Sunday Morning Worship Service - October 18, 2009
We serve a great God. Throughout history, he has done great things for his people. We worship a victorious savior. He defeated sin, death, took all the wrath of a righteous God, he bought us back from slavery to sin and made us sons and daughters of Last week - even in our failures, the victory of Christ is demonstrated. When we fail, when we sin, we remember that Jesus' victory on the cross carried away my sins. God wants you to think about, meditate on, study and explore the victories of Jesus. He wants you to see that his grace really is greater than all our sin. There is no moment or circumstance of my life that is not impacted by God's greatness and the victorious work of Jesus Christ. What about those times when we're discouraged and worn? Do God's people get discouraged? Ps 77:3, I remembered you, o God, and I groaned Ps 102:4-6, I forgot to eat Jer 20:14, I curse the day I was born. Job 10:1 I loathe my very life. Why does God allow his people to be discouraged? 1. Emptiness - Absence increases our desire, presence increases our joy. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Blessings lost and then found again become extraordinary. 2. Disappointment - So we find that nothing else will fulfill us and come to him alone. Hosea 11:2-4 V. 2. God called, they went further away. Worshipped Baals V. 3. They did not see God's kindness, took it for granted. V. 4 God led them in kindness and love. Hosea 11:5-8 V. 5. Return to Egypt - after God set them free, from slavery, they wanted to return there. We return to old idols, old habits, looking for fulfillment. V. 6 God will allow them to be invaded by Assyria. V. 7. My people are determined to turn from me. Man comes to God only after finding emptiness everywhere else. William Bridge So long as we can find fulfillment anywhere else, we will not come to God. V. 8. In triumphant, unfailing love, God will not give up on you or let you go. The greatness of God's love will bring you back to him. His unfailing love will remind you that even if you have discouragement all around you, you have the greatest possession in the universe, you have the love of your great God. You are His and He is yours. God wants to have all the love of his children. He allows us to figure out that no other pursuits will satisfy us. 3. Conviction - Jesus as a surgeon, uses discouragement to repair what is wrong in us. He points out areas in our lives where we are looking at external things rather than the demonstrated love of God for us. Read the scriptures much. The promise yields its power when you put it to work, not before. Relying on the promise makes it yours. Psalm 94:19 "when anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."
I want to spend the next few weeks talking about our triumphant God. About the victories of God and, specifically, the victories of Jesus Christ. Our God is victorious. Our Savior has overcome. God's patience overcame Israel's sinfulness Jesus' obedience overcame Satan's temptations God's forgiveness overcame man's sin God's power overcame the schemes of Satan Jesus' power overcame the grave God's wisdom overcame man's deceptions God's glory overcame man's suppression of the truth God's love overcame man's hatred But it's not just that He has overcome. His victory means something for our lives. The story of God's victory is not just God's story. God demonstrates his greatness in the lives of his people. God's triumphs impact the lives of his people. Jesus' blood overcame the sinful stains in my life and made me holy Jesus' sacrifice overcame the wrath of God and made me a friend of God Jesus overcame the bondage of my sin and gave me freedom Jesus overcame the death that I dwelt in and gave me new life Jesus' victories in life and teachings and in his death and resurrection and in His teachings have an impact on our lives today and every day. There is no moment or circumstance of my life that is not impacted by God's greatness and the victorious work of Jesus Christ. Even in our failures, the victory of Jesus and the greatness of God is seen. John 13:36-38 Jesus' last night with his disciples. Peter promises to go all the way to death Luke 22:31-34 Satan asked to sift you like wheat God allowed Peter's faith to be tested "When you have turned back" Jesus knew that Peter would stumble But Peter's stumbling was not the end John 18:25-27 while Jesus was being accused, Peter warmed himself and not only didn't speak up in Jesus' defense, he denied even knowing him John 21:15-17 three denials, three opportunities to be restored God never permits his people to fall into any sin but that he intends as an inlet into further grace. We should be humbled by our sin, but not discouraged because Jesus has overcome our sin - past and future - all our sin, every stain, every one - Jesus Christ has covered by his blood. When you sin, see it on the cross. See Jesus carry it to Calvary. See his death carry it away and see his Father accept Jesus' sacrifice as payment in full for your sin when he resurrected Jesus body after three days of death.
Hearing and doing are what make the difference. - Andy Stanley James 1:22-25 22. Do not merely listen; do. Listening without doing is deceptive. We can come to church, sing the songs - even feel emotion. But if we don't put into practice what we're learning, there's no real growth. 23-24. a word picture - we fix the outside but not the inside Coming to realize after being in Gods word yourself or hearing Gods word and realizing you need to make a change Honor God with your body, Invest more time in your kids, Or more in your marriage, To become aware that something needs to change and then to leave and do nothing is like looking at a mirror, and forgetting what you see. It'd be like getting up in the morning and looking in the mirror and see you need a shave, your hair is flat on one side and standing on the other, your teach need brushed, but you immediately forget and do nothing and go to school or work. You stand in front of the mirror until you're better - until it's fixed You do something about what you see. James says when you read or hear the a Word of a God and become aware that you need to confess, or forgive someone, or address an addiction, or honor God with your body or your finances, or your marriage, or a relationship, an apology I need to make - if you become aware of the need for change and do nothing... It's as foolish as looking into a mirror and forgetting what you've seen. There's no credit for just being aware - God lovingly calls us to change. We'll spend hours in a week on the outside, but it's the heart issues, habit issues, relationship issues, forgiveness issues, attitude issues that cause moral or relational or financial crashes in our lives. Why wouldn't we dare to walk away from an issue in our appearance, but we refuse to deal with the internal issues we've been confronted with? 25. God's law gives freedom The younger we are and the less time we've followed Christ, the more baffling this is. Seems like the Scriptures are filled with "NO" - not freedom. God' sword seems restrictive, not freeing. But then you gain some life experience and you find its true. Money: Bible teaches us to be generous, don't spend all your money on yourself. Your money is not your money. Don't go into debt. Give, save, then live on the rest. If you do that, you'll have financial freedom. It works because the Bible is true and if you follow its teachings - if you apply them - if you put them into practice you'll find freedom. Forgiveness: the perfect law that gives freedom says when someone hurts you, forgive. But we don't want to. Someone hurt me. I'm going to hold it against them. I'm not going to let them off. Why would I give them the gift of forgiveness? The Bible says, cancel their debt. Forgive. You know people who haven't forgiven. They are angry, bitter. And people around them suffer. People wound them get all the venom from some other relationship. But we know that when we forgive, the person being set free is us. We know that forgiveness removes the shackles - not from the person who hurt us - it removes the shackles from our own hands and feet. There's freedom when you apply Gods Word and forgive. The Bible teaches to honor God with your body and with what you put in your body. When you're young that seems so restrictive. Honor God with where you take your body, Honor God with what you look at, Honor God with your relationships - with your sexuality. There is freedom in God's perfect law, but only when we practice it. Only when we do something with what we hear. Jesus Christ died to set us free. But you're only free when you do something with what you hear. There is blessing when we hear and do.
Psalm 84:1-4 blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever praising - those who dwell in worship are blessed - they find happiness, joy in God's presence Psalm 84:5-7 v 5 "set their hearts on pilgrimage" - journey to God's temple, to his presence. blessed are those who journey to God's presence. v 6 "valley of Baca" "weeping" no physical place identified. Here's the picture - Blessed are those who journey through sorrow to God's presence. A place of springs, rains cover the valley of weeping with pools. The practice of digging cisterns in the desert. In the middle of desert, they would dig holes in the ground or cisterns. Despite the thirsty, dry conditions, they knew the rains would come. v 7 The rains did come, filled the holes like pools in the desert. The. They pass through the desert, from one pool to the next, "strength to strength". Those who go to God in times of sorrow find strength. Even in dry places, you have to prepare for rain. In the midst of discouragement, go to God's presence, prepare for his blessing Discouragement is disorienting, but God is still good. He is for us. Our struggles do not overcome the joy and strength we find in his presence.
Scott Auth, Church Elder and DPS Officer speaks of his recent experiences helping to secure the southern border of Texas.
Perhaps the theme of Habakkuk is Habakkuk 3:2a Lord, I have heard of your fame, I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord Renew them in our day Habakkuk knew of God's great work for his people - in the past. But in the present, he could not see God'S work. "Renew your goodness in our day" Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, Though the olive crop fails and the field produces no food, Though there are no sheep in he pen and no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in The Lord, I will be joyful in god my Savior. Habakkuk was writing at a time of devastating famine. No crops, no livestock, no food. "Yet I will rejoice in The Lord, I will be joyful in god my Savior." How can we find joy in the midst of discouragement? In the midst of defeat? In the midst of trouble that seems to have no end? We all face discouragement at times in our lives: finances, marriages, jobs, medical problems, relationship problems. We can deal with those when they last a short time. But when the struggle continues for a long time, it can go from struggle to discouragement. Long-term struggles can outlast your hope. Discouragement can set in and make it feel like there is no hope of change. What do we do then? Where do we go? Are we supposed to give up? Is this the new normal? How can we survive those times, not of days or weeks of struggles, but those struggles that go on for years? If The Lord chooses not to rescue us from the struggle, can we find joy again? Psalm 43:1-5 v 1-2 feeling rejected by God... In mourning... Oppressed by the enemy v 3 prayer for light and truth to guide him, to lead him to God, To lead him into God's presence. Discouragement causes us to withdraw from God and people. Ask God to guide you back into his presence. We tend to withdraw from God. The author here prays, God, guide me into your presence. "Send forth your light and truth, let them guide me" Discouragement is disorienting; making us think our struggles are bigger than God. Ask God to help you see your struggle in light of His Presence. v 4 go to the altar - worshipping God Worshipping God in the midst of discouragement renews the joy we find in his presence. v 5 why so downcast? Put your hope in God.
The kingdom of God is to be Taken hold of Advanced Treasured Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. The parallel account in Luke omits "and his righteousness" and adds an assurance: "...seek his kingdom, and all these things shall be yours as well. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:31-32). The kingdom of God is the treasure. The kingdom of God is of higher value than everything else. We are to seek God's kingdom as our most valuable possession. Even if it costs you everything else, the kingdom of God is worth it. The kingdom of God is a matter of priority - a matter of heart. The value of God's kingdom was greater than everything else he had. The treasure that is God's kingdom has inspired countless saints for two millennia. The kingdom of God inspired people like Jim Elliott, One of the five who gave their lives to reach the Auca Indians in January 1956. When he was warned that he might die trying to bring the kingdom of God to this unreached tribe, he wrote in his journal, "I would gladly give my life for these people." And... "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliott William Carrey was an English missionary to India who was a skilled linguist, writer and printer. He translated portions of the Bible in different languages. Eric Liddell the Olympic runner from the1980s film Chariots of Fire. After school, and his time as an Olympic athlete, he returned to China as a missionary in 1925. In 1941 British nationals were encouraged to leave China by the British government because of the coming Japanese invasion. Eric sent his wife and children home to Canada, but Eric remained to work in a hospital with his brother. In 1943 he was put in a prison camp by the Japanese and continued to teach children and preach the Bible in the prison camp. He was given the opportunity to leave the prison camp, but turned it down so that a pregnant woman could be released and he could remain there to be a father and teacher to the children in the camp The kingdom of God is the treasure. The kingdom of God is of greater value than anything else. Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Two ways to interpret this parable, the first is that it has the same meaning as the treasure in the field. But in this one, The kingdom of heaven is the merchant. The merchant gives everything to obtain the pearl. The man who gave up everything to obtain the pearl may be Jesus Christ who gave his life to pay the debt of sin for the whole world. Within the world of sinners, there would be some who would believe in him - the treasure and pearl. In that case, this is similar to the parables in Luke of the woman who lost a coin and would not rest until she found it. It's like the parable of the shepherd with one hundred sheep, but left 99 to find one lost sheep. The lessons of these parables: The kingdom of God is a treasure more valuable than anything else. The kingdom of God is about a savior who made the supreme sacrifice for his people.
