 1 Chronicles 21:1
• To Peter: "Get behind me Satan" - Matthew 16:21-23

Some trying to "work through" things are simply have agreements with the Enemy
Do you really think the source of that is just you? or God?

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry - Ephesians 4:26-27
Not just anger  - it happens through all sorts of issues

Satan uses your wounds and unresolved emotional issues to pin your heart down under a spiritual stronghold
Wounds we take are not accidential

We must be careful not to make agreements with Satan to increase his dominion

1. Adventure
2. Purpose
3. Fulfillment
4. Spiritual Growth
5. Spiritual Confidence
6. Enduring Investments
7. Honor of being God's Agent

1. Time and Energy
How better to expend time and energy than investing into someone who will thank you for enternity?
What other investment will reap so high a reward?

2. Reading and Study
Some effect to make cetain you know what you are talking about

3. Money
The amount of hard cash spent is still relatively low in camparsion to the overwhelming rewards that result
Can't imagine a safer investment

4. Risk of Embarrassment, Rejection or Persecution
Blessed are you when people insult you - great is your reward in heaven - Matthew 5:11-12

5. Complication of Life
It entangles us in the concerns and activities of their lives
We have less independence
Add to our overloaded schedules
But so does getting married, having children, and buying a house
The most important things complicate our lives, but they are worth it!

1. It Takes Faith to Give - Malachi 3:8-11
   1. God wants us to test him in our giving (v. 10). All we need is the faith.
   2. God is waiting to pour out blessing when we trust Him. It is easy to say 'I'll give when God blesses me." God says, "Give and I win bless you."
2. God's Promises - Malachi 3:10-11, Mark 10:29-31, 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
   1. We will not have enough room for God's blessings.
   2. We can never outgive God.
   3. God always gives back 100 times as much to us.
   4. God will continue to give to us so we in turn can give to others and meet their needs.
   5. Ultimate blessing: treasure in heaven.
3. Depend on God - Philippians 4:14-19
   1. Our giving is a sacrifice pleasing to God.
   2. When we give, God will meet all our needs.

1. Do I hold back on my contribution because I am worried about the future?
2. Does my giving cause me to rely on God?
3. What amount of money should I be giving weekly that is both responsible and still requires faith?
4. When have I relied on the promise of God in my giving? What did God do in response?

1. God is loving - Out of compassion He made us and still desires to have a relationship despite our sin against him
2. God is holy - He is absolutely pure and is separate from everything impure
3. God is just - He is a perfect judge who will dispense justice to everyone fairly

• Expressed the love of God
• Upheld the holiness of God
• Satisfied the justice of God

• Some apostles did not like his selfish ambition - Matthew 20:24
• Some thought he was prideful describing himself as the beloved disciple of Jesus - John 21:7
• After the resurrection, Peter still seems to have attitudes towards John - John 21:21

• Selfish ambition turned to kingdom ambition
• Fits of rage changed to fits of love
• Factiousness come together into a passion of unity

Examples of those seeking God:

Ethiopian eunuch - Acts 8:26-40

• What do we know about this seeker?
  • He is important and therefore certainly busy, but still finds time for God.
  • He reads the Scriptures himself and asks questions about what he is reading.
  • He is humble and sincere enough in his search to ask for help.
    
  • What he learns he acts on right away, as seen with his baptism.
• How did he feel after coming to know God better?
  
• The burning questions he had about God were answered in an afternoon.
  

Bereans - Acts 17:10-12

• What was it about these Berean seekers that made Luke refer to them as having “noble character”?
  • Enthusiastic
  • Great Eagerness - explain
    
  • Examined the scriptures daily
    
• Why was it important for them to “examine the Scriptures every day” for themselves?
• What was the result of this eager yet diligent attitude?
  
• As with prayer, reading the Bible is vitally important to knowing God.

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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?
  

• 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.

• If you asked a person who is street smart or the person on Wall Street or just a person who watches a lot of TV, what is at the heart of the world’s wisdom about how to live?
  
  • “Look out for number one.”
    
  • “Get what you want.”
    
  • “Get the power, the pleasure, the control you want.”
    
  • “Get the money.”
    
  • “Protect yourself.”
    
  • “Guard your rights.”
    
  • “Maintain your independence.”
• And so what is at the center of man’s wisdom? Self! (See 2 Timothy 3:2)
  

• What is Jesus’ message? How is it the opposite of the world’s message?
  
