The Next Time... // Sunday, December 27, 2020
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Sunday, December 27, 2020
The Next Time
John 14: 1 - 3 (ESV) “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Some physical differences the Next Time?
1. His first arrival happened slowly…The Next Time he’ come suddenly.
1 Corinthians 15: 52 (ESV) “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;[a] believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 (ESV) For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
2. His first arrival was quiet…The Next Time will be LOUD!
1 Thessalonians 4: 16 (ESV) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
3. His first arrival was revealed by a single star…The Next Time the entire sky will light up!
Matthew 24: 27 (ESV) For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Matthew 25: 31 (ESV) When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
4. The first time very few people worshipped Him…The Next Time, the whole world will worship Him!
Romans 14: 11 (ESV) For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”
Some purpose differences the Next Time?
1. The first time Jesus came to save world, the Next Time He’s coming to judge the world.
John 3: 16 & 17 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Acts 17: 31 (NLT) For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
Romans 2: 6 - 8 (NLT) He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.
2. The first time Jesus came to die for our sins, the Next Time He’ll come to gather God’s family!
Ephesians 1: 5 (NLT) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Matthew 24: 31 (NLT) And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world[a]—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
3. The first time Jesus came humbly, the Next Time He’ll come as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
Philippians 2: 2 - 8 (NLT) Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Philippians 2: 9 - 11 (NLT) Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
*How to ready for The Next Time…
Titus 2: 12 & 13 (NLT) And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
Christmas Worship // Sunday, December 20, 2020
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Sunday, December 20, 2020
Christmas Worship
Worship: Declaring the worth and greatness of God
3 examples of Christmas worship:
1. Singing (Angels)
Luke 2: 8 - 14 (NKJV) Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
2. Sharing the Good News (Shepherds)
Luke 2: 15 - 20 (NKJV) So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
3. Giving (Wisemen)
Matthew 2: 1 - 11 (NKJV) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
·Gold represents Jesus’ royalty (2 Chronicles 9:1, 9, 14, 24)
·Frankincense represents Jesus’ divinity (Exodus 30:8; 1 Kings 9:25; 2 Chronicles 2:4; Malachi 1:11)
Myrrh represents Jesus’ humanity (John 19:39 & 4)
*The wisemen offered themselves, then they offered their gifts.
Isaiah 29: 13 (NLT) And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.
Mark 12: 30 (NLT) …you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
*What God wants most from me, is ME…
Christmas Wisdom // Sunday, December 13, 2020
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Sunday, December 13, 2020
Christmas Wisdom
3 Examples of people who overcame: Disillusionment, Change and Loss
Trust God’s plan. (Elizabeth)
Luke 1: 5 - 7 (NLT) When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.
7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
The story of John the Baptist – Luke: 5 - 27 & 56 – 66
NEVER stop praying!
Luke 1: 13 (NLT) …the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.
Be patient.
Luke 1: 20 (NLT) …since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.
Luke 1: 24 & 25 (NLT) …Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
Elizabeth was BLESSED, because she didn’t get BITTER…She trusted God’s plan
Believe God’s Word (Mary)
Luke 1: 26 - 29 (NLT) In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
The immaculate conception – Luke 1: 26 – 56
Luke 1: 29 (NLT) Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.
Luke 1: 37 (NLT) …the word of God will never fail.
Luke 1: 39 (NLT) Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Luke 1: 45 (NLT) You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.
Mary was BLESSED because she BELIEVED God’s Word and dint’ allow her fear to overwhelm her.
Focus on God’s presence. (Anna)
Luke 2: 22 & 23 (NLT) Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”
Sacred Duty- Our Founding pt 2 // Sunday, October 25, 2020
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Sunday, October 25, 2020
Sacred Duty – Our Founding (Part 2)
John Adams
As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of almighty God; and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety without which social happiness cannot exist, nor the blessings of a free government enjoyed… especially in seasons of difficulty of danger.
Exodus 18: 21 (ESV) Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
Where did these ideas come from?
Rev John Wise:
· Consent of the governed
· Taxation without representation
1926 President Calvin Coolidge
The Origins of the American Constitution:
1. Charles Montesquieu: Political Philosopher 8.3%
2. William Blackstone: Legal Scholar 7.9%
3. John Locke: 2.9% Two Treatises of Government
4. The Bible: 34%
Three Branches of Government:
Isaiah 33: 22 (NASB) For the Lord is our judge, (Judicial)
The Lord is our lawgiver, (Legislative) The Lord is our king; (Executive) He will save us—
Separation of Powers:
Jeremiah 17: 9 (NASB) The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
Tax Exemption of Churches:
Ezra 7: 24 (NASB) We also inform you that it is not allowed to Impose tax, tribute or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house of God.
John Francis Mercer
It is a great mistake to suppose that the paper we are to propose will govern the United States. It is the men it will bring into government and interest (they have) in maintaining it that are to govern them. The paper will only mark out the mode and the form. Men are the substance and must do the business.