Wk 1 we are to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Wk 2 Most will not accept the kingdom. Like the good soil, we have to be receptive and obedient God's word. Wk 3 This is a time of God's grace and patience, but it will come to an end with a time of separation of those who do not follow Christ. Wk 4 The Kingdom of heaven is destined to advance. Matthew 13:31-32 the parable of the mustard seed The mustard seed is like a tiny speck- the smallest seed a farmer would plant. But it would grow to be the largest plant in the garden, growing to 10 or 15 ft high. Matthew 13:33-35 the parable of the yeast Usually yeast is portrayed as representing sin in the Scriptures because of the way it decomposes the dough and a small amount permeates throughout. But it is used here to show that the kingdom of God starts small, but grows to affect the whole world. This was not the first time that God's kingdom was prophesied to advance from small and insignificant to huge growth. In the Neo-Babylonian empire, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. He was so upset with it that he called his wisest advisors to interpret it, but he wanted to be sure that the interpretation was true, so he told them to tell him his dream first and then to give the interpretation - or he would have them killed. Daniel was a Jew, a captive from Judah. He prayed and God revealed Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the interpretation. Daniel 2:31-35 The meaning of the dream is a vision of five earthly kingdoms that would rule their world. [show picture] Head of gold - the Babylonians Chest of silver - the Medes and Persians The waist and thighs of bronze - the Greeks The legs of iron - the Romans The feet of iron and clay - a restored Roman Empire in the end times that will be crushed by God's Kingdom The stone not cut by human hands is the kingdom of God. It started small but crushed the statue - the kingdoms of men - and grew to the size of a mountain. Two points of application: 1) God's kingdom is destined to advance. We feel like we're the underdogs, like we're in retreat as our society walks further away from God. But God loves to start with something small and insignificant so that he can show that it grew and advanced by His power. Slaves in Egypt escaped a powerful nation - and plundered them - why? Because God fought for them. David was a boy when he came to a battle where warriors were afraid to face Goliath and he said, this man defies the God of Israel, I will fight him. Why? Because God fought for him. "Jesus grew up in a backwards province of a conquered people to poor parents; He taught for three years in neighboring villages, and occasionally at Jerusalem; His followers were mostly the poor and uneducated; then he fell into the hands of his enemies, and died the shameful death of the cross; That is how kingdom of God began - but it would advance to world-wide influence. Ultimately, the kingdom of will outlast all earthly kingdoms, all philosophies, all societies, all religions. Are we defeated? No, God's kingdom is destined to advance - God will work to advance his kingdom. 2) The kingdom of God advances around us as we let it advance within us. You want your kids to follow Jesus? You follow Jesus everyday, more and more. Your coworkers need the kingdom of God in their lives? You take hold of the kingdom. Matthew 11:13 The Kingdom of Heaven advances into this world with conflict. There are forces of evil which oppose God’s word and His work. But God’s Kingdom is also coming with power and many people are being freed from the power of Satan as they take hold of the good news of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 13:1-9 Same day - that Jesus was accused by working under the power of Satan. Jesus spoke from a boat a little ways away from shore, which made an amphitheater. Parable - an analogy from everyday life to explain a spiritual truth. The seed - the word of God - sp. the message about Jesus - God's plan to bring forgiveness and restoration through sacrificing His own Son. The soils - us, people who hear the message The sower - Jesus and his followers Matthew 13:10-17 The reason Jesus spoke in parables. 11. The secrets of the kingdom were given to people who believed and acted on the truth - but not to those who did not believe. 12. God will reveal more truth as you believe and act on the truth you already have. 14-15. Isaiah said of his generation, that they would see and hear but not believe his message. Jesus uses Isaiah's words to say that people would hear and see the his coming in the flesh and still not believe. Isaiah's prophecy was at least in part fulfilled in Jesus day - and still is today. The invitation to receive Christ is open, clear, and uncomplicated. Those who harden their hearts against Christ receive no more truth. The Pharisees had hardened their hearts so much toward Jesus that they just accused him of setting someone free of demon possession by the power of Satan. 16. The disciples see and hear and received the Messiah. They enjoyed the marvelous privilege anticipated by the OT prophets. Matthew 13:18-23 The soil along the path eaten by birds - those who hear the message but do not understand it. The soil on the rocky places scorched by the sun - those who receive the message with joy but have no root and fall away quickly under trouble or persecution. The soil among the thorns - those who hear the message but it is choked out by the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth. The good soil - those who hear and understand the message and act on it. The four soils are four different responses to God's word: 1. Hardened 2. Shallow 3. Distracted 4. Receptive
Trey Andrews shares his involvement with some of YWAM's mission work in Europe
Then What’s Next To Do? Everyone who asks receives . . . —Luke 11:10 "Then He said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and from inside he answers and says, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything. ' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" (Luke 11:5-13 NASB) "So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened." (Luke 11:9, 10 AMP) Ask, and keep on asking We must ask God for His will and direction Seek, and keep on seeking We must actively seek( search) God out Knock, and keep on knocking We must be persistent, and not give up God moves on His time schedule, not ours
If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.... Everything that is distinctively Christian... is summed up in the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God. “Father” is the Christian name for God. - J.I. Packer Protector and defender Throughout the OT, God spoke through Moses and the prophets that He would fight on behalf of His people. Nehemiah 4:14 - Nehemiah asks God's people to defend their families. Provider Matthew 6:25, 26 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Encourager Video Example to Follow Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! Trainer Proverbs 3:11-12 god disciplines us for our good. Two points of application for us today. 1. The glorious God of the universe sent His Son into the world. He taught us how to relate to God in a way that no other religion teaches. Matthew 6:9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." God wants us to see Him as our Protector, Provider, Encourager, Example, Trainer He will defend you, provide for you, encourage you, lead you, teach and train you. He is Father to everyone who will seek Him. Do you know Him? 2. Men, God wants to show his nature through you. He has called you to fight for your family. He has called you to provide for them. He has called you to be an example of integrity, love, and strength. He has called you to be an encourager, not a critic He has called you to lead your family in loving discipline. Being a father is the most important role I will ever play and if I don’t do this well, no other thing I do really matters. What God has called you to, He will empower you to do. He never intended for us to todo this on our own, but to rely on His wisdom and strength. I remember times in my life where I felt like everything I was doing as a father was failing. I had brothers come alongside me and remind me, God will help you be the father and the husband that He has called you to be. Do you need to surrender to His wisdom and strength today? Do you feel like you've blown it? The past is the past and God's grace covers it. What about today? Do you need His strength and wisdom?
From the beginning, God has longed to be with his people. God's longing to be with us is His heart cry in the Law and the Prophets. God dwelt in the burning bush for Moses. Numbers 14:13-14 - when the people rebelled, and God threatened to destroy them, Moses reminded God that it was God's presence that went before them in the pillars of smoke and fire. Moses said to the Lord, “Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, Lord, are with these people and that you, Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Exodus 29:44-46 God's desire to be with His people was the primary reason for the Tabernacle, or the tent of meeting. “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God." The ark of the covenant, the Holy of Holies, even the priests to represent God on earth - these were all driven by God's desire to be with hHis people. I cannot express the profoundness of this idea. God is transcendent. He does not need us. He is exalted high above us. Acts 17:24-25 - Paul preached in Athens “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. God's longing to be with us is most clearly seen in the name of the Messiah - “Immanuel” or “God with us”. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. And then in the closing chapters of the book of the Revelation we see this unrelenting pursuit of God triumphantly realized in words of victory as John writes, Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God!’” This is the unrelenting longing and pursuit of God; and He will be victorious! God's longing to be with us is evident in the lives of His people. God dwelling in the midst of His people is not simply a doctrine we are supposed to understand or claim on some theological level, but it is rather to be the evident experience of His people. This was the clear testimony of the disciples at Pentecost and throughout the book of Acts. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the reason that the church grew, the apostles healed, and the missionaries endured persecution. The reason the church is the church, the reason people are taught, fed, healed, encouraged, brought to salvation is because of the presence of God in the people of God. When Jesus is in the midst of His people, He will be Himself. He will teach, He will convict, He will forgive, He will cleanse, He will pardon, He will bless, and He will heal. He will call people to Himself, and reveal that we are in Him and He is in us. He desires that our lives and deeds will manifest the reality of His presence.
Colossians 4:7-18 Farewells (7-9) vv. 7-8. Tychicus accompanied the apostlePaul on his voyage to Jerusalem (A.D. 58), with contributions raised for "the poor saints at Jerusalem." he was with the apostle in his imprisonment at Rome, but sent home with two letters, and in charge of Onesimus, on whose account the apostle sends a private letter to Philemon. Paul later proposed to send him to Titus in Crete (Titus 3:12), and finally sent him from Rome once more to Ephesus (2 Timothy 6:12). "Dear brother, faithful minister, fellow servant in The Lord." v 9. Onesimus - "faithful and dear brother and one of you". He was a runaway slave of Philemon, who was a member of the church in Colosse. Paul wrote the letter we know as Philemon asking him to forgive Onesimus and to treat him as a brother in The Lord. Onesimus was apparently led to The Lord by Paul. Greetings (10-15) v. 10. 3 Jewish Christians - Aristarchus was a native of Thessalonica, arrested in the riot in Ephesus, accompanied Paul to Jerusalem, and traveled with Paul from Caesarea to Rome. Mark was the writer of the gospel. v. 11. Jesus Justus nothing more is known Paul's calling had alienated him from his countrymen. These three were the only fellow Jews working with Paul in his ministry. These three were a "comfort" to Paul. Console, vv. 12-13. Epaphras is the founder of the Colossian church. He continually strives (labors, toiled) for them in his prayers - that they may stand firm, mature, fully convinced of the will of God. Because they were in danger of wavering in their faith. v. 14 Luke, the doctor, writer of Luke and Acts, companion of Paul in many of his missionary journeys. v. 15. Greetings to the brothers in Laodicea. Nymphas as may be masculine or feminine depending on the placement of the accent mark, so versions differ. There were no church buildings in this time. In the NT, church always referred to an assembly of believers, not the place they met. Instructions (16-17) v. 16. The Colossians and Laodiceans were to swap letters to read. Some think this was the letter to the Ephesians, but it seems more likely that the letter to the Laodiceans was lost. (Another lost letter in 1 Co 5:9) v. 17. Archippus is mentioned in Philemon 2 in a way that suggests he is part of Philemon's household. Could be that Paul was rebuking him to do better or that Paul wanted the Colossians to know that Archippus had his support. Whatever it was, his ministry was a service in The Lord, so it was important. Be diligent to fulfill the calling and role that God has given you. V. 18. Paul wrote the salutation in his own hand Observations: Paul gave up his comfort for the sake of the ministry. Even in chains, he continued to minister He called on fellow workers to continue their work. We want to be part of a culture that is encouraging in ministry. Surrounded by people who are spend themselves in carrying out God's calling. Do you have people in your life that spur you on in good work? 2 Timothy 4:6-7 Can we be people who, like Paul, burns with passion to see gospel of Christ spread? Charles Wesley was asked why he was so influential. He said, "When you light yourself on fire, people love to watch you burn." Are you burning for something? Something bigger than yourself?
The feminine heart reveals the heart of God. God created mankind to bear his image. Somehow in the creation of gender, male and female, reflect his image. Genesis 1:26-27 Both the man's and woman's characters are found in God's heart. - God possess in perfection the character of men and women. - Fused together in God's character is the strong, protective love of a man and the tender, comforting love of a mother. Genesis 2:18-23 v. 18a. God created everyday and said, "it is good." But when he saw man without woman, he said, "it is not good." Man needed a helper - the same term is used of the Holy Spirit, refers to some one to come beside, a help, a comforter. v. 19. All the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and man God made from the ground. v. 21. Woman was made from the side of man. This shows that men and women are distinctly different from all the animals. They uniquely bear the image of their creator. The fact that woman was made from the man's side shows the intimacy they would have and the heart of a woman be at the side and show comfort and tenderness. Author Jack Frost writes about the masculine and feminine hearts: “The masculine heart cries out to do, to form and create, to initiate.... The feminine heart seeks to be; it longs for communion and connection, to bond, and to know and to be known.... The feminine... nature is compassion, empathy, nurture, comfort, intimacy, and the ability to receive and express love.” -Jack Frost While the masculine heart reveals the warrior, builder, leader characteristics of God,The feminine heart bears the image of God's loving nature; his compassion, comforting, concern, nurturing, and his patience. Comforting Isaiah 66:12-13 - refers to a time when The Lord will carry and comfort His people. For this is what The Lord says, "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. Like a mother carries, comforts, and dandles her children, so God will care for His people. Zephaniah 3:17 - a promise of God that He would save rejoice over his people The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. “Quiet in His love,” the tender moments between mother and child, when the child is fully contented and enjoying the closeness of his or her mother. Concern and Patience - Jesus quotes an OT passage when he looks out over Jerusalem Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather you together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. This passage reveals the concern that God has for his people. He wants them at his side, to care for them and to protect them - even when they are unwilling. Like the mother who waits for and continues to love her son or daughter who have ventured away. God patiently waits for us to return to him. "I have longed to gather you" it means he wants, wills, desires those who are far off to return to him. God longs for you like a mother who will not give up on her son or daughter. Has he been patiently waiting for you? Is it time to return to the loving God?
Colossians 4:2-6 v. 2 - Be devoted in prayer - "be strong," "persist" in prayer Keep watch - active in prayer, never mechanical, but alive Maintain your zest for prayer through thanksgiving Privately - be devoted to prayer vv. 3-4 - Pray for open doors and clear communication Pray for God to open the door to share your faith with the people around you - a coworker, a fellow student, another mom, someone you regularly come into contact with. vv. 5-6 - live in such a way that unbelievers will see and gain a favorable impression of your faith. Walk in wisdom with outsiders. Watch what you say and do. If Someone at work talks badly about you, model forgiveness. Don't view others as a hassle. Love people, take time to listen to their stories. Treat them as someone for whom Christ died. Make the most of opportunities. Seize opportunities to share your faith. Privately - be devoted to prayer Publicly - live out and share your faith If we Christians are hermetically sealed from non-Christians, how will the lost ever be saved? Escape the Christian subculture. 1. Eat with others, including Non-Christians. We all eat three meals a day. Share one of those meals with others? Go to lunch with a co-worker. Invite the neighbors over for dinner. When you go out for a meal invite others. Cookout and invite Christians and non-Christians. 2. Be a Regular. Instead of hopping all over town for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places. Get to know the staff. Go to the same places. Smile. Ask questions. Be a regular. Build relationships. 3. Talk to Your Co-workers. Take your breaks with intentionality. Go out with your team after work. Show interest in your co-workers. Pick one or two and pray for them. Form mom groups in your neighborhood and don’t make them exclusively Christian. Schedule play dates with the neighbors’ kids. Work on mission. Speak with grace, purity and life. Your mouth reveals your heart There is no way to shortcut this. People know when you're sincere. People know whether or not its real in your life. This has to be real. The way to speak and act in a godly way is to have a vibrant relationship with The Lord. Get near him. We often don't share our faith because we're afraid we don't know enough. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Lose confidence in you, gain confidence in Him. No one was ever argued into the kingdom of God. It is always Jesus that drives men to God. What do you do when they ask you something you don't know? Say, "I don't know." You will have to broach the subject - un spiritual people do not bring up spiritual things. God has placed you where you are and whom you're around. Acts 17:26-27 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the time set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. God has you living around specific people so that they might find Him through you. May we be a people who are devoted to prayer and actively share our faith.