  • Deny self– “disown” (Matthew 26:34). We renounce our old self, our old approach to life.
    
  • Take up the cross (instrument of death). Die to ourselves.
    
  • Follow Jesus. Make his life our model. Jesus life is a demonstration of his message.
    
• What does Jesus say will be the bottom line for those who “save their own lives”? For those who foolishly lose their lives for him?
  

• What is everything on the left side (world’s wisdom) called? Sin.
  
• What is everything on the right side (God’s wisdom) called? Love.
  
• How have you lived according the world’s wisdom?
  
• Have you ever made a decision to renounce it?
  
• Which side was Peter still on (though he was religious)?
  
• Which side are you on?

Matthew 11:28-30

• Christian life is full of challenges but it is still the best life to live
• Jesus' yoke is easy and burdens light
• We should live life with a checklist - only becomes a burden

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

• We have challenging times but Jesus will comfort
• From our comfort from Jesus, you can comfort others

Do you feel trapped?

Feel that you have sinned too much?
1 John 1:19 - If you confess your sin, he will forgive

Christian yoke = Christ's passion, purpose, and desire
Other yokes: guilt, worries, burdens, fear

• Question: What is Jesus saying to you in v26? What relationship would be the most challenging? Why?
• Question: In v28-30, if you start to follow Jesus then stop how will that effect the people that have seen you start?
• Question: In v31-33, which king will win? Will the losing king still be a king? No, stop fighting God and serve him
• Question: What do you see as something that will be a cost for you in following Jesus?

• Question: How much authority does Jesus have? What does His authority exclude? Nothing!
• Question: What does Jesus commission us to do? Who should you start with in fulling this commission from Jesus? Yourself

1. Get to know someone = read the Bible and pray daily (Word Study)
   
2. Dating stage = commit to coming to church, Bible discussion group, and studying the Bible (Discipleship study)
   
3. Engagement = making a decision to commit your life to God (Sin and Repentance study)
   
4. Wedding ceremony = baptism

• Judas had already decided in his heart and actions to betray Jesus. Then he watched for an opportunity to carry out sin.
• Share: A person's heart can be so hard that they no longer fear God - Psalms 36:1-3
• In spite of knowing that Judas was lying and plotting to have him killed, Jesus still loved him.
• The disciples had no clue who it was.
• Jesus' heart and actions never expressed any anger/resentment toward Judas

• Peter accepted the words of Jesus until it came time to apply them to his life.
• Share: Peter's prideful refusal to accept Jesus will for his life lead other down the wrong path

• Pilate could have released Jesus but he was more concerned with pleasing people than pleasing God
• Think of all the people that shouted "crucify him". People who he healed, fed, etc. How do you think Jesus felt?
• They released a murderer instead of Jesus (many said they believed he was the son of God but still this)
• Share: Pilate tried to escape responsibility by washing his hands but denying the truth does not remove the sin
• They beat Jesus again, to the point he did not look human - Isaiah 52:14
• Question: Why do you think Jesus was still willing to go through this for you? (Because he loves you). He is not even at the cross yet.

• Jesus was beaten so badly that he couldn't even carry his own cross
• v46 Jesus hung on the cross for hours (slow tortuous death) but yet he screams out loudly 
• Share: Jesus had never been separated God (since the beginning of time they were united)
• Share: Once Jesus took on YOUR sin, he was separated from God (Wall of Sin  = Isaiah 59:1-2)

• Nothing means nonexistent
• Less than nothing intensifies that idea
• Worthless - concept of being entirely empty of meaning or purpose

1. Be humble towards each other
2. Be patient with each other
3. Focus on our love for others so that we can bear with their faults

• Jesus still died on the cross for you in spite of your character flaws.
• To get along with others we must put ourselves aside, just as Jesus did for us.
• John 13:34 - love one another
  

1. You put it on everyday
2. Not a natural part of us-has to be put on (thought about)
3. Should be the first thing people see

Summary

Humankind corrupted the earth with evil. God decided to destroy them. He told Noah to build an ark to be saved from the flood.