Proverbs 29: 2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when wicked man rules, the people groan.
President James Garfield
Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of the congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. If the next centennial does not find us a great nation it will be because those who represent the enterprise the culture and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.
John Hancock
“I urge you by all that is dear, by all that is honorable, by all that is sacred, not only that ye pray but that ye act.”
Sacred Duty- Our Founding // Sunday, October 18, 2020
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Sunday, October 18, 2020
Sacred Duty – Our Founding (Part 1)
1 Chronicles 12: 32 …men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…
We hate Christians and Christianity. Even the best of them must be considered our worst enemies. They preach love of one’s neighbor and mercy, which is contrary to our principles. Christian love is an obstacle to the development of the Revolution. Down with love or our neighbor! What we want is hate…Only then can we conquer the universe. ~ Anatole Lunarcharsky, Russian Commissar of Education
Our BEHAVIOR is shaped by our VALUES…
Which are ultimately built upon the foundation of our WORLDVIEW
Genesis 6: 5 (ESV) The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis 8: 21 (ESV) …the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth…
Jeremiah 17: 9 (ESV) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Proverbs 14: 12 (ESV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
John Adams
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.
The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.
Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!
I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.
John Quincey Adams
The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the Divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made “bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” (Isaiah 52:10)
Samuel Adams
I . . . [rely] upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.
The name of the Lord (says the Scripture) is a strong tower; thither the righteous flee and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Let us secure His favor and He will lead us through the journey of this life and at length receive us to a better.
He also called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that . . .
The peaceful and glorious reign of our Divine Redeemer may be known and enjoyed throughout the whole family of mankind.
We may with one heart and voice humbly implore His gracious and free pardon through Jesus Christ, supplicating His Divine aid . . . [and] above all to cause the religion of Jesus Christ, in its true spirit, to spread far and wide till the whole earth shall be filled with His glory.
With true contrition of heart to confess their sins to God and implore forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Elias Boudinot
Let us enter on this important business under the idea that we are Christians on whom the eyes of the world are now turned… [L]et us earnestly call and beseech Him, for Christ’s sake, to preside in our councils. . . . We can only depend on the all powerful influence of the Spirit of God, Whose Divine aid and assistance it becomes us as a Christian people most devoutly to implore. Therefore I move that some minister of the Gospel be requested to attend this Congress every morning . . . in order to open the meeting with prayer.
Supreme Court Justice David Brewer
[I]n what sense can [America] be called a Christian nation? Not in the sense that Christianity is the established religion or that the people are in any manner compelled to support it. On the contrary, the constitution specifically provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof.” Neither is it Christian in the sense that all its citizens are either in fact or name Christians. On the contrary, all religions have free scope within our borders. Numbers of our people profess other religions, and many reject all.
Nor is it Christian in the sense that a profession of Christianity is a condition of holding office or otherwise engaging in public service, or essentially to recognition either politically or socially. In fact, the government as a legal organization is independent of all religions. Nevertheless, we constantly speak of this republic as a Christian nation – in fact, as the leading Christian nation of the world.
Justice Brewer: America was “of all the nations in the world . . . most justly called a Christian nation” because Christianity “has so largely shaped and molded it.”
1862 Supreme Court decision in Church of The Holy Trinity vs U.S.
“This is a Christian nation.”
Sacred Duty- Marxism pt 2 // Sunday, October 11, 2020
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Sunday, October 11, 2020
Sacred Duty - Marxism
1 Chronicles 12: 22 …men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…
Romans 13: 1 (NLT) Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
Common traits of prominent Marxists:
1. Young
2. Saw Real & Perceived Injustices.
3. No Position of Power or Influence.
4. Passionately Persevered in the Cause.
5. NONE had a record of working consistently.
6. Ruthless criticism of all that exists.
7. ABOLISH the present state of things.
8. FORCIBLE overthrow of all existing social conditions.
John 3: 18 - 21 (ESV) …this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
9. The life goals of Karl Marx: dethrone God & destroy capitalism
10. By ACCIDENT, MAN is THE real god.
“The last vestige of a Creator external to the world has been obliterated.” ~ Friedrich Engels
“The turning point of history will be the moment man becomes aware the only God of man is man himself.” ~ Ludwig Feuerbach
Matthew 23: 12 (ESV) Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of the heartless world, as it is the spirit of spiritless conditions. It is the opium of the people.” ~ Karl Marx
Isaiah 3: 14 & 15 (NLT) The Lord comes forward to pronounce judgment on the elders and rulers of his people: “You have ruined Israel, my vineyard. Your houses are filled with things stolen from the poor. 15 How dare you crush my people, grinding the faces of the poor into the dust?” demands the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
James 5: 1 (NLT) Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. 4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
Ephesians 5:11 (ESV) Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
We hate Christians and Christianity. Even the best of them must be considered our worst enemies. They preach love of one’s neighbor and mercy, which is contrary to our principles. Christian love is an obstacle to the development of the Revolution. Down with love or our neighbor! What we want is hate…Only then can we conquer the universe. ~ Anatole Lunarcharsky, Russian Commissar of Education
Sacred Duty // Sunday, September 27, 2020
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Sunday, September 27, 2020
Sacred Duty
2 Chronicles 6: 24 – 31 (NLT)
“If your people Israel are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against you, and if they turn back and acknowledge your name and pray to you here in this Temple, 25 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and return them to this land you gave to them and to their ancestors. 26 “If the skies are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and if they pray toward this Temple and acknowledge your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them, 27 then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession. 28 “If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people’s enemies are in the land besieging their towns—whatever disaster or disease there is— 29 and if your people Israel pray about their troubles or sorrow, raising their hands toward this Temple, 30 then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart. 31 Then they will fear you and walk in your ways as long as they live in the land you gave to our ancestors.