Jesus Christ is supreme. In him is fullness and we have been given fullness in him. Some of the most significant aspects of his fullness are the effects of his death and resurrection in the lives of believers. Because Christ died for us, our old, sinful nature died with him. Because Christ was resurrected, we have new life in him - new resurrection life. We read that we are to put to death sin like sexual immorality and greed and get rid of anger and lies like they are old, filthy clothes. Paul commanded us to replace those old rags with new clothes. Bear with each other, forgive each other, and, above all, Love each other We are supposed to cover ourselves in this new life with these things within the body of believers. But what about where you let your hair down? And where you work. Home and work are, for better or worse, where we really act like ourselves. These virtues of Christianity are hardest to show the people we live with every day. But Paul drives these commands right into our family and work lives, where we cannot hide for long and we cannot put on a front. Men, You ever tried to be someone you're not in front of your wife? She will call you out on it every time. While you're at home or work, minding your own business, here comes Paul to say, "you've got to live this out with your family. Because with your family and work is where it matters most." Colossians 3:18-4:1 Husbands and Wives v. 18 - "wives submit to your husbands" Means that wives are to voluntarily yield to their husband's authority. It can be thought of as giving preference to or defer to her husband. This refers to a loyal love that says, "I will love you by following you" "As is fitting in The Lord" means that this is fitting to those who belong to The Lord. v. 19 - "Husbands, love (agape) your wives" Refers to God's love. Show your wife a devoted love - the opposite of short-term. It's an unconditional love - the opposite of a self-centered love that demands it's one way. It's a love that demonstrates a concern for the well-being of the one loved. "Do not be harsh with them" is literally, "do not embitter them." It means that we are not to treat our wives in a way that makes them angry or irritated. Don't be harsh, don't be cross with her. This refers to a tender love that says, "I will love you with an unconditional love." Wives, love your husbands with a loyal love. Husbands, love your wives with an unconditional love. Parents and Children v. 20 - "children obey your parents" "Obey" implies a readiness to hear. It has the sense of obeying orders. It starts with listening and follows through with action "in everything" means that you don't judge what to obey or what not to obey. This is not a buffet of obedience. Children are called to be obedient. "This pleases The Lord." This is God's desire, His will for you. God desires obedience and it starts with obedience to parents. v. 21 - "Fathers, do not embitter your children" Paul speaks to the father as head of the household, has special responsibility in training children. But can mean fathers as "parents". The verb translated as "embitter" means to stir up emotion, excitement. Here, the negative sense means, "don't provoke them." Don't constantly criticize, don't nag, don't be fault-finding, don't constantly harass, don't over-correct them. Don't rouse them to resentment. Don't be so exacting, so demanding that your child feels like they can never do anything right. Or they will lose heart. Children grow with showering of encouragement and occasional correction. Slaves and Masters vv. 22-25 - half the people in the Roman Empire were slaves. They are discussed here because they were part of the household. In fact, Paul is going to say here, that before God there is no difference between slave and master; they are equals before God. How does this apply to us today - in jobs. We work voluntarily, we get compensated for our time at work - how much more does this apply to us than to people who didn't have any rights? Do your boss's work with a sincere heart, not grudgingly. Paul then elevates even the most menial work. Do your work to the best of your attitude and ability, as though you are doing it for The Lord. "You will receive an inheritance from The Lord" There is dignity in all work. There is no divide in your live between what is sacred and what is secular. Everything is for The Lord. You can bring honor to Jesus Christ by the way you work - diligently and sincerely. 4:1 - "masters, provide what is just and fair" Those in authority are accountable to God. Masters have a master to answer to. So powerful is the new life in Christ, that He shines through in every relationship and every arena of life.
Jesus Christ is unique in all the heavens and creation. There is no one like him. He is supreme above every authority. His cause to redeem fallen creation is the greatest on the planet. He is the most compelling figure in the history of the world. He is all the character and infinite attributes of God in finite human form. His supremacy is described as fullness. He shares his fullness with us. Many times in our lives we don't feel a fullness of life, but Emptiness Purposeless Defeated by sin Beaten by the enemy Surrounded by darkness Ashamed b/c of our sin and inconsistency Steeped in guilt for our failure. Where is this fullness? It is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Fullness is found in him. It's like we have been freed from the prison of defeat, but don't know how to leave our prison cell. Freed from sin, but unable to walk in righteousness. Jesus has overcome all of this, but your enemy wants you to believe that somehow none of this applies to you. The truth is, if you are in Jesus Christ, you have his purpose, you have been reconciled to the Father, you have been rescued from darkness, you have his victory over sin and it is no longer your master, your guilt and failures have been removed from you and you are holy and blameless in the sight of God. Yes, we have struggles, but our lives have been for ever changed. When I struggle against sin, it no longer has the upper hand. When the enemy comes against me, he and I both know he's been defeated and has no power over me. We need to stop acting like a defeated people. you are not defeated. You are not beat. Our King has won the victory. When I'm disappointed by this life, I remember that Jesus has qualified me for a glorious inheritance (1:5, 12). When I feel the darkness closing in, I remember Jesus rescued me from its dominion (1:13). When I feel no purpose in life, I remember that I was created for Jesus Christ (1:16). When I feel like things are out of control, I remember that Christ holds all things together (1:17). When I feel like I don't belong in God's presence, I remember the Jesus has reconciled me by his death, to present me holy and blameless and above reproach before him (1:22). When I feel empty, I remember that I have been given fullness in Christ (2:10). When I feel I'm losing the struggle against sin, I remember that in Jesus' death, my sinful nature has been defeated (2:11). When I feel guilt for my sin and inconsistency, I remember that God has forgiven all my sin (2:13). When I feel shame for my failures, I remember the charges against me were wiped out and nailed to Jesus' cross (2:14). When I feel like I'm defeated, I remember that Jesus disarmed his enemies and triumphed over them (2:15). Colossians 2:16-23 The big problem in Colosse was a mystical combination of Jewish rituals, asceticism, and worship of spiritual beings. vv. 18b-20 false teachers practiced worship of angels. But these beings are under Christ. The effect, they had become proud, air of spirituality - and useless. They worshipped a headless body. We have access to Christ and have no need to worship lesser beings. vv. 16-18a there were people teaching that you had to hold to strict practice of Jewish food laws and religious festival days. They also taught asceticism - practice of denying the body material things like food, clothing, or sleep to gain control over it. vv. 21-23 the problem is that behavior modification never worked. Sin does not come from the outside, but from the inside. Behavior modification cannot change the heart. The problem with sin is that we desire it. No one will become good or holy by behavior modification. You are made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ. You are being conformed to his image by his power and through relationship with him. Your life is changed by encountering Jesus. No one and nothing else has the power to change you. When we embrace Christ, he fills us with his presence, forgives our sins, and enters into a relationship with us that will last for all eternity.
Colossians 2:9-15 The fullness of Christ given to us is His victory. The fullness of Christ is his victory over all. Jesus' sacrifice - his death on the cross and his resurrection - defeated the enemies of God. 1. Our old, sinful nature was put off 2. We were made alive with Christ 3. Our sins were forgiven 4. The charge of our was canceled 5. God's enemies were disarmed v. 11 Our sinful nature was put off Paul compares this spiritual truth to the physical act of circumcision. Circumcision was a physical mark on he bodies of Jewish males that they were the people of God's covenant. It should that they were God's set people, set apart from the rest of humanity. Spiritually circumcised in Christ. Christ separates our sins from us. Our old, sinful self is removed by Jesus' death. In our struggle against sin, we are to remember this, that our old sinful nature that used to have complete power over us is dead. Romans 6:5-11 When we are tempted, we are to remember, the grip of our sinful nature has been broken and we are no longer slaves to sin. The stranglehold of sin over our lives was broken by Jesus' death. When Christ died, our sinful nature died. v. 12-13a We were made alive with Christ We were dead in our sins and sinful nature. Baptism is a picture of Jesus' death and resurrection. He died and was raised to life again. Baptism is also a picture of what Jesus has done in our lives. We were dead in our sins, but in Jesus, our sinful nature died and we were raised to a new life. This is true in our lives because of our faith in the powerful working of God. By our faith in Jesus Christ, we share in his death and resurrection. His physical death and resurrection is shared with us in a spiritual sense. When Christ died, our sinful nature died. When Christ was raised, we were raised to new life. We are new people because of Jesus' death and resurrection. v. 13b Our sins were forgiven The word used for sin is "trespass" is "paraptoma", literally to fall aside, misstep or blunder. It means that we failed God's path for us. But our constant failure to follow God has been forgiven by God. Everything that had separated us from God has been forgiven. v. 14 The charge of our sin was canceled The code, lit., "handwriting". It was an indictment of our guilt. Paul was probably referring to the Roman practice of writing the offense committed by the accused on a board and nailing it above their heads on their crosses. "With its regulations" - the legal demands of the OT - the holy Law of god - we could never meet its requirements, so it was against us and was opposed to us. Christ took on himself our offenses and his punishment freed us from our accountability under the law. "Canceled" literally, wiped out. He took it away, nailing it to the cross. When you feel like a sinner instead of a saint, When you feel like a failure instead of a conqueror, Remember that Jesus' work on he cross has canceled your sin and failure. v. 15 God's enemies were disarmed "Powers and authorities" are all the spiritual forces of this world that are in rebellion against God. He disarmed them and made a public spectacle of them. He triumphed over them by the cross. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus was victorious over our sin, over death, over the charges against us, and over God's enemies.
Colossians 1:24-29 V. 24a 1. Paul is glad to suffer for the cause of Christ He's not talking about people reacting to him being annoying. Paul is so convinced of the supremacy of Christ that he sees the cause of Christ as being worth suffering for. Jim Elliot, missionary to an Auca Indian settlement in Ecuador. They spent 3 months getting ready to make contact with a tribe known to be hostile, even violent, to outsiders. People warned the young men about how dangerous their plans to contact the tribe was. Before he even met any of them, he wrote in his journal, "I would gladly give my life for these people." January 8, 1956, Elliot and four others were murdered by the Indian tribe. Some years later a wife and a sister led a number of the tribe to Jesus Christ. Jesus said that people should consider the cost of following Him. Paul and Jim Elliot and countless other followers of Jesus considered the cost and determined, "I am glad to suffer for Christ." V.24b " I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions" What is missing in Christ's afflictions? His suffering perfectly fulfilled God's will for Jesus to suffer for us, for the penalty for our sins. In that regard, the Bible is clear that there is nothing lacking in Christ's suffering. His sacrifice completely satisfied God's wrath. There is nothing left for us to do but cling to the cross in faith that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for me. I don't need to avoid God when I sin. I don't need to pay some penance. As the great hymn declares, "Jesus paid it all." Paul is saying here that just as Jesus suffered for the church, we can expect to suffer for the church as well. Jesus was the first to suffer for the sake of the church, but he is not the only one called to suffer. The sufferings endured by God's people are a continuation of Christ's suffering. In that way, we supplement or complete the suffering of Christ. The church is built by repeated acts of self-sacrifice of saints and martyrs who followed the example of their savior. I want to be the kind of Christian who willingly sacrifices time, talent, money - everything - that God's people might be built up. Not only for God's current people, but also for people who will come to know Christ. I want to be an instrument for the great cause of Christ. I have considered the cost and found Christ's cause to be worth sacrificing everything. V. 25 Paul is a servant to the church, appointed by God Paul's specific calling is apostle and teacher. But we are all called to serve each other, exercising our gifting, but for the purpose of building each other up. I want to be glad to suffer for Christ. I want to serve to build up his church. V. 26 - this word that he teaches them is a mystery - something that God kept hidden for millennia. But now God revealed this mystery that was hidden is now revealed to us. The mystery is revealed to us and in us. V. 27 - The mystery is revealed to us by God's choosing. This mystery involves the glorious riches of Christ living in you. Glorious riches - that we have in Christ (from God it is forgiveness, grace, and mercy. In us it is changed hearts, renewed minds, changed lives. We are declared not guilty, but righteous. We are set apart as saints. We become priests of the new covenant. The mystery is that Christ lives within them. He is living out His life in the individual lives of believers. Christ is alive in you. The hope of glory - our salvation and redemption concludes with glory as our reward for believing in and following Christ. I want to be amazed by the mystery of Christ in me. V. 28 - Paul says, "I proclaim Christ." The goal of Paul's teaching is that men and women would be presented to God fully mature in Christ. V. 29 - Paul struggles, contends, toils, strives. With Christ's energy, which works powerfully within me. Paul says he struggles for the sake of Christ, but that it is divine power that works in him, not his own. I want to fight for Christ's cause with Christ's power within me. Close. I want to be glad to suffer for Christ. I want to serve to build up his church. I want to be amazed by the mystery of Christ in me. I want to fight for Christ's cause with Christ's power within me.