Observations

Genesis 6:5 - every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time
At this point, in a relatively small amount of time, man no longer called out for God. It was just Genesis chapter 4 when men just began to call out for God and at this time

Genesis 6:13 - God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people"
God shared his plans with Noah even though they were very troubling. A deep relationship is where you share you plans and dreams (not in this case). God trusted Noah. Noah trusted God even more (as he should). That mutual trust helped save mankind and allow us to live today.

Genesis 6:22 - Noah did everything just as God commanded him
After being 500 years old or so, Noah still did everything God commanded him to do. We can not imagine the pressure and persecution Noah must have gone through to build a boat in the middle of the dessert. Still he did not waiver. His complete faith was with God and trusted every word God spoke to him. We have trouble with just a small amount of faith that required to live our lives.

Personal Application

Increase my faith, Lord! I see Noah's faith to build an ark and I struggle to have faith today.The struggles I face today are not even a speck compared to Noah's troubles.  Noah had great faith because he trusted God and what he said. That is what I need to do.

Summary

God blessed Noah and set the rainbow as a sign that he would never flood the earth again. Noah got drunk and cursed Ham's son Canaan.

Observations

Genesis 9:3 - Everything ... will be food for you; I now give you everything
Again God shows his willingness to everything to become eatable but meat that still had lifeblood. Many of our reactions would have given up on mankind. And if we had not given up, we would not have given as much freedom so there would less possibility of disobedience to occur. But God continues to give freedom to his people.

Genesis 9:17 - sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth
Freedom is not free. There was great pain for God  [Genesis 6:6]  to see the state of man's heart and how the only solution was to destroy all living things and start over again. Today, God is still grieving over how our hearts turn from him. This time - He had to pay the ultimate sacrifice of His only Son so that he and us may have a relationship. This is the only way, How have we responded?

Personal Application

I don't grow very well in the good times. It is the times of trials and difficulty when I forced by God's discipline to change. I want to change and grow while not under all circumstances. What does it show God when I move toward him only when pushed?

Summary

The Lord promised Abram an heir and many descendants. Abram believed. He was told that they would be enslaved but would then return.

Observations

Genesis 15:6 - Abram believed the LORD ... credited it to him as righteousness
Even though Abram had no kids for a long period of time, he believed the Lord would provide. He had this prayer for a long time - many, many days he prayed. But nothing. He he came face to face with God, He told him a son was coming and his descendants would be as many as stars in the sky. Abram chose to believe and his faith was credited to him as righteousness. How long do we pray before giving up?

Genesis 15:14 - I will punish the nation they serve as slaves
At the beginning of the chapter, God said he was Abram's shield [Genesis 15:1]. Here he expands on his promise - in the future, he will punish the Egyptians for making his people to become slaves. God will protect us. The judgement of our enemies might not come on our timetable, but it will come. We need to patient and be still, the Lord will fight for you [Exodus 14:14]

Personal Application

Sometimes I believe that perseverance is my strength but as I look at my prayers for the desires of my heart, I give up way easily. "But it has not happened in 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years" - I say. Abram waited until he was 100 years for his son to be born.

1. What was the writer feeling as he looked at the wealthy, unsaved people around him?
2. Why did life seem unfair to him?
3. How have you envied people in the world?
4. Have you struggled with this since becoming a Christian? Have you talked about it?

1. What did he realize about their final destiny?
2. How is the "good life" like a dream that will end on judgement day?
3. How was the writer thinking when he was envying them?

1. What did the writer realize about his relationship with God?
2. Memorize verses 25-26.

1. What things in the world are you supposed to hate?
2. What worldly things are still attracting you?

• Romans 1: 21 - being ungrateful can be at the root to many sins in your life
• Luke 7: 36-50 - those who are more grateful show a greater capacity to love.
• Luke 17: 11-19 - the thankful are commended before God.
• Psalms 50: 5-23 - note that the sacrifice that means the most to God is one of 'Thanks!'

• Admit my sin and weaknesses
• Ask for help from God and others
• Commit myself to serving God, no matter my shortcomings

They need to see Jesus - Deuteronomy 6:1-9

God did not want his people to forget him

What did he want them to remember?

• How God helped them
• Obey all his commands
• To fear him
• Love God with everything we have

All these things he still wants us to remember

In what ways can we show our kids, Jesus?