2 Chronicles 7: 1 - 3 (NLT)
When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple. 2 The priests could not enter the Temple of the Lord because the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the Lord filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!”
2 Chronicles 7: 12 - 14 (NLT)
12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices.13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
I'm Not Doing Well- Support // Sunday, September 20, 2020
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Sunday, September 20, 2020
I’m Not Doing Well - Support
How should we respond to someone who is struggling?
1. Like Jesus
Luke 4: 40 (NASB) While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.
Jesus was a healer to the most despised sick ones.
Mark 5: 2 - 5 (ESV) …when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
Mark 5: 15 (ESV) …they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind…
We don’t discount people who suffer from emotional / mental struggles.
1 Corinthians 12: 26 (ESV) If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
What can we do?
1. Have realistic expectations
John 16: 33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
2. Let the professionals do their job.
Proverbs 11: 14 (ESV) Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 12: 15 (NLT) Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
3. An episode does not define a person.
Mark 5: 20 (NLT) …he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
I'm Not Doing Well- Darkness // Sunday, September 13, 2020
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Sunday, September 13, 2020
I’m Not Doing Well - Enveloped in Darkness
Psalm 88: 15 - 18 (NLT) I have been sick and close to death since my youth. I stand helpless and desperate before your terrors. 16 Your fierce anger has overwhelmed me. Your terrors have paralyzed me. 17 They swirl around me like floodwaters all day long. They have engulfed me completely. 18 You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend.
Lessons to be learned:
1. Struggles can last so long and go so deep that it impacts our thoughts and emotions.
Psalm 39: 12 & 13 (NLT) Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest — a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. 13 Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.
2. Our expectations of God and poor theology can set us up for deeper turmoil.
Job 1: 8 - 11 (NLT) …the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” 9 Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
3. Darkness is the best place to learn about the grace of God.
2 Timothy 2: 13 (NLT) If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
4. Advancement and growth come through suffering.
James 1: 2 - 4 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
John 1: 5 (ESV) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 12: 46 (ESV) I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
I'm Not Doing Well // Sunday, September 6, 2020
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Sunday, September 6, 2020
I’m Not Doing Well
A Healthy Perspective
Emotional / mental issues WILL occur because we live in a broken world.
We should apply the same medical approach to these issues as we do physical issues.
Divine healing is available to people with both physical and emotional issues.
How should the church respond? With Mercy and Grace
Elijah’s situation: 1 Kings 19: 3 & 4 (NLT) Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
God’s response: 1 Kings 19: 5 & 6 (NLT) 5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.
The result: 1 Kings 19: 19: 7 (NLT) 7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”
The outcome: A new assignment…
8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. 9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.
Practical applications:
1. We choose to dwell on things that distort or edify.
Philippians 4: 8 & 9 (NLT) Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
2. Embrace human limitations:
Psalm 116: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
3. Know that God can work through brokenness and weakness:
2 Corinthians 2: 9 (ESV) …”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
What Should I Do? // Sunday, August 30, 2020
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Sunday, August 30, 2020
What Should I Do?
Hezekiah
2 Kings 18: 2 – 7; Isaiah 38: 1 – 5
Ephesians 5: 15 &16 (NLT) So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
2 Timothy 2: 21 (ESV) …if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
What should I be doing with my life?
1. Build my life around God.
Luke 10: 17 (ESV) …You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
Prioritize worship
Philippians 4: 7 (NLT) Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
2. Love God’s Family
Hebrews 10: 25 (NLT) … let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Prioritize fellowship.
Acts 2: 41, 42 & 46 (NLT) Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer… 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.
The pattern:
1. Believe
2. Baptized
3. Discipleship
4. Fellowship
5. Worship
3. Mature in my faith.
Hebrews 6: 1 (NLT) …let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.
Prioritize discipleship.
Hebrews 5: 12 (NLT) You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.
4. Contribute.
1 Peter 4: 10 (NLT) God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
Prioritize ministry.
Psalm 116: 12 (NLT) What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?
5. Communicate the Good News.
2 Corinthians 5: 18, 20 (NLT) …all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him… 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
Prioritize witnessing.
2 Corinthians 6: 1 (ESV) Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.