Colossians - The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ Jesus Is More Than Enough Paul wrote to the church in Colosse because of what has been termed, the Colossian heresy. We don't know exactly what the Colossian heresy was, except by the arguments that Paul made against it. We have to kind of reverse engineer what the false teaching was. Over all, the heresy taught that Christ was not enough. Ceremonialism - had strict rules about what to eat and drink and religious festivals and circumcision - like an extreme form of Judaism It also had some aspects of something like an early form of Gnosticism Secret knowledge - of supernatural beings Asceticism - harsh treatment of the body, perhaps from the idea that what is physical is evil, so you should not take pleasure in physical things. The Colossian heresy said that Jesus Christ is not enough. You have to be religious about what you eat and drink and about special religious days. It taught Christ was not enough, you have to follow rules. Do not handle, do not touch. Avoid temptation of physical things. It taught Christ was not enough, you have to know and worship supernatural beings Paul would respond in the letter that Jesus Christ is enough. Jesus is supreme over all and is sufficient for us. He will argue that in all Jesus' fullness, he fills us. The key verse: Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Paul is going to explain Jesus' relationship to God, his relationship to all creation, and his relationship to the church. Colossians 1:15-18 V. 15 "Image of the invisible God" - we think of image as a representation or a reflection. Like a picture or a reflection in a mirror is an image of someone, but it is not the person. Paul does not mean that Jesus is a reflection of God, but that Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God. He is the manifestation of God. Christ possesses all the power and authority of God because he is God. In John 14:9, Jesus said, "anyone who has seen me, has seen the Father." Hebrews 1:3a, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being." Who is Jesus in relation to God? He is the visible expression of the invisible God. Who is Jesus in relation to creation? "The firstborn over all creation" In Biblical times, firstborn meant not only the first born in time, but the first in importance. The firstborn son received his father's inheritance. Here Paul is referring to Jesus' importance over creation. Jesus is his Father's representative and heir of all creation. It refers to his place over creation. Who is Jesus in relation to creation? Jesus is Lord over all creation - everything that you can see and even over invisible, supernatural powers. Paul further explain Jesus' Lordship over creation with three prepositional phrases: V. 16 all things were created by (or in) him - he was the originating center, creation occurred within the sphere of his power. Through (or by) him - he was the mediating agent through whom the creation came into being. For him - everything was created for him. He is the end for which all things exist. There no higher reason, no greater purpose than for Jesus Christ. V. 17 - he is before all things - he existed before everything AND he is higher than all in authority. "In him all things hold together" - he is both the creator of the universe and it's sustainer. He actively upholding the universe. He is the unifying principle of all creation. Who is Jesus in relation to creation? Jesus is Lord over all creation. He is creator and sustainer. Creation is by him, through him, and everything is for him. V. 18 Who is Jesus in relation to the church? "He is the head of the church" He is The Lord of every believer and the body as a whole. He has the authority and the right to guide, rule, and direct my life and yours and our fellowship. "The beginning" - he created and initiated the church by his blood, he created a new people, cleansed from their sin, accepted by the Father, heirs of glory. "Firstborn from among the dead" - the first to come from death into true resurrected life. "So that in everything he might have supremacy" may mean that because of his resurrection from the dead, he has supremacy over both the old creation and to the new as well. His preeminence is universal over all creation and over all God intends in the new heaven and new earth. Who is Jesus in relation to the church? "He is the head of the church", her reconciler, her peace maker. Colossians 1:19-23 V. 19 - it was God's will that all His fullness dwell in Jesus. Everything that is God dwells in Jesus. V. 20 - it was God's will to reconcile everything to himself. Jesus is the mediator that brings God together with all things. Reconcile is to change - he changed us from enemies of God to friends of God. "Making peace through his blood" - God made peace, brought peace, even though mankind brought sin and rebellion. V. 21 - you were once enemies - we were hostile toward God in our thoughts and this was expressed outwardly in evil behavior. V. 22 - he reconciled us to be holy - set apart. This speaks of how we are cleansed from our sins now, and will be presented to Christ one day. V. 23 - if you continue in faith - it will be proven genuine. Perseverance is proof of reality. Who is Jesus in relation to God? He is the visible expression of the invisible God. Who is Jesus in relation to creation? Jesus is Lord over all creation - he is creator and sustainer, it is all by him, through him, and everything is for him. Who is Jesus in relation to the church? "He is the head of the church", her reconciler, her peace maker Paul argues that Jesus is enough. He is the source of all things. He is the one through whom and by whom everything was created. He is the One for whom everything and everyone was created. Who is Jesus to you? Is he enough for you? Have you been looking everywhere else - or to anyone else - to be for you who only Jesus Christ can be? Tenth Avenue North, By Your Side: Why are you striving these days Why are you trying to earn grace Why are you crying Let me lift up your face Just don't turn away Why are you looking for love Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough Jesus Christ is more than enough for us.
Colossians is about the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. It is about the fullness of Christ. It is about how his completeness and fullness. It's also about how Christ's fullness fulfills us. We will see Paul proclaim the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ above all things. He will declare Jesus as The Lord over all creation, the head of the church, the ruler over every power and authority. Because Christ is Lord over all, He is the rightful ruler over our lives. Paul will also describe the sufficiency of Christ, that in him is everything we need. Because Christ is sufficient, he is all we need and we can stop trying to fill up what is missing in our lives. If you have found Jesus Christ, you have found what your life and soul has been missing. These ideas are found together in a key verse: Colossians 2:9-10 Jesus Christ is fully God and he fulfills us. Colossians 1:1-8 introduction, thanksgiving and prayer V. 1 - Paul was an apostle - by God's will, not his own appointment and, therefore, had the authority to write and correct them. He had divine authority, a message greater than any human teaching, and a humility that this was not his own wisdom or authority. Timothy - known to the Colossians. Paul's protege, missionary, pastor. Paul wrote to him as it became clear that he would be killed by the Romans. V. 2 - "holy and faithful" Also "saints and believing brethren" Means "holy" or "set apart" or "dedicated". These are "God's own". Separate from the world, separated to God. "Brothers" points to the fellowship, family atmosphere of the church, and the Father we have in common. We are God's family. "In Christ" very important phrase to Paul. He used it 164 times in his writings. Speaks of our being united with Christ, somehow in the mystery of God, when Christ died, our old, sinful selves died. When Christ arose, we arose to new life. When Christ ascended, we too ascended into glory. when Christ is given his inheritance, we will share it with him. If we could understand all the meaning of this two-word phrase, we would never lack, nor fear, nor seek empty pursuits again. "Grace and peace". Grace denotes the favor of God. Peace in the Scripture is more than absence of conflict. It refers to a wholeness. V. 3 - "we thank God" Thank God for his goodness to you. Paul writes how our attitudes should continually reflect thankfulness to God because he has done so much for us. He is the one thanked, not the believers, because if there is any virtue in the lives of the believes, God did it. V. 4. Paul gives thanks because of the Colossians' faith in Christ Jesus and love for fellow believers. Faith is a dependence on Christ. It is an anchoring in, or resting on Jesus. It is a reliance on Christ. "Love" is the fruit of faith. It is the proof of genuine faith. A sacrificing love for each other. V. 5. "Faith... love... Hope" found together, inter-related. Hope in Christ leads to faith and love. Hope is a glorious reward, like a treasure, stored up in heaven. Knowledge of this hope came from the gospel. The gospel is "truth". Reminiscent of Christ's word's "I am the way, the truth, and the life." V. 6. "All over the world", not that the gospel had been heard all over the world, but that it had taken hold in every society, demographic, religious background that it was preached. It is relevant in every society. The gospel is "bearing fruit and growing" it was spreading and had an impact on the lives of people who believed. V. 7. "You heard it from Epaphras" Paul must not have ever been in Colossae. Epaphras brought the gospel there. He was a native of Colossae. He may have become a Christian when Paul was in nearby Ephesus. He also ministered in Laodicea and Hieropolis. He was imprisoned for the cause of Christ. Epaphras visited Paul in Rome, while Paul was under house arrest there in about A.D. 60. Epaphras told Paul what was going on in Colossae, which prompted this letter. V. 8. "Love in the Spirit" a love for fellow believers, which was an expression of their relationship with the Holy Spirit. Colossians 1:9-14 V. 9. Our prayers for others are a test of our dedication to God and our love for others. Paul prays that they be so filled with the knowledge of God's will that they will live in a way that is worthy and pleasing to him. Knowledge should lead to life change. This is not just for options, but obedience. Knowing God's will should cause us to want to live in a way that pleases him. We should not be indifferent to what God's will is, but want to know and follow it. V. 10. We are called to live a worthy life in -fruitfulness (10b), -growth in the knowledge of God (10c), -endurance and patience (11), and -gratitude to God (12). Paul prays for this because this requires our attention and God's power. If this just happened, Paul would not pray for it. This is a struggle for us. It is only possible when we pursue God for it and He empowers us by His Spirit. Knowledge of God and His will - deep comprehension of Who God is, understanding what pleases him. Deep, complete, personal knowledge that is learned through a vibrant, personal relationship with him. Bearing fruit - present tense, meaning continually. Active worship of God, active service for others, active growth as a believer. V. 11. "Strengthened with all power." The power of God at work in us. In Eph., a Paul said this power in us is like the power that brought Jesus back from the dead. This is not by our own effort, but on a dependence on God's strength. Patience and endurance - are passive in our language, but active in Greek, hinting at fortitude or strength. Vv. 12-13. Gratitude - is the final virtue of a worthy life. It is a recognition that whatever is going on in our lives, we have received an abundance from God. However great our troubles, our blessings are always greater. Four reasons to thank God -He qualified us to share a glorious inheritance. -He rescued us from the dominion of darkness. -He brought us into the Kingdom of His Son. -He has redeemed us and forgiven our sin.
We are all leaving a legacy. We will leave a legacy at work, at school, in our communities. But the biggest impact, the greatest legacy you leave will be in your own family. Last week: You have to work together to build a legacy Ephesians 5:24-33 A man's live for his wife is to be a reflection of Jesus' love for his church. Too often we read verse 25 and immediately jump on the sacrificial part and come up with a list of things we can do for our wives. “What is the motivation?” Are you trying to butter her up or build her up? Buttering her up is manipulation. It's ultimately not sacrificial, nor selfless. It's about you. Building her up is a selfless demonstration of love. Christ loves her; her image was stamped on his heart her name graven on his hands; he desired to have her for his companion, longing for a return of her affection, for the establishment of sympathy between her and him. he gave himself for her showing that her welfare was dearer to him than his own - the true test of deep, real love. The goal is not just to treat her well so that she'll treat you well. The goal is to help her be all that God has for her. The way that you speak to her. The unconditional love you show her. The way you provide, protect, and lovingly lead her creates an environment for her to blossom to be all that God created her to be. The husband's role in the home is to provide loving leadership. Leadership is not a right to command and control as one might in a military setting. Author and pastor of Bethlehem Bible Church in Minneapolis, Minn., John Piper: "Headship is God's calling on a husband for Christ-like - servant leadership, - protection and - provision." In God's hierarchy, leaders serve. Matthew 23:11 Jesus says, "The greatest among you will be your servant." Christ demonstrated servant leadership. The wife gets to submit and the husband gets to die.
We are all leaving a legacy. We will leave a legacy at work, at school, in our communities. But the biggest impact, the greatest legacy you leave will be in your own family. Paul desired two things for the Ephesians: 1. For them to grasp what Jesus is doing for them and in them, and 2. For their lives to be changed because of it. His thesis for his letters is often, here's all that Jesus has accomplished for us. He's lavished love on us, forgiven us, sacrificed himself for us, is at work within us, adopted us as sons and daughters, brought peace to us, and much more... Now live a life that reflects what he's done. Live in purity. Live a life characterized by love. Forgive each other. Sacrifice for each other. Live in unity. Understanding what Jesus has done for me transforms how I live. Live out the legacy of Christ that you received - make it your legacy. So Jesus' legacy is us. We are the fruit of his work, faithfulness, his teaching, his obedience, his death. We are recipients of his righteousness, his forgiveness, his sacrifice. Jesus calls us to live out his legacy. Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. The Greek word (hypotassos) means to put under. To submit means I put my interests after yours. It means that we show other people preference over our own desires. It is the opposite of haughty and selfish. This is what Christ did for us. He had no need for suffering, but we needed him to suffer. Jesus put our needs ahead of his own. He is our inspiration and our role model. it is done out of reverence, respect, or honor to Christ. Out of respect for Christ, I give your interests 1st place over mine. If you are truly following Jesus, you will be a servant to others - a foot washer. Show Jesus honor by putting the needs of others ahead of your own. Ask your family, "what can I do for you?" At PK, one of the speakers asked his wife and kids two questions. "What do you need from me?" and "How am I doing?" If you do it and follow through, this will change your relationships. Ephesians 5:22-23 The wife is called on specifically to submit to her husband. "As to The Lord" means out of honor to Jesus, submit to your husband. In the Bible, the man is the spiritual head of the home and the wife should acknowledge his leadership. What does submission look like? Respect your husband with your words and attitude The way you talk to him, the way you talk about him. The way you choose to either cooperate with him or work against him It is not wrestling for control It is not belittling your husband Mark 3:25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. I took this verse completely out of context - Jesus was being accused of driving out demons by power from Satan. So he pointed out how ridiculous it was. But it applies here nonetheless. A home needs a leader. In the Scriptures, that role and responsibility falls to the husband. You cannot be constantly wrestling over control. If you are constantly at war over who wins, you will leave a legacy of confusion and misdirection. You have to work together - as one - to raise children. You have to work together - as one - to manage your finances. You have to work together to build a home of love, peace, grace, warmth, refuge You have to work together to build a legacy Ephesians 5:24-33 In God's hierarchy, leaders serve. Jesus says, "The greatest among you will be your servant" (Matthew 23:11, NIV). Christ demonstrated servant leadership. Leadership is not a right to command and control as one might in a military setting. Author and pastor of Bethlehem Bible Church in Minneapolis, Minn., John Piper: "Headship is God's calling on a husband to take responsibility for Christ-like servant leadership, protection and provision in the home." "The wife gets to submit and the husband gets to die."