• Incorporate your children in the things you do
• Talk about God / ask them thought provoking questions
• Read the Bible to them /
• Pray with them

v 20-24 - The questions will come; opportunities to share more

With a Watchful Eye - 1 Timothy 4:15-16

 They will not be a Christian and stay a Christian by chance

• He runs through the fields
• He crawls on his knees to pick us up
• He throws open his arms to forgive
• He carries us home in his arms

Arms of comfort

At Lazarus' death, the angels tenderly bring him to God - Luke 16:19-22

A child who is not regularly cuddled is deeply damaged

As a mother conforms her child, so I will comfort you - Isaiah 66:13

Sometimes we doubt and ours lives are frantic and full of activities and without the peace of God
God promises to take hold of the hands of kings - Isaiah 45:1
...and his people - Isaiah 42:6

Mary and Martha - Martha was too busy with the details of life to spend time with Jesus - Luke 10
She missed the peace that passes understanding
Time in prayer is time when we can quiet our anxious soul

Be still my soul and know that I am God - Psalms 46:10
God will give us rest - Matthew 11:28

• Hobbies
• Other short-lived romances
• Addictions

• Being picked on in school
• A breakup
• Being fired
• Abandonment
• Disappointment

What will we do with the Arrows we have known?

The message of the Arrows is always the same: Kill your heart
Divorce it, neglect it, run from it, or indulge it with some addiction

How did the Arrows come to you?
Where did they land? Are they still there?
What have you done as a result?

Deciding not to be affected can not done - the heart can not be managed though a x number step process
We form can convictions with a conscious effort

Fathers are the primary protectors - physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
When walking down the isle

• The father is saying he has guarded her moral purity throughout her life for her husband - 2 Corinthians 11:2
• And the man she is marrying is proven morally, financially, and spiritually qualified to lead her, provide for her, and protect her from that day on

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed - Luke 11:21

You should not only guard your own heart but your wife’s as well
Your children need help making the right decisions. That is why you are still their dad.
Being active on the front end as a father will pay off well and save you time and heartache on the back end.

Teaches your children to love wisdom instead of developing a greater appetite for the world.
Your job is not just to give your children boundaries but to use God’s Word to teach them how to think wisely
Train them to fear and love God and not to “set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.” - Proverbs 4:14–15

The older your kids get, the more they will need to understand the rationale behind your rules.
They willthen  discern why certain things are right and wrong, wise and unwise, better and best.
This requires your courageous leadership!

My darling, you are as beatiful as Jerusalem - Song of Solomon 6:4

Solomon understood the value of speaking passionately to his beloved

His words overflows with love, affection, intimacy, and passion

It models the kind of inimate coomunication you can enjoy with your wife

The words should be personal and thoughtful - take the lead!

How do you rate the passion and fun in your marriage?

• Red hot
• Still glowing
• A fading ember
• Growing cold
• Pile of ashes

Even when there was no hope, Abraham kept hoping of becoming a father of man nations - Romans 4:18

Hope - a sense of expectancy even when the circumstaces suggest packing it in and giving up

At age 100 years  Abraham still had no children

Humanly speaking, Abraham had every reason to wonder if God had forgotten his promise

Abraham remained convicted God would keep all his promises

God blessed Abraham and his wife with a son - he became a father of many nations

Those who trust in me will never be put to shaem - Isaiah 49:23

Has God given you an yet-to-be-fullfilled promise? Have you grown weary in waiting?

The Lord will strike down some day - he will die of old age or in battle - 1 Samuel 26:10-11

Even if you disagree with the person, you should still repect the office they hold

God chose David to succeed Saul as Israel's king

Saul's jealously and anger at David's popularity made him a target

David might have been justified to defend himself by killing Saul but twice he refused

He knew God alone had the authority to remove Saul

David respected God's office as the One whose sovereign  will works everything out in his own good time

When you understand that remains at the helm of the universe, you can relax

Wait on God to move on your behalf

With his love, he will calm all your fears - Zephaniah 3:17

Zephaniah understood that God never "cuts his losses" with those who belong to him

He approved of reforms but also wanted them to understand they needed changes within themselves 

In the book of Zephaniah, he:

• Railed against the immoraltuy, idolatry and injustice of his times
• Decried Judah's sin
• Proclaimed their need  for repentance
• Foretold God's wrath against those who refused to stop sinning

God still loved his people and wanted more than anything for them to turn back to him

God takes sin very seriously and will never look the other way when you fail him. He still will not give up on you