I Samuel 2:12-17 I Samuel 2:22-25 Eli was high priest and his sons ministered as priests. But they made people's offerings about themselves instead of God. Eli threatened, but did very little. God spelled out his expectation, gave warning, spelled out the consequences for their disobedience and then carried out his discipline against them and their father, Eli. Eli's (lacking) discipline against his sons - Gave warning, but had no follow through The lack of parental discipline ruined a family - not just the sons. God's discipline against Eli's sons -Set expectations -Gave warning -Stated consequences -Carried out discipline God carried out judgment against Eli's sons for their disrespect, and against Eli for not disciplining his sons. God held Eli accountable for his responsibility to be a parent. Proverbs 3:11, 12 My son, do not despise the Lord ’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Discipline is an act of love. -It shows kids that you care about them. -It develops their ability to relate to other people and to God. Three kinds of Parenting: a. Permissive Parenting – loving, accepting, but not holding standards b. Authoritarian Parenting – heavy on rules, accountability, punishment, but light on love, encouragement, focus on the quality of relationship. c. Authoritative Parenting – brings the strengths of both, provides structure, rules, firmness, accountability, but balanced with encouragement, the relationship, etc. Christian parents are images to God, to relate God’s righteousness, holiness, and children respond to parents who are balanced images of God. 4 Stages of Parenting - Discipline Years (1-5) - Training Years (5-12) - Coaching Years. (12-18) - Friendship Years (18+) You cannot do friendship first. Kids need someone to be in charge of them until they have the wisdom and discipline to be in charge of themselves. Discipline Years Discipline should be - Consistent - Progressive - Private punishment - Done in love The days are long, but years are short. Training and Coaching Years You can't address every little thing with your kids. What to address: - Disobedience - Dishonesty - Disrespect Don't bail. Let 'em fail. We all feel protective of our kids and there will be times that we need to step out and be their advocate, but... Kids need to figure out how to deal with difficult people. They need to learn how to respond to unfair circumstances. They need to figure out that their sins have consequences. The stakes are MUCH lower at 8 than at 18. They will not know how to be an adult if they've had no experience. Teach them to listen to God. Let them pray about and make their own decisions Speak to them about God's calling on their lives and His purpose.
Psalm 127:3, 4 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. There are children growing up without any aim. No one has any expectations of them because the adults around them have either left or are so caught up in their own world that the child is ignored for the most part. Generations have grown up feeling abandoned, forgotten. Dads not around. Or parents too busy. Says to them, "you're unimportant." The emerging generation is the result of growing up in a self-focused world. The result of this is that a large percent of children grew up spending a great deal of time alone or were abused or shuffled off to the side as their parents pursued their own interests. This led to a cynical, lonely, hurt generation with longings for community, healing and fullness. John Burke, No Perfect People The number of children living in single-parent homes has nearly doubled since 1960, according to data from the 2010 Census. Today, 35% of American children – a total of 15 million – are being raised without a father. Nearly five million more children live without a mother. The majority of black children nationwide – 54 percent – are being raised by single mothers. Children without fathers are much more likely to grow up in poverty. While married couples with children enjoy an average income of $80,000, single mothers average only $24,000. Children who live absent their biological fathers are, on average, at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse, and to engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents. When men leave, children suffer. Period. Leaves women to be provider and caretaker and its too much for anyone. Single parents are becoming the greatest population of unchurched people in the US. Usually no fathers, no influence from the church. 50% of children are growing up in single parent homes. More in some populations. Black families, the number is over 70%. Boys without a father model grow up to men who don't know how to be a husband or a father. Children are sometimes abandoned or brushed off to the side even in families where both mon and dad are around. There are times that we brush off our children, demonstrating to them that we don't have time for them. That communicates to a child that they are unimportant. The wounds that those kids carry can last a lifetime, looking for someone to fill in the empty place that they're parents left. It leads to girls who are looking for boys to make them feel significant. What hope is there for that child who is now an adult, looking for their emptiness to be filled? Their hope is the God who has loved them their whole lives, the God who has seen every tear and heard every cry. Psalm 68:4-6 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. Jesus, in the NT, is the one who leaves the 99 to find the wandering lost one. He is the one, the only one with love for you that will finally satisfy your wandering, thirsty soul. He said to the woman at the well who had had 6 men in her life.... John 4:13, 14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” We've talked about the brokenness of children being treated like they're unimportant. There's been a knee-jerk reaction in our society against this abandonment of children that the child is all-important. Children have become the center of some families. In some families, children are in charge. Both are wrong, both are damaging. One says, "you are unimportant." The other says, "you're all important." When children are more important than marriages, marriages suffer. When marriages suffer, children suffer. One of the most important things a dad can do for his children is to love their mom. One of the most important things a mom can do for her children is to love their dad. Your children are learning what God is like by what they observe in you. That's an incredible responsibility. Your child is learning from you how to relate to God by how they relate to you. It's so important that we treat our children with the same intention as God treats us. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." We are to teach our children how to love God. They will relate to God how they relate to you. Next week, we'll talk about disciplining children.
Our lives are short. Our time on earth is like a breath. We are like grass; here for just a season. Psalm 144:3, 4 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow. But some aspects of our lives will live beyond us into future generations. The psalmist described children as being like arrows. In our children and grandchildren, we project our influence, our legacy into the future. Psalm 127:3, 4 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. We are all leaving a legacy of some sort. And some of our legacy will be lived out by our children. Raising children is one of the most difficult, time and money consuming, and challenging things a person will do in life. The truth is some of the things our children will inherit both good and bad things from us. Like red hair, but susceptible to freckles and skin cancer. The truth is that the environment that we set at home, the things that we tech our children, the life that we model to our children will set the course for the rest of their lives. The things we do with our children and the way we live will impact their lives and their future. That's an awesome responsibility. We can all look back to the way we were raised and the environment of our homes and see why we are the way we are today - some good, some bad. I know this about us all, we all want a better future for our children. The way to a better future is to focus on the present. What's the environment of your house? Chaotic? Raised voices? Conflict? Distracted? Always television, games? Little conversation and connection? Absent? Never home? Always running? Secretive? Secret sins? Home? Connection? Peace? Refuge? Home environments mirror the hearts of the parents. How can you change the environment of your home? -Leave space for conversation and connection -Limit TV and game time -Eat dinner together every chance you get - at least a few times a week -Talk over dinner -Have a scheduled game night -Model the environment you want for your family Their are no perfect families. But there are families who are intentional about honoring God with their homes and applying the wisdom of The Scriptures to their home life. Raising a family is hard. The OT has more bad examples than good. Adam's Family - adam chose Eve over God. Adam's family began with blame and ended in murder. Abraham's family - Abraham pretends that Sarah is his sister. Later Abraham has a child with another woman. Isaac's family - Isaac loves his son Esau more than his other son, Jacob. His wife Rebekah, loves Jacob more than Esau. The Mom and Jacob plot against Esau and daddy and eventually Jacob has to run away. Jacob's family - Jacob has thirteen kids with four different women. Jacob favored one son over the others, those other brothers threw him down a well, sold him to slavery and then told their father he was dead. 1 Samuel 3:1-14 Eli was a priest and his sons ministered as priests. But they made people's offerings about them instead of about God. Eli threatened, but did very little. God gave warning, spelled out the consequences for their disobedience and then disciplined them. Modeling will always win out over instruction. Your children will always pick up what you do and how you speak over what you tell them to do. If your home is sick with disrespect, be respectful If your home is sick with yelling, calm down, control your tone If your home is sick with secrets, get them out in the open, deal with them If your home is sick with misdirection, take charge If your home is sick with distractions, limit the distractions and focus on connection No one impacts the life of a child like mom and dad. Intentionally or unintentionally, we build into our children's lives or take away. GPA is important, competition is good, but no one looks back on sports or academics as to where their problems originated. We are so intentional about so many things involving our kids. What about the kind of people they need to be? How have you helped build their character and faith to face the challenges that life will bring? Parenting is so challenging. It may be the greatest responsibility of our lives. Be intentional about the environment of your home - it's a reflection of you - and it will set the direction of your child's life.
The new year reminds us of a new start Colossians says that God has canceled the written code that was against us. He has nailed it to the cross. Meaning that Jesus' sacrifice took it away. We no longer stand under its charge. The charges against us have been dropped. Colossians 2:13, 14 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Not only were the charges against us dropped, our sin and guilt have been taken away. 1 John 1:8, 9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. He set us free - free from having to follow the OT Law that we were unable to keep, free from condemnation, free from the sin that had kept us in bondage. Romans 6:17, 18 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. God made us alive Ephesians 2:4, 5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. When Paul considered the difference that Jesus has made in our lives, he said, we are something entirely brand new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Happy new year? How about your new life, your new freedom, the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God that is new every morning. What do we do with this new life? Paul was taking stock of his life in Philippians. He remembered his past achievements and said - they're garbage. I want to know Christ and be like him. Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Forget what lies behind Focus on the goal to win the prize Ask The Lord. He has done all this for a purpose in your life. We find our purpose when we join God in His purpose. God's purpose for you will always involve glorifying Him, loving and serving others, and pointing people to Jesus Christ.
For generations, the Israelites only knew God from afar. The Lord's presence was with them in the tabernacle and in the temple. But they could not enter into God's presence They were physically separated by heavy curtains Spiritually, they were separated from God because of their sins. People longed for God, but He was out of their reach. The tabernacle and the temple were a foreshadowing of God's plan. 700 years before Jesus was born, God promised through the prophet Isaiah that a son would be born to a virgin and would be called Immanuel, which means "God with us". Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. We sing a Christmas carol called O Come, O Come Immanuel O come, O come Immanuel and ransom captive Israel who mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear Rejoice, rejoice, Immanuel shall come to thee, O Israel The song speaks comfort to Israel. Israel had been exiled and was captive to foreign kings. Even in her exiled and captive state, she could rejoice in the promise of God that He was coming. Instead of mourning, she could rejoice because of Immanuel, God with us Matthew 1:18-23 God promised that He Himself would come. Immanuel, God with us The eternal God, came to be with and live among men. In Jesus, God is with us. He is the one we longed for. He is the long-awaited Messiah He is the promised Savior We long for forgiveness from God, we have forgiveness in Jesus We long for acceptance from God, we are adopted into his family in Jesus We long for purpose from God, in Jesus we are ambassadors We long for God to know us, Jesus is our great high priest We long for God's help in struggle, Jesus said he'd be with us to the end We long for God's unconditional, stubborn love; in Jesus we experience God's deep love for us He is all we need. We can be with God, near God in Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed for his followers in John 17 John 17:24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. He prayed that we might see his glory and to love him I pray this Christmas that we would be able to see Jesus in all his fullness And to love him and all that we find in him Not a half-hearted love, but a deep love, from God Prepare your mind and heart for Christmas. Remember that what you long for has come in Jesus Christ. Forgiveness; acceptance; purpose; help in struggle; wide, long, deep and high love Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - Charles Wesley Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free From our fears and sins release us Let us find our rest in Thee Israel's strength and consolation Hope of all the earth Thou art Dear desire of every nation Joy of every longing heart
Gen 25:24-26 Jacob is born a deceiver, a schemer Gen 25:27-43 Jacob schemes his brother, Esau, out of his birthright Gen 27:1-40 Jacob deceives his father, Isaac and took Esau's blessing Gen 27:41-28:9 Jacob flees Esau and starts his journey to Haran to seek a wife Gen 28:10-15 Jacob has a dream of a stairway to heaven. God passes the promise of Abraham and Isaac to Jacob Gen 28:16-22 Jacob's response to God's promise: "If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey... then the Lord will be my God." Gen 29-30 Jacob marries and starts a family Gen 31 Jacob heads back home Gen 32 Jacob prepare to meet Esau from whom he stole his birthright and his fathers blessing Gen 32:22-26 God could have overpowered Jacob at any time Why doesn't he? God was merciful, patient and kind to Jacob God revealed to Jacob that He was the Source of all Jacob's success, not Jacob's own striving. Jacob's story is true of us all. We all go through times when we wrestle with God for control of our lives. When we fight with God, we cannot win Yet, Gods goal is not to overpower us, but to help us move from reliance upon self to reliance upon him So that after all our striving, we can finally say, I trust you We all have to answer the question, who do I trust to be in charge of my life? Me or God? We may have grown up with God, but He's not really been our God. We all have to decide for ourselves, will I follow God? God mercifully, patiently, kindly deals with us - wrestles with us He willingly restrains his hand We wrestle with Him, struggle with him over control over our lives God does not want to overpower us, but wants us to yield to him, to willingly submit not only to his authority, but also in trust of who he is. It may have been the loss of a loved one It may be that live is not turning out like you hoped Gen 32:27-32 This is the turning point - the 180 - in Jacob's life Jacob's the old nature remains, but its power is broken. He is a new creature and needs a new name He gets it from Him who can name men, because 1) He sees the heart's depths, and because 2) He has the right over them. To impose a name is the sign of 3) authority, 4) possession, 5) insight into character. The change of name indicates a new epoch in a life, or a transformation of the inner man. Gen 35:1-4; 14-15 God is powerful and sovereign Yet with us, he is gentle, patient, and merciful He patiently waits for us to turn to him Do you trust him? Maybe that was an easy question for you before But as life has changed, it has become a difficult question. Do you trust him? He is powerful and sovereign And gentle, patient, and merciful
Gen 25:24-26 Jacob is born a deceiver, a schemer Gen 25:27-43 Jacob schemes his brother, Esau, out of his birthright Gen 27:1-40 Jacob deceives his father, Isaac and took Esau's blessing Gen 27:41-28:9 Jacob flees Esau and starts his journey to Haran to seek a wife Gen 28:10-15 Jacob has a dream of a stairway to heaven. God passes the promise of Abraham and Isaac to Jacob Gen 28:16-22 Jacob's response to God's promise: "If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey... then the Lord will be my God." (He asks for food, clothes, and a safe journey). Jacob's faith is weak, but God is patient and will prove that He can be trusted Gen 29:1-14 Jacob arrives in Haran and meets Rachel Gen 29:15-30 Jacob works for seven years to marry Rachel, but is deceived by Laban and Jacob marries both Rachel and Leah. God allows polygamy in some OT stories, but it ALWAYS causes trouble. God's design is a man and a woman in marriage. Jacob's love for Rachel - he worked for her for 14 years. He had a devoted love for her. He had a self-sacrificing love for her Jacob will become Israel, the father of the 12 tribes. His devoted, self-sacrificing love for Rachel is a foreshadowing of Jesus' devoted, self-sacrificing love for his people. Genesis 29:31-35 - Leah's children "the Lord saw Leah." Reuben - sounds like "he has seen my misery" Simeon - "one who hears" God knows our struggles, our pain. He sees. He hears. He cares for you God demonstrated his love for Jacob by being with him when he was afraid. God is demonstrating his love to Leah by blessing her with children when she was hurt. Genesis 30:1-8 - Rachel tries to earn what she already has Why is Rachel so upset about not having children? She's insecure. She's competitive, jealous. She's afraid Jacob will love Leah more. So she works, and schemes, and strives to make Jacob love her. Did she have to work to earn Jacob's love? No, he demonstrated his love for her by working for 14 years. She was trying to earn what she already had. And it made a mess of her family. She couldn't just accept Jacobs love for her. We can have the same problem with God. God loved us before we had done anything Ephesians 1:3-6 In love, he predestined us for adoption He chose us to be holy and blameless We can know in our heads that God loves us and accepts us, but don't really believe it in our hearts. When we live like this, we're trying to earn the unearnable. You're trying to earn Gods grace and favor. 1) you believe you can earn God's favor - arrogant 2) you believe you cannot earn his love and come to believe we'll never have it. The truth is, if you have faith in Jesus, you already have God's love and acceptance. You could do nothing to earn it. In his grace - his undeserved favor - he loved you. If you're striving to be loved, accepted, significant, you are not receiving Gods love for you.
John Newton, the reformed slave trader who came to Christ spectacularly in a storm that almost took his life, and later wrote the hymn, Amazing Grace, said once, "My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior." I can tell you in my own life, that I am a great sinner. The longer I live, the more sin I find. Not just more sin, but deeper sin. I find that sin has had a corrupting effect on my mind, my heart, my desires. There is a constant pull within me away from God and toward selfishness. But, since I have become a believer, God has begun to show me the devastating effect of sin in my life. And now, he is restoring what has been twisted and broken in me. We are talking about the impact that Jesus has in lives - not just the moment of salvation, which is glorious and impacts our destinies, but also the way that Jesus saves ALL of our lives. He is transforming our lives - to undo the effects of sin in our lives and restore us to what God had intended all along - to make us more like Him. We are going to talk about Jacob, the son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham. Jacob was a twin. his brother, Esau was born first. Jacob was born a schemer, a deceiver. Gen 25:25-26 The birthright belonged to Esau, but Jacob schemed him out of it. Gen 25:29-31 In Gen 27 – the account of Jacob impersonating Esau to steal his father’s blessing – Jacob schemed and took his blessing. Why does Jacob scheme – he wants to get ahead. He is selfish. He doesn’t mind hurting other people, and lying to get what he wants. He has no faith that he’ll be taken care of – his brother would receive his father’s estate. He would be mostly left out. He operated in fear – not in faith. We operate out of fear all the time – we all have fears – fears that our children won’t do well, fear of being alone, fear of not having the money we’ll need, fears that people won’t like us. Your fears reveal the areas in your life where you do not trust God. Your fears drive you to take on yourself the things that God wants to do in your life. What was Jacob’s fear? What did he do with it” Isaac told Jacob not to intermarry with the Canaanites (Gen 28:2), likely because they worshipped different gods. He told him to go to Paddan Aram, where his mother was from, north of Beersheba where they lived, in Mesopotamia. Jacob would take this journey as a young man to find a wife. Big and scary trip – as a young man, he stayed around his father’s tents, now he would take a journey far away. At this point, God had not revealed himself to Jacob. Genesis 28:10-22 vv. 10-11 vv. 12 – Stairway – a bridge between heaven and earth – between God and Jacob. This was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ – he would be the bridge between heaven and earth – between God and man. The mediator between God and men. The OT is full of foreshadowing God’s plan to redeem us. Here, the meaning is God was offering to be Jacob’s God. He would send his angels as ministers to Jacob. vv. 13-15 – God’s promise to bless and work through Abraham passed to his son Isaac. It would now pass from Isaac to Jacob. God promised: 1. Multitude of descendants 2. All people would be blessed by him (Jesus would be one of his descendants) 3. God would be with him 4. God would protect him The gods of this day were local deities, supposedly having rule over certain areas. God rules over all the areas of your journey. vv. 16-19 – Jacob recognized that he had met God. He set up his rock-pillow as a memorial of worship and consecrated it with oil – like an offering. vv. 20-22 – IF you will be with me, protect me, give me food and clothes, and return me to my father, THEN you will be my God, and I will give you a tithe. Even though God revealed himself to Jacob spectacularly, he still did not trust God. He was worried about having food and clothing. He will continue to scheme to gain and to protect his stuff. He does not yet trust God. Jacob – “you are the God of my father and grandfather, but I’m not sure you’re my God.” This is the journey that everyone of us must take. Will I follow the faith of my parents or take some other way. There is a deeper question here, do I trust God to watch over me and protect me or do I trust my own abilities? Here’s the great grace of God. He SHOULD say, take it or leave it. I am the only true God, where do you think everything in your life has come from – ME! You are the one that cannot be trusted, I am known as “the faithful one.” God, in his grace and patience, goes on the journey with us, willingly proving His goodness to us. What areas of your life do you fear? Lack of money? Fear for your children? Fear of loneliness? Fear of rejection? You are trying to do it all on your own and it’s getting worse. If you are not turning to the Lord in those areas, they are driving you to do crazy things. God offers to go on the journey with you. “Trust me, I will take care of you and watch over you.” Turn it over to him. Trust him. Let it go. Romans 14:23b, “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
John 15:26, 27 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. Jesus' plan: be with me, then tell others what you found. D.T. Niles, a Sri Lankan evangelist, said evangelism is One beggar telling another beggar where he can find bread. Children usually come to Christ because of the faith of their parents But when adults come to Christ, it is usually because a believer has loved them into the kingdom What you do is more important than what you say 1. Drop your mask - Let people see your struggles - and the reason for your hope 2. Treat all people with respect - Be kind to the rude, love the unlovable, be a friend to someone without a friend. The world takes notice of people who love others - it is uncommon in the world 3. Find ways to bless and serve others - Put others first. shows you are not a phony, but that you live what you believe. 4. Escape the Christian subculture - be a friend to someone who doesn't look like you, think like you. Christians are not to be hermetically sealed until Jesus comes back. We are to be IN the world but not OF the world. 5. Be a model of forgiveness - the world struggles to forgive. The Christian should be. Don't hold grudges. Don't talk bad about people who talk bad about you. You've received 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, Shouldn't someone else do this? Shouldn't someone older, wiser, holier, or at least a pastor? Paul to the Corinthians: You don't have many fathers, I'm sending you a peer. 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. My story God forgave my sins God saved my marriage God gave me courage to be a better father Talk to your coworkers. Be a regular at the grocery store, gas station, coffee shop, a restaurant. Get to know a few people. Engage with them. Listen to them. Pray for 2-3 people with struggles. Ask God for an opportunity to tell them what He has done in your life What happens when God's people are living out their new life and pointing other people to Him? More lives are changed and God is glorified. What is your faith story? How has Jesus changed your life? Where does God's plan to save us end? It doesn't. He is redeeming all areas and aspects of our lives. He has forgiven my sins, gave me new hope and purpose, saved my marriage, helps me be a better father/mother, helps me be a better husband/wife, helped me forgive something I never thought I could, helps me love people, healed my brokenness... 1. Life Before: • Before Christ: Focus on shared experiences (“Earlier in my life...”) • False Beliefs: Focus on wrong beliefs (“I always thought...”) 2. Life Change: • Truth Encounter: Focus on key gospel truths (“Then I discovered...”) • Faith Response: Focus on turn, trust, surrender (“I trusted Jesus to...”) 3. Life Now: • New life: Emphasize life changes (“Since I trusted in Jesus Christ...”) Hebrews says that Jesus is "the author and finisher" of our faith. He is not through writing your story. The longer and farther you follow Jesus Christ, His salvation will affect and redeem more and more of your life. He is always adding new chapters to your faith story.
The OT teaches that God loves people King David wrote about God's thoughts and care for man Psalm 8:3, 4 ESV When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? These words are in stone over the doors of Emerson Hall, housing the department of philosophy at Harvard University. David was moved that the mighty Sovereign of the universe and Creator of all think of us? Why does he care for us? But Gods love for people is not just big, it's also very personal. It is not just generic or a sense of goodwill to man in general, but a very personal love Hagar, Sara's maidservant said, "you are the God who sees me" When Moses asked God to show him his glory, Exodus 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, The psalmist declares God's love lasts forever in his faithfulness Psalm 136:1-3 ESV Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; Hosea teaches that God's love is stubborn. He refuses to give up on His people, but promises to love them in spite of their sin. Like a bridegroom pursuing his bride. Hosea 2:19 ESV And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. Jeremiah declares that Gods love is everlasting. Even in punishment for sin, Gods love perseveres. Jeremiah 31:2, 3 ESV Thus says the Lord : “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." In the New Testament, Gods love took on its fullest expression in Jesus Christ Gods love expressed in the OT is fully demonstrated by Jesus in the NT John 13:1-15 Vv. 1-3 - Jesus knew his time had come He showed them the full extent of his love - or loved them to the end What he was about to do was a final act of love to demonstrate to them Gods love for them. He knew God had given him authority, that he came from God, and was returning to him. Vv. 4-5 - it was customary for the host to have a slave wash the dust from the feet of his guests washing of feet was the duty of the lowest level slave Vv. 6-11 - as Peter watched Jesus wash the other's feet, he objected This was out of order. The Master does not wash feet. This was the duty of the least, not the greatest. The disciples had argued who was the greatest among them James and Johns mom asked if her boys could be the most prominent of Jesus followers Jesus turned all this on its head when he taught that the one who serves is greatest "Unless I wash your feet, you have no part with me" Jesus probably meant both (1) that unless he washed Peters sins by his death on the cross, then Peter would have no relationship with him, Gods love for people is a love willing to sacrifice for others - and to pay the ultimate sacrifice Jesus' foot washing is a foreshadowing of Jesus' willingness to lay his life down out of love for us. This was the demonstration of the full extent of his love. The OT expression of Gods love: abounding, faithful, devoted, forgiving, stubborn, everlasting, infinite, gracious Jesus demonstrated all of that and then he showed the supremacy of his love for us: Jesus willingly sacrificed everything for us "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay his life down for his friends" (2) that unless Peter allowed Jesus to serve him, Peter would not learn humility Jesus' foot washing is an example of service that we are supposed to follow. If you want to follow Jesus, you will be a foot washer. You will give yourself in service to other people Love God? Love people. Vv. 12-17 - wash others' feet Jesus taught his disciples, if you're going to follow me, you will be servant to all. You will sacrifice for others, demonstrating my love for people through your service. It starts with showing an interest in someone outside of you and your family. Get out of your house. Pray for people. Look around you, there are people who are struggling with loneliness, depression, despair, disappointment. Wash their feet by spending some time with them.
Eric Metaxas' book, Seven Men It was March of 1783. the American war for independence was won. It would be another 6 months until a peace treaty with England was signed. But the mood among the American army was turning ugly. The new government was broke. Congress had made promises to pay the men who gave so much over the years of the war, but the promises could not be kept. The US government could not pay the back pay and pensions it had promised. George Washington became aware of a meeting of officers that was set to discuss what has become known as the "Newburgh Conspiracy." The conspiracy was an idea by US congressmen and American officers to either seize control of the government or to disband the army all together and let the British overthrow the fledgling government. Their threat was to force congress to pay the men who fought for independence. General Washington sent orders that the meeting of the officers was canceled and called a meeting of his own with them on March 16, 1783. He spoke to them about their own honor. He told them that they had fought bravely and that to commit treason or tyranny would tarnish the honor that they had fought for. His address was eloquent, but they were angry and not convinced. After his speech, the room was silent. They were unmoved. He told the officers he had something else to read them. He pulled out a letter from a Virginia congressman. He stumbled over the words, so he reached in his pocket and pulled out a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles. His men had never seen him in them before. He said, "Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service and now find myself growing blind." At that moment, the anger in the room subsided. Those battle-hardened men were utterly changed. Many wept openly as Washington read the letter and then quietly walked out of the room. His quiet action reminded them that they had given years of their lives together for something greater than themselves. Their general had given years of service with them for American independence, it changed their hearts and minds to act honorably. It was something bigger than themselves and it changed the history of our nation. We all long to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We were created with a longing for a deep sense of purpose. To follow Jesus is to abandon self and live for the glory of God John 8:48-59 v. 49 I honor my Father - Jesus lived to glorify His Father The Father is worthy of our honor because of who He is He is the king of glory, the creator, the God who is abounding in love, slow to anger, perfect in holiness, The Father is worthy of our honor because of what He's done He has a purpose to rescue and redeem mankind. Jesus said He came to preach this good news, he came to seek and save the lost, he came that we who were dead in our sins might have eternal life This is the great glory of the Father, and Jesus said, I will honor Him v. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself Jesus set the example for us - we are not to live for our own glory We are not to live for our own purpose. We were created to give our lives for God's greater glory v. 54 if I glorify myself, my glory means nothing Jesus said this. How much more true in our lives. When we live like we are worthy of glory, our lives are out order We are born with a sinful desire to glorify ourselves But the problem is, that makes us and our happiness supreme in our lives When the biggest thing you are concerned with is your own happiness, you're in trouble We all started our marriages thinking, "he/she will make me happy, he/she will meet my needs." You got into marriage for a couple of years and you realize that you are one needy being You're hard to keep happy. And so is your spouse But then you heard the truth of the Scripture that your marriage is not about you, it's about showing the love Jesus to each other - and that changed your life God has to reorient our priorities Like the compass in Pirates of the Caribbean, we are always looking for what we want. Always pointing to our own desires But God has something greater for us to live for He changes the focus of our desires YOU AND I ARE MADE TO GLORIFY GOD. from John Piper We were made for the express purpose of glorifying God in all times and places and circumstances. All creation reflects the glory of God, but people are different. The stars and the trees have no choice They have no ability to see Gods glory and reason that He is worthy of glory. Everything in our life is an opportunity to glorify God or to not glorify God. Paul just said in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all,” everything, the whole lot of life, “to the glory of God.” So, every moment of every day you and I will make decisions that either glorify or do not glorify God. This means that everything in our life is an opportunity to glorify God. In our lives, in our church, the key question to ask about everything is, "will it bring glory to our great God? My life is not about me. When I make life about me, I'm miserable. I want the world to revolve around me, but it doesn't. It's a constant struggle for me to be happy. The glory of God -Gives us a purpose greater than ourselves, our sins, troubles -it frees me from being constantly troubled about my own unhappiness -Keeps us from striving to be perfect -it frees us from hopelessly working to make ourselves perfect. I live for a perfect God. -Puts our lives in the rightly created order - food, sex, material things, even people - they are not ultimate, God is. The Westminster Larger Catechism What is the chief and highest end of man? Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever. God, I've been living as though my own happiness was supreme It's making me and the people around me miserable I want your greater glory as my purpose I have seen your great purpose to save and redeem and I want to live for that greater glory
Discipleship is following Jesus. It is a commitment to a relationship to him. It looks like obedience, but is born out of love for Him Hebrews says following Jesus is like running a race Hebrews 12:1, 2 ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. It says there are things that can cling to us, entangle us, and keep us from running the race well. What holds you back? 1. The trap of complacency Too busy Too lazy Care more about your kingdom more than God's kingdom Paul instructed the believers to warn those who were idle in the church 2 Thessalonians 3:13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 2. The trap of defeat and fear Always trouble, always carrying concerns He knew you couldn't carry those burdens This world has more trouble and brokenness than men can handle Jesus is Savior. Jesus is Restorer. 1 Peter 5:7 ESV casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Psalm 55:22 ESV Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. You can trust him to carry the burdens that you cannot 3. The trap of sin The enemy is always negotiating the terms of your surrender What would it take to get you to give in? Pornography, stealing, lying, adultery, Always looking for ways to tie you up and make you ineffective 1 Peter 5:8 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. He leaves out the fine print - what it will cost you You have to consider the cost What's the cost of pornography? When it comes to my sin and brokenness, when it comes to my past All I know is, Jesus paid it all "Praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead" 4. You don't know what to do That's my job and the job of leadership to equip people We are working and praying throughout how to do better at making disciples here at Calvary. I'll share more of this vision later Jesus Christ wants you to follow him He wants you to be free He paid the price for your freedom He will give you Purpose for complacency Courage for fear Peace for trouble Forgiveness and cleansing for your sin He is a mighty Savior I'll follow a man like that, won't you? Will you follow a Savior like that? Who would be willing to come today and say, "I've not followed you well, but I want to start"
The Universe Declares His Glory The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. (Psalm 19:1, 2 NIV) We Were Created for God's Glory everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Isaiah 43:7 NIV) John 17:1-5 1. The godhead, glorifying each other, constant glory resonating between The Father and the Son. Distinct, yet unified in being and glory. 2. Jesus, given authority over all people, able to grant eternal life 3. What is eternal life? Knowing God and the One He sent, Jesus Christ. 4. Jesus glorified God by fulfilling the Father's will. He glorified God with His life. 5. As he obediently fulfilled his last, his most difficult act of obedience, He asked the Father to glorify him. Glorify Him in His death - by accepting his suffering and death as payment for our sins - and for God to resurrect him and give him the glory he shared with the Father in heaven. Jesus lived and died to bring glory and honor to the Father. To follow Jesus is to live a life of glorifying God. John 17:6-10 6. Jesus is the greatest expression of Who God is. 8. Jesus' disciples accepted Jesus words. They believed what he said. They believed Jesus was from God and sent by God. 10. "Glory has come to me through them." Jesus' disciples were imperfect. Argued over who was greatest. Abandoned him. Denied even knowing him. Yet, Jesus was glorified by them. Jesus' disciples glorified Him by living out their faith in Him. Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Moving from indifference to having love for your neighbor is an act of worship Listening to your coworkers, more than you talk about yourself, so you can know how to pray for them is an act of worship. Growing in generosity because Jesus has been gracious to you is an act of worship. Men, learning how to love your wife sacrificially as Jesus loves the church is an act of worship. Ladies, learning how to honor your husband as you would honor Jesus is an act of worship. Believing in God's goodness when life is going wrong is a beautiful act of worship. Living out your faith in God is worship. Sing praise to God No fewer than 41 psalms command us to "sing unto The Lord." Singing can serve to focus us, center us. Our fragmented minds and spirits are united in worship. Join in worship with other believers When people are gathered for genuine worship, they are like fresh, burning coals warming one another as a great strength and life flows into them all. -Richard Foster Sing praise to God Join in worship with other believers Go, praying. Go, expecting. Go, looking for God to do a new and living work in you. Practice the presence of God Learn to practice the presence of God daily. Really try to follow Paul's words, "pray without ceasing." Punctuate every moment with inward whisperings of adoration, praise and thanksgiving.
Discipleship begins with relationship Following Jesus starts with being with him Before you can work for him, you have to connect with him God filled the earth with wonderful, beautiful things in a way that reflects his beauty and majesty and worth. But nothing he created is more beautiful, majestic, or worthwhile than He is. Our passage today is about bearing fruit. The Bible is rich in metaphors about producing fruit Israel is compared to a vine in the OT. Our growth in the character of God is called the fruit of the Spirit One of the Genesis mandates was, be fruitful, go fill the earth. About reproducing and spreading the authority and image of God all over the earth, But our image of God was distorted by sin. In our passage today, Jesus will tell his disciples to be fruitful there is a prerequisite: you have to be with me. John 15:1-11 V. 2 cut off or pruned Cut off - maybe a reference to one who never belonged to him. Maybe a reference to losing all reward for not following Christ, but not salvation 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 testing of our work How does God prune us? has Gods pruning made you more fruitful? V. 4. "Remain" is used 11 times in 8 verses. What is the key to being fruitful in God's kingdom? The key to being fruitful in God's kingdom is to remain in Christ Jesus' metaphor is He is the vine, you as branches have to stay connected to Him to bear fruit. How do you remain in Him? Be in the Bible daily. Pray at all times - no relationship works without communication. Be obedient. Follow him even in times of doubt or suffering When one of Jesus' followers remains connected with him, his life can become an endless source of fruit. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3 ESV) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (Proverbs 10:11) The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. (Proverbs 10:21 ESV) When I am not abiding, daily living with Christ, I don't think Jesus' teaching is true I think you can produce the fruit that God wants by myself That's either arrogance or ignorance Failure to abide in Christ will result in a wasted life. A lifetime of abiding in Christ produces an endless harvest of the character of the Spirit within and the love of Christ without No one can sum up all God is able to accomplish through one solitary life, wholly yielded, adjusted, and obedient to Him. - D.L. Moody
Salvation cost you nothing but discipleship will cost you everything. Salvation happens in an instant; discipleship takes a lifetime. Salvation is something God does for you; discipleship is something we do with God. We focus on the moment of a decision, but Christianity is a lifelong devotion to Jesus. Jesus never said that following him was easy or quick, but he did say following him is worth whatever it costs. A disciple is one who follows Jesus Not just "saved" - but obedient and faithful Not someone who carries a Christian label, but someone who wants to do what Jesus says Luke 14:25-35 Jesus tells us 5 ways "following me will cost you" Vv. 25-26 hate those you love and your own life No one taught more about loving people than Jesus. What does this mean? Our relationship with him should be far and above any other relationship we have. Our relationship with him is supreme, above our own families No one can be as significant to us as him Following Jesus is to have him as your first love. V. 27 Romans made criminals carry their own crosses to be crucified - carried the instrument that Rome exerted her authority over them. It was a symbol of submission - they were under roman law. It was a symbol of death Following Jesus is to willingly submit to him and die to yourself. Vv. 28-30 Vv. 31-33 Following Jesus is to consider the cost and decide he's worth it. Vv. 34-35 "Christianity without discipleship is Christianity without Christ." Dietrich Bonhoeffer Jesus said these words when their were multitudes following him. He had committed followers, he had people who were not followers, but were looking into him. But he could not have apathetic, half hearted followers. Jesus accepted one or the other - hot or cold - but not a lukewarm follower He calls to us with the same words he called to his disciples, "consider the cost, then follow me" Those who do will find that he is worth it all.
Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of God - not a physical kingdom or realm, but The rule and reign of God. When we think of someone ruling over us, what do we think of? An oppressive government? The English crown over the American colonies? We think of someone ruling over us, telling us what to do, but with no real concern for us. But what does Gods rule over us look like? Jesus said His yoke is easy and his burden is light. His rule over us is the defeat of sin and death and salvation, righteousness, and peace coming into my life. Gods rule over me looks like salvation, redemption, mercy, grace. Gods kingdom is treasure Jesus is saying that Gods rule, specifically in the context of the gospel, is treasure. It is of supreme value. His reign is present in part right now, but will be complete at the second coming of Christ. The blessings we have now in Christ are great (forgiveness, righteousness, acceptance with the Father, no condemnation, the fellowship of Jesus by his Spirit in our lives, progressive transformation into his likeness, gifts of the Spirit, usefulness in ministry, all things working together for our good, etc.). But the fullness of our inheritance awaits the coming of Christ—no more sinning, no more sickness, nor more injury or trouble, no more depression or spiritual warfare, no more racism, no more war, no more death. All that will come with the final consummation of the kingdom. In His joy, he sold everything The man who found the treasure was convinced: The treasure was worth more than everything else he had. He gladly - in joy - sold everything he had to obtain the treasure. It was worth everything he had to get it. This is the same idea Paul had in mind in... Philippians 3:7-8 In the parable the man sells everything he has so that he can have the kingdom. In Philippians 3:8, Paul suffers the loss of all things that he may gain Christ. The point in Matthew 13:44 and in Philippians 3:8 is that People who receive the kingdom treasure it more than everything else. Struggling to let go Isn't that where we struggle? Don't we all wonder if having Jesus is really enough? There are two ways I'd ask for you to consider these verses today. Clinging to idols First, we all struggle to let go of things that get in the way of our relationship with God. A relationship that we know does not honor God, A fear that we cannot really trust him, A sin that we cling. We all struggle with clinging to idols, things that make us feel significant, secure, or give us comfort. Jonah 2:8 Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Is there something interfering with your relationship with God? Give it over to him. Give it up. Trade it off because He's worth it. To have a closer relationship with God, - to get rid of that thing that stands between you and God - He's worth it. We can lose everything with joy if we gain Christ. I will hope in Him The next thing to consider is when we feel like we've already lost something. A husband or wife, a marriage, a son or daughter, a dream of how we wanted life to be. This verse says that it's worth it. That can either be painful for you to hear in the midst of your struggle Or it can be words of hope. It's either a struggle for you, that you feel like God has taken something from you Or it's hope that having Jesus, you'll make it. After Job had lost so much and was in the midst of confusion about why all this should happen, he said, Job 13:15a Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him. It is when we have walked through some of the grief of our loss and tried to reconcile Gods sovereignty and his love and mercy for me. He allowed this loss, maybe even orchestrated it, but He is still my only hope. When you face a loss like that's of a loved one, or of one of your life's dreams, it is often a struggle to believe that having Jesus without that other person or dream is enough. Our faith doesn't get any harder than that. But one day, your faith, which is being refined, will help you say, He is enough. Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him. Though You Slay Me - Shane & Shane I come, God, I come I return to the Lord The one who’s broken The one who’s torn me apart You strike down to bind me up You say you do it all in love That I might know you in your suffering Though you slay me Yet I will praise you Though you take from me I will bless your name Though you ruin me Still I will worship Sing a song to the one who’s all I need My heart and flesh may fail The earth below give way But with my eyes, with my eyes I’ll see the Lord Lifted high on that day Behold, the Lamb that was slain And I’ll know every tear was worth it all Though you slay me Yet I will praise you Though you take from me I will bless your name Though you ruin me Still I will worship Sing a song to the one who’s all I need Though tonight I’m crying out Let this cup pass from me now You’re still more than I need You’re enough for me You’re enough for me Though you slay me Yet I will praise you Though you take from me I will bless your name Though you ruin me Still I will worship Sing a song to the one who’s all I need Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
Thanks to Andy Stanley for his teaching on guarding your heart. Today's is the most devastating. Greed, jealousy, guilt - we've talked about. They disturb relationships. Why do we carry anger? b/c we've been hurt. Someone has taken something from us. We can get rid of it. Not simple, not quick. Ephesians 4:25-27 Paul knew what it meant to be hurt, mistreated. He says that we can get rid of anger. It's not a matter of circumstances, but of the heart. Be angry - yet do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Carry your anger for a short time. Don't carry it. There are some issues you cannot resolve in a day. Do not give the devil an opportunity. When you carry anger, you open a door to the devil, an opening to your heart. You know people who carry anger wreak havoc everywhere they go. It can affect people who had nothing to do with your anger. Jealousy says, "God owes me" Guilt says, "I owe you" Greed says, "I owe me" Anger says, "you owe me" A sense that your ex owes you b/c they stole your marriage Every time you're hurt, there's a sense that someone took something from you. It's like an open account. I will keep it open until you pay me back. The worst thing you can do to yourself is to carry the anger from childhood to adolescence, adolescence to adulthood or marriage. If up you don't get rid of it, you'll loose sight of whee it came from. You'll be angry with the people around you and they can't figure out why. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. They cannot do anything to close the account. It happens in marriage all the time. People get blamed for all kinds of things b/c they never dealt with their anger. God wants you to close the account. It's devastating to you and the people around you. Ephesians 4:28-32 V. 31 get rid of all bitterness, malice. People who are angry have been hurt. We spend so much time defending why we're angry, but our focus is on how to get rid of it. But they owe me. Getting rid of anger takes fairness and the open account of the table. I know it wasn't fair. I know you were a victim. V. 32 Forgive. It's hurting you and the people around you. Forgiveness is canceling the debt. You don't owe me. You should have been there You should have kept your vow. Forgiveness closes the door to the the accuser. Forgiveness closes accounts that have been open maybe for years. Forgiveness breaks the power of anger in your life. There are horror stories. We want to hold people responsible, but carrying anger doesn't help. Paul says, forgive as you've been forgiven. None of us were innocent before God, we sinned against him, but God forgave us. He canceled our debt. He sent his son to die for our sin. "I've got anger, pain, rejection, but if you can cancel my debt, I can cancel the people who've hurt me." They cannot pay you back anyway. They can't give you back your childhood, your first marriage. Forgiveness breaks the power of anger in your life and clears out our hearts. 1. Identify who you're angry with. Your temptation will be to point to the people close to you now. But go back a season or two. 2. Decide what was taken from you. Not a quick process. Keep a list. If you're going to forgive the debt, you have to know what you're forgiving. 3. Cancel the debt. Make the decision. Made a list, burned it. Bury it in the yard under a cross. Remind yourself. He doesn't owe me anymore. Don't let the sun go down on your anger. "What did they take from me? I'm going to forgive." Close the books and close the door. You will feel those feelings to want to pay them back. The day will come when you see them again and y won't feel the way you used to. You'll hear their name and not say anything bad about them. What's happened? God has set you free. Guard your heart above all else. It is the wellspring of life.
"I'm not greedy, I could be more generous though". No one thinks they're greedy. They say they're "careful", "take care" of their stuff. We think of Scrooge - I'm not like that. There are different kinds of greed. It affects your money and your relationships It's almost impossible to see. Greed is a heart issue - Gods word helps us rid of it Luke 12:15 "be on guard for all kinds of greed" There are All kinds of greed. "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Hoarding, adding, shopping for more stuff. This greed is life= more, newer stuff, collecting, purchasing. Then when asked to give, we have no money. We spend hours, days, months figuring out how to upgrade, but then when we want to give we can't b/c we don't have the cash. That's never stopped you from spending, just giving. That is living as though upgrading, and acquisition=life. This is the theme of our society. It's greed. Greed says, "You owe me" It can impact your relationships You will hurt people's feelings to get and protect your stuff. People around you feel like they come second after your stuff. You live your life as if acquisition and upgrading is your life. It's not a financial problem, it's a heart problem. Our attitude toward spending - we'll spend money we don't have to buy something we don't need. But we won't or can't give b/c we don't have cash. We have to be on guard b/c this is a tendency of our hearts Guard your heart - it makes your kingdom decisions. Our culture constantly reminds us of what we don't have. We all want a more generous heart, we'd pray for it. We all want it. Jesus gives a way for God to deal with greed in our hearts. Matt 6:19-21 do not store up treasure on earth, but in heaven. Doesn't mean no savings. Proverbs says store up for life's actualities He is addressing who swap old for new, upgrading, hoarding. Give your stuff away - treasures in heaven Luke 12:33 Move things out of your kingdom - giving is sending treasure to heaven Don't be a hoarder Not just b/c of the poor, b/c of this principle. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be There is a connection b/n your stuff and your heart Follow the money trail to find your heart. That's how you know where your heart is Your heart follows your money. The reason God wants us to give generously, is because where you send your money will direct your heart. God's not interested in the money. He's interested in your heart. Systematically send money out of your kingdom. Your money has the potential to redirect your heart Strategic, systematic generosity will break the power of greed in your heart. This principle works, it changes your heart, your family, your relationships Matthew 6:22-23 The eye is the lamp of the body. The eye directs the body, so treasure directs the heart. Not just where you are, but where you're going. In Greek, v. 22., "good" not used anywhere else in the Bible, outside the Bible, can mean "generous" He's using a play on words. If you have generous eyes, your whole life will be full of light "Bad" is translated "envious" in Matt 22 Envious eyes will lead your whole body to be full of darkness. How you handle money can affect your whole life, Not a surprise. Money affects your marriage, right? How can little green papers affect your marriage and love life? B/c greed affects every area of your life. Ever met an unhappy generous person? Their whole life is full of light. Ever met a happy greedy person? Their whole life is full of darkness. This isn't a financial issue, it's a matter of your heart. You have to make the tough decision to send your money in a new direction b/c generosity will break the power of greed over your life. How does this work? Only used stuff? Never buy anything? Live in a shack? The practical way to apply this: percentage, priority giving. Give a percentage and before you spend your income on your kingdom. Get it out of your kingdom, not relying on emotional giving. Make it first priority - Putting someone else ahead of you. Grow progressively - growing in percentage If that scares you, it's b/c you're greedy. It's not about money, it's about your heart. It will change what drives you. It will improve your relationships It will make you happier The money you give away wont give you anxiety. Before you get sucked into buying something you didn't need, give it away. You'll never meet a person who regrets being more generous. You've never met a greedy person who wasn't miserable. I've never regretted the money I've given away. There's no magic prayer. Sit down. Think about percentage. Give it in priority. The average American gives 2%. The average American Christian gives about the same. Yet we are in the most prosperous society on the world - why? Greed Redirect your money, it will redirect your heart and bring light into your life and relationships.
Thanks to Andy Stanley for a lot of the content for this series is from his teaching from years ago. Your heart drives your whole life. Proverbs 4:23 We lead, parent, handle money, live married from our hearts We know how to filter our words and behavior, but need to learn how to guard - and monitor - our hearts. Jesus said your mouth speaks what's in your heart. We create a filter, bur blow through that filter and find out there's something wrong in our hearts. All of us deal with envy or jealousy at some level. There are people you don't like because their ahead of you. The closer you are to them, the worse you feel about you. "If I had that much money, I wouldn't have spent it like that." We're critical of them. We may not even be aware of our own jealousy. But the people around you are. Because your mouth has been speaking what is in your heart. Are there people that you have a hard time saying anything good about? Are there people that when you are talking about them with someone else, you always say, "yeah, but..." The Bible says we have to be careful with our tongues. Our words are like seeds that we scatter and one day we'll eat their fruit. Proverbs 18:20 ESV From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. If you ate from the harvest of your own mouth, what would you eat? Some goodness, kindness, grace? Some bitterness, envy, anger? God has called you out of that darkness. James 3 says, blessings and curses from the same mouth - this should not be. When it comes to jealousy, we say, "It's not fair...." You don't want what's fair. We actually want to be a little ahead of the next guy. I need an excuse for the crud in my heart. What you want wont fix you. If you had what you wanted today, you'd want more tomorrow. It's a heart issue. We have insecurities and their success, beauty, strength, money, bring it out. I think, "you're my problem." If I can distance myself from you, it will solve my problem. but you can't solve my problem. Jealous people make themselves feel better when others fail. This is the slime of jealousy - you feel better for others to fail. Those feelings come from your heart. The people that cause jealousy to surface in you are not your problem. Your problem is not them, it is a reflection of your relationship with God. Your real issue is with God. Jealousy says, "God owes me" Guilt says, "I owe you" Jealousy says, "God owes me..." A different body, different parents, more money, looks, brains, talent, different husband/wife Fair went out with the garden of Eden Daniel 4:35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?" 1 Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 1cor 12 - God gave spiritual gifts "as he determined" I think my issue is with people, but I'm mad at God. He owes me. Not the people you're jealous of. When you have the guts to go to God and say, "you ripped me off" They reflect an issue for you that you have with God. 1 Cor 13 you cannot carry love and envy. God has called you out of the darkness of jealousy. God has to dredge that up in you and address it with you. You cannot love the way God intended while you carry jealousy. It will affect and destroy relationships. Bring it to God. You think He owes you. 1. Acknowledge your jealousy to God - that you think God owes you. 2. Confess your jealousy to the people that you have been cutting down. You cannot hardly say anything positive about them. 3. Celebrate out loud the people you're jealous of. "Great idea." "Nice car." "You look beautiful." Do it publicly. Do it as a habit. Public celebration will break the power of jealousy. Refuse to let jealousy rule your heart. It belongs to The Lord.
Jesus said everything you do comes from your heart. We live from our heart. We learned what to say and do. We learned to filter our hearts, but the Bible tells us to guard our hearts, to watch over it, watch what goes into it and comes out of it. Not to filter our hearts, but to deal with them. We recoil at bringing those things out into the light. One way to understand some sin is as a debt/debtor relationship. Debt hangs over the relationship If we don't deal with them. Psalm 38:1-4 Guilt - is an overwhelming sense that I've done wrong. Guilt will negatively impact your relationships. Guilt is not what God desires for His people. "It is your kindness, o God, that leads us to repentance." Guilt is a monster, not a tool. Apart from the cross, guilt is normal. Because of the gospels power, you can be completely free of all guilt. Don't buy the lie that cultivating guilt and wallowing in your shame is somehow pleasing to God or promote holiness or spiritual maturity. God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned. Jesus' sacrifice did away with our guilt, it did not add to it. He removes our guilt; takes it away. My guilt and your guilt was buried with Jesus. It was done away forever. Guilt says, "I owe you." I did something wrong, now I owe you. Lies rob people from making a decision based on the truth, it robs the relationship. When a husband or wife leaves, it robs the spouse, the children. There is a debt/debtor relationship. We experience it like a weight or a burden. When we confess it, we feel like a weights been lifted. The guilt you pick up, you carry back into your family and relationships. You carry guilt with you everywhere you go. When you carry unresolved guilt, you take it into your relationships. In the middle of guilt, there is anger. You are angry at yourself. "I said, 'I'd never,' then I did." You're angry at you. You let your kids, spouse, parents down. You carry it with you in every aspect of your life. It is almost impossible to please a man or woman who carries guilt. "Since I didn't live up to my expectations, I'm not going to allow you to either. Since I disappointed me, I'm going to find a way for you to disappoint me too." It's hard to see in yourself, but the people around you see it. They don't know why they can never measure up. "I'm just trying to help" "I'm a perfectionist" No, your disappointment in you impacts the people around you. Guilt eats at your heart. It grows in the darkness and eats at you. You may feel like its in the past, so it's something that cannot be undone. Bringing it out in the light may scare you to death. There are only two ways to deal with guilt. 1st, since it's like a debt, return what was taken. But how can you repay hurt? Repay a past broken relationship? It's almost impossible. Or, 2, ask the person you took it from to cancel your debt Both require confession. Confession breaks the power of guilt. Psalm 32:1-5 You will never adequately forgive yourself until you first confess to the person you stole from The Bible has more to say about confessing to other people than to God. We think the way we deal with guilt is to tell God. You get rid of guilt by shining the light of truth on it. Zacheaus - admitted his abuse of power, offered to pay back, Jesus said salvation is near. When leaving your gift, make things right with your brother. The Bible calls us to a lifestyle of confession, being honest with ourselves, with our family, everyone around us. Keep short accounts. Be quick to confess, apologize, make right. James 5:16 - confess your sins to one another The goal of confession is not a clear conscience. The goal of confession a change of heart, a change of life. You live from your heart. Make restitution - sometimes impossible to pay back what we've taken Andy Stanley: How are things in your heart? Any secrets?
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